NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service
Alaska Region
Ray Massey W 907.586.7876
rmassey@xxxxxxxxx C 907.209.2094
May 25, 2011
Forest Service Issues Statement Concerning Judgment in Tongass Roadless Case
JUNEAU, Alaska–Alaska Forest Service Regional Forester Beth Pendleton today released the following statement concerning the judgment in Organized Village of Kate, et. al. v. USDA, a challenge to the exemption for the Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Rule.
“The Forest Service is pleased the court has accepted the proposed judgment that provides local communities the certainty they need for a specific group of projects, while making it clear that many other projects will be able to move forward. These include important hydroelectric projects, power line interties, and mining projects that will allow local communities to move forward with renewable energy and other projects within the Tongass Transition Framework. The judgment also specifically allows the Forest Service to offer small sales of salvage timber near existing roadways in areas designated as roadless. All of these projects are important to the economic vitality of Southeast Alaska.”
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Editor's Note: Copy of the judgment is attached.
Attachment:
Dkt 85 Judgment 05242011.pdf
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