CCITYANDBBOROUGHOFYYAKUTAT CCOMPREHENSIVEPPLAN ACKNOWLEDGMENTS TheCityandBoroughofYakutatComprehensiveDevelopmentPlanupdatewaspreparedwith theassistanceandguidanceofmanyindividualsincludingthoselistedbelowtowhomspecial thanksisdue. PLANNINGANDZONINGCOMMISSIONERS ASSEMBLY KathyJacobson,Chair MayorDavidStone RegKrkovich CindyBremner CynthiaPetersen JamesR.Gordon JudyRamos NelsonInada SteveMadej DoraJacobson CarolPate JoeValle MUNICIPALSTAFF SkipRyman,BoroughManager SteveMadej,PropertyMaintenanceManager CathyBremner,BoroughClerk BobRockwell,WaterandSewerAttendant TinaRyman,DeputyBoroughClerk AaronGray,LandfillManager BillLucey,CoastalPlannerandSalmonBoardCoordinator ErvingGrass,YakutatHarborMaster LadonnaJames,BoroughTaxClerk ScottNewlun,GeneralManagerYakutatPower ConnieKlushkan,BoroughFinanceOfficer MarthaIndreland,BillingsClerk JohnNichols,ChiefofPolice OTHERS LeeBenson,USFSYakutatRanger BertAdamsSr,YakutatTlingitTribe CaseyHavens,YakTatKwaanInc. JacquelineLottAshwell,NationalParkService PlanningConsultant SheinbergAssociates www.SheinbergAssociates.com 204No.FranklinStreet,Ste1 Juneau,99801

TableofContents 1 Introduction...... 1 1.1 HowtoUsetheComprehensiveDevelopmentPlan...... 2 1.2 PlanDevelopmentProcess...... 4 2 NaturalEnvironment...... 7 2.1 EnvironmentalConditions...... 7 2.2 NaturalResourceCoordinationandManagement...... 9 2.3 NaturalHazardsProtectionPlan...... 9 2.4 Subsistence...... 10 2.5 NaturalEnvironmentGoalsandPolicies...... 12 3 HistoricalandCulturalResources...... 17 3.1 History...... 17 3.2 YakutatNativeCulture...... 21 3.3 HistoricalandCulturalSitesandResources...... 23 3.4 HistoricandCulturalResources–GoalsandPolicies...... 24 4 EconomicDevelopment...... 27 4.1 EconomicOverview...... 27 4.2 SocioeconomicData...... 29 4.3 Yakutat’sActiveEconomicSectors...... 33 4.4 EconomicDevelopment–GoalsandPolicies...... 43 5 TransportationandAccess...... 47 5.1 Context...... 47 5.2 LocalRoadNetwork...... 48 5.3 NonMotorizedTransportation...... 51 5.4 HarborFacilities...... 54 5.5 AviationFacilities...... 56 5.6 MovementofFreight...... 58 5.7 AccesstoandwithintheWesternBorough...... 58 5.8 AccesstoandwithintheEasternBorough...... 61 5.9 Transportation–GoalsandPolicies...... 62 6 PublicUtilitiesandFacilities...... 65 6.1 DrinkingWater,WastewaterandStormwater...... 68 6.2 SolidWaste...... 69 6.3 Energy...... 72 6.4 PublicSafety...... 72 6.5 BoroughAdministrationandOtherServices...... 73 6.6 RecreationFacilities...... 74 6.7 PublicEducation...... 75 6.8 YakutatBayScienceCenter...... 75

6.9 Medical,DentalandSocialServices...... 76 6.10 PublicandPrivateServicesandFacilitiesintheWesternBorough...... 77 6.11 PublicUtilitiesandFacilities–GoalsandPolicies...... 77 7 LandStatusandManagementinYakutat...... 83 7.1 FederalLand...... 84 7.2 StateofAlaskaLand...... 91 7.3 CityandBoroughofYakutatLand...... 93 7.4 PrivateLand...... 94 8 LandUseandFutureGrowth...... 97 8.1 HistoryofLandUseintheYakutat...... 98 8.2 LandUseintheEasternandWesternBorough...... 101 8.3 CurrentandFutureLandUse...... 104 8.4 FutureGrowthDesignationsandMap...... 108 8.5 BoroughZoning...... 109 8.6 LandUse–GoalsandPolicies...... 115 9 Housing...... 117 9.1 HousingSupply...... 117 9.2 HousingDemand...... 120 9.3 Housing–GoalsandPolicies...... 121 AppendixA–RelevantPlanningDocuments...... 123 AppendixB–SignedOrdinance...... 124 AppendixC–CommunityOpinionSurvey...... 125 ListofFigures Figure1.MapofYakutatBorough...... 5 Figure2.MapofParksandTrails...... 53 Figure3.MapofBoroughFacilities...... 70 Figure4.MapofWesternBoroughLandOwnership...... 86 Figure5.MapofEasternBoroughLandOwnership...... 87 Figure6.MapofYakutatandVicinityLandOwnership...... 88 Figure7.MapofYakutatTownsiteLandOwnership...... 89 Figure8.FutureGrowthMap–WesternBorough...... 111 Figure9.FutureGrowthMap–EasternBorough...... 112 Figure10.FutureGrowthMapYakutatandVicinity...... 113 Figure11.FutureGrowthMap–YakutatTownsite...... 114

1 Introduction TheCityandBoroughofYakutatislocatedonthenorthcoastoftheGulfofAlaska.Itisthe onlycommunityofsignificantsizeforanearly400milelongstretchofthecoastbetween CordovaandGustavus.LikemostofsoutheastAlaska,Yakutatisrelativelyisolatedwithno roadaccess.ThereisdailynorthandsouthcommercialjetservicetoJuneau,Cordova, AnchorageandSeattle. ThelandscapeintheBoroughisdramaticwithhighmountains,extensiveicefields,glacial valleys,fjords,bays,rivers,forests,andwetlands.Thelandscapeisconstantlychangingdueto itslocationalongthenorthernedgeoftheearth’sPacificPlate,thefactthatthelandisrisingas itreboundsfromtheweightofformerandbecausethecoastlineisexposedtothefull forceofwavesandthestormsthatrollinacrossthePacificOceanandhitlandwithfullforce. AlaskanNativeshavelivedintheareasincetimeimmemorial.TheCityofYakutatincorporated in1948,withjustoverthreesquaremileswithincitylimits.InSeptember1992,residentsof theCityofYakutatvotedtodissolvetheCity,andincorporatethe5,875squaremileHomerule CityandBoroughofYakutat,whichstretchedfromtheAlsekRiveronthesoutheasttoIcyBay onthewestandCanadatothenorth.In1997,theCityandBoroughofYakutatannexedthe areafromIcyBaywesttoCapeSuckling.Today,theCityandBoroughofYakutatisroughlythe sizeofVermontandencompassesapproximately7,650squaremilesoflandand1,809square milesofwater(Figure1). MostofYakutat’snearly600residentslivewithintheformercitylimits.Thereisasmallremote communityatCapeYakataga,andinthesummerthepopulationoftheTsiuRiverareaswells withsportandcommercialfishermen.LandintheBoroughisprimarilyownedandmanagedby thefederalorstategovernments,withtheTongassNationalForest,WrangellSt.EliasNational ParkandPreserve,andBayNationalParkandPreserveeachcoveringsignificantarea. ThreeNativeCorporationsalsohavesignificantlandholdings. Thelocaleconomyistraditionallybeendominatedbytheharvestofresourcesincluding subsistence,commercialandsportfishing,hunting,seafoodprocessing,governmentservices, tourism,andinthepast,timberharvest.ResidentsenjoyYakutat’sruralsetting,mountains, YakutatComprehensivePlan|Introduction 1 rivers,abundantwildlife,goodwaterandairquality,recreationalopportunitiesandscenic areas.Manyresidentsengageinsubsistenceactivitiestofeedthemselvesandtoearnpartof theirliving. Approximately97percentofthelandwithintheCityandBoroughofYakutatisownedand managedbythefederalorstategovernments.Only2.2percentofthelandintheBoroughis privatelyowned(NativeCorporations,NativeAllotmentsorotherprivate)andlessthanahalf ofonepercent(0.43%)isownedbytheCityandBoroughofYakutat.Thesepercentages underscorewhyitissoimportanttoBoroughresidentsthatthestateandfederalgovernment coordinatewithYakutatandwhyitisimportanttocarefullyplanandmakegooduseofthe limitedprivateandBoroughownedland. AsaHomeruleBorough,Yakutathasbroadplanningpowers.Tofulfillitsplanning responsibilities,theBoroughhaspreparedthis2010ComprehensiveDevelopmentPlan,which replacesthe2006versionthatwasupdatedbutnotfullyadopted. 1.1 HowtoUsetheComprehensiveDevelopmentPlan TheYakutatComprehensiveDevelopmentPlan’sintentistohelpshapethecommunityby guidingmunicipalstaff,electedofficialsandappointedBoardsandCommission’sdecisions. Actionsrelatedtocommunitygrowth,redevelopment,projectreviews,capitalprojectand grantrequestsandinvestmentswillbestrengthenedbyconsultingwiththisPlan,whichreflects thegoals,visionandneedsofthecommunity.SomespecificwaystousetheComprehensive DevelopmentPlanare:  HelptheAssemblysetgoalsandprioritiesatthestartofthebudgetcycleorwhen anewAssemblyiselected.

 Usethecommunityneedsidentifiedintheplantoformthebasisforannual departmentalbudgetsandthecapitalimprovementprograms.

 Usethefuturegrowthmapsandtheplan’sgoals,policiesandactionstoguide revisionstothezoning,subdivisionandotherlanddevelopmentordinancesand toamendzoningmaps.

 Reviewordinances,otherplans,capitalimprovementsandpublicprogramsto ensureconsistencywiththeComprehensivePlan.

 AssistthePlanningCommissionindeterminingifproposeddevelopmentprojects areconsistentwithYakutat’sgoalsandfuturevision.

 Formallynotifyfederalagenciesthatcoordinationwiththeintentandpoliciesin theComprehensivePlanisexpected. ThePlanusesthebestavailableinformation;itreflectscurrentvalues,concerns,opinionsand conditionsinYakutat.Overtimenewopportunitiesorchallengeswillsurelyarisethatwerenot 2 YakutatComprehensivePlan|Introduction

anticipatedwhenthePlanwasprepared.ThePlanisthereforenotinfallibleor“castinstone” andshouldbeupdatedeveryfiveyearsorso. AsaHomeruleBorough,Yakutathassignificantflexibilityinwhatitincludesinits ComprehensivePlanandinhowitprovidesforplanning,platting,andlanduseregulationin accordancewithAlaskaStatutesatTitle29However,someoftheissuesraisedduringthis planningprocessarestillbeyondtheauthorityofthisplantoresolve,yetarestillvery importanttoYakutatresidents.Thisincludesitemssuchaspropertytaxation,AlaskaNational InterestLandsConservationAct(ANILCA)designations,andmanagementdecisionsbytheU.S. ForestServiceandNationalParkService. Virtuallyalldevelopmentprojectsonprivate,NativeCorporationandStateland(including UniversityandAlaskaMentalHealthTrust),particularlythosethatincludesometypeofbuilt structure,aresubjecttoBoroughzoningandtypicallywillneedeitherazoningcompliance permitoraconditionalusepermit1.Bothpermitscanbeobtainedbytheprojectdeveloper fromeitherthePlanningCommission(whichmeetsmonthly)orfromtheBoroughplanner. Federalandstategovernmentagenciesaremandatedbylaw2tocoordinatetheirplanningand actionswiththeplansandpoliciesoflocalgovernment.LocalgovernmentsinAlaskahavebeen slowtorecognizeandasserttheserightscomparedtosomeLower48states. TheCityandBoroughofYakutatAssemblyshouldconsideradoptingaResolutiontoassert theserightstohavemeaningfullocalgovernmentinvolvement,whichrequiresmorethanthe timelyexchangeofinformation,andplacesanadditionalresponsibilityonfederalandstate agenciestoincorporatethegoals,objectivesandpoliciesoflocalgovernmentintothefederal andstateplansanddecisionsaffectinganyareaunderthelocalgovernment’sjurisdictionoron whichthelocalgovernment’scitizensaredependent.TheCityandBoroughofWrangelldid thisinMay2009andbeganformalcoordinationeffortsandmeetingswiththeUSFS;contact theWrangellboroughmanagerformoreinformation. FederalgovernmentbuildingsmustfollowalsofollowingYakutatzoningrequirements.There arethreerelevantconditionsmandatedinfederalPublicLaw100678abouthowthefederal governmentmustuselocalgovernmentcomprehensiveplansandlanduseregulations:  Buildingsconstructedoralteredbyafederalagencymustcomplywithnationalmodel buildingcodesandwithlocalzoninglawsandotherlocalrequirements.

 Stateandlocalgovernmentconsultation,review,andinspectionmustbeprovided.

1ThisistrueonStatelandunlessthereisanoverridingStateinterest. 2NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA),FederalLandandPolicyManagementAct,(FLPMA)NationalForest ManagementAct(NFMA,asamended(16U.S.C.1604),theEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA),theHomelandSecurity Act,PresidentialExecutiveOrders12372,12866and12630,andmore. YakutatComprehensivePlan|Introduction 3  Theadministratororappropriateagencymustgivedueconsiderationtostateandlocal governmentrecommendations. 1.2 PlanDevelopmentProcess In2009theCityandBoroughofYakutatallocatedfundstopreparethisPlan.Severalefforts during20022006resultedinpartialupdatesandrewritestotheComprehensivePlan.Thelast ComprehensivePlanthatwasadoptedinitsentiretywascompletedin1994. The2009planningprocessbuiltupon20022006andotherplanningworkby:  Addingrelevantinformationfromthe2006CityandBoroughofYakutatCoastal ManagementPlan;

 IntegratinginformationontheIcyBaytoCapeSucklingarea(formerlychapter7)into theappropriatechapters;and

 UpdatingthePlantoreflectchangestolocalconditionsandpriorities. MeetingswereheldwithBoroughstaff,theUS ForestService,theYakTatKwaanInc.andthe YakutatTlingitTribe.InDecember2009,the PlanningCommissionhostedaworksession thatwasopentothepublictoestablishthe planupdateprocessandtoreviewupdated andthechaptersonlandstatusand management,historyandculturalresources, naturalenvironment,economicdevelopment andpublicutilitiesandfacilities.Draftgoals, PlanningCommissionMeeting policiesandactionsweredistributedtothePlanningCommission,Assembly,andother interestedcommunitymembersinmidDecemberforcommentandinputreceivedwas incorporated.InFebruary2010thelandusechapter,futuregrowthmapsandhousingchapter werereviewedatanotherPlanningCommissionmeetingthatwasopentothepublic.On March11,2010,thePlanningCommissionheldapublichearingandadoptedaResolutionNo. 1002recommendingadoptionofthe2010ComprehensiveDevelopmentPlanbytheAssembly. ThePlanwasadoptedafteraPublicHearingbytheYakutatCityandBoroughAssemblyonApril 1,2010,byOrdinance10514.

4 YakutatComprehensivePlan|Introduction Figure 1. Map of Yakutat Borough

Yakutat Borough Yakutat Borough Boundary

Cape Yakataga Icy Bay Yakutat Bay Cape Yakutat Suckling

Dry Bay

RUSSIA

CANADA ALASKA

March 2010 4

0102030405 Miles

6 YakutatComprehensivePlan|Introduction

2 NaturalEnvironment

Goal1.Maintainandpreservethequalityofthewater,landandbiologicalresourcesof theBoroughtoprovideforsustainableuseofthoseresourcesforcurrentandfuture generations. Goal2.Establishandmaintainintegratedandcoordinatedresourcemanagementamong federal,state,YakTatKwaanInc.,Borough,thetribalgovernmentandotherparties. Goal3.Protectlifeandpropertyfromnaturaldisastersandhazards. Goal4.Maintainandenhancetheenvironmentalconditionsandhabitatsthatsupport sustainablefisheries. Goal5.Safeguardtheabilityofboroughresidentstousethelandandwatersinthe boroughfortraditionalsubsistenceuses. 2.1 EnvironmentalConditions YakutatBoroughhasanincrediblydiversehabitatincludingglaciers,largeandtallmountain ranges,floodplains,estuaries,wetlands,tidelands,islands,lagoons,freshwaterriversand lakes.Thiswiderangeofenvironmentsishometomanyspeciesofbird,fish,shellfish,and marineandterrestrialmammals.BetweentheSaintEliasMountainsandtheGulfofAlaska therearegentlyslopingoutwashplainsknownastheYakutat,MalaspinaandYakataga Forelands.Theforelandsareuniquetothisregionandwereformedduringrecentgeologic times. Theabundantrainfall,mildtemperatures,highwatertable,andgravelsubstratemakethe Forelandsespeciallyproductivespawningandrearinghabitatforanadromousfish.Allfive YakutatComprehensivePlan|NaturalEnvironment 7 salmonspecies(king,sockeye,pink,chumandcoho)arepresentinthearea.TheAlaska DepartmentofFishandGamehasidentifiedover90anadromousfishstreamsintheborough, betweenCapeSucklingandCapeFairweather.Yakutatresidentshaveadeeppassionfortheir richfishandwildlifeandthesenaturalresourcesprovideoutstandingcommercial,subsistence andsportfishing,whicharethebackboneofthelocaleconomy. Themountainouslandscapefoundinmuchoftheboroughwasshapedbythecollisionoftwo tectonicplates.Thesemountainsarebeingconstantlymodifiedbyglaciation,erosion, deposition,andwaveandwindaction.TheSaintEliasMountainsanditsmassiveicefieldsrun thelengthoftheborough.ThisincludestheBeringGlacier,partofthelargesticefieldinNorth AmericaandtheHubbardGlacier,locatedonYakutatBay,whichhasatidewaterterminusover sixmileswideand92mileslong. Thepositionoflandinrelationtothe sealevelhasfluctuatedwidelyinthe Yakutatarea.Whilesuddenuplifting anddepressionoflandhasbeen causedbytectonicevents,the expansionandcontractionofglaciers hashadmoregradualbutequally significanteffects.Therecessionof glacierscausesthelandtoriseslowly astheweightofglaciersisremoved, althoughthereisusuallyatimelag betweenmeltingandrebound.Asof 1983,landintheYakutatareahad beenemergingatanaveragerateof St.EliasMountainrange inthedistance 0.21inchesperyear.Theoretically, thisrateofupliftcouldresultinanemergenceof10.5inchesin50yearsandcreateasmuchas 50feetofnewlandincoastalareaswheretheslopesareverygentle. PartsofthegulfcoastnearYakutatarepresentlybeingerodedbywaveactionandtheland meetstheseaascliffsinmanyplaces.Inaddition,theboroughispotentiallysubjecttonatural hazardsthatinclude,groundinstability,tsunamis,seafloorinstability,andfaulting. Glacialadvancementandretreat,outburstflooding,wavesfromcalvingice,heavysnows,poor soils,andavalanchesarealsoconcerns. Aspartofthe2006CityandBoroughofYakutatCoastalManagementPlan,adetailedresource inventorywascompleted.Thisincludesadescriptioneachtypeofcoastalhabitat;offshore areas,estuaries,wetlands,tidelands,rockyislands,seacliffs,barrierislands,reefs,exposedhigh energycoasts,freshwaterrivers,streamsandlakes,andimportantuplands.Thesedescriptions andmapscanbefoundinSection3.6oftheCoastalManagementPlan.ThePlanalsoidentified specialhabitatareasthatareunique,andareoflocalconcerns. 8 YakutatComprehensivePlan|NaturalEnvironment

Yakutatisknownforanddefinedbyitsabundanceofmarinemammals,fish,wildlifeandbirds. TheinterfaceofterrestrialandmarineenvironmentsalongthenortheasternGulfofAlaska createsnichesforthisrelativelyhighanimaldiversity.TheCZMPinSection3.7describes importanthabitatformarinemammals,fishandshellfish,terrestrialmammals,birdsand amphibians.Maps,showingkeyhabitatareaswerealsocompletedaspartofthisplan. Inrecentyearstherehasbeenanefforttocleanupthedozensofcontaminatedsitesthatwere leftbythemilitary.ThisremedialworkisbeingcarriedoutbytheUSArmyCorpsofEngineers, theUSFSandtheYakutatTlingitTribe. 2.2 NaturalResourceCoordinationandManagement Themajorityoflandintheboroughismanagedbythefederalandstategovernmentsandnot theborough,yetboroughresidentsareintegrallylinkedtothelandfortheireconomicsurvival. Manyresidentsareconcernedabouttheprotectionofhealthyfishandgamepopulationsand habitat,andfederalandstatelandmanagementpolicies.Residentshaveexpressedfearsthat federalandstatelandmanagersarenotadequatelyprotectingthenaturalenvironmenttothe degreenecessarytoensurecontinuanceoftraditionalfishing,bothcommercialand subsistence.Thereisarealorperceivednotionthatthelocalcommunityhaslittlecontrolover howresourcesaremanagedonpublicland.Thereisalsoconfusionandconcernabout regulationsrelatingtosubsistence.Residentswanttoknowhowimpactssuchasalterationof uplandhabitat,increasederosionandsedimentation,andimpactsonairandwaterqualitycan beminimized. 2.3 NaturalHazardsProtectionPlan YakutatBoroughispotentiallysubjecttoseveregeophysicalhazardssuchasearthquake, groundinstability,tsunamis,seafloorinstability,andfaulting(DNR1994).Infact,afterthe AleutianIslandChain,theGulfofAlaskaisthemostseismicallyactiveregionintheUnited States(DNR1978).andrelatedgroundmovementareageologicalhazardinthe area.Otherpotentialhazardsincludeglacialadvancementandretreat,glacialblockageof RussellFiordandsubsequentoutburstfloodingoftheSitukRiverarea,outburstflooding, coastalerosion,andsnowavalanchesinareasofsteepterrain. TheHubbardGlacieratthenorthernendoftheYakutatBayhasbeenadvancingrapidlysince 1971andclosedoffRussellFiordin1986and2003.In2003,theRussellFiordwasfedby mountainstreamsandmeltwaterfromtheotherglaciersandtheresultinglakeroseatarateof nearly10inchesaday.Theicedameventuallyburstsendingadelugeofwaterandicebergs outofDisenchantmentBay,throughYakutatBayandouttothesea.Thereisconcernthatthe fiordcouldbecomedammedagainandcouldoverflowitssouthernbanksanddrainthrough theSitukRiverorLostRiver,threateningfishhabitatandthelocalairport. Thepresenceofapotentialhazarddoesnotnecessarilyprecludedevelopment.Inmanycases,

YakutatComprehensivePlan|NaturalEnvironment 9 aknownhazardcanbemitigatedthroughsoundlandusepracticesandproperconstruction techniques. Appropriatemitigationmeasureswilldependonthetypeandextentofthehazard,the probableseverity,andtheproposeddevelopment.ALocalHazardMitigationPlanwas completedfortheBoroughin2008.ThisPlanprovidesinformationonhownaturalhazards couldaffecttheborough,describespastdisasters,andlistsprojectsthatmayhelpthe communitypreventdisasterloses.ThePlansetsoutstrategiestoreducelocalvulnerabilityto theeffectsofhazardsandratesthemitigationprojectsusingacost/benefitanalysis. Strategiesincludemappingandevaluatinggeophysicalhazardareas,includingareassusceptible toavalanches,flooding,erosion,beachprocess,tsunami,stormsurges,landslides,faults,and icehazards,floodingduetoRussellFiord'sprobableoverflow.Theplanalsorecommends adoptinganordinancetodirectdevelopmentawayfromhazardareas.Setbacks,slope limitations,bankstabilization,anchoringofstructurescouldbeusedtoprotectdevelopment. HubbardGlacier100yardsofGilbertPointinJune2007. Photo:GeorgeKalli oftheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineerstookthisphotoinMay2007. 2.4 Subsistence Subsistence,thecustomaryandtraditionaluseofwild,renewableresourcesfordirectpersonal orfamilyconsumptionasfood,shelter,fuel,clothing,tools,ortransportation,isbothan importanteconomicandsocialactivity.Subsistencehasbeenthetraditionallifestyleofthe YakutatTlingitandispartofthegeneralsocialfabricofYakutat.TheBoroughisinterestedin safeguardingtheabilityofitsresidentstopracticetraditionalsubsistenceactivities. 10 YakutatComprehensivePlan|NaturalEnvironment

Yakutatresidentsuseastretchofabout200milesofcoastline,mostofitwithintheBorough, forsubsistenceactivities.Yakutathouseholdsharvestedanaverageof1,046poundsof subsistencefoodsin2000.HarvestsofNativehouseholdsaveraged1,274pounds;nonNative householdharvested754pounds.Onapercapitabasis,Yakutatresidentsharvested385 poundsofsubsistencefoodsin2000. TheCoastalManagementPlanSection3.10containsspecificharvestinformationandaseriesof mapsthatshowsubsistenceuse.Especiallyhighlyusedareasincludethecoastalareaseastof theSitukRiverwesttoOceanCape,allofthelandsandwatersoftheAnkaulagoonsystem,all areasoftheshoreandoffshoreinYakutatBaynearthecity,andvirtuallyalloftheSitukRiver drainage.FromtheSitukRivereastwardacrosstheYakutatForelandasfareastasHarlequin LakeandDangerousRiver,theshorelineandinlandareasacrossYakutatBayfromtown, offshoreareaswestofYakutatBay,areasnorthoftheNunatakFiordandeastofthenorthern portionofRussellFjordaswellasthecoastalandinlandareasfromDryBayandtheAlsekRiver arealsoimportancesubsistenceuseareas.Waterbodiesimportantforsubsistenceactivities includetheAhrnklinRiver,AkweLake,AkweRiver,AlsekRiver,AnkauCreek,DangerousRiver, EastAlsekRiver,ItalioRiver,LostRiver,RedoubtLakeOutlet,TawahCreekandTsiuRiver. Thesceneryandhabitatsthatprovide attractionsforvisitorsarealsothesame resourcesthatarevitaltoYakutatresidentsfor subsistence,andoftenrecreation.Commercial tourismactivitiesthatarenotdevelopedto protectsubsistenceharvestareasand commercialfishingareascanhavesignificant adverseimpactonthoseactivities.Residents wouldliketoseeaccesstokeysubsistenceareas unrestricted. GatheringsprucerootsonKhantaakIslands Subsistenceiscurrentlyregulatedbyboththe photocourtesyUSFS federalandstategovernments;agreatdealof subsistencehuntingandfishingalsotakesplaceundersporthuntingandfishingregulations, andAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamemanagessporthuntingonalllands.Inaddition,land managersliketheYakTatKwaanalsohaveasayinthetypesofactivitythattakeplaceontheir lands. Becausesometraditionalclanandfamilyhuntingareashavebeenpasseddownforgenerations buthavenotbeenrecordedorrecognizedbystateandfederallandmanagers,thereis apparentlysomeconflict.ThisisespeciallytruewithtraditionalcampsintheRussellFiord Wilderness,DryBayandLituyaBayareas.Further,thereisconcernthatpermitsfortraditional campsandcabinsonfederallandsbeallowedtopassthroughthegenerationstoprevent erodingtraditionalsubsistenceusepatternsestablishedbytheTlingitpeople. YakutatComprehensivePlan|NaturalEnvironment 11 2.5 NaturalEnvironmentGoalsandPolicies Goal1.Maintainandpreservethequalityofthewater,landandbiologicalresourcesofthe Boroughtoprovideforsustainableuseofthoseresourcesforcurrentandfuturegenerations. EnvironmentPolicy1.1Developmentadjacenttorivers,streams,lakes,estuariesand wetlandsshouldbedesignedtoprotectnaturalvegetation,waterquality,nutrientand oxygenlevels,naturalwaterflow,andimportantfishandwildlifehabitat. EnvironmentPolicy1.2Supportremedialcleanupofcontaminatedsitesthroughout theborough. EnvironmentPolicy1.3Thedischargeoftoxicwasteandsiltintoestuaries,rivers,and streamsshallbeprohibited. EnvironmentPolicy1.4Workwithstateandfederalagencies,thecruiseindustry,and otherstominimizeimpactstoairandwaterqualityfromcruiseshipsinDisenchantment andYakutatBay. EnvironmentPolicy1.5Workwithstateandfederalagenciestoensurethat developmentisincompliancewithapplicableenvironmentalpolicies;implementthe CoastalManagementPlan. EnvironmentPolicy1.6Enactappropriatebuffers,structuralsetbacks,runoffcontrols orotherdevelopmentstandardsforproposedactivitiesthatmaynegativelyimpact crucialhabitatareas. EnvironmentPolicy1.7Developmentincoastalareasshouldbeapprovedonlyinareas withsuitablesoilsandtopography. EnvironmentPolicy1.8Establisha"MitigationBank"outliningprojectstooffset necessarydevelopmentinsensitiveareas(wetlands,tidelands,etc.) Goal2.Establishandmaintainintegratedandcoordinatedresourcemanagementamong federal,state,YakTatKwaanInc.,Borough,thetribalgovernmentandotherparties. EnvironmentPolicy2.1EncouragetheNationalParkServicetogivepriorityto traditionalandestablishedusesinthemanagementoftheDryBay/Alsekareaandthe WrangellSt.EliasPreserve.Thisincludescommercialfishingandfishprocessing, subsistenceactivities,guiding,andtransportationessentialtotheseestablished activities. 12 YakutatComprehensivePlan|NaturalEnvironment

EnvironmentPolicy2.2WorkwiththeNationalParkService,USForestService, YakutatTlingitTribeandYakTatKwaanInc.toestablishcampgroundsandtoissueuse permitsontheYakutatforelands,theislandadjacentandalongriversthatareusedfor recreation.Worktowardsasingle,unified,andcooperativepolicyoncampsinthe Borough. EnvironmentPolicy2.3Supporttheimmediateandunencumberedconveyanceof native,stateandmunicipallandselections. EnvironmentPolicy2.4Continuetohaveregularmeetingswithlocallandmangersto discussissues,coordinateplanning,andformulateandclarifypolicies. EnvironmentPolicy2.5Keepthepublicinformedaboutpertinentstateandfederal regulationrelatingtouseandmanagementofpubliclandintheborough. EnvironmentPolicy2.6Participateinstateandfederalplanningefforts.Exploreusing aMemorandumofUnderstandingtojointlymanageareasofmutualconcern. EnvironmentPolicy2.7ReviewallNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActdocumentsand providecommentsasappropriate. EnvironmentPolicy2.8StrengthenandupdatetheCoastalManagementPlanto reflectcommunityvaluesandconcerns.Forallstateandfederalactionsorprojects requiringstateorfederalpermits,conductathoroughreviewtoensureproposalis consistentwiththeCoastalManagementPlan. Goal3.Protectlifeandpropertyfromnaturaldisastersandhazards. EnvironmentPolicy3.1Requiretheuseofresponsibleconstruction,design,and managementtechniquesonsteepslopes,infloodplains,tidelandsandwetlandsto minimizehazardousconditions. EnvironmentPolicy3.2–Prohibittheremovalofrockfrombanksandshorestouseas constructionriprap. EnvironmentPolicy3.3TreesontheKhantaakIslandsshallbemaintainedasthey providesheltertoMontiBayandthesmallboatharborfromwindandstorms. EnvironmentPolicy3.4WorkwiththeUSForestService,theUSGeologicalSurveyand theUSArmyCorpofEngineerstounderstandchangesinthemovementoftheHubbard GlacierandthepotentialoffloodingaroundtheSitukRiverandLostRiver.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|NaturalEnvironment 13 EnvironmentPolicy3.5Reviewandupdatethefloodplainmapfortheareathatmay besubjecttofloodingcausedbymovementoftheHubbardGlacier. EnvironmentPolicy3.6Considerimplementingthehighestpriorityrecommendations fromthe2008CityandBoroughofYakutatLocalHazardsMitigationPlan. EnvironmentPolicy3.7WorkwiththePublicSafetyDepartmentandotherkey agenciesandindividualstodevelopandimplementmethodsforacommunitywide evacuation. EnvironmentPolicy3.8Keepthepublicinformedaboutresourcesforemergency preparedness. Goal4.Maintainandenhancetheenvironmentalconditionsandhabitatsthatsupport sustainablefisheries. EnvironmentPolicy4.1Encourageoffshoreactivitiesthatmaintainorenhancethe subsistence,commercialandsportfisheriesasacontinuingpriority. EnvironmentPolicy4.2Newdevelopmentshouldincorporatedesignfeaturesto protectspawningandrearinghabitat. EnvironmentPolicy4.3Usehydrologistsandfisheriesbiologistsindecidingthe locationofbarkdisposalareasandlandfillsinordertoavoiddamagetofisheriesthat canresultfromleaching. EnvironmentPolicy4.4SupporttheYakutatSalmonBoardineffortstorestore importantfishhabitatandfishpassagesintheborough. EnvironmentPolicy4.5EncouragecooperationbetweentheBorough,theAlaskaState TroopersandtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGametoensuretheenforcementof bothcommercialandsportfishingregulations. Goal5.Safeguardtheabilityofboroughresidentstousethelandandwatersintheborough fortraditionalsubsistenceuses. EnvironmentPolicy5.1Ensurethatdevelopmentdecisionsandlandmanagement policies(especiallyonUSForestServiceandNationalParksServiceland)arecompatible withsubsistenceactivities,particularlythosethatinvolveaccess,sheltersandcampsites necessarytocontinueatraditionalsubsistencelifestyle.

14 YakutatComprehensivePlan|NaturalEnvironment

EnvironmentPolicy5.2Allowthecontinueduseofairplanesandmotorizedvehiclesin theGlacierBayNationalPreservetoaccessareasusedforfishing,hunting,and subsistenceactivities. EnvironmentPolicy5.3Workwithland,fishandwildlifemanagers,andcommercial andsubsistenceuserstofosteropencommunicationandtodeterminemanagement strategiesthatmeetthegoalsofasmanypartiesaspossible. EnvironmentPolicy5.4ConsiderinformationabouttraditionalTlingitsubsistenceuse oflandwithintheborough(andpossiblylandsoutsidetheboroughthatareimportant toresidents)tohelpreachcommonunderstandingofsubsistenceissues. EnvironmentPolicy5.5Identifyallpublicaccesspointstosubsistenceareasand developthemforuse.

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3 HistoricalandCulturalResources

Goal1.Maintainandprotectarchaeological,prehistoric,historic,andculturalsites, structures,andobjects. Goal2.Promoteculturaltraditions,language,andhistorytoresidentsandvisitors. 3.1 History 3.1.1FirstPeople–AlaskaNatives TheYakutatareaisstrategicallylocatedfortradebetweentheInteriorandSoutheastAlaska. Beforerecordedhistory,nativepeoplesapparentlytradedcopper,fursandtannedskinsfrom theAhtnaandTutchoneAthabaskansforshells,slaves,Haidacanoes,andTsimshiancarvings. PeopleintheYakutatarealateractedasmiddlemen,handlinggoodsfromtheRussianpostsat Nuchek(inPrinceWilliamSound)andSitka,theHudson'sBayCompanyandotherfurtraders. ThereisarichhistoryofmultipleAlaskaNativeculturesandlanguages,includingAthabaskan, Eyak,andinlandandcoastalTlingit,andothers.ItisnotknownwhenthefirstNativepeoples settledintheYakutatarea.TheareahaslongbeentheterritoryoftheTlingitandEyakNative groupsandprehistoricalevidenceshowsdistinctivedifferencesfromthatoftheAthabaskan Interior.OneoftheoldestarcheologicalsitesisatGroundHogBayandHiddenFalls,bothof whicharesouthoftheMalaspinaForelands,andhavebeenassignedtothePaleomarine tradition,datingfromaround8,000yearsago.Earlynativesettlementsintheareawere scatteredeitheralongtheGulfofAlaskacoastbetweenYakutatBayandtheDryBayoralong theeastcoastofYakutatBayitself. Inthelate1700s,whenRussianexplorersfirstcametotheareaandrecordedinformation abouttheAlaskaNativepeopletheymet,thereweretwodivisionsinwhatistodaytheYakutat Borough;theDryBaypeopleandtheYakutatBaypeople.TheYakutatBaypeopleatthattime wereapparentlyofEyakcultureandlanguage,mixedwithAtnaAthabaskanfromtheCopper YakutatComprehensivePlan|HistoricalandCulturalResources 17 Rivervalley.TheYakutatpeoplecontrolledanareathatstretchedfromKatalla(westofCape Suckling)toMt.Fairweather.Theseculturesinfluencedeachotherthroughtrading,war, potlatches,andintermarriage. AnumberofsettlementswerelocatedinthevicinityofDryBay.Accordingtothe1983Yakutat ComprehensiveDevelopmentPlan,theCityofYakutatwasnotatraditionalvillagesite.The ‘OldVillage’wasestablishedaround1889whenthemissionwasbuilt.Mostfamiliesmoved around1920towhatisnowthemainpartoftowntobeclosertothecannery.Partofthe lowlandwheretheoriginalhousesstoodinOldVillagehassincewashedaway.Therewerealso strongculturaltiestopeopleinthewesternpartoftheBorough,particularlyintheTsiuarea. ManylocalfamiliesinYakutatcamefromthatarea. 3.1.2TheComingofEuropeans Accordingtolegend,atleastonecontactbetweenthepeopleoftheYakutatareaand EuropeansoccurredbeforethefirstrecordedRussiancontact.Thefirstcontactrecordedby Caucasianstookplacein1783.Inthatyear,PotapZaikovledaRussianexploringpartyinto PrinceWilliamSoundandControllerBay,withadditionalhuntingpartiesmadeupofseveral hundredAleutsandfourorfiveRussiansapparentlygoingdownthecoast,perhapsasfaras LituyaBay.Otherexplorersandtraderssoonfollowed.In1793,theRussianssentapartyof AleutotterhunterstoYakutatandin1794theysentalargeflotillaofbidarkas.ARussianfort calledNovaRossiysk(NewRussia)waslocatedbetweentheAnkaulagoonsandtheGulfof Alaskacoast.Constructionbeganin1795,andthefortwascompletedthefollowingyear.In 1800,asecondpostwasbuiltonMontiBay. TheRussianfortatYakutatwasneverasuccess.Thirteenhuntersandsevensettlers(not countingwomenandchildren)diedofscurvythefirstwinter.Conditionsweremiserableand relationswiththenativepeopleweretense.GrievancesincludedthefailureoftheRussiansto payforthelandtheyoccupied,theRussians'closureofthestreambetweentheAnkaulagoons andSummitLake,whichinterferedwiththenatives'fishsupply,theenslavementoftheir childrenundertheguiseofeducation,andthetakingofIndianwomen.Thesegrievancescame totheforein1805whentheRussianfortwasoverrun,burned,andallbutafewofthe occupantswerekilled. FewEuropeansventuredonshoreatYakutatformanyyearsafterthefallofNovaRossiyskand, aslateas1822,theRussianAmericanCompanywasunabletoconductacensusintheYakutat area.AmajorsmallpoxepidemicatYakutatbetween1836and1839wentlargelyunnoticedby theoutsideworld.DespitethereputationoftheoceanofftheYakutatcoastasawellknown whalingground,vesselsseldomputashore.An1861RussianAmericanCompanycensusinthe Yakutatareacounted163females,168males,and49slaves.

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3.1.3UnitedStatesOwnership ThetransferofAlaskafromRussiatotheUnitedStatesin1867producednoimmediatechange atYakutat.ThefirstUScensusofAlaskain1880recorded300nativesbutnoEuropeans residingintheYakutatarea;howeveraninfluxofCaucasiansbeganshortlythereafter.Thefirst Americantradersbegantoappearintheareaaround1880,followedbygoldprospectors.The AlaskaCommercialCompanyopenedastorein1884.Between1883and1886,goldminers workedtheblacksandsofKhantaakIslandandtheoceanbeach. Withthearrivalofmissionariesinthearea,Yakutatbegantotakeonitsmodernform.Thefirst missionaryoftheSwedishFreeMissionChurchcametoYakutatin1887andbeganworkona church,schoolandsawmill.BesidesattractingYakutatarearesidentstothepresent"Old Village"site,themissionexercisedastronginfluenceoverthelivesofpeopleinthecommunity. ThisinfluenceextendedasfarasbanningfishingonSundays,encouraginghouseholdstofollow thewesternstylenuclearfamily,anddiscouragingtheuseofthetraditionalTlingitlanguage. 3.1.4IndustrialDevelopment WhilethemissionencouragedpeoplefromtheYakutatareatocongregateinasingle settlement,theadventofthefishingandfishprocessing,andthewoodproductsindustrieshad evenmorelonglastingimpactsonthecommunity.Whatmightbetermedalocal"Industrial Revolution"seemstohavefollowedtheminersandmissionariesintoYakutatattheturnofthe century.Intheearly1900s,F.S.StimsonofSeattleincorporatedtheStimsonLumberCompany andtheYakutatandSouthernRailwayforthepurposesofoperatingasalmoncannery,sawmill, railroad,andgeneralstore.Therailroadandsawmillwereapparentlybuiltfirstandusedto haultimertobuildthecannery,wharves,andothernecessarystructures.Whenthecannery beganoperatingin1904,thesawmillturnedoutthewoodenpackingcasesforcannery products. TheYakutatandSouthernRailwaywasoneofAlaska'sfirstrailroads.Itwasastandardgauge railroadthatranbetweenthecannerysiteonMontiBayandthemouthoftheSitukRiver.It wastheonlyfishrailroadintheworldduringitstime.Itoperatedeachsummerforaboutthree monthsduringthefishingseason.Theschedulesweregearedtothetimeofhightidesatthe SitukRiverterminal.AsecondfishhaulrailroadintheYakutatareawasconstructedfromthe AkweRivertothemouthofDryBay.However,thisoperationwaslesssuccessful,andtoday therailbedisalmosttotallyobscuredbyvegetation. Forafewyearsintheearly1900sasmanyas250prospectorsandgoldminerslivedatCape Yakataga.Miningforplacergoldhasoccurredatvariouslocationsalongthecoastandinland sinceabout1903onanintermittentbasis.AMay1915EngineeringandMiningJournalstates thatin1914over$14,545,601ingoldwasproducedfromthisregion.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|HistoricalandCulturalResources 19 Theestablishmentofacanneryanditsassociatedactivitiesfurtheraffectedsettlement patternsintheYakutatarea.By1920,mostfamiliesintheareahadbuiltpermanenthomes nearthecannery.ThisarearemainsthecenterofactivityinYakutattodayandishometomost ofthecommunity’snonnatives.Thecannerycontinuedtooperatealthoughitsownership changedhandsanumberoftimes.Thecommunity'spopulationatthetimeofthe1939census was292,indicatingthepopulationremainedvirtuallythesamesincethe1890census. 3.1.5Military WorldWarIIbroughtlastingchangetoYakutat.TheUSinitiatedaplanforatriangularair defense(Panama,Hawaii,andAlaska)intheeventofwarinthePacific.Constructionofabase andairfieldatYakutatbeganinOctober1940foragarrisonthatreportedlyhadasmanyas 10,000menatitspeak.WorldWarIIbroughtmechanizedequipmentaswellsuchasjeepsand halftrackswithsurplusvehiclesavailabletothepublicandaffordablefixedwingaircraft.Inthe 1950saDistantEarlyWarning(DEW)WhitecommunicationssitewasbuiltatCapeYakataga withbarracks,bridges,andanairstrip.ThebaseinYakutatwasclosedafterthewar;however, Yakutatwasleftwithamajorairportthatreducedthecommunity'sisolation. 3.1.6RecentHistory SignificantchangeshavehappenedatYakutatsinceWorldWarII.Yakutatwasoriginally incorporatedasafirstclasscityin1948.In1970,Yakutat'scanneryoperatorswentbankrupt, theplantclosed,and,untilthecommunityoperatedcoldstorageplantandassociateddock werecompletedinApril1971,welfarewasamajorsourceofincomeformanyYakutat fishermen.Thecommunityownedcoldstorageoperationcontinuedtorununtiltheprocessing andstoragebuildingburneddownin1977. ThepassageoftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActin1971alsohadamajorimpacton Yakutat.Underthetermsofthislegislation,theYakutatvillagecorporation,YakTatKwaan, Inc.,selected23,040acresoflandintheimmediateYakutatarea.Thislandselectionallowed thenativeownedcorporationtoexertgreaterinfluenceoverdevelopmentofitsshareholder's traditionalterritorythaninthepast.Theregionalnativecorporation,SealaskaInc.,ownsthe subsurfacerightstoYakTatKwaanlands.In2003,theBoroughAssemblypassedaresolution requestingthatGovernorMurkowskiperfecttheconveyanceofselectedlandsintheBorough withtheunderstandingthatSealaskaInc.willnotretainownershipofanylandwithinthe BoroughifaconcurrencebetweentheBoroughregardinglocationofthelandscannotbe met(CBYResolution0318). ThesaleofgasandoilleasesinthenorthernGulfofAlaskabythestateandfederal governmentsinthe1960s,'70s,and'80sbroughtfurtherchangetoYakutat.Thecommunity wasstrategicallylocatedinrelationtomanyoffshoreandonshoreleaseareasandwas

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impactedbyoilexploration.Nocommercialquantitiesofoilwerefound.Inthefallof1993, theYakutatTlingitTribewasofficiallyrecognizedbytheU.S.governmentasatribal government.Thisbringsanotherpoliticalplayerintopolicymakingandplanningprocessinthe Borough.TheYakutatTlingitTribehasjurisdictionoverlandsoutsidetheBorough,asfarwest asCapeSuckling. 3.2 YakutatNativeCulture YakutatBay,asoneofthefewprotectedbaysalongthenortherlyedgeoftheGulfofAlaska, hasalwaysattractedpeopletravelingbetweenSoutheastAlaskaandPrinceWilliamSoundor towardthecoastfrominland.TheNativepeopleofYakutatareamixtureofEyak,Athabaskan andTlingitpeople.Tlingitsaredividedintotworeciprocating,exogamousmoieties,Ravenand Eagle.TheEagleandRavenmoietyeachconsistofmanyclansandeachclanisdividedinto houses.Today,therearefivemajorclans,orgroupsofrelatives(alsocalled"sibs")inthe YakutatareathatareallsubunitsoftheEagleandRavenclans.Therearethreeeagleandtwo RavenclansintheYakutatarea,aslistedonTable31. TABLE3.1–YAKUTATAREASCLANS EagleClan RavenClan Teikweidi** Lunaxadi Shunkukeidi Kwaashkikwaan GalixKaagwaantaan **Thepronunciationofunderlinedlettersisguttural,asoundnotrenderableintheEnglishalphabet. Clansownedandcontrolledthelocallandandresources.Emmons(1991:22)establishedthat, “Salmonstreams,huntingandberryinggroundsareinalienablefamily(clan)possessions. Travelersthroughanother(clan’s)territorycouldkillforfood,butnotforpeltorprofit. Otherwise,therightsofterritoryweredulyrespectedandstrictlyenforced.Thiswasclearly illustratedwhenthefirstsalmoncannerieswereestablishedhere,aspaymentwas(hadtobe) madetotheseparatefamilies(clans)owningthestreams,fortheprivilegeoffishing thereabouts…Territorialrightsusuallyincludedevenfreshdrinkingwaterandfirewood.”3 TheSoutheastRegionalSubsistenceAdvisoryCouncilrecentlyidentifiedaneedforTraditional EcologicalKnowledge(TEK)informationduetoincreasedfederalmanagementofsubsistence fisheriesintheregion.SoutheastAlaskatribes(CCTHTA)alsoidentifiedimprovingtraditional ecologicalknowledgeabouttraditionalterritoryandsubsistenceuseasahighpriority.A2003 YakutatTlingitTribestudyandreporttitled,“TEK:MappingtheTraditionalSubsistence TerritoriesofYakutatForelands”isanoutstandingsourceofbothculturalandsubsistence informationandaddressessomeoftheseidentifiedTEKdataneeds4. 3SeeOlson1967:55,70;Oberg1973:106;DeLaguna1983:79 4ThestudywascoordinatedwithYTT'sotherTEKstudydocumentingtheTraditionalTlingitKnowledgeofSalmon ManagementinDryBay/AlsekRiverwithNPS.Sealaska'sHistoricalSitesdataanddeLaguna's1964and1972 publishedworkonYakutatwereconsulted.PlacenamecollectedbyDeLaguna,theYTTPlaceNamesProjectand YakutatComprehensivePlan|HistoricalandCulturalResources 21 Thestudyincludes:

 Criticalidentification,compilation,review,andsummaryofexistingdocumentation includingtapedandwrittenarchivesmaintainedbythetribes.

 Interviewswithhouse,clanandtribaleldersandwithactiveresourceuserstodelineate territoriesandtheusesthattakeplacewithinterritoriesandtofurtheridentifycultural sites.

 ProductionofannotatedGISbasedreferencemapsofterritories.

 Productionofapublishedreferencevolumedocumentingtribalterritorythat incorporatesinformationcollectedinthisproject.

MapSource:AlaskaNativeKnowledgeNetwork,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks

theGlacierBayNPSDryBayJukeBoxprojectwerealsoconsultedandcompiled.Subsistenceinformationisfrom YTT2002Householdharvestsurvey,GoldschmidtandHaas,HaaAaniandmappingandinterviewsdonewith YakutatElders.TheUSDANationalForestService,ForestrySciencesLaboratory,coordinatingtheproject. 22 YakutatComprehensivePlan|HistoricalandCulturalResources

Tlingitslivingtogetherinageographicareaareknownaskwaan.The2003TEKreportlistedthe “tribal”territoryorkwaan5boundariesfromControllerBaytoLituyaBay.TheTeikweidisib camefromtheDryBayareatotheAhrnklinRiverareaseveralmileseastofYakutatBay.They reportedlyboughtlandtherefromaclan(sib)basedintheJuneauareathatisnolonger representedinthearea.DeLagunareported(1972)thatthissib("Teqwedi")isessentially indigenoustotheYakutatarea. TheShunkukeidicamefromtheDryBayarea.Beforethat,thesibreportedlycamefrom SoutheastAlaskaviaaninlandtrailthenwellestablishedoverpassesalongtheAlsekRiver. DeLaguna(1972)reportedthatthissib("Cankuqedi")wasamongseveralTlingitsibsthatcame totheareafromSoutheastAlaska. TheGalixKaagwaantaansibwasoriginallypartofamigrationofCopperRiverpeople.They endedupjustwestofIcyBayintheKaliakhRiverareabeforecomingtoYakutat.DeLaguna (1972)reportedthatthissib("GalixKagwantan")originallyspokeEyakandwasfromthe "westerngulfcoast."TheLunaxadisibcametoYakutatfromtheLituyaBayandDryBayarea. DeLaguna(1972)reportedthissibas"Tl'uknaxadi."theKwaashkikwaanwerepartofthe migrationofCopperRiverpeopletothecoast.Thesibreportedlycameovertheglaciersfrom theinteriororiginallyandsettledintheIcyBayareainthe18thand19thcenturies.Later,they cametoYakutatBayandsettledonKnightIsland.Thisisapparentlythe"Kwackqwan"sib DeLagunanotedin1972asbeingoriginallyAhtnaAthabaskanfromtheCopperRiver. TheclansintheYakutatareaformedtheFiveChiefsofYakutat,whichbecameacorporation andreceivedpaymentfromtheoilcompanyinreturnforuseofthearea(Farkas1994).Now theseclansarerepresentedbytheYakutatTlingitTribe,thearea’stribalgovernment,andthe YakTatKwaanCorporation,ChugachAlaskaCorporationandSealaskaNativeCorporation, threeNativeCorporationsformedasapartoftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.The YakTatKwaanactuallybeganintheearly1940swhentheColoradoOilCompanywantedto drillexploratorywellsintheIcyBayarea. 3.3 HistoricalandCulturalSitesandResources TheStateofAlaskadefinesculturalresourcesashistoric,prehistoric,andarchaeological remains,fromexistingbuildingstofossilsthatprovideinformationaboutthecultureofpeople orthenaturalhistory.AccordingtotheState,culturalresourcescanincludethetraditionsand memoriesofthelongtimeresidentsofanarea,and,infact,canincludethepeoplethemselves. Ingeneral,therearethreetypesofculturalsites:archaeologicalsites,historicsitesbothnative andnonnativefromtheperiodofexplorationandearlysettlement,andgenerallymore industrialsitescorrespondingwiththeperiodofUSinfluence.SitesaroundYakutatincludeold 5KwaanareGeographicaldivisions,R.L.Olson(1967)calledthem'tribes'.Seealso"WillTheTimeEverCome?"list ofTlingitmapandTribalListProjectbyHopeandThornton(2000). YakutatComprehensivePlan|HistoricalandCulturalResources 23 Tlingitvillagesites,aTlingitfortsite,Tlingithuntingcamps,thecanneryrailroad,oldnavalguns, ashamangrave,cannerysites,shipyards,thesiteofafoxfarm,aWhiteAlicemilitary communicationssite,andashipwrecksite.TheNewRussiasettlementarchaeologicalsiteison theNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesandisfurtherdesignatedaNationalHistoricLandmark. TheAlaskaHeritageResourceSurveyoftheAlaskaOfficeofHistoryandArchaeologylists48 sitesintheYakutattoDryBayvicinityandnoneintheYakutattoCapeSucklingvicinity.Few ofthesesiteshavebeenthoroughlyinvestigated,andmostarelistedonlyfortheirpotential significance.FivesiteshavebeendeterminedeligibleforlistingontheNationalRegisterof HistoricPlaces,whichmeanstheyareaffordedspecialconsiderationandprotection.Another twositeswereconsideredforeligibilityandfoundineligible,althoughtheOfficeofHistoryand Archaeologysuggeststhatoneofthosecouldbeeligibleifreconsideredtoday.Becauseofthe riskofdisturbanceofhistoricsites,theOfficeofHistoryandArchaeologydoesnotallowthe locationsofthesesitestobelistedforthegeneralpublic. The2003TraditionalEnvironmentalKnowledgestudydocumentsclanterritories,placenames andculturallyimportantsitesassociatedwithat.woo,oralhistoriesandstories.YakutatTlingit TribehasaHistoricandCulturalPreservationPlan,preparedin1995byGaryGilletteandD. ScottWilliams.Encouragingthatalldevelopmentbeculturallysensitivewillbeakeyto planningforthefuture.Theborough,YakTatKwaan,Inc.,stateandfederalagencies,andthe YakutatTlingitTribewillneedtoworktogethertoachievemutualgoals. ManyhavetalkedabouttheneedtopreservetheculturethroughestablishmentofaYakutat CulturalCenter.ThisisneededtopreservetheidentityoflocalTlingitpeopleandprovidea senseofhistoryandprehistoryforvisitors.Usingeldersasalivingresourcehelpstopasson tribaltraditionstoyoungerTlingit,therebyincreasingtheselfworthofyoungertribemembers andbroaderculturalworth.Inaddition,sitesandhistoryofbothNativeandnonNative culturesinYakutatcouldattractvisitors.AlivingmuseumofTlingitculture(tolearndances, basketry,canoebuilding)andtopromotealpinism(climbingcenter,glaciertravel,slideshows) couldemploylocalpeople,educatevisitors,generatemoney,andpreservecultureandhistory. Thepreservationofculturalandhistoricresourceswillrequiretimeandmoney.Fundingthe researchandimplementationofcultural/historicpreservationisexpensive,especiallyinsucha largeborough.Inaddition,thepooloflocalknowledgeisdiminishingaselderspassaway. 3.4 HistoricandCulturalResources–GoalsandPolicies Goal1.Maintainandprotectarchaeological,prehistoric,historic,andculturalsites,structures, andobjects. HeritagePolicy1.1Developmentshallbeplannedtomaintainandprotectculturaland historicresourcesthataredeterminedtobesignificantbytheBorough. 24 YakutatComprehensivePlan|HistoricalandCulturalResources

HeritagePolicy1.2Aconditionalusepermitshallberequiredfordevelopmentthat directlyaffectsasite,structure,orarealistedonalocal,state,ornationallistasa historicorculturalresource. HeritagePolicy1.3Consideramendingexistingordinancesorwritingnewordinances toprovideincreasedprotectionforculturalandheritageresources. HeritagePolicy1.4Supportaninventoryofhistoric/culturalsites,structures,and areas.YakTatKwaanInc.,theYakutatTlingitTribe,theYakutatBorough,Chugach AlaskaCorporationorSealaskaCorporationandtheChugachorSealaskaHeritage Foundationsshouldbeinvolved. Goal2.Promoteculturaltraditions,language,andhistorytoresidentsandvisitors. HeritagePolicy2.1WorkwiththeYakutatTlingitTribe,YakTatKwaanInc.,National ParksService,andothergroupstodevelopaculturalheritagecenter/museum/library. HeritagePolicy2.2Adoptasignordinancerequiringthatinterpretativesigns displayingculturalinformationbeincorporatedintoallpublicamenities.Information aboutlocalculturecouldbeincorporatedintonewsignsatroadsideparks,picnicareas, campgrounds,trailheadsandothertouristdestinations. HeritagePolicy2.3SupporttherestorationoftheYakutatandSouthernRailroad. HeritagePolicy2.4Inventoryandstorephotos,documentsandrelicsuntilthecreation ofalocalmuseum.Supportrepatriationofartifactsforstorageanddisplayinlocal museum. HeritagePolicy2.5CollaboratewiththeYakutatTlingitTribetosupportopportunities forlocalartists.

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4 EconomicDevelopment

Goal1.Promoteprivateandgovernmentalcooperationandcoordinationindeveloping smallbusinessesandinattractingnewindustrythatbenefitstheBorough. Goal2.Developadiverseeconomythatprovideslongterm,yearroundemployment opportunitiesforlocalresidentswithoutadverselyaffectingthelocallifestyle. Goal3.Promoteandexpandrecreationalandtourismopportunitieswhileprotectingthe traditionalsubsistenceandcommercialuseofthebiologicalresources. Goal4.Increaselocal,valueaddedprocessingofYakutat'snaturalresourceswhile minimizingadverseimpactsonotherimportantresourcesanduses. Goal5.ProtectandenhancethecommercialfishingresourcesintheBorough. 4.1 EconomicOverview Thepurposeofthischapteristoreviewthelocaleconomy,assessrealisticopportunities,and createapathwithgoalsandpoliciestoachieveeconomicgrowthanddiversification.Boththe populationandthenumberofjobsinYakutathavedeclinesince2000.Thishasbeena challengeforlocalbusinessandresidents,andmanyhavebeenstrugglingtosurvivethrough difficulteconomictimes.Respondentstothe2005CommunityOpinionSurveylistedeconomic issuesandemployment/unemploymentasthetwobiggestchallengesfacingYakutat.Itis importantfortheBoroughtopursuepathsthatimprovelongtermemploymentandincome opportunitiesforresidentsthatareconsistentwithlocallifestyles.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment 27 Therearethreeprimarywaystoexpandacommunity’seconomyandemployment:

 Expandtheindustriesandeconomicsectorscurrentlyprovidingemploymentand income.

 Diversifybyattractingnewindustryandemployers.

 Capturelocalspendingthatisescapingthroughinternetshoppingormedicaland professionalservicesobtainingfromoutsidethecommunity. TheCityandBoroughofYakutatstrivestostrikeabalancebetweeneconomicdevelopment, andprotectionoftheresourcesuponwhicheconomicdevelopmentdepends.Residents believethattosuccessfullygrow,thecommunitymustfocusonsustainableeconomic developmentthatrespectsthenaturalresourcesofthearea.Thisisespeciallyimportant becausemostofthelandintheBoroughispubliclyowned,meaningthateconomicactivityand infrastructuredevelopmentisconcentratedontherelativelylimitedprivateandBoroughlands. Anotherimportantcomponentofsustainabledevelopmentisfindingcheapandrenewable powerandfuelsources.Researchandplanningarenowunderwaytomovefromdieselto biomasspoweredenergyforthecommunity.Comparedtodieselfuel,thepurchaseofpower generatedbyeitherwastewoodorrotationaltreefarmsshouldbelessexpensiveforresidents andwouldprovidelocaljobs.Proposedadjacentgreenhouseswouldbothabsorbcarbon dioxide,excessheat,andproducefoodforlocalconsumption;anintriguingpossiblemove towardcommunitysustainability. EconomicdiversificationshouldtakeadvantageofYakutat’sassetsandcompetitiveadvantages, listedbelow. 1. ExcellentairportanddailyscheduledjetservicetoJuneauandAnchorage. 2. AnewmultipurposedockontheeastsideofMontiBay. 3. Awelldevelopedsmallboatharbor. 4. GoodworkingrelationshipbetweentheCityandBoroughofYakutat,USForestService, YakutatTlingitTribe,andtheYakTatKwaan;regularcoordinationmeetingstoshare information. 5. Richfisheryresources. 6. Anactiveseafoodprocessingplantintown. 7. Reputationforworldclasssportfishingandrelatedtourisminfrastructure. 8. Thepotentialtobecomealeaderinbiomassbasedenergyproduction. 9. Worldwidesurfingdestination. 10. Abundantwoodwastefrompastcommercialtimberharvest.

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11. Extensivesand,gravelandmineralresources. 12. Closeknitcommunitycapableoffindingandimplementinginnovativesolutions. 13. AlongstandingdestinationforUniversityresearchinYakutatBay,IcyBayandthe BeringGlacierareas.Anopportunitytobothobtainmoreeconomicbenefitandconvey researchanddatatolocalchildrenandadultsviaaYakutatBayScienceCenter. 14. Uniquelandscapewithgreatpotentialfornonconsumptivetourism. 4.2 SocioeconomicData 4.2.1 Population From1880to2009,Yakutathasexperiencedperiodsofpopulationincreaseanddecrease. Overthisalmost130yeartimeperiod,populationgrowthhasbeenslowbutsteadywithan averageannualgrowthrateofjustoverhalfapercent(+0.53%ayear).Periodsofsignificant growthoccurredinthe1920s,andfrom1970to2000,whiledeclinesoccurredinthe1910sand 1950s1970,aswellasinthe2000s.Yakutat’spopulationgrewquicklyinthe1990s,from534 in1990to808in2000(+4.14%ayear).Thiswasfollowedbyanequalperiodofdeclineasthe 2008populationdroppedtoanestimated592.Thispopulationdropispartlyduetotheclosure oftheIcyBayLoggingCamp,whichhasleftthepopulationinthewesternBoroughverylow. ThisrecentdeclineisinstepwithpopulationtrendsinmostothersmallSoutheastAlaska communitiessince2000. Predictingfuturepopulationisdifficult.TheSoutheastregionhasexperiencedsteady populationlossesoverrecentyearsandthereisuncertaintyaboutfuturepopulationtrends. Comparedtotherestofthestate,theregionhasalowbirthrateandahighmedianage,so theremustbeanincreaseinnetinmigrationfortheregiontogrow.In2007,theAlaska DepartmentofLaborandWorkforceDevelopment(ADOLWD)releaseda30yearpopulation projectionforthestatethatpredictsanaverageannualdeclinefortheSoutheastregion, between2006and2030,of0.31%peryearandforYakutatadeclineof0.41%peryear.The accuracyoftheseprojectionswilldependinpartoneconomictrendsinboththeregionandin Yakutat,whichimpactsmigration. Table4.2,showshowthepopulationofYakutatwouldchangeovertimefrom2009undera rangeofaverageannualgrowthrates.IftheState’sprojectedrateof0.41%isright,Yakutat’s populationin2030wouldbe576.Ifeconomicdevelopmentismorepositiveanda0.5% averageannualrateofchangeoccurs,a2030populationof698couldbeexpected. YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment 29 TABLE4.1–YAKUTATPOPULATION Year Population 1880 300 1890 308 1900 247 1910 271 1920 165 1930 265 1940 292 1950 298 1960 230 1970 190 1980 449 1990 534 2000 808 2008 592 2009 628 AverageAnnualGrowthRate (duringthetimeframeshown,continuallycompounded) 18802009AverageAnnualGrowthRate +0.5% 18801980AverageAnnualGrowthRate +0.4% 19701980AverageAnnualGrowthRate +8.6% 19801990AverageAnnualGrowthRate +1.7% 19902000AverageAnnualGrowthRate +4.1% 20002009AverageAnnualGrowthRate 2.8% Sources:AlaskaDeptofCommerce,CommunityandEconomic Development;SheinbergAssociates TABLE4.2–YAKUTATPOPULATIONPROJECTIONS Very Very Low Med High AverageAnnual Low High RateofChange 3.0% 0.41% 0.5% 1% 1.5% 2009POP 628 628 628 628 628 2020POP 451 600 664 701 741 2030POP 334 576 698 775 761 Source:SheinbergAssociates 4.2.1 Employment EmploymentdatafortheSoutheastregionasawholeindicatesrelativestabilitybetween2001 and2008.In2008,Southeasthadabout36,950jobsintheregion,up1,000jobsor3% comparedto2001.Regionalgrowthsectors,asmeasuredbyemploymentoverthelasteight years,includeTradeandTransportation(significantlytourismrelated),LeisureandHospitality (alsotourismrelated),aswellasEducationandHealth.DecliningsectorsincludeLocal Government,ProfessionalandBusinessServices,Construction,MiningandLogging. 30 YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment

InYakutattherewere343annualaveragejobsin2008(AlaskaDOLWD).Thisisupslightlyfrom atotalannualaverageemploymentof332in2007,butdowncomparedto2000numbers. Mostfishingpermitholders,aswellasbusinessowners,areselfemployedandnotincludedin thesenumbers(fishingcrewtypicallyareincluded). TABLE4.3–EMPLOYMENTINYAKUTAT TotalAnnual AverageAnnual Year Employment MonthlyEarnings 2008 343 $2,658 2007 332 $2,838 2006 328 $2,719 2005 333 $2,317 2004 320 $2,359 2003 314 $2,396 2002 336 $2,386 2001 345 $2,286 2000 390 $2,353 1999 381 $2,291 1998 422 $2,436 1997 479 $2,886 Source:ADOLWDwebsite.EstimatesasofOctober2009 Table4.4showstheemploymentbyindustryinYakutat.Thenumberofjobsingovernmenthas increasedfrom98in1997to131in2007,withthelargestgain(62jobsin1997to131jobsin 2007)inlocalgovernment.Duringthistenyearperiod,thepercentoftotaljobsin manufacturingdecreasedfrom45%toonly19%,whereasjobsinhospitalityservicesrosefrom 9%ofthetotalin1997to18%in2007. TABLE4.4–EMPLOYMENTBYINDUSTRYUPDATE Yakutat Yakutat Alaska2007 2007 1997 TotalAnnualEmployment 332 479 317,188 Government 40% 21% 25% Manufacturing,NaturalResourcesand 19% 45% 14% Construction Trade,TransportationandUtilities 16% 17% 20% FinancialandInformation 3% 3% 7% LeisureandHospitality 18% 9% 10% OtherServices(includingprofessional,healthand 4% 5% 24% education) DatafromAlaskaDepartmentofLaborandWorkforceDevelopmentasofOctober2009 YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment 31 Yakutat’seconomyislessdiversifiedthanthestateasawhole.Yakutatisheavilydependenton governmentemployment,whichcomprises40%ofthecommunity’sjobs.Acomparisonofthe distributionofemploymentbyindustryinYakutatandstatewideshowssomeofthegross strengthsandweaknessesofYakutat'seconomy.Yakutathasmorejobsinmanufacturing whichreflectsthecontributioncommercialfishingandseafoodprocessingindustrymaketothe Yakutateconomy.However,whilestillabovethestatewideaveragein2007,thepercentof jobsattributedtothissectorinYakutatissignificantlylessthaninthelate1990s.Yakutatalso hassignificantlyfewerjobsinprofessional,educationandhealthservicesthanthestatewide average. TABLE4.5–YAKUTAT’SLARGESTEMPLOYERSIN2007 Average Average Rank FirmName Rank FirmName Employment Employment 1 YakutatSeafoods 31 8 MallottsGeneralStore 16 2 YakutatTlingitTribe 30 9 StateGovernment 14 3 CityAndBoroughOfYakutat 29 10 YCC,Inc. 13 AlaskanAirport 4 YakutatSchoolDistrict 28 11 12 Properties 5 FederalGovernment 27 12 AlaskaAirlines 11 6 Wasser&WintersCompany 17 13 YakutatPower 10 WildSitukSalmon& 7 GlacierBearLodge 16 14 10 Seafood Source:ADOLWD,October2009 EmploymentinYakutatcontinuestobeseasonalinnature.In1997,thenumberofjobsin Yakutatdoubledinthesummer.Thisseasonaltrendremainsgenerallythesamein2008,with nearlydoubletwiceasmanyjobsinthesummermonths.Theadditionalsummerjobstendto befishprocessingandtourismrelated.Governmentjobsaremostlyyearround.

AverageAnnualEmploymentinYakutat JanuaryandJuly 700 600 500 400 January 300 July 200 NumberofJobs 100 0

3 8 008 007 002 997 2 2 2006 2005 2004 200 2 2001 2000 1999 199 1 32 YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment

TheADOLWDproducedareportpredictingthestatewidegrowthinvariousoccupationsfrom 2006to2016(AlaskaEconomicTrends,January2009).Thispaperpredictedanoverallaverage 14%increaseinjobgrowthacrossindustries.Industriesprojectedtogrowthefastestare healthcareandsocialassistance;utilities;andprofessional,scientificandtechnicalservices; mining;andarts,entertainmentandrecreation.Underperformingindustriesareexpectedto includegovernment,manufacturing,andinformationservices.Thesearestatewideandnot regionalorlocalprojections,however,Yakutatmustclearlyworkhardtomaintainitsimportant governmentandmanufacturingjobsthatareexpectedtodeclinestatewide. 4.3 Yakutat’sActiveEconomicSectors 4.3.1 Government WhileAlaskansoftencomplainabout“thegovernment”,itisimportanttorealizethat government(local,tribal,schooldistrict,federalandstate)employeescomprise25%ofthe workforcestatewideand,in2007,accountedfor40%ofYakutat'semployment.Theseare typicallyyearroundfamilywagejobsthatareacriticalstabilizingfactorinthelocaleconomy. In2007,governmentemployersinYakutatwerefiveofthe14largestyearroundemployers. AneconomicdevelopmentstrategyforYakutatistovalueandretainthesegovernmentjobs, whileatthesametimeworkingtogrowothereconomicsectors. 4.3.2 CommercialFishing,SeafoodProcessingandMariculture CommercialfishinghaslongbeenYakutat’seconomicmainstay.Yakutat’slocalcommercial fishermendependprimarilyonthesalmonharvest,althoughthereisalsocommercialharvest ofhalibut,blackcodandshellfish.In2007(mostrecentyearwithcompletedata),159 residents(26%ofthepopulation)heldfishingpermitsandmostofthosewereinuse.In2007, resident’sgrossearningsfromallcommercialfishharvestwas$3.2million.Therewere125 permitholderswhofishedforsalmon,28whofishedforhalibutand13whofishedforother groundfish.Thesalmonfisheryaccountsforabout76%ofthecommercialfishingestimated grossearningsinYakutat.The salmonfisheryisseasonal, typicallypeakingduringthe July/Augustsockeyerunand againduringtheSeptember cohorun. Althoughcommercialfishing haslongbeenthecommunity’s principalprivateeconomic WaitingtoflycommercialcohocatchoutoftheTsiuarea activity,theindustryisproneto

YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment 33 shorttermfluctuationsinharvestlevels,profitabilityandemployment.Thevolatilityis balancedsomewhatbytargetingseveralsalmonspeciesthatreturntoseveraldifferentriver systems.ThisspeciesandgeographicdiversificationhelpsbufferYakutat’sfisheriesagainstthe cyclicalextremesthatafflictsomeothersalmonfisheries. TheimportanceofthecommercialfishingandseafoodprocessingtoYakutatcannotbeover emphasized.In2007,16%ofthecommunity’saverageannualemploymentwasdirectlyrelated toseafoodprocessingwithmoreworkersinthesummer,137localpermitholdersfished,and manycommunitybusinessesandservicesweresupportedbythesewagesandlocalspending. The2000censusshowsthatonethirdofallemployeesintown(doesnotincludesself employedpeople)workin,“Agriculture,Forestry,Fishing&Hunting,Mining.”Another6%was inmanufacturing,whichisprimarilyseafoodprocessing.Whilethesenumbershavelikely droppedsince2000itisacommunitygoaltoincreasebacktotheselevelsandhigher. ThereisonelargeseafoodprocessingplantinYakutat,YakutatSeafoods,whichemploys approximately40peopleduringtheheightoftheseason.Althoughsomeemployeesarenot yearroundresidents,theirspendingatlocalbusinessesdoesaddtotheeconomy.Yakutat Seafoodscurrentlyprocesssalmon,halibutandblackcod. TABLE4.6–COMMERCIALFISHING Numberof Numberof Gross TotalPounds Year Permit Fishermen Earnings Landed Holders whoFished 2007 159 137 $3,218,027 2,352,615 2006 163 125 $2,559,788 2,006,779 2005 160 126 NA NA 2004 156 119 $2,312,387 2,421,618 2003 153 117 NA NA 2002 155 106 $1,103,378 2,682,319 2001 165 122 $1,430,601 2,932,101 2000 162 126 $1,372,739 1,805,955 1997 167 138 $3,278,024 3,838,869 1990 154 141 $4,137,486 3,329,745 Source:AlaskaCommercialFisheriesEntryCommission,October2009, Yakutat’smunicipalentitlementincludesthemouthandfirstmileorsoofseveralsalmon bearingstreamsandriversincludingthe(fromeasttowest)Kiklukh,Tashlich,Seal,Tsiu,Tsivat, Chiuki,Kaliakh,andDuktothRivers.TheTsiuRiverhasthemostproductivecohosalmonrunin thearea,butmostoftheserivershavecoho,chum,sockeyeandpinksalmonrunsaswellas cutthroatandrainbowtrout,steelheadanddollyvarden. ManyoftheYakutatresidentswhoholdcommercialsalmonsetnetpermitshave supplementedtheirannualincomeovertheyearsthroughtheTsiuRiverfishery.Thereis

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almost50yearsofrundatafortheTsiuasithasbeencommerciallyfishedandmanagedbythe ADF&Gsincethe1960s.Overthattimeperiodthecohorunhasaveraged56,000fish.In2008, theTsiuRivercohorunwasjustunder75,000fishand49,300wereharvestedcommercially. The2008sportfisherharvestnumberisnotavailableyetbutitwasprobablysimilarto2007 when2,750cohowereharvestedbysportfishers. TheTsiuareaisoneofthemostactive, withmostoftheactivityoccursduring the68weekcohofishingseasonin AugusttoearlyOctober.Stateleases (lodges,airstrips,cabins)onthisnew CBYlandweretransferredfromthe Statetotheboroughinabout2005. Recentactivityintheareaincludesfive sixsportfishingandhuntinglodges(one lodgedidnotoperatein2008)that togetherhaveabouta100bedcapacity andhostedapproximately875anglers (2007),uptosixaircarriersbringingin dayfishers,acommerciallyusedairstrip andfishbuyingstationsupporting1012 setgillnettersfishingcommerciallyand TypicalSetnetCampinTsiuArea stayinginpersonalcabins. BothsportandcommercialfishingattheTsiugenerateboroughrevenue,createjobs,and bringsmoneyintoYakutatthatwouldnototherwisebethere.In2007,taxrevenuegenerated fromsportfishingrelatedactivityintheTsiuareawasover$65,500,justunder4%ofallCBYtax revenue.Sportfishinglodgeleasesalsobroughtin$36,000inrevenuetotheBoroughin2007. Inaddition,twoYakutatbasedaircarriersgeneratesalesfromTsiuboundsportfishing customers,andonelocalresidentisalodgeowner. CommerciallyharvestedTsiucohosgeneratebothlocal1%salmontaxrevenuetotheborough andalsostaterawfishtaxrevenuetotheborough.Therelativeamountoffishtaxthatcanbe attributedtoTsiuRivercohosvariesyeartoyearbasedontherelativestrengthofthisrun versusotherYakutatareasalmonfisheriesandtheprice.YakutatSeafoodsLLCestimatesthat approximately58%ofYakutat’s1%localfishtaxcanbeattributedtoTsiucohos. ThereisahighlevelofinterestandinvestigationintomaricultureinYakutat.Inthelate1980s, therewasatleastoneoysterfarm,butitdidnotsucceedduetologisticalproblems.Inthe early1990s,biologicalandphysicaldatawasgatheredforsixsites.Areawatersaregenerally highlyproductiveforoystergrowth.TheYakTatKwaaniscurrentlyexploringthepossibilityof buildingmariculturefarmsandbusinessinthearea. YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment 35 Infrastructureimprovementsthatcouldenhanceseafoodprocessing,commercialfishingand maricultureinclude: 1. Expandingandimprovingthesmallboatharborbyaddingnewfloats,buildinganew officeandrestroomsandextendingwaterandsewerservices. 2. Addingasmallcoveredareaandcoldstoragefacilitytothemultipurposedock. 3. Buildinganicehouse/coldstoragefacilityintheTsiuRiverareatoenhancefishquality andtheeconomicsofareacommercialfishing. 4. Supporteffortstoprotecthabitatimportanttofisheries. 5. Supportfisheriesenhancementprojects. 6. Boroughcollaborationwithprivatesectoreffortstodiversifythefisheriesindustry throughdevelopmentofexpandedproductlines(e.g.shellfish,groundfish,custom processedseafoodproducts)ornewspecies(e.g.oystermariculture)thatmakeoff seasonuseofexistingcapitalequipmentandworkforceskills. 4.3.3 Tourism TheYakutatBoroughoffersabundantrecreationand tourismopportunities,includingwildernessraftingtrips, premiersportfishing,worldclasssurfingandcruiseship trips.Recreationandtourismarekeyactivitiesthat defineandsustainYakutat.Tourismisdistinguishedfrom recreationinthattourismiscommercialinnatureand moneyisusuallyexchangedforservices.InYakutat, areaspopularforrecreationduetospecialphysical, biologicalandculturalfeaturesarealmostalwaysareas thatarealsousedbyvisitorsfortourismactivity. Therearesignificanttourismrelatedinvestmentsand businessesintheBorough,andtheYakutateconomy benefitsfromvisitorrelatedpurchasing,salesand propertytaxrevenue.Businessesthatservevisitors includingflyingservices,outfitterguides,lodges,bedand breakfasts,restaurants,fuelsales,andretailstores. Kayaker Manyofthesebusinessesonlyoperateseasonally. 36 YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment

TABLE4.7–YAKUTATSALES,BEDANDCARRENTALTAX SalesTax BedTax/CarTax 2009 $742,752(4%taxrate) $165,053(8%taxrate) 2008 $758,269(4%taxrate) $147,168(8%taxrate) 2007 $724,824(4%taxrate) $131,236(8%taxrate) 2006 $748,490(4%taxrate) $165,477(8%taxrate) 2005 $667,193(4%taxrate) $148,344(8%taxrate) 2004 $575,212(4%taxrate) $64,529(4%taxrate) Sources:AlaskaOfficeoftheStateAssessor InYakutatBoroughthereare41businessesthatprovidelodgingofsometype,ofthese27are inthecommunityproperand14elsewhereintheBorough.Thebedtaxandcarrentaltax generated$147,168infiscalyear2008revenuetotheBorough.Ofthetotal41businesses payingbedtax,sevenarebedandbreakfastestablishmentsandtherestareprivaterental cabins,lodgesormotels.Inaddition,thereareshared‘fishhouses,’whicharetechnicallynot businessesandwherenomoneyisexchanged,butnonethelessseemtosupportatransient seasonalpopulationthatcomestofishinthearea. Therearetypicallytwoseasonalrestaurants,withonlyoneusuallystayingopenyearround. TheincreasinglyseasonalnatureoftheeconomyisofgrowingconcerntoYakutatresidents.A relatedissueistheperceptionthatthegrowthofbedandbreakfastbusinesses,whichprovide littleemployment,hascomeattheexpenseofyearroundlodgesandmotelsthatprovidemore employment. Yakutat'srenownedfreshwaterstreamfishingisakeystoneofthetourismindustry.In2004, therewere22outfitterguidepermitsissuedforTongassForestlandwithintheBorough.Of these,16wereforsportfishingandnine wereforbiggameguiding.Intownthere arethreelodgesthatprimarilycaterto visitorsthatcomeforthesportfishing. ThereisonelodgearoundIcyBay,andin theTsiuRiverareathereareanotherseven large,multibuildinglodgeandcamp complexesthatcatertosportsfishingand huntingactivities.Theselodgesare primarilybuiltonleasedStatelandandare betweentheKiklukhandDuktothRivers, westofCapeYakataga.Somelodgesbegan RecreationCabininTsiuArea withoutpermitsandapprovalsandwereissuedafterthefactpermitsbytheState.This preventedthefrontendsiteplanninganddesignthatcanminimizeenvironmentalimpactsand promotesustainability.Collectivelythesebusinessesgenerateanestimated$1.5millionin annualgrossreceipts. YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment 37 FishingactivitiesfocusontheAlsek,East,Akwe,Italio,Dangerous,Antlen,Ahrnklin,Situk,Tsiu, Tsivat,KaliakhandKiklukhRiverdrainageswheresteelheadandsalmonfishingrunsoccurfrom springthroughfalleachyear.Biggamehuntingformoose,brownandblackbear,and mountaingoattakesplacethroughouttheareadependingonthetargetspecies.Most,butnot all,sporthuntingandfishingisassociatedwithoneofthelodgesinthearea.However,some daytripsarebycharteredaircraftfromYakutatorCordova,orbycharteredboats. Withsuccessfulandflourishingfishingandguidingrelatedtourism,residentswouldliketosee morenonconsumptivetourismandrecreationopportunitiesintheBorough.Thisincludes kayaking,canoeing,surfing,birding,photography,experiencingandunderstandingtheregion’s richNativecultureandhistoryandhiking.Recreationactivitiesavailableintheareainclude guidedandunguidedkayaking,camping,raftingandhikingtripsintheAlsekRiver,Harlequin Lake,aroundYakutatBay,theHubbardGlacier,IcyBay,VitusLake,alongthenorthGulfCoast, andinthemountainsofWrangellSt.EliasNationalParkandPreserve.Atypical10daypackage forguidedtripis$2,500perperson.Locallyownedbusinessesthatprovideandassistwith theseexperiences,isanimportantgoalforthecommunity. TheBoroughfindsitimportanttopermitandallowcabins,lodgesandotherpermanent structuresinthisareainordertoavoidthesituationonUSForestServicelandtotheeastnear theSitukRiver.There,theForestServicepolicytoprohibitpermanentstructureshasledtothe developmentoftemporarystructuresthroughtheareathatmanyfindunsightly.Borough residentspreferissuingpermitsforwellmadeaestheticcabinsandstructurestosupportsport andcommercialfisheriesandprovideasafeandqualityexperience. CruiseshipstravelalongthecoastandintoYakutatandDisenchantmentBayandoccasionally IcyBay.TherearenotmanycruiseshipsinIcyBaywhencomparedtoDisenchantmentBay, but,visitationisincreasing.ThisisdueinparttocruiseshiplimitsinGlacierBayNationalPark. Residentshaveraisedconcernsabouttheimpactofcruiseshipvisitationonsealsandother marinemammalsandnotethatnavigationalsafetyisatissuesincetheentrancetoIcyBayis shallow.Thenumberofcruiseshipsvisitingtheareahasdroppedfrom41in2008to38in 2009.Only16shipsarescheduledtovisitinthe2010season.TheYTThasaprogramthat placesYakutatresidentsoncruiseshipstoprovidelocalinterpretiveprograms.Onlyonecruise shipcompany,HollandAmerica,iscurrentlytakingadvantageofthisprogram. ThedevelopmentoffacilitiesthatshowcasethelocalcultureandheritagewillbenefitYakutat’s tourismindustries.Possibleprojectscouldincludeaculturalcenter/museumandthe restorationoftheYakutatandSouthernRailroad.Thiswouldinvolveerectinganenginehouse inwhichtoperformrestorationwork,restoringtheexistinglocomotiveandrollingstockto operatingconditionandrebuildingtracksontheexistingrightofwaytooperatescenicvisitor excursions.Theadditionofinterpretivepanelsatkeyvisitorlocationswouldalsobeofbenefit.

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Interestinensuringthatthearea’sanadromousfishstreamsandresourcesareprotectedwhile thebusinessesthatdependuponthemgrowhasledtoacalltoconsidersharedfacilitiesand infrastructure.Forexample,inordertominimizetheimpactonstreambanksandfishhabitat fromairboats,hundredsoffishermanwalkingtoandalongstreamsandATVuse,theBorough andStatecouldestablishfishingtrailsandairboatuseareasatcertainstreams.Insome instancestheycouldpursuesharingofairstripsandtrailsamonglodges.Somecounterthat humanimpactisminimalcomparedwiththearea’sseveretides,windandsandstormsand naturalerosionandstreammigration.Thesedebateshighlighttheneedforsitespecificreview ofproposedprojectsassomeareaswillbeaffectedmorebynaturalforcesandotherareasare experiencingmorehumancauseddegradation. 4.3.4 MiningandGravelExtraction MininghasplayedasmallbutimportantpartinYakutat'seconomy.Miningwasactiveatthe endofthe1800swhenthereweresporadicattemptstorecovergoldfromtheblacksandsof thelocalbeaches.AccordingtoUSGSBulletin#1786,theareadirectlyalongandadjacentto thecoastlineoftheGulfofAlaska,betweenYakutatBayandtheBoroughboundarytothe south,isconsideredasignificantmetalliferousplacerdistrict(DNR1994).TheUSGSconsiders theareabothashorelineplacertitaniumdistrictandaplacerplatinumgroupelementsdistrict (DNR1994). In2008and2009therewasincreasedminingexplorationintheYakutatBorough.Oklahoma CitybasedGeohedralstakedminingclaimsonalmost60,000acresintheYakutatForelands primarilybetweentheDangerousRiverandDryBay.InOctober2009,thecompanyannounced thatexplorationhadrevealedanestimated35millionouncegolddepositwithsilvercredits. Someresidents,theYakutatSalmonBoardandYakutatTlingitTribehaveraisedconcernover theproposedplacerminingmethod’sdisruptionandimpacttothemanyanadromousstreams, fishhabitatandculturalsites. TheYakatagaAreaPlan,MineralsandMaterialsResourcesReport(DNR1993)contains informationonareaminerals.Therearefivepreciousmetalssites,sixbasemetalssites,and oneindustrialsitelocatedwithintheBorough.Littleinformationisavailableontheproduction potentialorrecoverableamountsofmineralsatthesesites.ThesitesthatDNRidentifiedinthe Borougharerecordedprospects,notactivemineralsites.Someofthesesiteswereexamined almost100yearsagoandhavehadseennoactivitysince.TheBureauofMineshas,however, reportedinformationonthreeofthedepositsbelievedtocontaingold:(1)BlacksandIsland wasworkedintermittentlyoverthelast100yearsbuthasbeeninactivesince1976;(2)the KhantaakIslanddepositwasdiscoveredin1887andwasworkedintermittentlybetween1888 and1905,butclaimshavebeeninactivesince1976;and(3)theLoganBeachsitewasworked byplacerminersbetween1900and1905andintermittentlysincethenbuthasbeeninactive since1976.Allthreedepositsarecomposedofauriferousblackbeachsandsconcentratedby waveaction. YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment 39 Miningforplacergoldhasoccurredatvariouslocationsalongthecoastandinlandsinceabout 1903onanintermittentbasis.Thereareseveraldifferentblocksofminingclaimsinthe Yakatagaarea.In1903,therewere2550minersintheYakatagaareaandin1904over250 minersworkedthearea.Bythemid2000sonefamilycompanyhad70federalminingclaims and13stateminingclaimsintheYakatagaareathatwereoriginallystakedin1953and1954by thelateGeorgeFennimore.Theseminingclaimshavebeenexploredandcouldseeproduction inthefuture.OperatingplanshavebeenfiledwiththeBureauofLandManagementandState ofAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources.Anotherfamilyhas16patentedfederalmining claimsontheWhiteRiver,eightmileseastoftheYakatagaRiver.Thisoperatorusesthe YakatagaRiverBridgetoaccesstheFAAairstripforbringinginpersonnel,equipmentand supplies.AthirdfamilyminerhasStatebeachclaimsthathavebeenconvertedtoleases totalingapproximately1000acres.Aswiththeotherminers,thisoperationiseastoftheriver andisdependentontheYakatagaRiverBridgetogettotheFAAairstrip. Theonshoreandmarinesandsofthisareaarealsoofeconomicinterestforvariousminerals. Inadditiontogold,magnetite,ilmenite,garnet,andzirconarewidelydistributedthroughout thearea.Largeresourcesofirontitaniumsandscontainingabundantmagnetiteandassociated ilmenitearepresentonshoreandoffshore.Otherheavymineralspresentinthebeachsands includehighqualitygarnetandzircon.CoalresourceshavealsobeenidentifiedatChaixHills, OakleeSpit(westoftheBoroughatControllerBay)andCarbonMountain(westoftheBorough andnorthofBergLakes). LowlandareasalongthewesternshoreofYakutatBaycontainglacialmorainedepositsof unconsolidatedsand,gravel,silt,andclay.MostoftheoutwashdepositsintheYakutatarea provideexcellentconstructionaggregate.Aftercobblesareremoved,theyareagoodsourceof fillandfoundationmaterialforroadbedsandstructures.Gravelextractionshouldbe conductedinamannercompatiblewithotherresources,particularlywithanadromousfishand otheraquatichabitat.RecentlytheYakTatKwaan(surfaceowner)andSealaskaCorporation (subsurfaceowner)havebeenworkingtogethertoconsiderdevelopmentandmarketingof sandandgravelresources.TheBoroughcouldassistbysupportinginstallationofagravel conveyoreitheratthemultipurposedockoratoneofthelogtransferfacilitiesontheroad system. IncreasingminingactivityandgravelextractionintheBoroughhasthepotentialtostimulate thelocaleconomyinYakutat,butmustbedoneinamannerthatprotectsfishhabitat, culturallysensitiveareasandareasusedforsubsistencehuntingandgathering.Miningrelated developmentthatdoesoccurshouldfollowtheboroughordinanceandshouldbedeveloped consistentwithstateandfederalenvironmentalregulations. In2009,theBoroughamendeditsMunicipalCodetoaddChapter8.52thataddressesmineral explorationandmining.ThischapterestablishesBoroughreviewandpermitproceduresfor conductofexploration,andprocedurestogainapprovaltoopenamine,conductmining operations,andprovideforfinalreclamationandfinancialwarrantyreleaseattheconclusionof 40 YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment explorationandminingoperationsandreclamationofaffectedsurface.Itspurposeistofoster thedevelopmentofasafe,healthyandenvironmentallysoundminingindustrywhileprotecting theoverallinterestsofpublichealth,safetyandgeneralwelfare,andtominimizethe environmentalandsurfaceeffectsofminingprojectsforwhichanexplorationnoticeormining permitisrequired. 4.3.5 CommercialTimberHarvest TimberhasbeencommerciallyharvestedintheBoroughsincethelate1960s,withmajor timbersalestakingplaceatWhiteRiver,onChugachAlaskaCorporationlandineastIcyBay,on AlaskaMentalHealthTrustlandsbetweentheCapeandwestIcyBayIcyBayandinvarious locationsneartheYakutattownsite.MuchofthetimberharvestintheBoroughwascentered inthewesternboroughandwas supportedbytheIcyBaylogging camp,airstrip,LogTransfer Facilityanda45+mileroad system.Thereiscurrentlyvery littletimberharvesttakingplace orplannedforthenearfuture duetochangesintheworld timbermarkets.TheIcyBay loggingcampisclosed,asare manyoftheloggingroadsinthe area.Roadclosureusually involvespullingoutbridgesand culverts,waterbarringorcross IcyBayLogTransferFacility ditchingtheroadsorleaving theminaconditionsuitableto controlerosion.Thisreduces maintenancecosts,butisalso makesvehicleaccesstothese areasdifficultorimpossible. YakTatKwaanInc.wasoneof threefoundingvillage corporationsintherecently disbandedKoncorForest ProductsInc.In1984,Koncor constructedasawmillinYakutat toproducelumberfromlocally harvestedtimber.Itoperated intermittentlyduring1985,then WestIcyBayLoggingCampandAirstrip shutdownandneverreopened. YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment 41 Inthepast,timberharvesthascontributedsignificantlytothelocaleconomyandcreatedjobs forresidentsinYakutatandYakataga.However,Boroughresidentshavealsovoicedanumber ofconcernsaboutcommercialtimberharvest.Themainissuessurroundingtimberharvestin theYakutatarea:ensuringtimberharvestfollowspermitconditionsandrules;restoringlogged areas;preventingdegradationoffutureloggingareas;andensuringloggingiscompatiblewith resourceusesandvaluesespeciallyfisheries.

TheForestPracticesActandRegulationsdonotregulateclearcutsize.The1995State YakatagaAreaPlansetthemaximumsizeforharvestunitsat160acresforunitsonStateland. ThesizeoftimberharvestunitsonAlaskaMentalHealthTrustandprivateorcorporateland hasnosimilarsizerestrictions.Statetimbersalesarelaidoutattemptingtofindwindfirm boundariesfortheharvestareas.OntheUniversitySettlementtimberblock,theentireareais availableforharvestexceptthatfishstreamsmustbebufferedandindividualunitharvestsize cannotexceed160acres. Inaddition,manyresidentsfeltthatthepublicandBoroughstaffhavenotadequatelyinformed aboutwheretimberharvesthasbeencompletedandwhereharvestingwillbetakingplacein thefuture.Shouldtimberharvestoperationsbecomeactiveagain,theBorough,itsresidents, timberharvestoperatorsandlandownerswouldallbenefitifavehicle,suchayearlymeeting couldresultinmoreregularcommunication. Currentmarketconditionswilllikelykeepcommercialtimberharvestactivitylow.However, theinstallationofbiomasselectricalgenerationplantisinstalledinYakutatcouldchangethis, withfuelfortheplantcomingfromeitherwastewoodoraplantedcrop.Locallandowners withsubstantialholdings,suchastheYakTatKwaan,couldbenefitfromthis. AccordingtotheYakutatCommunitySurveytwothirdsoftheresidentssupportorstrongly supportsmalltimbersales,onethirdsupportlargertimbersalesand18%supportnotimber harvest.Tobeofbenefit,timberharvestintheBoroughshouldinvolvelocalvalueadded production,localjobsandshouldmeetStateandFederalenvironmentalregulations. 4.3.6 OilandGas ThepetroleumindustryhasbeeninterestedintheYakutatareasincetheKatallafieldnearthe CopperRiverwasdiscoveredintheearly1900s.Fortyfourwellsweredrilledandabout 154,000barrelsofoilwereproducedover30years.Renewedexplorationbetween1954and 1969resultedin26moretestwellsdrilledinthefield(DNR1993). Thereweretwocompetitiveoffshoreleasesalesbetween1960and1967inYakutatBay.There werealsoanumberofstateandfederalonshoreoilandgasleasesissuedinthe1950sand 1960sontheYakutatForelands.Throughthe1970sandearly1980sexploratorydrillingwas carriedoutinvariouslocations.Theareaalongthecoastanddirectlyoffshorealongtheentire 42 YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment shorelineoftheBoroughisconsideredanoilandgasbasin,majorresourcearea,accordingto theAlaskaDivisionofGeologicalandGeophysicalServicesSpecialReport32(DNR1994).The oilandgasbasinencompassesnearlyalloftheGulfofAlaskawithintheBoroughboundary. Althougheconomicreservesofoilorgashavenotbeenidentified,theareaalongthecoasthas beenwellknownformanyyearstocontainoilandgas.Therewasactiveoffshoreandonshore oilandgasexplorationfromthe1960sthroughthe1980s.Naturalgasseepshavebeenseenat theIcyBayareagasseepingoutofcliffs,andmineralpotentialisdocumentedatWhiteRiver, theYakatagaareaandotherplaces.MinersexploringnearLittleRiverreporteddiggingtestpits onlytohaveapoolofoiltodevelopintheholes.Oilseepsarefoundatnumeroussitesfrom CapeSuckling.TheshallowKatallaoilfield(locatedsixtymileswestofCapeYakataga)and severalonshoreandoffshoreoilandgasseepsalongthisstretchoftheGulfofAlaskashoreline promptedinterestinthehydrocarbonpotentialofthecoastalzoneofthenorthernGulfof Alaska. 4.4 EconomicDevelopment–GoalsandPolicies Goal1.Promoteprivateandgovernmentalcooperationandcoordinationindevelopingsmall businessesandinattractingnewindustrythatbenefitstheBorough. EconomicPolicy1.1Createandmaintainacomprehensivestudyofeconomicgrowth trendsthatincludesavailabledatafromboroughrevenuerecords,economiccensus data,andqualitativeknowledge. EconomicPolicy1.2Continuetomaintainandimprovepublicinfrastructure,suchas thedock,portfacilities,shoresidefacilities,waterandsewerutilities,electricpower utility,roads,andthesmallboatharborexpansion,toprovideabasisforeconomic development. EconomicPolicy1.3SupporttheChamberofCommerceeffortstomoveforwardwith economicdevelopment. Goal2.Developadiverseeconomythatprovideslongterm,yearroundemployment opportunitiesforlocalresidentswithoutadverselyaffectingthelocallifestyle. EconomicPolicy2.1Continuetoseekfundingresourcestosupplementstaffingand activitiesattheschoolsandmedicalfacilities. EconomicPolicy2.2Supportlocalcommercialestablishmentsincludinglocalretailers, airlines,andlodgingfacilities. EconomicPolicy2.3Buildthecapacityofthelocallaborforcebysupportingtribaland businesstrainingprogramsforlocalsaimedatbuildingcareerskills. YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment 43 EconomicPolicy2.4Partnerwithlocalbusinessesandtheschooldistricttofacilitate vocationaltrainingopportunitiesandcareerexplorationprogramsforlocalyouth. EconomicPolicy2.5Encouragetheuseofonthejobtrainingandpreemployment trainingprogramsindevelopingindustriestobringaboutahigherrateoflocalhirein theseindustries. Goal3.Promoteandexpandrecreationalandtourismopportunitieswhileprotectingthe traditionalsubsistenceandcommercialuseofthebiologicalresources. EconomicPolicy3.1Cooperatewithlocal,state,federal,privateandtribalagenciesto developandpromotetourismintheboroughwithafocusonpromotingresident ownedvisitororientedbusinesses,especiallythosethatcatertononconsumptive visitors. EconomicPolicy3.2Initiateaprogramtoplanandimplementlongrangetourism development.Thiscouldincludeaninventoryofassets,astrategythatidentifiestarget markets,amarketingplan,promotionalmaterial,aprioritizedlistofneeded improvementsandtheongoingcoordinationofpublicandprivatevisitorindustry development. EconomicPolicy3.3Encouragetourismdevelopmentisdoneinamannerthatprotects fishandwildlifepopulations,habitats,andcommunitysubsistenceactivities. EconomicPolicy3.4PromoteanddevelopYakutatasanaccesspointforWrangellSt. EliasandGlacierBayNationalParksandtheRussellFiordWildernessArea. EconomicPolicy3.5Cleanupthecity,especiallythecoreareaandtheroadbetween theairportandthesmallboatharbor,toenhancetheimagereceivedbytourists. Establisharoadcleanupprogramsponsoredbylocalbusinessesandorganizations. EconomicPolicy3.6Maintain,protect,andwherenecessaryenhance,theBorough’s widevarietyofhighqualityrecreationalopportunitiestomeettheneedsofresidents andvisitors.Expandthetrailsystem.(Seerecreationpoliciesformoredetail). EconomicPolicy3.7EncouragesmallcruiseshipstovisitYakutat.PromotetheYakutat TlingitTrineprogramthatprovideslocalinterpretersoncruiseshipsthatvisitthearea. EconomicPolicy3.8Improveinterpretiveservicesandmaterialsthatprovidevisitor information.

44 YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment

Goal4.Increaselocal,valueaddedprocessingofYakutat'snaturalresourceswhile minimizingadverseimpactsonotherimportantresourcesanduses. Economic Policy 4.1 Work with the state and the Bureau of Land Management to identify and map all operational mining claims within the Borough. Ensure baseline informationonexistingresourcesiscompletepriortoinitiatingminingprojects. EconomicPolicy4.2Design,site,andconductmining,andsandandgravelextraction activitiestobecompatiblewithothercoastalresources,tominimizeconflictswith surroundinglanduses,andtominimizeimpactstoair,land,andwaterquality,andto coastalhabitats. EconomicPolicy4.3TheBorough’sminingordinanceshouldbeenforced. EconomicPolicy4.4Sandandgravelextractionoperationsshallbedesignedtoblend withnaturalsurroundingsandtoenhanceriparianhabitats.Pitsshouldbesmallerand shouldbehiddenfromkeyviewsheds. EconomicPolicy4.5Prohibitsandandgravelextractionspawningandoverwintering habitatforanadromousfishunlesstheprojectoritsreclamationenhancesfishor wildlifehabitatbasedonthirdpartyassessment. EconomicPolicy4.6Settlingpondsthatarepartofgravelandsandextraction operationsaretobeprotectedfromflooding. EconomicPolicy4.7Reclaimationofallextractionsitesshallberequired,unless reclaimationwouldcausegreateradverseimpacttotheenvironment.Topsoiland overburdenshallbestoredseparatelyandprotectedfromflooding.Attheendofeach miningseason,disturbedareasshallberegardedtostableslopesandpotentialflood areasshallberegardedtogroundcontoursthatwillnotentrapfishanddisturbedareas shallbestabilizedandrevegetatedasappropriate.Projectscreatinglakesorpits adjacenttofishhabitatmustmeetdissolvedoxygenminimumsforrearingfishatall timesduringtheyear EconomicPolicy4.8Restorationofsandandgravelextractionsitesshallincludethe following;disturbedareasintheminesiteshallbegradedtostableslopesthatblend withnaturaltopography,erosioncontrolmeasuresshallbeusedanddisturbedareas shallbecoveredwithtopsoilandnativeplantspecies. EconomicPolicy4.9Encouragesmallscaleselectedtreeharvests(lessthan250,000 boardfeet)forvalueaddedindustriesthatmaintaintheproductivityofforestsoilsand ecosystems,andpromotestheregenerationofharvestedforests. YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment 45 EconomicPolicy4.10ThestandardsoftheAlaskaForestPracticesActshallbe applicabletoallloggingoperationsonpublicandprivatelandsandtheBorough supportstheirstrictenforcement.CreateBoroughregulationswhenActisnotstringent enoughtoprotectthelocallandandresources. EconomicPolicy4.11Themovementoflogstostorageorshipmentsitesshouldbe limitedtopreviouslyusedloggingroads,androutesshouldbeplanningtominimize trafficthroughresidentialareas. Goal5.ProtectandenhancethecommercialfishingresourcesintheBorough. EconomicPolicy5.1Supportthedevelopmentofnew,diversefisheriesinYakutatwith afocusonactivitiesthatcanbedoneyearroundandthatcomplementtheseasonal salmonfishery. EconomicPolicy5.2Protectsitesidentifiedforpotentialmariculturedevelopmentand supportmariculturepermitapplications. EconomicPolicy5.3Encourageandsupportthedevelopmentofvalueadded processingandinnovatingmarketingoflocalfishproducts. EconomicPolicy5.4Minimizepotentialconflictsforcompetingusesofareasor resourcesinfishinggroundsduringcommercialharvestseasons.Thefirststepisto implementtherecommendationsofthe2009TsiuRiverFisheriesandLand ManagementReport. EconomicPolicy5.5MaintainagoodrelationshipwiththestateandlocalFishand GameagenciesandAdvisoryBoard. EconomicPolicy5.6Maintainandimprovestructuresandfacilitiesthatsupportthe localfishprocessingindustryandfleet. EconomicPolicy5.7Continuetosupportinnovativebrandingoflocalseafood, includingtheYakutatWildmarketingcampaign.

46 YakutatComprehensivePlan|EconomicDevelopment

5 TransportationandAccess

Goal1.Establishacosteffective,convenient,andsafetransportationsystem,bothwithin theBoroughandlinkingtheBoroughwithothercommunities. Goal2.Developalocalstreetnetworkthatiswelldesignedandconstructedtominimize futuresafetyproblemsandmaintenancecosts. Goal3.Developanintegratedmultiusetrailsystemtoserveboroughresidentsand visitors. Goal4.Improveharborfacilitiestosupportcommercialfishing,recreationandtourism. Goal5.ProvideaccesstotheremoteareasoftheBoroughforrecreation,subsistence activitiesandeconomicdevelopment. 5.1 Context YakutatisconnectedtoothercommunitiesinSoutheastAlaskaandSouthcentralAlaskabyair andwater;therearenoroadsintothecommunity.Passengersarrivemostlybyair,asthe AlaskaMarineHighwaySystemstopsinYakutatonceortwiceamonthduringnorthandsouth boundonitscrossgulftripsfromMarchthroughSeptember.TheYakutatAirportisan excellentfacility,anddirectdailyjetserviceisprovidedtoJuneau,AnchorageandCordova. Thenetworkoflocalroadsprovidesaccessthroughoutthetownandtosomesubsistence fishingandrecreationsites. TheprimarytransportationfacilitiesownedandoperatedbytheBorougharemostofthe smallersecondaryroads,theSmallBoatHarbor,theFuelDockandthedockatthecannery whichisownedbytheBoroughandleasedtothecanneryoperator.Mostofthecommunity’s busierroadsareownedandmaintainedbythestate.TheUSFSalsoownsandmaintainsmany roadsinthearea.TheIcyBayLoggingRoadismaintainedbythetimberharvesterunder contractaspartofitscontractwiththeUniversityorAlaskaMentalHealthTrust. YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess 47 5.2 LocalRoadNetwork ThelocalroadnetworkinYakutatislargelyunpaved.TheStateownsandmaintainstheAirport Road,MallottAvenue,MaxItalioDrive,DangerousRiverRoad,LostRiverRoadandOceanCape Road.ManyBoroughandStateroadsneedresurfacingorimprovementsrelatedtorightof wayproblemsandpoordrainage.PriorityshouldbegiventoroadprojectsthatmakeYakutat’s streetssaferandhavepotentialeconomicbenefitsforthecommunity.Accidentdatacanbe usedtohighlightintersectionswheresafetyimprovementsareneeded.Roadimprovement projectsarelistedinTable5.1. TABLE5.1–YakutatRoadProjects

Project Description Priority Owner JustificationandNotes Resurfacing ResurfaceAirportroad,extendexisting Funded State  CBYtotakeover StateRoads DangerousRiverRoadpavementtoaccess UnderSTIP ownershipupon newentrancetocitylandfill,resurfaceand completionofproject extendexistingOceanCapeRoad  Proceedwithprojectin pavement,paveandimprovedrainage 2010 alongMaxItalioRoadandreplacetwotidal reliefculvertsandrelatedworkonMallot Avenue. CurrentlyfundedbySTIP. YakutatAvenue Improveditchinganddrainage.Shiftroad Highest CBY  Improveaccessto Reconstruction alignmentfromSouthRidgeRoadtoMax privateproperty. ItalioDrivetolocateitwithintheplatted  Fixproblemsrelatedto rightofway.Constructatreatedbaseand roadsexistingoutside supplyaBST.Roadwidthmaybetoo therightofway narrowinsections. AreawideStreet Identifyprioritiesandaddilluminationat Highest CBY  Importantforsafetyand Lighting intersectionandotherlocationswithlocal toencouragewalking Installation governmentprovidingforelectricalcosts. andbiking.Especially HighestpriorityisonDangerousRiverRoad importantnearthe fromthehighschooltoAirport/Mallotand schools. MallotAvenuefromDangerousRiverRoad totheboatharbor. AlaskaState Constructahardsurfaceandasidewalkfor High CBY  InIRRapplicationtopave Housing thetwoentranceroadsfromForest andaddsidewalks Authority Highway10(CouncilandOrcaavenues). SubdivisionRoad Constructahardsurfaceforconnecting Paving streets(Haida,Tlingit,TongassandTotem Avenues).Combinedlengthof1.1miles. Thunderland ExtendthisroutetoPostOfficeDrive.Apply High CBY  Lotdevelopment RoadExtension aBSTtotheentireroute. potentialfortheborough andBST  IRRapplicationtorepave existingroadandadd sidewalk

48 YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess

TABLE5.1–YakutatRoadProjects

Project Description Priority Owner JustificationandNotes OceanCape ImprovedrainageandapplyaBSTtofour High CBY  Highpriorityprovide RoadandBridge milesofpublicroadbetweenMontiBay accesstocemetery Upgrade Roadandthepilesupportedcrossingof  Needtoupgradefrom Ankauslough,Replacedeteriorated singlelanetodoublelane componentsandupgradebridgerailing.  IRRfundingpossiblefor bridgereplacement  Bridgemaybesub standard RidgeRoad Constructahardsurfaceforthisroad, Medium CBY  Roadisverybadand Paving whichis0.6milesinlength. improvementsare requiredforarea residents  ProvidesaccesstoCBY watertank  Roadsurfaceisnot totallycontainedwithin therightofway  InIRRapplicationtopave –sidewalkmightnotfit alonghere SouthAddition ApplyaBSTtothisroutewhichis0.3miles Medium CBY  Providesaccesstolots RoadBST long. withdevelopment potential WestAddition ApplyaBSTtothisroutewhichis0.5miles Medium CBY  Importantroadforlot RoadBST inlength. development

CouncilAvenue ExtendRoadfromtheASHAhousing Low CBY  Wouldserve22lotswith Extensionto developmenttothenewTlingitandHaida infrastructure LakeStreet Subdivision,fromCouncil,TlingitorHaida roadtoGagaandeiyiRoad. PorterHill Improvementsindrainage,widthand Low CBY  Roadisinpoorcondition AccessRoad gradesforthisroadtohomes,whichwould  Improvementswill Improvements alsoensurewinteraccessforemergency benefitarearesidents vehicles. andprovidebetter emergencyaccess DangerousRiver Inventorydrainagestructuresalong19 Low USFS  Projectispartly RoadFish milesofhighwayandupgradecross completed Passage drainagetosatisfyprotocolsforfish  Workisnecessaryto Enhancements passage. keeproadfromwashing out CannonBeach ConstructahardsurfaceforthisForest Low CBY  USFSbridgeis RoadPaving DevelopmentRoad(9963)whichis2.4 deteriorating milesinlength,Doesnotincludewidening ofthebridgeacrossTawahCreek.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess 49 TABLE5.1–YakutatRoadProjects

Project Description Priority Owner JustificationandNotes ForestHighway WidenthehighwayandapplyaBST. Low USFS  Providesmainaccessto 10.Ahrnklinto Enhancetheturnaroundareaattheendof areasportsfisheryand DangerousRiver thestateownedsegment,whichis4.5 smalltimberharvestarea milesinlength.Doesnotincludewidening whicharecriticaltothe ofthebridgeacrossDangerousRiver. economy  Longtraveltimeonpoor road  Trafficcountsshouldbe donetodetermineifBST isbestsolution ForestHighway ApplyBSTtothisstateownedsegment, Low State  AccesstoForestService 10BST(FDR whichis15mileslong. Lands 9955toAhrnklin  Providesaccessto River) hunting,sportfishing, berrypicking,recreation ForestHighway ConstructatreatedbaseandapplyaBST Low USFS  AccesstoForestService 10BST forthefirstninemilesbeyondthelandfill Lands entrance.Upgradedrainage.Increasecross  Hunting,sportfishing, drainagecapacityandraiseroadelevation berrypicking,recreation atMP4.8.Delineateparkingandpublicuse areasoneachsideofSitukRiver PostOffice Installretainingwallandguardrail,grading Low CBY  Someworkhasbeen StreetUpgrade andsurfacingofexistingroad.Extendthe completed andExtension routetocommercialandresidential  Roadisnotyetupto property. standards  Lowpriorityfortribe RussellFjord AddaliftofgraveltothisForest Low USFS  Roadprovidestrailhead RoadSurface DevelopmentRoad(9955)whichis3miles access inlength.  Fairdistancefromtown withlowtraffic  Potentialtoflood SitukLakeRoad AddaliftofgraveltothisForest Low USFS  Farawayfrom Surfacing DevelopmentRoad(9951)whichis6miles community inlength.  Lessimportant  Providesaccessto recreationareas  RACnomination? SawmillCove ApplyaBSTtothisforestDevelopment Low USFS  Roadconditionisnottoo RoadBST Road(9957)whichis0.8milesinlength. bad  Providesaccesstothe logtransferfacility  USFSroad–nota communitypriority MillerCreek Inresponsetotheupstreamchannel Low  Statenominatedproject Erosion changes,constructalongtermsolution Protection thatcarriestheflowofMillerCreek throughitscrossingoftheDangerousRiver 50 YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess

TABLE5.1–YakutatRoadProjects

Project Description Priority Owner JustificationandNotes Road.Themostlikelyimprovement involvesraisingroadwayelevationand armoringtheembankment. LostRiverRoad Upgradethebeginningoftherouteand Low  Statenominatedproject Relocationand constructonemileofroadonanew BST alignmentthatconnectstooveronehalf mileofformerloggingroad.Upgradethe remainderoftherouteontheexisting alignmentfromthejunctionwithTawah CreekRoad.ApplyBSTtotheentireroad(7 miles). Courthouse Relocationtoimprovealignmentand Low CBJ  Developmentofshort Road drainage. streetsegmentwill provideaccesstoseveral homesthatarecurrently onlyaccessiblevia privatepropertyandwill provideadequateaccess foremergencyvehicles andsnowremoval equipment.  Existsasatrail NorthAddition YakutatAlaskaSubdivisionAccess. Low  Wouldprovideaccessto ConstructionofroadfromMallottAvenue futureresidential neartheSmallBoatHarborinaloop subdivision. aroundahilltoreconnectwithMallott  Exactroadlayouttobe northofthe"Lagoon"outlet. determined. Leonard's  Willprovideaccessto ADOT&PFplanningtoconstructanewfloat LandingRoad newfloatplanebase. planebasebetweentheSmallBoatHarbor andLeonard'sLanding.Accesswill presumablybegainedfromthemidpointof theroadtoLeonard'sLanding.Significant improvementtotheroadfromMallott Avenuetothejunctionwiththefloatplane baseaccessandpossiblybeyondtothe boroughparkwillbeneededtobringthe accessuptoareasonablestandard. 5.3 NonMotorizedTransportation Improvingfacilitiesforpedestriansandcyclistswillhelptoencourageresidentstotakemore tripsusingnonmotorizedtransportation.Nonmotorizedtransportationfacilitiesinclude sidewalks,bikelane,wideshoulderlaneswithspaceforwalkersandcyclists,andseparated

YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess 51 pathsortrailsthatcanbeusedbyallnonmotorizedusers.Thesefacilitiescanbeusedfor recreationorfortripstodestinationslikeschools,stores,orworkplaces. ProposedtrailprojectsarelistedinTable5.2.Figure2showstheexistingandproposedtrails. TABLE5.2–YakutatNonMotorizedTransportationProjects

Project Description Priority Owner JustificationandNotes TotemTrail Borough Providemoredirect Firstphaseofthisprojectiscompleted; pedestrianaccess,separated thereareexpansionplans.Yakutat fromvehicletraffic. Avenueand2ndStreetTrailandStairway Construction.Theupperpartofthe2nd StreetrightofwaythatconnectsHigh StreetandYakutatAvenuewouldbea trailwithstairs,notaroad.Similarly,the southeasternendoftheYakutatAvenue rightofway,whichconnectswithMax ItalioDrive,wouldbestbedevelopedasa trailwithstairs. RailroadTrailfrom ThetrailexistsfromtheFishTrainParkto Borough Providesaccesstoa AirporttoSituk theairport.Thisprojectwouldextendthe historicaltouristattraction River trailintheformerrailroadtoafacilityfor andatransportationoption pedestrians,bicyclistsandwinterusers forthegeneralpublictothe approximately4milesfromtheairport. GlacierBeararea,the Yakutatairportandthe Situk/AhnklinRiverfishing area. Trailfrom Borough Provideexpandedrecreation Exactalignmenttobedetermined. DangerousRiverto opportunitiestothe DryBay. community. OphirRiverArea Exactalignmenttobedetermined. Borough Provideexpandedrecreation Trail opportunitiestothe community. CanoeTrail Borough Provideexpandedrecreation Restorationofthecanoe/kayaktrails Development opportunitiestothe extendingfromtheAnkaulagoonssouth community. andeastinlandofthecoast. Improvementswouldincludebrushing, dredgingasappropriate,andconstruction ofaccessareasandpublic.

52 YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess 4 March 2010 Miles Glacier Bear Future Trails Existing Trails Parks 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 Parks and Trails Parks

Fish Train Trail Winter Park Winter

bor

to Har ASHA

ASHA

Upper Ophir Creek Ophir Upper

il a

Train Park Aka Lake Tr Lake Aka School Recreation School Lakeside Fishermans Memorial Fishermans Motherlode Mine Motherlode

Sandy Beach CCC Trail CCC YTT Apts. Park

ail

Old Village oastal Tr

Ankau C to enter

NewMultiPurposeDock CanneryDock.LocatedattheheadofMontiBay,thecannerydockwasoriginallybuiltforand isconnectedtothefishprocessingplant,currentlyoperatedbyYakutatSeafoods.Thedock wasreconstructedin1984bytheCityandBoroughofYakutatusingstatefunding.Itisa

54 YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess concretedockonsteelpilingandisinexcellentcondition.Waterdepthatmeanlowwateris 43feet.Inadditiontobargesandcommercialfishingvessels,thefacilityisoccasionallyusedby thesmallcruiseshipsthatcallatYakutat,andAMHSferries. YakTatKwaan(Arco)Dock.LocatedApproximately400feetwestoftheDeltaWesternfuel dockonthesouthshoreofMontiBay,theKwaandockwasbuiltbyArcoAlaska,Inc.to facilitateoffshorepetroleumexplorationinnearbyGulfofAlaskawaters.Itdoesnotcurrently seeasignificantamountofuse. ColdStorageDock.LocatedonthenorthshoreofMontiBayadjacenttotheformersiteofa coldstoragefacility,thedockisusedasanalternatedockforcommercialfishingvesselsand smallcruiseships.Meanlowwaterdepthisinexcessof50feet.Thisistheproposedlocation ofthenewYakutatBayScienceCenter.

OceanCapeDock LogTransferFacility.LocatedattheheadofSawmillCove,thefacilityisanearthbackfilledwall withshallowwaterandsandybottomaccessforbargestoloadlogsforexport. SmallBoatHarbor.LocatednorthofMontiBayattheendofMallottAvenue,thesmallboat harborisoperatedbytheCityandBorough.Primarilyusedbysmallercommercialfishing boats,theharborfacilitiesconsistofsixmainfloats,alaunchrampandagrid.Aseaplanefloat islocatedattheendofthecentralmainfloat.Upgradesareneededatthesmallboatharborto providemorespaceforboatsandtoprovideadditionalservices.Boroughsewerlinesneedto beextendedtotheharborandapublicrestroomandnewofficeneedtobebuilt.Aboatweigh andhauloutwouldaddservicesnotcurrentlyprovidedinYakutat.Additionalslipsandstalls shouldbeaddedtoprovidemorespaceforboats,neededduringthebusytimes.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess 55

YakutatSmallBoatHarbor 5.5 AviationFacilities BecauseofthedistancesseparatingAlaska'smajorcitiesmostofYakutat’sresidentstravelby air.AirisalsothemeansoftransportofarelativelyhighproportionofAlaska'sfreight.Asa result,adequateairportfacilitiesandregularairlineserviceareextremelyimportant.Yakutat hasoneofthebestairportsinthestateandhasexcellentairlineserviceforatownitssize.The airportwasconstructedin1942bytheU.S.ArmyAirCorpsinsupportoftheAleutiancampaign andisnowastateownedandmanagedfacility.Italsohasanextensiveinstrumentlanding systemandisservedbyaNationalWeatherServicestationandbytheAlaskaDivisionof Aviation. Theairportislocatedon3,500acresapproximatelyfourmilessouthwestoftowncenter.The YakutatAirportreceivesregularlyscheduledjetservicesfrombothJuneauandAnchorage. Therearetworunways,oneis7,745by150feetwithanasphaltsurfaceandoneis6,475by 150feetwithaconcretesurface.Bothrunwaysarecapableofsupportingjettraffic,butrunway 220isnotplowedinwinterandhasmorelimitedinstrumentation.A5,000squarefoot terminalwasbuiltinthe1970s.

56 YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess

AirplaneUnloadingatYakutatAirport In2003,theFAAandDOT&PFfundedaseriesofprojectsattheYakutatAirporttoimproveand expandtheairport'srunwaysafetyarea,removeobstructionsandrehabilitatearunwayand taxiway.AnAirportMasterPlanwascompletedin2006toguideairportimprovementstomeet demandrequirementsforthenext20yearsandtobringtheairportintocompliancewithState andFederalstandards. ThereareseveralsmallairstripsthatareusedtoaccessareaswithintheBoroughfor recreation,fishingandotherpurposes.IntheeasternBoroughtherearefivepublicgravelor sandairstripsonUSFSland,andoneairstriponNPSlandneartheEastAlsekRiverandasecond oneontheAlsekRiver.Allarelocatednearpublicusecabinsornearfishingareas.These airstripsdonotreceiveregularmaintenance.Therearescatteredairstripsforaccessingfish campsonpubliclandthatreceivevaryinglevelsofmaintenance,andmostcannotbeusedif heavysnowispresent.CharteredairserviceisavailablefromanyofseveralYakutator Cordovabasedaircarriers,aswellasfromAnchorageorJuneaubasedcarriers. Airstripsinthewesternboroughare:  Apublic,unmaintained,sandairstripforwheeledaircraftonNationalParkServiceland atKageetPtontheeasternshoreofIcyBay.

 A4,300ftprivate,sandairstriponAlaskaMentalHealthTrust(AMHT)land.Thiswas leasedbytheUniversitytosupporttheGulfCoastTimbersale.

 Anavigationeasementthatis500ftwide,6,000ftlongeasementforadirtandgravel airstriponChugachAlaskaCorporationlandatCapeYakataga(perthe1982Chugach NativesIncorporatedSettlement).TheFAAprovidesmaintenanceofthisairstrip, designated“CYT.”Section11ofPublicLaw94204,89Stat.1145,1149,providesthat theshipmentoffishbyNativeswhoareYakTatKwaan,Inc.,andtheirchildrenwho qualifyas“Natives”andwhoholdvalidsetnetpermitsfromtheStateofAlaskais authorizedtousetheexistingadjoiningapronandparkingareaatthecurrentlevelof use.

 SeveralgravelairstripsassociatedwithcommerciallodgesthatareonleasedStateland, YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess 57 thoughtheairstripstendtobeoutsidetheleasesimplyonStateland.Theseare generallynotpubliclyauthorizedairstrips,andnotsubjecttoexclusiveorprivateuse. Thereisgenerallynopublicmaintenance,rathermaintenanceisprovidedbythe adjacentleaseholder/lodgeowner.

 A5,915ftlongsand,“SitkaSoundsSeafoods”airstriponleasedStatelandattheTsiu Riverarea.Until2002,SitkaSoundprovidedmaintenancetoensureaircraftcould regularlylandtotransportcommerciallycaughtfishfromthearea.Nowthattheareais notbeingusedforcommercialfishharvesttheairstripisnotbeingmaintained.Local usersmaybeprovidingrandommaintenanceandeveninthebestoftimesthestrip regularly“drifts.”

 A3,295ft,sandandgravel,publicairstripattheBLMBeringGlacierCamp,withterrain hazardsateachend. 5.6 MovementofFreight Itisestimatedthatroughly80%ofthecommunity'sfreightarrivesbybarge,and20%byair. LikemuchofAlaska,thefreightmovingintoYakutat(e.g.fuel,householdgoods,building materials)oftenrequiresdifferentcontainersorhandlingthandoesfreightmovingout(fish, frozenorrefrigerated).Thisincreasesthecarrier'scostofdoingbusiness,aseachmovementin eitherdirectionmeansthatthecontainerusedtomovethefreightwillmoveemptyinthe reversedirection.Thebargecurrentlyloadsandunloadsatthecannerydock;itwouldbegood ifthenewmultipurposedockcouldbeusedforthispurposebecausethecannerydockcanbe verybusyduringthesummer.Ingeneral,alowercostofshippingbothtoandfromthe community,couldhaveabenefitsformanylocalbusinesses. 5.7 AccesstoandwithintheWesternBorough TheWesternareaoftheBoroughhaspotentialformineral,oil,gas,timber,commercial fisheries,andtourismdevelopment.TheIcyBayportisessentialtosuchvariedcommercial development.TheTsiuRiverareahasacommercialfisherythatproducesoverfivehundred thousandpoundsofsilversalmonperyear,butinrecentyearsirregularairservicehascause problemsforthisfishery.Withfallingsalmonprices,thehighcostofairtransportationmay limittheviabilityofthefishery.SurfacetenderingoffishproductsthroughtheIcyBayPort facilitywouldbeonewaytorevitalizethecommercialfisheryoftheTsiuRiverandthe numerousothersalmonriversinthearea.Thepotentialforhydrocarbonandmineralrelated exploration,developmentandextractionwouldbeincreasedwiththedevelopmentofa reliableport.

58 YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess

5.7.1 WaterAccesstotheWesternBorough AccessbywatertotheareaisviaaStatelogtransferfacility(LTF)thatservesasaportatthe westernshoreofIcyBayonStateland.Thisfacilityprovidestheonlyprotectedanchoragein thisentirewesternportionoftheBorough.Currentlythissiteissuitableforlandingcraftuse undermost,butnotall,weatherconditions;thereisnodockorharborinfrastructure.Landing crafthaveoccasionallylandedatotherpartsofthecoast,particularlyattheTsiuorCape Yakataga.However,thisisonlypossibleifconditionsarecalmandseriousaccidentshave occurredwhenlandingshavebeenattemptedattheselocations. AlthoughunderStatemanagementfordecades,theIcyBayporthasneverseenseriouscapital improvements.Abreakwaterandshorebasedmooringfacilitiesareneededtomakethe facilitymoreuseful.OverninetypercentoftheBorough’slandholdingsareintheWestern areaservedbytheseaportofIcyBay.Toplanfordevelopmentinthisarea,theBoroughwould liketohaveownershipandcontrolofthisfacility.InJanuary2004,theBoroughrequestedthe IcyBayLTFaspartofitmunicipalentitlement,howevertherequestwasdenied.Improvements andcontinuedaccesstothisfacilityarestillapriorityfortheBorough. Whenthegeneralpublicorabusinessdesirestoaccessthisarea,viatheportorthelogging road,theprocesstheymustfollowdependsupontheuplandlandowner.Accessrulesare complexandaredescribedinmoredetailinsection3.13.5ofthe2006CoastalManagement Plan. 5.7.2 RoadandTrailAccessWithintheWesternBorough OnceinthewesternYakutatBorough,transportationmovementisonroads,trailsandbeaches byonandoffroadvehicles,hovercraftandbyfoot,andonstreamsandlakesbyboat,raftand kayak/canoe. ThemajorroadintheareaistheIcyBayloggingroadthatrunsabout45milesalongthecoast fromtheLTFatIcyBaywesttoCapeYakataga.Itwasconstructedfortimberharvestpurposes, anditisgenerallyaonelanedirtloggingroadwithseveralmajorstreamcrossingsthatrequire ahighlevelofmaintenancetoprovideregularuse.Ithasnowbeendecommissionedandthe culvertsandbridgeshavebeenremoved. ThereisanotherprivateloggingroadneartheDuktothRiveronStatelandthatismaintainedby theUniversitytoprovideaccessfortimberharvestinthisarea.Thisroadhasbeenconstructed atthebaseoftheDuktothMountainandisplannedeastoftheDuktothRiver.Thereisalsoa localnetworkof“homegrown”roadsintheCapeYakatagaareathatconnectshomes,mining claimsandthemainloggingroad.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess 59 Onthislocalroadnetworkisakey bridge,the493footBureauofLand Management(BLM)bridge,builtin 1959,overtheSouthChannelofthe braided,glacierfed,YakatagaRiver. Thebridgeprovidesaccessbetween residences,theCapeYakataga airstrip,andthecommunicationsand radarfacilitiesattheCapeandis essentialfortheregion.Inthelate 1990s,flooddebriscollectedagainst thepiersoftheYakatagaRiverBridge andbecausetherewasonlyminimal managementorcontactwiththe areabytheBLM,subsequenthigh YakatagaRiverBridge– BeforeRepair waterdamagedsomeofthepiers andmadethebridgeunusablefor heavyvehicletraffic.Fundingwas obtained,andthenecessarybridge workwascompletedin2005.The Boroughhasnowassumedownership andresponsibilityforthe maintenanceofthebridge. Trailsarefrequentlyusedfor transportationinthispartofthe Borough.Thesearedescribedin detailintheCoastalManagement Planinsection3.13.6.Thesetrails crossfederal,stateandprivateland andareimportantinprovidingpublic access.Publiclandmanagersinthe areagenerallyhavepoliciesregarding LoggingTruckonIcyBayLoggingRoad airboatandallterrainvehicle(ATV) useonlandstheymanage. ThecoastalenvironmentinthispartoftheBorough,andparticularlythebeachfringe,contains importantfishandwildlifehabitat.Inmuchoftheareathereare“forelands”whichare wetlandsandcontainhighwildlifeandfishvaluesthatareatriskfromunregulatedATVtrail developmentandairboatuse.Therearealsoareaswithtremendousnumbersofswans, waterfowl,shorebirds,andpasserinespeciesmovingthroughout.Someimportantstaging areas,nesting,andmoltingareasexistthatneedtobeconsideredinthedevelopmentoftrails, airstrips,lodges,andsecondaryusessuchasairboats.And,fromwhatisknownonATVtrails, 60 YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess thebeststrategymaybetopreventtheirentryintosomeareasratherthantrytofixa damagedareaafterthey’verippeditup.Travelcorridors(forATVs,airboats)shouldbe consolidatedanddesignatedsothatdevelopmentcanproceedwithlessimpacttothe environment.Thegrowingsportfishingandhuntinglodgesintheareashouldconsolidatetheir airstripsandtrailstoallowtheindustrytodevelopandgrowyetprotectthefragilehabitatthe fishandotherwildlifeneed. 5.8 AccesstoandwithintheEasternBorough AnumberofroadsexitingoutsidetheYakutattownsiteandprovideaccesstotheeastern Borough.DuringWWIItheU.S.Armyconstructedanetworkofaccessroads,althoughmany haddeterioratedbeyondnormalusebythe1950's.Asmallnetworkoftimberhaulroads connectingYakutatandtheairportresultedfromthe1,500acreswhichwereloggedbythe ColumbiaLumberCompanyinthemid1950's.Anumberofotherloggingroadshavealsobeen constructedsincethattime.Someoftheseroadsreceivemaintenanceandhavebeen upgradedsothattodaytheyprovideaccesstohunting,fishingandrecreationareas.Other roadsarenotmaintainedandareusedbyresidentswithOffHighwayVehiclestoaccessmore remoteareas. RoadsthataccessimportantplaceswithintheeasternBoroughinclude:  ForestHighwayNo10/DangerousRiverRoad.Althoughitisclosedinthewinter,the DangerousRiverRoadreceivesmuchgeneralcommunityuseinthesummer,sinceit connectsYakutatwithDangerousRiver(attheheadwaters)andsouthHarlequinLake. DangerousRiverRoadis29mileslongandsurfacedwithawearingcourseofgravel, typically12to18inchesofthickness.  TheLostRiverRoadleadingtotheSitukRiver.Alsoclosedinthewinterbutreceiving muchuseinthesummer,theLostRiverRoadconnectsYakutatwiththeSitukRiver fishinggrounds,animportantcommercial,subsistenceandsportfishery.Portionsofthis routedatefromWorldWarII,withtheremainingsectionshavingbeenconstructed jointlybytheU.S.ForestServiceandtheStateofAlaska.Althoughtheroadis statemaintained,itisnotpartofthestatefederallyaidedsecondaryhighwaysystem. LostRiverRoadissurfacedwithawearingcourseofgravel,typically12to18inchesof thickness.  TheOceanCapeor"Ankau"Road.ThisroadwasoriginallyconstructedduringWorldWar II.ThesixmilesectionbetweenMallottAvenueandOceanCapewasreconstructedand upgradedduringthesummerof1960bytheAirForcetoserveitsWhiteAlicesite.Usage oftheroaddecreasedwiththeclosureofthefacilityin1974,butincreasedagainduring offshoreexplorationofoilandgasonLeaseSale#39inthelate1970s,whentheWhite Alicesitewasusedtohousetransientoffshorepersonnel.Useoftheroaddecreased againwiththecompletionofdrillingonSale39in1981.Aneasementforportionsofthe YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess 61 roadwastransferredfromYakTatKwaantotheBoroughaspartoftheANILCA14(c)3 municipalentitlementprogram,outtotheUSCGnavaids.Newsubdivisionsalongthe roadhaveincreaseditsuseagainforthefirstfewmiles.Theroadisplowedinthewinter toabout1.5mile.Thecemeteryisattheendofthisroad. In2009,theUSFSreleasedanAccessandTravelManagementenvironmentalassessmentto evaluatemanagementoftheroadsystemandtheoffhighwayvehicleuseintheYakutatRanger District.Ultimately,theUSFSwilldesignatewhichroads,trails,andareasareopentotravelby motorizedvehicles.Theenvironmentalassessmentanalyzestheeffectsonresourcesand peopleofroads,offhighwayvehicleroutesandmotorizedtrailsbeingclosed,decommissioned, openedormaintainedatcurrentlevels. Theassessmentoutlinesseveralalternativesandaproposedaction.Theaction(alternative2) recommendsthattheColoradoRoad,aswellasseveralotherroadsegmentsbeclosed.Forest Highways9955,9951,9963and9976aretobemaintainedforhighclearancevehicles. 5.9 Transportation–GoalsandPolicies Goal1.Establishacosteffective,convenient,andsafetransportationsystem,bothwithin theBoroughandlinkingtheBoroughwithothercommunities. TransportationPolicy1.1Encourageincreasedcompetitionintransportationlinking theBoroughwithothercommunities,inordertolowerthecostoffreightandpassenger transportationservices. TransportationPolicy1.2EncourageincreasedfrequencyofAlaskaMarineHighway systemscheduledservicetoYakutatlinkingtheboroughwithothercommunities,in ordertolowerthecostoffreightandpassengertransportationservices. TransportationPolicy1.3Implementtherecommendationsfromthe2006Yakutat AirportManagementPlantoensurethattheYakutatAirportuptostandardsandthatit providesasafeoperatingenvironment. TransportationPolicy1.4Developanewfloatplanebaseclosetotown. TransportationPolicy1.5EncouragecontinuedairaccessandmaintenancetotheDry Bay,Harlequin,EskerCabins,KageetPt,CapeYakataga,andTsiuAreas.Theseare essentialtransportationlinksthatsupportcommerce. TransportationPolicy1.6Supportthefederalsubsidyofessentialairserviceto Yakutat. 62 YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess

TransportationPolicy1.7Advocateforfairandreasonablepricesforshippingfreight toandfromthecommunity. TransportationPolicy1.8Encourageindustriesthatproduceandexportbackhaul productsinYakutattoreducethecostofshipping. Goal2.Developalocalstreetnetworkthatiswelldesignedandconstructedtominimize futuresafetyproblemsandmaintenancecosts. TransportationPolicy2.1Naturaldrainagepatternsshouldbeaccommodatedeither throughpubliceasementsorbylocatingroadssothattheycandoubleasdrainage courses. TransportationPolicy2.2Newsubdivisionsshouldbedesignedtoprovidetheasmany lotsaspossible,whileminimizeroadfrontage.Culdesacsshouldbeavoidedasthey impedesnowremoval,limitconnectivityandtakeupalotofspace. TransportationPolicy2.3Acquireadequaterightsofwayforroadimprovementsand utilitiespriortoapprovingnewdevelopmentstominimizefuturecost. TransportationPolicy2.4Encouragemaintenanceandclearingofthefullrightofway throughthetownsite. TransportationPolicy2.5Culvertsonlocalroadsshouldbeadequatelysizedtoallow fishpassageonanadromousstreams. TransportationPolicy2.6Roadimprovementsshouldbecarefullyplannedtomeetto thecommunity’scurrentandfuturecoals.Thisinformationwillbeupdatedannuallyand forwardedtoDOT&PFtobeincludedontheNeedsList,whichisthefirststepin securingstatefundingforprojects.Transportationprojectscanalsobeincludedinthe CapitalImprovementProjectList. Goal3.Developanintegratedmultiusetrailsystemtoserveboroughresidentsandvisitors. TransportationPolicy3.1Providesafenonmotorizedfacilitiesbetweenresidences, schools,storesandothercommunitydestinations. TransportationPolicy3.2WhenroadprojectsaresubmittedtotheDOT&PFNeedsList thefacilitiesforpedestriansandcyclistsshouldbeincludedinthenameanddescription oftheprojectasthesearedifficulttoaddonlaterintheprocess. TransportationPolicy3.3Streetlightsshouldbeinstalled,especiallynearschools. YakutatComprehensivePlan|TransportationandAccess 63 Goal4.Improveharborfacilitiestosupportcommercialfishing,recreationandtourism. TransportationPolicy4.1Supportcontinuedimprovementsatthenewmulti purpose/fueldocktomakeitasusefulaspossible.Improvesrequiredareacovered marketarea,afuellineandpossiblyagravelconveyer. TransportationPolicy4.2Supportlocalcommercialfishingbycontinuingtoexpand andimprovethesmallboatharbor.Requiredimprovementsincludewaterandsewer services,anewofficebuilding,andadditionalfloats. TransportationPolicy4.3ContinuetoattempttoacquiretheIcyBayLogTransferand makeimprovementsnecessary. Goal5.ProvideaccesstotheremoteareasoftheBoroughforrecreation,subsistence activitiesandeconomicdevelopment. TransportationPolicy5.1–Encouragejointuseofairstrips,designateandrequireuse ofstreamandfishingaccesstrails,anddesignateandrequireuseofairboatingressand egresssitesinmajorfisheriesincludingtheLostRiver,Situk,HarlequinandTsiu–Kaliakh areastoreduceimpacttotheenvironment. TransportationPolicy5.2EnsurethatownershaveaccesstotheirNativeAllotments. TransportationPolicy5.3Supportanagreementbetweentheownersofstateand privateroadstocooperateonamaintenanceprogram. TransportationPolicy5.4UrgetheUSForestServiceandtheAlaskaDepartmentof FishandGametotakeactiontorelieveerosionandhabitatdamageandtoprevent futuredamageresultingfromtrailsbeingdevelopedalongtheLostRiverbetweenthe bridgeandthemouth.

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\\ 6 PublicUtilitiesandFacilities

Goal1.ProvideBoroughservicesasefficientlyandcosteffectivelyaspossible. Goal2.Provideorderly,efficient,andcosteffectivesewerandwaterservicestoprovidea frameworkfordevelopment. Goal3.Managesolidwastetominimizeimpactsontheenvironment. Goal4.Provideeffectivepublicsafetyservicetoresidentsandvisitors. Goal5.Developarenewableenergysourcewithloweroperatingcoststomeetthe Borough’sresidential,commercialandindustrialenergyneeds. Goal6.SatisfytherecreationalneedsofBoroughcitizensbyprovidingadiversityof opportunitiesforyouth,adultsandseniors. Goal7.ProvidehighqualityeducationforBoroughresidents. Goal8.Increasethecommunitybenefitsderivedfromscientificresearchtakingplacein theBorough. Goal9.Improvemedical,dentalandsocialservices. Goal10.Informandeducatecitizensaboutplanningissuesfacingboroughstaffborough assembly,andplanningcommissionmembersandprovideopportunitiesforthecitizensto participateintheplanningprocess.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities 65 Forasmallcommunity,theCityandBoroughofYakutatoffersawiderangeofpublicutilities andfacilitiesintownincludingpublicdrinkingwater,wastewatercollectionandtreatment,a communitylandfill,powergeneration,afullrangeofpublicsafetyservices,recreational facilitiesandgeneraladministration.TheYakutatSchoolDistrictprovidespubliceducation.The YakutatTlingitTribecontractswithSoutheastRegionalHealthConsortiumtoprovidelocal medicalanddentalserviceswithmunicipalsupport.Figure6showsthelocationofborough facilities.Therearehowever,servicesandinfrastructurethatneedimprovementtobestserve thecommunitynowandinthefuture. TABLE6.1–COMMUNITYPROJECTS WaterandSewerServices  Continuetorepairliftstationsasrequired.  Completeamasterplantoidentifyfutureinfrastructurerequirements. SolidWaste  Extendwaterandelectricitytothelandfillsite.  Developaconcretepad40feetby60feetthatiscoveredandfencedandhasathreefootretainingwalltosort andstorerecyclablematerial(oranewbuildingforvehiclemaintenancesothattheexistingbuildingcanbe usedforsorting).  Purchasetwoadditionalsteelshippingcontainersforrecyclables,materialsforshippinghazardouswasteand beerproofdumpsters.  Developandimplementapubliceducationcampaign(pamphlet,posters,publicserviceannouncements)to informresidentsaboutthecommunity’srecyclingprogramandtoencourageandpromotewasteseparation.  Installsignstodirectrecyclingatthelandfillsite.Developandimplementaneducationprogramaboutbears andsolidwaste.  Workwithlocalteacherstodevelopanddelivercurriculumaboutthebenefitsofrecyclingandhazardous wastemanagement.  Workwithlocalbusinessestoencouragewasteseparationandrecycling.  Developasystemforcompostingbiodegradablewaste. Energy  Initiateapilotprojecttodetermineifitisfeasibletousewaveenergytosupplementtheelectricalgeneration system.  Evaluatethefeasibilityofusinghydrogenfuelcellgeneratorsthroughtheinstallationofindependently poweredwindorsolarelectrolyzersthatcanbeusedbyindividualhomeownersandbusinessestosupplement theirenergyrequirements.  Installabiomasselectricalgenerationsystem. PublicSafety  ExpandthegarageatthepublicsafetybuildingsothatallBoroughequipmentcanbestoredindoors. BoroughAdministrationandOtherServices

66 YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities

 BuildanewbuildingorrenovateanexistingonetoprovideanewCityHall.  DevelopaSenior’sCenterthatprovidesservicesandhousing.  Developamuseumand/orculturalcenter.  DeveloptheYakutatScienceCenter.  Developateencenter. RecreationandTourism

 FinishtheFishermen’sMemorialatthesmallboatharbor.Asitehasbeenselectedandclearedandthe memorialhasbeenordered.Accesstothesiteneedstobeimproved,aconcretepadneedstobepouredand thememorialneedstobeinstalled.  Installlightingatallboroughplaygrounds.  Acoveredareatobeusedasapublicmarketorforothercommunityeventshouldbeinstalledatthenewfuel dock.Also,afishcleaningstationshouldbeadded.  Extendsewerutilitiestoprovideforcitysewertoresidentsandtoprovideforpublicrestroomsnearthepicnic areaatSandyBeach.  Maintenanceisrequiredfortheoutdoorfacilities(tenniscourts,baseballfield,basketballcourt,restrooms) behindtheschool.  Continuedevelopmentofthewinterparktoincludelandscapingandstructuresforshelter.  RestoretheYakutatandSouthernRailroad.  Seetable5.2fortrailprojects. Schools  Upgradetheschool’smechanicalsystems.  Pavetheschoolbuszone.  Refurbishtheswimmingpool.  Replacethesidingonthehighschool. Ports,HarborsandFishing  Addanicehouse/coldstoragefacilityattheTsiuRiver.Thiswouldenhancethefishqualityandimprovethe economicsviabilityofcommercialfishinginthisarea.  Extendwaterandsewertothesiteanddeveloppublicrestroomsandanewofficefortheharbormasteratthe smallboatharbor.Also,addadditionalfloatstoprovidemorespacealsodevelopahaulout.  Atthenewfuel/multipurposedockaddacoveredmarketarea,agravelconveyorbeltandextendthefuel linetomakerefuelingeasier. TransportationProjects  Developafloatplanbaseclosetotown.  Seetable7.1forroadimprovementprojects. YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities 67 6.1 DrinkingWater,WastewaterandStormwater Yakutathasagoodwatersystemthatserves265homeswhichincludesmostofthedeveloped areaoftownandtheschools.Theprovisionofwaterfordomestic,commercial,andindustrial usesandforfireprotectionwillbevery,importantforcontinuedgrowthofthefishprocessing industryandforanynewindustriesthatmaycometoYakutat. Drinkingwaterispumpedfromtwowells,one174feetdeepandone125feetdeep,onOcean CapeRoad.Waterispumpedintoa125,000gallonwoodentank,chlorinatedandthenpumped toanew880,000steelgallontankonRidgeRoad.Thewaterthenentersthedistribution systembyboosterpump.AccordingtoBoroughstaff,thewellsprovideamplewatertomeet thecommunity’scurrentneeds. PartsoftheWestAdditionwaterdeliverysystemwasinstalledwithoutDECpermittingand withouttherequiredstamped,engineeringplans.Anengineerhastodoan“asbuilt”ofthe installationandsubmititforanafterthefactpermit.TheSouthAdditionspecialassessment districtistiedintothenonpermittedsystemandittoowillneedtobeincludedintheasbuilt andpermittingproject.ThewaterlinesshouldbeextendedtotheBoroughlandfillandlines alongLakeStreetshouldbecompleted. Primarysewagetreatmentisprovidedat asewagetreatmentplantlocatedonthe waterfrontwestofCityHall.Sewageis strained,senttoasettlingchamber, chlorinated,dechlorinatedandeffluent releasedintoMontiBay.Thefacilitycan treatupto210,000gallonsperday, whichissufficienttomeetYakutat’s currentneeds.Atthetreatmentplant thesewageisscreenedandrunthrough asettlingpond.Solidsareremovedand takentothelandfillsite.Effluentisthen treatedandreleasedintothebay.There aretenliftstationsthatpumpthe wastewatertothetreatmentplant.A recentinspectionofthewastewater systemidentifiednumerousdeficiencies YakutatWastewaterTreatmentFacility andin2009theBoroughmademanyof theneededrepairs. TheBoroughalsoownsandoperatesasmalllagoonneartheairportthatneedssomeupgrades andneedstobepermitted.Individualsepticsystemsareusedoutsidetheservicedarea. 68 YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities

TherearesevenstormwaterdrainsonMaxItalioDrivethatwereinstalledbytheState.These bothcollectwaterinstormdrainsandchannelwatertoMontiBay.Thissystemiscompletely separatefromthewastewatersystem. TheextentsofboththewaterandwastewatersystemsareshowninFigure6.Bothofthese systemsshouldbemanagedtocomplywithallapplicableenvironmentalregulationandshould haveallpermitsrequired.Waterlinesshouldbeextendedtothelandfillsiteandcompletedto servelotsalongLakeStreet.Sewerlinesshouldbeextendedtothesmallboatharborand Leonard’sLanding.Inthefuture,waterandsewershouldbeextendedtonewlotsbeforethey aresold,andcostsshouldbeincludedinoverallpriceofthelot.Yakutatalsoneedsa comprehensivemasterplanthatidentifiesthelocationofcurrentutilitydeliverysystemsand addressesfutureinfrastructureandexpansionrequirements;andastormwaterpollutionand runoffpreventionplan. 6.2 SolidWaste TheCityandBoroughof Yakutatlandfillislocatedon aflat9acreparcelof BoroughlandoffForest Highway10.Approximately fouracresareinusefor wastedisposal,siteaccess, salvage,recyclingandfacility management.Thebulkof thecommunity’sgarbage, constructionwasteis deliveredtothelandfill. RecyclingattheYakutatLandfill Wood,paperandcardboard productsareburneddaily.Solid wasteinYakutatiscollectedbyalocalbusiness broughttotheBoroughlandfillbyresidents. Plastics,glassandaluminumareseparatedand mostothergarbageisburiedbyatrenchandfill method.Abuildingisusedasanofficeandto storesomehazardouswasteandrecycling equipment.Currentlytherearenowater,sewer andelectricutilitiesatthelandfillwhichposesa threattohealthandsafety.Therefore,extending utilitiestotheareaisapriority.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities 69 Figure 3. Map of Borough Facilities

Borough Facilities Borough Facilities Schools Water Lines Sewer Lines 4 Docks/Harbor Roads March 2010 Hydrants 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 Miles

Water Tank Sewage Treatment

Magistrate Office City Hall

Landfill

Head Start Elementary High School

Power Plant Public Safety Building 4 ARCO Well

Feet 0950 1,900 3,800

Thehazardouswastesareseparated,andinsteadofburning,theBoroughhasmovedtoa “trenchandfill”.Recyclingbinsorareasareofferedforbatteries,electronics,paintcans, drumsandpropanetanks,othertypesofhazardouswaste,aluminumcans,glassandplastic, whicharethenstoredinvansforperiodicshipment.Thereisalsoausedoilburner.Thelandfill isnotpermittedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation(ADEC).Ascoreof 201outofapossible302pointswasassignedduringaninspectionbyADECinAugust2007. Inordertoaddressthedeficienciesandtacklingpermitting,aSolidWasteManagementPlan forYakutatwascompletedin2006.Thepurposeofthisplanistoreduceexistinghealthand environmentalrisksthoroughchangingcommunitywastedisposalbehaviorandwaste collectionpractices.Thisplanevaluatedthepotentialrisksofbothenvironmental contaminationandpublichealthposedbythecurrentwastedisposalmethods.Soilandground contaminationanalysisdidnotshowanycontaminantlevelsthatexceededmaximum contaminantlevelsdefinedbytheADEC. The2006YakutatSolidWasteManagementPlanidentifiedthefollowingcommunityand environmentalchallengesandhealthrisksattheYakutatlandfill:

 Thelandfillisnearingcapacity;

 Somefacilitiesexistforrecyclingandhazardouswastemanagementbutimprovements areneeded;

 Smokeandodorproducedbyburningatthelandfillbothersresidentsandisapotential risktopublichealth;and

 Bearsusethelandfillasaprimaryfoodresource. Sincethe2006plan,severalimportantimprovementshavebeenmadeincludingthe implementationofatrenchandfillmethodofburyinggarbagetoreducetheamountandtype oftrashburned.Somerecommendationsincludereducingbearexposure,reducingsourcesof contaminationbycontinuingthehazardouswasteprogram,minimizingwaterandsoilby controllingplacement,compactionandcoveringofwastesandcarefuldrainagedesign. Desiredimprovementsatthelandfillaretoaddfencinginordertolimitpublicaccessafter hours,extendwater,sewerandelectricitytothesite,continuetoimproveontherecycling, compostingandhazardouswasteprograms,developacoveredareaforsorting.Inthelong term,thepreferredsolutiontoimprovesolidwastemanagementinYakutatistoinstallan incinerator.Anincinerator,ifoperatedproperlywillproducesafeemissionsandreducethe animalattractantsatthelandfillsite.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities 71 6.3 Energy TheCityandBoroughofYakutatownsYakutatPower,theonlycommercialelectrical generationplantintheBorough.Electricalpowerisproducedbyburningdieselfuelto generatebetween750and2000KWperhour.Thehighcostofdieselandthecommunity’s remotelocationresultincostsof$0.53/KWH.AlaskaEnergyAuthority'sPowerCost EqualizationprogramhelpstoprovideeconomicassistancetoresidentialcustomersinYakutat. Dieselfuelhasrecentlycostbetween$150,000and$180,000permonth.Thehighcostof powersignificantlylimitseconomicdevelopmentintheBorough,particularlyforintensive electricuserslikeseafoodprocessingfacilitiesandlargelodges. Asaresult,Yakutatwouldliketoeliminatedependencyondieselfuelforpowerandfinda lowercost,renewablesourceofpower.Yakutatdoesnothaveaviablesourceforhydroor geothermalelectricalgeneration,andwindandsolarpowerhavenotbeenfoundtobesteady enoughtobereliable.Thedesiredsolutionistouseabiomasssystemtoproduceenergy.The systemwouldburnbiomasstomakeheat,andthensteam,toproduceelectricity.The Borough’sdieselgeneratorswouldbeusedonlyforbackup. TheBoroughhastwopotentialsourcesofbiomass;existingwoodwastefrompastcommercial timberharvestandtherotationalplantingandharvestoftrees,likelyalder.Tomakethe projectfeasible,localbiomasswouldbeidentified,chipped,driedandtransportedtothepower plantinquantitiessufficienttoproducethedesiredlevelofenergy.Burnablematerialcould alsobedivertedfromthelandfillandusedforenergyproduction.Greenhousesthatwillbe builtnexttothepowerplanttocapturecarbondioxidecouldalsobeusedtogrowcropsthat couldbesoldintheregion. TheBoroughisalsointerestedin investigatingthepotentialof harnessingwaveandtidalenergy usingfloatingorshorebaseddevices. Thesealternatesourcescouldbeused toaugmentthebiomassenergy production. 6.4 PublicSafety TheCityandBoroughofYakutat providespoliceprotectionand dispatchservicesforthecommunity. Fireprotection,EMS,andsearchand rescueareprovidedbyvolunteers. Althoughtherearefewseriouscrimes Yakutat’sPublicSafetyBuilding–Completedin2009

72 YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities committedinYakutat,thereisstillaneedforcontinuedsupportforpublicsafety,namelypolice protection.Inaddition,thePublicSafetyDepartmentprovidesfireprotectionthroughoutthe serviceareaandemergencymedicalservicesthroughouttheborough.Theseservicesare criticaltosoundcommunitydevelopmentandtokeepingfireinsuranceatareasonablecost. Anewpublicsafetybuildinghasbeenbuiltonboroughpropertyacrossfromtheschool.The buildinghasadispatcharea,officesforeachpoliceofficer,twojailcells,abookingroom, laundryfacilities,anevidenceroom,atrainingroom,akitchenandtwolargegarages.The trainingroomcanbeusedbyothercommunitygroups.Oncethegarageiscompleted,allof thepolicecars,ambulancesandfiretruckswillbeabletobestoredindoors. 6.5 BoroughAdministrationandOtherServices CityHallisafortyyearold1400squarefootresidencewithfiveoffices,akitchenandasmall meetingarea.Officesarecrampedandthereisnospaceforfilesorstorage.TheBoroughalso ownsthecourthousebuildinglocatednearbywhichcontainsthecourthouse,theYakutat SalmonBoardandarentalapartment.Revenueisgeneratedfromthisbuildingthroughthe StatecourtsystemleasesandSalmonBoardgrants. Toimproveofficespace,theboroughcaneitherrenovateanexistingbuildingorbuildanew building.Theupgradesnecessarytotheelectricalandwaterutilitiesrequiredandthepoor overallconditionatthecurrentCityHallmakeithardtojustifytheexpenseofarenovation. Thecourthouse,whileanolderbuilding,hasasoundfoundationandisavailableforrenovation. Thecombinedsavingsfromvacatingtheexistingfacilityandtherevenuefromleasescould offsetconstructioncosts.TheBoroughcouldalsobuildanewofficebuilding.Thenewbuilding couldbeatthecurrentlocationorcouldbebuiltnexttothenewPublicSafetyBuildingwhere wasteheatfromthepowerplantcouldbeused.AnotherideaistoworkwithYakutatTlingit TribeandYakTatKwaanInc.todevelopanewbuildingthatwouldhavespaceforallthree entities. Thedevelopmentofaculturalcenterormuseumwouldhelptopromotetheheritageand culturalofYakutat.Thecenterwouldprovidethespacetodisplayculturalandhistoricartifacts andimplements;performdance,tellstories,ordemonstratetraditionalcraftsfromTlingit heritage;andprovidespaceforrecreationalandeducationalopportunitiesforresidentsand visitors.ThedevelopmentofthissortoffacilitywouldrequirethecooperationoftheBorough, theYakTatKwaanInc.,YakutatTlingitTribe,NationalParkService,andothergroups.The Boroughcouldtoidentifyasiteforthestructureandfundingsources.Additionalinformation aboutHeritageResourcescanbefoundinSection3.0.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities 73 6.6 RecreationFacilities RecreationandtourismopportunitiesareabundantintheBorough.Fishing,hunting,wildlife viewing,birdwatching,boating,beachcombing,hiking,mountainclimbing,kayaking,canoeing, surfing,crosscountryskiing,camping,andberrypickingareamongactivitiesavailableto residentsandvisitorsalike. PlanninganddevelopmentofrecreationfacilitiesisdonebytheBoroughParksandRecreation Board,SchoolDistrict,PlanningCommissionandAssembly,NationalParkService,USForest Service,YakutatTlingitTribe,YakTatKwaanandprivateoperators.Recreationfacilitiesin townincludea60footindoorswimmingpool,weightroom,racquetballcourtandtwogyms locatedintheschoolsandavailableforcommunityuse.Behindtheschoolthereareoutdoor recreationfacilitiesincludingabaseballdiamond,tenniscourt,basketballcourtandsmall coveredarea.ThereareplaygroundsintheASHAsubdivision,attheschool,Motherlode playgroundnearCityHall,atMontiBayHeights,bytheSunriseApartmentsandattheTrain Park.TheUSForestServicemaintainsapopularcampgroundatCannonBeach.Thereisalsoa coveredpicnicareaatSandyBeachandawinterparkjustbeyondtheASHAsubdivision. Recently,therehavebeenimprovesmadetothetrailnetwork.Thereisatrailfromtheschool totheairportalongtheoldrailbedwhereaspurheadssouthtoconnectwithCannonBeach Road.TheYakutatSalmonBoardandtheYakutatTlingitTriberecentlycompletedanewtrail andbridgearoundthelagoontothenewTotemPark. Thelandsintherestofthe Boroughprovideawiderangeof recreationopportunitythatis enjoyedbyresidentsandvisitors alike.Fishing,huntingboating, hiking,camping,surfingandthe gatheringofmarineresources suchasshellfishandseaweedare activitiesforbothvisitorsand residents.Importantsitesnear townfortheserecreational activitiesincludetheAnkau,Situk, andLostRivers;CannonBeach; HubbardGlacier;andtheRussell FiordWildernessArea. ChildrenPlayingattheSchoolPlayground MuchofthepubliclyownedlandintheBoroughismanagedforrecreationandtourismactivity anduse,providingbothrecreationalandeconomicopportunity.InYakutat,areasthatare popularforrecreationduetospecialphysical,biologicalorculturalfeaturesarealmostalways areasthatareusedbyvisitorstoo.Manyoftheseareasarealsousedforcommercialfishing 74 YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities andsubsistence.Therearealso18publicusecabinsthroughouttheborough;14ownedbythe USFS,twobuiltbytheUniversityneartheVitusLakesandtwoownedbytheNPS,oneinthe GlacierBayNationalPreservesoutheastoftheAlsekRiverandoneinWrangellSt.EliasNational Park. MoredetailedinformationabouttheareasthatareusedforrecreationcanbefoundinSection 3.12.3ofthe2006CoastalManagementPlan.Informationthatisspecificallyrelatedto developmentoffacilitiesfortouristsisfoundinSection5.3.3ofthisplan. 6.7 PublicEducation TheYakutatSchoolDistricthighschoolandelementaryschoolarelocatednexttoeachotheron ForestHighwayNumber10.Inadditiontoclassroomsandofficesthetwoschoolshavea computerlabandtherecreationfacilitieslistedintheprevioussection. AsinmanyAlaskanschools,studentenrollmentinYakutatschoolshasbeenonthedecline.In the1995–1996schoolyear,therewere173studentsandbyOctober2008,thestudentcount listed124students.Tomakeefficientuseofspaceandshareoperatingcosts,thesecondfloor oftheelementaryschoolisbeingleasedtotheYakutatTlingitTribeasthespaceisnotneeded forclassrooms.FromApril2004untilSeptember2008,elementarystudentsweremovedinto thehighschoolwhilearoofandmoldproblemwasbeingfixed.Thiscombinedschoolworked fairlywellandcouldbeanoptionforthefutureshouldstudentnumberscontinuetodecline. Boththehighschoolandtheelementaryschoolbuildingsareagingandthemaintenanceand repairsareneeded.Prioritiesareupgradestothemechanicalsystem,swimmingpool refurbishing,replacingthesidingonthehighschoolandpavingtheschoolbuszone. From1997to2002theBoroughoperatedaschoolatIcyBaythatwasattendedby8to15 students.Aftertimberharvestended,contractorBenThomasLoggingdonatedtheformerIcy BaySchoolandatrailerusedforteacherhousingtotheBorough.Theschoolbuildingwasin verypoorshapeandthebuildingwasdemolishedaspartofoilcontaminationremediation efforts.The14x60footformerteacher’shousingtrailerisingoodcondition.Whentheschool wasoperatingithadaGCIsatellitedropforcommunications,andthatandotherelectronic equipmentisinstorageinthistrailer. 6.8 YakutatBayScienceCenter TheYakutatBayScienceCenterwillfurtherbothstudentandadulteducationbycreatinga permanenthomeforcommunitybasedscienceeducation,outreachandrestorationprojects. Theuniquegeology,anthropology,weatherandmarineenvironmentthatcharacterizestheCity andBoroughofYakutatcontinuestobefertilegroundforscientificstudy.Anewbuildingto housethecenteristobelocatedontheBoroughcoldstoragedock.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities 75 TheBoroughsupportsUniversityandotherprofessionalresearchandstudyofthearea’s uniqueenvironmentandresources.Anemphasisonstudyingnaturalresources,marine environmentsandgeologicalprocesseswillbenefitthecommunity.Yakutat’seconomyis basedlargelyonfishingandthemorethatisknownaboutfish,birdandwildliferesourcesthe bettertheseresourcesuponwhichthelocaleconomydependscanbesafeguarded. Researchersalsocharterwithlocalbusinessesforlogisticsandothersupport,withresidentsto assistwithcampdutiesandcommunicateresultsofthestudiestothecommunity.An economicspinofffromresearchisattractingadventuretravelersandinvestigatorswhowishto visitenvironmentallyspecialareaswithscientificvalue. Beginningintheyear2000,scientistssetupabaseinYakutattostudytheHubbardGlacier. Theresearchteamconsistedofapproximatelysixresearcherswhooperatedfromhotelrooms orUSForestServicebunkhouses.AlongwiththeHubbardGlacierwork,severalUniversity, federalNOAAandotheragenciesareactivelystudyingharborseal,Kittletz'sMurrelets,sockeye salmon,cohosalmon,dogfish,eulachon,sealion,otherbirdsandbelugawhaleswithinthe Borough,allofwhichbringscientiststotown.TheBLMhadbeenoperatingaresearchcampat theBeringGlacier,thelargestglacierinNorthAmerica,since1997. TheYakutatBayScienceCenterwouldaccomplishtwopurposes;firstitwouldcentralizeaccess andsupportforresearchersstudyingintheBoroughandseconditwouldfacilitate‘technology transfer’byprovidingaplacewherescientificfindingsandinformationaboutYakutatresources isregularlycommunicatedandsharedwithstudentsandallYakutatresidents.Specificgoalsare to:1)ImprovetheenvironmentoftheYakutatareathroughsciencebasedrestoration practices;2)Increasestudentandcommunityexposuretoscientificresearchand environmentalissues;3)Improvecommunityoutreachbysharingtheoutcomeofresearchwith othercommunitiesandscientificagencies;and4)Supportresearchprojectsthathavedirect impactsonthecommunityneedsandincorporatetraditionalandlocalecologicalknowledge. 6.9 Medical,DentalandSocialServices ThecommunityoperatesalocalclinicthatisaqualifiedEmergencyCareCenterandYakutatis classifiedasaRegionalCenter.Currentlyarangeofmedicalservicesanddentalservicesare providedattheYakutatCommunityCliniconOceanCapeRoad.Therearenursepractitioners andphysician’sassistantsonstaffandadoctorvisitstheclinicperiodically.TheBorough providesfundingtotheclinicannually. YakutatTlingitTribehasbeenworkingonputtingfundingtogetherforaSeniorCenter,tobe locatednearacrossfromtheclinic.Thecenterwouldprovidemealsandrecreationprogramfor seniors.Eventually,housingcouldalsobeprovidedatthislocation.

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Thecommunitywouldalsoliketodevelopateencenter.Servicesprovidedcouldinclude communityclass,supervisedrecreation,snacksandsocialservices.Alocationorfunding structurehasnotyetbeenidentified. 6.10 PublicandPrivateServicesandFacilitiesintheWesternBorough Currently,fewerthantenpeopleliveyearroundinthewesternBorough.Thereisnowater, sewerorwastewatercollectionsysteminthispartoftheBorough.Residentsobtaindrinking waterfrompersonalwellsorrainwatercatchmentsystems,havesepticsystemorcomposting toilets,andburnorburytrash.Emergencymedicaltechnician(EMT)trainersfromtheYakutat FireDepartmentcametoIcyBayinthepasttoofferEMTtraining.Thishasnotbeenoffered sincetheschoolclosed. AtCapeYakataga,residentsoccasionallyusetheFAAgroundstationwithuplinktoasatellite forcommunicationor,moreoften,useiridiumorGlobalStarsatellitetelephonesandStarband internetaccess.AtIcyBay,theStateandloggingcontractoralsohaveanestablishedground stationwithanuplinktoasatellitefortelephonecommunication.WithintheIcyBaylogging campasharedlineprovidestelephoneaccessforseveraltrailers/users. 6.11 PublicUtilitiesandFacilities–GoalsandPolicies Goal1.ProvideBoroughservicesasefficientlyandcosteffectivelyaspossible. BoroughServicesPolicy1.1Ensureboroughofficesarecosteffectivetomaintainand allowstafftoprovideexcellentservicetothepublic. BoroughServicesPolicy1.2–Encouragedevelopment,whereappropriate,ofjoint publicprivatefacilitiesandserviceprovision. Goal2.Provideorderly,efficient,andcosteffectivesewerandwaterservicestoprovidea frameworkfordevelopment. BoroughServicesPolicy2.1Completeacomprehensiveutilityplanthatidentifiesthe locationofcurrentutilitydeliverysystemsandaddressesfuturedevelopmentareasand theassociatedinfrastructureandexpansionrequirements.Thisplanningshould considerminimumlotsizeserved,topographyanddrainagepatterns,treatmentplant capacity,ratestructure,numberofliftstationsnecessary,linelocation,andeasements necessaryforlineextension. BoroughServicesPolicy2.2Duringtheplanningofutilitylinesandfacilities,the Boroughshallencouragetheirlocationonoradjacenttoexistingpublicorprivaterights ofwaytoavoiddividingexistinglots.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities 77 BoroughServicesPolicy2.3Propertyownersshouldbechargedfornewutilitiesthat servicetheirlotinafairandconsistentway. BoroughServicesPolicy2.4Ensurethatwaterandsewerfacilitiesmeetallrelevant regulationsandallcomponentsofthesystemhavenecessarypermits. BoroughServicesPolicy2.5Managewastewatertominimizepollutionoflocalhabitat andworkwithcitizenstoguidethepublicinproperseptictankinstallationaccordingto AlaskaDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationandFederalEnvironmental ProtectionAgencyregulations. BoroughServicesPolicy2.6Projectproponentsoutsidethesewerserviceareashallbe requiredtodemonstratethatadequateonsitefacilitiesandservicescanbeprovided priortoissuingaapproval. BoroughServicesPolicy2.7Developandimplementaregularinspectionand maintenanceprogramforthewaterandsewersystem.Thisshouldincluderegular testingofmainsandhydrantpressuresandshouldincludecalculationsofdailyuserates forwaterandsewer.Testallexistingwaterlinesandshouldschedulereplacementof thosesectionswithsubstantialleaks. BoroughServicesPolicy2.8Allwaterlinesinstalledintheearly1960sbythePublic HealthServiceshouldbereplacedastheyareamajorsourceofinfiltrationfromthe Yakutatwatersystem. BoroughServicesPolicy2.9Takemeasurestoreducetheinfiltrationofwaterintothe municipalsewagesystem.Excesswaterraisesthedailyvolumeofwastewaterwhich mustflowthroughthesewagetreatmentplant. BoroughServicesPolicy2.10Maintainatleasttwosetsofupdatedasbuiltdrawings forthemunicipalwaterandsewersystems.Thesedrawingsshouldincludeprivatelines wherepossible,andshouldbeupdatedwhenworkisdone.Oneofthetwosetsof drawingsshouldneverleavethemunicipaloffices. BoroughServicesPolicy2.11TheBoroughshouldbeginalocalprogramofwater conservationtoincreasethesystem'sservicecapacity.Waterconservationwillreduce thevolumeofwastewaterthatneedstobetreated. BoroughServicesPolicy2.12TheBoroughshallencourageprivatepartiestoconnect topublicutilitiesinallfeasiblesituations. 78 YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities

Goal3.Managesolidwastetominimizeimpactsontheenvironment. BoroughServicesPolicy3.1WorkwiththeYakutatTlingitTribeandtheAlaska DepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationtodevelopasolidwastedisposalplanthat meetsstaterequirementsincludingaDEClandfillpermit. BoroughServicesPolicy3.2IncreasethecapacityandeffectivenessoftheYakutat recyclingprogramandthehazardouswastemanagementprogram.Supportaprogram toeducateresidentsaboutrecyclingandhazardouswastemanagement,andto encourageparticipationintheseprograms.Developafenced,coveredareaforsorting andstoringmaterials. BoroughServicesPolicy3.3Seekoutandimplementalternativeanimalbyproduct andcompostablematerialdisposalmethods. BoroughServicesPolicy3.4Minimizebearproblemsassociatedwithsolidwaste management. BoroughServicesPolicy3.5Inthelongterm,determineifanincineratoristhebest solutionforimprovedsolidwastemanagement. BoroughServicesPolicy3.6Makethelandfillasaferplacetoworkbyextendingwater andelectricity. Goal4.Provideeffectivepublicsafetyservicetoresidentsandvisitors. BoroughServicesPolicy4.1Provideongoingtrainingforpolice,fire,emergency medical,searchandrescue,emergencyresponseanddispatchstaffandvolunteers. BoroughServicesPolicy4.2Reviewandkeepcurrentfirecodes,publicsafety recommendationsandhazardousmaterialhandlingprocedures. BoroughServicesPolicy4.3Encourageandsupportcoordinationofservicesbetween state,federalandlocalpublicsafetyoffices. BoroughServicesPolicy4.4Improvefireprotectionservicesandfacilities. Goal5.Developarenewableenergysourcewithloweroperatingcoststomeetthe Borough’sresidential,commercialandindustrialenergyneeds. BoroughServicesPolicy5.1Installabiomassenergysystem.WorkwiththeYakTat KwaanInc.andYakutatTlingitTribetodeterminebestlocalwoodproductsanddevelop anefficientsystemtoassemble,chip,dryandtransportbiomasstothepowerplant. YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities 79 Retainthedieselgenerationsystemasabackup. BoroughServicesPolicy5.2–Continuetoexplorethepossibilityofusingwave,tidal, windorsolarenergytomeetYakutat’sfuturepowergenerationneeds. BoroughServicesPolicy5.3Workwiththelocalfueldistributortoensurefairpricing offuelinYakutat. BoroughServicesPolicy5.4–Participateinapilotprojecttoharnesswaveenergyto supplementotherenergysources. Goal6.SatisfytherecreationalneedsofBoroughcitizensbyprovidingadiversityof opportunitiesforyouth,adultsandseniors. BoroughServicesPolicy6.1Plananddeveloprecreationfacilitiesandservicesthat meetthechangingneedsofthepopulation.Coordinatelocalandregionalrecreation needswithstateandfederalrecreationplanningeffortsintheborough. BoroughServicesPolicy6.2EnsurethatBoroughlandisappropriatelyidentifiedand preservedforthedevelopmentofparksandopenspaces. BoroughServicesPolicy6.3Supportthedevelopmentofrecreationtrails.Selecttrails shouldbebuiltinaccordancewithBoroughdesignstandards,whichmayinclude AmericanDisabilitiesActrequirementsandinterpretivesignageordisplays.Seemore policiesinthesectiononnonmotorizedtransportation. BoroughServicesPolicy6.4Encouragevolunteerprojectsthatfurthertherecreation goalsofthecommunity. BoroughServicesPolicy6.5Supportthedevelopmentofschooltrackandfieldand parkfacilitiesandencouragemaximumuseofschoolfacilitiesforothercommunity needs. BoroughServicesPolicy6.6Continuetomaintain,upgradeandcompletetheborough parks. BoroughServicesPolicy6.7Supportthedevelopmentofateencenter,possibly locatedinanexistingbuildingbehindthehighschool. BoroughServicesPolicy6.8Ensurethatpublicaccesstoremoterecreationareasis maintainedthroughouttheBorough.

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BoroughServicesPolicy6.9Supporttheprovisionofrecreationactivitiesforseniors. Goal7.ProvidehighqualityeducationforBoroughresidents. BoroughServicesPolicy7.1Pursueopportunitiestofosterlocalleadershipandcareer developmentskillsforschoolfacultyandstudents. BoroughServicesPolicy7.2Provideongoingmaintenancetotheschoolfacilitiesto provideagoodenvironmentforlearning. Goal8.Increasethecommunitybenefitsderivedfromscientificresearchtakingplaceinthe Borough. BoroughServicesPolicy8.1SupportthedevelopmentofaYakutatScienceCenter. BoroughServicesPolicy8.2Supportresearchprojectsthathavedirectimpactsonthe communityneedsandincorporatetraditionalandlocalecologicalknowledge. BoroughServicesPolicy8.3Supportcommunitybasedscienceprogramsthatprovide educationopportunitiesforthecommunity’sadultsandchildren. Goal9.Improvemedical,dentalandsocialservices. BoroughServicesPolicy9.1Supportimproved,reasonablypricedmedicalanddental facilitiesandservicesforallboroughresidents. BoroughServicesPolicy9.2WorkwiththeYakTatKwaanInc.andIndianHealth ServicestodevelopgoodqualityhealthcarefortheresidentsofYakutat. BoroughServicesPolicy9.3Supportthedevelopmentofalocalseniorscenterto providehousing,mealsandotherservicesforthecommunity’sseniors. BoroughServicesPolicy9.4Supportpartnershipsandcommunicationbetweenthe schools,theYakutatTlingitTribe,andthepublicsafetydepartmenttoprovidesocial servicestocitizens. Goal10.Informandeducatecitizensaboutplanningissuesfacingboroughstaffborough assembly,andplanningcommissionmembersandprovideopportunitiesforthecitizensto participateintheplanningprocess. BoroughServicesPolicy10.1Facilitatetaskforcesorspecialcommittees,toassistin thepreparationofplanningdocuments. YakutatComprehensivePlan|PublicUtilitiesandFacilities 81 BoroughServicesPolicy10.2Supportandencouragefullcommunityparticipationin thefederalplanningprocessforWrangellSt.EliasNationalParkandPreserve;for GlacierBayNationalParkandPreserve;fortheRussellFjordWildernessArea;duringthe SitukRiverPartnersplanningprocess;andduringthedevelopmentoftheTongassLand ManagementPlanbytheUSForestService. BoroughServicesPolicy10.3Encouragecommunityparticipationinstateandfederal planningeffortswithintheborough. BoroughServicesPolicy10.4Useavailablemediasources,suchaspublicradioandthe Boroughwebsite,toadvertisepublicmeetingsonplanningmatters. BoroughServicesPolicy10.5Encouragetheintegrationofplanningcurrentevents, landuseplanning,mappingandgeneralYakutatareageographyintotheYakutatSchool Districtlearningcurriculum.

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7 LandStatusandManagementinYakutat Approximately97percentofthelandwithintheCityandBoroughofYakutatisownedand managedbyeitherthefederalorstategovernment.Onlytwopercent(2.2%)ofthelandbaseis privatelyowned,andlessthanahalfpercent(0.43%)isownedbytheCityandBoroughof Yakutat.ThefivelargepubliclandownersintheBorougharetheNationalParkService(Glacier BayNationalParkandPreserve,WrangellSt.EliasNationalParkandPreserve),USForest Service(TongassNationalForest)theBureauofLandManagement,theStateofAlaska (includingtheAlaskaMentalHealthTrustandtheYakatagaStateGameRefuge)andthe YakutatBorough.MajorprivatesectorlandownersincludetheYakTatKwaan,Inc.,Chugach AlaskaCorporationandSealaskaCorporation.TheYakutatTlingitTribeandhundredsofprivate citizens,includingthosewhoownNativeAllotments,aretheprivatelandownerswithinthe CityandBoroughofYakutat.LandstatusintheBoroughisshownonFigures4through7. TABLE7.1–YAKUTATBOROUGHLANDSTATUS LandOwner Percent Acres FederalGovernment(all) 88.21% 4,409,877 NationalParkService 50.8% 2,541,502 USForestService 24.0% 1,197,638 BureauofLandManagement 10.6% 531,545 Stateselected(stillownedbyfederalgovt) 0.9% 43,469 NativeCorporationselected(stillownedbyfederalgovt) 1.9% 95,723 State(all) 9.12% 456,055 CityandBoroughofYakutat 0.43% 21,500 Private(all:includesNativeCorporation,NativeAllotmentsand 2.24% 112,084 otherprivate) Total 100% 4,999,516 Source:CityandBoroughofYakutatGIS Thelandstatusandmanagementplansdescribednextsetacontextforplanningintheregion. ManyofthepubliclandownersintheBoroughhavemanagementplansforlandsundertheir jurisdiction.Ideally,theBorough,state,andfederalgovernmentlandmanagerswillwork togethertoensurethatalllanduseanddevelopmentprojectsinthisareaarecompatibleand complementary.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandStatusandManagementinYakutat 83 7.1 FederalLand ThemajorityoflandintheBoroughismanagedbyeithertheNationalParkService(NPS)as partofWrangellStEliasNationalParkandPreserveorGlacierBayNationalParkandPreserve; bythefederalBureauofLandManagement(BLM)orbytheU.S.D.A.ForestService.The FederalAviationAdministration(FAA)ownstwosmallparcels;oneatCapeYakatagaupon whichaviationandweatherequipmentandthreedwellingsarelocated,andoneintownnear theintersectionofForestHighway10andtheAirportRoad. 7.1.1 WrangellSt.EliasNationalParkandPreserve TheNPSisthelargestlandownerandmanagerintheCityandBoroughofYakutat.The WrangellSt.EliasunitoftheNationalParkSystemhasthecontinent'slargestgroupofglaciers andthegreatestcollectionofpeaksabove16,000feet.TheParkischaracterizedbyremote mountains,valleys,wildrivers,andavarietyofwildlife.ItwasproclaimedasWrangellSt.Elias NationalMonumentin1978anddesignatedaWorldHeritageSitein1979.In1980thearea wasestablishedasanationalparkandpreserveand9millionacresofwildernesswas designated.TheportionoftheParkthatiswithintheYakutatBoroughincludestheBagley Icefield,thelargestnonpolaricefieldinNorthAmerica,landsurroundingIcyBay,the MalaspinaandHubbardGlaciers,andtheareabetweenYakutatBayandtheMalaspinaGlacier (knownastheMalaspinaForelands). WithintheWrangellSt.EliasNationalParkandPreserve(WRST)isacomplexarrangementof landownershipsandcontinuingusessuchassubsistence,trapping,sporthunting,mining, aircraftuse,andtimberharvestinterminglewiththepoundingofwildrivers,wildlifedramas, andthenestingofeagles.SubsistenceuseintheWRSTbylocalresidentsispermittedwhere theuseis"traditional."TheuseofaircraftintheParkfortakingfishorwildlifeisprohibited exceptforYakutatresidents’accesstotheMalaspinaForelands. ThePark’s20012005StrategicPlanstatesthatthepurposeofWRSTistopreserveandprotect ecologicalintegrityandheritageresourcesofavastecosysteminsouthcentralAlaska,while providingforpublicuseinawildernesssetting.WRST,at13.2millionacres,wasspecifically designatedtoencompassanarealargeenoughtoincludeadiverserangeofscenery,high latitudebiomes,andlandscapelevelprocesseswherehumansareconsideredanintegralpart oftheecosystem.Ecosystemintegrityandcarefullyplannedpublicuseisessentialsothereis opportunityforthecontinuationofsubsistencelifestyles,futurescientificinvestigations, interpretationofnaturalforces,andtheinspirationandsolitudeofwildernessexperiencefor presentandfuturegenerations.Compatiblepublicusesandincreasedaccess,where appropriate,willbepromoted,whilemaintainingthequalityoftheexperienceandthenatural andculturalresources.

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Thegeneralmanagementplanaddressesissuesandprovidesmanagementresponsetothose issues.Issuesdiscussedintheplanincludecooperativeprograms,visitoruses,interpretation, commercialservices,developmentandaccess,landmanagement(includingminerals management,wildernesssuitability,andboundaryadjustments),resourcemanagement,NPS administrativefacilities,andsubsistenceactivitiesandrurallifestyles. WorldHeritageStatus.Thenationsoftheworldsignedatreatytoinventory,recognize,and protectirreplaceableareasof"outstandinguniversalvaluetomankind"throughan organizationcalledtheWorldHeritageConvention.TheUnitedNationsEnvironmental ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)hasdesignatedaWorldHeritageSitethat includesencompassesWrangellSt.EliasNationalParkandPreserve,GlacierBayNationalPark andPreserve,KluaneNationalPark(Canada),andthenewTatshenshiniAlsekProvincialPark (Canada).TheWrangellSt.EliasNationalParkandKluaneNationalParkinCanadawere designatedasaWorldHeritagesitein1979andtheGlacierBayNationalParkandPreserveand theTatshenshiniAlsekProvincialParkwereaddedin1992.Thedesignationprovidesadditional protectionforYakutat'snaturalandculturalenvironment.Oftenthereisfinancialortechnical assistancemadeavailabletohelpinthepreservation. 7.1.2 GlacierBayNationalParkandPreserve TheareaeastofDryBayandtheAlsekRivertotheBoroughboundaryonthesoutheastis managedbytheNPSaspartoftheGlacierBayNationalParkandPreserve.TheGlacierBay GeneralManagementPlan(NPS1984)setsthedirectionformanagementofnaturaland culturalresources,visitoruse,landprotection,andfacilitydevelopmentwithintheparkand preserve.Accordingtotheplan,traditionalcommercialfishingisallowedthroughoutthisnon wildernessparkandpreservewaterssubjecttoregulation.Subsistenceuseisallowedinthe preservebutnotinthepark.Culturalresourcesaretobesurveyedandprotected.Visitoruses, concessions,backcountryuse,andcruiseshipuseareallregulatedbytheplan. GlacierBayPreserveisentirelywithintheBoroughandincludestheDryBayareawherethe planallowsfishcampstobebuiltonsandspitsalongriversandtheGulfofAlaska.Commercial, sport,andsubsistencehuntingandfishingactivitiesareallowedinaccordancewithANILCAand areguidedbythemanagementgoalofmaintaininghealthypopulationsandqualityhabitat. In2000,aStrategicPlanforGlacierBayNationalParkandPreservewascompletedandoutlines missionsandgoalsrelatedtooverallmanagementoftheareasresources.Planningworkwas doneonthemanagementofvesseltrafficinGlacierBayin2007andplansrelatingtotheoff roadvehicleuseinDryBaywillbeupdatedin2010.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandStatusandManagementinYakutat 85 Figure 4. Map of Western Borough Land Ownership Land Ownership City and Borough of Yakutat City and Borough of Yakutat State State of Alaska State Selected Alaska Mental Health Trust Private Native Allotment Chugach Alaska Corporation Chugach Alaska Corp Selections Wrangell St. Elias Park Federal and Preserve National Park Service Bureau of Land Management Borough Boundary State Game Refuge Boundary

Cape Icy Bay Yakataga Icy Cape

Cape Suckling

March 24, 20104 02 4 8 12 16 Miles

Data Source: State of Alaska Land Information System Figure 5. Map of Eastern Borough Land Ownership

Russell Fiord Land Ownership City and Borough of Yakutat City and Borough of Yakutat State State of Alaska Alaska Mental Health Trust FAA Private Yak-Tat Kwaan Native Allotment Yakutat Private Bay Federal US Forest Service National Park Service Bureau of Land Management Borough Boundary

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

March 2010 4

02.5 5 10 15 20 Miles

Data Source: State of Alaska Land Information System Figure 6. Map of Yakutat and Vicinity Land Ownership

Land Ownership City and Borough of Yakutat City and Borough of Yakutat State State of Alaska Alaska Mental Health Trust FAA Private Yak-Tat Kwaan Native Allotment Yakutat Private Bay Federal US Forest Service National Park Service Bureau of Land Management Roads

March 2010 4 012340.5 Miles

Data Source: State of Alaska Land Information System Figure 7. Map of Yakutat Townsite Land Ownership

Land Ownership City and Borough of Yakutat City and Borough of Yakutat State State of Alaska Alaska Mental Health Trust Puget Cove FAA Yakutat Private Bay HWY 10 - Dangerous River Road Yak-Tat Kwaan orest F Native Allotment Private Federal US Forest Service Monti Bay National Park Service Bureau of Land Management Roads

March 2010 4 00.3 0.6 1.2 1.8 2.4 Miles

Data Source: State of Alaska Land Information System 7.1.3 BureauofLandManagement(BLM)ResourceManagementPlan InSeptember2007,theBureauofLandManagement(BLM)releasedarecordofdecisionon theEastAlaskaResourceManagementPlanforlandswithintheGlennallenDistrict,which includestheCapeSucklingIcyBayarea.ThisPlanguidesmanagementofthepubliclandsinthe planningareaincludingthoselandsselectedbytheStateofAlaskaandNativeCorporationsbut notyetconveyed.ThePlanestablishesgoalsandobjectivesforresourcemanagement,the measuresneededtoachievethosegoalsandobjectives,andconditionsforusingBLMmanaged lands. TheBeringGlacierareainthewesternpartoftheboroughisdesignatedasaResearchNatural Area.Theobjectivesofthismanagementareaareto:1)Protecthabitatsassociatedwiththe glacialenvironmentandtheretreatingglacierinordertocontinuetoprovideopportunitiesfor research;2)Protectwetlandsthatprovideimportanthabitatformigratingbirds;3)Manageto continuetoprovideaprimitiverecreationexperience;4)Conductresearchactivitiesina mannerthatisleastobtrusivetotheareaand;5)Managetoprotectanadromousfisheries habitattosupportcontinued,longtermsubsistenceuse.Thewesterntwothirdsofthearea willbeclosedtomineralentryandmineralleasingandtheeasternonethirdwillbeopento mineralentryandmineralleasing,subjecttoRequiredOperatingProceduresandoilandgas stipulations.Timberharvestwillonlybepermittediftheprimaryobjectiveisenhancementof identifiedvalues(suchasmoosewinterrange)andwillbecontingentonutilizingtemporary roads. 7.1.4 USForestServiceTongassNationalForest TheU.S.ForestServicemanageslandintheTongassNationalForestbetweentheAlsekRiver andYakutatBay,aspartoftheYakutatRangerDistrict.In2008,aLandandResource ManagementPlanfortheTongassNationalForestwascompleted.ThisPlanestablishesLand ManagementDesignations(LUDs)andsetsoutstandardsandguidelinesforeachdesignation. ThereareninedesignationsintheYakutatRangerDistrict;thisincludestheRussellFiord WildernessArea,acongressionallydesignatedLUDIIspecialareainYakutatForelandseastof theDangerousRiver,tractsforremoteandsemiremoterecreation,andsomesmallertractsfor timberharvest.TheYakutatRangerDistricthasanofficeinYakutatandmanagestimber harvest,commercialandnoncommercialrecreationactivities,motorizedandnonmotorized accessand14publicusecabins. RussellFiordWilderness.TheUnitedStatesCongressdesignatedtheRussellFiordWildernessin 1980.FromDisenchantmentBay,attheupperendofYakutatBay,heavilyglaciatedRussell Fiordpenetratesabout35milesinland,buttheadvanceofHubbardGlacierisslowlysqueezing itofffromthesea.RussellFiordandNunatakFiordarefeaturesofthedramaticicecarved shoreline.Withinthearea,whichliesbetweentheFairweatherandBrabazonRanges,are forestedrivervalleysrisingtoalpinemeadowsandpeaks.FromthepeaksofthePuget

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Peninsula,MalaspinaGlacier,thelargestpiedmontglacierinNorthAmerica,dominatesthe lowlandsontheothersideofYakutatBay.AbovetheMalaspinarisesMt.SaintElias,risingto over18,000feetabovesealevelandtothenorthisMountLogan,thesecondhighestpeakin NorthAmerica.TheHubbardGlacier,atthenorthwestboundaryofRussellFiord,isoneofthe largesttidewaterglaciersinNorthAmerica.Threetimesinthelast40years,theHubbardhas closedagainstthePugetPeninsula,creatinganicedamandtheriskofflooding. 7.2 StateofAlaskaLand AlaskaStatelandinYakutatBoroughincludesalltidelandsandsubmergedlands,landsunder navigablewaterwaysandotherStateowneduplandsparcels.TheDepartmentofFishand GamemanageslandwithintheYakatagaStateGameRefuge;theDepartmentofTransportation andPublicFacilitiesmanages3,400acresneartheairport;theDepartmentofNatural ResourcesmanageslargeblocksoflandinthewesternBoroughinaccordancewiththe YakatagaAreaPlanandtheUniversitySettlementAgreement.OtherStatelandisownedbythe AlaskaMentalHealthTrust(AMHT)andmanagedbyitsTrustLandOfficeinordertogenerate revenueformentalhealthprogramsintheState.TheUniversityofAlaskaownstwosmall parcelswestofCapeYakataga. AlongtheWhiteRiver,andatandaroundCapeYakataga,arefederalminingclaims,which preventtheBLMfromconveyingthislandtotheState.TherearethussmallblocksofState selectedland,coincidentwithfederalminingclaimsintheseareas. 7.2.1 YakatagaStateGameRefuge The99,400acreYakatagaStateGameRefugewascreatedin1990toachievethesegoals:  Toprotectthefishandwildlifehabitatandpopulations,includingsalmonspawningand rearinghabitatandcriticalgoalandmoosewinterhabitat.

 Toprotectthepublicusesoffishandwildlifeandtheirhabitat,particularlycommercial, sport,andsubsistencefishing,hunting,viewing,photography,andgeneralpublic recreationinahighqualityenvironment.

 Toprotecttheuseanddispositionofotherresourceswhentheactivitiesarenot inconsistentwiththeabovegoals. In1999,theAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame(ADF&G)preparedtheYakatagaStateGame RefugeManagementPlantoprovideconsistentandlongrangemanagementguidanceforthe Refuge.TherearemanagementpoliciesinthePlanthatguideactivitywithintheRefuge.A SpecialAreaPermitisrequiredforexistingandproposedpermanentfacilitiesandairboatusers. Forfacilities,thesepermitswillrequireadequatewateruse,sewageandwastedisposalplans;

YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandStatusandManagementinYakutat 91 restrictionsonwhatmaybestoredatthepermittedfacility;andsoilandvegetation disturbancerestrictions. TheRefugePlandoesnotaddresshuntingorfishingregulations,whicharetheauthorityofthe BoardsofFishandGame.ApermitisrequiredfromADF&Gwheneveranyhabitataltering activityisproposedintheRefuge,whichincludesuseofwheeled,tracked,orothervehicles, destructionofvegetation,excavation,anysurfaceorshorelinealteringactivity,andsoon.Also, researchprograms,facilitiesforpublicuse,andStateprojectsmustbeconsistentwiththegoals andpoliciespresentedinthePlan.AllotherStateandfederalpermitsandreviewsapply withintheRefuge,andsomeactivitiesalsorequireaCityandBoroughofYakutatzoning complianceorconditionalusepermit. 7.2.2 YakatagaAreaPlan In1980theAlaskaLegislaturedirectedtheAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources(ADNR)to completealanduseplanfortheYakatagaareatohelpresolvelongstandingdisputesover managementoftimber,fishandwildlife,andotherresourceusesonStateland.Thefinal YakatagaAreaPlan(YAP)waspublishedinApril1995,andwasrevisedin1994tobeconsistent withtheUniversityofAlaskasettlementagreementontimberrightsintheYakatagaArea. TheYAPhelpstoensurethatStateresourcemanagementtakesintoaccountthesustained yieldofrenewableresources,thatdevelopmentisbalancedwithenvironmentalconcerns,and thatpublicaccessisprovidedtoStateland.ThePlandoesthisbycreatinglanduse designationsthatdescribetheprimaryusesandresourcesADNRwillemphasizeinits managementdecisions.AlaskaMentalHealthTrustlandisnotmanagedbythisplan.TheYAP wasamendedin2004torevisesomelanduseclassificationsinordertofacilitatetransferof municipalentitlementstotheBorough. TheYAP’sprimarymanagementintentforStatelandinthisareaisasfollows:  AroundtheSucklingHillsandVitusLakeareaStatelandistobemanagedprimarilyfor recreation,habitatandfishandwildlifeharvest;

 IntheKaliakhandKulthiethRiveruplandsStatelandistobeprimarilymanagedfor forestryinconcertwithotheruses;

 EastoftheDuktothRiverStatelandistobemanagedforforestry,exceptforthenorth channeloftheYakatagaRiverwhichisforfishandwildlifeharvest;and

 StatelandswestoftheTrustlandtractatIcyBayaregenerallytobemanagedforfish andwildlifeharvest.

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7.2.3 UniversityofAlaska WhiletheUniversityofAlaskadoesnotownmuchlandintheBorough,itgainedonetime timberharvestrightsaspartofacompensationpackagefortheUniversityTrustLandsthatthe StatehadconveyedtotheMunicipalityofAnchorage.Thissettlementagreementgrantedthe UniversityofAlaskaonetimerightstocutaspecificvolumeoftimberwithinthreedefined areasweregrantedtotheUniversityonStatelandatCapeSuckling(32,300acres),Cape Yakataga(2,065acres)andWhiteRiver(3,411acres).InDecember1994,thepartiesagreedto conveytothelimitedUniversitycuttingrightsonStatelandeastoftheDuktothRiverin substitutionforequivalentcuttingrightstheUniversityheldatCapeSuckling.Theagreement alsocommittedDNRtoallowacabinandtrailsystemfundedbytheUniversityonStatelands westoftheDuktothRiver. 7.2.4 AlaskaMentalHealthTrust TheAlaskaMentalHealthTrustownsalargetractoflandonthewestsideofIcyBayanda501 acreparceloneithersideoftheAirportRoadneartheGlacierBearLodgeareaonthewayto theYakutatairport.TrustLandsaretobemanagedforrevenuegeneratingpurposes,withan “undividedloyaltytotheTrustanditsbeneficiaries.”TrustLandsaresubjecttothepolice powerauthorityofthestateanditspoliticalsubdivisionstothesameextentasprivateland (see11AAC99.140). TheTrustcompletedasignificanttimberharvestprograminthewesternBoroughinthe1990s andearly2000salongwiththeUniversityofAlaska.Timberontheparcelalongtheroadtothe Yakutatairportwasalsocutinthepastandthelandhasbeensubdivided(onpaper)into approximatelyfiveacreparcelswithroads. 7.3 CityandBoroughofYakutatLand TheCityandBoroughofYakutatownsandmanagesapproximately21,500acres,including:  4,197acresintheYakutattownsite(formercity).

 A5,464acretractalongthecoastbetweenCapeSucklingandtheSealRiver.

 A9,804acretractbetweentheTsiuRiverandtheDuktothRiver,southoftheYakataga GameRefuge.

 A5,538acretractatIcyBay. CityandBoroughofYakutatlandinthetownsiteismanagedforarangeofuses.Manyparcels ontheroadnetworkcontainboroughfacilities.Thelandfillsite,sewagetreatmentbuilding, watertowers,powerplant,cityhall,publicsafetybuilding,smallboatharborandmanyparks arelocatedonBoroughproperty.YakutatSeafoodsoperatesatalocationthatisleasedfrom YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandStatusandManagementinYakutat 93 theBorough.AsignificantamountofBoroughlandcontainswetlandsorwaterbodiesoris otherwisenotsuitablefordevelopment. Inthepast,theBoroughhasmadelandavailableforsaletotheprivatesectorforresidentialor industrialuses.TheBoroughwillcontinuetodisposeofpubliclandtomeetthefuture residential,commercialandindustrialneeds,whilemaintainingsufficientlandfortoprovide publicservices. TheBoroughgainedtitletoover20,000acresoflandaspartofitsmunicipalentitlementin threeareas;westIcyBay,amilewideswathofcoastfrontingtheYakatagaStateGameRefuge, andwestofSealRiver.Duringthelandselectionprocess,therewasahighlevelofcommunity interestinallowingsustainableuseanddevelopmentofpartsthisnewlandbase.Whenthe Boroughselectedthelandsinthisareaitrecognizedthatparcelsshouldbemanaged:

 Tomaintainfishandwildliferesourcesanduses.

 Forotherrecreationalpurposes.

 Sothathabitatprotectionstipulationsorconditionsmightapplytothe500footwide stripofcoastalfringe.

 Sothatifonshoreoroffshoreoilwasfoundinthearea,itwasconceivablethatonshore supportfacilitiesmightbelocatedonitslandifimpactstofishandwildliferesources couldbeminimized. TheBoroughComprehensivePlansetsoutthebroaddirectionfortheBorough’slanduse. AnotherplanusedfrequentlybytheCityandBoroughofYakutattomanagelandistheYakutat CoastalManagementPlan.Specificenforceableregulations,alistofpermitteduses,and dimensionalstandardsforeachzoningdistrictisfoundintheYakutatPlanningandZoningcode, Title8oftheCityandBoroughofYakutatMunicipalCode. 7.4 PrivateLand 7.4.1 ChugachAlaskaCorporation ChugachAlaskaCorporationhastwotractsoflandintheBorough,theEastIcyBaytract totalingapproximately70,000acres,andtheCapeYakatagatractatover1,000acres.Chugach hasadditionallandselectionspendingconveyanceatEastIcyBay,CapeSucklingandtheupper KaliakhRiver/RobinsonMountainarea.Chugachintendstoretaintitletoitslandsinthe Boroughandcapitalizeonfutureopportunitiesfortimbermanagement;oilandgas exploration,developmentandsupport;andtourismincludingguidedhuntingandfishing.The EastIcyBaytract,isparticularlywellsuitedtoprovideuplandandmarinetransportation supportfacilitiesinconjunctionwithotherresourcedevelopmentactivities.

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7.4.2 SealaskaCorporation SealaskaCorporationownsthesubsurfaceestateoftheYakTatKwaanlandsandhas“over selections”surroundingthetownsite.ASealaskasubsidiary,AlaskaCoastalAggregates,is activelyseekingpartnerstodevelopacommercialsandandgravelexportoperationonitsland aroundBrokenOarCoveoffForestHighway#10.TheCorporationprimarilyviewsitsother arealandas“exchangestock”forfederallanditdesireselsewhere.Thismeansthatitislikely thatmuchofthislandwilleventuallyberetainedbythefederalForestService. 7.4.3 YakTatKwaanCorporation YakTatKwaan,Inc.isYakutat’svillagecorporationformedundertheAlaskaNativeClaims SettlementActof1971(ANCSA).YakTatKwaancurrentlyhas467shareholdersandhas receivedtitleto23,040acresofland.Sinceformation,ithaspurchasedadditionallandinthe Yakutatarea.YakTatKwaanhasbeeninvolvedinanumberofbusinessactivities includingtimberharvest(ofblowdownoverlastfewyears,nolargescaleoperationsatthis time),constructionandequipmentleasing,andseafoodprocessing(notatthistime).The Kwaanownsaseafoodprocessingfacility,theoldYakutatclinic,anofficebuildingintown,a modularbuilding,andawarehouseshopwithanapartment.TheBoardofDirectorsguides howlanddevelopmentwilltakeplace.TheYakTatKwaan1992LandUsePlanisthemost recentformalplantosetsouthowYakTatKwaanlandistobemanaged. 7.4.4 YakutatTlingitTribe TheYakutatTlingitTribe(YTT)becameaFederallyRecognizedTribein1993.TheYTThas380 tribalmembersandreceiveddeedtoaformerCovenantChurchlandfrontingMallottDrive uponwhichTlingitHaidaRegionalHousingAuthorityhasbuilttwo8plexdwellingunitsanda playground.TheYTTisalsoinvolvedinenvironmentalprogramsattheYakutatlandfilland throughoutthecommunity. 7.4.5 NativeAllotees Thereareapproximately20NativeAllotmentsintheBoroughthathavebeencertifiedand conveyed.Nativealloteescanreceivedupto160acresoflandviathe1906NativeAllotment Actandowntheirlandlikeanyotherprivatelandowner.TheBureauofIndianAffairs,through YakutatTlingitTribedoesretainsometrustresponsibilities,andthelandcannotbetaxed unlessitisdevelopedorleased. Therearealso45lotsinUSS1897thatareinrestricteddeedstatusandownedunderthe1926 NativeTownsiteAct.UnderthisAct,villagesweresurveyedintolots,blockssheetsand individuallotsconveyedtonativeadults.Theserestricteddeedsretainsomeofthetrust YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandStatusandManagementinYakutat 95 relationshipbetweenthefederalgovernmentandNativecitizens.Titleconditionslimitthe Nativeowner’sabilitytosellortransferhisproperty.Thesepropertiesarealsonotsubjectto taxation,norcanzoning,housing,buildingorotherregulatorycodesbeenforcedunlesspublic health,safetyandwelfareareatstake.Theseparcelscannotbesoldorleasedwithout approvaloftheSecretaryoftheInterior.

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8 LandUseandFutureGrowth

Goal1.Developandadheretoaprocedurebywhichlocalresidentshavetheopportunity topurchaseanddevelopland. Goal2.Guideinfrastructuredevelopmentsothatthereisanadequatemixoflandfor commercial,industrial,residentialandrecreationaldevelopmentandthatpromotesgood communitydesign. Goal3.Developthecommunityinamannerthatprotectsthehistoricalandcultural characterofthecommunity. LandusepatternsinYakutathavedevelopedinresponsetothephysicalenvironmentandthe historicalorientationtowardsthecoastforfood,work,andrecreation.Thetownsiteisfairly compactwithcommercialandindustrialdevelopmentconcentratedalongthewaterfrontsof MontiBayandYakutatBayandalongtheroadtotheairport.Residentiallandusesarethe mostprevalent,andconsistspredominantlyofdetachedsinglefamilyhomeswithsome multiplefamilyunitsandmobilehomes.Commercialusesincludebusinessessuchasstores, restaurants,lodges,andprivate,state,andfederaloffices.Industrialusesconsistprimarilyof marinerelatedindustries,fishprocessing,storage,andtheBoroughwastewatertreatment facility,powerplantandlandfill.Thelandssurroundingthetownsitehavebeentraditionally usedbyresidentsforsubsistenceactivitiesandtoalesserbutincreasingextent,recreation. Theprimaryconstrainttodevelopingnewlandintheboroughwillbethephysicalattributes, includingsteepslopesandoccasionalpoordrainage.Thesecharacteristicspresentchallenges whenprovidingpublicsewerandwater.Developingunsuitablelandmayleadtoincreased erosionorotherenvironmentalproblems.Theseconstraintsshouldbeaddressedinthe borough'slanddevelopmentcodessuchasthezoningandsubdivisionordinances. ThereisanabundanceoflandintheBorough,althoughmostofitispubliclyownedand managed,whichcanmakelanddevelopmentachallenge.Therearehowever,opportunitiesto makeBoroughlandavailablefordisposalintoprivatehands.Althoughcontroversialinthe past,appropriatestatelandscouldalsobemadeavailable.Inaddition,theYakTatKwaanhas landholdingsitmaychoosetosellorleaseinthefuture. YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth 97 PlanningforinfrastructureinsmallcommunitieslikeYakutatrequirestheintegrationof engineeringandplanningsothatservicingimprovementsdonotleaddevelopmentbutis complementary.Problemscanarisewhenareaslocatedawayfromthemaintownsiteare developedbeforemorecentralareas.Developmentoutsidethemaintownsitemoves residentsfurtherfromthestores,schoolsandothercommunitydestinationsfoundinthe centeroftown.Itisoftenmoreexpensivetoprovideutilitiesandotherservicestolotsthatare furtheraway.Forthesereasons,itusuallymakessensetodevelopnewlotsadjacentto existingdevelopment. Since2005,thepopulationofYakutathasnotbeengrowingandlanddevelopmenthasbeen slow.Despitethisslowgrowth,itisstillnecessarytocreatefuturegrowthmapsthatidentify areasappropriateforfutureresidential,commercialandindustrialdevelopment.Thiswillallow timetoplanandinstalltherequiredservices;amendthezoningordinanceifrequiredandwill letpropertyownersknowwhattypeoffuturedevelopmenttoexpectonadjacentproperties. 8.1 HistoryofLandUseintheYakutat 8.1.1 TheModernCommunityisEstablished,1880sto1960s Themoderncommunitydatesfromthelate1880swhenpeoplemovedfromremotecamps andsettlementstobeneartheCovenantMissionbriningYakutat’spopulationto300.In1904, theopeningofacanneryattheOceanCapeSeafoodssitepulledsettlementsouthbetweenthe canneryandthepresentCityHall.TheseearlydevelopmentsweresurveyedaspartofU.S.S. Survey1897,TractsA,BandC.Developmentpatternsdatingfromthistimearestillinevident today,withlotlinesdrawnaroundexistingbuildingsasopposedtomoretraditionalsubdivision patterns.Insomeareastheresultingsmalllotsandnarrowrightsofwaycomplicatemodern development.TheCovenantMission’slarge290acreparcel(CentralYakutatSubdivisionof U.S.S.659)physicallysplitthecommunityintwountil1962whentheconstructionofMallott Avenueencouragednewcommercialdevelopmenttolocatealongthatmajorthoroughfare. 8.1.2 The1970sBoomTime Fromtheearly1900suntil1970mostofthelandinYakutatwasownedbythefederal governmentandnewdevelopmentwasslow.Yakutat’spopulationroseandfelloverthe centuryandby1970ithaddeclinedtojust190.The1970swereadecadeofaction,prosperity andpopulationgrowth.TheenactmentofANCSAin1971andsubsequentlandtransferto RegionalandVillageNativeCorporationsbegantoputlandintolocalhands.Duringthesame period,theCitybegantoreceiveitsmunicipallandentitlements.Keeninterestinareaoil explorationbyARCOCorporationsoonledtoARCOpurchaseofthecanneryandother waterfrontlandaroundMontiBay.Residentswereexcitedaboutgettingsomelandinto‘local’ handsandatthesametimeconcernedthatmuchofthelandwasbeingpurchasedby

98 YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth

‘outsiders.’NegotiationsledtotheCityacquiringtheOceanCapeCanneryanddockfromARCO whileARCOretainedthe(now)YKIdockareaforoffshoreoilsupport. TheCitysoondevelopedRidgeRoadandsoldresidentiallotsonthislandacquiredfromthe BLM.Thisdevelopmentclearlyshowstheimpactofdrainageandtopographyonland development.GradesareparticularlyseverealongRidgeRoadwhereslopesfalloffveryrapidly alongbothsidesoftheroadformuchofitslengthandsmalllakesareoftenfoundatthe bottomoftheravines.Manylotsherearenotdevelopableasthesubdivisionwas‘paper platted’withoutregardtotopography. Inthe1960s,theStatebuilttheShipyardCovesmallboatharbor,andtransferredthelandat Leonard’sLandingintoprivateownership.Intheearly1970s,AlaskaStateHousingAuthority (ASHA)instituteda“sweatequity”programwherelaborenabledindividualstoobtainalotand homeinthenewlysubdivisionnexttotheschool.Between1977and1980TlingitHaida RegionalHousingAuthority(THRHA)developedtheMontiBayHeightssubdivision.In1980,the StateandCityteameduptoextendtheASHASubdivision.Lotsweresoldwithastipulation thathomesmustbebuiltwithintwoyears,andtheCityputinsewer,water,powerandroads. TheCityannexedtheWestAdditionareaintotheCityinthe1970s.Thisareaofformerfederal landwasturnedovertotheStatewhichsubsequentlydeededittoprivatepartiesduringWWII andduringthe1970s.Landownersprotestedtheannexationarguingthattheyhadnoutilities, buteventuallytheylostthechallenge.TheCitydidestablishadifferentialtaxserviceareafor propertytaxassessments.Withsomuchlanddevelopment,theCity’sfirstzoningcodeswere createdandtheplanningandzoningcommissionwasformed.By1980,Yakutat’spopulation hadjumpedto449. 8.1.3 RelativeQuietDuring1980s Theactionsofthe1970ssatisfiedmuchofthedemandforprivatelandandtherewasverylittle landdevelopmentinthe1980sand1990s.In1987theCovenantChurchdeededmostofits propertytotheCity,aportionalongMallottRoadtoYakutatTlingitTribe,andretainedalotfor thePresbyterianChurchandAssemblyofGodChurch.DuringthistimetheCitysuccessfully petitionedtheStatetoformaBoroughandwasthenabletoannexmoreland.THRHA developeditssecondhousingsubdivision,ThunderlandSubdivision,intheearly1990s. 8.1.4 BoroughFormationandDevelopment,late1990stomid2000s Duringthe1990stheCityofYakutatdissolvedandaUnifiedHomeruleBoroughwasformed thatstretchedfromCapeFairweatherinthesouthtoCapeSucklinginthenorth.Alongwith thiscametherighttoselectmorethan19,000acresofmunicipalentitlementland,mostof whichwasselectedfromthenewpartoftheboroughnorthandwestofIcyBay.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth 99 In1998,theCovenantChurchdeededitspropertyalonglowerRidgeRoadtoindividualowners andmissionpropertywastransferredtotheCityandBoroughofYakutat.By2000,therewasa pentupdemandforlandandtheBoroughsubdividedandsold32lotsintheSouthandWest AdditionSubdivisions. Priorto2003,allBoroughlandwassoldbylottery.Ifyouwere17orolderandaresident,for $20youcouldpurchasealotteryticket.Ifyourticketwasselectedyouhadtopay10%ofthe lotpriceatthattimeandtheremainingcostwithinayear.Theappraisedvaluewaslistedin thelotterynotice.Ifthelotterywinnerdidnotpurchasethelotitwentbacktoapool.In2003, anordinancewasadoptedtoallowtheBoroughtoselllotsnotpickedupinthelotteryoverthe counteratapricebasedontheassessedvalue. TheSouthAdditionareawassubdividedand12lotsweresoldin2000bylotteryforbetween $17,000and$22,000each.Lots3,4,5onBlockEwerenotmadeavailableforsalebecause theyarewithin500feetofOphirCreekandthecommunitywishestoprotectitswaterquality. Sewerwouldneedtobeextendediftheselotsweretobedeveloped.TheSouthAdditionlots areaboutanacreinsize,andsince2000lotshavebeenresold,reportedlyforashighas $34,000.TheBoroughhasbuiltaroadandextendedthewaterandelectricalservices,with eachpropertyownerpayingapproximately$13,000fortheseimprovements. TheWestAdditionwassubdividedandapproximately20lotssoldin2000bylottery.Residents hadpetitionedtoextendtheutilitiesbeforethelotsweresold,butthisdidnotoccur.In2002, theBoroughdidextendelectricityandwater,andmadesomeminorroadimprovements.The utilitydistrictassessmentwasverylow,subsidizedbyBorough,partlyinresponsetodemands fromresidentswhohadbeenlivingintheareaforalongtime.Theutilityassessmentwas $1,700to$6,300perlot,dependinguponlotsize. IntheRidgeRoad/LakeStreetarea,thecosttoextendsewer,waterandelectricityis significantlymoreexpensive,likelybetween$25,000and$28,000perlot,duetotopography anddrainage.Somelotsinthisareawheresoldforbetween$2,500and$4,800perlotin1999 andotherswereretainedbytheBorough.Somelotswerepurchasedonspeculation,and othersarenotdevelopableduetoreliefanddrainageproblems.Utilitieswerenotputwhen lotsweresoldandsomelandownersfeltthattheutilityassessmentwashighandwerenot willingtopay. 8.1.5 LandDevelopmentSince2005 ThepopulationofYakutathasbeendecreasingsince2000andlanddevelopmenthasbeenslow overthelastfiveyears.ThreelotsintheThunderlandSubdivisionwereputupforsaleandone wassoldoverthecounter.In2005,threelotsinSouthAdditionweresoldbysealedbid,with eachlotsellingforapproximately$65,000.IntheNorthAdditionthreelotszonedCommercial WaterfrontResidentialweresoldin2006.In2007,twolotsinWestAdditionweresoldby sealedbidfor$130,000.AsidefromthreeLakeStreetlotszonedcommercialwaterfront 100 YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth residential,theBoroughdoesnothaveabankoflotsthatitcanselltothepublicfor commercial,residentialorindustrialdevelopment. 8.2 LandUseintheEasternandWesternBorough Landusesinremotepartsoftheboroughhavetraditionallybeenminingandexploration, commercialtimberharvest,fishingandfishprocessing,subsistenceactivities,recreationand tourismalongwithlimitedresidentialdevelopment.Moredetailedinformationandmaps showinguseoftheBorough’scoastalareasforrecreation,subsistenceactivities,transportation andaccesscanbefoundintheCoastalManagementPlan. 8.2.1 WesternBorough IntheIcyBayCapeSuckling area,salmonfishingfor subsistenceandcommercial purposesandminingand explorationleadtothe developmentofseveralsmall communities.Intheearly1900s asmanyas250peoplelivedat CapeYakataga,withmost residentsengagedinprospecting orgoldmining.DuringWorld WarIIairstripsweredeveloped inYakutatandCordovawhich increasedtheaccessibilityofthe IcyBayandCapeYakatagaresidentsgatheratCapehomeofDon regioningeneral.Inthe1950sa andLahomaLeishmanforBoroughplanningmeeting DistantEarlyWarning(DEW) WhiteAlicecommunicationssitewasbuiltatCapeYakatagawithbarracks,bridges,andan airstrip.Inthe1960sactiveoilandgasexplorationoccurredinthearea.Agrowingmooseherd inthearea(fromthewesternCopperRiverDeltaarea)promptedthefirstmoosehunteastof CapeSucklingin1977. Thewesternboroughhasalsoseenasignificantamountoftimberharvest.TheWestIcyBay loggingcampwasinusefordecades,butiscurrentlynotbeingused.From1995to2000,there wasalsoanEastIcyBayloggingcamp,operatedbyBenThomasCompanytoharvesttimber ownedbyChugachAlaskaCorporationontheeastsideofIcyBay.Closeoutactivitiestoremove structuresandequipmentfromthiscampbeganin2000andwerecompletedin2003.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth 101 TheIcyBayCapeSucklingregion,particularlyaroundtheTsiuandKaliakhRiversjusteastof CapeSuckling,haslongbeenusedonaseasonalbasisbyYakutatresidentsforcommercialand subsistencesalmonfishing.Today,thereareapproximately40seasonalresidencesowned primarilybyYakutatfamilieslocatedonBoroughlandintheTsiu/KaliakhRiversarea.Asof 2010,therewerelessthantenfulltimeresidentsinthearea.Residentstravelbyboattothese sitesfromYakutat,livingashoreandfishingfromboatsusingsetnets.Althoughnocommercial fishharvesthasoccurredsince2002,fishcaughtcommerciallyinyearspastwereflownfor processingtoYakutat,butalso occasionallytoCordovaorAnchorage. Currentresidentsofthisareaaredrawnto theremoterurallifestyle,andareoften involvedincommercialandsubsistence fishingorsportfishingandhunting. FishingactivitiesfocusesontheTsiu, Tsivat,KaliakhandKiklukhRiverdrainages wherethespringsteelheadandfallcoho fisheriesaretheprimaryattractions.Big gamehuntingformoose,brownandblack bear,andmountaingoattakesplace throughouttheareadependingonthe TsiuAreaLodge targetspecies.Most,butnotall,sport huntingandfishingisassociatedwithoneofthelodgesinthearea.However,sometripsareby charteredaircraftfromYakutatorCordova,orexpeditionsoncharteredboats. Therearesixmultibuildinglodgeandcampcomplexescatertosportsfishingandhunting activitiesinthisarea(andaseventhbytheKiklukhRivertotheeast).Theselodgesareprimarily builtonleasedStateorBoroughlandandaccessedbysmallaircraftlandingongravelorsand airstrips.Theselodgesbringhundredsoffisherman(primarily)andhunterstothearea annuallyforspringsteelheadandfallcohofishingandbiggamehunting. CruiseshipsbringvisitorsintoYakutatBaytoDisenchantmentBaytoviewtheHubbardGlacier. Smallboatersandkayakersonbothguidedandunguidedtrips,spendmultipledaysin DisenchantmentBayandRussellFiordtoviewthescenery,birds,marinemammals,and glaciers.Visitorsandresidentscampalongtheshoreandhikethroughoutthearea.Russell FiordiswithinawildernessareaandtheForestServiceiscurrentlyauthorizingusesconsistent withthatdesignation,suchaskayaktours,guidedhuntingandsimilaruses.Onthewestsideof YakutatBay,EskerCreekisapopularsportfishingareaforresidentsandtheNPSservicehasa publicusecabinforrenthereandthePointManbyareaispopularwithresidentsforhunting andhiking. IcyBayandadjacentwaterfrontaroundareusedforcruiseshipvisitation,kayaktrips,camping andhikingandforsubsistenceseal,clams,halibut,crabandseagulleggs.Thisisthelaunch 102 YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth pointforavarietyofnonconsumptiverecreationactivities,includingguidedandunguided kayaking,camping,wildernessphotography,andhikingtripsinIcyBay,VitusLake,alongthe northGulfCoast,andinthemountainsofWrangellSt.EliasNationalParkandPreserve.There arenotmanycruiseshipsinIcyBaywhencomparedtoDisenchantmentBay,butvisitationis increasingdueinparttocruiseshiplimitsinGlacierBayNationalPark. TheareaaroundVitusLakeandtheBering Glacierareimportantforscientificresearch andavarietyofnonconsumptive recreationandtourismactivitiesincluding kayaking,fishing,birdwatching,hiking, mountainandiceclimbing,photography, andcamping.TheBLMtookovertheU.S. GeologicSurvey’sBeringGlacierresearch campin1997.Knownasthelargestglacier inNorthAmerica,measuring118mileslong and2,200squaremiles,theBeringGlacier isrevealingawealthofscientific BLMBeringGlacierResearchCamp information.Theglacierisinrapidretreat, whichisidealforresearch. 8.2.2 EasternBorough MostofthelandintheeasternBoroughiseitherownedbytheUSForestServiceorbythe NationalParksServicesandispartoftheGlacierBayNationalParkandPreserve.Therehas beensometimberharvestinthisareainthepast,butmostcurrentlandusesarerelatedto subsistenceactivities,recreationandtourism. ThescenicbeautyandtheuniquephysicalandbiologicalattributesmaketheAlsekRiver,Dry BayandtheEastAlsekRiveradestinationforriverrafting,kayaking,fishingandhunting destination.TheAlsekRiverisverypopularforrafting,withmanyvisitorsstartingoutonthe tributaryTatshenshiniRiverintheYukonTerritoryandspendingeighttotwelvedaystorunthe 135milestoDryBay.TherearethreelodgesandonepubliccabinintheDryBayarea.Twoof thelodgesareontheEastAlsekRiverandcatertosportfishingclients.Thethirdlodgecaters togameclientsandgenerallyisopenduringthespringandfallbearhuntingseasons.Asof 2010,therearefewerthantenfulltimeresidentsinthisarea. TheItalioandAkweRiversandLakessupportsignificantsportfishingandhuntingaswellas commercialandsubsistencefishing.ThesuccessofoutfitterguidesontheSitukRiverhas causedresidentsandotherstolooktoneighboringriverstobeginsimilarbusinesses.Inthelast severalyearsinterestintheItalioandAkweRivershasgrownastheseareashavesimilarfish runsandtimingasthatofthefamiliarSituk.Anissueisthatsomeofthefisheriesandpeak bearguidingseasoncoincidehereraisingconcernoverpossibleorperceivedovercrowdingfor YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth 103 clients.Theneedsofvarioususerswillneedtobebalancedtoensuresustainablefishingand huntingandhighqualityrecreationalexperiences. HarlequinLakeiseasilyaccessedfromForestHighway10andcommercialusessuchashunting, kayaking,hikingandfishingareallowedatlowdensities.AForestServicecabinisavailablefor rentaboutaquartermilefromthetrailhead.Theareaisalsoknownforitsabundantbirdand wildlifeviewing,andhikingaroundthelake,hunting,fishingandkayakingarepopular. TheAntlen,AhrnklinandDangerousRiversareallusedforsportfishing.Therearepublicuse cabinsavailableforrentalongtheDangerousRiverthatcanbeaccessedbyadjacentairstrips. BecauseaccesstotheDangerousRiverismorechallengingandthecabinsarenotinareaswith abundantfishruns,thisriverandareatendstobeusedlessforsportfishingandmoreoftenfor huntingandsightseeing. TheSitukRiverisaworldclassfishingstreamandvisitinganglersprovideamajorcomponentof theeconomyinYakutat.Theriverhassteelheadtrout(searunrainbowtrout)andfourspecies ofsalmon.Thisriveralsosupportssignificantcommercialandsubsistencefishingaswell,with anestimated85%ofthearea’scommercialfishingincomecomingfromfishharvestedatthe Situk.ADF&GnotesthatforYakutatareasportfisheries98%ofallfreshwatersportfishing effortisontheSituk,andapproximately3530%oftheentireTongassNationalForestsport fishingeffortisontheSitukRiver.TheSitukRiverisanavigablewaterbodyanditswatersare ownedbytheState,however,theUSFSmanagescommercialusesincealluseisoffofUSFS ownedroadsandriverbank.In1999,Federal,StateandYakutatgovernmentsformeda partnershipinordertoaddressgrowingconcernsaboutmanagementoftheSitukRiver. ThebroadYakutatForelandisamosaicofwetlands,shrublands,andwetordryforests. Occupying331,800acresofarea,thisrecentglacialandcoastallandscapeisalwayschanging. Thedynamicnatureandlocalclimatecombinetoproduceauniqueandpremierhabitatthat supportsabundantbirds,fishandwildlifepopulations.Recreationalandtourismactivitiesthat takeadvantageofthesephysicalandbiologicalfeaturesincludesportfishing,waterfowlandbig gamehunters,birdersandphotographers.Over20guideoutfittersoperateintheTongass ForestareaaroundYakutat. 8.3 CurrentandFutureLandUse 8.3.1 ResidentialDevelopment ResidentialusesarethemostprevalentlanduseinYakutat,withhousingfoundintheNorth Addition,MontiBayHeights,ThunderlandSubdivision,ASHASubdivision,RidgeRoad/Lake Street,SouthAddition,WestAdditionandintheoldTownsite.Housingispredominantly singlefamily,althoughtherearesomemultifamilybuildingsandsomemobilehomes.

104 YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth

Nearlyalltherecentresidential developmenthastakenplaceonlotsthat theBoroughdevelopedandsold.Theselots weregenerallysoldbeforetheinstallationof waterandsewerservices.Therehasbeen someconcernaboutthewaythatutilityand roadimprovementcostsareassessedand chargedontheseproperties.IntheRidge Road/LakeStreetarea,someproperty ownersfeltthatassessmentswerehighand werenotwillingtopay.IftheBorough subsidizesthecostofutilitiesinthisarea,it SingleFamilyHousesonHighlandAve willseemunfairtothosewhoboughtlots andpaidforimprovementspreviously.Ideally,whentheboroughsellslotsinthefuture, appropriateaccessandutilitieswouldbedevelopedwithassociatedcostsincludedinthecost ofthelot. ThepopulationofYakutathasbeenonthedeclineandthefuturedemandforresidentiallotsis difficulttopredict.Oneareathathasbeenidentifiedfornewresidentiallotsisthearea betweenMallottAvenueandPugetCove,calledtheNorthAddition.Apreliminarysubdivision plancompletedforthisareashows74lotsrangeinsizefromapproximatelytwotofiveacres. LotsarelaidoutaroundthemanysmalllakesintheareaandsomehavefrontageonePuget Cove.AsecondareawithpotentialforresidentialdevelopmentisalongMontiBaybeyondthe existingWestAdditionlots.AthirdareaisonAMHTlandonthesouthsideoftheairportroad. 8.3.2 CommercialDevelopment Thediscussionofcommercial developmentincludesusessuchas offices,services,stores,hotels,and restaurants.Existingcommercial developmentinYakutatisdispersed. Thismeansthatresidentsnormally dependuponvehiclesforshopping,as thereisnopublictransport. Thefirstcommercialdevelopmentin townwasinthevicinityofthecurrent CityHallandoldschool.AfterMallott Avenuewasconstructedintheearly 1960s,commercialdevelopmentspread outalongtheroadtotheairport. CityHall YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth 105 Thereareeightwithcommercialuse: 1. SurroundingCityHallandMallott’sStore; 2. AlongMallottAvenuewherethepostoffice,arestaurantortwo,MontiBayFoodsanda bararelocated; 3. AlongMallottAvenuejustbeforetheintersectionofOceanCapeRoadwherea hardwarestore,afederalofficebuilding/lodgingandtheYakTatKwaanOfficebuilding arelocated; 4. AlongOceanCapeRoadwheretheclinic,anofficebuilding,gasstation,grocerystore, marinerepairshop,storage/warehousingandalodgearelocated; 5. Neartheairportwherealodge,restaurant/bar,automobilerental,aretailshopand repairbusinessarelocated; 6. RestaurantsandlodgeslocatedatLeonardLanding; 7. TheGlacierBeararea;and 8. TheTsiuRiverareawhereseveralcommercialsportfishandhuntinglodgesarelocated. Inaddition,thereareseveralsmallercommercialandlightindustrialusesmixedinto residentialareas.Theseincludeseveralsawmills,abeautyshop,atleasttworetailsstores,and severalbedandbreakfastandlodgeestablishments. CurrentlytheonlyundevelopedlandsuitableforcommercialdevelopmentisintheSouth Addition.Thisisagoodlocationforcommercialdevelopmentbecauseitisadjacenttoexisting developmentandwouldnotbeexpensivetoprovideservices.AMHTlandnearGlacierBearis suitableforfuturecommercialusebecausethelandissuitablefordevelopmentanditis centrallylocated.CommercialdevelopmentisalsoappropriatefromtheintersectionofMallot AvenueandOceanCapeRoad,northtoCityHallbecausemanybusinessesandcommunity destinationsarealreadylocatedinthisarea. 8.3.3 IndustrialDevelopment Industriallandusesintownaresomewhatdispersed,thoughlogicallylocated.Theseafood processingplant,thesmallboatharborandthenewmultipurposedockarelocatedalongthe waterfront.TheGlacierBearLodgeareaisusedforheavyequipmentstorageandlogging support.Itislocatedoffamajorthoroughfarebutremovedfromtown.

106 YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth

Thecommunity’slandfillisremovedfrom townonBoroughlandoffForestHighway10. Thecommunity’selectricgenerationfacility,a dieselfiredpowerplant,islocatedatthe intersectionofMallottAvenueandForest Highway10.TheBorough’swatersourceis deepwellslocatedonRidgeRoadandOcean CapeRoad.Thewastewatertreatmentplantis locatedatthesmalldock.Therearealso severalpersonalusesawmillsintown,allin residentialareas.Largersawmillsareinthe WestAdditionandASHASubdivision;smaller sawmillsareintheWestAdditionandASHA Subdivision. DeltaWesternFuelTanks Theareaadjacentto,andacrosstheroadfromthelandfillisalogicalplaceforfutureindustrial developmentbecausethesiteislargeandcouldbesubdividedintolotswithenoughspacefora rangeofindustrialactivities.However,waterandsewerandpowerdonotextendtothisarea socarefulconsiderationtotheutilityneedsofindustrialusersaswellasprotectingairand waterqualitymustoccur.TheYakTatKwaanownslandbetweenMontiBayandOceanCape Roadthatisalsosuitableforfutureindustrialusebecauseithaswaterfrontaccessandislarge enoughtobesubdividedintoseverallots. 8.3.4 RecreationandSubsistenceUsesnearYakutat ThereareseveralareasaroundYakutatthatarepopulardestinationsforrecreationand subsistenceactivities.CannonBeachispopularforpicnicking,beachcombing,walkingand enjoyingtheopenwater.MontiBay,andadjacentAnkauLagoon,OphirCreekandKhantaak Island,arethecommunity’sprimarysubsistenceandrecreationareas.Otherareasthatare becomingmorepopularforrecreationalusearePugetCove,thenewRailroadandTotemtrails andtheareaaroundLeonard’sLandingforrecreation. 8.3.5 GrowthoutsideYakutatTownsite Theeconomy,coastaldevelopment,subsistenceandlanduseareintrinsicallylinkedinthe remotepartsoftheBorough.Therehasbeen,andwillcontinuetobearangeofeconomicand landuseactivitythatincludestourismandrecreationalactivitiesincludingsportslodge complexes,guidedsporthuntingandfishing,guidedandunguidedwildernesstripsofvarious types,publicrecreationcabins,andcruiseboatvisitation;commercialfishing;subsistence fishing,huntingandgathering;residentialliving;aresearchcampanduniversityresearch activities;commercialtimberharvest;andonshoreandoffshoreminingandoffshoreoiland gasexploration.TheBoroughisverylarge,accessislimitedandtherearemanylandowners

YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth 107 whichtogethermakeslandmanagementandplanningforfuturedevelopmentespecially difficult. ThereisademandforlandinremotepartsoftheBoroughthatwouldbesuitableforseasonal cabinsandpotentiallysomeyearroundresidentialdevelopment.BothBoroughlandand AMHTlandmayofferpossibilities.Appropriatesiteswouldthenbesurveyedandsubdivided withdevelopmentrestrictionsduetowildlifecorridors,coastalfringeandanadromousstreams delineated.Theselotswouldnotbeservicedwithwaterandsewerandwouldlikelynotbe accessiblebyroad.Thereisthepotentialforarangeofcommercial/industrialusesoutsideof theYakutattownsite.Thecommunitywouldliketoseedevelopmentthatsupportsthe economicdevelopmentgoals,withoutjeopardizingtheareasrichnaturalresources. 8.4 FutureGrowthDesignationsandMap TheCityandBoroughofYakutatisworkingonupdatingthecommunity’sComprehensive DevelopmentPlan.TheComprehensivePlanisavisionandpolicydocumentthatsetsouta blueprintfordesiredgrowthpatternsintheBoroughoverthenext25years.Aspartofthis plan,FutureGrowthMapsweredevelopedtoidentifyareaswhereresidential,commercial, mixeduse,recreation,industrialandothertypesofusesareexpectedtooccur(Figures8 through11).TheFutureGrowthMapwillbeusedbythecommunity,developers,Borough staff,thePlanningCommissionandtheAssemblytoguidefuturelanduseanddevelopment decisions,andchangestothezoning.Throughthisplanningprocess,thebroadpublicinterest isdefinedandtherationaleestablishedtodirectcertaintypesoflandusesto(andawayfrom) particularareas. TheComprehensivePlanandtheFutureGrowthMapdonotspeciallyprohibitorallowcertain typesofdevelopment;thisistheroleofzoningandsubdivisioncodesandregulatoryagencies. Thisplanandtheassociatedmapssetoutdesiredgrowthdirectionandpreferencessothat zoningandcapitalinvestmentscanbemadeaccordingly.TheBoroughalsoexpectstoseeits preferencesforgrowthandlanduse,assetoutinthisplan,willbeimplementedbyStateand federalregulatorsastheyreviewproposedprojects,leasesandpermits. ThisComprehensivePlanrecognizestherightsoflargepubliclandownerstomanagetheirland undertheirownbroadlandusedesignationsandrulescraftedthroughpublicprocessesand capturedinplanssuchastheYakatagaStateGameRefugePlan,YakatagaAreaPlan,Wrangell StEliasNationalParkandPreservePlan,thePlanforGlacierBayNationalParkandPreserve, theUSFSTongassForestLandandResourceManagementPlanandBLMResourceManagement Plan.TheYakutatBorough'sFutureGrowthMapgenerallyfollowstheguidelinesthatthelarge publiclandownershaveestablished.TheYakutatBoroughalsorecognizestherightsofNative Allotmentandotherprivatelandownerstousetheirlandwithoutunduerestriction. ItisimportanttorecognizethattheboundariesbetweenFutureGrowthDesignationsaresoft atthisscaleandlevelofplanning.Desiredtypesoflanduseandgrowthareclear,butthe 108 YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth locationoftheexactboundarybetweenneighboringlandusedesignationsisnotprecise.Site specificreviewofprojectsandzoningideaswillbeneededasquestionsarise.Theintentisnot toprecludeaproposedprojectbecauseitfallsononesideoranotherofa Designationboundary,ratherthePlanningCommissionandAssemblyshouldconsiderthe intentofthedesignationwhenreviewingproject,leaseorzoningrequests. ThepurposeandexpectedusesofeachFutureGrowthDesignationarelistedinTable8.1. Currentlanduse,access,proximitytoBoroughservices,environmentalconditions,andinput fromthepublic,boroughstaff,theplanningcommissionandmajorlandownerswere consideredduringthedevelopmentoftheFutureGrowthDesignations. 8.5 BoroughZoning ZoningisakeytoolforenforcingtheYakutatComprehensivePlan(alongwithCapital ImprovementPlansandspending).Shapingchangeintoorderly,healthygrowthistheroleof thezoningasitseekstoseparateconflictinglandusesthatmayposeathreattopublichealth, safetyandwelfare.CurrentzoningisestablishedbytheYakutatMunicipalCode,atTitle8, PlanningandZoning.. AllterritoryannexedtotheCityandBoroughofYakutatwasinitiallyzoned"R1"Residential. Thiszoningdistrictwasintendedtostabilizeandprotecttheresidentialcharacterandto promoteandencourageasuitableenvironmentforfamilylife.TheR1zoneisnotappropriate fortheentireBorough.Itisrecommendedthatthezoningcodeandmapbeamendedtomore appropriatezoningdistrictsthatreflectthelandusedesignationsshownontheFutureGrowth Maps(Figures811).

YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth 109 TABLE8.1–FutureGrowthDesignations MixedUse Thisdesignationencouragesamixofusesincludingretail,services,businesses,offices,hotels,single familyandmultifamilyresidential,publicfacilities,lightindustrial,touristfacilitiesandpublicbuildings. Wherethereiswateraccess,waterdependentusesshouldbeapriority.Thecommunity’skeypublicand commercialdestinationsshouldbefoundareadesignatedmixedusethatisclosesttothecenterof town. Residential Thisareaispredominantlyresidentialinnatureandavarietyofsinglefamilydwellings,duplexes, townhouses,condominiums,apartmentsandmobilehomesareencouraged.Parks,churches,home occupationsandlowintensitycommercialdevelopmentmayalsobeacceptableaslongasusesare compatiblewiththesurroundingresidentialuses. Industrial Thisdesignationencourageslandusesandactivitiesthatareindustrialinnatureincluding manufacturing,processing,repairing,assembling,shippingandstoringgoods.Performancestandardsor bufferingfromneighboringusesmaybeappliedtoaddressnoise,odors,wasteandotherimpacts. Sewagetreatmentfacilities,landfills,airports,rockquarries,andlightandpowerfacilitiesareexamples ofthistypeofuse. NaturalAreas,ParksorImportantHabitat Expectedactivitiesandlandusesinthisdesignationincludesubsistencehuntingbylocal,ruralresidents, fishing,hikingandbackcountrytravel,glaciertrekking,wildlifeviewing,othertypesofremoterecreation, researchandcemeteries.Developmentthatwillhaveanegativeimpactontheaboveusesshouldbe discouraged.IncludedinthisdesignationareWrangellSt.EliasNationalParkandPreserve,andthe GlacierBayNationalParkandPreserve,bothmanagedbytheNationalParkService;parksandrecreation areasnearthecommunity;andareasthatwereidentifiedduringtheCoastalManagementPlanprocess asbeingimportanthabitatareas. MultipleUse–Intensive Activitiesinthisdesignationwouldcommonlybecommercialtimberharvest,mineralextraction, tourism,humansettlement,oilandgasexplorationanddevelopment,andsimilarintensiveusesalong withassociatedinfrastructureandbuildings,withconsiderationandmeasurestoprotectfishandwildlife habitat,scenicvalues,andmitigatingcoastalerosion. MultipleUse–LessIntensive ThisdesignationishometothevaluableTsiu,Kaliakh,Kulthieth,DuktothandSitukfisheriesaswellas theYakatagaStateGameRefugeandtheYakutatForelands.Thedesignationischaracterizedprimarilyby openspacewithrecreationandtourismuses,smallscaletimberharvest,motorizedandnonmotorized transportationforrecreation,researchandculturalsites.Lowdensityresidentialusesmaybe appropriateincertainareas.Otherusesmayoccur,butalluseswillmaximizeandretainfishandwildlife habitatandscenicvalues.

110 YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth Figure 8. Future Growth Map - Western Borough

Future Growth

Natural Areas, Parks, or Important Habitat Multiple Use-Intensive Multiple Use-Less Intensive Borough Boundary Yakutaga State Game Refuge Boundary

Wrangell St. Elias Park & Preserve

Cape Icy Bay Yakataga Icy Cape

Cape Suckling

March 24, 2010 4 04812162 Miles

Data Source: State of Alaska Land Information System Figure 9. Future Growth Map - Eastern Borough

Future Growth Russell Fiord Mixed Use Residential Industrial Natural Areas, Parks, or Important Habitat Multiple Use-Intensive Multiple Use-Less Intensive Borough Boundary

Yakutat Bay

Glacier Bay National Park

Dry Bay

March 2010 4 0369121.5 Miles

Data Source: State of Alaska Land Information System Figure 10. Future Growth Map - Yakutat and Vicinity

Future Growth Mixed Use Residential Industrial Natural Areas, Parks, or Important Habitat Situk Lake Multiple Use-Intensive Multiple Use-Less Intensive Yakutat Borough Boundary Bay

March 2010 4 012340.5 Miles

Data Source: State of Alaska Land Information System Figure 11. Future Growth Map - Yakutat Townsite

Future Growth Mixed Use Residential Industrial Natural Areas, Parks, or Important Habitat Puget Cove Multiple Use-Intensive Multiple Use-Less Intensive

River Road angerous Monti Bay WY 10 - D Forest H

March 2010 4

0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 Miles

Data Source: State of Alaska Land Information System

8.6 LandUse–GoalsandPolicies Goal1.Developandadheretoaprocedurebywhichlocalresidentshavetheopportunityto purchaseanddevelopland. LandUsePolicy1.1TheBoroughshallidentifycoastalwaters,tidelands,anduplands suitablefordevelopmentandsetupasystemtodisposeoflandlogically. LandUsePolicy1.2Promoteconsolidationofservicestokeeppubliccostsaslowas possible. LandUsePolicy1.3ForlotsintheYakutattownsite,water,sewerandelectricityshall beinstalledbeforethelotissold,andcostofinstallingtheseserviceswillbeincludedin thelotprice. Goal2.Guideinfrastructuredevelopmentsothatthereisanadequatemixoflandfor commercial,industrial,residentialandrecreationaldevelopmentandthatpromotesgood communitydesign. LandUsePolicy2.1Futureresidentialdevelopmentshallbeencouragedtofillin vacantlotswithinexistingareaswithmunicipalservicesorwithinplannedserviceareas. LandUsePolicy2.2Compatibilitywithadjacentlanduseswillbeconsideredwhen examininglanddevelopmentincludingconditionaluses,variancesandsubdivision alterations. LandUsePolicy2.3Zoningandsubdivisionregulationsthatreflectthedirectionofthe ComprehensivePlanshouldbeinplacetoestablishstandardsandproceduresfor developingland. LandUsePolicy2.4Waterdependentuseswillhavepriorityinshorelineareas. LandUsePolicy2.5Priorityshallbegiventodevelopmentinsidetheservicearea. LandUsePolicy2.6Coordinatewaterandsewerupgradesorextensionswithroad improvementprojects. LandUsePolicy2.7Theextensionofthewaterandsewersystemshouldbeplanned tosupportcommunitylanddevelopmentprioritieswithminimalpubliccosts. Goal3.Developthecommunityinamannerthatprotectsthehistoricalandcultural characterofthecommunity

YakutatComprehensivePlan|LandUseandFutureGrowth 115 LandUsePolicy3.1Thelocationanddesignofresidential,commercial,industrialand recreationalusesshallbecompatiblewithoverallcharacterofthecommunity. LandUsePolicy3.2Supporttheintegrationofwalkingtrails,boardwalksandsignage throughoutthecommunity. LandUsePolicy3.3Encourageinnovativeandoriginaldevelopmentinpublicand privateprojects.Alternativedevelopmentproposalsmayincludeclusteringofhousing anddensityreduction. LandUsePolicy3.4Supportstheinsertionofprotectivecovenantsindeedsforall propertythatcontainknowngravesites. LandUsePolicy3.5Mitigatetheimpactsofdevelopmentinareasofhighscenic quality.

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9 Housing Goal1.Ensurethatthecurrentsupplyofaffordablehousingmeetsthecommunity’s demand. Goal2.Providehousingopportunitiestoallresidentsandallowchoiceintype,location, anddensityofhousing. 9.1 HousingSupply HousingdataforYakutatcomesfromthreesources.Theoldestinformationisfromthe1976 YakutatComprehensiveDevelopmentPlan,whichincludedanAlaskaConsultantsInc.survey. Datafrom1970,1980,1990and2000isfromtheUSCensus.Datafrom2004comesfroma windshieldsurveyoftownconductedinSeptember2004bySheinbergAssociates,with assistancefromYakutatBoroughstaff. TABLE9.1–NUMBEROFDWELLINGUNITS YEAR TypeofDwellingUnit 1970 1976 1980 1990 2000 SingleFamily(andmobilehomes) 107 150 328 DuplexandMultifamily 12 22 42 Boats,vans,RVs 16 17 11 Total 63 135 175 189 381 Sources:1970,1980,1990,2000datafromUSCensus;1976datafromYakutatComprehensivePlan,AlaskaConsultantInc. Between1970and1980thenumberofdwellingsincreasedrapidly,goingfrom63in1970to 175justadecadelater(Table9.1).Thenumberofdwellingunitsincreaseddramaticallyagain inthe1990s,withatotalof381unitscountedinthe2000census.ThepopulationinYakutat hasbeengenerallydecliningsince2000andthenumberofhousingunitshasgrownveryslowly sincethen.The1990and2000USCensusdataliststheaveragenumberofpersonsper householdinYakutatat2.94and2.61,respectively.Thisdecreaseinaveragehouseholdsize meansthatmoredwellingunitsarerequiredtohousethesamepopulation.

YakutatComprehensivePlan|Housing 117 OneofthekeyissuesfacingYakutatistheconditionofthehousingstock.In1976,60%ofthe totalhousingintownwasingoodcondition,21%wasfairand19%waspoororverypoor. Accordingtothe2000USCensus,57%ofYakutat’shousingisingoodcondition,23%isfairand 20%ispoororverypoor.In2004,theoverallconditionofthehousingstockwassimilar. Between1976and2004,thepercentageofhomesthatareinfairorpoorconditionhas increaseslightly,meaningthathousingconditionhasnotimproved(Table9.2). In2010anecdotalevidencesuggeststhatwhileseveralhigherendhomeshavebeenbuilt recently,thereisstillabout20%ofthehousingstockinpoororverypoorcondition.Common problemsleakingroofsandwindows,housingthatisnotwellinsulatedandexpensivetoheat andhouseswithunhealthylevelsofmould.In2010,theTlingitandHaidaHousingAuthority receivedfederalstimulusfundingtoupgradewindowsandmakehousesmoreenergyefficient. RecentupgradestoYakutat’shousesareastepintherightdirection,buthavenotmadea significantimpactontheoverallconditionofthehousingstock. TABLE9.2–CONDITIONOFHOUSING Good Fair PoororVeryPoor 1976 2004 1976 2004 1976 2004 SingleFamily(andmobilehome) 69 175 29 70 25 63 Duplex,Multifamily 12 30 0 12 0 8 Subtotal 81 205 29 82 25 71 Percentageoftotalhousingthatis…. 60% 57% 21% 23% 19% 20% Sources:1976:YakutatComprehensivePlanAlaskaConsultantsInc.;2004:SheinbergAssociates Anothertrendoverthelasttwentyyearsistheincreaseinthenumberofhomesthatareonly occupiedseasonally(Table9.3).In1990,only8%ofallYakutatdwellingswerevacant,andof those14vacantdwellingunits,6werebeingusedseasonally.By2000,32%ofYakutat’s housingstockwasvacantandofthose124vacantunits,68or18%wereinseasonaluse. HousesthatareinuseseasonallyarefoundineveryneighborhoodinYakutat.Accordingto anecdotalevidence,thenumberofhousesusedonlyseasonallyiscontinuingtogrow.These vacanthomestendtobeeithervacationpropertiesbelongingtopeoplefromoutsideofAlaska orhomesthatbelongedtoYakutatfamilieswhonowliveandworkinothercommunities.In somecasesthesesecondpropertiesarebeingrentedonadailyorweeklybasis,whichisnot allowedintheresidentialzone. Overthelasttwentyyearsthevalueofhousingintownhasincreasedandmorehigherend homeshavebeenconstructed.In1990,morethanhalftheowneroccupiedhouseswereworth between$60,000and$90,000.Accordingtothe2000USCensus,halftheowneroccupied housesintownwerevaluedbetween$90,000and$175,000(Table9.4).

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TABLE9.3–HOUSINGOCCUPANCY TOTALOCCUPIED,TOTALVACANTANDOFVACANTSEASONALUSE 1990 2000 TotalNumberDwellingUnits 189 189 385 385 NoOccupied;%oftotalOccupied 175 92% 261 68% NoVacant;%oftotalvacant 14 8% 124 32% Ofthosevacant,#and%occupiedseasonally 6 3% 68 18% Ofthosevacant,#&%vacantyearround 8 5% 56 14% Source:U.S.Census,1990and2000 TABLE9.4–VALUEOFOWNEROCCUPIEDHOUSING 1990 2000 TotalNumberOwnerOccupiedDwellingUnits 85 158 Lessthan$19,999 1 15 $20,000to$39,999 9 12 $40,000to$59,999 10 13 $60,000to$79,999 34 17 $80,000to$99,999 24 27 $100,000to$124,999 3 29 $125,000to$149,999 2 17 $150,000to$174,999 0 16 $175,000to$199,999 0 0 $200,000to$249,999 0 4 $250,000to$299,999 2 2 $300,000to$399,999 0 0 $400,000to$499,999 0 6 $500,000to$749,999 0 0 Source:U.S.Census ThetotalvalueofpropertyinYakutathasbeenincreasingslowlyovertime(Table9.5).The Boroughdidareassessmentin2007,whichisreflectedinanincreaseinpropertyvaluesfrom 2006to2007.Thisreassessmentwasdoneatatimewhenpropertyvalueswereatapeakand someresidentschallengedthereassessment. TABLE9.5–TAXABLEREALPROPERTYINYAKUTAT TaxableValueof Numberof AverageValue Year ResidentialProperty Dwellings perDwelling 2009 $17,640,269 178 $99,103 2008 $17,710,680 180 $98,393 2007 $17,484,180 180 $97,134 2006 $14,654,483 180 $81,414 2005 $14,019,183 179 $78,319 Source:CityandBoroughofYakutat YakutatComprehensivePlan|Housing 119 9.2 HousingDemand HousinggrowthiscurrentlyfairlyflatinYakutat.AccordingtotheBoroughstaffandassessor, inthelastfewyearsanaverageofonenewhomewasbuiltandtwohousesweresoldin Yakutat.Inearly2010,therewerefivehouseslistedforsale,withlistingpricesbetween $135,000and$350,000.Therearealsoseveralundevelopedlotsforsalebyprivateowners. NoadditionalhousingunitsarerequiredtomeetYakutat’sfuturehousingneeds,basedonthe low(0.41%)tohigh(1%)growthscenariosdevelopedinchapter5(Table9.6).Basedonlyon expectedpopulationgrowth,itdoesnotappearthatadditionalhousingorlandto accommodatehousingwillbeneededforatleast10years,giventhecurrentnumberof dwellingunitsintown.However,thismustbetemperedwiththefactthatabout20%ofthe housingstockisinpoororverypoorcondition.Currentverymodesthousinggrowthandsales affirmsthecurrentlowdemandfornewdwellings.Also,residentsfromoutsideofYakutatwill likelycontinuetobuyandbuildvacationpropertiesinthecommunity. TABLE9.6–NUMBEROFDWELLINGUNITSAND RESIDENTIALLYZONEDACRESNEEDED Yakutatforecastedpopulationunder TotalDwellingUnits low,mediumandhighscenarios TotalPopulationProjected Needed* 2025 2030 2025 2030 LowGrowth(0.41%) 592 564 227 217 MediumGrowth(0.5%) 629 661 242 254 HighGrowth(1.0%) 667 702 257 270 *Basedoncurrentestimatedhouseholdsizeof2.6 AlthoughtheremaybeasufficientnumberofhousingunitsinYakutat,thehousingstockdoes notnecessarilymeetthe community’sneeds.First, thereisademandfor affordablehousingor ‘starterhomes,’asthe averagevalueofhomeshas risenoverthelast10years. Thisproblemis compoundedbythefact thatmosthousescurrently onthelargerarelarge (threeorfourbedrooms) andsmallerhouses,which aremoreaffordableand cheapertoheat,arerare. MultiFamilyAffordableHousing Giventhehigh 120 YakutatComprehensivePlan|Housing unemploymentrateinYakutat,affordabilitywillcontinuetobeanissueforfamilies.Second, 20%ofthehousingstockinYakutatisinpoorrepair.Thiscanmeanunhealthyliving conditions,highmaintenancecostsandhighheatingcosts. Theincreasingnumberofhousesthatareusedasvacationpropertieshasanimpactonthe community.Vacanthousesaresometimespoorlymaintainedandifthereareseveralempty housesonastreet,theneighborhoodcanbegintofeelempty.Inaddition,residentswhoare presentinYakutatforonlyacoupleofmonthsperyearcontributelesstothelocalcommunity andeconomylessthanfulltimeresidents.Seasonalresidentsdopaypropertytax,butoffer lesssupportintermsofinvolvementincommunityactivitiesandspendinginlocalbusinesses. Insomecases,ownerswillrentouttheirvacationpropertiesonadailyorweeklybasiswhen theyarenotintown.Thislodging/hoteltypeuseinresidentialareascanbedisruptivefor neighbors.Commoncomplaintsaboutunpermittedvacationrentalsarerelatedtoexcessive noise,visitorsdrivingabovethespeedlimitandthemishandlingoffishwastes.Dailyorweekly rentalsareallowedintheCommercialWaterfrontResidentialzonebutnotintheother residentialzones.Enforcementofthiszoningregulationisdifficult,asitisdifficulttoprove whichhousesarebeingusedforshorttermrentals. 9.3 Housing–GoalsandPolicies Goal1.Ensurethatthecurrentsupplyofaffordablehousingmeetsthecommunity’s demand. HousingPolicy1.1TheBoroughshallcooperatewithlocal,stateandfederalhousing authoritiestoencourageanequitabledistributionofaffordablehousingunitsto accommodatelowincomeneeds. HousingPolicy1.2Encouragedeveloperstouseinnovative,energyefficientandcost effectivematerials,buildingdesignandconstructiontechniquesonallnewdwellings. Goal2.Providehousingopportunitiestoallresidentsandallowchoiceintype,location,and densityofhousing. HousingPolicy2.1Ensurethatsufficientbuildableresidentiallandwithavarietyof zoningtypesandlotsizesisavailableintheBorough. HousingPolicy2.2Encouragetheuseofinnovativesiting,design,andlandscapingto maximizetheuseofbuildableresidentialland. HousingPolicy2.3Encouragethemaintenanceandrepairofexistinghousingstock.

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AppendixA–RelevantPlanningDocuments Otherplanningdocumentscontaininformationthatisrelevanttotheplanningand developmentofYakutat. 1. TsiuRiver:FisheriesandLandManagementReport.2009.SheinbergAssociatesand AlaskaMapCompany. 2. CityandBoroughofYakutat;LocalHazardsMitigationPlan.2008.Preparedby:TheCity andBoroughofYakutat,WHPacificandBechtolPlanningandDevelopment. 3. DryBayOffRoadVehicleUsePlan.2007.NationalParkService. 4. CityandBoroughofYakutatCoastalManagementPlan.2006.SheinbergAssociates. 5. GlacierBayParkandPreserve,20002005StrategicPlan.2005.NationalParkService. 6. IcyBay–CapeSuckling;Chapter7oftheCityandBoroughofYakutatComprehensive DevelopmentPlan.2004.SheinbergAssociates. 7. TEK:MappingtheTraditionalSubsistenceTerritoriesofYakutatForelands.2003.Judith Ramos,YakutatTlingitTribe. 8. YakutatStateGameRefugeManagementPlan.1999.AlaskaDepartmentofFishand Game. 9. YakatagaAreaPlan.1995.AlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources. 10. Wrangell/St.EliasSubsistencePlan.2000.NationalParkService. 11. SitukRiverHydrologyStudy.2008.U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers. 12. EasternAlaskaProposedResearchManagementPlanandFinalEnvironmentalImpact Statement.2006.BureauofLandManagement. 13. AlaskaMarineHighwaySystemsDocksideConditionSurvey.StateofAlaska,DOT. 14. SoutheastAlaskaComprehensiveDevelopmentStrategy.2008.SoutheastConference 15. FormerlyUsedDefenceSiteStudy.2009.U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers.

AppendixB–SignedOrdinance

124 YakutatComprehensivePlan|

AppendixC–CommunityOpinionSurvey

Yakutat Community Opinion Survey An Analysis of Planning and Development Issues in Yakutat

prepared for the City and Borough of Yakutat P.O. Box 160 Yakutat, Alaska 99869

prepared by Sheinberg Associates 204 N. Franklin St, Ste 1 Juneau, Alaska 99801 [email protected]

October 2005 Table of Contents

1.0 Executive Summary...... 1

2.0 Introduction and Methodology...... 4

3.0 Who Completed the Surveys? ...... 5

4.0 Housing and Residential Development...... 9

5.0 Neighborhoods ...... 11

6.0 Borough Recreation and Capital Improvement Projects...... 13

7.0 Visitors and Tourism...... 15

8.0 Subsistence...... 16

9.0 Timber...... 17

10.0 The Biggest Challenge and Best Thing about Yakutat ...... 18

Appendix 1 -Survey Instrument and Results…………………………………A-1 1.0 Executive Summary

The overall response rate for the July-August 2005 City and Borough of Yakutat (CBY) Community Opinion Survey was excellent. A total of 207 residents age 16 or older submitted a survey. This is an estimated 45% of the Yakutat community (not Borough) population, age 16 or older. Based on this response rate, we can say that we are 95% sure, that if we had asked a question to the every single resident of Yakutat, that this is the answer they would have picked, 5%.

Top reasons why residents like living in Yakutat are the area’s natural beauty and scenery, the richness and abundance of the area’s natural resources that support local fishing and hunting, and the small-town atmosphere where people wave and know their neighbors.

Residents are quite concerned about the local economy; they would like to see more employment choices and diversification, and more winter jobs. Residents are concerned with the health of area fisheries and want fish runs strong enough to sustain healthy subsistence, commercial and sport harvests. In addition to maintaining these economic sectors, residents are supportive of growth of the visitor industry. Two-third (68%) support or strongly support growth in tourism while 15% are against it. The specific types of growth favored are businesses that offer tours and opportunities for visitors to experience and enjoy, but not consume, resources; and cruise ship visitation - especially smaller cruise ships. All types and frequencies of cruise ship visitation have higher support than expansion of guided fishing and hunting experiences or growth in visitation by independent anglers. Just under two-third of residents (61%) also support or strongly support small timber sales (sales less than 1mbf, and continuing the free use program to fill local needs). Just under half (46%) are against large timber sales (1-30mbf) while one-third (33%) support them.

One-quarter of residents (21-26%) are neutral on all timber harvest options and on all cruise ship options (23-24%). These are people who do not have an opinion or do not care to express a conviction one way or another. People who are neutral are not going to do anything to support a change and are not going to scream about a change.

Other challenges facing Yakutat in resident’s opinions are community issues, such as needing more or better housing, better waste management, more affordable property for residents, better health care and education. Another top concern was the need for better CBY management and planning, including a desire for people in leadership to lead with vision, for a comprehensive plan and vision, and for consistent enforcement of rules regardless of who is involved or asking.

Two-third of residents (67%) say there are areas close to town that are important to protect for subsistence. Of those who find this, the three areas cited the most are: 1) The Ankau area and Lagoon; 2) The Situk River and area; and 3) Bays, including Yakutat Bay, Disenchantment Bay and others.

Surveys results suggest Yakutat will likely continue slow steady growth over time with a related demand for housing and land for residential development. Residents plan to stay, with about 4% suggesting they will most likely leave town over the next five years.

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 1 Two-third (67%) of Yakutat residents say they are satisfied with their current housing, while one-third (33%) are not. Of those dissatisfied, the top reasons why are: 1) currently living in a rental property, trailer or apartment; 2) want to purchase own home/property; 3) current housing is old or rundown, want to upgrade; or 4) live in an overcrowded home, shared dwelling. A full 15% say that in the next five years they are most likely to acquire land to build a new home, or will purchase a new home. Most (66%) prefer that land developers (including the Borough itself) put in roads and utilities prior to selling land so that the full costs are known on the front end. Most (83%) agree or strongly agree that the Borough should consider ways to restrict land sales to residents. This is one of the highest points of consensus of any question asked in the survey.

When asked what they would like to change about their current neighborhood, the most frequent answer was “nothing,” followed by “pave the roads.” The things residents like best about their neighborhoods are that they are quiet and secluded and they like their neighbors.

Residents have a range of opinions on the types of uses that they do and do not mind next door to their homes. Most say it is either okay (47%) or okay with conditions (45%) if a neighbor has a home business that offers a service such as doing taxes, computer repair, manicures, haircuts, or similar uses. In contrast, half do not want a use like a custom fish processing business next door under any circumstance, while 35% say it is okay with conditions to minimize impacts. Half (47%) do not want a restaurant next door with the remainder split between saying it is okay, or okay with conditions. Except for custom fish processing, essentially half (41-54%) of Yakutat residents say most uses are okay with conditions. Taken together these results suggest that most residents see a role for the planning commission in reviewing projects to see what conditions, if any, are needed to make the project compatible with neighbors and the neighborhood.

There is support for the CBY to pursue various Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and recreation improvements, if funding can be obtained. All the CIP options garnered at least 50% net support (strongly support and support combined). Over 90% of Yakutat residents support or strongly support the CBY actively investigating the feasibility of alternative energy sources (such as natural gas, wind, hydro, tidal, etc.) This is the highest support for any question asked in the survey. The two projects ranking next each received about 80% net support: building public restrooms at Sandy Beach, and paving roads and installing sidewalks in Yakutat subdivisions.

There has been discussion in Yakutat about agencies teaming to build a Multi-Purpose Public Building. To help guide decisions if funding is not available for the different uses being considered, residents were asked to rank a senior center, youth center, or visitor center/museum as their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. Residents are evenly split between all three for 1st choice (there is no real difference statistically). After that, they are split between the senior center and youth center for 2nd choice, and the visitor center/museum is ranked 3rd .

The top recreation improvement desired are trails – two-third (69%) of residents list some type of trail (bike, hiking, walking) as the top choice for a recreation project. Most favored recreation projects are: bike trails, improvements to existing parks and fields around town, a shooting range, and winter recreation ideas.

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 2 These and other survey results can help Yakutat decision-makers understand community priorities and opinions. It is often those with the strongest held convictions who attend and speak-up at public meetings. These are the survey responders who indicate that they ‘strongly agree’ or ‘strongly disagree’ with various options. This survey shows these strongly held convictions, as well as what the majority of residents believe. The survey results will help Yakutat’s elected and appointed officials as they consider strongly held and expressed opinions and the points raised, in combination with majority opinion as expressed in this survey, fiscal matters, and other factors as they lead the community and make decisions.

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 3 2.0 Introduction and Methodology

In 2005, The City and Borough of Yakutat (CBY) commissioned a Community Opinion Survey to determine resident attitudes on a variety of planning and development issues to support update of the Yakutat Comprehensive Development Plan.

A draft Community Opinion Survey was prepared by Barbara Sheinberg, AICP, of Sheinberg Associates, a Juneau-based community planning consulting firm that has been working with the CBY since 2002 on a variety of land use and planning matters. The draft survey was reviewed and edited for clarity, objectivity and conciseness by planner Skip Ryman, Brett Malin, president of MR Data Corporation (a Washington firm specializing in the data processing of market research and public opinion survey information), and by the project’s Steering Committee, which consists of representatives of a broad spectrum of Yakutat official and informal groups and interests.1

After the survey instrument was finaled, it was copied and distributed to all PO Box holders in Yakutat in July 2005 with extra surveys available at City Hall, the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe Office and Yak-Tat Kwaan Office. The project and availability of survey forms was advertised in the monthly City newsletter and on flyers around town. Residents had four weeks to complete and submit their surveys. An incentive to encourage participation was the award of 10 cash prizes, to be drawn from names of those who submitted a survey. Collection of surveys was coordinated by Tina Ryman at the CBY. Surveys were accepted by Tina and Cathy Bremner at the CBY, Yolanda Snively at Yakutat Tlingit Tribe, and Cindy Bremner by Yak-Tat-Kwaan. This project would not have been possible without their contributions. All residents age 16 and older were eligible to submit a survey. To ensure that a representative sample from each neighborhood in the community was obtained, the neighborhood where each person lives was identified when they submitted a completed survey. This information was tabulated weekly and an effort made to contact residents in ‘under-represented’ neighborhoods to encourage them to submit a completed survey. Survey collection ended August 19, 2005.

The overall community survey response rate is excellent. A total of 207 residents age 16 or older submitted a survey. The estimated 2004 population of the Yakutat community (not the Borough) is 619, and the number of residents who are age 16 or older is estimated at 460. Thus, surveys were received from 45% of the population age 16 or older. Based on this response rate, we can say that we are 95% sure, that if we had asked a question to the entire Yakutat population, that  5% would have picked the answer the survey shows.

Completed surveys were submitted to MR Data Corporation, who accomplished data entry, processing and tabulated the survey results. Sheinberg Associates prepared this report to present and interpret survey results.

1 Steering Committee members include: Bert Adams Jr, Bert Adams Sr, Cathy Bremner, Cindy Bremner, Loretta Eades, Nate Endicott, Eileen Henniger, Candi Hills, Les Holcomb, Greg Indreland, Kathy Jacobsen, Bob Johnson, Reg Krkovich, Bill Lucey, Steve Madej, Patricia O'Connor, Rich Pelkey, Caroline Powell, Judy Ramos, Rose Mary Ryman, Skip Ryman, Tina Ryman, John Vale, and Neil Wilson. Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 4 3.0 Who Completed the Surveys?

3.1 Overall

 The overall community survey response rate is excellent. A total of 207 residents age 16 or older submitted a survey. This is an estimated 45% of the Yakutat community (not Borough) population, age 16 or older.

 Based on this response rate, we can say that we are 95% sure, that if we had asked a question to the every single resident of Yakutat, this is the answer they would give, 5%.

 50% of the surveys were completed by men, and 50% by women.

 Those who submitted a survey have lived in Yakutat a long time. Two-third have lived in Yakutat 19 years or more.

How Long Survey Respondants Have Lived in Yakutat

70%

60% 66% mean: 19.7 years 50% median: 25 years

40%

30%

20%

10% 16% 2% 7% 9% 0% <1 year 1-4 years 5-9 years 10-19 years 19+ years

 Some 63% of survey responders own their home and 37% rent. These rates are almost identical to those reported by the 2000 US Census for the Yakutat community.

2005 Survey 2000 Yakutat (CDB, not Borough) Respondents US Census OWN my home 63% 60% RENT my home 37% 40%

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 5 Survey responders had an average of 3.2 people living in their household. The 2000 US Census for Yakutat shows the average family household has 3.3 persons in it, and the average non- family household has 2.61 persons in it.

 The age distribution of those who answered the survey is very similar to the age distribution for Yakutat as a whole. Compared to the population as a whole, fewer 16-18 year olds and more 55-64 years olds answered the survey.

Yakutat 2000 Population 2005 Survey (US Census, Yakutat CDB) Respondents Percent of Percent of Age Total Total Age Population Respondents 15-19 11% 3% 16-18 20-24 5% 9% 18-24 25-34 42% 42% 25-44 35-44 45-54 25% 23% 45-54 55-59 9% 16% 55-64 60-64 65-74 75-84 7% 5% 65+ 85+

 Residents responding to the survey plan to stay in Yakutat. Only 4% of those surveyed indicated that during the next five years they are most likely to move away from Yakutat.

 One-quarter of those surveyed (24%) said they live in Yakutat part of the year. The reasons they come to Yakutat are primarily because of family.

Why Part-time Residents Come to Yakutat Non- Property commercial Commercial 1% fishing or Fishing hunting 14% 1%

Family Other 40% 22% Work 22%

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 6 Survey responders annual income and employment come from a diversity of sources, some 20 different categories of answers are recorded. One-quarter (25%) say most of their income comes from commercial fishing, while 11% say social security, and another 11% say they are small business owners. (Note that the number of responses totals over 100%, so some responders listed two primary sources of income.)

# who % who Survey Respondents - Primary Source of Income said said Commercial Fishing 47 25% Social Security Income 21 11% Small Business Owner - B&B etc. 20 11% Borough Wages 17 9% City Employee 53% Government/Federal Job 13 7% School District Employment 12 6% YTT Wages 17 9% Other - Odd Jobs/Jack Of All Trades 16 9% Retail Business 14 8% Seafood Processing 11 6% Transportation/Shipping/Freight 95% Restaurant/Bar Work 84% Housewife 42% Construction Work 32% Seasonal Forestry/Environmental Work 32% Work At Home/Self Employed 21% Student 21% Clergy 21% None/Nothing/N/A 11% Other 11%

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 7 3.2 By Neighborhood

Residents of all Yakutat neighborhoods participated in the survey.

At least two-third of the residents in the Village/Old Village/Max Italio Drive area and in the Old ASHA (1st ASHA) neighborhoods submitted a survey.

Just under half of those who live in the Thunderland Subdivision, Monti Bay Heights and Sunrise Apartments areas, Central Yakutat (City Hall to the powerhouse), and West Addition submitted a survey.

Neighborhoods with lower response rates were: South Addition, the Airport area including Cannon Beach Road and State Camp, the Glacier Bear area, ASHA Extension (2nd AHSA, new ASHA), Leonard's Landing, and the Range Area to Sandy Beach. The Ridge Road area (including Hill Street) only the lowest response rate with only an estimated 16% completing a survey.

Estimated Percentage of Neighborhood (age 16+) That Submitted a Survey

Ridge Road Area (including Hill Street) 16% Range Area to Sandy Beach 20% Leonard's Landing 26% ASHA Extension (2nd AHSA, new ASHA) 29% Glacier Bear area 32% Airport (including Cannon Beach Rd & State Camp) 38% South Addition 39% West Addition 45% Neighborhood Central Yakutat (City Hall to Power House) 45% Monti Bay Hts & Sunrise Apts 46% Thunderland 47% Old ASHA (1st ASHA) 68% Village/Old Village/Max Italio Drive area 78%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

There was a good distribution of people filling in surveys throughout Yakutat. However, survey results can not be stated for individual neighborhoods because the number of surveys returned from each was not large enough to make statistically valid generalizations.

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 8 4.0 Housing and Residential Development

 Two-third (67%) of Yakutat residents say they are satisfied with their current housing, while one-third (33%) are not. Of those that are dissatisfied, the top reasons why are: 1 Currently living in a rental property, trailer or apartment (27%) 2 Want to purchase own home/property (23%) 3 Current housing is old or rundown, want to upgrade (20%) 4 Live in an overcrowded home, shared dwelling (18%)

 Expect a demand for new housing and land for residential development.

The survey confirms past trends of slow steady population growth over the long term accompanied by a slow steady demand for new housing and land to build new housing as residents improve their situation over time. During the next five years, 15% of home owners say they are most likely to build a new home and 54% of renters say they are most likely to become home owners. (This was a total of 53 individuals indicating they will most likely purchase or build a new home in the next five years.)

If OWN home, what are you most likely to do during the next 5 years?

70% 66% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 15% 8% 10% 7% 3% 0% Stay in my Stay in my Buy a piece Build a new Sell my home and home and of property home on a home and remodel or make no and build a piece of leave town improve it changes new home property I already own

if you RENT your home, what are you most likely to do in next 5 years?

60% 54% 50% 40% 30% 21% 20% 13% 13% 10% 0% Buy a piece of Stay put Rent a different Leave town property and place build a home, or buy a home Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 9  When it comes to making land available to meet the demand for future residential development, two-third (66%) of Yakutat residents want roads and utilities put in on the front end so that the full costs of land purchase are known ahead of time.

 About one-quarter of resident are neutral on all residential land development options.

 An equal number of residents support and disagree with the idea of making raw land available (no utilities or roads installed by developer or Borough).

Net Strongly Dis- Strongly Net Agree Agree Agree Neutral agree Disagree Disagree Do not make land available in town for housing until after road, water, sewer 66% 35% 31% 17% 9% 7% 16% and power are in (so all costs are part of the sale price). Do not make land available in town until after a road and power are in. Lot 55% 19% 36% 23% 14% 9% 23% owners can put in wells and septic systems themselves. Don’t make any land available until extending utilities to Water St. is 42% 20% 22% 28% 17% 13% 30% resolved. Make ‘raw’ land available. Lot owners can put in their own trails, roads and 39% 15% 24% 24% 19% 18% 37% utilities as they desire. Make ‘raw’ land available, but residents will have to pay for roads 29% 10% 19% 30% 24% 16% 40% and utilities in the future thorough a special assessment.

The sentiment to not make land available until utilities to Water Street are installed likely reflects resident’s frustration with this situation where costs to install utilities are now estimated at about 10 times the purchase price of land. This difficult no-win situation is being discussed at the Borough now. Survey results can be interpreted to support the sentiment that roads and utilities be installed before land is made available for purchase.

 Over three-quarters of residents (83%) agree or strongly agree that the Borough should consider ways to restrict land sales to residents. This is one of the highest points of consensus of any question asked in the survey.

Ideas include long term leases where a percent of the lease payment is applied toward the eventual purchase price and/or requiring residency of at least two years to enter a lottery for land, with the land price set at fair market value.

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 10 5.0 Neighborhoods

Residents were asked if there was anything they would like to change about their neighborhood. The most frequent answer was “no” (56 comments), followed by “pave the roads” (52 comments). Residents could give as many answers as they wished.

What to Change about my Neighborhood (answers mentioned at least 10 times)

Better zoning, enforce zoning, separate 8% commercial from residential More/better recreational facilities, parks, sports 8% courts etc Better traffic control - stop speeding 9% Clean up neighborhood, remove garbage and 12% debris Better animal control, pick up strays, dogs are 12% overrunning the neighborhood Pave the roads, better roads maintenance 28% No, do not want any changes, my neighborhood 30% is fine 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Residents were also asked what they like best about their neighborhood. Almost half (45%) of all comments received cited the quiet and seclusion (85 comments) of their neighborhood. Residents could give as many answers as they wished.

What I Like Best About my Neighborhood (answers mentioned at least 10 times)

Residential area, away from 5% businesses/traffic Family oriented - has parks/play 5% places Feel safe, everyone knows everyone 8% else Centrally located - location good 10%

Views - general 20%

Good people/good neighbors 21% Quiet/secluded/peaceful/remote/lack 45% of noise

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

A question was asked to help guide zoning and planners. Residents were asked about whether a variety of different uses would be okay, not okay, or okay with conditions, if they occurred next door.

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 11 The answers to this question help guide zoning and let planners know whether residents feel certain uses in Yakutat should always be allowed, be prohibited, or be allowed only after a review by the planning commission.2

Given the controversy over issues like this recently, it is not surprising that residents have mixed opinions on what uses they are comfortable having next door. There is no strong majority that supports or is against a particular use next door, people are split.

 Residents are least concerned if a neighbor has a home business that offers a service (like doing taxes, computer repair, manicures, haircuts, or similar uses). Half (47%) feel this is always okay and almost all the rest (45%) say it is okay with conditions.

 Yakutat residents are most concerned with the idea of a custom fish processing business or similar use next door, which half do not want under any circumstance and only 12% say is okay.

 Half (47%) do not want a restaurant next door while the rest are split between saying it is okay or okay with conditions.

 Except for custom fish processing, essentially half (41-54%) of Yakutat residents say most uses are okay with conditions.

Taken together the results to this question suggest that most residents see a role for the planning commission in reviewing projects to see what conditions, if any, are needed to make the project compatible with neighbors and the neighborhood.

Percent who say it is…. If my neighbor wants to use part of their house for a …. OK OK w/ cond. Not OK Bed and breakfast 20% 54% 26% Small sawmill, mechanics shop or similar uses 11% 46% 43% Custom fish processing or similar uses 12% 36% 52% Retail store or similar uses (selling arts and crafts, gifts, books, 39% 47% 14% cards, clothes, or similar use) Restaurant 23% 31% 47% Offering services (doing taxes, computer repair, manicures, 47% 45% 8% haircuts, or similar use) Rent house or apt for vacation use (no caretaker on premise) 33% 41% 27%

It would have been beneficial to have had enough responses from each neighborhood to generalize about each neighborhood’s response to this question, but this is not possible.

2 If residents say a use is always ‘OK,’ this implies that the zoning district should list this use as an ‘allowed use’ and no conditional use review or permit is needed. If residents feel a use is ‘Not OK,’ this implies that the zoning district should list this as a prohibited use (variances for use are not allowed). If residents say a use is ‘OK with Conditions,’ this implies that it should be a conditional use in the zoning district, so that the planning commission gives the project a review to see what conditions, if any, are needed to make the project compatible with its neighbors and the neighborhood, or if it can’t be made compatible and should be denied. Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 12 6.0 Borough Recreation and Capital Improvement Projects

When asked to list the top three recreation improvements, residents cited 13 different types of recreation projects, well as some ideas that didn’t fit any category.

The top recreation improvement desired are trails – two-third (69%) of residents list trails of one type (bike, hiking, walking) as the top choice for a recreation project (combines the responses for bike trails and walking/hiking trail/track).

The recreation projects most desired by residents are bike trails, improvements to existing parks and fields around town, a shooting range, and winter recreation ideas. Over one-third of all survey respondents mentioned each of these as one of their top three choices.

Was one of the Cumulative Recreation Project top 3 choices for Votes for this this % residents Project Bike Trails 45% 17% Improve Existing Recreational Spaces/Facilities- 39% 16% Parks/Playgrounds/Sports Fields Etc Shooting Range 39% 14% Ski/Sled - Winter Sport Trails-Facilities 30% 12% Walking/Hiking Trails - Track 24% 9% Community Multi-Sport Facility / Gym/ Basketball Cts etc. 23% 9% Golf Course 20% 8% Youth/Teen Center 7% 3% Fishing/Boating Facilities 7% 3% Off Road Trails - Motorcycle/ATV 4% 2% Skateboard Park 4% 1% Bowling Alley 2% 1% Theatre/Movie House 1% 0% None/Nothing/N/A 4% 1% Other 9% 4% 100%

If funding is available, residents support the Borough undertaking Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). All the City and Borough of Yakutat (CBY) CIP options garnered at least 50% net support (strongly support and support combined).

Over 90% of Yakutat residents support or strongly support the CBY actively investigating the feasibility of alternative energy sources (such as natural gas, wind, hydro, tidal, etc.) This is the highest support for any question asked in the survey.

The two projects ranked next each received about 80% net support: building public restrooms at Sandy Beach, and paving roads and installing sidewalks in Yakutat subdivisions.

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 13 Installing a boat haul out with a lift was the only project with notable negatives, with 26% net disagreement.

Possible CBY Net Strongly Strongly Net Support Neutral Against Capital Improvement Projects Support Support Against Against Active investigation and feasibility assessment of alternative energy 91% 62% 29% 8% 0% 1% 1% sources (such as natural gas, wind, hydro, tidal, etc. sources) Build public restrooms at the small 82% 48% 34% 11% 3% 4% 7% boat harbor and Sandy Beach. Pave Roads and install sidewalks 78% 56% 22% 13% 5% 5% 10%

Multi-Purpose Building (see below) 73% 46% 27% 17% 4% 6% 10% Small Boat Harbor Upgrade. Install new floats to provide 20 more stalls for a combination of small to large boats; 72% 33% 39% 26% 6% 2% 8% Create an area where the (private sector) could provide fuel. Install a Boat Haul-Out with a Lift at the small boat harbor for small and 58% 29% 29% 24% 8% 18% 26% medium size (up to 40’) vessels. Re-establish the Yakutat & Southern 3 58% 29% 29% 24% 8% 10% 18% Railroad for fishing and tourist use . Build School Bus Shelters 57% 26% 31% 23% 12% 8% 20% Build an Animal Shelter on the Humane Society land (on Ocean Cape 50% 23% 27% 32% 11% 7% 18% Rd, just past the Mooring Lodge on R).

There has been discussion in Yakutat about agencies teaming to build a Multi-Purpose Public Building. To help guide decisions if funding is not available for all uses in the building, residents were asked to rank a senior center, youth center or visitor center/museum as their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. Residents are evenly split for 1st choice (there is no real difference statistically), and split between the senior center and youth center for 2nd choice, the visitor center/museum is clearly ranked 3rd .

SENIOR CENTER YOUTH CENTER VISITOR CENTER/ MUSEUM (provides daily activities (provides space for youth and (showcases Yakutat area’s history, and programs for seniors, teens with things like pool table, culture, artifacts and natural such as exercise, arts and video games, card-playing, environment; becomes a destination crafts, music, meals, etc) foosball, music, computers, for visitors; is a place to get info on programmed activities & activities to do and where to obtain RANK adventures etc.) services in town) 1 36% (70 votes) 39% (74 votes) 27% (49 votes) 2 34% (67) 42% (80) 23% (41) 3 32% (64) 19% (37) 51% (92)

3 This project would include the Borough reacquiring the railroad Right-of-Way; reinstalling tracks and install an adjacent bike path with camping areas; and running a train to Situk River and back to move gear for commercial and subsistence fishers, haul fish, and for tourist development (viewing, hiking, biking and camping). Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 14 7.0 Visitors and Tourism

 Yakutat residents support growth of the tourism industry, with 68% net support and only 15% not supporting growth of this economic sector.

 There is 83% net support for How do you generally feel about growth of the visitor/tourism industry? growth in independent businesses that offer non- consumptive tourism opportunities. This is one of the Against Strongly Against 8% 7% highest positive responses to a question in the survey.

 Strongly Support There is more net support for 31% Neutral increased cruise ship visits than 17% increases in guided fishing or hunting, independent anglers, or

more bed and breakfasts. Support 37%  Approximately half of Yakutat residents support increases in all types and frequencies of cruise ship visitation (support varies a bit by option), while one-quarter are neutral and one-quarter are against more cruise ships.

 One-half are either against or strongly against more charter fishing and guided hunting on Forest Service land in the Lost-Situk-Dangerous-Italio Rivers and foreland areas. Net Strongly Strongly Net Support Neutral Against Support Support Against Against Independent, or more businesses offering, 83% 44% 39% 13% 2% 1% 3% non-consumptive tourism opportunities More independent anglers coming to town. 21% 5% 16% 36% 22% 21% 43% More charter fishing and guided hunting on Forest Service land the Lost-Situk- 24% 6% 18% 28% 26% 23% 49% Dangerous-Italio Rivers and Yakutat Forelands areas. More fly-in fishing and hunting on Borough and State land in the Cape Suckling, Tsiu 35% 11% 24% 31% 21% 14% 35% River, Yakataga State Game Refuge areas. More bed and breakfasts, vacation cabin or 34% 6% 28% 36% 18% 12% 30% room rentals. CRUISE SHIP QUESTIONS Occas. (1-2x month) small cruise ship visits 62% 25% 37% 24% 6% 7% 13% Frequent (1x week) small cruise ship visits. 51% 19% 32% 24% 12% 13% 25% Occas. (1-2x month) large cruise ship visits 43% 16% 27% 23% 13% 21% 34% Frequent (1x week) large cruise ship visits. 51% 19% 32% 24% 12% 13% 25%

Almost three-quarters (73%) said “no” when asked if their opinion about specific tourism growth opportunities would change if the business was offered by a local resident.

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 15 8.0 Subsistence

About two-third of residents (67%) say there are areas close to town that are important to protect for subsistence; 33% say there are not. Of those who say there are areas close to town to protect, the three areas cited the most are:  The Ankau area and Lagoon;  The Situk River and area; and  Bays - including Yakutat Bay, Disenchantment Bay and others.

Area Close to Town Important for % who wrote Subsistence in this answer Ankau/Lagoon 30% Situk/Situk River 29% Bays - Yakutat/Disenchantment Etc 22% All Areas - General 17% Islands - General 16% Other Creeks/Rivers/Streams 15% Berry Picking Areas 12% Ophir Creek 10% Reserve Areas - Wildlife Protection/Refuges 6% Native Forest Land 5% Other 1%

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 16 9.0 Timber

Residents were asked how much they supported future timber harvest activities in Yakutat, which could occur on Forest Service, State, or Borough lands or a combination.

This question generated some controversy because the question told residents to assume that all timber harvest could stimulate local value added production and local jobs, that timber harvest would meet State and Federal environmental regulations, and that it could be designed to attempt to stabilize stands from future wind throw. Some suggested this wording was misleading because in their judgment it is the inability of timber sales to achieve these matters that has led to recent controversy and legal action. Residents answered the question as it was written and results indicate:  Just under two-third (61%) of residents support or strongly support small timber sales.  18% support no timber harvesting while over half (56%) do not agree with this option.  Just under half (46%) are against large timber sales, while one-third (33%) support them.  21-26% are neutral on all timber harvest options.

What Residents Say about Timber Harvest

70 60 Support or 50 Strongly Support 40 30 Neutral 20 Percentage 10 0 Larger timber sales (1-30 mbf) Only small sales (< 1 mbf) & No timber harvest Against or continue free use program to fill local needs Strongly Against Type of Sale

Net Strongly Strongly Net support support Support Neutral Against against against Larger timber sales (1- 30 33% 15% 18% 21% 18% 28% 46% million board feet). Only small sales (less than 1 million board feet) and continuation of the 61% 23% 38% 21% 5% 12% 17% free use program to fill local needs. No timber harvest at all. 18% 11% 7% 26% 26% 30% 56%

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 17 10.0 The Biggest Challenge and Best Thing about Yakutat

Residents say the five biggest challenges facing Yakutat are:  Economic issues, a poor economy, growing the economy;  Needing more employment choices, more winter jobs;  Community issues, such as needing more or better housing, health care, education;  The need for better city management and planning, such as comments about the need for a community vision, a comprehensive plan, people in leadership to lead and have a vision, for better waste management, for affordable property for residents, about the high cost of local government, the need for strong planning and zoning, and to stop bending or ignoring rules depending on who is asking; and  Concerns about low fish runs and sustaining local fisheries.

No. of the percent of The biggest challenge facing Yakutat is….. times all comments cited that cited this Economic issues - growth/development/economy 53 29% Employment/unemployment issues 28 15% Community issues - housing/health care/recreation 22 12% Need better city management/planning 22 12% Low fish returns, over-fishing, fishing industry hurting, how to 20 11% sustain fishing industries Creating new ways to generate growth via tourism etc w/o harm 19 10% High cost of living – general 18 10% High fuel costs 17 9% Youth issues - jobs/recreation/substance abuse/education 17 9% Outsiders influencing jobs/housing and land prices/economy 17 9% Fear of change versus need to change, adaptation vs. resistance, 16 9% split town High energy costs 11 6% Education 11 6% High property taxes/cost for land 11 6% Finding funding to repair/replace/upgrade/address - needs of 95% community/youth/environment Dwindling wages/income 74% Other 42% Don't know/not sure 32%

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 18 Almost half (45%) of Yakutat residents say that the best thing about it is the natural beauty and scenery. Other top responses are the:  Abundant natural resources, particularly with regard to fishing, hunting, the land and subsistence;  The small town atmosphere and size, that people wave and you can talk to almost everybody; and  Good, kind, great people.

No. of the percent of The best thing about Yakutat is…. times all comments cited that cited this Scenery - natural beauty 75 41% Natural resources - hunting/fishing/lots of potential wrt resources 42 23% Size - small community/not overcrowded 29 16% Great people 25 14% Tourism - opportunities to attract tourism 24 13% Location - general 18 10% Seclusion/privacy/remoteness 17 9% Unique culture/lifestyle 15 8% Accessibility - airlines/ferries 11 6% Community issues - growth/change/economy/education 84% Abundant wildlife 74% Recreational opportunities 74% No roads inbound/outbound - no need to drive 63% Growing popularity and population 63% None/nothing/n/a 21% Other 63% Don't know/not sure 21%

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Sheinberg Associates - 19 Yakutat Confidential Community Opinion Survey

APPENDIX 1 - Survey Instrument and Results

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOME

1. Think about your home. If one of your neighbors wanted to use part of their home for the following (see below), check how you would feel about it: If my neighbor wants to use part of their House for a ... I feel it is…. 20% OK A. Bed and Breakfast 54% OK with conditions to address noise, hours of operation, parking or other 26% Not OK 11% OK B. Small sawmill, mechanics OK with conditions to address noise, hours of operation, parking or other shop or similar use 46% 43% Not OK 12% OK C. Custom fish processing or OK with conditions to address noise, hours of operation, parking or other similar use 36% 52% Not OK D. Retail store (selling arts 39% OK and crafts, gifts, books, 47% OK with conditions to address noise, hours of operation, parking or other cards, clothes, or similar 14% Not OK use) 23% OK E. Restaurant 31% OK with conditions to address noise, hours of operation, parking or other 47% Not OK F. Offering Services (doing 47% OK taxes, computer repair, 45% OK with conditions to address noise, hours of operation, parking or other manicures, haircuts, or 8% Not OK similar use) G. Rent their house or 33% OK apartment for vacation use 41% OK with conditions to address noise, hours of operation, parking or other (no caretaker on premise, 27% Not OK just weekly or daily rentals)

2. Would you answer the questions above differently if you were moving into a new, just being developed neighborhood? 12% YES 88% NO If you said yes, why? Number Of the 12% who said yes, why? Category/Type of Comment times said Community needs, including location, space available should impact how an area is zoned 11 Many homes have a business of some sort already, that’s how it is. Would be nice to 10 separate residential from business but not practical in small town with limited incomes. Zoning issues/restrictions/allowances - CWR Vs R-1 or R-2 7 City should plan and develop better/be more proactive - separate business from residential 7 areas at planning stage Would like to live in a residential only area. 6 My opinion would not change, no answer 5 Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Page A-1 Yakutat Confidential Community Opinion Survey

3. Are you satisfied with your current housing situation? 67% YES 33% NO If you said no, why not? Of the 33% who said no, why not? Number Category/Type of Comment times said Currently living in Rental/Rented Property - Trailer/Home/Apartment. 16 Would like to purchase/own property/residence 14 Would like to upgrade current housing - housing is run down/old 12 Overcrowding - Lack of available residences causes multi family/shared 11 dwelling. The High Cost of Land Available/Land Use is prohibitive - need more 10 and less expensive land Neighborhood is Slum-like - garbage and crime are everywhere 6 Zoning is a problem - Commercial vs Residential - Don't like how my 6 area is zoned+A45 Lack of adequate utilities - Water/Sewer/Garbage/Electricity/Phone in 5 my current location Lack of Animal Control - Strays run the streets 3 Would like to have a business in my current residence. 1

4A. If you own your home… (123 answers) OR 4B. If you rent your home… (73 answers) Check the choice below that is what you are most likely Circle the choice below that is what you are to do in the next 5 years. most likely to do in the next 5 years. 15% Stay in my home and make no changes 21% Stay put 66% Stay in my home and remodel or improve it 54% Buy a piece of property and build a 7% Build a new home on a piece of property I already home, or buy a home own 13% Rent a different place 8% Buy a piece of property and build a new home 13% Leave town 3% Sell my home and leave town

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Page A-2 Yakutat Confidential Community Opinion Survey

5. Is there anything you’d like to change about your neighborhood?

Number that Percent of all comments COMMENT said this that said this No, do not want any changes, my neighborhood is fine 56 30% Pave the roads, better roads maintenance 52 28% Better animal control, pick up strays, dogs are overrunning the neighborhood 23 12% Clean up neighborhood, remove garbage and debris 22 12% Better traffic control - stop speeding 17 9% More/better recreational facilities, parks, sports courts etc 15 8% Better zoning, enforce zoning, separate commercial from residential 14 8% Need more street lights/signs 74% Maintenance of public utilities/lands, clean ditches and culverts, underground the utilities 74% More land should be available for purchase/use, land use issues 53% Lack of visible law enforcement/need more active law enforcement 21% None/nothing/n/a 21%

6. What do you like best about your neighborhood?

Number that Percent of all comments COMMENT said this that said this Quiet/secluded/peaceful/remote/lack of noise 85 45% Good people/good neighbors 39 21% Views - general 37 20% Centrally located - location good 19 10% Feel safe, everyone knows everyone else 15 8% Family oriented - has parks/play places 10 5% Residential area, away from businesses/traffic 10 5% Good land use - spatial lots and open green spaces 95% None/nothing/n/a 42% Other 95% Don't know/not sure 21%

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Page A-3 Yakutat Confidential Community Opinion Survey

FUTURE HOUSING

The cost of putting in roads and utilities is much higher today than it was in the past because there is less State and federal money being given to local governments like Yakutat to help pay; and prices are higher for fuel, steel, freight, labor and more4. 7. When you think about new residential areas in Yakutat (like the former Covenant Church land, or behind ASHA), check the box for each choice that shows how you feel about extending roads and utilities? Strongly Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Disagree A. Do not make land available in town for housing until after road, water, sewer and power are in (so all costs are part of 35% 31% 17% 9% 7% the sale price). B. Do not make land available in town until after a road and power are in. Lot owners can put in wells and septic systems themselves. (This is only an option on large lots (~ 19% 36% 23% 14% 9% 1acre) where soils are adequate.) C. Make ‘raw’ land available. Lot owners can put in their own trails, roads and utilities as they desire. 1% 24% 24% 19% 18% D. Make ‘raw’ land available, but residents will have to pay for roads and utilities in the future thorough a special 10% 19% 30% 24% 16% assessment. E. Don’t make any land available until extending utilities to Water St. is resolved. 20% 22% 28% 17% 13% The Borough is researching legal ways to restrict land sales to residents, and to make land purchase more affordable for residents. This could include long term leases where a % of the lease payment is applied toward the eventual purchase price; and/or requiring residency of at least 2 years to enter a lottery for land, with the land price set at fair market value. 8. Check the box that shows how much you support these ideas? Strongly Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Disagree 52% 32% 11% 4% 3%

4 Cost for extending water, power and minor road upgrade to West Addition in 2002 was $1,700-$6,300 depending on lot size. Cost for extending water, power, and roads to S. Addition in 2003-2004 was approx. $15,500 per lot. Engineers estimate for extending water, sewer, power and road upgrade to Water St in 2005 is $45,000-$63,000 per lot (varies depending upon whether the Borough owns/subsidizes 4 or 16 lots). Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Page A-4 Yakutat Confidential Community Opinion Survey

RECREATION

Interest in several different recreation projects has been expressed, such as cross country-skiing trails, a sledding/small platter-pull ski lift on the hill next to ASHA, a golf course, bike trails, a shooting range, improvements to existing parks in town, and more. 9. What are your top three preferences for recreation projects? Number Was a top 3 Cumulative of times it choice for this Votes for was cited % residents this Project Bike Trails 89 45% 17% Improve Existing Recreational Spaces/ Facilities/ Parks/ 87 Playgrounds/ Sports Fields etc. 39% 16% Shooting Range 76 39% 14% Ski/Sled - Winter Sport Trails-Facilities 63 30% 12% Walking/Hiking Trails - Track 50 24% 9% Community Multi-Sport Facility /Gym/ Basketball Cts etc. 48 23% 9% Golf Course 42 20% 8% Youth/Teen Center 14 7% 3% Fishing/Boating Facilities 13 7% 3% Off Road Trails - Motorcycle/ATV 94%2% Skateboard Park 74%1% Bowling Alley 42%1% Theatre/Movie House 21%0% None/Nothing/N/A 74%1% Other 19 9% 4% 530 100%

BOROUGH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS The City and Borough of Yakutat, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe, US Forest Service and others are teaming-up to try to obtain funding for a new multi-purpose building in Yakutat to house some new public offices and a Senior Center, Youth Center and/or Visitor Center/Museum. 10. If funding is not available for all, rank the following three items in order of funding importance (write in a “1” next to the single item most important, write in a “2” next to the one that is medium in importance, and write in a “3” next to the one of lowest importance). SENIOR CENTER YOUTH CENTER VISITOR CENTER/ MUSEUM (provides daily activities (provides space for youth and (showcases Yakutat area’s and programs for teens with things like pool history, culture, artifacts and seniors, such as exercise, table, video games, card- natural environment; becomes a arts and crafts, music, playing, foosball, music, destination for visitors; is a place meals, etc) computers, programmed to get info on activities to do and activities & adventures etc.) where to obtain services in town) 1 36% (70 votes) 39% (74 votes) 27% (49 votes) 2 34% (67) 42% (80) 23% (41) 3 32% (64) 19% (37) 51% (92) Note: Table shows cumulative totals. Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Page A-5 Yakutat Confidential Community Opinion Survey

11. Following are 9 projects the City and Borough of Yakutat could seek funding to do. For each project, check how strongly you support it. Strongly Strongly Support Support Neutral Against Against A. Multi-Purpose Building (see question above for details) 46% 27% 17% 4% 6% B. Small Boat Harbor Upgrade. Install new floats to provide 20 more stalls for a combination of small to large boats; Create an area where the (private sector) 33% 39% 26% 6% 2% could provide fuel. C. Install a Boat Haul-Out with a Lift at the small boat harbor for small and medium size (up to 40’) vessels. 29% 29% 24% 8% 18% D. Re-establish the Yakutat & Southern Railroad for fishing and tourist use. a) Borough reacquires the railroad Right-of-Way, b) Reinstall tracks and install an adjacent bike path with camping areas, c) Run a train to 29% 29% 24% 8% 10% Situk and back to move gear for commercial and subsistence fishers, haul fish, and for tourist development (viewing, hiking, biking and camping). E. Build an Animal Shelter on the Humane Society land (on Ocean Cape Rd, just past the Mooring Lodge on R). 23% 27% 32% 11% 7% F. Build School Bus Shelters at each bus stop location. 26% 31% 23% 12% 8% G. Pave Roads & install sidewalks in Yak. Subdivisions 56% 22% 13% 5% 5% H. Build public restrooms at the small boat harbor and Sandy Beach. 48% 34% 11% 3% 4% I. Active investigation and feasibility assessment of alternative energy sources such as natural gas, wind, 62% 29% 8% 0% 1% hydro, tidal, etc. sources

VISITOR INDUSTRY/TOURISM

12. Check the box that shows how you generally feel about growth of the visitor/tourism industry in Yakutat. Strongly Strongly Support Support Neutral Against Against 31% 37% 17% 8% 7%

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Page A-6 Yakutat Confidential Community Opinion Survey

13. Check the box that shows how you feel about growth of each of the following visitor opportunities in Yakutat. Strongly Strongly Support Support Neutral Against Against A. Independent, or more businesses offering, non- consumptive tourism opportunities such as hiking, camping, photography, kayaking, rafting, canoeing, 44% 39% 14% 2% 1% skiing, surfing, bird watching, etc. B. More independent anglers coming to town. 5% 16% 36% 22% 21% C. More charter fishing and guided hunting on Forest Service land the Lost-Situk- Dangerous-Italio Rivers 6% 18% 28% 26% 23% and Yakutat Forelands areas. D. More fly-in fishing and hunting on Borough and State land in the Cape Suckling, Tsiu River, 11% 24% 31% 21% 14% Yakataga State Game Refuge areas. E. More bed and breakfasts, vacation cabin or room rentals. 6% 28% 36% 18% 12% CRUISE SHIP QUESTIONS F. Occasional (1-2x month) small cruise ship visits (100- 150ft w/ appr 100 people; they’d dock at ferry terminal 25% 37% 24% 6% 7% or small boat harbor) G. Frequent (1x week) small cruise ship visits. 19% 32% 24% 12% 13% H. Occasional (1-2x month) large cruise ship visits (1000ft w/ appr 1500-2000 people; they’d dock at the new multi-purpose dock that is being built in Monti Bay, 16% 27% 23% 13% 21% or lighter in, and would need buses to transport people) I. Frequent (1x week) large cruise ship visits. 19% 32% 24% 12% 13%

14. Does your answer to any of the questions in (12) above change if the opportunity is a business owned by local residents that creates local employment and income? 27% YES 73% NO If your opinion changes, how and why?

Of the 27% who said their opinion would change, how and why? Number % of Category/Type of Comment times said total Yes, Keep Jobs Local - Hire locals/residents 26 70% Yes, Improve local Economy/Money Made Here/Stays Here 14 38% Don't like Tourism/Outsiders - General 7 19% Yes, Reduce the High Unemployment Rate/Unemployment too High 4 11% I support tourism/tourists as long as there are proper planning and 4 11% guidelines/restrictions

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Page A-7 Yakutat Confidential Community Opinion Survey

SUBSISTENCE AREAS

15. Are there areas close to town that are important to protect for subsistence? 67% YES 33% NO If yes, which areas: see page 16 of Community Opinion Survey Report for results

TIMBER HARVEST

16. How much do you support future timber harvest activities in Yakutat (this could occur on Forest Service, State, or Borough lands or a combination of all)? Assume that all timber harvest could stimulate local value added production and local jobs. Also assume all timber harvest would meet State and Federal environmental regulations and could be designed to attempt to stabilize stands from future wind throw. Strongly Strongly support Support Neutral Against against A. Larger timber sales (1- 30 million board feet). 15% 18% 21% 18% 28% B. Only small sales (less than 1 million board feet) and continuation of the free use program to fill local needs. 23% 38% 21% 5% 12% C. No timber harvest at all. 11% 7% 26% 26% 30%

GENERAL

17. What is the biggest challenge facing Yakutat? see page 18 of Community Opinion Survey report for results

18. What is the best thing Yakutat has going for it? see page 19 of Community Opinion Survey Report for results

DEMOGRAPHICS

19. Check the neighborhood you live in (or closest to) NOTE-number who submitted survey is shown 10 Airport (including on or near Cannon Beach Rd) 2 Leonard's Landing 5 State Camp area 5 Range Area to Sandy Beach 12 Glacier Bear 3 South Addition 19 Central Yakutat (area from City Hall to 12 West Addition Yakutat Seafoods Plant) 12 Thunderland Subdivision 4 Hardware Store - NPS area 21 Old ASHA 8 Ridge Road Area (including Hill Street) 15 ASHA Extension 20 Monti Bay Heights and Sunrise Apartments 5 didn’t say 54 Old Village - Max Italio Drive area

20. How long have you lived in Yakutat? 2% Less than 1 year 16% 10-19 years 7% 1-4 years 66% 19 years or more 9% 5-9 years Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Page A-8 21. If you live in Yakutat only part of the year, what is the main reason you come here: (50 answered, 24% of those surveyed) 22% Work 2% Non-commercial fishing or hunting 38% Family 14% Commercial Fishing 2% Property 22% Other

22. Do you own or rent the place you live in? 63% OWN 37% RENT

23. How many people, including yourself, live in your household now? mean = 3.2 Number people in household # who said this % of total 0- 1 28 15% 2 59 15% 3 28 15% 4+ 72 39% Mean – 3.2 Median – 3.0

How many are 18 or under? (101 did not respond) Those that responded said: Number 18 or under # who said this % of total 011% 1 31 29% 2 39 37% 3 21 20% 4+ 14 13% Mean – 2.2 Median - 2.0

How many are 55 or older? (140 did not respond) Those that responded said: Number 55 or older # who said this % of total 0- 1 40 60% 2 25 37% 313% 4+ 1 3% Mean – 1.5 Median – 1.0

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Page A-9 24. How old are you? 3% are age 16-18 23% are age 45-54 9% are age 18-24 16% are age 55-64 42% are age 25-44 5% are age 65 and older

25. Sex: 50% Female 50% Male

26. What is your main source of income during the year /How do you make your living? (for example you might write in: Borough wages, School district wages, Commercial fishing sales, Social security income, YTT wages, Seafood processing wages, Retail business owner, income from being a Bed and Breakfast owner, Restaurant worker wages, etc) see page 7 of Community Opinion Survey Report for results

Yakutat Survey Results - October 2005 Page A-10