Non-profit cruise company marshals support to protect Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, one of the Earth’s last substantially intact temperate rainforests

SEATTLE, April 24, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – the federal agency that oversees the U.S. Forest Service – announced today its intention to begin logging on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. If the USDA moves forward with this plan, The Boat Company – a 47-year-old non-profit cruise company that operates small-boat cruises in the Alaska’s Inside Passage between the port towns of Sitka and Juneau, is warning that the pristine forestland will not only forever be changed but will also be at increased risk of wildfires and environmental degradation while wildlife in the region will be severely affected.

The proposed project includes reconditioning existing roads and building new roads in the forest as well as logging 1,655 acres of national forestland.

Beginning today, the USDA has launched a 45-day public comment period for the public to voice their opinions about the proposed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Choices are “no action” (alternative 1), “proposed action” (alternative 2) and “one other action alternative” (alternative 3). The public can review the EIS and supporting documents on the project website here.

“This is a moment for everyone who cherishes their public lands to be loud, quick and strong,” said McIntosh. “The public lands we all own as taxpayers will be irrevocably harmed if this plan is enacted, and even though the USDA seems hell-bent on doing just that, we urge the public to make their disapproval heard. The only alternative is no action.”

The only non-profit cruise company in the world, The Boat Company’s mission is to protect the Tongass National Forest and Southeast Alaska in a variety of ways including funding lawsuits, supporting conservation efforts and promoting stewardship among cruise guests. The company has invested more than $30 million in Alaska conservation.

Called the Twin Mountain II Timber Sale Project, the proposed project will impact land on the Prince of Wales Island west of Ketchikan, Alaska. The two-pronged project will include logging on the Red Bay area on the northern end of the island and the Staney area on the west-central portion of the island.

“This is just the beginning of this administration’s plan to desecrate our public lands by extracting its natural resources, and the impacts of these insidious projects are irreversible,” said McIntosh. “And for what? You must ask yourself who will benefit from this. Certainly not the members of the public who are drawn to public lands for recreation and rest, and certainly not the local communities or the abundant wildlife that roam freely throughout the forest. The only people who benefit will be the companies that profit from the sale of trees that you and I own.”

McIntosh noted that only 121 jobs are estimated to be generated from the project. He also noted that the construction industry has increasingly been turning to more sustainable methods of construction such as using manufactured timber. He also questioned the need for taking trees in an old-growth forest for this purpose.

How to Comment

The public can learn more about the project and submit comments here.

The Roadless Rule

The project is an example of the USDA’s push to rescind the Roadless Rule. In place since 2001, the rule protects some 60 million acres of national forests from road construction, which often leads to logging, mining, wildfires and other impacts that can decimate wilderness areas including forests and grasslands. About 30 percent of all U.S. forests in 38 states and Puerto Rico are protected by the rule.

One of the forests likely to be the most affected is the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest. Before the Roadless Rule was put in place, logging companies employed clearcutting practices that decimated the forestland. Companies harvested forest’s old-growth trees, primarily for their valuable pulp, resulting in significant habitat loss and environmental degradation and negatively impacting wildlife and local communities.

Once the rule was in place, however, the forest made a slow but significant comeback. Today, visitors see abundant wildlife that thrive in the healthy ecosystems as well as natural features like glaciers, waterfalls and wildflowers.

The general public is strongly in favor of maintaining the rule. Some organizations estimated that as many as 99 percent of commenters during last year’s brief public comment period that ended on Sept. 19 strongly favored the rule.

“Although the administration is aggressively pushing to repeal this important protection, the public has been clear that it does not support that move,” said McIntosh. “We urge everyone – including anyone who commented last year – to firmly state that they favor protection of the forests we all love.”

About The Boat Company

The Boat Company operates two vessels – the 12-stateroom Mist Cove and 10-stateroom Liseron – from mid-May through mid-September. The seven-day cruises between Sitka and Juneau, Alaska feature an array of adventures including fishing, guided hiking, wildlife viewing and kayaking. There are also entertaining and educational presentations by the crew’s trained naturalist guides. On-board chefs prepare memorable meals using high-quality ingredients and locally sourced food.

The company was recently honored by Travel + Leisure magazine with a Global Vision Award for its eco-friendly cruises. The company was also recently profiled – along with a spokesperson from Earthjustice – in this Forbes story. The Boat Company’s mission as a non-profit was also highlighted in this recent Charity Charge podcast.

Reservations for cruises can by made by visiting The Boat Company’s website or calling 1-360-697-4242. More information about The Boat Company is available here. 

Founded in 1979, The Boat Company is a non-profit, conservation-focused luxury cruise operator specializing in sustainable tourism in Southeast Alaska. Through unique itineraries and a commitment to environmental stewardship, The Boat Company offers transformative travel experiences while advocating for the preservation of the Tongass National Forest.