USDA Seeks to Right Past Wrongs in Alaska

After two decades of needless, halted activity, exempting Tongass National Forest from 2001 Roadless Rule right call for Alaska and America

WASHINGTON DC (October 21, 2019) – The American Energy Alliance applauded the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today for moving forward on public comment on a draft Environmental Impact Statement for alternatives to a proposed Alaska Roadless Rule.  If adopted, the proposed rule would exempt the 17-million acre Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule which many Alaskans and businesses believe has thwarted the state’s economic development.  Thomas Pyle, President of AEA, made the following statement: 

“Alaska – rich in nearly every natural resource known to mankind – has been stuck in regulatory morass for decades because of past mistakes from previous administrations’ shortsightedness. The Tongass National Forest alone is larger than West Virginia, and its forest is important to the local residents for their livelihoods.  The state has been asking for this for years and it’s great to see an administration finally step up.”

“Whether it’s pipeline protests, offshore drilling, stopping development in or near ANWR, mining, transportation, abusing the Endangered Species Act or the National Environmental Policy Act, environmentalists have thwarted responsible development in Alaska for decades. President Trump is bringing back common sense stewardship that will allow for human uses as well as better management, and making up for so much time lost.  We support and applaud this effort.”

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