By ARIADNE WILL
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly voted 5-1 Tuesday night to add language to a letter sent by the City of Sitka to the state. The letter concerns the 10-year lease of a portion of No Thorofare Bay to a Sitka resident for a sugar kelp mariculture operation.
Valorie Nelson voted against the motion, saying she felt it was “inappropriate.”
The letter was sent to the state today. The added language asks the state to extend the public comment period on the lease, to give notice to all Sitkans, and to assume more responsibility of the potential introduction of invasive species.
The matter was raised by Assembly member Rebecca Himschoot.
At the meeting, Himschoot said she believes mariculture such as what is proposed at No Thorofare Bay is important, but that not enough public notice has been given to Sitkans.
She said that based on how often the public uses No Thorofare Bay, she feels the state should allow additional time for Sitkans to comment.
“The users of this bay include small boat owners of all types, but the invitation to comment was narrowed to property owners near the proposed farm site,” she said, reading from language she drafted to add to the city’s letter to the state. “The City of Sitka believes this does not capture the full scope of affected community members.”
“Nobody knew this was happening,” Assembly member Thor Christianson said at the meeting.
Christianson lives near Jamestown Bay and received notice regarding the lease, but said he didn’t feel he was given enough information.
“I really feel that this process was streamlined a little (too) much,” he said.
Richard Wein questioned how mitigation of invasive species will take place if they are introduced. He suggested an insurance or bond be purchased for the area.
“This is Sitka,” he said. “We need to be considerate — this is our backyard.”
