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NOTKWA RIVER PROPOSAL. 



DESCRIPTION: Located along the northwestern border of the 

 existing South Prince of Wales Wilderness area east of City of 

 Hydaburg on South Prince of Wales Island. A highly scenic 

 watershed with a shallow salt chuck, surrounded by 2000 to 3000 

 foot peaks. One of the finest commercial fishing watersheds in 

 southeast Alaska — valued at $1 million per year. Exceptional 

 pink salmon run and a major producer of sockeye in addition to 

 chum and coho salmon. Important habitat for black bear, Sitka 

 black-tail deer, wolves, furbearers, bald eagles, trumpeter swan 

 and marine mammals. High subsistence use area. Rich cultural 

 and historical values for Haida people. Popular recreation area. 



HISTORY: Wilderness designation proposed by the City of Hydaburg 

 in 1988 and by Sealaska Corporation in 1987. Logging ban called 

 for by the Haida Nation. Alaska Department of Fish and Game 

 Class 1 Area, for its superior fish and wildlife values. 

 Supported for protection by United Fishermen of Alaska as a 

 priority fish habitat area. Proposed Research Natural Area by 

 Forest Service in 1988. U.S. House of Representatives voted a 

 five year logging ban for the area in 1988. 



LAND STATUS: LUD III and LUD IV. In the KPC 50-year contract 

 area and scheduled for logging in the 94-99 Operating Plan. 

 Current plans call for initiating timber sales in 1989, with 

 cutting beginning in 1994, 1995, and 1996 for a total of 60 

 million board feet logged and over 25 miles of new roads. 



ACREAGE: 52,674 acres. 



SCHEDULED TIMBER BASE: 2.83 million board feet per year. 



