Timber
USFS will now change roadles rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will revamp the national forest “roadless” rule that limits timber harvesting in the 16.8-million-acre Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska, senior officials told Congress. The plan is for an “Alaska special” roadless rules that would be more flexible than what applies nationally. Alaska Congressman Don Young has also included a provision for an Alaska-speci c rule in the national farm bill which is pending in Congress. The change comes after Gov. Bill Walker asked the Trump administration to revise the rule, which prohibits building roads into “roadless” old-growth timber areas.
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Gravina Island timber sale
The U.S. Forest Service is proceeding with plans for a small timber sale on Gravina Island near Ketchikan, in the Vallenar Creek area. The sale area would total 886 acres and include about 155 acres of young growth, which would be clear-cut. The sale would create about 17 jobs, the USFS said. The sale will soon be published for bids.
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University’s Haines timber sale
The University of Alaska’s Board of Regents postponed a discussion of plans for a joint timber sale in the Haines area until its June 16 meeting. The sale is proposed to be done with the state Department of Natural Resources and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, which also own forested lands near Haines. The potential buyer was not identified.