Ill 



economy. /. .Jitionally, the revenue generated by the 555 

 permanent employees on the Tongass, whose salaries are spent and 

 respent in local economies, supporting additional jobs and income 

 for the private sector of Alaska, would be foregone. 



The Future 



Historically, issues surrounding the Tongass have been 

 contentious. While the Forest Service is proud of all we have 

 accomplished over the past 90 years, we don't pretend for a 

 moment that everything is perfect. We acknowledge that the 

 competing uses desired by our neighbors, partners, and owners has 

 dramatically increased the debate surrounding how Federal lands 

 should be managed. These conflicting needs and philosophies are, 

 perhaps, more keenly felt here in Alaska than anywhere in the 

 country. 



We believe, however, that there are many things that we can do to 

 improve our relationships with the public and the management of 

 the resources in the coming years: 



1. A better job of reconciling wildlife protection with 

 stability in timber supplies. 



There have been proposals from many groups that we should adopt 

 additional measures to protect wildlife habitat on the Tongass. 

 There have also been petitions to the Fish and Wildlife Service 



