State of Alaska
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Forestry 
Southern Southeast Area Office

Preliminary Written Finding under AS 38.05.035(e) and AS 38.05.945 and
Draft Forest Land Use Plan under AS 38.05.112 and AS 41.17.060

 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 and is also proposing to adopt 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: Jinhi Bay Salvage (SSE-1374-K).

The timber sale area is found within SW ¼ of NE ¼ of Section 23, Township 69 South, Range 79 East, Copper River Meridian (CRM) on Tuxekan Island. The sale area is found within the Craig D-4 USGS quadrangle. The main access for this sale area is by water from Jinhi Bay west of the community of Naukati, Alaska.

The harvest unit contains approximately 320 MBF of timber on eleven acres.  This volume will be negotiated and sold under provisions of AS 38.05.115, in the form of one sale.  The sale may require in-state manufacture and will be a negotiated contract. The DOF is proposing to use a request for proposal process that will be noticed and occur after this AS 38.05.035(e) decision has been made.

Before this sale sold, 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 FLUP is intended to provide the best available information regarding the proposed timber harvest on the eleven acres and 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. The final decision and FLUP is expected to be available to the public after October 19, 2020.

The public is invited to comment on any aspect of the preliminary decision and draft FLUP.  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 of Forestry office no later than October 19, 2020, 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 October 19, 2020.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT COMMENTS CONTACT:

Alaska Division of Forestry
Contact:  Greg Staunton
2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213
Ketchikan, AK  99901       
Phone:  (907) 225-3070
Email:  greg.staunton@alaska.gov

Copies of the preliminary decision and FLUP are available for review at the Division of Forestry at the above address and at the Ketchikan, Craig, Petersburg and Wrangell Public Libraries and the State Online Public Notice System at http://notice.alaska.gov/199515.

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.

Greg Staunton
Southeast Area Forester