80 



A case in point: Goldbelt, Inc., exhausted by continuing 

 controversy and lack of funds to pursue further litigation, gave 

 up on their Admiralty Island land selection in 1979. In 

 exchange, they received the surface rights to timberlands around 

 Hobart Bay and subsequently invested approximately $17 million 

 along with the infrastructure necessary to support logging 

 activity. 



In 1979, wilderness advocates expressed no interest in the lands 

 adjacent to Hobart Bay. But in 1990, two additional wilderness 

 areas are now proposed which will drastically affect any logging 

 activity that Goldbelt, Inc. had envisioned for their long-term 

 economic viability. 



People have the right to count on something. Both the Alaska 

 Native Claims Settlement Act and the Alaska National Interest 

 Lands Conservation Act were long-fought and complex measures. 

 Agreement was reached, and even if it did not satisfy everyone, 

 it was an agreement. I frankly am a little tired of agreements 

 which only work one way. The entire delegation is opposed to 

 this and I think we owe them that respect. If they decide to 

 offer a land management bill, be it wilderness or otherwise, the 

 Committee can work its will, as we should, and the delegation can 

 either accept our judgment or await another day. 



On a more personal note, Mr. Chairman, I am constantly amazed by 



