Here are a couple of actions you can take now in support of trails, locally and nationwide. The first regards Fairbanks Borough trails and parks, the second regards the federal Great American Outdoors Act.
Let the Fairbanks Borough Assembly Know You Support Trails and Park
The Fairbanks Borough Assembly has several items on its July 23 meeting agenda. If you support one or more of these items, please let the Assembly know.
ORDINANCE NO. 2020 – 13
This would rezone 166 acres of land in the Peede Tract near North Pole to Outdoor Recreation with the intent that trails in the area would be preserved and trailhead facilities would eventually be built.
RESOLUTION NO. 2020 – 30
In support of the borough mayor to apply for a Department of Defense grant to make improvements to the Chena Lake Recreation Area.
ORDINANCE NO. 2020 – 20 – 1C
This would appropriate $7,700 as matching funds for a $69,000 Recreational Trails Program grant for trail and trailhead improvements in the Tanana Lakes Recreation Area.
Contact information for the Assembly is here: http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/assembly/Pages/Assembly-Members.aspx
If you want to testify verbally, you can also do that via telephone (details here: http://www.fnsb.us/assembly/Pages/connected.aspx).
The entire Assembly Agenda packet is here: http://www.fnsb.us/assembly/AssemblyMeetingDocuments/07_23_2020_REG_Fp.pdf
Great American Outdoors Act Needs Support
The Great American Outdoors Act is moving forward and needs your help. You can sign on the American Hiking Society letter in the link below or take this action suggested by the Alaska Outdoor Alliance (or do both). The Senate has approved the act. The House plans to vote on it next week, so you need to act quickly.
The AOA requests that people urge Congressman Don Young to vote YES on GAOA with these suggested talking points:
- Outdoor recreation infrastructure on public lands is vital to Alaska’s economy and way of life.
- Please invest in Alaska’s outdoors by voting YES for the Great American Outdoors Act.
- Include a story about how outdoor recreation on public lands benefits your professional or personal interests.
Call Rep. Young’s DC office: 202.225.5765 or email staffer Kayla.Rillo@mail.house.gov
American Hiking Society letter: https://americanhiking.org/advocacy/take-action/
More on the Great American Outdoors Act
Here’s more from the Alaska Outdoor Alliance on the Great American Outdoors Act.
ACTION ALERT! As the recent weeks have shown very clearly, getting outside is important for Alaskans’ physical and mental well-being. As we look to get our state back to work, the Great American Outdoors Act will create jobs while investing in needed close-to-home recreation opportunities that will in turn provide lasting economic benefit for communities across the country. Tell Don Young he can stand for you and your interests by voting YES on the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) or better yet, co-sponsoring the bill.
GAOA would:
- Dedicate $900 million a year in revenue garnered from oil and gas activity on federal lands to double state and local investments in recreation and restoration projects, as well as conservation and sportsmans access.
- Provide $6.5 billion over five years to help land managers catch up on deferred maintenance on trails, cabins, bridges, facilities, and other outoor recreation infrastucture on federal lands.
Why GAOA Matters:
- Local, state and federal public lands provide low-cost health and mental benefits for residents and are the bedrock of Alaska’s tourism industry.
- Projects funded by GAOA require manpower and that means jobs at a time when unemployment roles are swollen, especially among those who live and work in rural areas near public lands.
- It is among the key recommendations in AOA’s Jobs Stimulus Package for Alaska.
