Cauyat — the beat of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta

Bethel, | 50 cents | FREE in the villages www.TheTundraDrums.com Vol. 40, No. 5 | May 28, 2012

Back when... On the Y-K delta Bethel Waterfront - 1928 Wind power coming to three villages This summer wind powered turbines will be installed in Kwigillin- gok, Kongiganak and Tuntutuliak according to an article on Alaska Dis- patch (www.alaskadispatch.com). Each of the villages has installed one of the 15 planned turbines and each village is working on modifying the electric system to utilize them. The turbines are used models from Out- side and stand 12 stories tall. The turbines will generate electric power for the three villages. The project is the work of Chaninik Wind Group, an association formed from the three villages. Half of the $10 million project came from Alaska’s Renewable Energy Alaska Project. Women busted after texting to buy booze An off duty state trooper in Bethel began receiving cellular phone text messages from an unknown number shortly after midnight on May 16, according to the Alaska State Troopers dispatch site on the Web. The trooper understood the messages to be about purchasing illegal drugs or alcohol. The trooper carried on a text conversation with the solici- tor and they came to an agreement to meet at an undisclosed location in Bethel city limits. By 12:44 a.m. the trooper was in uniform and met with the solicitor. The trooper identified the solicitor as a 28-year-old female from Bethel, and she was accompanied by a 32-year-old female from Bethel. Investigation revealed that the younger woman set up the meet to purchase alcohol for the older woman who had the cash. The cash was seized and both women were charged with License or Permit Required for Alcoholic Beverages.

Estelle and Philip Garges Collection | Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage The Bethel waterfront looks quiet on July 2, 1928. Hunting violation citations issued Bethel Wildlife Troopers issued citations to several individuals with a Failure to Return Permit Hunt Report on May 12. Those cited, with National newspaper picks up $100 bail applied, were Darrel Garrison, age 33, of Bethel, Naim Sabani, age 29, of Bethel, Frank Nicholai, age 56, of Bethel, Jacob Johnson, age 28, of Bethel, Willie Steven, age 21, of Napaskiak, Abe Ayapan, age 50, Emmonak shelter story of Kwethluk, Patrick Spein, age 51, of Kwethluk, Evan Egoak, age 21, Drums Staff that women and children sleep in the playroom, of Kwethluk and Bruce Francisco, age 42, of Kwethluk. The trooper The New York Times, a national newspaper, on reports The Times. dispatch explains, “Hunt report information is a critical tool for ADF&G May 23 reported in an article titled “In Remote Potential closure, according to the article, is to protect, maintain, and improve Alaska’s wildlife resources for the Alaska, Financing Puts Rare Refuge at Risk” that Em- because in 2005 the state ended financing for many well-being of the people of Alaska. Failure to provide the Hunt Report monak Women’s Shelter is nearly out of money and rural services, funds from nearly all sources has information hampers the wildlife biologists ability to properly manage dried up. The shelter has applied for a federal grant is likely to close by the end of summer. an important public resource.” The report states that the 34-year-old shelter serves that may come through in September. 500 abused women each year from Emmonak and 13 The article is on the Internet at www.nytimes. Breakup travels down the Kuskokwim nearby villages. com/2012/05/23/us/in-remote-alaska-women-risk- There are times when the shelter is so crowded losing-rare-refuge.html. The relatively gentle breakup in 2012 saw the evacuation of 31 elderly and chronic care patients from Kwethluk to Bethel on May 14 when the Kuskokwim River jumped its banks and the village flooded, according to KYUK. On May 15 the Kuskokwim Ice Classic tripod’s trip wire went Calista cancels June 2 annual meeting at 8:43 p.m., reports KYUK. Napaskiak evacuated 67 people to Bethel on Calista Corporation “When we realized it was too late May 16 as a precaution and all were returned home the next day. The scheduled June 2 annual shar- to rectify the defect by amendment holders meeting of Calista Corpora- of the annual meeting materials AVTEC offers free IT training distributed to shareholders, the only tion was cancelled by adoption of a Qualified students can receive free Village Internet Agent training alternative available to us was to stop resolution on May 15. The meeting at Alaska’s Institute of Technology. The 4-month program prepares was to be in Goodnews Bay. preparations for the meeting and students to provide information technology support to organiza- Arthur Heckman, chairman of the reschedule it,” said Heckman. He tions and users in rural communities. Students can learn the skills board of Calista Corporation said, stated it was the resolve of the board needed to install and maintain computer and broadband network “The Calista board took action to can- to notice a newly rescheduled annual technologies for rural locations. Though tuition, books and supplies cel the annual meeting after realizing meeting of shareholders in the near are provided without charge for the program, students must provide a defect had occurred in the voting future. process at the board’s April 2012 Arthur Heckman, “The board weighed the pros and their own housing, meals and travel. Information is available at www. meeting on the at-large nominee can- Calista Corporation cons of the potentially disruptive ac- AVTEC.edu/admissions.com or by calling 800-478-5389. Chairman didate to be included in the board’s tion to cancel the meeting but decided slate of nominees up for election.” He it was in the best interests of the KYUK now broadcasting DTV signal Calista shareholders to simply start anew with said the vote taken at that meeting would have KYUK Channel 15 began broadcasting a DTV signal on May 18. the rescheduled annual meeting,” he continued. been different had all directors other than the The station had planned to switch to DTV in July, but the failure of incumbent at-large nominee to the board been Calista Corporation is an Alaska Native regional the analog transmitter forced an earlier switch over. With the change allowed to vote on the matter. He stated “Because corporation formed under the Alaska Native Claims comes four channels, rather than just one. KYUK reports that older the board slate was incorrectly composed, the Settlement Act and organized under Alaska corporate analog TV sets and digital-ready sets can receive the channels. Infor- board concluded that the proxy statement was law. Calista has business interests in a number of areas mation and a how-to guide are on the Web at www.kyuk.org, or by incorrectly composed.” carried out through subsidiary operations. calling 543-0237.

8 5 4 1 5 9 0 0 0 0 3 5 Page 2 • May 28, 2012 • The Tundra Drums

RedistrictingOpini diluteson Native & I deasvoter strength As a member of the Alaska House of Rep- (ANVAP) falls sharply to 42.97 of communities very close to the districts. resentatives from the Lower Kuskokwim percent, while proposed HD 36’s Bristol Bay hub of Dillingham Of course, the inability of the Alaska River/Kuskokwim Bay election district in ANVAP climbs dramatically to that are 165 miles to the south Redistricting Board to develop a final plan western Alaska consisting of 28 communi- 81.13 percent. Essentially and and then to yet another of set of before the 2012 election means that a final ties under the 2002 Benchmark Plan (House inextricably, the percentages villages spread along 1,700 miles plan for this decade will be developed after District 38), I offer the following comments and communities were flipped out to the end of the Aleutian the 2012 election. on the redistricting journey. between the two incumbents and Chain. Again, swapping Native But in the meantime, as an example, the Given the hue and cry from other areas without a coherent explanation. voters and non-Native voters nearby village of Akiachak, potentially, of the state on the Interim Plan, how should These changes are accom- and their respective percent- could be represented by three different my hometown react to being in the Interim plished primarily by the board’s ages with a similar ending VRA legislators from three different election Plan House District 37? reshuffling of communities be- percent ending balance. districts within four years: House District Consider Bethel’s immediate area within tween the two district groupings Comment I am very concerned about the 38, today; House District 36, Interim Plan; this newest plan. in a manner that makes no prac- Bob Herron long-term effect of the proposed House District #?, future Final Plan. Within a 25-mile radius, all nine villages tical sense — many communities interim plan upon future bench- If Native preferred candidates are not will be in the Interim Plan House District in each new grouping share no marks, Alaska Native voting elected out of the Interim House Districts 36 (a different district). So, the next closest significant economic, social, cultural, or strength, and Yup’ik people in particular. 36, 37, 38 and Senate District S in the 2012 “connecting” community to Bethel will re- even transportation route links. For any The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (i.e. the Wade elections, it is entirely possible that Native quire a jump out of the middle of the radius candidate from the new HD 37 Kuskokwim Hampton and Bethel Census Districts) com- effective districts in the Benchmark Final to Eek, 40 miles away! Then from Eek to area communities to travel via commercial prises the highest concentration of Native Plan will be reduced by one or two house Adak is the rest of HD 37. flight to visit and work with prospective people in the state of Alaska. The Native districts and/or one Senate district. Is this plan fair to both the Lower HD 37 constituents in the Aleutian pen- population of the Y-K Delta is overwhelm- The resulting possible reduction of Native Kuskokwim and the Aleutian Peninsula/ insula and island chain, that candidate ingly Yupik Eskimo, with a clear common protected districts would be devastating Chain? will have to fly from Bethel to Anchorage identity, language, history and socio-eco- to the continued ability of Alaska Native With that understanding, I want to make and out into the Aleutian Chain. For any nomic interests. Those common interests people in general, and Yupik people specifi- sure you hear, from my home address, how candidate from the proposed HD 36 and the are recognized under the Alaska Native cally, to meaningfully participate in the state the board’s preclearance request submission Bristol Bay region to visit constituents along Claims Settlement Act, which accordingly electoral and legislative process after the will impact . the Kuskokwim River, they will have to fly placed the majority of the Y-K Delta com- 2012 elections. In summary, the use of the As a 40-year resident of the remote Yu- from Dillingham to Anchorage, through munities in the Calista region. interim plan is a two-step process will only kon-Kuskokwim Delta, where our resident Bethel, and then on. However, under the proposed Interim serve to dilute the voting strength of Native population is approximately 80 percent On the socio-economic front, many of the Plan, the Y-K Delta is fractured into three people long past the 2012 elections. Alaska Native, the process by which the communities in the proposed new districts House Districts. In particular, the Interim It is my strong opinion that this was a board arrived at the April 5 plan was, and not only do not share interests — they hold Plan for House Districts 36, 37 and 38 flawed mapping process — and the end ultimately is, detrimental to the voters of competing interests. It makes no sense to “divides and conquers” the Y-K Yup’ik result is that it gerrymanders and pits the Southwest Alaska. break apart two current districts that are population. interests of different communities and Whether or not this most recent plan well formed in respect to day-to-day living Interim HD 38 is 45.72 percent Alaska regions against each other and their respec- complies with the letter of VRA law, I can commonalities, and replace them with two Native voting age population (VAP), while tive against other Alaska assure you that, from my constituents’ districts in which no legislator, incumbent Interim HD 37 is only 42.97 percent Alaska Natives in western and southwestern clearly focused eyes, it does not comply or new, can possibly serve fairly or even ac- Native VAP. In the senate, these two dis- Alaska. with the spirit of the law. cess without incurring thousands of dollars tricts are combined to form Interim Senate To quote someone who is familiar on the Take, for example, the current proposed in air travel expenses. District S, which has only 44.24 percent subject of redistricting ­— with a question legislative district in which I live (HD 37), More succinctly, the Bethel hub commu- Alaska Native VAP. At these levels, it may mark and a single word — “abhorrent?” and that of my fellow House incumbent nity is stripped of nearly all of its nearby prove difficult for the Alaska Native voters Thank you, in proposed HD 36. According to docu- and interdependent communities within a of the Y-K Delta to have a meaningful abil- ­— Bob Herron, P.O. Box 602, Bethel, AK ments published by the Alaska Redistrict- 100-mile radius. ity to elect a candidate of their choice in the 99559, 907-465-4942, Rep.bob.herron@legis. ing Board, HD 37’s Alaska Native VAP Then, we are expected to be part of a set upcoming 2012 elections in any or all three state.ak.us. Holy Tsunami, Batman! We need some super-heroes The 2011 Japanese tsunami isn’t over. move well ahead of the heavier geographic scope.” (Emphasis added.) that Japan buys from the United States. The Not by a long shot. The dramatic events we and more dense aggregate, but, Alaska’s Senator Mark Begich huge market for the product in Japan heavily witnessed in March 2011 didn’t end when the as surely as the movement of the is well-positioned to urge action influences our own debate over the future of waters receded. In fact, when the Tsunami currents and tides, scientists are on the key agencies who will be Alaska’s natural gas resource. The MAPCO washed ashore in Japan, it took refineries, predicting over the next few years in charge of the response: the U.S. & Williams Brother refinery in the Interior of warehouses, rats, cats and dogs, trucks and the impact will fully inundate the Coast Guard and NOAA. Alaska used to ship naphtha via the railroad boats and humans and just about every West Coast. Something clearly must be to for export to Japan. imaginable by-product of human civilization A recent story on the debris done. If the estimate of the Alaska The huge petrochemical and hydrocarbon- with it in and dragged it into the ocean. impact on Montague Island in Keepers is even close, that the based industrial infrastructure in Japan is This mass of organic putrescence, chemi- Prince William Sound perfectly shore cleanup from the debris on coastal-based and largely involving U.S. cals, hydrocarbons, plastic, wood, metal and frames the magnitude of the chal- Point Montague Island will cost in the commercial interests. As barrels of oil, refined minerals is moving surely and inevitably lenges we are facing. In an article neighborhood of $10 to $12 mil- products, bleach and chemicals come crash- toward the Pacific Coast of North America. by Naomi Klouda of the “Homer of View lion, then the total cleanup cost of ing and breaching ashore, the states’ and the The debris mass will inundate the Pacific Times,” Chris Pallister of the Gulf the Pacific coastline will run into federal government will be turning not only ELSTUN Coast and every nook and cove thereof. I am of Alaska Keepers offers the fol- the 10s of billions of dollars. to existing trust funds but will seek to extract LAUESEN including a graphic from the National Oce- lowing perspective: Stakeholders. Big Oil. more from the source industries whose prod- anic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) that “What we are seeing is magni- ucts will be polluting the West Coast. One of the stakeholders in the tsunami represents a computer model of the trajectory tudes more. In my opinion, this is the single It is, therefore, in the interest of those debris impact on the Pacific Coast is the oil of the debris. greatest environmental pollution event that has industries to support interception of the mass companies and their chemical subsidiaries. The leading edge of the mass already hit ever hit the west coast of North America… The before the bulk of it hits the shoreline over the Most refineries, storage and transfer facilities Middleton Island in the Gulf of Alaska where slow-motion aspects of it have fooled an unwit- next 36 months. are all located on the coast; that is where the the now famous soccer balls were discov- ting public. It far exceeds the Santa Barbara or supertankers deliver the oil and chemicals ered. Highly buoyant debris, like soccer balls, Exxon Valdez oil spills in gross tonnage and also ■ See Page 8, Tsunami debris

Deadlines All letters must include the writer’s name, address and Published every other Monday (soon to Letters to the editor & commentaries daytime telephone number. Only the writer’s name, and be weekly) by city or village of residency is published. Publishing the news of 5 p.m. Monday The Tundra Drums P.O. Box 103 the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta News, announcments, photos Every letter requires the name of a person for Seward, AK 99664 since 1974 Noon Tuesday the signiture. Third-party and open letters are not published. Postmaster: Please send address changes to The E-mail Advertising Tundra Drums, P.O. Box 103, Seward, AK 99664 [email protected] Noon Tuesday The Drums reserves the right to edit letters for content, Subscriptions: Periodicals mail: $25 for one year, $15 Phone Contact in Seward length, clarity, grammar and taste. for six months; first-class rates are $80 for one year, [email protected] 224-4888 (Seward) Submit letters before noon on the Tuesday before $45 for six months. The newsstand price: $.50 each. 907-224-4888 publication for consideration in the next week’s Periodicals postage is paid at Seward, AK 99664. Mail Contact in Anchorage newspaper. Meeting the deadline does not guarantee The publisher reserves the right to reject or edit any The Tundra Drums Alaska Adventure Media that a letter will be published. advertisement submitted. No part of this publication P.O. Box 103, 232 Fourth Ave. [email protected] may be reproduced by any means without the express Seward, AK 99664 907-677-2900 Letter writers are encouraged to send letters by e-mail permission of the publisher. Publisher / Editor Letters to the editor to [email protected]. Letters delivered by FAX, mail and hand are also accepted. © 2012 Annette Shacklett The Tundra Drums welcomes letters to the editor. The Tundra Drums [email protected] ISSN 1937-2183/ All rights reserved All queries and concerns about news and editorial General interest letters should be no more than 300 USPS 424850 content, advertising, circulation and subscriptions can words. Thank you letters should be no more than 150 be addressed to the publisher. words. The Tundra Drums • May 28, 2012 • Page 3 Marketplace application period opens marine

The 2012 Alaska Marketplace Competi- Building Partnerships: New and inventive with ideas for new ways to market tradi- tion application process opened May 18. plans to develop partnerships with existing tional foods, arts, handicrafts or to share This year’s theme, Investing in You, draws organizations to expand current, or create with others the joy of rural Alaska living upon the power of the individual. By new, programs, services and products. Ap- through tradition-based tourism. investing in you, Alaska Marketplace helps plicants might propose partnerships with Applications will be judged on cultural create jobs in rural Alaska one at a time. tribes, Alaska Native corporations, schools, heritage, benefit to rural Alaska communi- Individual Alaskans and nonprofit organi- military operations, housing authorities or ties (economic stimulation/job creation zations are invited to apply to compete for any other organization with the capacity to and community benefit), innovation and seed money. expand upon the applicant’s idea. sustainability/profitability. Younger Alaskans, 18 years and under, Finding Opportunity: Practical use of Business/nonprofit idea applications Our unique are invited to compete and share ideas by untapped opportunities at or near home are due Aug. 3, after which finalists are capabilities meet all submitting a written or video essay. to create village enterprises. Residents of announced. Essays from finalists are due All applicants must address the theme, rural Alaska know better than anyone what Sept. 28. Of yOur expectatiOns Investing in You, and one of the subthemes. makes their communities unique. Appli- Between August and October finalists This year’s subthemes are: cants are encouraged to take a step back will prepare an implementation plan with Sharing Knowledge: Innovative ideas to from day-to-day life and identify opportu- support from mentors and the Alaska Materials and equipment rentals encourage life-long learning and collabora- nities at hand. Each community is different, Marketplace team. The final competitive Civil construction and tion. Much of the knowledge necessary to one may need a village-based store, another event coincides with the Alaska Federa- marine services improve life in rural Alaska already exists. a taxi service, or even a simple way to tion of Natives convention on Oct. 18-20 in Applicants under this subtheme should reduce the cost of living. Anchorage. Remote and difficult locations promote the exchange and documenta- Perpetuating Tradition: Fresh ideas to An online application is at www.alaska- bricecompanies.com tion of ideas. Potential businesses/projects incorporate traditional activities into for- marketplace.org, and paper applications are might include: documenting culture, new profit and nonprofit business ventures. Ru- available by contacting info@alaskamarket- ways to teach trades and skills and creative ral Alaskans perpetuate tradition every day; place.org, phoning 907-274-3611 or faxing a proud subsidiary of language programs. Alaska Marketplace is seeking applicants 907-276-7989. calista c orporation ★ calistacorp.com ★ GCI alerts customers to potential financial information misuse General Communications Inc. (approximately 400 customers in all) that officials and are reviewing our internal GCI has discovered that a former cus- had any form of contact with the former procedures to ensure this type of event tomer telephone service representative representative. does not occur again.” may have misused customer-supplied GCI is actively working with law credit card or bank account payment infor- enforcement officials on this matter. Out mation. of an abundance of caution, GCI has GCI has found no evidence that its elec- contacted all customers that had contact tronic systems have been compromised. with the former representative so that they GCI has evidence that in two instances, can check their accounts for any unusual the former representative gathered ac- activity. count information directly from customers “We deeply regret and apologize for this in telephone calls and later attempted to incident and the associated inconvenience use that information for personal purchas- to our customers,” said Paul Landes, es. Because this was an isolated incident senior vice president and general manager that did not compromise its systems, GCI of consumer services for GCI. “We are has been able to identify every customer cooperating fully with law enforcement

flyera.com 2 POINTS CLOSER TO HOME

̽ÃÊȓ«iʓ>Ì °Ê œœŽÊޜÕÀÊÀiÃiÀÛ>̈œ˜Êœ˜ˆ˜iÊ>ÌÊvÞiÀ>°Vœ“Ê>˜`Ê ÀiViˆÛi 2 BONUS ÞÜ>ÞÊ,iÜ>À`ÃÊ«œˆ˜ÌÃÊvœÀÊi>V ÊÃi}“i˜ÌÊyœÜ˜°

Earn UÊ >À˜Ê£äÊ«œˆ˜ÌÃÊÜˆÌ Êi>V Êyˆ} ÌÊÃi}“i˜Ì UÊiÌÊÓÊLœ˜ÕÃÊ«œˆ˜ÌÃÊÜ i˜ÊLœœŽi`ʜ˜ÊyÞiÀ>°Vœ“ Your UÊ,iÜ>À`ÃÊ«œˆ˜ÌÃʘiÛiÀÊiÝ«ˆÀi Points UÊ >ÃÞʜ˜ˆ˜iÊ>VVœÕ˜ÌÊ>VViÃà Use One-way Round-trip Your Basic Rewards* 50 pts 100 pts Points Anytime Rewards 100 pts 200 pts *Seat and date restrictions apply Page 4 • May 28, 2012 • The Tundra Drums real estate Magpies extend their range Ned Rozell UAF Geophysical Institute A while back, Ron Koczaja was walk- ing a riverbank in Kasigluk with a village elder when a large, striking bird perched on a power line. “What is that bird?” the woman asked. “A magpie,” said Koczaja, a teacher in the village. “What’s it called in Yupik?” ExpEriEncE and ExpErtisE “I don’t know,” she said. “Them birds in spEcializEd rEal never used to be here. There is no word.” Koczaja, a math teacher at Ryan Middle EstatE dEvElopmEnt School in Fairbanks, remembered this exchange from his first assignment in , about 14 years ago. He found it Distress and foreclosure interesting that, in the thousands of years residential property investment people had spoken Yupik in Southwest Alaska, their language had no word for 35 years of real estate magpie. development experience The lack of a term for the black-billed calistacorp.com/business/subsidiaries magpie may be because the bird was not in Southwest Alaska until recently. The long-tailed relative of ravens and jays a proud subsidiary of seems to be extending its range through- calista c orporation out Alaska. ★ calistacorp.com ★ Since 2007, biologists at the Alaska Bird Jimmy Thomas Observatory have tracked sightings of magpies in the far north. Reports of the they’re expanding their range,” said Sue in that they will eat almost anything. The black-and-white bird with the raven-like Guers of the Alaska Bird Observatory. birds tend to congregate around people head, iridescent plumage and sweeping “Are people just noticing them more, or and the food we throw away. tail have come from as far north as Fort is climate helping them out, making it “They’re Dumpster divers for sure. Yukon and from way down the Yukon warmer?” Ivory Jack’s is a popular place for mated River, where Nulato residents have seen Unlike ravens and jays, most Alaska pairs,” Guers said, referring to a bar and them feeding on a carcass pile. magpies migrate out of the cold Interior restaurant north of Fairbanks where she “Based on what people have told us, for the winter, often to . has seen magpies. “They pretty much But people in Fairbanks have been seeing know people equal food.” at least a few magpies in recent Christmas The range map for the birds drawn by Bird Counts, meaning some are wintering researchers at the Cornell Lab of Orni- in the far north. thology shows the birds historically did Alaska Office of Rural Fire Protection “(In the past) we didn’t often see them not venture north of the Alaska Range. It north of the Alaska Range in wintertime.” might be time to redraw the boundary. Guers said. “Now we do.” “Are they expanding throughout TRAining ScheDule The magpie sightings on the Alaska Bird Alaska? It kind of looks like they are,” Gu- Observatory’s website show a pattern that ers said. “They don’t seem as common as Village Police Officer extinguisher, traces the road system and follows the they do in California or the Lower 48 yet. path of rivers like the Yukon and Kuskok- But give them time.” Safety and Fire Prevention Training wim. Magpies are like their raven cousins Bethel, Alaska • May 27 and 28 Rural Fire Fighter Training Seminar Palmer, Alaska • June 7 through 10 Alaska Rural Fire chiefs conference Sitka Alaska, September 17 through 22 Join your local fire department today!

Please call for more information 1-877-355-5472 MF COAST MAG AD 21512.pdf 1 2/15/12 3:46 PM

FAA Aviation Know your Safety responsibilities C Alaskan FAASTeam Field Office M Toll Free 866-357-4704 Y www.faa.gov/go/flyalaska CM MY As a passenger, take responsiblity for your safety CY

ASK IF THIS IS AN INSTRUMENT ASK IF THE CMY • Wear appropriate clothing for the weather ASK IF THE FLIGHT CARRIER IS A CARRIER USES MEDALLION 406 MHz ELT MEMBER

WEAR K ASK FOR APPROPRIATE • Be alert for pilot fatigue A COMPLETE CLOTHING FOR SAFETY THE WEATHER BRIEFING • Don’t ask the pilot to exceed the weight limits ASK IF THE PILOT FILED A BE ALERT FOR FLGHT PLAN PILOT FATIGUE • Don’t ask pilots to fly low DON’T ASK ASK ABOUT THE PILOT TO PILOT EXCEED WEIGHT EXPERIENCE LIMITS PAY • Accept a cancellation or delay ATTENTION DON’T ASK DURING THE THE PILOT SAFETY ACCEPT A TO FLY LOW BRIEFING CANCELLATION • Pay attention during the safety briefing OR DELAY The Tundra Drums • May 28, 2012 • Page 5

Obituaries Technical ServiceS Elizabeth Tinker Anchorage resident, Elizabeth Tinker, 39, hearts. Our prayers are with you in your died May 16, 2012 at Providence Medical final trip ‘home.’ ” Center in Anchorage. Elizabeth was preceded in death by A celebration of life was held May 21 at her father John E. Tinker, Sr.; grandfather, the Anchorage Funeral Home in Anchor- Wasillie Tinker; grandmother, Vera Thomp- age. Elizabeth was buried at Pitka’s Point son; her sisters, Alexie Tinker and Alice Cemetery in St. Mary’s later in the week. Tinker; and her brothers, David and Patrick Elizabeth was born on Jan. 14, 1973 in Tinker. 30 years of Bethel. She spent many years in Pitka’s She is survived by her mother, Anna L. Point. She loved being a big sister and Tinker of Pitka’s Point; and many siblings, quality contracting was always happy to see her family and Linda Tinker of Anchorage, Cecelia Sal- friends. Donna and her family wrote that, lison of Pitka’s Point, John Tinker, Jr. of St. performance “Elizabeth joined our family in 1997 and we Mary’s, Mary Jackson of Pilot Station, Paul considered ourselves very blessed to have Tinker of Marshall, Margaret Bogdanski of Prototype design and integration had her for 16 years. She loved to travel Anchorage, Peter Tinker of Marshall, Alexie (missile, aviation and and joined us in our retirement to Indiana. R. Tinker of Pitka’s Point and Gaberilla ground support) Her travels took her from Canada, the West Tinker of Pilot Station. Metrology services Coast to the East Coast with many stops in Arrangements are under the direction of between. Also she loved to cruise around the Anchorage Funeral Home. On online Facility support services the Bahamas and others. Elizabeth will be obituary and guest book for Elizabeth are at yulista.com missed very much, but always close in our www.AlaskanFuneral.com

a proud S ubS idiary of UAF program prepares indigenous students caliSTa c orporaT ion for science careers ★ calistacorp.com ★ UAF Geophysical Institute climate data unique to their locations, indigenous climate observations in Alaska A new $1.8 million National Science model baseline climate scenarios and and Hawaii. The project, which is slated Foundation grant will help the University develop management plans for adapting to begin April 1, also includes a network of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Insti- to forecasted impacts. The project expands of 40 scientists and 40 indigenous mentors tute expand a program that encourages to a national arena the NSF-funded Arctic for teachers and their students. Native middle-school students to pursue Climate Modeling Program that ran from science and technology careers. The grant 2005 to 2009 and targeted Inupiat stu- will fund the PREPARES project, short for dents in the Bering Strait School District. Preparing Responsive Educators using Geophysical Institute outreach director Place-based Authentic Research in Earth Kathy Berry Bertram led that project and Systems. The project will provide four will spearhead the PREPARES project as years of professional development and well. PREPARES will provide teachers mentoring to 120 educators who will then with professional development and a suite use those skills in the classroom with their of data-rich lessons. The project, in turn, Yupik and Native Hawaiian middle school will allow students and Native elders to students. As part of PREPARES, indig- become citizen scientists. Those commu- enous students will analyze and share nity observations will create a database of

Bering Sea animal CliniC Bob Sept, D.V.M. will be in Bethel May 28, after 3pm May 29-31, 9am-6pm • June 1, 9am-5:30pm Location: 841 6th Avenue, Bethel. Call for an appointment: 543-2823

713398

10.25x5 bw With you when you’re looking for ways to boost your business

Save Small Business Solutions Running a business takes over $400 a great deal of time and effort. And we’ll be here with the 1 resources you need when you’re looking for financial solutions on Appreciation Offers to help keep your business moving. For the past nine years, for small businesses Wells Fargo has loaned more money to small businesses than any other bank2, which is one reason millions of small business owners choose to work with us. So whether it’s financing or managing your expenses, we offer solutions to support you. To find out how we can help your business, visit your local Wells Fargo or call 877-436-4170.

1 Potential savings of “$400 or more” is valid between 4/16/2012 and 6/30/2012, and based on estimated savings on combined fee waivers and rate reduction for the following special offers. Please consult with a banker for details on savings and duration for individual product and services offers. Please also refer to the Business Account Fee and Information Schedule for details on monthly service fee waivers and other discounts. Offers may be modified or withdrawn at any time without notice and may not be transferable. Savings noted above based on standard fees applicable to selected business solutions. Terms and conditions of accounts, products, programs, and services are subject to change. All applications are subject to approval. 2 2010 Community Reinvestment Act government data. © 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.

713398 10.25x5 bw.indd 1 4/10/12 10:38 AM Page 6 • May 28, 2012 • The Tundra Drums Fishing permit prices skitter with the waves

The value of Alaska fishing permits has Bristol Bay. around $180,000 with and being more open to the public see-sawed over the past year with Cook The Bay permits, are not so hot. They ran strong demand. Bowen tops the list. Inlet prices heading upwards and Bristol way up last year on expectations of good said there’s been little sales For the past year the International Bay on the down side. fish numbers and a good price, but it didn’t action at the Alaska Penin- Pacific Halibut Commission un- “Cook Inlet had a really good year last really pan out the way folks were hoping sula, Chignik and Kodiak, derwent an extensive performance year, and they’re expecting another strong it would,” Bowen said, adding that Bristol where seine permits are at review by CONCUR, Inc., a San fishery this summer. Salmon drift permits Bay drift permits that fetched $165,000 $40,000. Francisco-based consulting firm spe- have taken off with sales made at $80,000 right before last season are now selling for Brokers are busy in cializing in complex natural resources compared to around $50,000 last year,” said $110,000 to $115,000. Southeast, says Olivia and infrastructure disputes. The IPHC Doug Bowen of Alaska Boats and Permits Elsewhere, Prince William Sound seine Olsen at Alaskan Quota Fish is the world’s oldest regional fisher- in Homer. permits are selling at $172,000, and drift and Permits in Petersburg. Factor ies management organization, set Prices have headed the other way in permits at Copper River are trading at Hand and power trolls by a U.S./Canada treaty convention Laine Welch have been in demand all in 1923. The group has six commis- For year with power permits sioners, three each from the U.S. and The Tundra Drums jumping from $33,000 to Canada. $40,000. Southeast seine While it has been largely success- permits are wanted but ful at managing the halibut stocks none are available due to the recent buy- through surveys, modeling and conserva- back and reorganization of the seine fleet, tive catch limits, CONCUR said the way the and gillnet permits have slacked off at IPHC operates is outdated and out of touch around $85,000. with most stakeholders. Olsen said interest has really picked up “It’s a 19th century model that’s not been for Dungeness permits as well as for other allowed to evolve using present-day pro- crab fisheries. “There’s really good inter- cesses,” said one respondent. est in red king and Tanner crab permits for Some commenters also view IPHC staff the last two years, and those had been very as too “ivory tower” and too heavily preoc- slow,” she said. “Stand-alone permits for cupied with modeled results at the expense red king crab are at about $60,000 - $65,000 of valuing observations from the field. and they are hard to come by and very few. Trust with the IPHC is at an ebb, the Tanners are at $160,000 - $175,000. A full review said, especially among Canadians My choice… package deal for red, brown, blue king crab and many other stakeholders who are frus- and Tanner runs about $200,000. There are trated with the decades-long failure by U.S. only two on the market and there’s lots of managers to address trawl halibut bycatch interest.” in the Gulf of Alaska. Also hard to come by are Southeast dive The performance review identifies 12 My reason! permits — sea cucumbers have jumped steps the IPHC can take to improve its gov- from $11,000 in January to $19,000 now, ernance and build on its good work to date. “and people would pay more,” Olsen said. Topping the list was conducting more Permits for geoduck clams are averaging deliberations in public instead of behind $88,000. closed doors, “It’s a bit of a black box,” said While permit values are up and down, one comment, noting that the commission prices for shares of halibut and sablefish doesn’t even put out minutes summarizing (black cod) continue to climb but the mar- its executive session deliberations. ket is very tight with little sales action. Other recommendations include using “Only small amounts are available so a set of practices and protocols for halibut it has pushed the price up,” said Olsen. meetings. Other recommendations include Halibut quota in Southeast is in the $35-$39 expanding the commission to represent range depending on the amounts and cate- more user interests and to elevate the im- gory, sand has gone as high as $43 per share; portance of tribes and first nations, leader- Southeast black cod shares are fetching ship at the commissioner level and improv- about $35, compared to $22- $32 last year. ing public communications. Whereas the black cod stocks have ticked The CONCUR report also says the IPHC upwards along with prices, Bowen said staff is “well led” and its scientists are holders of halibut quota shares are “quite skilled and experienced. depressed over all the cuts over the past You can comment on the IPHC’s perfor- few years and the general feeling that the mance through June 10 by email at review@ It’s important to be tobacco free, stocks haven’t been managed as well as iphc.int Also, two U.S. seats are up for new they could have been and what that means commission members. Public comments to be everything you want to be ! for the future. There is a lot of worry, and will be taken on 10 nominees until May 25. rightly so.” See www.iphc.int. “If you’re a buyer and you’re looking at Fish watch — The fish beat the boats — Tina Harness recent trends, do you really want to spend last week to Alaska’s biggest sac roe her- $37 to buy into something that you’re con- ring fishery at Togiak in Bristol Bay, where cerned could be cut again and significantly the forecast calls for 21,622 short tons. next year? For the sellers they are trying Depending on its quality, the roe her- to figure out if they should sell or hold on. ring should meet a market eager for fish. There is so much uncertainty,” Bowen said. Catches came up way short in San Fran- Halibut managers need some fixin’ — cisco, British Columbia and Sitka where Major changes are recommended for man- seiners took less than half of the nearly agers that oversee Pacific halibut fisheries 29,000-ton harvest. That has Sitka prices soaring, according to Seafood.com, with first contracts in the range of $1,500 per The right choice for Marine Transportation to Western Alaska! ton, more than double last year. The short- age has combined with strong demand for herring processing in China. Reports from Japan, where all the roe ends up, say the V12-04 departs Seattle on June 19 The dramatically cheap prices in past years right choice for has resulted in a huge expansion of new V12-04 departs Seward on June 27 customers. Marine Speaking of shortfalls — Alaska salmon Only direct carrier from Seattle to Seward with 7-day service! fishermen won’t face competition this sum- Transportation mer from sockeyes at British Columbia’s Fraser River. Managers say the run there Alaska Logistics, LLC to is expected to be so weak a commercial fishery is unlikely. And with near record ice 1-866-585-3281 Central and snow packs still to melt, they are con- [email protected] cerned that the returning reds will struggle Alaska! to get upstream against strong freshets in www.Alaska Logistics.com the Fraser River. The Tundra Drums • May 28, 2012 • Page 7

Rates: 55 cents per word, minimum $5.50 per ad. Deadline: Noon, Tuesday, week prior [email protected] Classified Ads & Public Notices 907-224-4888

The Tundra Drums does not evaluate or Public Notices Public Notices Public Notices Public NoticeS endorse the representations made by these advertisers. For possible information, contact & Early Development proposes to transfer UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Cooperative, Inc., 301 Calista Court, Suite at the end of your comments. For assis- the Better Business Bureau at 562-0704 or its ownership of all land and structures lo- FEDERAL A, Anchorage, Alaska 99518; phone: (907) tance, please contact FERC Online Support the Alaska Department of Labor at 907-269- cated within a parcel of land described as ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION 868-2460. at [email protected] or toll free follows: at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, (202) 502- 4900. Nuvista Light and Electric Cooperative, Inc. FERC Contact: Jennifer Harper; phone: Real Estate for Sale That southeastern portion of Block Sixteen (202) 502-6136. 8659. Although the Commission strongly Project No.14369-000 encourages electronic filing, documents (16), Tract “B”, containing approximately Deadline for filing comments, motions to NOTICE OF PRELIMINARY PERMIT APPLICA- may also be paper-filed. To paper-file, mail LOG CABIN FOR SALE IN ANIAK 10.306 acres, as shown on the official plat intervene, competing applications (without TION ACCEPTED FOR FILING AND SOLICIT- an original and seven copies to: Kimberly D. 800 sq ft, 1 bed, 1 bath of US Survey 4402, Alaska, Townsite of Em- notices of intent), or notices of intent to file ING COMMENTS, MOTIONS TO INTERVENE, Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Current appraisal avail. monak, located within the Bethel Recording competing applications: 60 days from the AND COMPETING APPLICATIONS Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washing- $130,000 District. issuance of this notice. Competing applica- ton, DC 20426. (907) 982-4380 Public comments on this proposed ac- (March 27, 2012) tions and notices of intent must meet the (4/2-5/28) tion must be received by 5 p.m. on June On March 2, 2012, Nuvista Light and Electric requirements of 18 CFR 4.36. Comments, More information about this project, includ- Cooperative, Inc., filed an application for a ing a copy of the application, can be viewed For sale by owner: Kasayuli Duplex. 5450 28th, 2012 and directed to the Alaska motions to intervene, notices of intent, preliminary permit, pursuant to section 4(f) or printed on the “eLibrary” link of Commis- Paul John. Built in 2005. Each unit is 2 bed- Department of Education & Early Develop- and competing applications may be filed of the Federal Power Act (FPA), proposing to sion’s website at http://www.ferc.gov/docs- room/1 bathroom, arctic entry, and boiler/ ment, School Finance/Facilities, Attn: Jane electronically via the Internet. See 18 CFR study the feasibility of the Chikuminuk Lake filing/elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number water heater units. 2,000 sq. ft. Large deck Boer, 801 W. 10th St., Suite 200, P.O. Box 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on Hydroelectric Project (Chikuminuk Project or (P-14369) in the docket number field to ac- on one side and upgrades. $325,000. Call 110500, Juneau, AK 99811. Comments the Commission’s website http://www.ferc. project) to be located on the Allen River, 118 cess the document. For assistance, contact Jonica at 830-4277 for viewing. can be e-mailed to [email protected]. gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters For questions about this proposed action, miles southeast of Bethel, Alaska, in the un- can submit brief comments up to 6,000 FERC Online Support. (5/28-6/25) contact Jane Boer at (907) 465-2785. incorporated Bethel and Dillingham Census characters, without prior registration, using Kimberly D. Bose, Animals AO-520053 Pub: May 28 & June 11, 2012 Area, Alaska. The project would be partially the eComment system at http://www.ferc. Secretary. located on federal lands managed by the gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You must Pub: April 16-May 14, 2012 1 male and 1 female 6-month-old English PUBLIC NOTICE U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Yukon include your name and contact information Bulldogs for free to a good home due to relo- Notice of School Property Conveyance Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The sole pur- cation, please contact charlesmorris1958@ By the State of Alaska, Department of pose of a preliminary permit, if issued, is gmail.com if interested or for more informa- Education & Early Development to the to grant the permit holder priority to file a tion. Lower Yukon School District license application during the permit term. (5/14-6/11) A preliminary permit does not authorize the Alakanuk School Sites permit holder to perform any land-disturbing Public Notices Pursuant to AS 14.08.101(8) and AS activities or otherwise enter upon lands or Classified Ads 14.08.151(b), the Department of Education STATE OF ALASKA waters owned by others without the owners’ & Early Development proposes to transfer express permission. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & its ownership of all land and structures lo- The proposed project would consist of the PUBLIC FACILITIES (DOT/PF) cated within Lots 1-4, 19- 22, Block 6, and following: (1) an approximately 1,325-foot- CENTRAL REGION Lots 1-8, Block 3, U.S. Survey No. 4405, are your long, 128-foot-high concrete-faced rockfill containing 5.52 acres in Alakanuk, Alaska, INVITATION FOR BIDS dam; (2) a 25-foot-diameter intake struc- to the Lower Yukon School District. Project Bid Title: Red Devil Airport Mainte- ture; (3) a 775-foot-long, 25-foot-diameter nance Public comments on this proposed action tunnel bringing flows from the intake to a Project Bid No.: 13-25A-1-009 must be received by 5 p.m. on June 7th, gate house; (4) a gate house and gate shaft Community 2012 and directed to the Alaska Depart- Estimated Cost: Between $2,000 and to convey flows from the tunnel to the main ment of Education & Early Development, $25,000 penstock; (5) a 120-foot-long, 9- to 13-foot- School Finance/Facilities, Attn: Jane Ann diameter main penstock, which bifercates Bid Opening: 1:00 PM on June 4, 2012 Boer, 801 W. 10th St., Suite 200, P.O. Box into a 135-foot-long, 9-foot-diameter pen- Telephone: (907) 269-0767 110500, Juneau, AK 99811. Comments can stock leading to turbine 1 and a 115-foot- Marketplace Copies of the Contract bid documents may be be e-mailed to [email protected] . For long, 9-foot-diameter penstock leading to obtained at the Red Devil Post Office or the questions about this proposed action, con- turbine 2; (6) a 150-foot-long, 75-foot-wide M&O Aniak Station Airport Manager’s Office. tact Jane Boer at (907) 465-2785. powerhouse containing two vertical Francis Additional information is available on the AO-520051 Pub: May 14 & 28, 2012 turbine/generator units rated for 6.7 mega- watts (MW) each, for a total installed capac- Place your ad at web at (www.dot.alaska.gov). Under the Sec- TerraSond, Ltd. will be conducting a hydro- ity of 13.4 MW; (7) a 100-foot-long, 75-foot- tion called Quick Links, select the following graphic survey of the Nushagak River from wide tailrace returning project flows to the in order Procurement, Construction Bidding Dillingham southward during the summer Allen River; (8) a 118-mile long, 138-kilovolt Home, Current Bid Calendar and Central of 2012. The survey will be performed by transmission line leading from the power- Region. the Latent Sea (27’ aluminum hull) and two house to a substation in the town of Bethel; AO 12-60-034 Pub: May 28, 2012 small jet SeaDoo boats (15 ft in length). The (9) project access facilities, including a float project will run from mid-May through mid- PUBLIC NOTICE plane dock and a heliport; (10) project roads September. Shore stations will be installed leading from the float plane dock to the dam Notice of School Property Conveyance at permitted sites. Results will be used to and powerhouse; and (11) appurtenant fa- By the State of Alaska, Department of update NOAA nautical charts. Contact Proj- cilities. The estimated annual generation Education & Early Development to the ect Manager at 907-745-7215 ext. 181 or of the Chikuminuk Project would be 88.7 Lower Yukon School District [email protected] for more infor- [email protected] gigawatt-hours. Emmonak School Site mation. Applicant Contact: Ms. Elaine Brown, Ex- 907-224-4888, Seward 2012-006 Pub: May 14, 2012 Pursuant to AS 14.08.101(8) and AS ecutive Director, Nuvista Light and Electric 14.08.151(b), the Department of Education Tundra Drums Business Directory Give a copy of your business card to every newspaper reader, every week! Advertise in the Business Directory. Send us a copy of your business card and we will get it published

Flying Charters and DELIVERING Freight Throughout Your VICTORYAd Here! SouthWest Alaska ACROSS ALASKA’S TOUGHEST TERRAIN ÃÃÄÃÃÃÄÃ ÃÄÃÃ P.O. Box 195 JOHN BAKER email  2011 Iditarod Champion Togiak, Alaska 99678 [email protected]  Ã  ÃrrsÂtpyy  ÃwwwÃvqqÂyqrq Long-time sponsor of John Baker & Lead Dog Partner of the Last Great Race Togiak Ph.: 907-493-5120 • Dillingham Ph.: 907-842-5120

800.727.2141 www.nac.aero D9>EH7=;ÃDJ;HD7J?ED7BÃ?HFEHJÃÃÃÃÃÃtxypà E9A>;;:ÃL;ƒÃÃD9>EH7=;ƒÃ Ãxxtyq Fax: 907-493-5121 • E-mail: [email protected]

JONES ACT ARCTIC AriTiME NJury TTOrNEy CHIROPRACTIC M i A Treating: Headaches, Muscle ANThONy BANkEr and Joint Pain and Stiffness, Back and Neck Pain (907) 276-5858 Toll Free 1-800-478-5858 Full Time in Barber & Sims, LLC Bethel 543-7600 821 N Street, Suite 103 No Cost Consultation Hours: Mon. - Sat. Anchorage, Alaska 99501 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Page 8 • May 28, 2012 • The Tundra Drums Invasive plants may threaten Alaska’s native berries Marie Thoms Gilbert share similar habitats and pollinators with project, Mulder had a “Taste of Alaska” activ- For details on becoming a citizen scientist University of Alaska Fairbanks invasive plants such as sweet clover. ity at the booth where people could compare visit Mulder’s project website at sites.google. Climate warming is allowing invasive “If bees and other pollinators abandon Alaska and commercial blueberries and com/a/alaska.edu/melibee-project/ or con- plants to take hold in Alaska and possibly native berries for invasive plants like sweet report which tastes sweeter or more intense, tact Katie Spellman at [email protected] luring pollinators away from native berries, clover, we could see a lot fewer fruits on and which they like better. or Christa Mulder at [email protected]. says University of Alaska Fairbanks ecologist these plants,” said Mulder, a scientist at the Christa Mulder. UAF Institute of Arctic Biology who leads Blueberries and cranberries are a major a project studying whether the presence of part of Alaskan’s subsistence lifestyle, both sweet clover can alter the production of bog directly, by providing berries for eating, and blueberries and mountain cranberries. indirectly, by providing forage for animals Mulder hopes the public’s taste for berries that people eat. But Alaska’s native berries will entice them into becoming volunteer citizen scientists and help her research team gather data on invasive sweet clover in Alaska and northern North America. She recruited scientific helpers at the 2012 USA Science and Engineering Festival in Wash- ington, D.C. April 27-28, as part of an “All Things Bugs” booth. “You don’t need to be a professional scien- tist to do research,” said Mulder. “Whether you live in Alaska or the Lower 48, you can make and record observations and be a part of our research team.” Mulder’s booth included a pollinator detective activity where people can look at slides of squashed stigmas — the sticky part of flowers that pollen adheres to — under a microscope and see if they can figure out whether the plant was near an invasive plant or not. To lure prospective citizen scientists to her

Katie Villano Spellman | UAF graduate student Christa Mulder, associate professor of ecology, Institute of Arctic Biology and Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fair- banks, measures and records the growth and fruit production of blueberry and cranberry plants in a boreal forest near Fairbanks, Alaska, as part of her research project “Are Alaskan Pollinators Abandoning Native Berries for Exotic Clover?” Tsunami debris From Page 2

The public relations disaster for the energy and chemical companies that will surely follow such an impact is easy to contemplate. Such events would have huge public policy, tax and economic consequences for those companies. Stakeholders. Big Government. About the only thing that We The People can agree about these days is that govern- ment needs to be able to respond to disaster. We may not all believe in public health care or public welfare, or even public education, but most of us agree that government has a critical role in national defense and disaster response. When government fails at even that basic level of service, then the politi- cal consequences for those in charge of the legislative and administrative branches can be devastating. The failure of the govern- ment’s response to Katrina, for example, may have been the single event that defined the Bush administration. The negative impact on Congress was significant as well. Shortly after Katrina, the public approval of BOTH congress and the president hit historic lows. It is, therefore in the interest of both the President and Congress to support intercep- tion and proactive efforts to keep this slow- moving disaster from wreaking it’s certain consequences Heroes or Heels? This is one of those rare opportunities for political adversaries to declare a truce and focus on a single, predictable event; here is a chance for industry and government to partner and bring resources and know how to bear upon a complex, challenging but manageable situation before it becomes a crisis. Can we do this? Can we prove to the world (and ourselves) that we are able to apply human ingenuity to allay a natural disaster made worse by human commerce? If we can, we will prove that we are worthy stewards of the planet. If we cannot, then we are foreshadowing our well-deserved extinction. Please send your comments on this to me at [email protected].