 By Mike Sallee July 28, 2010
Many of the people in the Ketchikan area have enjoyed Bailey Bay Hot Springs - known to some as Shelokum Hot Springs. It is a picturesque and remote hot springs nestled next to excellent trout fishing on Lake Shelokum, just north of Bell Island Hot Springs. These hot springs are a special place-a place by which one can't help but feel inspired and energized. I have visited this area from time to time for over 25 years and feel privileged for every chance I get to take a soak. People in Southeast are lucky that this unique place is public land, and open to everyone to enjoy and experience. Unfortunately, Lisa Murkowski's new version of the Sealaska Lands Bill (S881) targets these hot springs to be transferred out of the Tongass National Forest and into Sealaska's corporate hands for energy development. Privatizing this unique and special place for development isn't right. This land should remain in the in the hands of the people and remain wild and undeveloped so that people in Ketchikan, and the world over, can continue to enjoy them, as I have been lucky to do for many years. Sincerely, Mike Sallee
Received July 28, 2010 - Published July 28, 2010
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