State of Alaska

Department of Natural Resources

Division of Forestry

Southeast Area Office

Forest Land Use Plan Adoption

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry (DOF), gives formal notice per 11 AAC 02 (Appeals) that the Division has adopted a site-specific Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) under AS 38.05.112 and the administrative standards of AS 41.17.060 for the commercial timber sale(s):  Vallenar Bay Timber Sale (SSE-1345 K).

The project area is on the north end of Gravina Island. Vallenar Bay is approximately five miles west of the Ketchikan International Airport and is viewable on USGS quadrangle Ketchikan B-6. The road corridor crosses State 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 of T75S, R89E all within Copper River Meridian.

The FLUP is intended to provide the best available information regarding the proposed timber harvest on 425 acres, the management of other non-timber uses in compliance with AS 38.05.112 and AS 41.17.060, and must be adopted by the DOF before the proposed activity can occur. This FLUP does not determine whether or not to access and sell timber within the timber sale area, nor the method of sale. Those decisions have been made previously in the October 25, 2017 Best Interest Finding and are not appealable under this FLUP.

A person affected by the final decision who provided timely written comment on the timber sale draft FLUP may request appeal, in accordance with 11 AAC 02.  Any appeal request must be received by August 23, 2018 and may be mailed or delivered to Andrew T. Mack, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1400, Anchorage, Alaska 99501; faxed to 1-907-269-8918, or sent by electronic mail to mailto: dnr.appeals@alaska.gov . If appeal is not requested by that date, this decision goes into effect as a final order and decision on September 3, 2018. An eligible person must first request appeal of this decision in accordance with 11 AAC 02 before appealing this decision to Superior Court.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alaska Division of Forestry                           Contact:               Greg Staunton

2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213                Phone:                 (907) 225-3070

Ketchikan, AK  99901                                 Fax:                        (907) 247-3070

                                                                   Email:                    Greg.Staunton@alaska.gov

Copies of the FLUP are available for review at the division’s Area Office, the division’s web site and the State Online Public Notice System.

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.