Mr. Joe Meade
Chugach National Forest
3301 C St, Suite 300
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Dear Mr. Meade
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the DEIS for Kenai Winter Access. The Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition (AQRC) is a non-profit group of citizens who are dedicated to protecting natural quiet and natural sounds on public lands for the benefit of all users. We deeply appreciate the Forest Service’s efforts to reopen the issue of motorized/non-motorized use of portions of the Chugach National Forest and try to establish a balance of opportunities for all users.
AQRC strongly supports Alternative 1 as outlined in the DEIS, with the following suggestions for modifications:
1. We support making the entire Resurrection trail into an alternating season system as long as it is linked to another area that will be non-motorized during the Resurrection motorized years. Ideally, this alternate area would be the Carter/Crescent or the Lost Lake blocks, both high value alpine areas with terrain suitable for touring and telemarking, cabins and reasonable day-trip non-motorized access from the road system.
2. Restrict the motorized corridor to the east side of the highway only in the Summit block, and terminate it at the north end of Upper Summit Lake near the Summit Lake Lodge. State land provides a continuing corridor north of Upper Summit Lake as far as the terrain allows. Delete the small area shown as motorized on the east side of Lower Summit Lake. This will cause confusion about open/closed areas and create additional enforcement problems.
These modifications will provide a better balance of opportunities for both the motorized and non-motorized communities to enjoy the Seward District of the Chugach National Forest.
Sincerely
Alaska Quiet Rights CoalitionPlace Holder