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active in the Tongass legislative process. They include the State of 

 Alaska, the U.S. Forest Service, Alaska Loggers, Alaska Pole, 

 SEACC, UFA and, of course, Sealaska. 



Decision Sciences asked each of those groups the issues that 

 would be covered in this survey and to suggest specific survey ques- 

 tions. In the last couple of days we have been given preliminary 

 findings of the survey. The full analysis of the data is being pre- 

 pared and should be ready within 10 days. If the hearing record is 

 kept open that long, we would be pleased to submit the analysis for 

 the record. 



In the limited time we have available, I would like to share with 

 you the highlights of the preliminary findings. Only 9 percent of 

 the respondents favored contract cancellation, but about half of the 

 respondents felt the contract should be modified. 



Only 84 percent of the respondents believe that there should be a 

 compromise on the future of the Tongass which balances employ- 

 ment opportunities and environmental protection. 



This survey rated the various forest-dependent industries and 

 forest uses. 46 percent of the respondents chose commercial fishing 

 as the most important industry to southeast Alaska at this time, 

 with tourism being the next most important industry at 21 percent. 

 Timber was third at 19 percent. 



Respondents were then asked this question: Which is the most 

 important industry to the future of southeast Alaska. The results 

 were these: commercial fishing, 37 percent; tourism, 21 percent; 

 managing the use of the wilderness park and monument areas, 21 

 percent; timber, 15 percent; and mining, 11 percent. 



The two big changes between today's most important industries 

 and tomorrow's most important industries were in mining, which 

 doubled in importance, and in managing the use of the wilderness 

 park and monument areas, which quintupled. 



As to defer supplying the Tongass forest economy, the survey re- 

 sults were among the most striking. 82 percent of those surveyed 

 support greater economic diversity in the Tongass forest, and 89 

 percent agreed that management of the Tongass forest should pro- 

 mote growth in nontimber industries like commercial fishing, 

 mining and tourism. 



Over 90 percent of the respondents believe that a viable timber 

 industry can co-exist with a viable fishing industry and a viable 

 tourism industry. 



I would like to conclude my statement with one last survey 

 result. Without any question, the people of southeast Alaska are 

 saying to you, the United States Congress, that they would like you 

 to move ahead swiftly on the Tongass compromise. When asked 

 whether now is the time for compromise to be reached regarding 

 the future of the Tongass forest that balances employment opportu- 

 nities and environmental protection, 84 percent agreed. 



Thank you very much for giving Sealaska the opportunity to tes- 

 tify today. We will be available to answer any questions. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Loescher follows:] 



