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&oari of Directors, Southeast Confftfrvme 

 Page 2 



All of this illustrates arofiher concern of ours - that you might 

 be Jeopardizing the standing you attained as a result of tho process by 

 which your original position was reached. The process you followed it 

 that time is airiest irreproachable, ar.d it achieved for the Conference 

 widespread support and goodwill, although the position itself is not 

 wholly satisfactory to any of the affected industries. It is entirely 

 appropriate for you to stand by your original decision; changes to that 

 decision are not necessary when you are merely being asked to clarify 

 your position. As John Katz and Craig Lindh reminded you it your vesting, 

 your efforts to serve as a conduit for the attitudes of all Southeast 

 residents are what gave your position credibility with both Governor 

 Cowper and the V. S. Congress, who t! en felt comfortable in using your 

 position as a starting point i/h negotiations. This credibility has given 

 Southeast resifl-nts a voice if. Congress that we would not otherwise have 

 had and the Southeast fishing organizations urge you not to risk losing it. 



Another aspect of great importance to us is the inconsistency you 

 shoved at your meeting when discussing the proposed changes to your 

 position Several of you mentioned being willing to conslJer changes f> 

 protected areas because yotf thought buffer strips would protect the fish 

 streams. The Southeast Conference position, however, does not mention 

 buffer strip? and, in fact/ Congress has not yet resolved that issue. It 

 is important that you realite that buffer strips are not a substitute for 

 overall watershed protection, because in areas with unstable soil, for 

 Instance, buffer strips are not enough to prevent ultimate damage to fish 

 habitat. A cursory review of the maps tells us that the integrity of the 

 watersheds, slope stability and upland water quality have not been 

 accounted for in the proposed alterations. It is incumbent on you, if 

 you are representing the views of all Southeast residents, to emphasize 

 to Congress the need to maintain protection for our one truly renewable 

 resource. If despite a lack of adequate information, you decide to mak* 

 changes to your maps, you must include a strongly worded statement 

 insisting on the need for buffer strips throughout Class I and II and 

 important Class III stream systems. This is necessary because your 

 original position included protection for some of those systems in the 

 set-aside areas; the proposal you are now considering does not. 



Commercial fishermen would like very much to be a part of a procets 

 that works toward a solution that will benefit all Southeast residents. 

 Wo object, however, to simply reacting to a proposal such as this: one 

 that affects the fishing interests most directly yet omits fishery 

 information and concerns. The extremely short time period docs not allow 

 you to gather the information necessary to make a decision of this 

 importance. We therefore urge you to maintain your current position at 

 this time. 



Alaska Longline Fisherman's Association 



Alaska Trollers Association 



Northern Southeast Regional A^uaculture Association 



Petersburg Vessel Owners Association 



Seafood Producers Cooperative 



Southeast Alaska Seiners 



Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association 



United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters 



