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TESTIMONY ON THE TONGASS TIMBER REFORM LEGISLATION 



by ED PREFONTAINE 

 April 2A, 1989 



The Wirth and Mrazek Bills are totaly unacceptable to The Alaska Titnber 

 Industry and most of the people of Southeast Alaska for the following reasons: 



1. Creation of additional wilderness areas are at the request of minute, but 

 very vocal groups. They are well financed and willing to use any half-truths or 

 out right distortion to gain their goals. Creation of a wilderness area 

 automatically condemns the land to non-use and it then becomes a public 

 liability which only a select few taxpayers can enjoy. Indeed, that part of the 

 forest which is most accessable to the public is reached by using old logging 

 roads. The Tongass forest is by its very nature a self regenerating wilderness. 

 The recent debacle at Yellowstone National Park clearly demonstrates the future 

 of un-managed forest lands and its cost. 



2. The long term timber contracts should not be cancelled in total. The 

 honesty and integrity of Government demand this. These are not Indian treaties. 

 These contracts were made in good faith to the American people. 



3. The Forest Service and Timber Industries in the Tongass areas are staffed 

 by competent and succesful foresters and engineers. We do not need interference 

 by persons or groups that have no financial stake locally. In short let them 

 stay at home and tend to their own affairs. 



4. A well managed forest on a sustained yield basis is to be prefered to urban 

 decay, ghettos, drugs and street gangs and social economic problems of other 

 states. Consider for a moment a bathroom without toilet tissue, a classroom 

 without paper and pencil. Is preserving a decaying forest worth these 

 privileges? 



5. Many useful projects in the past have been delayed by the actions and 

 claims of minority groups, this has resulted in great cost and in many 

 instances, economic losses. We urgently need legislation forcing these groups 

 to assume financial responsibility when these claims prove to be groundless or 

 untrue. Until this is accomplished, the current scene will be repeated without 

 end 



6. The welfare rate of participants in the Tongass Forest Industry sets an 

 enviable national record. The percentage rate is nearly non-existant. The 

 present bill if accepted would turn Southeast Alaska into a latter day 

 Appalachla. We do not need this. Why not leave self reliant and self 

 supporting people alone, and honor these contracts as they are written? 



7. Many of the professional and highly skilled individuals, with knowledge of 

 the stability of the region, have moved into Southeast Alaska and in good faith 

 have invested heavily in housing and business enterprises. If legislation is 

 enacted which greatly impacts the economy, will Congress provide the finances to 

 repay these people for their Investments, and assist in relocation? 



Please defeat the Wirth and Mrazek bills. Thank you. 



