Ketchikan: In the Face of Political Uncertainty, Tongass Transition Collaborative Stress Importance of Local Partnerships - Earlier this month, members of the Tongass Transition Collaborative (TTC) met with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) leadership and staff to discuss their vision for the future of the Tongass National Forest and implementation of the Tongass Land & Resource Management Plan. Throughout the meeting, a theme emerged around the importance of local partnerships and collaboration to achieve shared goals for forest management.

According to the Tongass Transition Collaborative charter, this is a diverse group of stakeholders who are concerned with management of the Tongass National Forest. They have come together to help achieve a successful transition to primarily young growth forest based management. To achieve Secretary Vilsack’s July 2,2013 memorandum 1044-099 to “speed the transition away from old-growth timber harvesting and towards a forest industry that utilizes second growth... in a way that preserves a viable timber industry that provides jobs and opportunities for residents of Southeast Alaska

According a TCC news release, at the national-level, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Chief of the USFS have recognized the importance of identifying opportunities for collective action through partnerships and engagement with states, non-governmental organizations, Native villages, and local citizens that share a vision of healthy forests and communities.

To achieve this vision, those attending the meeting acknowledged, it will be necessary to work effectively with partners to promote a sense of shared stewardship and responsibility.

Regional Forester, Beth Pendleton, emphasized alignment with these objectives for the Alaska Region of the USFS: “There is a growing focus in the Region to achieve common goals related to all parts of the [USFS] mission…not just on the National Forest, but with programs that serve the entire state, including forest health, the cooperative fire [management] program, and state and private forestry.”

On the Tongass National Forest, the Tongass Transition Collaborative members stated significant progress has been made due to this collaborative approach to management. Building on consensus recommendations put forward by the multi-stakeholder Tongass Advisory Committee (TAC), partnerships have emerged with the USFS, State of Alaska Divisions of Forestry and Economic Development, the Alaska Forestry Association, conservation organizations, Sealaska Timber, and University of Alaska Trust Lands, among many others.

Quoting the Tongass Transition Collaborative news release, these partnerships have resulted in successful implementation of robust forest inventory and data collection for over twenty thousand acres of young growth, workforce development training, seasonal and permanent employment opportunities for local residents, coordinated timber sale planning between multiple landowners in the region, and a Good Neighbor Authority timber sale that will provide 29 million board feet of young growth timber with a portion of proceeds benefiting habitat restoration on the Forest. 

The Tongass Transition Collaborative members said these actions represent an important shift in the culture of conflict surrounding Tongass forest management to one that embraces solutions that are inclusive of diverse viewpoints and seek opportunities for effective, efficient implementation of management decisions.

During a round of reflections at the meeting, Forest Supervisor Earl Stewart reflected on how the situation has shifted over the past five-ten years, and the opportunity to build on the progress that has been made. He left the group with a challenge: “Do not fail to recognize that the table could be much larger, the issues we take on could be much larger, and the opportunities for Southeast Alaska could be much more lasting.” - More...
Wednesday PM - December 27, 2017

Alaska: Alaskan microgrids offer energy resilience and independence - The electrical grid in the contiguous United States is a behemoth of interconnected systems. If one section fails or is sabotaged, millions of citizens could be without power. Remote villages in Alaska provide an example of how safeguards could build resilience into a larger electrical grid. These communities rely on microgrids -- small, local power stations that operate autonomously. Nine articles in the recent issue of the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, from AIP Publishing, provide the first reviews of energy technologies and costs for microgrids in Alaska.

"The integration of renewable resources into microgrids is an active area of research," Erin Whitney, a researcher at the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, University of Alaska Fairbanks said. "Alaskan communities are at the forefront of thinking about integrating sustainable, local, and often renewable, energy into their power generation portfolios."

Unlike the Lower 48, Alaska's terrain makes it difficult and cost prohibitive to establish a large-scale electrical grid. Instead, microgrids provide permanent, self-sufficient islands of electricity that can produce up to 2 megawatts of electricity for remote communities. Alaskan microgrids provide electricity for more than 200 communities and generate more than 2 million hours of operating experience annually.

Reducing energy costs is the driving factor for implementing renewable energy in remote grids. According to Whitney, many Alaskan communities are motivated to find local energy solutions to reduce the cost of shipping expensive diesel fuel to power their microgrids.

"Some communities are so remote that they can only get fuel delivered once or twice a year when the ice melts and a barge can move up the river," Whitney said. "This situation translates into some of the highest energy costs in the nation."

Whitney explains that oil and local, renewable resources can work in tandem to supply electricity to microgrids. A diesel generator typically provides base power generation, while renewable energy sources reduce the load on the generators and save fuel, lowering energy costs. - More...
Wednesday PM - December 27, 2017

Guyselman received the first ever Emerging Leader Award for her accomplishments in the credit union industry. She was chosen for this national award out of many nominations from all over the United States.

Her accomplishments include creating the credit union’s first marketing plan, increasing social media followers and awareness, and creating a career progression program for front-line branch staff.

Guyselman is also an active community volunteer. She serves on the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce board, is a member of Rotary 2000, is the Vice President of Public Relations for First City Toastmasters, and is a VITA Tax Volunteer.

Guyselman has been with TFCU for over three years and has been in the financial industry for ten years. As winner of the award Guyselman received a scholarship to attend the Emerging Leader Institute in San Diego. Guyselman said she had a great time and met several credit union peers, including one from Anchorage. - More...
Wednesday PM - December 27, 2017