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here to download the Forum Handout in pdf format |
Dear Friends of the Alaska Highway:
On behalf of my Council and the City of Dawson Creek, I
would personally like to thank everyone who took the time
to attend the Alaska Highway International Forum in Dawson
Creek on September 29, 2004 and who participated in the
Alaska Highway Legacy Tour between July 1 and July 12,
2004.
The Alaska Highway International Forum
was a major success by all accounts. The conference opened
the door for political
leaders, administrative officials and tourism stakeholders
from British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska to jointly
explore and collaborate on issues regarding maintenance,
infrastructure
for tourism development, preservation of history and
parklands, corridor management, and marketing and promotion
of the
Alaska Highway.
A significant achievement of the International
Forum was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
entitled “Alaska
Highway Community Initiative” by thirteen communities
located along the highway corridor. The adoption of the
MOU signifies the communities’ interest to
work together on matters of mutual interest regarding
the
future planning
and development of the Alaska Highway corridor.
The MOU is an important first step
that forms a foundation for grassroots politicians and
highway stakeholders
to create a long-term vision for the highway corridor
and
to ensure a collective voice is heard by senior
governments and influential organizations. As part of
this process,
we have adopted the rallying cry that the “Alaska
Highway is our main street” and we must work
cooperatively to ensure that its intrinsic qualities
are not lost.
We must be careful to respect and protect the industrial
values
of the roadway, while at the same time preserving
its historic, cultural, and wilderness characteristics.
Alaska Highway Community Roundtable
members directed the Northern Rockies Alaska Highway
Tourism Association
(NRAHTA)
to assume the pivotal role as coordinator to
carry out the next steps of the initiative. These initial
activities
will include seeking input from the participating
communities on the discussion paper entitled “Vision
through Partnerships” and reviewing next
steps, assessing future funding requirements
and opportunities, and communicating
with senior governments and other stakeholder
groups. To learn more about the initial phase
call the
NRAHTA office
at 250-785-2544.
As Interim Chair, I am confident
we have already achieved a great milestone
and I look forward
to a strong working
relationship with all Alaska Highway stakeholders
in the coming year.
Sincerely, Wayne
Dahlen, Mayor City of Dawson Creek
Interim Chair, Alaska Highway Community Roundtable |
