Anchorage Daily News

The principal of Bartlett High School was cited Thursday for having unsecured, bear-attracting garbage around the school, making him the first person to be fined under an increased rate that went into effect this week, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Dan Gallego is facing a $310 fine for the exposed trash that attracted at least one feasting bear Tuesday night, Anchorage-area wildlife biologist Rick Sinnott said.

At the department's request, the Alaska Supreme Court on Monday raised the fine for negligently feeding bears, moose and other game from $110. Sinnott said the lower amount was not a strong enough deterrent for many repeat offenders, he said.

Bartlett officials reported bears in the area earlier in the week, and when Sinnott arrived late Tuesday he saw the black bear eating out of an open trash bin near the main entrance of the school, which has had a number of bear issues during the past year, he said. There were three open trash containers and at least 10 open trash barrels -- mostly near entrances and ball fields -- that still had food inside, he said.

"There was food all over the place. It was no mystery why the bears were there," Sinnott said. "In a case like this where we talked to the principal in his office a number of times and there was still trash all over the place, I think we are well within our rights to cite the head guy."

Gallego could not be reached for comment after school hours Thursday. Superintendent Carol Comeau, however, said Gallego had told her about the citation and that the district plans to pay it.

"I'm disappointed that (Fish and Game) didn't call me or give a warning first, but I understand the concern," Comeau said. "It's something we have to just do better. We obviously have to figure out a better way to deal with the garbage."

School officials are planning to meet with Alaska Waste, the private trash collection company, and wildlife officials to determine which schools have potential bear problems, Comeau said. Officials may try to change pickup days and get more secure trash receptacles.

Collection day has already been switched from Wednesdays to Mondays at Bartlett, where a track meet over the weekend likely contributed to the amount of trash the bears could eat, Comeau said.

The earlier collection day will leave less time for garbage left from weekend events to sit around, she said.

Find James Halpin online at adn.com/contact/jhalpin or call him at 257-4589.

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