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 (DOF), 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 University of Alaska (UA) land. 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 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. Local business traffic shall coordinate with DOF prior to the use of the road. Pedestrian use of the road is not restricted. The period of restriction starts September 1, 2020 and is estimated to last until December of 2024.

This restriction is associated with approximately 2,500 acres of land in the Vallenar Planning Unit of the Southeast State Forest and the associated DOF 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                    
2417 Tongass Avenue, Suite 213                                             
Ketchikan, AK  99901                                                             
Contact:  Greg Staunton, Area Forester
Phone:  (907) 225-3070
E-mail:  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 at http://notice.alaska.gov/209696.

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Fire Protection complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services, or special modifications to participate may contact the number above.