39 



Mr. Morrison. I think we have more advice being given to us 

 from higher levels than we had in the past, but I think, overall, 

 the local decisions are still being made by the local district rangers, 

 and the area decisions are being made by myself and my three 

 other colleagues here in Alaska. 



Mr. Chairman. What I am saying is we had the decision for ex- 

 tension of the contract, and my information is that the Alaskan po- 

 sition was not even considered, and it was considered in Washing- 

 ton, D.C. Is that true? 



Mr. Morrison. I do not know if our recommendations carried 

 any weight in Washington, but that decision was definitely not 

 made locally. 



The Chairman. It was made in Washington, D.C, but rec- 

 ommendations from the Alaska delegation, Alaska supervisors, was 

 not one that was signed in or agreed to back in Washington, D.C; 

 is that true? 



Mr. Morrison. That is true. 



Mr. Chairman. What about TLMP? Where are we with TLMP? 

 What is happening there? What are the proposals on that, time- 

 frames? Can you give us any information on the plan? 



Mr. Morrison. Well, the public comment period for the revised 

 supplemental draft is ongoing, and, as I said in the testimony, has 

 been extended for a month, so it will go on until August 29th. 



At that time, we will look at all of the input that we received 

 from the public, from the State, from other Federal agencies, and 

 also from our employees locally and regionally as far as how we 

 want to revise this draft to come out with a final approximately the 

 end of the fiscal year. 



The Chairman. Gary, what I am concerned — again, it goes back 

 to the first question — Mr. Glickman, Jack Ward Thomas, all the 

 public input means nothing if, in fact, your recommendations are 

 not considered. 



Are you going to be, or Janik going to be able to sit down at the 

 table and defend the position of Alaskan foresters in your position 

 at all, or are you — because I am going to find out, and the next 

 hearing I have, if they, in fact, have not listened to you and lis- 

 tened to Mr. Janik, we are going to have Mr. Jack Ward Thomas 

 and Mr. Glickman before us. 



This is the point I have been trying to get across to my friends, 

 here. If you like the Federal Government, you like the socialist 

 form of government, that is great. But when this man is a profes- 

 sional and he is being ignored or Mr. Janke, I do not think that 

 is correct. Why are we having the hearing? I am hoping that Mr. 

 Janke — he is not here today. He chose not to show up again, which 

 shows me something — that he at least will have the decency to de- 

 fend the position of the Alaskan forester. That is very important. 

 Otherwise, we have lost this concept of public input. It is a joke. 



What about the mayor's idea of a ten-year supply of timber? Why 

 would not that work? Were you involved in that discussion? 



Mr. Morrison. I was not involved in the discussions that were 

 held to explore the possibilities, but I do know the law and I do 

 know what is possible. 



