State approves 25-year tideland lease for Glacier Construction barge landing in Haines

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources on Monday approved a 25-year tideland lease for a Glacier Construction Inc. barge landing in Lutak Inlet at Haines.

The final decision, signed by Natural Resource Manager Mason Auger, keeps the terms of the department's May preliminary decision unchanged. The lease covers 7.041 acres of state-owned tide and submerged land. It allows a 30-by-50-foot filled barge landing and two 24-inch steel pilings to move materials and equipment.

Glacier Construction asked for about 4.667 acres. The department set the larger lease area because tideland and upland boundaries did not match.

The department received four comments during the comment period, which ended June 11. Three opposed the lease or asked the department not to issue it as proposed.

The Chilkat Indian Village, a federally recognized tribe, said three Traditional Cultural Places lie in the project area and asked for consultation before the decision was final. State archaeologists made no recommendations on the sites, the department said, so it could not require added mitigation. A standard lease condition still requires work to stop if cultural resources turn up during construction.

Lynn Canal Conservation said the site is next to the Haines Sawmill contaminated site and asked for soil sampling. State contaminated-site staff recommended no testing, the department said. Kathleen Menke said the department had not adequately disclosed the landing's purpose. Diana Lapham supported the project.

People who commented in writing and on time can appeal to the DNR commissioner within 20 calendar days. The fee is $200. Without an appeal, the decision takes effect on the 31st day after it was issued.