Talk of Alaska

From a PR at the Alaska Public Radio Network's live and across the state you can hear from him talk to the people who make news in Alaska on Clark of Alaska. Today's program is underwritten in part by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. I'll be serving Alaskans for over 40 years. We're here. We're with you. Underwear you've got a theory and it's members. Stations will help you want to lock the doors to reach business decision makers. 2 6 3 7 4 8 6 for information. Here's your host Jennifer summers. Good morning and welcome to TALK OF ALASKA. Our phone number is 1 800 4 7 8 8 2 5 5. That's 1 800 4 7 8 talk and you might want to call early today to get in line to talk to Don Young who is in our studios. Today here in Anchorage and welcome to TALK OF ALASKA. Joe it's nice to have you it's nice to have you in person.

What do I have to say I just flew in last night from Washington D.C. I was going to Dade County Florida and guess what I was doing. What were you doing and I looked down reviewing some of the ballots that were being recounted. It's sort of an interesting process is going on. Really. So you've been part of AOL. I like Sam part of it. I'd like to solve the problem of election or it's been solved but you know they asked for people and we went down for three days. You've quite a investment in this process. Yes I have a big investment I was a big supporter of George W. Bush long before he decided to run I tried to talk him there running four years ago and I really think that he can do the job and of course Alaska did vote for him and you know it's a it's an interesting part of history I. I mentioned this to a group the other day I have been very fortunate in going through many different parts of history politically. I worked for Richard Nixon in California when he first ran vice president heard the first Checkers speech which is people may not know what that is was a great speech and one of the first speeches ever really done the television and actually convince the public he should remain in the running mate for with

Eisenhower and with springs I mean you know that's right springer spaniel was a gift to you imagine then of course when through the assassination and actually to the feet of Richard Nixon the John F. Kennedy and assassination of John F. Kennedy and on and on down the line. And there's been a change as far as I think attitude in conduct of where we are in this democracy which we serve today and I don't think it's for the good but just to give a little rendition of what happened what has happened in the past. The Nixon when he was defeated by JFK. Actually I actually as was proven he actually won the race late a later time. But he did not want to go through the protracted long recount antagonism and conceded the night of the election. And I countered to that is I've had people on the other side as well Why doesn't George W. Bush concede while he's ahead and I've never heard anybody very frankly concede when their head and Gore actually called and conceded was an end because it's really

out of Chicago who ought to know how to steal elections. He said expert at his father especially in the ads a lot of history in that column said don't do it and now we're in this protracted system it's breaking new ground in the sense that the judicial system is getting involved in resetting the law and not going through the legislative process that's going to be a very difficult thing and probably be challenged again I don't know when they're talking about December 12th now having a winner. That's a long time down the road and it does three weeks away and then that does cause some concern. Let's say either one of them has to win. Where are we as far as having a president that has the ability to set up his team prior to because it's kind of hard to do that now because neither one has the right to do so. And if let's say Gore is declared the winner he would be. Usually using the Clinton thing and that's not his team and that's really what would happen occur over a period of time to change it.

People don't have these teams set up THANK YOU CAN'T DO THIS. There's a law against offering a position within the government prior to the certification of election. There's no wink wink nudge nudge wink wink nudge nudge can get you in trouble really. Yes and so they've been very careful. That's why I say Clinton would have his team in place probably because it's there and Gore would probably inherit it for probably six months I don't think that's good for the president. Now personally I've always wondered why there was such a long lame duck time period and the inauguration doesn't happen January 23rd 2013. But the elections in November usually in Alaska when we would vote. In fact when I was growing up there was three three or four time zones. The president would already be declared before we'd even get a chance to vote. So you would know why is this why is this not a real it's a transition. You have to set up your team you have to try to organize and have the people you want in those positions. You know and it takes time you know you have to make sure that for instance if I was to

become the nominee for secretary interior they'd have to go through a thorough background check I would be interviewed. The FBI would be involved. The whole gamut because one thing they don't want is to have a nominee that has heard before. Some have some problem so they have it takes time to do that and that's what's going to be the real challenge I think either one of these nominees more so than George W. Bush because he does not and would not keep the Gore team in PL I mean the Clinton please place. And so it's going to be a real and it's history I mean it's an exciting time. I happen to be very fortunate to be involved in it. It was amazing it was. It's just something that completely blows me away. Well I want to remind people of our phone number it's 1 800 4 7 8 8 2 5 5. That's 1 800 4 7 8 talk. You're listening to TALK OF ALASKA with Congressman Don Young here in our studios in Anchorage. We now go to Steve on the line in Anchorage Steve. Welcome to TALK OF ALASKA.

Thanks very much and thank you for the opportunity. Need to speak with our Congressman congratulations Congress. Thank you Steve. I do need to ask you a question related to campaign contributions in this past race. I was looking at open secrets to work. You seem to have raised many hundreds of thousands of dollars and you were running against two candidates who raised virtually nothing neither the green nor the Democrat. How much did you raise and were to get the money from and and why did you raise so much money what do you intend to do with that money since you were running against such a poorly financed candidates and really didn't have to spend that much on the election. Well we did spend quite a bit if you check the expenditures. We did run our TV in our newspapers and you know the media radio a lot of heavy radio help you understand the public radio didn't get part of that but you should have the thing that people understand I have never ever gone into a race without taking it very seriously regardless who that person is. And I will always raise the money and I will spend what I think is appropriate to

keep my my position and my desire to be elected to be the spokesman for Alaskans. Now the money that I raise and did not spend of course is in the bank and it can be used again in the following two years I've already announced I'm running in two years and I will do so and I'll continue to raise money and far as how I raised it and who I raised from as public information if you've got access to your computer you can find out. Well how much did you raise this this round how much did you reports are. Well I think I don't have the record I think it's a little Romy in dollars and that's over two years to your campaign never stops you don't campaign during the campaign time you campaign. Actually I'm very frankly I'm running now and we've seen people I'll be talking to people I'll be listening to people I'll be speaking for people. It's part of the campaign and that also takes money to do this kind of things I have to do I can't write it off all of the other on taxpayers I'm not going to do that. Well Steve thank you for your call. Thank you. Thank you Congressman. And if you'd like to call in our number is 1 800 4 7 8 8 2 5 5 That's

1 800 4 7 8. Talk here on Talk of Alaska. We now go to Clark in Homer Clark welcome to TALK OF ALASKA. And thank you for this opportunity. Good morning Congressman the morning Clark. I have some questions about what your opinion is on the proposed roadless areas that will be set aside in the Tongass National Forest. I think you've seen my and heard my opinion I think having roadless areas are very poor management. I will always say that we're doing a terrible job and most of my civil cultural issues will tell you we're doing a terrible job managing our forest. Nature isn't necessarily a good manager of forest lands. I believe we can harvest those trees are mature and replace them with new trees for the future generation to have those trees. The big thing though I hope people recognize this roadless concept also denies access to the private citizen for recreational purposes. I am a little bit concerned about the inability for us especially on federal lands if we were to enjoy those federal lands are we being

disallowed that access and the roadless area creates that. I I will I will very frankly do believe that it is the wrong thing to do legally. I do believe I when we pass Alaska National Lands Act the norm or clause will be enforced. There will be no more wilderness areas no more rootless areas set in by the federal government on federal lands within the borders of the state of Alaska. That's up to the governor of the state to file a suit and I do believe he will do that and I believe he will win that suit. But it's just not Alaska it's the other areas in the lower 48. When you start taking away the fisherman and the people that hunt and the people that use snowmachines in a TVs and set around on federal land. If they can't use it you lose the support for those lands and it's a long term you lose very frankly that which those lands should be and Frank set aside for public use. Now let me finish this up by saying if they want to stop logging be upfront about it and say we will have no more logging that is personally. Easy to do but that they can stop the other people the music. There will be a backlash over a period of time the Congress loses

support for those lands and money is not appropriate to do anything on events you have a bad situation with a force to be burnt or killed by so-called beetles and cetera et cetera. Congressman do you have any idea what the total eclipse of the Tongass National Forest is well actually there are 17 million acres and the forest itself. Of that we set aside in the national lands act about four million acres of it that was not to be harvested. And after that we set aside everything but a little over 900000 acres the land is accessible for harvest and that's only been area's going to be set aside for harvest now. The areas that are left again are going to be excluded from any use by mankind. Now these. Citizens who have the access to the forest will be logging that if you no no no no I remember I said but I said if you want to stop logging be honest and say that there's no requirement that they have to log. Just put it in a law or make that part of the recommendation no logging will take place.

But then don't exclude your face when your hunters your backpackers and cetera and they're excluded their U.S. ally can go down and do it I challenge you to go down and walk in the Thomas force of that Bill's claw. You DO you going to use less than one tenth of 1000 percent of the force because there's no accessibility to it. Do you have any idea what the percentage of the US population that the logging families are made and the words you're talking about logging I wonder why don't you why don't you stop talking about a stop talking about logging. I'll concede that I'm talking a lot concede the fact that logging shall not take place now. What about the other people. Well I think that everyone in the United States should have an access to the fore. OK if they don't have access then they can use it. The point is there isn't any forest left to have access to what and how much. What percentage what percentage what percentage on my squad what percentage of the time this has been cut.

A large percentage no no no no give me the large what percentage I don't know what they expect percentage OK how large percentage that percentage of it has been cut and what my question to you is is what percentage of the US population stands to end an economic game. Again from the further clear cutting of the Tongass National Forest in the first place it will be clear cut you know and I know and that's propaganda when you say it's going to be. There isn't a timber industry left in southeast Alaska. We lost a million set good we lost a million Rangle we lost a mill and you're not. There won't be and there won't be and there won't be any cut is there any cutting taking place now. There's no clear cutting is there any cutting taking place now. There's no clear cut into place now you say there was no. Clear cutting taken now is what you said. Pardon me did you say there was no cutting. I've asking you. If there is any clear cut in taking place now in the Tongass National if that is a very small percentage it is really not in that area there has been set aside. There's no doubt what industries left in se. There's

one the last time we were down and Southeast Alaska it's been a while since I've been down OK. Have you looked at the logging process down there. What was left and got an answer from your my question yet you haven't asked a question. Citizens of the United States stand to get an economic gain from further logging in a thong. Can you tell me that if you have a timber industry we've lost the jobs and ketch Kenneth's that give the percentage of jobs lost there were Alaskans by the way no longer employed. Now why don't you consider them part of the economic gate. But what percentage I have no idea that fairly obvious are you you lose me when you took an oath to represent. People United States represent a terrible racist I don't think I represent the people of Alaska. You don't represent I said it is to represent the people of Alaska. I am a representative for Alaska. Yes sir. Well to but things in perspective. There are people who stand to get an economic gain from cutting the Tongass National Forest or a very tiny percentage who are that of the citizens of the United States who own that land.

Who are they who are they. Who gets the benefit from the people who cut the tree. Are they the people who live in the area. But those points are as those are not the point is you don't want any log. Excuse me you don't want any law I would say fairness to all the citizens in this country we have a tiny percentage of roadless land left in this country and to take that tiny percentage of land and give it to a tiny percentage of the population for a short term economic gain is a very poor stewardship of our resources of this planet. Past and parting the road this plan it's a head executive order and it will be challenge in court and we will win it in court. But what this gentleman doesn't understand he should saying right out and say I'm against all logging and I'll concede that to him. But when you take away the rights of other people they can enjoy those lands when they're hiking the fishing or hunting and other activities in those lands which you're doing then you're depriving the use of those lands for the American people or people who say you supported it. And that's what

I don't understand let's just let's be honest about this. Mr. Clark let's say no more logging. Now you would you agree with that. I think we've actually lost our connection with Claire. Well I hope he's here and because he never ever would say that he's afraid to say I'm against law logging. That's what I want it brought out if they're against all logging fine. Then we debate the use of logging but don't deprive my fishermen and my hunters and my walkers and my hikers and the people of America they use a land that's wrong because then who uses it just the government. Is this the land of the government. Is this the land of just the Forest Service in the Park Service and be a lamb and the Fish and Wildlife is that's the only people who fly their airplanes in and drive their vehicles in and issue tickets of anybody trespasses that's not the America or Alaska I know. And what about the park. Let me see what the definition of the park. How is that well that's. The last is that it's all timber land it's all for Service lands what it boils down to it's not a Parkland support service like.

But again it goes back to my Parks everybody says we're going to be crying or not have the excess on the parks that's what Mr. Babbitt says if you take away the use of the parks from the people why have the park. I mean I don't understand that philosophy if somebody can tell me where I'm wrong that we're going to envision this area and we're never going to see it but we know it's there and we're just going to allow the federal agencies to supervise it and let nature take care of it. That's what I don't understand that's not my idea if you don't have people that can go to those areas see those areas use those areas for their enjoyment. Then you lose the port to leave those areas alone. Eventually someone's going to say what why are we doing this. I watch Congress do it already in a lot of the monies that we should be putting into some of our parks and some of the areas have been cut back because people say we're not used to what's going on with keris and so well it was one of my bigger disappoints but I'm very proud of what we're able to do in the house. The past overwhelming three to 15 votes bipartisan and probably the bigger piece of legislation passed the House got in the Senate and I got outbid by the

appropriators and George Frampton George Frampton was the environmental life deal and for the White House he didn't like it. And they've sort of negotiated behind my back and they put an awful lot of money into the interior bill to do what Karen was supposed to do but the difference is it's it's on a yearly basis mine made it a permanent funding for Parks Recreation urban parks wildlife rehabilitation. You know the whole gamut which is the land conservation unit. And I thought that was the best way to go. The appropriators and I can say Mr. Frampton Mr. Clinton supported me but they you know we got a lot of money. I won't deny that. But I will say it's not the formula that I would like to have had and I'm not giving up what I'm going to reintroduce the bill seven to one this session. I'm hoping I can keep that cadre together whether I can or I don't know I don't with the enthusiasm because they'll see immediate dollars instead of long range dollars I don't know how it's going to work out.

And you're going back after thanksgiving. We won't do I'm going back to D.C. We will in December 5th. I don't know. You know that will be reintroduced until actually January 3rd that's when we go into the new session hundred Congress and that's when we'll do it. Do you do you feel like you have support depending on. President does that I think George W. Bush he supported it when he was governor. And what is he has got and I think he'll help me support the biggest battle we have is between the House appropriators they don't like giving up that authorities right now you have to go to them and beg them and they'll just say yes or no about purchasable ayin or how much money goes into wildlife rehabilitation. So that's our problem I want it permanent so there's going to be a plan set up by the states states more say in it. We have a better conservation unit and we have a better reestablish beneficial island. Well I want to turn to callers and let me remind you of our number it's 1 800 4 7 8 8 2 5 5 That's 1 800 4 7 8 talk

to talk to Congressman Don Young here on Talk of Alaska. Roger in Fort Wainwright welcome to TALK OF ALASKA. Corrections were no mosque up north for having Good morning congressman by the Monday morning sir. Yeah. I wrote you back in 1991 from assistant on a blind for DVR during work. Thank you for you up for the program. Thank you for the state and I really appreciate my director. Well you know also the issue of the director of the program and I was very grateful. My my what I've been thinking about. Congressman you know the priorities for Bush are it's your creation. Defense Medicare and Social Security are some of the steps. Disarmed its creation environment economic trade social domestic policy foreign policy not your resources Izzy predation Corrina cares of course

your defense. Do you think Roger Short gorse corn through that. I've been pondering through the ages here because I want to. Roger do you know that that Bush doesn't have those priorities. No Florida property just like regular start from defense and backward. You know but no chart of gender have planned to commit Democratic brand for the private business or not for so many years to work against you know come into office and you know finally we have administration Clinton finally from it. Person and the master can do it. Well this is a Christian church. Well it's nice and I don't agree with you but George W. Bush and I do know Al Gore his policy is not for the people I served with him in the house his policy the rhetoric for the people. I will tell you that if you look at what he's done in its last eight years as vice president is really to take away the rights of people in his positions

primarily in the resource arena and the use of private land. And that's his policy I've talked to him he doesn't think that we have a right for instance to take and improve our way of life. He's told me read his book if you want to read some you can get it on the Internet. How he believes we have to lower the standards of people in the United States so that you can raise the standards of people around the world and that is to me is a reverse action you can't help somebody becoming lower than you are you help somebody by reaching down and pulling them up you don't get down and lower yourself so they can try to get up to you. And this is a matter of philosophy and I know this gentleman and I made my decision at that very frankly. That the George W. Bush is a better person to do that. He's done it in Texas and he will do it in the United States now that we can have a difference of opinion. But very frankly as far as military goes he's been very bad in the military as far as supporting the military that's why so many military people supported George W. Bush because he does not support the military

and I just hope and I had this very strange to watch this system. Roger thank you for your call. Thank you. OK well we have a caller from southeast mark in Juneau wants to readdress the residents. Hello Mark welcome to TALK OF ALASKA. I can't hear you well. Hello. Hi Mark Yeah now I can hear you. OK well just very Thanks Mr. Young for your work on the care legislation I think that was a great step forward for hunters and fishermen like myself across the nation to have more land for for our use. I just want to clarify a point about road with Syria being open to hiding I just got back from a hunting trip this weekend about to go but you video right now I got in one of the biggest roadless areas on the docket and that the island is about 1 million acres of roadless lands and I offer some of the best prime hunting in Southeast Alaska and the reason why it's a good hunting location is because it's roadless because. The habitat is still intact because the roads are open for poaching and for

spotlighting only the other kind of things that happen when you have roads in your area and I had no problem getting in a boat travelling you know 10 miles to Admiralty and getting out hiking in the forest a couple miles and getting a deer and dragging it out to the beach and that's how most people you know get their deer here and I just asked a question. It is still Forest Service land is it not. Yeah OK they have the directive or the ability to stop even doing just what you did. Do they not know although they have alternate plans and then open the one they have they have their prerogative under the women's definition to stop any men's activity period that include That's not true that is true not true. If that's the case and you know they have the ability to stop you hunting I don't argue with me I know this issue I've been too much time with it. That's not saying that they're going to do it right away my argument is if they want to stop blogging if they want to have roadless areas then why don't they specifically say there would be no roads but there shall be access by hunters fishermen

hikers and other recreational uses in that area and they don't do that. I've asked prime reasons for setting aside these areas because of the increasing demand across the country for recreation for just what you're talking about OK I'm going to ask you why don't they say that. Why don't they put that in there ready to the public that is not true that in the public eye the lack I think in these areas I'm going to lock up the hunting and fishing and they are knocking right materia rule simply for crude logging and road building but didn't think anything about hunting and fishing and why don't they come that same right with Clark the same MARGAN with you why don't you support my position to say they're OK by word there shall be no logging period and then say what I said before there shall be not may not have discretion before service not discretion of anybody else there will be there shall be access for and list them all. Still machining that hunting is already allowed. There's a support. It's at the discretion of the Forest Service.

Now you don't tell me it's not because I've read that too many times it's that their discretion and they can stop they can require permits they can make you do things you don't think impossible. Now why would you support my position on that. Why not let them see that clearly they have made it clear they have not said it clearly it's at their discretion. They don't use the word shell. Well I think that an elected official you are supposed to represent the truth to the best of your ability. I beg to differ with you now you're disputing my truth why don't you speak the truth. I am speaking no you're not. You're trying to tell me the Forest Service can't stop these things but they're not well. You said they're not. But you didn't say they can't they are not stopping them. Now listen to me very carefully you have to be locked up for I think they will enable not at the discretion of the Forest Service they allow you and that's not the America I know. Now if you believe the force of that control over you then you have that you have your little heart you enjoy yourself and you have a great time. But they will stop what you're enjoying so much at the will of the whim of an individual and you know it and I know it.

I do not know that under the woman a second 1064 Women Affairs are open. Did this question of the agency. Well I don't at the disgraces say you don't believe that you won't read it. Mark thanks for your call and graduations on your own your dear. Another person this seems to be the topic of the moment is rather us we go to Mike in Anchorage. Mike welcome to TALK OF ALASKA. Hi might. Pardon going over well. Don't feel bad mine's been just offer a flight of an airplane so we both have a hoarse voice. Yeah. I just want to comment. If you turn your radio down. Yes. Thank you. OK no problem. I just want to comment that basically the Tongass is a rain pour so there may be reasons to protect. The other comment I had. Well there are some pretty

substantial roads already in the Tongass for people to use and access. All the air. Absolutely because we've had those in before and you know you're you're the third journalist talk to me about this it won't admit one thing I wish you would just say you don't want any logging. Let's lay it out on the table and then we'll discuss that at another time. But my comment is if you can't have access to those areas then you're not really utilizing the land for other uses than logging. I mean he's young. Oh all laid out on the table I don't know. OK fine. Now do you want honey or do you want honey oh honey honey wouldn't impact you do you want to. But you know machining I think would that would you know the truck if you been to the southeast forced I have. OK thank you. All right Mike thanks for calling in with say how how what our next topic for the next half hour is going to be.

We're here on Talk of Alaska with Congressman Don Young so far we've been talking about road Listen Tongass National Forest We also have grazed a little on Kara. We want to talk maybe about the Alaska natural gas line when we come back. I think I think we can. Yeah I think that there would be something else to talk about and and the priorities for the rest of the session. Our number here on Talk of Alaska's 1 800 4 7 8 8 2 5 5 That's 1 800 4 7 8 talk. Call us now for your questions for Congressman Don Young and we'll get back to you right after this. With the. Talk about Alaska comes to you from APRA the Alaska Public Radio Network and is made possible with support from this state. Your red member station. KUNC. Thank you.

Thank. You and thank you. Welcome back to talk of Alaska. I'm Jennifer summers and our guest today is Congressman Don Young actually your guest today. Our number is 1 800 4 7 8 8 2 5 5 That's 1 800 4 7 8. Talk to call in to Congressman Don Young here in our anchorage studios on Talk of Alaska. And let's get back to the coals Let's talk to David in Petersburg. David welcome to the show. Well I did have you thank you. President Clinton will present any bills that affect the economy and SE before he leaves office. You know similar to what Jimmy Carter did. I would say there's a possibility he might do two things. More likely in southeast than one was Anwar I think it he will.

He at one time thought about setting the Arctic wildlife range aside is a wilderness area so the oil development happened but the price of oil and the cold weather in the East Coast now is cause some real concern so he may not do that. He might and I'm not sure that he will but he might take a make a monument out of Southeast Alaska for one federal federal lands that's one of his thoughts comes out of George Frampton. That could possibly happen you know. Well I know the roadless a picture of mining down here too is what see that's what people don't understand it takes a lot of different areas. You and I know you're from Petersburg the possibilities of ever really started another big timber industry Southeast a very merry mill. Yeah because it takes money to reinvest we've lost the mills and it takes money and people that are not going to invest that kind of money and when there's not a guaranteed supply of timber so that chance is gone but also thinks of any mining activity as the highest mineralized area other than the North Slope. The Brooks Range we have in Alaska as you know and people just those that don't want

any activity they love Bill Clinton those that want an economic base in this state like Bill Clinton I'm one of those people need an economic base so we don't lose our kids or go outside. I would be surprised to find how many of those people that call me into and chastise me on my position rollers areas actually were born in Alaska and very frankly Alan the Baen in Alaska get them stirred up but none of the men in Southeast Alaska side is always interested how much they knew about it. Well you brought up an interesting subject because I worry about what my kids are going to do for a livelihood here in the future. That's right and you and I know the tourist industry is not a big payer is great but it doesn't do everything to keep the schools going and it's just not Alaska that's going all over California for instance lost something right now. Right close to about 100000 jobs in the last eight years under this administration and small communities are dying and I was just I just can't had a trip to Oregon to work down there for a while during this election. Small community with 500 people in their school asked to close because there's no tax base.

And people don't you know the people that think they know everything understand the effect of the future generations. Sure. Well I'd like to talk at a later date about together stuff like that. OK you got it I'll be I'll be down there and thanks for calling. Thank you David for your call. Our number is 1 800 4 7 8 8 2 5 5 we've got one more guy I wanted to talk about roadless and Doug on the road system in toke. Doug welcome to the show. Oh hell yeah. Yes I want you to know you're doing a good job. Thank you sir. I agree with you on that force. Thank you thank you. I agree with everything on that. Thank you. Just don't listen a lot of people and I listen everybody I have you know I try and I hope I get a little short with people but I'm always doing good natured. It's just that I I really believe that they have to understand there's two sides of this coin. And without looking at both sides of corn you never know which is head or tails and they will not look at one side I look at both sides I've done this over my years and by the way I owe you a trip to talk I'm supposed to be there but

they get me in to the Saturday before the election so we're going to try to get down that took some time in December we can do it. All right all right. But that's had a lot you know you're doing a good job. Thank you sir. And you have a good one. You bet. Thanks Doug for your call. You're listening to Talk of Alaska and our number is 1 800 4 7 8 8 2 5 5 1 800 4 7 I talk this is your opportunity to have a discussion with Congressman Don Young. And let's see before we go back to calls I wanted to find out what what is your idea about the. What are your views on the Alaska natural gas pipeline going through Canada. One thing you keep in mind Jennifer that this is probably a very very important thing for the United States and I've done a lot of research I'm not an expert in the field. I would like to see the line it has to go north and south I do not support the want to go to the Arctic Ocean. I'd like to see the line built down through the Old Northwest right away which goes down to Delta

token and to Canada. Two reasons one it would help was build a railroad which I'm very supportive of and make a train go to Secondly the lower 48 gas went to 15 and 15 cents a thousand last year to $6 iShares 548 right now would be $6. That's a huge jump. So that means we are running out the demand has gone up and we're not we don't have the supply of gas Alaska does have the gas the other thing that I'm interested in is like a vacation. And this sounds kind of strange I think there's room for for both a gas Lana goes the lower 48 and the liquidation of the gas went to South Africa and studied there. The project over there. Moscow asked. Beautiful project. They turned gas in the diesel and the reason it's so important it is the cleanest fuel this liquid. Very frankly gas it burns clean us of all fossil fuels there is no pollution to it at all. And there's a big demand for that in California so we should get a high premium price for that. And it would keep the pipeline the existing oil pipeline running for another hundred years. I don't plan on serving 100 years because that's a

hundred years because they could use the oil line and transport this liquefied gas. To whatever destination valleys where picks it up there's enough volume in all of the city hall and then working to find gas refining more gas and we are oil and to keep both of them going. There's another reason that that's very important. If we liquefy gas not total money I keep mine I want to live lick the case of the gas would allow us to have an added value product. We could go into the plastics business in Alaska created a new economy and created a new employment factor within the state of Alaska and I think we ought to look at it is I think wrong for us to sell the gas with all the wets in it they create the plastics and not get the best value from it. Sort of like selling fish on a roller timber and there are all of we always heard these arguments. I think we have to look at this. That's not up to me though this is up to the state of Alaska by legislators in Alaska and the governor and I hope they take the time to hire the expertise in both of these arenas so we can do what's correct for the individual

constituents in this state we have the gas that belongs to us remember it comes out of our field. This is never been the oil companies gas is our gas and we ought to get the best benefit from it. Now does the governor's plan need congressional approval. No no no this is our gas. Now anything out of Anwar belongs to the federal government. That's something different and a lot of people don't understand that oil is not our oil. It is not our oil. So. Blast will keep that in mind we will not see the benefit from development of federal lands other than the percentage of royalties that we have seen improving. Well let's return to our callers now it's 1 800 4 7 8 2 5 5 That's 1 800 470 talk We're talking with Congressman Don Young. Matthew welcome to the show. Good morning good morning how are you doing. Congressman I'm going to have a quick question for you. I'm a fairly new resident Laskar we moved up here in May. I've been very concerned lately about coming out of the state of

Israel especially because I feel like a lot of it is not very well presented. It's rather by it's not well researched. I'm curious to know you. Regarding the relationship with the state of its relationship with the Palestinian and what direction Congress is likely to take in the near future and I'm going to hang up and listen to your answer on the radio. Thank you Glenn. I have been very supportive of Israel three times and I hope more people take the time to understand the history between the Palestinians and and in the Jewish people Israeli It's over there in the constant. It's an inherited conflict and you know I always hope for peace. I am not very optimistic that that is going to happen on either side. I've been very supportive of Israel and and I believe rightfully so. And it's a difficult thing for

the average American to understand how small Israel is how threatened they are from Jordan and the rest of the countries that surround them it's you can fly across that faster and you can fly across the. From here to I would say McKinley it's a very very very small country very long very very narrow with a great many people on it. And the battle between Arafat and the Israel prime minister right now is one which I don't think is going to reach a solution. I have communicated with many different people on both sides of the aisle and I think Congress right now is in the mood to really back Israel 100 percent. I I can tell you that in the case of the state of the case the battle over Jerusalem why Arafat didn't accept the solution that was agreed to. Basically I don't know I can't argue that point because I thought that was very close to a peaceful solution but now it's just falling apart.

I don't know whether they'll get tired of killing one another that both sides have been read it is occurring every day. So far they have shown no sense to back off on either side. And so it is not does not bode well for peace in that area. Again though Israel's been our ally and I've been a big supporter of Israel I will continue to support them. Thank you for that answer. I want to go now to Walter in Juneau. Walter welcome to TALK OF ALASKA. You're talking with Congressman Don Young. I won't. Yes you are. OK. I just want to quick that they don't what's happening with you know ask a native veteran slam the law. Walter that's a good question. We passed the bill I don't know where the president is signed it. We're still in session I can't answer that. If you can somehow if I get back to gladly try to tell you that you know I passed the first one. And but I wanted to

expand the date we did expand the date. It was opposed by the administration but we did pass it out of the house. If I understand correctly if it's before the president now whether he will sign or not I don't know that for those in the listening audience that don't know what this is about it during the Vietnam War. We had a large group of Alaska Native people the highest percentage of any one race was ever in Vietnam out of Alaska. I mean I'm talking about Alaskan people and they weren't aware or had not been informed that there was an allotment process in place and consequently they were deprived of being able to get their hundred sixty acres allotted land and we're trying to make sure that the veterans have that opportunity and we did it once but we didn't expand it for the period of time it would take care of most of the veterans that were over there. And we're going to try to do that and I hope the president will sign it. Thank you. OK thank you very much. Thank you. I appreciate the question. Be interesting to see that in the news. I think I'm

going to a friend now Leo in No. We got all kinds of talk of oh leo you there. You bet. Congressman how are you Mr. Mayor. A full day up here. Whatever you want. Hey it's nice to talk to you again. It's great to be a one too. First of all commend the people of Alaska for returning the finest Congressman we've ever had in our history. You know election pointed that out. I also want to commend you for Cara Congressman you know I think that that will be one of the higher legacy points of your entire service. Once the people get into it and understand what it really does for Alaska it's a little hard looking at it from the outside may alter conservatives can just see nothing but bad but the outcome is going to be a very big plus for Alaska. My I wanted him extend an invitation to a congressman. We're going to have to say we they are going to have an

election immediately across the Bering Straits here and a new governor will be sworn in some time and would like to extend an invitation to you once we know the date to maybe participate in that new opening for Alaska for trade and marketing for assistance and of people who want to take a giant leap in a potential governor. Ramon or Romano Abramovich who wants to take those people forward at the same time and want to extend that invitation to you and I want to thank you all for the help you've given for the I did Arad national historic trail. We've got a major millennium Grant. However the Clintons. Proposed a number of things under the millennium stuff and none of that has performed but in the Senate Senator Stevens and with help of yourself have brought some money and to help move that trail forward and it's more comments about the invitation.

I know you can't accept immediately but want to thank you and thanks for your help and tell your lovely daughters your wife hello and and you know I owe you a trip up there like I told the gentlemen were going to try to get up there for the finish of the dinner or the banquet if we can do it and will definitely look forward to that as far as imitation again. I don't commit to anything now because I don't know what world we're going to be doing I don't know exactly where I'm going to be and what role I'm going to be in in the near future I want to wait till it all settles out but thanks for calling in later. It's a small state thank you. Thanks for your call. We now go to Joan in point Becker. John welcome to TALK OF ALASKA with Congressman Don Young. I promised to talk to the congressman. I don't I've lived in point bape point Baker Alaska for over 20. Years and I am really concerned about the roadless policy because recently they did a study. I'm a fisherman and recently they did a study on covert on the over forty five hundred miles of existing road that's already in the Congress and they found out that a

lot of these culverts are plucking the juveniles salmon from getting back downstream and so are virtually cutting off a lot of really good habitat. Well you know they build these roads. They don't maintain them and you bring up a valid point. Most of these roads that have been put in aren't maintained and that has been a policy that for service. My argument if you do put a road in I think the study for it ought to be taking place and seeing whether there is a abuse for that road other than just you know messing around getting logs out and I love the logging industry but let's just say OK this one road which we should maintain this one and we should maintain will take and put it to bed take out the culverts and actually put it to sleep. But the roads that they do have in the coverts are in place if any Calder's if you're a fisherman. I don't know exactly where you are and the sense of the location where you fish I would suggest if you find any culverts or anybody finds an Culberson for service responsibility to clean those coverts out and I think that's that's absolutely I feel the

same. I know on the island I live on there's over 35 hundred miles of road on just one island and all these roads are just built just for the logging industry and they have been built reason for use. They don't do anything with them and they they create horrible. Well I know like for our area there's only like one fish and wildlife trooper to patrol the entire road system and then probably over twelve hundred miles of coastline and there's just horrible problems with hunting and poaching and I know that I come from a subsistence village and I know like wherever there's roads there there aren't any more deer or they've been hunted to the point where the people like myself and my family they don't have a car. We're at an extreme disadvantage and I know that. The guys from my village have all had to go to outlining areas that don't have roads to get their deer amassing this you know season. Dear season I just I kind of feel that all the throating It's

been a really irresponsible policy. Well again you know it's that's why you bring up a valid point. Everybody says you can't do it. See I happen to believe that you have to manage forced as some people disagree. I just think it would be in nature. You're going to lose the timber eventually there's a different one that replaces it. If you look at some of the force and SES areas that were actually managed and harvested in the past years 100 years ago that's the best timber in the country. But again if the roads are not being used and if they're not going to be used and I think they ought to be put to bed but the roads that do have a benefit and you have to understand not everybody you know you talk about not having a car and everybody has a boat and not everybody by the way is a useful agent can participate and that's one of the biggest drawbacks as we look at an older population which is occurring in the lower 48. We ought to have ability that people that are not as well endowed with youth to be able to enjoy it. Now I I think there are forty five hundred miles of road in the Tongass already. I understand that I'm not. I understand that point and I'm not arguing that point I'm just saying that the

areas that are not being used and by the way before you shut down any roads I think you ought to check with the people that live there if they want to shut it down they ought to play a role in this. And if there is a culvert is plugged up that ought to be cleaned out by the Forest Service they got enough workers believe me I look at their budget they got more for service employees now in Southeast Alaska and they did in the highest point of harvesting. Now that does that make sense. I mean I don't understand what they're doing. That's one point where you know I also know a lot of small time mill operators and they can't afford to build roads and when the Forest Service makes the sales I follow him fairly closely. They always point in like you know lots and lots of miles of roads. You know you can do them. They can and these little mills they can't do that and I guess I'm I guess I'm for the roadless policy because I would like to see these little mill guys be able to work off the existing infrastructure and be able to get their wood instead of having to say you know that for service caters to these bigger operations with all

these roadside like to see them have to be responsible for what they've done in the past before they start putting any more roads in the sensitive areas and I guess I kind of look at it from a slightly different perspective being a long time resident subsistence user. A fisherman that I know where there aren't roads to the very very best habitat the best habitat for period of time and I won't deny that. Yes what do we got here. John I really want to thank you for your call. There's very much an end of great discussion here. Thank you thank you. All right one more question about national forest and then we're going to move on because we're running out of time. Let's go to Ron in Seward. Ron welcome to TALK OF ALASKA. Yeah thank you very much. I was calling regarding that you guys national forest land under way the national forest areas seem to drop the plan which there are many errors and omissions. They're moving forward with a plan but the public is essentially unable to review because of these errors. And personally reading the plan I can't find

out what's going to happen in recreational trails that are in my area. The Forest Service response to me has been to visit my local ranger is now overwhelmed with questions. In addition they've held many public meetings and some of these public meetings the most recent one here in Seward that I took. If they did that the president's comments at that meeting won't matter unless they're in letter format. A lot of residents think a lot of extra time and effort to go to these long meetings to find out that their comments whatever they make won't matter unless they're in writing. In short many of the recess Neri are very frustrated and we really feel helpless regarding some of these closures. And I want to know what Congressman Young's stance was regarding the closures to recreation in that U.S. National Forest. I hope you've been listening to them about what my comments as my biggest problem. They don't want to stop blogging have it and that's another story but when they take away your right of the sensibility and your right a regulation that's wrong. And I will tell you right up front I have never been

one to believe that any of these agencies listen to any public input other than what they want to hear. It's probably one of the most deceitful type things that occur we can have hours and hours of testimony and it's happened before and I've gone back to the end result and what they will put in writing for regulation. And you don't see any of the public input and I will accuse of my book use them time and time again is just a requirement of the law that they have they got to have these public hearings but they don't care what you say. They will pick and selectively select what they want to hear and where they stand. And if any of these angel listen to me I challenge you show me where you've taken the suggestions of people across the board and it's not slanted in one direction which was your original intent you show me where it hasn't happened and I'll tell you most of the time you totally ignore the public input and that's sad. And I have that local ranger have to respond to questions when very frankly this is being directed from Washington DC and that's why those people that don't agree with me in this Won't roadless areas and other things don't

understand the time you take people away from accessibility you lose support for the program. I understand agree with you. We just want a lot of it. We feel. Totally helpless on this issue. I don't know where to turn. Well I will try to help you in the sense I would get hold of for service. I've got constituents saying this is wrong. You're not listening to us and you're not letting us know what's going on. And again these people say the gentleman General Clark talk about you know all the I can do this and I can do that is that the discretion of the Forest Service that always has been and always will be. And they really don't care what the public wants. I really do agree with that I I just they put out a preferred alternative in our area regarding trails recreation and a lot of the information under their alternative in their book in on their CD. They admit it's wrong it's incorrect and I don't know what's going to happen.

I think you're going to get hurt and ill and that's one reason I wanted George W. Bush to be elected as I think I can weed a lot of this chafe out of these agencies when he gets elected I'm certainly going to try. Ron thanks for your call. Thank you very much really. Thank you. Yeah a lot of people have been calling regarding your position on the electoral college. Oh I'm glad yeah I'm a big supporter the electorial college and for those Alaskans I've been reading the the the newspaper I won't mention even as opposed to the radio and everybody to do as Electorial College. I hope Alaskans take a chance to look at the map. What occurred in this last election the massive areas. Thirty two states that Bush collected and of the counties that voted for George W. Bush and then see where the poor holiday came from it came out to L.A. San Francisco Seattle Portland New York City Miami and Chicago. And that's what's the end as a station. We would have no voice no small states would have any say at all or who would be selected as president because all the effort would be concentrated now into those large cities. And I think that it is

cut Alaska off totally one person said that they will I voted for Al Gore and my vote is going to be set aside. Truth of the matter is if you go by the state you had a chance and you lost George W. Bush got elected state of Alaska and 32 other states voted for George W. Bush. But. Look at that map and this country is divided very similar to Alaska now and it's not healthy for democracy won the large cities tell everybody else what they can do. What does a person in Philadelphia know about green farming in Iowa. He doesn't but he has a decision making because that's who we elect to the promise of the most type-A welfare programs rather he wants to have and I think that's wrong. Somehow we've got to change electorial college if it's the beach was to be changed at all we change it this way. The state that wins for that president that's where the votes cast to be. This will be all over right now. Thirty two states went to George W. Bush. The rest of went to Al Gore and of those states most of the counties voted for George W. Bush. It was a large cities have voted for Al Gore keep the electorial college don't get panicky and try to throw out something that works our forefathers knew what they were doing.

Well there's a lot of things that we didn't get to touch on but we did touch on quite a few things but the list included. Thank you so much for coming in today. My pleasure always like talk shows for those who are listening. I'm always here. Our guest has been Congressman Don Young our director today Richard my sternum engineering by Ron Zastrow and phone assistance by Richard Allen. I'm Jennifer Somers next week we'll be talking about the 20th anniversary of Anelka and I think we'll also put road lists on the schedule somewhere. This is TALK OF. Ask a. Possible last good is made possible by this member station of the Alaska Public Radio Network and by to sort all the way to go in Alaska. For over 30 years at more than 150 locations St.. This program is a production of APRA which is solely responsible for its content views expressed on this program are those of the participants and not necessarily those of a PR at this station or its underwriter cassette copies are available by calling 2 7 7 2 7 7 6.

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