The Haines Borough Assembly last week approved an ordinance for spot checks of global positioning system data to monitor compliance with helicopter skiing regulations. Assemblymen Daymond Hoffman and Norm Smith were opposed in the 4-2 vote. As introduced in January, the ordinance would have required regular reporting of GPS data, but kept it confidential unless required in an investigation or court […]
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Assembly moves to make GPS data public for ‘spot checks’
Under a proposed ordinance up for adoption Tuesday, global positioning system data for helicopter skiing submitted to the Haines Borough is public information, but it’s unclear how often that information would be collected. The assembly last week amended the ordinance that would have made the data confidential, unless required in an official investigation or court proceeding. Members […]
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 […]
Assembly OKs SEABA permit
The Haines Borough Assembly on Aug. 9 unanimously renewed a commercial permit for Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures (SEABA), but members said they want more information on how global positioning system data will be used to track helicopter skiing. Members discussed the permit at a meeting on July 26, but approval was delayed to hear recommendations from police […]
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 […]
SEABA seeks planners’ OK of heliport at 26 Mile
Members of the Haines Borough Planning Commission on Thursday were slated to consider a conditional use permit for a 26 Mile Haines Highway heliport that would serve helicopter skiing tours, but the applicants withdrew their request. Borough clerk Julie Cozzi said applicants had withdrawn their conditional use permit request, but “they plan to bring it back.” The next planning […]
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,” […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
