A resident who lives near a proposed heliport at 24 Mile Haines Highway is appealing the Haines Borough Planning Commission’s Dec. 8 approval of a conditional-use permit for the heliport, which would be used for heliskiing operations. The planning commission voted 3-2 to approve a permit application from Chilkat River Adventures to build a heliport along the Chilkat River west of Wells Bridge — a decision […]
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Posted inNews
2022: Big year for post-pandemic firsts, Lutak Dock and late rogue crime wave
In 2022, some iteration of the phrase “back after pandemic hiatus” was scattered throughout CVN headlines and stories like crumpled surgical masks littered along city sidewalks and in coat pockets. From the annual Celebration canoe journey and Lynn Canal Community Players productions to the return of large cruise ships and Canadian tourists, 2022 marked the return of […]
Posted inNews
Planning commission okays 24 Mile heliport
By Madeline Perreard The planning commission last week voted 3-2 to approve a heliport at 24 Miles Haines Highway–a decision that sparked opposition from dozens of residents and motivated some residents and elected officials to reconsider whether commission members ought to be elected, and what constitutes a quorum. On Dec. 8 the commission approved the borough manager’s […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Embarrassed by planning commission
Last week’s planning commission meeting was disturbing. Despite vocal opposition from nearby residents and the Chilkat Indian Village, Commissioners Diana Lapham, Don Turner and Richard Clement voted to allow yet another heliport in our small community. Prior to the three-to-two vote, Lapham said she had helicopters flying over her house everyday and that the noise didn’t bother […]
Posted inNews
Long-time Fish and Game sport fish biologist retires
Rich Chapell has retired after nearly 20 years as the Haines area sport fish biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Chapell plans to spend his retirement cross-country skiing, spending time with his family, and enjoying life in the Chilkat Valley. “There’s a big world out there,” Chapell told the CVN days before […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
An adorable Canadian visitor was in Haines earlier this month. Randy Miner discovered a ground squirrel under his welding shop garage at Fort Seward. He caught it with a live trap using carrots and peanut butter. Judy Heinmiller fed the caged rodent “fresh local organic vegetables” and dubbed it TR for “the rodent.” She contacted the local Fish and Game office […]
Posted inNews
Hearing delayed for proposed heliport
A public hearing over a proposed heliport at 24 Mile Haines Highway was postponed last week for the second time in two months. The hearing — now scheduled for Dec. 8 — concerns a conditional use permit for a new heliport that would be used for Alaska Mountain Guides’ heliskiing operations. It would be built on Chilkat River Adventures’ property on […]
Posted inNews
Hearing delayed for proposed heliport
A public hearing over a proposed heliport at 24 Mile Haines Highway was postponed last week for the second time in two months. The hearing — now scheduled for Dec. 8 — concerns a conditional use permit for a new heliport that would be used for Alaska Mountain Guides’ heliskiing operations. It would be built on Chilkat River Adventures’ property on […]
Posted inNews, Search and Rescue
Injured boaters helped by inReach, volunteers after airboat crash
Haines Volunteer Fire Department volunteers, good samaritans and a satellite communication device combined earlier this fall to rescue a severely injured resident after an airboat accident left her, her parents and four dogs stranded on the upper Chilkat River. Nicole Holm was at the helm of her father’s airboat on Sept. 11, headed to moose camp […]
Posted inLocal News, Mining, Klukwan
Klukwan, conservation groups appeal mining wastewater decision
he Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan (CIV) and several conservation groups have appealed a recent state decision to approve a revised wastewater discharge plan at the Palmer Project, an exploratory mining operation northwest of Haines and Klukwan. In the appeal request, lawyers with Earthjustice argued that Constantine Mining, which operates the Palmer Project, needs a permit under the […]