Hatcher Pass Motorized Corridor-Meeting 16 Feb 10

Assembly members Ewing and Arvin are set to introduce a resolution supporting snowmachine access to Hatcher Pass tomorrow night, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 7:00pm. Borough Manager Duffy will try to kill the resolution at introduction precluding a public hearing. It is urgent that you contact your Assembly member expressing outrage that the borough would cut the public out, that they have an obligation to introduce the resolution so the public can comment.
Information to contact assembly is at www.matsugov.us/Assembly/meet-the-assembly
Urgent!! Please call your assembly members tonight or tomorrow before the meeting.
Jim Colver 746-5300 (wk) 745-9845 (fax) Email: jimcolver@mtaonline.net
Cindy Bettine 892-8877 (hm) Email: cindybettine@mtaonline.net
Mark Ewing 864-0855 (hm) 745-9845 (fax) Email: markewing@mtaonline.net
Ronald G. Arvin 373-6685 (hm) 745-9845 (fax) Email: ronarvin@mtaonline.net
Pete Houston 354-6308 (hm) 745-9845 (fax) E-mail: akpete@mtaonline.net
Lynne Woods 745-4527 (hm) 746-6359 (fax) E-mail: aklynne@mtaonline.net
We can make a difference. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease”. Please contact your assembly representatives -- and pass this email on to like minded friends asking for their help.
Please forward this email on to everyone on your friendly email list that is a Matsu resident.

A resolution to support motorized access

A Resolution of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly supporting a motorized offroad
recreation corridor along the approximate route of the Carle Wagon Trail as it enters
the Hatcher Pass Management Area (HPMA), Government Peak Subunit, at mile 1
Edgerton-Parks Road to the existing motorized corridor going from the Gold Mint Trail
Parking Area to the top of Hatcher Pass and supporting a motorized off-road recreation
corridor from the Carle Wagon Road as it enters the HPMA, Government Peak Subunit
west to the area open to motorized use beyond Government Creek in the HPMA, Hillside
Subunit.
Whereas, superior access would be provided for snowmachiners, from areas outside of
Hatcher Pass to the south
Whereas, a historic trail the Carle Wagon Road would be resurrected and it use for as a
motorized recreation trail would be compatible with reconstruction to its original
condition.
Whereas, traditional motorized access for residents in the Fishhook area would be
accommodated and enhanced.
Whereas, these accesses would provide a critical link for a world class trail system that
would extend from the Chickaloon-Nelchina trails in the east to the Susitna Valley trails
in the west.
Whereas, current access to Eastern Hatcher Pass for snowmachiners is limited to two
parking lots, this is by far the best way to increase access.
Whereas, traffic and congestion in Hatcher Pass would be alleviated in the winter
because snowmachiners could park outside the mountain confines to access Hatcher Pass.
Whereas, none of the plans the Mat-Su Borough has for a downhill ski area and a cross
country ski area would be substantially impacted by these accesses and with proper
planning this area could become multiuse recreation center.
Now, Therefore, be it resolved that the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly supports
a motorized off-road recreation corridor along the approximate route of the Carle Wagon
Trail as it enters the Hatcher Pass Management Area (HPMA), Government Peak
Subunit, at mile 1 Edgerton-Parks Road to the existing motorized corridor going from the
Gold Mint Trail Parking Area to the top of Hatcher Pass and supports a motorized offroad
recreation corridor from the Carle Wagon Road as it enters the HPMA, Government
Peak Subunit west to the area open to motorized use beyond Government Creek in the
HPMA, Hillside Subunit.
Be It Further Resolved that the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly direct the
Borough Manager to incorporate this motorized corridor into its planning for use of the
lease held by the Borough and that the Borough Manager direct Dowl Engineering to
incorporate it into EIS presently underway.
Be It Further Resolved by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly that the
Department of Natural Resources, Division of Lands and Waters be informed that the
Assembly supports Revision of the Hatcher Management Plan to include this motorized
corridor in the Government Peak Subunit.

pura vida said:

thanks for the info. too bad so many alaska people have run off and are not going to see this. is this posted on bcr yet?

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Ultrarider posted it over there on BCR....... Thanks Ultra..

I sent messages to all six Assembly members requesting their support on this resolution.

Dear Assembly Member,

We support a Resolution of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly supporting a motorized off road recreation corridor along the approximate route of the Carle Wagon Trail as it enters The Hatcher Pass Management Area (HPMA), Government Peak Subunit, at mile 1Edgerton-Parks Road to the existing motorized corridor going from the Gold Mint Trail Parking Area to the top of Hatcher Pass and supporting a motorized off-road recreation
Corridor from the Carle Wagon Road as it enters the HPMA, Government Peak Subunit west to the area open to motorized use beyond Government Creek in the HPMA, Hillside Subunit.

Thank you for your support on this issue,



akrevrider

Parking at Turner's Corner

caryn said:

Hey. If they do open up Hatcher Pass along the road, where are we going to park? I have to wonder how much Jim Turner is going to charge us to leave our trucks and trailers at his store!

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I'll have to ask him about that. Last time I seen him was when he testified before the Hatcher Pass planning committee in favor of our motorized access.
He is a stand up guy.. IMO
Jim Turner also ran for a seat on the Bourough Assembly and nearly won it. The person currently sitting in that seat is not in favor of motorized access.

Bottom line: We always stop by and purchase something from his store/gas station. If he decides to charge for parking I'm sure it would be a minumum fee.

pura vida said:

any word on how the meeting went?

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Thank all you who called, emailed and turned out for the meeting. It did the job.

We had complete success Tuesday night. The MSB Assembly introduced the Hatcher Pass Motorized Access Resolution with out dissent. Borough Manager John Duffy agreed to work with Assembly members Mark Ewing and Ron Arvin to bring supporting documentation and preferred corridor alignment forward when it comes back for public hearing. The Public Hearing is set for Tuesday, March 2, at 7:00pm.

The battle is joined. This will be a Battle Royal. The greenies showed up in force last night hoping to kill the resolution. From their reaction to the Daily News article they will be motivated. We must generate an overwhelming turnout for the March meeting. I believe we can win but we must fight for it. (Jim Turner)

Information to contact assembly is at www.matsugov.us/Assembly/meet-the-assembly

Your assembly members.

Jim Colver 746-5300 (wk) 745-9845 (fax) Email: jimcolver@mtaonline.net
Cindy Bettine 892-8877 (hm) Email: cindybettine@mtaonline.net
Mark Ewing 864-0855 (hm) 745-9845 (fax) Email: markewing@mtaonline.net
Ronald G. Arvin 373-6685 (hm) 745-9845 (fax) Email: ronarvin@mtaonline.net
Pete Houston 354-6308 (hm) 745-9845 (fax) E-mail: akpete@mtaonline.net
Lynne Woods 745-4527 (hm) 746-6359 (fax) E-mail: aklynne@mtaonline.net

We can make a difference. �The squeaky wheel gets the grease�. Please pass this email on to like minded friends asking for their help.

Please forward this email on to everyone on your friendly email list that is a Matsu resident.

AKCoop said:

Are Matsu residents the only members allowed, or can anyone that uses the area attend?

If so where will it be held on March 2?

BTW: This is one step, now we need to get the rangers to actually open the park before spring!!!

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It's a public meeting..everybody who rides should show up.. including you...

It is held at:http://www.matsugov.us/Assembly

Hatcher Pass Motorized Corridor-2 Mar Meeting

AOAA EMAIL Alert - MSB
Hatcher Pass Motorized Corridor

Snowmachiners and Motorized Sportsman, are you sick and tired
of being LOCKED OUT of you favorite areas by the Environmentalists?
FIGHT BACK NOW. ROLL BACK THE CLOSURES.

As a part of the Dept. of Natural Resources Hatcher Pass Management Plan
Revision the AOAA has proposed a New Motorized Access Corridor into the
Palmer Side of Hatcher Pass, So users can snowmachine from the Palmer Area to Willow.

MAT-SU Borough Assembly Members MARK EWING and RON ARVIN have
introduced a MAT-SU Borough Resolution (see attached) supporting this Corridor.

ITS PASSAGE IS ESSENTIAL.
A PUBLIC HEARING AND MAT-SU ASSEMBLY VOTE WILL BE ON
TUESDAY, MARCH 2 AT 7:00 PM in PALMER.

The Environmentalists are extremely motivated to defeat this resolution. If we
want to keep Alaska open to all we will have to fight for it.
PLEASE ATTEND THIS PUBLIC HEARING AND MAKE YOURSELF HEARD.

And right now e-mail or call all Assembly Members
with your support for this resolution. This is very important,
whether or not you are a Mat-Su Borough resident!

If you don’t, all they will hear is the Environmentalists, they are e-mailing.

E-MAIL YOUR SUPPORT RIGHT NOW TO THESE MSB ASSEMBLY MEMBERS.

Jim Colver 746-5300 (wk) 745-9845 (fax) Email: jimcolver@mtaonline.net
Cindy Bettine 892-8877 (hm) Email: cindybettine@mtaonline.net
Mark Ewing 864-0855 (hm) 745-9845 (fax) Email: markewing@mtaonline.net
Ronald G. Arvin 373-6685 (hm) 745-9845 (fax) Email: ronarvin@mtaonline.net
Pete Houston 354-6308 (hm) 745-9845 (fax) E-mail: akpete@mtaonline.net
Lynne Woods 745-4527 (hm) 746-6359 (fax) E-mail: aklynne@mtaonline.net
Vern Halter 355-1190 (hm) 745-9845 (fax) E-mail vernhalter@mtaonline.net

Please forward this message to all South Central Alaskans on your friendly e-mail list

Thank You
Scott Hala
President
Alaska Outdoor Access Alliance