By the Journal of Commerce

Legislation introduced March 6 by Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, would extend debt reimbursement authority to the city of Unalaska for a new small boat harbor to be constructed in that community.

Hoffman stated the debt authority should be extended beyond the current July 1 deadline because the project has been delayed by unforeseen circumstances. Funding is still needed for the long-awaited infrastructure project at the major commercial fisheries port, Hoffman said. The project was initiated in the mid-1990s by former Rep. Carl Moses, D-Unalaska. Moses and Hoffman helped to obtain the $5 million debt reimbursement for the project in 2002 in HB 528.

The project is being planned through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which will construct and maintain the outer breakwaters. The project has been delayed due to permitting requirements, just completed in 2006, including an environmental impact statement. The Corps is now awaiting a congressional appropriation of $12 million for the project. The city's portion of the project cannot begin until construction of the outer breakwaters is completed by the Corps.