ANCHORAGE (March 26, 2007) - A growing body of literature shows why it's well past time the Forest Service moved away from timber on the Tongass

As the Forest Service prepares to hold its final public hearing on it's latest draft management plan for the Tongass National Forest, economists and business owners are calling attention to faulty data and economic assumptions that are being used to justify wasteful, and economically unsound logging.  The agency's decisions could have devastating implications for the future of America's largest national forest and for the local communities that depend on it. 

This media teleconference will present three economic studies that show how the Forest Service is overvaluing timber and at the same time undervaluing the economic benefits of a standing forest.  Local experts and economists will discuss what is wrong with the Forest Service plan and how it could better reflect economic realities and support a sustainable future for Southeast Alaska communities.  

WHAT
Press Teleconference

WHEN
Wednesday, March 28
 2:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. Alaska

WHERE
1-800-311-9410
passcode: TONGASS*

WHO
Speakers
Deborah Perkins, The Wilderness Society, Alaska Forest Program Manager
Spencer Phillips, Senior Resource Economist, The Wilderness Society

Experts Available for Questions
Paul Barnes, Commercial Fisherman, Gustavus, Alaska
Steve Colt, Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies, University of Alaska Anchorage
Michael McIntosh, President, McIntosh Foundation and The Boat Company
Pete Morton, The Wilderness Society, Senior Resource Economist

Contacts
Anne Gore, The Wilderness Society:  (907) 272-9453 x 108
Deborah Perkins, The Wilderness Society: (907) 272-9453 x 102

This teleconference is for reporters only