Quote:Hi-
Friends of Stampede is a group that formed late last year, based along the Stampede Road outside Healy. We'd like to see lands along the Stampede Trail designated as a State Recreation Area, and thought you'd be interested in working with our group to support this. The idea was originally suggested by a borough Assembly member in 2007, and several members of your group testified in support at a Healy meeting. This borough resolution passed, and the state followed through with a bill during the same year. More recently, we have been working on getting current resolutions of support from borough government (2 resolutions were passed in January with unanimous support), and a few weeks ago Senator Thomas and Representative Guttenberg reintroduced bills (SB 60, HB 113) to create a State Recreation Area along the Stampede Trail. We feel that it's important to get all of the different users of the area on the same page, and would like to see your members get involved. We have a lot more information available...shoot me an email at friendsofstampede@gmail.com, or call me at 687-2403. I'd be happy to answer any questions, and could register on your site to answer them directly if you think it would be helpful.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Hannah Ragland, for Friends of Stampede

Quote:

(d) The commissioner shall
6 (1) allow the Stampede State Recreation Area to be used for activities
7 compatible with the reasons for establishing the public recreation area in
8 AS 41.21.401, including hiking, bicycling, all-terrain vehicle use, watercraft use,
9 horseback riding, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, skijoring, snowmobiling,
10 camping, hunting, fishing, berry picking, wildlife viewing, and photography;
11 (2) recognize the traditional use of existing motorized and
12 nonmotorized uses in the area and conduct trail rehabilitation or reroute trails to

13 minimize damage and avoid sensitive habitats; and

Zukman Wrote:The big reason the REX trail was closed was from trail braiding from ATV users. There are people who live out there that complained about the trail
getting trashed from people not staying on the trail.

Quote: Howdy-
Thanks for your interest in the Stampede! Apologies that it took a few days to get back to you! It sounded like you had similar interests, and I thought I could address them at once. I see from the Arctic Offroad forum online that there has been quite a bit of discussion-it's good to get the information on the table, and out for discussion! We contacted Arctic Offroad because of your interest in the Borough resolution passed in 2007. It was this resolution that initiated the rec area bills introduced by Senator Thomas and Representative Guttenberg.

I noticed on the Arctic Offroads website that there was quite a bit of discussion about the terminology used (ATV vs ORV). I can tell you that our groups' work to establish a State Recreation Area along Stampede was NOT initiated by locals that wanted to close out a particular user group, but rather, we are concerned with the number of development proposals over the years (ranging from highways west to railroads), and also the growing number of people using the area (poop alongside the trail, trail damage). As I'm sure is true with you, we would like to see the area designated in some way that will allow for long-term planning, so that traditional use of the area can be continued. As I understand, the specific activities listed in the bill are not meant to be all-inclusive. Some SRA bills don't include any list at all. The wide variety of uses was listed to show that there are a wide variety of users in the area that can benefit from preserving recreational access.

The details about recreation and use would be hashed out through the creation of a management plan for the area. The management plan that would be designed for Stampede would be created through an advisory board specific to this area, giving user groups a strong voice in developing the plan so that it addresses our needs. The off-roading community would certainly be part of that process. We are working on contacting groups such as yours, and other users (like hunters, berry pickers, etc), so that we can work on this alongside others that also use this area. Our vision for the Stampede is that people can work together towards something, rather than against. We'd like to see your groups be part of that process.

Please give a call, or email with more specific questions, and I hope that I can answer them. We have been working with Grier Hopkins, Senator Thomas' aide, and one of the staff who worked on the original Stampede SRA bill. He's been very helpful, and I'm sure could answer your questions. He can be reached at grier_hopkins@legis.state.ak.us. We have meetings about once a month here on Stampede, and if any one from your group is interested in calling in or coming down for one, it would be great to involve you in our discussions.


I will add the three of you to our email list, and if you know of any other folks that are interested, please pass along our contact info! Thanks again for your interest, hope this helped!
Hannah Ragland, for Friends of Stampede
907-687-2403 (evenings are good for calls if you want to chat)

Quote:Friends-
January has been a month of milestones for the Stampede State Recreation Area (SSRA) proposal! Friends of Stampede members (myself and Susan Braun) presented to the Denali Borough Assembly and Planning Commission to give background and voice support for the SSRA idea. Resolutions of support were introduced and passed in both bodies of our local government at the January meetings! Thanks to all of the Friends involved in preparing the presentation and voicing your support! With Borough support, Senator Joe Thomas and Representative David Guttenberg have both introduced SSRA bills in the state legislature during the session's opening week (SB 60 and HB 113, introduced January 21st). Read more about recent actions at the Denali Citizens Council website: http://www.denalicitizens.org/2011/01/stampede-state-recreation-area-gathers-momentum/#more-974.

We have successfully worked to show support within the local government, and it is now time to expand support for the idea with our friends and interested organizations throughout the state. You can help us move forward!

1. Write a letter to show your support. Specifically state your support for SB 60 and HB 113. Introduce yourself and your relationship to the area. Explain how you use of the area and why it is important to you to see the area become a State Recreation Area (i.e. continued traditional use, harvest of wildlife or berries, recreation, etc). Send to senator_joe_thomas@legis.state.ak.us and representative_david_guttenberg@legis.state.ak.us. Cc their staff joe_hardenbrook@legis.state.ak.us, grier_hopkins@legis.state.ak.us, and jay_hardenbrook@legis.state.ak.us and friendsofstampede@gmail.com. See the attached summary of support for the Stampede State Recreation Area for points that can be helpful for a letter of support.

2. Add your name to the list of supporters. Over 100 people signed a petition supporting previous Stampede State Recreation Area proposals. Friends of Stampede has created an online petition to support the current proposal (SB 60 and HB 113). We hope to match the number of supporters from the previous petition, expand upon that number. You can help by signing the petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/friendsofstampede_stampede_sra/.

3. Forward this email to an individual or group that you think would be interested in voicing their support. There are many Alaskan residents and organizations from outside the Denali Borough that use this area. If you know of an individual or organization that may be interested in support the SSRA, forward this email and spread the word! Any interested individuals or groups can sign up for more information by emailing us at friendsofstampede@gmail.com.

4. Reply to this email if you have time, energy or ideas to support Friends of Stampede in any way! Besides the Recreation Area, we have discussed organizing community events, roadside garbage clean-ups, and support the installation of signs, garbage cans or outhouses. As a grassroots movement, your involvement will make a difference!


A strong showing of support for the SSRA is critical to show that a variety of Alaskan residents, businesses, visitors, property owners and organizations value this area. A recent bill regarding the Goldstream Public Use Area in Fairbanks gathered over 100 letters of support. While our population base is somewhat smaller than Fairbanks, there have been well over 100 people who have attended meetings and/or voiced support for the SSRA in the past several years, and residents from all over the state have visited the area or use it regularly. If every person on our email list wrote a personal letter of support, we would be well on our way to matching support for the Goldstream area! Letters sent to Senator Thomas and Representative Guttenberg will provide evidence of support for the bills as they move through the Senate and House. Some of you have already written letters or contacted members of the state or borough government this year. Many of you have signed petitions, written letters, or testified in support of the SSRA during previous proposals. Please take action on two or more of the points above to support Friends of Stampede and the Stampede State Recreation Area proposal!
Hannah Ragland, for Friends of Stampede