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Pelican*

“The Pelican City Council works hard to preserve its commercial fishing lifestyle and places great emphasis on protecting this quality of life.”

Pelican’s motto is, “closest to the fish”. The town was founded because of its proximity to the Gulf‘s fish rich waters. A cold storage plant was the first development at this site in 1938. Kalle (Charley) Raataikainen bought fish in this area, which he transported to Sitka. He chose this protected inlet as an ideal cold storage site and named the place after his fish-packing vessel "The Pelican." Two of his fish-buying scows were used as a cookhouse, mess hall, bunkhouse, and warehouse, and the community of Pelican grew around this operation; today the seafood plant is in flux, and its future is uncertain. A store, office, sawmill, post office, and sauna had been erected by 1939. A school and cannery were developed in the 1940s, and a city was formed in 1943.

A boardwalk serves as the town's main thoroughfare, due to the lack of flat land. Pelican is a small remote fishing community with a year-round population and a seasonal influx of commercial fishermen. The economy is highly dependent on commercial salmon fishing and longline halibut and sablefish. Most people in Pelican rely on subsistence resources as an important part of their lifestyle. The community has increased activity in the visitor industry and from recreational boaters. The community characteristics also include seasonal residents with homes and/or tourism and recreational businesses.

Location & Climate

Pelican is located on the northwest coast of Chichagof Island on Lisianski Inlet. It lies 80 miles north of Sitka and 70 miles west of Juneau. Pelican is located 10 miles down Lisianski Inlet from its mouth at Cross Sound. Most of the community is built on pilings over the tidelands. Sunnyside and Phonograph are two residential areas on either side of Pelican with close ties to the community. The community lies at approximately 57.960830° North Latitude and -136.227500° West Longitude. The area encompasses 0.6 sq. miles of land and 0.1 sq. miles of water. Pelican has a maritime climate characterized by cool summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures range from 51 to 62 °F; winter temperatures range from 21 to 39 °F. Temperature extremes have been recorded from -3 to 84 °F. Annual precipitation averages 127 inches, with 120 inches of snow. During winter months, fog, high winds, and high seas can limit access.*State of AK, DOT AMHS.

2010 Population

88 (US Census)

Government

1^st Class City incorporated in 1943. Currently the City employs 9 staff members. Regular elections are held every 1^st Tuesday in October. The City Council meets the 1^st Tuesday of every month. The current city sales tax is 4%. http://www.pelican.net/

Electric Utility

Pelican Utility Company (Private). Power source: hydro & diesel. Kilowatt capacity: 2,660. Base rates: Residential - $0.1679; Commercial - $0.1679per/kWh; with COPA adjustments $0.280423 . (PUC)

Water & Sewer Utilities

The City of Pelican operates the piped water system. Water is derived from a dam and reservoir on Pelican Creek, and is treated at the newly constructed water treatment plant facility. A new water distribution system project was started in the summer of 2010 and will be completed in the fall of 2011 which will connect homes alone the boardwalk to the piped water system. Expansion of the water distribution system to the remaining areas of Pelican is scheduled for construction in 2011. Approximately 75% of the homes are piped into a City sewage system with four 10,000 gallon septic tanks and with an ocean outfall. The City’s Village Safe Water project will assist the City with design and construction of a sludge removal system for sludge disposal at the Pelican Landfill.

Solid Waste

City owned and operated garbage collection system, recycling, and burn box at the landfill.

Transportation Facilities

City-owned seaplane base, boat harbor with permanent and transient moorage and electricity, and State ferry dock and terminal.

The city boat harbor has 98 berths, which includes permanent berthing spaces and transient moorage. Transient moorage rates range from $12 per day for boats under 80 feet to 40 cents per foot for boats 81 feet and over. Permanent moorage is $12 per foot per year; seasonal rates are offered. Electricity is available, as well as fresh water. A dockside hoist is available at Pelican Seafoods. The City also operates 4 tidal grids for boats up to 50 feet.

Transportation Services

Accessible by seaplane and the State operated Alaska Marine Highway System. The ferry provides two monthly departures during summer months and one monthly departure during winter. Barge service is available only on an as-needed basis. Daily scheduled air taxi services are available from Juneau.

Schools

The Pelican School is within the Pelican City School District and offers Kindergarten through-12^th grade.. Enrollment for the 2010-11 school year was 13:1. Student-teacher ratio for the district is 7.4

Health Care

TheSEARHC Community Family Services-Pelican is owned by the city and operated by SEARHC is a Community Health Aid Program CHAP site and is a qualified Emergency Care Center. The Clinic is staffed by a Community Health Practitioner. Pelican Volunteer Fire & EMS, emergency services provided by volunteers.