22 



have a construction business which used to employ approximately 

 25 people on a seasonal basis, building log roads for APC, for ten 

 years. When the Federal Government canceled APC's contract, this 

 literally destroyed our business. 



Although I wrote to my congressmen, they are only a few in a 

 large group of people, the majority who really do not give a hoot 

 about what canceling that contract did to people like me. 



I think it is time for someone a little closer to home to be making 

 the decision on what affects my life and those around me. 



Thank you. 



The Chairman. I like that. Straight to the point. 



Paula? 



STATEMENT OF PAULA M. SCOTT 



Ms. Scott. Thank you for the opportunity to express my 

 thoughts on the Tongass Transfer and Transition Act. I have lived 

 in Sitka for 18 years. My husband and I are small business owners. 

 He is a building contractor and I am an insurance broker, and I 

 am very concerned about the future of Sitka. 



I am in support of the timber industry in Southeast Alaska. 

 Thousands of Alaskans depend upon the Tongass for their liveli- 

 hoods, and we all know that thousands used to depend upon the 

 Tongass for their livelihoods. I do believe the Tongass can provide 

 for a sound and viable timber industry, and at the same time sup- 

 port subsistence hunting, fishing, recreation and other uses. Sitka 

 needs a sustainable year-round industry. Fishing and tourism are 

 important to our economy, but provide seasonal jobs. 



A viable timber industry is dependent upon a consistent timber 

 supply. If the historical trends in the management of the Tongass 

 by the Federal Government continue, then the timber supply will 

 continue to decline. I have confidence in the U.S. Forest Service 

 and their ability to manage the Tongass if, and if, they are left to 

 manage based on sound principles and science. 



Present management appears to be based on politics. The concept 

 of the State of Alaska having control over the Tongass National 

 Forest rather than the Federal Government is exciting. Those of us 

 that live in Southeast Alaska are very aware of the decisions that 

 have been made by the Federal Government and how they have af- 

 fected us. 



Policy is generated in Washington, D.C., by folks that have never 

 seen the Tongass. They have never lived in Southeast Alaska. They 

 have never had to make a living off the natural resources and prob- 

 ably never met a logger. I believe the Tongass National Forest has 

 become a sacred cow for politicians and contributions to their cam- 

 paign. The present Federal Government management of the 

 Tongass appears to be insensitive to the economic needs of the peo- 

 ple living in Southeast Alaska. 



The State of Alaska is a level of government that Southeast Alas- 

 kans have access to. The State of Alaska understands the enor- 

 mous size of the Tongass. This forest is home to 75,000 Alaskans 

 who rely on it for jobs, fishing, hunting, subsistence, tourism, tim- 

 ber, and recreation. Under the present management system, the 

 voice of those living and working in the Tongass is overpowered by 

 a well-funded environmental lobby. 



