 By Lindsey Ketchel April 06, 2009
As part of the federal economic stimulus plan, Congress put $2.4 million toward long overdue forest restoration work in Alaska. We applaud Congress' action and hope it is a sign they recognize that the Tongass' healthy forests, fish and wildlife are the foundation of our local economy and Southeast Alaska's unique quality of life. When announcing the restoration funding, Senator Mark Begich expressed his hope "that even more Alaskans can be put to work addressing needs in the nation's largest national forests." We certainly agree. And there are more opportunities for Tongass restoration work. As the nation's largest and wildest national forest, the Tongass has a long list of needed projects like restoring winter deer habitat on Chichagof Island or repairing blocked fish culverts in places like the upper Castle River. These projects could put Alaskans to work right away. With the Forest Service yet to distribute over $1 billion of the stimulus money, there should be even more money available for Tongass restoration. The Tongass is the world's last large, coastal temperate rainforest. It is the crown jewel of our national forest system and the heart of Southeast Alaska. With Southeast Alaska's skilled, willing and equipped labor pool, federal forest restoration money can have an immediate and positive impact on our economy and communities by keeping our amazing forest resource healthy. More energy support could also come soon. Alaska Senator Bert Stedman and Representative Bill Thomas introduced revisions to the Southeast Energy Fund (Senate Bill 132 and House Bill 166) to allow money in the fund to go to local renewable energy projects. Another of Senator Stedman's bills, Senate Bill 59, removes unintended restrictions on the use of electric cars on Alaskan roads. They're already on the road in Sitka, Petersburg and Wrangell. And Representatives Bob Buch and Bryce Edgmon introduced House Bill 20 to allow our fishing fleet to take advantage of long-term, low-interest loans for energy efficiency upgrades. One of the most visionary bills, Senator Lesil McGuire's Senate Bill 150, would help Alaskans bring emerging energy technologies such as tidal, geothermal, and biomass into practical action. Southeast Alaska has an abundance of renewable energy resources, and developing, producing and using cutting edge energy technology could provide sustainable and environmentally friendly jobs and income to Southeast communities for decades. Imagine a plant in Ketchikan employing welders, electricians, researchers, and others in tidal power research and turbine production, or communities running on electricity made from municipal waste and storing surplus hydropower for unexpected outages. While this may seem a distant dream, I've recently had the opportunity to meet dozens of Alaskans from across the ideological spectrum with the ideas, talent and work ethic to make great things happen for Southeast Alaska. Many of these Alaskans are working together to find lasting forest management and renewable energy solutions that incorporate all of the ways Southeast Alaskans use and depend on the Tongass: for fish and game, various industries, recreation and more. The potential is here for exciting
forest and energy solutions that are local, durable, and workable.
Continued support from the state and our congressional delegation
will go a long way toward realizing Southeast Alaska's exciting
potential for a greener, cleaner and brighter future.
Received April 06, 2009 - Published April 06, 2009 Viewpoints - Opinion Letters:
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