37 



local economies, supporting additional jobs and incomes for the pri- 

 vate sector of Alaska, would be forgone. 



Historically, issues surrounding the Tongass have been conten- 

 tious. While the Forest Service is proud of all that we have accom- 

 plished over the past 90 years, we do not pretend for a moment 

 that everything is perfect. We acknowledge that competing uses, 

 desires by our neighbors, partners, and owners have dramatically 

 increased the debates surrounding how Federal lands should be 

 managed. These conflicting needs and philosophies are perhaps 

 more keenly felt here in Alaska than elsewhere in the country, and, 

 I would add, more here in Sitka than many parts of Alaska. We 

 believe, however, there are many things we can do to improve our 

 relationship with the public and the management of the resources 

 in the coming years. 



Because the red light is on, I will try to summarize very quickly, 



Number one, a better job of reconciling fish and wildlife protec- 

 tion needs. Two, a commitment to a sustainable timber supply. 

 Three, better relations with Alaska Natives. Four, better service to 

 those who seek permits for tourism and other activities on the 

 Tongass. Five, strengthening relationships with the State of Alas- 

 ka. Six, greater efficiency with fewer employees in light of Federal 

 budgets being reduced. Number seven, expanding the economic 

 base of Southeast communities. If you will give me a little time in 

 the end, I will come back to that particular item. I think there is 

 a lot to be said there. 



The Chairman. I am not hitting the gavel, Gary. 



Mr. Morrison. I will go ahead with that right now, then. 



I would like to go into a bit more detail on the expanding eco- 

 nomic base. 



The Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture possess 

 many tools for assisting resource development in dependent com- 

 munities and allowing them to diversify and expand their economic 

 base. Both financial and technical assistance provided by the de- 

 partment and the Forest Service have been utilized extensively in 

 Southeast Alaska. Over the last three years, a total of $1.8 million 

 in Forest Service rural community assistance funds have been dis- 

 tributed to 20 communities in Southeast Alaska. Sitka received 

 $199,000 of those funds. In fiscal year 1995, $500,000 of rural com- 

 munity assistance funds were dedicated to the communities of 

 Sitka and Wrangell to help them respond to the impacts of mill clo- 

 sures. Those funds were provided through the delegation, by the 

 way, and we really appreciate that. 



Sitka used its half of the money to expand and enhance the 

 Thompsen Boat Harbor. Also in fiscal year 1995, a one-time appro- 

 priation of $300,000 was made to the Forest Service to fund a 

 study of alternative wood products for manufacture in Sitka. Sitka 

 residents are playing an important role in this effort and have 

 worked with the Forest Service to design the study and have con- 

 tinued to be involved as the work has progressed. The first phase 

 of the study was completed in March. 



This commitment to the communities of Southeast will continue 

 in the future. In fact, the Forest Service, through its rural commu- 

 nity assistance program, intends to provide more than $750,000 in 



