The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is seeking public comment on the proposed summer operating plan for the Marine Highway System, according to a press release from the agency.

The proposed vessel deployment, from the report on the DOT website, is as follows:

• Kennicott to operate Bellingham/Juneau cross the Gulf to Southwest, three times per month, May through September
• Matanuska to operate on the Wednesday Bellingham Route, May through September
• LeConte to sail the Northern Panhandle from May through September
• Columbia to operate on the Friday Bellingham route pending crew availability, mid-May to mid-September
• Lituya to sail five days per week between Annette Bay and Ketchikan in May, August and September
• Tustumena to sail the Southwest Route with on Aleutian chain trip per month May through September

The full summer 2022 considerations can be found on the DOT website.

The department also suggests people who have a need for special events provide the event name, date, location and arrival and departure times.

The public comment period is open through Aug. 31. Comments can be faxed to 907-228-6873 or via email to dot.amhs.comments@alaska.gov.

A teleconference to hear more considerations for the Marine Highway proposed schedule will be on Sept. 2 at 1:30 p.m. for people in Southcentral Alaska. The toll-free number for the teleconference is 1-515-604-9000 and the access code is 279613.

The meeting will be held at the Alaska Marine Highway Ketchikan Central Office for those who would like to go in person.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.