Plaintiffs in Kensington Mine legal action to drop all further challenges
Coeur d'Alene Mine officials say the plaintiffs in the legal challenge over the Clean Water Act permits for the Kensington Mine  near Juneau are giving up their legal challenge.

That decision comes in the wake of last week's U. S. Supreme Court decision upholding the tailings disposal permit for Lower Slate Lake.

Company CEO Dennis Wheeler told supporters  during an event this morning and Murray Walsh on KJNO's Action Line later that that is the case.

He said the counsel for the Sierra Club and the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council told him this morning that they would not oppose the dissolution of the injunction.  "I view that as a positive sign," he said.

We contacted Mark Gnadt of the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council or SEACC to confirm.

He says the Juneau legislative delegation asked them not to challenge the Supreme Court decision by asking the court to revisit the ruling.

Gnadt says they would not have done that and don't plan to. He says that would not serve their interests at all.

He says Coeur wants to expedite the permits in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and asked them not to challenge that request.

When asked if they would continue to press the Environmental Protection Agency to revoke the Lower Slate Lake permits in favor of an on-shore paste tailings approach, Gnadt said if  the agency  asks them they would say the paste tailings approach is the best option.

He said the EPA is reviewing the decision.

But Wheeler said on Action Line that the federal agencies joined the  Interior Department's Solicitor General in taking the position that the permitting for the project had been complete and lawful.

He also reminded listeners to the program that EPA did not veto the ultimate permit that was issued so from his prospective the agency support is solid.

Coeur officials are saying the plan now is to start production at Kensington in the third quarter of 2010. 

$1 million in stimulus funds to pay for Alaska coast clean up...salmon habitat repairs also funded
A Juneau based organization will receive $1 million in federal stimulus money to clean up marine debris along Alaska's coastlines.

The Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation will get the funds from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to remove 466 metric tons throughout rural coastal Alaska.

Lost and abandoned fishing gear makes up a large portion of the debris along Alaska's remote coastlines.

A large derelict vessel will also be removed.

The Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation is the non-profit arm of the Marine Conservation Alliance, an Alaska-based fishing industry association.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 earmarked a total $167 million for U.S. coastal habitat restoration.
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There are three other projects in Alaska that were funded.

$992,000 for Southeast Alaska Salmon Habitat Restoration for removing a barrier on the Klawock River to restore passage for migrating salmon to 460 acres of estuarine eelgrass habitat.

$973,900 for Eyak Lake Restoration near Cordova to open 1.5 miles of upstream river habitat, as well as restore 2,400 acres of Eyak Lake salmon spawning, rearing and wintering habitat. That also includes restoring 20 percent of the lake's fresh water circulation.

$1.5 million for Kenai Peninsula Salmon Habitat Restoration near Mosse Pass to restore 10.7 miles of river and 11.4 acres of a manmade channel into a natural stream to benefit Chinook, coho, pink and sockeye salmon.

Assembly approves new Affordable Housing Coordinator position
The Assembly has approved an ordinance that will fund a full-time Affordable Housing Coordinator.

The measure appropriates $100,000 from the Low Income Housing Fund.

The coordinator would work with the CBJ, non-profits, and businesses to create affordable housing in Juneau, both rental and home ownership.

Scott Ciambor, chair of the Juneau Homeless Coalition and a staffer for the Juneau Affordable Housing Commission, testified in support of the new coordinator position at last night's (Monday) meeting.

He said the position will add a lot of resources for small agencies that are trying to develop low and middle income housing.

The Affordable Housing Commission recommended, and the Assembly approved, the position to be located within the Juneau Economic Development Council.

Acting CBJ Manager Kim Kiefer said the coordinator would be held accountable though quarterly reports that will be forwarded to the commission and the Assembly.

She said she will also be attending the monthly meetings.

Kiefer said the position is funded for one year.

The Assembly will have the opportunity to review job performance.

Kiefer said it's hoped the position will be funded though the help of grants next fiscal year.

The measure was approved on a 7 to one vote.

Assembly member Jonathan Anderson voted no.

Mayor Botelho was absent at last night's meeting.

Assembly approves taking ownership of Hilda Creek acreage
The Assembly last night (Monday) approved a resolution that will give CBJ ownership of about 36 Acres in the Hilda Creek area known as the Hilda Cove Estates.

The property on the back side of Douglas Island, will be purchased by the Southeast Alaska Land Trust with Juneau International Airport mitigation funds.

Acting City Manager Kim Kiefer said, through the process, all property deeds will be checked to make sure they are accurate.

The land will be designated as a natural area park.

WiMax Tower decision delayed
The Assembly, last night, (Monday) postponed its review of the conditional use permit granted for the AT&T WiMax Tower.

ALASCOM would like to place a 150-foot pole for a new telecommunication facility at 3921 Mendenhall Loop Road.

An appeal was filed by two couples who live near the proposed WiMax Tower.

The Assembly's proposed decision affirms the Planning Commission's decision to grant the permit.

Downtown park to be named after Bishop Kenny
The Assembly unanimously approved a resolution last night (Monday) naming the pocket park at Third and Seward Streets the "Bishop Michael H. Kenny Memorial Peace Park."

The effort was sponsored by the Juneau Chapter of Veterans for Peace to honor Bishop Kenny as a leading advocate for peace.

He died in 1995.

Hospital  funding resolution okayed by Assembly
The Assembly unanimously approved a resolution last night (Monday) de-appropriating $1.5 Million from the Bartlett Regional Hospital 2005 Capital Improvement Project.

Hospital CEO Shawn Morrow said on Capital Chat last week says that project will be wrapped up around mid-July.

He said the remaining work includes about 8 private in-patient rooms and some minor renovations to the lab.

The resolution allows the hospital to recover budgeted costs of procuring fixtures, furniture, and equipment.

Assembly approves resolution supporting opening of Kensington Mine
The Assembly last night (Monday) unanimously approved a resolution supporting the quick opening of the Kensington Gold Mine.

The resolution was sponsored by Assembly member Merrill Sanford.

Court agrees to hear appeal from former Juneau lawmaker
WASHINGTON (AP and KINY) — The U. S. Supreme Court will hear an appeal from a former Juneau state lawmaker caught up in a corruption investigation.

The court agreed Monday to hear from former Representative Bruce Weyhrauch.

Weyhrauch tell us he hopes the high court will look at his case carefully, look at the facts in the law, and make a decision. "I'm very grateful," he says.

He has been indicted on corruption charges in connection with former oil services company VECO Corp. and its efforts to win lower gas and oil taxes for its business partners.

Weyhrauch wants the court to consider whether prosecutors can introduce evidence about Alaska's conflict of interest rules for legislators.

Federal prosecutors say Weyhrauch took other official action on behalf of VECO, while at the same time negotiating a job with the company.

Weyhrauch says he complied with the state's conflict of interest rules.

He thinks its a good development, not only for him personally, but for all elected officials.

Weyhrauch is appealing a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which overruled a decision by a U. S. District Court judge who concluded there was no violation of state law.

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The Justice Department officials who prosecuted Weyhrauch's case are the same ones who pursued charges against former U. S. Senator Ted Stevens and former state Representatives Pete Kott and Vic Kohring.

They were removed from those cases after U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder concluded they mishandled them.

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The case is Weyhrauch v. United States, 08-1196.

Exxon Mobil says it will pay interest on spill damages
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. says it won't appeal hundreds of millions of dollars in interest on punitive damages resulting from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

The Irving, Texas-based company will pay $470 million in interest on more than $507.5 million in punitive damages following the 11-million gallon spill of crude in Prince William Sound.

Plaintiffs' lawyer David Oesting in Anchorage says the company expects to make payment on the interest in the next few days.

The decision is a turnaround for the company. Exxon Mobil since the mid-1990s has appealed court rulings on punitive damages.

An Anchorage jury in 1994 awarded plaintiffs $5 billion.

That was cut in half by the 9th Circuit.

The Supreme Court in a split decision reduced the total to $507.5 million.

The legal battles over the Exxon Valdez spill have dragged on for years but now appear to be coming to an end.

Cudmore says the only remaining sum in dispute is $70 million in court fees.  

Coast Guard searching for Alaskan in Clarence Strait
The Coast Guard is searching for a 24-year-old man after his powered canoe was located by a good Samaritan 32 miles west of Wrangell in Clarence Strait at 10:15 Monday morning.

Witnesses reported Samuel Butler, a Coffman Cove resident, departed from there at 3:30 a.m. not wearing a life jacket.

Operations Specialist Thomas Carella in the Juneau Command Center says in addition to the canoe they recovered a float coat and gas tank. He says there are no other leads at this time.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka was diverted from a patrol nearby late Monday morning and searched the area throughout the day.

The Coast Guard Cutter Liberty homeported in Auke Bay arrived on scene at about 4:30 in the afternoon.

There are also about a dozen Good Samaritan vessels and two aircraft from Sunrise Air Service in Wrangell assisting with the search.

Carella says they covered 598 miles of searching in a little over 14 and a half hours.

A helicopter search is underway this morning. The Liberty will conduct a shoreline search this morning.

Carella says all they know is that Butler headed northbound from the community on the northeast side of Prince of Wales Island. It wasn't known where he was heading.

Alaska State Troopers  say Butler was last seen leaving a party where he was drinking alcohol.  It was noted that he was operating the canoe in an erratic fashion.

If you have information pertaining to or know where Butler is, please contact the Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center at (907) 463-2980.

Kodiak land dispute comes to conclusion
KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request to review a land dispute between a Kodiak rancher and a village Native corporation, effectively ending a court battle that has dragged on for more than three decades.

The decision Monday affirms a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' last year in favor of Leisnoi (LESS'-noy) Inc., the Native corporation of Woody Island.

Rancher Omar Stratman sued in federal court two years after federal officials in 1974 certified Leisnoi as a Native village and conveyed to it 160,000 acres of public lands as an aboriginal land claim under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Stratman contended Leisnoi did not have the required population as stipulated under ANSCA and could not claim land he leased from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
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Information from: Kodiak Daily Mirror

Bus mechanics, others authorize Denali strike
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — About 16 bus mechanics, radio technicians and warehouse workers at Denali National Park have authorized a strike before one of the busiest holidays at the park.

Larry Bell is the business manager for IBEW Local 1547 in Anchorage. He says the strike against Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture could start as early as Wednesday.

He declined to detail what each side was seeking for wages and pension over the last six months, but said it was far enough apart that a strike has been authorized.

Doyon/ARAMARK spokesman Dave Freireich says the company believes it has offered a fair, comprehensive offer and will continue to work for a settlement "that works for everyone."

He says contingency plans are in place to make sure there is uninterrupted bus service if a strike occurs
Kodiak land dispute comes to conclusion

Scientists lower Alaska volcano threat level 
DAN JOLING - Associated Press Writer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Volcano Observatory has lowered the alert level for Mount Redoubt, the volcano that disrupted air traffic and sent mud flows toward an oil terminal earlier this year.

Seismic, satellite and gas observations over the past few weeks indicate that growth of a lava dome has significantly slowed and may have stopped.

The observatory says it's possible that eruptions have ended.

However, scientists say the large mass of fresh lava may be unstable and could fail with little or no warning, leading to significant ash production and possible mud flows in the Drift River Valley, where an oil terminal was threatened.

Redoubt's last significant eruption was April 4.

The volcano is 106 miles southwest of Anchorage.

Forest Service considers SE Alaska road closures
KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — The Craig and Thorne Bay Ranger Districts are seeking to reduce the 1,419 miles of open Forest Service roads on Prince of Wales Island by 40 percent.

Thorne Bay District Ranger Jason Anderson says a series of public meetings have been scheduled to gather opinions on which roads are most important to travelers and should be kept open.

Thorne says he realizes southeast Alaska residents won't be pleased with fewer roads, but wants them to understand that money problems mean the existing ones can't all be maintained, and there are safety concerns as the roads deteriorate.
(Ketchikan Daily News)

Juneau gas prices 8 to 19 cents above national average
It's been nine weeks since drivers have gotten a break at the pump and this week every region, state and city in the Energy Department survey recorded falling prices.

ABC News reports people will be paying a nickel less at the pump this week.

According to the Energy Department, the average price is now $2.65 a gallon.

The price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Juneau today (Tuesday) ranged from $2.73 to $2.84, according to our sources. That was the same as last week.

Southcentral police seek rogue motorcycle
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Anchorage police say they're seeking the driver of an unlicensed motorcycle who has eluded them between the city and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

He has been seen driving at more than 100 miles per hour on Anchorage streets and faster on the Glenn Highway.

The driver of the Suzuki motorcycle, believed to be a 2005 GSX-R1000, has run from Anchorage police three times and Alaska State Troopers once in June.

The bike's former owner demolished the bike in 2005. It was sold by the wrecker and reconstructed.

The bike is yellow and is driven by a man who wears a red, white, and black helmet. The motorcycle bears the former license plate, 6987RP.

Police say the driver could injure himself or other people on the roads.

Bogus newspaper carrier in Anchorage stabs woman who answered knock on her door
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Anchorage woman says she was stabbed in the stomach by a man who knocked on her door and claimed he was with the Anchorage Daily News.

Police say the injury yesterday to the 26-year-old woman is non-life threatening.

Police are looking for the man who ran away.
(Anchorage Daily News)

It's Cowan Appreciation Day in Juneau...subject of mayoral proclamation out of town
Today is Peggy Cowan Appreciation Day in Juneau.

Mayor Bruce Botelho issued that proclamation in recognition of the fact that it is Cowan's last day on the job as the Superintendent of schools here.

She's leaving Juneau for Barrow where she will serve as superintendent of schools for the North Slope Borough.

Cowan is celebrating the day in Portland, Maine.  She had signed up to attend training there prior to the mayor issuing his proclamation.

BIA regional office director in Juneau transferred to Minnesota
The director of the regional office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Juneau is being transferred south.

Niles Cesar telling us that he's being reassigned to the Midwest Regional Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The regional director retired recently and Cesar says the Interior Department felt he would be the best person to fill that position...

He's departing on or about August 25 and reporting to the Minneapolis Office on the 30th.

He says it will be his final transfer since he plans to retire in a year and return to Alaska.

Cesar expects an acting director will be appointed with a permanent replacement named within six months.

Eventual plans call for moving the regional office to Anchorage, while maintaining a smaller agency office in Juneau.

Cesar says the practice in recent years has been to move positions that become vacant in Juneau to Anchorage.

And for the most part that's already been done. He figures only 3 to 5 would be transferred from the 20 positions now in Juneau.

Cesar says the Interior Department is looking to make the switch within the next several years.

Anchorage man gets 21 years in stabbing
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A 49-year-old Anchorage man will serve 21 years in prison for stabbing a fellow tenant at an Anchorage rooming house.

Rickey Sizemore was convicted by an Anchorage jury in January of two counts of assault for the July 2007 incident.

Prosecutors said he stabbed a man in the neck with a knife while the man watched television in the rooming house.

Trial prosecutor John Skidmore says Sizemore has a long criminal history with prior convictions on assault, burglary and other crimes in Florida and North Carolina.

Anchorage woman stabbed when she opens door
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Anchorage woman says she was stabbed in the stomach by a man who knocked on her door and claimed he was with the Anchorage Daily News.

Police say the injury Monday to the 26-year-old woman is non-life threatening.

Police are looking for the man who ran away.
(Anchorage Daily News)

"Worst offender" felon gets 5 years
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A man has been sentenced to slightly more than five years in prison after being found to be a "worst offender."

Prosecutors say that Jimmie Richardson pleaded guilty to felony assault on a police officer, felony eluding, criminal mischief and driving under the influence.

Richardson was sentenced Monday by Superior Court Judge Michael Spaan in Anchorage.

Assistant District Attorney Gustaf Olson says Richardson walked away from a halfway house while on bail in a prior felony case.

An Alaska State Trooper spotted Richardson driving a stolen car. A high speed pursuit ensued.

It ended when Richardson rammed Kelly Huston's patrol car numerous times in an attempt to flee.

Marshall fishermen ignore Yukon River closure
MARSHALL, Alaska (AP) — Fishermen from the village of Marshall defied a closure on the Yukon River in an act of civil disobedience.

The Tundra Drums reports fishermen in six boats Friday caught 100 king salmon in gillnets for subsistence.

State and federal authorities have severely restricted king salmon on the Yukon this summer in an effort to help the struggling run recover. Commercial fishing for kings hasn't been allowed, and subsistence fishing has been limited to two 18-hour openings each week.

King salmon has long been a staple food along the Yukon. Residents dry or freeze the fish to eat year round. Also, commercial fishing for kings usually provides one of the few opportunities for villagers to make money.
(The Tundra Drums)

Congress may overhaul fishing industry regulations
SEATTLE (AP) — Congress may overhaul safety regulations for the fishing industry.

The Seattle Times reported Sunday the House may vote this summer to impose new construction standards for vessels, require training for skippers and mandate Coast Guard inspections.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, who chairs a subcommittee that oversees the Coast Guard, says she agrees in principal with the House bill.

The Pacific Northwest and Alaska have some of the most treacherous fisheries. Lives were lost last year in the Bering Sea sinkings of the Seattle-based Alaska Ranger and Katmai fishing boats.

The House bill's focus on boats as small as 50 feet long reflects Coast Guard risk analysis. Statistics compiled during a 15-year period that ended in 2007 found that vessels between 50 and 79 feet long had the highest loss rates in the entire fishing fleet.

Key elements of the bill:

— Coast Guard safety inspections, which are now voluntary, would be required at least once every other year. Skippers would be required to undergo safety training.

— New commercial fishing boats that are at least 50 feet long and operate at least three miles offshore would be subject to extensive new construction and equipment-installation standards developed by maritime-classification societies.

— Fishing vessels 50 feet or longer would come under alternative safety standards as they reach the 25th anniversary of their launch.
(The Seattle Times)

Kodiak Island sport fishery closing
KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — A Kodiak Island salmon fishery will close Wednesday because of a faltering run.

The Anchorage Daily News reports that biologists will close the king salmon sport fishery on the Ayakulik River because fewer than 1,800 kings were recently counted past the weir. It was only two years ago that more than 6,000 made it upriver to spawn.

Elsewhere on the island, the Karluk River had already been closed to king salmon fishing.

Many fisheries biologists say sparse runs from Kodiak Island all the way to the Stikine River in southeast Alaska indicate there may be a problem in the ocean.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Seven cited for fishing  in downtown Anchorage waterway
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska State Troopers handed out citations to seven fishermen cited for illegally going after salmon in the Ship Creek area of Anchorage.

Beginning Monday, the Department of Fish and Game put in place an emergency order closing the popular fishing spot until Sept. 30.

The problem is that fewer king salmon than expected are returning to the drainage.

In the past five years, about 40 percent of the total king salmon escapement has reached the safety of closed waters by June 23. Fish and Game says by June 26 only about 32 percent of the number of fish expected to be in the creek were estimated to be there.

Only the section of Ship Creek below the Chugach Electric power plant dam will reopen to coho salmon fishing July 14.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Ketchikan Airport to store plows inside
KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — The snow plows will be as dry as the passengers at Ketchikan International Airport next winter.

The airport has added new snow-removal equipment and is building a $5-million facility to store it in.

Airport maintenance manager Rod Rossing says the building will keep the machines warm and dry, and make a big difference when clearing the runway.

The six-man crew was kept busy this past winter dealing with snow and ice. Airport manager Mike Carney says crews worked up to 19 hours a day during some of the snowier parts of the season.
(Ketchikan Daily News)

Palin: I'd come out ahead in run against Obama 
MARY PEMBERTON - Associated Press Writer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is doing a bit of trash-talking on President Barack Obama in Runner's World magazine.

Palin says in an interview published online Tuesday that she'd come out ahead if she went one-on-one in a long run with fellow jogger Obama.

She tells the jogging aficionado's magazine that "I betcha I'd have more endurance."

The former Republican vice presidential candidate says her determination and endurance help her overcome what she lacks in physical strength or skill.

The August issue with Palin's interview goes on sale July 7.
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On the Net:
Palin interview with Runner's World, http://www.runnersworld.com/palin 

Father, son try fishing 50 states in 50 days
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Virginia man and his 17-year-old son are on a special quest this summer — trying to fish all 50 states in 50 days.

Jeff Turner says he grew up in Kansas and graduated from Kansas State. He and his 17-year-old son, Taylor, are taking on the challenge of fishing 50 states in 50 days.

Turner says their journey will span 15,000 miles by land, 6,000 miles by air and 500 miles by water. Hawaii and Alaska are included.

The trip began June 13 in Pennsylvania. Last week, the father and son were in Kansas at Milford Reservoir, where they hooked bass and walleye.