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of dollars. And many of these employers are dependent upon resources that do not 

 have fraction of the ecological importance and national significance that the Tongass 

 has. As discussed by other panelists at today's hearing, there are plenty of alternatives 

 for providing jobs which would be much less resource-intensive, and run by companies 

 without abysmal records of pollution and contract violations. The argument that the 

 company needs this contract in order to make necessary improvements to comply with 

 environmental laws is outrageous. KPC has had years to make the necessary changes, 

 but declined to do so in favor of increased profits. For this, they should not be 

 rewarded by a bail-out, as represented by H.R. 3659. 



Logging in one of the American people's most valuable and productive forests is a 

 privilege, and it is important that it be done through the accepted forest planning and 

 management process. Comments on the proposed Tongass Land Management Plan are 

 due in August, and this is the appropriate forum for discussions about increased logging 

 and guaranteed timber supplies. The KPC contract must be considered as part of the 

 TLMP, not as a separate initiative which ignores the scientific analysis, ecological effects 

 and years of public input. For that reason, as well as the incalculable adverse effects on 

 wildlife and wildlife habitat in affected areas, we strongly oppose H.R. 3659. 



