12 



TLMP — not TLMP, but in lieu of taxes. As budget moneys get 

 tighter, the chances of taxes being paid in the community becomes 

 less. So there is more interest outside on this concept of State man- 

 agement of Federal lands than just this Tongass, and I just wanted 

 people to know that. 



Keith, you made some comments about suggestions for the bill. 

 I can assure you that under the bill — it is just a skeleton idea — 

 that the State will be prepared — in the first place, the State has 

 to act. We are not insisting upon it. The State has to act, first on 

 the positive side, requesting the transfer of lands, and that is some- 

 thing for the legislative body and the governor, but there is a tran- 

 sition. The title of the bill is a transition period. 



As far as the other issues you brought up, I think any advice we 

 can get from you — I think you covered it pretty well — is deeply ap- 

 preciated. I want to thank this panel, and, Stan, I think you put 

 it very well. I have been in this building before and while it was 

 being built. We have had hearings in that room over there, hear- 

 ings here on this issue and fishing issues, and this constant indeci- 

 sion is evident. This goes on and on and on, and I would like to 

 see these things come full circle, and then, like Keith says, maybe 

 the people of Sitka will decide the whole area will be a park. At 

 least it will be the decision of you, not the Federal Government, be- 

 cause the Federal Government can make decisions that are con- 

 trary to beliefs of even the preservationist. That is democracy, and 

 that has been my concept of our government, is democracy and the 

 people locally involved in the decisionmaking, not some centralized. 

 Federalized, socialist form of government in Washington, D.C., and 

 why anybody would oppose that, for the life of me I cannot under- 

 stand. 



I want to thank you, and I hope you get a chance to see the pa- 

 rade tomorrow. It is not going to rain: I am in town. And we will 

 look forward to Sitka as one of the areas. I missed it last year. I 

 do not know whether it rained or not, but I missed the parade, and 

 that is one reason I am back here this year. 



Thank you for being on the panel. Thank you very much. 



The next panel is John DeTemple, Sitka, Alaska; Theodore 

 Borbridge, Vice Chair of the Sitka Tribal Council, Sitka, Alaska; 

 and Russell Wright of Sitka, Alaska. 



I want to welcome the panel and appreciate your being here. You 

 saw the last panel, and we will follow along the same lines. 



I would at this time especially like to welcome each one of you, 

 but, John, you are up first. 



STATEMENT OF JOHN J. DETEMPLE 



Mr. DeTemple. Thank you. Congressman. Glad you came to 

 Sitka. I hope we can keep the green light on. 



Most folks know my name is John DeTemple of KIFW Radio. I 

 have been a 34-year resident of Sitka — or of the State of Alaska, 

 a 15-year resident of Sitka. I have been employed by Alaska Broad- 

 cast Communications for the past 15 years. I manage KIFW and 

 KSBZ Radio. My wife was born and raised in Ketchikan. I have a 

 ten-year-old daughter, a nine-year-old son, and legal custody of my 

 great-nephew, who is an Alaska Native. So I have a vested interest 

 in the future of not only Sitka but the State, as well. 



