175 



eral highways. I cannot afford the millions of dollars in required 

 bonding to even bid on those jobs. 



The environmental lobby suggests that we are building roads on 

 this forest just to haul logs. Not so. The roads are built initially to 

 access the timber but after the timber is harvested the road then 

 becomes part of the access network to the local areas and commu- 

 nities. It is important to remember that the full cost of building a 

 road into a harvest area is absorbed on the initial harvest entry 

 and not absorbed over the long term. Many times I have accessed 

 areas for timber harvest that have opened up new and unique rec- 

 reational areas for lake fishing, camping, and mineral exploration, 

 to name a few. The public takes full advantage of these access op- 

 portunities. 



Senators, I have been a preservationist for a long time. I have 

 had to be. I enjoy the recreational activities such as hunting and 

 fishing that the forest has to offer. I also know that by utilizing a 

 renewable resource such as timber that the forest will provide job 

 stability and community growth. 



I urge this Committee to support Senate Bill 237, introduced by 

 Senator Frank Murkowski. I would also ask this Committee to re- 

 member that people earning their living and contributing to the 

 well-being of this country should not be dismissed lightly. They 

 themselves are a valuable resource. 



Senator Wirth. Thank you, Mr. Burette. [Applause.] 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Burette follows:] 



