Development v protection
The Tongass National Forest in Alaska is protected again.
Trump rescinded a measure blocking logging and road-building on nine million acres of land in the Tongass in 2020.
…
The decision follows a years-long conflict between Alaskan Republican officials – who have argued the rule has slowed economic development and that renewing it will hamper efforts to connect remote communities by road, among other concerns – and conservationists, indigenous groups and others who say the measure is key to protecting the environment.
Spanning nearly 17 million acres – an area slightly larger than the state of West Virginia – the Tongass stores 44% of all the carbon dioxide contained in national forests across the country, according to the Alaska Conservation Foundation.
One small win for the long term over the short term.
Nice to read some positive news for a change. Thank you!
I’m not sure I’d say years that the Republicans have been in conflict; it’s more like decades. :-( This was one of the hot issues when I was in my Ph.D. program, and it seems to stay hot. Bush was doing the same sort of thing – removing protections.
tigger, I agree. There is so much bad news, even a little good news is welcome. I just hope the removal of the ban remains. The only way that will happen is to elect a Democrat next time, not a Republican.
Wait. Everything is supposed to be up for grabs. Everything (and everyone) has a price. Nobody is allowed to say “no” to monied interests. NO-GOOD COMMIE-PINKO TREE HUGGERS!!!
This is good news. Of course, there’s nothing to prevent the next Trump to remove the protections, again. At least, as long as it stays a National Forest without the protections of a National Park/Wilderness, and with the population ever-increasing there is going to always be increasing pressure to exploit those resources.
(Sorry. Feeling a bit cynical tonight.)
Not cynical, just realistic. It’s the reality. The trumps call the whole thing a hoax, the bidens go to climate summits and say the right things, but nobody is going to do what it takes. Democracies can’t and authoritarian states won’t.
James, being a realist these days means being a cynic, I’m afraid. I’m just surprised the Tongass has lasted this long, It’s been a political football for a long time and sometimes I’m cynical enough to think the only reason it’s still standing is that both parties can use it to score points with their voters.