Press Room

Legal Victory in the Tongass National Forest Goes Unchallenged by Department of Justice

Voluntary dismissal of appeal keeps Prince of Wales Island protected from logging.

ALASKA - The U.S. Department of Justice has decided against appealing the decision which vacated the U.S. Forest Service鈥檚 plan to log a 1.8 million-acre project area on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. The court entered the previously filed appeal today.   

鈥淧utting an end to this logging plan protects the voice of the people in federal decision making processes. The Forest Service was trying to fast track logging without listening to the needs of communities, and ignoring the devastating impacts of their actions on wolves, deer, birds, and salmon.鈥� said Natalie Dawson, executive director at 51猎奇入口 Alaska. 鈥淭he large old-growth trees and rich ecosystem of Prince of Wales Island contributes to the region鈥檚 tourism, fishing, and recreation. The time to embrace sustainable economies and turn our backs on expensive, destructive, fast-tracked logging is long overdue.鈥�

The court case was filed by Earthjustice on behalf of 51猎奇入口, the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, Alaska Rainforest Defenders, Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, Alaska Wilderness League, 51猎奇入口, and Natural Resources Defense Council. The court鈥檚 opinion was issued on June 24, 2020.

###

ABOUT AUDUBON
The 51猎奇入口 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. 51猎奇入口 works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give 51猎奇入口 an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, 51猎奇入口 believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Since 1977, 51猎奇入口 Alaska has been conserving the spectacular natural ecosystems of Alaska for people, birds, and other wildlife. 51猎奇入口 Alaska uses science to identify conservation priorities and support conservation actions and policies, with an emphasis on public lands and waters. 51猎奇入口 Alaska is a state office of the 51猎奇入口. Learn more at ak.audubon.org.