Eagle River Valley Community Council

February 13, 2003

Re: South Trail Comments

Dear Mr. Childers-

At the February 12th regular meeting of the Eagle River Valley Community Council the proposed extension of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail was discussed at great length. The following motion was made and passed.

The Eagle River Valley Community Council advocates and supports construction of the south Extension of the Coastal Trail in a location that is along the coast and is similar in character to the existing trail as possible. Of the routes currently being considered the Original Orange route or the Modified Orange Route come closest to the character of the existing trail. The Environmental Impact Statement shows that the Orange Modified Route has no significant impact on wildlife habitat in the Coastal Wildlife Refuge; and this route avoids crossing the refuge, as well as all hunting areas, the moto-cross area, and the Rifle Range. The Orange Modified Route comes closer to homes than the Original Orange Route; therefore, the impacts to private property should be further evaluated and reduced where possible, through a fair balance between impacts to homeowners, habitat, and other users of the land, while retaining the coastal location and character of the new trail. Because we feel that parking in neighborhood cul de sac's is a detriment to neighborhood cohesiveness, we strongly support the parking lot access points as described in the E.I.S. to minimize this intrusion.

Sincerely,

Sarah Wright, President ERVCC