413 



-9- 



decline in deer populations in three-quarters of the watersheds 

 on the Tongass, with the losses in some watersheds as high as 92 

 percent (SEACC, 1986) . 



The timber harvest level on the Tongass must be reduced for 

 the protection of the Sitka black-tailed deer. 

 Brown Bears 



The Tongass contains the greatest concentration of brown 

 bears (grizzlies) anywhere in the nation (The Wilderness Society, 

 1986) . These massive creatures once roamed the western U.S. in 

 large numbers, but now have been reduced to remnant populations 

 in the lower 48 states. In part, disturbances from logging have 

 been to blame for the bear's decline in the lower 48, and we do 

 not want to see the same thing happen in Alaska. 



Old-growth forests are essential to the survival of brown 

 bears. Old-growth provides denning sites as well as food for 

 these omnivores. Bears use clearcut sites less than old-growth 

 areas. Clearcuts and roads restrict the bears' natural movements 

 because they require cover for protection from other bears and 

 from man. Road access increases hunter success and opens new 

 populations to hunting pressure. Both legal and illegal hunting 

 of bears increases. Non-hunting man/bear conflicts increase and 

 the usual result is the destruction of the bear. 



Logging also degrades the quality of streams on which the 

 bears depend for food (ADFG, 1985) . Salmon on their spawning 



