Save the Roadless Rule on the Tongass National Forest

The Tongass National Forest provides our communities with subsistence foods, a thriving economy, and an inestimable cultural heritage. 31 communities are located within the Tongass, including 22 Federally recognized tribes who have been here since time immemorial. The Roadless Rule protects the Tongass from unsustainable industrial-scale logging and fosters sustainable development in Southeast Alaska. The Trump administration has pressured the Forest Service to remove the Roadless Rule from the Tongass, which would damage the environment, economy, and way of life for communities. This decision goes aganist the wishes of the majority of Southeast Alaskans—tribal governments, local organizations and businesses, and communities—who have spoken in favor of keeping it in place. Now is the time to tell our elected officials that we don't support the short-sighted, politically influenced agenda for the Alaska Roadless Rule. 

Take action using our online commenting tool here!

We also encourage to call your elected officials and let them know that you want the Alaska Roadless Rule to stay on the Tongass!

📞 Governor Mike Dunleavy: (907) 465-3500
📞 Senator Dan Sullivan: (202) 224-3004
📞 Senator Lisa Murkowski: (202)-224-6665
📞 Representative Don Young (202) 225-5765

Oppose the Trump Administration's Executive Order to Gut NEPA

As Alaskans, we understand the importance of natural resources in our state. We grew up eating wild foods, dipnetting for salmon, and chopping firewood. We know that access to the land is critical to our way of life and our economy. But President Trump’s recent Executive Order fast-tracking infrastructure and development projects is the last thing our state needs.

President Trump’s Executive Order to gut the National Environmental Policy Act will allow Federal agencies to bypass critical social and environmental safeguards that protect the lands and resources Alaskans rely on. The order will remove opportunities for communities to comment on projects that will affect them, erasing local voices in key decisions. This is not only dangerous for the health of our communities, it’s a threat to our very democracy because it shuts the people’s input and voice out of the processes.

What’s more, taking away these safeguards will affect communities of color disproportionately, in a time when the disparities of race and class in America have never been more clear. Representative Raúl Grijalva said that “gutting NEPA takes away one of the few tools communities of color have to protect themselves and make their voices heard on federal decisions impacting them.” This has already happened with tribal entities in Southeast Alaska on the Tongass and will happen across the state if this move is allowed.

We value the Alaskan way of life. It’s important that our Congressional Delegation understand that this Executive Order to bypass NEPA regulations is detrimental to our state and our communities. Call Senator Sullivan, Senator Murkowski, and Representative Young today and tell them that they need to oppose this unsustainable and irrational decision and step away from the corruption of the Trump administration.

Other ways to take action

Encourage your representatives to look ahead

Tell your congressional leaders that as we recover from COVID-19 and work to strengthen our economy that you want them to support Tongass Forest Management Stewardship and Restoration.