Ketchikan, Alaska (KINY) – The public has 128 days, from today, to comment on proposed new and increased recreation fees at 17 developed forestry recreation sites in Southeast Alaska.
Locations with proposed changes include developed day-use areas, group picnic sites, campgrounds, cabins, and wildlife viewing sites.
A complete list of proposed locations and fees is available on the Alaska Region Recreation Fee Proposals interactive site.
Comments can be submitted in four ways from May 26 to September 30:
- Online: Electronic comments are accepted at bit.ly/3ItLeOe.
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: Commenters should send comments by the closing date to: Tongass National Forest – Ketchikan SO, Attn: John Suomala, Wildlife and Recreation Program Manager, 648 Mission Street, Suite No. 110, Ketchikan, AK 99901 -6591.
- In Person or by Phone: Comments can be provided in person at any Forest Service office in Southeast Alaska Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm or by calling 907-228-6215.
Comment information, including the name and address of the commenter, will be considered part of the public record and may be viewed by the public.
“Recreation fee increases help close the gap between annual revenue and actual O&M costs,” said Jay Anderson, Tongass National Forest recreation staff officer. “As an example, our Fish Creek bear viewing site has an annual cost of over $350,000 with an average collection fee of approximately $50,000. “
The public will be informed six months before a new or increased fee is charged. If approved, the fee changes will take effect in 2024. Fees collected are used to fund ongoing operations, maintenance, and improvements to provide high-quality recreation sites for locals and visitors alike.
More from Northern News
-
Sullivan applauds the Supreme Court for reining in the EPA and standing up for the rights of Alaskans
Washington, DC (KINY) – United States Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and vice chair of the Senate Western Caucus, yesterday celebrated the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in Sackett v. . the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which controls the Biden administration’s expansive interpretation of the federal government’s authority under the Clean Water Act to regulate the “waters of the United States” (WOTUS).
-
Alaska Governor Dunleavy signs bill granting free fur trapping licenses to disabled veterans
Juneau, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) – Ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Governor Mike Dunleavy signed legislation allowing disabled military veterans to receive a free fur trapping license.
-
Daniel Buckingham sentenced to 23 years for sexual assault
Bethel, Alaska (KINY) – On Thursday, Bethel District Court Judge William Montgomery sentenced 31-year-old Daniel Buckingham of Bethel to 30 years with seven years suspended and 23 years of service for the sexual assault from 2019 to a 16-year-old. girl.
-
A bill to license nurses faster in Alaska faces rejection from unions
Alaska (Alaska Beacon) – There is agreement that there is a shortage of nurses, but there is no consensus on what to do about it
-
Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend without starting a wildfire
Fairbanks, Alaska (KINY) – With warmer weather finally here and Alaska heading into its first summer vacation, more people are getting outdoors, whether it’s spring cleaning, recreation, or sightseeing in the beautiful state. The best way to keep Alaska beautiful is to make sure you don’t start a forest fire.
-
Anchorage man convicted of felon in possession of firearms
Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) – A federal jury convicted an Anchorage man on May 23 of one count of felony possession of firearms after a two-day trial.
-
Juneau Police Department investigating assault
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – At approximately 1:45 pm on May 25, JPD received a report that a man had been assaulted while walking in the Lemon Creek area.
-
Governor Dunleavy signs a bill to continue the Renewable Energy Grant Fund
Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) – On Thursday, Governor Mike Dunleavy signed HB 62 into law, continuing the Renewable Energy Fund in perpetuity.
-
New director announced for TCLL
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – The Juneau School District (JSD) is pleased to announce that Eldri Westmoreland has been chosen as the first permanent director of the Tlingit Culture, Language and Literacy (TCLL) program.
-
Bureau of Alcohol and Marijuana Control Investigation Leads to Arrest
Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) – A months-long joint investigation has resulted in the arrest of one person and a warrant for another for illegally selling alcohol to Anchorage’s most vulnerable populations, its addicted and homeless citizens.
-
Situk River closed to Chinook harvest until July
Yakutat, Alaska (KINY) – Yakutat District Ranger Lee Benson, under delegated authority from the Federal Board of Subsistence, has announced that the Situk River will be closed for Chinook salmon harvesting as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday. June 1-11: 59 pm Sunday, July 30 due to conservation issues.
-
NOAA Fisheries details recent actions taken in Wild Fish Conservancy v. quan
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recently took several actions in Wild Fish Conservancy v. Quan (the case of salmon fishing in Southeast Alaska).
