Sealaska Corporation is getting out of the logging business after more than 40 years. Source: Raven Radio Foundation, Juneau Empire
The move by one of the region’s economic powerhouses is the latest sign of Southeast Alaska’s economic transition away from logging.
“Logging created value for our Alaska Native shareholders for dec-ades, and it brought us to where we are today. We’re grateful for the commitment and professionalism that led to our success,” Sealaska CEO Anthony Mallott said in a statement.
“But we’ve now built an organization that can thrive well into the future, and that means engaging in activities with more enduring benefits for our communities.”
“Several years ago, we started carefully investing in successful new businesses that are better aligned with Sealaska’s Alaska Native herit-age,” Mallott said. “Now we are in a good position to redirect our efforts into work that’s in balance with our natural resources, and that we also believe will create significantly more value for shareholders and com-munities in the long term.”
Workers involved in the logging industry will be assisted by Sealaska in transitioning to other careers, according to the news release. A release from Mallott and Joe Nelson, the Sealaska board chair, states that the lands will remain open for selective harvesting, a much more sustainable logging practice, as well as recreation. Logs will also continue to be made available for artists.
The corporation declined further comment.
Until now, Sealaska was a major player in the region’s timber economy with more than 360,000 acres in its portfolio.
In 2015, it began logging lands it received through a transfer by Congress of more than 70,000 acres of Tongass National Forest, largely around Prince of Wales Island.
The Alaska Forest Association – the state’s timber industry group – declined to comment.
