AK HJR20

Alaska Legislature urges the President, Congress, and Secretary of Agriculture not to implement the federal "roadless rule" (36 C.F.R. 294.10-294.18) restricting development in the Tongass National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

Inventoried roadless areas comprise approximately 57 percent of Tongass National Forest acreage, and 14 of 15 hydroelectric projects in both forests are subject to roadless area protections requiring federal approval.

The Secretary of Agriculture has approved only seven projects under Secretary's Memorandum 1042-155, which the resolution claims jeopardizes Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permits needed for field studies and planning.

Restriction of hydroelectric development conflicts with Alaska state policy to generate 50 percent of state energy from renewable sources and would perpetuate reliance on diesel power generation.

Resolution shall be distributed to federal officials including President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Alaska's congressional delegation.