51 



So I can tell you just in my six years' experience in Juneau that 

 there are many, not only in the timber industry or in the oil indus- 

 try as we have advocated for opening ANWR and other things, 

 there are many things that come down from the Federal Govern- 

 ment that do not work in Alaska. They are designed for big cities 

 in the Lower 48 and they do not work in Alaska, wetlands issues 

 and other things. 



So I think the more opportunity that we have here in Alaska to 

 control our own destiny and to have input from our local people, 

 the better off we will be in the future, and I thank you. Congress- 

 man, for bringing a hearing to my district and to allow for views, 

 different views, as you stated, either for or against. I think it is im- 

 portant to allow people that opportunity, as it is very expensive to 

 travel to D.C. 



So, again, thank you for coming home to Alaska to have these 

 hearings, and I appreciate your efforts. Thank you. 



The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Representative. 



I would suggest one thing, and you are absolutely correct. This 

 bill is a bill that we drew up to start conversations. That is why 

 we have the hearings. If you have any suggestions that — I have 

 heard, and all I hear is "The State cannot afford it. We do not have 

 the personnel. How could we do it? We are not prepared." 



This is not a rapid process, and the State will have the option 

 to review all the requirements on what should be done, whether 

 they want to take it over, do they want the whole thing. 



The mayor from Thorne Bay mentioned we are fighting for 10 

 percent of it. Now, it may end up that maybe the State is only in- 

 terested in that 10 percent, because I know I have worked on this 

 issue for 25 years. We have set aside, I believe, the finest and best 

 of the old-growth timber available, the 1.4 million acres, and I hear 

 that this is the best spot. Maybe this is the only area that maybe 

 the State should manage. I do not know, but this is what hearings 

 are about, so before anything was to happen — and, by the way, this 

 bill has a better chance than what those people may try to say it 

 does, not because there are other states interested in this. 



By the way, Elaine, you are right. This is just the beginning. 

 This happened to be the most controversial area that has the most 

 discussion going on in the State of Alaska but also in the Lower 

 48. Oregon has come to me, and they want 2.7 million acres trans- 

 ferred over to them. Wyoming has got some interest now. Montana 

 has got some interest. 



So this is an issue that is going to be discussed far beyond the 

 Tongass. We just picked the Tongass because this is where I have 

 not found anybody happy, including the Forest Service, with how 

 it is being managed. 



I just talked to Gary yesterday. He was sued twice this week by 

 those who say he is doing a good job, if you follow what I am say- 

 ing. No one is really too happy, so this is why it was introduced 

 with the Tongass to bring the point home. 



Jerry, what have you seen or heard since Sitka shut down and 

 Wrangell shut down and the threat of the extension around these 

 communities? I know you travel around the communities. What are 

 you hearing in the bars and the churches? And I included both of 

 them. 



