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significantly and unneccesarily reduce other management options. The 

 importance of protecting the ecological function of anadramous streams is 

 undisputed, however, we feel this can best be accomplished with si te - spec i f ic 

 designs developed by resource professionals representing the Forest Service, 

 other concerned Federal agencies, and the State of Alaska. 



Additional Wilderness Designations (Title III) 



As part of the Tongass '.and and Resource Management Plan revision, we are 

 considering many interrelated planning questions including: What primitive 

 unconfined outdoor opportunities are provided by the non-designated wilderness 

 lands? How should wilderness and unroaded areas be managed to meet future 

 demand for recreation use? What effect does wilderness designation have on the 

 tourism/recreation industry? Where and how much commercial activity should be 

 permitted in wilderness? Are other designations such as Wild and Scenic Rivers 

 more appropriate? Are additional wilderness designations needed? 



There are 1.6 million acres of commercial forest land within existing 

 designated wilderness on the Tongass. The 1.8 million acres proposed for 

 wilderness designation by H.R. 987 contain about 700,000 acres of commercial 

 forest land, of which 250,000 acres are scheduled for harvest over the next 100 

 years in the current Tongass Land Management Plan. This potential reduction in 

 the Forest's suitable timber base could adversely affect our ability to provide 

 a supply of timber to local mills. Designation of these areas as wilderness 

 might also block access to timber in areas not designated as wilderness. We 

 also recognize that many areas on the Tongass National Forest are used for 



