University's timber purchaser halts operations

FAIRBANKS (AP) -- The University of Alaska has ordered a halt to logging operations in Icy Bay northwest of Yakutat until petroleum and other hazardous materials can be cleaned up.

The problems were discovered in an inspection April 12 by the university, the state Department of Environental Conservation, and the Department of Fish and Game, according to Mari Montgomery, director of the university's Office of Land Management. She said there were areas at the site where petroleum and other hazardous materials, such as antifreeze, were not contained properly.

The timber purchaser, Wasser and Winters, told its operator to stop work on Thursday and remain closed until the cleanup is completed, university officials said.