For a total of 16 years, we served as state representatives for Haines. We have both partnered and disagreed over issues in the past. This letter is to express our joint support regarding the improvement of Haines Highway, and to ask the community to avoid conflict that could delay the project.
Here is our position on Haines Highway improvements: 1) Safety concerns must be addressed in a responsible manner; 2) Cultural and burial sites should be respected and protected; 3) Fisheries habitat damaged in past projects must be repaired; 4) New damage to fish passage must not occur; 5) Habitats required for the eagle gathering should be respected; 6) Eagle trees important to the tourism industry should be protected. (It is understood that the trees on the river side of the highway promote safety as they discourage birds from swooping down low over the road, causing accidents); 7) Parking areas and speed limits should ensure safety in the preserve; 8) Guardrails should be improved and strengthened; 9) Conflicts in the community should be avoided in order to promote this project successfully and retain community harmony, 10) Fish wheels need to be retained.
Peter Goll and Bill Thomas