100 



5 



New resource inventories for timber . soils, streams, wildlife, and fisheries 

 have been or are being completed. Studies relating to projected demands for 

 ti«ber. fish, and wildlife are also underway. New research results will also 

 be incorporated. Based on this new information, the draft plan will describe 

 and evaluate alternative ways to manage all the resources of the Tonga* s — 

 fish, wildlife, water, recreation, as well as timber. 



We believe that any major change in the present statutory direction for the 

 manageaent of the Tongass is premature and can best be addressed after the 

 draft revised Forest Plan is available to the Congress and the general public. 



Terainatlon of long-term timber sale contracts and a moratorium on timber sales 

 and harvest, as would be required under S. Z^6, could precipitate substantial 

 unnecessary economic dislocations in Southeast Alaska. Today, the timber 

 Industry generates the largest total employment and ecimlngs of any natural 

 resource-based Industry in Southeast Alaska. Disruption of local economies and 

 co—iiiiltles can be avoided if we proceed in a more deliberate fashion. In 

 addition, considerable compensation would be required to terminate long-term 

 timber sale contracts in order to avoid an unconstitutional legislative taking. 



In conclusion, we are doing our best to carry out congressional direction In 

 fulfilling our land stewardship responsibilities on the Tongass National 

 Forest. We believe that a major statutory change would be premature at this 

 time. We are only 10 months from completion of the draft revision of the 

 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan. The revision will provide the 

 public and Congress with updated, comprehensive information and aneilyses of 

 resources, markets, and the perspective of different publics. We urge the 



