SEC Newsletter July, 2012

Shelly Wright -
Executive Director

Cheri Lancaster -
Chief Finance Officer & Grants Administrator

Arielle Parker -
Administrator

Elaine Price -
Work Force Development Coordinator

Robert Venables -
Energy Coordinator

Board of Directors

Gordy Wrobel -
President

Tim Rooney -
1st Vice President

Lori Blood -
2nd Vice President

Merrill Sanford -
Treasurer

Patricia Phillips -
Secretary

Janice Hill -
Past President

Leo Luczak
Jim Dinley
Tory Korn
Charles Edwardson
Richard Peterson
Bryce Dahlstrom
Mike Bell

Committees

Economic Development-

Patty Phillips

Energy -

Merrill Sanford

Fisheries -

Jan Hill

Health, Education, Social Services & Workforce Development -

Charles Edwardson

Gordy Wrobel

Mining -

Mike Bell

Richard Peterson

Timber -

Bryce Dahlstrom

Transportation -

Tim Rooney

Tourism -

Tory Korn

Honorary Lifetime Members

Bill Allen

Tom Briggs

Herb Pond

Carol Rushmore

David Stone

Robert W. Ward Jr.

Bill Williams

Membership for FY2012

ACE Coalition

AIDEA / AEA

AK DCCED / DCRA

AK DoTPF, AMHS

AK State Governor & Legislature

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Committee

Alaska Communications

Alaska Cruise Association

Alaska Electric Light & Power Company

Alaska Forest Association

Alaska Glacier Seafoods

Alaska Litho

Alaska Marine Lines

Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office

Alaska Municipal League

Alaska Permanent Capital Management

Alaska Power & Telephone Company

Alaska Power Association

Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary/Alaska Canopy Adventures

Alaska Resource Development Council

Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

Alaska Ship & Drydock

Alaska State Chamber of Commerce

Alaska Technology Development Group

Alaskans for Alaska - Elfin Cove

Allen Marine Tours, Inc.

Allen, Bill

Ballard & Associates

Bartlett Regional Hospital

BBC Human Resources Development Corp

Best Western Landing Plus, The

Bramstedt, Susan

Briggs, Tom

Cape Fox Corporation

Carson Dorn Inc.

Catholic Community Services

Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska

Chatham Electric

Chelan Produce Company

Chilkat Indian Village

Chilkoot Indian Association

Citizens Pro Road

City & Borough of Juneau

City & Borough of Sitka

City & Borough of Wrangell

City & Borough of Yakutat

City of Angoon

City of Coffman Cove

City of Craig

City of Hoonah

City of Hydaburg

City of Kake

City of Kasaan

City of Klawock

City of Kupreanof

City of Pelican

City of Petersburg

City of Prince Rupert

City of Saxman

City of Tenakee Springs

City of Thorne Bay

City of Whitehorse

Coastal Helicopters

Coeur Alaska Kennsington Gold Mine

Commonwealth Associates

Community of Elfin Cove Non-Profit Corp.

Cordova Electric Cooperative

Cove Lodge

Craig Community Association

D. Hittle & Associates, Inc.

Denali Commission

District of Port Edward

Edna Bay Community

Electric Power Systems

Elgee Rehfeld Mertz LLC

Elliott Bay Design Group

First Bank

First National Bank of Alaska

First Things First Foundation

Gold Creek Properties

Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce

Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce

Greens Creek Mining Co - Hecla

Grow Ketchikan

Gustavus Electric Company

Haida Corporation

Haines Borough

Haines Chamber of Commerce

Hames Corporation

Hammer & Wikan, Inc.

Hansen Gress

Heatherdale Resources

Holland America Line

Hyak Mining Co Inc.

Hydaburg Cooperative Association

Hyder Community Association

Inside Passage Electric Cooperative

Inter-Island Ferry Authority

Int'l Union of Operating Engineers Local 302

Juneau Chamber of Commerce

Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau

Juneau Economic Development Council

Juneau Hydropower, Inc.

Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Ketchikan Indian Community

Ketchikan Visitors Bureau

Kootznoowoo

MacKay, Bill

Madison Lumber & Hardware

McDowell Group

Metlakatla Indian Community

Metlakatla Power & Light

Municipality of Skagway

Nalder, Nan

Nature Conservancy, The

Naukati Bay, Inc.

Northland Services, Inc.

Ocean Beauty Seafoods, LLC

OceansAlaska

Organized Village of Kake

Organized Village of Kasaan

Pacific Fishing, Inc.

Pacific Seafood Processors Association

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center

Petersburg Chamber of Commerce

Petersburg Economic Development Council

Petersburg Indian Association

PND Engineers, Inc.

Polarconsult Alaska, Inc.

Pond, Herb

Port of Bellingham

Power Systems & Supplies of Alaska

Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce

Princess Tours

Red Onion Saloon, Inc.

Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine

Roanan Corporation

Rolfe, Philip

Rushmore, Carol

Sandor, John A.

Seafood Producers Cooperative

Sealaska Corp.

Service Auto Parts

Sgt. Preston's Lodge

Shattuck & Grummett

Shee Atika, Inc.

Sheinberg Associates

Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sitka Economic Development Association

Sitka Tribe of Alaska

Skagway Chamber of Commerce

Skagway Development Corporation

Skagway Traditional Council

Southeast Alaska Fishermen's Alliance

Southeast Alaska Guides Organization

Southeast Alaska Power Agency

Southeast Alaska Reg Dive Fisheries Association

Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium

Southeast Alaska Solid Waste Authority

Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition

Southeast Conference

Southeast Stevedoring

Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association

Stone, David

Thomas Bay Power Authority

Thomas E. Schultz, Attorney at Law

Thompson Management Services, Inc.

Tides Inn

True North Federal Credit Union

TSS, Inc.

United Fishermen of Ak

University of Alaska, Southeast

US Congress

US EPA

Viking Lumber

Ward, Jr., Robert

Watson, Dennis

Waypoint Inn at Herring Bay

Williams, Bill

Wostmann & Associates, Inc.

Wrangell Cooperative Association

Yak-Tat Kwaan, Inc.

Southeast Conference News July 2012

Dear Southeast Conference

Newsletter Readers,

We thank you for subscribing to our e-newsletters. We are glad that you are interested in keeping up to date on important issues happening around our region. This month's newsletter contains many articles and links to information. Please share these with your contacts, this is how we can all connect and work towards our goals in Southeast Alaska.

If you would like information about our projects or if you would like to let us know about an event email info@seconference.org

We encourage you to forward this email to your friends and family, and be a part of the efforts of Southeast Conference.

Invitation to Become a Board Member

for Southeast Conference

Open Seats:

1 Northern Public Seat

1 Southern Private Seat

1 At Large Seat

Any voting Member in good standing or official representative of a voting Member in good standing may be nominated for the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall seek to maintain the balance of the Board of Directors through respect for regional and cultural representation of Southeast Alaska and as required by the Articles of Incorporation.

The committee will seek letters of interest from the membership no later than August 15th. Letters of interest shall include a statement of the candidate's interest in running for a board seat, and include the proposed candidate's name, residential address, telephone number, and signature.

The Nominating Committee shall prepare a draft ballot no later than 21 days prior to the annual meeting for final approval by the Southeast Conference Board of directors.The Board of Directors shall approve a final ballot prior to the annual meeting.

Letters of intent can be submitted:

Email:

info@seconference.org

Postal mail:

Southeast Conference

PO Box 21989

612 W. Willoughby Avenue, Suite B

Juneau, AK 99802-1989

SEC Office (907) 523-4353

sec_small

Call for Presentations or Exhibits

Energy - Housing Fair &

Energy Cents Program

Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority

Immediately following the Southeast Conference in Craig, AK Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority will be hosting an Energy-Housing Fair for community members of Prince of Wales this September 28th, 2012!

This fair is going to be energy focused, but include programs such as: Energy Cents Program, Financial Literacy, Weatherization, LIHEAP & Energy Assistance Programs, Housing Management, Repair Programs, Loan Programs, and Student Housing Vouchers.

This is a great opportunity for your organization to present or exhibit any expertise applicable to the areas of: energy conservation and energy efficiency,health & home safety, renewable energy, community gardens, etc. If you cannot make the Energy-Housing Fair on September 28th, 2012, THRHA's Energy Cents program will also be co-hosting 14 community- driven Energy Fairs throughout southeast, Alaska this fall-winter 2012 and would appreciate your participation in the Energy Cents' effort in educating southeast communities on energy efficiency and conservation! For a listing of more events call the number below.

For participation details or to donate contact Tasha McKoy at (907) 780-6868 or lmckoy@thrha.org by August 15th, 2012. If your organization is interested in participating or donating to this event, please contact Tasha with the details of your presentation.

Alaska Coastal Management

Program Hearings

Southeast Area

Juneau

Thursday, July 26, 4pm-7pm

The Assembly Chambers

155 South Seward Street

Ketchikan

Wednesday, July 25, 12pm-3pm

White Cliff Building

Assembly Chambers,

1900 First Avenue, Suite 144

Also see below for more locations and times of hearings

Your Voice & Vote is needed

Ballot Measure 2

Coastal Zone Management Program

Your action is needed, please educate yourself on the issue and visit the web links to the State of Alaska website, below for the full language explaining the Ballot Measure 2.

What: Public Hearings - Ballot Measure 2 "Establishment of an Alaska Coastal Zone Management Program."

Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell's office will hold ten public meetings around Alaska in July. Please attend an upcoming public hearings held in many locations and educate yourself on Ballot Measure 2. Additionally, encourage your employees, friends, family, and neighbors to attend.

"The ACMP program that expired July 1, 2011 was administered by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. The ballot initiative, which can be found at

http://ltgov.state.ak.us/pdfs/elections/initiatives/2011/11ACMP.pdf

seeks to recreate the program to be managed by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development."

More can be read on the State of Alaska, Lieutenant Governor's Coastal Zone Management webpage here:

http://ltgov.alaska.gov/treadwell/initiatives/coastal-management-initiative.html

When & Where: Ballot Measure 2 Hearing Schedule

Anchorage: Monday, July 9, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Anchorage Legislative Information Office, 714 West 4th Avenue, Suite 220

Wasilla: Monday, July 9, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center, 1001 South Mack Drive

Kotzebue: Tuesday, July 10, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Kotzebue Alaska National Guard Armory, 605 3rd Avenue

Fairbanks: Wednesday, July 11, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Fairbanks North Star Borough Council Chambers, 809 Pioneer Road

Kodiak: Thursday, July 12, at 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Kodiak High School Commons, 917 Rezanof East

Barrow: Monday, July 23, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Inupiat Heritage Center, 5421 North Star Street

Ketchikan: Wednesday, July 25, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

White Cliff Building Assembly Chambers, 1900 First Avenue, Suite 144

Juneau: Thursday, July 26, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The Assembly Chambers, 155 South Seward Street

Public Testimony will be limited to three minutes or less. Please keep remarks short and to the point.

Why: Alaskans will be asked to vote on Ballot Measure 2 in the August 28th primary election. Most Southeast Alaskans are not aware of the plan and what the effects will be on them and their community.

Ballot Measure 2

click to View the Document

Below is the beginning of the proposed language of the program. Please click the link at the bottom of this article to view the entire document, which is also available on the State of Alaska website. ........

Click here to view the entire proposed language...

USDA Seeks Applications for Grants

Rural Communities with High Energy Costs
Laurel Andrews, Alaska Dispatch, Jun 28, 2012

The USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service is accepting applications for High Energy Cost Grants to aide rural communities that suffer extremely high energy costs across the state, according to a press release sent out on Thursday.

7 million dollars in grants will be available on a competitive basis for communities where home energy costs exceed 275 percent of the national average, or $4,860 annually per household.

"The grant funds may be used to acquire, construct, extend, upgrade, or otherwise improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving communities," according to the Federal Register where the grant details are explained.

Applications for the grant are due July 30, and can be sent via mail or through their online application process. Application details can be found on both the Federal Register and press release.

In rural Alaska, high energy costs are a major stressor for communities.

Some places have already begun alternative energy projects; wind turbines are being installed in Southwest Alaska this summer, while Tok is considering the construction of a power plant run completely off black spruce.

On Monday, USDA Rural Development announced that 10 rural small businesses across the state had received Rural Energy for America Program grants, totaling $128,000 in assistance.

These grants will support the installation of solar, wind or energy efficiency improvements for receiving businesses.

More information can be read at the USDA weblink:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/STELPRD4016924.html

AEA Seeks Qualified Applicants

for Round 6 Grants -

Renewable Energy Fund

Press Release, July 5th, 2012

Karsten Rodvik

Project manager

External Affairs

907-771-3024

(Anchorage) The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) is soliciting competitive grant applications from qualified applicants for renewable energy projects to be funded by the Alaska State Legislature. The Round 6 application period is now open. Applicants should note that AEA has lengthened this year's application period by approximately one month. AEA must receive Round 6 applications no later than 5:00 PM Monday, September 24, 2012.

In 2008, the Alaska Legislature established the Renewable Energy Fund and authorized AEA to administer procedures for awarding the grants and distributing grant funds. In previous rounds, AEA received more than 550 applications which were thoroughly evaluated in accordance with criteria set forth in the legislation. Following AEA's recommendations, the Legislature approved 208 Rounds 1-5 renewable energy projects totaling $202.5 million.

AEA is seeking to recommend projects based on applications that clearly demonstrate a public benefit from the proposed project. From Round 6 applications received, AEA will make project recommendations to the Legislature for FY2014 funding.

A newweb link to the Round 6 web page is available from AEA's home page, www.akenergyauthority.org. The link will access the Request for Application, application forms and all supporting information. Applicants who need technical assistance are encouraged to contact Renewable Energy Fund Grants Administrator Shawn Calfa by e-mail at scalfa@aidea.org, or telephone(907) 771-3031.

This year marks the fourth Renewable Energy Fund construction season. More than 60 projects from Rounds 1 through 4 are complete or under construction. By the end of 2016, projects are expected to displace diesel and natural gas equivalent to 12.3 million gallons of diesel per year and result in net savings of $45 million per year (2010$). AEA expects to have Round 5 grants in place this month. Funds are disbursed to grantees as work proceeds and invoices are submitted to the Authority.

Marine Transportation

Advisory Board Meets

The Board Members discussed topics concerning the Alaska Marine Highway System, as pictured in the photo below.

Marine Transportation Advisory Board members Robert Venables, Maxine Thompson, Gerry Hope, Tim Joyce, Dan Kelly, Josh Howes, Cathie Roemmich, Ron Bressette and Mike Korsmo receive reports from Deputy Commissioner Mike Neussl and Captain John Falvey at the June 26, 2012 MTAB meeting in Wrangell's Nolan Center.

The new Alaska Class Ferry project was highlighted and topics discussed ranging from Legislative capital projects, to the fleet and ferry terminals condition reports to the recent celebration of the inaugural fast ferry service reconnecting Angoon with Sitka. AMHS will be hosting 50th anniversary celebrations in 2013 - future SEC newsletters will let you know how to participate in community celebrations. Southeast Conference was formed over 50 years ago with it's first goal to establish the Alaska Marine Highway System!

Public Comment Period:

EPA Watershed Assessment

Action Alert:

The EPA released for public comment a premature study of the Bristol Bay watershed and its natural resources. EPA's report responds to growing interest in large-scale mining in the watershed from a number of stakeholders and local communities with a range of views. This draft attempts to assess the effects of a potential project, without the project plans.

Southeast Conference suggests you review this dangerous and unprecedented action by the EPA.

Members are encouraged to submit written comments to the EPA by July 23 discouraging the EPA from preemptively vetoing projects in the Bristol Bay area.

Submit comments online:

Reference Docket #EPA-HQ-ORD-2012-0276:

http://www.regulations.gov

Send email: ORD.Docket@epa.gov

Include the subject line: Docket #EPA-HQ-ORD-2012-0276

National Hydropower Association Conference

More information about NHA events: http://hydro.org/news-and-media/events/

Great Pumpkin Festival, Juneau

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Alaskan Wolf

Obama Administration Delays Protection for

Alexander Archipelago Threatened Wolf

ANCHORAGE, Alaska- The Center for Biological Diversity and Greenpeace notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today of their intent to file suit against the agency for delaying Endangered Species Act protection for the Alexander Archipelago wolf, a rare subspecies of gray wolf found only in the old-growth forests of southeast Alaska.

Read the entire article by clicking the link below or contacting

Rebecca Noblin, Center for Biological Diversity, (907) 274-1110

Larry Edwards, Greenpeace, (907) 747-7557
Biological Diversity article link

Cultivating Our Food

Wildlife & Scenic Tours Available

Tours available on Prince of Wales Island, during our Southeast Conference Annual Meeting in September. Book your tour now!

The tours will start on Monday, September 24th, at 10am, with Kathy Peavey. This Alaska Naturalist is offering "Harbor Tours" where you can capture a glimpse of Craig from a comfortable 22 foot Hewescraft. Take a ride around Fish Egg Island, look for whales and otter. Have a light snack and enjoy a fun time with the informative local who is passionate about the beauty of Alaska's wilderness.

This is a great opportunity to take stunning photographs and see the wildlife of Prince of Wales Island. Kathy Peavey can be contacted by email:Peavey@aptalaska.net

Sponsorship Opportunities

We invite you to be a sponsor of Southeast Conference and help us support activities that promote strong economies, healthy communities, and a quality environment in Southeast Alaska.

Annual sponsors receive recognition at both the Mid-Session Summit and the Annual Meeting, as well as on our website. Sponsorships are opportunities to advertise and build name recognition in the Southeast communities. Annual Sponsors support special projects that SEC members choose to accomplish. For example, the modeling project we are currently working on with McDowell Group.

To participate, call our office (907) 523-4353 or visit our website - click here.

Highlights

July Events:

--- Up coming hearings on Coastal Zone Management

(see links & dates above)

August Events:

21-23 --- NHA - Sitka, see above information.

Great Pumpkin Festival (above)

Up Coming

September - Southeast Conference Annual Membership Meeting, in Craig, Prince of Wales Island [Book your own travel and lodging now!] Click here to see what is offered for this event.

Planning Lemonade Day Alaska for next spring!

If you would like to submit an article or event announcement for the Southeast Conference E-News, please send your request to arielle@seconference.org.

Sincerely,

Arielle Parker

Administrator

Southeast Conference

phone: (907) 523-4353 ..
arielle@seconference.org
info@seconference.org
http://seconference.org

The mission of Southeast Conference is to undertake and support activities that promote strong economies, healthy communities, and a quality environment in Southeast Alaska.

SEC is the State-designated Alaska Regional Development Organization (ARDOR), the federally-designated Economic Development District (EDD), and the federally-designated Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D) for Southeast Alaska. Each of these things requires Southeast Conference take an active role in regional resource management and economic development planning.
ardor