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Economic Development and Advocacy for Southwest Alaska
August 2010
Greetings!
Hello and welcome to this latest edition of e-Tidings, SWAMC's monthly newsletter for friends of the region.  This month we discuss two broadband efforts, highlight a couple regional renewable energy projects, and look at crew license data in Southwest Alaska. Make sure to note some of the relevant regional events and dates to remember at the end of this newsletter. Thanks for reading.
Steller Sea Lion Draft BiOp Released, Comments Due August 27
SSLAfter several months of delay, the National Marine Fisheries Service released its draft biological opinion on the health of the Steller sea lion population in western Alaska on August 2. Numerous recommendations are found in the 800-page document, including closure of the Atka mackerel and Pacific cod fisheries in the western Aleutians and fishery closures near sea lion rookeries and areas where the mammals rest in the central Aleutians. Under the draft, the current Bering Sea pollock fishery will not be altered. One of NOAA's goals is to ensure the sea lions have adequate food supplies in areas of concern, although a definitive cause for population decline has not been identified at this point.

A lot of anticipation had built up before the release of the draft BiOp, and there promises to be a lot of discussion and feedback regarding the recommendations of the NMFS scientists. The NPFMC is holding a special meeting to review the recommendations next week in Anchorage. NOAA Fisheries is accepting public comment on the draft document through 5 p.m. ADT on August 27. Comments can be emailed to [email protected]. NOAA Fisheries intends to complete the final Biological Opinion and to implement the direct final rule measures before the start of the 2011 fishery in January.
Southwest Alaska Broadband Strategy Underway
The Southwest Alaska Broadband Consortium recently held its first meeting which included stakeholders from across the region as well as representatives from cable providers. The group will be working together in the coming weeks to create a broadband strategy for Southwest Alaska.  Input from around the Southwest region will be very important in ensuring that the strategy offers a comprehensive plan of action to effectively use the increased broadband capabilities that will be available soon.   
 
We're asking members to please take five minutes to fill out this survey on internet use at your organization to help us with this effort. The survey can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WQB6VB3.
 
If you are interested in joining the consortium, please contact SWAMC at 907-562-7380 or [email protected].
An Update on the Naknek Geothermal Project10000 smokes
Naknek Electric Association is forging ahead with their plans to develop the state's first geothermal utility plant, with the ultimate goal of connecting all of Bristol Bay's villages into the electrical grid. The project thus far has involved a $20M investment and more than a decade of planning and development. The first well was drilled to 10,500 feet earlier this summer, where the exploration team discovered no hydrocarbons (good) but instead found a hot water hydrothermal source (even better). The water source is what feeds the closed loop geothermal cycle of the facility. The first well was considerably more expensive than the remaining 4-5 wells necessary for the system, but that's part of the learning curve, explains NEA general manager Donna Vukich. NEA owns the drilling equipment and has several trained Bristol Bay residents working on the project. Two more wells may be drilled later this year, hopefully leading to a 25-megawatt plant that could be up and running in 2012.

Everyone knows the possibilities that low-cost, predictable energy can bring. A project like this can have significant economic development impacts for the Bristol Bay region, and they're not the only area of Southwest Alaska looking at geothermal potential. Akutan and Unalaska have been studying their resources for years. A seafood processor in Kodiak is going to take advantage of their local renewable energy resource and incorporate it into their sustainable marketing program. Could other regional fishers be doing the same in the future? Stay tuned...
Connect Alaska Looking to Sort Out Broadband Picture
The State of Alaska has commissioned Connect Alaska (www.connectak.org) to create a detailed, interactive map of broadband coverage across the state.  This map will provide an inventory of broadband capacity across the state, including at Community Anchor Institutions (CAI).  Such information is essential to develop strategies aimed at increasing broadband availability and use across Alaska.

Connect Alaska is building a comprehensive database of available broadband capacity at Community Anchor Institutions and requests your help by completing a simple and secure online survey on the Connect Alaska website. You'll be asked information such as:
  • Institution name, address, and phone number;
  • Type of CAI you represent;
  • What (if any) type of broadband access is available, either to staff or the general public;
The survey also includes a simple, quick online tool to measure the actual speeds of your online connection.
New Wind Turbines in Kokhanok to Have Big Impact
kokhanok windIn other regional renewable energy news, two refurbished 90 kw Vesta towers arrived in Kokhanok in June and were erected on July 30. The high penetration design is expected to provide the majority of the community's electricity needs, even allowing for the diesel generators to be turned off for certain periods. The project construction is 70% complete, and the integrated system should be operational and connected to the Kokhanok power grid by October. The project will save up to 40% of the diesel needed to run the village power plant. This is great news in a community that sometimes pays $8.00/gal for diesel fuel.
Southwest Alaska Monthly Indicator
Click image to enlarge.
SW crew data

The consolidation of the fishing industry can easily be identified by reviewing commercial crewmember licenses sold in each of the regions in Southwest Alaska. The Kodiak region has shown the greatest loss of sales of local licenses, although all other districts in the region trend towards a slow decline in crew license sales over the past two decades. However, the data presented may not be entirely representative of the true crew effort for the region.  Crewmember licenses are issued by the State of Alaska, so under the current system a license purchased in Anchorage, Seattle, or even Texas could represent crew working in any Alaskan community. In 2007, 644 licenses were sold in Anchorage, while 1569 licenses were sold in Seattle, a large portion of the 2206 licenses sold outside of Alaska. The only categories where license sales are on the rise are for purchases through the Internet.
 
Less crewmembers are purchasing licenses in local communities, but other than this limited data there is a void of information on Alaska's commercial crewmembers. As many SWAMC members are already aware, an initiative is scheduled to begin this winter to better track this vital sector of the economy, to include such findings as: who are these crew; where do they reside outside of fishing; how many months do they fish; what fisheries do they participate in; what is their contribution to local economies? Hopefully all of these questions and more will be answered with a better crewmember data collection system in the coming years.
Remember to Vote NO on Measure 1...and Spread the Word!
The August 24 primary is only weeks away, and it is important that voters understand the effects that a misguided initiative like Measure 1 can have. If passed, the measure would, among other things:
  • Prohibit Alaskans who do business with the government over $500 from making political contributions. This ban will reach their extended families.
  • Hurt local government by limiting their ability to talk to lawmakers in Juneau.
  • Silence board members of non-profits who receive city or state funds.
  • Shut out of the process Alaska Municipal League, Association of School   Boards and many other groups that advocate for Alaskans.
  • Prevent teachers, firefighters, and cops from speaking to elected officials on professional issues.
Voting NO on 1 may seem like a no-brainer, but recent polling indicates that a significant number of Alaskans intend to vote for the Gag Law. It is imperative that folks spread the word that this is a dangerous and ill-informed initiative. Once August 25th rolls around, we don't want to be in a (gagged) world of regret!
Work of Senator Stevens Felt Across All of AlaskaTed Stevens
Lastly, we'd like to close by recognizing the legacy that former Senator Ted Stevens had on the state of Alaska, and in Southwest Alaska in particular. Through  more than 60 years of public service, Senator Stevens had a sweeping effect on the lives of rural and Native Alaskans through infrastructure development and social projects; he was instrumental in the creation of the Denali Commission, CDQ groups, and many other programs; and he was a long-time advocate of the fishing industry and sponsored critical fishing legislation that redefined the industry in a positive way. That his last days were spent on a fishing trip near Lake Aleknagik in  Southwest Alaska shows that Sen. Stevens was still endeared to the greatness of the Alaskan outdoors. Many Alaskans remain endeared to 'Uncle Ted,' too. Thanks for your service, Senator. Our condolences also go out to GCI and the friends and families of others lost in the accident.
In This Issue...
SSL BiOp Released
SW Alaska Broadband
Naknek Geothermal
Connect Alaska
New Turbines in SW Region
SW Monthly Indicator
Vote NO on Measure 1!
Senator Stevens
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Some of our Partners
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EDA

 

AIDEA

 

denali comm

Stop the Gag Law!

gag law

City of Adak
Agdaagux Tribal Council
AIDEA
City of Akutan
Alaska Cruise Association
AK Groundfish Data Bank
Alaska Municipal League
Alaska Permanent Capital Management
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
Alaska State Chamber
AK Village Electric Coop
The Aleut Corporation
Aleut Enterprise
Aleutian Housing Auth.
Aleutians East Borough
Aleutians West CRSA
Alyeska Seafoods, Inc.
City of Atka
Beaver Creek B & B
Boyd, Chandler & Falconer LLP
Bristol Bay Borough
BBEDC
Bristol Bay Housing Auth.
BBNA
BBNC
Commercial Fish & Agriculture Bank (CFAB)
Crowley Maritime Corp.
Curyung Tribal Council
Denali Commission
City of Dillingham
Eastern Aleutian Tribes
City of Egegik
First National Bank AK
The Foraker Group
Grand Aleutian Hotel
HDR Engineering
Icicle Seafoods, Inc.
Katmailand
City of King Cove
King Cove Corporation
City of Kodiak
Kodiak Area Native Assoc.
Kodiak Best Western Inn
Kodiak Chamber of Comm.
Kodiak CVB
Kodiak Island Borough
Koniag, Inc.
City of Larsen Bay
Marine Advisory Program
Marine Conservation Alliance
Mundt MacGregor LLP
Nushagak Cooperative
City of Old Harbor
Ounalashka Corporation
City of Ouzinkie
Pacific Seafood Processors Association
Pebble Limited Partnership
Pedro Bay Village Council
Petro Star Inc.
City of Pilot Point
PND Engineers Inc.
City of Port Lions
Qagan Tayagungin Tribe
City of St. Paul
SAVEC
City of Sand Point
Shumagin Corporation
Spruce Island Dev. Corp.
City of Unalaska
Unalaska CVB
UniSea, Inc.
WACDA
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Upcoming Events & Dates to Remember
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