(KODIAK) The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) has notified District R Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) that public comments are being sought on the proposed Fall/Winter/Spring 2004-2005 ferry schedule. The proposed schedules are based on a funding level for Fiscal Year '05 that will support an operating plan of 357 ship weeks of service. For next year, AMHS is proposing similar levels of service as this winter for Cross-Gulf and South Central/Southwest service by the M/V Tustumena, including two Cross-Gulf round trips back-to-back in January. From mid-March to mid-April, the M/V Kennicott will fill while the Tustumena undergoes maintenance.

Written public comments should be submitted to AMHS by Sunday, August 1, 2004. The department will hold a teleconference to hear public comments on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 at 2:00 PM.

"This public comment period is an ideal time for ferry system users to share their thoughts on this vital transportation link," Senator Stevens said. "I encourage you to be part of the process."

The proposed AMHS schedule is available through Senator Gary Stevens's offices in Kodiak and Homer, and on the Internet at:

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/info/
general/opspack04_05.pdf

For more information on where to send public comments, and the teleconference, please contact AMHS at (907) 465-3652, or Senator Stevens's offices.

(For more information, contact Doug Letch at 486-4925)

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