ment, recreation and subsistence lifestyles. 

We invite you to participate in this update to the 

“2004 Shoreline Outfitter 

and Guide Record of Decision and Environmental 

Impact Statement 

(Shoreline O/G EIS)” analysis for Admiralty Island 

National Monument and 

Hoonah, Juneau, and Sitka 

Ranger Districts, Tongass 

National Forest. 

Recreation and tourism are 

important to all who enjoy 

the Tongass National Forest. The Forest Service is 

beginning an update to our 

resident and visitor use 

analysis along 5,291 miles 

of shoreline in the Tongass, including 1⁄2-mile inland. This “shoreline zone” 

is popular due to its easy 

access by boat in a land 

that is mostly without 

roads. 

Recreation experiences 

abound in the shoreline 

zone, such as viewing nature and wildlife, hunting, 

fishing, hiking, camping, 

cruising and kayaking. 

Visitors come from around 

the world to experience the 

landscape through commercial outfitters and 

guides under permit with 

the Forest Service. Local 

residents also value the 

area to pursue employPROJECT OVERVIEW 

BACKGROUND 

The original Shoreline 

analysis allocated visitor 

days to commercial businesses to use and occupy 

certain National Forest 

lands in the shoreline zone. 

The intent was to strike a 

balance between commercial and non-commercial 

uses of the shoreline zone, 

maintaining high 

quality experiences, 

reducing user conflicts, and conserving physical and biological resources. 

The decision concluded with a need 

to reassess the analysis after five years. 

Shoreline II Outfitter and Guide Management Plan 

Newsletter TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST 

TODAY 

Today we are starting the 

reassessment of the Shoreline O/G EIS (2004) and 

want to include you in the 

process. Results of this 

year’s efforts with you will 

lead to a Proposed Action 

in 2013. The Proposed Action we create together will 

define future commercial 

O/G use types and 

levels in the shoreline zone. The Proposed Action will 

start a formal environmental analysis under 

the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 

This process does not allocate use to unguided 

forest visitors; they can 

continue to use the shoreline zone as they do now. 

ISSUE 1—SPRING 2012 

Sitka Public Meeting was held on 

Wed. February 22, 

with two opportunities to attend. 

Look for opportunities to participate in 

public meetings in 

Angoon, Hoonah, 

Juneau, and other 

communities in the 

next few months 

Opportunities 

Bear Viewing at Pack Creek 

USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider 

and employer. 

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Forest Service 

Alaska Region 

R10-MB-752(a) 

March 2012 
Page 2 

To focus our efforts, define future actions, and 

encourage discussion 

rather than constrict it we 

set these specifics: 

The analysis area will 

include the entire 

shoreline zone on Admiralty Island National 

Monument and Hoonah, Juneau, and Sitka 

Ranger Districts and 

interior trails, waterways or routes that 

originate from the 

shoreline zone. 

Season of use will be 

all year. 

Types of uses will be 

all those originating 

from the shoreline zone 

(boat and floatplane) 

with subsequent upland 

activities. 

closed a public comment worksheet that 

can be completed either 

on our web site or on 

hardcopy and mailed to 

Sitka Ranger District, 

Tongass National Forest, 

Attn: Michelle Putz, 

Shoreline II Management 

Plan, 204 Siginaka Way, 

Sitka, AK 99835-7511. 

You can also fax to 907-

747-4253 or email to 

comments-alaskaTo participate in the assessment, or parts of it, 

please visit the project 

website at go.usa.gov/

Pzi . The website is the 

source for all project updates and postings for 

public workshops, datacollection-forms, and 

progress of the Commercial Needs Assessments. 

In addition to the information posted on the 

website, we have entongass-sitka@fs.fed.us

with ‘shoreline’ in subject line. 

SPECIFICS 

MORE INFORMATION 

PARTICIPATION 

the shoreline zone; your 

perception of solitude 

and crowding; and any 

other biological or 

physical resource concerns. 

We also want to know 

what you see as future 

or emerging uses of the 

shoreline zone. 

What recreation activities would you like to 

offer or experience in the 

future? 

There are many ways for 

you to collaborate with 

us on this project - public 

meetings, interactive 

website, or letters. The 

degree of your involvement is up to you. We 

want to know how outfitters and guides affect 

your use of the unique 

shoreline areas. We are 

interested in the types of 

activities and locations 

where you recreate along 

SHORELINE II OUTFITTER AND GUIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN 

NEWSLETTER TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST 

Floatplane waiting for clients at 8 Fathom Bay 

Mid‐size Cruise Ship , Lisianski Inlet Kayak Ranger boarding Empress of the North 
Page 3 TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST 

Comments on specific recreation 

use areas are very helpful. Please 

use this map to comment by area 

number about your favorite spots. 
go.usa.gov/Pzi 

Admiralty National 

Monument and 

Hoonah, Juneau, and Sitka 

Ranger Districts, 

Tongass National Forest 

We are gathering information and ideas and invite you to participate now and throughout this process. To participate in the assessment or to get more information, please visit the project website at 

go.usa.gov/Pzi. 

Thank you for the opportunity to share this project. If you have 

any questions or comments, please contact Sue Jennings, Shoreline 

Team Leader at (907) 723-0477 or sjennings@fs.fed.us. 

Guided Hikers on Lake Eva Trail 

From: 

Sitka Ranger District, Tongass National Forest 

204 Siginaka Way 

Sitka, AK 99835-7511 

 TO: