89 



So a stream may have ten or twelve like units within it. And we 

 classified all of these streams, all 55,000 miles, and then we relate 

 our prescriptions to the resources within those units. 



When we first did that, it was very complicated. There was 38 

 different types of units across the forest. And so we have stepped 

 back now and we have grouped these into nine groups, which is 

 easier for management, and then the management relies on those 

 nine groups, not the 38 groups. 



We have got 25 trained fisheries biologists on the Tongass to 

 work on this, and in my opinion I think we can manage that. 



The Chairman. Mr. Koski? 



Dr. Koski. Mr. Chairman, yes. Mr. Chairman, maintaining habi- 

 tat while logging within that zone is nearly impossible. There are 

 many, many factors in there, including large woody debris, main- 

 taining temperatures, and solar radiation and stream sedimenta- 

 tion from the banks, and so on, that cannot be maintained if you 

 log in that zone. 



With woody debris, for example, that has a long-term impact on 

 the system, requiring up to 250 years to recover. 



The Chairman. Let me ask you the second question, which it 

 seems to me is more difficult, regarding Class II streams. Mr. 

 Brooks, you suggest that we have 100 feet buffers on most resident 

 fish Class II streams and a few significant water quality influence 

 Class III streams in the forest. 



How would you suggest that we state that in the legislation? 



Dr. Brooks. The Class III streams do not contain fish. 



The Chairman. I understand, but I am saying in the legislation, 

 how do you suggest that we define how to protect Class II and 

 Class III streams? Leave that to the Forest Service to decide? 



We cannot put in the legislation "please protect most Class II 

 streams." We have got to say all of a certain category or we have 

 got to leave it to someone's discretion, and if so whose? 



Dr. Brooks. Any stream that is producing anadromous fish 

 should be covered. These are all catalogued. There are official lists, 

 published lists of anadromous fish streams on the Tongass. 



The Chairman. Well, Class II, though, the definition is "includes 

 streams, tributaries, and ponds with resident fish of limited sport 

 value." I would take it that would be not anadromous fish. All 

 anadromous fish are of sport value, are they not? 



Dr. Koski. Yes. 



The Chairman. "Generally occurring in steep gradients or up- 

 stream of migration barriers." That is Class II, and you say in your 

 statement that you should protect most Class II, most resident fish 

 Class II streams. 



Is a resident fish Class II stream one with resident fish of limited 

 sport value? 



Dr. Brooks. Many of those, sir, have considerable sport value. 

 There are blockages in the stream — waterfalls, cataracts, and so 

 on — that prevent the access of anadromous fish. But they may 

 have very large populations of cutthroat trout, kokanec, rainbow, 

 other species than salmon. 



The Chairman. Would that not be Class I? 



Dr. Brooks. No, sir. The salmon streams, the anadromous 

 streams, are Class I. 



