499 



Recognizing the slim possibility of our previous 

 recomraendations being adopted ue made some specific comments 

 on the timber harvest plans in the Sittca area. 



1. Ue unanimously recommended def feral of any cutting or 

 roading in the Hoonah Sound, Lisianski Inlet areas becouse 

 of the adverse affects on wildlife and subsistence values in 

 these areas. 



2. If logging, over our strenuous objections, is still 

 proposed for this area, then ue request that the log 

 transfer facility and carap be located in Poison Cove uith 

 action proceeding from there in close consultation uith 

 ADF&G biologists, and Sitka Advisory Committee members. 



It also has become clear after meeting uith several 

 ADF&G biologists that there is a great deal of frustration 

 uith the working relationship betueen the field and 

 management biologists of the ADF&G and the Forest Service 

 plan developers. There is a great deal of concern that do 

 to political pressures from above, many of the modifications 

 and measures needed to protect critical wildlife habitat and 

 subsistence values are being ignored or rejected. This is 

 of great concern to this committee. The follouing motion, 

 uhile specifically addressing fisheries, reflects our 

 concern for all uildlife values. 



Ue urge the Forest service to maintain or improve fisheries 

 habitat, re--do not relax fish habitat protection. Ue are 

 concerned that the present plan may relax standards for 

 culverts, identification of fish habitat, & methods for 

 enforcement of protective regulations. 



One of the primary functions of the advisory committee 

 system is to assist in the management and protection of 

 subsistence opportunities, harvest, and values. Contrary 

 to the statement in the plan that there will be little 

 affect on subsistence under the proposed and preferred 

 alternatives, ue are concerned that effects in particular 

 areas uill be substantial. For example: a carap & dump in 

 Ushk Bay uill have significant impacts on opportunities, 

 harvests, and values in that area. 



In conclusion, 1 want to express again our appreciation 

 for the assistance by Ken Uotring and others of the Sitka 

 station. Something must also be said for the quality of the 

 maps and description of the activities. They were great. 

 Of course the easy part is drauing up the alternatives and 

 proposing an action. The difficult part is taking the 

 comments of the diverse groups and incorporating them into a 

 revised final proposal. The Sitka Fish & Game Advisory 

 Committee expects our comments to be seriously considered. 

 The protection of Fish & Uildlfe and associated commercial, 

 recreational, and subsistence values should be a concern 

 second to none. 



Sincerely , 



Eric Jordan, Chairman 

 Sitka Fish & Game Advisory Committee 



