Please come to the Jan. 19 public hearing on SEABA’s application to create an additional heliport for their commerical (heli-)ski tours. The property SEABA wishes to use as a heliport is within an area at 26-mile that is currently being proposed to be rezoned as rural residential. The rezoning application, on file with the borough, is valid and was submitted with […]
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Posted inNews
GPS data a trade secret? Heli-ski companies want coordinates to be confidential
The Haines Borough Assembly in a 4-2 vote Tuesday introduced an ordinance that would make global positioning system data for helicopter skiing confidential. “The only thing about this ordinance is you have to be satisfied that the GPS data is indeed a trade secret, and the people who bear the burden of that proof are the operators […]
Posted inNews
Borough: Heliport would violate permit
The Haines Borough will send a letter to Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures informing them that use of a heliport at 26 Mile for commercial helicopter skiing is a violation of the company’s tour permit that could result in revocation. Mayor Stephanie Scott said the letter has been approved by the borough’s attorney. “We intend to hold the line. The terms of […]
Posted inNews, Obituaries
Chilkat Valley year in review
An assembly recall campaign and a new effort targeting underage drinking punctuated the year 2011 in the Chilkat Valley News. Extreme weather and some unusual wildlife encounters delivered doses of excitement. The local economy stayed afloat, buoyed by a strong commercial fishing season, increased visitation by foreigners, construction projects and a $13 million distribution by […]
Posted inNews
Borough helicopter group has yet to meet on 2011 season
Due to scheduling conflicts, the Haines Borough’s mayor-appointed helicopter skiing work group has yet to meet for an evaluation of this year’s season, said borough manager Mark Earnest. Following five public hearings to discuss a revised heli-skiing ordinance, the Haines Borough Assembly in March adopted an ordinance permitting up to three operators to share a 2,600-skier-day limit […]
Posted inNews
Neighbors: Heliports not welcome at 26 Mile
Some residents at 26 Mile Haines Highway want their area rezoned like the Mud Bay planning and zoning district, which now specifically prohibits heliports. Helicopter skiing tour provider Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures (SEABA) has shown repeated interest in establishing a heliport at .6 Mile Chilkat Lake Road. As of this week, resident Jessica Plachta said she has […]
Posted inNews
Battle brewing over heliport; Residents seek zoning change; operator silent
Residents at 26 Mile say they’ll push for rezoning to keep a heliport out of their neighborhood, despite a suggestion voiced at last week’s Haines Borough Planning Commission meeting that a loophole in code may effectively thwart their intent. Heli-ski company Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures has sought a heliport there, off-and-on, for several years, in the face of strong opposition by […]
Posted inNews
Town shuttle changes hands; $1 fee to be charged
Northland Excursions will provide 2011 cruise visitor shuttle services following Haines Borough Assembly approval on May 10. As of this week, though, passengers would be charged a $1 fee. The business and Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures (SEABA) submitted bids of $60 per hour to run a shuttle from the Port Chilkoot Dock. The assembly approved awarding the […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Manager approves 2,200 skier days
Haines Borough Manager Mark Earnest has allocated a total of 2,200 skier days to the borough’s three helicopter skiing tour operators for a season to run through May 3. His distribution was Alaska Heliskiing, 1,250; Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures (SEABA), 750; and Alaska Mountain Guides (AMG), 200. “These numbers represent the initial allocation for the 2011 season,” […]
Posted inNews
Assembly OKs 3rd heli-skiing company
The Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday approved Alaska Mountain Guides (AMG) as the third helicopter skiing tour operator in the borough. The assembly voted 5-0 to approve AMG’s permit application. Member Greg Goodman was absent. AMG applied for a permit last year, and the assembly delayed action so a mayor-appointed work group could make recommendations on a […]