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Additionali^ , the Forest Service is committed to continuing to 

 meet the Ketchikan Pulp Company (KPC) obligation. In FY 1996, 

 the Forest Service intends to offer 205 million board feet under 

 the terms of the long-term contract. 



With 8 years remaining on KPC's contract, I believe it would be 

 valuable to KPC, the Forest Service, and the communities of 

 Southeast Alaska to work together to assess KPC's future timber 

 needs and to attempt to determine from where on the Tongass the 

 timber will come. At the same time, the Forest Service intends 

 to work with the communities of Southeast Alaska and all of the 

 economy to attempt to reduce conflict over timber harvesting and 

 thus assure a more predictable and stable timber supply. 



3. Better relationships with Alaska natives. 



We have recently negotiated a memorandum of understanding with 

 the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the Hoonah Indian Association to 

 formalize a government-to-government relationship with them. We 

 hope we can similarly formalize our relationships with other 

 Federally recognized tribes in Alaska. Tongass management 

 affects a broad spectrum of the legitimate interests of Alaska 

 natives, ranging from subsistence use of forest resources to 

 access to the land held by Alaska Native corporations. We have 

 worked hard at these relationships but we think we can do better. 



4. Better service to those who seek permits for tourism and 



