The Turngain Community Council advocated and supports construction of the South Extension of the Coastal Trail in a location that is along the coast and is as similar in character to the existing trail as possible. Of the routes currently being considered, the Original Orange or the Orange Modified routes come closest to the character of the existing trail. The draft 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. In addition the Original Orange and Orange Modified routes have the least conflicts with vehicular traffic of any of the studied routes, which will dramatically improve the safety of the Coastal Trail Extension.

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.

To the extent that the Coastal trail extension must occupy the Alaska Railroad corridor along Potter Hill (an area where trail speeds approach 50 mph), the trail should be at least 70 feet from the right-of-way centerline and maintain slope stability.

Passed at a regular meeting of February 6, 2003