Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation; National Forest System Lands in Alaska

Issuing agencies

Abstract

On January 20, 2021, President Biden ordered all executive departments and agencies to immediately review and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, take action to address the promulgation of Federal regulations during the last 4 years that may conflict with protecting the environment, and to immediately commence work to confront the climate crisis (Executive Order 13990). In addition, on January 26, 2021, President Biden directed all Federal agencies to review tribal consultation policies and practices and recommit to more robust nation-to-nation relationships and respect for our Federal trust responsibilities. Consistent with these Presidential directives, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department), proposes to repeal a final rule promulgated in 2020 that exempted the Tongass National Forest (Tongass or the Forest) from the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule). The 2001 Roadless Rule prohibited timber harvest and road construction or reconstruction within designated Inventoried Roadless Areas, with limited exceptions. Repealing the Subpart E exemption would reinstate application of the 2001 Roadless Rule to the Tongass (as provided for in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska's Judgment in Organized Village of Kake v. USDA. USDA invites written comments on the proposed rule and associated documents. Substantive comments received during the comment period will be considered in developing the final rule.