 Releases Environmental Review and Preferred Route Alternative November 13, 2002
"Our preferred route is a truly coastal route," Knowles said. "It closely follows the so-called 'modified orange route' that traverses the coast of Cook Inlet, but is located close to the toe of the bluff with specific details and features designed to minimize impacts to wildlife habitat. Once completed, this extension of the coastal trail will allow Alaskans and visitors alike an unmatched experience in walking, skiing, biking, or even running the 25 miles from downtown Anchorage to Potter Marsh." Release
today of the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that
has been approved by both the state Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities and the Federal Highway Administration,
begins a public comment period for public and agency review.
Public hearings will be conducted during the week of December
9, and written comments can be submitted to the Department of
Transportation until January 8, 2003. "The scenery is spectacular, with views across Cook Inlet of Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak, the Alaska Range, downtown Anchorage, and the large ships plying Cook Inlet's waterways," Knowles added. Support for the coastal trail extension dates back to the 1970s when plans were made for a trail from Ship Creek to the Potter Marsh area. It was included in the 1982 Anchorage Bowl Comprehensive Plan and plans for Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access. The first detailed, site-specific study of the potential routes for a coastal trail from Ship Creek to Potter Marsh was completed in 1983. In 1997, the Area-Wide Trails Plan named the South Extension of the Coastal Trail as a priority. The recent Anchorage 2020 plan, adopted just last year, also included the trail extension. "We all know the trail route has received plenty of public comment in the media, too," Knowles said. "Now, the public process is moving forward, as it should, and will help determine the best route for a final decision. During the upcoming public comment period, I strongly urge Anchorage residents to speak out in support of a coastal trail extension that follows the coast. Last spring, some 500 residents signed a petition supporting a coastal trail that continues along the coast. Now is the time to weigh in again as part of the EIS public comment period." Following the public and agency comment period, all concerns will be documented and a Final Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared and released for comment. Then, after receipt of comments on the final EIS, the Federal Highway Administration will prepare a Record of Decision for this project. Knowles also announced the State of Alaska will grant a permanent easement to the coastal trail to protect the integrity of the trail in three areas near the Ted Stevens International Airport. "We know the airport is one of Anchorage's primary economic engines. At the same time, the coastal trail is one of the city's primary recreational assets," Knowles said. "There are three tracts of land over which the coastal trail passes which are potentially at risk from airport expansion. Two are along Northern Lights west of Earthquake Park and the other is just south of the Clithroe Center. The action will permanently protect the trail as it passes through those parcels." Knowles
concluded his remarks by thanking those who have supported the
Coastal Trail extension project: Helen Nienheiser, Ruth Moulton,
Dave Norton, Mike Jens, and many other "Friends of the Coastal
Trail."
Source of News Release:
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