The Alaska Region of the USDA Forest Service launched an interactive web-based map last week to collect public input on proposed outdoor recreation and infrastructure projects for 2022, and ideas for 2023 through 2025. Projects may include work on cabins, campgrounds, trailheads, trails, roads, bridges, parking areas, visitor centers, day-use areas, boat ramps, marine facilities, and picnic areas.
A website with general information and a link to an interactive map is available here. The interactive map details proposed projects on the Chugach and Tongass National Forests.
Sharon Seim, co-lead of the interactive online project: “The way we are going to be using the public comments is to help us decide whether we want to move a project forward for funding in 2022 or in the future. So, we are looking at public comments helping us prioritize projects that are important to the public.”
Among the areas with projects to be discussed includes Russian River: “We’ve actually put forward four different projects to help with updating and upgrading and improving that campground, from the access road that goes into the campground to RV parking, loops and trails that connect the different campsites. We want to move the Russian Lakes Trailhead to make it better-sighted for people to access. We are wanting to upgrade the toilets, improve some of the signage in the kiosks. There’s also an area where there’s a failing retaining structure that we’d like to repair. So, a whole bunch of ideas that have been generated for Russian River campground.”
She also noted that new project ideas are also being accepted: “They just need to look for something that says ‘Other Ideas’ [on the webpage] – and it’s listed by ranger districts. So, Other Ideas Seward Ranger District or Other Ideas Glacier Ranger District. There’s just an open-comment forum where they can express ideas for projects they’d like to see us work on into the future. Those are ones that we will consider for 2023 and beyond.”
The comment period will conclude on November 3 at 11:59 p.m.