An Alaska Mental Health Trust investigator is headed to Wrangell to look into what some claim is improper logging on its land.
Trust official Marcie Menefee says her agency approved limited cutting of trees that threatened power lines along Zimovia Highway.
She’s heard complaints from residents of the highway, which runs south from downtown Wrangell. And she says she’s been sent photos that appear to show logging beyond what’s been approved.
Menefee says Trust Resource Manager Paul Slenkamp will travel to Wrangell early next week to investigate the situation. She said Slenkamp, who is based in Ketchikan, is not free to come sooner.
The trees were felled near Pat’s Creek, a popular recreation area.
Several years ago, trust land logging caused controversy after trees were cut on a steep slope along Zimovia Highway.
We’ll have more on this issue as it develops.
