My first meeting went ok.
we had input on the new Repp & Brock development, Elbasan acres. We didn't like the community plan, which doesn't allow for really any access to trails for the community without trespass or driving on the road...stupid.
the actual trail will be preserved, plan to move it to the road we currently use through the burn.
i did take the chance to introduce the topic of parallel trails...one for winter use and one year round for us since the trail sees such heavy use. The trail easement is 100 feet, which is huge. I promoted my interest in preserving this trail.
oh, and got voted in as secretary there too.
The Club should consider a formal statement on the Repp Road Relocation to be involved in the process.
I had the request emailed to me so I can post it:
Dear All,
You are receiving this email because you are associated with a user-group organization which may potentially be affected by the proposed action. The Fairbanks North Star Borough has asked the State of Alaska to administratively reroute a portion of RST 641, the Chena Lowlands Winter Trail Connectors, a legislatively accepted but unplatted RS 2477 right of way. The reroute is only for a portion of RST 641 on Borough land within Section 28, Township 1 South, Range 2 East, Fairbanks Meridian (near Brock and Repp roads in North Pole, Alaska). More information about the proposed reroute is available at:
http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.ns...enDocument
An attachment of a preliminary plat showing the proposed reroute is also available from the above URL.
If you would like to submit comments, please ensure they are submitted in writing before 5:00 PM on January 18, 2013, as indicated in the public notice.
R. Bruce Sackinger
Natural Resource Specialist III
State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources
Division of Mining, Land & Water, Northern Regional Office
Somebody who is good at "wording" should write it up, Doc. Clearly that is not me. Can we get some club memebers to post some up.
Mine is basicly forget the housing and let us wheel.
what if they leave the lots out that are plotted over the originally marked trail?
I do not believe that all the trails are represented on the borough's plot. most of the existing trails are in place of the borough's plans as they run through the existing trails that are not marked on the map. If the borough does not recognize the current trails that are existing but not on the plot it may be difficult to argue that the area should not completely be built on. I believe they should find elswhere to build.
If we must compromise on the area, I would say that everything on the map looks good except for lots:
5 - 1.6 AC
4 - 1.4 AC
3 - 1.3 AC
14 -2.2 AC
13 - 1.6 AC
11 - 1.3 AC
10 - 1.6 AC
7 - 1.8 AC
6 - 1.6 AC
3 - 1.8 AC
as those plots run over the current and existent recognized trail.
I had originally seen two plans for this. This one actually takes away the original trail but not the trail we use. The proposed entrance off of Brock is what we use now. I'm not saying we should lay down and let them close it, it's something to keep in mind. Now as for the other trails out there, they aren't recognized trails and the low lands trail is recognized as a winter use trail. These are all things to keep in mind when you write a letter or take other means to fight this. I'm gonna try to research a few things further then I'll give it a whirl writing a letter.
The FNSB development team is not interested in revising their 20 year plan though the school is on hold for years at this point.
The only real question is rerouting the Rs2477 trail from Brock-Repp intersection to the access point we use near Clydesdale. some early parts of the trail around the bunker will be moved minimally.
The Trails Advisory Commission suggested moving the planned trailhead parking from the bunker to Brock road and eliminating one lot to minimize driveway and road crossings.
I'll see if I can get some different art to post up.
Aerial photo to better clarify the trail reroute
For some reason I can only get it on here as a thumb nail...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]818[/ATTACH]
thoughts I had to be incorporated into the formal AO response:
1. support the move (since the actual RS2477 route is NOT known), and the move would not block access.
2. support protection of a trailhead parking lot to allow continued access with legal, safe parking
3. stress year round access by all users since this is called a 'winter-connector' trail...we need access to the river and right now the State has taken the block across the pipeline from the FNSB.
4. stress motorized use, especially by vehicles and ATVs.
5. suggest parallel non-motorized (ski, hiking, bike) trail since the corridor is 100 feet...this would allow rutting and summer OHV use.
6. suggest development of a more broad trail system especially on the East of the Trans Alaska Pipeline.
I can support the move. Having access go all user groups is a must. What I don't like are any other trails being closed because they aren't the Rst trail. I'm not sure there is much we can do about that part. I know that there is a trail from the four way to repp that will border where the school would go. But it's not included in anything.
Anymore comments to add?
if not, maybe we should start a draft response in the members only section?
I say stress vehicle use not necessarily ATV use, atleast from us. Honestly we have to start sticking up and fighting for ourselves. We are alone. There are tons of people fighting for other groups. I would say use the term OHV but I dont know the borough's definition of OHV. As far as state trails are concerned that's a vehicle 1500lbs or less. So maybe stress use of OHV's and stress a definition of OHV's that includes us. Now I know this trail is an RS2477 trail so the borough doesn't govern what can and can't go on the trail. But it's worth including in the letter.
i'm not against the move but very concerned about trail access and public usage. as well as what type of school is planned and when? and the effect all this building will do to the local property taxes. i live very close to this subdivision and my parents are closer( they're handicapped and dad's a disabled vet). also i have areal good friend that is 1/2 a mile the other side of this subdivision towards fairbanks. also where is all the money coming from we are in a recession and building in basically a flood/swamp/ wetlands zone is very exspensive to install roads, buildings ,septic systems enev power poles as well as maintain these things as well. the ground in that area is constantly moving the water table is extremely high and there is several micro fractures (FAULTS). I've lived and played in this area for over 24 years. as the crow flies my parents place is about 1/4 to 1/3 third a mile and the property between this and the exibits all this things as well as the poor contractor that built 2 houses in the coldasact learned the hard way spent a winter paying big dollars to pump a septics weekly till summer as well as a completely new septics and lot's of gravel , if i remember correctly about 100 yards more gravel the second time around. miight as well consider this land like Lousiana lower coastal area off -limits it may even flood if the dike ever fails. a small earth quake 2.0-4.0 will disable private wells as it did to my parents 1 year after paying alot of money on a new 6"" well installed the water table changed.
HEY! just because they use their imaginations, does not mean they thought about being reasonable,:yes: that is if they have the ability to do so!
I could see this be pretty expensive for the borough. I have also seen this area get swamped out pretty bad
John
The elementary school will be in he lower right corner of the yellow box, on Repp. Due to redistricting there are not enough kids to justify the school...so it is off for an uncertain number of years.
The housing project is phased over 20 years...the first phase after trail relocation will be a dense cluster west of the school...20 1.5 acre lots.. Each additional phase will build toward Brock and then toward Peede. It woll be very dense..and the plan land locks the owners..really bad in my opinion.
The engineer talked to the TAC and reported the area is perfect for the school.
Sample letter I cranked out today...Needs to be reviewed and commented on so we can get it in this week!!!!
January 15, 2013
Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW)
Northern Region Lands Section
RE: PRJ 1, Administrative Reroute of RST 641, Chena Lowlands Winter Trail Connectors
Mr. Sackinger and DNR Staff,
This is a group letter representing the views of Arctic Offroad, the oldest Fairbanks area off road club. We emphasize the use of modified street vehicles to access Alaskaâs great outdoors. One of our major missions is to advocate responsible all-user access to public lands. Over the years we have utilized the Chena Lowlands Winter Trail Connector under the local name of the âRepp Roadâ trail.
First, we are not opposed to the relocation of the trail from the intersection of Repp and Brock Road to the logging road across from Clydesdale on Brock Road. The administrative relocation would move the trail to what has become the most heavily used trail access. As the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) continues its plan to develop the area, this trail needs to be protected for all users.
The designation of a winter connector is not a correct description for this trail. Vehicles of all types access this trail year round. The dominant users are ATVs and other OHVs, including street legal motor vehicles, in the summer, with the addition of snowmachines in the winter. Due to the typical use, we want to be sure that the Department of Natural Resources understands and protects the year round motorized use.
Second, as the FNSB and DNR coordinate to reroute the trail, we feel that this area would be an ideal model for parallel trail systems as this area develops. The 100 foot trail right of way allows for the creation of a year-round unrestricted access trail and a winter non-wheeled trail (skiing, mushing, snowmachine, etc) to access the Chena River.
Our major complaint over FNSB development of this area, will ultimately be the reduction in, or elimination of, the local small trails in this area (category C trails) that are not recognized by any governing body beyond the local community.
We at Arctic Offroad thank the DNR and FNSB for allowing and inviting our comment on this issue. We also look forward to participating in as many trail use issues we can in the Interior.
Sincerely,
Arcticoffroad
It's good to me, not sure what you can add unless you want to add modified street legal vehicles weighing more then 1500 lbs. so we are clear to them we mean jeeps, trucks and such.
I'm going to print it and would like as many signatures on it TOMORROW as possible. I am at work (TVC 1st floor) from 0730 to 1800 or so. If you can stop in, cool, otherwise maybe we can get a collection in town about 6. The more the marrier! Post up if you want to sign after work.
With Revisions....this is what you will be signing:
January 15, 2013
Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW)
Northern Region Lands Section
RE: PRJ 1, Administrative Reroute of RST 641, Chena Lowlands Winter Trail Connectors
Mr. Sackinger and DNR Staff,
This is a group letter representing the views of Arctic Offroad, the oldest Fairbanks area off-road club. We emphasize the use of modified street vehicles to access Alaskaâs great outdoors. One of our major missions is to advocate responsible all-user access to public lands. Over the years we have utilized the Chena Lowlands Winter Trail Connector under the local name of the âRepp Roadâ trail.
First, we are not opposed to the relocation of the trail from the intersection of Repp and Brock Road to the logging road across from Clydesdale on Brock Road. The administrative relocation would move the trail to what has become the most heavily used trail access. As the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) continues its plan to develop the area, this trail needs to be protected for all users.
The designation of a winter connector is not a correct description for this trail. Vehicles of all types access this trail year round. The dominant users are ATVs and other OHVs, including street legal motor vehicles (over 1500 pounds), in the summer, with the addition of snowmachines in the winter. Due to the typical use, we want to be sure that the Department of Natural Resources understands and protects the year round motorized use.
Second, as the FNSB and DNR coordinate to reroute the trail, we feel that this area would be an ideal model for parallel trail systems as this area develops. The 100 foot trail right of way allows for the creation of a year-round unrestricted access trail and a winter non-wheeled trail (skiing, mushing, snowmachine, etc) to access the Chena River.
Our major complaint over FNSB development of this subdivision is the reduction in, or elimination of, the local small trails in this area (category C trails) that are not recognized by any governing body. Also the current right-of-way for the Peede Road extension is a heavily used access trail for this area and should receive official trail status.
We at Arctic Offroad thank the DNR and FNSB for allowing and inviting our comment on this issue. We also look forward to participating in as many trail use issues we can in the Interior.
Sincerely,
The Members of Arctic Offroad
CC: Tom Hancock, FNSB Parks and Recreation
I should be able to make it over there at lunch time. About 1130 or 1200.
I saw that in the paper.
all of their points we brought up at the trails commission meeting...the response from land management was the same as in the paper too.
why live on the edge of the woods in a 1 acre cookie cutter house full of wood smoke.
remember the ice fog on our -40 run there?!!
I wanted to go to the meeting today but didn't get to leave work early today.