(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Division of Forestry is seeking public comment on the draft Southeast State Forest Management Plan through April 30, 2015. The draft plan describes how the Division of Forestry intends to manage the 33 units of the 48,000-acre state forest. The forest units are located on 12 islands between Petersburg and Ketchikan, on the mainland in Bradfield Canal, and by Crittenden Creek east of Wrangell Island. The Alaska Legislature established the Southeast State Forest in 2010 and 2011 for the primary purpose of timber management.

The Division of Forestry is actively managing this new state forest as a ‘working forest’ to sustainably provide wood for personal and commercial use while protecting fish and wildlife habitat. In addition, the forest will be managed to improve access and provide the public with recreation and other multiple uses. Public meetings will take place in several communities during the comment period; check the plan webpage for the schedule.

Copies of the draft forest plan will be placed in the public libraries in Craig, Ketchikan, Petersburg, and Wrangell. The draft plan and maps are available online at http://forestry.alaska.gov/whatsnew.htm .

Written comments may be mailed to the Division of Forestry, 2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213, Ketchikan, AK 99901, submitted by email to dnr.forsesf@alaska.gov, or through the online comment form on the SESF Planning webpage at http://forestry.alaska.gov/stateforests.htm#sesf.

Comments must be received by the Division of Forestry office no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2015.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News: 

Alaska Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.alaska.gov

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Ketchikan, Alaska

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