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allowable cut of 450 million board feet (mmbf) per year would be 

 reduced to approximately 400 mmbf per year. This amount is well 

 above the average annual harvest levels of 316 mmbf taken since 

 1977 and well above last year's harvest of 331.5 mmbf. 



The Tongass Timber Reform Act will also create more 

 competition for Tongass timber by eliminating the long-term 

 timber sales and replacing them, with competitive short-term 

 timber sales. Based on the Sealaska opinion poll, this is 

 precisely the result a majority of residents want; the 

 opportunity for more timber firms to compete for Tongass timber. 

 Greater competition should also bring about a more efficient 

 timber industry that is less dependent upon taxpayer subsidy. 

 More competition should also create a better local market for 

 native-owned timber. Passage of the Tongass Timber Reform Act 

 would open the door to allow more of the non-exportable Native 

 timber to support local timber-related jobs. 



Conclusions 



1 The debate over Tongass Timber reforms should focus on how 

 I strengthen the economy through programs and land allocations 

 that promote other forest dependent industries such as 

 commercial fishing and tourism. Alaska will continue to be a 

 small scale timber supplier to the Pacific Rim. As in the past, 

 the demand for southeast Alaska timber will control employment 

 levels regardless of large supply-side investments on the 

 Tongass. The forecast for Tongass timber strongly suggests that 

 the timber industry will begin to play a smaller role in the 

 region's economy. We must begin to prepare for this transition. 

 The Tongass Timber Reform Act sets the stage for strengthening 

 the economy by bring the management of the Tongass into better 

 balance and creating a more equal treatment of all forest 

 dependent industries. 



The reform legislation is consistent with the desires of a 

 majority of southeast Alaska residents, who according to the 

 Sealaska study, consider commercial fishing as the most 

 important industry in the region. Residents have also stated 

 that growth in the non-timber industries should be the number 

 one priority in the revised Tongass land management plan. 



I urge the committee to pass S.346 with an amendment to 

 provide permanent protection for the 2 3 areas identified in the 

 bill as having high wildlife and fisheries values. 



