(JUNEAU)- In a teleconference with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and state Division of Agriculture officials this (Friday) morning, Senator Gary Stevens (R, Kodiak) received assurances the DNR will give the community of Kodiak an additional 90 days to provide public comment on the Draft Kodiak Area Plan for state lands. This move comes on the heels of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly passing a resolution to that affect at its meeting Thursday, January 22nd.

"The Kodiak Area Plan is an important document that will affect land use on the island for many years to come. In discussions with borough officials, it became clear that more time is needed to adequately address to the DNR various concerns raised by agricultural grazing, general use and recreational users of the Saltery Cove, Portage Lake, Pasagshak, and Narrow Cape areas," said Senator Stevens. "Borough officials feel that by slowing the process, they can get users groups together to come up with a consensus for land use in those areas. I am pleased that DNR will be allowing them that additional time."

Without the extension, the comment period on the Draft Kodiak Area Plan would have ended January 30, 2004.

(For more information, please contact Doug Letch in Senator Stevens's office at 1-800-821-4925).

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