August 31, 2006
Wednesday

We had a town meeting in Wrangell on August 28, 2006 to discuss the possibility of a 12 person limit for private party gatherings on the Stikine River.

The USFS personnel that were in attendance answered questions and listened to our concerns, but we can NOT now sit back and hope that was enough. We need to keep up the pressure by way of letter writing, discussions and emails to make sure our voice is heard and our goals are achieved.

If this is passed then the concept of Enforcement arises. How in the world can there be a fair and consistent enforcement of this insane law? It will be discretionary and up to each individual officer. When a group meets whether by design or spontaneously who decides who can stay or go? What about families with more than 12 in the immediate family? What disntance must groups stay apart from each other to not be considered ONE group? And many other details like this would muddy an already Pristine environment.

There is something special that happens to us when we take that turn and are officially "Up River." There before us is the Wilderness that we crave, the adventure we seek and the peace that heals. Some may believe the River is an escape. Not true. It is our Reality. It is where we go to connect to what really matters in our world.

Not bills, school, work or hassles, but LIFE. The River is our connection to the power of Nature, and God's hand in that. It is our connection to our family and friends that creates our motivation to unite. It is a slice of our great state of Alaska that we consider our own and protect it. It is a portion of this country that symbolizes the extraordinary people who forged this land through the centuries.

ANILCA will be "tweaked" until we are no longer able to go up and enjoy the River as we have done "Traditionally and Historically" for hundreds of years with our families unless we put a stop to this.

There is a petition starting in Wrangell for local signatures and if there are people outside Wrangell who would like a copy to pass around their towns please email me, and I will send one of to you so that you may add your name and voice to the cause of Protecting our Rights on the Stikine River.

No one Respects, Protects and Embraces the Stikine River like our communities of Wrangell and Petersburg, but this is more than a local issue this is a Statewide issue that all Alaskans should be concerned about. What happens here can easily happen to your special places too.

Thank you for your time,

Renee Claggett
claggett[at]aptalaska.net
Wrangell, AK

Related News:

Public input gathered on wilderness management of the Stikine River Corridor - The Wrangell Ranger District has organized a facilitated "listening session" to gather public input on issues related to wilderness management of the Stikine River Corridor. "A number of proposals have come up this summer relating to use of the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness, including requests by outfitters and guides to use cabins and outhouses, and a proposal to limit the size of private groups using the area," said Mark Hummel, Wrangell District Ranger. "We could talk about each topic one at a time, but I think there's a critical mass of ideas here, and it's time to hold a larger conversation about management in the river corridor." - More...
August 25, 2006

 

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