The Haines Borough Assembly on March 8 advanced an ordinance that would make heliports a conditional use in the general use planning and zoning district. The district encompasses the bulk of lands in the borough, minus the townsite and Lutak and Mud Bay land use service areas. Currently, heliports in that area are a use by right, and the […]
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Posted inNews
Assembly OKs 2,600 skier-days
After a fifth public hearing to discuss a revised helicopter skiing ordinance, the Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday adopted an ordinance that would permit up to three operators to share a 2,600 skier-day limit. The ordinance passed 5-1, with member Greg Goodman opposed. He said the ordinance was “on the right track,” but still flawed. Borough manager Mark […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Borough incompetent on heli-skiing
Thanks to the borough assembly and manager for incompetently managing heli-skiing. During 2010, SEABA violated their tour permit. The penalty for these violations was nothing! The borough assembly unanimously renewed SEABA’s permit on Jan. 25, with no penalty. In fact, the penalty appears to be expansion of skier days, and unlimited, un-managed, heli-skiing in expanded terrain. The […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Films help out watershed council
The Takshanuk Watershed Council presented the Winter Wildlands Backcountry first film festival last Friday (Feb. 25) at the Fort Seward Lodge. This event was made possible by the generous donation of the Fort Seward Lodge facility and silent auction items from Back Country Outfitters, Chilkat Guides Ltd., Haines Brewing, and SEABA. Approximately 40 people showed […]
Posted inNews
Assembly advances 2,600 skier days
Following more than an hour of comments at a Haines Borough Assembly public hearing Tuesday, members advanced a revised helicopter skiing ordinance that would permit up to three operators to share a 2,600 skier-day limit. The ordinance will have at least one more public hearing, its fifth, set for Tuesday, March 8. The assembly advanced the amended […]
Posted inNews
Major heli-ski issues up in air
With less than a week until possible adoption of a revised helicopter skiing ordinance, a mayor-appointed work group has yet to reach consensus on its most controversial elements, including numbers of skier days, a map of permitted areas, and allowing a third operator. “These are all contentious issues that will require a lengthy public process,” […]
Posted inNews
More skier days, 3rd operator proposed; Plan would up skier days to 2,600, incorporate ‘photographer days’
Resident Rob Goldberg said he stopped answering his phone following a proposal to more than double the Haines Borough’s heli-skiing skier-day limit to 2,600. Goldberg, a member of a mayor-appointed heli-skiing work group, has worked on a revised helicopter skiing ordinance with borough manager Mark Earnest and borough attorney Brooks Chandler. At Tuesday’s Haines Borough Assembly meeting, Goldberg explained […]
Posted inThank You Letters
Avalanche course thanks
Last week, 13 Haines School students completed a three-day, Level 1 avalanche course. Students learned to evaluate snow avalanche hazard by recognizing terrain, weather, and snow conditions contributing to avalanches and to perform specific tests to assess snow stability. They practiced avalanche rescue using beacons, probes, and shovels. These students are to be commended for their […]
Posted inNews
Assembly ranks project priorities, delays heli-ski permit
The Haines Borough Assembly Dec. 14 approved resolutions that ranked 2011 federal and state legislative priorities. The capital budget priorities for the Legislature, in order, were road upgrades, boat harbor improvements and the Lutak port facility master plan. “I always remember this list being way longer than this,” said member Scott Rossman. Borough manager Mark Earnest said he had consulted State […]
Posted inNews
Permit sought Tuesday for 3rd heli-ski operation
The Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday is scheduled to consider an Alaska Mountain Guides application for a helicopter skiing permit, but a mayor-appointed work group has yet to make a recommendation on how permit approval would impact the boroughwide allocation of skier days. A public hearing will be held. “It seems premature,” said resident Rob Goldberg, one […]