Haines Borough members debate moratorium on new Chilkoot tours; urge funding, parks partnership and bear monitors

Members of a Haines Borough committee spent the meeting debating how to manage visitation in the Chilkoot Corridor, focusing on a possible moratorium on new commercial tour permits for the 2026 season and on reviving a staffed or volunteer monitor program under Alaska State Parks.

The tourism director told the group that prior assemblies repeatedly discussed moratoria and asked this body to make a recommendation either for or against a moratorium: "...I did ask for it to be on the agenda because that is something that I feel like as a group, we should discuss and we should make a recommendation either for or against the Hainesborough having a moratorium for tours..." The director said they would not move a formal moratorium motion until a full board was present and asked two tour operators to abstain from voting when the time came.

Members and public commenters emphasized limited capacity—parking, docks and the boat launch—and said changes in vehicle sizes and routes could make the upcoming season especially difficult. The moderator urged partnership with Alaska State Parks and said the borough could petition the Department of Natural Resources and the governor's office for funding to hire monitors. The moderator described monitor staffing in practical terms, saying the original pilot involved "two people" over a summer and that pay levels like "$20 an hour" were discussed in that context.

Commercial tour operators expressed concern about a blanket moratorium. One permit holder said they would abstain from any vote because a moratorium could create a conflict of interest, while Tom Ganner, an independent tour operator and former camp host, said "The guides are not the problem. The guides are better at controlling the situation out there, than anybody else at the moment," and argued the biggest issue is independent travelers who do not follow park rules.

Public commenters supported monitors and smaller-group touring. One resident who had guided in the area said "smaller vehicles will mean, a better guide ratio," and proposed funding models including a modest per-head fee or using existing tourism/economic-development funds (Fund 23) to cover monitor costs. Sarace, a former campground host, recommended a pilot program (for peak periods) and noted that Parks may require enforcement-trained staff for certain monitor roles, making a phased approach more workable.

The committee agreed to keep the moratorium discussion on the agenda and to invite Brad, a state parks representative, to the next meeting (May 20 at 3 p.m.) so members can better understand what Parks can and will do. No formal moratorium vote or binding funding decision was taken; the item was tabled for a fuller board discussion with Parks present.

Next steps: the tourism director plans to bring a motion to the next full meeting when a complete board is present, and members signaled support for pursuing funding options and a monitored pilot for peak periods.