For Immediate Release
Januray 18, 2005
On January 11, 2005, those representatives from the Alaska
Highway communities who signed the historic Memorandum
of Understanding following the Alaska Highway International
Forum in September participated in a significant conference
call. The thirteen signatories, who refer to the Alaska
Highway as their “Main Street”, approved the
initial phases of the initiative that will invite the participation
of First Nation groups, Alaska Highway communities and
other stakeholders to work cooperatively in addressing
issues relating to maintenance, infrastructure and preservation
of wilderness, cultural and historic values of this important “working
highway.”
“
The organizational framework and funding structure for
the initiative that was presented to the signatories at
the Alaska Highway Community Roundtable has been modified
to address the concerns of our partners and stakeholders,” explained
Interim Chair Mayor Wayne Dahlen of Dawson Creek.
Following the Alaska Highway International
Forum, the Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism Association
(NRAHTA) was
designated as the coordinating body for the initiative.
Revisions to the original organizational concept and draft
document “Vision through Partnerships” were
made by NRAHTA staff at the direction of the signatory
communities, stakeholder groups and senior levels of government.
During the conference call, the community representatives
agreed to the following: the revised organizational structure,
the stages which will be required to invite participation
of First Nation groups and Alaska Highway communities,
the framework of the Scenic Byways Program, the pursuit
of funding applications, the distribution of the revised
document to stakeholders and the development of a communication
strategy. The simplified organizational structure
designates NRAHTA as the body to administer the Alaska
Highway Community
Initiative as an independent project and to deliver the
initiative according to the bylaws and financial monitoring
systems of the Association. Mayor Dahlen affirmed, “NRAHTA
is a well established association and will provide a simplified
structure to administer the funds and move the project
forward.”
“
The Association welcomes the communities as members of
NRAHTA,” commented NRAHTA President Bud Powell. We
look forward to working cooperatively to develop a common
vision, identify the short term projects and develop a
long-term management plan for the Alaska Highway corridor
which is representative of all highway stakeholders.
-
30 -
For
more information contact:
April Moi, Executive Director
Northern Rockies Alaska Highway
Tourism Association
PO Box 6850, Fort St. John, BC V1J 4J3
(250) 785-2544 Toll Free: 1-888-785-2544
Website: www.alaskahighwaylegacy.com
Email: aprilmoi@hellonorth.com
|
