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You are providing the opportunity for Alaskans to control their 

 own destiny. I believe you have heard this from our elected State 

 officials, both from the governor's office and from the State legisla- 

 ture leadership, as well. I concur with the concept of greater self- 

 determination for Alaskans by Alaskans that these two bodies had 

 previously stated. 



I also appreciate the proposed legislation providing security for 

 subsistence rights to our Alaska Natives as a part of the equation 

 of the transfer and the security of subsistence rights under Federal 

 laws until such time that Alaska State laws and Federal laws are 

 revised to be consistent. This ensures that Alaska Native rights are 

 in place in this issue and have a place at the table. 



You have asked for some input and guidance regarding your pro- 

 posed legislation, and I would state that I am concerned for 

 Sitkans and thus I would be concerned about jobs for Sitkans. This 

 includes our private sector industries of timber, tourism, and fish- 

 ing. By having this forest in State hands, it takes away one layer 

 of political science at the national level and provides a forum for 

 Alaskans to decide what is best for Alaskans. 



I would also include that my concern is also for the employment 

 of the U.S. Forest Service detailed here in Sitka. My concern is 

 that these Sitkans be allowed the fullest opportunity to remain em- 

 ployed within this proposed legislation as the managers of the for- 

 est. The Forest Service employment under Mr. Gary Morrison, the 

 Chatham District Supervisor, and Mr. Jim Franzel, Sitka Ranger, 

 are a credit to the service of the public. In the face of diverse opin- 

 ions, they have continued to strive for sustainable and sensible for- 

 est management practices for all users that include timber harvest- 

 ing as a part of that management equation. 



I would also state that I am concerned that the State needs to 

 have the capabilities for managing the Tongass in place as tran- 

 sient discussions continue. This community needs stability. The 

 fishing industry is in the midst of turmoil with the Canadian salm- 

 on dispute. It is frustrating to see our fishers' abilities further di- 

 minished by outside interests. Our visitor industry is also con- 

 stantly tied up in access issues regarding public lands. The timber 

 industry continues to fight for stability. These issues have con- 

 stantly been tossed around by the political rhetoric of Washington, 

 D.C., and those influences from a national level. While you have 

 done a good job for Alaskans, you are still only one voice of 435 

 voices in the House. I would State that Alaskans have a better, 

 more sensible and rational approach to managing our access to our 

 lands, our fisheries, or the forest. 



This community has had a great history of being a steady, con- 

 sistent, and well-balanced community over the years with a healthy 

 fishing industry, a healthy timber industry, and a healthy visitor 

 industry. The health of any community can be measured by the 

 health of its private-sector economy. A vibrant economy means 

 there is disposable income to support the things that make a com- 

 munity healthy in the sense that there is money for business to 

 support school programs and extra-curricular activities for kids, 

 non-profit organizations like the Teen Center or the SAFV Shelter 

 or adult recreational supports, cultural events like the Sitka Sum- 



