The United States Forest Service announced last week the retirement of two of its top managers in the Tongass National Forest, America's largest national forest.

Supervisor Forrest Cole will retire from his position in April, having served nearly 40 years in the USFS and on the Tongass since 2003. Deputy Supervisor Tricia O'Connor will also be leaving, in February, to take a job heading Bridger-Teton National Forest in Jackson, Wyo.

In a press release, Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Cole “made a monumental effort as forest supervisor to support the remaining mills in Southeast Alaska and keep a...