The Haines Borough Assembly expressed support for taking over ownership and maintenance of a new bridge at Excursion Inlet to be built by the U.S. Forest Service.

Borough manager Debra Schnabel said the federal agency proposed the borough take ownership of a new, $700,000 structure that will cross South Creek and the right-of-way beneath it. It will replace a 30-year-old Forest Service bridge at the site.

The borough has $270,000 it has received under a Forest Service program for trails and other improvements it will contribute toward the cost of a replacement. The agency will pay the remaining $430,000 needed to build the bridge on the condition that the borough takes ownership.

Schnabel recommended the borough accept ownership because the bridge offers access to Needle Lake used for recreation, borough property that may be sold in the next decade, and the water system owned by Ocean Beauty Seafoods.

“In all reality, Ocean Beauty Seafoods is an incredible economic engine in this community,” Schnabel said.

She said she asked the seafood company if it would consider sharing responsibility for maintenance on the structure.

But Schnabel said the current bridge served the area with no maintenance for 30 years. The new bridge will have a lifespan of 50 years, she said.

“I think this is a good deal for the borough and people at Excursion Inlet and I think it’s the right thing to do,” said assembly member Tresham Gregg.

Assembly member Tom Morphet strongly opposed borough ownership and said the Forest Service should live up to its obligations.

He referenced that in recent years the borough has taken ownership from the state of the downtown and Letnikof harbors, Chilkat Lake Road, Klehini River bridge, and Porcupine Road. He noted that the town also took over Lutak Dock from the federal government, and now faces a $35 million expense for replacing it.

“These are liabilities and obligations that the taxpayers in this valley will bear forever,” Morphet said. “I don’t believe we have money for any of it. I think we’re saddling another generation with costs that we’ll never be able to meet. I think we should tell the Forest Service it’s their bridge, maintain it. This is absurd.”

Eleven borough residents live at Excursion Inlet and use the bridge. Assembly member Stephanie Scott said those residents still pay borough taxes. “I do think we have an obligation to help out,” she said. “We should take action.”

The assembly ultimately voted to take ownership of the bridge, with Morphet opposed.