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T O N G A S S 

 FACTS 



16.7 million acres in Alaska's Tongass National Forest. 



5.5 million acres in Alaska's Tongass National Forest is 

 wilderness. 



Of the 16.7 million acres, only 5.7 million acres are 

 considered "commercial." 



— "Commercial" means biologically suited for growing and 

 harvesting timber. 



Of the 5.7 million acres of commercial timber land, 1.7 

 million acres is wilderness, 2.3 million acres is either prime 

 recreation area, critical wildlife habitat or sensitive 

 fisheries streams, leaving only 1.7 million acres that can be 

 harvested. Of this 1.7 million acres targeted for harvest, 

 only 1% is scheduled for harvest in any given year. 



Forest industry jobs pay 25% more than the average job in 

 Alaska. 



A payroll of $159 million for direct employees of the 

 industry. 



The above information cited in "Keeping Alaska Alaska," 

 Alaska Loggers Association, 111 Stedman St. Ketchikan. 



