Author: Joe Viechnicki, KFSK

Contractors are preparing to begin work on repair and expansion of remote forest roads on Kupreanof Island in Southeast Alaska. The controversial $40 million project may extend the road from the village of Kake to a proposed new boat ramp north of Petersburg. Five miles of new road still awaits approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Critics of the project want a public hearing on that permit and greater scrutiny of the plans.

A number of Alaskans are opposing appointment of a nominee with ties to Pebble Mine and a geographic imbalance on the state’s Board of Fisheries.

It looks like seats on Petersburg’s borough assembly and school board will be contested in the October election. By Tuesday’s deadline, four people filed for two seats on the assembly and three candidates are running for two seats on the school board.

Two years ago the commercial catch of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska hit its lowest level in more than four decades. This year’s catch will be even lower.