Retire Old-Growth Logging In America's Rainforest

I strongly urge the United States Forest Service, in its five-year review of the forest plan, to begin a plan amendment redirecting management of the Tongass National Forest to achieve a rapid reduction in old-growth logging, as promised in USDA's May 2010 transition goal. The agency should shift management toward sustainable economic development such as forest restoration, tourism, recreation, and fisheries.

I also urge the agency to uphold and strengthen the Tongass forest plan's conservation strategy, which is vital to ensuring the sustainability and viability of fish and wildlife populations. The existing conservation strategy has not been sufficient to prevent loss of habitat that may push rare wildlife species toward listing on the endangered species list. It must be strengthened, not weakened.