65 



8 

 the Congress how different alternatives respond to public concerns and resource 

 conditions . 



We believe that any major change in the present statutory direction for the 

 management of the Tongass is premature. Possible statutory changes could best 

 be addressed after the draft Environmental Impact Statement is available to the 

 Congress and the general public. 



In conclusicn, we are doing our best to carry out congressional direction in 

 fulfilling our land stewardship responsibilities on the Tongass National 

 Forest. We believe that a major statutory change would be premature at this 

 time. We are only 3 or 4 months from the release of the draft EIS for the 

 revision of the Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan. We urge the 

 Congress to wait for this new information before considering major statutory 

 changes such as those in H.R. 987. 



Mr. Barton and I would be happy to answer your questions or provide any 

 additional information you may desire. 



