The United States Forest Service has put out a preliminary project design for a mooring float at Anan Bay.

Similar to a proposal shelved last fall after funding was reappropriated for wildfire containment efforts, the dock project would service amphibious aircraft. One notable difference is that it would now be designed to accommodate boats as well, a point of contention for some outfitters during the last proposal process.

Wrangell Ranger District anticipates the dock would address moorage needs at Anan, a popular wildlife observatory it maintains on the mainland. Noted for its abundance of bears, the site attracts between 2,400 and 2,800 visitors each summer.

"To address the need for safe moorage of both planes and boats while visitors are on site at Anan, the district is planning to construct an anchored moorage float for public use at Anan," explained Dee Galla, outdoor recreation planner with USFS.

The project description projects the float would be built of wood or fiberglass, about 90 feet by 30 feet, rising about 18 inches above the water. It could accommodate two Beaver floatplanes, two 32-foot long boats, two 27-foot boats, and a 16-foot skiff.

Use of the facility would be on a first come, first served basis. Signage would be posted for safety, and the float would be moored near the current administrative floathouse for safety.

"These conceptual designs will be forwarded to a consulting engineering firm that specializes in marine facility design," Galla explained in her release. "We are requesting that firm determine the feasibility of the design and recommend alterations if necessary, and also propose an adequate anchoring system for the float. If a feasible design is reached, this firm will help us prepare the contract for construction of the facility."

Comments from the public are welcome, preferably received by March 1. An email can be sent to dgalla@fs.fed.us, or written comments can be posted to the USFS office at Attn: "Anan Mooring Float," P.O. Box 51, Wrangell AK 99929.