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April 3, 1989 

 Page 2 



Right or wrong, these land-use classifications were political compromises. 

 The 4.5 bbf harvest level, spurred by the long-term contracts in question, was 

 determined to be biologically defensible according to the 1978 Tongass Land 

 Management Plan analysis. Though impacts on other uses were predicted, 

 conversion and appropriate management of second growth stands can maintain 

 other forest uses. Moreover, there will always be tradeoffs between wildlife 

 and timber, dispersed recreation and motorized recreation, aesthetics and 

 development, etc. Data being collected and analyzed for the revised Tongass 

 Land Management Plan should give resource managers and policy makers more solid 

 information on these tradeoffs. Adjustments to current policies can then be 

 made within a new set of philosophical values representing the wishes of the 

 nation in the late 1980s. 



Should the long-terra sustained yield analysis and its impacts on other 

 uses pro\e damaging, the Society would agree that there are inconsistencies 

 between the long-term contracts and multiple use. Again, this question, along 

 with many others, is exactly the type the land management planning process 

 should answer. At this time we do not have a position on the long-term 

 contracts. 



With regard to your second question, the Society believes multiple-use is 

 being technically practiced in a fair and equatable manner in accordance with 

 the policy objectives mandated by Congress in 1980. Given the philosophical 

 and economic values of the forest, all interests will argue for a larger piece 

 of the pie. 



We encourage Congress to allow the planning process to help answer some of 

 the questions you face. It is a difficult task, but allowing resource managers 

 to work out mandates is both beneficial for the resource as well as the public 

 participation process. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you 

 may have. 



Sincerely, 



William H. Banzhaf 

 Executive Vice President 



WHBrcs 



