Matt Miller

One of the Department of Agriculture’s top officials travels through Southeast Alaska and the nation’s largest national forest over the next week.

U.S. Agriculture Department Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Harris Sherman arrives in Juneau on Saturday and then heads to Sitka and Ketchikan over the next several days. The culmination of the trip will be celebration of a stream restoration project in Craig next Thursday.

During a recent wide-ranging interview with Undersecretary Sherman, we asked him to comment on the Department’s legal plans since the Roadless Rule exemption was lifted for Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. The State of Alaska is appealing a District Court ruling essentially setting aside the exemption. A group of Southeast businesses and organizations are intervening on the side of the state – saying application of the roadless rule could prevent development of hydroelectric projects and restrict the timber and mining industries. Sherman says the thrust of their Alaska legal case will be up to the Solicitor general.

Among many of the department’s issues ar the latest bills that would devote land from the land from the Tongass National Forest to the Sealaska corporation to make up for shortcomings in selections under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

We’ve aired many stories previously documenting views of Sealaska corporation, the congressional delegation, environmentalists, and Southeast residents. But little from the current landlord. The Agriculture Department also says they have some issues they’d like to iron out before a transfer. During that recent interview with Undersecretary Sherman, we also asked him to comment on the latest versions of the land selection bills.

Stories include the latest on the City of Gustavus’ petition to annex another 16 square miles of land.

The state’s Local Boundary Commission takes public comment Wednesday on the City of Gustavus’ petition to annex another 16-square miles.

Brent Williams, section staff supervisor for the LBC, says they’ve already recommended that annexation be approved. Commissioners could announce a decision as soon as Thursday.

“The LBC does not always follow the staff recommendation,” says Williams. “They will have received this material and read it, and listened to the testimony and public comments. Then, they will make their own mind.”

If LBC approves the annexation petition, then it goes to the Legislature for possible consideration next session.

The new expanded boundaries would include the Falls Creek drainage to the east, tidelands in the south, and submerged lands in Icy Passage up to the mean high tide line of Pleasant Island. The community wants to exert more control over those newly- or soon-to-be developed areas.

Comments will be taken during the public meeting that starts at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Gustavus City Hall.

Gustavus was originally incorporated as a second class city seven years ago with 39-square miles of land, tideland, and submerged land.

2010 City of Gustavus Annexation

Stories include the slate of candidates to run for municipal election on October 4th and new public vessel tracking system to be unveiled by the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Stories include the latest efforts by the Coast Guard to replace assets in Alaska and step up their presence in the Arctic Ocean.

Stories include the latest on the Arne Fuglvog fishery violation case and the newest candidates to jump into this fall’s CBJ Assembly races.