WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 1 w.wsen.n ww et Wrangell St. Elias News “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” Vol. Twenty-Two Issue Four July & August 2013 $2.50 McCarthy celebrates independence
s the floats were staging Anext to the McCarthy Museum, crowds lined the main street of the town, awaiting the opening of festivities commemo- rating the birth of our nation. Sticking with tradi- tion, the Kennecott Avenue Marching Band was at the forefront of the parade. They stopped in front of the crowd and played a spirited rendition of the Na- tional Anthem.
All photos WSEN staff
What is a parade without children? The appropriately small “McCarthy Kiddos” float was sandwiched among much larger fire trucks and logging vehicles. The fun level of this group was anything but small, though! PAGE 2 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 A note from the publisher
McCarthy Center has a selection brating your 94th doing Alaska’s oday is July 12th and Mc- for sale, if you want one!) Boreal Canopy Adventures. Carthy folks are experi- Our Alaska guests tell us the Another subscriber, Charlie Tencing another of those mosquitoes are just as bad in Branch, sent a newspaper clip- hot, summer days. The high temper- their neck-of-the-woods. I am ping from his hometown paper ature today peaked at 80 degrees. thankful to report that they have We are seeing record temperatures in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Jamie lessened in the last week. Maybe Esler (brother of Jason Esler) this summer. On June 25th the ther- our reprieve is on the way! mometer “finally” stopped at 90 and his wife Mandy are well- degrees. After a long, cold winter Rick and I enjoy the notes known in McCarthy. He was and very little spring weather, Mc- our subscribers write. I had named the Coeur d’Alene School Carthy leaped into summer for all hoped to print some of them but District’s Teacher of the Year. its worth! McCarthy Center, our we ran out of room. Irma Haa- He will represent the school dis- local grocery store, is pumping out land is a Kennicott Kid. She is trict in the Idaho Teacher of the the ice cream cones. now 93 and still reading the WS- Year contest this fall. We wish As you can see, we are late in EN. “Those childhood memories you well, Jamie, and thanks getting this issue to the printing in Kennicott including Fourth of Charlie for the news. stage. If you are reading this, July’s in McCarthy, are more viv- WSEN welcomes aboard the you know we made it. Our B & B id the older I get.” Interestingly, following subscribers: J.C. and is doing very well this summer Irma celebrated her 90th birth- Katherine Scott, OK; Julie Ny- bringing many wonderful guests day riding the Costa Rica Zip holm, AK; Sharon Lain, AK; and our way. The “busyness,” howev- Line! Irma, I thought you might Mike Murphy, AK. er, has put the WSEN on the want to know that McCarthy now back shelf. Most of our reader- has its own Zip Line owned and ship is very patient with our tar- operated by Fred and Ann Dure. diness, except for subscriber You might want to consider cele- Carol Michal who usually calls and reminds us she is waiting for her next issue. She misses her McCarthy area friends and loves Table of Contents reading about them. McCarthy celebrates independence...... 1 Another subscriber, David A note from the publisher...... 2 Adams, surprised me, along with Items of Interest...... 3 many other McCarthy ladies, by Alaska Grown-1980 continued...... 6 giving us “sun and bug bonnets.” Budworms and Warblers...... 7 These are no ordinary bonnets. Kennecott Recreation Hall lease enables continued community use...... 8 Each hat was especially tailored McCarthy celebrates Independence Day (continued from cover)...... 9 to each lady. The hats came with How the conservationist “Saved” Alaska...... 10 colorful netting that could be let Does History Really Repeat itself?...... 10 down to cover the face for pro- Looking back in time at the world's oceans...... 18 tection against the pesky mos- USDA annouces rural grower subsidies...... 19 quitoes that invaded our little Open Fire Ban Lifted ...... 19 town this summer. Thank you so Crowley’s Tugboat receives recognition...... 22 much, David and daughter Dena- Subsistence hunting permits available ...... 22 li for your kindness and special Cooking with Peggy...... 28 touch to bring a smile to the A LOOK AT THE WEATHER...... 29 ladies of McCarthy. (By the way, Lightning starts fires in WRST...... 30 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 3 Items of Interest My ears perked up at this one. We bara, and dog Clark, drove the Nik and Gina Merlino and no longer have a dog, but we do Rice’s camper van to McCarthy this family: The summer season is well have a yard that needs quite a lot of year, arriving the second week of on its way for the Merlinos. In fact, attention these days. May in a snow storm! John got the I don’t usually see Nik except when Congratulations, Nik and Gina, better deal, I think. He flew up the I pass him on the road, or when he on your marriage and welcome to week before, arriving in McCarthy comes for propane. He and Gina the neighborhood, Cassidy and Dy- on the mail plane. are nearby neighbors but once lan! When he arrived, he found his their rafting business—McCarthy Patti Pollizzo: Writing about a house already occupied. Sonny As- River Tours & Outfitters— begins, busy summer season, made me bury and Dian Cook, with their they are on the go, usually hurtling think of Patti. After spending her three dogs, had made the long down the Kennicott River. first winter in McCarthy, she has drive north from their winter quar- Nik made a quick stop at our begun her second year working for ters in Texas. Due to a late spring place this week to have a propane McCarthy Lodge. She is the manag- break-up this year, Sonny and Dian tank filled. That gave me a good er for Ma Johnson’s Hotel which couldn’t get to their home on the opportunity to see what news was keeps her slate quite full. However, other side of McCarthy Creek until taking place in his neck-of-the- when she isn’t at the lobby’s front right before Barbara and Marcheta woods. counter, you probably will find her arrived. The first item he shared was he at the lodge’s greenhouse. Once the snow melted everyone and Gina’s wedding in January— “Whew! After thinking the got into their summer routines. naturally, while on a raft trip! “Gi- snow would never melt, we got the Barbara is working part-time at Mc- na is the brains of the operation!” greenhouse planted and all the Carthy Center store, gardening and said Nik. They have two guides and flower beds, too. Of course, now planting her favorite flowers around one more expected to help fill out with the heat, we are watering two their summer home. She also takes this season’s business venture. The or three times a day. It’s worth it great pleasure in cooking up deli- Merlinos specialize in ½ day, full though! Our chef loves having the cious meals for John and the Sun- day and multi day river expeditions fresh herbs and edible flowers for day luncheons at the McCarthy in the Wrangell-St. Elias National his dishes, and the rest of us all Community Church. Park. love the color and beauty the flow- John is working on the house Gina’s daughter, Cassidy, 11, ers bring on McCarthy’s main and cutting firewood for next year. wants to be a river guide and a dog street.” In his spare time, he works at the whisperer, says Nik. She loves to I’m sure the visitors enjoy your McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Mu- sketch dogs and has started her handiwork, Patti, but so do we lo- seum, upgrading the museum’s own business venture—a dog sitter cals! Keep up the good work, but technology. With the help of a and walker. don’t forget to take the time to grant from the Rasmuson Founda- Cassidy’s brother, Dylan, is 9 smell those flowers you planted. tion, the Museum has been able to and he, too, is in business for him- John and Barbara Rice and purchase a new computer and soft- self. He is offering to do yard work. Marcheta Long: Marcheta and Bar- ware. John says this will enable
Wrangell St. Elias News (USPS 011301) VOL. Twenty-Two, Issue Four, July & August 2013. Published every two months at McCarthy, Alaska. McCarthy, PO Box MXY, Glennallen, AK 99588-8998. Phone (907) 554-4454. FAX 1-866-487-7657. E-mail: [email protected]. “Copyright © 2013 by Wrangell St. Elias News. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express permission of the publishers.” Contributors to this issue: Peggy Guntis, George Cebula, Mark Vail and Rick Kenyon Jr. Subscription price is $14 for one year in the USA. Canada $16. Other countries $23. Advertising rates upon request. Deadline for publication in next issue is August 15. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GLENNALLEN, AK. 99588. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Wrangell St. Elias News, McCarthy #42, PO Box MXY, Glennallen AK 99588-8998. PAGE 4 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS MARCH & APRIL 2013 them to digitize their inventory reading during her quiet hours. our high was 90 degrees. Peggy lists and eventually scan and store Now that she has received proper thought she was back in Tucson. images of all their pictures and training on a 4 wheeler, she is able Jim and Peggy arrived May 13th. manuscripts. In addition, he says to venture out by herself and join Daughter Kim, husband, Richard, the Museum has purchased a TV Sonny for lunch and even meet up and their son Robbie came out and DVD player, a small camera with a few of the ladies for an ice from Homer, just in time to cele- and a video camera to enable them cream cone at the store. brate Kim’s birthday on May 27th. to present historical entertainment Welcome back, Sonny and Di- The Frosts stayed for 8 days. and, hopefully, capture interviews an! While they were here Kim, Peg- and presentations as the occasion McCarthy-Kennicott Museum arises. Thanks for all your volunteer gy and Robbie relaxed, went to mail news: Since John Rice broached and sampled ice cream at the store work, John. It is greatly appreciat- the subject of the museum, here ed! while visiting neighbors. Kim was are a few updates from Sunny able to see old friends she hadn’t Marcheta has assumed the posi- Cook, the museum president. seen in some time. On mail days tion of manager of the Mountain “Things are going very well at the Robbie had the time of his life Arts Gift Shop in downtown McCa- museum. The new Caretaker, Shan- watching the airplanes land and rthy and spends much of her off non Robel, is working out wonder- take off at the McCarthy airstrip. time walking to and from work. She fully, working together with John This year the mail pilot let Robbie loves to walk (unless she meets a Rice to get all of our technology sit inside the plane, and, for the bear or an inquisitive moose!). On equipment up and running. We first time, he was able to get in line Sundays, Marcheta assists me with have actually entered the 21st cen- with everyone else to help carry the music at church, playing key- tury with the help of the Rasmuson packages from the plane to the lit- board. Foundation. We are looking for- tle mail building. “I watched the The Rices are presently hosting ward to a presentation by Katie pilot and he always looked to see if their friends, Bea and Dom from Ringsmuth on Saturday, July 27th, Robbie was coming for ‘his’ pack- Belgium. Many years ago, Bea was a ‘How Two Failed Bremner Miners age. He made sure an appropriate- foreign exchange student, living Helped Build an Aviation Empire.’ ly-sized parcel was waiting for his with John and Barbara. They have Katie packed the house last year little helper,” says Peggy. maintained a friendship ever since. with her presentation on the Rado- While the ladies and Robbie I’m sure the Rices will show Bea vans. played, visited and relaxed, the and Dom the many sights of McCa- “We also plan a more casual- guys, Jim and Richard, busily rthy and Kennicott. than-usual John Denver event at worked on their new pet project Sonny Asbury and Dian Cook: the museum, a reading or two from that Jim calls the “quad barn.” Sonny and Dian finally got home to the Ted Lambert book, and a book Peggy describes it as a “roofed their cabin on the far side of McCa- reading by Tom Kizzia’s “Pilgrim’s structure about 12' x 30' that has a rthy Creek. It didn’t take them Wilderness.” Tom’s reading will be breathtaking view where Jim can long to settle in for the summer held at the Kennecott Recreation park the quads (4 wheelers to season. Out came the paint brushes Hall in Kennecott on August 16th. some) or have his outdoor work- for Dian and Sonny got busy tuning We have ordered a good number of shop. Who knows, one of these days up their 4 wheelers. Of course, all autographed copies to be sold at he may start asking me to bring his this didn’t happen until the winter the museum. meals out there!” snow was melted and the warm, Jim’s outdoor projects are mak- summer weather rolled in. “Everyone watch the local bul- letin boards, email for more specif- ing him vulnerable to the hoards of The outside and inside of their ic information or, by all means, mosquitoes McCarthy area folks are cabin is taking on a new look. A please come by the museum for experiencing this year. Peggy stays lettuce garden is producing salad further details on our summer ready to use the good ole’ bug zap- makings, says Dian. The major hur- events.” per when Jim comes inside the dle this year is the battle with the Jim and Peggy Guntis: Other house. Not on Jim—just the mos- mosquitoes. Keeping them off her quitoes that come in with him. paint brush is a challenge, but she summer arrivals were the Guntis’ The Guntis’ are planning a trip refuses to give up. from Tucson, Arizona. They are al- ways glad to escape the heat of the to Homer this summer to help Kim Sonny’s job as a shuttle driver desert. However, this year they babysit Robbie , assist Richard on between McCarthy and Kennicott walked right into record-breaking some solar projects and go halibut began in early June. Dian enjoys temperatures in McCarthy! One day fishing. In the meantime, when she WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 5 isn’t cooking Jim one of his favorite and desserts that Stacie is putting Many mail boxes are receiving new dishes, she can be found reading a out this year is an added bonus. labels and the wall display contain- good book or working her suduko Congratulations, Stacie, Pete ing updated names/boxes has tak- puzzles. and Karen on a job well done! en on a new look. We hope this Bob and Sunny Cook: The Mark Vail: Mark is back from a helps the mail sorters locate peo- Cooks are back in the neighbor- trip back east to memorialize his ple’s boxes quicker and with less hood at their summer cabin on the aunt’s passing. He was excited to missorts. far side of McCarthy Creek. “Bob see some family members he hadn’t If your mail box label is not cor- and I have already been in town seen for 40 years. It was a fine gath- rect, please feel free to make a more than a month, busily working ering, he said. His aunt had a horti- note of correction or addition on away on the inside of our cabin, cultural degree who worked the provided sheet below the wall finishing the new sun room off the diligently in commercial blueberry list. There is also a list with a few south side of the house,” says Sun- propagation. No wonder Mark has a available mail boxes. If you need ny. “It’s finished enough that we green thumb! Besides sharing his one, please choose a number on can fully enjoy sitting in it—per- transplants (I gleaned celery and the list and call Bonnie Kenyon at haps one day we will even be able to parsley this year) with many of us 554-1194. Trig Trigiano is making think on summer time in Alaska as McCarthyites, he helps Wrangell dividers for a few of the larger box- a vacation? But, I’m not holding my Mountain Center plant and oversee es where the present owners are breath! Next comes the outside their yearly garden. His home graciously willing to share their deck so the step into the sunroom grown lettuce can often be found space. This will provide several is not quite so steep.” on a Glacier Burger at Glacier View more available mail boxes. Bob continues to drive a shut- Campground/Grill and on a burger We certainly appreciate all the tle van a couple days a week for at The Potato. past work done by folks such as Au- McCarthy-Kennicott Shuttle, and This year his own garden area drey Edwards, Neil Darish and Sunny continues to hold forth at has grown to include what used to George Cebula. Their labors are the museum one day a week and on be Carol Michals’ garden plot. making it much easier to make the the telephone and email. When I called him a couple weeks present upgrades! Daughter Nancy and grand- ago, his first comment was, “I wish Volunteer medical/fire re- daughter Izi are on their way to it would rain!” His water line that sponse update: This year there is a McCarthy as I write. Sunny says she he uses to irrigate the new plot, 24-hour phone number to call for is hoping the mosquitoes will be needs tweaking. The source is a Emergency Medical and Fire re- gone by then. I couldn’t agree nearby swamp. Normally, that isn’t sponse—554-1240. The phone will more, Sunny! a problem, but this year the mos- be answered all hours, ready to dis- Stacie Miller and Peter Macha- quitoes are fierce. Mark is not patch the appropriate emergency do: Pete has visited us several times looking forward to the project. response. for propane since mid-June when His neighborhood is a quiet There is a need for community Tailor Made Pizza 2 opened for the area with very few visitors—unless members to volunteer with the Mc- season. Talk about two busy folks! you discover the sighting of a rare Carthy EMS. Taking shifts with the Thankfully, Karen Clark, a friend of bird. Recently Mark identified a EMS phone, driving the ambulance, Stacie’s, has jumped aboard the Cape May Warbler near his proper- etc. You do not need medical train- pizza bus to give Stacie and Pete a ty, posted it on Facebook, and, ing to help! If you would like to helping hand. well, you can only guess what oc- help the local EMS in some way, We mail sorters are missing curred. By the time I called, Mark contact Jacob Shultz at 503-860- Stacie’s assistance on mail days, had already hosted 5 “Birders.” 3040. but with the bus open from 7 am to Some traveled 700 miles round trip The McCarthy EMS is having 7 pm, seven days a week, there isn’t to spend 1 ½ hours viewing this general training days this summer much spare time for Stacie to leave special warbler. I won’t go into any to help people become familiar her Kennicott post for McCarthy’s more details in this item since with the equipment, etc. The train- mail shack. Mark has written an account of this ing will happen on the evenings of I’m hearing all kinds of good event. Be sure to read it on page 7. July 22nd, August 12th and August reports from folks who have sam- Mail Shack Update: This is to 26th at locations to be announced. pled the variety of pizzas, wraps, let users of McCarthy’s mail shack and Expresso drinks. The pastries know that you may notice several changes occurring this summer. PAGE 6 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 Alaska Grown-1980 continued
t wasn't long before Mom, Grampa, Grammy and I Ipacked the Monaco moto- rhome and headed south towards Mableton, Georgia. Uncle Ron's wedding was to take place in a few days and we arrived in plenty of time. Mom stayed with Grand- ma Neta while Grampa, Grammy and I continued south to Venice. We stayed there a few days then drove back north to Michigan. This time we spent a few days in Mt. Morris at Uncle Jim and Aunt Alice's home. It was a nice family reunion with aunts and uncles and cousins. (Aunt Alice was Grampa Carl's sister.) Grammy's family lived close by in Holly and there was time to visit her two One day I decided that learn- cabin was in good shape and all sisters and their families as well. ing to swim would be a good was well at the homestead. After three or four days, we thing for a twelve-year old to Dad drove to Anchorage and continued our journey northward know. After talking it over with left Sam at a kennel before flying to Perch Lake, in the Upper Pen- Grampa, he agreed to teach me down to Daytona Beach to join insula of Michigan. We arrived to how. We drove to a pond nearby Mom at Grandma Neta's home. find the cabin just as we left it and he showed me how to do the After a week or so there, Dad and several weeks previously. The “dog paddle.” Within a short Mom boarded a bus headed for summer days were warm and hot. while, I was swimming! (Years Michigan. Grampa, Grammy and Grammy had plenty of "projects" before, I had taken swimming I met them at the bus station in for Grampa and me to work on! lessons, but was afraid of drown- a nearby town a few miles from One project was an outdoor fire- ing and never learned how to the cabin at Perch Lake. We were place with rocks and concrete. swim.) This was a real break- dismayed to discover the luggage Another was a small garden with through for me and came at a was not on the bus when they a fence to keep small critters good time in my life. arrived and it would take a few out. One day we saw a black bear Dad's surveying job was over days to get it. I was happy to see meandering through the back and he and Sam made it back to the folks after a summer's break. yard by the clothes line. Grammy McCarthy. (They had used a por- Grampa Carl gave us the was not impressed to say the table building at Fidalgo Bay and 1968 red Chevy pickup to drive least! Harley King was able to secure it back to Alaska. Dad bought a Several times we drove down and have it brought to our place. camper that fit in the truck's the county roads in search of It was erected in the back yard to bed. Some work was done on the mushrooms that grew on trees. replace the old army hut that springs to allow for the extra Grammy would pry them off the Dad used to work on the Kings' weight of the camper before we trunks and draw pictures on the Super Cub plane. This new “hut” set off for home. After we bid white part of the mushroom. had a bright blue cover and was farewell to Grampa and Grammy, Grampa and I would keep a sharp larger and more insulated.) Our the three of us left Michigan and eye out for bears and poison ivy. drove through Wisconsin towards WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 7
Canada. I remember seeing the were purchased and the little red truck and put it down by the sun flower fields along the high- truck headed to its new home in shop. Dad got busy again on the way in Wisconsin. We even McCarthy. We stopped in Glen- Super Cub project and built a stopped at a road-side vegetable nallen to pick up my school “jig” to rebuild the fuselage. Now stand and bought a few items, books and supplies. with the new building to work in, including local-made cheese. It It was good to pull up in our there was more room to work on was delicious. yard at the cabin after being a wing and fuselage at the same The trip through Canada was gone most of the summer. The time. It was a slow, tedious pro- long but uneventful. For the sec- grass in our yard was knee high. cess yet rewarding to see the ond time, we drove the Alcan Fall was on the way and soon the plane come to shape. Highway all the way to Tok, Alas- familiar signs of it were appar- We had a wonderful summer ka. Once inside Alaska, we head- ent. I was happy to be sleeping in and a lot was accomplished. Now ed to Anchorage. There we my own bed and Sam was thrilled it was time to get back to bush picked up Sam who was over- to be back in his “kingdom.” We living and to prepare for another joyed to see us again! Supplies unloaded the camper off the long winter. Budworms and Warblers The next day I une 7th I was in the relocated the bird garden planting not far away, again Jstarts when I heard a by the unfamiliar new birdsong. I looked up to see song. This time, a small bird singing from a dead though, I couldn't snag. I went for the binoculars spot him in the tall on the bench outside the green- spruce trees where house and got them focused on he repeatedly sang the bird just as it departed for “seet, seet, seet, parts unknown. I saw a few key seet, seet” in rapid Photo courtesy the author markers to look up in my bird succession. Just then a neighbor slowing him down in digital for- book when I got home. It was that is also a birder arrived in the mat so I could get a long look at bright yellow underneath with area and I told him of the un- him even if he flew off to another dark streaking identified singer. singing post in a distant spruce. across the breast Over the next My friend declared that he and flanks, and it few days we both thought it was a Cape May War- had a dark eye tried to locate bler (Setophaga tigrina). He’d line and I saw a and identify the seen the russet cheek patch that flash of orange bird. His size told showed as orange when I’d seen as he flew off. me he was likely him that first time. So I flipped to that page in the guide and At home the a warbler. The found his picture. Yes, he was bird I presumed field guide gave bright yellow, had breast streak- it to be showed me a few options Photo courtesy Shirley Hannah ing and the orange cheek patch. completely dif- Spruce budworm but without a I agreed that must be it, but the ferent in the better look it book gave his range as only field guide. Now was going to be reaching Saskatchewan on the I was perplexed. With just the hard to define. My neighbor got a lower border of the Northwest short viewing opportunity and an good look the same day that I Territories. That is a long way unfamiliar song to guide me, I brought my guides over to go out of range. thought I would never know who through and try to define this the foreign visitor was. bird by elimination. I also My other birder friends would brought my camera in hopes of question my veracity if I just said PAGE 8 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013
I’d seen this exotic visitor. I most destructive insects to the affected areas of the spruce for- needed photographic proof. So spruce and fir forests of eastern ests. So now we have a second off I went with my eye to the sky and central Canada. Hmm, that champion of the spruce forest to and my ears tuned for his dis- matches the bird’s known range. our aid—the visiting Cape May tinct call. Oh, but not before I Further reading led to informa- Warbler. A bird surveyor along read the description in the tion that weather played a part the McCarthy Road also spotted guide, where further info was in these outbreaks. Our warmer, a Cape May Warbler but it was piling up in favor of the Cape drier springs are allowing out- thirty miles further down the May Warbler. breaks to occur further west and road. He also noted three Ten- It seems this denizen of the north over the past few decades nessee warblers in his survey. boreal forest of central and east- inflicting its spruce stunting eat- After almost an hour of flash- ern Canada had a close connec- ing habits on the spruce forests ing through the forest and sing- tion with the Spruce Bud Worm. of Alaska. There have been out- ing from hidden perches, the There is an ongoing outbreak of breaks in the Yukon and Tanana bird appeared just above head Budworms this summer in parts River drainages. level right in front of me at ten of the spruce forest. They are known to have a for- yards, quiet now and preening I had first noted the Spruce ty year recurrence in eastern for- his feathers. I was able to get a Budworm (Choristoneura Orae), ests exploding to huge numbers definitive photo. When I posted one of many bud worm species, with devastating harm killing the picture to my Facebook ac- about six years ago when I was large numbers of trees before count, I was immediately queried hiking into the Nizina River dying back to their background if it was still there. For it seems Gorge below my home here at numbers and having little effect in the world of birding that my Fireweed Mountain. on the forest for another forty back yard find was only about the Hiking down the bluff I years. The forest records show twelfth time this bird was seen in passed through a forest of an- their presence going back hun- the state. Since then I have host- cient spruce trees that were fes- dreds if not thousands of years in ed a number of serious birders tooned with inch-long reddish the east. that drove great distances to see worms hanging from silken It wasn’t long after I first saw this seldom visitor and add him threads. I’d never seen them be- budworms that I recorded my to their list. Now I am watching fore that time and when I got first Tennessee Warbler, another to see if he has a mate and if home I looked them up in a field known predator to the bud they are nesting which would be guide of insects. worm. That year observers saw a first for the state. I’m off now to watch my new worm-eating The worm is the larval stage three or more times the numbers neighbor. of a small moth. It is one of the of Tennessee warblers across the Kennecott Recreation Hall lease enables continued community use The WMC pursued the lease or more NPS permits for individ- specifically to facilitate on-going ual events. fter three years of use of the Recreation Hall con- The historic Kennecott Rec- talks to overcome a sistent with historic use, long- reation Hall has long been local- Asuccession of adminis- standing contemporary ly used for a variety of activities trative challenges, the Wrangell community interest, and the and, more recently, also for con- Mountains Center (WMC) is hap- original partnership model un- ferences, weddings, educational py to announce the June 20 sig- derlying NPS acquisition of Ken- programs, community events, nature of a 5-year lease of the necott. exhibits, concerts, children’s Kennecott Recreation Hall from The lease also relieves the programs, and receptions. It of- the National Park Service. public from having to seek one fers 1,800 square feet of well-lit WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 9 space for up to 200 people, over- lease. The annual, seasonal lease bring in additional “outside” rev- looking the Kennicott Glacier runs May 15 through September enue. and within the Kennecott Mines 15. Our fee schedule will be re- National Historic Landmark. The new Recreation Hall evaluated periodically as we gain In the 1990s, the non-profit lease includes a number of re- experience with operating costs. group Friends of Kennicott and quirements including liability Our dual goals are to increase the NPS worked together to re- insurance, rent, payment of utili- volume of use so we can lower store the deteriorated building. ties, and daily up-keep. Hence per-event prices. After restoration, community the long-term success of the To reserve the Recreation uses were initially managed by leasing arrangement is depen- Hall or find out more about the Friends group under a sim- dent on attracting enough use to event options, pricing, or avail- ple cooperative agreement. Be- eventually cover our direct costs. ability of other services, contact cause it has staff to handle To help subsidize lower cost
McCarthy celebrates Independence Day (continued from cover)
WSEN staff photo WSEN staff photo Perhaps one of the largest entries in the parade Undoubtedly the smallest entry this year was Kaylin was David Rowland’s. David was driving a beautiful Moffit’s radio-controlled off-road vehicle, called a Kenworth truck with his new sawmill busily making Traxxas Summit. lumber on the bed. Kaylin is another of the McCarthy area’s young entre- Blackburn Logging and Milling is the name of Da- preneurs. His new company is called -60RC. If you vid’s enterprise. are interested in RC modeling, give him a call!
uly 4th is always one of the most heavily-visited days for our little town. This year was no excep- tion, although it did seem the number of visitors may have been slightly less than last year. JThe parade leads off the festivities, followed by the traditional games and other activities. This year we were blessed with exceptional weather for the holiday. The McCarthy Center grocery store re- ported selling somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 ice cream cones during the afternoon. Food was available on the boardwalk bordering the main street. PAGE 10 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 How the conservationist “Saved” Alaska Does History Really Repeat itself? development which did occur, route over the Valdez and Kluti- hat is presented and the rich historic legacy they na glaciers to the Klutina River, here is a con- have left us, could not have hap- eventually reaching Copper Cen- W densed version pened. The Alaska Syndicate ter in July 1898. This tent town of the events in early Alaska by were indeed the boogeymen of became a jumping off point for which the conservationists, who the day. For they were bigger prospectors heading to places were also the great “trust-bust- than life and so highly visible as ranging from the Klondike to the ers,” successfully closed down an to be easy targets. May God save Nizina River. This glacier route entire industry to conserve re- us all from those self-appointed had been abandoned by area Na- sources and prevent a monopoly. protectors of the public good— tives years before as too difficult Yet a monopoly is exactly what the political inheritors of the and would soon be replaced by a they got—for only the single conservationists of old. military road over Thompson richest mines could survive the he early history of anti- Pass. But it was through this ear- high cost of freighting in Alas- development forces ly trail that the McClellan group ka—and that meant the Alaska Tand radical environ- would enter the Copper valley— Syndicate who were to become mentalism in Alaska may corre- and among these were the loca- the Kennecott Corporation. spond with the discovery of the tors of the Bonanza claims. Lesser companies, lacking the Bonanza copper ore deposit The McClellan group and vast financial resources would from which developed the Ken- another party led by B.F. Millard never have a chance. Is this real- necott Copper Corporation and sought out Chief Nicolai at Tar- ly all that different from what is Alaska’s second largest privately al, across the Copper River from happening today in the name of financed construction project— present day Chitina. They were environmentalism? the Kennecott mines and the seeking the source of copper Each of the political muck- Copper River & Northwestern bullets that Chief Nicolai had rakers in this story: Gifford Pin- Railway. shown to Lieutenant Allen in an chot, James Wickersham, Louis At the height of the Klondike earlier expedition. This led to Glavis and Louis Brandeis all had gold rush in 1898 the U.S. Army the acquisition of the Nicolai their own personal agendas and became engaged in attempts to Mine, which in itself, though the banner of conservation (envi- find a route into the interior of somewhat spectacular, was to ronmentalism) and anti-monopo- Alaska which would provide an prove economically insignificant ly (anti-big business) provided a “all-American” route to the Yu- —but which would lead to the handy forum for selling them- kon River and the Klondike gold discovery by Clarence Warner selves as heroes protecting the fields. and Jack Smith, of the McClellan public interests. Like the mod- Captain W.R. Abercrombie group, of the Bonanza copper ern day environmentalists, these headed a military reconnaissance outcropping. Chittyna Explora- men were early advancers of a party known as the Copper River tion Company, which was formed form of socialism that gave maxi- Exploring Expedition based in to develop the Nicolai Mine, mum control of the lands to the Valdez. One of the civilian would later claim that it had federal government. guides attached to the party was grubstaked Smith and Warner, I am not defending the Alas- Stephen Birch who would later bringing on one of many lawsuits ka Syndicate, for they were cer- become president of the Kenne- which would plague the Kenne- tainly capable of underhanded cott Corporation. cott developers. deeds, and were, of course, oper- Birch was assigned to Lieu- The McClellan group lacked ating in their own exclusive best tenant P.G. Lowe’s expedition capital to develop the Bonanza interests. Yet without them, the which successfully worked out a and other nearby claims, includ- WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 11 ing the Jumbo. Knowing that thus gaining favor with Stephen shown in the famous photo of Stephen Birch, recently of the Birch. Birch had already become the driving of the copper spike. Abercrombie expedition, was a power in his own right and was The Copper River & North- still in Valdez and that he was able to influence the reappoint- western Railway filed for two associated with monied interests ment of Wickersham to the construction permits in 1906. who were seeking mineral invest- judgeship in 1904 despite signifi- The first, known as the Tonsina ments, Jack Smith contacted cant U.S. Senate opposition. route, basically followed the gov- him seeking money for develop- Now it became necessary to ernment trail from Valdez. This ment. determine a route and line up route had the most difficult Those potential investors financial support for a tidewater grades, crossing Thompson Pass were Henry Havemeyer and to interior railway. Believing that and then Ernestine divide, then James Ralph. The Havemeyer the Childs and Miles glaciers on to the Tonsina River, finally family had used connections to blocked access to the Copper on down to the Copper River. get Birch assigned to the Aber- River, Birch chose the port of The second and chosen route crombie expedition, but Birch Valdez in the summer of 1904 as followed Lowe River to its head, was also sent to seek investment the start of the proposed line. crossed Marshall Pass and fol- opportunities. Birch had enough There were four applications lowed the Tasnuna River to the confidence in the McClellan for authority to build railroads Copper. group reports to begin negotiat- using Valdez as the tidewater. In lining up the financial sup- ing with the prospectors before These had nothing to do with port, Stephen Birch succeeded even investigating the claims. the mines, but were proposals in combining the financial and One of the eleven claimants, Dan into the interior. The following railroad interests of the J.P. Mor- Kain, contacted Birch to sell him railroad companies filed for con- gans with the mining and smelt- half of his part of the interest struction permits from the port ing interests of the immediately. Kain would later of Valdez under the Act of May Guggenheims into a mega- part- locate gold placer claims for Ste- 14, 1898 prior to the Copper nership known as the Alaska Syn- phen Birch on a tributary of the River & Northwestern Railway: dicate. The Syndicate began with Nizina River which would then be Akron, Sterling and Northern an agreement to invest ten mil- named Dan Creek in his honor. Railroad Company, to build from lion dollars, and with this capital Dan Kain also assisted Birch in the head of Valdez Bay via Mar- obtained the Kennecott mines, his negotiations with the other shall Pass to Eagle City (1900); the CR & NW Railway, the Alaska members of the group. The in- the Valdez, Marshall Pass & Steamship Company and other vestors formed the Alaska Cop- Northern Railroad Company, to interests which eventually in- per Company with Birch as its Eagle City (1904); and the Val- cluded the only other significant head in 1901 to pursue and pur- dez-Yukon Railroad Company, copper mine in Alaska, the Beat- chase the 45 claims and to as- also to Eagle City (1906). All of son on LaTouche Island in sess the mining potential in the these routes had to be relin- Prince William Sound. upper Chitina and Nizina River quished before the Copper River The Alaska Syndicate had areas for both gold and copper. & Northwestern Railway could barely begun development of its The Chittyna Exploration gain access to the Keystone Can- Valdez line when its attention Company filed suit against Alas- yon right-of- way. It was the last turned to a small fishing village ka Copper Company in 1903 for of these, the Valdez- Yukon RR on Controller Bay named Katal- an interest in the claims. This which had brought in the 4-6-0 la. In 1905 a coal rush of sorts slowed development, especially Rogers locomotive which was had occurred as a result of a new of the railroad which would be later sold to Michael Heney, the coal law designed for Alaska absolutely necessary for access builder of the CR&NW from Cor- which enabled individual claims to the mines. Judge James Wick- dova to Kennecott, to become of 160 acres and combinations ersham of Alaska’s third judicial engine number 50—the oldest of claims to 640 acres. Although district ultimately decided the engine on the line and the one this legal limitation was far too case in favor of Alaska Copper, small, many illegal claim combi- PAGE 12 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 nation agreements developed, chants another $20,000 and lia- possible from development. He including the Cunningham bilities in Seattle at $75,000. In especially wanted to close down claims. The lure of nearby coal addition, a bank brought in and all the Bering River coal claims for railroad and copper mine de- headed by Reynolds also failed and place the area under his velopers was obvious. The Syndi- leaving large liabilities. Reynolds newly formed Forest Service. He cate abandoned its rockwork in eventually was caught and con- was, to this end, able to convince Keystone Canyon, leaving deputy victed of using the mail to de- Roosevelt into creating the Marshall Edward Hasey in charge fraud, but much of the ill will Chugach National Forest in 1907 of protecting the right-of-way would be reserved for the Alaska with boundaries which included should it be needed in the fu- Syndicate. virtually all the coal lands. ture. In 1906 President Theodore Pinchot especially disliked Valdez was left abandoned Roosevelt withdrew all Alaska Richard Ballinger, who as head without a railroad and was ripe coal fields that had not been le- of the Central land Office had for the likes of the con artist gally filed upon by executive or- tried to get many of the coal H.D. Reynolds who encouraged der. The withdrawal was justified claims to patent. When Howard the town people to place their as a means to conserve natural Taft succeeded Theodore own savings and credit into an resources and prevent monopo- Roosevelt as President, he ap- ill-conceived Alaska Home Rail- lies. The question was: “Why just pointed Ballinger to the post of road. Reynolds actually raised coal lands?” Was this the result Secretary of Interior. Pinchot $106,000 locally. The first rail- of Eastern coal trusts trying to saw Ballinger as far too pro-de- road equipment for the proposed hold on to their west coast mar- velopment and was determined narrow gauge arrived in Septem- kets by prevailing on the Presi- to discredit Ballinger. Then Lou- ber 1907, and crews began work- dent to withdraw potential coal is Glavis, who had become a ing toward Keystone Canyon fields thus maintaining their own dupe of the conservation forces, where CR & NW men still occu- monopolies? handed Gifford Pinchot the am- pied the right-of-way. Reynolds The withdrawal limited coal munition he needed when Glavis thought he could deal with the mining to those claims filed in found evidence of the secret Syndicate, believing they would the preceding two years, which agreement behind the Cunning- pay him a substantial sum to included the twenty seven Cun- ham claims—which combined halt work rather than face ningham claims. The Syndicate more than four claims, contrary lengthy legal proceedings. The took an option on those claims to the 1904 coal law. Pinchot Syndicate was already involved in as the means for coal access— claimed that Ballinger had the Katalla operation and re- half interest in the claims for knowledge of the agreement, fused to deal with Reynolds. $250,000. The commissioner of that the agreement was fraudu- When Reynolds sent his men the Central land Office, Richard lent, and that Ballenger had into the canyon in a desperate A. Ballinger, was prepared to tried to get the claims to patent attempt to force the issue, the approve the Cunningham pat- without proper investigation— “battle of Keystone Canyon” be- ents but an idealistic investiga- probably in collusion with the came inevitable. In a mob rush tor, Louis Glavis, objected that Guggenheims. He brought his of the Keystone Canyon barri- the claims should not be ap- “evidence” first to President Taft cades placed there by the CR & proved. and later to the public through NW workers, several were injured The conservation policies of articles in Collier’s Magazine. and one was killed in the shoot- the Theodore Roosevelt adminis- Even though subsequent investi- ings which followed. Ill feelings tration were largely conceived by gations cleared Ballinger of the against the Syndicate resulted, Roosevelt’s chief forester, Gif- various accusations, the effect of and this would only be the begin- ford Pinchot. He proved to be a the controversy was to freeze any ning. It did not help matters natural propagandist who be- Congressional or Presidential that the Alaska Home Railway lieved that the end justified the actions regarding Alaska coal. failed, leaving the workers owed means. He believed in a policy of There was already a natural some $30,000, the local mer- holding as many public lands as fear among many Alaskans of any WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 13 large monopoly, and the Alaska about the truth as long as he reduction. Alternate plans called Syndicate certainly seemed to fit could discredit the Syndicate. for constructing a smelter along the bill. With the Keystone Can- It is true that the Syndicate the Copper River at CRNW mile yon “massacre,” Judge Wicker- had made some regrettable 40, which would also serve as the sham found his own cause. The moves, especially in regard to branch line to Katalla and the good judge had offered his ser- the Cordova voting incident, but Bering River coal fields. The as- vices to the Syndicate as legal there was never any intention to sumed availability of Alaska coal counsel, and much to their ulti- dominate Alaska’s resources or combined with a nearby smelter mate regret, he was turned politics. The Guggenheims were would greatly reduce the costs of down. He then ran for Alaska only interested in developing copper production and would delegate to Congress as an anti- very large mines. The Bonanza also make possible the mining of monopoly and particularly an proved to be just such a pros- lower grade ores. It has been es- anti-Syndicate politician. The pect, and this required the build- timated that the use of the Ber- Syndicate countered on election ing of a vertical monopoly, as ing River coals might have made day of 1908, rather foolishly, by there was no existing infrastruc- possible up to 5,000 jobs in the loading flat cars with railroaders, ture to deliver the copper to Chitina and Copper River valleys bringing them in to Cordova to market. There was no railroad— as railroad freight costs would vote, and coaching them to vote or indeed any form of overland have been significantly reduced. against Wickersham. The Cordo- transportation available until the Combined with access to the va voters rejected the tactics and Syndicate stepped forward with proposed smelter, many margin- helped assure Wickersham’s vic- the capital to build it. Then it al mining operations would have tory. Now the Syndicate had an was necessary to assure uninter- been made possible. outspoken antagonist with a na- rupted delivery of the ore from Meanwhile in Washington tional pulpit. Cordova to the states. D.C. opposing forces were at The Syndicate already The acquisition of the North- work. That young, idealistic in- controlled Alaska Steamship, the western Steamship Company, vestigator for the Central land CR & NW Railroad, the forerunner to the Alaska Steam- Office, Louis Glavis, had become Kennecott mines, Alaska’s ship Company guaranteed this a willing accomplice of the great second largest fish packing vital link. While the CR & NW conservationist agitator Gifford association and much of the Railway was only profitable for a Pinchot. It was Glavis at the di- mercantile business on the few years when the rich ores rection of Pinchot who sought to Seward Peninsula centering on were being shipped, the Alaska undermine the Secretary of the Nome. Now Wickersham would Steamship was always profitable Interior Ballinger with a very claim that the Syndicate was while owned by the mining con- one-sided report to President attempting to monopolize the cerns. The line controlled 15 Taft. After consulting with his Bering coal fields through the steamers totaling 28,160 tons, Attorney General, Taft conclud- Cunningham claims, and that making it the largest fleet of its ed that Glavis had an exaggerat- the Syndicate had controlling kind operating exclusively in ed notion of his own importance interests of all the railroads Alaska. The new company oper- and was advancing a personal going into Alaska’s interior, ated four routes that made it agenda (as was certainty the which also included the Alaska highly visible in Alaska: Seattle case with Pinchot) by embracing Central Railroad at Seward and to Skagway, Seattle to Seward, “only shreds of suspicions with- the White Pass and Yukon at Seattle to Nome and the mail out any substantial evidence to Skagway. None of this was true, run from Seward to Unalaska. sustain his attack.” but little did the truth matter. The Guggenheims already Investigator Glavis was fired Like the great trust-buster and had a lock on the smelter busi- for “unjustly impeaching the of- radical conservationist Gifford ness, and had acquired one at ficial integrity of his superior Pinchot, yellow press ally James Tacoma which was built in 1890 officers” while Ballinger was ex- Wickersham was not concerned to process lead, gold and silver onerated. But it did not end and modified in 1905 for copper there. When Gifford Pinchot had PAGE 14 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013
Glavis rehash his accusations in Even with this development, ping over the railroad. There Colliers, he pursued the theme the possibility was held open for were no realistic alternatives, that perhaps the Guggenheims using Alaskan coal. The branch and, by comparison, tariff rates were actually running the Interi- line at CRNW mile 40 was sur- for passengers were 12.5 cents or Department. Interior Secre- veyed. Other surveys included per mile compared to about 2 to tary Ballinger threatened to sue extensions to Chena, (at that 4 cents per mile in the states. Colliers for libel, and the maga- time the Tanana River terminal Freight rates per ton/mile were zine hired a flamboyant attorney for the Tanana Valley Railroad) 3.5 to 14.5 cents compared to named Louis Brandeis to defend with the branch line to Fair- about one cent stateside. Of Glavis’s articles. Brandeis proved banks, an extension to other de- course, imported coal cost himself the master of the ulti- veloping coal fields in the $15.00 and up, whereas local mate red herring, and was able Matanuska Valley. Several other coal should have cost about to spread so many accusations lesser spur lines would later be $3.00 a ton. In addition, the that Ballinger finally gave up and contemplated. One line would presence of the large coal fields resigned his post. follow the Kuskulana at least as so close to the CR & NW would He even defied his boss, far as the North Midas mine, and have naturally meant that a Howard Taft, and contacted another would extend up McCa- ready market would have been members of Congress directly rthy Creek to the promising available in Fairbanks and else- without clearing the informa- Motherlode mine. In the end, all where to the north with the ex- tion. For this the chief forester of these would become historical tension of the railroad, thus was finally fired. Pinchot, who curiosities of undeveloped bringing overall costs down. An was a dedicated Teddy Roosevelt dreams, for there would be no extension to Chena/Fairbanks conservationist, contacted his coal. was estimated to cost $15 to $20 former boss, who was on safari in The rich coal lands of the million. Considering that the Africa, to let him know that Taft Bering River would become for- whole cost of the original 195 was violating the conservationist ever buried under the bureaucra- miles from Cordova to Kenne- and anti-monopolist principles cy of the Forest Service as it cott was $23,500,000, the extra Roosevelt stood for, and that he remains today. Although some cost was relatively economical, should return to once again run oil fields were developed near for the extreme cost of crossing for President. Katalla, production was low, and the coast range and the glaciers When a terrific storm in the a refinery fire in 1934 spelled had already been expended. The fall of 1907 reduced the break- the end for what little remained surveyed grade into the north water and docks at Katalla to of Katalla. Along the Bering Riv- presented no unusual difficul- complete destruction, a million er rests an ancient saddletank ties. Permits to Eagle City and to dollars of rock work was gone, locomotive and a couple of open Chena/Fairbanks were applied and so were the hopes of making freight cars on track remaining for by the CR & NW in 1905 and Katalla the railroad port. The from the last railroad there—the 1906. Knowing all this, one can Syndicate had already purchased Alaska Anthracite Railroad. With begin to imagine the tremen- work started by Michael Heney, 22 miles of completed track, it dous loss to commerce that the the builder of that other “impos- was the only railroad to actually withdrawal of the Bering River sible” project, the White Pass reach the coal fields. It was a coal fields represented for all of and Yukon Railway. The same victim of the Forest Service sys- the territory of Alaska. financial backers of that earlier tem of leasing brought on by With the completion of the successful railroad, the Close Gifford Pinchot—too little ton- CR & NW Railway in 1911, the Brothers of London, also had nage and thus economically un- company shifted to locomotives backed Heney in Orca, (which he feasible. run by bunker “C” oil. Some of renamed Cordova) knowing that One of the frequently heard the older locomotives were left eventually the Syndicate would complaints along the CR & NW as coal burners because the have to purchase the rights for Railway line, especially at McCa- heavy bunker oil did not do well access up the Copper River. rthy, was of the high cost of ship- in extreme cold, but the basic WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 15
line was now an oil system. Origi- lack of access to coal could not also 195 miles of track and nally, the coal came from British stop development of the great bridges, now written off. The Colombia, but a Cordova “tea Kennecott mines, for the ore was right-of-way to this line was party” put an end to that, and simply too rich and there was passed on to the territorial gov- Utah coal, which was far more too much of it. But the members ernment, and in 1942 the U.S. expensive to ship had to be used. of the Syndicate learned that Army began tearing up the The bunker oil came from Cali- doing business in Alaska was not tracks. Kennecott had become a fornia refineries, and for purpos- nearly as desirable as operating ghost town over night, and Mc- es of running the existing in foreign countries such as Carthy soon followed, especially railway, was the most economi- Chile. In fact, the huge profits when the entire downtown core cal choice. made in Alaska at both Kenne- burned up in 1940. Only the still So in the zealous effort to cott and LaTouche Island were profitable Alaska Steamship as “conserve” coal resources—at used to develop the great Braden the last remnant of Syndicate least this is what the proponents Mine in Chile and to buy low activities still operating business claimed—and to prevent monop- grade copper mines in the section remained behind in Alas- olistic practices, the coal indus- states. ka. In 1944, the Kennecott Cor- try of the Bering River never Kennecott abandoned the poration sold off their interest in materialized, the smelter was worked out Beatson and Gird- the line, and the last legacy of not built, no branch lines or ex- wood mines on LaTouche Island the Alaska Syndicate— the phan- tensions on the CR & NW were in 1930. By 1938 they had tom monster which threatened constructed, and many marginal worked out and abandoned the to completely dominate Alaska— mines died a quick death. The Kennecott site, leaving behind was now history.
of McCarthy
formerly
w Private cabins for 2 to 6. w Convenient access by automobile. w Historic homestead setting. Enjoy Alaskan bush living. w Quiet, Peaceful location away from the crowds! Private or shared bath Phone (907)554-4454 or Email [email protected] See us on the WEB at http://www.wsen.net/AspenMeadows/ Your hosts Rick & Bonnie Kenyon PAGE 16 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 The McCarthy Weekly News 1922 July & August editions TELEGRAPHIC practically the entire camp has sig- en route to the Mt. McKinley district AMUNDSEN IN THE ARCTIC nified its intention of celebrating in Mr. Beach having insisted on this chef & no other. Wm. Slimpert will be guide Nome, Alaska. June 30th. Amund- McCarthy. for the party; he left a week ago. sen and party sailed on the Maud yes- Cars for hire Deanie O'Neill attained the dignity terday afternoon for the Pole. He and To GREEN BUTTE, of eight years of age today and enter- Elmer Fullerton, of the Canadian Royal KENNECOTT, NICOLAI, Air Forces will attempt a nonstop tained her little friends at a party at MOTHER LODE, NICOLAI for her home. Games were played and de- flight for Point Barrow and Feitsberger GOOD FISHING — TENTS in about three weeks. licious ice cream and cake were served FURNISHED at a prettily decorated table, where PERSONAL Day and Night Service. Service eight lighted candles on a big frosted Bill Berry and Ben Jackson who Guaranteed cake formed the centerpiece. left April 1st on a trip to the interior, SEE OLSEN With seemingly a plague of field returned to McCarthy on Thursday. mice, gardeners round here are having They traveled over the trail from McCa- McCarthy Garage their troubles this year. Mrs. A. V. Doze rthy to Chisana by dog team where July 1 tried heroic measures and set traps, to they built a boat and went down the PERSONAL find next morning that the mice had Tanana landing at McCarty on the Fair- taken trap and all. But the crowning banks trail, where they took an auto- Miss Bernice M. Hamilton, an en- thusiastic member of the Mountain- tragedy was when she found a rabbit mobile to Chitina and then traveled by feeding in the cabbage patch. train from Chitina to McCarthy. eers Club Spokane, Wash. is finding many mountains worthy of climbing PERSONAL Lawrence Barrett is expected to during her stay here. This week she arrive here in time to spend the Fourth Messrs. W. M. Briggs Jr, and Doug- and Mrs. John E. Barrett made the with his parents. lass Parschall of California who are ascent of Nicolai Peak, finding a view visiting at the Green Butte, left yester- Jack O'Neill had a marvelous es- unsurpassed in any country, then visit- day on a sight-seeing trip to the head cape last Wednesday evening from ed the Green Butte. Trips to Mount of the Lakina on saddle horses. King what might have been a serious acci- Regal and other peaks are also Oscar went along as guide and packer. dent. Driving the red car from the planned. Miss Hamilton is at present This is their first acquaintance with warehouse up 2nd St. the machine the house guest of Mrs. Barrett. glaciers. Mr. Parschall who is a scenic skidded at the culvert and overturned, painter of merit, has taken his artist's pinning him under the car. Fortunately July 15 equipment and will make sketches of Billy Urlass was close at hand & ran to OF GENERAL INTEREST the scenery. his assistance so Jack was able to crawl Paddy Devlin and his partner shot Gus C. Johnson, who has been out out with a bad cut on the head and a a bear the other evening not very far in the Chitina River country for several severe jolting. A box of dynamite was in from town. the car and many sticks were smashed. weeks on a prospecting trip, has re- The McCarthy Mercantile Co. has turned and left yesterday to resume his JULY THE FOURTH been taken over by J. B. O'Neill, he work at the Green Butte. having purchased the holdings of the Even though it is several days be- Jack Schultze returned last week other stockholders. From now on the fore the Fourth, quite a number of from the Chitina where he did the business will be conducted under the visitors have already arrived in town assessment work on the copper proper- name of J. B. O’Neill. and it is expected that there will be ty in which he and Cap Hubrick and more people in our city on that day An impromptu dance was held at others are interested. than there have been for several years. the Pioneer Hall last Saturday evening and greatly enjoyed by those present. George Marhoffer has been do- The Green Butte Copper Corpora- ing assessment work on his mining tion will close down on the 3rd until The same young folks have arranged a property at Dan Creek for the past the 5th. The men of this camp are dance for this evening, every one is invited and a good time promised. On- sixty days and returned to town yes- determined to carry off most of the terday. prizes. Anyway the drilling contest and ly one stipulation—be there at 9 the tug of war. o'clock sharp. According to word received by a friend from N. P. Nelson, formerly of Kennecott and the mines will Walter Quon Eng left on today's Chisana, who left here nearly a year close down all day on the 4th & train to join the Beach hunting party WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 17 ago and spent last winter prospect- to Anchorage. General Passenger and 12 trucks, Cordova 4 pleasure cars ing in the Iditarod, Mr. and Mrs. agent Bunch of Seattle and his wife and 12 trucks. Nelson are now in Seattle and are also of the party. August 5 planning on locating there. ______A trio of mules, buckboards, dou- Lawrence Barrett is assisting E. Mr. Hubrick returned from his pic- ble-enders and a large and varied as- Lottsfeldt in survey work at the Green ture taking trip on Sunday, he secured sortment of army gear was purchased Butte. some splendid panoramic views of the by George Anderson from Liscum Post July 22 glaciers and mountains. These will be recently and reached McCarthy this week. Miss Beulah Jarnagin entertained on display next week at the drug store, a number of ladies very delightfully at which he has taken over. A full line of August 12 a sewing party at her home last week. picture molding and glass for framing LOCAL AND GENERAL has also arrived. Mrs. Barrett and Miss Hamilton Mr. Asa C. Baldwin, who has been with Ben Jackson as guide took a hik- ______surveying at the Mt. Regal property, ing trip to Mt. Regal this week, climb- Miss Hamilton, who states she and also was in charge of the assess- ing to the topmost peak. will never forget the hospitality ac- ment work, returned to town last week Twelve men came in from the corded her in McCarthy entertained and reported an important strike, a Palmer camp on Chititu yesterday. a number of ladies at an ice cream fissure rich in azurite and glance was A train will arrive tomorrow bring- party at the Alaskan Soda Fountain uncovered. It appears to be of consid- ing mail and freight from the Admiral last Thursday before leaving for Ken- erable extent. Mr. J. P. Gaskill and Mr. Watson. necott to be the guest of Mrs. Ralph Baldwin made a trip to the Regal on Monday. Urgent matters called Mr. Mrs. Johnson has gone on a three Rothe. She leaves soon for her home Baldwin to Seattle and he left on weeks visit to Pete's ranch. in Spokane. Wednesday's train. Con Miller and D. McGilvra are ______A fine white car was received today leaving on the next train for Chitina Mr. and Mrs. Anderton have taken by the new firm which includes Henry where they will take horses and sup- over the Alaska Cafe and Hotel. They Olsen and George Anderson, automo- plies for a sixty day prospecting trip to have been at Kennecott for over a year bile experts. Robinson Creek. and are well acquainted and should be August 19 Yesterday W. Lubbe was fined $50 very successful in their new venture. TRAIN NEWS and costs by U. S. Commissioner Cop- PERSONAL pernoll for driving stock off the public The unusual heavy rain this week Charles Veach is spending a vaca- range. Complaint was laid by G. C. caused temporary inconvenience on tion in town and on Tuesday enter- Gwin. the railroad between Chitina and Cor- tained all the children at an dova. On Tuesday the last five hundred PERSONAL automobile party to the Mother Lode, feet of track was washed out at mile Wm. Neece arrived on last where a fine feast was served. It took 62, but the emergency crews put the Wednesday's train from Chitina for two cars to hold the crowd, who had line in order in a very short space of medical attention having sustained an the time of their lives, and Charlie was time and yesterday trains ran as usual. injury to his shoulder while employed the biggest kid of all. as axeman for the A. R. C. at Ernestine A train left Cordova this morning ALASKA HAS OVER ONE bringing passengers and mail from the on the Valdez trail. Dr. Gillespie found THOUSAND AUTOMOBILES the shoulder fractured and dislocated, steamers Admiral Watson and North- There are 340 automobiles operat- and the patient will remain some western. This train will not stop over- ed within the confines of the Tongass weeks in his care. night in Chitina but come right forest reserve in Alaska and the total through, and should arrive here about July 29 number of auto cars in Alaska will run 9 p.m. NEW GENERAL MANAGER of over one thousand. The list shows that Miss Edna Thawley of Chitina is Alaska Steamship Co. and C. R. Juneau has 185 autos, Ketchikan has relieving depot agent here this week. 88 cars, Cordova 16, Valdez 52, Seward & N. W. VISITS. Mr. C. E. Burroughs left on Tues- 30, Petersburg 12, Hyder 6, Wrangell The new general manager of our day's train for Cordova, there to meet 4, Anchorage has probably 50 cars. steamship and railroad companies, his bride, who was a passenger on the McCarthy holds her own with seven Mr. F. H. Knickerbocker, his wife Northwestern from the states. They are pleasure cars and four trucks. 133 of and daughter made the round trip expected to arrive on this evening's Juneau's cars are pleasure cars, 52 are train, when congratulations will be in to Kennecott today, spending about trucks owned by business houses and order. an hour there. They will leave the industries. train at Chitina and motor through August 26 Ketchikan has 41 pleasure cars to Fairbanks, returning to the coast and 47 trucks, Seward 24 pleasure cars by way of the government railroad PAGE 18 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 Looking back in time at the world's oceans lakes are frozen or thawed, the in any other fashion,” said Gwen time capsule of satel- pattern of waves, and even boats. Bryson, a data quality engineer lite imagery of the “It’s a little boat with a big V on the project. Aearth will become visible from the ship’s wake,” If the satellite had circled available to scientists this Logan said. the earth more times, you could month. This mission was NASA’s de- even clock the movement of gla- On June 28, digital imagery but of synthetic aperture radar ciers and watch the inflation and from more than three decades (or SAR) in space. SAR bounces deflation of volcanoes. ago will be released by the Alas- a little pulse of energy off the The release was partly ka Satellite Facility at the Uni- surface of the earth and listens spurred by growing demand for versity of Alaska Fairbanks for the echo with an antenna. the data by the science commu- Geophysical Institute, NASA’s It’s “synthetic” because it col- nity. Plus there are no other SAR processor and distributor for this lects the echoes from many ra- “birds” in space right now. type of data. The images reveal dar pulses and processes them “There’s nothing new coming an unprecedented view of sea into a single radar image. in, so let’s go back and mine ice, waves, forests, glaciers and “It’s like combining 1,500 what has previously been taken,” more. looks at the ground into one Bryson said. “It was awesome because I look,” Logan said. It’s also more accessible than was resurrecting data that no- This information can be used ever. Using 1980s technology, it body has seen in 35 years, pic- by a wide range of scientists. A would have taken a week to pro- tures of the earth from when I biologist studying the impact of cess five scenes, Logan said. was a child,” said Tom Logan, climate change on the boreal “Now we process a scene ev- the software engineer who pro- forest can now rewind to see the ery 5 minutes.” cessed the data. land cover back in 1978. A geo- Yet it didn’t happen at the The NASA Seasat satellite physicist studying receding sea click of a mouse. First he had to was launched in June 1978 as ice has even older baseline data clean some “bit rot” off of data proof of concept for using satel- to compare rates of melting and that had been sitting on aging lites to monitor ocean features— other qualities. tapes for decades. Then he fil- like temperatures, wind and “You can determine the age tered the data six times to make waves. Four months later, a ma- of the sea ice, whether it’s multi- sure the metadata (time, coordi- jor power failure killed the mis- year or new ice. And you can nates) for the imagery was cor- sion. For 35 years much of the watch the ice move so you can rect. After developing software imagery was stowed away in fil- see fracture patterns and see to decode telemetry and sort the ing cabinets. how the ice floes work,” Logan data, he configured the files so Now the data has been pro- said. they could be synthesized into cessed into several thousand Radar can see through dark- single images. unique gray-scale images of the ness and clouds, unlike other “I don’t think anybody has earth’s surface, each displaying monitoring tools. This can be dealt with SAR data this old,” 100-square-kilometer sections in handy for researchers looking at Logan said. “It took a lot of cre- high resolution. glaciers or volcanoes in the mid- ative problem solving to figure Data was collected over all of dle of nowhere, far from GPS out the best way to get the raw North America and much of stations or cameras. data to be correct.” northern Europe, so there is im- “That’s really the niche that The images will be available agery of the Arctic Ocean, Ber- SAR data fills, the ability to pro- at the Alaska Satellite website ing Sea, and other surrounding vide data about some geographic at: http://www.asf.alaska.edu/ waters. You can detect whether feature that scientists can’t get WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 19 USDA annouces rural grower subsidies jobs and healthy, local food for Producers across the state anny Consenstein, Alaskans. But our farmers face are receiving payments. Farmers, Executive Director of unique challenges. In addition to ranchers and growers from DUSDA's Farm Service our northern climate, they expe- Craig, to Bethel, to Kodiak, and Agency in Alaska, announced rience high costs of fuel, equip- Manley Hot Springs are partici- that Alaskan growers, farmers ment, materials, and fertilizer pating in the RTCP program. and ranchers who experience because of our location. The Some of the agricultural prod- high transportation costs are RTCP program helps level the ucts they are producing include now receiving payments through playing field for our producers hay, vegetables, oysters, dairy funding authorized through the and provide more local food at products, grain, livestock and Food, Conservation and Energy competitive prices," said Consen- peonies. These payments are for Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). USDA stein. expenses incurred in 2012. remains focused on carrying out "In 2009, when Agriculture For more information about its mission, despite a time of Secretary Tom Vilsack visited this program, please visit your significant budget uncertainty. Palmer, Bethel and Hooper Bay, FSA county offices. In Palmer, Today's announcement is one he saw first-hand the challenges contact Donna Kramer at: (907) part of the Department's efforts faced by Alaska producers. USDA 761-7753 or to strengthen the rural econo- is committed to developing new [email protected]. my. programs like this that fit the In Delta, contact Lloyd Wil- The Reimbursement Trans- needs of Alaska producers. I also helm at: (907) 895-4242, Ext. portation Cost Payment Program want to thank our congressional 102, or for Geographically Disadvan- delegation for all of their work [email protected], or taged Farmers and Ranchers to support this program in Con- http://www.fsa.usda.gov/ak. (RTCP) assists farmers and gress," noted Consenstein. Applications and further in- ranchers in Alaska, Hawaii, and 173 Alaskan agricultural pro- formation will be available on- other outlying areas. ducers will soon be receiving line, or can be mailed or emailed "Alaska farmers make a big $390,766 to help offset the high to interested agricultural pro- contribution to the economy, cost of farming in Alaska. Pay- ducers. the health and the security of ments to individual producers our communities. They provide range from $70 to $6,130. Open Fire Ban Lifted Rain and generally wet closely monitoring any and all weather over the past several open fires, keeping them as ffective immediate- days in combination with fore- small as possible and ensuring ly, open fires may casted conditions throughout they are "dead out." Fireworks Ebe built as allowed South-Central Alaska is allowing are prohibited on park lands. by park regulations on all the ban to be lifted. Visitors and For statewide fire informa- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park commercial operators should tion visit: http://fire.ak.blm.gov. and Preserve lands. still use extreme caution regard- Updated park information is The term Open Fires refers ing open fire use as underlying posted on the web at; to any flame source not immedi- fuels may still be dry and subject www.nps.gov/wrst. ately extinguishable or controlla- to rapid burning. There remain Information can also be ob- ble and applies to any form of 103 active fires burning in Alas- tained by calling park headquar- wood or charcoal-based fire, even ka. Visitors and residents are ters at (907) - 822-5234. in established fire rings. asked to assist fire managers by PAGE 20 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013
McCarthy-Kennicott FOR SALE Community Church 2003 John Deere Backhoe 310 SG 4x4 extenda hoe only 2400hrs TT Like new Located in McCarthy $35,000.00 Call Dave Felts @ Sunday 11am Worship Interdenominational—All faiths welcome 907-554-1152 or Located on the “island” near the footbridge 554-1194 973-335-7380
Wintercreek Jewelry Alaskan Stones in Silver Making Copper Ore Jewelry in Kennecott since 1979 Kennecott Copper Ore Dan Creek Copper Nuggets Alaska Jade Alaska Agate And much more In the historic Kennecott Sauna building Larry Hoare 907-554-1049 PO Box MXY [email protected] Glennallen, AK 99588 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 21
A set of four, L-16 deep cycle batteries for so- "The fundamental cause of lar system or electric equipment, scissor lift, electric forklift etc. 480 amp hr. Trojan brand. These were trouble in the world is that the purchased brand new in April and never used. They stupid are cocksure while the have been kept charged and are in perfect condition, intelligent are full of doubt." we just don't need them after all. Under factory war- rantee. Great deal for someone off the grid or operat- ~ Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) ing electric construction equipment. Call Steve 232- 9155. Or email [email protected] and I can send pix and specs. May consider breaking up set if you MOTHER LODE COPPER MINES COMPANY OF ALASKA 201 Barrow Street #1 • Anchorage, AK 99501 don’t want all four. We travel to McCarthy occasion- ally and could bring them along! We live in Wasilla.
Sourdough Drilling stress-free Water Wells holiday Shopping Paul Barr This season, get fabulous gifts for everyone on your Sourdough Drilling list...all from the comfort of your home. Just call me or visit my Web site. You’ll find pampering products, PO Box 721 fragrances and more at your convenience! Soldotna, AK 99669 Tammy Rowland 907-262-5494 or cell 907-398-7898 Independent Beauty Consultant www.marykay.com/trowland1 (907) 581-5881
Scheduled Air Service from Anchorage to McCarthy with stopover in Gulkana!
Now you can leave Anchorage at 8:30 on Monday or Thursday morning and arrive in Gulkana at 9:45, McCarthy at 11:00. Or, you can leave McCarthy at 11:15 and be back in Anchorage by 2:00pm the same day! (Leaves Gulkana at 12:45) This service is year around.
www.coppervalleyair.com
Phone 822-4200 RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEPARTURES, ARRIVALS, CONNECTIONS. Copper Valley Air will not be responsible for damages resulting from the failure of flights to depart or arrive at times stated in this timetable, nor for errors herein, nor for failure to make Or toll-free 866-570-4200 connections to other airlines or of this company. Schedules are subject to change without notice. Schedules shown are based on expected flying times. Because weather and other factors may Gulkana Airfield Box 234, Glennallen, AK 99588 affect operating conditions, departures and arrivals cannot be guaranteed. PAGE 22 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 Subsistence hunting permits available ederal subsistence regis- 11, and sheep hunts for persons 60 include a voter registration card or tration permits for permit years of age or older in Units 11 and a utility bill listing your physical Fhunts in Wrangell-St. 12. address. Elias National Park and Preserve will There is no federal registration Permit applicants must be fed- be available starting Tuesday, July permit for the general sheep hunts erally qualified subsistence users 30, at the park’s Visitor Center in in Units 11 and 12. Federally quali- and meet special eligibility require- Copper Center and the Slana Rang- fied hunters wishing to harvest ments for lands managed by the Na- er Station. The Visitor Center is sheep in Units 11 and 12 during the tional Park Service. They must have open seven days a week from 9 a.m. regular season may do so under the their primary permanent residence to 6 p.m. through September 20. federal harvest limit, but must ob- in rural Alaska, and their communi- The Slana Ranger Station is open tain a state harvest ticket and com- ty must be listed in the “Species/ seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 ply with the state’s reporting and Customary & Traditional Use Deter- p.m. through the end of September. horn sealing requirements. Note mination” (C&T) column of the Permits will be available at the Chi- that the state sealing requirement Federal Subsistence Management tina Ranger Station starting August for Unit 11 applies to all rams, even Regulations Booklet for Wildlife for 1. The Chitina Ranger Station is rams with less than full-curl horns. the intended species and location. open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sealing is not required for sheep Individuals wanting to hunt on Na- Thursday through Monday (closed harvested under a federal registra- tional Park lands (as opposed to in Tues.-Wed.) through Labor Day. In tion permit during the elder hunts. the National Preserve) must addi- the McCarthy-Kennecott area, con- Please bring your State of Alas- tionally have their primary resi- tact the District Ranger at 554- ka resident hunting license, a photo dence in one of the park’s 23 1144 for permit information. ID (such as a drivers license), and resident zone communities. Please Permits will be available for proof of local physical address when note that residents of Kenny Lake moose hunts in Unit 11 and a por- you come to get a permit. Docu- do not have C&T for goat in Unit tion of Unit 12, goat hunts in Unit mentation of physical address can 11. Crowley’s Tugboat receives recognition individually, and to the crew for its ing tug connection parted after he captain and crew of superb teamwork, conducting them- approximately 10 hours. Crowley’s Prevention and selves at all times as professional Once attached, Alert remained TResponse tug (PRT) Alert mariners in an extreme and chal- tethered by emergency tow line to were personally recognized by Rep- lenging incident.” the Kulluk and continuously main- resentative Eric Feige from the Alas- Typically used for tanker escorts tained tow. With 54-foot seas and ka State Legislature for courage, to and from the Alyeska Valdez Ma- 40 to 50 knot winds, the Alert was teamwork and professionalism dur- rine Terminal, the 10,192-horsepow- being pushed backwards up to two ing the emergency rescue tow of the er Alert departed Valdez in response knots toward the Kodiak Island drill barge Kulluk off the southern to the Unified Command’s request shore. A day later, the Unified Com- point of Kodiak Island. for assistance and arrived on scene mand directed the Alert to release During their meeting, he pre- to find Kulluk adrift at 4.5 knots in the tow wire. Only after confirma- sented them with a letter of com- rough weather and sea conditions. tion of the order, did the crew of mendation from the members of the The crew of Alert was able to catch the Alert reluctantly release their 28th Alaska State Legislature, which a training line from Kulluk, despite tow wire. stated the following: “The crew safe- having their deck awash by 30-foot As stated in the commendation ly and methodically adapted to seas, and proceeded to tie off and referencing the U.S. Coast Guard’s changing conditions, used their commence tow. The crew slowed investigation of the incident: “The training to identify and manage haz- and re-oriented the Kulluk’s drift so tug Alert and all of Crowley Mari- ards, and then performed each task that the original towing tugboat time Services [Crowley] equipment to minimize the risks associated could secure a connection to the used in the evolution of the rescue with those hazards...We express our drilling rig. However, with increas- attempt and towing of the Kulluk admiration and respect to each man ing heavy weather the original tow- performed flawlessly, met and ex- ceeded standards.” WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 23
McCarthy's Grocery & Hardware Center All your grocery needs. Fresh produce. Fully stocked hardware store. Thanks to you, 2012 was a great year! We look forward to serving you in 2013. CENTER MCCARTHY
Ma Johnson's Hotel - McCarthy Lodge Bistro - Golden Saloon - Mountain Arts Gifts - Nugget Liquors - Lancaster's Hotel
The New Caribou Hotel Getting tired? Stop at the Caribou Hotel! The coffee pot’s always on!
Warm atmosphere — Hot Tubs — Satellite TV Full Menu Restaurant
Mile 187 Glenn Hwy. 822-3302 Glennallen, AK PAGE 24 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 STATE OF ALASKA, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF MINING, LAND, & WATER LAND SALES & CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION SECTION
PUBLIC NOTICE
Requesting input for a Proposed Land Offering Sage Subdivision – ADL 231046 a Preliminary Decision and its Proposed Related Action: Amendment to the Copper River Basin Area Plan
OPEN HOUSE 7:00 pm, Tuesday, July 23, 2013 Tony Zak’s Community Center McCarthy, AK
COMMENT PERIOD ENDS 4:00PM, THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013
This proposed project includes offering for sale surveyed parcels in a future offering under the method and the related action as described in the Preliminary Decision document. The project may be subdivided and offered in phases.
Located within the DNR’s Southcentral Region, approximately 6 miles west of McCarthy, 127 miles southeast of Glennallen via the McCarthy Road, and 235 miles east of Anchorage, the project area is within the W1/2 Section 31, Sections 28-30, Sections 32-33, Township 5 South, Range 13 East, Cop- per River Meridian, within the Unorganized Borough. The project area consists of approximately 3,454 acres, of which 900 acres are identified for disposal by this proposed action. Development will be phased over time. Public input is requested for this proposed subdivision.
Project size: 900 acres maximum development area, up to 300 parcels sized from 2 to 15 acres, with development phased over time.
There is one related action with this proposal: an Area Plan Amendment to the Copper River Basin Area Plan (CBAP). If approved after consideration of public comment, this related action will be devel- oped as a separate action, accompany the Final Finding and Decision, and be approved prior to ap- proval of the Final Finding and Decision. Public notice is being conducted concurrently with the primary action’s Preliminary Decision.
A public Open House will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 7:00 pm at Tony Zak’s Communi- ty Center in McCarthy.
To obtain the notice, Preliminary Decision, or instructions on submitting comment, go to http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/landsale/ or http://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/. For assistance in ob- taining the documents by an alternative method, to request auxiliary aids, services, or special accom- modations, contact DNR’s Public Information Centers on State work days, Monday through Friday, between 10AM and 5PM in Anchorage at 907.269.8400 (TDD for the hearing impaired: 907.269.8411) or Fairbanks at 907.451.2705 (TDD for the hearing impaired: 907.451.2770), or the Southeast Land WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 25
Office in Juneau at 907.465.3400 (TDD for the hearing impaired: 907.465.3888), or go to http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/ for additional contact information. Individuals who require special as- sistance must request assistance from the Public Information Center in Anchorage no later than 4:00 PM, Thursday, August 15, 2013.
Pursuant to AS 38.05.945 Notice, the public is invited to submit comment on these proposed ac- tions for which notice is being conducted concurrently. If commenting on more than one proposed ac- tion, separate comments should be submitted for each. The deadline for public comment is 4:00PM, THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013. Only persons from whom DNR DMLW LSCAS receives timely, writ- ten comment during the identified comment period will be eligible to file an appeal of the Final Finding and Decision. Written comment may be received by fax, email or postal mail. To submit comments or for direct inquiries, contact Lauren Rouen, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 640, Anchorage, AK 99501, fax at 907.269.8916, [email protected]. If you have questions, call Lauren Rouen at 907.269.8851.
If no significant change is required, the preliminary decision, including any minor changes and a summary of comments and responses, will be issued as the final finding and decision without further notice. A copy of the final finding and decision will be sent to any persons who comments on the preliminary decision.
DNR reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice.
Proudly Serving the Residents & Businesses of the Copper River
First in fuel, first in service and family-owned since 1892, Crowley supplies heating oil, propane, lubricants and accessories to residents and commercial businesses year round in Glennallen and the Copper River Valley.
Alaskans know Crowley for quality, reliability and competitive prices. Be sure to ask about our auto-fill services and save.
(907) 822-3375, Mi. 188.5 Glenn Hwy www.crowley.com/glennall PAGE 26 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013
We’ve Been A Part Of The Local Scenery Wells Fargo was one of the Since 1852® first companies to do business around here. So, you might say we’ve grown up together. Thanks for all your support over the years. Glennallen Team Mile 187.5 Glenn Highway
© 2008 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. AS-3216 9551 wellsfargo.com
HOMESTEAD SUPPLY Lumber, building materials and hardware delivered to the McCarthy area at Anchorage prices! Give us a call or come in and browse our new ACE Hardware store. NEW! Greenhouse and potting supplies!
907-822-3987 or FAX 822-5209
Mile 115.5 Richardson Highway (Box 49) Glennallen WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 27
ROWCON SERVICES Keith Rowland, Owner GENERAL CONTRACTOR Lifetime Alaskan McCarthy, Alaska 554-4498 Excavation & Gravel Products DEC-approved septics
¯ Over the river and ¯ through the woods, a-freighting we will go. Lowboy & Heavy Freight Service
WRANGELL MOUNTAIN Current McCarthy TECHNICAL SERVICES Road information Providing Civil Engineering and http://www.wsen.net/page3.html Land Survey Services
Serving the Copper Basin and throughout Alaska
On-Site Water and Wastewater Designs Engineering Consultation Residential Home Inspections COPPER RIVER Construction Inspection and Management RECORD As-built Surveys, Boundary Surveys, Sub- divisions, Construction Surveys & Sanitary Community Newspaper Surveys for the Copper Valley ALLEN MINISH, PE PLS Subscribe * Advertise * Contribute! Mile 32.1 Edgerton Hwy P.O. Box 277 Glennallen, AK 99588 P. O. Box 118, Chitina, AK 99566 907-259-5277 fax 888-870-3167 907-823-2280 [email protected] PAGE 28 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 Cooking with Peggy things like, “this was Daddy's fa- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ear Cooking and Eat- vorite;” Joan served this when we ½ teaspoon cloves ing Friends, I'm in went to see her in Virginia in 1 teaspoon nutmeg Alaska! It was a beau- 1970; this was Irma's favorite way 2 cups flour D of making....; made this and Jim 1 egg well-beaten tiful trip from Tucson again this year. The weather was great. hated it! (Fortunately there are 1 cup nutmeats, if desired. We left earlier in May than we only two of those); delicious chick- Mix and drop by rounded tea- usually do but not quite as early en served at the 40th Christmas spoons onto cookie sheet. Bake at as we had planned. Our favorite tree trimming party and on and 325 degrees for about 20-25 min- utes. Don't over bake. weather people in McCarthy on. When I see these notes I im- They may be glazed when cool (Bonnie and Rick and George mediately picture the setting and the people with whom I was shar- with a mixture of Cebula) had told us there was ing the meal. Do any of you do 2 cups powdered sugar still a lot of deep snow and it was that too? 1 teaspoon vanilla still snowing. Then, of course, Today, I'd like to step back in 3 tablespoons or more of boiling when it started to melt, there time a little and share a couple of water was an unusually large amount recipes given to me by three of the Another one from Mom— of water. To get to our property members of my family who helped STUFFED MEATBALLS we had to go through “Lake make me what I am today. (I had to recopy this one for George!” We're here now and One from Mom— the sun is out, the snow is melt- BAR B Q HAM SANDWICHES my books because the original pa- ing, the water is flowing and all's per was disintegrating! Our family right with the world. 1 bottle ketchup really used to love these.) ½ cup chili sauce Just before we left home, I 1 pound ground beef 1/8 cup brown sugar small chopped onion received my little coupon maga- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 egg zine from our Fry's supermarket 1/8 cup vinegar (Kroger). In it they were talking 1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce salt and pepper to taste about Mother's Day and what ½ cup water Mix these ingredients and di- cooking lessons you would like to salt and pepper to taste vide into small to medium size pass on to your children. Then 1 ½ lb. chipped ham hamburger portions. Flatten each they made the statement that I (Mom's message—get a 3 lb. one to look like a pancake then love. “Times change but great rec- can of chopped Ham—Armours is take about 10-12 slices of white ipes shouldn't. Cooking to me is great—and have them chip 1 ½ lb. bread and break them into small like stepping back in time and Get the other 1 ½ lb. sliced and pieces. sharing the moment with all the freeze for another time.) Add people in my family who made me Mix all the ingredients except 1 egg, salt and pepper what I am today.” I would change the ham and simmer for about 15 Grate a bit of onion and add that a little to “...... Times change minutes and then add the ham enough water to moisten (about 3 but great recipes shouldn't. Cook- and heat. Serve on buns. Makes tablespoons). ing to me is like stepping back in about 12 sandwiches. Mix and form into balls the time and sharing the moments of Irma (my children's other grand- cooking and eating with all my size of a lemon, or a bit smaller. ma)— Put one on each of the flattened family and friends who made me POOR MAN'S COOKIES what I am today.” pieces of meat. Roll the meat around the filling making sure all People laugh at me when they 1 cup raisins, cooked so there will be 1 cup water left on them. the filling is covered with meat. look at all my cookbooks and ½ cup shortening melted in the hot Put oil or grease in a skillet and three-ring notebooks filled with raisins and juice brown the meat balls. When favorites. I have notes written by 1 ¼ cup sugar brown all over, pour the grease so many of them referring to 1 teaspoon baking soda out. Pour a can of vegetable soup WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 29
and a can of water over the meat Heavily butter a 9-inch, 3 inch enough to form unwavering peaks. balls. Let them simmer for about deep spring form pan with the two Fold GENTLY into the cream mix- 45 minutes. ( Sometimes I use 2 tablespoons of soft butter. Be ture and fold it in carefully until cans of vegetable soup and just 1 sure to butter the sides well. With no egg white is showing. Be care- can of water). When ready to your fingers, pat an even layer of ful not to overfold. serve, you don't have to thicken the cracker-crumb mixture on the Pour the mixture into the pan the gravy—it's good just as it is. It bottom of the pan. REFRIGERATE spreading it evenly with a rubber makes a wonderful gravy for while you make the filling. spatula. Bake in the middle of the mashed potatoes to serve with the Filling oven for 1 hour. Then turn the meatballs. 3 eight-ounce packages of cream oven off but leave the cake in the My sister, Kathie's recipe for cheese—softened oven with the oven door opened. CHEESECAKE 1 and 1¼ cups sugar Let the cake rest on the oven shelf for 15 minutes. She always served this at 6 egg yolks utes. Don't over bake. Remove and let cool to room tem- Christmas time and everyone 1 pint sour cream perature. Remove the sides of the would gobble down their food so 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour pan and sprinkle the cake with they could be first in line to get 2 teaspoons vanilla confectioners sugar. the cheesecake! 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon 1 six-ounce box graham crackers Be sure to keep the cake cov- rind finely crumbled. (I use a rolling ered in the refrigerator. 6 egg whites pin to get mine really fine) Over these last 70+ years I 2 tablespoons sugar Preheat the oven to 350 de- have sat down with so many fami- ½ teaspoon cinnamon grees. Cream the softened cheese ly and friends to join hands, share 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, by using an electric beater. Then the blessings, and laugh, talk, and melted gradually add in sugar. Beat the eat while we move through all the egg yolks in one at a time and In a mixing bowl, with a large ups and downs of life. I wouldn't continue to beat until all of those spoon, combine the finely crum- give up one second of those times ingredients are well combined. bled graham crackers, the sugar, together or one morsel of food we Next, stir in with a large spoon the and cinnamon. Stir the melted shared. Thanks to all of them and sour cream, flour, vanilla, lemon butter into the crumbs and mix to all of you. juice, and lemon rind. until well saturated. Eat up everyone and I'll see 2 tablespoons soft butter In a separate bowl beat the you next time. egg whites until they are stiff A LOOK AT THE WEATHER in ‘06 and 37.4 in ‘05. The low- ended the month with 15 inches on pril 2013 saw below est average temperatures for the ground. average temperatures April were 22.4 in 1972 and 24.7 The temperatures were a bit and average precipita- in 1986. below average for May 2013. The A high temperature for May was 81 on tion. The high temperature for The precipitation for April was the 28th , 29th , 30th & 31th (71 on the month was 48 on the 8th (59 about average with only 1.02 inches of liquid (0.04 in ‘12, trace in ‘11, May 23, ‘12, 81 on May 29, ‘11, 82 on Apr. 26, ‘12, 57 on Apr. 23, on May 28, ‘10 and 78 on May 26, ‘11, 62 on Apr. 28, ‘10 and 64 on 0.11 in ‘10, 0.20 in ‘09, 0.50 in ‘08, 0.01 in ‘07, 1.14 in ‘06, 0.08 in ‘05 ‘09). The low temperature was 20 Apr. 30, ‘09). The low was -7 on and 0.77 in ‘04). There was 6.9 on the 20th (20 on May 17, ‘12, 20 the 6th (4 on Apr. 4, ‘12, 9 on inches of snow (0.4 in ‘12, 0.3 in on May 16, ‘11, 20 on May 16, ‘10 Apr. 11, ‘11, 5 on Apr. 10, ‘10 ‘11, 1.6 in ‘10, 2.9 in ‘09, 7.0 in ‘08, and 23 on May 18, ‘09). The May and 0 on Apr. 1, ‘09). The aver- trace in ‘07, 10.2 in ‘06, no snow average temperature was 44.3, this age temperature for April was in‘05 and 8.7 in ‘04). compares with 43.6 in ‘12, 45.7 in 26.6, compared to 37.1 in ‘12, McCarthy started April with 20 ‘11, 47.6 in ‘10, 47.2 in ‘09, 44.8 in 34.6 in ‘11, 34.8 in ‘10, 34.0 in inches of snow on the ground and ‘08, 45.5 in ‘07, 45.0 in ‘06, 48.8 in ‘05, 49.3 in ‘04 and 44.4 in ‘03. ‘09, 34.1 in ‘08, 34.4 in ‘07, 33.1 There were 5 days with a high of 80 PAGE 30 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 or above and 6 days with the low of ‘08, 44.7 in ‘06-‘07, 84.0 in ‘05-‘06, Summer should be in full swing 25 or lower. 79.4, in ‘04-‘05, 110.6 in ‘03-‘04, by late June. June and July are the The precipitation for May 2013 46.0 in ‘02-‘03, 74.2 in ‘01-‘02, 85.2 warmest months with the highs usu- was about average with 1.54 inches in ‘00-‘01, 65.8 in ‘99-‘00 and 38.9 ally in the low 80s. The temperature of liquid. This compares with 2.19 in ‘98-‘99). begins to cool in August with highs inches in ‘12, 0.68 inches in ‘11, only getting into the low 70s. The 0.25 inches in ‘10, 0.86 inches in The ice on the West Fork of the all time high recorded at McCarthy ‘09, 0.12 inches in ‘08, 2.50 inches Kennicott River began to break was 88 on July 8, 2009. Freezing temperatures should be back by the in ‘07, 0.47 inches in ‘06, 1.64 inch- apart around May 13th and water end of August, although they can be es in ‘05 and 1.05 inches in ‘04. was moving over the top. The river observed at any time. Average There was 8.0 inches of snow in rd was clear of moving ice by May 23 monthly rainfall is about 2 inches May, with 3.8 inches on the 2nd , the and all the shore ice was gone by last snowfall. May 2013 saw the (June-August ). Hidden Lake should May 27th . A late break-up this year! snow depth increase to 20 inches on empty sometime in July, with a rap- The first week of June was a id rise of the water level in the Ken- the 2nd and finally disappear on the continuation of late May, with highs nicott River and some possible 17th . in the 70's .The lows were mostly in flooding. The first snow usually ar- The total snowfall at McCarthy the upper 20s and low 30s. There rives sometime in late September. for ‘12-‘13 was 80.9 inches (84.6 in was only a trace of rain and plenty ENJOY THE SUMMER WHAT- ‘11-‘12, 66.6 in ‘10-‘11, 85.2 in ‘09- of thunder. EVER THE WEATHER! ‘10, 121.3 in ‘08-‘09, 73.4 in ‘07- Lightning starts fires in WRST the fire risk. Temperatures in acre, the fire is located just new wildfire was spot- the area are expected to stay north of the Bruin Creek Fire ted by State of Alaska warm and dry. and will be monitored by ADivision of Forestry The Chisana River Fire locat- Wrangell-St. Elias and DOF fire (DOF) fire staff June 11 in ed 82 miles east of Slana, 37 staff. northeastern Wrangell-St. Elias miles northeast of Chisana and When detected June 5, the 1 NP. The Bruin Creek fire is 73 19 miles northwest of Beaver acre Tractor Trail Fire was out. miles southeast of Slana, 22 Creek, Canada is 3175 acres. Located south of the Bruin miles northeast of Chisana, 28 The majority of the fire burns in Creek Fire, it likely was ignited miles west of Beaver Creek, Can- the Tetlin National Wildlife Ref- by lightning, burned for a short ada and 16 miles southwest of uge. Twenty-nine acres are in period of time and then rain ex- the Chisana River Fire. At 2 northeastern Wrangell-St. Elias tinguished it. acres, the fire was inactive ex- National Park. The U.S. Fish and Naturally-caused wildfires cept for a few smokes. Wrangell- Wildlife Service, Wrangell-St. have on occasion burned in the St. Elias NP and DOF fire staff Elias NP and DOF fire staff will northeastern portion of will monitor the fire closely. continue to monitor the fire, Wrangell-St. Elias. Visit Two park cabins are nearly 3 documenting fire behavior and http://www.nps.gov/wrst/parkm miles southeast of the Bruin growth. Staff are allowing the gmt/loader.cfm?csModule=secu Creek Fire. Today six interagen- fire to take its natural course for rity/getfile&pageID=385664 to cy fire staff will remove brush the health of the boreal forest. see a map of the park's wildfire around the cabins to make them Interagency fire managers will history. defensible should the fire activity take action if structures, natural Visit increase and advance toward the or cultural resources are threat- http://www.nps.gov/wrst/parkm structures. Staff will also set up ened. gmt/currentfireinfo.htm for cur- sprinkler kits in order to wet A quiet Edge Creek Fire was rent fire information. down the structures and reduce reported June 12. Less than ¼
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness." --George Washington WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013 PAGE 31
Just a couple miles from McCarthy at Mile 57 on the McCarthy Road
Awesome mountain views! This house has all the right stuff! Solar panels, well, septic sys- tem, full bathroom, 2 wood burn- ing stoves plus Toyo backup oil stove, solar operated freezer, washer and dryer, small out building, spruce trees, lower pasture, beautiful deck area, green house, bedroom, bath, kitchen and living room plus mud room. It's all here! Call about this property today! 60 Miles east of Chitina on the Mc- Carthy Road.
Ÿ 1 bedroom Ÿ Full Bath w/ Claw Tub Ÿ 1 Loft Ÿ Roomy Kitchen w/Dining Area Ÿ 1 bath Ÿ Nice Living Room Ÿ Propane Refrigerator Ÿ Satellite Dish Ÿ Propane Cooktop/Oven Ÿ Deck off Kitchen Ÿ Inside Plumbing Ÿ 6.54 acres Ÿ Metal Roof Ÿ No Taxes Ÿ Solar operated Freezer Ÿ Existing deep year-round Well Ÿ Mud Room Ÿ Full Septic System Ÿ Green House Ÿ Unfinished Guest Cabin Ÿ Garden Plot Ÿ Separate Shop Building Ÿ Mountain Views! Ÿ 7KW Genset
Offered at $168,000
In addition to the 2 lots with house and well as described above, there are an additional 4 heavily wooded, untouched lots available that can be sold together or separately. The asking price for each lot is approximately $39,000 based on size at $13,000 per acre. Owner financing is available for the unimproved lots. 3 of these lots are contiguous. There is also a Pasture Lot (approximately 3 acres) with a storage barn, perfect for farming or agriculture. Pasture Lot w/Barn offered at $57,000 If interested in any parcel or all of the property, please contact Neil Darish at 907 554-1102 PAGE 32 WRANGELL ST. ELIAS NEWS JULY & AUGUST 2013
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