The earth moved in 2012 and the shift wasn’t only the “slump” on the side of Mount Ripinsky that cleaved a house and split Lutak Road. Four-term incumbent state Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, aiming to become Speaker of the House, lost his seat to Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a 23-year-old Sitkan seeking his first political office. Klukwan, Inc., once among the wealthiest Native […]
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Posted inNews
Neighbors critical of rezone plan
A potential rezone on the east side of Chilkat Lake Road wouldn’t address concerns about industrial development in the neighborhood, some residents say. Based on a recent survey sent out to 60 Chilkat Lake Road property owners, the Haines Borough Planning Commission is discussing rezoning the Eagle Vista subdivision from general use to rural residential or mixed […]
Posted inNews
Assembly agrees to hear SEABA permit appeal
The Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 28, will rehear a planning commission decision that denied a company’s request for a permit to use a 26 Mile heliport for commercial helicopter skiing. Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures (SEABA) is seeking a conditional use permit for a heliport at .6 Mile Chilkat Lake Road, across the steel bridge. “We’ve displayed clear intent for […]
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 inLetters to the Editor
Don’t exploit our homes for your gain
Regarding the heliport proposal off Chilkat Lake Road: Not in my backyard! Keep the helicopters at the airport, where they belong. We were not particularly disturbed over the past few years when helicopters flew overhead during heli-ski season. We will be most disturbed to be bombarded by repeated helicopter traffic, like one hears in Juneau all summer […]
Posted inNews
Ordinance would require hearing for new heli-ports
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 […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Give second heli-ski permit to AMG
This place we live in has a valuable commodity to offer tourists coming to Haines. It is an opportunity to heli-ski in a setting like none other. People from all over the world come here because of our uniqueness. Limits are needed to keep it that way, both in numbers of skiers and operators, as […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Now writing down SEABA’s promises
I am one of about a hundred residents of the 26 Mile neighborhood where SEABA recently admitted they are intending to base their heliport operations. As you can imagine, I was deeply concerned to hear the news. Happily, my neighbor, Erica Merklin, informed me of a conversation she had with one of the owners of SEABA. On Feb. 21, he […]
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,” […]