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Group goes to court over roadless issue
Suit seeks to overturn Clinton decision
With the Clinton administration's decision to designate millions of acres of roadless federal forest off-limits to logging, a coalition backing access to that land has returned to court to challenge the initiative. A consortium including Boise Cascade Corporation, Boise and Valley counties, snowmobile associations, and the Kootenai Tribe filed suit today in US District Court in Boise, Idaho. Idaho Attorney General Al Lance says the state will file suit tomorrow. In Alaska, Governor Knowles announced Friday that he's ordered Attorney General Bruce Botelho to file a lawsuit against the Clinton Administration for cutting off nearly a third of the country's federal forest lands to most logging. Jack Phelps of the Alaska Forest Association says a decision on an independent legal action by his group has not been made at this point.
The Southeast Alaska Conservation Council likes the pronouncement by Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck (right) on old growth forests, but knows it won't stand up. Under terms of the new policy, Dombeck says he will direct supervisors of every national forest in the country to map and protect old growth areas. SEACC's Matthew Davidson says its obvious the chief recognizes that old growth logging is from the past. He calls it a good recognition, but adds that they understand the order announced today won't have a major impact since it won't be enforced by the incoming Bush Administration. Jack Phelps of the Alaska Forest Association agrees with that assessment and doesn't anticipate any long term effect. Although, he is worried about a short term effect in the Tongass since the only available timber is old growth.
A decision by the Forest Service not to plow the 1.2 mile portion of the Glacier Highway at the end of Auke Bay is drawing fire from residents of that area and the Assembly. The federal agency has assumed responsibility for that portion of road as a result of the state's construction of the new section of road known as the Auke Bay Bypass. City Manager Dave Palmer said at last night's Assembly meeting that when the state finished construction of the Bypass, the city and the Forest Service stuck a deal to combine efforts to each plow and maintain a portion the Auke Rec Road during the winter months. Palmer says he would convey to the agency that the Assembly would like it to reconsider that decision to back off from that commitment. In the meantime, he says the city will make an effort to keep the road plowed.
The Assembly's Planning and Policy Committee is moving forward on the flightseeing noise mitigation issue. Committee Chair Jim Powell said at last night's Assembly meeting, that they'll tackle options that are under their authority and focus on two main options. Those include quiet technology and the consideration of considering heliports. He says the Forest Service intends to continue the stalled mediation effort. And Powell says the committee intends to work on a parallel track with the Forest Service in that effort. On another issue, Powell says the Treadwell Ice Rink Committee is making significant progress. The construction schedule has not been finalized, but he says it's possible a covered rink could be ready to skate on by next November or December.
The Juneau Assembly approved the labor agreement between the City and Borough of Juneau and the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association at last night's meeting. The panel appropriated $127,000 dollars in additional funding for the second phase of the District-wide School Technology capital project. Also approved without objection-- an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to convey four lots in the S'It'Tuwan Subdivision at not less than fair market value by negotiated sale. Houses on the lots will be constructed by students in the High School Home Building class.
The funding of Juneau's new high school and renovation of the current facility is pending legislative funding. Superintendent Gary Bader (right) said on KINY's Capital Chat this morning that they're hopeful the Legislature will have a major education funding initiative this session. The project was initially ranked 43rd on that list and after the school district questioned the ranking it was moved up one notch with additional funding attached. If funding is approved, Bader figures the new school would be ready for occupancy by January of 2006.
The Washington, DC trade publication, Education Week, has given Alaska low grades. The state was awarded a "D-minus" in student accountability and improving education quality; a "C-plus" and "C" for funding equity between districts; but an "F" in the adequacy of funding. Alaska Education and Early Development Commissioner Shirley Holloway doesn't think the grades mean very much. She says they're really not based on how well Alaska students and schools are performing. She believes its ludicrous to think that the publication could set policy for 50 states. The Commissioner adds that the state is making progress through the Quality Schools Initiative.
Governor Knowles (left) is working on his State of the State speech and lawmakers arewaiting to see what he says in tomorrow night's address. For the first time ever, the speech will be streamed live via the Internet. Listen and watch live here. Not much action was scheduled at the Capitol today. That's because majority Republicans in the House and Senate are still working out their priorities. The Senate conducted a brief floor session this morning. The House did not schedule a floor session today. Juneau's annual community reception for the Legislature is scheduled this evening beginning at 5:30 at Centennial Hall.
The incident was at a Glacier Highway residence yesterday, where Jim Jenkins told police that his landlord pointed a handgun at him and threatened to kill him. He says Gary Wilkins had a rifle in his other hand. The 35 year old Wilkins denied the charge and said Jenkins complied when he asked him to leave the property the previous evening. When he saw him on the property again at 9:00 yesterday morning, he ordered him to leave once again. A search warrant led to the confiscation of two handguns and a 30-06 rifle. Wilkins was arrested for Assault in the Third Degree.
Seven cases of vehicle riflings and thefts were noted in the police blotter from yesterday and overnight. Captain Tom Porter said the crimes were not confined to one specific area and were scattered throughout the borough. He reminded residents to lock their vehicles and roll up their windows. Compact discs were a favorite target of the thieves. Those cases included 75 CD's valued at $800; fifty CD's and a wallet for an estimated loss of $1,000; 25 CDs valued at $150; 2 CD's valued at $15; and a CD changer valued at $400. A fire extinguisher was taken from an unlocked vehicle in another case.
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on the Douglas side of the Juneau-Douglas bridge at about 5 yesterday afternoon. The accident occurred when a 1995 Jeep Cherokee merged from a stop sign on the North Douglas Highway into southbound traffic on the Douglas Highway. A 28 year old man tried to cross the roadway at the same time. He was taken to the hospital where he was treated for minor cuts and bruises. Sergeant Ben Cornell says the driver was not cited. He says it appears the pedestrian walked out in front of the vehicle.
Energy analysts say oil prices could climb if OPEC members curtail their output by 5 percent or 1.5-million barrels a day. Kuwait's oil minister says there is a near consensus among OPEC's eleven members to cut production by that amount when cartel members meet next week in Vienna.
A light earthquake struck near Anchorage early today, but there were no reports of any damage or injuries. Bruce Turner with the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center says the quake was centered about 5 miles East of Anchorage and 35 miles Southeast of Palmer. He says it had a magnitude of 3.3, and occurred at 7:29am.
The Pentagon says it's planning another test of its proposed new missile defense system, with a launch planned sometime between March and June. If it goes operational, much of that system would be based in Alaska.
A Fairbanks woman has won the highest award an Alaska Airlines employee can receive. June Ulz is to receive a Customer Service Legend Award in Seattle at the airline's annual leadership conference tonight. Ulz was one of eight such Alaska Airlines employees honored this year from among its 10,000 member work force. The airline says recipients are the personification of what has made it successful for nearly 70 years -- a unique blend of spirit, resourcefulness, integrity, professionalism and caring. Ulz serves as lead customer service agent for Alaska Airlines in Fairbanks and is involved in many community endeavors. She has worked for the airline since August of 1989.
The Juneau Assembly adopted a proclamation during last night's meeting calling on a "higher authority" to make it snow. Frankie Pillifant (right) submitted the document. It asks that the authority provide enough snow sufficient for downhill thrills, but insufficient to require rooftop shoveling. The proclamation was approved unanimously.(Captions for our photographs can be viewed by hovering over them with your mouse pointer)
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