Alaska: New Report highlights condition of Alaska's waters - The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the release of its 2010 Integrated Report. Every two years DEC describes the condition of state waters in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act. The biennial Integrated Report categorizes them to meet federal reporting requirements. It helps the state prioritize waters for data gathering, watershed protection and restoration.

The Kenai River and three other waterbodies that were listed as polluted now meet water quality standards, according to the 2010 Integrated Report.

"The good news is that private groups along with local and state government agencies have worked together to improve the quality of water in some of Alaska's most important rivers, lakes and bays," said Lynn Kent, director of DEC's Water Division.

"The Kenai River was listed for violating petroleum standards, but through the efforts of the local watershed council, tribe, and government along with state and federal agencies the problem was identified and a solution found.

The problem on the Kenai River was heavily polluting two-stroke boat motors. The solution focused on educating boat owners on the problems with two-strokes, a change in regulation to ban two-strokes on the lower river during peak boating times, and financial incentives for boat owners to buy cleaner running four-stroke motors.

Nine waters have been added to the list of impaired and lack a waterbody recovery plan. Five are creeks along a new U.S. Forest Service road on Prince of Wales Island; another is Cottonwood Creek in Wasilla. The other three, Salt Chuck Bay, Red Devil Creek and a portion of the Kuskokwim River (downstream from Red Devil Creek) are listed due to problems from historic mines. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

Southeast Alaska: NEW SOUTHEAST STATE FOREST ESTABLISHED - Alaska Governor Sean Parnell signed House Bill 162, legislation that established a State Forest in Southeast Alaska, into law on June 28, 2010. This new forest, covering 25,291 acres, is the third in the Alaska State Forest System and the first addition since the Tanana Valley State Forest was established in 1983.

"This bill will create jobs in Southeast Alaska and provide small businesses with more economic opportunity," Governor Parnell said. "This is the first step in our strategy to revitalize the timber industry and expand wood energy in Southeast Alaska."

This designation of State lands empowers the Alaska Division of Forestry (DOF) to invest in and manage the land for a long-term timber supply for local processors, while allowing for multiple other uses. DOF will move ahead with projects for pre-commercial thinning of young stands of trees that are now 20-plus years old. The work will be contracted to the private sector for the thinning of approximately 1,000 acres over the next 12 to 24 months. The thinning treatments will accelerate the ability of the sites to grow commercially viable timber. Pre-commercial thinning generally increases the wood quality and usable volume-per-acre and extends wildlife diversity in second growth timber stands.

The State's third and newest forest includes 25,291 acres of land located in southern southeast Alaska. Many of the Forest's 20 parcels are on Prince of Wales Island. Other parcels are located on Gravina, Heceta, Kosciusko, Revillagigedo, and Tuxekan islands. The remaining three parcels are located on the mainland. While this State land allowed for forestry activities prior to its designation as a State Forest, the new SESF designation will enable the Division of Forestry (DOF) to actively manage resources for a long-term supply of timber to local processors. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

Alaska: Seattle fishing vessel runs aground in Prince William Sound - A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue crew from Cordova responded to the Seattle-based 100-foot fishing vessel Cape Cross which went aground at 5 a.m. in Main Bay in Prince William Sound Monday.

Sector Anchorage command center received a VHF radio call at 11:15 a.m. from the captain of the fishing vessel Josie reporting that the Cape Cross had gone aground with seven crewmen aboard. The crew of the Josie safely retrieved all seven crewmembers.

The Cape Cross was reported taking on water Monday and listing 30-degrees to the port side. The helicopter crew arrived on scene with the Cape Cross at 1:15 p.m. and delivered two dewatering pumps to the crews of the Cape Cross and the Josie.

The Cape Cross is reported having 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel aboard, light sheening has been reported in the area.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez is coordinating the response to minimize any potential pollution to the area.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center is also monitoring three other fishing vessels that have gone aground in Southeast Alaska. The 34-foot fishing vessel Arcola ran aground at Swanson Harbor at 7:19 a.m., the 34-foot fishing vessel Windbreaker ran aground at Mab Island south of Berners Bay at 6:51 a.m. and the 69-foot crabbing vessel Chevelle ran aground east of Annette Island in Revillagigedo Channel at 4:30 a.m. Both the Windbreaker and the Chevelle successfully refloated with the tide however, the Chevelle sustained a three inch hole in the vessel. The Arcola was completely submerged and sank off of Swanson Harbor. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

Alaska: DEC denies appeal of its Cruise Ship General Permit - The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced last week it has denied a request for a review of its Large Commercial Passenger Vessel Wastewater Discharge General Permit. The permit was issued April 22.

Campaign to Safeguard America's Waters and Friends of the Earth requested an administrative review of the permit on May 19.

A request for an administrative review of a permit decision must meet certain legal standards. Attorneys with the Office of Administrative Hearings determined that the request fell short of those standards. It was denied for that reason. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

Alaska: Teens use 11 grants across state to reduce and prevent violence - The State of Alaska Section of Women's, Children's and Family Health (WCFH) has funded 11 mini-grants to youth groups throughout the state in conjunction with Stand Up Speak Up!, a statewide effort to engage young adults in efforts to prevent violence and choose respect.

"Engaging youth in primary prevention efforts is a great way to build strong future leaders that will help change social norms around respect in their communities" said Lori Grassgreen, director of prevention programs for the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, which distributed the grants.

The 11 grants were awarded in the following communities:

1. Ketchikan - teens taught their younger peers a community unity dance and performed it.

2. Juneau - youth spent a week kayaking through Glacier Bay and discussing leadership skills.

3. Shishmaref - teens participated in a 3-day trip to promote the subsistence lifestyle of their people and share their local traditional hunting, harvesting, and safety practices.

4. Sitka - youth worked collaboratively to create the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee with the goal of promoting respect and building bridges amongst youth.

5. Venetie - young adults came together with parents and elders to bring back the traditional dances used to bring the caribou to their people.

6. Wrangell - a group of young people came together to form the Teen Action Group which set up a teen night to give youth a safe environment to turn to on Saturday nights. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

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Stolen Truck By Dave Rosendin - My Light Blue 91' Chevrolet S10 4x4 (FCT548) was stolen between Friday July 23rd and Saturday the 24th. It was parked on Tongass Avenue around the Ellis building. - More...
Tuesday - July 27, 2010

RE: Cape Fox Corp. Lack of Respect for Shareholders By Eric Trout - TO CAPE FOX SHAREHOLDERS: Marilyn Blair's letter is just another attempt to twist the issues while protecting her real personal interests. We all know there are two types of politicians, the ones who tell the truth and fight for what's right, the other politicians who twist the issues to benefit their own personal interests. Marilyn has been in the Cape Fox Board room for over 15 years I would say she has a history and experience in twisting issues. - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Water Street Sidewalks By Chris Elliott - We have a one-way tunnel with a road going the other way around it. Now we have parallel sidewalks on Water Street. - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Skateboard Park By Norm Noggle - I would like to second Vicky's suggestion to develop a skateboard park in Ketchikan. I agree that the existing half pipe at the rec center is very limited in developing skateboard riding skills. I would suggest that if there are a solid number of kids who want a qulaity skateboard park, then they need to organize (with adult assistance) and begin identifying the assets and barriers involved in the development of such a site. Some of the concerns that need to be addressed include: - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Re: Skate Park By Keith Woodard - Although I haven't really followed the skate park issue, I can sympathize with you Vicky. I know what it was like growing up as a bored teenager in this town with seemingly little to do. And I'm really saddened that as much community spirit this town has and as much as people would like to help the youth here, there still hasn't been a new skate park built among other things. - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

RE: Skate park By Lexie Jones - I'm a 24-year-old who thinks we shouldn't always be looking for handouts! - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Doing Business without insurance By Terry Miles - Recently, I took my motorcycle, that happens to be a custom chopper into a local "Detail" shop here in the Ketchikan area, to have it cleaned and detailed. The bike is worth about $75k... it's a custom.  - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Concerned about Japanese Knotweed By Melinda Stewart - Browsing Sitnews this morning I saw the letter posted on Rotary Beach. Reading the description and looking at pictures online of knotweed, it is EXACTLY what I have growing in my yard!! - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Goodbye, Don & Lois Kralis By Bill Sullivan - I was saddened to read of the passing of Don and Lois Kralis. They will be missed. - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Adhere To Immigration Laws By Donald A. Moskowitz - The federal government, working with the border states, should provide the personnel and resources to secure our borders. - More...
Monday - July 26, 2010

Wrong one fired! By Hugh T. Wilson Jr. - I was a State Certified Police Officer for the town of Metlakatla for approximately 5 years. I served the people of the community of Metlakatla to the best of my ability and I never complained. I was fired June 9, 2010 by Chief of Police Nick Yliniemi in the driveway of my home for reasons I'm still trying to figure out. Now after overcoming adversity, working hard and putting the people that deserved it behind bars, I now have to figure out how I'm supposed to support and take care of my family of 4 with one (maybe 2) on the way. - More...
Monday - July 19, 2010

Glad for our black bears By Judith Green - OK Ketchikan, aren't we glad for our black bear population? Gives us lots of opportunity for photos and stories, along with eye to eye viewing. I never get tired of yet another picture of these grand creatures with whom we share a love for local-wild salmon and fresh off the bush vitamin packed berries. - More...
Monday - July 19, 2010

Skate park By Vicky Campo - I want to know when our kids are going to get their skate park. Everything I hear is that there is always a reason why it isn't being pursued. My son is a skate boarder and he is also involved in a lot of Ketchikan's activities including High School. He is involved in basketball, football, and baseball. These kids are always being told that can't skateboard anywhere in Ketchikan besides the rec center, with the talent they have the rec center only allows so much for them. - More...
Monday - July 19, 2010

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