341 



I was a member of the Southeast Conference Task Force which 

 reviewed Tongass legislation and made a recommendation to Con- 

 gress and our Governor. 



To better understand the economic impact to Alaska, I would 

 like to offer an analogy concerning Colorado showing the effect Mr. 

 Wirth's bill would have on our state. 



The city of Denver, Colorado, in Senator Wirth's own state is cur- 

 rently embroiled in a dilemma of whether or not to build a new 

 airport. Stapleton Airport has some 21,000 direct jobs. By 1995 this 

 number is expected to increase to 25,000. 



The new airport would build a stronger economy and brighter 

 future for Denver. It would defend Denver's status as a national 

 hub. It would create 90,000 new direct, indirect, and tourism-relat- 

 ed jobs. It would create 2,500 construction jobs per year during the 

 four years of construction. 



However, Denver has a major air and noise pollution problem 

 that traps carbon monoxide, ozone and particulate matter over 

 Denver. This problem is caused by airplane emissions from the 

 522,000, that is the 1988 figure, takeoffs and landings of aircraft at 

 Stapleton Airport. This number is expected to increase to 817,000 

 takeoffs and landings by the year 2000. 



The pollution problem is further compounded by the 10,000s of 

 vehicles driven daily by the persons who have the direct and indi- 

 rect jobs created by the airport being a national hub. This problem 

 will be further aggravated by the expansion of the current airport 

 or by the construction of a new one. 



Now, if Senators Murkowski or Stevens were to introduce legisla- 

 tion to reduce Stapleton to a regional airport, instead of a national 

 hub, thousands of direct and related jobs would be lost to Denver. 

 Our Senators could be justified in such an action, since it would 

 reduce the air and noise pollution in Denver. 



I most certainly do not advocate such action, but I point this out 

 to demonstrate what would happen to Southeast Alaska should 

 Senator Wirth's bill be enacted into law. A drastic reduction of 

 flights at Stapleton would not be as devastating to Denver's econo- 

 my as would the closure of the pulp mills to Sitka. 



Thomas Jefferson once said, "The care of human life and happi- 

 ness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate 

 object of good government." 



Thank you for giving me this opportunity to present my views on 

 this legislation. I hope you will consider the compromise forged by 

 the Southeast Conference of Cities. 



I am also submitting detailed written testimony, which I hope 

 you will read thoroughly. 



In conclusion, thank you for coming to Alaska to hear from us 

 Alaskans firsthand. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Dapcevich follows:] 



