Chugach National Forest

The Chugach National Forest is the world’s northern-most temperate rainforest and is home to rugged mountains, spectacular tidewater glaciers and mile after mile of undisturbed tundra and wetlands.

Unlike most National Forests, the Chugach does not have a significant timber industry with less than 2 percent classified as “suitable” for commercial timber. Communities do not depend on supplies of Chugach timber to sustain their economies, but rather rely on the forest for recreation and commercial fishing dollars.

Over 7 million people come to visit annually, pumping millions of dollars into Alaska’s economy. Kayakers and boaters cruise along tidewater glaciers, fjords and rookeries of Prince William Sound. Hikers and skiers travel the rustic trails of the Kenai Peninsula. Anglers flock to the world-famous Russian and Kenai Rivers. Birders enjoy the solitude of the Copper River Delta. These rugged lands and waters are also home to a remarkable array of wildlife, including wolves, brown bears, lynx, northern goshawks, harlequin ducks, orcas and sea otters. The Chugach supports some of the richest salmon runs on the planet, including the Copper River red salmon, known to connoisseurs around the world.

Ninety-eight percent of the Chugach is roadless and qualifies for wilderness protection under federal law, but Congress has never designated a single acre as wilderness. Instead coal and hard rock mining, oil and gas development, road building, logging and industrial scale tourism operations are having an impact on the wilderness and wildlife habitat.

The Chugach could be the Forest Service’s shining example of new management for the 21st century, where fish, wildlife and recreation are the top priorities. Sierra Club is working with the local community groups to fend off harmful oil, gas, logging and road building activities. Ultimately, we would like to secure long-term Wilderness designation for the Chugach so that this vast and wild forest will continue to nurture the Alaska spirit for generations to come.

To learn how you can help, contact Katherine Fuselier at 907-276-4060 or katherine@sierraclubalaska.org.

Additional Information and Resources about the Chugach

Chugach Forest, A Unifying Environmental Issue
In an increasingly polarized nation, environmental issues may be a natural way to unite groups across the political spectrum. Recent trends both at the national level and in our own backyard underscore this opportunity.

Alaska Rainforest Protection Proposal Map
Map of proposed protected areas in the Chugach National Forest.

Water World Threatens Prince William Sound
Water World: proposed floating fuel barge, convenience store, and lodge in Herring Bay, Knight Island threatens Prince William Sound.

Sound Truth and Corporate Myth$
“Climbing a mountain begins with taking the first steps. I invite you to join the pilgrims who have already started to climb this mountain of corporate greed and fear. Step one: do not purchase any ExxonMobil gas or other products, including stock – and do not take this action out of anger or revenge, but because you wish to make other choices that match your values.

Keep Them Roadless!
On May 5th, 2005 one of the most popular conservation policies in American history was revoked by the Bush administration. Their decision to abandon the landmark Roadless Area Conservation Rule, and replace it with a convoluted petition process, leaves America's last wild forests at risk from destructive commercial logging and road building. This ill-conceived plan ignores the overwhelming public support and forces Governors to petition the Department of Agriculture to protect their wild, roadless National Forests.

Alaska Rainforest Conservation Act
Although 98% of the Chugach is classified as roadless and qualifies for Wilderness designation, there is no designated Wilderness on the forest. Comprised of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, and the Copper River Delta, the issues and threats facing these three regions vary and demand wilderness protection.

New Forest Planning Regulations bad for Chugach
On December 23, 2004, the Bush administration announced they were opening up pristine parts of the Tongass National Forest to new logging and development. In April 2005, they released damaging new regulatory changes to the rules that guide sound forest management.