By Sentinel Staff
Time is running out to speak in favor of reinstating essential protections on the Tongass National Forest, Southeast Alaska Conservation Council says.
To encourage comment, SEACC and several partners are hosting a virtual ‘‘Rally for the Tongass,’’ 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, via Facebook and Zoom.
The Biden administration last fall opened a public process to restore Roadless Rule protections on the Tongass. On Nov. 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a 60-day comment period for the public to voice support for the reinstatement of the national rule. The public has since submitted official comments on the Biden administration’s decision to move to repeal the Trump-era “Alaska-specific” Roadless Rule, which removed 2001 national Roadless Rule protections from the Tongass in Southeast Alaska.
Those wanting to attend the rally can RSVP at SEACC.org/Tongass-Rally.
Addresses from Indigenous leaders, previews of films made by Southeast Alaskans with a focus on the Tongass, and a performance by Portugal. The Man are planned.
The pre-recorded virtual rally will showcase the ‘‘beauty, diversity, economic vitality, and cultural vibrancy held within the nearly 17 million acres of Tongass National Forest,’’ organizers said.
Rally hosts are the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, and partners Native Movement, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network, Environment America, Alaska Environment, Environmental Action, Student Public Interest Research Groups, The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., Audubon Alaska, Alaska Wilderness League, Earthjustice, and the Center for Biological Diversity.
