The Tongass needs your voice

Whether it’s casting to salmon in a clear Southeast Alaska stream or moving quietly through old growth in search of deer, healthy habitat makes these experiences possible.

Last month, we shared an update on the next phase of the Tongass forest plan revision. That process is moving forward, and the opportunity for hunters and anglers to weigh in is NOW!

The U.S. Forest Service is currently accepting public input on early draft plan content which will help determine how these 16.7 million acres of public land will be managed for fish, wildlife, and access for decades to come.

Why This Matters

The Tongass is one of the most intact temperate rainforests in the world and one of the most important landscapes in Alaska for hunting and fishing.

The Tongass supports:

• World-class salmon and steelhead fisheries.
• Critical summer and winter habitat for Sitka black-tailed deer.
• Vast, roadless public lands that provide access and hunting and fishing opportunities.
• Sustainable timber harvest that contributes to rural economies and culture.

This forest plan will serve as the blueprint guiding how those values are managed. While it doesn’t authorize projects directly, it will shape every future decision on the forest through the life of the plan, typically 20 years or more.

Where We Are Now

The Forest Service is currently seeking input on Preliminary Draft Plan Content and Species of Conservation Concern in an early and highly influential stage of the process. This is not the full draft plan but it acts as the foundation for what’s to come. The agency is actively asking for feedback to:

• Refine management direction.
• Develop alternatives for analysis.
• Identify the most important issues to carry forward.

At this stage, public input helps shape and define the options before they are finalized. In many ways, this is the moment when the range and scope of future decisions is defined. The draft plan itself is built around identifying “desired conditions” for the future state of habitat, watersheds, and access that management will aim to achieve over time.

What the Draft Plan Shows

The preliminary draft offers an early look at how the Forest Service is thinking about the future of the Tongass.

Key themes include:

• A stronger focus on ecosystem integrity, resilience, and connectivity.
• Recognition that healthy watersheds are foundational to sustaining salmon and fisheries.
• Continued emphasis on subsistence, recreation, and local economies.
• The need to adapt to changing habitat and water system conditions.

The agency has also identified a need to update and refine how the forest is managed, creating a clear opportunity to ensure conservation and habitat values remain central.

Species of Conservation Concern

Alongside the draft plan, the Forest Service is also asking for input on a proposed list of Species of Conservation Concern. These are native species where there is concern about their long-term survival in the Tongass based on the best available science. Out of more than 500 species reviewed, 32 have been identified as having substantial conservation concern. Included in the list are mountain goats and spruce grouse located on Prince of Wales Island.

Many of these species face shared challenges, including:

• Habitat loss and fragmentation.
• Changes in temperature, snowpack, and precipitation.
• Pressure from development and recreation.
• Small or isolated populations.

This matters because the final forest plan must include management direction that supports these species and the habitats they depend on. In many cases, that means maintaining the same habitat values hunters and anglers care about most: healthy watersheds, intact forests, and connected landscapes.

Submit a Comment and Other Ways to Engage

Right now, the Forest Service is asking for specific, substantive feedback. Below is a sample comment that you can use to guide your own personal comment.

This comment period is open through May 6, 2026, 11:59 PM (Alaska Time), and input submitted now will directly influence how the draft plan and alternatives are developed.

Sample Comment

I support a Tongass forest plan that maintains old-growth habitat critical for deer, conserves salmon-bearing watersheds, and ensures long-term access for hunting and fishing. The plan should also recognize the conservation value of the millions of acres of wild, remote backcountry that define the Tongass and support high-quality habitats as well as hunting and fishing experiences. Management should prioritize habitat connectivity, watershed health, and science-based young-growth restoration to sustain fish and wildlife populations while supporting local economies.

In addition to submitting written comments, the Forest Service is hosting in-person public meetings across Southeast Alaska this April.

If you’re in Southeast Alaska, showing up in person can make a real difference in how this plan develops as these are the best times to hear directly from agency staff, ask questions about the plan, and ensure local voices are part of the conversation.  

Photo Credits: Bjorn Dihle