New recreation area by Healy!

[akdsmer]

Last night, Mel, Marik and myself traveled down to Healy for the Stampede Recreational Area (House Bill # 241) presentation. We left early and had a leasurely drive until we got to Healy and I remembered we were still 15 miles from the meeting. When we arrived at the McKinnley community center, we found out it was back in Healy at the TRI-VALLEY community center. Mel drove appropriately and we arrived 15 minutes late. :mad: To remind everyone, last time AO spent 20 minutes at the tri-valley center waiting for a meeting at McKinnley community center. At least we are predictable.

The legislative staff was extremely friendly and helpful. That is their job, sure, but it seemed that they had a real understanding of our issue and were not only putting a bill together that allows us to continue our historical uses, but is done in a way that allows this bill to be passed.

The community residents were thoughtful and didn't mind sharing their opinions, which did range from "let's protect it for the animals" (As if they don't have enough protected acreage) to "build a highway to the bus" (only in jest). Most residents want to keep the area being used as it was and are VERY concerned that once park personel is running the show, they won't have very much say in the management of the area. It was the concensus of the panel, that a STRONG advisory committee, along with vocal support from not only area residents, but state-wide can help prevent this from becoming another park. Their are still hurdles, as to pass the bill they will need to have a cost of maintaining the area put into the park budget, which in recent years hasn't been to large.

Another option is to make this a public use area, instead of a state recreational area. I plan on figuring out the differences and pros/cons, as this could still be done.

Once again, there was wording in the bill that doesn't sit well with me (or Eric, as we testified on this last year) was that under historical uses, they name "motorized vehicles" and under rec area allowed uses is "all terrain vehicle use". I brought up this point and Anna Plager, State Parks Superintenent stated that the wording doesn't matter as the management plan that would be implemented after the bill passes could have those activities included. I SAY: include in the bill that "Off-highway vehicle use" is included in the allowed uses. I will be contacting the sponsoring legislators and meeting with their staff to show my concern and to dispell Ms. Plagers assumption that ATV means the same thing. We have been here before and Ms. Plagers Chena River State Recreational Area, that she uses as a shining example of what can be done, has no access for vehicles over 1500lbs.

What the Healy residents need is active support from all recreational users, and know that public disagreement between users will not be helpful in getting this bill passed. To that end, I have contacted the Alaska Outdoor Access Alliance and spoke with Todd, not only to get them working on this (AO will be the first group in the Northern Area to apply for affiliate membership), but to let them know this is a big deal for us up here. Unfortunately, without more local support, I am sure they will put their energies towards areas that attend meetings, and help finance their fight for our uses.

I asked for a Fairbanks area meeting and if/when this is done, I hope we can ALL spend a couple hours to support this bill, the staff who has to bring it forward to many committees, and the representatives and senators that are using their office to HELP their constituents. I was also asked to testify to committees and am only happy to do so.

In the meantime, please send emails, letters or phone the sponsors who are putting this forward for all our benefit. The links (in red) are down below, and what the heck, only take a minute to send out.