The Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is a natural treasure of spectacular scenery, pristine tracts of roadless rainforest, and world famous recreation opportunities. Tongass NF is also blessed with a unique system of public use cabins which are scattered across America's largest national forest.
Most of the current inventory of 153 cabins were built decades ago and now require increased maintenance and repair. Given the challenges of this aging inventory, higher maintenance standards, and loses in federal revenue; the Forest Service is being forced to look at reducing the cabins program. The current "5-Year Action Plan" has identified up to 25% of the sites for possible closure or decommissioning.
Friends of the Tongass Cabins (FTC):
In response to the threat to the recreational cabins program, a group of cabin users and associated businesses has formed to assist the Forest Service in maintaining a viable cabins program. Organized as the Friends of the Tongass Cabins, our mission is to "ensure the continued development, operation, maintenance, and public enjoyment of cabins on the Tongass National Forest." The Friends believe that the Tongass cabins are a unique and irreplaceable public treasure that will need active public involvement and private financial support in order to remain viable and be available for future generations.
Current goals:
To fulfill our mission, we have established the following goals:
- To work in partnership with Tongass National Forest to support a viable and sustainable cabins program.
- To serve as an advocate on behalf of the Tongass cabins program.
- To inform the public on maintenance and financial issues related to the cabins program.
- To organize private fund raising and donated labor to supplement Forest Service resources.
- To work with SAGA to provide jobs and training to youth.
- To serve as a catalyst for bringing together groups which share an interest in maintaining the Tongass cabins program.
- To promote the efficient use of resources dedicated to the cabins program.
Governing Board:
- George Doyle, President
- Joe Parrish, Vice President
- Russ Kuhn, Secretary/Treasurer
- Scott Young, Board Trustee
If you have any questions about the Friends group or about ways you can support the Friends of the Tongass Cabins, please contact us at:
P.O. Box 33037
Juneau, AK 99803
1-800-789-6172
cabins@servealaska.org
fax (907) 789-3118