Tongass National Forest.....

Right now America's pristine forests are once again under attack, The new threat H.R 1408 and S. 730  are being considered by Congress (H.R. 1408 and S. 730) would needlessly alter existing law's to settle land claims and give away tens of thousands of acres of high value public land from the Tongass National Forest to the Sealaska Corporation.  As public land it belongs to the people, Not congress and Not whatever large Corporation's that stand to make a profit by essentially stealing  protected national forest land...  


The Tongass is widely considered the crown jewel of our national forest system, it contains nearly a third of the world's rare, old-growth temperate rainforest.

The proposed legislation would give the Sealaska Corporation ownership of the rarest stands of large old growth trees (a recent Audubon report shows that these trees now make up less than 2 percent of the forest but account for over 20 percent of the land selections that Sealaska seeks). If passed, Sealaska would be allowed to log and clearcut these amazing old growth stands, permanently reducing forest diversity and destroying vital wildlife habitat.  The legislation--which not only gives away many of the last remaining large-tree old growth stands, but also some of the best parcels of second growth--would also impede the U.S. Forest Service's ability to carry out its plan to transition the economy of southeast Alaska from reliance on old-growth logging to sustainable, diversified economic development through ecosystem restoration, fishing, and tourism. 

The legislation also authorizes Sealaska to cherry pick, privatize, and develop scores of smaller parcels scattered throughout the Tongass, including many of the very best sites at the heads of bays or mouths of salmon streams. These lands and waters are currently open to the American public for fishing, hunting, and recreation, and are relied upon by a number of tourism and outfitter businesses, sport and commercial fishermen, and local Alaskans for their livelihoods and subsistence lifestyles.  For decades now the logging industry has been doing untold ecological damage to the environment by over logging and clear cutting entire forests.  

Sealaska should NOT be allowed to destroy the beautiful place.  Congress is suppose to protect the people's interests and put them ahead of the corporation's! If we lose this forest it will be gone forever, Corporations should not have the ability to take public land!!

This is just another example, in a long line of  underhanded attempt to give corporations and goverment officals more power over the people.

We can't afford to transfer even more public land to private control just so some greedy CEO's can give the  order to clear cut the forest, this is just another over reach of corporate influence in American politics's and a way for a select few to further there own greed.

Sealaska and all who stand with them should be ashamed of themselves  In light of the far reaching and damaging impacts these bills would have on the Tongass National Forest and the public, I wish the Administration would take a strong stand in protecting this national treasure and oppose the Sealaska Corporation special interest legislation.  Not only dose H.R. 1480 and S. 730 undermine the efforts of the local conservation groups but if the logging company gets there way they will destroy  a large and irreplaceable  portion of this pristine forest, they will also be responsible for the devastation of the homes and habitats to hundreds of spices of animals. 

The Tongass is a vast wilderness area  with large camping areas, caves, lakes, glaciers, hiking areas, and amazing views.  We can't afford to lose even more of our valuable public land to the greed of large cooperation's!  Please contact your Rep today tell them, do not let congress pass these bill's, If not for the environmental well being  of the area, then at the very least think of the hundred's of thousands if not million's in revenue that would be lost through the tourist industry, hiker's camper's hunter's, fisherman etc that travel there every year to enjoy this amazing forest!  

There should be  stronger regulation's put in place to protect the public interest's and the environment, Once this old growth forest is gone, it will be gone forever!  We can not allow even more environmental devastation to our public lands and national parks.

Contact your Rep today!