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Anchorage Daily News Headlines
The Haines News poll posted here from January 9, 2010 through February 1, 2010 consistently showed strong support for Connelly Lake hydro, ranging from 79 percent to 84 percent during the time the poll was posted. The poll was not scientific, and respondents were not restricted. The poll was advertised in the Haines News print edition and on this web site. Read more »
Chilkoot Lake
By Gary Lidholm
How do Connelly and Schubee Lake hydro projects stack up for feasibility study grant money in state-wide rankings developed by the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)? Good enough to be recommended for partial funding but not in the first group of funds recommended by the governor.
In an order dated January 20th, 2010, Judge Patricia Collins ordered the Haines Borough to pay attorney fees totaling $15,322.50 to Mr. Kocher and Joe Geldhof, attorneys for the Plaintiffs in Gershon Cohen, et.al. vs. the Haines Borough.
Cohen and other interested parties filed a court case to contest the Haines Borough Canvassing Board decisions regarding the October election for Assembly Seat A, after candidate Gary Lidholm won the election by 2 votes. Judge Collins ordered the borough to count 5 rejected ballots, overturning the election in favor of candidate Daymond Hoffman. Read more »
Gershon Cohen (see arrow) tends the information table during an organized demonstration against cruise ships in Haines.
Since the removal of Haines environmental activist Gershon Cohen from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s cruise ship wastewater science panel strong feelings have arisen on both sides.
In a letter to Governor Parnell, several legislators called Cohen’s removal a “troubling use of power,” suggesting that corporate Read more »
The 1/26/2010 meeting of the Haines Borough Assembly was tame compared to those in previous weeks. Some housekeeping business was handled, and some projects were moved ahead. Agenda: http://www.hainesborough.us/agenda10/ag012610.pdf
by Stephanie Scott
The Energy Sustainability Commission took 3 actions at its Thursday, January 21, meeting, in the following order:
The Commission will suggest that the Mayor fill the vacancy created by Commissioner Hedden’s Jan. 13 resignation by designating Pete Lapham the Planning Commission representative to the Commission and by appointing a school district representative to fill the vacant seat.
Click to view cartoon
Haines environmental activist Gershon Cohen has been removed from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s cruise ship wastewater science panel after several complaints were received from some cruise ship advocates. The Alaska Science advisory panel was created by legislation pushing back a deadline for compliance with ship discharge requirements.
“This should be a panel of experts that are independent and can exercise independent judgement,” said Alaska DEC Commissioner Larry Hartig, “It would just be hard for someone who has been…advocating a particular position…to revisit the issue just from a technological perspective.”
Photo Map of the Chilkoot Valley, courtesy of Alaska DNR
Alaska Power & Telephone has applied for grants and permits to develop Hydropower at Connelly Lake in the upper Chilkoot Valley. A few folks including a local environmentalist organization, Lynn Canal Conservation, have stated unequivocally that they will oppose development of Connelly Lake. LCC has already notified the Alaska Department of Fish and Game that they intend to sue to stop the project, even though they do not yet have grounds for a lawsuit.
In early 2009 LCC members suggested an alternative site, Schubee Lake, on the opposite side of Lynn Canal from Haines, indicating it has their support. Schubee has not been studied and there is little data to support this decision.
The Haines Borough Assembly Agenda on January 19th addressed several issues, the two main issues being appeal of the renewal of Turner’s Gravel Pit operating permit and the changes to the Heli-skiing ordinance.
Jeramie Macelhorn, #82 at the starting line. Photo by Alex Farwell-Schamber
Of 28 racers in the Alcan 200 Snowmobile Road Rally, 21 finished the race. Racers ran in snowy and windy conditions on the pass. Although turnout was somewhat less than in past years, a higher percentage of racers finished the race in spite of the bad weather.
For more information and links, check out the Alcan 200 facebook account.
Below is a partial list of the winners:
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