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Coast Guard to hold open house on proposed homeporting of cutters in Juneau
- Jasz Garrett
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Jasz Garrett
Juneau Independent
The U.S. Coast Guard is currently evaluating a proposal to homeport up to two major cutters at Station Juneau and is seeking public input as part of the environmental review process. An open house is scheduled Tuesday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center.
In a non-binding resolution on June 18, the Juneau Assembly expressed its support of homeporting two major U.S. Coast Guard cutters, including the icebreaker Storis, in Juneau.
The Coast Guard announced earlier this month it plans to base a new icebreaker in Kodiak by 2028 and another in Seward by 2030. Officials have also announced a fourth vessel may be stationed in Alaska as part of an 11-ship medium icebreaker flotilla approved by Congress last year, but the decision on that ship and its potential homeport is pending.
The Storis is scheduled to be fully upgraded for homeporting in Juneau by 2029. But extensive upgrades to the ship, as well as $300 million in support infrastructure included in the package approved by Congress, are still far from complete.
City leaders are also trying to resolve the dilemma of where to house a projected 120 crew members and their families, given an ongoing shortage of available residences.
The Assembly’s resolution says it “reaffirms Juneau's commitment to collaborate with federal agencies, the local Navy League, and regional partners to ensure exceptional housing, schooling, and community support for incoming service members and their families.”
Tuesday's open house will provide an opportunity to learn about the proposed project, ask questions directly to Coast Guard representatives, and submit comments for consideration during the environmental assessment process, which is conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.
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