Report says federal agency lost $600M on Tongass forest

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The U.S. Forest Service has lost nearly $600 million through its management of Tongass National Forest in Alaska, according to a new report.

The study by the nonpartisan group Taxpayers for Common Sense calculated the losses through roadbuilding and timber sales, CoastAlaska reported Monday.

The average net loss has been about $30 million annually over the past 20 years, the report said.

The U.S. Forest Service did not comment on the group’s report.

Taxpayers for Common Sense warned that a rollback of the federal Roadless Area Conservation Rule would accelerate the trend...