State of Alaska

Department of Natural Resources

Division of Forestry

Southern Southeast Area Office

Preliminary Written Finding under AS38.05.035(e) and AS 38.05.945 

The Alaska Department of NaturalResources, Division of Forestry, gives formal notice under AS 38.05.945 thatthe Division has made a preliminary decision under AS 38.05.035(e) regardingthe sale of the following commercial timber: Vallenar Bay Timber Sale (SSE-1345 K).

Before these sales may be held,the Director of the Division of Forestry will make a written final decisionthat the sales are in the best interest of the State.  This decision will set out the facts andapplicable policies upon which the Director bases his determination that theproposed timber sales will or will not best serve the interest of theState.  The final decision is expected tobe available to the public after March 5,2015.

The project area is on the north end of Gravina Island.Vallenar Bay is approximately five miles west of the Ketchikan International Airportand is viewable on USGS quadrangle Ketchikan B-6. The project area occupiesState and Ketchikan Gateway Borough land in Sections 5, 6 and 8 of T75S, R90E;Sections 35 and 36 of T74S, R89 E; Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23 and 24 ofT75S, R89E all within Copper River Meridian (CRM). The volume to be offeredtotals approximately 12 million board feet (MMBF). The project proposes toestablish access to the Vallenar Bay area from the existing road system onGravina Island by constructing a forest road from the Lewis Reef area to theexisting logging road on the southeast side of Vallenar Bay. Depending onmarket conditions, the DOF would sell the timber as one or several sales. Thesale(s) will be sold under the authority of AS 38.05.120 (competitive sale) orunder AS38.05.115, AS 38.05.118 or AS 38.05.123 (negotiated sales). The saleswill be noticed as required by sale type authority and AS 38.05.945 prior tobeing sold.

The public is invited to commenton any aspect of the preliminary decision. Comments should be mailed to the Alaska Division of Forestry, 2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213, Ketchikan, AK 99901.  Comments must be received at the Division ofForestry office no later than March 5,2015, in order to be considered in the final best interest finding decisionof whether or not this sale will be held in whole or in part.  To be eligible to appeal the final decision aperson must have provided written comment by March 5, 2015.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TOSUBMIT COMMENTS CONTACT:

Alaska Division of Forestry                             Contact:                Greg Staunton

2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213                     Phone:                   225-3070

Ketchikan, AK  99901                                      Fax:                       247-3070

                                                                          Email:                    dnr.vallenar.bay@alaska.gov

Copies of the preliminarydecision are available for review at the Division of Forestry at the aboveaddress and at the Craig and Ketchikan Public Library and Post Offices.

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources,Division of Forestry complies with Title II of the Americans with DisabilitiesAct of 1990.  Individuals with disabilitieswho may need auxiliary aids, services, or special modifications to participatein this review may contact the number above.

GregStaunton PMP

Project Manager