ITEM TITLE:
Report: DNR Public Comment Period Application for Cooperative Resource Management Agreement for Mineral Creek Trails on State of Alaska Lands
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nylund - Senior Planner/GIS Technician
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The AK Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently accepting comments regarding the application for a Cooperative Resource Management Agreement (CRMA) that was submitted on behalf of the City of Valdez on April 12, 2022. The aim of this agreement is for the City of Valdez to receive formal authorization to continue to manage the trails on State land that are maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department in the same manner that they have been since 2002. No changes to the management of the trails are planned in association with this agreement.
The City of Valdez did receive permission from the DNR in 2002 before passing Ordinance No. 02-21, which designated certain trails and areas as non-motorized, but upon recent scrutiny the DNR decided that permission was not granted through the proper channels or with the proper public input (see attached report to council 4.5.2022).
Public Comment on this application is open now until August 16th, 2022. Comments can be sent to Evan Dodd at evan.dodd@alaska.gov up until the comment deadline date above.