UnCruise Adventures is calling for the protection of the Tongass National Forest after the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the Environmental Impact Statement that will withdraw the Roadless Rule protections across the country.
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UnCruise Vessel in Tongass
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States, spanning 16.7 million acres of temperate rainforest and vital wildlife habitat. Its remote landscapes support multiple billion-dollar economies across Southeast Alaska, including tourism, commercial fishing, and recreation, drawing visitors from around the world who come to experience one of the country’s last great wild places.
For more than 30 years, UnCruise Adventures has operated small-ship adventure cruises in Southeast Alaska, with many excursions taking place in the Tongass. The company’s business is built around providing guests with access to wild, intact landscapes, making the continued protection of the Tongass directly connected to its mission and the experience it provides to travelers.
The USDA’s announcement was met with disappointment from UnCruise Adventures and other Southeast Alaska businesses and organizations. The agency’s stated rationale for removing Roadless Rule protections includes reducing wildfire risk, but the Tongass is a temperate rainforest that receives significant rainfall, with precipitation reaching as much as 225 inches annually in the wettest areas. The forest’s climate and geography differ significantly from the dry, fire-prone forests found in many other parts of the country.
Established in 2001, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule protects designated roadless areas on national forests from new road construction and, in turn, limits certain forms of timber harvesting that require road access. The rule does not prohibit all development or infrastructure in the Tongass but helps preserve some of the forest’s most remote and undeveloped areas.
In the Tongass, these roadless areas provide critical undisturbed habitat for salmon and wildlife, support high-quality hunting and fishing opportunities, and help sustain the thriving recreation and tourism economy. Maintaining these intact landscapes is essential to the experience that draws visitors to Southeast Alaska.
“The Tongass is where America comes to experience Alaska. It’s big, wild, and awesome. My business is all about sharing this magnificent and beautiful forest with people from all over the world. Repealing the Roadless Rule won’t do anything to help us, and will actually hurt us. Why does wilderness matter? It’s the reason visitors come to Alaska!” said Captain Dan Blanchard, Owner and CEO of UnCruise Adventures.
UnCruise Adventures is encouraging travelers, Southeast Alaska residents, and others who value the Tongass to learn more about the proposed changes and participate in the public comment process.
Learn more here: Unleash fish, not clearcuts — SalmonState
About UnCruise Adventures
UnCruise Adventures operates boutique small-ship cruises focused on adventure, wildlife, wellness, and cultural discovery throughout Alaska, Hawaii, Galápagos, Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. With a commitment to responsible travel and personalized experiences, UnCruise connects guests with nature and local communities in ways larger cruise lines cannot.
For more information, visit www.uncruise.com or call UnCruise Adventures at 888-862-8881.
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