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the final three will run out of timber two years after that. 

 Sealaska Corporation, the regional Native Corporation will run out 

 of timber in the next five to eight years. When that happens, 

 those villages which wish to continue timber harvesting in 

 Southeast Alaska must do so on the Tongass National Forest. 

 Accordingly, the increased harvest levels brought about by change 

 in the exchange rates and the increased pressure from Native 

 Corporations wishing to harvest on National Forest land will keep 

 the harvest levels high throughout the decade of the 1990's. 



THE IMPACT OF LEGISLATION . With the exception of the 

 legislation proposed by the Alaska Delegation, the various 

 proposals for legislation would cost the American taxpayers 

 hundreds of millions of dollars, seriously disrupt the industry in 

 Southeast Alaska, and make a mockery of the Tongass Forest Planning 

 process. 



S 346 would repeal Section 705 entirely, cancel the long 

 term sales and set aside 23 areas in advance of the Tongass Land 

 Management process. This result is not justified by any impact on 

 the environment from harvesting, even if we were harvesting up to 

 the maximum rate the industry could harvest. We are opposed to 

 Senator Wirth's bill. We urge careful consideration by this 

 Committee before any legislative action is taken. 



The Forest Service and each of the two pulp mills are 

 negotiating to make the changes in the long term sale which the 

 House has previously identified as matters of concern. It makes 

 sense to let the two parties to these contracts attempt to work out 



