Tlingit & Haida opposes rescinding Tongass roadless protections. Comments close Sept. 21.

The Executive Council of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska has adopted a formal position opposing the removal of federal road-building and logging limits from the Tongass National Forest. The tribe represents more than 38,000 tribal citizens.

That position now meets a live federal action. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule nationwide, shifting management of inventoried roadless areas to planning at the individual forest level. The rule prohibits road construction, road reconstruction and timber harvest in inventoried roadless areas, with limited exceptions, including across the Tongass. It covers 58.5 million acres nationwide.

The Executive Council governs when the Tribal Assembly is not in session. Its Roadless Rule resolution, EC Res. 26-03, directs the tribe to send its opposition to USDA, the Forest Service, the Interior Department and other federal decision-makers. A companion measure affirms Indigenous forest stewardship, conservation and climate-responsive management across Tlingit & Haida homelands.

SalmonState, the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association, UnCruise Adventures and The Boat Company say rescinding the rule would damage Tongass fisheries and the local economies tied to them. USDA's proposal also records support from an Alaska Native corporation, which said the rule limits its rights to access and develop lands.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has applauded federal moves away from the rule. At a June 10 markup, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Lisa Murkowski said "It's never been a good fit for us," adding that Tongass forest areas remain fully protected by existing laws and regulations.

Comments are due in writing by Sept. 21 at regulations.gov, docket FS-2025-0001. The Forest Service will also hold subsistence hearings in Alaska under ANILCA Section 810.