Haines Highway Awarded National Scenic Byway Designation
The Haines Highway was officially designated a National Scenic Byway on October 16, 2009. This highway connects the Inside Passage community of Haines with Haines Junction in the Yukon Territory. First used by the Chilkat Indians, the highway became a packhorse trail to the Klondike goldfields in the late 1880s. In 1943, the U.S. Army used the highway as a military access road during World War II.

The most significant natural resource along the Haines Highway is the Chilkat River and the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The byway runs through the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve along the Chilkat River and through the prime eagle roosting and feeding grounds. This Preserve and its ecosystem are of national and world significance due to hosting the largest congregation of bald eagles in one location. Click here to read more.

Dedication Haines Assisted Living
On Thursday, September 17, 2009, about 150 attended the dedication the the senior facility that included speeches by funding agencies, local organizers, and Lucy Harrell, a senior citizen whose determination is credited with pushing the project forward.

With a capacity of 10 residents, the $4.3 million project includes 8 apartments (including two doubles) that feature a small living room with a window to the buildings main hallway and a bedroom with windows to the outside. Click here to read more.

The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) launched a new look to their web site which includes a community page for visitors to learn more about the communities serviced by the state ferry.

New Border Regulations
Effective June 1, 2009, all US and Canadian travelers entering the US by land and sea must have a valid passport to denote citizenship and identity. This requirement includes passengers boarding Alaska Marine Highway System ferries in Prince Rupert. Travelers who do not present documents denoting citizenship and identity may be delayed as US Customs and Border Protection officers attempt to verify citizenship and identity. Americans traveling to Canada need to take picture ID, birth certificate, and a driver’s license.

For more information regarding entry into the US or Canada visit the US Customs or Canadian Customs web sites or call our local border offices: US Dalton Cache: 907-767-5511, Canada Pleasant Camp 907-767-5540.