15 Jan 13, 10:19 pm
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
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
![[-]](http://www.arcticoffroad.com/images/collapse.png)