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Opportunity for Public Comment
Protecting the Tongass National Rainforest
In 2001, the USDA Forest Service enacted the “Roadless Rule”, prohibiting road construction for the purposes of logging in pristine National Forests and Grasslands. The federal regulation protects national treasures and clean drinking water for future generations, as 35% of our nation’s drinking water comes from National Forests.
In January, the State of Alaska petitioned the  Secretary of Agriculture to exempt the Tongass National Forest from the roadless rule. That request was accepted in April, inciting action to remove protections for the Tongass through change of federal regulation. This action undoubtedly jeopardizes the largest remaining temperate rainforest in the country, which plays a vital role in our tourism and commercial fishing industries, health of local ecosystems and wildlife, and water and air quality.
Now is the time to express to the Forest Service the importance of the largest remaining temperate rainforest in the country, global tourist attraction, and vital habitat for Alaskan fish and wildlife populations. Public comments must be received in writing by October 15th. You can submit comments online, via email, or hardcopy through the mail. Click here for more information.
There will also be a public meeting this Thursday, September 27th at 5:30pm in the UAA Gorsuch Commons, room #107, if you would like to hear from the USDA Forest Service and learn more about proposed developments and the regulatory process.
Register to Vote!
 If you haven’t already, register to vote or update your voter registration online, or at the local Elections Division office. The deadline to register for the general election this November 6th is October 7th. There is information available online if you plan to file for early or absentee voting. If you will be voting by absentee ballot this year, make sure to fill out your absentee ballot application.
Tour of Whittier
 This week I had the opportunity to tour Prince William Sound and learn about modern marine oil spill response. Since the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, we have come a long way in terms of both spill prevention and response.
Each year the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company trains local fisherman in Southcentral Alaska for oil spill response. I was able to witness this training in Whittier, and I am grateful for the local fishermen who prepare and make themselves available to respond to environmental crises.
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