The Tongass National Forest is working to amend its current forest plan to be completed by August 2016. Tongass officials decided to pursue an amendment after direction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The amendment will expedite the transition away from old-growth timber harvesting to the primary sale of young-growth trees.
According to Project Manager, Susan Howle, the amendment will also make development of renewable energy resources more permissible, providing low-carbon alternatives to displace the use of fossil fuel.
Alternate versions of the amendment will consider different ways of handling roadless areas and wildlife habitat that might be affected by the primary focus of the amendment: young-growth harvesting and renewable energy production.
