Preliminary Best Interest Finding and Draft Forest Land Use Plan for the Heceta Island Timber Sale (SSE-1357-K)

Tools

• Print
• Short URL

Share

Preliminary Best Interest Finding and Draft Forest Land Use Plan for the Heceta Island Timber Sale (SSE-1357-K)

State of Alaska
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Forestry & 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 and Fire Protection (DOF), gives formal notice under AS 38.05.945 that the Division has made a preliminary Best Interest Finding decision under AS 38.05.035(e) and proposes to adopt a site-specific Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) under AS 38.05.112 and the administrative standards of AS 41.17.060 regarding the sale of the following commercial timber sale: Heceta Island Timber Sale (SSE-1357-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 15, 2026.

The draft Forest Land Use Plan is intended to provide the best available information regarding the proposed timber harvest on 183 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 Forest Land Use Plan is expected to be available to the public with or after the issuance of the final best interest decision.

The timber sale area is centered on the Camp Cove area of Heceta Island. The timber sale area is found within Sections 7, 8, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 27 of Township (T) 70S South(S), Range (R) 78 East (E), and Sections 12, 13, 23 and 24 of T70S, R77E all referenced to the Copper River Meridian (CRM). The sale area is found within the Craig C-5 USGS quadrangle. General access to the sale area is by the United States Forest Service (USFS) 1445 Road which is connected to the log transfer facility at Port Alice and the Camp Cove public dock, both of which are owned and maintained by the USFS.

Two harvest units total approximately183 acres and contain approximately 6,500 MBF of timber. This volume will be advertised and sold under provisions of AS 38.05.120, in the form of one or multiple sales.

The public is invited to comment on any aspect of the preliminary decision. Comments can be mailed to the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, 2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 or emailed to [email protected]. Comments must be received by the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection office no later than June 15, 2026, 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 or to be considered in the adopted FLUP. To be eligible to appeal the final decision or the adopted FLUP, a person must have provided written comment by June 15, 2026.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT COMMENTS CONTACT:

Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection
2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213
Ketchikan, AK 99901
Contact: Greg Staunton
Phone: (907) 225-3070
Email: [email protected]

Copies of the preliminary decision are available for review at the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection at the above address and at the Ketchikan, Craig, Petersburg and Wrangell and Edna Bay Public Libraries and the State Online Public Notice System at: http://notice.alaska.gov/223819.

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Fire Protection 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.

Details