Angela Denning, CoastAlaska, Author at KCAW

Fish passage project near Gustavus complete after 8th bridge

An eight-bridge project over the Good River near Gustavus has finally drawn to a close. It’s part of a national fish passage program that received $40 million in last year’s federal infrastructure law. The project in Southeast Alaska should help juvenile fish maneuver through the waterway.

Southeast Alaska tribal groups seek logging stopped at historic site

Controversy over a logging project near Yakutat in Southeast Alaska has intensified. The local tribe, an archaeologist and others say a site that’s being logged is home to centuries-old ruins that could provide clues into the history of Southeast Alaska’s Indigenous people. “We know we had a village there," said tribal council member, Victoria Demmert. "And we know there are historical sites there and we want Yak-Tat Kwaan to stop and let archaeologists get in there before everything's destroyed.”

Former Alaska couple ordered to pay $1.47 million for fraud against Yakutat elder

The couple took hundreds of thousands of dollars and used it to retire early and buy a home in Texas. “So when it comes down to it, what we learned throughout this lawsuit was that these individuals, the Siglers. . .they took 63% of all of the assets that Neva had on hand, not counting her house,” said Beth Goldstein, an attorney with the state’s Office of Public Advocacy.

Salmon hatchery operator agrees to pay $1 million for environmental violations

A salmon hatchery operator in Prince William Sound has agreed to pay a $1 million fine for hazardous waste violations. Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation pled guilty to illegally burning fuel and waste at its hatcheries, which led to a worker being seriously injured.

Yak Timber shuts down after shareholder opposition

Yakutat's village corporation, Yak-Tat Kwaan, Inc. cites opposition to the Khantaak logging operation as its reason for shutting down. Yet, shareholders say the corporation set itself up for failure by taking out loans, acquiring equipment, and getting into more debt without communicating with shareholders.

U.S. Forest Service seeks to restore logged area on Admiralty Island

The US Forest Service is proposing to restore land on an island in the Tongass National Forest that has been logged in past decades. The federal agency wants this 23,000 acres of developed land to match the wilderness area that surrounds it.