Whereas Alaska’s forest products industry supports the scientific evaluation of forest management practices and their effects on other forest values; and
Whereas the Alaska Forest Association and its member companies have invested many thousands of dollars in scientific stream studies and in otherwise examining the effectiveness of the Alaska Forest Resources and Practices Act; and
Whereas the Alaska Forest Association and its member companies have worked cooperatively with commercial fishing interests, conservation organizations and the regulatory agencies to identify and propose improvements in the Alaska Forest Resources and Practices Act; and
Whereas the Alaska State Legislature failed to enact the proposed amendments to the Alaska Forest Resources and Practices Act during the 20th Legislature which would have provided additional protections for Alaska’s salmon habitat;
Resolved that the Alaska Forest Association reasserts its strong support for the amendments of the Forest Resources and Practices Act embodied in House Bill 373; and
Further resolved that the Alaska Forest Association urges its members and other private forest land owners in the Coastal Region of Alaska to voluntarily implement the proposed forest practices amendments during the next operating season.
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