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Sitka assembly adopts GPIP traffic and vessel-movement policies after amending enforcement language
Summary
The assembly adopted a traffic management policy and a commercial-vessel movement policy for the Gary Paxton Industrial Park, amending wording on enforceability and removing a copied environmental-survey requirement after public comment; both policies passed after assembly amendments.
The Sitka Assembly approved two policies for the Gary Paxton Industrial Park on Jan. 27: a Traffic Management & Vehicle Operations Policy and a separate requirements document for commercial vessel movement.
Gary White, GPIP director, said the traffic policy aims to protect public safety and preserve infrastructure by clarifying allowable staging and operations at the industrial park. During deliberations the assembly agreed to replace the word "unlawful" with the clearer phrasing "no person shall" in the section on bus and for-hire vehicle parking; that amendment passed 7–0.
On the commercial vessel movement requirements, White explained the board wanted clear procedures for nonstandard equipment, route planning, insurance and spill response. Public commenter Jeremy Circuit flagged an apparent copy-paste error that required an annual Alaska DEC environmental survey; the assembly voted 7–0 to strike the paragraph that had required an annual environmental survey, and then approved the revised policy.
White said the policies allow GPIP and administration to require route plans, equipment dimensions and insurance and provide a process that can revoke access for noncompliance rather than creating a new municipal infraction at this time.
Assembly members asked staff to return clean final copies to the GPIP board and to review permit and fee schedules associated with vessel moves.
