The Forest Service today (Tuesday) OK’d exploratory drilling at two Southeast Alaska mine sites. The work will be done in roadless areas of the Tongass National Forest. That means they needed approval from agency Chief Tom Tidwell. The Greens Creek mine is allowed up to three drilling sites totaling less than an acre. The operating…
Economy
State gets support in its fight against Roadless Rule
The Juneau Chamber of Commerce and 13 other Southeast businesses and organizations will join in the state’s lawsuit against a federal rule that prevents road construction in certain areas of the Tongass National Forest. The Parnell administration in June appealed a federal district court decision setting aside an eight-year-old policy that exempted the Tongass from…
Fairweather ends sailing, repairs expected soon
The fast ferry Fairweather ended its Sitka sailing today (Wednesday) due to problems with its automated engineering system. The ship left Juneau for Sitka in the morning, but turned around before entering Sergius Narrows, which can have strong currents. It returned to Juneau for repairs. The ferry’s engine room is un-staffed, and the equipment is…
New sweeper will only sweep valley streets
The City and Borough of Juneau is getting a new eight cubic yard, vacuum street sweeper. But as City Manager Rod Swope explains, it can only be used in the Mendenhall Valley. “Funding for this was acquired through a federal government congestion mitigation/air quality program transferred through the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to…
No more supplies at Capital Office
Juneau’s Capital Office no longer sells office supplies. “We’re just moving our business in a different direction,” says owner Ted Quinn. He says the 65-year-old company will concentrate on interior design and furniture for professional offices statewide. The office supply on Commercial Boulevard near Costco has been quietly phased out. Capital Office opened in 1946,…
Foraker CEO: Alaska nonprofits face funding crisis
Tough times in store for Alaska’s nonprofit sector… For years, organizations in the state have paid the bills by relying on government grants, as well as contributions from corporations and private foundations. But those revenues are drying up, according to Anchorage-based nonprofit consulting firm Foraker Group and the University of Alaska’s Institute of Social and…