Working group weighs monitors, data collection and permit limits to ease Chilkoot Corridor congestion

Members of the Chilkoot Corridor Working Group, residents and agency representatives spent the meeting weighing options to reduce congestion and protect wildlife in the corridor, including volunteer or paid monitors, targeted education, data collection and possible limits on commercial tours.

Kathleen, chair of Haines Borough Parks and Recreation, told the group she is concerned that recommendations presented by the Tourism Advisory Board were not vetted with the Chilkoot Corridor Working Group and urged collaborative planning to preserve wildlife habitat and visitor experience. "TAB is pushing an agenda for the Chilkoot Corridor with regard to STIP, with regard to permitting, without vetting those issues with this committee here," she said.

Public commenters pressed for data before policy changes. Patty Brown volunteered to gather examples of safeguards used at other bear‑viewing sites; Sue Rakes urged the group to begin by collecting baseline use numbers so the committee could later make evidence‑based recommendations. "I think if we at least started with some baseline information, we could see and have some more understanding that we could apply later," Rakes said.

Brad, who identified himself as a representative of state parks, explained how commercial use of the state park unit is permitted and why data matter if the borough or the group hopes to limit commercial activity. "Noncompetitive are open to anybody that meet minimum requirements," he said, describing the current noncompetitive commercial use permit process and contrasting it with a competitive process that could limit permits. He said a competitive permitting approach would require substantial data showing impacts to natural, cultural or historical resources and to public access.

Clerk Mike noted there is a mechanism in Haines Borough code (section 5.18.020) by which the assembly can establish the number of commercial tour permits in an area and suggested the working group could recommend the assembly consider that option at the appropriate time. Committee members also discussed a hiring freeze that has affected the borough's ability to staff a position that might supervise monitors; Brad said the hiring freeze and a hire waiver remain unresolved.

Discussion touched on a range of practical steps the group could pursue quickly — signs and targeted education at viewing platforms, volunteer monitors with identifying patches, or a funded monitor pool — and longer‑term actions that would require data and interagency coordination, such as adopting a competitive permit process or capping commercial permits. Several members said monitors would likely be the most immediate, actionable intervention.

The meeting was cut short when the Zoom device hosting the assembly session auto‑restarted; the group agreed to continue the remaining agenda items at the next meeting.