Minutes
Gustavus Land Legacy
March 21, 2006
Gustavus Public Library, 3/21/06, 7 p.m.
Present: Hank Lentfer, Nathan Borson, Paul Barnes, Shelly Webb, Sean Neilson and ?, Mike and Karen Taylor, John Barry, Nat Drumheller, Greg Streveler, Lewis Sharman, Janene Driscoll
Hank reported on sandhill cranes. The cranes that migrate along the coast of Alaska nest in Cook Inlet and Bristol Bay. For a place to rest along their migration route they are looking for flat deltas. Copper River delta, Yakutat Forelands, Gustavus forelands, Stikine River delta, and then inland, based on satellite tracking, eventually ending up just S of Sacramento. Notably, the cranes spend more time in Gustavus than in any other resting place, making this truly critical habitat. TNC, BLM, CDFG are involved in providing the winter habitat for the cranes, consisting of corn fields, rice fields, and flooded areas.
Hank has been going door-to-door all winter seeking input on land legacy management from those who don't attend these meetings because the success of any management plan (especially restrictions on use) depends on acceptance from those who would be restricted. This winter he focused on soliciting input on trails and motorized use. Now he is consulting us for further input with the goal of a draft management plan end of May.
Comments received about trails during Hank's scoping
- Cons to trails are that it is nice to have "unfettered" lands. Might funnel people to an area where wildlife would be displaced
- Pros: Healthy to get people outside. Builds enthusiasm and support for the land legacy lands and public land in general.
- Majority of people are in favor of trails (established, marked foot trails), even if they themselves wouldn't use them. Some were not enthusiastic about them but there was little to no opposition to the concept.
- So assume that the management agreement will provide for some trails somewhere.
Trail issues
- Bikes
- Pets
- Commercial use
- Environmental considerations - wetland impacts, corps permits
- Motorized vehicles
- Existing uses and opposition to regulation
For their land, the state is developing policy that there be no vehicles on upland except when frozen. This will apply at least to Dude Creek Critical Habitat Area but probably eventually to the land legacy lands recently transferred to the state. In his scoping, Hank found general acceptance to the idea that vehicles should not be allowed everywhere any time.
Hank's summary of things agreed to at this meeting.
Corrections and additions welcome.
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Follow state’s lead to restrict all motorized use in the uplands except when frozen. Exceptions include access on section lines and the possibility of a motorized trail on the Glen’s Ditch parcel.
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Motorized use will continue on intertidal sands with the exception of Central Beach and Rink Creek which may be closed to all motorized use.
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Glen’s Ditch trail. This would be the first trail built. Explore possible parking lot on DOT land. Another parking lot in NW corner of TNC parcel. Connect Glen’s Ditch trail with old truck trail coming south from the airport. Trail would be available for four-wheelers (but not trucks), bikes, and foot traffic. Signs would be posted to encourage use by visitors. Establishing a hardened four-wheeler trail will involve bridges, gravel, and other expenses. Subsequently, this trail will likely be constructed in phases as funds become available.
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Central Beach trail. This trail to be built after Glen’s Ditch. Access will be down the section line through Yurt Ville. This will be a foot-traffic only trail. TNC will explore the possibility of vacating section line easement in order to gain better control of access.
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Section line down Whit’s End. Leave the section line as is for now. Hardening the trail will be expensive and may result in an undesirable level of motorized use along the beach corridor. If the trails widens out to unacceptable levels more active management will be considered. Discuss with the state the possibility of future foot trail from Whit’s End wandering SW to the mouth of Dude Creek.
Additional issues
Issues associated with trails that we did not have time to dig into.
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Commercial use: I propose the Glen’s Ditch Trail remain open to commercial guiding while all other trails remain dedicated to the independent adventurer.
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Pets: While there are wildlife concerns associated with free-ranging dogs there are PR concerns with restricting their presence on certain parcels. In deference to the PR concerns I propose dogs be allowed on all proposed trails. If there is a compelling reason to keep dogs out of a certain parcel then perhaps we should not build a trail there. I further propose exploring the possibility of asking folks to keep there dogs on a leash in certain places.