Thursday, February 5, 1998
B.C.
fishermen agree to settle
It looks like the $3-million lawsuit against the Prince Rupert fishermen who blockaded the
state ferry Malispina will be settled out of court. 235 fishermen today agreed to
the deal, canceling a counterclaim against the state and making an agreement to not block
another ferry. The Canadian government in exchange will promote tourism to the
Yukon, British Columbia and Alaska, and will lower lease payments to the state on the
Prince Rupert ferry terminal. The remaining fishermen named in the suit have until
tomorrow to agree to the deal.
Malaspina
berthing offer being considered
Ferry System Director Bob Doll says he appreciates the offer of a free berth for the
Malispina in Skagway, but he can't accept or decline the offer made by the City of Skagway
and the White Pass Corporation until he calculates what the savings to the state would be.
Skagway Mayor John Mielke (milk-ee) made the offer yesterday in an attempt to make
the conversion of the Malispina into a day boat more economically feasible to the State
Legislature.
Talks
continue on Glacier Bay fishing
Today saw another day of meetings between commercial fishermen, Alaska Natives and
environmentalists in an effort to hold off a National Parks Service proposal to end
commercial fishing within Glacier Bay National Park. Yesterday's meeting focused on
making the inner bay a marine reserve, where some areas would be open for commercial
fishing, while others would be closed. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee in Washington, D.C. will be meeting later this month to decide whether or not to
phase out commercial fishing in the park.
Arizona
A.G. testifies before Alaska House
According to Arizona's top law enforcement official, Alaska's Attorney General should be
elected, not appointed. Grant Woods, the Arizona Attorney General told the House
Judiciary Committee yesterday that an elected attorney general can act independently of
the governor, a point that Representative Ramona Barnes agreed with. Barnes has
criticized Attorney General Bruce Botelho publicly, saying he is doing the bidding of
Governor Knowles.
Kennicott
art on display
Artwork that will be installed on the new state ferry Kennicott will be on display at the
Alaska State Museum through March 7. The exhibit opens tonight with free admission.
It's a chance to see the 60 pieces of work done by 23 artists through the One
Percent for Art program. The opening is tonight at the Alaska State Museum from 4:30
to 6:30.
Snow cover
dwindles at Eaglecrest
Warm temperatures are taking their toll on the snow cover at Eaglecrest. Business
Manager Gary Mendivil says the low mountain cover is getting skimpy, but the cover on the
top is still pretty good, and the cold temperatures the past few days have slowed the
melting. Due to limited snow cover, nighttime skiing has been canceled tonight.
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