Monday - 4.10.06

While a full update is absent for a bit longer as I work to compile several sets of notes, let's recap the day briefly.

During monday morning's session, a rather rapid overview took place about the TLMP revision process. Forrest Cole, the Tongass Forest Supervisor gave a brief introduction that was essentially unsubstantial. Alaska Regional Forester Denny Bschor provided opening remarks about the fabulous array of scientific minds and agency representation here at the Ted Ferry Civic Center and expressed that he thought this week's dialogue will be comprehensive and fruitful.

Gene DeGayner, a Forest Service employee from Region 9 - based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - spoke rapidly, providing a conservation strategy overview as it relates to the 1997 Tongass Land Management Plan and element for change during this review process. I enjoyed speaking with Gene prior to the start of the days festivities, and during the presentation itself a number of facts and statistics were explained to describe the Tongass. Most of them are well known standards, but several of the numbers had no derivation descriptions and little to no reference points.