JUNEAU DAILY NEWS MINUTE
Friday, January 31, 1997 (c) Alaska Juneau Communications
*Engineers with the Alaska Marine Highway System voted in a 95
percent margin to strike, if current contract talks reach an
impasse again. The mail in vote by the 70 employees who work in
the engine rooms of the state ferries, was tallied last night by
the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association. If the current
talks stall out, and the engineers do go on strike, it could shut
down ferry service, as two other unions have contracts that say
they can't cross a picket line.
*Applications for the second round of recommendations for uses of
Juneau's share of Southeast Alaska Economic Fund monies is upon
us. The Juneau Economic Development Council, which was
designated as a clearinghouse for the proposals, made
recommendations this week to the Assembly for three uses in the
first round of proposals, one loan to Silver Bay Logging, and two
grants, one to Channel Landfill Incorporated and the other to
Bartlett Regional Hospital. Applications for the second round
are due by February 21.
*Coeur Alaska Incorporated, developers of the Kensington mine,
has requested a water quality standard change from the Alaska
Department of Environmental Conservation. The change would apply
to Sherman Creek, and concerns dissolved inorganic substances,
measured as Total Dissolved Solids. The mine wants to discharge
TDS at higher concentrations than the state's current standards
allow. DEC is accepting public comment on the proposed changes
through March 28. Public meetings have been scheduled in Juneau
on March 19, and in Haines on March 20.
*Public comment is also being sought on a Plan of Operations
submitted by Grizzly Bar Development of Juneau, to do mineral
exploration for gold, silver, iron and other metals on their
unpatented federal mining claims on National Forest System Lands.
The claims are located on Grizzly Bar, adjacent to Taku Glacier
in Taku Inlet. Comments are being accepted by the Juneau Ranger
District until February 21.
*Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines and
Horizon Air, reported a 1996 net income of $38-million, that's up
from last year's $17.3-million. Fourth quarter earnings were
down, as a result of high fuel prices and severe winter storms in
the Pacific Northwest. In spite of the low fourth quarter
earnings, 1996 was still the second best year in the company's
history.
*As part of the year-long Centennial Celebration, the Juneau Gold
Rush Committee is holding a miner's walk tonight, a re-enactment
of the walk from the A-J mine back into downtown, that miners who
worked there used to do everyday. Gather at 7 at the South
Franklin Dock tonight with your miner's hats with lights or bring
a flashlight along.