Jacob Resneck, CoastAlaska

The Dunleavy administration is no longer seeking private vendors to replace six state-run Division of Motor Vehicles offices. 

But a federal judge agreed with the plaintiffs who argued that the federal agency didn’t follow the law when it approved the timber sales, because it hadn’t provided site-specific information on areas that could be logged.

The state of Alaska is suing manufacturers of a pair of the toxic PFAS compounds that have contaminated groundwater across the state. The lawsuit filed Wednesday names chemical giants 3M, Dupont and others.

Most of the revenue from the bill would go toward highway maintenance. And it enjoys wide support from business and industry groups that say it would help reinvest in Alaska’s road infrastructure.

The Fairweather and Chenega were relatively new additions to the Alaska Marine Highway System’s fleet, purchased about 15 years ago for $68 million.

Dunleavy, a Republican, has targeted the ferry system for deep budget cuts during his two years as governor. But the new bill is aimed at sharpening the marine highway’s strategy.

The state-run Division of Motor Vehicle offices in Haines, Homer, Valdez, Tok, Delta Junction and Eagle River would be eliminated under a plan presented Thursday by Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka.

A 22-page final report released on Thursday culminates two years of data collected from water, sediment and fish tissue in three transboundary watersheds that straddle the frontier. And now, Alaska and British Columbia governments say their work is done.

Applications will be accepted during a two-month window that opens March 1, and payments could come as early as June.

It’s not clear how much the state is now asking for them. The two 235-foot catamarans cost $68 million new.