rwr@amdahl.uts.amdahl.com (Robert Rose) (09/15/88)
Here's our chance to help save Southeastern Alaska's Tongass National Forest, the largest remaining temperate rainforest timber in the world. If we act quickly, half of its harvestable old growth timber will still remain. What's happening is gross mismanagement on the grandest scale - and one that's costing U.S. taxpayers tens of millions of dollars a year. For the price of a Big Mac, loggers are knocking down a Sitka Spruce tree, turning it to pulp, and shipping it to Japan. One who recently explored the situation concluded, "We are just desecrating the Tongass, not for economics, not for community stability, not for employment. We are just doing it mindlessly." But finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Tongass Timber Reform Act (HR 1516) by the stunning margin of 361 to 47. A similar bill (S 708) is now sitting in committee in the Senate; if we can get the bill on the Senate floor before the session closes on October 8, it has a good chance of passing. We have the votes. The bill requires better management of this unique national resource in 5 ways: 1) Little of the Tongass is currently designated as Wilderness (meaning it's wide open to logging). The bill would place a logging moratorium on 19 key areas totaling 1.7 million acres, until the Tongass Forest Plan can be revised. 2) Legislation now on the books requires the U.S. Forest Service to annually prepare for sale 450 million board feet of Tongass lumber, regardless of market demand. In fact, their is demand for only about half that much. The result: over the last 5 years, U.S. taxpayers have spent $131 million to subsidize lumber that nobody wants. The bill eliminates this requirement. 3) Key to U.S. National Forest management policy is the multiple use concept; that our National Forests should be used in many ways, not just for one interest group. Logging riverbeds can destroy fish spawning grounds, and logging coastal areas limits tourism. The bill accuses the Forest Service of single-use management, and directs them to give due consideration to other uses such as fishing and tourism. 4) Legislation now on the books GUARANTEES that the U.S. Forest Service will spend $40 million each year to facilitate logging (i.e., build roads) in the Tongass. The bill would eliminate this provision, so that Tongass funding would be decided on an annual basis, just like the the other 155 national forests. 5) In the 1950's, the U.S. Forest Service enticed two lumber companies, Louisiana Pacific and Japanese-owned Alaska Pulp Corporation, with 50-year sweetheart contracts that give them unprecedented control over timber cutting on this forest. The bill gives explicit directions to the forest service to renegotiate these contracts,thought to be the root of Tongass mismanagement. To get S 708 to the Senate floor, we must show our support for it. We need to show cosponsors of the bill that it's worth fighting hard for, and we need to encourage currently uncommitted senators to cosponsor the bill also. The following senators and representatives are particularly key: Senator Alan Cranston (D-CA) - is apparently supporting S 708, but keeping a low profile. Push for more active support, by encouraging him to cosponsor this critical piece of environmental legislation. (415) 556-8440; 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington D.C. 20510 Senator Pete Wilson (D-CA) - elected officials respond to constituent pressure, regardless of their political affinities. Write or call Wilson to let him know that the Tongass issue in general, and passage of S 708 in particular, is important to you. (415) 556-4307; 720 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington D.C. 20515 Representative George Miller (D-Martinez, CA) - his leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives led to passage of the Tongass bill by an overwhelming margin there. He deserves to know that we appreciate his efforts and support him all the way on this issue. (415) 687-3260; 2228 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington D.C. 20515 Senator Bennett Johnston (D-LA) - is chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources committee, the committee currently reviewing S 708. Apparently he's indifferent-to-negative on the Tongass bill, and will likely let in die in his committee unless he sees strong public support for the Tongass. Call or write him to let him know how much you care about this great national treasure. (202) 224-5824; 136 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington D.C. 20510 Senator Proxmire (D-WI) - coauthored S 708. Let him know that we appreciate his efforts and support him all the way on this issue. (202) 244-5653; 530 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington D.C. 20510 Senator Timothy Wirth (D-CO) - coauthored S 708. Let him know that we appreciate his efforts and support him all the way on this issue. (202) 224-5852; 380 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington D.C. 20510 To find out more about the Tongass issue, read the excellent article in the November 1987 issue of Audubon maganizine. Disclaimer: These opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.