Lands committee recommends four Terror Lake parcels be declared surplus to Kodiak Electric Association, 5-0

The Kodiak Island Borough Lands Committee on May 4 recommended that four parcels tied to the Terror Lake hydroelectric project be declared surplus to Kodiak Electric Association and forwarded to the Planning & Zoning Commission and borough assembly for further action.

Linda Frerieded, chair of the Kodiak Electric Association Budget and Policy Committee, told the committee she was available to answer questions about the item and asked that the committee forward its recommendation to Planning & Zoning, which by borough ordinance reviews disposals of borough property.

During discussion, committee member Mr. GR moved to recommend that “partial number 1880 18874” be declared surplus to Kodiak Electric Association; the motion was seconded and put to a roll-call vote. Committee member Bo Whiteside said he was willing to push the item to the assembly but opposed gifting the parcels at no cost. Whiteside said the four parcels total 1,584.49 acres and, in his estimate, have a fair market value of $1,220,000. He cited figures from the Kodiak Electric Association’s 2025 financial report and argued the association has the capacity to negotiate a reduced purchase price rather than receive the land as a gift.

The committee voted by roll call with Mr. Griffin, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Whiteside, Miss Frasier and Mr. GR recorded as voting yes; the motion passed and will go to Planning & Zoning in June before likely reaching the borough assembly.

Why it matters: Declaring borough land surplus is the first formal step in transferring property. Committee discussion flagged competing priorities — the committee debated policy and process (whether to allow a no-cost transfer) and emphasized that assembly-level review will address larger policy questions about sale terms and use of any proceeds.

What’s next: The committee’s recommendation will be considered by the Kodiak Island Borough Planning & Zoning Commission in June, then by the borough assembly, which will determine final terms, including whether the parcels are sold, gifted, or transferred under negotiated terms.