On Wednesday, the Trump Administration announced it will once again attempt to eliminate Roadless Rule protections for national forests, including in the Tongass National Forest. The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule protects 58.5 million acres of national forest land, including 14.7 million acres in Alaska.

The Clinton-era policy prohibits the construction of new roads or commercial logging in the Tongass, which serves as critical habitat for salmon and wildlife, provides hunting and fishing opportunities for residents and tribal members, and supports the recreation and tourism industries.

Melissa Lewis with Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, in a Wednesday press release, said that the Tongass is home to 20% of the carbon within U.S. national forests and that rescission of the Ro

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