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Parks committee votes 5–1 to request seat on Chilkoot Corridor ad hoc committee
Summary
The Haines Borough Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee voted 5–1 on Nov. 19 to ask the assembly to appoint a PRAC member to the Chilkoot Corridor ad hoc committee after debate over stakeholder representation, tourism impacts and whether PRAC should be included on the technical working group.
The Haines Borough Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee voted 5–1 on Nov. 19 to recommend that the borough assembly appoint a parks-and-recreation advisory committee (PRAC) member to the Chilkoot Corridor ad hoc working group. The motion was introduced by a PRAC member and seconded; members discussed whether PRAC should be represented on a group the assembly had formed with a technical, stakeholder-driven composition.
Committee members highlighted that the ad hoc group as appointed includes tourism staff, Alaska Department of Fish and Game representation, an Alaska State Parks designee, a Chilkoot Indian Association representative and commercial permit holders. Supporters said PRAC participation would ensure local recreation and resident-use perspectives are represented as the committee develops recommendations. Opponents worried the initial group was intentionally small and technical and that adding seats could dilute technical focus.
The committee’s discussion raised specific concerns about balancing tourism and resident access at Chilkoot, including photographer and fishing-tour interactions with bears, potential crowding, and safety at popular viewing sites. A PRAC member said some tour operators bring groups of 10–15 people into sensitive river areas when bears are present; another member cited ongoing work to improve signage and safety at the weir and fishing hole.
The motion passed with a tally announced by the chair as 5 in favor and 1 opposed. PRAC's immediate next step is to forward the recommendation to the assembly for consideration, as the assembly (and mayoral appointment process) determines final membership of the ad hoc group.
The vote was taken during the committee’s Nov. 19 meeting; PRAC members asked that the assembly be made aware of PRAC’s interest in a seat so the committee’s recreation perspective is available to the Chilkoot Corridor group going forward. No formal changes to the ad hoc group's membership were made at the meeting; the assembly will decide whether to act on PRAC’s recommendation.
