Tongass National Forest

Approach

The interagency review of the conservation strategy focuses on new information and knowledge developed since 1997 that is relevant to the design features of the strategy (coarse filter) and to the species featured in the strategy (fine filter). The review also addresses new information relative to implementation and monitoring of components of the strategy, especially within the matrix part of the strategy where development activities will occur through time.

Much of the new information came from recent studies identified in the 1997 Forest Plan and from investigations and reviews conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Pacific Northwest Forest Sciences Laboratory, and the Tongass National Forest. Other pertinent sources of information and knowledge were brought forward by engaging top scientific, academic and technical experts related to key subjects of interest selected for the review.

The new information and knowledge was presented at a science-based technical workshop designed to rigorously explore the subjects and to develop a suite of potential actions and investments for the Tongass and its interagency partners to consider with respect to new information needs or potential changes in how the conservation strategy is designed, implemented or monitored.

This Website serves as a repository of background information for the conservation strategy review. Conducting this review of the conservation strategy in a Web-based environment allows the public to have ready access to key information related to the strategy and other key subjects that are the focus of the review. Opportunities to provide input to the key subject list prior to the workshop were provided.

Workshop - This section provides more information on the design of the workshop, the working group that information was presented to, a list of the key subjects that were presented, and access to more specific information on the key subjects.

Public Involvement – This section provides information on how members of the public were able to participate in the conservation strategy review, as well as the related Forest Plan adjustment process.