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proposal and a great compromise. It is neither. The switch in position by this regional pro- 

 development group is an underhanded attempt to thwart genuine community support for 

 protecting key watersheds. But Alaskans weren't Fooled -- only 2 communities supported the 

 "new" Conference position and 12 opposed it'fTepresenting the majority of people in Southeast 

 Alaska) during the one week official written comment period. 



As an example of the turmoil this revised position created, consider Sitka, a pulp mill town 

 and a strong supporter of the timber industry. The Sitka City Council, with a number of its 

 members upset by the change, has not, as of this date, supported the new position. Sitka is 

 still on record as supporting the original Southeast Conference compromise. 



The Southeast Conference flip-flop merely represents a shift of one special interest group, not 

 a broad shift of public opinion. The strong support from communities for protection of key 

 watersheds still exists despite the Conference's perported new position. (See Attachment H) 



WHY LANDS NEED PROTECTION NOW : 



1990 is truly the last stand for many key Tongass old-growth watersheds. 



The Forest Service just recently stated that "since 1979, only a few small portions of these [23] 

 areas have been modified as a result of implementation of the Forest Plan." This is an 

 incredibly self-serving statement. The agency did not protect these areas out of the kindness 

 of its heart -- the agency was forced to do so by local protests from Southeast Alaska 

 communities. 



A few examples include: When the Kadashan road was built, the City of Tenakee Springs 

 went to court to stop logging. When the Forest Service wanted to log the Lisianski River, the 

 City of Pelican and others stopped the plan. When the Chuck River was going to be logged, 

 fishermen in Petersburg and the Governor of Alaska brought the sale to a halt. When roads 

 and logging were planned for the Yakutat Forelands the City of Yakutat said no roads and no 

 logging. The Native village of Hydaburg is now fighting the Forest Service over Nutkwa. 

 Point Baker is fighting the Forest Service over Calder-Holbrook. The list goes on as the fights 

 continue against the agency that believes in logging first, last, and always. 



If these key areas are no! protected by law, many will be lost within the next few years. The 

 most critical and the most fought-over areas will be logged and roaded as sure as I'm sitting 

 here today. SEACC agrees with the Region 1 Supervisors' statement that the Forest Service has 

 become "an organization out of control." Congressional action is the last line of defense. 



Based on the most recent Forest Service planning documents, the following million dollar 

 fishery watersheds and critical wildlife areas are on the chopping block: 



Immediately 

 Kadashan 

 Nutkwa 

 Lisianski River 

 Upper Hoonah Sound 

 Chuck River 

 Trap Bay 

 Salmon Bay Lake 



Next 5 years : 



Calder-Holbrook 



Karta 



South Etolin 



Mud Bay/Pt. Adolphus 



K uiu Island/Bay of Pillars 



West Duncan 



Port Houghton 



Rocky Pass 



Yakutat Forelands 



Rest of Chichagof proposal 



Anan 



Naha 



