220 



wintering areas be logged, the impact on long-term deer carrying capacity will be 

 substantial. 



High-volume old-growth stands are relatively rare on the Tongass. The most recent 

 forest inventory shows that the highest volume stands (over 50,000 bf/acre) 

 comprise less than 1 percent (89,300 acres) of the total land base. While a complete 

 moratorium on further harvest in this volume class would seem warranted, instead, 

 half of the remaining stands are slated for cutting over the next 30 years. High- 

 volume old growth represents a very small, but very important component of this 

 forest ecosystem. In the interest of preserving forest diversity, and the wildlife 

 dependent on that diversity, high-grading on the Tongass must be stopped. 



We've also heard some claim that logging is good for deer. While that may be true 

 in parts of Oregon and Washington, it is definitely not true in Alaska. Although 

 deer eu-e frequently seen using clearcuts in spring, summer and fall, they avoid 

 clearcuts during the critical winter months. The main problem with young clearcuts 

 is inadequate canopy cover to intercept snow. Approximately 20-25 years after 

 logging, the canopy of the regenerating stand closes in, shading out most understory 

 plant life. These sterile conditions persist for anywhere from 100 to 150 years, and 

 provide minimal habitat value for deer and other wildlife. Research conducted to 

 date indicates there is little we can do silviculturaUy to improve this situation. 



As I mentioned earlier, scientists are begiiming to quantify the effects of future 

 timber harvest activities on deer and selected other wildlife species in southeast 

 Alaska. Models developed jointly by biologists from the U.S. Forest Service and the 

 Alaska Department of Fish and Game project significant long-term reductions in 



