Forest service informs public about changes to Roadless Rule

On Sept. 25, a meeting was held by officials from the United States Forest Service to inform the public about the state’s plan to alter the Roadless Rule which prevents the construction of roads in nearly 60 million acres of land throughout the country.

About 55 percent of the Tongass National Forest and 99 percent of the Chugach National Forest is subject to the Roadless Rule.

The Roadless Rule was put into effect in 2001. In 2003, the Tongass was exempt from the Roadless Rule but reinstated in 2011. The USDA initiated an environment impact statement and public rule making process to address...