The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land, and Water, Northern Region Office received an application from the Delta Junction Trails Association to amend Public Easement ADL 400064 to reroute sections of the Bluff Cabin Trail. 

LOCATION

The Bluff Cabin Trail is located near Delta Junction.  The trailhead is located on the north side Tanana Loop Extension Road, approximately 1870 feet west of the intersection with New Hope Rd. 

The proposed public easement is on state land within:

Fairbanks Meridian, Township 9 South, Range 10 East, Sections 12 and 13.
Fairbanks Meridian, Township 9 South, Range 11 East, Sections 6, 7, and 8.

PROPOSED ACTION

The Delta Junction Trails Association is proposing to construct new trail to reroute severely eroded and braided sections of the Bluff Cabin Trail.  The proposed reroutes will move the trail to better suited lands where erosion is less likely to occur (See Attached Proposed Trail Map).  The eroded sections of the existing trail are to be abandoned once the new trails are constructed. DNR would consider closing some or all of the abandoned sections of trail to summer motorized vehicle use.  In addition, maintenance will be performed on the stable sections of existing trail to improve drainage.  A total of 2.7 miles of new trail is proposed to be constructed.  The proposed easement amendment is approximately 15,840 feet long by 20 feet wide, encompassing 7.3 acre. 

The design and construction of the new trail alignments will adhere to Alaska State Park trail standards.  The new trail will be designed to snowmobile class 3 trail standards which has a tread width of 6-7 feet (See Bluff Cabin Trail Assessment and Prescription).  A Sutter 500 mini-excavator will be used constructed the trail.  The trailhead on Extension Loop Road will not be changed.  Access for the project is through Tanana Road Extension, and the existing public access easement.  The proposed trail construction will occur in the spring and summer of 2018.  

DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS

The public is invited to comment on the proposed activity.  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. Monday, October 9, 2017 to ensure consideration.

To submit written comments or request additional information, 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.

DNR reserves the right to waive technical defects in this publication.

Public notice posted to the DNR Public Notice web site: www.dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/pubnotfrm.htm.

Attachments:  Proposed Trail Map
                      Bluff Cabin Trail Assessment and Prescription Report