-
Proclamation of Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve
The proclamation of the Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve by President Theodore Roosevelt. This reserve would later become part of the Tongass Forest. -
Proclamation of the Tongass National Forest
5 years after the proclamation of the Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve, the Tongass Natural Forest was proclaimed by President Theodore Roosevelt. -
Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve and Tongass National Forest are combined
Both forests were combined to form the Tongass National Forest. -
Additonal proclamation of Southeast islands
An additional proclamation added more Southeast lands and islands, bringing the total area of the Tongass National Forest to what it is today: 16.8 million acres. -
First large pulp mill threatens Tongass
In 1954, a large pulp mill in Ketchikan opened with a Forest Service contract to supply it with 50 years of Tongass timber. The Ketchikan Pulp Company obtained the right to log approximately 8.25 billion board feet of timber on the north half of Prince of Wales Island and the northwest portion of Revillagigedo Island, according to the Alaska Division of Economic Development. -
Second Large pulp mill receives Tongass Forest contract
A second big pulp mill opened in Sitka in 1959 and like the Ketchikan mill, the Alaska Lumber and Pulp Co. mill in Sitka received a 50-year contract from the Forest Service, committing 5.25 billion board feet of Tongass timber. -
Both mills close down
Both mills in Sitka and Ketchikan were closed due to changing market conditions and various lawsuit actions from environmental groups, sportsmen, and others concerned about impacts on fish and wildlife. This change was caused by people who were passionate about the environment, and affects all. It prevents people from logging and puts them out of a job, but it also protects the forest from being destroyed. -
Major course correction
Forest Service pledges not to focus on old growth logging anymore and instead prioritises second-growth management, fisheries, tourism, aquaculture and other emerging and renewable industries. -
Present Day
There are about 75,000 people who have made the forest their home and live off the produce from the land. The largest population is Juneau which is also the state capital. The forest was named after the Tongass group of the Tlingit people. There are 31 communities in the forest including several Alaska Native tribes that live throughout Southeast Alaska. -
Effects of future use
Due to the recreational features of Tongass Forest of fishing, and hunting. Different forms of fauna within the forest may be affected in population size, and could possibly put the local food chain in danger. Despite the reduction in deforestation activity, it is still a threat to Tongass and it is decreasing in size.
