Deer Mountain (KRBD file photo)
Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office has scheduled public meetings in Ketchikan, Saxman and Petersburg to present information and hear from the public about the state agency’s plans to log sensitive areas close to the communities if a federal land exchange doesn’t pass Congress early next year.
The first meeting is in Petersburg on Oct. 27th. It starts at 7 p.m. at the Sons of Norway.
The meeting in Saxman is set for Nov. 1st from 3-5 p.m. at the Saxman Community Hall. Later that same day, another meeting has been scheduled for 7-9 p.m. at the Ted Ferry Civic Center in Ketchikan.
According to an announcement from the Trust Land Office, officials will share information
about the land exchange legislation; the potential selective helicopter harvest of a section of Deer Mountain and land above homes in Petersburg; and the decision-making process and timeline that the Trust Land Office anticipates for that potential logging.
The announcement notes that the process provides for public input.
TLO officials also will talk about the agency’s role and about the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.
When the decision to log the sensitive areas was announced in August, there was immediate and negative public reaction.
