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The old-growth forests of the Tongass National Forest 

 represent one of the few remaining vestiges of an extremely 

 valuable ecological resource. The management decisions made today 

 will influence the American public and the future of the Tongass 

 for many generations to come. The Wildlife Society urges Congress 

 to ensure that old-growth stands of appropriate size and 

 distribution are retained for the maintenance of natural levels 

 of biotic diversity and the continuation of the functional 

 attributes of forest ecosystems. 



Thank you for this opportunity to present the views of the 

 association of wildlife professionals. 



Sincerely, 



Harry E. Hodgdon 

 Executive Director 



Enclosures 



