A Multiple Use Plan for Leask Lakes
By Eric Muench

Many Ketchikan area folks will remember the intense Leask Lakes land exchange efforts of the 1990s, when Cape Fox Corporation was to receive 2,300 of the state's 5200 acre, Leask Lakes parcel, harvest half of that, give the state its largely unharvested (at that time) White River valley bottom, Harriet Hunt and Talbot Lake tracts, and turn over eleven miles of improved two lane public road through White River and Leask Lakes. Our local public, the Borough Assembly and state Department of Natural Resources supported the exchange because the remaining 2900 acres in the parcel were to be managed for wildlife and public roaded recreation. Only, opposition from statewide environmental groups stalled that plan long enough for the Alaska Mental Health Trust to claim Leask Lakes in settlement of its dispute with the state.

That was a great loss to the community. It removed an expansion of the road system accessing a low elevation lake and wetland system, a coho and sockeye stream, waterfowl and furbearer habitat, and a trailhead to the interior of Naha Preserve, as well as White River with its recreation and fishing potential. The Leask Lakes parcel became, for all practical purposes, private land. The Trust now plans a timber sale there in 2005; meanwhile Cape Fox has devoted its White River tract to ventures in exclusive tourism.

Leask Users Coalition, a group of Ketchikan residents mindful of the potential public values there, has contacted the Trust to try for preservation of a small portion around the lakes and down the Creek to Leask Cove. That would allow a very large timber harvest on the property while holding open the possibility of a trail system between Harriet Hunt Lake, Leask Lakes, nearby Naha Preserve,
and George Inlet, as well as roaded access to the lakes area for canoe launching, camping and such. The Trust has been open to the idea, but because it is required to maximize benefits for its mental health clientele, cannot give away land or value. LUC has teamed with several governmental and private conservation foundations to find funds to pay the Trust for less than maximum land development.

Two needs are vital. First, to compensate the Trust for timber not harvested, and second to compensate for future land values forgone by the Trust so the public can have permanent legal access to preserved areas. This will take millions. Potential funding source foundations require local support, which the Borough Assembly can provide, and a matching effort by the community. LUC has begun community matching by way of in-kind work and the Assembly has issued a general letter of support for the plan.

Much is still needed. First, several thousand of local cash must be raised. And second, because access is key to public benefits, a public entity must be found or created to manage the public use areas and future public road through Trust land. To complicate the picture, funding foundations, Trust managers, soon-to-be-chosen timber purchasers, and the local public and government all must coordinate to negotiate an outcome that works for everyone. While continuing to bring the parties together, LUC will soon be starting a drive for local support. This is a call for everyone interested in multiple use management and public access to get involved with help and support. If we can pull it off there will be great benefits for us all.

(Eric Muench is a longtime Ketchikan resident who has worked as a consulting forester and logging engineer for many years, including past resource inventory and planning for the Leask Lakes area.)