National Forest Legal News Blog

Following Judge Sedgwick's decision in March to reinstate a 2001 roadless rule that bars most all logging and temporary road construction in the Tongass National Forest, the New York Times reports that the parties are back in court seeking to define the scope of that decision.  While both the Forest Service and the state agree that certain projects may continue, they disagree over additional mining and timber sales that were approved prior to the court's ruling.  The state filed this objection and to the proposed judgment of environmental groups and the Forest Service which is much more restrictive and only allows cutting of wood for personal use and some microsales of no more than 50,000 feet near an already existing road.  So, the conclusion here is that Alaska's timber industry will continue its downward spire, despite sitting on an immense renewable natural resource.