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THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY 



ALASKA CHAPTER 



24 April 1989 



STATEMENT OF MATTHEW D. KIRCHHOFF, ALASKA CHAPTER OF THE 

 WILDLIFE SOCIETY, BEFORE THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON 

 PUBUC LANDS, NATIONAL PARKS AND FORESTS, PERTAINING TO 

 TONGASS TIMBER REFORM LEGISLATION. 



My name is Matthew D. Kirchhoff. I am a research biologist with the Alaska 

 Department of Fish and Game, and have been involved in forest/wildlife research 

 in southeast Alaska since 1978. I am here representing the Alaska Chapter of the 

 WildUfe Society, a professional organization of over 150 biologists active in wildlife 

 research, management and education in Alaska. I appreciate the opportimity to 

 testify before you today on this important legislation. In addition to my written 

 testimony, I ask that a paper titled "WildUfe and Old-growth Forests in Southeast 

 Alaska" be entered into the record. 



The Wildlife Society supports passage of Senate Bill 346. We are particuarly 

 supportive of those sections which would remove the mandated timber supply goal, 

 replace the long-term contracts with short-term contracts, and provide temporary 

 protection to 23 important fish and wildlife areas. Unless such legislation is passed, 

 the Forest Service will, in the long-term, be unable to adequately protect fish and 

 wildlife resources on the Tongass. 



