A map of the proposed timber sale. The yellow areas represent land owned by UA. (Henry Leasia / KHNS)
On Tuesday, the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents was nearly unanimous in its approval of a development and disposal plan for a Chilkat Valley timber sale. KHNS’s Abbey Collins reports on the response from the local government.
Haines Assemblyman Tom Morphet wants to ask the university to press pause, and give the borough time to hold an advisory vote.
“And see where the citizens of the Haines Borough line up on this sale,” said Morphet. “And I think that would be a leadership position to take.”
Morphet’s suggestion came amid a discussion at a committee of the whole meeting, where some said they felt local opinions and interactions were misrepresented when the regents met earlier that day.
Assembly member Stephanie Scott noted discomfort with the Haines Borough Mayor being listed as a supporter of the timber project. The assembly, through the mayor, has sent a few letters to the University about the sale, mainly requesting more information and more transparency. They’ve emphasized the believed impact the sale would have on the valley.
Hill says she’s felt good about her interactions with the University. She says, though the university’s representation of her is beyond her control, she personally thinks this timber project could be a good opportunity for the community she represents.
Hill also says it’s still early in the process, and once more details are available, she’ll voice concerns as she has them.
Manager Debra Schnabel expressed concerns that the amount of engagement U A has had with the community was misrepresented, and that the full scope of community positions weren’t brought forward.
“You know, they didn’t present — from my position, and I listened to the two hours of public testimony on May 22. I don’t see how anybody in the board of regents could have sat there through two hours of that testimony and concluded that there weren’t issues. And those issues are not represented here,” said Schnabel.
Assembly member Brenda Josephson pushed back on those raising these concerns.
“I think that we’ve come across as adversarial,” says Josephson. “And I think that at this point, we really need to step into a leadership role, rather than still trying to stop something that is going to happen. I fear that if we don’t step up and take a leadership role, we’ll be viewed as irrelevant.”
Josephson says the assembly should be trying to engage with the university, instead of trying to stop it.
“The activity is consistent with our code,” said Josephson. “It’s consistent with our comprehensive plan. And the community really needs the economic activity.”
The timber industry has a long history in the Chilkat Valley. Local sawmills operated in Haines throughout much of the 20th century. Small local mills remain in operation.
The University’s Board of Regents voted 9-1 on Tuesday to approve the development and disposal plan for the sale of timber on 13,400 acres of its land in the Haines Borough.
That authorizes the University to move forward in negotiations with the interested buyer. A contract will come back to the board before being finalized.
