Notice2026-03197
Tongass National Forest; Alaska; Land Management Plan Revision
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 18, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is revising the land management plan for the Tongass National Forest. This notice announces the Forest Service's initiation of the development of a revised land management plan (revised plan) and intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the effects of revising the current plan. This notice initiates the scoping period on the development of the proposed action and EIS. This notice also describes the documents and background resources available for review and how to obtain them; includes a description of the preliminary need to change the current land management plan; includes options for meeting the needs for change; includes a preliminary list of substantive issues to be analyzed in detail; provides information on public participation, including the process for submitting comments; provides an estimated schedule for the planning process; and describes how to obtain additional information. The Planning, Administrative Reviews, and Litigation System identification number for the project is 64039.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7424-7429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03197]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Tongass National Forest; Alaska; Land Management Plan Revision
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of initiation of the development of a proposed plan
revision and notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact
statement.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is revising
the land management plan for the Tongass National Forest. This notice
announces the Forest Service's initiation of the development of a
revised land management plan (revised plan) and intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the effects of
revising the current plan. This notice initiates the scoping period on
the development of the proposed action and EIS. This notice also
describes the documents and background resources available for review
and how to obtain them; includes a description of the preliminary need
to change the current land management plan; includes options for
meeting the needs for change; includes a preliminary list of
substantive issues to be analyzed in detail; provides information on
public participation, including the process for submitting comments;
provides an estimated schedule for the planning process; and describes
how to obtain additional information. The Planning, Administrative
Reviews, and Litigation System identification number for the project is
64039.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 20, 2026. Scoping for this
revised plan will occur between now and release of the draft revised
plan and draft EIS, through iterative public engagement opportunities,
using a variety of methods.
Continued coordination with cooperating agencies and consultation
with Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations are also planned during this
timeframe as part of scoping efforts. The draft revised plan and draft
EIS are expected to be published during fall 2026 with a 90-day comment
period. Those comments will be used to update the final revised plan
and EIS, which are expected to be available during May 2027. These
dates are subject to changes in the project schedule.
The dates and times of any public meeting or webinar to share more
information on the plan revision will be posted at <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r10/tongass/planning/forest-plan/plan-revision-public-engagements">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r10/tongass/planning/forest-plan/plan-revision-public-engagements</a>. Information will also be shared through electronic mailing
lists, social media, and local media outlets.
ADDRESSES: Written comments received in response to this notice will
inform the Forest Service's identification of the need to change the
current land management plan, will support development of the proposed
action (draft revised plan), and will help the agency further develop
and refine potential substantive issues which will inform development
of alternatives to the proposed action.
Written Comments
Individuals and entities are encouraged to submit comments via
webform at <a href="https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=64039">https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=64039</a>. Hardcopy letters must be submitted to the
following address: Tongass National Forest, USDA Forest Service, 648
Mission Street, Suite 110, Federal Building, Ketchikan, AK 99901. For
those submitting hand-delivered
[[Page 7425]]
comments, please call 907-519-8035 to make arrangements.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Mathews, Environmental
Coordinator, via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f89d8a9196d695998c909d8f8bb88d8b9c99d69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d584f545313505c4955584a4e7d484e595c135a524b">[email protected]</span></a> or at 907-419-8347.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the hearing-
impaired may call 711 to reach the Telecommunications Relay Service, 24
hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. For further
information about the plan revision process and to view associated
documents, go to the Tongass Plan Revision website at: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r10/tongass/planning/forest-plan/tongass-national-forest-plan-revision">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r10/tongass/planning/forest-plan/tongass-national-forest-plan-revision</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1604) and
2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) require that the Forest Service develop
a land management plan, often called a forest plan, for every national
forest. Land management plans provide strategic direction for
management of forest resources and are to be revised every 15 years
thereafter to ensure plans remain current (36 CFR 219.7(a)). The
Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan was adopted in 1979, revised
in 1997, and amended in 2008 and 2016. The purpose and need for
revising the current land management plan are: (1) update the land
management plan that was last revised nearly 30 years ago; (2) provide
strategic direction that reflects changes in economic, social, and
ecological conditions, new agency policies and priorities, and new
information based on monitoring and scientific research; and (3) to
address the preliminary identified need to change to the current land
management plan. The Notice of Intent to Prepare an Assessment,
pursuant to the 2012 Planning Rule, was published in the Federal
Register on April 26, 2024 (89 FR 32393). A draft assessment was posted
for comment on January 10, 2025, and based on public comments received,
the assessment was revised and posted on October 16, 2025: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r10/tongass/planning/tongass-national-forest-plan-revision-assessment">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r10/tongass/planning/tongass-national-forest-plan-revision-assessment</a>.
Background
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the
country at 16.7 million acres and includes approximately 80% of the
Southeast Alaska panhandle. Southeast Alaska is a remote archipelago
with approximately 32 rural, semi-rural, and urban communities ranging
in population from 18 to 31,000 residents. Nineteen federally
recognized tribal governments are located within and utilize lands and
waters of the Tongass as their traditional homelands. The landscape is
complex, dominated by a largely intact temperate rainforest,
encompassing waterways and over 1,000 islands, with most communities
surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. Boat and air travel is key
to transportation and economic prosperity. Cruise ships are the primary
method of travel for the majority of the millions of tourists who visit
the region annually.
The Forest Service's management of the Tongass National Forest
strongly influences the rural economy, and culture of Southeast Alaska.
Recreation, tourism, fisheries, and timber harvest are local and
regional economic sectors that are heavily influenced by Tongass
National Forest management. These commercial activities, combined with
subsistence resources, are the core of Southeast Alaska's local and
regional economy and depend on the high productivity and careful
stewardship of Tongass National Forest ecosystems. Tourism and
recreation depend heavily on scenic value and healthy fish and wildlife
populations. The Tongass National Forest also contains large old growth
trees, which are highly valued for specialty wood products, and younger
timber stands that together can support a sustainable timber sector
that contributes to rural economies and culture. The high productivity
of forest ecosystems also supports rural and indigenous communities
with an abundance of natural resources.
In working toward a revised forest plan for the Tongass National
Forest, the revision team will ensure consistency with applicable laws,
regulations, and executive orders. Unique to the Tongass is the 1990
Tongass Timber Reform Act (TTRA), which set requirements for riparian
buffers from timber harvest, amended the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (ANILCA) to protect certain lands in the Tongass
National Forest in perpetuity, and established a need to understand the
demand for Tongass National Forest timber. Provisions of the TTRA and
ANILCA will be addressed during the revision process. For example, a
new long-term timber demand analysis is underway at the USDA Forest
Service Pacific Northwest Research Station to inform the revised plan.
The revision team will ensure consistency with executive orders
including the 2025 Executive Order (E.O.) 14153, ``Unleashing Alaska's
Extraordinary Resource Potential,'' and E.O. 14225, ``Immediate
Expansion of American Timber Production,'' while considering resource
potential and opportunities for rural economic development. E.O.s state
the policy of the United States to maximize the development and
production of natural resources in Alaska and to increase timber
production to protect national and economic security.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to revise the Tongass National Forest Land
and Resource Management Plan to address the identified need to change.
Public comment is requested on the preliminary need to change as
described below. A revised plan will be developed, consistent with the
2012 Planning Rule, that includes desired conditions, goals,
objectives, standards, guidelines, suitability of lands for specific
multiple uses, lands that could be recommended to Congress for
inclusion into the National Wilderness Preservation System, and the
identification of rivers eligible for inclusion into the National Wild
and Scenic Rivers system.
The revised plan will not authorize any projects or actions but
will guide future decision-making on the Tongass National Forest. It
will inform the purpose and need for future actions, guide the design
of projects, and include a plan monitoring program to guide the
development of biennial land management plan monitoring reports.
Alternatives
The Forest Service will analyze a reasonable range of alternatives
to the proposed action. A ``no action'' alternative that considers
retention of the current land management plan will be analyzed along
with alternatives that are expected to vary in how management
emphasizes access and availability of resources for different uses.
Alternatives to the proposed action will represent different approaches
to addressing the substantive issues raised during opportunities to
comment.
Preliminary Need To Change
The 2012 Planning Rule requires that revision of land management
plans be informed by an identified need to change that reflects
feedback from the public, Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations, and
other governmental agencies. The agency seeks feedback on the following
preliminary need to change. The need to change will continue to be
refined and updated in
[[Page 7426]]
the draft and final revised plans, through feedback and new
information.
The preliminary need to change focuses on the following six
interrelated goals:
(1) Update and modernize the plan, consistent with the 2012
Planning Rule, by simplifying, clarifying, reorganizing, and reducing
the number of management areas for concise, easy to follow direction.
(2) Prioritize local and regional prosperity of Southeast Alaska by
contributing to timber, minerals, tourism, recreation, and other
important economic drivers.
(3) Incorporate strategies to address significant changes in
recreation and tourism, including the increase in cruise ship
visitation.
(4) Include plan content that encourages collaboration and shared
stewardship with a variety of partners in pursuit of common objectives.
These partners can include: local, state, and tribal governments;
Alaska Native Corporations; industry stakeholders; and other non-
governmental organizations.
(5) Consider needs for subsistence uses such as hunting, fishing,
and gathering when developing the revised plan.
(6) Consider indigenous knowledge related to land stewardship,
cultural issues, and culturally-significant sites.
Additional details are provided below for each of these goals.
Update and modernize the plan: The current Tongass Land and
Resource Management Plan is constructed around 18 land use designations
(LUDs), which were added at different times to achieve a variety of
goals. Chapter 5 was added during 2016, through a forest plan
amendment, to update direction on young-growth timber harvest,
renewable energy, and transportation system corridors. As a result of
numerous amendments, the current forest plan has overlapping and
sometimes confusing or conflicting direction.
Simplification of the forest plan content and format, reducing
overlapping direction, and improving clarity is needed to ensure that
the plan is focused on integrated resource management within the fiscal
capability of the unit (36 CFR 219.1(g), 219.10(a)), and to ensure that
they are written clearly and without ambiguity so that a project's
consistency with applicable plan components can be easily determined
(36 CFR 219.15(d)).
Prioritize local and regional prosperity: There is a need to better
integrate plan content with a focus on community prosperity that can be
supported by Tongass National Forest management decisions. This could
include updates to timber, tourism and recreation, and minerals, and
other commercial uses to reflect current regional economic drivers.
When considering local and regional prosperity, there is a need to
consider current and possible future economic drivers to ensure that
the Tongass National Forest will provide adequate access to resources
for development and that plan components promote expeditious permitting
for energy and natural resource developments, consistent with E.O.s
14153 and 14225.
Address changes to recreation and tourism: The current Tongass Land
and Resource Management Plan contain direction for recreation and
tourism, but does not reflect recent growth and projected changes,
particularly the increase in cruise ship tourism. Outdoor recreation
and tourism are the biggest private-sector economic drivers in the
region. The revised plan needs to consider how to balance recreation
and tourism with other uses, ensuring sustainability of the natural
environment and protecting the character of the Tongass.
Foster shared stewardship in pursuit of common objectives: There
are collaborative opportunities to meet joint management objectives
across the landscape. Integration of these opportunities to work
cooperatively with partners will create a land management plan with
improved responsiveness to local and regional needs. There is a need to
incorporate opportunities for shared stewardship, partnerships, and
coordination of planning with other public planning efforts into the
revised plan in order to support ecological, economic, and social
sustainability.
Consider needs for subsistence uses such as hunting, fishing, and
gathering: As Congress found in the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act, ``the continuation of the opportunity for subsistence
uses by rural residents of Alaska, including both Natives and non-
Natives, on the public lands and by Alaska Natives on Native lands is
essential to Native physical, economic, traditional, and cultural
existence and to non-Native physical, economic, traditional, and social
existence.'' In addition, rural communities of Southeast Alaska obtain
a far higher proportion of their nutrition from wild sources than the
national average. All types of non-commercial harvest of fish,
wildlife, and plants are identified by Tribes, communities, agencies
and individuals as a key ecosystem service on the Tongass National
Forest that should be prioritized in the revised plan. While the
current plan includes direction on subsistence uses, it does not
provide direction specific to the individual communities and their
activities within the Tongass National Forest.
Consider indigenous knowledge related to land stewardship, cultural
issues, and culturally significant sites: Indigenous knowledge will be
considered as a form of best available scientific information that will
contribute to ecologically, socially, and culturally informed
management practices, which is a requirement of all land management
plans (36 CFR 219.4(a)(3)). There is a need to seek and integrate
information on traditional uses and management of natural resources,
including topics such as management and use of cultural wood, fisheries
and wildlife habitat, and land and water access to locations of
cultural importance. This information will be gathered through tribal
government consultation, Alaska Native Corporation consultation, and
other engagement with Alaska Natives. The revised plan can incorporate
indigenous knowledge into plan components as well as highlight
opportunities to address impacts identified by, and contribute to
objectives of, federally recognized tribal governments, Alaska Native
Corporations, and Alaska Native communities.
Resources With No Identified Preliminary Need for Substantive Change
Some management direction in the current forest plan will not be
changed. This is the case for actions not subject to the discretion of
the Tongass National Forest Supervisor. Those include boundaries of
Congressionally-designated wilderness areas and Land Use Designation II
(LUD II, established by statute in 1990 and 2014 to be managed in a
roadless state to maintain their wildland character), as well as
Research Natural Areas and Experimental Forests. No decisions will be
made regarding the management of individual roads or trails such as
those that might be associated with a Travel Management plan under 36
CFR part 212. No decision regarding the availability of oil and gas
leases will be made.
There are many resources for which the relevant assessment
information and monitoring suggests that there may be no need for
substantive change, but for which direction would be reworded and
reorganized. Such change is not substantive and will not require
detailed analysis. Much of the current direction meets the intent of
the 2012 Planning
[[Page 7427]]
Rule, in that it provides for sustainability, ecological integrity,
diversity of plant and animal communities, ecosystem services, and
multiple use, and contributes to social and economic sustainability.
While the entire plan needs general updates and reorganization as
described above, much existing direction needs only non-substantive
updates.
The topics for which relevant information from the assessment,
monitoring, and input from the public, Tribes and other agencies
suggest may not need substantive change, include the following:
<bullet> Fish and wildlife direction, and species-related plan
direction. While species of conservation concern will be addressed in
the plan, and there may be changes to organization, many existing
protective measures are expected to be retained.
<bullet> The old-growth habitat conservation strategy. While plan
components may be edited and LUDs will be revised, the intent of
maintaining and improving old growth habitat reserves and corridors for
species that depend upon them may not need to change.
<bullet> Special uses, transportation, infrastructure, energy and
minerals direction. These topics are guided by other law, regulation,
or policy.
<bullet> Direction regarding specific natural resources, including
air quality, soils, geology and geologic hazards, watershed and
riparian management areas, and karst management. Although most
protective measures have been shown to be successful, revised direction
will address current conditions and the best available science and will
likely result in only minor management changes.
Options for Plan Content To Address the Preliminary Need To Change
The agency is sharing the following potential options for revised
plan content to address, in part, the interrelated concerns identified
in the preliminary need to change. The agency will continue to develop
the revised plan and alternatives considering comments received from
the public, cooperating agencies, Tribes and Alaska Native
Corporations, and other governmental organizations on both the
preliminary need to change and options for plan content.
<bullet> Update suitability of lands for timber production as
required in a plan revision (36 CFR 219.11). Updates to suitability
will include factors such as changes in land ownership due to exchanges
and transfers, updated vegetation mapping, and changes from the current
LUDs to new management areas. Timber production estimates and
assumptions will be reviewed, and timber-related metrics such as the
sustained yield limit and projected timber sale quantity will be
updated accordingly and informed by a new long-term timber demand
analysis underway at the Pacific Northwest Research Station, as
described above and in accordance with TTRA requirements.
<bullet> Moving from the current LUD-based system to a new
management area system. This would reduce the number of management
areas (LUDs), while retaining most of the existing forest-wide
direction for natural resource and ecosystem services management.
Consideration is being given to replacing the current LUD system with a
combination of forest-wide direction along with a reduced number of
management areas as detailed below. Potential management areas being
considered and on which we are soliciting feedback are:
General Forest--areas for which timber harvest is allowed, and
where multiple uses and natural resource development could occur. These
areas would be expected to include roaded areas that would be
maintained and provide access for many uses and unroaded areas with
development potential. These areas are not set aside for conservation
purposes and would enable industry access and local access to
resources. The majority of the forest's suitable timber base that
contributes to the projected timber sale quantity could be located in
this general forest area, guided by forest-wide direction without
additional management area direction.
High Use Recreation Areas--areas for which the plan would guide
recreation infrastructure development and recreation and other special
use permit activities. These areas would have a desired condition of
accommodating many types of recreation and tourism activities.
Low Use Recreation Areas--areas for which the plan would have
limited infrastructure development, and the intent would be to provide
areas without high levels of outfitter/guide or other recreation-
related special use permits.
Community Use Priority Areas--areas with increased shared
stewardship and prioritization of local uses, developed in conjunction
with communities.
Old Growth Habitat Areas--areas that include old growth reserves
and potentially other ecologically important characteristics. Within
these areas, old growth timber harvest would be restricted, and other
timber removal could occur for ecological or cultural benefit. Within
these areas, maintenance and restoration of old growth forest
structure, composition and function would be the priority.
Conservation Watersheds--areas where the focus would be on
watersheds and fisheries protection. They would incorporate watersheds
of conservation importance for salmon and subsistence use of salmon.
<bullet> Develop a framework that reflects changes to shifting
recreation values, use patterns and technology, addresses winter
recreation use and updates recreation and outfitter/guide capacity
direction. This may include considering emerging uses and technologies,
such as e-bikes, drones, geocaching, heliskiing, and others. It may
also include a framework that is more responsive to changes in the
tourism industry. For example, high and low use management areas could
guide recreation infrastructure and outfitter/guide permitting.
<bullet> Integrate direction found in Chapter 5 of the current plan
(2016 amendment) throughout the revised plan, rather than retain as a
standalone section, improving consistency throughout the plan for
management of all resources.
<bullet> Fully integrate concepts of local economic and social
sustainability into management direction including integrating habitat
improvement for subsistence resources and long-term management of
cultural use wood into timber management.
<bullet> As required in the 2012 Planning Rule, species of
conservation concern will be identified, and plan components developed
to maintain or restore ecological conditions that contribute to
maintaining a viable population of each of these species (36 CFR
219.9(c)).
<bullet> Develop management approaches to support the working
relationships, partnerships, tribal authorities, and communities and
identify other opportunities to develop and meet joint management
goals. For example, management approaches or frameworks for
collaborative stewardship of natural resources on the Tongass National
Forest could be described.
<bullet> Management area direction should consider opportunities
for shared stewardship. For example, goals for community priority
management areas could be created as areas with increased shared
stewardship and prioritization of local uses.
<bullet> Integrate subsistence uses throughout the plan to ensure
that access to these uses is maintained or restored.
<bullet> Include consideration of indigenous perspectives of
biological and cultural
[[Page 7428]]
health and land and resource stewardship.
<bullet> Enhance flexibility to address hazardous conditions,
including conditions in dynamic or sensitive ecosystems affected by
increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.
<bullet> Reduce duplication with other law, regulation and policy
but provide citations, where necessary (as described at 36 CFR
219.2(b)(2)).
<bullet> Improve clarity of plan direction and reduce ambiguity so
that project consistency with applicable plan direction can be more
easily determined.
<bullet> Remove or revise current direction requiring specific
analyses, types of modeling, or inventory, which may be outdated,
overly complex or unclear.
<bullet> Improve clarity of plan direction on scenic integrity
objectives, including updated maps and associated plan content.
We are seeking public feedback on these potential options, and
welcome any proposed actions or strategies provided by the local,
state, and tribal governments, Alaska Native Corporations, communities,
or non-governmental organizations.
Preliminary Substantive Issues
A Notice of Intent must include a preliminary list of substantive
issues to be analyzed in detail, with a summary of expected impacts for
each issue. The preliminary substantive issues described here are based
on current information and public input. The Forest Service requests
additional public input to help refine this list. The preliminary
substantive issues that the Forest Service expects to analyze in detail
are as follows:
<bullet> Economic sustainability--Reflecting the health of
ecosystem services and industries that rely on the productivity of the
Tongass National Forest, variations between the alternatives may
support different economic drivers to varying degrees and different
methods for contributing to economic and social sustainability, which
is a requirement of all land management plans (36 CFR 219.1(c)).
<bullet> Timber availability--Varying management areas, levels of
watershed protection, areas suitable for timber production, and other
plan content in the proposed action and alternatives may provide
variable access to old growth versus young growth timber and a varied
projected timber sale quantity.
<bullet> Ecological sustainability--The proposed action and
alternatives may provide different methods for maintenance of
ecological sustainability, which is a requirement of all land
management plans (36 CFR 219.1(c)). These methods may have different
impacts to resource use and availability, risk of natural hazards such
as flooding and landslides, and climate resilience. Analysis will
provide the decision maker with information to determine alternative
selection.
<bullet> Fisheries--including aquatic habitat and watershed
conditions--Management areas and plan content in the proposed action
and alternatives may have varying emphasis on protection of streams,
riparian areas, and watersheds to promote healthy fisheries and access
to fishery resources, including salmon.
<bullet> Access to subsistence resources used for hunting, fishing
and gathering--The proposed action and alternatives may provide
different methods for protection of access to subsistence resources and
for balancing conflicting uses. While the revised plan will not include
restrictions or allowances for subsistence uses, it can include
direction for other uses with potential effects to access to
subsistence sites, or direction for hunting and fishing outfitter/
guides.
<bullet> Effects to recreation and tourism opportunities--
Variations between the proposed action and alternatives may guide
different levels and types of recreation and tourism and may lead to
opportunities or restrictions varying by management area.
Considerations will include the need to balance ecological, social, and
economic sustainability of different types of recreation and tourism.
<bullet> Designated area extent--Alternatives may vary based on the
acreage of designated areas, and the plan components associated with
those areas. For example, recommended wilderness areas or special
interest areas may vary by alternative.
Expected Impacts: The revised plan is expected to maintain or
improve ecological, economic, social, and cultural sustainability.
Scoping Comments and the Objection Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, specifically a
30-day feedback period, which will, in conjunction with public
engagement opportunities described in ``Dates'' above, guide the
development of the draft plan and EIS. The scoping process is conducted
in accordance with the USDA NEPA regulations (7 CFR 1b.7(c)).
In this feedback period, in addition to comments on the preliminary
need to change and options for plan content, the Forest Service is
requesting input to support development of potential alternatives and
evaluation of impacts, and identification of any relevant information,
studies, or analyses concerning impacts that may affect the quality of
the environment.
It is important that reviewers provide comments at such times and
in such a manner that they are useful to the Forest Service's
preparation of the preliminary draft revised plan and EIS. Therefore,
comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period
and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and
addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for
this proposed action. The scoping and comment periods are established
in a manner as not to preclude meeting the statutory deadline for
completing an EIS.
The decision to approve a revised plan for the Tongass National
Forest will be subject to the objection process identified in 36 CFR
part 219 Subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). According to 36 CFR 219.53(a),
those who may file an objection are individuals and entities who have
submitted substantive formal comments related to land management plan
revision during the opportunities provided for public comment,
including this 30-day feedback period. The burden is on the objector to
demonstrate compliance with requirements for objections (36 CFR
219.53). Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and
considered; however, they do not establish eligibility to file an
objection.
Related Regulatory Actions
The Forest Service released a notice of intent on August 29, 2025,
to prepare an environmental impact statement for proposed rulemaking to
rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule)
(<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16581/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation-national-forest-system-lands">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16581/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation-national-forest-system-lands</a>).
The proposed rulemaking would remove prohibitions on road construction,
road reconstruction, and timber harvesting within inventoried roadless
areas (IRAs), including 9.3 million acres of land currently identified
as IRAs in the Tongass National Forest. In addition, E.O. 14153,
``Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential,'' directs the
Secretary to reinstate the 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule, which exempted
the Tongass from the 2001 Roadless Rule (until it was later rescinded).
The proposed nation-wide
[[Page 7429]]
recission of the 2001 Roadless Rule would have the same result as
reinstating the 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule for the Tongass National
Forest and meet the intent of the E.O.
The EIS for the revised plan will analyze one or more alternatives
that do not include IRA designations so final decision on the revised
plan can align with the outcome of the rulemaking process.
Cooperating and Participating Agencies
The Forest Service is the lead agency for this proposed action.
Cooperating agencies include the State of Alaska, City and Borough of
Wrangell, City of Ketchikan, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Other governmental agencies, including tribal governments, may request
to participate as a cooperating agency by contacting Marion Glaser at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#91fcf0e3f8feffbff6fdf0e2f4e3d1e4e2f5f0bff6fee7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="761b17041f191858111a17051304360305121758111900">[email protected]</span></a> or 907-519-8035.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official is Monique Nelson, Forest Supervisor,
Tongass National Forest Supervisor's Office, 648 Mission St., Ste. 110,
Ketchikan, AK 99901, 907-225-3101.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Tongass National Forest is revising its land management plan
and preparing an EIS to evaluate the effects of the revision. The EIS
is meant to inform the forest supervisor's decision regarding which
alternative best maintains and restores National Forest System
terrestrial and aquatic resources while providing ecosystem services
and multiple uses, as required by the National Forest Management Act
and the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act. The revised plan will
describe the strategic intent of managing the forest for the next 10 to
15 years and will address the identified need to change to the current
land management plan.
The revised plan will not replace applicable laws and regulations.
The authorization of project-level activities will be based on the
guidance and direction contained in the revised plan but will only
occur through subsequent project-specific analysis and decision-making,
consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act. No decisions
will be made regarding the management of individual roads or trails
such as those that might be associated with a Travel Management Plan
under 36 CFR part 212. No decision regarding the availability of oil
and gas leases will be made.
Lisa Northrop,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2026-03197 Filed 2-17-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 18, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.