Logging Threatens Alaska’s Ancient Tongass Rainforest

Federal officials are moving to dismantle a landmark Clinton-era protection known as the “Roadless Rule,” opening the door to new logging and roadbuilding in vast swaths of the American West — including Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, the largest old-growth temperate rainforest left on Earth. According to USA Today, the rollback comes as part of a Trump-era executive order to boost timber production by cutting what officials call “burdensome” regulations.

The Roadless Rule, in place since 2001, has long safeguarded areas equal to the size of Florida by restricting roadbuilding and logging in fragile forests. Critics say dismantling it will devastate wildlife, threaten clean water, and undermine biodiversity. The Tongass is often called “America’s climate forest” because its massive old-growth trees absorb millions of tons of carbon each year, providing a critical buffer against the climate crisis.

Supporters of the rollback argue that loosening restrictions will reduce wildfire danger by allowing more thinning and firebreak construction. Yet research shows the opposite: nearly 97% of human-caused wildfires ignite within half a mile of a road, and logging tends to increase—not decrease—fire risk. Federal data confirms that humans cause at least 85% of wildfires, raising concerns that more roads could spell more destruction.

Environmental groups warn that stripping protections from the Tongass would be one of the largest rollbacks of Conservation measures in U.S. history. Tracy Stone-Manning of The Wilderness Society called the plan a giveaway to timber companies at the expense of future generations. Beyond trees, the forest supports salmon streams, drinking water sources, and rich habitats essential for countless species.

For decades, Americans have cherished public lands as places of refuge, health, and connection to nature. Preserving them means choosing sustainability over short-term profits. Protecting the Tongass isn’t just about trees — it’s about defending a living system that safeguards the environment, animals, and people alike.

The public comment period offers a chance to speak out. Adding your voice now can help ensure this irreplaceable rainforest is protected, not paved over.

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