Haines assembly works to finalize controversial Lutak Dock refurbishment

Haines borough officials are working to finalize the $28 million design and secure the remaining funding for the redevelopment of its sole freight and fuel dock. The assembly passed a resolution in support of the Lutak Dock redevelopment plan Tuesday, while fielding questions and criticism from residents around public process and the dock’s purpose. See the proposed plan here.

The Haines Assembly heard extended public comment via Zoom Tuesday evening on the Lutak Dock redevelopment plan, before voting 5-1 passing a resolution to support the three phased design by asking state lawmakers to approve $3 million towards the project. Assemblymember Tyler Huling was opposed.

Borough officials say the design is focused on meeting Haines freight and fuel needs, with expanded docking areas and two elevated ramps. 

Haines resident Tom Heywood was one of dozens of residents who submitted letters and spoke in opposition to the redevelopment plan including facilities for ore transport from mines in neighboring Canada.

“It’s very clear that a large number of people are very much opposed to changing the river valley corridor from the Haines Highway through Union Street and Lutak Road into a shipping route for heavy ore trucks that would alter the lives of all who live along it,” Heywood said. “It’s hard to imagine how trading our pristine Valley used and enjoyed by so many people in so many ways, how it could be worth it for the limited number of jobs that it would create.”

Many echoed a sense of dismay and concern that mining operations and transport through Haines would threaten the natural beauty of the Chilkat Valley, and quality of life. 

“Haines is in a position where we do need to look at all opportunities to have financing and income for our community,” said Haines resident Jojo Goerner. “But for one, I can say that as potentially a future mother to be, who would really like to raise a family in Haines. I don’t know if I would stick around if there were to be a bunch of industrial trucks hauling whatever it might be, or timber, etc, through town.”

Many residents criticized the public process of the redevelopment plan and potential for an ore transport facility after a surprise presentation by Yukon mining representatives at a Haines Port and Harbor committee meeting last month. There Yukon representatives, committee members and borough officials, including the Haines harbormaster, discussed what the facilities and infrastructure Haines dock plan might include to accommodate exporting ore from Canadian mines. 

Rob Golderg has served on the Planning Commission for 27 years, which voted to recommend the design to the Assembly last week. He told Assemblymembers after listening to the recording of that meeting, he’s changed his mind. 

“I’m withdrawing my support, and I request a reconsideration of that vote,” Goldberg said. “At that meeting, I asked repeatedly if phase three would be used for mining interests. We were told repeatedly that phase three has nothing to do with the transfer of ore concentrate from mines. Then I listened to the recording of the ports and harbors meeting and learned that phase three is all about the transfer of ore concentrate from mines. I heard borough staff and commission members offering to give the mining companies anything they wanted – a guaranteed completion date, future additional loading platforms, dredging to minus 35 feet, storage space for ore containers. That’s collusion.”

Not everyone was so critical. Haines resident John Carlson says he supports the redevelopment plan and any potential revenue that an ore export facility would bring to town.

“​​Haines needs to develop the dock to the max minimum docking capacity, regardless of what the commodities may be,” Carlson said. “Surely we have control over how shipments should be. As far as ore shipments, we should be able to stipulate that they be closed containers.”

Assemblymember Debra Schnabel suggested that Haines voters decide on the question in a referendum over whether to develop an ore transport facility.

“So I’d like to go take the time that we have, go ahead and do the planning, do the whatever it is the design, the permitting, whatever, but we don’t have to build it if the people don’t want it to be built,” Schnabel said. “And that’s what we need to determine I think is, are we or are we not going to proceed as a community that supports the transport of ore over the Haines Highway and the use of a publicly owned dock.”

But the Assembly was deadlocked on 3-3 on her  idea. Mayor Doug Olerud broke the tie by voting no and the amendment failed.. He explained his reluctance to put the question to voters at this time. 

“The reason I voted against your amendment was the wording on it. And there’s some questions,” Olerud said. “I think once we have a better idea moving forward, then we can come up with plans if we want to put that before a public vote. Let’s figure out the best way to do that. And because my concerns are with how that might affect Alaska Marine Lines operations there.”

AML leases the roll-on-roll-off ramp at Haines dock for its barges that bring freight to and from Haines on upper Lynn Canal. 

Assemblymember Catie Kirby says she supports the proposed design citing the need and funding timeline for the dock replacement, but she agreed there’s a lot to convince Haines residents.

“So I think that we should give the public more time to understand what it is we’re doing,” Kirby said. “And I think that it’s really unfortunate that our trust was broken so hard so fast and so close to when we need to get this money. It’s and I just want to make sure that people know that if I’m okay with this it is because I’m okay with fixing our dock. I am not okay with anything else that has happened. If this was not Such a big time crunch. I don’t know what I would be doing.”

The mayor also said he’d see that more public meetings are held in the future to improve transparency on the future of the Lutak Dock. 

“We can definitely make sure we have more meetings, whether it’s an assembly meeting, or whether it’s a town hall meeting to look at that 35% before it goes back to the 65% (design) stage,” he said. “And if the assembly wants to have that same discussion at 65%, we can do that too.”

In other borough news, the Assembly voted to authorize the Anchorage-based architectural firm, Bettisworth North Architects Inc for a 65 percent design of a new public safety building, for over $560,000. That’s been renamed as the Haines Community Safety and Training Center for grant application purposes. And, they authorized a permit to Alaska Mountain Guide Adventures for a new summer walking tour around Fort Seward.