Fairbanks trails commission weighs commercial motorized use Sept. 28

Residents have raised concerns about commercial tour operators entering local trail systems from residential areas, citing noise, safety and traffic. The Fairbanks North Star Borough Trails Advisory Commission meets with Department of Parks and Recreation staff Monday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. in the Mona Lisa Drexler Assembly Chambers at the Juanita Helms Administration Center, 907 Terminal St., to continue discussing administrative standards for those operators. The agenda lists the item for discussion only, with no final action.

The session responds to Resolution No. 2025-33, introduced by Assembly Member David Guttenberg and adopted by the Assembly 9-0 on Nov. 13, 2025. The resolution states that commercial use of neighborhood trails "impact trails, create safety issues, and increases noise and traffic in residential areas," affecting people who ski, hike, dog mush, snowshoe, skijor, fatbike and pick berries.

Monday's work session continues a process already underway. The commission approved a revised draft letter of recommendation on commercial-use policy standards at its April 27 meeting and discussed it again July 27, alongside the Draft Regional Comprehensive Plan. Whatever standards emerge go to the mayor and the Assembly as a recommendation, not a binding rule.

An earlier Alaska News article noted the borough has no standards for commercial tour operators across more than 1,000 miles of trails. Borough code already bars unauthorized motorized vehicles from non-motorized trails, and casual uses such as skiing, snow machining and berry picking require no permit. The department holds tour operator agreements at Chena Lake and Tanana Lakes recreation areas that charge 10 percent of gross revenues and require a weekly manifest each Friday.

Under borough code, the commission recommends trail policy changes to the mayor. Guttenberg's resolution directs recommendations to both the mayor and the Assembly. Any standards remain proposals until they act.