By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
A resolution expressing the city’s support for the “No Action” alternative on the Tongass Roadless Rule exemption process will be on the agenda of Tuesday’s Assembly meeting.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall, preceded by a 5 p.m. work session about the 2021 budget process. The meeting and work session are open to the public.
The U.S. Forest Service is considering exempting Alaska from the national Roadless Rule, and is taking public comment through Dec. 17.
Assembly members Kevin Knox and Steven Eisenbeisz co-sponsored the “No Action” resolution.
The resolution’s “be it resolved” sections says the economic livelihoods of Sitkans would be harmed by lifting the Roadless Rule for Alaska, and asks for the Forest Service to invest in other programs, such as workforce development, watershed repair, protecting subsistence, and small-scale timber production.
Knox says he has received some 40 emails so far in support of the resolution.
“I think it’s something the Assembly needs to weigh in on,” he said today. “It seems to be a big majority in support of the resolution, in how they feel about removal of the Tongass from the Roadless Rule.”
A number of tribal governments from Southeast Alaska and the Northwest, private tour operators, and the communities of Elfin Cove, Gustavus, Pelican, and Skagway have already passed resolutions in support of Alternative 1, the “No Action” alternative, which would leave the Tongass covered in the 2001 national rule.
Knox said he worked with Eisenbeisz, and used resources available online, and provided to him by such organizations as Sitka Conservation Society, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Alaska Trollers Association, all of which opposed the full exemption of the Tongass from the national rule. The Sitka Fish and Game Advisory Committee joined in with its own resolution Nov. 13.
Mayor Gary Paxton said today he has been working on possible compromise language related to the timber industry with Sitka Conservation Society Director Andrew Thoms.
The draft prepared by Knox and Eisenbeisz cites the benefits of protecting the forest for other industries, including tourism, recreation and fishing, and for subsistence fishing, hunting and gathering.
“Whereas, the City and Borough of Sitka believes that the resources and time of the Forest Service is better spent improving and streamlining existing permitting process for projects in inventoried roadless areas without pursuing a whole-scale exemption,” states the resolution.
The Forest Service’s preferred alternative is for full exemption.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda are:
– recognition of Sitka’s being awarded the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize.
– a proclamation of Small Business Saturday in Sitka.
– approval of a liquor license renewal for Bayview Pub.
– appointment of Denise Ewing to a three-year term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission.
– amendment of the city code related to the duties of the director of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park.
– a supplemental appropriation of $15,500 for legal fees involving the completion of the purchase and sale agreement for the Gary Paxton Industrial Park utility dock. Funds will come out of the GPIP working capital.
