[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 156 (Friday, October 31, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2189-E2190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION CALLING FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BUY 
            RECREATIONAL LAND FROM THE CITY OF CRAIG, ALASKA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 2003

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, the legislation I am introducing 
today calls for the federal government to buy 349 acres of recreational 
land from the City of Craig, Alaska. The land includes a trail leading 
to Mount Sunnahae, its trailhead, a parking area, and mountaintop 
property. The legislation requires an appraisal before purchase. The 
bill also allows for a $250,000 appropriation to the U.S. Forest 
Service for trail maintenance and property rehabilitation.
  I am introducing the bill at the request of Prince of Wales Island 
residents. The City of Craig is the economic center of Prince of Wales 
Island--which is the third largest island in the country. The town 
contains the major retail shopping and service outlets on the island. 
Craig also has the most active and largest commercial fishing harbor 
and fleet on the island. But the local economy, like many other parts 
of South East Alaska, has suffered from a downturn in the timber 
industry. In the early 1980's, the city and Prince of Wales Island were 
the center of a solid timber economy that provided thousands of direct 
and indirect jobs to the Island. Much of that is now gone as a result 
of terrible Federal forest management policies. According to the Alaska 
Department of Labor, unemployment rates in Craig regularly exceed 20 
percent. This is more than twice the national average. This bill will 
help community expansion and development as well as facilitate Forest 
Service land management.
  One of the Forest Service's main administrative facilities, the Craig 
Ranger District Station, is located in Craig. The Craig Ranger has 
management authority over approximately one million acres on Prince of 
Wales Island. Right now, there is not any Forest Service land near the 
Ranger Station. In an unusual situation for Alaska, the Ranger Station 
is an in-holding among private, state, and City owned land. So when 
visitors come to the Craig Ranger Station to orient themselves to the 
Forest, there is no onsite recreation. However, the city of Craig owns 
almost 350 acres of prime recreational land including a dedicated trail 
in the immediate vicinity from the Ranger Station. The Forest Service 
should own this land so that it can integrate the parcel into its land 
management plans.
  The property to be acquired by the city of Craig is a cannery site 
dating from the early 1900's which has not been used since the early 
1980's. It is prime land for the city to redevelop in order to provide 
economic stimulus in Craig. The parcel could be used by Craig to 
develop a good port and harbor and to provide first class land for 
retail merchants and other community services.

[[Page E2190]]

  The Federal Government will receive equal value in land from the 
city. The passage of this Act is good for the public and for the 
residents of Craig.

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