For Immediate Release
October 20, 2004
Dawson Creek,
BC: One important outcome of the Alaska Highway International
Forum was the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding
and signing of the Alaska Highway Community Initiative
which commits thirteen Alaska Highway communities to begin
to work together on matters of mutual importance regarding
the future planning and development of the Alaska Highway.
The communities have adopted the rallying cry that the “Alaska
Highway is our Main Street” and have agreed to work
cooperatively to ensure that the intrinsic qualities of
the highway are not lost. This collaborative effort will
also respect the industry values of the roadway, while
at the same time preserving its cultural, historical and
wilderness characteristics.
At the direction of the Community Roundtable,
the Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism Association
will assume
the pivotal role as coordinator to carry out the next steps
in the process. The Association welcomes the opportunity
to be an integral player in this important endeavor.
Mayor
Wayne Dahlen has been identified as the Interim Chair of
the new Alaska Highway Community Roundtable. In the
months ahead a number of initiatives will be undertaken.
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.
Member communities plan on maintaining regular
contact with each other in order to facilitate the sharing
of information
and will identify specific opportunities for cooperation
and begin to work together to provide advice to senior
governments about long-term planning priorities that
maximize the mutual community benefits related to the Alaska
Highway.
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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
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