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Monday
February 10, 2014
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Northern Lights
Friday at Settlers Cove, approximately 17 miles north of Ketchikan.
Front Page Photograph By JEREMY BARRY ©2014
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Fish Factor: Alaska seafood safe By LAINE WELCH - Alaska seafood is free of radiation stemming from Japan’s 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear reactor disaster.
That was the take home message from the Alaska Dept. of Conservation to the state Senate Resources Committee at a recent hearing.
Citing information from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Pacific states including Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington, as well as Health Canada, “all have demonstrated there are no levels of radiation that are of a public health concern,” said Marty Brewer, director of DEC’s Environmental Health Division.
She added that only small amounts of radiation have been detected from the reactor source.
“There has been detection of cesium that is reportedly from Fukushima but at miniscule levels,” Brewer said.
DEC Commissioner Larry Hartig said programs in the Lower 48 are testing fish that swim between the Gulf of Alaska, the West Coast and Japan, and they have come up with a clean bill of health. The DEC also is monitoring marine debris washing ashore in Southeast Alaska and Prince William Sound, Hartig said.
None of the debris that has washed ashore anywhere in the US so far has shown signs of radiation.
Fish behavior cuts bycatch
Fishing gear experts are using fish behavior to take a bite out of unwanted salmon bycatch in trawl nets. Video cameras inside nets revealed several years ago that Alaska pollock and salmon behave very differently when captured. Salmon were able to swim against the strong flow within the net better than the pollock, said John Gauvin, a gear specialist who for decades has worked closely with the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska trawl fleets.
“You would see the salmon moving forward in the net at times, and you would see the pollock steadily dropping back, with some ability to move forward but at a loss. They would move a little bit forward and then move a lot back,” he explained.
Trawlers will soon begin field testing a so called “over and under” net device to see how it performs.
“We are pretty excited about this device and we are going to be doing testing this spring in the Gulf and then, hopefully, in the fall in the Bering Sea,” Gauvin said.
A ‘flapper’ excluder device, used by many trawlers since 2012, has resulted in a 25% - 37% Chinook salmon escapement with very little loss of pollock. While it works well, Gauvin said the design is difficult to adopt widely into the fishery and takes a lot of fine tuning.
Finding ‘cleaner,’ gear that is affordable and adaptable will drive the future of our fisheries, Gauvin believes.
"What is interesting to me today is that in many ways, success in the fisheries is not so much of what you catch, but what you don’t catch,” he mused. “Fishermen spend a lot of time figuring out how to avoid things they are not supposed to catch so they can continue to make a living.” - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Alaska Science: Imagine: A great Alaska earthquake meets southern California By NED ROZELL - An expected event in Alaska could affect millions of Americans. Here’s how:
On Thursday, March 27, 2014, a slab of the seafloor larger than human imagination fractures, rumbling beneath the Alaska Peninsula. In several planet-ringing minutes, thousands of years of potential energy releases to become kinetic. A great earthquake occurs right where scientists predicted it would.
The Pacific floor plows beneath Alaska in the region between Kodiak Island and the Shumagin Islands south of Sand Point. A block of sea floor the size of Kodiak Island rises. A bulge in the Pacific Ocean rebounds toward Los Angeles.
Scientists from the National Tsunami Warning Center see the rise and fall of lonely buoys and consult online seismic information and tsunami models. They call disaster-preparedness officials in Los Angeles with two messages: 1. Your city is in the crosshairs of a large tsunami, and 2. It will arrive in four hours.
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This graphic shows the immediate effect of a hypothetical 9.1 earthquake occurring off the Alaska Peninsula.
Graphic courtesy of Vasily Titov, NOAA Center for Tsunami Research.
The wave from the magnitude 9.1 earthquake outpaces an Alaska Airlines jet flying from Anchorage to Seattle. In the open ocean, the mass of tumbling water from whitecaps to ocean floor is a slight swell not noticed by the captain of a container ship halfway on his journey from China to Los Angeles.
As the wave slows over the shallower waters of the continental shelf, its terrifying head rises from the depths. The sea floor shoves it 10 feet toward the sky as the wave passes Vancouver Island.
The people of Los Angeles see and hear the warnings on their smartphones, televisions and car radios. Before Indonesia in 2004, tsunamis were an abstraction, but images of that tsunami and Japan in 2011 have made some wonder, as author Simon Winchester wrote, “whether the geological consent that permits them to inhabit so pleasant a place might be about to be withdrawn.”
Los Angeles prepares for this unwanted export from the Aleutian Trench. Much of the city is beyond the reach of the mass of water that will soon slosh over the shallows, but the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach cannot run for high ground. Here is where, in an event with many impacts, we look at the economic.
All 314 million Americans have an intimate relationship with the largest and second-largest ports in the United States. Each day, Star Wars cranes in the 4,300-acre port of Los Angeles and neighboring 3,200-acre port of Long Beach lever from ships to railcar and truck more than 40,000 shipping containers. In those 20-to-40-foot metal boxes are jeans, tablet computers, bananas, cement, baseball gloves, coffee beans and office chairs that will soon be in stores across America. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
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Columns - Commentary
 DAVE KIFFER: AGE IS JUST A NUMBER, SOMETIMES A VERY BIG ONE By DAVE KIFFER - Mature golfers always make a big deal about “shooting their age.”
Obviously, when you are at the height of your golfing abilities, say in your early to mid 30s, you are not going to “shoot your age.” Not even over nine holes.
Seriously, who shoots under about a 120 anyway, unless they are keeping their own score card?
But, when you get into your 70s, there is always a chance that you could somehow inadvertently shoot an 18 hole score that approximates your age.
Of course, most 70 year old golfers are actually duffing along with scores in the triple digits so the point is pretty academic.
That said, I did read that a 101 year old golfer recently shot a 99 in Palm Springs. Then again, that might have been one of those new fangled metric courses
Of course, this is a giant digression because even if you could shoot your age in Ketchikan, there is no real golf course to shoot it on.
As for me, I probably could shoot my age (see below) on a one hole pitch and putt course.
So instead, the other day I went out on North Tongass Highway and I drove my age.
- More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
 JEFF LUND: Ode to the Olympics - In honor of the Winter Olympics, I’ve started my own biathlon.
Well, that’s not true. The morning of the not-so Super Bowl my truck died at the river and I had to be towed. So the next morning when I went to the river to fish for steelhead, I had to take my bike. My childhood 10-speed is still in the garage and in relatively good shape, but fortunately for me I have a better, newer bike to take me to the steelhead.
It’s not the cross-country skiing and shooting that makes up the actual Olympic event, but there are two definitive parts which require some semblance of athleticism and skill. I felt like it was a big deal, but really it wasn’t. People run or ride their bikes every day regardless of weather. I guess the reason I felt as though my little biathlon was so innovative was because rather than wearing vapor-wicking fitness technology, I had layers of warm clothing covered by my chest waders and a 6-weight fly rod sticking up from my pack. It was also a big deal because a year ago I was wearing shorts all around California, and now I was riding a bike on a 22-degree morning to catch steelhead down the street. It was one of those images I never thought I’d live, one of those moments life provides which makes you think, “wow” rather than, “really?”. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 201 |
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Viewpoints
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the editor at editor@sitnews.us or call 617-9696
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 Property Taxes? By Dennis Gudgeon -
Can anyone explain to me how my property value is able to go up $32,800. in one year's time when I haven't done any improvements to the property? - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Astounded by the Gov.'s Remarks By Glen Thompson - The following are my personal opinions and do not represent the Ketchikan Gateway Borough in any way: I just listened to Governor Parnell interview with KRBD in Ketchikan regarding an unplanned visit to our fair city. I was astounded by his remarks. After over six years of appeals to the legislature and the administrations of both Governor Parnell and Governor Palin, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough filed a last resort lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of state statutes that require a local contribution for schools. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Ketchikan Postal Services By Ron Haberman - I would like to take this opportunity to respond to a letter to the editor regarding the U.S. Postal Service written by David G. Hanger of Ketchikan and published on Feb. 3, 2014. First, the U.S. Postal Service’s goal each and every day is to better serve the changing mailing and shipping needs of American industry and the American public without burdening the American taxpayer. Contrary to Mr. Hanger’s statement, the Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies solely on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. To that end, the Postal Service has been very aggressive in reducing costs, including decreasing its annual cost base by $16 billion and reducing the size of its career workforce by more than 200,000 employees since 2006. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Postal Service By Norm Noggle -
I haven't ever written offering my appreciation for the work of a politician. However, I must give thanks to Sen. Begich for his recent work to get our mail delivery system back in order. According to what I read today, he has a firm commitment from the Postal Administrator that our local mail will no longer be routed thru Juneau and sorting will be done in Ketchikan. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Postal Fix By Suzan Thompson -
I'd like to thank Senator Begich for his quick intervention in the postal problems plaguing Ketchikan and other Alaskan communities. When a United States Senator listens to his constituents and acts quickly and decisively to fix a problem, government works. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Thank You By Rob Holston -
To all of those who attended the Celebrate Life Banquet, Thank You. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Case Number 14-001: A request to rezone Low Density Residential acreage to General Commercial and Heavy Industrial By Karen Ramsey -
I believe the initial zoning of this particular parcel as low-density residential was a mistake and thus am in favor of Paul and Theresa Hamilton’s rezone request being considered by the borough planning commission Tuesday, 2/11/14. My husband works for P & T Construction, so the decision will have a direct impact on me and my family. Les Ramsey started working for P & T after having worked 15 years for South Coast, Inc., which shut down in 2002. In the ensuing years, Les helped build the Third Avenue Bypass and the airport taxiway working for construction companies based in Juneau. When P & T Construction of Ketchikan hired Les I was relieved because it seemed Les would enjoy secure local employment again. P & T has a good, dependable employee in Les, and we appreciate his year-round employment. We Ramseys are stable, hard-working, tax-paying citizens who would like to continue our humble lifestyle and plan for our future in Ketchikan. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Industrial Activity around Bear Valley By George & Sandy James -
For a matter of record, we are against the rezone of 1000 block Third Avenue, Case #14-001. It seems every year our Bear Valley neighborhood has to come before the Planning Commission because someone keeps trying to rezone for heavy industrial. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Bear Valley rezoning By Brent Connor -
While I don't know the Hamilton's real well, I do know who they are. They are some of the hard working people you see working projects all over the island, helping to improve quality of life for all of us. People like this are literally the backbone of the community. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Rezone #14-001 By Harlan & Megan Heaton -
We support the rezone of case #14-001, from residential to heavy industrial and unrestricted commercial development, requested by Paul and Theresa Hamilton of P & T Construction Co. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
Regarding rezoning #14-001 By Kathy Paulson -
As 20 year residents of Upper Main Street we also hear a lot of noise. On any given day at our house we can hear pile driving on Berth 1, the Lumberjack Show (cheering and chainsaws), cruiseships tying up at 5 a.m. (we also can smell their breakfasts if they are moored at Berth 3), back up alarms on tour buses, traffic on the 3rd Avenue Bypass, floatplanes, fog horns, generators on boats moored at the Casey Moran float, etc. - More...
Monday PM - February 10, 2014
CASE 14-001 Rezoning By Darlene Breitkreutz -
I am totally in favor of rezoning the industrial area at Ketchikan's Copper Ridge Road. We also built in the area some 25 years ago and we KNEW there was an industrial zone nearby but we loved the area. Before P & T Construction, Lybrand had been on that property for years and he was burning, blasting, moving rock, and doing whatever he needed to do to make a living. People who have developed and built homes in the surrounding area did in fact know they were near an industrial area. - More...
Thursday AM - February 06, 2014
POST OFFICE BLUES By David G. Hanger -
I realize that Darrell Issa and a handful of his right wing cronies, starting with the insane mandating of financing 75 years of retirements in advance, are doing everything in their power to destroy the U.S. Postal Service, but I do not see that as reason for local postal employees to enhance the prospects of that demise by providing such lousy customer service. - More...
Monday PM - February 03, 2014
Case Number 14-001 the Rezoning of Residential land in town to Heavy Industrial and Unrestricted Commercial By Theresa Hamilton -
My husband and I purchased this property so that we could eventually develop the land for our future. Our construction business may be small, but we do work hard like everyone else and we depend on our land for our future. - More...
Monday PM - February 03, 2014
Rezone 14-001 By Ernest Hamilton-
For the inquisitive in mind to consider and to those interested here are some facts concerning the request for rezoning and in rebuttal to the Ellis letter. If in fact the home was bought some 25 years ago then these people have been living with the continuous construction process while the now Copper Ridge was being developed. - More...
Monday PM - February 03, 2014
Drug informants get off scot-free! By Bonnie Abbott -
I want to add something to my recent letter and apologize to KPD & Andy Bernstein for not adding in my letter that the KPD has no choice NOT to use informants because our town is so small they need to do so, to catch the big dealers!!! It's a cycle and I know they know it, but what else can they do? There is no other option! - More...
Monday PM - February 03, 2014
Rezone of Quarry area case number 14-001 By Peter Ellis and Roz Ellis
- Wake Up, Wake Up all residents of the area surrounding the quarry where the city library is located. Hamilton has once again requested a rezone of some 14 acres from residential to commercial and Heavy Industrial. Just imagine what could appear if his request is granted. Did you choose to live in or near an industrial area? The subject area is not within the city limits and thus no permitting process is required. the Borough, according to the Borough Attorney, has no permit process either which permits Hamilton to do whatever he pleases if rezone is granted. - More...
Saturday AM - February 01. 2014
Drug Problem Worsening in Ketchikan By Bonnie J Abbott -
I am replying to the letter thanking Andy Bernstein for his great work the last couple years in Ketchikan! I also believe he has worked very hard along with Charlie Johnson. These two work together and both deserve a thank you from many!! What I do think is that this man does not know, accordng to his letter, that his information is not correct, pertaining to the out of town scum that are giving drugs to our community, it isn't accurate. - More...
Saturday AM - February 01, 2014
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