TONGASS
NATIONAL FOREST UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-FOREST SERVICE
News Release
Contact: Rich Jennings
E-mail: rjennings@xxxxxxxxx
Phone: 907-945-1201
Date: April 28, 2010
New Forest Service Economic Recovery Act-funded Hoonah cabin ready for guests
Residents and visitors of Hoonah can now reserve the newly constructed Forest Service cabin at Eight Fathom Bight. This cabin, funded with stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided much needed jobs to the local community.
“This contract came at a critical time,” said Wes Tyler, owner of Icy Straits Lumber and Milling, a subcontractor for the project. “[Staffing] got very thin just before. We were having to lay people off, so this was a real big boost.”
Icy Straits Lumber and Milling constructed the 16-by-20-foot cabin from yellow-cedar and spruce harvested and processed in the Hoonah area. The cabin is complete with a stove, table, benches, bunks, and a full loft.
This cabin replaces a thirty-year old cabin inherited by the Forest Service, which was difficult to access and made even more so by a wind storm that knocked trees down around the cabin.
Cabin construction took place at the ferry terminal in Hoonah to allow visitors to see their tax dollars, and the employees they funded, at work. Once completed, the structure was transported by barge to its permanent location at Eight Fathom Bight, which is easily accessible by boat or plane.
Eight Fathom Bight is a popular location for hunting and fishing. A network of roads provides motorized access around the area. After a long day of hunting, fishing, or exploring, visitors can relax at the nearby Neka Hot Springs.
Visitors can rent Eight Fathom Cabin by calling the National Recreation Reservation Service at 877-444-6777 or by logging on to www.recreation.gov.
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