Hi Friends........As most of you already know there is a hearing on the Final EIS for the Coastal Trail extension coming up this Wednesday. There are really only two decisions that can come out of this part of the process; 1) The Feds can recommend we proceed with the "Preferred Alternative" or 2) The Feds can opt for the "No Build" alternative. In order to avoid the No Build alternative, we need to make sure there is a good show of positive support for the trail at the hearing.
Please consider taking some time to attend either the mid-day or the evening hearing and testify in support of the trail. The Alaska Center for the Environment has put together some good talking points you can use to guide your testimony. If you have the time, take a look at the latest EIS using the link shown below.
This is an important event to help move the trail forward. I hope to see you on Wednesday..........Mike
Support the Coastal Trail Extension at the Public Hearing
Unfortunately, the Coastal Trail extension is in jeopardy, and the upcoming public hearing on Wednesday, March 1 at the Egan Convention Center is your chance to voice your support for what could be one of the nation's most incredible urban trails. It's critical that we demonstrate public support for the trail in order to get through the next step in the federal review process.
The Southern extension of the Coastal Trail has been on the city trails plan since the early 80's and many of Anchorage residents support it, it's a visionary project that will benefit the entire community for generations. The final impact statement for the Coastal Trail extension includes a new route and a lower price tag. The important thing is to demonstrate public support for a workable trail. Our elected officials need to get the message, loud and clear before we lose an historic opportunity forever.
WHAT YOU CAN DO (forward this email to your groups, family and friends)
1. View the impact statement - Also available at city libraries and the municipal clerk's office.
2. View the Maps
3. Attend the public briefings and hearings - Scheduled for the afternoon and evening of March 1. The hearing will be at the Egan Convention Center, 555 W. 5th Ave., downtown Anchorage, lower level.
* Open House: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm and 4:30 - 6:00 pm
* Public Hearings:12:00 pm - 3:00 pm and 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Coastal Trail Extension Talking Points
Economic Benefits
* Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau states: "trails equate to dollars for Anchorage. Without trails, Anchorage could not host many of the events that bring dollars into our community."
* Tourism would be stimulated. A longer coastal trail would provide an unparalleled experience that would draw more tourists for longer stays. Tourist dollars have extensive impacts throughout the community in the form of hotel, restaurant, retail, transportation and service industry expenditures.
* Property values of homes near the trail would increase adding to the city's tax base.
* Attract business to Anchorage by creating a unique and desirable environment to work and live.
Cost of the Trail
* The cost of the trail as presently proposed is $26.5 million (figure includes property acquisition) with 90% of the funding coming from the Federal Highway Department.
* By law these Federal Highway Department dollars are only for trails and enhancements; therefore it does not take funding from roads, education or social services.
* The remaining 10% or $2.65 million will come from municipal, state or private funds.
* Phased construction will maintain availability of funds for unrelated smaller trail projects.
Impact on Private Property / Habitat
* Owners will be financially compensated for any land taken where the trail crosses private property. All properties will be purchased at fair market value.
* The residential property owners who objected to the trail on their property are now unaffected by the trail due to the passage of the Eminent Domain ordinance (Assembly Member Chris Birch).
Anchorage Daily News - Published: January 11, 2006
The Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday night ruled out the possibility of claiming private land for any future extension of the city's Coastal Trail.
"It goes a long way toward protecting private property rights in our community," Birch said.
* In the latest version, some 98 privately owned lots would be affected, that's down from 122 in the route released in September and from 179 in the 2002 route. Less than 70 of these lots are residential lots and many of these residential landowners, as well as the commercial landowners, favor the trail.
* The Mayor is concerned about the impacts to home owners and is actively looking at all options to work with property owners.
* The trail as presently proposed reduces habitat issues by running 60% coastal rather than 80%
"Quality of Life" Benefits
* Provide public access to one of Anchorage's more stunning stretches of coastline.
* The Coastal trail is part nature walk, part exercise track and part social scene that everyone can afford to use. The extension of the trail presents an opportunity for the widest variety of people: mothers with babies in strollers; kids with bikes; boomers on skis; visiting grandparents with their grandkids; tourists and bird watchers.
* Provide a new trail and access to the coast for southwest Anchorage residents who have few options.
Community Support
* Numerous polls and surveys show an overwhelming majority of Anchorage citizens in support of trails and extending the Coastal trail.
Andre Camara Jr | Local Issues Coordinator | Alaska Center for the Environment | Phone: 907.274.3668 | www.akcenter.org
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