Biden plans to restore Roadless Rule in Southeast
The Biden Administration said in June it plans to restore part or all the Roadless Rule to limits development in Southeast Alaska’s Tongass Na- tional Forest. The rule, which limits logging, mining, and development in most of the nation’s largest national for- est, has been in place 20 years before being repealed by former president Donald Trump. The U.S. Department of Agricul- ture has said it will “repeal or re- place” the Trump administration’s action, as part of a broader environ- mental push by the administration of President Biden. The department will publish a new version of the rule in August. Alaska opposition has been swift and direct. “In Southeast Alaska, where the Tongass makes up the vast majority
of the land base, the one-size-fits- all Roadless Rule has restricted ac- cess needed for tourism, recreation, timber, mining, transportation, and the development of renewable ener- gy, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski. “Any action to repeal the final rule and reimpose the roadless rule will cost jobs, diminish income, keep energy prices high, and cripple the abili- ty of the communities in the region to develop a sustainable, year-round economy.” “There they go again: another misguided decision by the Biden ad- ministration that ignores the inter- ests of Alaska working families and reasonable access to our lands, and instead sells out Alaska to the agen- da of extreme environmental groups who have no interest in promoting economic opportunities in our state,” said Senator Dan Sullivan.
“This is a very sad day for the State of Alaska. Rolling back the hard- fought Roadless Rule exemption is not only a devastating attack on our state’s economy, but also shows a terrible disregard for Alaskans’ right to govern themselves,” said Con- gressman Don Young. Currently, 91% of the Tongass is either Wilderness, Wilderness Na- tional Monument, or Inventoried Roadless Areas — meaning only 9% of the Tongass is available for any kind of development. “The Forest Service has already conducted a thorough analysis and determined that an Alaska-specific exemption from a one-size-fits-all roadless rule was fully justified,” said Gov. Mike Dunleavy. “Narrow election results and political donations from environmental groups do not justify this federal agency’s policy flip-flop.”
“We protect the environment because this is the land where we grew up.” – Evan Polty Jr. Lead Mechanic, Donlin Gold Born in Pilot Station and Resident of Russian Mission
Respectful development for all generations.
To learn more, visit us at donlingold.com
8
The Alaska Miner
Summer 2021
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting