Among the most vocal critics of Sealaska’s land selection bill are conservation groups. They point to past logging practices by the regional Native Corporation and others, which have removed large stands of trees from Southeast Alaska, and say the region can’t support much more in the future. Most say they want Sealaska to get its…
Alaska
Sealaska Lands Bill Part 3 – Sacred Sites
We’re taking an in-depth look this month at Sealaska’s lands bill, which will soon be reintroduced in Congress. Among its components is the selection of about 200 sacred sites. In this segment of our six-part series on the legislation, KCAW’s Ed Ronco explains what the sacred sites are, and why they’re included in the bill.
Sealaska Lands Bill Part 2 – Timber Industry
If the Sealaska lands bill doesn’t clear Congress, the corporation says it could be forced to shutter its Southeast timber operations in three years. Many industry insiders say those operations are pivotal in keeping Southeast’s remaining mills and loggers working. Some say they’d also like to see Sealaska mill more of the trees it cuts…
Sealaska Lands Bill Part 1 – Why?
The New Year will bring a new fight over Sealaska’s lands-selection legislation. The bill, which will be reintroduced in the new Congress, could determine the future of tens of thousands of acres of Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. Backers say the measure will revitalize a troubled timber industry and help villages struggling to sustain their…
Hoonah elders get Sealaska firewood donation
About 25 elders in Hoonah got an early Christmas present from Sealaska Corporation yesterday when free firewood was delivered to their doorstep. Casey Kelly has more. Sealaska Corporation employees with help from the Hoonah High School basketball team deliver firewood to elders in the Southeast Alaska village community. (All photos by Casey Kelly/KTOO).
Future of Sealaska lands bill depends on candidate
Don Young says he’ll re-introduce his own Sealaska land-selections bill next year – a version without changes proposed by Lisa Murkowski. Murkowski, meanwhile, says she’ll make further adjustments and hold another round of regional meetings on the measure. What happens depends on the results of November’s elections, which could bring in candidates who want to…