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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThorne Bay District Coastal Management Program 1991LIBRARY COPY DO NOT REMOVE Se ae i dara ee ee es = oO _ ee THORNE BAY DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT FEBRUARY 1991 prepared by Stigall and Associates City of Thorne Bay Administrator, Ginny Tierney, Project Manager Stigall and Associates: Anthony Stigall, Project Manager Mary Jorgensen, Cartography and Research Steven Gaber, Research and Development Kay Lasco, Research Associate The preparation of this document was financed in part by funds from the Alaska Coastal Management Program, which is funded by the State of Alaska and the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, administered by the Department of Community and Regional Affairs, Municipal and Regional Assistance Division. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ALASKA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM CHAPTER 2 THORNE BAY COASTAL DISTRICT BOUNDARY DISTRICT BOUNDARY MAP CHAPTER 3 RESOURCE INVENTORY SECTION I HISTORIC, PREHISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES PREHISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORY PREHISTORIC AND HISTORIC MAP SECTION II POPULATION AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES DESCRIPTION OF THORNE BAY AREA POPULATION HOUSING FLOATING HOMES AND FACILITIES ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT PERSONAL USE/SUBSISTENCE HARVEST LAND USE/LAND OWNERSHIP LAND OWNERSHIP MAP RECREATION RECREATION MAP TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY FACILITIES HEALTH CARE POLICE DEPARTMENT FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM SEWER WASTEWATER TREATMENT SOLID WASTE ENERGY COMMUNITY FACILITY MAP 8 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 21 22 24 24 25 25 25 25 26 27 27 29 SECTION III NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY CLIMATE PRECIPITATION MAP GEOLOGY MINERAL RESOURCES GEOLOGY MAP SOILS SOILS TABLE SOILS MAP TOPOGRAPHY AND SLOPE SLOPE AND DRAINAGE MAP HYDROLOGY VEGETATION TIMBER VEGETATION MAP HABITATS AND WILDLIFE ESTUARIES WETLANDS AND TIDEFLATS RIVERS, STREAMS AND LAKES IMPORTANT UPLAND HABITAT HABITAT MAP WILDLIFE MAMMALS BIRDS FISHERIES RESOURCES FISH AND WILDLIFE MAP SECTION IV AIR, LAND, AND WATER QUALITY AIR QUALITY WATER QUALITY GEOPHYSICAL HAZARDS SOILS AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUITABILITY TABLE SECTION V COASTAL DEVELOPMENT TIMBER HARVEST MINING SEAFOOD PROCESSING AQUACULTURE, MARICULTURE 30 31 32 32 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 40 41 44 45 45 46 47 47 48 49 49 49 50 52 53 54 54 57 58 58 58 59 CHAPTER 4 ISSUES, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 60 CHAPTER 5 ISSUE 1: | HISTORIC, PREHISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES 61 ISSUE 2: | POPULATION AND COMMUNITY GROWTH 61 ISSUE 3: LAND USE 62 ISSUE 4: | WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT 63 ISSUE 5: | RECREATION 64 ISSUE 6: TRANSPORTATION, AIR, LAND AND WATER 65 ISSUE 7: | WATER SUPPLY AND WATER QUALITY 66 ISSUE 8: | SEWER WASTEWATER TREATMENT 67 ISSUE 9: | SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL 68 ISSUE 10: ELECTRICAL UTILITY ANDENERGY 69 ISSUE 11: NATURAL RESOURCES AND HABITAT 70 ISSUE 12: AIR QUALITY 71 ISSUE 13: GEOPHYSICAL HAZARD AREAS 71 ISSUE 14: TIMBER HARVEST AND PROCESSING 72 ISSUE 15: MINING AND MINERAL EXTRACTION ACTIVITY 73 ISSUE 16: SEAFOOD PROCESSING AND FISHING ENHANCEMENT 74 COASTAL MANAGEMENT POLICIES 74 INTRODUCTION 74 SUBJECT USES 74 DEFINITIONS 77 COASTAL MANAGEMENT POLICIES 81 COASTAL DEVELOPMENT 81 GEOPHYSICAL HAZARD AREAS 83 RECREATION 83 ENERGY FACILITIES 84 TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES 86 FISH AND SEAFOOD PROCESSING 87 TIMBER HARVEST AND PROCESSING 87 MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING 88 SUBSISTENCE 89 HABITATS 89 AIR, LAND, AND WATER QUALITY 92 HISTORIC, PREHISTORIC, AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES 93 CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION 95 AUTHORITY 95 CONSISTENCY REVIEW PROCESS 96 LOCAL DISTRICT INVOLVEMENT IN CONSISTENCY DETERMINATIONS 97 REVIEW TIMELINES 97 PROJECT REVIEW SCHEDULE 98 BIBLIOGRAPHY 100 COMMUNICATIONS 104 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ALASKA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM The United States government passed the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act in 1972. This act does not create new federal agencies. It does require states to protect natural coastal systems and cultural values. To entice states to participate, the federal government offered funding for the preparation and implementation of coastal programs. The State of Alaska passed the Alaska Coastal Management Act in 1977. This act provides a mechanism for local governmental entities like the City of Thorne Bay to develop their own local management programs which are designed to address the locally unique location, socio-economic, natural resource and political situations. All three levels of government, federal, state and local, participate in the Coastal Management Program in a coordinated process which begins during the program development and continues with a specific "project review" process to determine a project's "consistency" with the local Plan. THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Thorne Bay is located on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska, approximately 40 air miles west of Ketchikan and 200 air miles south of Juneau. Thorne Bay incorporated as a second class municipality in 1982 and exercises planning authority at a coastal location. Thorne Bay began the development of its Coastal Management Plan in 1989. The first phase of planning activity included the development of a Draft Statement of Coastal Management Goals and Objectives, District Boundary Description and Draft Resource Inventory. The second phase included the delivery of a Resource Inventory Update, and updated Draft Statement of Issues, Goals, Objectives and Policies leading to the PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT OF THE THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. The development of these planning documents included many public meetings at the Planning Com- mission and City Council levels, along with participation of federal and state agencies. The City of Thorne Bay views the Coastal Management process aS an important opportunity for meaningful participation in governmental decision making. Coastal Management operates by requiring that activities that need federal, state or local approvals be consistent with the approved district Coastal Program and the standards of the Alaska Coastal Management Plan (ACMP). This PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT contains all of the program ele- ments required by Alaska Statutes. During the next year, the City will take the necessary steps to obtain state approval. This approval process includes review activity at both the local and agency level. Following the review process, the document will be modified to respond to the comments received. It will then be submitted to the Governor's Office of Governmental Coordination for final review. The document will then be considered by the Alaska Coastal Policy Council (ACPC) for formal state adoption and incorporation into the ACMP. Following ACPC approval, the document will be returned to the district for final approval by City Ordinance. CHAPTER 2 THORNE BAY COASTAL DISTRICT BOUNDARY The boundary of Thorne Bay District includes all lands and waters within the jurisdiction of the City of Thorne Bay, consistent with Section 6 AAC 85.040, and is identical to the Municipal boundary. COASTAL ZONE BOUNDARIES OF ALASKA (Sheet #114, ADF&G, 1988) depicts the inland coastal zone boundary for the City of Thorne Bay to include all lands and waters within: (1) the timberline of the coastal and spruce/hemlock forest, (2) slopes contiguous with marine waters where mass wasting is evident or likely to occur, and (3) unvegetated areas left by receding glaciers where the coastal forest is likely to invade. Utilizing the best information to define the timberline of the coastal forest, the inland coastal boundary for the City of Thorne Bay Coastal Management Program is shown on the accompanying map. Federal lands are outside the local coastal District jurisdiction. Excluded from Alaska's Coastal Zone Boundaries are "those lands, owned, leased, held in trust or whose use is otherwise by law, subject solely to the discretion of the Federal Government, its officers or agents." (15 CFR 923.3) Activities on these lands are subject to the consistency provisions of Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended. BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Beginning at the NW corner of protracted Section 13, T71S, R83E, Copper River Meridian (C.R.M.); thence east to the NE corner of protracted Section 18, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence south to the NW corner of protracted Section 20, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence east to the NE corner of protracted Section 20, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence south to the NW corner of the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of protracted Section 21, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence east to the NW corner of the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of protracted Section 22, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence north to the NW corner of the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of protracted Section 22, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence south to the SE corner of the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of protracted Section 22, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence south to the NW corner of protracted Section 35, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence south to the NE Corner of the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of protracted Section 11, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence east to the NE corner of the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of protracted Section 12, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.,; thence south to the NW corner of the SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of protracted Section 13, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence east to the NE corner of the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of protracted Section 13, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence south to the SE corner of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of protracted Section 25, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence west to the SE corner of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of protracted Section 26, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence south to the SE corner of the NE 1/4 of protracted Section 35, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence west to the SW corner of the NW 1/4 of protracted Section 35, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence north to the SW corner of the NW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of protracted Section 26, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence west to the SW corner of the NW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of protracted Section 27, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence north to the SW corner of the NW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of protracted Section 3, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence west to the SW corner of the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of protracted Section 4, T72S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence north to the SW corner of the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of protracted Section 28, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence west to the SW corner of the NW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of protracted Section 29, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence north to the NW corner of the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of protracted Section 20, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence west to the SW corner of the NW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of protracted Section 19, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence north to the NW corner of the SW 1/4 of protracted Section 19, T71S, R84E, C.R.M.; thence west to the SW corner of the NE 1/4 of protracted Section 23, T71S, R83E, C.R.M.; thence north to the NW corner of the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of protracted Section 14, T71S, R83E, C.R.M.; thence east to the NW corner of the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of protracted Section 13, T71S, R83E, C.R.M.; thence north to the NW corner of protracted Section 13, T71S, R83E, C.R.M.; the true point of beginning containing 22.50 square miles, more or less. i ~4aiStone J islands tM \. Trowogee Patz Hor Petersen oP woos Viren 7 meer, “ms Union TSR my NS - Labins # Narrow SQ eR PSS Swag | Thorne rage — Ltaps— Nibiack Sy Kasaan\ toh Vg py VICINITY MAP WITH DISTRICT BOUNDARY CITY OF THORNE BAY —— COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM District Boundary: CHAPTER 3 RESOURCE INVENTORY SECTION I HISTORIC, PREHISTORIC, AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES PREHISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL The regional area was occupied "...from the Paleomarine/Early Prehistoric maritime period (10,000 B.C. - 4500 B.C.) through the Northwest Coast Development Phase/Late Prehistoric Maritime (4500 B.C. - A.D. 1700) to the protohistoric/historic Haida and Tlingit," and then later affected by "...various traders, miners, fisherpersons, loggers, subsistence users and the United States Forest Service (from 1907 to present)." (Hurley, 1989). Evidence of this varied history is found throughout the Thorne Bay region. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources Prince of Wales Area Plan identified the Thorne Bay petroglyphs, a prehistoric site, and a historic trail as cultural resources within the Thorne Bay area. The petroglyphs are located to the southeast of the city center on a large bedrock outcrop within a beach. The carvings are weathered and con- sist of several spirals, a bear and/or another animal. These carvings are called rock art in archeology and have potential for high interpretive value to the public, yet presently rock art is poorly understood (Hurley, 1989). The rock art at the Thorne Bay petroglyph site is difficult to see due to the weath- ering. Additional wearing down of the rock art from people rubbing the carvings may need to be monitored or interpretive/educational signage con- structed to help protect this resource. The prehistoric site is located along Goose Creek near the Thorne River and was excavated. It contained approximately 3000 year old fish and water control features (fish traps) and chips of obsidian, not from the area, that were embedded in other material and then used for filleting fish. An historic trail exists between the old Kasaan village and the south side of Thorne Bay, with a trail connecting to the Townsite. Another trail connects the mining region of the Haida and Salt Chuck Mines (G. Tierney, 1990). PREHISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS The utilization of proper historical and archaeological techniques allows valuable information from the past to be brought to the present. The Thorne Bay Coastal District includes areas of historic significance that need to receive protection. The Alaska Historic Preservation Act is a law designed to preserve and protect the State's prehistoric and historic resources from loss or destruction. Efforts are needed to improve protection measures for the old camp sites, trails and petroglyphs, allowing for the recovery of information about old lifeways. HISTORY The recent history of Thorne Bay is closely tied with logging activity in the area. During World War I there was an old logging camp near the Thorne River bridge, where Alaska spruce was cut with spring board saws and floated down the river. It was highly valued for its strength to weight ratio and was used to make airplane parts for the mosquito bombers (Ed Clark, interview, 1989). After the war, independent loggers would raft up the river with the tide. Then when the tide went out, the raft would "anchor" and cables from an A-frame would pull the logs to the river where they would float out with the next high tide. Trapper cabins were located on the Thorne River where trappers caught marten, beaver, mink and otter. In the early 1900's there was a saltery on the south shore of Thorne Bay. Salmon was cleaned, put in kegs and sent to Europe. Margeret Bell, author and daughter of the saltery owner, was born here. The saltery buildings are no longer present (Clark, 1989). In 1954, Wesley Davidson contracted with Ketchikan Pulp Company to log the southside of Thorne Bay. The camp was located on the east side of Davidson Landing, where the City float is located. The camp served 45 people with three bunkhouses, a cookhouse, and an office/storage facility. Some families or couples built shacks which are no longer standing. Logging ended in 1960 and the buildings were moved to Traders Cove. The Thorne Bay area continued to change as the logging industry moved to the present city site in the early 1960's. The Kiel- Peterman Company built the first five miles of road between the present log sorting area and the "Y" on Sandy Beach Road and established a campsite (Swaim and Coleman, text, 1979). They moved out and Ketchikan Pulp Company started a small logging camp in May of 1961. The logging camp that was formerly located at Hollis was moved on ships and floats to Thorne Bay. The camp operated from floats until the infrastructure of the community was in place, allowing for the land settlement during the summer of 1962. Louisiana Pacific (LP), Ketchikan Division, became the operator of the camp facilities in 1975. Louisiana Pacific decided to abandon the resi- dential sections of the logging camp and the public utility systems in 1980, but retained the logging operations base. The land, owned by the Federal Government, was transferred to the State of Alaska through the state selec- tion process. Shortly thereafter, the City of Thorne Bay began the process of incorporation as a second class city (August, 1982), and land transferred from the state to residents and the municipality through a process which occurred under special state of Alaska legislation (H.B. 811) and the munici- pal land entitlement rights granted under Alaska statutes. x wy | ! PREHISTORIC AND HISTORIC SITES LEGEND fj 1 ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE $43] 2 PETROGLYPHS, Rock Art. +44) 3 HISTORIC TRAIL, approximately located. 4 SALTERY, Birthplace of author Margeret Bell. (Ml) 5 EARLY LOGGING SITE, Hand sawn logging methods. <= 6 DAVIDSON'S LANDING, First logging camp and log sort yard. Bi Lindeman, 3°” Cove 49 Scale in Miles District Boundary Less 0 V2 1 Source: U.S.G.S. 1949 (1988). Drawn by Mary Jorgensen PREHISTORIC AND HISTORIC SITES CITY OF THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SECTION II POPULATION AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES DESCRIPTION OF THORNE BAY AREA Thorne Bay is a coastal community located on an inland bay of the same name on the east side of Prince of Wales Island, in Southeast Alaska. The community is approximately 40 miles from Ketchikan. Primary access to Thorne Bay occurs by float plane or marine access. There are three air carriers with scheduled flights occurring six to ten times daily. Thorne Bay is connected to other island communities by road, including Hollis, where the Alaska Marine Highway System provides access to the ferry system, and Craig, the largest community on the island. Marine barge service is available on a weekly schedule. The Coastal District is aligned with the City's Municipal Boundaries and contains approximately square 24 miles. Most of the surrounding land is federally owned, as part of the Tongass National Forest. A 50-year contract (1954 through 2004) for timber harvest exists between the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and the Ketchikan Pulp Company. This contract is of primary consideration when viewing community or resource development potential, because under the contract, Ketchikan Pulp claims an encumbrance upon much of the potentially accessible Municipal land within the district boundary. This encumbrance issue has not been resolved. Two separate areas of development exist as parts of the community--the South Thorne Bay Subdivision, a State of Alaska rural lands subdivision, platted in 1981, and the original townsite. The two areas are separated by approximately 3/4 mile of salt water. Thorne Bay became a Municipality in August 1982 when Ketchikan Pulp Company, then Louisiana Pacific, divested itself of a portion of the land that had been its logging camp since 1961. POPULATION The Thorne Bay logging camp had become a home and community for many residents by the late 1970's. At the time of Municipal incorporation in 1982, the population was 356; by 1988, the population has increased to 525, of which approximately 70 live in the South Thorne Bay area. 11 the population had increased to 525, of which approximately 70 lived in the South Thorne Bay area. POPULATION DATA YEAR POPULATION SOURCE 1970 443 U.S. Census 1980 320 U.S. Census 1984 393 City 1986 475 City 1987 500 City 1988 525 City 1990 614 City Population Analysis: The City's Comprehensive Plan (April 1988) identified an increase of approximately 25 new residents each year between 1984 and 1988. No actual count occurred in 1989. The 1990 City Census identified 614 residents, of which approximately 100 live in south Thorne Bay. The population has increased eighty nine percent (89%) since 1980. The community expects continued growth to occur, but realizes that future population levels will depend upon timber harvest activity occurring on Prince of Wales Island. This harvest activity is impacted by political and market conditions, as well as contractual obligations that are controlled outside of Thorne Bay. HOUSING There are approximately 200 residential housing units in the Thorne Bay Townsite, including the Forest Service housing complex, and the various Ketchikan Pulp Company (KPC) owned residences. Commercial and other buildings total approximately 35, including City buildings, KPC office and operations facilities, Forest Service facilities, schools, stores and a church which serves several congregations. A community building, known as the "Bay Chalet", is used for community events and is also used by the Baptist 12 congregation for church services. There are approximately 50 in South Thorne Bay. Most of the land in the townsite area is privately owned and is shown on the Land Ownership Map (page 15). Many individual lots have more than one residential structure. There is limited rental housing available. Trailers and mobile homes, depending upon size, condition and availability, rent for rates between $400 and $750 per month. There is one privately owned apartment building, a fourplex, which is leased to the federal government. The Forest Service provides housing to employees at their 26-unit housing complex. KPC provides a variety of housing types for employees. Housing Analysis: Residents of Thorne Bay want the community to acquire a more permanent character. This implies the need for a change in housing types, from the trailers that served the community as a logging camp to permanent frame structures. The City and the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources were discussing a 63-acre Municipal Entitlement in addition to those lands previously conveyed. Recent findings indicate that no additional lands will be conveyed as part of the Municipal Entitlement process. This abrupt change in governmental process does not alter the community need for developable land adjacent to the existing townsite. The City and State need to work toward a development plan for this property, which is directly adjacent to the southern edge of the townsite. When a development plan is finalized, a significant portion of the area will be used for the construction of permanent residential housing units. Other Municipal land ownership is clouded by the claimed encumbrance, which is described in the Land Use section of this document. Development in the South Thorne Bay subdivision has been slow to occur due to deficient road access and a lack of electrical and other utilities. FLOATING HOMES AND FACILITIES No specific data pertaining to floating homes and other facilities has been gathered as part of this inventory process. This subject is addressed in The Prince of Wales Island Area Plan and the City of 13 Thorne Bay Comprehensive Plan. There is general agreement between the City and the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding restrictions on floating homes in areas where uplands are available for residential use and where crucial habitat may be impacted. DNR currently manages a permitting program for float homes. The DNR management process includes an opportunity for the Thorne Bay Planning Commission to review and comment on all float home applications. Floating Home and Facility Analysis: The Alaska Department of Natural Resources requires a tidelands lease or permit for the mooring of floating facilities for any period exceeding fourteen (14) days. The tidelands lease/permit is a mechanism to review the location and adherence to management guidelines. An uplands owner adjacent to the tidelands has, in some cases, first preference to use those adjacent tidelands. ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT Primary employment in Thorne Bay is associated with the logging industry. KPC has 57 full-time yard, shop and office employees and an undisclosed number of loggers either directly employed or contracted. The Forest Service has 50 permanent full- time employees, 16 part-time and, in 1989, had 16 temporary employees. The City has 12 full time employees. The Southeast Island School District employs 18 individuals. All employment Statistics are from 1989. There are approximately thirty-four businesses within Thorne Bay. Half of these businesses are located within the owners' homes. The non-residential businesses include fuel services, groceries and supplies, lodges, laundromat, restaurant, airline offices, fishing supplies and equipment, newspaper office, video store, liquor store, vehicle repair, and construction. The residentially located businesses include construction offices, repairs, dive and salvage, small goods, crafts, data processing, beautician services, bed and breakfast, and hunting or fishing charters. Economic and Employment Analysis: Thorne Bay relies on timber for its economic base. The local economy reflects the demands of an industry affected by global markets and changes in governmental regulations. The level of future timber cutting will depend upon Forest Service contractual obligations, management 14 plans, and congressional direction. A few wood processing facilities exist in the district. These include small shake and saw mills. The City is promoting opportunity for the development of additional small wood processing facilities. Thorne Bay seeks to diversify its economy, taking advantage of other available resources, particularly those related to its scenic location and quality fish and game habitat. Many visitors come to Prince of Wales Island each year. Locally provided services are slowly developing to serve vacationing sportsmen and other tourists. As these services grow and develop, tourism could increase. Commercial fishing activity is not currently a significant factor of the local economy. No specific information has been gathered on fishery- related earnings. The City is actively pursuing the development of commercial fisheries in the area, though further study to determine the feasibility of such activities is needed. A local perception about the non-commercial harvest of fish and game is that this harvest has a stabilizing affect upon the seasonal nature of the cash economy. This report does not attempt to specify a monetary value on the non-commercial harvest, but does provide the following personal use/subsistence harvest information. PERSONAL USE/SUBSISTENCE HARVEST The local harvest of fish and game occurs near Thorne Bay in much the same manner as is the custom throughout the small communities of southeast Alaska. The Tongass Resource Use Cooperative Survey 1988, Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1989 Resource Use Profiles document the non-commercial harvest of salmon, shellfish, bottom fish, and other fin fish. Also of local importance is the harvest of water fowl, deer, bear, and plants. Subsistence salmon permits were issued to Thorne Bay residents in the years between 1985 and 1988. Since that time, the subsistence rights of the residents have been denied. "In 1987, the percent of Thorne Bay households harvesting salmon and trout were as follows: king (33%), sockeye (32%), coho (66%), pink (32%), chum (4%), and trout (57%)" (Eight Criteria Worksheet, Alaska Board of Fisheries, 1989). The majority of the local fish harvest occurs with rod and reel gear. Other species harvested include king, Dungeness 15 and tanner crab, shrimp, scallops, clams, herring and herring eggs on kelp, cod, halibut, rockfish, and other fin fish. The harvests occur in areas both inside and outside of the Thorne Bay Coastal District under either Sport or Subsistence Fish and Game Regulations (ibid., 1989). Local residents urge the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to formulate regulations that reflect the existing community's harvest and harvest needs. The City has made a formal proposal to the State requesting that a East Prince of Wales Island Fish and Game Advisory Committee be established of which Thorne Bay will be a member, and that subsistence rights be restored to local residents. LAND USE/LAND OWNERSHIP Most of the land within the 23.9 square mile district is federally owned as part of the Tongass National Forest. The predominant land use is forestry. A 50-year contract for timber harvest exists between the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and the Ketchikan Pulp Company. Under this contract, the KPC claims an encumbrance upon much of the land in the district. The contract began in 1954 and is scheduled to expire in 2004. The State of Alaska platted the south Thorne Bay Subdivision, containing 285 lots ranging in size from 2.5 acres to 5 acres, in 1981. Most of the lots are now in private ownership, but residential development has been slow to occur due to poor quality or limited road access. All areas lack electricity and other utilities. The primary marine access area to South Thorne Bay is at Davidson Landing. Future developments may bring about the need for both marine access and road improvements in the south side and Davidson Landing areas. The townsite area occupants are experiencing serious problems of over-crowding in residential areas and lack accessible land for all types of new development. Land use within the townsite area is also affected by Ketchikan Pulp Company's claimed encumbrance. The title to some lands has transferred from the federal government to the State of Alaska and has been selected by the City in its Municipal Entitlement selection process. A portion of these lands have been patented to the City. Remaining selections have been completed and the City is waiting for patent. These lands must be surveyed before patents can be issued. These unsurveyed lands have been Final Decisioned by the state to the City and management authority has likewise passed to the city. 16 The State of Alaska owns land imediately adjacent to the southern edge of the townsite. The City and State are working on a process through which the State will open these lands for development. Land Use/Land Ownership Analysis: Major changes in land use and land ownership at Thorne Bay will probably not change dramatically until the KPC claimed encumbrance is adjusted or terminated. Aside from the "encumbrance", another key to all new development at Thorne Bay will be the construction of roads and utility delivery systems. This development of infra-structure will involve long range planning to target and schedule areas of development. These areas will include, but not be limited to: 1. The State of Alaska-owned land immediately adjacent to the southern edge of the townsite. 2. The South Thorne Bay Subdivision. 3. Marine access developments at Davidson Landing. 4. Road development to Tolstoi Bay, for port development (see Transportation Section). Waterfront land use within the townsite area is categorized as follows: Water dependent industrial, including the KPC sort yard, dock, etc. Water dependent community facilities, Municipal dock, grid, harbor master office, staging and parking areas. Water dependent commercial, including marine vendors, marine fuel and related sales, general marine access and water-based air carriers. Residential Vacant The City and residents acknowledge the need to reserve vacant lands for water-related and water-dependent uses. Further long range developmental planning is needed. 17 Ha i i : ii tie at : SS i i ah i = it i in Ha a Ht i hi tt wn tt i i Ha ea am ce ih it Es 56 = 4 . - ia a : at hi zi as <— a Hi i AA A a i nt aaa i ‘ iH SH imate “N Pie 2 = SN La si nH i on a r ml iH Hahei) =O iy uta itt : Tolstoi ih a Line i 2 Island ot a TARR tt : ii i Ht Ce ity Len i i Hn ae : ; } Q \ — 4 N MAP INSET Scale: 1: 6000 feet LAND OWNERSHIP LEGEND FEDERAL MUNICIPAL ] STATE OF ALASKA [_] PRIVATE Scale in Miles District Boundary ey Source: Base - U.S.G.S. 1949 (1988). 0 1 City of Thorne Bay 1:6000 Planning Series (Northwest Cartography 1984); Alaska DNR, Prince of Wales Area Plan (1988). Drawn by Mary Jorgensen LAND OWNERSHIP CITY OF THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM RECREATION The Thorne Bay District and the surrounding region have abundant hunting and fishing recreational resources. Other recreational opportunities involving parks and other facilities are limited. The small park near the Deer Creek outlet and the “ball field" are the only areas dedicated as park or open space within the townsite. Sport Fishing: Sport fishing occurs at many locations, but three areas outside of the District Boundaries are of particular importance: the Thorne River, the mouth of Thorne Bay, and the mouth of Tolstoi Bay. Crabbing occurs in Tolstoi Bay and on both sides of Thorne Bay. Shrimping occurs in Tolstoi Bay. Clamming occurs in Thorne Bay, Tolstoi Bay and other areas of the district and at Snug Harbor, which lies outside of the district boundary. Hunting: The north Thorne River area along with the Sandy Beach area are popular nearby hunting areas that are outside of the District. The Loon Lake area (South Thorne Bay) is a popular hunting area within the District. Many hunting trails follow old logging roads. Beach and Shoreline Recreation: Shoreline access exists in the townsite area. The nearest beach is approximately one mile southeast of the townsite and is the location of the petroglyphs discussed in the Archaeological section of this inventory. This area is accessible by walking the overgrown upland trail or along the shore at low tide. This beach area is being considered as a City recreation or park site. Shoreline access in the South Thorne Bay subdivision was established by the State of Alaska at the time of platting. The State reserved a 50-foot public access area along the shore and numerous locations that provide shore access to upland owners. Davidson Landing is a south side marine access area owned by the City and is adjacent to a large tract of State-owned land. Land has also been reserved by the State at each of the coves and marine inlets in the area. These may be developed for recreational use. (State of Alaska, DNR, POW Island Area Plan). 19 Other beaches outside of the district are used regularly by residents. These include, but are not limited to, the mouth of Tolstoi Creek, Mills Bay, and Snug Harbor. The Sandy Beach Recreational area, managed by the Forest Service, is located seven road miles north of the district boundary and is a very popular picnic and play area. The Eagle’s Nest Campground, at Control Lake, sixteen miles up Thorne River Road, was recently opened by the Forest Service. Recreational Facilities: The public recreational facilities in Thorne Bay are limited to the old school gymnasium, the "Bay Chalet" (a building used for community gatherings), the "ball field", and two playgrounds (old school site, and an area within the Forest Service Compound). A new gymnasium will be constructed (1991) at the new school site. Recreation Analysis: The Thorne Bay area is rich in outdoor recreational opportunity for adults, but many recreational facility deficiencies are apparent, including a need for: neighborhood playgrounds, covered outdoor play facilities, pedestrian routes, upgrade of the existing “ball field" for multi-purpose recreational activity. The establishment of beach recreation areas or parks outside the District Boundaries may warrant investigation. No facilities exist for young children or toddlers. The City is seeking funds to develop a "youth program" to provide additional recreational programs. The development of this program is currently in the "preliminary discussions" stage, involving the City and State agencies. Many people in the area enjoy watching the heavy machinery and logging activity that occurs on the west edge of the townsite. Industrial viewpoints could be established along the waterfront. 20 S RECREATION LEGEND [2 _sBEACHES |_| HUNTING AREAS IMPORTANT FISHING AREA CLAMMING AREAS ae ae oe ee oe CRABBING AREAS SHRIMP AREA STATE LAND, Public Access RECREATION, UNDEVELOPED, State proposed PUBLIC ACCESS, 50 feet along the water's edge, 30 feet between lots il denial BALLFIELD PLAYGROUND RECREATION - CITY OF THORNE BAY Scale in Miles District Boundary ——— —--—--— Base 0 V2 1 Source: U.S.G.S. 1949 (1988). Drawn by Mary Jorgenser RECREATION CITY OF THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TRANSPORTATION The Community of Thorne Bay relies on air, water and land transportation. Primary access is by air, boats and the State Marine Highway System. Air: There are between six and ten scheduled flights daily providing service between Thorne Bay and Ketchikan. All flights occur in sea plane/float plane aircraft, as no land based runway exists. Construction is complete on phase 1 of the floating facility to serve the marine access needs of the community. The new facility will provide a sea plane operations float along with berthing for over 100 vessels. Additional work on the sea plane dock is scheduled to occur in 1991. This construction will create a mooring facility for six aircraft. A helicopter ambulance, based in Ketchikan, is used in some medical emergencies. Roads: The Prince of Wales Island road system is the most extensive system in southeast Alaska. Road construction began in 1953 along with commercial logging activity at Hollis. The Prince of Wales Island road system has grown along with the forest harvest and includes a road network of over 700 miles. The primary routes are being integrated into the Alaska State Highway system and are maintained by the State of Alaska Department of Transportation. Other roads are federally-maintained Forest Development roads (Prince of Wales Island Road Guide, USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region leaflet #180). The City of Thorne Bay maintains approximately 22 miles of gravel roads located in the Coastal District. Six miles of road from the City Center to Goose Creek is maintained by the City under a road maintenance agreement with the State of Alaska DOTPF. Recent road construction activity occurring in the district includes: Construction of the Kasaan Road towards Tolstoi Bay (approximately 1.5 miles from completion). Reconstruction and new construction of S. Thorne Bay Road to connect with Kasaan Road at Tolstoi (approxi— mately 12.5 miles) A new road providing access to the city’s sewer treat — ment facility. The granting of an easement by the City to the federal government for the construction of a "Sandy Beach By-Pass". 22 This road will allow industrial traffic (mostly logging trucks) to by-pass the community area, particularly the new school site. Marine Access: The City's new boat harbor facility was completed in 1990. Future construction will add facilities for sea planes. The State of Alaska Marine Highway System operates a ferry dock at Hollis, sixty road miles from Thorne Bay. There are no other public services at Hollis. Marine barge service to Thorne Bay occurs on a weekly schedule from Seattle via Ketchikan. A Feasibility Study for commercial port development at Tolstoi Bay was conducted by Quadra Consultants in 1986. The study focuses on the economic feasibility of a two-phased port development project, including the construction of barge, industrial area and ferry docks and, secondly, road construction connecting the Tolstoi and Kasaan areas to the existing road system. Transportation Analysis: The existing transportation network does not meet the current needs of the residents. The community has made efforts to gain transportation improvements in the following areas: new boat harbor, floating dock facility, and sea plane operations base; land based airstrip; deep water port and ferry terminal at Tolstoi Bay; main line ferry service at Narrow Point; marine terminal at Davidson Landing; completion of road connecting Kasaan to Thorne Bay: improved road access to both the townsite and South Thorne Bay; additional funding for maintenance and upgrade of municipal roads. When new road development occurs at either the townsite or in South Thorne Bay, the City will need both equipment and personnel for road maintenance. Any increase in population or activity will require adjustments in service levels. The City continues to investigate the development of a ferry terminal at Narrow Point. This site is 7 miles north of the district boundary. Development of a marine terminal at Davidson Landing is also receiving attention. One designated walkway exists along Freeman Drive. Distances between all townsite locations are short, but walking can be hazardous. Establishing additional walkways may be desirable. 23 COMMUNITY FACILITIES The Southeast Island School District completed construction of a new school in 1989. Presently there are 147 pupils in grades K-12. The old school facility is currently being used for storage and plans are underway to use some old classrooms to alleviate crowded conditions at the new school. The Forest Service operates the Tongass National Forest, Thorne Bay Ranger District, which includes an office building, maintenance shops and housing. The Municipal offices are located in the center of the townsite. The City staff includes the administrator, clerk, Public Works employees, and office staff. The City is currently constructing a new dock, boat harbor facility with berthing for 100 vessels. Phase 1 was completed in 1989; phase 2 is scheduled for 1991. There is one church in which several congregations meet. The "Bay Chalet" building serves as a community meeting facility. HEALTH CARE The Community Health Clinic is located in the City offices. The Clinic is staffed by a part-time registered nurse and a receptionist. A doctor visits the community bi-weekly. Prescriptions or critical care can be prescribed by radio or telephone. Pharmacy needs come from either Craig or Ketchikan. There are nine Emergency Trauma Technicians (ETT), including the Village Public Safety Officer and six volunteer firefighters. There are three Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Other residents have completed emergency medical training and are awaiting certification. An ambulance is operated by volunteers without charge. The nearest hospital is located in Ketchikan. The Clinic does not have an x-ray machine, a cardiac defibrillator or an area to hold patients overnight while waiting for 24 air service to Ketchikan. Emergency helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft ambulance services are based in Ketchikan. POLICE DEPARTMENT The Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO), who is located in the City offices, is an employee of the Tlingit-Haida Tribal Association, on contract to the City. FIRE DEPARTMENT The Thorne Bay Volunteer Fire Department has 23 firefighters, including the Fire Chief. Training sessions occur bi-monthly. Fire equipment includes a 1978 Ford Boardman truck located in the townsite and a 1964 fire truck located in South Thorne Bay. Both trucks pump 1,000 gallons per minute. A public safety boat, purchased through the State surplus program, is currently being outfitted with pumps. The Department also has two portable pumps and two high pressure pumps. COMMUNICATIONS Telephone communications are provided by Utilities of the Northland, using a microwave system. Most households have telephone service. Current rates for a standard residential line start at $16.30 per month. Standard business service starts at $26.05 per month. Satellite television is available on a cable subscriber system. The Island News, a weekly newspaper serving all of Prince of Wales Island, is based in Thorne Bay. Mail and “outside” newspapers are delivered by plane. WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM The original City water system was constructed in 1961 by KPC when the Thorne Bay logging camp was established. The original distribution system consisted of 2" galvanized iron pipe installed prior to the installation of pre-fabricated dwellings and buildings. The “anticipated life" of the original system was 20 years. No proper easements or maintenance access points were included in the system. Rehabilitation and upgrade of the system occurred from 1987 to 1989. The new system includes water mains of 8" and 6" PVC pipe and 3/4" polyethylene service lines. Conventional fire hydrants have also been installed. The City's treated and piped water originates 25 from Water Lake. The water is treated with a polymer to assist in the removal of tannin. The water is chlorinated. The supply system includes a "tank" storage capacity of 286,000 gallons. The tank is located on Sandy Beach road north of the new school site and is gravity fed from Water Lake to the east. The average daily consumption is 65,000 gallons. The monthly charge for water service is $25.00. The watershed surrounding Water Lake is protected from logging activity by Municipal ordinance to insure the water supply and quality. The water supply for South Thorne Bay has not been developed yet. South Lake and North Tolstoi Lake are used as a water supply by some of the residents. Loon Lake has been identified as the future water supply for that area. It presently has water of good quality and is surrounded by undisturbed old growth forest. Water Supply System Analysis: The water storage capacity of 286,000 gallons was created to meet both fire protection and domestic needs. It is estimated that the storage capacity and water treatment system can meet the needs of approximately 1,000 residents, twice the current population. The rehabilitation of the City's water system has recently been completed; ongoing maintenance activity will be required. SEWER WASTEWATER TREATMENT A new sewer system is currently under construction. Presently, the sewer mains consist of both old and new sections. the older section, in the southeast area of the townsite, was built between 1962 and 1975 and consists of pipes of various sizes and materials--PVC., steel, cement, and asbestos. The newer section occurs in the north area of the townsite and consists of 6" and 8" PVC lines. The older system is difficult to maintain and is in poor condition. The treatment plant was built in 1977 and is in a deteriorating, non-functional state. The treatment plant is a secondary system, including a settling tank, aeration and chlorination prior to discharge (THORNE BAY, ALASKA, SEWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING STUDY, Village Safe Water, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, December, 1988). The monthly rate for sewer service is $15.00. 26 Sewer Wastewater Treatment Analysis: A phased construction schedule is being implemented to replace and upgrade the entire sewer system. The City, along with the State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation, Village Safe Water Office, is requesting funds to build a new sewage treatment facility as the next phase. It is hoped that this construction can occur in 1991. The following phases will include construction of new sewer collectors, manholes, and service connections. The construction schedule is projected over a five year period. SOLID WASTE Solid waste disposal occurs at the dump west of the townsite near the Thorne River estuary. Also located in the same vicinity are two wood waste dumps. Waste disposal formerly occurred randomly without control or maintenance. Existing control measures include scheduled hours for disposal activity and a security gate. Use of the site is expected to continue during the immediate future. There is local concern about possible toxic substances having been disposed of at the site (no facilities exist for storage of industrial or hazardous waste). The City and the Forest Service have assessed alternative approaches to disposal operations, but no solid waste disposal management techniques have been instituted. The City provides a garbage pick-up service for a fee of $15.00 per month. Solid Waste Analysis: The City is promoting the establishment of a Prince of Wales Island "Central Solid Waste Facility" for refuse disposal from all island communities. This facility may be a future solution to solid waste problems, but current problems need to be addressed. Municipal and Forest Service officials are cooperating to evaluate and provide proper management at the existing site. Other solid waste. disposal sites need to be identified and designated. There is citizen interest in recycling. An effort to recycle aluminum cans began in August 1990. ENERGY The City operates the electrical power plant, which includes three generators: two 450 KVA Cummins generators (one of which will be upgraded to 500 KVA in 1991) are operated during high consumption periods and a Cat 330 KVA is operated during low consumption periods. Power currently costs $0.26/kwh. "The 27 existing plant can meet the electrical consumption needs of a population of 700 residents" (City Planning Commission, March 1990). Energy Analysis: The primary source of energy in Thorne Bay is diesel generated electricity. The cost of electricity varies with the price of fuel. The primary sources of heat are fuel oil or wood. The fuel tank farm is located on the west edge of the townsite. No containment structures or fire protection measures are in place. Wood gathering currently occurs without problems, but the community may desire to establish wood gathering areas. Domestic water is heated by electricity, LP gas or fuel oil. The existing electrical plant can produce electricity for approximately 700 people at current consumption rates. The community supports conservation, particularly when viewing increased fuel costs. Recent world events have created an increase in fuel prices which will result in electrical rate increases. There is support for energy alternatives, including hydro-generated power. No specific hydro-electric information has been reviewed as part of this inventory process. The City is monitoring the activities associated with the Alaska Power Authority's investigation of a hydro-electrical project on Black Bear Creek north of Klawock. A home "winterization" program has received funding. 28 LEGEND CITY HALL MEDICAL CLINIC US FOREST SERVICE POST OFFICE ELECTRICAL PLANT WATER STORAGE TANK AND TREATMENT PLANT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT SOLID WASTE SITE - SEE Inset SCHOOL NEW DOCK SATELLITE DISHES DOCK SEAPLANE BASE PLAYFIELDS BALLFIELD CHURCH BAY CHALET 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 — °° 4 ° 6000 Map Source: City of Thorne COMMUNITY FACILITIES Bay, 1: 6000 Planning Series (Northwest Cartography) Inset - City of Thorne Bay, CITY OF THORNE BAY Public Meeting 1983. COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SECTION III NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY CLIMATE The Prince of Wales Island region has a cool, moist, maritime climate. During winter, low pressure cells originating in the Aleutian Islands move eastward meeting with high pressure cells creating storm fronts about once a month. High pressure cells move over the low pressure cells trapping cold air in the area, attracting warm, moist air upward, resulting in precipitation. Complete cloud coverage occurs approximately 60% of the year. Regional average winter temperatures vary from 32 to 42 degrees F. (0 to 5.5 degrees C.). The summer is influenced by high pressure cells moving in from the south. A decrease in cloud cover occurs in the summer months, allowing greater solar radiation to reach the land surface, resulting in warmer temperatures. Regional average summer temperatures vary from 46 to 70 degrees F. (7.7 to 21 degrees C.) (Thorne Bay Community Profile, 1981, State of Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs). The mean annual precipitation is 100 inches, including approximately 30 to 40 inches of snowfall. The summer has about five inches per month with June and July being the driest months. October and November are the wettest months, with up to eighteen inches of precipitation each month (Water Resource Atlas, April 1979, U.S.D.A. Forest Service). Recent research has shown that the annual precipitation is 150 to 180 inches per year (Planning Commission, March 1990). Winter winds vary in direction from north to southeast, while the summer winds are predominantly from the southeast. Topography produces microclimate areas by trapping wind currents as well as variations in the amount of received solar radiation (Southeast Alaska Regional Profile, 1976, Selkregg, AEIDC, UAA). 30 el Stone Saglands “Les Meyers Wi Meyers Chuck’ “2 ~~ Angell pod Scale: 1:250,000 MEAN ANNUAL PRECIPITATION Source: Water Resources Atlas, CITY OF THORNE BAY USDA Forest Service, COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Region X, 1979. GEOLOGY Rock formations underlying the region are primarily buried by recent glacial deposits of the Pleistocene epoch and soil or peat. The oldest underlying rocks (Silurian - Ordovician, 400-500 million years before present) are volcanic andesitic breccia and sedimentary rocks, primarily graywacke and mudstone, which have been metamorphosed, and folded and faulted. The sedimentary rocks contain small inclusions of black chert and shale that contains well preserved graptolites (fossils). The graptolites have not been recorded by a paleontologist within the District. Between 63 to 135 million years ago, (Cretaceous) plutons, stocks and dikes of diorite, greenstone and related igneous rocks were intruded into the older sedimentary formations. This diorite along with the older graywacke and sandstone underlie some soils in the area. There is a small area of deltaic conglomerate bedrock (36- 58 million years before present), at the mouth of the Thorne River, that contains pebbles and cobbles with a wide range of locally derived minerals and rocks. The Pleistocene glaciation (11 thousand to 2 million years before present) formed the present landscape by carving the valleys and bays during the glacial ice advance. Glacial deposits of till were left in depressions, drumlinoid and morainal features (knolls, ridges) as the ice sheet retreated. Most of the till beneath the mineral soils is unsorted, extremely gravelly, sandy, or silt loam. Till beneath the organic soils is more compacted, forming an impervious barrier and contributing to the poor drainage of those areas. Glacial-fluvial deposits of sorted sand and gravel were deposited along with alluvial deposits at the mouth of the rivers and streams and at beaches. These river and stream deposits have been overlain by finer flood deposits during the last 11,000 years, creating the level terraces along the Thorne River. Deposits of fine sediment from the tidal fluctuation have built the mudflat areas. MINERAL RESOURCES The region was once an active mining area with copper, gold, silver, and palladium minerals. The "Salt Chuck" mine, located in the southwest portion of the district, was the largest mine in the area, but is presently closed. The inactive Haida Mine, in South Thorne 32 GEOLOGY LEGEND UNDIFFERENTIATED SURFICIAL DEPOSITS; alluvium, tidal mudflat, and glaciofluvial deposits GLACIAL TILL, Overlain by Peat DELTAIC CONGLOMERATE BEDROCK DIORITE and PEAT over GLACIAL TILL SANDSTONE and GRAYWACKE GRAYWACKE and DIORITE MARBLE, only mapped in areas south of Setter Lake FAULT CONTACT between underlying bedrock - dashed where approximately located; short dashes where concealed. Sedimentary rocks are southwest of contact. Volcanic andesitic breccia are northeast of contact. MINERAL CLAIMS: Sand and gravel, stone. Expired prospect, past producer. Copper. Past producer. Salt Chuck remine WK 0 Scale in Miles District Boundary < . 0 12 Sources: Bi S.G.S. 1949 (1988); Geology - 1 Service, Craig, C-2, 1964 (1987); U.S.G.S. Open File Report 83-91, 1983; Mi 1s - U.S. Bureau of Mines 1990. Drawn by Mary Jorgensen GEOLOGY CITY OF THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Bay, formerly produced copper. The U.S. Bureau of Mines (1989) identified palladium as a critical and strategic mineral of the platinum group. It is known to occur in the area, but has not been specifically identified as occurring in the Thorne Bay Coastal District. Sand and gravel extraction has occurred along the Thorne River near Goose Creek. The City has a "Special Use Permit" from the State of Alaska to extract gravel from a site along South Thorne Bay Road. The City has leased a site on Sandy Beach Road to Russell Construction for the purposes of rock crushing and gravel extraction. 33 SOILS Eighteen soils or soil complexes were mapped by the Forest Service in 1963 with descriptions that were updated in 1987. The soils can be grouped into three broad categories: forested soils, open muskegs and forested muskegs, and estuarine soils. The forested soils are mineral composition varying in slope, depth, and drainage class and cover the majority of the land area. The general settings for the forested soils are gentle to steep hillslopes and valleysides, ridges, structural benches, morainal and drumlinoid (glacial deposits) landforms, and alluvial terrace deposits of lower streams. The muskegs and forested muskegs are organic soils generally saturated with water and most are classified as wetlands. The muskeg soils occur on nearly level valley floors, gently sloping toeslopes and footslopes of hillslopes and valleysides, and in depressions interspersed with the forested soils. The estuarine soils are a mix of organic soils and recent stream deposits forming level areas near the tidally-influenced mouth areas of rivers and creeks. Local soils are illustrated on the attached map and table. 35 MAP | DOMINANT SOIL SERIES Karta Loam 25 | Karta Very Fine DESCRIPTION Freely drained forested soils; gently sloping, deep. Freely drained forested soils; steep. 35-60 | moderately moderately well. Glacial Till GENERAL SETTING Gentle to moderately steep hillslopes and valleysides PREDOMINANT TREE SPECIES Win. Hemlock Sitka Spruce SECONDARY TREE SPECIES Mtn. Hemlock Wtn. Red Ceder Well, well. Medium High Glacial Till Moderately steep to steep hillslopes and valleysides Wtn. Hemlock Sitka Spruce Mtn. Hemlock Wtn. Red Ceder LIMITATIONS, HAZARDS Areas with an underlying iron pan layer will have an increased mass e potential along slip plane Same as above 123 | Karta - Wadleigh _| Complex Karta - Tolstoi Complex 11 onowek & Tuxekan Salt Chuck Gravelly Sandy Loam | Sandy beam Complex of freely draining, somewhat poorly draining forested soils; gentle to steep Complex of freely draining forested soils; steep to very steep. ‘| Lower (flood) terrace of alluvial soils. 5-60 35-75 0-15 Freely draining forested soils near level, deep. 0-10 Well, Mod. well- well,somewhat poorly; poorly | Well - mod. well well. Moderately well and well. moderatly | Medium- Medium High Medium High - High Low Low 4+— Glacial Till Glacial Till Alluvial Deposits Beach Deposits Gentle to steep hillslopes and valleysides Moderately steep to very steep hillslopes and valleysides Nearly level alluvial fans and terraces of lower streams Nearly level uplifted beaches Wtn.Hemlock Sitka Spruce Wtn. Red Ceder Wtn. Hemlock Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Western Hemlock Sitka Spruce Western r Mtn. Hemlock Alaska Ceder Lodgepole Pine Mtn. Hemlock Wtn. Red Ceder Western Red Ceder Western Red Ceder Karta soils - same as above Karta soils_ same as above Tolstoi soils - shallow Flooding Flooding McGilvery & Tolstoi Soils Tolstoi - McGilvery Complex Freely drained forested soils, less than 20" deep; gentle _|_ to steep. Freely drained forested soils, less than 20" deep, steep - Very steep. 5-60 35- 100 _| well. + Well Well to excessively Medium High Medium High Fine grained Sandstone & Graywacke Graywacke &| Diorite Gentle to steep lower backslopes and benches Steep hillslopes and valleysides, structural |benches, bedrock exposure Wtn. Hemlock Western Red Ceder Western Hemlock Mtn. Hemlock _| Alaska Ceder Mtn. Hemlock Sitka Spruce Sitka Spruce Steep slopes, landslides, shallow soils 55 56 "| Wadleigh Gravelly Silt Loam Somewhat poorly drained forested soils; gentle, deep. | 5-35 Somewhat poorly, Medium High Glacial Till Gentle to moderately steep hillslopes and valleysides, morainal and drumlinoids Wtn. Hemlock Western Red Ceder Alaska Ceder Mtn. Hemlock Wadleigh - Kogish Association McGilvery - Kogish Complex Kina Peat Staney Peat Kogish Peat Kogish - Maybeso Complex Kina - Maybeso Complex Complex of poorly drained TT forested and open muskeg soils; gentle. Complex of freely drained forested soils and poorly drained muskeg. Muskegs (open bog soils). 0-25 2-50 Deep muskegs and floating sedge muskegs. Deep muskegs and floating sedge muskegs. Deep muskegs and forested | muskeg. 0-5 0-5 2-10 Deep muskeg and forested muskeg. 5-35 | 0-35 _| joorly. rP oor, very poorly. Well, very poorly. | Poorly very poorly. Poor - very poor. Poor - very poor. Very Poor Poor - very poor. Low or Medium High Low or Medium Low —— Medium Low -Med Low Low or Medium High | Low or Medium High Glacial Till Diorite (60%) Peat with Till Peat and Glacial Till Peat and Glacial Till Peat and Till or unknown Peat and Till or unknown Glacial Till Concave to steep till plains, drumlin fields, toeslopes Nearly level to steep on rocky knobs; broad flatlands with muskegs Level to gently sloping glacial scoured, benches Muskegs on valley floors dissected by small streams 4 “ Wtn. Hemlock Mountain Hemlock Wtn. Hemlock Wtn. Red Ceder Lodgepole Pine Lodgepole Pine Alaska Ceder Wtn. Hemlock Sitka Spruce Lodgepole Pine | tedgepot Pine Western Red Ceder | Alaska Yellow Ceder Wtn.Hemlock T Mtn. Hemlock Muskegs on terraces and valleyfloors Nearly level to gentle sloping lowlands, broad tidgetops Gentle to moderately sloping hillslopes and valleysides Lodgepole Pine Western Red Ceder Lodgepole Pine Alaska Ceder Wtn. Red Ceder Wtn. Red Ceder Wtn. Hemlock | Alaska. Yellow Ceder Wtn. Hemlock Mtn. Hemlock Sitka Spruce Areas with an underlying iron pan layer will have an increased mass mo i Areas with an underlying iron pan layer will have an increased mass movement potential along slip plane Small meandering streams OD ie O ejele i Q Surface runoff slow or | ponded Maybeso MuckyPeat Forested muskeg, shallow. Poor - | very poor + Medium - Medium High Glacial Till Gentle to moderate hillslopes and valleysides, benches, drumlinoids Wtn. Red Ceder Alaska Ceder Lodgepole Pine Wtn. Hemlock Mtn. Hemlock Aeric Cryaquepts Estuarine soils (tidal- influenced meadows). Fair - Poor Unknown Level grassy meadows = Excellent wildlife habitat - waterfowl, bear, and deer SOILS TABLE CITY OF THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM DATA SOURCE: Soil Map Units , USDA Forest Service, Ketchikan Area, Tongass National Forest, Alaska; Updated 1987. Toistol Island SOIL LEGEND Map # Classification Soll Series 23 FL Karta Loam 25 Ft Karta Very Fine Sandy Loam F14/F14 Karta - Wadleigh Complex 154 EL Karta - Tolstol Complex an fit Tonowek and Tuxekan 13 fit Salt Chuck Extremely Gravelly Sandy Loam F2/E2. McGllvery and Tolstol Solls F2/E2 Tolstol - McGlivery Complex F4 Wadleigh Gravelly Silt Loam F4/M5 Wadleigh - Kogish Association F2/M5 McGllivery - Kogish Complex MS Kina Peat M5 Staney Peat 2 M5 Kogish Peat 3 M5 / MF5 Kogish - Maybeso Complex 100 M5 / MF5 Kina - Maybeso Complex 12/152 MF5 Maybeso Mucky Peat 71 E Aeric Cryaquepts (Estuarine) Classification Key: — = Very steep Slopes, greater than 75% gradient. — = Between 35 - 70% gradient. No underline = Less than 35% gradient. F = Forested M = Muskeg 1 = Good drainage, 2-5' deep. E = Estuarine 2 = Gocd drainage, 1/2-2' deep. (organic soils). —_4 ~ Somewhat poor drainage f = Immature 5 = Poor drainage. forest soils t= terrace Scale in Miles District Boundary Less Sources: Base - U.S.G.S. 1949 (1988), Solis - U.S.D.A.Forest Service, Craig 0 v2 1 C2, 1964 (1967). Drawn by Mary Jorgensen SOILS CITY OF THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TOPOGRAPHY AND SLOPE Local elevations range from sea level to nine hundred feet with most ridgetops at five hundred feet. Slopes vary from the nearly level terraces along Thorne River to gentle lowlands with 5-35% slopes interspersed with rounded knolls and ridges with 35-60% slopes. Steep hillsides are located east of the city center and in the northwest portion of South Thorne Bay. Numerous depressions and small lakes occur in the southern section of the city limits. 38 t) 4% RAH SARS SLOPES AND DRAINAGE LEGEND 0-10% SLOPES 10 - 20 % SLOPES 20 - 30 % SLOPES 30 - 40 % SLOPES LL 40 - 60 % SLOPES 60 - 80 % SLOPES — DIRECTION OF SLOPE — DRAINAGE BASINS Scale in Miles District Boundary 0 W2 1 Source: Base - U.S.G.S. 1949 (1988). Sy ahaa” KORO aa Rae OO KOGEEEY RS) DO RY RYO POW OOO GOS yy Drawn by Mary Jorgensen SLOPE AND DRAINAGE CITY OF THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM HYDROLOGY Surface Water Hydrology: Most of the surface water with the Coastal District drains into the Thorne River and Thorne Bay. The Thorne River originates at Thorne Lake to the northwest and travels approximately thirteen miles with a gentle gradient of thirty-one feet per mile. It is fed by several large tributaries, including Falls Creek and Gravelly Creek, as well as numerous smaller tributaries. The Thorne River arcs northward for several of its last miles and could be expected to change course across the land south of the arc, which includes land in the northwest area of the district boundaries. Water Lake, about one mile to the northeast of the city center, drains into Water Lake Creek, which drains into Gunpowder Bite at the entrance to Thorne Bay. In South Thorne Bay there are two major lakes, Setter Lake and Loon Lake, and the smaller South Lake, which drain into Thorne Bay. The southern area of the City's land drains into Tolstoi Bay to the west or Linderman Cove and Mills Bay to the east. North Tolstoi Lake drains into Tolstoi Creek which drains into Tolstoi Bay. Two smaller lakes, Copper Center Lake and Linderman Lake, form a chain of drainage into Linderman Cove. Refer to the Slope Map for drainage basin information. Discharge and gauging station records do not exist for any rivers of the area. Groundwater Hydrology: No groundwater information is known to exist for the Thorne Bay area. Tides: The tides are semi-diurnal, with two low (ebb) tides and two high (flood) tides each day. The tides are influenced more by the moon than the sun so the time period between tides is unequal. The average tides are between 10 to 13 feet, with extremes of between 15 and 23 feet. VEGETATION The major plant communities within the study area are western hemlock-Sitka spruce forest, muskeg, and tide-influenced meadow. The hemlock-spruce forest consists of an overstory canopy, understory canopy, shrub layer, and ground vegetations. Old growth forest areas have the greatest diversity of plant types and structural character, while young growth forests are more homogeneous in 40 character. Within the forest are areas of riparian vegetation, a complex mix of wetland and upland vegetation occurring along stream channels or ponds. Muskegs are bog plant communities within underlying peat moss 2-40 inches deep occurring in low-lying areas or depressions within the forest area. The open muskegs and some of the forested muskegs are wetlands with standing water or small stream channels. The vegetation is primarily sphagnum mosses, sedges and rushes, with some shrubs and forbs. The trees are sparse and generally of poor quality. The tide-influenced meadows are herbaceous plant communities that are occasionally flooded by salt water and generally remain wet due to poor drainage. The sedge community is above the mudflats and irregularly flooded by the tides. The hairgrass-silverweed plant community is slightly higher in elevation. Above it there is the beach ryegrass plant community that is only inundated by high spring tides. Small knolls may support Indian paint brush, shooting star, black lily, yarrow, and scattered trees. TIMBER The Thorne Bay area has a variety of timber species that are native to the Island. The dominant species are the Western Hemlock, Sitka Spruce and Red Cedar; however, there are stands of Alder, Alaska Yellow Cedar, Lodgepole Pine and Mountain Hemlock. Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla Sarg.) is a tall tree which, when fully matured, is from 165 feet to 200 feet tall. The wood is generally white with a brownish cast and occasionally has grey streaks. It is a non- resinous, straight grained wood with well defined growth rings. Western Hemlock is considered to be a softwood of medium weight. The wood will take a good finish. A worldwide market exists for Western Hemlock. The wood is used for dimension lumber and in the manufacturing of crates, pallets and boxes. Sitka Spruce (Picea selchensis Carr.) grows to a height of 200 feet. The wood is generally white with a pinkish tint and can produce a high luster when polished. Sitka Spruce has good strength and is used for sawn lumber, veneer and pulp. Pulp from Sitka Spruce is considered to be excellent because of the bright white 41 texture. Sitka Spruce is an important lumber for aircraft production, boat building, structural frames and some musical instruments including piano sounding boards and violins. Because of its strength, Sitka Spruce is often used as the core in Birch and Douglas Fir plywood. Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) grows to a height of about 165 feet. The color of the wood varies from pink to dark brown. It is straight grained and has a light pungent odor. Red Cedar is the lightest weight softwood in common commercial use. The most common commercial use for the wood is for vertical cladding and weatherboard for structures, shingles, solid wall buildings, posts and pilings. Prince of Wales Island has other species of trees, but not as abundant as those cited above, including Alaska Yellow Cedar, Lodgepole Pine, Mountain Hemlock and Alder. Alaska Yellow Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) is not found in a great abundance on Prince of Wales Island. The tree will grow to a height of about 100 feet and has a pale yellow fibre. The odor of the wood is strong when freshly cut but diminishes as it dries. The fragrance is similar to a raw potato. The tree grows slowly and produces a fine, even texture with a straight grain. There is little shrinkage in Yellow Cedar when dried and it is considered to be a medium strong and stiff wood. It works well, takes a good finish and is noted for its resistance to decay. Yellow Cedar is used extensively in boat building, furniture and a variety of uses where resistance to weathering is important. Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia S. Wats.) often reaches a height of 150 feed with the trunk as thick as 6 feet in diameter. The wood is described as straight grained, soft, light colored and not very strong. The most common uses for the wood are for dimension lumber, mine timbers and railroad ties. Mountain Hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana Sarg.) is a species that usually reaches a height of 100 feet, but at times is as tall as 150 feet. The wood is soft, pale brown or red and is close grained. The most common use for the logs is for sawn lumber. Alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) is a common species from Yakutat Bay, Alaska, southward to Southern California. The Alder grows to a 42 height of as much as 90 feet with a trunk as big as 3 feet in diameter. Newly cut Alder wood is a pale cream color, but when exposed to the air, turns to an orange-brown color. The wood is fine textured and of medium density and dries well. It works well and takes a good finish. Alder is used for furniture, broom handles, toys and gunpowder charcoal. The Alder grows rapidly on Prince of Wales Island, but is usually limited to use as firewood and for smoking meat and fish. (The City of Thorne Bay, June 13, 1983.) Most timber resources on Prince of Wales Island are part of the Tongass National Forest and are managed by the USDA Forest Service. 43 VEGETATION LEGEND Hemlock - Spruce, saplings, pole timber, and young growth forest. Hemlock - Spruce , old growth forest. Hemlock, old growth forest. Ceder, old growth forest. Open Muskeg and Muskeg Meadows HZ ol Muskeg Forest Natural Grassland (Estuarine) Scale in Miles District Boundary ae | ~~ -- - 0 12 1 Source U S.G.S. 1949 (1998), Base. U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Craig C-2, Map #20. Drawn by Mary Jorgensen CITY OF THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM HABITATS AND WILDLIFE There are eight types of habitats identified in the Alaska Coastal Management Act; four are present within the Thorne Bay Coastal Boundaries. These are: estuaries; wetlands and tideflats; rivers, streams and lakes; and important upland habitats. The Alaska Coastal Management Program specifies that the habitats "must be managed so as to maintain or enhance the biological, physical, and chemical characteristics of the habitat which contribute to its capacity to support living resources" [6 AAC 80.130(B)]. Additional management criteria is given for the following habitats: "Estuaries must be managed so as to assure adequate water flow, natural circulation patterns, nutrients, and oxygen levels, and avoid the discharge of toxic wastes, silt, and destruction of productive habitat [6 AAC 80.130(c)(2)]. "Wetlands and tideflats must be managed so as to assure adequate water flow, nutrients, and oxygen levels and avoid adverse effects on natural drainage patterns, the destruction of important habitat, and the discharge of toxic substances [6 AAC 80.130(c)(3)]. "Rivers, streams, and lakes must be managed to protect natural vegetations, water quality, important fish or wildlife habitat, and natural water flows [6 AAC 80.130(c)(7)]. ESTUARIES "Estuaries are semi-enclosed, often elongate, bodies of water that contain measurable quantities of salt from the mixing of seawater with water from rivers and streams" (Alaska Land and Water Use Guide, A Guide to Coastal Regulations, April 1982, p. 2.2). The tidal-influenced meadow is also a part of the estuarine system because it provides many of the small invertebrates that are consumed by larger wildlife in the estuary. Estuaries are vital spawning grounds for the anadromous fish species. During summer and early autumn, salmon school and concentrate enroute to their spawning grounds upstream. Sockeye, 45 pink, chum salmon, and steelhead trout all depend on estuaries as an important part of their lifecycle. Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams and mussels use estuaries for nurseries. The Thorne River estuary, approximately 2 miles from the townsite, has an abundance of waterfowl during the fall and spring migrations, with some species overwintering in the area. Eagles feed on salmon in the area. Tolstoi Bay also has estuarine areas. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has indicated that the entire Thorne River estuary is crucial fish and wildlife habitat, and that no future development of any type should occur in this valuable area. WETLANDS AND TIDEFLATS Wetlands and tideflats are abundant in the Thorne Bay area. Most of the muskeg areas are saturated with water and support wetland vegetation. These grass-sedge wetlands are important for the migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. The lower Thorne River is an intensive use zone for the black bear. Black bear use these wetlands for spring foraging. Other small mammals such as martin, mink, and muskrats also find food in these areas. Wetlands are often located adjacent to important upland habitat and provide feeding areas within reach of the protective cover of the forest. Deer may browse the area if upland food supplies are covered by snow. The tideflats are usually without vegetation or with sparse marsh grasses. They contain many clams, cockles, worms, crabs, snails, isopods, and amphipods that are important in the food chain. "Besides serving as habitat for the production of fish and wildlife resources, wetlands dissipate wave energy, provide flood water storage, recharge groundwater aquifers, replenish and regulate associated streams and rivers, and maintain and export detrital and other nutrients which support stream, lake, and estuarine productivity. Wetlands are natural water purifiers owing to their capacity to settle out suspended solids from water and absorb and recycle organic and inorganic constituents" (Alaska Land and Water Use Guide, A Guide to Coastal Regulations, April 1982, p. 2.4). 46 RIVERS, STREAMS AND LAKES Rivers, streams and lakes provide multiple habitats. The edges are very important riparian habitat zones that are influenced by free water. Riparian zones have highly varied vegetative types, many of which are excellent forage for deer, bear and other small animals. The edge also has a structural character that allows for transition beiween the open water habitat areas and the denser, sheltered forest. The streams and rivers include pools that are important for spawning and riffles areas that are home to invertebrates. The water areas support large numbers of insects that are an important food source for fish, particularly in the spring. Vegetative cover is very important for providing shade to maintain stable water temperatures and for leaf litter that is used by some invertebrates in the stream. IMPORTANT UPLAND HABITAT Important upland habitat includes the western hemlock spruce forests that cover most of the land area within Thorne Bay Coastal District. The habitat value of old growth forest is becoming more apparent as new studies reveal the complexity of forest use within old-growth areas. Dead snags within the forest are used as perches by eagles. Deer use the forest as protective cover and foraging areas. Presently there are large areas of old-growth within the city limits. While highly valued for their high quality timber resources, these forest should be equally valued for their important habitat value. Management should consider retaining corridors of upland forest that provide linkages from one habitat area to another. 47 Toistol Istand HABITAT LEGEND ESTUARIES Associated Wildlife - Anadromous fish species spawning, Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, mussels and Invertabrates, waterfowl, eagles, black bear, and deer. (WETLANDS AND TIDEFLATS Associated Wildlife - Wetlands : Waterfowl, shorebirds, black bear, martin, mink, muskrats. Tideflats: Clams, cockles, worms, crabs, snails, isopods, and amphipods. RIVERS, STREAMS, AND LAKES Associated Wildlife - Deer, bear, martin, red squirrel, flying squirrel, short tailed weasel, beaver, mink, land otter, anadromous fish species, invertabrates, eagles, waterfowl. IMPORTANT UPLAND HABITAT Hemlock - Spruce Old Growth Hemlock Old Growth Ceder Old Growth Associated Wildlife - Black bear, deer, wolves, martin, red squirrel, flying squirrel, short tailed weasel, beaver, mink, land otter, eagles, spruce grouse, willow ptarmigans. tate Scale In Miles District Boundary Less hh 0 12 1 Source: U.S.G.S. 1949 (1988). U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Craig C-2, Map #20. _ Drawn by Mary Jorgensen HABITATS CITY OF THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WILDLIFE The wealth of habitat within the Thorne Bay Coastal District Boundaries supports an abundance of wildlife. The Thorne River area is well known for its estuary and the associated salmon and steelhead runs along with the fall migration of waterfowl. MAMMALS Large mammals in the area include black bear, deer and wolves. In the spring, the Thorne River, as well as other fish streams, are intensive use areas for black bears. Black bear also use wetlands and upland habitats, particularly ridgelines. Wolves and deer are present in the area. Deer use the upland habitat and rivers and streams. Smaller mammals in the area are: martin, red squirrel, flying squirrel, short-tailed weasel, beaver, mink, and land otter. Harbor seals occur outside of the city limits on Clarence Strait. (Alaska's Wildlife and Habitat, Vols. I and II, State of Alaska, Dept. of Fish and Game, 1973, 1978.) Harbor seals and killer whales occasionally come into the district waters during salmon runs (City of Thorne Bay, 1990). BIRDS Thorne Bay and the Thorne River are major wintering areas for waterfowl. The Clarence Strait to the east is a major migratory route from north to south and a minor migratory route from south to north. There are five eagle sites listed on the Thorne River. Some are nesting sites while others are perches from which the eagles feed upon the abundant fish resources. An eagle's nest exists a short distance beyond the Deer Creek Subdivision. Spruce grouse and willow ptarmigans are also present in the region. 49 WATERFOWL UTILIZATION OF THORNE BAY SPECIES Marbled Murrelet (Proposed for Threatened Species) Trumpeter Swans Mallards Common Merganser Red Headed Merganser Hooded Merganser Vancouver Canada Geese Kittlitz Murrelet Common Murrelet Ancient Murrelet Barrow's Goldeneye Common Goldeneye Pintail Oldsquaw Great Blue Heron Sandhill Cranes SEASON OF USE All year Fall to spring All All All All All All All All year year year year year, except winter year year year, except spring Spring thru fall Spring thru fall Spring thru fall Spring thru fall Spring thru fall Spring thru fall 50 FISHERIES RESOURCES The abundant rivers, streams and lakes within the Thorne Bay Coastal Boundaries support five species of salmon and three species of trout. The anadromous fish spend substantial portions of their life cycle in the ocean, but return to fresh water to spawn. Salmon eggs and pre-emergent fry overwinter beneath stream gravel. The Thorne River estuary serves as a major holding area while the fish wait for the right time to swim up river to spawn. The table below gives the fish species in the area and their time of spawning. The chum and pink salmon fry go to sea almost immediately upon emergence. The sockeye and silver salmon reside in the freshwater habitats for one to three years. Juvenile sockeye generally utilize lake habitats for fresh water rearing, whereas juvenile silver salmon rear in a broad range of river, stream and lake habitats. The anadromous trout and char species reside in the freshwater habitats for two to five years. King salmon appearing in local waters are incidental. King salmon have been "pen raised" and released. No specific data about the success of this effort is available. FISH SPECIES TIME OF SPAWNING Chum (Dog Salmon) late June through November King (Chinook) Salmon July through September Pink (Humpback) Salmon late June through September Silver (Coho) Salmon August through December Sockeye (Red) Salmon late June through November Cutthroat Trout April through May Dolly Varden Char October through November Steelhead Trout November-December & March- May 51 ie Win © i 9 7 parne River Wl. ! A O-S-SH-DV-CT} Titi v \ -———= = Tolstoi Island SO ou ins FISH AND WILDLIFE LEGEND * EAGLE SITES } WATERFOWL OVERWINTERING AREA [| BLACK BEAR INTENSIVE USE AREA - SPRING A ANADROMOUS FISH STREAMS CH CHUM (DOG) SALMON P PINK (HUMPBACK) SALMON co SILVER (COHO) SALMON Ss SOCKEYE (RED) SALMON CT CUTTHROAT TROUT Lindeman _4 EN DV DOLLY VARDEN TROUT SH STEELHEAD TROUT Scale in Miles District Boundary 4s 0 V2 1 Source: U.S.G.S. 1949 (1988); Eagle Sites - U.S. Forest Service 1989. State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1949 (1973) Drawn by Mary Jorgensen FISH AND WILDLIFE CITY OF THORNE BAY COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SECTION IV AIR, LAND, AND WATER QUALITY AIR QUALITY The air quality within the Thorne Bay region is primarily pristine. There are occasional periods when smoke, from the log sort yard west of the city center and from residential wood burning stoves, becomes trapped by low cloud cover and is noticeable within the city. WATER QUALITY Water Lake, the Municipal water supply, is of good quality but contains tannin from the muskeg, which gives it a brownish color. The water is treated with a polymer to bond with the tannin, thus increasing its size so that it can be filtered. The filtration system is sand with chlorination. The Water Lake supply system includes a "tank" storage capacity of 286,000 gallons. This water storage was created to meet both fire protection and domestic consumption needs. The water storage system can meet the domestic needs of approximately 1,000 residents, twice the current population. The sewage treatment plant outfall pipe drains into Thorne Bay near the city center. This has caused a decrease in the quality of the water, but formal studies have not been done. A sewer system Engineering Study by the Office of Village Safe Water, Alaska Department of Environmental Quality, December 1988, recommends that the entire existing sewer system be replaced. A phased construction schedule has been established, including the construction of a new sewage treatment plant, and the relocation of the sewer outfall drain to a deeper area southeast of the city center. Log transfer sites exist at Thorne Bay and at Tolstoi Bay (adjacent to the district boundary). Floating logs contribute to toxic log leachates and excessive submarine bark accumulation that decrease the water quality. The Thorne Bay site was not evaluated for the total potential effects on biota and water quality in the U.S.D.A. Forest Service 1989-1994 Operating Period for the Ketchikan Pulp Company Long-Term Sale Area, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Vol. 6. The study did rate the log storage and transfer 53 facility as having high impact upon site productivity and sensitive habitats. Sediment and debris from the land-based logging facilities also flow into the waters of the area, decreasing the water quality. Additional investigation is needed. The garbage disposal site is located on an upland area near the mouth of the Thorne River. Small streams in this area are used for fish rearing and the disposal site drains into the estuarine and tidal- meadow habitats. Water quality is decreased by accumulated garbage in the streams and possibly from leaching of toxic substances from the site. No facilities exist for toxic or industrial waste disposal. The disposal of solid wastes is a problem for all Prince of Wales Island communities. An effort is underway to begin planning for a "central facility" for all island community solid waste disposal. Activities at the existing site are being adjusted for proper maintenance. Financial support from other government sectors is needed to ensure proper management. Additional local disposal sites need to be designated. Another impact upon water quality occurs during and after storms; rainwater carries sediments from the gravel streets and adjacent areas into the bay. GEOPHYSICAL HAZARDS Tectonic Activity and Faults: The regional structure of the underlying bedrock includes northwest-trending high-angle faults and numerous thrust faults, and folded thrusts. This northwest trend follows the postulated trend of the subduction zones of the crustal plates. It is when excessive energy or stress builds up along the subduction zone that strain is released along the faults and earthquakes occur. The Queen Charlotte Islands Fault is located approximately 100 miles to the west of Thorne Bay. Major earthquakes (5.0 to 7.0) have occurred along this fault between 1899-1973. No earthquakes have been recorded directly in Thorne Bay. However, the effects from future regional earthquakes could impact the area in the following ways: 1) movement along existing or new faults; 2) ground shaking; 3) compaction and subsidence of tills and soils; 4) landslides; 5) water-sediment ejection and ground fracturing; 6) abnormal water 54 waves (Lemke, 1975). Tsunamis or seismic sea waves are generated in the open ocean and are not likely to have a major impact, because of Thorne Bay's sheltered location. Landslides: Approximately half of the soils are underlain by glacial till that may be compacted at depths of 40 inches or more (see geological map). In some areas, the presence of indurated iron pan layers in the substrata seriously impede permeability. The slope of these layers tends to follow the slope of the site and create slip planes over which soil movement may occur (USDA FS, 1987)., If these layers are present, then the mass movement potential of the overlying soils is increased and should be considered in planning. Development of steep slopes with this hazard should be avoided or field checked. Excessive removal of vegetation or structural overweighting of these areas may also increase the landslide potential. Flooding: Hydrological studies have not been done for the major rivers of the Thorne Bay area. However, given the size of the Thorne River and the average annual precipitation of 100 inches, there is a very high potential for major flooding to occur, particularly at the mouth but also upriver beyond the city limits (Bartos, Forest Service interview, September 1989). Obstructions within the river, such as bridges or log jams, will increase the extent of flooding in that area. Any structure, including a bridge, at the mouth of the Thorne River could be subjected to the force of the river's flood waters coming downstream at the same time that an incoming high tide would provide force directed upstream. The result of these conflicting forces would destroy any structure. A hydrologic study mapping the 100 year flood plain is highly recommended before any development occurs along the Thorne River. The Tonowek and Tuxekan soils (#11 on Soils Map) show the areas subject to regular flooding. Soils_and Development Suitability: Many of the soils in the area would be classified by the Soil Conservation Service as high risk soils for urban development. It is therefore necessary to investigate which soil or soils have the best development potential. It is important that the soil information be verified by a field check prior to development. 55 The following explanation of soil-related factors is used to compare soils for development suitability on the attached Soils Table (Loggy, Forest Service, interview, September 1989). *Mass_ movement potential. The highest index should be used for planning and then field checked. Several soils of the area may have an underlying iron pan layer that acts as a slip plane (see landslide under geological hazards) for the overlying soils. Ratings: low = 1; medium low = 2; medium = 3; medium high = 4; high = 5. *Soil depths. Less than 20" to bedrock is better for house foundations. Less than 20" is not good for septic systems. Ratings: 1 =3'-4; 2=15 3=4-5; 4=5'-6; 5=6'-7. *Slope. Ratings: 1 = 0-10%; 2 and 3 = 5-35%; 4 = 35=60%; 5 = >60%. *Drainage. Organic or a poorly drained mineral soil are unsuitable. Ratings: 1 = well; 2 = well, moderately well; 3 = somewhat poorly; 4 = poor; 5 = very poor. *Bedrock geology. Ratings: 1 = sandstone, graywacke, or diorite. 1 = till or alluvial deposits if a slip plane is not present or the land is not within the floodplain. 5 = peat. The ratings for each category were added for each soil type to give the totals ranging from 5 = most suitable to 25 = least suitable for development. Since many of the soils surveyed are complexes of two soil types, the development suitability is given as a general range to be used for comparison but needing to be verified by a field check. For example, if a field check showed an absence of a slip plane, then the mass movement potential rating would move from high to low and the development suitability rating would decrease by four. 56 Wadleigh Complex Karta - 11*-15* Tolstoi Complex Tonowek & 8* F Tuxekan Salt Chuck Gravelly Sandy Loam McGilvery & Tolstoi Soils Tolstoi - McGilvery Complex Wadleigh Gravelly Silt Loam Wadleigh - Kogish Association McGilvery - Kogish Complex Kina Peat Staney Peat Kogish Peat Kogish - Maybeso Complex Kina - Maybeso Maybeso MuckyPeat Aeric Cryaquepts Ratings of individual catagories - 1 = most suitable; 5 = least suitable. Development suitability totals range from 5 to 25. * = Rating depends on wether the area has an underlying iron pan layer that acts as a slip plane, thus increasing the mass movement potential. F - Floodplain area. Table DEVELOPMENT SUITABILITY SECTION V COASTAL DEVELOPMENT TIMBER HARVEST The Thorne Bay economy is dependent upon timber activity, but currently no timber harvest is occurring in the Coastal District, with the exception of harvest related to road construction. Timber cut at locations outside of the District is brought to the KPC yard for sorting, scaling and delivery. Limited old growth forest is available to the Forest Service or KPC within the District due to Municipal and State land ownership. Neither the State nor the City has established any timber harvest plans. The Land Ownership and Vegetation Maps of this inventory may be of assistance when assessing harvest potentials. Additional investigation will need to occur. MINING No mining or mineral extraction activity is currently occurring within the Coastal District. Mining operations may start up again due to improved mining methods and technology. No determination of mining potential has occurred. No feasibility studies for re-opening old sites exist. The State of Alaska has retained mineral rights to all municipal lands in Thorne Bay. The protection of all waters, particularly anadromous rivers and streams, should be considered as part of any mining effort. Gravel extraction currently occurs at two sites. The gravel is used for roads and other construction activities. SEAFOOD PROCESSING No seafood is being processed within the Coastal District. The City Council has discussed potential for seafood processing at Thorne Bay, but no specific feasibility studies or economic development plans are known to exist. Information is needed before any fishery development activity can occur. 58 AQUACULTURE, MARICULTURE No aquaculture or mariculture activity is occurring in the Coastal District, with the exception of a limited salmon rearing/release project occurring in South Thorne Bay. There is potential for fishery enhancement programs in the area, but no data pertaining to opportunities in the Coastal District is known to exist. 59 CHAPTER 4 ISSUES, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The statement of community issues, goals and objectives has been developed to assist the City of Thorne Bay to direct desired community change and to maintain existing, desirable conditions within the community. The issues reflect both a local and a regional perspective and are based upon public meetings held in 1989 and 1990, field research, a review of printed materials and the development of the Resource Inventory. Issue statements represent a description of a community concern and/or a community resource. A goal is an expression of a standard that the community wants to achieve. An objective is a statement providing direction to assist goal achievement. Many of the issues, goals and objectives are directly related to the administrative and enforceable policies presented in the next chapter. ISSUE 1: HISTORIC, PREHISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES The residents of Thorne Bay are proud of their community and are aware of the significance of historic information about the occupancy of the area. Some historical, archaeological and cultural resources have been identified. The discovery of additional historic sites is anticipated as community growth occurs. GOAL 1: Protect historic and archaeological resources. Objective 1.1: Support state and federal sponsored archaeological activity within the Throne Bay area. 60 Objective 1.2: Support and assist in the development of a program to protect the known archaeological and historic sites. I E 2; POPULATION AND TY GROWTH Thorne Bay residents have watched their community change from a company-owned logging camp to an incorporated municipality. The population of the community has increased by ap- proximately eighty nine percent (89%) since 1980. Limited economic diver- sification occurred during the same period. Residents hope that moderate population and economic growth can occur without major impacts upon the existing rural lifestyle. The areas of desired growth are most often described in relation to local employment opportunities, access to public and private services and utility improvement and expansion. GOAL 2: Direct organized community growth within Thorne Bay. QObjective 2.1: Encourage growth to occur in a steady, predictable and environmentally sensitive manner. Objective 2.2: Accommodate growth in a manner that is compatible with available services and utilities. Objective 2.3: Encourage development in a manner that improves upon the existing small community, rural lifestyle. Objective 2.4: Encourage a community growth pattern that is managed through the utilization of the City's Comprehensive Plan and related land use ordinances. 61 E 3: LAND The community of Thorne Bay is currently without land development opportunity. Undeveloped areas near the “townsite” need to be opened for growth. The types of community expansion and growth need to be determined in order to expect organized change. GOAL 3: Direct organized community growth and development to occur in areas near the existing townsite. Objective 3.1: Pursue discussions with the State of Objective 3.2: Objective 3.3: Objective 3.4: Objective 3.5: Objective 3.6: tiv Af Alaska, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to release or relinquish state-owned lands adjacent to the townsite. Develop community land use standards that address the Thorne Bay perspective of mixed land use and land use compatibility. Consider natural factors (slope, soils, drainage) in all future land development proposals. Allow new "townsite" developments to occur when utilities can be extended to the site. Encourage more intensive development in and near the community center where existing roads, utilities and services are available. Support community development proposals that include green space and open space. Maintain and regularly update the City Comprehensive Plan and land use ordinances. 62 Objective 3.8: Support future developments that avoids or minimizes adverse environmental impacts. ISSUE 4: | WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT Use of and access to the waterfront is of great importance to Thorne Bay residents. The City is currently constructing a new harbor. The waterfront improvements show how the community can, in a spirit of community good will, get past conflicting concerns and move toward quality waterfront development. Competition for development rights at other locations along the waterfront can be addressed so that water-dependent activities can occur. GOAL 4.1: Prioritize existing and potential waterfront developments. GOAL 4.2: Protect and enhance public access along the waterfront. GOAL 4.3: Retain waterfront property for multiple use, including industrial, commercial and recreational uses. Objective 4.1: Develop standards for determining water- dependent/water-related uses and activities. Objective 4.2: Designate commercial, industrial and recreational areas along the waterfront. Objective 4.3: Support waterfront development which has an adjacent land base. Objective 4.4: Accommodate floating facilities when legal upland access exists. Objective 4.5: Accommodate float homes that comply with state and federal regulations and are 63 consistent with the State of Alaska DNR Prince of Wales Island Area Plan. ive 4.6: Support projects with goals or side effects beneficial to the local environment, as well as those which do not adversely affect the environment or natural resources. Objective 4.7: Continue working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on all activities involving the placement of fill material in coastal waters. Objective 4.8: Support waterfront developments which improve tourism opportunities. ISSUE 5: | RECREATION Local concerns about recreational opportunities have been increasing. Most recreational activity occurs outside of residential areas on or near the waters of local rivers, creeks, bars and inlets. Recreational activity of non-resident tourists is increasing and may provide increased economic opportunity. "In town" recreational activity is limited. GOAL 5.1: Provide the local population with recreational opportunities and facilities. Objective 5.1: Develop plans and secure funding for parks and open space. Objective 5.2: Develop a youth recreation program. Objective 5.3: Support state and federal agency efforts to develop parks, roadside pull-outs, camping and picnic areas and other recreational facilities on public lands in or near the City of Thorne Bay. GOAL 5.2: Enhance the recreational facilities related to tourism in Thorne Bay. 64 Take advantage of opportunities for local economic improvements resulting from tourism. Qbjective 5.2.2: Develop recreationally-oriented services that meet the needs of visitors and local residents. ISSUE 6: _TRANSPORTATION, AIR, LAND AND WATER Thorne Bay is located in a remote area. The community relies on air, water and land transportation. The existing transportation network needs improveme community growth. GOAL 6: Improve the City Objective 6.1: jectiv 2: Objective 6.3: Objective 6.4: Objective 6.5: nt and expansion to accommodate limited land, water and air access to and within of Thorne Bay. Secure continued funding to improve the quality and safety of local roads. Continue working with the U.S. Forest Service and the State of Alaska on road construction, maintenance and safety improvements. Coordinate transportation planning proposals with the State of Alaska, Department of Transportation for inclusion in the State of Alaska Six-Year Transportation Facility Plan. Encourage coordination among all agencies and levels of government in the planning, development and operation of the various elements of the Thorne Bay area transportation system. Determine the need for and the location of additional right-of-ways for future roads, streets and walkways. 65 Objective 6.6: Prioritize the improvement or construction of all roads, streets and walkways within the City limits, and incorporate drainage and filtration systems into them such that sediment and chemical-laden runoff from municipal streets is not discharged unchecked or untreated into the bay. Objective 6.7: Promote ways to obtain or improve ferry service to Thorne Bay. Objective 6.8: Promote the improvement of marine freight access at Thorne Bay. Objective 6.9: Investigate ways to improve both road and water access between the Thorne Bay townsite and the South Thorne Bay Subdivision. Objective _6.10:Promote the development of an airstrip at Thorne Bay. I E 7: _WATER SUPPLY AND WATER QUALITY The existing water supply and purification system has the potential of meeting the needs of approximately 1,000 residents. Water quality, quantity and usage must be maintained and managed. The source of the community's water is not municipally owned. Waste disposal continues to have an impact upon the Thorne River estuary and other nearby waters. GOAL 7.1: Provide and maintain an adequate water supply and delivery system to meet existing and future demand. Objective 7.1: Continue to upgrade the water supply and delivery system. Objective 7.2: Designate the Water Lake watershed as an Area Meriting Special Attention and 66 develop appropriate watershed protection measures. Objective 7.3: Identify and protect future watersheds, including Loon Lake, from incompatible activities. Objective 7.4: Require that proponents of projects requiring substantial volumes of treated water assist the City to analyze the potential impacts upon the water supply system. GOAL 7.2: Maintain and improve the quality of all local waters to meet State of Alaska water quality standards. Objective 7.2.1: Objective 7.2.2: Objective 7.2.3: Encourage continued examination of water quality within Thorne Bay by the Department of Environmental Conservation. Encourage continued examination of the effect of existing facilities on water quality. When possible, provide vegetative buffer zones which include wetland species recognized for their filtration functions to filter sediments between roadways, parking areas and waterways. ISSUE 8: _ SEWER, WASTE WATER TREATMENT A phased construction schedule is being implemented to GOAL 8: replace and upgrade the entire Thorne Bay sewer system. The City and the State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation, Village Safe Water Office are requesting the appropriation of funds for the construction. Provide quality, efficient and effective waste water treatment services to all businesses and residents. 67 Objective 8.1: iv 2: Objective 8.3: Upgrade or replace all sewer facilities which have deteriorated, are improperly sized or non-functional. Evaluate proposed developments by comparing with the City's ability to provide sewer services. Require that proponents of projects requiring sewer, waste water treatment services assist the City to analyze the potential impacts upon the treatment facilities. ISSUE 9: _ SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL Solid waste disposal activities at the existing "dump" are unsatisfactory. The problem of waste disposal continues to grow. Immediate solutions need to be evaluated along with long-term solid waste management planning. GOAL 9: Provide a solid waste facility to meet existing and future demand, consistent with federal and state environmental standards. Objective 9.1: bjective 9.2: Objective 9.3: Examine solid waste disposal alternatives and sites at both a local level and an island-wide level. Work with the State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation toward the development and implementation of a solid waste management facility. Require that industrial and hazardous waste be disposed of in a manner consistent with state and federal regulations. 68 ISSUES 10: ELECTRICAL UTILITY AND ENER! Thorne Bay's electrical needs are provided by a municipally- owned and operated diesel generator power plant. Recent plant upgrades have improved the delivery of electricity. Recent increases in fuel costs may make it uneconomical to expand the plant beyond its existing capabilities. Conservation of energy, particularly electricity and heating fuel, are important to local residents. The community supports conservation as well as the development of alternative energy sources. GOAL 10.1: Provide Thorne Bay with a reliable, economically sound and dependable electrical power generation system that meets existing and projected needs. Objective 10.1: Continue to maintain the exiting generators and delivery system. GOAL 10.2: Provide alternative energy supplies. Objective 10.2.1: Support exploration of alternative energy sources such as wood waste and low-head hydro-electric facilities. Objective 10.2.2: Encourage energy conservation. Objective 10.2.3: Encourage community action in weatherization, winterization, home improvements. Objective 10.2.4: Work with the State of Alaska, DNR and the U.S. Forest Service to designate areas for firewood gathering. bjective 10.2.5: Determine suitable sites for energy facilities consistent with Alaska Coastal Management Standards. Objective 10.2.6: Continue to maintain and support the activities associated with the Black Bear hydro-electric project. 69 ISSUE 11; NATURAL RESOURCES AND HABITAT The Thorne Bay area is abundant with natural resources, wildlife and scenic areas. Local residents are concerned about how these resources can best be used, enhanced and preserved. GOAL 11.1: Maintain a variety of habitat within the city limits. Objective 11.1.1: Objective 11.1.2: Objective 11.1.3: Objective 11.1.4: Encourage increase interagency involvement in habitat management. Develop a program to educate and inform the citizenry about the value and importance of habitat and its protection. Consider potential impacts on habitat in all future development proposals. Establish habitat protection buffer zones along all water ways within the city limits. GOAL 11.2: Maintain and improve fish and wildlife habitat. Objective 11.2.1: Objective 11.2.2: Investigate the continued opportunity for local harvest and subsistence activities within the Coastal District, in accordance with State Statutes and Regulations. Investigate the prohibition of the commercial harvest of fish or shellfish within the Coastal District, in accordance with State Statutes and Regulations. GOAL 11.3: Maintain access to the outstanding scenic resources throughout the area and protect the Bay as a valuable scenic resource. 70 Objective 11.3.1: Coordinate with appropriate state and federal agencies for management activity to maintain local scenic resources. ISSUE 12: AIR QUALITY Air quality at Thorne Bay is generally pristine. There are occasional periods when smoke from the log sort yard west of the city center and from residential wood stoves becomes trapped by low cloud cover. GOAL 12: Maintain and improve air quality. Objective 12.1: Consider air quality in all future development proposals. Objective 12.2: Insure that all emissions meet federal and state air quality standards. ISSUE 13: GEOPHYSICAL HAZARD AREAS Developments in the Thorne Bay Area are limited because of numerous environmental conditions, including slope, soils, hydrology and geology. GOAL 13: Support development which is environmentally sensitive. Objective 13.1: Identify, designate and manage environmentally sensitive areas, including flood hazard areas, slide hazard areas, and areas with excessive slope. ive 13.2: Limit development in potential hazard or environmentally sensitive areas. 71 ISSUE 14: TIMBER HARVEST AND PROCESSING Timber harvesting activity is the reason there is a community of Thorne Bay. The community began as a logging camp and logging activity continues to be the economic mainstay. Currently, no timber harvest activity is occurring in the Coastal District except harvest activity associated with road construction. Timber cut outside the District boundary is brought to the local sort yard and then transported to locations outside of the District. The City owns or controls large areas of forested land that are currently inaccessible by road. Careful harvest on these lands may create some economic gain while creating access. GOAL 14: Conserve and protect forest lands for long-term forestry-related uses. Objective 14.1: Support governmental and private actions which will maintain or increase the viability of the forest. Objective 14.2: Identify lands within the Coastal District where timber harvest will and will not occur. Objective 14.3: Encourage maximum separation between timber harvest areas and community occupied areas. Objective 14.4: Harvest timber at specific locations while maintaining habitat at other specific locations. Objective 14.5: Support logging and associated activities that meet appropriate state and federal regulations. I E_ 15: MINING AND MINERAL EXTRACTION ACTIVITY Current mineral "extraction" activity is limited to the blasting and crushing of rock for road construction and maintenance. Other types of mineral deposits are thought to exist but no determination of mining potential has occurred. 72 GOAL 15: Insure that mineral-related activities occur in a manner that is in compliance with state and federal regulations. Objective 15.1: Support activities to determine mining potential and to map locations where minerals exist. tive 15.2: Identify quarry sites for rock and gravel extraction. tive 15.3: Continue to have gravel available for local construction activity. ISSUE 16: SEAFOOD PROCESSING AND FISHERY ENHANCEMENT The development of various fish and seafood-related businesses continues to be a topic of local discussions. Possible developments range from a hatchery to seafood processing/cold storage facilities. No economic feasibility studies have been conducted. No local commercial fishing activity occurs. GOAL16.1: Identify waterfront areas where fisheries-related activities can occur and develop, and implement appropriate development plans. Objective 16.1: Create economic improvement opportunities for fishery-related businesses. GOAL 16.2: Determine the areas mariculture potential. Objective 16.2.1: Work with state and federal agencies to determine local mariculture feasibility. Objective 16.2.2: Work with state and federal agencies to develop operational guidelines for mariculture activities. 73 CHAPTER 5 POLICIES INTRODUCTION The policies presented in this chapter are the proposed rules of the Thorne Bay Coastal Management Plan. They will be used by local, state and federal decision makers when determining if a proposed project or activity is consistent with this plan. The policies will be used to guide future management decisions. The district policies are the "enforceable rules" of this Coastal Management Plan. The policies are based upon the Issues, Goals and Objectives and The Resource Inventory and Analysis. The administrative policies that are incorporated into this Plan provide insight to the philosophy of the community of Thorne Bay, its Planning Commission and City Council about future growth and development. The administrative policies are recognized as being "unenforceable." They are included to provide additional direction to governmental entities, the private sector and the community at large. The administrative policies have been labeled. SUBJECT USES (6AAC 85.070) This chapter describes which activities fall under the jurisdiction of the Thorne Bay Coastal District. The language comes directly from state Statutes. All residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental land and water uses and activities within the district, whether of public or private property, and all habitats and resources with the coastal area, are subject to the policies and provisions of the Thorne Bay coastal management plan. Additionally, although federal lands are excluded from the coastal area, uses and activities occurring on federal land which directly affect state coastal resources are subject to this program. Subject uses also include "uses of state or national concern," which are defined as those land and water uses 74 which would significantly affect the long-term public interest. These uses, subject to Alaska Coastal Policy Council definition of their extent, include: Uses of national interest, including the use of resources for the siting of ports and major facilities which contribute to meeting national energy needs, construction and maintenance of navigational facilities and systems, resource development on federal land, and national defense and related security facilities that are dependent upon coastal locations. Uses of more than local concern, including those land and water uses which confer significant environmental, social, cultural, or economic benefits or burdens beyond a single coastal district. The siting of major energy facilities or large-scale industrial or commercial development activities which are dependent on a coastal location and which, because of their magnitude or the magnitude of their effect on the economy of the state or the surrounding area, are reasonable likely to present issues of more than local significance. Facilities serving state-wide or inter-regional transportation and communication needs. Uses in areas established as state parks or recreational areas under AS 41.20 or as state game refuges, game sanctuaries, or critical habitat areas as under AS 16.20. State agencies have identified uses of state concern which have been adopted by the Coastal Policy council in resolution number 13. Following is a list of those state agency concerns. Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOTPF) DOTPF has listed transportation facilities as uses of state concern that include "Capital projects that have statewide, inter-regional and _ inter- district uses which impact the state's transportation system 715 including highways, roads, trails, railroads, pipelines, airports (for land and sea planes), the Marine Highway System (ferries, docks, piers, or terminals), boat docks, and harbors." Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) ADEC has identified some general uses of concern under their purview: -conservation and maintenance of air quality in compliance with Alaska Air Quality Standards (18 AAC 50.020); -conservation and maintenance of water quality in compliance with the Alaska Water Quality Standards (18 AAC 70); -assurance of proper solid waste disposal in compliance with requirements set forth in 18 AAC 60.050; -seafood processing; and -petroleum storage. Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) ADF&G has identified the following general uses of state concern under their purview: -conservation of anadromous fish waters; -harvest of fish and wildlife; -research, management, and enhancement of fish and wildlife; and -protection of refuges, sanctuaries, and critical habitat areas. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) DNR has identified several uses of state concern that may occur: -use, development, and conservation of state energy resources; -siting of major energy facilities; -use, development, and conservation of all state minerals and materials; -large-scale industrial and commercial development associated with state resource development; -transportation facilities associated with state resource development; 76 -use, development, and conservation of all lands and waters belonging to the state; -management of state historic, prehistoric, and archaeological resources. Proper and Improper Uses (6 AAC 85.080) Land and water uses and activities within the district will be considered proper if they are consistent with the policies and provisions of the Thorne Bay coastal management plan and the ACMP standards; if they comply with the regulations of the state and/or federal agencies exercising lawful jurisdiction in the coastal area; and if they comply with applicable ordinances of the City of Thorne Bay. Land and water uses and activities within the district will be considered improper if they are not consistent with the policies and provisions of the Thorne Bay coastal management plan; if they do not comply with or cannot be made modified to comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations. No uses are categorically prohibited within the coastal boundary. This Coastal Management Plan is designed to be a flexible management guide. New information and changing conditions may show a need for future plan amendments. The ACMP has regulations for making amendments to local plans. These regulations are summarized in the appendix to this document. DEFINITIONS Many of the terms used in this Plan and in coastal management have specific meaning when applied to a regulatory or procedural action. The following definitions have been provided to assist in the utilization of this Plan. "ACMP"--The Alaska Coastal Management Plan "ADEC"--The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, the state agency with the purpose to protect the public health and environment, conserve and maintain air quality, assure the proper management and disposal of solid waste, waste water and control pollution, and respond to oil and hazardous substance spills. 77 "ADFG"--The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the state agency that administers state programs and activities that pertain to fish and wildlife resources. "ADNR"--The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the state agency that manages the state's land, agricultural, water use, timber, mineral, oil and gas reserves. "ADOTPF"--The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. "CONSISTENCY"--Compliance with the standards of the ACMP, including the enforceable policies of an approved coastal program. "DGC"--The Division of Governmental Coordination, within the Office of the Governor. This agency oversees the development and amendment of coastal management programs, serves as staff to the Alaska Coastal Policy Council and coordinates the development projects which require review of state or federal permit requirements for consistency with the ACMP. "ENCUMBRANCE"--A legal claim against property. The Thorne Bay Coastal District includes federal lands, part of the Tongass National Forest, which are affected by a long-term timber harvest contract. "FEASIBLE AND PRUDENT"--Consistent with sound engineering practice and not causing environmental, social, or economic problems that outweigh the public benefit to be derived from compliance with the Standard which is modified by "feasible and prudent" [6 AAC 80.900(20)]. An alternative is "feasible" unless it is inconsistent with sound engineering practice. An alternative is "prudent" despite the presence of increased social, environmental, or economic costs, unless those costs of extraordinary magnitude, and are due to unique factors present in a particular case. Used to describe situations when a normally applicable standard may be departed from, where forcing compliance would be impossible or cause a worse result than non-compliance. "Fishery Related"--Activities or facilities which are directly related to commercial fishing, processing and transporting. 78 "Floating Facilities"--Any structure constructed on floats or a raft that is moored or anchored at a location for a period of 14 days or more and is not used for transportation purposes during that period. Floating facilities can generally be separated into the following use categories, including, but not limited to: Fishing-related--staging, purchasing, processing; Mariculture/aquaculture-related--operations facilities and bunkhouses, research or educational stations, net pens; Transportation- and/or Tourism-related--seaplane, tour boat, or other water-based operations; Timber-related--floating logging camps, reconnaissance or other short-term projects; Mining-related--floating mining camps, dredges, claim development support, and exploration support; Wild Resource Use--trapping camps; sport fishing or hunting lodges, base or spike camps; wildlife watching stands, recreational activity base camps; Floathouses--primarily designed, intended, fitted out, or used as a residence or place of habitation and not an integral component of another use category. "Hazardous Substance"--A substance that has been defined by ADEC in 18 AAC 75.900. This definition, with the addition of explosives, is: "An element or compound which, when it enters into or upon the water or subsurface land of the State, presents an imminent and substantial danger to the public welfare or health, or to fish, wildlife, vegetation, or any part of the natural habitat in which they are found, and includes, but is not limited to, poisons, pesticides, acids, caustics (explosives), infectious or pathological wastes, chemical toilet wastes, radioactive materials, solvents, toxic heavy metals, and oil (a derivative of a liquid hydrocarbon including crude oil, lubricating oil, sludge, oil refuse, or any other petroleum-related product or by- product).” 719 “Minimize"--To select from a comprehensive review of alternatives the option which uses the best available technology to limit or reduce impact to the smallest amount, extent, duration, size or degree. "Personal Use"--A term used to describe the "non-commercial" harvest of fish, game and other food resources. Used in conjunction with the term "subsistence". "Prince of Wales Island Area Plan"--A plan developed by ADNR that describes management of State uplands, tidelands and submerged lands in the Prince of Wales Island area. The Plan determines land use designations, proposed land selections, relinquishments and disposals, along with management guidelines. "Riparian"--Related to or located on the bank of a natural water course. "Shall"--Mandatory, requiring a course of action or a set of conditions to be achieved. "Should"--States intent for a course of action or a set of conditions to be achieved. Implies that discretion may be applied for achieving the intent of the action. "Subsistence"--The traditional and customary use of fish, game and other food resources. "Subject Uses"--A description of the land and water uses and activities which are subject to the Coastal District Program. "“Tidelands"--Refers to those lands which are covered by tidal waters within the jurisdiction of the State (DNR). “Water-Dependent"--A use or activity which can be carried out only on, in, or adjacent to water areas because the use requires access to the water body. "Water-Related"--A use or activity which is not directly dependent upon access to a water body, but which provides goods or services that are directly associated with water dependence 80 and which, if not located adjacent to water, would result in a public loss of quality in the goods or services offered. “Watershed"--The crucial land and subsurface area draining to the community water storage and delivery system. "Wetlands"--Those areas inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil conditions [Army Corps of Engineers, 33 CFR 328.3(b)]. COASTAL MANAGEMENT POLICIES I COASTAL DEVELOPMENT 6 AAC 80.040 (a) In planning for and approving development in coastal areas, districts and state agencies shall give, in the following order priority to: (1) Water-dependent uses and activities; (2) Water-related uses and activities: (3) Uses and activities which are neither water- dependent nor water-related for which there is no feasible and prudent inland alternative to meet the public need for the use or activity. (b) The placement of structures and the discharge of dredged or fill material into coastal water must, at a minimum, comply with the current Corps of Engineers regulations, contained in Parts 320-323, Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations. (c) Mitigation Policy: All land and water uses and activities shall be conducted with appropriate planning and implementation to mitigate potentially adverse effects on the following resources of local, state and national importance: fish and wildlife populations and their habitats, local harvest/subsistence resource uses and 81 activities, recreational resources and water quality. Mitigation shall include and be considered in the following order of preference: (1) avoid the loss of the affected resource or activity; (2) when the loss cannot be avoided, minimize the loss and the need for restoration, maintenance or compensation efforts; (3) when the loss or resources and/or associated activities cannot be minimized, restore or rehabilitate the resource to its predisturbance condition, to the extent feasible and prudent; and (4) when loss or damage to important habitat or existing resources and associated activities is substantial and irreversible and the above objectives cannot be achieved, compensation for the resource and/or harvest loss shall be considered. In the case of loss of habitat production potential, enhancement of other habitats shall be considered as one alternative means of compensation. (5) It is the intent of this mitigation policy to provide sequential steps that will be followed to mitigate potential impacts. It is appropriate to first, avoid the loss of habitat, and second, to minimize such loss or interference. (d) Floating facilities shall be sited at locations that do not (e) create conflicts with other uses of tideland areas, shoreline uses and adjacent upland uses. Upland owners have first preference to the use of the tidelands adjacent to their property. Floating facilities must use anchoring methods which are appropriate for the location and able to anchor the facility during high winds and extreme tide or storm conditions. To the extent feasible and prudent, activities on and the uses of coastal lands and waters shall be compatible with adjacent land and water uses. 82 (f) To the extent feasible and prudent, piers, cargo handling, Storage, parking, and other facilities shall be designed and used to prevent the need for duplicative facilities. (g) Public access to important recreation and fish and wildlife harvest areas shall be maintained, and where feasible and prudent, increased. Restrictions to public access may be allowed only if reasonable alternative access to important recreation or fish and wildlife harvest areas is available or developed. II GEOPHYSICAL HAZARD AREAS (6 AAC 80.050) (a) Districts and state agencies shall identify known geophysical hazard areas and areas of high development potential in which there is a substantial possibility that geophysical hazards may occur. (b) Industrial and commercial development shall not be located in a geophysical hazard area if a feasible and prudent alternate site exists. Development in hazard areas shall be preceded by adequate siting design and construction measures for minimizing property damage and protecting against loss of life. (c) Development activities shall retain existing vegetation cover to the greatest extent possible to minimize soil movement or erosion. When development cannot occur without the removal of vegetation, the site shall be re- vegetated at the earliest possible date. (d) Development in the low lying flood plain areas shall be discouraged. Development in such areas shall be subject to siting, design construction and operation measures which mitigate the potential hazards. III RECREATION (6 AAC 80.060) (a) Districts shall designate areas for recreational use. Criteria for designation of areas of recreational use are 83 IV (b) (d) (1) the area receives significant use by persons engaging in recreational pursuits or is a major tourist destination; or (2) the area has potential for high quality recreational use because of physical, biological or cultural features. Recreational and access developments shall, to the extent feasible and prudent, preserve or enhance scenic views and vistas. The District shall support local, state and federal efforts to develop parks, trails and other recreational facilities on public lands within and adjacent to the Coastal District Boundary. (Administrative Policy) Recreational land and facilities along with open space shall be considered in future community development proposals. (Administrative Policy) ENERGY FACILITIES (6 AAC 80.070) (a) (b) Sites suitable for the development of major energy facilities must be identified by districts and the state in cooperation with districts. The siting and approval of major energy and industrial facilities are subject to State Standards 6 AAC 80.070 B. (1) Site facilities so as to minimize adverse environmental and social effects while satisfying industrial requirements; (2) Site facilities so as to be compatible with existing and subsequent adjacent uses and projected community needs; (3) Consolidate facilities, including use of waste heat; (4) Consider the concurrent use of facilities for public or economic reasons; 84 (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) Cooperate with landowners, developers, local government, state and federal agencies in the development of facilities; Select sites with sufficient acreage to allow for reasonable expansion of facilities; Site facilities where existing infrastructure, including roads, docks, and airstrips, is capable of satisfying requirements; Select harbors and shipping routes with least exposure to reefs, shoals, drift ice, and other obstructions; Encourage the use of vessel traffic control and collision avoidance systems. (10) Select sites where development will require minimal site clearing, dredging and construction in productive habitats; (11) Site facilities so as to minimize the probability, along shipping routes, of spills or other forms of contamination which would affect fishing grounds, spawning grounds, and other biologically productive or vulnerable habitats, including marine mammal rookeries and hauling out grounds and waterfowl nesting areas; (12) Site facilities so that the design and construction of those facilities and support infrastructures in coastal areas of Alaska will allow for the free passage and movement of fish and wildlife with due consideration for historic migratory patterns and so that areas of particular, scenic, recreational, environmental, or cultural value will be protected; (13) Select sites where development will require minimal site clearing, dredging, and construction in productive habitats; 85 (14) Site facilities in area of least biological productivity, diversity, and vulnerability and where effluents and spills can be controlled or contained; (15) Site facilities where winds and air currents disperse airborne emissions which cannot be captured before escape into the atmosphere; (16) Select sites in areas which are designated for industrial purposes and where industrial traffic is minimized through populations centers; and (17) Select sites where vessel movements will not result in overcrowded harbors or interfere with fishing operations and equipment. TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES (6 AAC 80.080) (a) Transportation and utility routes and facilities in the coastal area must be sited, designed, and constructed so as to be compatible with the Thorne Bay District program. (b) Transportation and utility routes and facilities shall be sited inland from beaches and shorelines unless the route or facility is water-dependent or no feasible and prudent inland alternative exists to meet the public need for the route or facility. (c) The state and federal government shall provide the Thorne Bay District with opportunity to participate in the planning processes for all transportation facilities and services occurring within the District. (d) Soils, slope, geology, topography and hydrological conditions shall be considered as part of the planning, designing, siting and construction of all transportation and utility facilities. (e) To the extent feasible and prudent, transportation and utility developments shall be sited, designed, and operated to allow for the free passage and movement of fish and 86 VI VII (f) wildlife with due consideration for historic migratory patterns. Road, airports, port, and utility design construction and maintenance must minimize the visual degradation and/or alteration of water courses, wetlands, and inter-tidal marshes. FISH AND SEAFOOD PROCESSING (6 AAC 80.090) (a) (b) Districts shall identify and may designate areas of the coast suitable for the location or development of facilities related to commercial fishing and seafood processing. Processing facilities and mariculture facilities shall be designed and operated in accordance with state and federal requirements to assure water quality and to prevent adverse impacts upon surrounding habitats and resources. TIMBER HARVEST AND PROCESSING (6 AAC 80.100) (a) (b) (c) (d) AS 41.17, Forest Resources and Practices, and the regulations and procedures adopted under that chapter with respect to the harvest and processing of timber, are incorporated into the Alaska Coastal Management Program and constitute the components of the coastal management program with respect to those purposes. Timber waste shall be disposed of at sites and by methods that will not have an adverse effect on fish and wildlife habitats within the coastal district. Clear cutting of private or public property within the District Boundary shall be prohibited unless specifically approved of by the District. (Administrative Policy) Entities proposing timber harvest and processing within the District must provide the local government and local residents the opportunity to participate in the planning process. (Administrative Policy) 87 (e) (f) (g) (h) Timber harvesting activities shall be conducted in a manner that minimizes damage to or loss of anadromous fish habitat. Timber harvest activity shall be prohibited in all areas that are part of the present and future domestic water drinking watersheds, including Water Lake and Loon Lake, unless the timber operator through the submittal of a site specific logging plan can be demonstrate that the timber harvest activity can occur in a manner that will not adversely impact water quality. To minimize impacts of timber harvest and related developments on coastal resources, the harvest and related developments shall utilize existing log sorting transportation facilities. Firewood gathering activity shall be conducted in a manner to minimize adverse environmental impacts. (Administrative Policy) VIII MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING (6 AAC 80.110) (a) (b) (c) Mining and mineral processing in the coastal area must be regulated, designed, and conducted so as to be compatible with the standards contained in this chapter, adjacent uses and activities, statewide and national needs, and district programs. Sand and gravel may be extracted from coastal waters, intertidal areas, barrier islands, and spits when there is no feasible and prudent alternative to coastal extraction which will meet the public need for the sand or gravel. Sand and gravel extraction from state tidelands and submerged lands and fish bearing waters will be prohibited unless the activity will not have an adverse impact on fish and waterfowl habitat. 88 (d) To the extent feasible and prudent, sources of sand and gravel shall be authorized in a descending order of priority, as follows: (1) existing extraction sites where local, state and federal authorizations are in existence; (2) reuse of sand and gravel from abandoned projects; (3) new upland sand and gravel pits; (4) rivers, streams, and lakes that do not support fish. (e) Sand and gravel shall not be removed from locations which provide spawning, over-wintering habitat for anadromous fish, or locations where water fowl or other birds nest, feed or overwinter. (f) Re-vegetation and reclamation of all sand and gravel extraction sites shall occur upon the termination of the use of the site. IX SUBSISTENCE (6 AAC 80.120) Subsistence use/personal use harvest activity occurs throughout the entire Thorne Bay Coastal District. All land and water management uses and activities shall ensure through careful planning, development, and operation of a resource harvest, extraction or development, that all steps will be taken to mitigate all adverse impacts. The mitigation policy of the Thorne Bay District is included in the Coastal Development Policy section of this document. xX HABITATS (6 AAC 80.130) (a) Habitats in the coastal area which are subject to the Alaska Coastal Management Program include: (1) offshore areas; (2) estuaries; 89 (3) wetlands and _ tideflats; (4) rocky islands and sea cliffs; (5) barrier islands and lagoons; (6) exposed high energy coasts; (7) rivers, streams, and lakes; and (8) important upland habitat. (b) The habitats contained in (a) of this section must be (c) managed so as to maintain or enhance the biological, physical, and chemical characteristics of the habitat which contribute to its capacity to support living resources. Of the habitats listed above, four occur in the Thorne Bay District: estuaries; wetlands and tideflats; rivers, streams and lakes; and important upland habitat. In addition to the standard contained in (b) of this section, the following standards apply to the management of the following habitats: (1) Estuaries must be managed so as to assure adequate water flow, natural circulation patterns, nutrients, and oxygen levels, and avoid the discharge of toxic wastes, silt, and destruction of productive habitat. Those areas shall be managed to maintain or enhance protection for fish, shell fish and water fowl. (2) The Thorne River estuary has been designated as Critical Fish and Wildlife Habitat. No further development of any type shall occur. (3) Wetlands and tideflats must be managed so as to assure adequate water flow, nutrients, and oxygen levels, and avoid adverse changes in natural drainage patterns, the destruction of important habitat, and the discharge of toxic substances; 90 (4) rivers, streams, and lakes must be managed to protect natural vegetation, water quality, important fish or wildlife habitat and natural water flow. (5) Important habitats in upland areas shall be managed to maintain natural drainage patterns, surface water quality, and natural ground-water recharge areas; to prevent runoff and erosion; and to minimize alteration of vegetation which may result in decreased biological productivity. (d) Uses and activities in the coastal area which will not (e) (f) (g) conform to the standards in (b) or (c) of this section may be allowed by the District or appropriate state agency if the following are established: (1) there is significant public need for the proposed use or activity; (2) there is no feasible or prudent alternative to meet the public need for the proposed use or activity which would conform to the standards contained in (b) and (c) of this section; and (3) all feasible and prudent steps to maximize conformance with the standards contained in (b) and (c) of this section will be taken. In applying this section, the District and state agencies may use appropriate expertise, including regional programs teferred to in 6 AAC 80.030(b). Maintaining important fish and wildlife habitats shall be given first priority when weighing resource use conflicts. Uses and activities shall avoid adverse impacts to anadromous fish streams; associated holding, spawning, and rearing areas; and associated riparian habitats. 91 XI AIR, LAND, AND WATER QUALITY (6 AAC 80.140) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) The statutes pertaining to and the regulations and procedures of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation with respect to the protection of air, land, and water quality are incorporated into the Alaska Coastal Management Program and, as administered by that agency, constitute the components of the coastal management program with respect to those purposes. The cumulative impact of new industrial development on District air and water quality shall be considered in the teview of proposed development projects. The cumulative air and water quality of proposed development projects shall meet all applicable requirements of state and federal laws and regulations. All watershed areas that are part of the present and future domestic drinking watersheds, including Water Land and Loon lake, shall not be developed (including timber harvest activity), unless it can be demonstrated in advance that the development will not impact water quality. Improvements related to the water monitoring and delivery system will be allowed. All developments must meet current Department of Environmental Conservation requirements. To the extent feasible and prudent, the most effective technology shall be utilized to minimize emissions and effluents from commercial and industrial sources. To the extent feasible and prudent, the most effective technology will be used for storage, handling, clean-up and disposal of hazardous substances, petroleum and petroleum products. The Thorne Bay District shall work with developers of proposed industrial facilities to evaluate emission and effluent dispersion, and assist in siting industrial facilities. (Administrative Policy) 92 XII (g) (h) (i) (i) (k) Hazardous substance, petroleum and petroleum product disposal and storage shall comply with state and/or federal regulations. Entities proposing waste treatment, storage, transportation, and disposal must provide the Throne Bay District the opportunity to participate in the planning process. (Administrative Policy) Soil erosion shall be minimized by avoiding the removal of vegetation adjacent to water bodies and by stabilizing and revegetating disturbed soil as soon as possible. Domestic and public water supplies, fresh and marine waters important for the production and management of water birds and fish, and waters used for recreation shall be classified by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for water quality standards necessary to maintain or enhance these uses. Reclassification of waters shall be made through DEC procedures. All permits, leases or plans of operation for land or water uses which may directly affect water quality will require that these activities be sited, designed, constructed and operated to provide a seasonable assurance that discharges shall meet water quality standards. HISTORIC, PREHISTORIC, AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES (6 AAC 80.150) (a) (b) Districts and appropriate state agencies shall identify areas of the coast which are important to the study, understanding, or illustration of national, state or local history or prehistory. Developers must notify the District and the State Historian if, in the course of any project, any cultural or archaeological artifacts or evidence of historical significance are located. 93 (c) Archaeological, prehistoric and historic resources shall be protected to the extent feasible and prudent from adverse impacts caused by surrounding uses and activities. 94 CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION The City of Thorne Bay has developed an implementation program based upon the ACMP. This implementation program provides information to the District's landowners, the City, and state and federal permitting agencies about the process and authorities by which proposed projects and activities are reviewed for "consistency" with the Coastal Management Plan. The process of consistency determination is a primary aspect of Plan implementation. This is the process through which the policies of the Plan are applied to a proposed project or activity, resulting in a determination as to whether or not the proposal is consistent with the Plan. AUTHORITY Thorne Bay's corporate limits comprise the Thorne Bay District, as defined in ACMA Section 46.40.102 and presented in Chapter 2 of this Plan. The Thorne Bay District may use its authority under Alaska Statutes and Title 29 to implement and enforce this Plan with regard to local activities occurring within the District (municipal and/or private activities not proposed by or regulated by state or federal agencies). When activities are either proposed or permitted by state and/or federal agencies, the action of the permitting agency must be consistent with the approved Plan. The City of Thorne Bay Planning and Zoning Commission is charged with preparing and recommending to the City Council: 1. Comprehensive Plan 2. Zoning Ordinance 3. Subdivision Ordinance. The City has adopted a Subdivision Ordinance and a Watershed Management, Protection Ordinance. A Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1989. No other land use regulations are in effect at this 95 time. The District can and should use these and other ordinances as a means of, and authority for, implementing this Coastal Management Plan. Existing state and federal laws, regulations and enforcement will also be of primary importance. Public hearings will be held in early 1991 to review this PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT OF THE THORNE BAY DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN. The conclusion of the public hearing process will result in a CONCEPT APPROVED DRAFT of this plan. The City Council will be asked to approve the Plan in concept prior to May 1991. The Plan will then be submitted to the Alaska Coastal Policy Council for review and approval, after which the City Council will formally adopt the program by ordinance. The Plan will then be incorporated into the ACMP. CONSISTENCY REVIEW PROCESS The State of Alaska has adopted a coordinated process for project review and consistency determination (6 AAC 50.070.). The process allows each project to be reviewed for state resource agency approvals. The Division of Governmental Coordination (DGC) is the coordinating agency for the review of federal permits and for projects requiring two or more state agency permits. When only one state permit is required, the permitting agency coordinates the review process for that permit. Federal permits for federal activities are not subject to consistency review. The coordinating agency must examine the application for completeness. The application is assigned a project number and is dated to establish "day one" of the review period. The coordinating agency will: 1. Notify review agencies of an action requiring consistency determination; 2. Send the reviewing agencies the completed coastal questionnaire along with other information; 3. Solicit comment and recommendations on consistency. The coordinating agency shall give careful consideration to all comments, and shall give due deference to the comments of resource 96 agencies and the affected coastal district. Due deference means "that deference which is appropriate" in the context of the commentators’ expertise and area of responsibility along with the available evidence. A Coastal District whose district program has been incorporated into the ACMP is considered to have expertise in the interpretation and application of its program (6 AAC 50.120). When consistency conflicts occur, the coordinating agency will attempt to reach agreement (such as developing stipulations that address the conflicting concerns). Appeals occur through the "elevation" process [6 AAC 50.070.(j)]. An appeal is directed to the DGC Director or to the Commissioner of the coordinating agency. LOCAL DISTRICT INVOLVEMENT IN CONSISTENCY DETERMINATIONS The Mayor is the City of Thorne Bay Chief Administrative Officer and is responsible for local implementation of this Plan. The Mayor may assign Coastal Management duties to the administrative staff. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall act as a "resource body" for Plan implementation, and shall be involved in: A. annual review of the Thorne Bay Coastal Management Plan; B. proposed modifications and amendments; C coordination with local landowners, developers and project proposers to ensure their participation in consistency determinations, review processes and amendment activities; and D. annual review of permit actions. The Planning and Zoning Commission reviews draft consistency recommendations for each project prior to the administrative action of submitting review materials to coordinating agencies. REVIEW TIMELINES Proposals for projects will be reviewed through the use of one of two different timelines. The review process will occur on either a 30 or 50 day schedule, as follows: 97 PROJECT REVIEW SCHEDULE 30 DAY 50 DAY SCHEDULE SCHEDULE (BY DAY) (BY DAY) Early contact with district about project coe _ Applicant submits completed packet, coordinat- ing agency distributes packet and schedule 1-2 1-2 Review Period 3-17 3-34 Last day for information request via coordinating agency 15 15 Last day for request for public hearing 17* 34* Deadline for comments to coordinating agency (verbal comments must be followed up in writing within 5 days) 18 34 Coordinating agency develops preliminary position; notifies applicant and districts with approved programs 24 44 Last day for written statements requesting elevationto director level 29 49 If a consensus is reached, consistency determination sent to reviewers 30** 50** If project is elevated, issues paper sent to 30*** SO*** reviewers * Coordinating agency must decide within 7 days whether to hold hearing. If so, agency must provide 15-30 days of notice, and provide summary of hearing 5 days afterwards. Parties also have the same 7 days after receipt of summary to provide additional comments. ** Agency permits to be issue 5 days after consistency determination received, unless statutorally impossible. ***Elevation can take up to 15 days at each level. If no consensus reached during elevation to directors, then elevated to Commissioner for policy direction. 98 ENFORCEMENT Enforcement actions will be initiated when a person, organization or agency violates the requirements of this Plan, or violates an approved consistency determination or permit. The initial enforcement action will be an attempt at informal resolution. If this fails, additional enforcement action will occur. AS 46.40.100 gives the State of Alaska and municipalities enforcement responsibility for provisions of the Alaska Coastal Management Program. Violations of City of Thorne Bay Coastal Management policies and consistency-related permit stipulations are violations of the Alaska Coastal Management Program. The City of Thorne Bay will strongly encourage the State to prosecute permit violators. 99 BIBLIOGRAPHY Ackerman, R.E., K.C. Reid, J.D. Gallison. Archaeology of Thorne Bay: A TV. f 22 Timber Harv ni n_ Prin f Wales Island Southeastern Alaska. Project Report Number 6. Center for Northwest Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington: 1987. Bufvers, J... History of Mines and Prospects, Ketchikan District, Prior to 1952. State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources and Division of Mines and Minerals, Juneau, Alaska: January 1967. Coldwell, J.R.. An Economic Analysis: Tongass Land Management Plan Mineral Resource Inventory Inferred Reserves. U.S. Bureau of Mines, Alaska Field Operations Center, Juneau, Alaska: January 1989. DeMeo, T. and W.D. Loggy. Development _of Wetlands Mapping Procedures for Forest Planning in Southeast Alaska. USDA Forest Service, Ketchikan, Alaska: 1989. Department of the Army. Flood Plain Information: Ketchikan Creek, Ketchikan, Alaska. Prepared for the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. Alaska District Corps of Engineers, Anchorage, Alaska: June 1974. Department of Community and Regional Affairs. Thorne Bay Community Profile. State of Alaska, Juneau, Alaska: April 1981. Department of Environmental Conservation Village Safe Water. The Thorne Bay Sewer System Engineering Study. Juneau, Alaska: December 1988. Department of Fish and Game, Alaska's Wildlife and Habitat, Volumes I & II. State of Alaska, Juneau, Alaska: 1973 and 1978. 100 Division of Subsistence. Overview of Non-Commercial Fish and hellfish Harvest and e_in Thirt heast_ Alaska Communities. A Report to the Board of Fisheries. State of Alaska, Juneau, Alaska: February 1989. Division of Subsistence. Eight Criteria Worksheet. A Report to the Board of Fisheries. State of Alaska, Juneau, Alaska: February 1989. Division of Subsistence. Southeast Alaska Rural Communit Resource Use Profile. Report to the Board of Fisheries. State of Alaska, Juneau, Alaska: February 1989. Habitat Division. An Atlas to the Catalog of Waters Important for Spawning, Rearing or Migration of Anadromous Fishes. Southeastern Region, Resource Management, Region I. State of Alaska, Juneau, Alaska: 1949, revised 1973. Department of Natural Resources, Prince of Wales Area Plan. State of Alaska, Juneau, Alaska: December 1988. Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, and Division of Land and Water Management. Draft Prince of Wales Island Area Plan Subsurface Resources Element. State of Alaska DNR, Juneau, Alaska: July 1987. Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan. Juneau, Alaska: June 1986. Dillman, D.R.. Profiles in Progress: A Photographic Journal of Prince of Wales Island, Southeast Alaska. The Prince of Wales Publishing Company, Thorne Bay, Alaska. Eberlein, G.D., M.Churkin, Jr., C. Carter, H.C. Berg, and A.T. Ovenshine. Geology of the Craig Quadrangle, Alaska. Preliminary Open File Report 83-91. Department of the Interior Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California: 1983. 101 Hurley, W.F.X.. An Archaeological Survey for Tongass National Forest Ketchikan Area. In 1989-94 Operating Period for the Ketchikan Pulp Company Long-term Sale Area, Final Environmental Impact Statement. Volume 5: Appendix L - Cultural Resource Information. U.S. Forest Service, Tongass National Forest, Juneau, Alaska: May 1989. Kyle, A.D., D.E. Mayer, and M. Shook. Alaska Land and Water Use Guide: A ide to Coastal Regulations dated Edition. State of Alaska, Office of Coastal Zone Management, Office of the Governor, Juneau, Alaska: April 1982. Martinson, C., and D. Kuklok. Atlas of the Ketchikan Region. Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Ketchikan, Alaska: 1980. Office of the Governor. Division of Governmental Coordination. Alaska Coastal Management Program Statutes and Regulations. Juneau, Alaska: June 1989. Ott Water Engineers, Inc.. Water Resources Atlas. Prepared for USDA Forest Service, Region X, Juneau, Alaska. Redding, California: April 1979. Quadra Engineering. Tolstoi Bay Port Development Feasibility Study. Juneau, Alaska: June 1989. Roy Mann Associates, Inc.. Aesthetic Resources of the Coastal Zone. Prepared for the Office of Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Cambridge, Massachusetts: July 1975. Selkregg, L.L., ed. Alaska Regional Profiles - Southeast Region. Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska: 1979. Stigall and Associates. The City of Thorne Bay Comprehensive Plan. Seattle, Washington: April 1989. Swaim, M.L. and L. Coleman. Footprints in History. Thorne Bay, Alaska: 1979. The City of Thorne Bay. Thorne Bay, Alaska: Economic Possibilities. Public Meeting, June 13, 1983. 102 U.S. Bureau of Mines, Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan Area, Mineral Development Potential. U.S. Bureau of Mines Alaska Field Operations Center, Juneau Branch, Juneau, Alaska: 1989. Mineral Locations, Craig Quadrangle, Mineral Industry Location System, U.S. Bureau of Mines Alaska Field Operations Center, Juneau Branch, Juneau, Alaska: Computer printout: 2-2-90. U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Tongass National Forest, 1989-94 Operating Period for the Ketchikan Pulp Company Long-term Sale Area: Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Volume 1: Purpose and Need. Juneau, Alaska: August 1988. 1989-94 Operating Period for the Ketchikan Pulp Company Long-term Sale Area: Final Environmental Impact Statement. Volume 3: Appendix C, F--Guidelines for Selection and Harvest for the 1989-94 Operating Period, Log Transfer Facilities; Volume 5: Appendix G, H, I, J, K--Soils, Wetlands, Visual, Recreation, Fisheries; Volume 6: Appendix O--Transportation Facilities; Volume 7: Appendix Q--Wildlife Resource Information; Volume 8: Maps. Juneau, Alaska: May 1989. Prince of Wales Road Guide. Leaflet 180, 1985. Tongass National Forest Map. 1986-694-193. Tongass National Forest. Soils: Soil Map Units. Updated. Ketchikan, Alaska: April 1987. Viereck, L.A. and E.L. Little. Alaska Trees and Shrubs. Agricultural Handbook No. 410. U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Washington, D.C.: 1972. Warner, L.A., E.N. Goddard, and others. Iron and Copper Deposits of Kasaan Peninsula, Prince of Wales Island, Southeastern Alaska. Geological Survey Bulletin 1090. United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.: 1961. 103 COMMUNICATIONS City of Thorne Bay, Alaska, city personnel, conversations: history, housing, medical clinic, utilities, recreation, and land use, September 1989. Clark, Ed, Thorne Bay, Alaska, telephone conversation: history, 9-26-89. Davidson, Wesley, A., Ketchikan, Alaska, telephone conversation: history, 9-28-89. Department of Fish and Game, State of Alaska, Ketchikan, Gustavson, Jack, conversation: fish and crucial habitat, 9-27-89. Woods, Bob, conversation: waterfowl, 9-27-89. Department of Natural Resources, State of Alaska, Anchorage, Clausen, Debbie, telephone conversation: crucial habitat designation procedures, February 1990. Marine Advisory Program, State of Alaska, Sitka, Garza, Dolly, telephone conversation: aquaculture development, February 1990. Martin, Sonny, Volunteer Fire Chief, Thorne Bay, Alaska, telephone conversation: fire department equipment and volunteer training, 9-27-89. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Thorne Bay Ranger District, Thorne Bay, Alaska. Harke, Vince, conversation: fish habitat and spawning areas, September 1989. Hollingsworth, Donna, letter: eagle sites update and table of Waterfowl Utilization of Thorne Bay, 2-20-90. Streuli, Charles, conversation: Thorne Bay history and soils, 9-20-89. Tierney, Pat, conversation: soils, September 1989. Ketchikan Ranger District, Ketchikan, Alaska. Loggy, David, conversation: soils, development capability, 9-29-89. 104