Tongass National Forest

The 2001 Roadless Rule continues to evolve and is expected to continue until the Tongass exemption is permanent or included in the finalized National policy. Finalization of this issue is likely to be influenced by litigation.

The 1997 Forest Plan addressed the values of roadless areas on the Tongass. The 2003 Forest Plan SEIS updated the analyses related to roadless areas on the Forest. The SEIS concluded the mix of LUDs and Standards and Guidelines included in the 1997 Plan provided a balanced approach to protecting roadless values along with meeting all other resource and public objectives. Most any scenario that implemented the 2001 Roadless Rule would affect that balance and would likely require a significant Forest Plan amendment or Revision effort.

Include current status in Forest Plan Refresher training, including approaches to consistently address roadless values in project planning and implementation. Addressing the potential affects of the Roadless Rule other than the efforts that have already occurred (i.e., SEIS) are not ripe for action until the Roadless Rule stabilizes for the Tongass and Nationally.

• Planning Staff Officer
• Forest Management Staff Officer

• Periodic informal updates.