The Tongass Forest Plan Revision is the process of updating the long-range blueprint that guides how the forest is managed for roughly the next 15 years. The plan influences decisions that affect commercial operators, including access, infrastructure, and permitting, as well as community-wide use and long-term business certainty across sectors such as fishing, mariculture, transportation, and timber. 

The current Tongass plan dates back to 1997. The revised plan will help shape how today’s working forest responds to changing ecological conditions, evolving communities, and modern economic realities. As of March 26, 2026, the Forest Service is developing preliminary need for change statements and drafting proposed plan direction—making this a critical moment for people whose livelihoods depend on the Tongass to weigh in. 

Feedback Forms for Commercial Operators 

These community hosted feedback forms are designed to help commercial operators and business owners respond to preliminary Tongass Forest Plan Revision materials in a clear, structured, and practical way. The questions closely track those used in the U.S. Forest Service’s April community meetings but allow operators to work through them on their own time—outside of meeting constraints or busy seasons. 

The forms are intended to support thoughtful input on how proposed plan direction and management area concepts may affect: 

• Day to day business operations 

• Long term investment and planning 

• access to forest areas and infrastructure 

• permitting timelines and predictability 

• compatibility between different commercial uses 

Why These Forms Are Here 

These are not official U.S. Forest Service forms. They are being shared by partner organizations, including JEDC, to lower barriers to participation for commercial operators, especially those who cannot attend public meetings due to work schedules, travel, or seasonal demands. 

The goal is to help ensure that the Forest Service hears directly from people who rely on the Tongass as a working landscape and whose perspectives may otherwise be underrepresented. 

What the Forms Cover 

The available forms focus on two key areas: 

• Draft plan content, including goals, standards, and guidelines that may shape future permitting, access, and use 

• The draft management area map, which influences where and how different types of commercial activity may occur across the forest 

Together, these sections give commercial operators a way to connect proposed plan direction to real world business considerations and place-based impacts. 

How Responses Will Be Used 

Responses submitted will be compiled and shared with the U.S. Forest Service to help inform this stage of the Forest Plan Revision. Operators who want to ensure their views are also included in the formal federal record are encouraged to submit comments through the Forest Service’s official public comment system as well. 

Help Is Available 

Working through planning documents can be time consuming and technical. If you would like support interpreting the materials or connecting plan concepts to your business operations, members of our regional network are available to help. Contact Jelena Richardson to set up time to work through the form with additional guidance.