631 



And it is all so unnecessary. There is a lot of misinformation 

 being spread in the national media about the Tongass. Contrary to 

 what some would have you believe, the logging practices of today 

 do not resemble those of the turn of the century. We Americans 

 have learned from the past. Our colleges and universities teach 

 forest management, including ways to provide a sustained yield 

 with the recognition that trees do grow back. The Forest Service 

 maintains a multiple use policy which requires public input in 

 order to define areas of value, whether for timber harvest, fish, 

 game, recreation, wilderness, et cetera. These professionals in the 

 Forest Service are empowered to enforce a myriad of rules and reg- 

 ulations and they do. If both industry and preservationists com- 

 plain about the Forest Service, can it be all bad? No. The Tongass 

 is not being raped and ruined. 



To summarize, I favor Senator Murkowski's bill because I feel it 

 is immoral for my government to go back on its word, especially 

 when it is so totally unnecessary. 



I have attached a fable, "God is Not Dead, He is Alive and 

 Healthy in the Tongass." ^ I hope you will enjoy it. 



Senator Wirth. Thank you, Ms. Eliason. 



Ms. Bickar. 



STATEMENT OF PATRICIA BICKAR 



Ms. Bickar. I am Patricia Bickar. I came to Sitka in 1960 with 

 my husband, Oliver, or better known as Porky, and our two chil- 

 dren. At that time he was a busheler, or faller, for Barton & Reyn- 

 vaan Logging, based in Katlian Bay. In 1964 the operation in Kat- 

 lian was completed and rather than return to Washington we de- 

 cided to stay in Sitka. We had established our home here, our two 

 older children were in school, we had a new baby, and friends had 

 been made. We had learned to love Sitka and we did not want to 

 leave. So, Oliver then started his own business, Porky's Equipment, 

 and we have operated it for the last 25 years. 



Because we have made this our home we are very interested in 

 the future of Sitka. I was a teacher here for 20 years until I retired 

 two years ago. Our children went through school here. We feel that 

 the quality of education here has been excellent. Our oldest went 

 on to get his doctorate in biochemistry and teaches and does re- 

 search in the east. However, he still has ties here as he owns two 

 duplexes which are rented out. He invested in the property while 

 still in high school. Our daughter works at APC in the lab and 

 owns a duplex, living in one half and renting out the other. Our 

 youngest son built his house here and has gone into business with 

 his dad. In addition to the business we own several rentals. Four of 

 the rentals are occupied by local business, an auto parts store, a 

 restaurant, a liquor store, and a building contractor. Six units are 

 apartments. 



As you can see, our future here depends on the economy of Sitka. 

 Porky and I are semi-retired and our income is mainly dependent 

 on the rentals. Our daughter's job at APC directly depends on the 



' Retained in subcommittee files. 



