350 



Don Finney complained about how lands protection would block numerous road access opportunities. 

 His charges were grossly exaggerated. Please see Attachment G for clarifications on road access. 



Reaching for straws, Don Finney claimed that the timber industry is good for tourism in Southeast 

 Alaska. 



Tourism is a booming industry throughout Alaska. According to Forest Service figures, 350,000 

 people visit Southeast Alaska annually, and in 1988, they generated $74 million for the regional 

 economy. The primary reason people visit Southeast Alaska is for expected wilderness values. 

 Whether tourists come to the area to view scenery, photograph wildlife, or to go fishing or 

 hunting, nearly all visitors expect to experience the wildness of Southeast Alaska. 



A network of clearcuts and logging roads destroys the aesthetic appeal of the Tongass and 

 threatens fish, wildlife, and other values associated with undisturbed areas. Pending legislation 

 that includes the permanent protection of lands and the protection of fish streams will have a 

 positive effect on the future of tourism in Southeast Alaska. 



Mr. Finney feels that the Forest Service should provide public timber to Native logging operators 

 when private Native lands have been exhausted of their timber. 



Federal laws require sustained yield logging practices on all our national forests. The rapid 

 liquidation of private Native timber on a non-sustainable basis should not be rewarded by 

 guaranteeing a future supply of national forest timber once Native timber runs out. 



Mike Barton stated that the wildlife declines predicted by Forest Service biologists in the KPC sale 

 area were a "worst-case scenario." 



This is incorrect. The predicted drastic declines in birds and mammals on the Tongass would be 

 a consequence of the Forest Service's preferred alternative in their EIS for KPC's 1989-1994 

 operating period. 



Thank you very much for thoroughly examining the problems with the management of the Tongass 

 National Forest. We look forward to getting this issue resolved. 



Sincerely 



Bart Koehler 



Executive Director, SEACC 



