The borough had just completed a transfer of more than 3,160 acres from the state Department of Natural Resources for the development of a resort and associated real estate for future development. But after an election that shifted the political environment of the borough government, the Anchorage-based construction company informed new borough manager John Duffy that it was no longer interested in moving ahead on the proposed Hatcher Pass Ski Resort.

Since then, several new developments have taken place, all of them geared directly at improving the infrastructure to the proposed resort site and nearby areas.

The state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities last year widened and straightened much of the road from the entrance into the area all the way to the Motherlode Lodge. Blasting in the lower canyon of the pass last April created enough crushed rock to upgrade the road to the base area of the proposed ski resort. This year, DOT plans to complete its Hatcher Pass project by making improvements all the way to Independence Mine.

The borough has begun gathering geo-technical data on the 160-acre resort location. It is now in the process of drilling test wells to determine if there is sufficient water underground to make snow. This summer, electricity will be extended all the way to the resort site. Most of the line will be run underground. Besides these two milestones, the borough has committed to a number of other goals.

Borough Assembly member Jim Colver represents the Hatcher Pass District. He says one of the first things the assembly wanted to do after the election was to make sure there was, in fact, a future for a skiing area in the pass.

"We contracted (with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority) to develop a business plan that would help us in our search for a strong private sector business partner," Colver said. "We are hoping to begin issuing requests for proposals by this July."

The borough also began looking into other opportunities that would enhance the different venues Hatcher Pass has to offer. Colver says the pass is definitely a year-round attraction.

"We are looking at how we might be able to combine efforts with the state to look into the possibility of a visitors center for summer tourism, and use that facility as a winter lodge," he said.

The one thing that has proponents of a Hatcher Pass ski development concerned is the watershed that exists within the designated site. According to Colver, the real litmus test will be whether the watershed can support a resort and a potential real estate development.

"We have to make sure that the groundwater, and wastewater and sewage factors will not impact the pass," Colver said. "We're also going to need community feedback.

"This is a very special place. We have to be able to balance development with this very pristine environment. I think we can do that."

The borough has dedicated about $1.5 million to study and develop the infrastructure this year for what it hopes will be a thriving skiing destination soon.

Further up Hatcher Pass Road lies the historic Independence Mine. This year, Independence Mine will continue its renovation project. Last year, Alaska Republican Sen. Ted Stevens was able to appropriate $2.3 million from the Department of Interior budget for the restoration of the mine and the buildings that remain at the site. The Department of Natural Resources is hoping to unveil a much more accessible venue this summer.

It's important to note that visitors coming to Hatcher Pass will again have to deal with some delays on the road leading to Independence Mine.

The Department of Transportation has two road improvement projects slated for this summer. The first will be a paving project from the entrance of Hatcher Pass to the Motherlode Lodge. It is scheduled for completion in July. The second project will be the Gold Cord Road widening and paving project from the Motherlode to Independence Mine. It is not expected to be completed until the summer of 2003.