The Trump administration is resurrecting a large timber project in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, testing the Forest Service’s resolve to transition away from old-growth logging.
The South Revilla Integrated Resource Management Project would open the way to harvesting 4,343 acres of old-growth forest over 15 years. In addition, 1,037 acres would be cut in young-growth areas that were previously logged.
In a final environmental impact statement and draft record of decision, the Forest Service said it picked among four alternatives — including not proceeding at all — and favors the approach with the greatest overall timber harvest and the greatest tilt toward old growth. The plan envisions as much as 83 million board feet of timber.
In addition, the plan would favor conventional logging practices, rather than using helicopters to remove logs, in order to reduce costs.
