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Invitation–Anan Wildlife Observatory tour to recognize access, safety improvements WRANGELL, Alaska, July 19, 2017–The Tongass National Forest is holding a recognition event at the Anan Wildlife Observatory
on August 9, 2017, to showcase public access and safety improvements at a site renowned for its high quality wildlife viewing experience. The tour, provided by Wrangell District Ranger Bob Dalrymple, will include the new pathway from the beach to the trailhead,
a stop on the wider viewing platform recently installed, and other enhancements in response to public comment.
Boat transportation will be provided from Wrangell. The boats will leave Wrangell at 10:30 a.m. The tour at Anan begins at 12:00 p.m., and concludes by 2 p.m. All attendees should meet at
the Wrangell Ranger District office (525 Bennett Street) by 10:00 a.m. in order to board the boat for the observatory, unless personal transport has been arranged.
Please bring a lunch for consumption on the boat or plan accordingly. Lunch will not be available at Anan. Food is not allowed once we reach the trailhead at the observatory for safety reasons. If you are able to attend, please RSVP with Paul Robbins Jr. at
paulrobbins@xxxxxxxxx by July 24. The Tongass National Forest recently completed Phase One of the Anan Master Plan to improve access to the observatory, which was responsive to public concern. Anan Bay is exposed to sometimes
heavy winds, has a rocky and extensive tide flats which made access challenging for some. Additional improvements include a mooring float for floatplanes and boats in a more sheltered part of the bay, and installation of a larger accessible vault toilet.
There are two additional phases in the Anan Master Plan. Phase Two will replace the old observation platform which has deteriorated. Phase Three will improve the existing boardwalk trail
to address safety issues and reduce maintenance needs. Anan Creek, which runs through the observatory, has one of the largest pink salmon runs in Southeast Alaska, making it an ideal location to watch both black and brown bears, bald eagles,
sea lions and other wildlife. The Forest Service maintains a trail and observation platform for visitors and staffs the area in the summer as a fee site. Because it can only be accessed by boat or floatplane, most visitors are guided by permitted commercial
operators offering wildlife viewing trips from Wrangell and Ketchikan. The observatory is one of the primary economic drivers for the tourism economy in Wrangell. More information is at
http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/R10/Tongass/Anan.
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