State transportation officials are seeking comment through today, Friday, Aug. 26, on the operating plan for the Alaska Marine Highway System for October 2022 through April 2023.
The Cordova Chamber of Commerce notes that the draft schedule indicates service in Prince William Sound will include a service gap between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30.
The plan is available for review at https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/doc/AMHS_Winter_2022-23_Schedule_Packet.pdf
Comments are due via email to 71585@PublicInput.com or by fax at 907-228-6873. No public teleconference during the comment period has been announced.
The Chamber urges Cordova residents to include personal stories in the comments of how a lack of ferry services has affected them and/or their businesses.
The Chamber notes that residents rely on ferry services in October and November to resupply specialty goods unavailable in Cordova for winter and to schedule essential medical appointments after a busy fishing season.
“Our contractors, eateries, retail and service businesses rely on ferry service during those months to import supplies from Anchorage to fulfill local needs. The growing Alaska mariculture industry relies heavily on planting crops in the late fall of each year…and depends on the marine highway to access much-needed supplies, equipment, and hatchery-grown seed,” the Chamber said in a request for comments.
The chamber also said that ferry service is a vital component for the success of the Native Village of Eyak’s annual Sobriety Celebration, scheduled for Nov. 11-13, as well as for the 14 scheduled school district athletic events.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities plans to release a summer 2023 schedule for public comment after the winter schedule is finalized.
