198 



and remained low through the 1950's and 1960's when the timber 

 industry was in its infancy, but by the mid-1970 ' s, an increase in 

 fish catches began that is continuing today. From 1977 through 



1982, the catches averaged about 15,000,000 fish per year. Since 



1983, the catches have averaged over 30,000,000 fish per year, 

 which is much higher than the historical averages, with two all 

 time records set in the last four years (see attached chart). 



Recent improvement in the deer population has permitted 

 an increase in the length of season and an increase in the bag 

 limit to six deer per season. Numbers of bald eagles have 

 increased dramatically and excess eagles have been relocated to New 

 York and other states. 



The tourism and recreation industry is also doing well. 

 Over 300,000 people visit Southeast Alaska every year. Approxi- 

 mately 80% of this is via tour ship which travels the water route 

 of the inside passage and stops at various communities along the 

 way. A portion of it represents independent travelers who either 

 enjoy the area through kayacking and remote fly-ins, or by using 

 camping vehicles on Prince of Wales Island where they enjoy the 

 roaded recreation areas developed by the Forest Service through 

 timber sales. The compatibility between the timber and tourism 

 industries is seen in the attached November 28, 1989 Resolution of 

 the Alaska Visitors' Association. (Exhibit A) 



The TLMP Revision Process is now started. The Draft EIS 

 with land use alternatives will be out in June. However, the first 

 step in the process the Benchmarks for the Analysis of the 



