Crown Jewel Of U.S. National Forests Now Open To Developers

January 29, 2008 6:24 p.m. EST

Juneau, AK (AHN) - The Tongass National Forest, the nation's largest forest and the world's largest intact temperate rainforest, has joined national forests in Idaho and Colorado in what is seen as a major reversal of the Roadless Rule.

The Roadless Rule, put into effect during the Clinton administration, prohibits logging and new road construction in national forests.

Road building, logging, mining and other developments will now be allowed in more than 3.4 million acres of the Alaskan wilderness that is a refuge for grizzly and black bears, wolves, eagles and wild salmon.

The plan to open the park, unveiled Friday, affects 2.4 million acres that are currently remote and without roads in the 17-million acre Tongass forest. About 663,000 acres are valuable timber stands.

The plan sets aside 90,000 acres of old-growth reserve as off-limits to loggers, and protects 47,000 acres of limestone formations. Sacred Indian sites will be protected and maintained.

Denny Bschor, Alaska regional forester who approved the plan, said it would benefit the local economy.

The Alaska Wilderness League argues logging makes up only 1 percent of the region's economy, much less than commercial fishing and tourism which could be affected.