Tim Gibson Letter 3-9-2006

*_Background:_*  For the last several years landing craft use of the Juneau boat launch ramps and harbors have been a controversial issue. 

Because of the issues Mitch Falk, Gumption Freight, looked for and obtained an alternative landing site by providing and paying for materials to improve the facilities at Smith Pond for which he gained the right to use this facility.  The Smith family has recently been in discussion about the use of their pond.  Today they informed me and Mitch Falk we would no longer be able to use this facility.

The City and Borough of Juneau has been very active in seeking and using sport fisheries funds for the building and upgrading their launch ramp facilities.  This effectively eliminates the use of these ramps for the loading of freight onto landing crafts.  The ramps this impacts are as

follows:  Amalga Harbor, North Douglas, Douglas Boat Harbor and Echo Cove.  The Auke Bay boat launch ramp is the only facility we have left to use and it remains controversial, even confrontational at times. 

This becomes critical for us.  If we lose this use due to public pressure we have no place to go at this time.  To save discussion, I've contacted all other available sites with no relief.  This was not limited to Juneau only, I also contacted  Hoonah, and Excursion Inlet. 

The city and company officials were less than excited by the potential. 

Other private facilities were also contacted and I was told they had no interest at this time for various reasons.  The Gustavus Dock is off somewhere in the future and we are running out of options.

The City and Borough of Juneau is in the process of requesting funds from the Denali Commission to build a commercial ramp for use by commercial vessels and fishing vessels for their loading and unloading

activities.  This use includes landing craft.   If they can obtain

funding this new facility would be available sometime in 2007.

*_Request:_* By Friday we need to draft and send a letter to the Denali Commission c/o John Stone, Port Director, City and Borough of Juneau; in support of their request for funds to build this commercial use facility and what it means to the well being of Gustavus.  This letter needs to be received by fax no later than Friday. The number is 907-586-0295.

I will attempt to form a rough draft of the letter required and submit it to you via this medium and will present myself to you at the General meeting on Thursday.

Thank-you for your consideration and thought in this matter, Tim