The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, gives formal notice under AS 38.05.945 that the Division has made a preliminary decision under AS 38.05.035(e) regarding the sale of the following commercial timber sale:  Baby Brown Timber Sale (NSE-1549).

Before this sale may be held, the Director of the Division of Forestry will make a written final decision that the sale is in the best interest of the State.  This decision will set out the facts and applicable policies upon which the Director bases his determination that the proposed timber sale will or will not best serve the interest of the State.  The final decision is expected to be available to the public after February 6, 2015.

This timber sale is located in the South side of the Klehini River Valley between Porcupine and Jarvis Creeks 37 miles Northwest of Haines, Alaska.  The legal description of the sale area is Sections 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,  & 36 of Township 28 South, Range 53 East and Sections 19, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 of Township 28 South, Range 54 East Copper River Meridian (CRM).  Access to the sale area is provided by the Steel Bridge on the Haines Highway at 26 mile and then the Porcupine Road to the sale area.   The units vary in size and encompass a total of 1,000 acres.  This volume will be sold as one large sale under AS 38.05.120 or as a series of smaller sales under AS 38.05.115, AS 38.05.118 and AS 38.05.120 for commercial use.  The sale(s) will be sold by competitive sealed bid. 

The public is invited to comment on any aspect of the preliminary decision.  Comments should be mailed to the Alaska Division of Forestry, P.O. Box 263, Haines, AK 99827.  Comments must be received at the Division of Forestry office no later than February 6, 2015, in order to be considered in the final best interest finding decision of whether or not this sale will be held in whole or in part.  To be eligible to appeal the final decision a person must have provided written comment by February 6, 2015.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT COMMENTS CONTACT:

Alaska Division of Forestry                           Contact:          Roy Josephson

P.O. Box 263                                                  Phone:             907-766-2120

Haines, AK  99827                                         Fax:                 907-766-3225

                                                                     Email:             roy.josephson@alaska.gov

Copies of the preliminary decision are available for review at the Division of Forestry at the above address and at the Haines Public Library.

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services, or special modifications to participate in this review may contact the number above.

Roy Josephson