The Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest spanning 17 million acres in Southeast Alaska, is a treasure worth protecting. Its ancient old-growth trees—some over 800 years old—form one of the world’s last intact temperate rainforests. These forests are not just breathtaking; they’re vital to the planet. They store billions of tons of carbon, helping combat climate change, and provide critical habitat for wildlife like salmon, bears, and bald eagles. For over 40 years, The Boat Company has fought to preserve this irreplaceable ecosystem, and now we’re stepping into a critical legal battle to defend it.

The Timber Industry Lawsuit: A Threat to Old-Growth Forests

On March 6, 2025, the Alaska Forest Association (AFA), along with Viking Lumber Co. and Alcan Timber Co., filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service. They’re demanding more old-growth timber sales from the Tongass National Forest, claiming the Forest Service’s Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy (SASS), announced in 2021, fails to meet their industry’s needs. The SASS had shifted focus from large-scale old-growth logging to certain practices like young-growth logging, restoration, and recreation projects that support fishing and tourism.

The timber industry wants to reverse this progress, pushing for clear-cutting of ancient trees that could take centuries to recover—if they ever do.

Old-growth forests in the Tongass, which cover about 5.6 million acres (roughly a third of the forest), are ecological powerhouses. Unlike younger forests, these ancient stands of cedar, spruce, and hemlock regulate stream temperatures for salmon, support diverse wildlife, and act as massive carbon sinks. Globally, temperate rainforests like the Tongass are rare—less than 1% of the world’s forests are old-growth temperate rainforests, and the Tongass holds nearly a third of what remains. By comparison, other U.S. old-growth forests, like those in Oregon’s Willamette National Forest, cover far less area (about 1 million acres) and face similar threats. The Tongass’s scale and biodiversity make it a global priority for conservation.

The Boat Company Steps In

On May 28, 2025, The Boat Company, alongside seven other groups, filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit to defend the Forest Service and the Tongass. This diverse coalition of Tongass stakeholders includes the Organized Village of Kake, Organized Village of Kasaan, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, The Wilderness Society, Center for Biological Diversity, and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and others. Represented by Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm with deep ties to The Boat Company (its Southeast Alaska branch founded by The Boat Company’s late founder Michael McIntosh), we’re seeking to join as “intervenor-defendants.” This legal term means we’re asking the court to let us participate in the case because we have a direct interest in protecting the Tongass’s sustainable future.

The AFA has opposed our intervention, but the court is expected to decide soon—likely within weeks—whether we can join the lawsuit. Our Natural Resources Attorney, Paul Olson, is confident our coalition’s deep connection to the Tongass, from cultural ties to economic reliance on tourism and fishing, will convince the court. After all, the Tongass supports 12,000 jobs and nearly $500 million in earnings from tourism and fishing, compared to less than 1% of the region’s economy from timber.

Why Old-Growth Forests Matter

Old-growth forests are the heart of the Tongass. These trees, some standing since the Middle Ages, create a unique ecosystem. They shade streams, ensuring cold water for salmon, which are vital to Alaska Native communities and the fishing industry. They provide habitat for species like the Alexander Archipelago wolf and Sitka black-tailed deer, found nowhere else. Their dense canopies store carbon equivalent to taking millions of cars off the road for a century. Losing them to clear-cutting would devastate biodiversity, disrupt Indigenous ways of life, and accelerate climate change.

As Hunter McIntosh, our president, said, “This lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to force the Tongass backward.” We’re fighting for a future where sustainable industries thrive, and the forest remains a cathedral of nature for generations.

Our 45-Year Legacy

For 45 years, The Boat Company has championed the Tongass through ecotourism, education, and advocacy. Our founder, Michael McIntosh, helped establish Earthjustice’s Alaska office, and we’ve partnered with them ever since to protect this forest. From challenging destructive timber sales to celebrating the 2023 reinstatement of the Roadless Rule, which safeguards 9 million acres from logging and roadbuilding, we’ve been on the front lines. This lawsuit is the latest chapter in our mission to ensure the Tongass remains a vibrant, intact ecosystem.

Why This Matters to You

The Tongass isn’t just Alaska’s treasure—it’s a global one. Its old-growth forests are a bulwark against climate change, a haven for wildlife, and a lifeline for communities. This lawsuit threatens to undo decades of progress toward sustainability.

By joining this fight, The Boat Company and our coalition are standing up for the forest, the salmon, and the people who depend on them.

We invite you to care as deeply as we do. Stay tuned as we await the court’s decision, and join us in protecting this irreplaceable rainforest.