Author: kfskadmin

Southeast salmon fishermen can learn some tips on improving the quality of their catch and bringing higher prices at the dock in Petersburg tonight. The local Marine Advisory Program office is hosting a presentation on innovations in salmon quality in Bristol Bay. Matt Lichtenstein asked Marine Advisory agent Sunny Rice about the program, and what it could do for southeast fishermen.

Officials from Petersburg, Wrangell and Angoon may try reconciling their differences over energy issues. Angoon’s mayor has written the mayors of Petersburg and Wrangell to formally propose the towns work together on contested plans for hydro-electric development in Thomas Bay near Petersburg. The letter suggested Angoon may drop its agreement with a private development company. That’s been a sore spot for Petersburg officials who have opposed more extensive, for-profit development plans in the bay, a popular fishing, hunting and tourism area.
Petersburg’s mayor and council discussed the issue this week and were receptive to arranging talks. For the time being, however, they decided to continue their appeal of a federal permitting decision that provided Angoon with an exclusive permit for the project.

A century old house at the center of a Petersburg lawsuit is on the move. A local contractor began moving the structure at First and Fram onto a solid foundation earlier this week. The repairs may help resolve the city of Petersburg’s lawsuit against the property owners, but for now, the case is still scheduled to go to trial in late summer.

City Manager Scott Hahn expressed hope this week that an outside mediator could improve communication between his administration and Petersburg’s municipal employees. Hahn briefly addressed the stalled contract talks in his report to the city council during this week’s meeting. That followed more comments from a concerned union member.

A federal judge in Anchorage has decided in favor of the Forest Service and against two environmental groups in a 2008 lawsuit over the impacts of logging on deer habitat. Both sides agree the implications go beyond the four Tongass timber sales named in the suit.