Assembly affirms public ownership of Mendenhall area and approves contingency funds for visitor‑center staffing

The Juneau City and Borough Assembly on May 19 adopted a resolution affirming support for continued public ownership of the Tongass National Forest and the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area and separately approved an ordinance to appropriate $200,000 in contingency funds to support staffing continuity at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.

The resolution (4 0 1 0 b) was discussed with an amendment adding express recognition of the co‑stewardship agreement between the U.S. Forest Service and the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. Kelby Randall, a glacier guide and homeowner along Glacier Highway, told the assembly that privatizing access could put Mendenhall at risk of restricted access and paywalled guiding and urged the body to protect public access.

Separately, staff presented an ordinance appropriating up to $200,000 in state marine passenger fee funds as a contingency to support organizations operating at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center if federal staffing and operating capacity were reduced. Manager and staff described the situation as evolving: the Forest Service has been operating on reduced staff and has relied on partner organizations, but there is uncertainty whether the Forest Service will have full access to funds it collects. The appropriation would be used “as needed and at the discretion of the city manager” to supplement partners with operating agreements to ensure visitor safety and facility operations and to help keep the facility in public operation.

Laurie Craig, a retired Mendenhall Glacier park ranger, urged the assembly to approve contingency funds to ensure trained staff are present for bear management and visitor safety. Several assembly members expressed concern about substituting local funds for federal responsibilities and stressed the need for clear metrics and limited use criteria; others argued emergency contingency funding was prudent to avoid rapid privatization or loss of public access.

The appropriation passed on roll call 6‑3. Members voting no said they were concerned about using local funds to backfill federal responsibilities and the precedent that could set; supporters said the contingency would likely go unused unless needed and would protect public lands and visitor safety if federal staffing dropped further.

Actions: The assembly approved resolution 4 0 1 0 b (supporting public ownership) with a technical amendment, and adopted the appropriation ordinance (20 24‑01 b AL) to provide up to $200,000 for contingency federal staffing support related to tourism, funding provided by state marine passenger fees. The ordinance directs the manager to disburse funds only as needed and at the manager’s discretion.