406 



all the way to the Setak River, which is about 10 miles long. So, I 

 would have to have a calculator to figure out how many acres 

 there are in that area. 



Senator Wirth. So, what you are saying to me is that for every 

 section that may have been set by the Forest Service, there was 

 also a section set for native selection? 



Mr. Powell. No, this was set for selection, which is the rotation 

 process. This area going to be cut, and this will be not cut. 



Senator Murkowskl What I am trying to distinguish is the ques- 

 tion that we have two tracts of timber associated in Yakutat: 

 Forest Service timber and native timber. You are saying that there 

 are 1,000 plus clearcuts, and that is a large area. What I am trying 

 to distinguish is how much are native, which are basically beyond 

 our control because there has already been transferred entitle- 

 ment, and how much is still in the Forest Service. Do you have 

 those figures. 



Mr. Powell. Well, all the lands that are basically in the vicinity 

 of where the native selections are right now are no longer in the 

 U.S. Forest Service timberland area. It is all to the outside. 



Senator Murkowskl The timber is still being cut, the native 

 timber? 



Mr. Powell. Yes. 



Senator Murkowskl It is all Forest Service? 



Mr. Powell. All of it is virtually gone. One more year. 



Senator Murkowskl Then the native timber will be gone. All 

 right. Thank you. 



Senator Wirth. We thank you very much, and we will look for- 

 ward to hearing from you when you are able to figure out how we 

 get the boundaries worked out. And I expect you will be able to 

 answer Senator Murkowski's questions as well. 



Mr. Powell. The Yakutat Forelands area is unique, due to a sig- 

 nificant level of motorized vehicle use, including trucks, all-terrain 

 work vehicles, motorized skiffs, airplanes, fishing camps, that is re- 

 quired to support traditional commercial fishing activities along 

 the beaches and at the mouths of major river systems. Such a des- 

 ignation would protect the fish and wildlife habitat of the highly 

 productive river systems and prohibit a road from the Dangerous 

 River to Dry Bay. It would allow greater flexibility for the manage- 

 ment of the existing and future levels of motorized boat, vehicle 

 and aircraft use needed to support traditional commercial fishing 

 activities, fish camps, cabins and use of subsistence resources. The 

 people of Yakutat depend heavily upon the fish and wildlife re- 

 sources of the forelands. This designation would respond to the City 

 of Yakutat's management concerns. 



The City of Yakutat has opposed the 450 million board foot cut 

 on the Tongass for years by resolution, as have numerous other 

 southeast communities. That mandate, while not being consistent 

 with Congressional intent, is not realistic or responsive to current 

 times and needs within the region. Other industries, important to 

 the Tongass and individual communities, such as fisheries and 

 tourism, need to be recognized for their unquestionable potential. If 

 the $40 million, 705(a), cannot be allocated based upon priorities to 

 stimulate and strengthen the overall economic base of each area 

 within the region, then it should be eliminated. 



