Jacob Resneck, CoastAlaska - Juneau
Jacob Resneck is CoastAlaska's regional news director in Juneau.
Tongass ‘timber sale’ nearing the finish line
Crews are spending the warmer months on Prince of Wales Island surveying vast areas of national forest land for potential logging.
Survey: Southeast business leaders pan Dunleavy budget priorities
A questionnaire sent to business leaders across Southeast Alaska found deep misgivings over the governor’s approach to balancing the budget.
Lawmakers urge Dunleavy to engage B.C. over transboundary mining
State lawmakers from both the House and Senate are urging the Dunleavy administration to continue the state’s engagement with British Columbia over pollution threats from transboundary mining.
Southeast Alaska pilots raise concerns over Royal Princess megaship
In anticipation of the 2019 cruise season, Southeast marine pilots have been testing megaships in virtual reality. They’re concerned about one of the vessel’s maneuverability in tight spots and low speeds.
Records reveal DOT planning Berners Bay ferry terminal on Lynn Canal
The Dunleavy administration is considering a new Juneau ferry terminal 30 miles north of the existing one to accommodate the short-range of the new Alaska-class ferries. It’s part of the plan to ensure day boats can connect Juneau with Haines and Skagway.
State ferry reshaping study stalls as coastal lawmakers remain skeptical
A state contract worth up to $250,000 to study the future of Alaska’s ferries is on hold.
Ocean Rangers log potential cruise pollution, face axe by lawmakers
Over the past two years Alaska’s on-board cruise ship inspectors called Ocean Rangers have documented a pattern of potentially serious water pollution. But there’s been no apparent action by regulators, and Gov. Dunleavy’s administration wants to get rid of the program.
Spill responders war-game worst-case scenarios in Southeast Alaska
Suppose a heavy cargo ship hauling ore collided with a tug and barge? First responders from the state and federal agencies practiced containing a hypothetical spill near Hawk Inlet.
Alaska’s fast ferries are being prepped for sale
State officials confirm the fast ferry Fairweather will be removed from service this month. It’s part of a plan to sell both fast ferries in advance of a $250,000 ferry system study commissioned by the Dunleavy administration.
EPA, Alaska seek to relax water pollution rules
The Trump administration is quietly reviving a long-stalled effort by state regulators to loosen pollution standards where fish spawn.
The night a Guardian Flight vanished, the Coast Guard’s nearest helicopters couldn’t fly
When a Guardian Flight air ambulance plane inexplicably vanished Jan. 29 over Frederick Sound, mechanical failures grounded the nearest Coast Guard helicopters at Air Station Sitka.
Ferry supporters rally as DOT ponies up $250,000 for privatization study
This comes as the Dunleavy administration decided to offer more time — and a lot more money — for a new study to recommend ways to reduce or eliminate the state’s subsidy for the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Owner of B.C. gold mine near Taku River courts investors
A Canadian mining company wants to reopen a long-shuttered mine about 40 miles east of Juneau. It’s just a few miles from the Alaska border, and conservationists question the Dunleavy administration’s commitment to engaging British Columbia over potential pollution from mines upstream from Alaska waters
Tongass old growth timber sale gets go-ahead despite habitat concerns
The U.S. Forest Service is moving ahead with one of the largest old growth timber sales Southeast Alaska has seen in years. The project projects harvesting as much as 225 million board feet of old growth lumber.
Alaska state ferry supporters come out in force
A long procession of Alaskans signed up to testify Tuesday over the future of the state’s ferry system.
Cash assistance to Alaska low income seniors faces cut
More than 11,000 elderly Alaskans would lose a cash assistance program that’s been around for nearly half a century.
Dunleavy budget faces criticism at Alaska Native forum
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer faced tough questions about the Dunleavy administration’s proposed budget at an Alaska Native forum in Juneau.
Hatcheries the ‘canary in the coal mine’ as drought extends across Southeast Alaska
A drought declaration for parts of Southeast Alaska has expanded to include Sitka and Juneau. That means most of Alaska’s panhandle is officially in moderate to severe drought.
Alaska ferries freeze autumn ticket sales amid uncertain future
The Alaska Marine Highway System has stopped selling tickets past September. That’s in anticipation to deep cuts that could be fatal to the state ferry network.
DEC staff: Ocean Rangers ‘critical’ to monitoring cruise ship pollution
The state official overseeing Alaska’s cruise ship monitoring program is concerned about losing independent environmental inspectors on cruise ships. That’s despite public assurances by agency officials that the program isn’t needed.