Alaskans often like to complain — a lot, and loudly — about national groups sticking their noses and opinions into the workings of the 49th state. So, it’s only fair to extend a “thank you” when a national group puts up its money and time into doing something Alaskans like.
The National Forest Foundation, chartered by Congress in 1992 as the official nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, is partnering with the federal agency to rebuild the popular public-use cabin at Anan Bay and, in an even bigger undertaking, building new cabins throughout the Tongass and Chugach national forests.
Among those new cabins will be the Little Lakes cabin, on a Forest Service Road near the Long Lake Trailhead, about a 25-mile drive from downtown Wrangell. Design work is underway, in collaboration with the Forest Service, and the plan is for construction in 2025.
Using a combination of federal money allocated to the Forest Service in Alaska and some of its own funds raised from donors, the National Forest Foundation is looking to put up about 25 new public-use cabins in the Tongass and Chugach forests over the next few years. More than half of the new cabins will go into the Tongass, including several in the Wrangell and Petersburg area.
“This project is the single biggest public-use cabin expansion in Alaska in 50 years,” the foundation rightfully proclaims. Anyone who has tried to book a popular cabin or wondered why there are not more available would agree that 25 is a welcome number.
The first new cabin went in last year in the Chugach, with half a dozen new or rebuilt cabins planned for this year, including Anan Bay.
It’s the first time the foundation has embarked on building recreation cabins in Southeast Alaska. The Forest Service leads the site selection, planning and design work, and the foundation leads the contracting and construction side of the effort.
The partnership is committed to using local wood and local contractors whenever possible. And in another acknowledgement of local opinion, most of the new cabin sites will be accessible by car or a short hike — an important point for people without a boat or the money to charter one.
This is one national group that Alaskans should welcome — and thank for its work in the 49th state.
— Wrangell Sentinel
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