310 



Senator Murkowski. You are concluding that the pulp mills 

 would be there? 



Mr. Metcalf. Yes. 



Senator Murkowski. Without the contracts? 



Mr. Metcalf. Yes, and that the National Forest Management 

 Act — you brought that point up and I think it is important to rec- 

 ognize that the two contracts are not in compliance with the Na- 

 tional Forest Management Act, and I would be glad to supply you 

 with that written information. 



Senator Murkowski. Please do. Anyone differ with that? Kate? 



Ms. Troll. No, I do not differ. I guess I just wanted to, since I got 

 your attention, to go back to one quick point and let you know that 

 buffer strips would also have a play into the tourist industry, be- 

 cause of the heavy sport fishing and the charter industry, which is 

 one of Ketchikan's growing sectors of its economy. 



There is a linkage there obviously between timber and tourism 

 support, and I just wanted to add in that there is also a linkage 

 from the buffer strip as it relates to sport fish and charter boats 

 and all of that. 



Senator Murkowski. There is a beach fringe to be maintained 

 for browse for the deer and the strips and so forth. 



Then one goes back to the realization that if you are in your 

 hotel in Juneau and you open up the window, everything you see is 

 second growth. That is almost true in Sitka, as well its second 

 growth. 



You go over to Prince of Wales Island where they logged during 

 the Second World War and, where is it, at Hollis, where they took 

 all the spruce out, and today there is some of the finest second 

 growth you would find anywhere in the world. 



Ms. Troll. I have a recreational cabin site in one of those second 

 growth forests. 



Senator Murkowski. It is a beautiful area. 



Ms. Troll. Yes. 



Senator Murkowski. It is much more productive than the other. 

 So you know, it is this whole issue of balance. A lot of people do 

 not recognize that one-third of the commercial forest is set aside in 

 perpetuity in a wilderness, and that is dying and it is growing, and 

 that is the state it should be in. 



But unfortunately, we cannot do anything to enhance the fishery 

 in that area, which, you know, would get you an argument in any 

 corner. 



Mr. Griffin, what is the Southeast Conference's position, one 

 more time, on buffer strips, because we spent a lot of time on that 

 today? 



Mr. Griffin. Well, sir, apparently not all the information got to 

 the committee, and if you would allow me to read a letter 



Senator Murkowski. I would rather you did not read a letter. I 

 would rather have you summarize. 



Mr. Griffin. Okay. 



Senator Murkowski. You are an educator and can do well sum- 

 marizing. 



Mr. Griffin. Some would question that, sir. 



