The Haines Borough Assembly voted unanimously to send a letter to the Alaska Municipal League in support of a bill that would eliminate the state’s Ocean Ranger program and give the Department of Environmental Conservation the authority to set up a replacement oversight program through regulation. The bill would eliminate on-board marine engineers (called Ocean Rangers) who […]
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Posted inMining
Two mining forums scheduled this week
Two mining forums will be available to residents again this month—one discussing mining risks, led by Southeast Alaska Conservation Council’s staff scientist Guy Archibald; another focusing on Constantine Metal Resources’ plans and how the community should plan for a mine, led by the Chilkat Valley Mining Forum Committee. SEACC’s forum “What Happens Upstream Doesn’t Stay […]
Posted inAlaska Marine Highway System, News
Ferry expected in Haines for 1st sailing in 7 weeks
On March 6, the Tazlina will arrive in Haines. It will be the first time Haines has had a ferry dock in roughly seven weeks. The Alaska Department of Transportation said the vessel arrived in Juneau last week and is completing Coast Guard inspection drills including firefighting and abandon ship operations and launching and retrieving […]
Posted inNews, Transportation
Allen Marine to offer ferry two days this month
Residents looking for ferry service to and from Juneau have an opportunity twice this month after the Haines Borough Assembly voted unanimously to take responsibility for two charters with Allen Marine on Feb. 23 and 29. The public can make reservations by calling Allen Marine on dates that as of press time were still unspecified. Tickets are […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
Borough-subsidized ferry untenable, assembly says
The Haines Borough Assembly voted to send a letter requesting the legislature allocate funds to cover service gaps after the breakdown of the Matanuska, the last state ferry serving many Southeast communities. The decision emerged from a discussion about the possibility of borough-subsidized ferry service at the Feb. 11 assembly meeting. Borough manager Debra Schnabel said she added the […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
Hundreds rally to restore marine highway
More than 225 Haines residents gathered at the public safety building at noon on Tuesday to rally in support of the ferry system. “A diverse group united by a profound need” were the words event organizer Vanessa Salmon used to describe the crowd who waved signs and cheered as she spoke. The turnout, Salmon said, […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
Foul weather highlights need for ferries
After ferry mechanical issues and record-breaking snowfall over the weekend, stranded residents had to come up with a creative solution to get home. On Sunday, Jan. 26, there was no way in or out of Haines. Flights had been canceled throughout the week as a storm system dumped more than 50 inches of snow downtown. […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly appoints Lapp to fill vacancy
Haines Borough Assembly members appointed Jerry Lapp to fill the assembly’s vacant seat by a vote of 3-2 at a meeting Tuesday night. The seat had been vacant since Dec. 10 when Sean Maidy resigned. Earlier this month, the assembly solicited letters of intent from interested candidates with a deadline of Friday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly to solicit interest for vacant seat
The Haines Borough Assembly voted Tuesday to solicit letters of interest to fill its sixth seat left vacant by Sean Maidy last month. Immediately following the Dec. 10 assembly meeting, Maidy resigned his seat over a dispute over charter amendment. “I resigned because I cannot be a party to an assembly who willingly and knowingly violates their […]
Posted inNews
Residents felt the heat in 2019
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s deep budget cut proposals and the ensuing battle for ferries, education, community assistance, public radio and a slew of other services dominated headlines this year. The town celebrated the Haines Glacier Bears cross country team after it won the state championship in October. The debate over borough-wide policing persisted another year. The […]