284 

 Ms. Radergraham. 



STATEMENT OF CORRINE RADERGRAHAM 



Ms. Radergraham. My name is Corrine Radergraham. I have 

 lived in Alaska for 35 years, mainly in Ketchikan. I work with the 

 Superior Court as a Guardian providing for children who have 

 been taken away from their families due to abuse and neglect. 



My husband and I provided a home for numerous foster children 

 as well as raising our own. My family enjoys boating, fishing and 

 hunting, scuba diving, canoeing and hiking, beachcombing and 

 other outdoor activities, and we particularly like to berry pick on 

 clearcuts the second year; it is the best berry picking around. 



In order to economically feed our large family over the years we 

 have relied heavily on venison, which has been there for the 

 taking, and continues to be there in greater abundance in the past 

 few years. 



We have not observed that the timber harvesting has harmed 

 any of these activities, but in fact through the wide system of log- 

 ging roads provided by the industry has made it easier for us to 

 reach some of our favorite areas. In addition we do not feel that 

 tourism has been harmed, as the tourists enjoy the use of the same 

 roads. Commercial fishing has likewise not been affected by timber 

 harvesting but has declined due to high seas piracy and over fish- 

 ing. 



We want to continue living in southeast Alaska. As the timber 

 industry and other dependent industries are recovering economical- 

 ly that will be possible provided work continues to be available. 



Alaska is currently in economic crisis. Any legislation which af- 

 fects one of our foremost industries negatively will exacerbate that 

 crisis. I oppose any legislation which would harm the timber indus- 

 try. 



Senator Murkowski's bill is the most reasonable approach and I 

 am in complete support of S. 237. 



Thank you. 



Senator Wirth. Thank you, Ms. Radergraham. 



Ms. Howatt. 



STATEMENT OF NELLIE HOWATT 



Ms. Howatt. Honorable Senators, Ladies and Gentlemen; I am 

 Nellie Howatt and I live and own a business in Thorne Bay, located 

 on the East Coast of Prince of Wales Island. 



Today I am privileged to come before this panel for two precious 

 minutes to voice my support of the Timber Industry in Alaska. 



I respectfully insist that you and your colleagues do everything 

 possible to reach a compromise, a fair, equitable and permanent so- 

 lution, before passing legislation that would have a devastating 

 effect on myself, my neighbors and the entire population of south- 

 east Alaska. 



Thousands of jobs are at stake in your decision. That might not 

 count for much compared to more densely populated areas but in 

 the Tongass any decline in the forest products industry would ad- 

 versely affect everyone here today. 



