206 



As currently worded, S. 346 contradicts the Multiple-Use Sustained- 

 Yield Act, v*iicti lists uses in aljiiabetical order to avoid prioritization 

 and states that forests shall be managed: 



... in a canbination that will best meet the needs of the American 

 pecple; making the most judicious use of the land for seme or all of 

 these resources or related services over eireas large enou^ to provide 

 sufficient latitude for periodic adjustments in use to conform to 

 changing needs and conditions. 



Ihe Society believes this passage clearly points out that resource managers 

 should have the latitude to en^iiasize one use over another as the demand or 

 need arises. Legislatively mandating a definition of multiple-use that 

 forgoes certain uses contradicts the authorizing legislation's intent. 



land Management Planning 



S. 237 potentially effects the land management planning process by 

 mandating that 4.5 bbf harvest level be included in the preferred 

 alternative. While this would effectively maintain the status quo, the 

 Society encourages Congress to delay this decision until the planning 

 process is ccsrpleted. 



S. 346 addresses the land management planning process in detail. 

 Thou^ the Society is encouraged by the measure's st^jport of the planning 

 process, there are a number of provisions that are troublesome. These 

 include: 



o Section 201. (a) (1) deletes timber and mineral uses frtjm the list of 

 forest resources that are beneficial to the economies of southeast 

 Alaska. 



o Section 201. (a) (3) states current management of the Tongass is 

 inconsistent with the Multiple-Use Act (1960) , Renewable Resources 

 Planning Act (1974) (RPA) , and the National Forest Management Act 

 (1976) (NFMA) . The Society maintains it is a number of provisions 

 of S. 346 that contradict the planning process outlined in RPA and 

 NFMA. 



o Section 202. (a) mandates a new planning effort, v*ien the current 

 effort already addresses the concerns for non-timber uses outlined 

 in S. 346. 



o Section 202 . (b) calls for increased protection of non-timber 

 resources in the planning process, when the current process is 

 already considering alternatives that place greater enphasis on 

 environmental values. 



o Section 202. (c) ensures priority would be given to non-timber values 

 and loses, when the planning process was developed to objectively 

 identify the benefits and costs of all forest values before a 

 preferred alternatives is identified. 



