25Feb 2019 by Rob Cadmus
Wrangell Area Watersheds Assessment

Wrangell Area Watersheds Assessment

Community Watershed Stewardship, Resources, Restoration & Mitigation, Watershed Science
As the community of Wrangell continues to grow and develop, the City and Borough of Wrangell and its residents have sought to identify and prioritize local aquatic resources to better plan for future land development and strategize potential restoration-based mitigation opportunities. In an effort to support the informed management of Wrangell’s watersheds and aquatic resources, the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition (SAWC) has undertaken the Wrangell Area Watersheds Assessment. The purpose of the Wrangell Area Watersheds Assessment was to compile a dataset and report outlining key aquatic resources within the City and Borough of Wrangell, including an assessment of the current habitat condition of key aquatic resources, identification of sites that could benefit from restoration treatment, and outlining watershed management challenges and opportunities. The community of Wrangell and its surrounding area…
Read More
18Sep 2018 by Rebecca Bellmore
New Release: Jordan Creek Watershed Management Plan and Riparian Assessment

New Release: Jordan Creek Watershed Management Plan and Riparian Assessment

Community Watershed Stewardship, Resources
The Juneau Watershed Partnership recently released an updated Jordan Creek Watershed Management Plan and Jordan Creek Riparian Assessment. Jordan Creek flows through Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley, through neighborhoods and heavily developed industrial areas. The stream is home to Coho, Chum, and Pink salmon, but erosion, stormwater runoff, debris (litter), and development in riparian areas are damaging water quality and habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms. SAWC will engage with landowners and the city of Juneau to pursue actions recommended in the Management Plan, including vegetating riparian buffers, exploring stormwater management options, controlling invasive riparian plants, and promoting litter cleanups and continuing to monitor the stream.
Read More
20Nov 2017 by Rob Cadmus
WANTED: Bohemian knotweed (Dead)

WANTED: Bohemian knotweed (Dead)

Community Watershed Stewardship, Resources, Restoration & Mitigation, Uncategorized
Most  people don’t worry much about invasive plants during the winter months. After doing battle with them all summer or watching them take over our yards and open spaces during the growing season, we relax as the last of them die back in the fall. As cold winter weather grips the landscape, we take comfort knowing these aggressive species are tucked away in frozen soil for several months. As someone who’s attention is drawn to every infestation they see while out and about during the summer, I’m certainly enjoying this invasive plant-free time of year. While invasive plants may be out of our sight right now, they definitely should not be out of our mind. Now is the time to make plans for defeating these unwanted invaders. In 2018 SAWC…
Read More
09Jun 2015 by Angie Eldred
Tongass National Forest Watershed Restoration Program

Tongass National Forest Watershed Restoration Program

Resources, Restoration & Mitigation
  [caption id="attachment_5510" align="aligncenter" width="903"] Photo courtesy of US Forest Service[/caption] According to the US Forest Service, the streams and lakes of the Tongass National Forest produce 80% of the annual Southeast Alaska commercial salmon catch. In an effort to steward this important resource, Tongass Fisheries and Watershed staff are strategically targeting watersheds in the region that have been heavily impacted by past management activities for collaborative efforts to restore critical salmon habitat and enhance ecological function of these aquatic resources. The Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition is excited to work with the US Forest Service to support and advance regional watershed restoration efforts. Learn more about the Tongass National Forest Watershed Restoration Program and their 2015-16 program priorities:   [gview file="https://www.alaskawatershedcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/TNFWatershedRestorationProgram2015.pdf"]   [gview file="https://www.alaskawatershedcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/TNF_Watershed_Restoration_Fishpass_Enhancement_Programs_2015_2016_06022015.pdf"]    
Read More
27Jun 2013 by Angie Eldred
USFS Conservation Strategy Summit Meeting Summary & Notes Available

USFS Conservation Strategy Summit Meeting Summary & Notes Available

Resources
  The Meeting Summary for the June 2013 Conservation Strategy Summits in Juneau and Ketchikan is now available. In addition, the PowerPoint Presentations given at the events are also available to download. To review any of these documents, click the links below (or go to the  US Forest Service's Five-Year Review Documents page.) [styledbox type="general" ] Conservation Strategy Summit Meeting Summary    •2008 Old Growth Conservation Strategy - USFS  •Socioeconomics Triple Bottom Line Approach - The Forest Working Group  •Conservation Assessment -  The Nature Conservancy •Background - Preventing Endangered Species Listings through the Tongass Conservation Strategy - USFWS  •Background - Agency Mission and Habitat Management - USFS  •Alternative Conservation Strategy  - Southeast Conference   [/styledbox]   Finally, remember that the Public Comment Period on the 5-year Tongass Forest Plan review closes…
Read More
21Jun 2013 by Angie Eldred
SAWC receives approval to develop Draft Instrument for In Lieu Fee Program!

SAWC receives approval to develop Draft Instrument for In Lieu Fee Program!

Resources, Restoration & Mitigation
The Army Corps of Engineers has approved the proposed ILF program Prospectus and has sent a letter of approval encouraging SAWC to move forward with developing a Draft Instrument for the program.   While SAWC does not yet have an approved ILF program, approval to begin developing a Draft Instrument is big step and a great milestone in the complex process of developing an approved program!  Learn more about In Lieu Fee programs and compensatory mitigation at the links below: http://www.fws.gov/habitatconservation/corps%20in-lieu-fee%20guidance.pdf http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/CMitigation.pdf   SAWC thanks all those who offered their initial support for the Southeast Alaska Mitigation Fund and for offering resources, statements of qualifications, and/or critical information to ensure its success.   Though there is still a significant amount work as we move forward, SAWC looks at this as a tremendous achievement- not only…
Read More
07Jun 2013 by Angie Eldred
June Peer Network Teleconference: All About Biomass Energy

June Peer Network Teleconference: All About Biomass Energy

Resources
    This week, SAWC hosted a Sustainable Southeast Peer Network teleconference call that focused a discussion on biomass energy projects and resources available in the region. Karen Peterson of the UAF Cooperative Extension Service in Thorne Bay provided a wealth of useful information and resources to our community practitioners who are currently working on or interested in beginning renewable energy and biomass projects within their communities.   Some interesting facts from Karen on biomass in our region: * 70-75% of the energy used in the state of AK goes toward heating. Biomass fuels are primarily used for heating purposes * Roughly 50% of every log run through a sawmill becomes wood waste, which in turn can be used as biomass fuel * A logging truck can carry 26 tons…
Read More
05Jun 2013 by Angie Eldred
Alaska Installed Biomass Systems

Alaska Installed Biomass Systems

Resources
      Alaska installed biomass systems list, provided by Karen Petersen of the UAF Cooperative Extension Service       [gview file="http://alaskawatershedcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AK.Installed.Biomass.Systems_12.28.2012.docx" save="1"]   Contact Karen Peterson, UAF Cooperative Extension Service Wood biomass, small business development, and rural tourism907-828-3207khpetersen@alaska.edu   
Read More