Resource Conservation & Development Program Project Summary List
Area Plan Southeast Conference completed an area plan/regional development strategy in 1996 in order to meet the terms of the RC&D and Alaska Regional Development Organization (ARDOR) program. Wrangell Museum & Civic Center Assisted with Master Plan development for new building to house a museum collection appraised at $6 million. The collection includes the oldest Tlingit house posts in SE Alaska. Assisted with Fund raising planning, grant writing, committee development and a workshop. City is providing $2.5 million for feasibility studies, design, and construction. Final designs were completed in the summer of 1999. A concrete foundation was constructed. Project is now delayed because of a voter referendum in July that put the construction of the structure on hold. The Nolan Trust will provide $3.0 million for construction and $3.0 million for endowment. The Wrangell "Friends of the Museum" group and City of Wrangell will raise an additional $500K- $1 million for the remaining construction costs. Funds will come from local, regional, statewide and national grants and fundraising. Back to top Tolstoi Bay Industrial Site Feasibility Study Assisted with planning and RFP development for deep-water port and light industrial site development for the City of Thorne Bay, Alaska. City received $62K Rural Development grant for recently completed Tolstoi Port & Industrial Site Feasibility Study and Preliminary Development Plan. Another $30K came from a RDA mini-grant in September, 1999 to complete phase 3 of the studies. Development of the terminal, staging, access road, land purchase, design and contingency is estimated to cost $4.5 million. Back to top Duck Creek Restoration Plan RC&D assisted with planning, public involvement and facilitation for the Duck Creek Advisory Group in Juneau. NMFS received EPA 319 grants to study, demonstrate several restoration techniques on an urban stream, and complete a restoration plan. State, federal, local government and private involvement and contributions to the project. The restoration plan was completed in July 1999. DCAG received a Coastal America Partnership Award in 1999. Back to top Regional Endowment Establishment Southeast Conference is investigating the idea of developing a regional endowment fund for the benefit of communities and groups in SE Alaska. An additional scholarship fund was established in September 2000 with a $25,000 donation from Alaska Airlines. This project may have potential in regard to a watershed stewardship fund. Back to top Mendenhall Watershed Formation To develop a partnership between developers and conservation interests that will assist in the conservation and restoration of streams and habitat while working toward development that reduces impact on natural resources in Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley. Southeast Conference received funding from an EPA grant, a NRCS cooperative agreement, an Alaska Conservation Foundation grant, and local contributions from the Juneau Homebuilders Association and others totaling $32,500 for development and initial implementation of watershed activities. In the second, third and forth years SEC has received State of Alaska and additional EPA funding of over $140,000 to assist with educational activities, developing organizational capacity, and continuing to implement projects in the valley. This funding was matched with local, state, and other federal technical and financial assistance. The Partnership has been effectively spun-off as its own non-profit group. The group received their first EPA 319 grant administered by AK DEC in August, 2000. Back to top Klawock Library - Outreach for NRCS Assistance Southeast Conference received $15,000 through a NRCS cooperative agreement for providing additional RC&D technical assistance to under served rural communities in SE Alaska. The SEC chose to assist the small communities of Klawock and Craig on Prince of Wales Island in southern SE Alaska. The funding is being used to provide additional capacity in the communities through a program assisted by the Corporation for National Service (VISTA). One of the primary projects was the development of a public library. The total value of the donated goods and services including the building, flooring, shelving, books and other equipment was over $89,000. Several other local community needs were met through this endeavor. Back to top Hoonah Low to Moderate Income Survey The City of Hoonah completed a LMI survey in 1999, which allows the City to qualify and apply for state and federal funds for infrastructure and economic development projects. NRCS provided $1,500 to Southeast Conference through a cooperative agreement for the survey. Alaska DCRA counted and qualified the survey. Back to top Skagway Hatchery Expansion Plan City of Skagway is investigating an expansion of the small school-run educational hatchery. RC&D assisted initial planning and facilitation of the early stages of the project. Issues include need for improvements to Pullen Creek, expanded capacity for fish rearing and changes in the management of the overall operation. Alaska Department of Transportation is expanding the airport. Mitigation for the impacts on Skagway River may result in improvements to Pullen Creek. A group of commercial sports fishers supports the project and donated funds. The Douglas Island Pink and Chum Hatchery (DIPAC) is providing technical and financial support. Total cost estimates have not been made and will depend upon plans and scale of the project. Back to top Craig Community Foundation The Craig Community Foundation is planning on building a community center for the benefit of the people in Craig and surrounding areas. The group has completed an initial design. The City of Craig set land aside for the building and land was cleared. The group needs funding for the building. In addition to completing the structure, CCF Board members are considering evaluating their mission in Craig and on POW Island. Back to top Prince of Wales Hatchery Oyster Spat Nursery Development The Hatchery Association was interested in developing a shellfish nursery as an additional revenue stream. The Hatchery staff and board decided not to pursue the effort after determining that the projects would not be financially feasible for the Association and would require technology and expertise that they did not have. The project file contains research on the development of a nursery. Back to top Safe Shellfish Harvest Program Project objectives included improved beach monitoring and testing of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. Southeast Conference cancelled the project after determining that several groups and organizations were pursuing better monitoring and testing for PSP. The Alaska Science & Technology Foundation is already funding similar proposals from other organizations including the Alaska Shellfish Growers Association and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Marine Advisory Program. Back to top Thoms Place Action Plan The small community of Thoms Place (located at the southern end of Wrangell Island) completed a community action plan in 1999. The group received a $3,000 US Forest Service Rural Communities Economic Diversification Grant to assist in the plan development. RC&D assisted with development and compilation of a community survey and initial planning. The plan was completed in the winter of 1999. Back to top Fish Enhancement Coffman Cove The City of Coffman Cove has been dependent upon the Ketchikan Pulp Company for the majority of jobs in the community. The company will discontinue operations at the end of this year. The City intends to reestablish a king salmon fishery in Coffman Cove in order to improve fishing for sport and charter fishers. This will increase employment opportunities in the community. The City will be working with the Prince of Wales Hatchery Association to raise the fish from eggs to smolts for release in Coffman Cove. Total project cost is about $99,000. The City is receiving a $49,000 Sustainable Development grant from the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Back to top Threemile Creek Water Supply The City of Klawock would like to develop a new source for their municipal water supply. This will replace the current source on Half-Mile Creek, which has marginal volume during dry periods and requires excessive treatment. The present source may not meet the need for additional housing and commercial development. Next steps include assessment and feasibility study for the site of the diversion and feasibility of tying the new source to the existing system. The City is currently working with USGS to gauge Threemile Creek for quantity and quality. Total project cost is estimated to be over $3 million. Back to top Floyd Dryden Pond Classroom Members of the Duck Creek Advisory Group and the Mendenhall Watershed Partnership in Juneau have combined efforts to improve water quality, improve wetland habitat, improve public safety, and provide educational opportunities by creating an outdoor classroom at Floyd Dryden Middle School. Participants have provided landscape designs, heavy equipment, fill materials, plants, and funding for the project. Cost for restoring this wetland and creating the outdoor classroom is estimated to be $125,000. Most of the funding will come from in-kind assistance and donated materials. SEC received $3,000 from a RC&D mini grant for costs associated with construction and materials. Back to top Wetland Mitigation Bank, Project Development The City and Borough of Juneau is developing a bank for mitigating development projects that impact quality wetlands. The City received a $20,000 EPA grant (written by RCD Coordinator) to begin the public process, which includes getting the various federal and state agencies to the table. The mitigation bank was identified in Juneau’s Wetland Management Plan as a necessary tool for restoring, creating, preserving, and improving wetland resources. The initial public process is finished. The study group applied for additional EPA funding for implementing the bank establishment. Back to top Taku River Unified Watershed Assessment The Douglas Indian Association requested NRCS assistance through the SEC council and USFS assistance for pulling together baseline resource information on the Taku River, near Juneau. RC&D helped with the planning and formation of an interdisciplinary team to complete the first unified watershed assessment for SE Alaska in 1999. Back to top Clausen Memorial Museum Plan Petersburg’s Clausen Museum Board requested assistance for the development of a master plan and initial grant writing for museum expansion and improvements, which we have initiated. The board and other partners are developing a plan to build a new museum and community or cultural center within the next five years. The City of Petersburg may provide the property for the Museum and cultural center. Back to top Pond Restoration and Iron Removal SEC is working with the National Marine Fishery Service (NMFS) to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in Duck Creek. The SEC will receive a $45,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Grant to be used primarily on restoration work. Local Challenge Match funding of $45,000 has been obtained from three sources: Arrette Construction, Hanna Construction and the University of Illinois at Champaign. Match came from in-kind work donated fill materials and associated heavy equipment and from preliminary engineering designs and research. A contract with NFWF and an agreement with NMFS are pending. Back to top Rocky Pass Shellfish Nursery SE Alaska shellfish growers have difficulty obtaining large quantities of quality shellfish (oysters, clams, etc.) seed and spat. RC&D assisted in the grant writing to obtain over $30K for construction of a floating nursery capable of producing between two and four million spat. The project will assist in the development of other industry improvements. The floating nursery is constructed and is growing oyster and little neck clam spat. Back to top Hoonah Bulk Fuel Tank Farm CDBG Proposal Provided assistance to the City of Hoonah and other local and regional organizations to develop a proposal for consolidating and improving conditions of bulk fuel storage facilities. We wrote a $200,000 CDBG grant to the State of Alaska for site development costs. The project was not funded however the community received some funding from the Denali Commission for engineering design and facility development. Back to top Boats for Water Quality Monitoring The Douglas Indian Association (DIA) was monitoring water quality in the Taku River. DIA has been utilizing equipment including boats from the USGS and NMFS however the arrangements were ending. DIA hoped to transfer boats and motors from the NMFS surplus equipment to the NRCS. NRCS would then develop a cooperative agreement with DIA to continue assessments on the Taku River. DIA decided not to pursue the agreement due to financial limitations for insurance and operation and maintenance of the equipment. Back to top On-Site Secondary Sewage Treatment Demonstration Southeast Conference is undertaking a demonstration project using UV lights to disinfect sewage leaving septic tanks and subdivision out-falls in Juneau. The project will help communities throughout Southeast Alaska understand this evolving technology and potentially reduce costs of expensive sewage treatment facilities. The use of this equipment will benefit homes in areas with high water tables and near tidal flats. Applications for funding have been made to the Alaska Science & Technology Foundation, Alaska DEC and EPA. Funds will be used for National Sanitation Foundation certification and the demonstration. The City of Ketchikan is having problems with waste disposal associated with failed and failing on-site systems and also with the disposal of pumped septic system waste. This project and technology could be used as an alternative method of disinfection. A protocol for annual maintenance of on-site systems, pumping, and in some cases replacement may assist in moving this project and technology forward. The City will probably build a waste treatment facility. Back to top Prince of Wales Economic Summit The Prince of Wales Economic Summit was held in May 2000 to focus attention on Prince of Wales Island community and sub-regional economic conditions, infrastructure and facility needs and opportunities for improvement. Over 100 people attended the three-day session held in the communities of Thorne Bay, Klawock and Coffman Cove. Trips to tour community projects also took place in Craig and Hydaburg. Major issues included timber harvest and utilization, transportation needs, energy, communication technology, fisheries, tourism and medical facilities. The summit had several sponsors including: Prince of Wales Community Advisory Council, Southeast Conference, the City of Thorne Bay, City of Craig, Southeast Alaska Native Coalition, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Forest Service, Shaan Seet Inc., Klawock Heenya, and the Craig Community Assoc. Back to top Household Hazardous Waste FY’01 Program Development The successful regional HHW collection program in partnership with Alaska DEC and Prince William Sound EDC was continued again in FY 2001. The specifications, bid sheets and RFP were rewritten and a new contract was awarded for HHW collections for 11 communities. SEC’s HHW vehicle and safety equipment is transported from one community to the next via Alaska Marine Highway System Ferry. Alaska DEC provides supervision of the collection and provides maintenance on the equipment. Back to top Economic Development Planner for Timber Impacted Communities The Economic Development Administration provided an $80,000 grant to Southeast Conference for planning assistance to communities impacted by the downturn of the timber industry. In January 2001, SEC hired a community planner. Eleven communities have been assisted on over 14 infrastructure and economic development projects. Back to top Prince of Wales Office Establishment & RC&D Assistant NRCS established an office on Prince of Wales Island and is providing a RC&D Assistant Coordinator in 2001. The coordinator is working on RC&D related activities, conservation planning on private lands, and WHIP projects primarily on POW Island. The position will be available to neighboring communities on an occasional basis. Back to top Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fishers Assoc. PSP Program The Conference is initiating work with SARDFA, to develop a safe and economical method of marketing live shellfish. The project seeks to improve on PSP testing methodology to dive harvested shellfish. SARDFA received funding from the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, US Rural Development and the State legislature and does not additional assistance at this time. Back to top Pac Rim RC&D Assoc. FY’02 Annual Meeting Assistance The Alaska Association of RC&D Councils and Southeast Conference will host the Pacific Rim Association of RC&D Councils 2002 Pac-Rim annual meeting in September, 2002. SEC role will be facilities arrangements, outside tour opportunities and program tours and entertainment. Southeast Conference is working with the Ketchikan Visitor’s Bureau to assist with arrangement for hotels, facilities, meals, tours, and reception. SEC will probably contract with a meeting facilitator to assist with local arrangements. The Ted Ferry Civic Center (TFCC) has the dates set aside as does the Cape Fox Hotel and New York Hotel. The Alaska Association will assist with the informational and education components of the program. The Pacific Rim Board will be responsible for the business meeting agenda on the final day. Preliminary program plans are being developed. A contract will need to be signed with TFCC to reserve the dates in the near future. Back to top Sustainable Forest Program Presentations The Conference is initiating work on a sustainable forest concept. In the winter of 2001 RC&D Coordinator Jim Walls from Columbia Pacific RC&D gave a series of presentations to interested groups in three SE Alaska communities on the Sapsop Demonstration Project Jim has been working on in Washington State. Back to top Shellfish Aquaculture Development Zone Development Shellfish industry growth has been slowed by conflicts between shellfish farmers and the dive industry for the use of natural stock in addition to concerns by subsistence use and others. This project will identify suitable sites free of serious conflict and provide a means to speed the permitting process. The Alaska Dep. of Fish and Game back the project. Funding assistance currently is being sought through the Alaska Science and Technology Foundation and the Marine Advisory Program. The shellfish growers and the community of Naukati participated in a meeting with state and federal agencies in January 2002. The group identified a number of hurdles that will need to be overcome in order to set up an Aquaculture Zone. Naukati is very supportive of the effort. Back to top Hydaburg Community Action Plan The City of Hydaburg is receiving a USFS planning grant to development a plan for their community SEC is provided initial community planning and is helping to coordinate the project. A contractor was hired to complete the planning document that should be completed by April 2002. Back to top Coffman Cove Sustainable Salmon Funding The City of Coffman Cove is working with POW Office RC&D staff to obtain technical and financial assistance for the terminal king salmon fishery. Staff is providing grant writing assistance for SE Sustainable Salmon Fund proposals and facilitating a cooperative venture between Coffman Cove, the City of Craig’s Port St. Nicholas King Salmon project, Prince of Wales Hatchery Assoc. and Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture to develop terminal fisheries at Craig and Coffman Cove. Back to top Community Watershed Stewardship Program Development SEC is working with the ADF&G to develop a program to assist watershed councils, communities, Tribes and other non-profit groups educate the general public on the benefits of habitat conservation and sustaining salmon fisheries. Funding will also be provided for habitat restoration. This program will probably be funded at a level of $700,000 and managed by the SEC. The agreement is currently being developed. Technical assistance will be needed from NRCS, USFS, NMFS, USFWS and state and other federal agencies. The NRCS will provide a watershed planner to work with communities, Tribes and landowners in SE Alaska. Part of the position’s responsibilities will be to assist watershed councils assess the issues and facilitate improvements. A watershed committee will be developed and have representation from the SEC Board, Central Council, ADF&G, Alaska DEC, and the USFS. Other representation may be added at a future time. Back to top Klawock Watershed Planning Assistance Watershed council planning, project facilitation and project development assistance is being provided by our assistant RC&D Coordinator in Craig, Prince of Wales Island. Applications for funding assistance have been written to ADEC for 319 funding, The River Network and SE Sustainable Salmon Fund. Back to top POW Hatchery Assoc. Alternative Energy Project The objective of the alternative energy project is to reduce fuel consumption and have healthier fish by improving water circulation at their net pens. Fuel consumption can be decreased by using alternative sources of energy including developing a low-pressure hydro unit at the facility. Back to top Back to top 
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