You’ve heard the old question: “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” But here’s the real question: if a constituent has a voice but our government never hears it, does it make a difference?
The Alaska Board of Forestry is meant to represent diverse interests, but its membership doesn’t include a conservation voice — we have to represent ourselves — and we have that chance on Wednesday, February 28, when the board will accept public comment during its meeting.
This is an all-day meeting, with public comment scheduled for 2-2:15 p.m. — it’s a short window right before industry group Alaska Forest Association has its 15-minute slot.
Board of Forestry Meeting Public Comment
When: Wednesday, February 28, 2 p.m.
Where: Zoom or Teleconference
Join via Teleconference
Phone: 719-359-4580 / Meeting ID: 939 7203 7612 / Passcode: 714234
Join via Zoom
Zoom link / Meeting ID: 939 7203 7612 / Passcode: 714234
Talking Points
You’ll be instructed to introduce yourself — stating your name, where you live and any affiliation — then to provide your comment. We’ve crafted some talking points for your consideration; the opportunity to speak will be short, so you might pick one or two that matter most to you and consider speaking to your personal connection to Alaska’s forests.
- Communities and residents on POW are being hurt by the state’s logging plans
- The Division of Forestry is ignoring the voices of resident Alaskans.
- I look to this Board to advise the Division of Forestry on topics around logging, including:
- Public opinion and community needs regarding forest management
- Specific interest areas like timber retention, forest health issues, or other factors
- I would like to see more consideration for:
- Subsistence
- Recreation
- Aesthetics/scenic beauty
- Quality of life
- I’m concerned about misuse of parcels designated as “Settlement” lands for commercial logging
- These areas, including El Capitan and Whale Pass, were specifically identified in the POW Island Area Plan as important to POW communities for recreation, subsistence, and aesthetics
- I encourage the Board of Forestry to consider the comments received by the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection about recent logging projects on Prince of Wales
- One of those projects, Whale Pass, received 300 comments in opposition, mostly from local residents
- Another sale, the ‘Stairway Sale,’ would put lives in danger due to the slope above it being identified as landslide prone
