Comment on FR Doc # E7-25535

I am the owner of Beacon Hill Lodge in Ketchikan Alaska. I have been in business for 18 years. We run at 100 % occupancy and at the present time are 70% booked into 2009. We employ 4 families that live tear around in Ketchikan and have three daughters living here also attending college. Our small lodge directly spends over $500.000 per year in Ketchikan. This number does not include the cost our guest pay to travel here Alaska Airlines or any of the other money that they spend while in town. Because we are so small and exclusive guest book for several years in advance and 95% of our guest have been fishing with us for 12 years or more. In all of our years in operation we have only had 10 cancellations. Since this halibut issue has come into light we have lost over $40,000.00 in sales this week alone. These guest are going further north where they can still get 2 halibut per day. The proposed 4 fish limit will positively result in us going out of business as we have fixed cost in the lodge, boats, equipment etc that cannot change. Also refunding all of the advance bookings will stop our cash flow. Being a member of the ADF&G advisory committy, a lodge owner and a licensed commercial fisherman as well I am very aware of the political process and all of it's downfalls. This current propsal of 4 fish wiil put an end to most if not all lodges in SE Alaska within 3 years. The overall economic effects of this will be more damaging to the economy of SE Alaska than the closure of the pulp mill was. The end result of this area 2c halibut plan will only drive SE anglers further north where they can still get 2 halibut per day. Within a couple of years that part of Alaska will find itself in the same position that area 2c is in now. Although I know that there are realistic ways to keep our halibut limits at 2 in know that the political pressure is far too great . Please at least consider a 6 fish limit. PLEASE