JUNEAU, ALASKA
Murkowski says the latest draft guarantees public access to traditional trail routes Sealaska could select. It also makes sure the state and Forest Service can use roads and log transfer sites on newly selected parcels.
Another change would remove 765 acres on Tuxekan Island, off western Prince of Wales Island, to protect salmon streams. Yet another would clarify boundaries of proposed conservation areas on northern Prince of Wales and Koscuisko Islands.
Spokesman Robert Dillon says the changes are a result of suggestions made at earlier meetings.
“They also take into consideration the comments and concerns of the Democratic staff of the Senate Energy Committee, as well as work with Sealaska and other stakeholders on hammering out the final language,” he says.
The bill builds on legislation that died when the last Congress adjourned. Dillon says Murkowski hopes to introduce the new version this spring. First stop would be the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where she is the ranking Republican member.
The first meeting will be 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, February 21st, at Ketchikan Borough Assembly Chambers on Whitecliff Drive. The other will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 22nd, at the Craig High School Auditorium.
The committee’s Republican staff director will represent Murkowski.
“McKie Campbell will be there to listen to the concerns and answer any questions people might have on the new draft. It’s a nice opportunity to have a one-on-one exchange and have their views recorded and brought back to the committee,” Dillon says.
Murkowski staff held about a dozen meetings around Southeast last year. They were often contentious, with shareholders, loggers, environmentalists and fishermen presenting opposing views. Sealaska would use most of the land for timber harvests.
Dillon says only two meetings are scheduled so far this time around. But he says those who cannot attend will be able to submit comments online.
Details of the bill and the meetings are posted at the senator’s website, http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=SealaskaLandBill
The legislation would allow Sealaska to select about 80,000 acres of land from the Tongass National Forest. The regional corporation has the right to claim acreage within boundaries set under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. This bill would allow selections outside those boundaries.
Congressman Don Young is expected to re-introduce his own version of the bill later this year.
We’ll have further reports on bill-change details, as well as cover the meetings
Here are links to our recent in-depth series on the legislation:
Part 1: The Sealaska bill debate: Select land inside or outside the box?
Part 2: Sealaska bill's impact on SE timber industry
Part 3: Critics target Sealaska bill's environmental impacts
Part 4: Sealaska futures sites promise new opportunities,
Part 5: Sacred sites included in Sealaska legislation
Part 6: Sealaska bill faces challenges in Congress
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