34 



Senator Bumpers. Senator, in the same report that I mentioned a 

 moment ago — as I say, I suppose anybody can reach any kind of 

 conclusion they want to — I think in the figures you are giving that 

 would include a lot of native timber jobs. 



Senator Murkowski. 1,000, I stated. 



Senator Bumpers. I think that is probably right, but 



Senator Murkowski. I think, Mr. Chairman, the figures you 

 have and the figures I have obviously are different. Mine are from 

 the Department of Labor in Alaska and they are updated figures 

 and representing a 17 percent increase over 1987. 



Senator Bumpers. This Department of Agriculture Forest Service 

 Report says, based on the timber sales program information report- 

 ing system, harvest and processing of timber from the Tongass Na- 

 tional Forest in fiscal 1988 supported 1,781 of the reported logging, 

 saw mill and pulp mill jobs. Across all economic sectors, including 

 forest products, 3,385 in Southeast Alaska are affected by the 

 timber harvest on the Tongass. So I suppose we have two govern- 

 mental agencies here maybe reaching slightly different conclu- 

 sions. 



Senator Murkowski. I will stand by my figures, and I think we 

 have adequate witnesses that can address both sets of figures. 



Senator Wirth. Will the senator yield? 



Senator Bumpers. Yes. 



Senator Wirth. Do we have any data as to how many people 

 whose employment is affected are Alaskans and how many are itin- 

 erant workers? 



Senator Bumpers. I have no idea. George is going to testify here 

 in a minute. 



Senator Murkowski. I have those. If you want them now I will 

 give them to you. If you want them later 



Senator Wirth. I think we ought to put that in as well. Mr. 

 Chairman, I am sorry I was a little bit late this morning, but I was 

 wondering if it was possible to make just a brief opening statement 

 to try to put 



Senator Bumpers. Yes. I am according Senator Murkowski that 

 same privilege, so I would be happy to accord you the same privi- 

 lege. 



With your indulgence. Senator Wirth, I would like, since I of- 

 fered that proposition to Senator Murkowski, to allow him to pro- 

 ceed. 



Senator Murkowski, do you want to make your statement? 



STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK H. MURKOWSKI, U.S. SENATOR 



FROM ALASKA 



Senator Murkowski. Yes, Mr. Chairman. First of all, let me 

 thank you for holding this hearing today. As you have already ob- 

 served, this legislation addresses the future of the Tongass Nation- 

 al Forest and a large portion of the people of Alaska. 



We have a number of Alaskans who have come down here this 

 morning. We have the concern expressed by our Governor. I appre- 

 ciate your arranging to accommodate the two Alaskan native 

 groups who are going to be testifying here this morning. 



