Southeast Alaska: Financial Woes for Sealaska - According to Sealaska's annual report mailed to tribal member shareholders this week, Sealaska is reporting net losses in the millions for 2013.

Part of the net loss was blamed on a Sealaska civil construction Hawaii business venture which significantly underperformed with an operational loss of $26 million negating the profits from other Sealaska subsidiaries. Quoting a news release, Sealaska said they made a responsible decision to fulfill the contract, with the understanding that the projects would conclude at a loss.

Sealaska also realized $24.6 million in accounting adjustments. Sealaska partially offset the losses with positive income from ANCSA Section 7(i) monies and investment funds.

Because of market changes, the value of Sealaska's subsidiaries also changed with the value of two companies decreasing by $10 million.

“Despite posting losses, Sealaska is a stable institution that continues to protect its Native land, support education and shareholder opportunities, while growing our investments and operations,” said Sealaska president and CEO Chris E. McNeil Jr. “Sealaska has strong cash flow and access to financing and we are well positioned to make new acquisitions.”

“The board has a long-term strategic plan to achieve sustainable profitability, while keeping our commitment to culture and shareholder opportunity,” said Sealaska board chair Albert Kookesh. “The experience of Sealaska’s board, while working with management, will lead Sealaska towards these long term goals.” - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014

Southeast Alaska: Team effort helps Tongass National Forest sustain Southeast Alaska’s fisheries - Drawn to the streams where they hatched, millions of salmon return each year to spawn in the Tongass National Forest. This natural cycle has sustained humans and wildlife for eons. Subsistence, wildlife watching, commercial, and sport fishing all depend on salmon habitat. In Southeast Alaska, protecting and improving that habitat is a team effort.

Enter the Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership, or SEAKFHP. The group brings together communities, government agencies, tribes, conservation groups and researchers. Each brings unique perspectives and ideas. All share the goal of sustaining Southeast Alaska’s highly productive fisheries. The National Fish Habitat Board recognized the SEAKFHP as its 19th national partner on March 10, 2014.

“The Forest Service is leading the way in building our partnership. We can celebrate vibrant, sustainable fisheries here,” said SEAKFHP coordinator Deborah Hart.

“The partnership is a tremendous value for Southeast Alaska and the Tongass,” said Tongass National Forest Fish Biologist Sheila Jacobson. “Together, we are doing things the Forest Service could not accomplish on its own.” - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014

Columns - Commentary

DAVE KIFFER: The 'news' is slimier than you think! - One of the great joys about being a local” mover and shaker” is that all sorts of interesting things wander across your desk.

Such as this particular “news” item.

Slippery Slope: Slugs Are Endangered Species (Rooters News Service)

Responding a complaint filed by the Forever Friends of Forest Fauna, US District Court Judge C. Clarence Clueless has ruled that the US Fish and Wildlife Service must immediately take action to put the excruciatingly rare Alexander Archipelago Banana Slug on the Endangered Species List.

“The appellant notes that since we have never studied the Alexander Archipelago Banana Slug we have no information to determine population levels. For all we know it is seriously endangered. Therefore the USFW has to act immediately to protect the long-term viability of the species,” Clueless wrote in his decision.

In his ruling, Clueless orders USFW to take several specific steps to protect the Alexander Archipelago Banana Slug.

1) The USFW must survey the banana slug population to develop a baseline population.

2) The USFW must take steps to prevent the additional loss of banana slugs due predation by local gardeners.

3) The USFW must immediately confiscate all salt in the Alexander Archipelago to prevent gardeners and others from using it to decrease the slug population.

4) The USFW must immediately stop all sales of beer in the Alexander Archipelago in order to prevent its use as a slugicide.

Everly Aimless-Doogooder, grass roots organizer for Forever Friends of Forest Fauna, celebrated Judge Clueless’ decision. - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014

JEFF LUND: Finally getting around to it - In keeping with my tradition of being under-prepared, I arrived at the trailhead in jeans and only then considered the inevitabilities involving heat and sweat once I started hiking in the beautiful, warm afternoon air. I had reservations at a hotel, but was too focused on the hike to think rationally. At first the cool of the shaded woods kept me comfortable as the trail switched back and forth. I started to warm up when traffic on the trail heated up.

If Ketchikan has, or is big enough to have an iconic element, it’s arguably Deer Mountain. It’s on the nameplate of the newspaper. It photobombs hundreds of thousands of tourist pictures every summer. It’s inviting, yet with snow at the top it reminds everyone this is Alaska, not some docile, unpopulated part of down south.

I don’t know how many times I’ve looked at Deer Mountain or asked about the trail over the years but just about every Ketchikan resident told me where it starts, the terrain and about the views. From what I gathered, people from Ketchikan who hike, hike Deer Mountain. - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014