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2 

 continuous, dependable timber supply to help maintain employment and community 

 stability in Southeast Alaska. 



S. 237 would repeal the special funding provision of Section 705(a). thus 

 making the Tongass timber program subject to the annual appropriations process, 

 as it has been for FY 1988 and FY 1989. 



The timber program on the Tongass National Forest is unique considering the 

 unusual economic and resource situation in Alaska and the size of the 

 investments needed to maintain the program. Congress recognized this unique 

 need in 198O when the special funding provisions were included in section 

 705(a). However, if Congress wishes to make the program subject to annual 

 appropriations, we would not object. We do not believe this change would be 

 detrimental to overall National Forest programs in Southeast Alaska. 



Furthermore, we believe S. 237 would provide a useful legislative clarification 

 of the 4.5 billion board feet per decade goal. Subject to available 

 appropriations, we would continue the intensive investments needed to achieve 

 an allowable sale quantity of 4.5 billion board feet per decade. However, the 

 4.5 billion board foot goal would be achieved if, and only if, there was 

 sufficient market demand and such sale offerings were within the allowable s£de 

 quantity as defined in the Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan. 



S. 3^6 



S. 3't6 would terminate the existing long-term timber sale contracts in Alaska, 

 impose a moratorium on timber sales or harvest on 23 areas of the Tongass 



