234 



6 Testimony of Kathryn Troll 



100.000 pinks. 100.000 sockeye. and some chum and steelhead 



These areas are being considered for protection because of a multiplicity of resource 

 values. UFA has only addressed the important fishery values. Because of the 

 overriding fishery values in these areas. UFA believes that these areas can only be 

 protected by keeping the watersheds intact, such protection to be guaranteed by law 

 Buffers are not a subsitute for intact watersheds. 



In the course of give-and-take on negotiations for the set aside areas, we found that 

 economic convenience for the timber industry at the loss of the fishing industry 

 appeared to be the prevailing rule. From the fishing industry perspective it does 

 little good to protect areas not critical for salmon production while cutting the heart 

 out of million dollar watersheds. Areas that were being negotiated to be set aside did 

 not have high timber value, they also did not have high fisheries value While 

 timber value certainly needs to be considered, UFA was disturbed to see this as the 

 driving force for set aside areas, instead of fisheries values 



Again, waiting for the TLMP revision means accepting and getting the 

 status quo. which is unacceptable to UFA. Because of past experience, 

 we have no confidence that, absent a legislated mandate to protect these 

 watersheds, the Forest Service will provide consistent and appropriate 

 protection. 



Southeast Conference Tongass Position : The attached UFA letter to Southeast 

 Conference (Attachment F) details how their original position considered the 

 positions of the fishing industry and how their revised position ignores the fishing 

 industry. 



Conclusion 



The fishermen of Southeast Alaska want resolution of the problems posed by Tongass 

 Timber Reform. We are steadfast in our position that fishing and timber can co-exist 

 in Southeast Alaska. We simply want the Congress to protect all the uses and 

 resources of the Tongass in accordance with multiple use concepts It is absolutely 

 imperative that the most effective measures available to protect the lifeblood of our 

 fishing industry should be sought in Tongass legislation. We are hopeful that 

 improving forest-wide fish habitat management, avoiding logging in major salmon 

 producing watersheds, and providing a minimum of 100 foot no cut buffer strips 

 along all other fish streams and their tributaries will protect a major portion of 

 Southeast Alaska salmon production. This can be accomplished while maintaining a 

 healthy logging industry. Your challenge is to set about to do it. We continue to want 

 to help achieve resolution on the Tongass. 



