Coeur submits proposed modified tailings plan for Kensington Gold Mine
The company developing the Kensington Mine has submitted a proposed modified plan of operations to the U.S. Forest Service.

An alternative tailings disposal site emerged from the City and Borough of Juneau mediated talks between Coeur Alaska and a coalition of conservation groups including the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, Lynn Canal Conservation, and Juneau Group Sierra Club to develop a tailings plan that did not involve Lower Slate Lake.

The Forest Service will evaluate Coeur Alaska's proposed use of a site near Comet Beach on the Kensington side of the mine area for tailings storage, using “paste” technology.

Paste is a variation of "dry stack" tailings storage, which was approved at the same site in 1998, following a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement process.

Lower Slate Lake would not be used in any way for tailing storage or disposal. The three environmental groups took that plan to court. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with their contention that the plan violated the federal Clean Water Act.

The Forest Service is expected to provide an opportunity for public review and comment on the Modified Plan of Operations.

The Kensington gold mine is located near Berner's Bay about 45 miles northwest of downtown Juneau.

Legislative move bill up for hearing Tuesday
The legislative move bill is on the move.

Juneau Representative Andrea Doll says the measure proposed to move sessions to Anchorage will be heard by the State Affairs Committee Tuesday morning.

Doll, who serves on State Affairs, says there are enough votes to move the bill out of that committee. Doll says, "I don't take it lightly."

House Bill 293 sponsored by Anchorage Representative Kevin Meyer must also get through the Finance Committee before it can be sent to Rules to be scheduled for floor debate and a vote.

Doll predicts a "real fight" on the floor if it gets that far.

Doll says she would like to see Juneau residents turn out in force for the hearing and say things like, "Hell no. We won't go."

The hearing is at eight Tuesday morning in Room 106 of the Capital Building.

Storm could bring up to a foot of snow Friday
A heavy snow warning is in effect for the Juneau area today.

Meteorologist Michael Mitchell in the Juneau Forecast Office says a developing winter storm coming from the northeast Gulf of Alaska is expected to spread heavy snow across the northern and central Panhandle today and this evening.

The warning is in effect until 11 p.m. He says it should bring 8 to 12 inches to Juneau.

Another inch is expected Saturday and then it turns cold Saturday night. The low is forecast between 3 to 9 above with the wind chill to 20 below.

Hoonah can expect10 to 14 inches of snow today.  Eight to 12 is forecast in Gustavus; 5 to 10 in Haines; 5 to 8 in Skagway; and 4 to 8 in Angoon.

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UPDATES - Juneau Police are advising motorists to turn their headlights on and slow down.

The Juneau Federal Building closed at one today due to the snow storm.

The state and City and Borough of Juneau decided against letting their employees leave early.

Schools are operating as scheduled, although the homecoming basketball games scheduled for today have been cancelled. The teams from Colony High School were not able to make it into Juneau today, according to a release issued by Juneau Douglas High School.

Amended Tongass Plan released
The office of the Regional Forester in Alaska today released a record of decision for the amended Tongass Land Management Plan.

The amended plan was spurred by a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in 2005 and to the agency's own five year plan review.

Regional Forester Denny Bschor says the plan contains noteworthy changes to the 1997 Plan.


They include:

-- Adding 90,000 acres to old growth reserves;

-- Maintaining protection for goshawk nests;

-- Expanding geologic special interest areas to protect 47,000 acres of karst lands most vulnerable to development;

-- Adding a goal to consult with Native Alaskan Tribes to protect and maintain sacred sites across the forest;

-- Moving several areas into the semi-remote recreation land category to address public concerns.

He says the amount of timber to be made available remains generally unchanged at approximately 267 million board feet a year over the 10 years. He did say there may be some possible additional opportunities through more intensive management of second growth.

Bschor acknowledges that may be disappointment to some, but adds his agency has made a commitment to the State of Alaska to provide an economic timber sale program which will allow the current industry to stabilize, and for an integrated timber industry to become established.

The schedule calls for the Record of Decision and the Final EIS to be published in the Federal Register in early to mid- February. A legal notice to be published in newspapers sets in motion a 90 day appeal period.

Under National Environmental Policy Act guidelines, the Forest Service can implement the plan 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.

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Buck Lindekugel of the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council says the phased plan gives breathing room for people to work together and find a common solution.

He says it shows the agency recognizes that there are valuable places that communities depend on for a wide range of uses.

He points out that part of Bostwick Inlet is removed from logging, and the plan delays logging in important places like the Cleveland Peninsula, much of Upper Tenakee Inlet, and Port Houghton.

Lindekugel says there's still work to be done to achieve a long term balance.

He says it's too early to tell if his organization will file an appeal. "We need to take a real hard look at the plan and then decide what to do," he says.

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Governor Palin called the plan a tremendous step toward having a sustainable, integrated timber industry.

The Governor joined Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell in signing a "shared vision" statement which establishes a plan for sustainability of the Tongass and communities in Southeast Alaska.

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More information can be found on the web at http://tongass-fpadjust 

Challenging year predicted for Alaska's economy
The Juneau Chamber of Commerce heard a gloomy forecast of the state's economy yesterday. (Thursday)

The President of Northern Economics, Pat Burden, presented the 2008 forecast.

He said he expects it will be a challenging year for the state's economy.

Burden said several industries including construction, manufacturing, finance and real estate will see downturns in 2008.

He said he expects other sectors to make up the difference, but if they don't, Alaska's string of nineteen consecutive years of growth may be at risk.

Burden says they've identified five major issues that influence the state's economy.

They include the fact that residential construction has essentially stalled in the U. S. and Alaska and that coupled with the mortgage loan crises, it's leading to a potential recession in the national economy.

He says the nation faces a continued decline in the value of the U.S. dollar and higher oil and gas commodity prices which are partially linked to the declining dollar.

However, higher oil prices also contribute to Alaska's budget surplus.

Housing starts began declining in 2006 and fell further in 2007.

He says the residential housing sector in Alaska has also been effected.

Alaska has also been effected by the mortgage loan crises.

Burden says banks are foreclosing on several large Alaska housing projects as well as individual homes.

He says it's impacting the national and state economy.

Burden expects earnings including wages and salaries, proprietor's income and contributions to pensions and Social Security to increase about 1.3 percent and reach 22.2 billion dollars.

Burden says the take-away from that is that total income to households should increase in 2008, but at a rate below inflation.

In other words, he says, on average Alaska's households are losing income, not gaining.

Technical glitch causes phone outage
Some GCI customers in Juneau were without telephone service since this morning. (Friday)

Company official Curtiss Clifton in Anchorage tells us the problem was cleared up and service restored after 1-30 this afternoon.

He the outage was caused by three cards in a switch located in Juneau failed to work properly.

He says that caused GCI boxes on some people's houses to not communicate property to the switch.

There have been similar problems in recent months.

Clifton says it's new technology and GCI is working with the suppler make sure is doesn't happen again.

Body found near Mile 88 Parks Highway
PALMER, Alaska (AP) - Alaska State Troopers say a Talkeetna man was found shot to death Thursday in the driveway of a home near Mile 88 Parks Highway.

The name of the man has not been released.

Palmer police took a 911 call regarding the shooting at about 5:30 p.m.

The caller said the man had been shot and was lying in a driveway leading to a home on Twenty Inch Avenue near Mile 88.

Troopers found a 43-year-old man walking in the area who provided an account of the shooting.

Troopers say witnesses are cooperating and that after consulting with the Palmer District Attorney's Office, they have decided not to immediately charge anyone.

The State Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy.

Ethics rule change sought to allow Foster to accept kidney
State lawmakers are working to change ethics rules to allow them to save the life of a colleague.

Current ethics law would prevent Representative Richard Foster of Nome from receiving a kidney transplant because the donated organ would be considered a gift.

The law does allow a "compassionate gift" exception, but only for gifts worth less than 250 dollars. A kidney is valued at more than that.

HB 317 would eliminate the dollar cap on compassionate gifts.

Foster is undergoing treatment at a Seattle hospital for a mild stroke. The 61-year old Foster had a stroke last Friday while undergoing kidney dialysis in Juneau.

An aide to Fairbanks Representative Mike Kelly, Sue Stancliff, appears to be a match for organ donation.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Begich courted in D. C. to make run for Senate
Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich says almost everyone he met while visiting Washington D.C. pressured him to run for U.S. Senate.

Begich was in the nation's capital Thursday for the annual Conference of Mayors.

While Begich has said he won't make any decision whether to run for federal office until this spring, Democrats at the conference were greeting him as 'Senator.'

Begich tells the Anchorage Daily News that Democrats made a hard sell, and he acknowledged it.

Begich says it was a "consistent flow" of Democrats urging him to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Ted Stevens. That included a half-hour meeting with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Hunting and trapping regs before Game Board, including killing of wolf pups in dens
The state Board of Game began a three day meeting in Anchorage today. (Friday)

The Board's Executive Director Kristy Tibbles says there are over 70 proposals submitted by members of the public, advisory committees,  as well as the Department of Fish and Game.

The proposals concern statewide regulations for hunting and trapping.

One proposal is from the residents along the Kuskokwim River.

They want state game managers to allow them to kill wolf pups in their dens.

The tribal government and a Fish and Game advisory committee along the central Kuskokwim River have submitted separate proposals asking the Board of Game to overturn regulations outlawing the practice.

The tribal council and advisory panel also want the board to let hunters kill bear cubs in dens.

Doug Carney of Sleetmute, former chair of Central Kuskokwim Advisory Committee, says along with wolves, bears are blamed for low moose numbers around central Kuskokwim villages.

Other proposals include changes to the state's permitted hunts drawing system that deal with bonus points or preferences, bear baiting and interfering with guided hunts.

Other proposals include bear baiting and interfering with guided hunts.

Tibbles says the public is encouraged to testify in person. The cut-off time to sign up is Saturday morning at 9-30.

Testimony will not be taken by telephone at this meeting.

The fax number for written comments is 465-6094.  

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http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/gameinfo/index.php 

Rep. Nelson says she won't run for re-election
State Representative Mary Nelson has announced that she will not be seeking re-election.

Nelson represents Bethel and a broad swath of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Nelson joined the Alaska Legislature in 1998 after ousting veteran Rep. Ivan Ivan in the Democratic primary as a 24-year-old political outsider. She was then known as Mary Sattler.

She leads the Bush Caucus and serves on the House Finance Committee. Her five sessions in the House have earned her some clout, and she says it is difficult to relinquish that tenure at a time when her popularity in the district remains strong. There's a value in "continuity of service," she said.

She is a mother of three. A fourth child is due in March. Her husband, Joe Nelson, has a career as admissions director at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau.

With loyalties split between a young family in Juneau and her duties as a legislator representing Bethel and the region, the line between career and family duties was stretched too tight, she said.

After conversations with her husband, Nelson said she decided not to seek re-election near the end of the last legislative session. The family will live in Juneau, where she expects to remain engaged in the public process.
(Dustin Solberg- The Tundra Drums)

Alaska Air's stock dips with release of earnings report
SEATTLE (AP) - Alaska Air stock dropped about 8 percent in value in today's trading after a disappointing earnings report.

The company reported a profit of more than $7 million in the fourth quarter, compared with a loss of nearly $12 million a year ago.

But, without accounting adjustments the company would have reported another fourth-quarter loss.

The CEO, Bill Ayer, says that's largely due to higher fuel costs.

Anchorage port brings in cargo of federal cash, assistance
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Congress has pulled hundreds of millions in federal earmarks from two highly criticized Alaska bridge projects.

But a major overhaul of the state's largest shipping hub is netting hefty resources from Washington enjoyed by no other port in the country.

In the past few years, longtime Alaska congressmen Senator Ted Stevens and Representative Don Young have steered a large pot of federal money into a project slated to double the size of the Port of Anchorage and replace its aging docks.

Port officials estimate that at least half of the $500 million cost will be covered by congressional earmarks and the departments of Defense, Transportation and Homeland Security.

So far, the two Republican congressmen have helped move at least $120 million in earmarks to the project.

Ports have been receiving millions from Washington for security required by the federal government since the September Eleventh attacks and for routine dredging, but such robust federal assistance for an expansion is unusual, according to shipping industry experts.

Transportation experts say U.S. shipping hubs normally fund development projects with local tax dollars and are increasingly turning to private investors.

Critics of earmarks say that even if a project is worthwhile, they should compete equally for funds rather than relying on the seniority and influence wielded by members of Congress.

Port Director Bill Sheffield says his experience in government and business, as well as his personal connections in Congress, helped him obtain federal involvement.

He says the state is built on earmarks, some good and some bad.
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Federal money isn't the only extra boost for the project coming from Alaska's congressional delegation.

With Young's help, the federal Maritime Administration, or MARAD, has shepherded the project through what is normally a sluggish environmental permitting process in record time.

The permits, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are allowing the port to create 135 acres of new land along the waterfront by emptying truckloads of dirt and gravel into an area used by salmon and a diminishing population of beluga whales.

The whales are up for consideration on the endangered species list in April.

Boat captains will have to carry ID
KODIAK, Alaska (AP) - Come this summer, boat captains on Kodiak will have to carry identification.

Lon White, the deputy harbormaster, says this summer the Department of Homeland Security Transportation Worker Identification Card program will commence.

White says anybody with a captain<s license is going to be required to also have the ID card.

White said that anyone who needs a card will have to travel to Anchorage to buy one, but as of yet issuing officials have not started providing the cards in Alaska.

He says officials are talking about establishing centers in Juneau, Valdez and Anchorage to get the cards.

White says he is trying to put pressure on Homeland Security officials to send out mobile issue centers to the more remote locations.
(Kodiak Daily Mirror)

Vogue issue featuring Palin now on news stands
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The issue of Vogue featuring Governor Palin is out, but don't look for glam shots.

The article features just two photos.

One has Alaska's first female governor leaning against the family float plane.

The other shows Palin taking a stroll across frozen Lake Lucille.

The three-page profile describes Palin as a "straight shooter."

It outlines Palin's rise to political power as an outsider in her own Republican party.

Palin says the article came out the way she wanted it to -- modest.
(Bill McAllister, KTUU)

Learn To Ski Weekend  applications due Tuesday
Eaglecrest is now collecting applications for its annual Learn To Ski Weekend.

The ski area's Jeffra Clough says its the 27th edition sponsored by Mendenhall Auto Center Subaru.

She says a random drawing will be used to pick the 45 winners.

The kids must be first time skiers in grades, three, four and five.

Applications are available at all elementary schools, Foggy Mountain Shop, Nugget Alaskan Outfitter, Play It Again Sports, Eaglecrest and on its web site.  

Completed applications must be returned to school offices or Eaglecrest by 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 29th.

Winners will be announced the next day.

All winners will receive bus transportation, ski rentals, lift tickets, ski lessons and lunch.

The Learn to Ski Weekend is February 2nd and 3rd. There'll be an orientation Friday evening, February 1st at Centennial Hall.

Additional information is available at www.skijuneau.com 

Anchorage Assemblymember refloats idea for police to check immigration status
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An Anchorage assemblyman is not giving up his effort to have police officers question the immigration status of people pulled over for traffic stops.

Assemblyman Paul Bauer wants a citywide advisory vote on the matter.

Bauer says his colleagues' vote to table the measure in November prevented the public from sufficient debate.

He says there's a quiet, silent majority in Alaska and Anchorage that knows it's an issue and assembly members can't put their heads in the sand.

He proposes voters be asked whether Anchorage police should question the immigration status of people they pull over or investigate.

He also wants voters asked if police should be trained to uphold federal immigration laws.

A group that formed last fall to fight Bauer's proposal is gearing up again.

The Anchorage Immigrant Rights Coalition calls Bauer's plan a flawed idea.

The group says Bauer's original proposal would have divided the community and taken away police resources to fight crimes.

Spokesman Erick Cordero says the main argument against Bauer's immigration bill revolves around who exactly police will target when asking citizens their immigration status.

He says it creates the potential for racial profiling.
(KTUU)

Anchorage scales back proposed golf course upgrades at park
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A public outcry has led to a change of plans for Anchorage's Russian Jack Springs Park.

Park planner Brad Dunker says a proposal to upgrade the park's golf course will be scaled back and the revision will significantly decrease the amount of tree cutting.

Dunker says comments were mostly negative on a plan to cut 23 forested acres.

Proponents want to upgrade the park's nine-hole golf course so it meets standards for First Tee, a nationwide youth golf program aimed at low-income children.

Park planners say there will be upgrades but they'll be less ambitious than the design that caused the uproar among people who want to keep the natural parkland.
(Anchorage Daily News)

New World War II exhibit opens in Juneau
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - There is a new photography exhibit opening in Juneau.

The Alaska State Library's Historical Collections is presenting "Alaska at War!" -- its latest exhibition of images from their photographic collection.

The exhibit showcases images taken of people and places in Alaska affected by the conflict in World War Two's northern Pacific theater.

Images include the battle for Kiska and Attu Islands, the Prisoner of War Camp at Excursion Inlet, the 1942 bombing of Dutch Harbor on Unalaska Island, and the Aleut relocation to Southeast Alaska.

The opening reception will be held February 1st from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Friends of the Alaska State Museum Store in downtown Juneau.