Akutan • Atka • False Pass • Nelson Lagoon • Nikolski • St. George • Unalaska

False Pass

False Pass is located on the eastern shore of Unimak Island, 650 miles southwest of Anchorage. The economy of the community is dependent upon commercial fishing. Peter Pan Seafoods had a cannery in False Pass until it burned in the early 80s. Until last year when they pulled out, Peter Pan operated a store and buying station in the community.

False Pass sits on a straight connecting the Gulf of Alaska to the Bering Sea. A significant volume of commercial fishing-related vessel traffic transits the straight year-round. The absence of a small boat harbor has largely precluded False Pass from taking advantage of the economic opportunities offered by the transiting vessels. A dock was constructed in 1991. APICDA subsequently provided funding to extend power and water to the face of the dock.

For the past several years, APICDA and the Aleutians East Borough have worked together to identify funding for a variety of infrastructure projects in False Pass. Assuming the draft Energy & Water Appropriations bill passes, we will have secured $18 million in funding for construction of a boat harbor and an additional $3 million for airport improvements. Construction of the boat harbor is scheduled for 2006. These projects are critical to providing the infrastructure foundation necessary for False Pass to develop a stable economy and take advantage of its proximity to both the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea resources. These projects also will provide important services for the commercial fishing industry.

In 1994 APICDA providing $450,000 in funds to construct the False Pass gear storage warehouse, owned by the False Pass Tribal Council. In exchange, APICDA received a lease on approximately four acres of land. The land is directly across from the site of the boat harbor, and will serve as the location for the new Bering Pacific Seafoods processing facility.

APICDA previously operated a barge as our processing facility (tied up to the City Dock). For a number of reasons – some within our control and many outside our control – the operation was losing substantial sums and was closed in 2002. The closure had a severe impact upon the economy of the community, particularly the City of False Pass (loss of critically important taxes). Working closely with the community, a new processing facility has been designed with a new business plan. Construction will be complete in 2006 or 2007 (depending upon approval by the state of Alaska CDQ Team).

The plant will process salmon, halibut, sablefish and red king crab. APICDA’s Bering Sea sablefish CDQ and our Bristol Bay red king crab CDQ will be processed at the facility.

Unimak Island is also home to the Shishaldin Volcano, a 9,372 foot Stratovolcano. The Shishaldin Volcano is the h ighest point in the Aleutian Islands. The Shishaldin Volcano is located near the middle of the 65 mile long island. Other volcanoes on the island include Roundtop and Isanotski.

APICDA’S Infrastructure Investments in False Pass
-Construction of a gear storage warehouse
-Improvements to the airport and runway
-Extension of water and electric services to the city dock
-Construction of small boat harbor ($18 million in funding secured – construction in 2006)
-Construction of new water system ($150,000 in matching funds)

APICDA’S Business Development and Investments
-Formation of Bering Pacific Seafoods, L.L.C. in False Pass, including construction of a shoreside processing facility (in progress)

APICDA’S Proposed 2006-2008 Projects
-Complete Airport Improvements - ($3 million in federal funds have been secured for this project)
-Operate Bering Pacific Seafoods
-Develop False Pass Store, Fuel Farm, and Ship Supply

Local Offices, Services & Businesses
To have your False Pass business information listed, please email your request to webmaster@apicda.com