Tongass National Forest

Newsroom

Transparency on the Tongass

• NEW Special Reports page
  Information and decisions about timber harvests on the Tongass National Forest
• Follow the Tongass on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr. Links to the right.

Links of Interest

• UAF workshop on building the Starrigavan Cabin (Page 6) 08/14/09
• Juneau Empire link to bear slides 08/14/09

Recent News Releases

Click on the title to see the complete news release.

• Possible incendiary device discovered near glacier visitor center - January 25, 2010 Juneau, AK - U.S. Forest Service officials are asking visitors to the east side of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area to exercise caution this morning, as law enforcement officials investigate the discovery of an apparent incendiary device.
• Tongass Motor Vehicle Use Maps available now - January 21, 2010 Ketchikan, AK - Users of motor vehicles on the Tongass National Forest should stop by their local ranger district to pick up the current copy of the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), available now. There is a separate MVUM for each district or unit.
• Tongass National Forest Welcomes New District Ranger in Ketchikan - January 19, 2010 Ketchikan, AK - The Tongass National Forest is pleased to announce the new ranger for the Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District, Jeff DeFreest. Currently a manager for the Forest Service’s economic stimulus projects based in Alaska, DeFreest will be starting as District Ranger in mid-February 2010.
• Tongass Lands Unit 4 open to deer hunting through January 31, 2010 - Decemeber 31, 2009 Sitka, AK - The U.S. Forest Service would like to remind deer hunters that the federal subsistence hunting season for deer in Unit 4 is open through January 31, 2010.
• Middle Ridge Cabin now available for reservations - December 09, 2009 Wrangell, AK - The Wrangell Ranger District is proud to announce that the new Middle Ridge Cabin, the latest addition to Wrangell Ranger District’s recreation cabins, is now available for reservations through the same website used to rent all public recreation cabins in the Alaska Region.
• Forest Service releases Central Kupreanof FEIS - October 7, 2009 Petersburg, AK - The U.S. Forest Service has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Central Kupreanof timber harvest project. The project area is located on central Kupreanof Island off the Kake road system, within the Petersburg Ranger District on the Tongass National Forest.
• Regional Forester Denny Bachor says 73-million-board-foot Logjam Timber Sale Project can go forward, under instructions. - September 24, 2009 Juneau, AK
• Forest Service releases decision for Petersburg motorized vehicle access - September 24, 2009 Petersburge, AK - Users of motorized vehicles on Forest Service roads on the Petersburg Ranger District, Tongass National Forest, will want to pick up a new Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the district when it becomes available in January 2010.
• Forest Service issues decision for Juneau, Admiralty motorized vehicle plan - September 11, 2009 - Juneau, AK - The U.S. Forest Service has made a decision on the Juneau Ranger District (JRD) and Admiralty National Monument (ANM) Access Travel Management (ATM) Plan.
• Federal Subsistence Board closes doe hunting on Federal lands in a portion of Unit 4 in Southeast Alaska - September 10, 2009 Sitka, AK -
  The Hoonah and Sitka District Rangers, under their authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, are taking immediate action to close the taking of female deer (does) in the Northeast Chichagof Controlled Use Area of Unit 4 for conservation purposes.
• Forest Service releases EA for Yakutat motorized vehicle access - August 15, 2009 Yakutat, AK - The U.S. Forest Service has released the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Yakutat Ranger District Access and Travel Management (ATM) project.
• Federal Subsistence Fishery For Sockey Salmon Closed in Federal Waters of the Hatchery Creek Drainage - July 31, 2009 Craig, AK - Craig District Ranger Greg Killinger has announced that he is acting to further protect sockeye salmon in the Hatchery Creek drainage on Prince of Wales Island. The District Ranger, as in-season manager, is closing the Federal subsistence sockeye fishery in Federal public waters of the Hatchery Creek drainage due to a low adult sockeye return in 2009. The Federal Subsistence Board has delegated to him this in-season management authority.
• Forest Service to hold public meeting in Kake - July 31, 2009 Petersburg, AK - The U.S. Forest Service will be holding a public meeting and hearing to discuss a request to close the federal subsistence trapping season for marten on Kuiu Island for the 2009-2010 trapping season.
• Forest Service releases decision for Hoonah motorized vehicle access - July 31, 2009 Hoonah, AK - Users of motorized vehicles on Forest Service roads on the Hoonah Ranger District, Tongass National Forest, will want to pick up a new Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the district when it becomes available in January 2010.
• Forest Service Seeks comments for Juneau, Admiralty motorized vehicle plan - July 31, 2009 Juneau, AK - The U.S. Forest Service is seeking additional comments on its proposed management plan for motorized vehicle access on the Juneau Ranger District (JRD) and Admiralty National Monument (ANM), both within the Tongass National Forest.
• Hot temps, dry weather mean higher fire risk - July 29, 2009 Juneau, AK - Record high temperatures, dry weather and fire can be a risky combination. That’s why fire officials on the Tongass National Forest are asking that all area residents, campers, hunters, and day users to the national forest be cautious with any fire.
  
• Environmental Assessment Released on Wrangell Outfitter and Guide Management Plan - July 16, 2009 Wrangell, AK - The Wrangell Ranger District on the Tongass National Forest has released the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Wrangell Outfitter and Guide Management Plan, outlining alternatives regarding the amount of commercial outfitter and guide use which may be authorized on the district. A decision notice to finalize the Plan is expected in September of 2009.
• High fire risk levels persist across Southeast Alaska - July 08, 2009 Juneau, AK - Warmer temperatures and drier conditions persist across Southeast Alaska this week, prompting officials on the Tongass National Forest to ask that all area residents and Forest users continue to be cautious when using fire.
• Tongass NF Engaging the Social Media - July 07, 2009 Ketchikan, AK - The Tongass National Forest launched a “Special Update” section on the Tongass web site late last week, with specific and updated information pertaining to the Logjam timber sale.
  
• News Release: Hatchery Creek Drainage Sockeye closure - June 18, 2009 Craig, AK - Craig District Ranger Greg Killinger has announced that he is acting immediately to further protect sockeye salmon in the Hatchery Creek drainage on Prince of Wales Island.  The District Ranger, as in-season manager, is closing the Federal subsistence sockeye fishery in Federal public waters of the Hatchery Creek drainage due to a low adult sockeye return in 2009.  The Federal Subsistence Board has delegated to him this in-season management authority.
• Special Action: Federal Subsistence Fishery Closure for Sockeye Salmon in the Hatchery Creek Drainage - June 17, 2009
  Craig, AK - This Special Action closes the Federal subsistence fishery for sockeye salmon in the Hatchery Creek drainage.  From 12:00 a.m., Saturday June 20 until 11:59 p.m. on Friday July 31, 2009, the portion of the Hatchery Creek drainage, from 100 feet upstream of the upper falls to 100 feet downstream of the lower falls, will be closed to all Federal subsistence fishing.  The remainder of the drainage will be open to subsistence fishing with rod and reel or dip net gear.  Any sockeye caught must immediately be released.  Beginning August 1, Federally qualified users may fish for coho salmon with rod and reel or dip net gear at the upper and lower falls.  Any sockeye caught must be immediately released.  The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) recently closed the personal use fishery, and have prohibited the retention of sockeye salmon caught within the sport fishery.  A weir operated by the Organized Village of Kasaan is located above the falls on Hatchery Creek.  If weir counts show the run to be healthy than these regulations may be superseded by subsequent special action.
• Forest Service releases Environmental Assessment for Hoonah motorized vehicle access - June 09, 2005
  Hoonah, AK - The U.S. Forest Service has released the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Hoonah Ranger District Access and Travel Management (ATM) project.
• Juneau District to host National Get Outdoors Day - June 09, 2009 Juneau, AK - What are you doing Saturday, June 13? The Juneau Ranger District invites you to get outside to celebrate the second annual National Get Outdoors Day.
  
  National Get Outdoors Day is co-sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition. Juneau is just one of more than 50 locations nationwide providing a variety of free recreational events designed to introduce children and the American public to the great outdoors, and to foster a deeper appreciation for nature. It’s part of the Forest Service’s effort to get more kids in the woods.
• Hoonah students assist Forest Service in archeological inventory - June 08, 2009
  Hoonah, AK - About 15 Hoonah students are credited with assisting Forest Service archaeologists inventory artifacts excavated almost four decades ago from two ancient archeological sites in Icy Strait.
• Sitka District Ranger makes new office decision - June 5, 2009 Sitka, AK - The U.S. Forest Service has released its decision on a proposal to build a new office for the Sitka Ranger District.

  Based on the Environmental Assessment completed for the Sitka office project and released in March, Sitka District Ranger Carol Goularte has selected Alternative B with modifications.

• Hot temps, dry weather mean higher fire risk - June 3, 2009 Juneau, AK - Record high temperatures, dry weather and fire can be a risky combination. That’s why fire officials on the Tongass National Forest are asking that all area residents, campers, hunters, and day users to the national forest be cautious with any fire.
• Forest Service signs ROD on Angoon Hydroelectric Project - May 26, 2009
  Juneau, AK – Residents of Angoon are one step closer to realizing a hydroelectric facility to power their community—a facility which could potentially lower the cost of electric bills and reduce the village’s dependence on expensive diesel-generated power.
  
• Tongass announces new Admiralty Monument ranger - May 19, 2009 Ketchikan, Alaska - Tongass National Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole has announced former Alaska Region employee Marti Marshall is returning to serve as the new Admiralty National Monument ranger. She replaces former ranger Kathy Rodriguez, who left last fall for a position in Montana.
• Award-winning Juneau trail map now available - May 19, 2009
  Juneau, Alaska - Before you pack up the backpack, pull on your hiking books, and head out for a Juneau area trail, be sure to pick up a new Juneau Area Trails map.
• Road Reconstruction Public Information Open House in Coffman Cove - April 22, 2009
  PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND, Alaska - The Forest Service will host a joint agency Open House at the Coffman Cove council building on Tuesday evening, May 6th, 2009, to review information and progress on the reconstruction of the Coffman Cove road near the Sweetwater Lake cabin.
• Record of Decision Navy Timber Sale - April 17, 2009
  WRANGELL, Alaska - The Forest Supervisor for the Tongass National Forest has signed the Record of Decision for the Navy Timber Sale, located in the central part of Etolin Island about 22 air miles south of Wrangell, Alaska. 
• Hoonah and Haines meetings for motorized use plan rescheduled - March 13, 2009 Juneau, AK – The U.S. Forest service has rescheduled public meetings and subsistence hearings that were postponed earlier this month due to bad weather. Tongass National Forest officials are holding the meetings to seek public input regarding motorized use on Juneau Ranger District and Admiralty National Monument.
• Burroughs Bay/Unik River Eulachon Closure: February 09, 2009 KETCHIKAN - Ketchikan-Misty Fiords District Ranger Lynn Kolund has announced that he is acting immediately to protect eulachon stocks in the Burroughs Bay/Unuk River area north of Ketchikan , Alaska . The District Ranger, as in-season manager, is closing the Federal subsistence eulachon fishery to all users in Federal public waters in the Burroughs Bay/Unuk River area (Area 1D) due to very low fish numbers in 2004 through 2008.
• From naughty to nice: Bothersome beavers behaving, at least for now - December 19, 2008 Juneau, Alaska - Maybe they heard about Santa, or maybe they just got tired of volunteers undoing their work, but it appears the beavers in the Dredge Lakes area have ceased plugging culverts, felling trees and repairing dams.
• Hoonah Ranger District to hold Open House on road use information - November 28, 2009 Hoonah, AK – Which roads on the Hoonah Ranger District, Tongass National Forest, are most valued and used by members of the public? That’s one question the Hoonah Ranger District will be asking at an Open House to be held Wednesday, Dec.10, 6–9 p.m. in the Hoonah Ranger District office. 
• Forest Service Chief Upholds Tongass Plan - August 28, 2008
  JUNEAU, Alaska – U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell last week upheld Alaska Regional Forester Denny Bschor’s decision on the 2008 Tongass Land Management Plan Amendment. The Forest Service received 15 appeals and comments from several entities.
• Ketchikan MF Roads-Trails Decision Announced - August 20, 2008 KETCHIKAN, Alaska—Outdoor recreationists and subsistence users who drive high-clearance and off-highway vehicles in the Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District will maintain access to their preferred Forest Service roads. That’s according to District Ranger Lynn Kolund, who says he based his decision on input from the public.
• Scratchings Timber Sale ROD II - August 4, 2008
  CRAIG, Alaska - The Tongass National Forest has released the Scratchings Timber Sale Area Record of Decision II, for the project area located on Suemez Island in the Craig Ranger District on Prince of Wales Island.
• Karta River Sockeye Closure - July 28, 2008
  CRAIG, Alaska- Craig District Ranger Greg Killinger has announced that he is acting immediately to protect sockeye salmon in the Karta River drainage on Prince of Wales Island . The District Ranger, as in-season manager, is closing the Federal subsistence sockeye fishery to all users in Federal public waters of the Karta River drainage due to a low adult sockeye return in 2008.
• Redoubt Lake Sockeye Closure - July 17, 2008
  Sitka , Alaska - The Sitka District Ranger, as in-season manager, is closing the Federal subsistence sockeye fishery to all users in Federal public waters of Redoubt Lake due to a low adult sockeye return in 2008. The closure will be effective 11:59 p.m., Friday, July 18, 2008 and continue until 11:59 p.m. , September 17, 2008 .
• Sitka Motor Vehicle Use Map - July 14, 2008
  Sitka, AK - The Tongass National Forest, Sitka Ranger District released a new Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the District July 1, 2008 as part of the national 2005 Final Travel Management Rule for National Forests. This is the first MVUM to be released on the Tongass National Forest.
• Partnership Benefits Tongass Pubic-Use Cabins - July 10, 2008 Ketchikan, Alaska - Friends of the Tongass Cabins and the Tongass National Forest have teamed up to ensure the continued development, operation, maintenance and public enjoyment of cabins on the nation’s largest national forest.
• Hatchery Creek Sockeye Closure - July 8, 2008
  Craig, Alaska - The Craig Ranger District Ranger, as in-season manager, is closing the Federal subsistence sockeye fishery to all users in Federal public waters of the Hatchery Creek drainage due to a low adult sockeye return in 2008. The closure will be effective 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2008 and continue until 11:59 p.m., September 7, 2008.
• Coffman Cove Road - June 18, 2008
  The Forest Service is working with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and a number of other federal and state agencies to address problems associated with lower-than-normal pH levels in several streams near Sweetwater Lake along a 3-1/2-mile stretch of the Coffman Cove Road Project.
• Forest Service invites public to help shape road policy - February 20, 2009 Juneau, AK – The U.S. Forest Service is holding a series of public meetings and subsistence hearings in March to seek input on road use on Admiralty National Monument and Juneau Ranger District. About 60 miles of roads are being evaluated as part of the process to develop an Access Travel Management plan for the districts. The process will ultimately result in the publication of a Motor Vehicle Use Map designating which roads on the districts are open to motorized vehicle use.
• Sitka Ranger District seeks comments on new office proposal - February 10, 2008 Sitka, AK – Sitka District Ranger Carol Goularte invites public input on a proposal to construct a new Forest Service office at the district’s administrative site, 2112 – 2116 Halibut Point Road in Sitka. Comments should be received by Feb. 20, 2009.