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Governor Tony Knowles 

 PO Box 110001 

 Juneau, Alaska 08811 



Dear Governor Knowles, April 4, 1 996 



Below please find a copy of my testimony regarding HJR. 64, the proposal to extend Ketchikan Pulp 

 Company's long term timber contract for an additional 15 years. As as fishery biologist and as a 

 lepresentative of the Juneau Chapter of the National Audubon Society I am opposed to this resolution 

 and respectfully encourage you to oppose tt. 



Good anemoon, and thank you for Oils oppoftun8y to speak. My nam^ i* Kalhy CogtOi and I am hef9 

 today on t>ehalf of ttte Juneau Ctiapter of the National Audution Society to present our posikMi on ttte 

 proposal to extend KetctOian PiMp Company's tong term contract for antjiher ISyears. AMhough we 

 support the presence of a timber Indusby In southeast Aiaska, we an opposed to this proposal (HJR 64) 

 for ttte foBowing reasons: 



1. We are no tongerlMrtguTKler the sarne conditions wtM\ lead to ^gntng the orlgfnalcontraci In 1954. 

 Our economy here Is healthy and growing as we head into ttw 21st century. 



Z Extending the conbvct Is not a good way to create or preserve Jobs, If more Jobs are desired, the 

 entasis shoukJ focus on creatkyg a better environmert for smaU timt)er contractors, and fostering valua- 

 added operations. ExtenOng special favors to KPC \m§ only hinder any posttve movement In ttiis 

 dtBcOon. 



3. The Tongass Nation^ Forest wU release its latest revishn of the Tongess t-and Management Plan 

 wittiin the next month. As a part oftNs process, a panel of fishery experts were asked to evaluate ttte 

 impacts of ttte alternative plans, on the heath and productivity of salmon. Tttet consistent response was 

 ttiat roads are a serious cause of damage to fish ttattHat, and 0)at as more mies of road are constructed, 

 the danger to lish Increases. We <Odnt know tNs 40 years ago. We do know t now. How can we 

 continue to operate as If roads are inherently good artd award KPC awSts for creating tttem? Overtha 

 lest 40 years we have learned tttat togging roads are ntore of a burden titan an asset. If anyttiing, KPC 

 sttodd t>e paying a penalty for buikUng roads that damage ffshemten's IveBhoods and cost ttte Forest 

 Senrice miOtons of dollars to maintain. 



4. The timt)er Industry Is heavily subsidized in southeast Alaska, and the Federal government can no 

 tortger afford this expense, particularly when you consider that we pay three times for this subskfy. First 

 we pay with road credits, virtually giving away the trees in exchange for new roads. Then we pay in tost 

 opportunity for tourism, fishing, subsistence, and recreation. Finally we pay for restoratton when ttte 

 togging roads get oto and begin to faH. 



5. KPC has not been a good corporate nei^bor. In 1995 KPC pled guilty to 14 criminal violations tor 

 kttenttonally polluting the waters of southeast Alaska. 



In ctosing, I want to re-emphasize that times have changed since 1954, and the sweetheart deal that KPC 

 has fceen eryoying since then is no tortger appropriate. In addition, KPC has repeatedly proven Itself 

 irresponsible, negligent, and parttoulariy unworthy of special favors. Extending the 50 year timber 

 contract with KPC is not in the best interest of Alaskans, and in fact i would do them a great disservtoe. 



Thank you, Govemor Knowles, for your careful consideration of this resolution. 



Sincerely, 



KathyC^hill (j 



