Vallenar Bay Road Restrictions

What is this notice about?

The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection is temporarily restricting public vehicle use of the Vallenar Bay Road on the north end of Gravina Island, near Ketchikan, while timber harvest work is going on. The road is limited to commercial and government traffic tied to logging, and the public may not drive it when it is signed as closed at the old mill site junction. Walking on the road is still allowed, and the restriction is expected to last until logging ends in late 2026.

Why was this notice issued?

The Division is issuing an administrative order under AS 35.05.035(a)(02) and (07) to protect life, safety and property under AS 38.04.058 and AS 38.04.200(3). The road is being used temporarily to support timber harvest from the Vallenar Bay GNA Timber Sale (SSE-1345-K) on State Forest and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) managed land, as well as timber harvest on other lands. The decision to restrict the road during operations was already made in the Vallenar Bay Forest Land Use Plan, SSE-1345-K, and cannot be appealed.

What action is being taken?

Temporarily restricting the Vallenar Bay Road to commercial and administrative traffic connected to timber harvest. Public use is discouraged during road construction, log hauling, cutting or logging on or next to the road. Public vehicles are not allowed when the road is signed as closed at the old mill site junction. Local residents and businesses must coordinate with the Division of Forestry before using the road. Pedestrian use is not restricted. The restriction began September 1, 2020 and is estimated to last until operations end in late 2026. It covers about 2,500 acres in the Vallenar Planning Unit of the Southeast State Forest and the Division's access easement on Ketchikan Gateway Borough land, in Sections 5, 6 and 8 of T75S, R90E; Sections 35 and 36 of T74S, R89E; and Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23 and 24 of T75S, R89E, Copper River Meridian (USGS quadrangle Ketchikan B-6), about five miles west of Ketchikan International Airport.

Who is involved: Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Fire Protection; timber harvest operators for the Vallenar Bay GNA Timber Sale (SSE-1345-K); U.S. Forest Service; Ketchikan Gateway Borough; local residents, businesses and the public who use the Vallenar Bay Road on Gravina Island.

How can the public respond?

This notice does not ask for public comment. It is for information only. Read the original notice for details.

Contact

Area Forester
Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, Southeast Area Office
dnr.dof.sse@alaska.gov
907-225-3070
2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213, Ketchikan, AK 99901

Will there be public meetings?

The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.

Key dates

Sep 1, 2020: Road restriction period began.

Original notice text

State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Fire Protection Southeast Area Office Vallenar Bay Road Restrictions The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (DFFP), gives formal notice that the Division is issuing an administrative order under the authority of AS 35.05.035 (a)(02) and (07) temporarily restricting the public’s use of the Vallenar Bay Road on Gravina Island. The purpose of this restriction is to protect life, safety, and property per AS. 38.04.058 and AS 38.04.200(3). This restriction is associated with the road’s temporary use supporting the harvest of timber from the Vallenar Bay GNA Timber Sale (SSE-1345-K) on State Forest and USFS managed land and as well as timber harvest occurring on other lands. The Vallenar Bay Road is restricted to commercial and administrative traffic associated with these timber harvest operations. The decision to temporarily restrict vehicle use of the road when operations are occurring was previously decided in the Vallenar Bay Forest Land Use Plan, SSE-1345-K, and is not appealable. Public use of the road is discouraged during periods of road construction, log hauling, cutting, or logging occurring on or adjacent to the road to protect public safety, equipment, and the value of the timber resource. Vehicle use of the road system by the public is not authorized when signed as closed at the old mill site junction. Local resident and business traffic shall coordinate with the DOF prior to the use of the road. Pedestrian use of the road is not restricted. The period of restriction was implemented on September 1, 2020 and is estimated to last until operations have concluded in late 2026. This restriction is associated with approximately 2,500 acres of land in the Vallenar Planning Unit of the Southeast State Forest and the associated DFFP access easement on Ketchikan Gateway Borough Land. The project area is on the north end of Gravina Island. Vallenar Bay is approximately five miles west of the Ketchikan International Airport and is viewable on USGS quadrangle Ketchikan B-6. The road corridor crosses State and Ketchikan Gateway Borough land in Sections 5, 6 and 8 of T75S, R90E; Sections 35 and 36 of T74S, R89 E; Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23 and 24 of T75S, R89E all within Copper River Meridian. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection Contact: Area Forester 2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213 Phone: 907-225-3070 Ketchikan, AK 99901 Email: dnr.dof.sse@alaska.gov Copies of the complete order are available for review at the Division’s Area Office and the Division’s web site at http://forestry.alaska.gov/timber/ketchikan as well as at the State online public notice web page.

This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text. This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.