249 



STATEMENT OF WALTER J. BEGALKA, MEMBER. ALASKA 

 SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS 



Mr. Begalka. Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, 

 my name is Walter Begalka. I am a member of the Alaska Society 

 of American Foresters, who provides 234 professional foresters 

 throughout the state employed as private consultants, educators, 

 researchers and administrators. 



The issues that these bills deal vv^ith will have devastating reac- 

 tions. As members of the forest profession we do not advocate one 

 use over the other, however we believe that the professional, quali- 

 fied through their profession and education enables him to — well 

 the Alaska SAF recommends that Congress take no further action 

 on the Tongass legislation until completion of the revised Tongass 

 Land Management Plan, which is scheduled for completion by De- 

 cember of this year. 



The Alaska SAF, as well as our parent National Society, has rec- 

 ommended that the Forest Service develop specific land manage- 

 ment planning alternatives and independent of existing 1980 crite- 

 ria. This allows the land-use planning process to work more effec- 

 tively by enabling the Forest Service to look beyond the current 

 program and land-use mandates set by Congress. 



The TLMP revision will provide Congress with improved infor- 

 mation regarding the resource capabilities of the Tongass National 

 Forest. Through this process it is possible to assure a balanced ap- 

 proach to the management of the Tongass and to maintain the 

 community stability of southeast Alaska. 



The Alaska SAF believes the existing land management plan- 

 ning process is the most appropriate vehicle for making changes in 

 special provisions for 



Senator Wirth. I will have to move you in the interest of getting 

 to everybody else. Thank you and your statement will be included 

 and put in the record. 



Thank you very much. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Begalka follows:] 



