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

• Shades of Green on YouTube
• Shades of Green on Barn OnAir & On Line
• 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.

• Fireside Lectures begin this Friday at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center - January 04, 2012 - Juneau, AK - Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center kicks off a new season of the popular Fireside Lectures this Friday. Hosted by the Tongass National Forest, Fireside Lectures occur every Friday night from January 6 to March 23, free of charge.

• Mt. Furuhelm - Mt. Ada Zone is closed to the harvest of mountain goat by all users in Unit 4 (Baranof Island). - December 13, 2011 - Sitka, AK - The Sitka District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is taking Special Action to close portions of hunt area RG150, which includes (1) all drainages into Baranof Warm Springs Bay, Cascade Bay, Nelson Bay, Red Bluff Bay, Falls Lake, Hoggatt Bay, Gut Bay, Yermak Lake, Patterson Bay, Deep Cove, and (2) all un-named drainages from Baranof Warm Springs Bay south to Deep Cove that enter Chatham Strait (known as the Mt. Furuhelm-Mt. Ada Zone) on Baranof Island in Game Management Unit 4 to the harvest of mountain goats by all users. The closure will be effective at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, December 15, 2011 and will remain in effect for the remainder of the season, which runs through December 31, 2011. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has issued a similar closure in the same area, effective from 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2011 through the remainder of the season on December 31, 2011.
• Tongass National Forest officials are working with several partners, including the City and Borough of Juneau and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, to determine the cause of an odor at the entrance to the Mendenhall Lake Campground. Initial tests indicate that the smell is not generated by a toxic source, including sewage. Further testing is planned; the Forest Service will continue to share information as the investigation continues. For more information, contact Ed Grossman, Recreation Program Manager, Juneau Ranger District, at 789-6237 or egrossman@fs.fed.us.
• National Forest Foundation and USFS Announce $125K in Grants to Support Southeast Alaska Watersheds and Communities - November 01, 2011 - Ketchikan, AK - The National Forest Foundation (NFF) and U.S. Forest Service Alaska Region announced a new competitive grant program to fund tools and support for nonprofit and public organizations to advance watershed and landscape-scale projects in Southeast Alaska.
• Tongass National Forest welcomes new Petersburg District Ranger - November 01, 2011 - Ketchikan, AK - The Tongass National Forest supervisor announced that Jason Anderson, currently Thorne Bay District Ranger on the Tongass, has accepted the position of Petersburg District Ranger. Anderson will assume the position officially February 12, 2012.
• Federal appeals court affirms decision in favor of Forest Service in Logjam lawsuit Forest Service timber project analysis complies with environmental laws - October 28, 2010 - Thorne Bay, Ak - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ruled that the Logjam Timber Sale Project complies with federal environmental laws.
• Proposed Tonka timber sale key stewardship project for Forest Service Draft Environmental Impact Statement now available for review - October 19, 2010 - Petersburg, Ak - The Supervisor for the Tongass National Forest has signed and released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for a timber sale project on the Petersburg Ranger District.
• Federal Subsistence Board Closes the Subsistence Brown Bear Hunt in Unit 4 - October 14, 2011 - Sitka, AK - The Federal Subsistence Board has closed the federal subsistence brown bear hunt on Admiralty, Baranof, Chichagof, and associated small islands in Unit 4 due to conservation concerns.
• North Fork of Katlian River is closed to the harvest of mountain goat by all users in Unit 4 (Baranof Island) - October 14, 2011 - Sitka, AK - The Sitka District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is taking action to close portions of hunt area RG150; (1) that portion including the north fork of the Katlian River and Coxe River drainages and, (2) that portion of the unnamed drainage west of the Coxe River and north of Cedar Cove that drains into Nakwasina Sound on Baranof Island in Game Management Unit 4 to the harvest of mountain goats by all users.
• Prince of Wales Island Road Closures Ongoing - October 13, 2011- Price of Wales Island, AK - The Tongass National Forest, Thorne Bay and Craig District Rangers are reminding the public that the roads system on Prince of Wales Island is changing.
• Redoubt Bay-Necker Bay Drainages are closed to the harvest of Mountain Goat by all users in Unit 4 (Baranof Island) - September 29, 2011 - Sitka, AK - The Sitka District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is taking action to close portions of hunt area RG150; (1) that portion including all drainages west of Silver Bay to Redoubt Bay, Redoubt Lake drainage, all drainages into Crawfish Inlet, and all drainages into Necker Bay (known as the Redoubt Bay-Necker Bay Zone) on Baranof Island in Game Management Unit 4 to the harvest of mountain goats by all users.
• Green Lake-Vodopad River Drainage is closed to the harvest of mountain goat by all users in Unit 4 (Baranof Island) - September 28, 2011 - Sitka, AK - The Sitka District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is taking action to close the Green Lake-Vodopad River watershed to the harvest of mountain goats by all users. The closure will be effective at 12:01 a.m., Thursday September 29, 2011 and will remain in effect for the remainder of the season, which runs through December 31, 2011.
• Helicopter Incident near Davies Creek - September 26, 2011 - Juneau, AK - A U.S. Forest Service employee and pilot from Coastal Helicopters were involved in a helicopter incident near Juneau Monday afternoon.
• PSA - Tongass National Forest - September 24, 2011 - Juneau, AK - Acclaimed nature photographer Amy Gulick, author of the award-winning book Salmon in the Trees: Life in Alaska’s Tongass Rain Forest, will host an open reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by a free lecture Tuesday, September 27 at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center.
• PSA Tongass National Forest - September 23, 2011 - POW, AK - A culvert at 12.7 miles on the Polk Inlet Road blew out this week, prompting Forest Service officials on Prince of Wales Island to close the road. The culvert will be replaced and the road reopened as quickly as possible; until then, the road is completely impassable at that point. Contact the Craig Ranger District at 826-3271 for more information.
• Tongass National Forest and SAGA Celebrate 25 Years of Partnership, National Public Lands Day - September 16, 2011 - Juneau, AK - The US Forest Service and SAGA invite all of Juneau to celebrate their 25 years of partnership on community projects this year by hosting a series of events to recognize National Public Lands Day.
• Celebration of Tongass National Forest in Juneau in Conjunction with National Public Lands Day. Exhibit of Nature Photography Book, Salmon in the Trees: Life in Alaska's Tongass Rain Forest - September 15, 2011 - Juneau, AK
• PSA- Tongass National Forest - September 09, 2011 - Juneau, AK - In preparation to update the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Management Plan, the US Forest Service is exploring community interests, opportunities, and concerns by hosting two open house meetings at the Tongass National Forest Juneau Ranger District office at 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road in Juneau.
• Bull Moose Harvest Quota Established for Unit 5A, except Nunatak Bench - September 08, 2011 - Yakutat, AK - The Yakutat District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, has established the moose harvest quota for Unit 5A.
• SUBSISTENCE DOE CLOSURE ANNOUNCED FOR NORTHEAST CHICHAGOF ISLAND CONTROLLED USE AREA, UNIT 4 - August 30, 2011 - Hoonah, AK - In order to support deer population recovery and ensure strong populations for future subsistence hunts, the Hoonah and Sitka District Rangers, under their authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, will be closing the female deer (doe) season in the Northeast Chichagof Controlled Use Area of Unit 4. 

• Improvements to Hot Springs Coming Next Summer
  Extensive public input played heavily in Forest Service Decision- August 30, 2011- SITKA, AK – A popular hot springs destination in the Tongass National Forest will be undergoing some needed improvements next summer.

• Fish Possession on the Situk River - August 15, 2011 - Yakutat, AK - Please help us to reduce the number of negative bear-human interactions and defense of life and property situations along the Situk River.
• Nakwasina River is CLOSED to the harvest of Mountain Goats by all users in Unit 4 (Baranof Island) - August 11, 2011 - Sitka, AK - The Sitka District Ranger is closing the Nakwasina River drainage to the harvest of mountain goats by all users, effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 12, 2011 through December 31, 2011.
• Celebration of Tongass National Forest in Craig in Conjunction with Prince of Wales Restoration Celebration - August 08, 2011 - Craig, AK - Presentation, Exhibit of Nature Photography Book Salmon in the Trees: Life in Alaska's Tongass Rain Forest
• PSA Tongass National Forest - A meeting has been scheduled for the informal presentation of Jueanu RAC proposals by the parties who submitted them during the open submission period. - August 08, 2011 - Juneau, AK
• PSA Tongass National Forest - Two public meetings have been scheduled for the presentation of Lynn Canal-Icy Strait RAC proposals by the parties who submitted them during the open submission period. August 08, 2011 - Juneau, AK
• PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD REGARDING EXTENDING THE FEMALE DEER CLOSURE IN THE NORTHEAST CHICHAGOF CONTROLLED USE AREA (NECCAU) IN UNIT 4 (Chichagof Island) - August 04, 2011- Hoonah, AK
• Feds, Farmers and Friends Feed Families in Sitka - We CAN do it! - August 04, 2011 - Sitka, AK - Forest Service employees on the Sitka Ranger District are once again participating in the government-wide "Feds, Farmers and Friends Feed Families" summer-long food drive by federal employees.
• Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, partners to celebrate watershed restoration on Price of Wales Island - July 29, 2011 - Craig, AK - The U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, and partners are gearing up to celebrate the completion of a critical watershed restoration project on Prince of Wales Island.
• Redoubt Lake Sockeye Salmon Re-Opening SA-13-RS-06-11 - July 22, 2011 - Sitka, AK - Due to a stronger salmon return, the US Forest Service Sitka District Ranger is acting to re-open the Federal subsistence sockeye salmon fishery in the waters under federal jurisdiction in Redoubt Lake on Baranof Island.
• Blue Lake, Medvejie Lake and the southern half of the Katlian River drainages are closed to the harvest of Mountain Goat by all users in Unit 4 (Baranof Island) - July 18, 2011 - Sitka, AK - The Sitka District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is taking action to close the watersheds of Blue Lake, Medvejie Lake and the southern half of the Katlian River drainage to the harvest of mountain goats by all users.
• Redoubt Lake Sockeye Salmon Closure SA-13-RS-05-11 - July 14, 2011 - Sitka, AK - Due to a low sockeye salmon return at Redoubt Lake, the US Forest Service Sitka District Ranger is acting to protect the fishery by closing the Federal subsistence sockeye salmon fishery in the waters under federal jurisdiction in Redoubt Lake on Baranof Island.
• Public Hearing To Be Held Regarding Changes In Mountain Goat Hunting In Unit 4 (Baranof Island) - July 06, 2011 - Sitka, AK - The Sitka District Ranger, under the authority granted by the Federal Subsistence Board, will hold a public hearing on Friday, July 15, 2011 starting at 6:30 p.m.
• Duke Island Recognized for Culture Significance - July 06, 2011 - Ketchikan, AK - For generations of Southeast Alaska Natives, Duke Island has held significant cultural value. Now, the U.S. Forest Service and the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) have made an effort to recognize this area, naming the island eligible for listing as a “traditional cultural property” in the National Register of Historic Places.
• PSA - Tongass National Forest - June 30, 2011 - Forest Service officials remind Southeast Alaska residents to celebrate the 4th of July holiday safely. Please be aware that the use of fireworks is strictly prohibited at all established recreation sites on the Tongass National Forest. For more information on recreating on the Tongass, please contact your local Forest Service District Office or visit http://go.usa.gov/ZKO.
• Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District Outfitter and Guide Management Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement - June 29, 2011 - Ketchikan, AK - Tongass National Forest has completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Outfitter and Guide Management Plan.
• Celebration of Tongass National Forest in Wrangell in Conjuction with Bearfest - June 27, 2011 - Wrangell, AK - United States Forest Service, Alaska Wilderness League, Braided River, the National Forest Foundation, and Bearfest are pleased to announce a series of events and exhibitions featuring the stunning photographs of acclaimed photographer Amy Gulick.
• PSA - June 24, 2011 - Tongass National Forest - Project proposals for funding through the Secure Rural Schools Act Juneau Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) are currently being accepted.
• PSA - June 24, 2011 - Tongass National Forest - Project proposals for funding through the Secure Rural Schools Act Lynn Canal-Icy Strait Resource Advisory Committee (LC-IS RAC) are currently being accepted. Projects must meet the purposes of improving or maintaining existing infrastructure (roads & trails), implementing stewardship objectives that enhance forested ecosystems, and/or restoring and improving land health and water quality on National Forest System lands.
• Federal Subsistance Fishery for Sockeye Salmon - Closed in Federal Waters of the Hatchery Creek Drainage - June 20, 2011 - Thorney Bay, AK - Due to a low sockeye return, the US Forest Service Thorne Bay District Ranger is acting immediately to protect sockeye salmon in the Hatchery Creek drainage on Prince of Wales Island.
• PSA - The Juneau Resource Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, June 16 from 8am to 11am at the Juneau Ranger District.
• Local Trails Heavily Impacted by Fall Storms - June 11, 2011 - Ketchikan, AK - Strong storms during October 2010 caused extensive blowdown on remote hiking trails across the Ketchikan-Misty Ranger District.
• PLEASE BE SAFE WITH WILDLAND FIRE THIS SUMMER SEASON - June 06, 2011 - Juneau, AK - Please help us to prevent human-caused fires this Summer Season. Roughly 93% of the wildfires across Southeast Alaska are human-caused and, therefore, preventable.
• The Lynn Canal/Icy Strait Resource Advisory Committee will meet Thursday June at 9:30 a.m. via teleconference. - May 31, 2011 - Juneau, AK - This meeting is open to members of the public, who may call 800-857-9656 to connect. They then will be asked to provide a pass code, which is 55104, and the leader’s name: Debra Robinson.
• SPECIAL ACTION- FEDERAL SUBSISTENCE BOARD - Effective 12:01AM May 24, 2011Federal Subsistence Fishery for Chinook Salmon closed in the Situk River
• Federal Subsistence Fishery for Chinook Salmon Closed in the Situk river - May 24, 2011 - Yakutat, AK - Yakutat District Ranger Lee Benson has announced that he is acting immediately to protect Chinook salmon in the Situk River near Yakutat.
• The Juneau Resource AdvisoryCommittee will meet Monday, May 23rd at 2PM at the Juneau Federal Building, room 401D.- May 17, 2011 - Juneau, AK
• Mendenhall Lake Campground open May 15th - May 12, 2011, Juneau, AK
• PSA - Due to rapidly increasing bear activity this spring, Forest Service officials advise visitors to the Tongass to use extra caution in recreation areas. - May 11, 2011, Juneau, AK
• Forest Service invites public to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day - April 27, 2011, Juneau, AK - Tongass National Forest will host two weekend events focusing on local birds in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day.
• Earth Day Honored with Second in a Series of Four International Year Forests Posters - Available Friday at a Forest Service Office Near you. April 19, 2011 - Juneau, AK
• Mendenhall Lake Conditions - April 15, 2011, Juneau, AK - Forest Service officials in Juneau are warning visitors to the Mendenhall Lake area that the condition of the lake ice has deteriorated to such a degree that any activity on the ice is extremely unsafe.
• Celebration of Tongass National Forest in Conjunction with the 1st Annual Yakutat Tern Festival and International Year of Forests - April 15, 2011, Yakutat, AK- United States Forest Service, Alaska Wilderness League, Braided River, National Forest Foundation, and Yakutat Salmon Board are pleased to announce a series of events and exhibitions featuring the stunning photographs of acclaimed photographer Amy Gulick.
• The Lynn Canal/Icy Strait Resource Advisory Committee will meet Monday, April 25th at 8AM at the Forest Service Juneau Ranger District/Admiralty Monument Office - April 14, 2011, Juneau, AK
• Forest Service, partners gear up for annual Stikine River Birding Fest - April 13, 2011 - Wrangell, AK - Visitors from all over Southeast Alaska will migrate to Wrangell this spring for the Annual Stikine River Birding Festival, taking place April 28 through May 1, 2011.
• Public Workshops for Forest Projects Announced in Thorne Bay - April 07, 2011 - Thorne Bay, AK - Starting in May and continuing through the summer, the Tongass National Forest will be hosting a a series of public workshops to explore project opportunities for the Big Thorne Stewardship Area. The workshops will guide the agency as it defines priority projects that best meet the needs of communities and businesses, and will help create local jobs on Prince of Wales Island.
  
• Public Service Announcement - Tongass National Forest is offering a unique opportuniuty to serve as campground host at Mendendhall Lake Campground.
• United States Forest Service, Alaska Wilderness League, Braided River, and the National Forest Foundation are please to announce a public event and exhibition featuring the stunning photographs of acclaimed photographer Amy Gulick - March 30, 2011
• Tongass National Forest Seeks Applications for Outfitting and Guiding Opportunity for the Pack Creek Zoological Area - March 29, 2011, Juneau, AK - The Tongass National Forest is pleased to announce the availability of a prospectus for special use permits for the Pack Creek Zoological Area on Admiralty Island National Monument.
• International Year of Forests celebrations on the Tongass National Forest underway in Southeast Alaska - March 08, 2011 - The US Forest Service, Alaska Wilderness League, Braided River and the National Forest Foundation are pleased to announce a series of events and exhibitions to celebrate the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska in conjunction with the United Nations-designated International Year of Forests (IYF). The series of events and exhibitions will celebrate the uniqueness of the Tongass National Forest and the Alaskans who live here.
• Forest Service Celebrates Alaska's Forests - March 01, 2011 - Alaska’s Forests—the Tongass and Chugach National Forests—are pleased to announce the kick-off of a year’s worth of events and the release of a collectible poster series to commemorate the International Year of Forests (IYF), a United Nation’s designation. The two Forests will be joining individuals, communities, agencies, and private groups across the globe in celebrations and events throughout 2011, highlighting the importance of sustainable management and conservation of the world’s forests.
• Forest Service Ready to Start Work on Community Stewardship Project - February 25, 2011 - Petersburg, AK - The Tongass National Forest announced today it is ready to move forward with a stewardship project on Kupreanof Island. The project calls for fish passage improvement, wildlife habitat restoration, recreational enhancement, road and trail maintenace and timber harvesting. The project is a critical piece of the agency’s “Transition Framework” effort announced last May, by Regional Forester Beth Pendleton.
• Federal Subsistence Fishery For Eulachon Closed in Federal Waters In Area 1D - Burroughs Bay Area - February 2, 2011 - Ketchikan, AK - Ketchikan-Misty Fiords District Ranger Jeff DeFreest has announced that he is acting immediately to protect eulachon stocks in the Burroughs Bay/Unuk River area north of Ketchikan, Alaska.
• Tongass National Forest celebrates winter trail use, ARRA improvements - January 11, 2011 - Juneau, AK - Hordes of Juneauites are grabbing their skis, snowshoes, and grippers and heading to their favorite Tongass National Forest trail this winter.
• Tongass National Forest Welcomes new Deputy Forest Supervisor - January 07, 2011 - Ketchikan, AK - The Tongass National Forest is pleased to announce that Tricia O'Connor, currently Staff Officer for Wildlife, Subsistence, and Planning on the Tongass, has accepted the position of Deputy Forest Supervisor.
• Public Input Sought for Wrangell Project - January 06, 2011 - Wrangell, AK - The Forest Service is in the beginning or scoping stages of planning for a project that combines timber sales, road construction, restoration, and habitat enhancement work on Wrangell Island, and is looking for the public’s help in crafting it.
• Tongass National Forest to collaborate on critical salmon habitat restoration - January 05, 2011 - Sitka, AK - Salmon are getting a big boost in Southeast Alaska this year. A series of restoration projects in critical wild salmon habitat on the Sitkoh River will move forward in 2011 thanks to a collaborative commitment by federal and state agencies and conservation groups.