The U.S. Forest Service has awarded the contract for a major logging project on Kupreanof Island near Petersburg. Viking Lumber of Klawock was the only bidder for the 37-million board foot Tonka Timber Sale. The agency made the announcement last week during its latest “collaborative stewardship” workshop. That series of public meetings is aimed at bringing forest stakeholders together to come up with local uses for revenue from the sale. The local group has focused on improvements for fish and wildlife habitat damaged by past logging and road building. The discussions have been tense at times as participants have very different views on the broader issues involved.
Matt Lichtenstein attended the most recent workshop and has this report.
Part of the Tonka road system on Kupreanof Island near Petersburg.
