94 



More often than not, I assume, if there is any logging in the 

 area, the loggers are called upon to pull the debris out of the 

 stream and try and open up the stream. 



Then we have that narrow area where we have the streams con- 

 tinually undercutting alongside the creeks and the logs falling in, 

 and it makes a natural habitat. So obviously there is a balance 

 going on here, and I assume through proper forest management 

 practices, working with the fisheries people, that you can maintain 

 a reasonable balance, recognizing you have got a habitat to concern 

 yourself with, as well as the ability to enhance that habitat. 



It is my understanding that the Forest Service takes pride in the 

 rehabilitation that they have been able to contribute to the various 

 streams in southeastern Alaska. I wonder, Mr. Chairman, if Mr. 

 Barton could comment a little bit on how forest management prac- 

 tices have led to the enhancement of certain streams. 



I believe that there are fish ladders that have been put in in con- 

 junction with the Department of Fish and Game, as well as U.S. 

 Fish and Wildlife Service, and other concentrated efforts for en- 

 hancement. 



Dr. Koski. May I finish my comments on your question? There 

 was about a dozen questions there and I would like to respond to a 

 couple. 



Senator Murkowski. I requested Mr. Barton to respond. 



Mr. Barton. Mr. Chairman, we do have quite an active fisheries 

 enhancement program on the Tongass: fish ladders to get around 

 obstacles, removal of barriers in the streams to allow fish passage, 

 some fertilization projects. 



Senator Murkowski. I am sorry, I cannot hear you, Mr. Barton. 

 Would you pull that microphone up closer. Thank you. 



Mr. Barton. Sorry, Senator. 



We do have a very active fisheries enhancement program on the 

 Tongass. We have removed barriers to fish passage, built fish lad- 

 ders, had lake fertilization, stream fertilization programs to in- 

 crease the basic productivity. 



Since 1980, we have invested in fisheries enhancement projects 

 that have a potential to produce about eight million pounds, an in- 

 crease of eight million pounds annually of salmon. So we are quite 

 proud of our fisheries enhancement efforts. 



Senator Murkowski. I am told that there is the potential of pro- 

 ducing seven to eight million pounds additional fish as a conse- 

 quence of your efforts? 



Mr. Barton. The projects that we have undertaken in the last 

 few years have produced that much. There are opportunities to 

 produce much more, too, as we have outlined in our study and 

 through our revision process. 



Senator Murkowski. Can you do a fisheries enhancement in a 

 watershed if it is not logged? 



Mr. Barton. Yes, we can and have. 



Senator Murkowski. Do you? 



Mr. Barton. Yes, we certainly have. We have also used receipts, 

 timber sale receipts, to build fisheries projects. The Knudsen-Van- 

 denberg Act allows us to do that. 



Mr. Leonard. And those Knudsen-Vandenberg projects are limit- 

 ed to areas where we have had timber sales. 



