Repp RD & Elbasan Acres

[Dr Brian]

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 Alaska’s 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 “Repp Road” 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