If it’s still wild, it should stay that way’: Lawmakers seek to permanently protect America’s largest national forest

New legislation would permanently protect Alaska's Tongass National Forest—the nation's largest—and the bears, moose, eagles and other wildlife that call it home.

New legislation would permanently protect Alaska’s Tongass National Forest—the nation’s largest—and the bears, moose, eagles and other wildlife that call it home.

On May 2, Sen. Maria Cantwell (Wash.) and Rep. Ruben Gallego (Ariz.) introduced the Roadless Area Conservation Act, which would protect 58.5 million acres of national forest in 39 states, including the Tongass. In 2001, our national network’s staff and 1.6 million supporters helped convince the Clinton administration to protect roadless areas in national forests from logging and other development. But the Trump administration is considering removing this protection for the Tongass. If passed, the Roadless Area Conservation Act will prevent this and any future administration from doing so.

“In a world already running short on nature, we believe that if it’s still wild, it should stay that way,” said Steve Blackledge, senior director of our national network’s Conservation program.

Environment America is urging our members and supporters to call on Congress to pass the bill.

Learn more about the legislation.

Photo: A family of bears near Anan Creek in the Tongass National Forest. Credit: USDA Forest Service Alaska Region via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

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