Planning Commission meets August 24. Here’s how to weigh in.

The Planning Commission meets August 24 at 7 p.m. to review an application for an aquatic plant farm. Join the virtual meeting online https://juneau.zoom.us/j/99517564301 or call 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID: 995 1756 4301. If you’re giving public comment, you’ll be asked to state your name, place of residence, and will be asked to stay on the phone after your testimony to answer any questions from the Commission. For more information about the procedure, contact the Community Development Department at 907-586-0715.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments to [email protected] by 12 noon, August 23, or testify at the meeting. Read the Planning Commission Meeting agenda here.

A Conditional Use Permit for an aquatic plant farm (USE2021 0007)

The applicant requests approval for an aquatic plant (kelp) farm at Lena cove, adjacent to Lena Beach Recreation Area. The project is expected to benefit the local ecosystem because kelp provides shelter for forage fish, naturally absorbs nitrogen run-off from adjacent properties, and removes carbon dioxide from surrounding waters. A system of lines, anchors, and floats will be used to grow aquatic plants submerged below the ocean surface. The farm will operate seasonally from October 1 to April 15 each year, planting kelp on the submerged lines in October and harvesting in April. All anchors, lines, and floats will be removed after harvest and prior to April 15 of each year.