103 



In a recent survey by the SEALASKA Corporation, 46 percent of 

 southeast Alaska residents beUeved commercial fishing was the 

 most important industry in southeast Alaska now, compared to 19 

 percent for the timber industry. When asked which would be the 

 most important in the future, the results changed very little: com- 

 mercial fishing still 37 percent, timber 15 percent. The respondents 

 also said they wanted an economic diversity and they wanted more 

 non-timber industries like commercial fishing; 89 percent of those 

 respondents said this, yet 90 percent of the respondents believed 

 that both timber and fishing could co-exist. Even in Ketchikan, 

 where a major pulp mill exists and has a strong timber influence, 

 the majority of the people voted similarly to all southeast Alaska 

 residents. 



It is difficult to believe those who say if ANILCA is changed that 

 it would destroy the timber industry. This is not the desire of the 

 commercial fishermen, but it is essential that certain lands be real- 

 located to preserve key habitat for wildstock fisheries. The com- 

 mercial fishing industry is a resource economy which is renewed 

 every two to five years compared to 100 years for timber; however 

 the regional economic well-being is directly tied to continued 

 health of our partners and the future depends upon the Tongass. 

 The well-being of the people of Southeast Alaska is directly linked 

 to management of the Tongass National Forest. This requires that 

 the Tongass must be driven by muitiple-use considerations. 



Thank you. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Amend follows:] 



