Haines | Tourism | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Update for February 14, 2012

Public Information Release
Due to the slowdown of activity in Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement, the Command Center will be shutting down until new activity warrants re‐activation.

This will be the last update until further notice Comments or concerns that may be helpful regarding this event should be directed to Brian Lemcke, Director of Public Works at 766‐2257.

Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐2256

Alaska | Events | Outdoors | Tourism | Transportation | Whitehorse

Neff wins closest Yukon Quest ever by a minute

Mike Campbell | ALASKA DISPATCH
Tok musher Hugh Neff ended a career of near misses and heartbreaks before dawn on Tuesday when he ran down Allen Moore to capture the closest Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race by a single minute.

Neff crossed the finish line in Whitehorse in the pre-dawn darkness at 5:14 a.m. with his nine strongest dogs still in harness.  Moore was just a tick of the clock behind with 10 dogs.

Read full article in the Alaska Dispatch.

Haines | Tourism | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Update for February 13, 2012

Public Information Release
Daily monitoring with survey equipment shows very little movement in the slump area since a week ago Saturday, February 4th. Heavy runoff water continues to be noted in the drainage ditch along Lutak Road.

The history of this area has been a problem with the drainage of surface water, and soft and sloughing bank materials for the last 50 years according to former DOT employees who have maintained the ditches and slope of the hillside in this area. Humps and dips located in the same area they are now, have caused pavement to be removed and repaired in past years.

We anxiously wait the results of the ongoing testing and measurements, for the engineers to determine possible solutions. In the mean time, we hope the movement stays at a minimum.

Next update is scheduled for Tuesday February 14th.

___________________

Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.

Haines | Tourism | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Update for February 10, 2012

Public Information Release:
HAINES–Movement in the slump area continues to show very little visual activity. Road & shoulder repairs to the damaged areas of Lutak and Ocean View roads have been completed, to provide safe passage through these areas.

State DOT drilling operations continue along Lutak and Front Street roads. Soil samples are taken every 5 foot in bore holes that average 40 – 50 feet. The Borough has agreed to share the surveying and drilling information collected from their contract engineers, PND, with the State DOT geologists and engineers. Results are still at least 2 weeks out as they wait for the data being collected by the State DOT drilling operations.

Next update is scheduled for Monday February 13th.

___________________

Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.

Alaska | Military | National politics | Transportation

Alaska Delegation Questions Air Force Over Eielson

Press Release
WASHINGTON D.C.–Following a meeting with U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz today, the Alaska Congressional Delegation released a set of unified statements.

The meeting was requested by the Alaska Congressional Delegation to question as well as hear the reasoning behind the Air Force’s recently announced plan to relocate the 18th Aggressor F-16 Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Read more->

Haines | Tourism | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Update for February 9, 2012

Public Information Release
Nice weather and another day of minor movement in the slump area welcomed the DOT drilling crew who began drilling a series of test holes this morning.
Read more->

Southeast AK | Tourism | Transportation

Alaska Dream Cruises Adds Itineraries, Ports of Call

Alaskan Dream Cruises in Tracy Arm, ADC photo.

Press release:
SITKA–Alaskan Dream Cruises, one of the newest small-ship cruise lines sailing in Southeast Alaska, is announcing three new itineraries, additional ports of call and ship renovations.

Alaskan Dream Cruises is owned and operated by an Alaska Native family in Sitka. The company will operate its second season from May through September.

The 42-passenger Alaskan Dream will sail on three new itineraries in 2012: an eight-day trip that focuses on many less-explored destinations, including Hobart Bay and Kasaan, and two more comprehensive 11- and 13-day trips through the Inside Passage.

The three itineraries also include new ports of call for the cruise line: Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Thorne Bay, Kasaan, Wrangell and Gustavus.  Read more->

Economy | National politics

Dependence on Government Rises:
Average Federal Aid Passes Average Disposable Income

WASHINGTON, FEB. 8, 2012—The average American relying on federal government assistance receives more in benefits than the average American’s disposable personal income, according to The Heritage Foundation’s newly released 2012 Index of Dependence on Government.

The Index reports Americans who rely on government receive an average $32,748 worth of benefits, surpassing the average American’s disposable personal income of $32,446.

Overall, the Index—which scores the nation’s dependency across numerous federal assistance programs that were once done through communities, churches, neighborhood groups and the private sector—rose 8.1 percent in 2010 from the most recent data available.

Read more at the Heritage Foundation.

Haines | Tourism | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Update for February 8, 2012

Public Information Release
HAINES–Activity in the slump area was very quiet again today. The Borough crew, conducting the daily surveying, received additional prisms and materials to set up a couple additional points to increase the area that the data is being collected.

The State DOT drilling crew arrived on the ferry today and met with Borough officials to lay out the bore hole locations to avoid all buried utilities. Drilling will begin tomorrow morning, Thursday, and continue until they complete six drilling sites. Drilling is planned for four holes along the Right of Way on Lutak Road, and two on Front Street. Expect lane closures and traffic control for single lane traffic.

Next update is scheduled for 3 pm Thursday February 9th.

___________________

Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.

Haines | Tourism | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Update for February 7, 2012

Public Information Release
HAINES–Cooler drier weather has given us another day of calm in and around the Slump Area, with very little movement detected. Crews took a couple of manual measurements along the top of the slide in the Ocean View area today which shows horizontal movements of 8 to 9 inches over the last week and a half. We are still waiting for accurate information from the contract engineers.  Read more->

Haines | Local News | Tourism | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Update for February 6, 2012

Public Information Release
Activity in the slump area seemed to slow down with the change in the weather. Daily monitoring continues for control point data that is sent to the engineers in Seattle. We are still waiting for results of the data sent to the engineers last week. We will report on those findings as soon as they are available.

The City Borough Juneau sewer jetting and vacuum crew has been put on hold until local sewer crews get a better look and the amount of debris coming into the manholes from the sewer line break, and may be taken care of locally.

Residents are advised to contact the Command Center if you are concerned about, or have questions regarding the elaborate stories circulating about the slump area, and we will share the facts we have gathered.

Next update is scheduled for 3 pm Tuesday February 7.

___________________

Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator

Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.

Haines | Haines Assembly | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Update for February 4, 2012

Public Information Release
HAINES–Emergency repair work to the sewer main running through the center of the slump area was completed around 3:45 pm Friday afternoon. Residence of the Highland Estates & Skyline Drive area can resume normal usage. Thank you for your patience.  Read more->

Alaska | Alaska Politics | Energy | Oil & Gas | Opinion

OPINION–Alaska oil tax debate: Playing ACES high

By Andrew Halcro
One of the bedrock arguments proffered by critics who oppose reforming oil taxes is that compared to other oil producing regions, Alaska is right in the middle. This is false.

Read full opinion at andyhalcro.com.

Haines | Haines Assembly | Tourism | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Update for February 3, 2012

Public Information Release
HAINES–A Resolution to declare a disaster and requesting state assistance was adopted in a special meeting of the Haines Borough Assembly today at 1:15 pm. The situation was elevated to this point when the main sewer line from 125 homes on the hillside of Highland Estates and Skyline Drive was broken by the slide activity.

Crews from Southeast Road Builders Inc. and the Borough Water & Sewer Department started emergency repairs to this line before light this morning. Work is ongoing as of this report (3:00pm Friday afternoon) PSA’s asking residence above this area to restrict their use of water going into the sewer until crews finish emergency repairs today. [Borough officials] will place an announcement on KHNS when the work is completed and normal usage can resume. Crews will continue working until repairs are finished today. Thank you for your patience.

No update is scheduled for the week‐end unless there are major changes to report.

Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐22567

Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.

Haines | Haines Assembly | Oil & Gas | Tourism | Transportation | Utilities

Haines Borough Special Assembly Meeting Tonight
Haines considers disaster resolution regarding Lutak slope movement event

PUBLIC NOTICE
HAINES BOROUGH ASSEMBLY SPECIAL MEETING NOTIFICATION
Location: Borough Assembly Chambers, February 3, 2012 at 1:15 pm
PURPOSE: Consider Resolution 12-02-330 Declaring a disaster and requesting state assistance.

According to the agenda, “The slump in the Oceanview Drive/Lutak Road area continues to move and has breached the sewer line. It is anticipated that the area will continue to move and destroy public facilities. The manager has deemed it necessary to declare a disaster and request state assistance at this time.”

The Haines Alaska News will post more information as it becomes available; readers can also check the Haines Borough Website for updates.

Haines | Haines Assembly | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Up‐Date for February 2, 2012

Public Information Release
HAINES–6 PM Revision–Melting snow revealed an old manhole, not showing on any as builts, or known by local maintenance officials, during dye testing of the sewer line running through the middle of the slide area late this afternoon. This manhole is being compromised by the ground shifting close to a crack near the top of the slide area. Plans are being put together this evening to remove that manhole and to re‐connect the sewer line. This damage appears to be from earlier shifting in this location but has been buried under the snow, keeping it from detection.

Activity in the active area of the slope movement appeared to calmed down today with very little new visual movement detected.

The command center has been receiving very detailed information from several State and Federal offices in an effort to help in our planning efforts. Some of it is so detailed that we have to filter through the information to determine what is relevant to our event. If you have questions about any information you may be hearing rumors about, please contact the command center at 766‐2258.

Warmer weather will still be with us for a few more days, which is helping melt the snow, but also brings added concern to the area that is already over saturated.

Next scheduled update will be 3 PM Friday afternoon.
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐22567

Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.

Haines | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Update for February 1, 2012

There was a sudden increase of movement in the slide area beginning around 7:30 pm which aroused residents nearby. Upon investigation, the shifting that had occurred at the large cracks at the top of the slide in Lutak Road, was very visible. There was an approximate horizontal shift of 8 inches, and a vertical drop of near 4 inches. Residents in the immediate area were notified of the increased activity, as well as appropriate State agencies.

The State DOT survey crew finished setting additional control points surrounding the whole area, and plan to be back in two weeks to check for any differences.

Haines DOT/PF crews ground the remaining hump in the north bound lane today with Southeast Road Builders re‐claimer. Borough Maintenance crews filled the cracks in Lutak road for the State who were busy grinding the pavement of the bump and the bottom of the active area.

Next scheduled update will be 3 PM Thursday afternoon.

Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐22567

Alaska | Economy | Military | National politics | Veterans

Alaska Officials Pledge to Oppose Base Closures

By Dan Joling | AP
ANCHORAGE—Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s announcement that the Pentagon will seek new rounds of military base closures drew a swift response from Alaskans who watched a similar process nearly gut Eielson Air Force Base in 2005.

Alaska’s congressional delegation and Gov. Sean Parnell issued a joint statement saying they will stand together to resist attempts to close or shrink Alaska bases.

Read more in the Peninsula Clarion.

Alaska | Economy | Outdoors | Utilities

You Asked For Winter, So Head North to Alaska!

By Brian Edwards | ACCUWEATHER
Alaskans have been experiencing the most brutal winter conditions of anybody in the United States this season. Thanks to cold being bottled up across the Northwest Territories and Alaska, the season has been chock full of snow, frigid temperatures, and plenty of ice fog to go around.

Read the full story at Accuweather.com.

Alaska | Alaska Politics | Oil & Gas

Committee takes up bill to separate oil, gas taxes

By Becky Bohrer | ADN
JUNEAU — Alaska’s revenue commissioner doesn’t anticipate a repeat of 2010, when Gov. Sean Parnell vetoed a measure that would have changed the state’s system of taxing oil and gas production together.

Bryan Butcher told the Senate Finance Committee he’s thinks Revenue can work with lawmakers to develop a plan that’s agreeable to both sides.

Read the full story in the Anchorage Daily News.

Haines | Tourism | Transportation | Utilities

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Up‐Date for January 27, 2012

Public Information Release
The boring of 5 test holes was completed before noon today by Denali Drilling, to collect samples of materials in and around the slump area down to 40’. The material samples will be taken back to the lab for testing that will help provide information for the cause of the slope movement.

Survey points were completed today to daily track the amount, and direction of movement in and around the active area. Baseline numbers were collected and recorded for daily movement monitoring.

Local State DOT is making plans to cut out the hump and the bottom of the slide area as early as Monday. Until then, please use caution going over the hump near the intersection to Front Street, as it is getting pretty severe.

Next scheduled update will be Monday afternoon.

Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐2256

To view all updates: http://www.hainesborough.us/slopemovement.html

Alaska | Alaska Politics | Oil & Gas

Alaska Senate President Kills Oil Tax Bill

Alex DeMarban | ALASKA DISPATCH
Alaska Senate President Gary Stevens said Thursday that the Senate will soon hold a hearing on its own oil-tax reform bill, essentially declaring dead House Bill 110, legislation passed last year by the state House and fervently backed by Gov. Sean Parnell.

Read full story in the Alaska Dispatch.

Haines | Local News | Tourism | Transportation

Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement
Daily Up‐Date for January 26, 2012

Public Information Release:
Denali Drilling from Anchorage has completed three (3) of the five (5) test holes scheduled by 2:30 pm, and plan to complete the forth test hole on Mathias today as well. The last test hole is scheduled for tomorrow morning, Friday, in Lutak Road which will require a lane closure. One lane will be left open, and expect traffic control and flaggers through this area tomorrow morning.

Core samples of the materials are being collected by PND geo tech engineers that will be taken back to their labs for analysis.
A surveyor for PND continued to set up reflector targets, and survey points that will allow more accurate collection of data to study the daily movement. The surveyor is training employees how to set up the equipment and collect the data on a daily, or as time allows basis.

Because of all the activities happening today with the large snow fall, water line breaks in Highland Estates, drilling test holes and setting up survey equipment, we were not able to measure or report the amount of movement since yesterday.

Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐2256

To view all updates: http://www.hainesborough.us/slopemovement.html

Economy | Federal Regulation | Oil & Gas | Transportation

Opinion: Keystone Pipeline
A Key Ingredient Missing from Obama’s Economic Recovery Recipe

The Heritage Foundation
President Obama’s State of the Union address laid out his long-term economic recovery plans, which he claims will “work for everyone, not just a wealthy few.” That is, unless it is the pipeline construction business. President Obama’s politically intoned decision to reject TransCanada’s permit application to construct a 1,700-mile pipeline from Alberta, Canada, to Texas refineries last week sent a clear message that special-interest demands are more important than more energy and much-needed job creation.

Read full opinion piece at the heritage.org.

Events | Haines | Outdoors | Tourism | Transportation | Whitehorse

Davy wins second Alcan 200
Yukoners take four divisions

By Tom Patrick | YUKON NEWS
Whitehorse’s Jarrid Davy hurtled down the Haines Highway at near record speeds at the Alcan 200 International Snow Machine Road Rally on Saturday.

Averaging a speed of 191 kilometres an hour, Davy was about two kilometres an hour from the record. (Average times include fuel stops.)

Though just off the record, his speed was enough to win his second straight title in the 651cc-open class, one of four divisions won by Yukoners this year.

Read the full article in the Yukon News.

Chip Bok
bokbluster.com
Feb 21, 2012

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Publisher Information:

Alaska Alliance for Commerce, Inc. (AAFC)
P.O. Box 784
Haines, Alaska 99827

Editor:

Roger L. Maynard
P.O. Box 784
Haines, Alaska 99827
editor@hainesnews.net

The Haines Alaska News is a public information service of the Alaska Alliance for Commerce, Inc., a grassroots movement organized to advocate for small business and a free market economy in Alaska.

The AAFC is organized under section 501(C)(4) of the U.S. Tax Code; contributions are not tax deductible.