The extension of Anchorage's Tony Knowles Coastal Trail could cost nearly $20 million less than currently estimated and impact only about 25 residential properties, instead of the 177 initially projected, under a proposal released today by a volunteer group of Anchorage residents who support the trail extension.
Friends of the Coastal Trail announced a series of recommendations they believe will address concerns raised by homeowners and others regarding the routing of the planned extension of the Coastal Trail in south Anchorage. If fully implemented, the solutions reduce trail extension costs from the current $37 million to less than $20 million and substantially minimize the impacts to property owners.
"These innovations, the result of a collaboration of interested trail users from across Anchorage, mean the coastal trail that is so loved and used by residents and visitors alike can be extended with far less impact than estimated by the state," said Mike Jens, an Anchorage businessman and spokesman for Friends of the Coastal Trail. "Our proposals include cost-saving measures, trail rerouting to avoid crossing private property, land exchanges to resolve wildlife refuge boundary disputes, and measures to mitigate wildlife impacts."
Jens and several others unveiled the proposals at a press conference today at a home of two affected bluff homeowners in South Anchorage, Eric McCallum and Robin Smith, who are avid trail users and supporters of the extension of the coastal trail. McCallum said "Finding solutions that lessen the impact on property owners while still keeping the trail on the coast has been important to me. I think most of those living on the bluff will welcome and favor the proposed changes Friends of the Coastal Trail have put forth."
The state has proposed a 13-mile extension of the trail along what is known as the Orange Modified route, a continuous, free flowing trail, located in natural settings away from traffic, with stunning views of the Cook Inlet coast and nearby mountains. With moderate grades and few road crossings, the trail extension would serve a broad spectrum of users on a year-round basis.
The Orange Modified route was initially announced in a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) issued last November as a joint effort of the Municipality of Anchorage and the Alaska Department of Transportation. In addition, as the primary funding agency for the project, the Federal Highway Administration, reviewed and authorized issuance of the EIS.
Shortly after the EIS was issued, public hearings were held in Anchorage where a number of concerns were raised such as private property impacts, high costs, and wildlife impacts, primarily by homeowners closest to the planned route of the trail. These issues have dominated the debate for the past few months and have tended to polarize the community, said Jens.
Friends of the Coastal Trail, in an effort to seek balance between the concerns of homeowners and the public's desire to access public lands along the coast, embarked on a significant effort to identify solutions to the concerns. They believe they are common sense solutions that can easily be supported by the majority of Anchorage residents.
If fully implemented, the solutions could reduce costs by as much as $18 million and eliminate impacts to most private properties, while at the same time creating only negligible impacts to wildlife. Implementing Friends of the Coastal Trail's solutions could reduce costs to less than $20 million and limit impact to only 25 residential properties.
For example, moving the trail from the east side of the railroad tracks along Jarvi Drive to the west side will save over $4.0 million and eliminate property concerns for the 48 homeowners that live along the bluff. Similarly, moving the trail about 50 feet seaward below Bayshore will eliminate the need to build a tunnel under the refuge, reduce costs by $1.1 million, and avoid crossing 21 residential properties. Opportunities to make these kind of minor adjustments exist at a number of locations along the trail route and each of them pay big dividends.
Friends of the Coastal Trail believe the decision regarding routing of the trail is an issue in which all residents of Anchorage should have a say. Alaska Statutes and refuge management plans both acknowledge that a trail along the coast is acceptable. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game has said, "The refuge contains a very small slice of the wetland and wildlife resources in the state. Thus, its biological importance…to wildlife species is less important than its role in promoting public education and appreciation of wetlands and wildlife." Friends of the Coastal Trail agree with this view and believe public education is one of the greater benefits of building the trail.
The key is to thread the needle between all the conflicting interests so that all of Anchorage can finally access the wondrous asset along our southern coast that has been inaccessible for so many years, Jens said.
"Former Anchorage Mayor George Sullivan had the right idea when he first came up with the concept of a coastal trail nearly 25 years ago," Jens said. "Now it is up to all of Anchorage to make it happen. Together, we can enjoy our coast and protect it at the same time."
The official public comment period remains open until March 7. The easiest way to comment is to send messages to Southtrailcomment@hdrinc.com.