Defenders of Wildlife filed a formal objection today opposing the largest old-growth logging project in the nation in decades. The proposal would log up to 235 million board feet (MMBF) of old-growth forest, or the equivalent of over 45,000 loaded logging trucks, over 15 years. In 2016, the USFS committed to a transition out of old-growth logging and away from uneconomical and destructive timber sales like this proposal. Earthjustice filed an objection on behalf of its clients on December 21, 2018, including Defenders of Wildlife, which can be viewed here.
Defenders of Wildlife Senior Alaska Representative, Pat Lavin, issued the following statement:
“After making a commitment to transition out of old-growth clear cutting, the Forest Service has proposed the largest old-growth timber sale in decades in the Tongass. More taxpayer-subsidized logging won’t create many jobs or help Southeast Alaska transition to a sustainable economy but will threaten wildlife such as the Alexander Archipelago wolf, Sitka black-tailed deer and northern flying squirrel. We’ve filed a formal objection to stop the Forest Service from jeopardizing the wildlife and forest that Southeast Alaska’s sustainable economy depends upon.”
Defenders of Wildlife is celebrating 75 years of protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit defenders.org/newsroom and follow us on Twitter @Defenders.
