State of Alaska

Department of Natural Resources

Division of Forestry and Fire Protection

Southern Southeast Area Office

Preliminary Written Finding under AS 38.05.035(e) and AS 38.05.945

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: West Hollis Timber Sale (SSE-1393-K).

Before this sale may be held, the Commissioner 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 Commissioner 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 June 20, 2025.

The area of the sale is 11 miles west of Hollis ferry terminal on Prince of Wales Island on the Klawock-Hollis Highway. The sale is in two locations, one by the Hydaburg Road junction and the other near the old waste pit at Mile 23.5, west of the Harris River Road. It is legally referenced as in: Sections 7,10, 11, 17 and 18, Township 74 South, Range 83 East, Copper River Meridian. The sale area is found within the Craig B-3 USGS quadrangle. The main access for this sale area is from the existing Prince of Wales Island Road System, specifically from the Klawock-Hollis Highway.

The area of harvest totals approximately 185 acres of timbered land and contains approximately 3,800 MBF of old growth and young growth timber.  This volume will be negotiated and sold under provisions of AS 38.05.118, in the form of one or multiple sales.  The sale(s) will be a negotiated contract requiring in-state manufacturing and may utilize purchaser layout of the timber sale design.

The public is invited to comment on 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 of Forestry and Fire Protection office no later than June 20, 2025, 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 June 20, 2025.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT COMMENTS CONTACT:

Alaska Division of Forestry                               Contact:            Greg Staunton

2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213                       Phone:              225-3070

Ketchikan, AK  99901                                       Email:              dnr.dof.sse@alaska.gov

Copies of the preliminary decision 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/219689  

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.