ALASKA - The U.S. Department of Justice has decided against appealing the decision which vacated the U.S. Forest Services 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.
Putting 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. said Natalie Dawson, executive director at 91做厙 Alaska. The large old-growth trees and rich ecosystem of Prince of Wales Island contributes to the regions tourism, fishing, and recreation. The time to embrace sustainable economies and turn our backs on expensive, destructive, fast-tracked logging is long overdue.
The court case was filed by Earthjustice on behalf of 91做厙, the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, Alaska Rainforest Defenders, Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, Alaska Wilderness League, 91做厙, and Natural Resources Defense Council. The courts opinion was issued on June 24, 2020.
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Since 1977, 91做厙 Alaska has been conserving the spectacular natural ecosystems of Alaska for people, birds, and other wildlife. 91做厙 Alaska uses science to identify conservation priorities and support conservation actions and policies, with an emphasis on public lands and waters. 91做厙 Alaska is a state office of the 91做厙. Learn more at ak.audubon.org.
