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a cumulative shortfall in excess of 120 MMBF in the last two years, which has resulted 

 in periodic shutdowns of the pulp mill and both sawmills. To make matters worse, 

 these shutdowns have occurred during periods of high market demand for our products, 

 and we were therefore unable to take advantage of high selling prices. We have been 

 unable to make up the shortfall through independent Tongass National Forest sales or 

 other timber purchases. 



Prior to TTRA, the Forest Service presented us with specific 5-yecir timber 

 offerings and with general plans outlining the location and volumes of the timber to be 

 supplied throughout the remaining period of the long-term sale. We were able to 

 formulate rational, efiicient operating plans based on a predictable timber supply. Now, 

 the Forest Service provides timber in smcill individual oflerings, revises their offering 

 schedule at least once a year, and consistently fails to meet its own deadlines set forth 

 in the offering schedules. We cannot plan and operate efiiciently under this erratic 

 system. 



We must relocate families, logging camps and related facilities much more 

 frequently than in the past. These costly, time-consuming moves further delay timber 

 harvest, and greatly increase its cost. This reduces the return to the federal treasury. 

 Worse, this erratic system has a human cost. Many of our employees are no longer able 

 to commute dally to work, but instead must live in remote bunkhouses separated from 

 their families for extended periods. 



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