First Things First Alaska

The First Things First Alaska Foundation wrote in May 2020 that "the Alaska Roadless Rule hinders Southeast Alaska's economic recovery. In the January 19, 2018 State of Alaska request for a state-specific exemption to the Roadless Rule, the Walker Administration says, "imposing these unnecessary additional restrictions against the very significant social and economic costs to Southeast Alaska…that the needs of the people of Alaska outweighed adding more restrictions when areas in the Tongass are adequately protected without the Roadless Rule.""

This is as true today as it was over a year ago. However, the USDA announced that "it is taking steps to repeal the 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule and restore protections."  

The USDA opened up a 60-day comment period starting November 23, 2021, on their efforts to remove the benefits of the full exemption to the 2001 Roadless Rule.  Comments can be electronically submitted via email to sm.fs.akrdlessrule@usda.gov or via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov/documents/FS-2021-0007-0006.