More than 100 Sitkans turned up at a community listening session earlier this week (4-27-26) to give input on the Tongass National Forest land management plan. For the first time in around 3 decades, the United States Forest Service is in the midst of revising the plan that shapes how the agency makes decisions on the forest. Some pushed back on the methodology and speed, as well as the proposed maps, which include designating parts of nearby Kruzof Island as “high commercial use.”

The room was so packed in Sitka’s Harrigan Centennial Hall, that some community members asked organizers to remove a temporary wall on one side to make more space. Folks squeezed in to share their thoughts on the land management planning process for the Tongass National Forest. 

The draft plan is not out yet- that will be released later this year. But the Forest Service is looking for feedback on some preliminary content. Here’s Deputy Forest Supervisor Barb Miranda:

“I fully expect that our forest plan will end up not looking anything like the maps up there,” Miranda said. “We want to hear what you think about these ideas, and we want your reaction to them.”

Miranda noted posters lining the walls around the room that illustrate a potential “rezoning” of Tongass into fewer management areas. Some of the same designations like “old growth habitat” are still in use, along with  some new ones, like “community use” and “high” and “low” commercial recreation. 

“So how did we come about drawing these lines on a map? It was a geospatial exercise. Commercial recreation was only drawn for towns with large cruise ship docks, and the thought was that maybe we should, maybe, and these are all just conversation starters, maybe we should have some places where you can expect there to be high amounts of commercial recreation,” Miranda said.

There wasn’t an opportunity to provide public testimony at the event. Instead the audience was asked to share feedback through various surveys and activities set up around the room. Still, during a quick question and answer session after Miranda’s presentation, several community members raised concerns about the content that was shared. Some flagged the map designating parts of nearby Kruzof Island, the location of Mt. Edgecumbe volcano, as “high commercial recreation.”

Charlie Skultka Jr. wanted to know who made that proposal.

“My question, who did that? How do we find out who suggested that internally?” asked Charlie Skultka Jr.

Caroline Hodur reiterated his concerns. 

“The reason why it’s so important is that we want to be comfortable with these decisions and who is driving them, because if there are groups who are driving them, that we all kind of know, then we also know that our opinions don’t matter,” Hodur said.

“And there’s groups that are even higher than the city and the state that are driving this deregulation,” Skultka said.

“So that’s that’s why we’re animated, because this is very, very important to us,” Hodur said.

Miranda said there was no outside influence on how the map lines were drawn. 

“That was just like, ‘What can we put out there so that you guys can react to something?’ We got you here,” Miranda said. “If there is a place where…you want protected, then please. That’s what, exactly what we want to hear.”

Concerns were also raised about how Alaska fisheries were prioritized in the plan material – and about the speed and methods of the process itself. Tory O’Connell Curran said the maps should be born out of the community first. 

“Could we just make a gray map for each of these communities, redo these community groups, and ask people, like Charlie, to draw the map that he would like?” Curran suggested. “And sure you’re going to have disagreements, but the final product of that map will reflect the actual community use and their concerns about fisheries, their concerns about surfing, their concerns about how we’re trying to get by in this changing climate.”

Miranda said they wished that was an option, but they’re on a tight timeline. Linda Behnken pushed back. 

“Is it true, though, that you are moving this at a faster timeline than you’re required to by law? I mean, this is a rush job, right?” Behnken said. “And I think that’s what you’re hearing from communities. You’re pushing this through too fast, and these are huge changes being proposed, and our communities don’t want it changes way, and we certainly don’t want to be rushed through a process that has this big impact on our livelihood.”

Miranda said, “There are some things that are in our control and some things that are not.” But they want the public involved.

“I want you to continue to look over our shoulder, and we’re going to be as transparent as possible,” Miranda said.

The Forest Service will take comments on the draft plan’s initial content until May 6. The draft plan will be released in November, which will be followed by a 90 day comment window. The final plan will be released next summer. 

View the draft plan content here

Comment on the plan materials here

The United States Forest Service wants the public to weigh in on how it defines areas of the Tongass National Forest, as part of the revision process of the Tongass Land Management Plan. Andrew Thoms joins KCAW for the Morning Interview to discuss an upcoming community workshop on Monday (4-27-26) to break down the proposed changes, what it would mean for Sitkans (particularly in regards to tourism), and how one can make their voice heard on the matter.

Editor’s Note (4-24-26): Headline has been updated to reflect how the Sitka Conservation Society is not hosting the workshop, but rather the Alaska Longline Fisherman’s Association

Murkowski strongly urges Alaskans to make their voices heard on the new Tongass plan that’s being created for the next 15 years. The public comment period ends on May 6th. Many environmentalists and organizations have critiqued the proposed land management plan. They say it gives minimal attention to commercial fishing and cultural subsistence practices, while placing heavy emphasis on logging and large-scale tourism development.

“You have an administration in play right now who is very, very aggressive, leaning into resource development, including on the timber harvest and management side,” says Murkowski. “We get that, but we also recognize that the Tongass is a multiple use forest. Always has been, always will be. And so we need to hear from not only those that are speaking on the cultural and the subsistence side, but on the tourism side, all the other activities that go on within the Tongass.”

Additionally, the planned relocation of the U.S. Forest Service’s national office to Salt Lake City has also raised environmental concerns and how it could potentially result in the relocation of an already minimized workforce in Alaska. Murkowski says that she anticipates Alaska to be “untouched” by the change. However, she says she is continuing to closely monitor the situation, as there are still some areas of uncertainty. They don’t know which positions would be relocated, and what that would mean for the science office in Juneau.

“I think it’s really important that we retain this office and the people so this effort to try to get more forest service folks out of Washington, DC, into the West [continues],” says Murkowski. “I think we’re asking the right questions. I think the jury is still out in terms of whether or not we’re getting the answers that we need in order to do the work.” 

Another regional hot topic is funding for the Alaska Marine Highway System. Murkowski helped steer over $700 million to Alaska’s ferry system through the bipartisan Infrastructure Act under the Biden administration. In her annual address to the state legislature, Murkowski said that she was “very disappointed” with the Alaska government’s management of the federal funding. While she says she is moving forward with various initiatives to secure more funding, Murkowski says nothing’s guaranteed. 

“I’m trying to be confident with all things…But it’s a $78 million hole. That’s substantial,” says Murkowski. “I want to make sure that what we have is a marine highway system that is standing on its own. That the state of Alaska has made a commitment towards… It is the Alaska Marine Highway System. It is not the Federal Marine Highway System.”

Additionally, the Trump administration’s attacks on DEI initiatives have drawn scrutiny over the qualifications for the Section 8(a) program, which impacts small businesses and Alaska Native Corporations. However, Murkowski says there is bipartisan support for the program, which she says has been hugely beneficial for Alaska. 

“The delegation has been very united on recognizing that when this program was created many decades ago, it was to not only provide economic empowerment, it was really designed to help fulfill one of the promises under [the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act] in terms of self determination,” says Murkowski. “And so I think part of this is just a failure to fully understand what that means and why it was established in the first place.”

Outmigration is an increasing concern in Southeast Alaska, with roughly 24% of all Alaskan workers living outside the state. Murkowski says that retaining Alaskan residents is of the upmost importance to her as a senator and a mother, with one of her sons living outside of Alaska due to the perceived lack of opportunity. However, Murkowski says she is highly optimistic about the growing unique professional opportunities and lifestyle benefits that Alaska has to offer. 

“There is a lot of cool stuff that is going on that should be exciting for young people, but excitement doesn’t pay your mortgage. Excitement doesn’t get you into a house or help you afford the cost of groceries,” says Murkowski. “But we have a bonus here in this area, and that is not only a natural beauty of our surroundings, but a generosity of heart with people that make it really special, even during some tough times.”

The Senate is currently in recess until April 16th.

The US Forest Service and Smokey Bear invite Sitkans to a holiday social from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, December 18, at the Forest Service office on Halibut Point Road. Megan Chamberlain and Ashley Bolwerk from the Forest Service joined KCAW’s Peter Apathy to discuss the gathering. Listen here:

Time is running out to recommend new locations for Forest Service cabins in Alaska, or to suggest major improvements to existing cabins.

The Alaska Region of the US Forest Service has over $14 million to spend on cabin projects in the Tongass and Chugach national forests, thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden last year. The deadline for public comment is Monday, October 31.

Note: Public comment on the Alaska Region Cabin Projects closes at the end of the day on Monday, October 31. You can find a link to make a comment on any proposed project in the Tongass or Chugach national forests here.

Through earlier public scoping efforts, the Forest Service has identified 50 possible locations for  development or improvements in both the Tongass and Chugach. The proposed projects are on an interactive map online, so rather than having to write a formal comment letter to the Forest Service, residents can just click on a site and leave a comment. Although there are 50 possibilities, the agency says that not all will be selected. This process is intended to help the agency narrow down the choices. As of Friday, October 28, the Forest Service has received 1,060 comments on the proposals. Alaska Region Public Affairs director Jacqueline Chandler says she’s been “pleasantly surprised” by the number of responses so far.

Two locations around Sitka have already generated feedback: One is a cabin accessible from the road system, and the other a cabin accessible by boat.

Residents have offered several ideas for the road system cabin, including a possible site on Harbor Mountain, and another between Blue Lake and Beaver Lake, accessible by a hike up the Herring Cove Trail. This latter is called a backpacking cabin. One commenter wrote, “It would be nice to have a cabin to backpack into from the road system far enough back that you have to work to get there and partiers won’t use it as much.” This person suggested a site 4 or 5 miles up the Indian River Trail.

Several people mentioned trying to limit the harmful impacts associated with having a cabin that is easily  accessible from town. One wrote, “I would like to see more safety shelters in hike-in areas. I don’t necessarily want to attract the impacts associated with fully developed public use cabins to alpine areas.”

The boat-accessible cabin would ideally be a short hike in from a beach, and have a safe anchorage. The location marked on the Forest Service website is popular beach in Promisla Bay, on Krestof Island, but the language states “the project location on this map is just a placeholder.”

To date, there are far fewer comments on the boat-accessible cabin than on the road-accessible cabin. Residents suggest a cabin in upper Krestof Sound or Sukoi Inlet, or on outside waters in Gilmer Bay or Sea Lion Cove.

One person also recommended rebuilding the old Civilian Conservation Corps shelter on the trail from Goddard to Redoubt Lake.

Baby Bear Bay and the Vixen Islands were also suggested as possible cabin locations.

There are also possibilities for new cabins outside of the Sitka District. One idea is for a cabin adjacent to the Bohemia Basin dock owned by the City of Pelican in Lisianski Strait. Other new cabins have been proposed at Freshwater Bay and False Bay on Chichagof Island. Major improvements have been proposed for the GreenTop cabin and the Sitkoh Lake West cabin. Both the Hoonah and the Petersburg Ranger Districts have identified several possible projects.

One other improvement proposed by the Sitka  district: Bear-proof food storage containers at all cabins, to replace the wood-and-wire mesh boxes now found on most.

The Forest Service doesn’t want to hear about just possible cabins; the agency is also interested in features. There’s a survey form where users can comment on the number of people cabins should accommodate, and whether they should include covered porches, fire pits, and the like. The form even allows users to upload a photo or a file to help illustrate their point.

The proposed projects in both the Tongass and Chugach are intentionally situated relatively close to communities, to meet increasing demand for recreation in the national forests. They’ll also use as much local labor and locally-available wood as practical.

The estimated start time for many of the proposed projects are in 2023 and 2024. Most will require formal environmental impact analysis.

Lawton and Guy, were taking a drive down Sawmill Creek Road around 3 PM when the couple spotted the avalanche across the cove. 

“We just happened to look up,” said Lawton, “And all of this snow comes barreling down the mountain.”

“When you saw with your naked eye, it was really something else watching those trees get swallowed up. Took huge Sitka spruce and just buried them in snow,” Guy said.

Sitka Fire Department staff confirmed there were no search and rescue responses associated with the avalanche.

In an email to KCAW, Utility Director Scott Elder wrote that “while it looked impressive,” the avalanche didn’t deposit enough snow to warrant road closure, and roads to both Green Lake and Blue Lake are currently open for electric department personnel.

Watch Lawton’s video here:

Editor’s Note: This story was updated 1/5/21 to include additional information provided by Utility Director Scott Elder.

Sitka District Ranger Perry Edwards joined KCAW’s Erin Fulton to give an update on what’s happening with the US Forest Service this fall, and to share his thought on his final day on the job. Edwards has led Sitka’s USFS office for seven years. Before that, he spent nine years as a biologist with the organization. Listen here:

The Forest Service is kicking off a project to restore and enhance the Starrigavan Watershed from damage sustained during the 2014 landslides. Mike Mullin and Marty Becker joined KCAW’s Erin Fulton in the studio to discuss the project that kicks off today (2-5-2020). Listen here:

More than 50 people turned out Tuesday night for a town hall meeting on the Roadless Rule organized by the Sitka Conservation Society. 

The Trump Administration has proposed exempting Alaska from the 2001 rule designed to protect large swaths of public land from further development and resource extraction. 

Critics of the proposal believe that a full exemption would lead to increased old-growth logging on the Tongass National Forest. 

The town hall was designed to bring people up to speed on the current debate over the rule, answer questions about Forest Service land management practices, and demonstrate how to craft an effective public comment. 

Everyone who spoke at the event was in favor of preserving the Roadless Rule in some form or another. Zach LaPerriere, a woodworker and small-scale logger, said he doesn’t support the current timber industry model of shipping unprocessed trees abroad.

“Having an interest in the timber industry, I’d like one to be here in 50 years or in 100 years,” LaPerriere said. “And exporting round logs to Asia is not a sustainable endeavor. It’s 1950s thinking.” 

Others brought up concerns about the potential impact on salmon fisheries, if spawning streams are degraded due to more logging. Marsh Skeele, a fisherman-owner of Sitka Salmon Shares, says he sees economic reasons for keeping the Roadless Rule. 

“To me, having the Roadless Rule in place keeps my business viable,” Skeele said. “It keeps me here economically. It keeps healthy salmon populations.” 

The Forest Service will hold a number of public meetings and subsistence hearings on the proposed exemption in the coming weeks: they will be in Yakutat and Tenakee Springs on November 5th, Kake on November 8th, and Angoon and Sitka on November 12th. 

The public comment period is open now through December 17th.