Naha Bay Preservation Coalition

   P.O. Box 9499   Ketchikan, AK 99901

     P.O. Box 11691, Bainbridge IS, WA 98110

206-855-9061         Or   907-225-9499 ldgrogan@msn.com

www.loringalaska.info

 

 

 

 

The Naha Bay preservation Coalition was formed on May 5, 2005 as a grass-roots organization of concerned citizens with an objective of preserving and protecting the Naha Bay area of SE Alaska for it’s natural beauty, local history, ecological values and outdoor recreation.

 

The coalition’s main goal is to preserve parcel # 309300001000  Lot # 8  located within the town site of Loring Alaska on Naha Bay from future development.  Current property owners of the 64.69-acre parcel are Sealaska Corporation, whose address is: One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 400, Juneau, AK 99801.

 

Description of Property: 

 

History of the land - – Long before one of Alaska’s most productive salmon canneries came into existence, three Tlingit tribes lived along the rivers and bays of the Naha Bay.  Their historical presence remains to this day and plays an important part in Naha Bays rich history.  

A new era emerged for the Naha when in 1883 Alaska Packers Association built a salmon cannery on the tide flats overlooking Naha Bay.  Much labor for the cannery included the local natives who had lived in Loring as well as imported labor from California.  Loring’s population grew and included many new inhabitants to the village.  During it’s heyday the cannery was the largest of its kind in the Alaskan Territory. In 1930 the cannery ceased operations, buildings were dismantled, people left Loring. During the 75 years since it’s closure the property has had no development.  Most of what remains today from the cannery era are bits and pieces of pottery shards, rusty retorts, sailor’s gravesite and a few beach pilings. 

 

Natural Features- Second growth and some old growth forest make up a majority of the landscape.  The land adjacent to the town site of Loring has steep hillsides with not much flat land until you reach the tide flats.  Up from the tide flats are two creeks that are full of spawning pink salmon in August.  Follow the two creeks up a ways into the woods to their termination point of a 40foot waterfall!  Up from the waterfall is a beaver pond.  The property has 2,199 feet of waterfront.

 

Known Wildlife – Many SE Alaska land mammals live or have passed through this property.  From wolves, bears, Sitka black tail deer, beavers, minks, martens and land otters to Sea mammals mainly the harbor seal.  Bird species are just as abundant.

 

Recreation Features- Because the land has been private since it’s existence most people who visit the cannery property are local property owners in Loring or locals who know the area and/or a Loring resident.  For the most part visitors take a short 8-minute hike on the established cannery trail through the woods to the cannery flats.  Most visitors will walk to the falls or the sailor’s grave.  Some folks fish at the falls for trout and hike the tide flats.  Some Loring residents use the long established hunting trails up behind the cannery for deer hunting. 

 

    

Current status of # 309300001000  Lot # 8

 

This large parcel has been for sale for the past 3½ years.  The asking price is $369,000.00   it is currently being listed by Juneau Remax Realtor Sean Henderson 907-789-4794.  Since late 2004 early 2005 the property has been listed as Under Contract by the realtor.  An offer was made on the property and Sealaska accepted the offer.  From conversations with the realtor last fall to reports from Loring, it is known that the potential buyer is proposing a large 4000 square foot development as well as a permit for a large dock.  Subdividing the land was also mentioned.  Given these facts we can assume a lodge is in the works for the property.  The closing date for the purchase of the property has since passed.  An extension was made for the closing date.  This extension was due to some contamination found on the property.  The scope for the contamination has not been made available at this time.  However the Department of Environmental Conservation in Juneau is overseeing the findings.  This latest development may postpone the sale for a period of time.  

 

The coalition’s vision

 

The coalition seeks local and regional support from private citizens, tribal governments, businesses, historical and recreation groups.  The more voices we have as a part of the coalition the stronger our message will be and the better chance for funding.  Ultimately the coalition envisions the land becoming public and being preserved as is.  The land would be maintained and managed by local or State government.

 

The vision for this land:

 

  1. Public Land for recreation.
    1. Self guided uses – wildlife observation, picnicking, overnight camping, fishing, hiking
    2. Limited eco-tours
  2. Preservation
    1. Future development limited to:

1.      Improving existing trails

2.      Addition of a day picnic shelter

3.      Possibly one forest service cabin

4.      Open fire cook pit

5.      Bear observation area

6.      Historical interpretive markers for the Naha tribes and cannery history.

  1. Historically recognized 
    1. Listed on the State of Alaska’s register for historical sites

 

 

The coalitions Goal

 

To realize these visions for the property, the coalition’s main goal is to implement a back-up offer to Sealaska Corporation.  The back up offer is contingent upon the first offer not closing and finding adequate sources to fund the Ernest money and eventual purchase price of $369,000.00.  The back up offer will be carried out by a 3rd party conservation organization or the SE Alaska Land Trust.  The main point is that the act of purchasing the property will be facilitated by the organization providing the funding for the purchase.   Again the coalitions goal is to act as a catalyst for this process.  After the purchase has been closed the property will be turned over to local or state government for land management.

 

The Coalitions Partners

 

The coalition is currently working with Diane Mayer of the South East Alaska Land Trust            www. http://www.vgroupdesigns.com/sealtrustweb/ in Juneau Alaska.  Diane has many years of experience in conservation land purchases and is glad to assist our group in helping to find the necessary dollars for purchasing the property.   We have also appreciated the support from the Southeast Alaska Conservation Coalition in Juneau Alaska http://www.seacc.org/SEACC.htm

 

Coalitions Members(currently being developed)

 

Loring Property Owners

 

 

Naha Bay Neighbors

 

Ketchikan Residents

 

 

 

 

 

Businesses

 

 

 

Organizations