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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES 



OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER , 

 August 24, 1989 



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COWKK, COVUNOK 



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JUNEAU. ALASKA 9MTT-25O0 



PHONE. (XT) 445-3900 



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The Honorable Don Young 

 Congress of the United States 

 House of Representatives 

 2331 Rayburn Building 

 Washington, D.C. 20515 



Dear Congressman Young: 



Thank you for your July 21 inquiry concerning H.R. 987, "Tongass 

 Timber Reform Act," and its possible impact on transportation and 

 utility corridors in Southeast Alaska. 



Enclosed is a map of Southeast Alaska illustrating 44 individual 

 corridors that have been cooperatively and mutually identified in 

 1987 and 1988 by a team of high-level representatives from public 

 and private agencies in the region. Also enclosed is a 

 supporting document that describes each corridor, the major 

 activities which could stimulate development within the 

 corridors, agencies directly involved in those activities, and an 

 estimated time frame in which significant activity might occur. 

 This information was developed in an effort to coordinate 

 planning activities, share resources, and hopefully, reduce 

 development costs when actual improvements are finally realized. 

 While these documents have not been formally approved or adopted 

 by any agency and are not, therefore, "official" in nature, they 

 do represent a strong sense of direction by participating 

 agencies. 



Referring to the wilderness area and corridor maps, corridors 

 that would be affected by the proposed wilderness designation of 

 H.R. 987 include the following: 



BERNERS BAY - This selection would impact corridor Nos. 35 and 

 36 . Absent authorization under Title XI of ANILCA, it would 

 eliminate the Lynn Canal eastside road and utility corridor as 

 one alternative for road access to Juneau and a power grid 

 connection between Whitehorse and Southeast Alaska. Several 

 mining companies are also conducting site feasibility studies at 

 the north end of Berners Bay, and if the decision is made to go 

 into production, extension of the existing road and utility 

 system through the Berners Bay selection may be necessary. 



