Hunters and anglers can help shape the forest plan

Last December, we wrote about the Forest Service’s Tongass National Forest Plan Assessment Report, which highlighted the importance of healthy fish and wildlife habitat, watershed conservation for salmon, and continued access for hunters and anglers across Southeast Alaska. That report was the first step in updating the management plan for the Tongass, America’s largest national forest. Now the process is entering its next and most important phase.

The U.S. Forest Service is accepting public comments through March 20 to help shape how the Tongass National Forest will be managed for the next decade or more.

For hunters and anglers who value this iconic place and Southeast Alaska’s world-class fisheries, abundant wildlife, and vast public lands, this is an important opportunity to speak up.

Why the Tongass Matters

The Tongass spans roughly 16.7 million acres across Southeast Alaska, covering most of the region’s islands, forests, and watersheds. It remains one of the most intact temperate rainforests on Earth, with habitats that continue to function much as they have for thousands of years.

For hunters and anglers, the Tongass supports world-class salmon and steelhead fisheries, important habitat for Sitka black-tailed deer, brown bears, and other wildlife, and vast backcountry landscapes that provide exceptional opportunities for hunting, fishing, and recreation. These healthy forests and watersheds also underpin a thriving outdoor recreation and guiding economy, sustaining not only wildlife but also the communities and outdoor traditions that define Southeast Alaska. The Tongass continues to build a restoration economy to improve forest health and shift to the harvest of young growth that together can support a sustainable timber sector and contribute to rural economies and culture.

Why the Forest Plan Matters

A forest plan serves as the long-term blueprint for how the Tongass will be managed. While it does not authorize specific projects, it guides future decisions about fish and wildlife habitat conservation, timber harvest and forest management, recreation and tourism infrastructure, watershed safeguards for salmon streams, access to hunting and fishing opportunities, and potential conservation designations such as wilderness recommendations.

The current Tongass plan was last fully revised nearly three decades ago, and the Forest Service says the update is needed to reflect changes in science, regional economies, and how people use and experience the forest today.

Another important policy context surrounding the plan revision involves the management of roadless areas within the Tongass. More than nine million acres of the forest are currently designated as roadless areas: large, relatively undeveloped landscapes that provide important habitat for fish and wildlife and opportunities for backcountry hunting and fishing.

The Forest Service is currently considering broader changes to the national Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As part of the Tongass plan revision, the agency will analyze at least one alternative that would remove roadless safeguards. For hunters and anglers, the absence of roads helps support intact habitat and provides some of the most remote recreation opportunities remaining in Southeast Alaska. The Forest Service is also exploring ways to streamline the forest plan by reducing the number of management areas that guide different land uses. This could shift more focus to forest-wide standards while simplifying the overall structure of management designations across the Tongass.

Key Issues for Hunters and Anglers

Several major issues will shape the revised Tongass forest plan and the following environmental analysis, particularly those affecting fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and the communities that rely on the forest.

Salmon Habitat and Watersheds
The Tongass produces a significant share of Alaska’s wild salmon harvest, making the health of its watersheds critical to fisheries across the region. Forest management decisions from road placement to timber harvest can influence water quality and the spawning habitat salmon depend on. As part of the revision, the Forest Service is considering new ways to prioritize watershed health, including identifying watersheds where conserving salmon habitat would be a central management priority.

Wildlife Habitat
Old-growth forests provide important habitat for species such as Sitka black-tailed deer, which support both hunting opportunities and subsistence harvests. Throughout winter and early spring, deer are generally restricted to old-growth forests below 1,500 feet in elevation. These old-growth forests provide optimal winter habitat because the high, broken canopy intercepts heavy snowfall while still providing for the growth of forage plants browsed by deer. Maintaining healthy forest structure and habitat connectivity will be an important consideration for sustaining wildlife populations across the Tongass.

Recreation, Access, and Communities
Outdoor recreation and tourism are among the largest economic drivers in Southeast Alaska, and many rural communities rely on the Tongass for food, livelihoods, and cultural traditions. The revised plan will examine how to balance growing visitation with conservation while maintaining reliable access to hunting, fishing, and other traditional uses that sustain Southeast Alaska communities.

Talking Points for Your Comment

If you plan to submit a comment, ask the Forest Service to carry forward plan components that maintain habitat connectivity and sustain high-quality wildlife habitat and fisheries as those conditions underpin both subsistence and public hunting and fishing opportunities. 

Additionally, consider highlighting the following points.

Conserve Salmon Habitat and Watersheds
The Tongass provides an estimated 22 percent of Alaska’s annual commercial salmon catch and 75 percent of the annual southeast Alaska commercial salmon catch, valued at more than $68 million annually. Healthy salmon runs depend on intact watersheds, clean water, and well-managed forests. The revised plan should prioritize strong conservation safeguards for salmon streams and aquatic habitat.

Maintain Healthy Wildlife Habitat
Old-growth forests and intact landscapes support deer, bears, and many other species important to hunters and anglers.

Support Access for Hunting and Fishing
The Tongass provides world-class opportunities for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The revised plan should maintain reliable access for residents, guides, and visiting sportsmen and women.

Acknowledge the Outdoor Recreation Economy
From 2010-2019, southeast Alaska attracted 120,000 sport anglers annually who caught nearly 780,000 salmon each year. Sportfishing, guiding, and outdoor tourism depend on healthy habitats and intact landscapes. These sustainable economic drivers should remain central to the Tongass’s future and be considered in the forest plan revision.

Ensure “Management Area Simplification” Maintains the Wild Character of the Tongass
The Tongass is one of the last large temperate rainforests left on Earth. Long-term stewardship and a simplified set of management areas should ensure that its wild landscapes and abundant wildlife remain intact for future generations.

The Forest Service is accepting comments until March 20.

Submit your comments through the button below.

You can learn more about the Tongass forest plan revision and upcoming public engagement opportunities, including in-person events throughout Southeast Alaska, HERE.

Looking Ahead

The Tongass remains one of America’s great public lands. A place where healthy habitat still supports thriving fish runs, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable days afield.

The decisions made in this forest plan revision will shape how these lands are managed for years to come. Hunters and anglers have long been leaders in conservation. This is another opportunity to help ensure the Tongass continues to support healthy habitat, strong fisheries, and access to the public lands that make Alaska special.

Feature Image: Bjorn Dihle

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