When the state’s Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR) owns the Chilkoot Road right of way, lock-stock-and-barrel, this awesome local resource will begin to receive the worldwide recognition it is due. Chilkoot’s annual recreational use management nightmare is entirely due to DPOR’s lack of legal authority to manage human and vehicular access and egress. Without possession of the right-of-way, each passing year becomes another chapter in the stupid, seasonal epic titled, “Conflicting Jurisdiction and Bad Management at Chilkoot.”

 Chilkoot is not a state park, but Haines will be richly rewarded by its being made into one. Why? Because better management equates to higher-quality visitor experiences, increased visitor willingness to pay, and better public relations. That is, fewer people who are better managed, better behaved, paying more for each visitation, and telling their friends about a great, total experience – rather than the “crazy, stressed out” experiences we currently provide.

 We need simple legislative action, uncomplicated by endless talk and complex, pie-in-the-sky road options. Now and forever, give the Chilkoot road corridor to DPOR and make Chilkoot a true state park. Legislative action and the governor’s signature is all it takes.

  Burl Sheldon

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