Tongass National Forest News Release UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-FOREST
SERVICE
Contact: Jeff Defreest
Email: jdefreest@xxxxxxxxx
Phone: 907-789-6202
Date: May
26, 2009
Forest Service signs ROD on Angoon
hydroelectric project
Juneau, AK – Residents of Angoon are
one step closer to realizing a hydroelectric facility to power their community—a
facility which could potentially lower the cost of electric bills and reduce
the village’s dependence on expensive diesel-generated power.
Tongass National Forest Supervisor Forrest
Cole signed the Record of Decision for the project May 8. Cole, selecting
Alternative 3 from the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for
the project. The Selected Alternative requires buried power line and other
terms and conditions to provide protection to resources in the project
area, on Thayer Creek.
Kootznoowoo, Inc., the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act corporation for the city of Angoon, is the project
proponent. In 2003, Kootznoowoo asked the Forest Service to begin the process
necessary to permit and develop a hydroelectric facility, pursuant to the
rights granted in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA),
which exempted the hydroelectric project from the requirements of the Wilderness
Act.
The Selected Alternative describes the
terms and conditions required for issuance of a Special Use Authorization
related to the construction and operation of the hydroelectric facility.
This means Kootznoowoo must obtain all necessary federal and state permits,
as well as submit to the Forest Service design plans, site plans, and specifications
as necessary to assure consistency and compliance with the ROD.
The Forest Service will then review
the proposal and determine if it meets prescribed conditions for protection
of natural resources, recreational, heritage and scenic values. Upon issuance
of the Special Use Authorization, construction can begin.
Individuals or organizations who submitted
comments during the comment period may appeal this decision. The notice
of appeal must be submitted in writing within 45 calendar days of Thursday,
May 21, the date that the legal notification of this decision was published
in the Ketchikan Daily News, the official newspaper of record. Send notices
of appeal by regular mail, fax or e-mail to the Appeal Deciding Officer:
Denny Bschor
Regional Forester
Alaska Region, U.S. Department of Agriculture
709 W. 9th Street
P.O. Box 21628
Juneau, AK 99802-1628
