On July 30, Haines Huts, a local non-profit, was granted preliminary approved for a 10-year lease of one acre of state land by the Division of Mining, Land and Water to build a public use cabin on Mount Tukgahgo, about 8 miles north of Haines.

Locals Lindsay Johnson and Jess Kayser Forester founded Haines Huts in February, after seven years of meeting with state forest land users and officials to identify an area for their first project.

The mission of Haines Huts, according to its DNR application, “is to establish and operate an area hut system that provides reliable backcountry cabins for residents and visitors. The purpose of these backcountry cabins is to provide a place that fosters wilderness education opportunities for all ages, is a jumping-off point for backcountry adventures and provides a safety net for emergency situations.”

The proposed 16×20 foot hut would be equipped with 10 beds for visitors. An outhouse is also planned.

Public comments on the lease can be made to DNR’s Division of Mining, Land and Water by mail until Aug. 28 at 5 p.m.

“We are excited to reach this milestone and hope members of the public will reach out to me or to Jess Kayser Forster to ask questions and learn more about the proposed cabin,” Johnson wrote via email.

Assembly member Sean Maidy said Tuesday he was excited for the proposal. “I think remote cabins are great for tourism, they’re great for safety, they’re great for everything,” Maidy said.

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