Alaska: Now Open: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant Opportunity for Marine Debris Removal -
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program announced their Fiscal Year 2022 NOAA Marine Debris Removal notice of funding opportunity. Funding for this opportunity is provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $56 million to fund projects that remove marine debris to benefit marine habitats and communities. This competition focuses on two priorities: removing large marine debris and using proven interception technologies to capture marine debris throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States.
The first priority will support partnerships for the development of large scale and high-value marine debris removal programs. These programs should focus on large marine debris, including abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear, and other debris that is generally unable to be collected by hand. Removal partnerships are expected to be responsive to marine debris needs throughout all coastal and marine areas in the United States, including the Great Lakes, United States territories, and Freely Associated States, including within National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves. Successful applicants are expected to have technical and administrative ability to identify, catalog, evaluate, fund, and administer such efforts through their own competitive funding programs. This is not a request for individual or localized marine debris removal projects.
The second priority of this competition focuses on implementation of proven marine debris interception technologies in coastal riverine, shoreline, estuarine, and urban environments where trash, plastics, and other persistent, reaccumulating macro-debris can be captured and removed.
Successful applicants are expected to have the technical expertise to implement these technologies, navigate and comply with all regulatory requirements associated with such projects, and properly maintain these technologies once deployed.
These two priorities will be reviewed as separate, parallel tracks under this funding opportunity, and they have different application requirements. Applicants wishing to compete under both priorities must submit separate applications for each. - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
The RCA, responsible for overseeing public utilities and pipeline services, is composed of 5 appointed commissioners. The statutory qualifications (AS 42.04.020) for RCA commissioners explicitly requires an accredited degree background or at least 5 years of practice in the technical fields of law, engineering, finance, economics, accounting, business administration or public administration. Commissioners serve 6 year terms and earn an annual salary of approximately $137,000. Appointments to the RCA must be approved by the Alaska Legislature and, for appointments following terms that expire on or before March 1st, should be presented to the legislature within the first 15 days after the Legislature convenes for regular session (AS 39.05.080).
Given that Governor Dunleavy made the appointment after the legislative session concluded, Doyle, who according to the Alaska Public Interest Research Group does not obviously meet the statutory qualifications of a RCA commissioner, will serve on the Commission without having a legislative confirmation until the legislature is back in session in Spring 2023.
“By making this appointment after the legislative session wrapped, the Governor is essentially evading the vetting process and undermining legislative authority and oversight,” said Veri di Suvero, Executive Director of the Alaska Public Interest Research Group, “the Governor had the whole session to put forward Doyle’s name, and did not. If he was so thrilled to appoint Doyle, you’d think the Governor would be willing to stand by his choice through the legislative process. It calls into question if the Governor did this to avoid questions about Doyle’s qualifications and it undermines the public’s trust in the Commission as a whole.” - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
Mariculture Enhancement Bill Becomes Law Governor Michael Dunleay signs into law the mariculture enhancement legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Ortiz . Pictured with the governor are Sam Rabung – Director of Division of Commercial Fisheries; Julie Decker – Executive Director of Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation; Liz Harpold – Staff to Rep. Dan Ortiz; Ginny Eckert – Director of Alaska Sea Grant; Caroline Hamp – Staff to Rep. Dan Ortiz; Rep. Dan Ortiz
Photo Credit: Graham Judson, House Majority Press Office
Alaska:Mariculture Enhancement Bill Becomes Law -
Friday afternoon, Governor Michael Dunleay signed into law the mariculture enhancement legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Ortiz, allowing qualified non-profits to pursue enhancement and/or restoration projects involving shellfish species, including red and blue king crab, sea cucumber, abalone, and razor clams.
“I am so excited about the new economic opportunities that Alaska’s coastal communities will have now that HB 41 is law," said Representative Dan Ortiz (I – Ketchikan). "I want to thank the myriad of stakeholders and the public for their engagement in this process over the last six years."
House Bill 41 creates a regulatory framework with which the Department of Fish and Game can manage shellfish enhancement projects, and outlines criteria for the issuance of permits. It sets out stringent safety standards to ensure sustainability and health of existing natural stocks. The Commissioner of Alaska Department of Fish and Game must also make a determination of substantial public benefit before a project can proceed. - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
A Story of Coming Home
Posted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN
Josh and Sophia Johnson
Photo Courtesy Josh Johnson
Ketchikan: A Story of Coming Home
Posted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN -
Josh Johnson and his wife Sophia made an 18 day journey to begin a permanent return to where he was born and raised.
Raised in Ketchikan and growing up just north of Ketchikan in Meyers Chuck, Johnson said, "Like many others, I went away to college and left the island, and eventually started a family and business in Phoenix Arizona as a pool contractor. My wife Sophia and I have always wanted to come home, and now that 3 out of 4 of our kids are out of the house, and in college, Air Force, etc., the time came to head back to Alaska."
Johnson shared the story of their homecoming on the “La Costa”, their custom steel Motor Sailor, a 48’ Diesel Duck. He said, "We left Kewalo Basin, Honolulu May 28th to sail 2,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean to make landfall in Southeast Alaska with a crew of four. myself, my wife Sophia, and our cousins Dwayne and Kim Glemser as crew.
Johnson said, "Our goal is to live aboard La Costa and slowly renovate an old home, formally owned by Ketchikan long time judge, Honorable Judge Gucker in Meyers Chuck in the summers, and eventually to move back full time in the next few years." - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
Ketchikan:Community Scavenger Hunt begins: KWC hosts the 3rd annual Goose Chase -
The Ketchikan Wellness Coalition is hosting the 3rd annual ‘Ketchikan Goose Chase,’ a community wide scavenger hunt riddled with quirky missions, adventures, and prizes. It will engage every facet of the community by supporting local businesses, encouraging healthy outdoor activities, and is an accessible activity for participants of all skill levels and ages.
“We’ve heard from past teams that this was their highlight of the summer, and we know that the game has something for everyone. It’s a great way to have some fun with family, friends, or even colleagues and because missions are app-based they can be completed at any time so it fits into everyone’s schedule,” shared Romanda Simpson, Executive Director of the Ketchikan Wellness Coalition.
The first Goose Chase was in the summer of 2020, at the height of the pandemic. Since then, it’s become an annual tradition with new missions to complete and new adventures.
The game period is from July 7-19 and teams can join at any point during the game period.
This mission-based scavenger hunt provides opportunities for teams to have some healthy fun while earning points towards winning cash prizes. The goal is to rack up as many points as possible while having fun and even winning some prizes along the way. - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
Ketchikan: Ketchikan rallies to help lifelong residents rebuild after 4th of July fire Posted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN -
The Fourth of July was a devastating day for the McMahon family of Ketchikan. On the evening of the Fourth of July, lifelong Ketchikan residents Michael McMahon, his fiancé Kathleen Reno Michael's son Haydn suffered a tragic house fire and lost everything.
Thankfully Michael, Kathleen and Haydn are safe and they have the amazing community of Ketchikan to help them rebuild their lives. In less than a week the GoFundMe fundraiser for the McMahons had raised over $19,000.
"The funds will go towards temporary housing, clothes , rebuilding their lives and anything they may need until they can rebuild their permanent home," Jill Jackson and Abby Kosmos organizers of a fundraiser wrote on GoFundMe. "They are very overwhelmed but want to extend how very grateful they are to the community of Ketchikan and friends from out of state wanting to help." - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
Mining's effect on fish warrants better science-based policies
By ALICE BAILEY Current and past producing metal and coal mining locations
in northwestern North America. Teal circles represent the largest currently operating mines in the region.
Courtesy of Science Advances
Alaska: Mining's effect on fish warrants better science-based policies By ALICE BAILEY -
A new paper published in Science Advances synthesizes the impact of metal and coal mines on salmon and trout in northwestern North America, and highlights the need for more complete and transparent science to inform mining policy.
It is the first comprehensive effort by an interdisciplinary group of experts that explicitly links mining policy to current understanding of watershed ecology and salmonid biology.
“Our paper is not for or against mining, but it does describe current environmental challenges and gaps in the application of science to mining governance. We believe it will provide critically needed scientific clarity for this controversial topic,” said lead author Chris Sergeant, a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences and a research scientist at the University of Montana.
For the study, experts integrated and reviewed information on hydrology, river ecology, aquatic toxicology, biology and mining policy. Their robust assessment maps more than 3,600 mines throughout Montana, Washington, British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska. The size of the mines ranges from family-run placer sites to massive open-pit projects.
The study shows that, despite impact assessments intended to evaluate risk and inform mitigation, mines continue to harm salmonid-bearing watersheds through contaminants, stream channel burial and streamflow alteration. Silt suffocates eggs, and embryos may not survive contaminated groundwater. Heavy metals compromise a salmon’s sense of smell, which affects their ability to react to predators and find their way back from the ocean to spawn.
“Not all mines pose the same level of risk, but our review revealed that harm from mining can be severe and long-lasting. The extent of mining pressures on these watersheds underscores the importance of accurately assessing risk to water, fish and communities,” said Sergeant.
The paper also describes how some mining policies do not account for the breadth and length of mining impacts on the environment, or the increasing effects of climate change.
“The crux of the issue is that salmon use so much of the watershed during their life cycle. They move throughout watersheds, whereas the impact assessments of mining projects tend to be very locally focused, and they don’t sufficiently consider all of the compounding and downstream effects of mining,” said salmon biologist and CFOS faculty member Megan McPhee. - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
Birdwatching brings millions of dollars to Alaska By HEATHER MCFARLAND
A bluethroat sings near UAF’s Toolik Field Station north of the Brooks Range. The mostly Eurasian bird’s range extends just over the Bering Sea into northern Alaska. If birders want to see a bluethroat in the Americas, they have to travel to Alaska.
Photo by Seth Beaudreault/Toolik Field Station.
Alaska: Birdwatching brings millions of dollars to Alaska By HEATHER MCFARLAND -
A committed and lucky birdwatcher in Alaska may see an elusive bluethroat north of the Brooks Range, catch a glimpse of the bold markings on a harlequin duck as it zips along an Interior river, encounter all four species of eider in Utqiaǵvik, or take in the sounds of thousands of feeding shorebirds in the Copper River Delta.
Thousands of birdwatchers flock to Alaska each year, drawn by the chance to check rare and hard-to-find species off a Big Year list. In doing so, they provide an often overlooked boost to the economy and incentive for conserving habitat.
New research by the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Audubon Alaska found that nearly 300,000 birders traveled to the state and spent about $378 million in 2016. Birdwatching supported roughly 4,300 jobs in Alaska that year, a number similar to the mining and telecommunications industries but not necessarily similar in total income for jobholders.
Compared to other tourists, birders in Alaska spent more money, stayed longer and traveled to more roadless and remote regions of the state during their visit. Prompted by the need for stealth and insider knowledge on birding spots, birdwatchers tended to travel in smaller groups and engage in more activities, like guided tours, than other nonbirders.
Beyond generating money and jobs for Alaska, birdwatching tourism is a sustainable activity and supports habitat conservation.
“Once you have visitors who are coming to Alaska spending money on viewing rare species that our surroundings provide the critical habitat for on a global scale, it becomes an incentive to keep that habitat high quality for birds,” explained Tobias Schwoerer, the study lead and an economist at the UAF International Arctic Research Center.
The segment of the Alaska tourism industry not associated with large ship, rail or bus cruise lines is often overlooked and understudied, the study noted. From Schwoerer’s perspective, it’s also an under-tapped opportunity for developing small niche ecotourism businesses, especially in rural communities graced by highly sought-after bird species.
“Independent travelers are more likely to take a flight out to the Pribilofs, or go to the Aleutians to see an exotic species they can’t find elsewhere, or book a trip with a small operator who drives Sprinter vans from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay,” Schwoerer said.
The study was inspired by visitors who departed the typical tourism path and emerged with binoculars in hand at Haines Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, where Natalie Dawson led birding hikes and bike rides. Dawson, previously with Audubon Alaska, initiated the study and recruited Schwoerer for the economic analysis. - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
Early in the season, southwest Alaska was one of the few areas in the state with below normal snowpack. Then we had a warm spring, and southwest Alaska dried out. An outbreak of thunderstorms there in late May and early June provided the spark.
Global warming has also increased theamount of fuels – the plants and trees that are available to burn. More fuel means more intense fires.
So, the weather factors – the warm spring, low snowpack and unusual thunderstorm activity – combined with multidecade warming that has allowed vegetation to grow in southwest Alaska, together fuel an active fire season.
In Alaska’s interior, much of the area has been abnormally dry since late April. So, with the lightning storms, it’s no surprise that we’re now seeing many fires in the region. The interior had about 18,000 strikes over two days in early July. - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
Columns - Commentary
PHIL KERPEN:DEMOCRATS WANT TO RAID MEDICARE TO PAY FOR OBAMACARE – AGAIN By PHIL KERPEN - There were a lot of ingredients in the 2010 Republican electoral landslide. Perhaps the most significant was that by raiding $787 billion from Medicare to pay for Obamacare, Democrats gave the “Medicare cuts” club they had used to beat Republicans over the head for decades to their opponents, who then hammered away at them.
Remarkably, twelve years later Democrats may – in a last-ditch attempt to salvage something from the wreckage of Build Back Better – repeat the exact same mistake again.
This time the conceit is that they can drain $200 billion or more from Medicare prescription drug spending and somehow sell that to seniors politically by calling it “drug pricing reform” – then use that money to buy political support via more generous Obamacare subsidies. - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
Like the movie “Groundhog Day,” it happens again and again after a mass shooting, like the one at a July 4th parade near Chicago that killed seven people and wounded two dozen.
The professional anti-gun mob – i.e., liberal Democrats and the major media outlets – immediately spring into action and exploit the tragedy as much as they can.
As they did last week, they automatically blame guns, renew their calls for stricter gun reforms or dream about completely outlawing the private ownership of guns.
It doesn’t matter if the mass shooter was crazy, a terrorist or just plain evil, the gun-control nuts are as unrealistic and dishonest as they are predictable. - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
TAYLOR KOVAR: Ask Taylor: Any tips for college students in managing money By Taylor J Kovar, CFP® - Hey Taylor: I’ve got two kids in college and I’m excited about their future careers but nervous about how they’ll manage their money. Any tips I can pass their way? - Sydney
Hey Sydney: So. Many. Tips. Understanding how to make, save, and spend money is invaluable for anyone transitioning from a carefree teen to a responsible adult. Most lessons are learned through experience, but preparing your adult children for those experiences is what can make all the difference. - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
FINANCIAL FOCUS: What to expect from a financial advisor Provided By BEN EDWARDS, AAMS® - If you know how important it is to invest for your future, but you’re unsure of the road to follow, you may want to get some guidance and direction from a financial professional. But if you’ve never worked with one before, what can you expect?
Here are some things to look for:
• Assessment – A financial advisor will assess your current financial situation – assets, income, debts and so on – but that’s just the start. These days, advisors recognize the need to view their clients’ lives holistically. Consequently, you will see questions like this: What are your feelings about investing? How would you judge your risk tolerance? What are your individual financial goals? What hopes and dreams do you have for your family? - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
Ketchikan Borough Most Current Annual Financial Report (2020)
The Borough’s net position exceeded its liabilities by $185,048,748 for the fiscal year reported (2020). Download and read the full report.
That’s why we did not expect that on June 25, 2022, President Joe Biden would sign into law a bill containing a set of gun reform provisions known as the “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.”
Based on our expertise studying public opinion and the U.S. Congress, here are four reasons we believe some gun control measures got enacted this time around. - More...
Sunday - July 10, 2022
A letter to the Ketchikan community
By Rodney Dial
- Friends, it’s been a while since I wrote a letter to the community. In light of recent events now seems like the right time. As many of you are aware, two issues, one involving the Borough and the other the City have preoccupied public discourse over the last two months. Specifically for the Borough, grant funding for the Ketchikan Pride Alliance (KPA) and for the City, the Drag Queen event at the Library.
Generally at this point in a discussion regarding a topic like this most feel compelled to add the standard disclaimer “I have nothing against _X_ group ”. However, as I have never written or said anything in my life against the group I am about to discuss, I see no reason to disprove a negative, or justify my right of free speech.
The Borough issue was/is as simple as this… should the Borough fund the Ketchikan Pride Alliance. That was all this issue was about. It had nothing to do with:
• Should KPA exist
• Does KPA contribute to the community
KPA has existed for years and no one (including me) has suggested that KPA and its members do not have the Constitutional right to exist and engage in lawful activities in Ketchikan. KPA has existed for years without governmental support and would have continued to exist without Borough support. - More...
Thursday - June 30, 2022
Return of Prince Rupert Ferry Run By Prince Rupert Mayor Mayor Lee Brain and Rep. Dan Ortiz - This past month, the Alaska Department of Transportation reinstated the Prince Rupert Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) route. Rep. Dan Ortiz of Ketchikan and Mayor Lee Brain of Prince Rupert are jointly writing this letter to illustrate our supportive working relationship on the issue of reinstating this route for over the past two years. Rep. Dan Ortiz had the opportunity to ride “inaugural return voyage” of the AMHS to Prince Rupert to meet with officials there, including Mayor Brain.
The relationship between Prince Rupert and Ketchikan is an important one as they are sister cities. Officials from Prince Rupert come to Southeast Alaska roughly 3 times per year to discuss transboundary, transportation, and economic issues.
The ferry route connecting Prince Rupert and Ketchikan brings strong economic benefits to both Prince Rupert and the communities of Southern Southeast Alaska. It is the fastest way to connect Southern Southeast with the road system, and therefore is helpful in shipping goods. According to the McKinley Research Group (formerly known as the McDowell Group), seafood companies rely on this port connection to ship fresh seafood. During a time when freight costs have increased substantially, it is wonderful to have this route option available again.
The Prince Rupert run is ideal for longer-term visitors to Alaska. Economic data indicates that folks who visit Alaska via the AMHS spend significantly more money in our communities than the average cruise ship passenger, bringing economic benefits to both Southeast Alaska and British Columbia. This route also helps new-to-town movers, particularly members of the Coast Guard, as they navigate transporting their belongings in and out of Southeast Alaska. - More...
Thursday - June 30, 2022
"What is a woman?" By Steven Booth - The unspoken rule for attempting to answer The Daily Wire's, Matt Walsh question, in his new controversial film, "what is a woman?” is that you must give the answer that Matt Walsh wants to hear, because that is all that will fit in his myopic view. For him it appears there is only one answer, his. If you stray from those rules, he will attempt to correct you by stating that you must make the answer simple. Matt wants to say it is about "simple biology", yet, when the complications of biology is used, he will dismiss those facts because differences of opinion discussions morph into arguments where we have different facts. In my opinion, the question more difficult to answer is, "explain what is God, give 3 examples, and keep under one paragraph". It is my belief that Matt Walsh never intended to ask the question to understand why people believe that there is a spectrum of gender differences or why some men believe, that on a spectrum, they are more woman than a man.
The questions is to create controversial content through controversial issues in order to get views, because views makes him and the daily wire more money. Daily wire is taking a play right out of Facebook’s algorithm tactics to increase engagement and then keep people engaged. It is a model that prioritizes profit. In order to maximize engagement from both sides of the issue, they stoke controversy, misinformation, and extremism (conveniently, for the daily wire, in their opinion, that extremism is only coming from other groups): "put simply, people just like outrageous stuff."
"What is a woman?" A person born female, whose sex development did not differ in any way, or form any variation form the "Eve" originally created and developed by God. Good enough one line answer for Matt Walsh? Probably not, because it still suggests that there is a spectrum between a man and a woman. - More...
Thursday - June 30, 2022
Let's let the children of our community remain innocent and enjoy their childhood
By Ann Graham Radford
- I spoke to the Ketchikan City Council on June 16th and urged them to cancel the upcoming Drag Queen Story time at Ketchikan Public Library.Some of my reasons are that children across the nation are already being confused about their bodies through all they see and hear in today’s culture.We know there is a widespread phenomenon occurring today, particularly among young girls who are suddenly deciding they are transgender.Why has this become a current trend among teenagers and young adults?In previous eras, young women had “the vapors” and fainting back in the 1800’s; more recently there have been widespread eating disorders.Now the rising trend is to be transgender.Why?Some studies have shown it is because of the influence of culture, particularly through the internet, and peer pressure.- More...
Tuesday - June 21, 2022
Ketchikan Public Library's Story Time By Kathy Flora - I’ve been a tax paying resident of the Ketchikan for 50 years, with the help of the Ketchikan Public Library I’ve raised 3 beautiful children. We went to a wide variety of guest readers at Story Time. - More...
Tuesday - June 21, 2022
Drag Queen Story Hour
By Robert Holston
- What our children need more than ever in these times is STABILITY. Stable homes, stable families, stable communities, stable education. The opposite of stability is CONFUSION. Knowing that up is up and down is down is a good thing. Wondering about these FACTS is a BAD THING. - More...
Sunday - June 12, 2022
TIME TO FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR KETCHIKAN'S BOROUGH MAYOR By David G Hanger - The KGB Mayor of course, is Rodney Dial, our not so erstwhile Mayor who earned that handle by seeking to claim in order to get elected college credibility and experience on the basis of a few courses at the community college. “College Boy” is a grade schooler, and while that is not disqualifying respective the position he currently holds (Most of our city and borough mayors have been grade schoolers, and none were in any sense exceptional.), it was an intentional attempt to elevate himself by disparaging advanced education and those who have attained it. This is a popular point of view in this country these days; the simple fact that one does not have a college education, is not capable of attaining such, is sufficient in itself to degrade those who are educated.
There is nothing more disgusting, not even the soldier bit, than an individual who claims educational experience and qualification he or she does not have. Sometimes you go to prison for it. Mayor Rodney Dial in fact is very one-dimensional, and he will never be a college man. He does not have the guts or the capacity to be a college man. - More...
Sunday - June 12, 2022
Why would I talk to them? Research shows we can talk across our political divides By Melinda Burrell - As we look at the pictures from Uvalde, Buffalo, and other mass shootings, we’re having agonized conversation. It seems inconceivable that “the other side” could look at those same photos yet reach utterly different conclusions about their meanings. - More...
Thursday - June 02, 2022
Pelosi & Roe VS Wade By Rob Holston -
Nancy Pelosi just emailed me stating she’s never been so angry in her life! And that she refuses to let Republican MEN shame, attack and imprison women for fighting for the right to kill their pre born innocent children?(paraphrased) What about the 10’s of 1,000’s of Republican WOMEN who don’t agree with Nancy and choose to protect the innocent life of the pre-born children. A vast majority of Republican MEN & WOMEN favor reproductive rights for women. No Republican that I know of would mean to prevent any woman from having a baby, i.e. “reproductive rights”. Nancy and her followers adhere to the ROE decision but perhaps fail to read the Supreme Court majority opinion. - More...
Thursday - June 02, 2022
Sealaska Shareholders vote "NO" on The Blood Quantum Resolution By Dominic Salvato
- The blood quantum resolution removes the last obstacle standing in the way of total domination by Sealaska's management over shareholders. By allowing more shareholders Sealaska moves original shareholders and their votes out of management's way. - More...
Thursday - June 02, 2022
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