By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Almost two years into construction, the Katlian Bay road remains unfinished, and Alaska Congressman Don Young is requesting additional federal funding for the project, his office said Monday.
He hopes to secure $8 million more for the road, which is about one-quarter of the original budgeted.
Begun in late spring of 2019, the road was anticipated to cost $31.8 million and span nine miles, from the north end of Halibut Point Road to the Katlian River watershed, the Alaska Department of Transportation website states.
“The funding is designated to provide additional construction funds for the construction and maintenance of bridges,” Young wrote in an April 21 request for fiscal appropriation in the U.S. House.
Once finished, the road will traverse the Katlian River, as well as steep terrain on the north side of Starrigavan Ridge. The purpose for the road, DOT says, is to improve access to Shee Atika land and allow for restoration projects in old clearcuts.
“The purpose of the proposed Katlian Bay Road project is to provide increased recreational and subsistence opportunities on Baranof Island within U.S. Forest Service Sitka Ranger District managed lands, provide access to Native Corporation (Shee Atika) lands, and provide access to potential new material sources on State, Federal and Native Corporation lands. In the future, the Katlian Bay Road can also provide access for restoration efforts from prior timber harvesting activities in the Katlian River watershed,” DOT’s site reads.
Young’s request was on a list for Community Funding Projects, recently re-allowed when members of the U.S. House rolled back restrictions on earmarks in February. Earmark funding has been prohibited for about a decade.
In his announcement, Young was happy for the old practice to return.
“I am proud to announce my fiscal year 2022 Community Project Funding requests,” Young wrote. “For too long, my colleagues and I have been unable to directly request funding for specific projects in our districts. This decade-long ban on ‘earmarks’ served only to shift Congress’ rightful power to appropriate money to the Executive Branch, while denying needed funds to local organizations…. My requests span a range of topics, including infrastructure, health care, education, Alaska Native priorities, homelessness, and more.”
Along with the Katlian Bay Road, Young requested funding for a host of other projects, from roads in Whittier and Kodiak to wastewater treatment in Juneau and a clinic in Cold Bay.
Any request for federal funding must be approved by a vote of Congress.
