Residents have until April 30 to submit proposals for natural resource-related projects to be funded by the Lynn Canal-Icy Strait Resource Advisory Committee. Up to $175,000 is available for projects on or directly affecting National Forest system lands.
The money applies to system lands around Haines, Gustavus, Hoonah, Pelican, Elfin Cove, and Angoon.
Also, six vacancies are open on the 15-member advisory committee.
Funded through the Secure Rural Schools Act, the program has previously appropriated about $1 million in northern Lynn Canal, including $105,325 for non-native invasive plant control and $46,000 for erosion-control efforts on the Neva Lake Road at Excursion Inlet.
Admiralty Island National Monument ranger Chad VanOrmer said examples of previously funded programs include fish passage restoration at Couverdon ($18,800), road and trail maintenance on Admiralty Island ($184,225), watershed resource inventory at Mitchell Bay ($50,850) and an information kiosk at Elfin Cove ($50,850).
Projects do not have to be located on National Forest lands to qualify but they must have direct benefit to Tongass National Forest resources. Proposals are encouraged to create or maintain local job opportunities and partnerships.
Project proposals will be accepted only on the approved project submittal form. Forms are available online at http://goo.gl/tnSEV. Proposals including non-national forest lands should include a map of project location.
For questions or help in collaborating to develop a proposal, call Lynn Canal-Icy Strait RAC Coordinator Jennifer Norton at [email protected] or 907-789-6209.
Complete project proposals must be received by the Hoonah Ranger District or Admiralty Island National Monument by April 30. Proposal forms will be accepted through the LC-IS RAC website, email, fax or hardcopy.
Hoonah Ranger District can be reached via fax at 907-945-3385 or at P.O. Box 135, 430A Airport Road, Hoonah, AK 99829. The Admiralty Island National Monument can be reached at Norton’s email address, at fax 907-586-8808 or at 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801.
The committee reviews and makes recommendations for funding of projects.
The committee has vacancies for members to represent interest groups including commercial timbering, organized labor, land-use permit holders, recognized wildlife or hunting organizations, watershed groups, state or local office holders, school teachers or officials or representatives of an Alaska Native group.
Haines residents Jerry Lapp, Jim Studley and Jim Shook currently serve on the committee. Committee members are appointed and serve a four-year term without compensation, although travel and per diem may be reimbursed. Applications with original signatures are due by April 30 and are available by calling the committee coordinator at 907-789-6209.