Fishing boats in the Haines small boat harbor. (Jillian Rogers)

Fishing boats in the Haines small boat harbor. (Jillian Rogers)

The 95 percent design for the Portage Cove Harbor expansion will be up for approval from the Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday.

The borough manager, harbormaster and Port and Harbor Advisory Committee are requesting the assembly’s support for the design plans.

The project was delayed in recent months because of a surprise permit. The Army Corps of Engineers requires projects that could impact existing Army Corps-funded structures to attain a 408 permit.

Manager Brad Ryan says he thinks the borough is close to gaining the permit. He says the Army Corps expects to send a letter with conditions this month, and that the conditions do not involve any major revisions to the harbor design.

There are two harbor-related petitions included in the assembly’s packet that show the divisiveness of the project. Both have dozens of signatures. One is supportive of the current project design. The other asks for work to halt until an economic analysis is done.

The assembly will also consider a tax incentive proposal recommended by the commerce committee. The goal of the incentive is to foster economic development by giving tax breaks to certain businesses. Business investments must meet certain requirements to qualify for the incentive. For example, the investment must be $100,000 or more and be located in downtown, Fort Seward or Lutak areas. The assembly could choose to modify the requirements or other part of the incentive proposal.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in assembly chambers.