It’s not unusual for the Haines Borough Assembly to balk when outside “big government” folks try to tell our community what to do. But apparently that irritation doesn’t apply when big corporate interests are giving marching orders. On Aug. 12, the assembly reversed its earlier decision to establish a moratorium on additional tours at Chilkoot Lake and approved Alaska […]
Search results
Posted inNews
Festival highlights bear etiquette
Pepper spray is more effective during encounters with bears than guns, in part because most people aren’t ready to use a gun when a bear approaches, Shannon Donahue of the Great Bear Foundation said during the first Celebration of Bears Friday at Harriett Hall. Donahue, who previously worked as a bear monitor along the Chilkoot […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Reconsideration action legitimate
At the Aug. 12 assembly meeting, Diana Lapham brought up a motion for reconsideration of a previous action that had delayed indefinitely a tour operator’s application for a new tour at Chilkoot Lake. The reconsideration motion and another associated with it subsequently passed and the permit will apparently be issued. Two media representatives pointed out […]
Posted inNews
Bear festival ready to go, with or without star attractions
On the eve of the Chilkat Valley’s first bear festival, one group of guests was conspicuous by its absence early this week: bears. “The bears aren’t here,” said Ann Puffer, an organizer of the two-day event that starts at Harriett Hall Friday evening. “Speedy (a 10-year-old sow ear-tagged #235) is the only one that’s been […]
Posted inNews
Assembly freezes Chilkoot tours
The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-1 Tuesday to put a moratorium on commercial tour permits in the Chilkoot River corridor, following discussion of an Alaska Mountain Guides application for guided canoe tours on Chilkoot Lake. Assembly member Jerry Lapp was opposed. The assembly agreed to take up AMG’s permit application again once a management plan addressing carrying capacity is established […]
Posted inNews
Gillnet opener ‘fairly good’
Commercial fishermen reeled in a “fairly good showing” of hatchery chum on the south end of the Lynn Canal gillnet fishery during the two-day season opener that ended noon Tuesday, with catches ranging up to 200 chum per boat. “It’s pretty good for an early-season opening,” said commercial fisheries biologist Randy Bachman. By regulation, commercial gillnet fishing […]
Posted inNews
Skiers raise money to use course
Haines Ski Club officials this week said they hope to have a tracked, cross-country ski trail at the Valley of the Eagles Golf Links early next week, following a discussion of fees for use of the privately-owned property. The Haines Ski Club has been setting a track at the course for about six years at […]
Posted inNews
Tourism bounces back after slow start
A cold spring brought a slow start to the 2013 tour season, but the season rebounded in July and August to finish with numbers on par with last year. Below the surface, however, is an undercurrent of change, including some fueled by fear that numbers of independent travelers aren’t rebounding to historic highs. Cruise ship […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Overwhelmed by surprise party
I am still ecstatic from the wonderful kindness showed me Sunday at my 90th birthday party. Thanks to Lisa Schwartz for organizing the entire event. She claimed me to go on a ride to Chilkoot Lake; all that beauty. Who would want to leave this place? While we were out of the way, Annette Smith did […]
Posted inNews
Drop in chum price, harvest dampens gillnet year
Reports of record salmon harvests don’t extend to Haines. Lynn Canal gillnetters hauled in fish worth $9.28 million in 2013, down from about $15 million last year, a drop attributed to reduced prices for fish and a smaller harvest. The harvest value roughly matches that of 2011. Fishing ended Oct. 9. Canal fishermen caught 1.8 million […]