Trail advocates should speak up in defense of trails regarding the Fairbanks North Star Borough Comprehensive Roads Plan Update.
Comments must be submitted by October 21. See the plan update page here.
Several residents have expressed concern about some of the proposed roads in the plan conflicting with trails. The plan does not automatically mean that the roads will be built and that the trails will be lost. And roads and trails can coexist along the same corridors. However, this is a good time for trail advocates to speak up and let officials know that they want trails protected if a road is built along the same corridor (preferably with at least some vegetative buffer).
General comments are fine, but it is better to speak specifically about which road corridors and trails you are concerned about.
Below are several specifics. I’m sure I’ve missed some. Take a look at the plan and make comments if you have concerns about a trail. See maps here.
- Road/route 262 is along the same route as the O’Connor Creek East Ridge Trail. Road/routes 15 and 217 may also conflict with that trail.
- Road/route 209 is along the same route as the Waterford Trail.
- Road/routes 20,21, and 191 may conflict with trails that connect Richard Berry and Old Murphy Dome roads.
- Road/route 213 is along the same route as the Equinox Marathon Out-and-Back section as well as other trails in that area.
- Road/route 273 is along the same route as the Moose Mountain Powerline trail to Old Murphy Dome Road.
- Road/routes 295 and 64 may conflict with trails in the Goldstream Valley.
- Road/route 251 is along the same route as the ridge trail that connects Moose and Ski Boot Hill roads.
OCTOBER 15 UPDATE: Here are the comments I submitted to the contact page:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the FNSB Comprehensive Roads Plan.
In general, I am very pleased with the plan. As a long-time resident of the borough, I am glad to see the borough planning ahead with road development so that future road construction makes sense within a wider planning scope.
As an avid trail user and non-motorized user, I am glad to see both trails and non-motorized use taken into account with Goal 5, strategies 5.1 and 5.2. We should be encouraging both trails and non-motorized transportation in our borough’s future. Both are essential for our population’s mental and physical health. Both are also critical for encouraging actions that take better care of our environment.
Many of the proposed roads in the plan would run along corridors already in use by popular trails, some in the FNSB Comprehensive Recreational Trail Plan and some not. Examples include:
–Road/route 262 is along the same route as the O’Connor Creek East Ridge Trail. Road/routes 15 and 217 may also conflict with that trail.
–Road/route 209 is along the same route as the Waterford Trail.
–Road/routes 20,21, and 191 may conflict with trails that connect Richard Berry and Old Murphy Dome roads.
–Road/route 213 is along the same route as the Equinox Marathon Out-and-Back section as well as other trails in that area.
–Road/route 273 is along the same route as the Moose Mountain Powerline trail to Old Murphy Dome Road.
–Road/routes 295 and 64 may conflict with trails in the Goldstream Valley.
–Road/route 251 is along the same route as the ridge trail that connects Moose and Ski Boot Hill roads.
Wherever possible I would like to see these trails preserved if a road is built along the same corridor. Further, I would want to see a significant vegetative buffer included so that the current wild nature of the trails is at least partially retained.
Thank you for your consideration and your hard work on this important project.
Eric Troyer
Route 217 will cause a negative impact on current trail systems and also increasing traffic on a road that is maintained by everyone that lives on it. The probability of increased crime and accidents is also a major concern.
Make sure to comment so that the borough knows your concerns.