Preliminary Best Interest Finding and Draft Forest Land Use Plans for the Backside(s) Timber Sale (SSE 1390 K)

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Preliminary Best Interest Finding and Draft Forest Land Use Plans for the Backside(s) Timber Sale (SSE-1390-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: Backside(s) Timber Sale (SSE-1390-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 February 14, 2025.

The draft Forest Land Use Plan is intended to provide the best available information regarding the proposed timber harvest on 82 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 decision.

The area of the sale is proximate to the community of Thorne Bay, approximately 3 miles to the north. The timber sale area is found within Sections 14, 15 and 22, Township 71 South, Range 84 East, Copper River Meridian (CRM). The sale is found within the Craig C-2 NW and Craig C-2 NE USGS quadrangles. The main access for this sale is from the existing USFS Road System, specifically the Sandy Beach/3000 Road.

The two sale units total approximately 82 acres and contain approximately 2,000 MBF of timber. This volume will be advertised and sold under provisions of AS 38.05.118, 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 February 14, 2025, 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 February 14, 2025.

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/218101.

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.

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