478 



very honest with you, I have asked — I was not in Congress at the 

 time — asked for an explanation of why they were left out, and I 

 have yet to get an adequate explanation of that. One of the difficul- 

 ties, of course, is that once we address the issue, the land has to 

 come from somewhere. It either has to come from land that is al- 

 ready designated in timber areas as part of the timber laws on wil- 

 derness. We all know we just do not make it anymore. But I assure 

 you that we will address your concerns. There is an awful lot of 

 interest in these communities to try and resolve this matter. So, I 

 commend you for your testimony as well. 



I have also checked a little bit with Chief Hammond's statement, 

 and the area that you refer to as endangered and I would certainly 

 support the protection of the Chilkoot River area. This is state 

 forest; it is not Federal forest. It is under the jurisdiction of the 

 State of Alaska. I believe that it has been withdrawn. I will stand 

 corrected on that. My information is that there will be only a 160 

 allotment to be logged. I would hope that concern can be addressed, 

 because while this is not necessarily a full responsibility of the 

 Congress, inasmuch as we do not own that land, the State of 

 Alaska does, I would hope that is going to be addressed adequately. 

 And we will check on that because we want to give you the assur- 

 ances that you expressed concern over, Chief, and I wish you well. 



My almost last concern is with regard to the statement by Mr. 

 Sparks. The mill in Haines has been up and down for years, I 

 mean, that is your only industry — outside of your seasonal tour- 

 ism — and they supplied the power for Haines for many years, and 

 now they are trying to start up again. What was it closed for? Sev- 

 eral years? It has been up and down, and people tried to get it 

 going so that the economy of the community could be stable and 

 John Schnabel was instrumental in making a veneer mill out of it. 

 Unfortunately that did not work. 



Mr. Smith. It did not seem economically feasible. 



Senator Murkowski. How important is it to your economy? 



Mr. Smith. To the economy of Haines? I live in Sitka, sir, I really 

 should not answer that at this point. 



Senator Murkowski. My last question pertains to Shee Atika 

 and again I will be brief. Is it a fact, sir, that the people of Angoon, 

 located on Admiralty Island asked for entitlements on Prince of 

 Wales Island south of Chichagof Sound rather than log their own 

 island? 



Mr. Smith. That is correct. 



Senator Murkowski. And is it a fact that Shee Atika, which is 

 the Sitka Natives' Corporation here in Sitka, Alaska, were given a 

 selection on Admiralty Island and Kuiu Cove of approximately 

 23,000 acres? 



Mr. Smith. Yes. 



Senator Murkowski. And was there not an attempt made to 

 work out a compromise and move Shee Atika, the Sitka Native cor- 

 poration, off the island reserve, with the idea of trying to preserve 

 the sanctity of Admiralty because there had been no logging on 

 that island up to now and Congress had put a million acres of the 

 island into wilderness, permanent wilderness? 



Mr. Senna. That is correct, and we appreciate the Senator's 

 effort on our behalf. 



