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Skagway assembly approves KPFF scoping study for concentrate handling contingent on Selkirk payment
Summary
The assembly approved a KPFF scoping study to evaluate how critical mineral concentrates would be handled at the Port of Skagway, contingent on Selkirk Copper Mines agreeing to reimburse the municipality for the full cost. Members debated whether the study should be limited to containerized options and voted to release a consultant memo to the public.
The Skagway Municipality assembly voted May 7 to approve a KPFF scoping-study proposal to examine how critical mineral concentrates would be stored, handled and loaded at the Port of Skagway, contingent on an agreement that Selkirk Copper Mines reimburse the municipality for the study’s full cost.
The vote followed an executive-session discussion of legal and environmental matters related to concentrate handling. Port Director Jennings said the study will help the assembly understand operational questions — including storage needs, truck volumes, and air-handling requirements — and that the engagement will start with quantities and scenarios Selkirk provided as a near‑to‑market case. “This is the first step in making the assembly decisions about the viability of this for the long term,” Jennings said.
The item prompted extended debate over the scoping study’s scope. Assembly members proposed, and then rejected, an amendment to limit the study to containerized options only. Assembly member Hillis and others argued for a broad study so the public can see all options and their tradeoffs; Potter — the ordinance sponsor behind the municipality’s containerization requirement — said she supported gathering information about risks and ways to protect the community but was cautious about signaling a change in the existing rule. Potter asked that the study’s findings be presented to the public after the research is completed.
Public commenters pressed the point. One speaker told the assembly that issuing an RFP exploring non‑containerized options would be perceived as undermining an existing ordinance and could exclude the public from meaningful comment if decisions flowed from an executive session. Another commenter said the chosen consultant’s proposal appeared to omit containerization from its examples and questioned whether the RFP reflected the assembly’s prior policy.
The final motion approved KPFF’s proposal contingent on Selkirk Copper Mines agreeing to reimburse Skagway for the cost. The motion passed on roll call with the assembly recording five yes votes. The assembly also voted to release a memo from Robin Bridal related to the scoping study so it is available to the public.
The scoping study, as described, will examine loading methods, possible storage options (including whether a single shed is viable), truck traffic through town, and environmental controls such as air-handling and particulate-mitigation strategies. The assembly directed staff to bring any resolution or further proposals back for public consideration at the May 21 meeting.
