| |
Pelican
(PELL-ih-kun)
For Photos of Pelican click here
For a Map of Pelican click here
| Current Population: |
113
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
|
| Incorporation Type: |
1st Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 4%,
Property: 6.0 mills, Special: 10% Bed Tax
|
| Coastal Management District: |
Pelican |
|
| Location
and 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.
(Sec. 19, T045S, R057E, Copper River Meridian.)
Pelican is located in the
Sitka Recording District.
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 is 127 inches, including 120 inches of snow. During winter months, fog, high winds, and high seas can limit access. |
Topographic
map of
Pelican
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| 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.
The population of the community consists of 25.8%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Pelican, Alaska, is a fishing community. 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. There is a seasonal population influx of commercial fishermen and seasonal residents.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 94, and vacant housing units numbered 24.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 9.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 83 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
7.95 percent,
although
34.65 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $48,750, per capita income was $29,347, and
4.73 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The City of Pelican operates the piped water system. Water is derived from a dam and reservoir on Pelican Creek and then treated. The city provides garbage collection services, recycling, and burnbox at the landfill. The city maintains four 10,000-gal. septic tanks. The city owns the following facilities: library, city hall and apartment, community center, health clinic, fire department building and apartment, public safety building and apartment, recycle building, and city warehouse and shop. There are two small boat grids located with the harbor. Pelican City School District provides K-12 education. The City of Pelican also owns the bulk fuel facility and leases the facility to Kake Tribal Corporation DBA Pelican Utility District to operate and maintain.
Electricity is provided by Pelican Utility Company.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 15
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Pelican Health Center (907-735-2250).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Pelican is classified as an isolated town/Sub-regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 3A in the Southeast Region. Emergency Services have marine, floatplane and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Pelican Volunteer Fire & EMS (907-735-2245).
|
| Economy
and Transportation |
Commercial fishing is the mainstay of Pelican's economy. 25 residents hold commercial fishing permits. The commercial fishing sector provides most employment opportuntities. There is a small value-added seafood processor. Several businesses in Pelican cater to the visitor industry. The Pelican Utility District, which owns the electric utility and fuel company, also employs some residents. The city and school provides year-round employment for several residents, as well.
Pelican is dependent on float planes and the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry for travel. Daily scheduled air taxi services are available from Juneau. Facilities include a small boat harbor with a seaplane dock and state ferry terminal. 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. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Pelican
P.O. Box 737
Pelican, AK 99832
Phone 907-735-2202
Fax 907-735-2258
E-mail cityhall@pelicancity.net, betty@pelicancity.net
Web http://www.pelicanak.govoffice2.com
Economic Development -
Pelican Visitors Association
P.O. Box 737
Pelican, AK 99832
Phone 907-735-2259
Fax 907-735-2259
E-mail AKCharters@worldnet.att.net
Web http://www.alaskaone.com/pelican/index.htm
Electric Utility -
Pelican Utility Company
P.O. Box 86
Pelican, AK 99832
Phone 907-735-2204
Fax 907-735-2281
School District -
Pelican City School District
P.O. Box 90
Pelican, AK 99832-0090
Phone 907-735-2236
Fax 907-735-2263
E-mail psd@pelicanschool.org, canewman@hotmail.com
Village Council -
Pelican Traditional Council
P.O. Box 27
Pelican, AK 99832
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
3245 Hospital Dr.
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-463-4000
Fax 907-463-4075
E-mail admin@searhc.org
Web http://www.searhc.org/
Regional Native Non-Profit - Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
320 W. Willoughby Ave., Suite 300
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-586-1432
Fax 907-586-8970
E-mail econdev@ccthita.org
Web http://www.ccthita.org
Regional Development - Southeast Conference
P.O. Box 21989
Juneau, 99802
Phone 907-523-2327
Fax 907-463-5670
E-mail shellyw@seconference.org
Web http://www.seconference.org
|
 |
|
