[Trdma-l] Compeau Trail Closure Action

[Swanny]

Apparently local equestrians are trying to drum up support in opposition to
closing the Compeau Trail.  Here is an Email I received this morning
regarding that issue.  I'm not certain, but I believe IATRA refers to
"Interior Alaska Trail Riders Association".

 

Swanny

 

 ----- Original Message ----- 

From: llhotka at mosquitonet.com 

Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 9:26 PM

Subject: Compeau Trail Closure Information

 

Attached is a Outdoor User Action Alert that I dropped off to several places
yesterday- including the Gun Show at UAF, the Outdoor Show (Compeau's booth
and Alaska Trapper's Association) and I left one at Northern Power Sports.
I encourage anyone that is interested in sending a letters to the
Commisioner of DNR and the Interior Delegation.  A main point to emphasize
is that this trail is "sustainable", conditions during breakup have not been
studied. Additionally, there are other trails in the Rec Area that will be
constructed this summer that will also be sustainable- including the Styles
Creek Trail.  This could lead to additional trail closures.  

 

If you send a letter to the Commisioner of DNR, Tom Irwin refer to
Director's Order #241- Seasonal Trail Restriction of the Compeau Trail.  It
is important to remember that if no appeal is filed before the end of the
period specified, the decision is final. There are 20 days to appeal, and
the order was signed by Acting Director Chris Degernes on 4/13/07.

 

The Decision that was cited by the Director is as follows:

"In order to protect natural resources and reduce trail degradation during
spring break-up, the sustainably-designed portions of the Compeau Trail in
the Chena River State Recreation Area (the first 10 miles and the last 2
miles) are closed to motorized, horse, and wheeled use from April 15th
through June 5th. Under AAC 12.335 CLOSURE AND USE MANAGEMENT, section (e),
no person may violate these use restrictions."

 

Tom Irwin, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources

550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1400

Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3561

Fax: 907-269-8918

email: dnr_appeals at dnr.state.ak.us

 

I do know that the Commissioner also has an office now in Fairbanks, as this
is where he resides. 

 

I will be drafting a letter to the Commisioner on behalf of IATRA and will
send it out to everyone tomorrow evening (monday) for review.  I encourage
everyone to write their own personal letters.  

 

I will also find out when the next Citizen Advisory Board meeting is for
State Parks in the Northern Area so we can participate during the public
portion fo the meeting.

 

Sincerely,

Lorinda Lhotka, IATRA President

 

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