GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS

Geological surveys, historical records, and recent experience tell us that the Lutak Inlet corridor is at elevated risk for avalanches, landslides, earthquakes, localized tsunamis, periodic flooding and storm surges. This means that anything stored on the Lutak Dock is at risk of being washed into the rich marine waters of Lutak Inlet.

The Haines Coastal Management Plan describes Natural Hazard Designated Areas in Lutak Inlet: "Local tsunamis generated from landslides, either generated by earthquakes or other conditions, above or below the water are more likely to be hazardous than distant tsunamis, and are much harder to predict... [U]plands along Lutak Highway are also designated as natural hazard areas due to slope instability and landslides... During periods of high seasonal rains and storm driven high tides the Haines area is subject to the effects of 100-year floods up to 25' above MLLW. ...[T]idal waves generated by nearby surface or submarine landslides... could have impacts up to 100' elevation above MLLW shoreward, with higher effects also possible." (MLLW: Mean Lower Low Water, or average height of lowest tide)

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 100% of residents of the federally-recognized Tribe in the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan depend on wild salmon and other subsistence foods to feed their families. 98% of Haines-area residents also rely on subsistence foods such as salmon. Lutak Inlet and Chilkoot River are crucial for subsistence, sport, and commercial fishing, as well as cultural values. The proposed Lutak Dock project could negatively impact subsistence resources such as salmon, shrimp, crab, halibut, eulachon, seals, and other marine and terrestrial foods and cultural resources.

"Due to the popularity of the area [Lutak Inlet] for subsistence, sport and commercial fisheries, there could be great concern for the effect of any port development on fish habitat and populations.

--Public Interest Analysis on Ports Options

Prepared for Yukon Government, Economic Development by Gartner Lee Limited, 2006

Skagway's ore port and Haines' potential ore dock are interconnected. When Skagway's lease with AIDEA was approaching expiration, AIDEA looked to Haines as a possible place to relocate Skagway's 60-year-old aging and contaminated ore loader.