Thousands of visitors visit the Davidson Glacier at Glacier Point in the Chilkat Inlet each summer. (Berett Wilber.)
The Haines Borough Commerce Committee will be meeting Thursday with a full agenda, which may include discussion over revoking or suspending a Glacier Point Tour Operator’s permit. The meeting was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was rescheduled after a conflict arose.
At last week’s borough assembly meeting, Assembly member Tom Morphet discussed whether or not to revoke or suspend the tour operator permit for Alaska Excursions after former employee complaints that were brought to the assembly last winter, as well as the recent death of an Alaska Excursions client on a tour at Glacier Point. It was decided to pass the issue along to the Commerce Committee as part of the Tour Permit review process that is meant to begin every year in September. The Commerce Committee is likely to also discuss visitor congestion at the Chilkoot Corridor in relation to Tour Permit Reviews.
The Committee will also be discussing two ordinances that were sent for review from the Assembly. The first, to amend borough code to allow for employee housing in certain areas of Haines, and the second will revise and clarify sign regulations within the borough.
The Commerce Committee is a committee of the borough assembly, made up of Assembly members Tom Morphet, Tresham Gregg, and Sea Maidy. Recommendations of the committee go to the full assembly for consideration.
The committee will meet Thursday at 5:30 pm in Haines Assembly Chambers.
