Environmental Impact Statement Helicopter Landings in Wilderness, Tongass National Forest, AK

摘要

The proposed action is to designate 41 helicopter landing areas in wilderness on the Tongass National Forest. Presently, the use of helicopters by the general public for access to wilderness is prohibited on the Tongass National Forest by regulation (36 CFR 261.10). The designation of helicopter landing areas is based on uses which were established at the time of the designation of the wilderness which is allowed by the Wilderness Act (Pub. L. 88-577) under 36 CFR 293.6(d). The 41 landing areas identified in the Forest Service proposed action are located in seven of the 19 designated wildernesses on the Tongass National Forest. The wildernesses where landing areas are proposed and the number of landing areas proposed are Endicott River (1), Kootznoowoo (Admiralty Island National Monument) (6), Misty Fiords National Monument (25), South Etolin (1), South Prince of Wales (1), Strikine-LeConte (4), and Tracy Arm-Fords Terror (3). The proposed action would allow up to 50 helicopter landings per year on some landing areas. Implementation of the proposed action likely would require special use permits for helicopter landings to address management concerns including monitoring.