Ketchikan: Proposed Saddle Lakes project may support 186-224 jobs annually - The Tongass National Forest has completed the Saddle Lakes Timber Sale Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and draft Record of Decision (ROD). The project area is located on Revillagigedo Island about 14 miles northeast of Ketchikan, between George and Carroll Inlets and covers 38,459 acres of National Forest Service lands and 3,557 acres of non-National Forest Service lands.

The project area is located on Revillagigedo Island about 14 miles northeast of Ketchikan, between George and Carroll Inlets

The Saddle Lakes project may support between 186 and 224 annual jobs contributing to a reliable economic supply of sawtimber and wood products to support the wood products industry. The project also increases natural resource employment opportunities that contribute to the local and regional economies of Southeast Alaska and helps to keep timber operators and mills operating.

The Saddle Lakes Timber Sale project will harvest 47 million board feet of old-growth timber on 2,327 acres, and construct 17.2 miles of new and 9.8 miles of temporary National Forest System roads. About 10.5 miles of existing stored National Forest System road will be reconditioned. No harvest or road construction will occur in Inventoried Roadless Areas or Old Growth Reserves. - More....
Wednesday PM - October 07, 2015

Alaska: U.S. Supreme Court Accepts Alaskan’s Case Opposing Federal Regulatory Overreach - The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear Sturgeon v. Masica, et al., a case in which Alaska filed an amicus brief asking the Court to take a stand against federal regulatory overreach. The highest court in the land will now consider whether Section 103(c) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA) prohibits the National Park Service from exercising regulatory control over State, Native Corporation, and private Alaska land physically located within the boundaries of the National Park System.

“This case raises a question of exceptional importance to the State, Native Corporations, and the people of Alaska,” said Attorney General Craig Richards. “The right to regulate and manage Alaska’s resources is an essential component of Alaska’s sovereignty, and Alaska has a compelling interest in preserving our right to manage our state’s resources free from unchecked federal control.”

The case considers whether ANILCA permits the federal government to exercise broad regulation over nonfederal lands and waters in Alaska. In 2007, armed National Park Service officials barred John Sturgeon from using his hovercraft within the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve while he was traveling on the Nation River to access moose hunting grounds outside the Preserve. The National Park Service claimed that it had extensive authority to regulate activities—even to prevent Alaskan citizens from freely traveling on state owned lands and navigable waters. Sturgeon sued, arguing that the Park Service’s actions violated the language and intent of ANILCA, which explicitly limits the scope of federal regulation inside Alaska’s National Parks. Last fall, in a decision giving the National Park Service unprecedented regulatory authority, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that ANILCA gives the federal government broad ability to regulate non-federal lands and waters. - More...
Wednesday PM - October 07, 2015

Alaska: Sen. Finance Meets with Walker Administration to Address Budget - The Walker administration answered questions this week from members of the Senate Finance Committee centered on the state’s $3.5 billion budget gap.

In a letter to the state’s budget director, Pat Pitney, State Senators submitted 12 questions to gauge the administration’s progress toward addressing the state’s fiscal crisis.

“Alaskans will be ready to support new revenue measures only after significant reductions are made to the budget,” said Senator Pete Kelly (R-Fairbanks). “Finding efficiencies in government agencies isn’t going to be enough this time. The Senate Finance Committee is not looking for new taxes to pay for government. We’re looking for less government.”

The administration didn’t outline an overarching vision for the budget, but did confirm its plans to reduce funding for the Department of Health and Social Services, maintain current levels of education funding with increases to per-pupil spending, and its support for flat funding in state employee contracts, with overall budget reductions estimated to be around 3 percent. - More...
Wednesday PM - October 07, 2015

Alaska: AMHS Seeks Public Review of Summer 2016 Schedule - The proposed Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) schedule for the summer 2016 season, which runs May through September, is now available for public review and comment.

All state agencies, including the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, are working with reduced budgets due to low oil prices. The proposed AMHS summer schedule aims to maximize ferry service to Alaskans within the available operating budget.

The comment period is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to review and comment on the proposed 2016 summer schedule. The comment period has been extended to allow for more opportunity to review the proposed summer schedule which is significantly different than previous years’ schedules.

AMHS will be transitioning to a new reservations system beginning with the summer 2016 schedule. The new system will be ready to accept advanced bookings through the AMHS call center starting in December 2015. The new online booking portal at FerryAlaska.com will be made available shortly thereafter. - More...
Wednesday PM - October 07, 2015