Ill 



UNITED FISHERMEN OF ALASKA 



211 4th Street, Suite 106 



Juneau. AK 99801 



907-586-2820 



To the House Interior Committee 



United Fishermen of Alasl^a Is a private non-pro+it statewide 

 organization at 23 fishermen's organizations! including marketing and 

 aquacuiture associations and specific gear groups. Including our 

 individual members UFA 

 ■fishermen. UFA is at 

 agenciesi the U.S. Cc 

 member s . 



cions ana speciTic gear groups. including our 

 JFA represents over 17iQQ0 Alaska commercial 

 active before the Alaska State Legislature! state 

 "ongress and federal agencies on behalf of Its 



Seven of our member groupsi Alaska Trollers Association! United South- 

 east Alaska Gillnettersi Southeast Alaska Seiners Association! 

 Petersburg Vessel Owners Association! Seafood Producers Cooperative! 

 and the Northern and Southern Southeast Regional Aquacuiture 

 Assoc i at i ons 1 are directly affected by activities relating to the 

 management of the Tongass National Forest. It is our privilege and 

 responsibi I i ty to present to the committee our concerns regarding 

 current Tongass management. 



In southeast Alaska the majority of the important salmon spawning and 

 rearing areas are located in the Tongass. Ue feel very strongly that 

 key fisheries habitat areas must be afforded permanent protection by 

 law (Legislative LUD II) from logging and related activities. 

 Multiple use planning for the Tongass must address the cumulative 

 Impacts that logging activities are having on our fisheries resources. 

 The National Marine Fisheries Service Policy for Riparian Habitat 

 Protection (1986) calls for mandatory buffer zones of riparian vegeta- 

 tion! a minimum of 3D meters (100 feet) on each side of all anadromous 

 fish streams. The U.S. Forest Service does not consider this policy 

 when laying out timber sales. It Is this lack of attention to other 

 multiple use needs that is the major problem in the Tongass today. 



In order for the proper protections to be Implemented for the 

 commercial fishing industry! the obstacles of mandated cut and long- 

 term contracts must be overcome. All too often decisions to enter a 

 watershed with tremendous renewable fisheries values is made by the 

 Forest Service despite our Industry's strident objections. Uhen 

 pressed to explain their actions! the Forest Service answer is that 

 they have a mandate to offer 4.5 bi I I Ion board feet per decade. 

 Another excuse offered is their interpretation of the 50 year 



