Juneau Assembly opts out of taking stance on Cascade Point Ferry Terminal

Members express doubt resolution will affect project’s fate, especially since opinons aren’t unanimous; Haines and Skagway are opposing the terminal

The location of the proposed Cascade Point Ferry Terminal, about 30 miles north of the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities map)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

The Juneau Assembly opted on Monday night not to join their counterparts in Haines and Skagway in taking a stance on the Cascade Point Ferry Terminal, with members citing several reasons including the lack of a unanimous opinion about the project.

Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs, in the wake of recent public debate at public meetings beyond City Hall about the proposal, asked colleagues near the end of their Monday night meeting if there was interest in a resolution taking a side for or against the terminal. Speaking one-by-one, most said no.

"We typically don't do a resolution for basically something that we have no control over," Mayor Beth Weldon said, reiterating a position she has stated previously when asked why the Assembly hasn’t weighed in.

The project is important to Juneau, but not something the Assembly should take a position on, said Assembly Member Christine Woll.

"I don't see how us doing that moves the needle on it," she said. "I also don't think we all agree and I think it's kind of only powerful if we all agree."

Among other Assembly members, Nano Brooks said local leaders have plenty of local budget matters to worry about while the Cascade Point project is a state budget matter. Ella Adkison said while she’s not opposed to a resolution, "it is my observation that in general the folks who represent Juneau at the state level already have their opinions formed on this one and I don't know that this will will change that."

The municipal governments of Haines and Skagway are opposing the proposed terminal about 30 miles north of the current Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, declaring it will cause further hardships to travelers using a ferry system already ailing due to neglect by the state. Widespread opposition is also being expressed by public officials and residents in Southeast Alaska who say the primary purpose of the Cascade Point terminal appears to be providing an ore shipping site for a nearby planned gold mine and possibly other development.

Debate about the project has heated up in recent weeks with 92% of respondents during a 10-week public comment period expressing opposition. After a state official said last month that collective response may have largely been due to misinformation, further opposition was expressed during a public forum in Juneau last week. Members of the Juneau Commission on Sustainability have also strongly criticized the new terminal.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and members of his administation are arguing the Cascade Point terminal will improve reliability and efficiency by extending the current road system so ferries are traveling shorter routes. A state DOT report issued last fall declared the terminal will have offsetting impacts on the Alaska Marine Highway System, but will be a boon to the mine as well as Goldbelt Inc.’s prospects as the property owner.

The Dunleavy administration has made several announcements and agreements about the Cascade Point project that have fueled controversy. Among them are a $28.5 million state agreement signed last July for the first phase of work at the site and a $1.3 million agreement with Juneau Hydropower that will pay the company even if the terminal isn’t built.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.