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possible to adjust the boundaries of these areas to 

 eliminate acreage where there is a direct conflict. 



If all of these areas were permanently withdrawn from the 

 timber base it would have a greater and long term effect. 

 This action would magnify conflicts between user groups on 

 the lands which remain in the timber base. Also, because 

 the long-term contract holders are assured a total of 300 

 million board feet per year under their respective 

 contracts, a reduction in the timber base of this magnitude 

 could make it more difficult to offer short-term sales to 

 timber purchasers not affiliated with the two long-term 

 contract holders. 



We are examining the possibility suggested during compromise 

 discussions last year in Washington and this winter in 

 Alaska of prohibiting timber harvest but not other uses for 

 a smaller number of areas. 



To conclude, the State believes that the Tongass National 

 Forest can and should be managed so that the many competing 

 uses may co-exist. We believe that in attempting to balance 

 land uses in the Tongass, S.346 imposes an unacceptable 

 degree of uncertainty on the dependent timber industry. 

 However, we are hopeful that we can develop an approach 

 which is acceptable to the many people who use and are 

 concerned with the management of the Tongass National 

 Forest. 



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