20 



The Tongass is the largest national forest in the country. Yet, 

 current plans are to cut less than 450 million board-feet a year. 

 Sometimes people have a difficult time assimilating what that 

 means in comparison. 



It compares to 1.5 billion board-feet that's cut in New York each 

 year for firewood. 8 to 10 billion board-feet are cut each year in the 

 Pacific Northwest. Nearly 4 billion board-feet are cut in Louisiana 

 each year. And we are talking about a cut of 450 million board-feet 

 to maintain our industry. 



Lastly, Mr. Chairman, I would like to draw your attention to the 

 realization of the Tongass land management plan that will be com- 

 pleted by the Forest Service we anticipate some time in June. That 

 map was part of that preparation. There have been 30 hearings 

 held in Alaska and approximately $5 million of taxpayers' funds 

 expended on that process. 



I would urge my colleagues to consider the merits of the recom- 

 mendations in that report. 



Finally, Mr. Chairman, I would like entered into the record a 

 rather extensive statement covering in detail the points that I have 

 highlighted here, as well as reference to some specific identifica- 

 tions with regard to the salmon catch in Alaska over the last 

 decade, and specific revisions with regard to wilderness areas in 

 comparison to the rest of the Tongass National Forest. 



I think the staff will find them of interest and significantly en- 

 lightening to have one better understand the merits of the delinea- 

 tions that have already been determined with regard to the Ton- 

 gass National Forest. 



And also, there are eight States which are currently returning 

 below cost estimates to the Federal Government, as well as docu- 

 mentation from the Wilderness Society as to the state of wilderness 

 in the United States. 



[The prepared statement of Senator Murkowski follows:] 



