Fireworks Are Back
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE INSIDE Named Alaska’s Best Weekly Newspaper, 2013 and 2014 Chilkat Valley News Volume XLV Number 26 Thursday, July 2, 2015 $1 What’s in the water? Some contaminants above EPA limits By Karen Garcia The Haines Borough weathered an E. coli scare last week, but there are other contaminants of concern in the town’s water. Like many rural Alaskan communities, the borough is struggling to control levels of potentially toxic byproducts in its water. The byproducts form when organic matter in water from Lily Lake and the Piedad spring mixes with chlorine added to treat water for dangerous bacteria and viruses. According to reports submitted by the borough, levels for two byproducts in the town’s water have exceeded standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency three times in the past year. The byproducts of concern are called trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. According to the EPA, some people who for years drink water containing high levels of trihalomethanes could experience liver, kidney or central nervous system problems and increased risk of cancer. Prolonged exposure to haloacetic acids also can lead to an increased risk of cancer, according to the EPA. People can be exposed to the byproducts through skin contact and inhalation, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cindy Christian, program manager for DEC’s Drinking Water Compliance and Monitoring Department, said the state calculates enforceable limit CIRQUE DU HAINES -- Top left, Joslyn Williams and Alivia Martin were among about 200 youths and adults who turned out Monday violations on an annual, average at Payson’s Pavilion to see the Florida-based “Family Fun Circus.” Acts included aerialists, firebreathers, a motorcycle “Globe of basis. Even though Haines has Death,” contortionists and acrobats. A human cannonball act was scratched due to a tight traveling schedule. Tom Morphet photos. experienced spikes in byproduct levels during quarterly reporting, the state doesn’t register a violation State seeks hunting at Chilkat park if the annual average is below EPA’s limit. Public scrutinizes By Karen Garcia be allowed in the more remote and “Even though some quarters The state Department of Natural undeveloped south block of the park. have exceeded the (EPA limit), minor offense law Resources is proposing to open all of Fish and Game area wildlife biologist the running annual average has Chilkat State Park to lawful hunting and Stephanie Sell said the current regulation not. So, technically, they are not By Karen Garcia trapping, when formerly only the northern has been “a source of confusion for many in violation of the rule,” Christian An ordinance establishing a minor offenses portion has been available. years.” State parks staff has regularly had said. fee schedule has residents asking why many of Current regulations state that lawful to approach moose hunters and tell them Haines resident Jessica Kayser the laws are even on the books, and why Haines hunting and trapping are allowed only they can’t hunt in the southern block of Forster, a community development Borough employees other than police officers in the northern portion of the park, the park, Sell said. and human health consultant, should be authorized to enforce them. consisting of the Battery Point and Neither Sell nor LeClair knew when said when looking at the past According to manager David Sosa, an Alaska Mount Riley areas. the original regulation was adopted. and present monitoring reports, Supreme Court ruling that became effective in DNR’s proposed regulation change Sell said she believes there was a it is clear public health goals April 2013 mandated that municipalities have would also open the southern portion of miscommunication when the regulation for some of the chemicals are a list of minor offenses with an accompanying the park, which extends from about 7 Mile was put into place, and that the original being exceeded. Even though they fine schedule. This ordinance would bring the Mud Bay Road to the end of the Chilkat intention was to leave the southern block aren’t technically violations, the borough into compliance with the ruling, Sosa Peninsula at Seduction Point. open to hunting and restrict use in the quarterly spikes still represent a said. Under current and proposed regulations, northern area, where there are more public health concern, she said. The 35-page ordinance contains about 250 hunting and trapping is not allowed within people and infrastructure. “We are still being exposed over minor offenses and accompanying fines. The half a mile of a road or developed facility, “I think a lot of it just had to do with the long term.” list doesn’t represent new rules or violations but like a trail or campground. someone swapping the language on Kayser Forster has worked as compiles all existing rules in one place, Sosa The public comment period on the accident,” Sell said. executive director of the Southeast said. proposal closes at 5 p.m. on July 31. Email If the new regulation is adopted, Alaska Watershed Coalition and as After the ordinance’s introduction, residents comments to [email protected]. permitted moose hunting will be allowed a consultant for the Yukon River called the number of regulations “inappropriate,” Division of Parks and Outdoor in the southern portion of the park, Sell Inter-Tribal Watershed Council. “disturbing” and “ridiculous.” Recreation operations manager Claire said. Her job includes helping towns Regulations include “failure to install street LeClair said the proposed change came Hunters and trappers are responsible and tribes address water issues. from local staff pointing out that the for familiarizing themselves with Kayser Forster recently brought See OFFENSES page 5 existing regulation doesn’t make sense, municipal, state and federal laws that as hunting and trapping would logically they also must abide by, she added. See WATER page 8 Page 2 Chilkat Valley News July 2, 2015 To list an event in Save the Date, phone 766- Letters to the Editor Save the Date 2688 or email [email protected]. Reporter’s story buys harbor more time Thursday, July 2 Tuesday, July 7 Kudos to Karen Garcia and the CVN for setting the record straight on Teen Summer Reading Program prize Sheldon Museum Board meeting, 2 p.m. at funding issues related to the harbor expansion project. It is remarkable drawing, 2 p.m. at the library. Every Thursday. the museum. that no one from the Haines Borough called the state to verify whether Native Youth Olympic Games, 3 p.m. at the Ultimate Frisbee, 7 p.m. at the Haines School funds might in fact be lost or that a July 2017 drop-dead date actually library. Every Thursday. track. Every Tuesday. existed for spending the appropriation. Baseless rumors were assumed Gardening, 4 p.m. at the library. Enhance Teen Game Lab, 3 p.m. at the library. Play to be facts, and public comment on likely the largest local project ever your gardening skills at Starvin’ Marvin’s Hoop the Inupiaq videogame “Never Alone.” Every considered was essentially shut down. Given the open time frame and House. Every Thursday. Tuesday. community concerns over the current design, moving forward should Senior Center hours change. Open 8 a.m. to Wednesday, July 8 include renewed public input on major project parameters and a 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. thorough discussion of the project at the planning commission level CYD Soccer at the Haines High field.Ages Summer Reading Program activities at the for consistency with the Haines Borough Comprehensive Plan. 5-7 at 4 p.m. Ages 8 and up at 5:30 p.m. Every library. Detective Time, 2 p.m.; Nature Walkers, Tuesday and Thursday. 3 p.m.; and Ukulele Jam, 4 p.m. Same times every Gershon Cohen week. Friday, July 3 Thursday, July 9 Holiday closures. Borough offices, museum, Public needs dialogue with police chief library and state offices closed. Planning Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m. in Hey! What happened to that town hall meeting we were supposed to Haines Volunteer Fire Department Texas- assembly chambers. have had a few weeks ago? What was advertised to attract “anybody Style Barbecue, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fire Hall. Friday, July 10 who’s anybody will be there” turned out to be a one-man song and First Friday Art Walk in Haines, 5 to 7 Haines Photography Group meeting, 4 to dance act. Well, I am somebody and, while the event was free, I don’t p.m. at various locations around town. Wearable 5:30 p.m. at the library. Bring a thumb drive with feel I got my money’s worth. Not even coffee and cookies during the art display at the Alaska Arts Confluence office. five photos for constructive critique. two-hour show. We, the Haines citizens, were lured in on an opportunity Draw your own portrait at the Sheldon Museum. New Old Time Chautauqua Parade, 1 p.m. to meet the new chief of police, albeit interim. Well, he did say, “Hi.” Check ads for First Friday events at other Haines from Tlingit Park to the Fort Seward Parade Interactive discourse with him, however, seemed to have slipped away. I businesses. Grounds. Free workshops from 2 to 5 p.m. on know many others left that town meeting, now a faded memory, feeling Bingo, 7 p.m. at the ANB Hall. Sponsored by the grounds. as I did – disappointed if not hoodwinked. How about a citizen-activated the Haines Chamber of Commerce. New Old Time Chautauqua Vaudeville town hall meeting with Chief Griffiths? We, the people of Haines, need American Legion Burger Night, 5 to 7 p.m.