Begich Responds to Vilsack's Tongass Transition Framework

Statement

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today released the following statement after Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and USDA Forest Service and Rural Development leaders as well as partners in Southeast Alaska announced a new plan for the Tongass National Forest:

"After months of delay, I'm disappointed at the lack of long term specifics to build a sustainable Southeast economy. The truth is, we need solutions now, and I have little patience for extended transition planning while the few small mills in business struggle for an adequate supply and unemployment in the region averages 15% or higher.

"I appreciate the interest of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell in the Tongass National Forest, America's largest. The offer of a new partnership and resources from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development agency is also welcome. With prudent investments, we can strengthen Southeast Alaska's economy and create more jobs in areas such as fishing, shell-fish farming, ship building and repair, renewable energy, health care and tourism.

"A successful transition to a second growth forest products industry will take both time and money. Meanwhile, there's a critical mass that even a small industry needs to survive, and we're dangerously close to losing what remains of ours. Southeast Alaska needs help today. While the proposed stewardship contracts may be helpful, the fact is that we need to maintain the current pipeline for timber sales which have been developed in accordance with the Tongass Land Management Plan.

"As the industry transitions to a focus on second growth, we all have to realize that means cutting old growth for another 30 years or more. We have to do this as we make other important investments such as stream restoration, biomass projects to create a market for pre-commercial thinning, and appropriately sized hydro projects to lower the cost of power for communities forced to rely on expensive diesel generation.

"I'll continue to work with everyone, including Senator Murkowski, Congressman Young, the leadership of the Tongass National Forest and the Secretary of Agriculture, to help Southeast Alaska's economy and the forest it depends on. We all see the need for a diversified economy with more jobs that can support Alaska families.

"A successful transition as outlined by Secretary Vilsack will require a substantial investment in Southeast Alaska. I look forward to receiving details of the Department's funding plan to implement their proposed transition in the very near future."

The USDA's announcement is attached to this release.

Source