Haines Port Development Council

The Haines Port Development Council Board met 11 am Tuesday April 10, 2012 at Captain’s Choice Motel, Haines, Ak.

Board members went over what each had been doing to help promote / market the Haines Port. Mr. Ed Lapeyri owner of the former Chilkoot Lumber dock and property joined the meeting. Mr. Lapeyri made it very clear he is open to most any reasonable purchase or leasing of the dock and property. With all the many opportunities available at the Haines Port the Council agreed the next important step is to advertise the port and it’s many opportunities throughout the Yukon and Alaska.

With our work promoting / marketing the Haines Port we have found we need to become a " Bonded Port". We expect to handle LNG and mining equipment from Kitimat, BC. Canada and other Canadian ports being transshipped through Haines going to the Yukon mines.

This Yukon mining development is big and Haines is in line to do well. We are getting responses from mining companies interested in Haines. Due to the congestion in Skagway, even mines that are furthest away are interested in Haines. The fact that between the Haines Lutak Dock and the old Chilkoot Lumber dock and property there is about 25 acres located over 5 miles from town and cruise ships, makes it appealing.

It was recommend that we contact the US Customs and Border Protection Trade Specialist in Anchorage, Jeffrey Lisius, which we have done. Mr. Lisius will be working with us to get our port set for expected international trade.

The fact that we have not been a Bonded Port explains one reason why for all these years foreign freight going north and ore going south has gone through Skagway. Once we become a bonded port we will be able to handle a fair share of that freight. We have many things going for us that Skagway does not have. There is no way US. DOT. will let LNG be shipped through Skagway. By DOT regs it's to close to cruise ships and residences. LNG is safer than gasoline but still has some risk.

We have been in contact with Alaska DOT. They are glad we are keeping them up to date on our progress as they need to do the road / highway planning.

Bill Kurz

Box 1363 Haines, Ak 99827

wckurz@yahoo.com