The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land, and Water, Northern Region Office has received a land use permit application from NEON, Inc. to construct step and run boardwalks on state land near Caribou Creek. The applicant has requested a term of 5 years.
LOCATION
The proposed boardwalk sites are located north of Caribou Creek on the north side of the Steese Highway at approximately mile 31. The land is within:
Fairbanks Meridian, Township 4 North, Range 1 East, Section 23.
PROPOSED PROJECT
NEON, Inc. proposes to install temporary wooden step and run boardwalk on state land north of Caribou Creek. The purpose of the boardwalk is to reduces the impacts to the vegetation and the environment from foot traffic around 3 scientific sampling plots. The boardwalks will be constructed in roughly the shape of a square around the outside perimeter of the sample plots. The sample plots will consist of an outer 40m x 40m boardwalk with a smaller 20m x 20m square boardwalk inside its perimeter for access to the interior of the plot (see attached boardwalk diagram). The sampling plots will be connected together by straight sections of boardwalk. The boardwalks will be constructed with rough cut 2”x6” and 2”x10” lumber in 8 foot lengths. The wood planks will be installed on top on 4” x 4” wood supports laid on top of the ground.
The applicant proposes to transport the construction materials by helicopter and stage it on site to minimize the impact. The boardwalks will be constructed during the summer of 2017. Five to ten persons will be on site during the construction period. Access to the site is through the Steese Highway and an existing access road easement. UAF land will be utilized to access the site during the construction. This boardwalk project is part of the National Ecological Observation Network.
DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS
Comments must be submitted to the Division of Mining, Land, and Water, Northern Region Office in written form no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2017 to ensure consideration.
To submit written comments, additional information inquiries, or a request a copy of the preliminary decision please contact:
David Hite
DNR, DMLW, Northern Region Lands Section
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709-4699
Phone: (907) 451-2729
Fax: (907) 451-2751
Email: david.hite@alaska.gov
DNR complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services or special modifications should contact the Public Information Center in Anchorage, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, at (907) 269-8400, or dnr.pic@alaska.gov, or TDD (907) 269-8411; or the Public Information Center in Fairbanks between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at (907) 451-2705, or fbx-pic@alaska.gov.
DNR reserves the right to waive technical defects in this publication.
Public notice posted in the Northern Regional DNR Office and on the DNR web site: www.dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/pubnotfrm.htm.
Attachments: Boardwalk Diagram