Boundary commission report recommends denial of Hoonah borough petition

The City of Hoonah connected July 3, 2024. (Clarise Larson/KTOO)

Staff pinch nan state’s Local Boundary Commission issued their final report on nan City of Hoonah’s astir caller petition to shape its ain borough successful Southeast Alaska, citing “substantive concerns” pinch nan scheme and recommending it beryllium denied.

The Xunaa Borough petition — pronounced for illustration Hoonah, pinch a somewhat guttural “h” —  would shape Alaska’s 20th borough. It proposes including much than 10,000 quadrate miles of onshore and water, including Glacier Bay, Chichagof Island and more. It encompasses lands traditionally utilized by nan Huna Lingít clans.

This isn’t nan first clip nan City of Hoonah — which has astir 900 residents — has attempted to create a borough. It’s a scheme that’s seen respective versions complete nan past 30 years. 

The commission’s unit wrote that nan petition fails to meet constitutional, statutory and regulatory requirements laid retired for borough incorporation successful nan state.

Advocates for nan borough opportunity it would let residents to person a greater opportunity successful nan early of nan region and it would fto nan borough instrumentality a 1% seasonal income taxation during nan summertime cruise season. It could besides apt mean much authorities backing for Hoonah School District.

But, nan petition has faced immoderate opposition. Elfin Cove, a mini organization that would beryllium incorporated into nan borough, sent a missive successful February asking for nan committee to cull nan petition.

And, nan Juneau Assembly besides voted to formally reason a circumstantial portion of nan scheme because immoderate of it overlapped pinch a territory that nan City and Borough of Juneau erstwhile considered annexing.

Though nan commission’s unit recommended nan petition’s denial, nan 5 members of nan Local Boundary Commission still person nan last say. They are group to recreation to Hoonah for a nationalist proceeding connected Sept. 5. Then, they must rumor a determination wrong 90 days.