CHAPTER AWARDS

President Tim Sprout, PLS, SR/WA announced the following awards on Sunday, December 11 at a very nice brunch held at Mount Aurora Fairbanks Creek Lodge:
• Chapter Professional of the Year—Kristin Machacek
• Chapter Employer of the Year—Fairbanks North Star Borough Department of Land Management
• Chapter Balfour Nominee—Patricia F. Thayer, SR/WA

NEW SR/WA CANDIDATES

Chapter Professional Development Chair Pat Thayer, SR/WA recently announced that Kristin Machacek and Diane Sam have both completed their candidacy applications and they have ben approved and submitted.

Submerged Lands and the Public Trust Doctrine

On June 16, 2011, the Alaska Department of Law published an Attorney General’s Opinion authored by John T. Baker, Sr. Assistant Attorney General addressing the issue of whether or not legislation authorizing the Alaska Department of Natural Resources to convey certain lands for the Izembek land exchange included submerged lands. (The exchange would facilitate the construction of a road connecting King Cove with Cold Bay, a long sought after project which crosses National Wildlife Refuge Lands.) Baker examines the public trust doctrine in light of a number of cases, and concludes the law as passed does not and cannot purport to allow such a conveyance. (This is a good compilation of references on the issue. CLP)

Two Recent Alaska Supreme Court Cases on Easements

For a review of what it takes to establish a public prescriptive easement and determine or prove its scope of use, see Pirice v Eastham, et al, Alaska Supreme Court Opinion 6578, issued July 15, 2011. (Those of you who have an interest in this topic will probably recognize the parties’ names – this is the third time the Court has dealt with the issue. CLP)

Another case you will probably find interesting is Cowan v. Yeisley, et al, Alaska Supreme Court Opinion 6560, issued May 27, 2011. This case involves land in the Ketchikan area that what once was probably a private easement. Among the questions presented were: What version of the law should have been applied to determine if the easement had been extinguished by prescription – the law as amended in 2003 or the prior version? Had the easement been dedicated to the public by a plat the underlying fee owners had not signed? (The fact situation in this case is somewhat confusing, and though a short 24 pages, this opinion is not an easy read, but worth the effort. CLP)

Karrie Improte` (fka Shaw) has taken a new job with the Citizens Advisory Commission on Federal Areas.  She joins Stan Leaphart in that office.

 Cora Shook (fka Kelley) has joined the Fairbanks North Star Borough Department of Land Management.

DAN BAUM DIES

Many of us are mourning the passing of Dan Baum, who died of pancreatic cancer April 15 at the age of 67. Dan was President of our Chapter in 1985 following a year as Vice President in 1984.

THAYER REGION 7 CHAIR, BALFOUR FINALIST

Patricia F. Thayer, SR/WA, has been elected Chair of Region 7, and will be sworn in at the International Education Conference in June. Another piece of great news is that Pat has been selected a finalist for our Association’s highest honor, the Frank C. Balfour Professional of the Year Award, for the second year in a row!

SPROUT EARNS SR/WA

Effective March 1, 2011, Chapter President Elect Timothy Sprout, PLS, became the Chapter’s newest SR/WA. Call him up and congratulate him!

SHURR RECERTIFIES

Marty Shurr, PLS, SR/WA recently received notice that he has succesfully completed all the requirements for recertification as an SR/WA. Congratulations Marty!

Tanna Carter has joined Northern Region Aviation Leasing as a Leasing Specialist III.  Tanna was formerly with Tanana Chiefs Conference’s Realty Section.