We recently had the opportunity to attend the 2021 Southeast Conference in Haines. Every year, the conference showcases economic development opportunities and projects throughout the Southeast Alaska region. This year’s
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has proposed a new bill to rework the oversight process of the Alaska Marine Highway System.Â
The bill calls for the creation of the Alaska Marine Highway System Operation and Planning Board, and the dissolving of the Alaska Marine Transportation Advisory Board.Â
The latter â which included industry experts, former captains, Kodiak Rep. Louise Stutes and others â worked for months on a series of recommendations for the state government. Dunleavy had convened that group as well.Â
This new group would be tasked with building and updating a short-term plan every year and a more comprehensive long-term plan every three years. Those plans would then be turned over to the governorâs office.Â