590 



worked five years in the wood products research and development 

 industry. 



I oppose Senator Murkowski's bill. 



We are subsidizing two pulp mills whose current practices are 

 not only unsustainable but will permanently reduce the sustain- 

 able major industries of the Tongass, fisheries and tourism. With 

 competitive timber sales, a more efficient timber industry would 

 develop that could more fully utilize the forests. This would result 

 in the export of value, added finished wood products, not just our 

 nation's raw materials. This would create more timber related jobs 

 at a sustainable level of timber harvest. 



I am in strong support of Senator Wirth's bill. 



Thank you for introducing it. Protecting the 23 areas is essential 

 for wildlife, fisheries, recreation, and subsistence. These areas were 

 well chosen and need permanent protection by law, not just a tem- 

 porary moratorium. Elfin Cove, a small fishing village, lies between 

 Port Althorp and Idaho Inlet, both within the proposed Chichagof 

 area. This old growth forest supports healthy and diverse fish and 

 wildlife population. I am raising my boy on those beaches and in 

 those forests. Please do not take that from us forever. The way of 

 life of all the people of Elfin Cove depends on this forest. In addi- 

 tion, our community asks you to include the nearby Inian Islands 

 for protection. 



Industry claimed they could protect our environment in Prince 

 William Sound. Do not let it put our key fishery habitats at risk. 

 Old growth forests are not a renewable resource. Permanent pro- 

 tection of the 23 areas is essential to the economy of nature and 

 the people of the Tongass. 



Thank you for this chance to testify. 



Senator Wirth. Thank you very much. 



Mr. Wright. 



STATEMENT OF FRANK WRIGHT 



Mr. Wright. My name is Frank Wright. I am from Hoonah. 

 Hoonah is a traditionally organized Alaska Native Village recog- 

 nized by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The Hoonah Indian As- 

 sociation, IRA Council is the federally recognized tribal governing 

 body for the native community of Hoonah. 



The Hoonah Indian Association is in support of Senator Wirth's 

 S.346, Tongass Reform Act. In addition, we strongly urge that you 

 amend S.346 to grant permanent protection to the 23 areas in the 

 Tongass, not just a temporary moratorium. 



Hoonah is located on North Chichagof Island, and Pleasant 

 Island, Lemisuier Island, Port Althrop, Idaho Inlet, Point Adol- 

 phus. Mud Bay, and Lisianski River are very crucial areas to the 

 Tlingit people. The current Tongass management operations have 

 been permanently detrimental to our traditional and customary 

 way of life, now known as subsistence, and to plants, animals, and 

 seafoods in the area. 



The negative impacts on fisheries and seafoods totally outweigh 

 the positive impacts. Salmon streams have eroded away so badly 

 during the past several winters they caused disastrous fishing sea- 

 sons for two years now. Log yards and dumps provide continuous 



