Tongass National Forest

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State of the Forest

Fiscal Year 2004

Note: This document is also available as a series of PDF files for printing. The printable version of each section is linked from the title as well as from the list below. Several documents have two sections apiece. (Printable cover, 355 kb)

To the American People . .

Highlights in the area of ecological sustainability included our vigorous efforts to correct fish passage barriers by investing more than $2 million in stream crossing improvements and design. The lead fish passage engineer was recognized nationally for the program. The Tongass continued attacking invasive species with active programs throughout the forest. An invasive species strategy was developed to address the problem. The Stikine River welcomed a federal subsistence fishery for the first time in 50 years. Widespread watershed restoration work continued on the Tongass with riparian thinning, wildlife emphasis thinning and in-stream large woody debris insertions. The Redoubt Lake Restoration and Management Program garnered national recognition for collaborative fisheries management. The Tongass persisted in its search for innovative ways to adapt to the ever-changing timber climate and make wood available to family-owned businesses. The Tongass completed a memorandum of understanding between the Forest Service and the Wood Technology Center in Ketchikan to research new uses for Tongass timber.

Employees enhanced already-sound relations with Southeast Alaska communities and contributed to the stabilization of Southeast Alaska’s economic infrastructure with a wide array of programs … from participating in local events to assisting communities with infrastructure concerns such as access to electrical power grids. Forest Service employees took part in numerous outreach activities including educating students throughout Southeast Alaska about the agency, fisheries, watershed, subsistence, silviculture, and much more. The Tongass continued to spread an encouraging light on the surrounding area evidenced by the numerous positive stories published in Alaska media outlets or aired on Alaska radio stations.

The Tongass remained steadfast in its commitment to develop and promote sustainable levels of high-quality recreation and tourism opportunities while protecting natural resources. A forest interpretation and education strategy, which is being heralded as a national model, was developed and put into practice. As a tribute to the 40th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, employees joined with tourism and conservation groups across Southeast Alaska to sponsor hikes, paddles and celebrations. Misty Fiords Wilderness Kayak Ranger Interpretive Program earned national recognition for its unique and innovative wilderness educational program.

The Tongass continued its efforts to incorporate the unique cultural heritage, legal status and traditional knowledge of Alaska Natives into its programs and processes. Programs highlighting these efforts included developing an archeological site stewardship program with the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe, participating in the Native Youth Practicum with students from Alaska and Hawaii, working with the Sitka Tribe to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle at Indian River and the survival march across Baranof Island, and sponsoring a Heritage Week in the Angoon schools to educate children about heritage resources.

Tongass programs also focused on enhancing employee’s abilities to perform as an efficient, effective, proactive and multicultural organization. The Tongass made strides in organizational effectiveness with its active participation in “Credibility Through Accountability” programs and training. A Tongass forestry technician garnered a regional civil rights award for outstanding dedication, initiative, leadership, and for being an advocate for civil rights issues both in the workplace and the community. Tongass leaders continued to underscore the importance of internal relations programs, understanding that communicating timely, accurate, relevant information enhances employees’ morale and effectiveness.

We want to thank the employees, our partners and cooperators for a successful year.

To the American People (Print version, 251 kb)
Facts and Figures (Print version, 442 kb)
Focusing on credibility through accountability, esprit de corps and public trust
Promoting respect, knowledge and understanding (Print version, 243 kb)
Serving the people of Southeast Alaska
Collaborative natural resource management in action (Print version, 549 kb)
Educating visitors in an uncommon classroom
Forest Finances (Print version, 213 kb)

Facts and Figures

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Focusing on credibility through accountability, esprit de corps and public trust . . .

The Tongass National Forest leadership’s keen interest in maintaining successful internal relations continued during the year, increasing esprit de corps and improving public trust. This sharp focus helped the Tongass fulfill its goal of enhancing employee’s abilities to perform as an efficient, effective, proactive and multicultural organization. A highlight of this organizational effectiveness effort was Tongass members’ active participation in customer-based “Credibility Through Accountability” programs and training. The Alaska Region was tapped to lead the way as the model for the Forest Service in implementing this new performance-based management system. During the year, Tongass employees made tremendous strides in adapting to this new way of doing business and shift in organizational culture. Tongass employees developed activity business plan elements for all Forest programs, identifying purpose, services, family of measures, cross-cutting issues and performance partners. They have kicked off the “WorkPlan” performance-based budget process and soon Hyperion Scorecard computer software will tie it all together by tracking projects, expenditures and accomplishments. This forward-thinking, customer-focused way of doing business will help Tongass employees be more effective, efficient and successful stewards of public lands as they embark on a “New Century of Service.”

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Promoting respect, knowledge and understanding . . .

The Tongass National Forest continued its efforts over the past year to incorporate the unique cultural heritage, legal status and traditional knowledge of Alaska Natives into its programs and processes. One event spotlighting these efforts was the retrieval of Alaska Native artifacts from Washington State University. A team from the university conducted archeological investigations in Southeast Alaska more than 40 years ago. During their exploration they recovered Tlingit artifacts near Hoonah. Last year, members of the Tongass returned to the university to re-examine, re-categorize and retrieve the thousands of items and returned them home to the Hoonah community. During the university’s analysis, a world-renowned archeologist determined that some of the collection dated back more than 10,000 years. This was significant in validating the oral tradition of Hoonah Tlingit elders who claim they have existed in the area from “time immemorial” or forever. This was truly a case of western science confirming traditional beliefs. Perhaps even more valuable were the efforts of Tongass employees to return these items to their rightful home. Currently, the Forest Service is working with the Hoonah Indian Association to display some of the more culturally significant discoveries in the new Hoonah Heritage Center.

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Serving the people of Southeast Alaska . . .

During fiscal 2004, Tongass National Forest staff continued their critical endeavor to improve the health, stability, quality of life, economic vitality and adaptability of communities in Southeast Alaska. They carried out this important task by working closely with the public to help them achieve local objectives and foster good will. A vital part of this ongoing pursuit is the Southeast Alaska Resource Advisory Committee program which was formed in 2002. The three committees, located in Yakutat, Ketchikan, Wrangell and Petersburg, are composed of members from local communities that are an integral part of the 17-million acre Tongass National Forest. These committees work hand-in-hand with Tongass employees on projects such as trails and roads maintenance, soil productivity improvement, ecosystem health, watershed restoration and management, fish and wildlife enhancement and invasive species programs. For more than two years, these groups have worked in partnership to fund projects on the Forest under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000. More than $1 million dollars in beneficial projects like fisheries habitat improvement in Yakutat, trails in Wrangell, campground restoration in Petersburg, and a picnic shelter in Ketchikan have been approved for funding so far.

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Collaborative natural resource management in action . . .

Tongass National Forest public servants ensure that the health, productivity, and diversity of the forest is maintained while meeting the economic and social needs of the American public. Tongass employees accomplish that goal by providing the ecological conditions needed to sustain sufficient population levels of wildlife and fish resources to meet the needs of subsistence, recreational and commercial users. The Tongass recently earned the Forest Service’s 2003 Rise to the Future award for its collaborative fisheries management plan at the 3,200-acre Redoubt Lake near Sitka. It is one of the first escapement-based management plans of its kind in Southeast Alaska developed to regulate a complex sockeye salmon fishery used extensively by subsistence, sport and commercial fishers. The Redoubt Bay and Lake Sockeye Salmon Management Plan worked to near perfection in its first management season, providing more opportunities for all users as adult sockeye escapement numbers increased to about 70,000 in 2003. Sockeye, or red, salmon are highly valued in Alaska as a food source and cultural harvest activity due to their long history as a favorite fish for smoking, canning and eating fresh. Redoubt Lake is one of the largest subsistence sockeye salmon fisheries in Southeast Alaska.

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Educating visitors in an uncommon classroom ...

The Tongass National Forest emphasizes the development of high-quality recreation and tourism opportunities on public lands without adverse impacts on natural resources. Wilderness stewardship and education are vital in fulfilling this goal. The Wilderness Kayak Ranger Interpretive Program recently earned the national Wilderness Education Leadership Award. The award recognizes the program’s outstanding efforts in developing a unique and innovative wilderness educational program, which has served as a role model for others to follow. Kayak rangers board small cruise line vessels and educate passengers about the issues, threats and values of wilderness in the United States. On average, rangers board 90 ships during the summer season sharing their wilderness knowledge with nearly 9,000 people from around the world. Misty Fiords stretches out across more than 2.2 million acres at the southern end of Southeast Alaska. It is one of two national monuments in Southeast Alaska managed by the Forest Service. Misty Fiords is just a fraction of the wilderness that can be found within the boundaries of the country’s largest national forest. There are 5.8 million acres of designated wilderness on the Tongass, and more than 90 percent of the forest, an area twice the size of Maryland, remains undeveloped, unroaded and wild.

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Forest Finances

Forest Revenue

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USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
Last Modified: August 26, 2005