Fifty-four days with illegal trespass violations during 78 days of operation in 2012 and 2013 are adequate proof that the local heli-ski industry needs to be more closely monitored. Spot checks by the Haines Borough are obviously inadequate to reveal if heli-ski companies are operating in permitted areas on a daily basis. An inexpensive computer program can be installed to accept daily GPS data and to immediately flag any data that indicate heli-ski activity out of permitted areas of operation. Simple, straightforward, no public hearings required, no pressure on the assembly or manager, no more rancor, no more name calling, no more politics. No more time and money spent on this issue: just the indisputable facts that will show if the heli-ski companies are operating legally.
If the assembly and manager do not take immediate action against Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures for their willful violation of borough permits, they are sending the message to all citizens that it is okay to break the law. Why should anyone obey the law when it doesn’t suit them if SEABA is allowed to do it? The borough should revoke SEABA’s permit so citizens can have faith in and respect for the government and the law.
To put the heli-ski operators’ minds at rest, their secret ski runs would not be made public unless they are skiing out of permitted areas.
Katey Palmer