Fairbanks trails commission to discuss standards for commercial tours on borough trails

The Fairbanks North Star Borough's trails commission will sit down with parks staff Monday to keep working on rules for commercial snowmachine and off-road tours on public trails, as the borough's winter season for motorized trail use gets underway.

The borough has more than 1,000 miles of trails and no rules for commercial tour operators, Alaska News reported July 30. The Assembly asked the Trails Advisory Commission last November to recommend some, in a resolution that said tour operators reaching trails through residential areas create safety issues and bring noise and traffic.

Neighbors have made the same case to the commission. At its July meeting, Emma Lewis said she worried about meeting commercial snowmachine tours on narrow, winding neighborhood trails in Goldstream Valley, according to the minutes. Karen Deatherage objected to the borough buying easements that would bring commercial tourism into neighborhoods. She asked for signs on the Ballaine Lake Trail posting right-of-way rules.

The commission has already sketched what rules could look like. A draft letter it approved in April calls for a permit that would limit tour routes, hours, group size and vehicle weight, Alaska News reported Sept. 21. Operators would pay 15% of their proceeds into a trail maintenance fund the borough hasn't created yet. By comparison, the parks department charges commercial operators at Chena Lake and Tanana Lakes 10% of gross revenue.

The borough administration wants something firmer. At the July meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Boyer said it wants objective standards from the commission rather than subjective guidelines. At a Sept. 28 work session, commissioners and Trails Coordinator Nicole Swensgard discussed how to define off-road vehicles and snowmobiles consistent with state regulations, and which motorized trails are most appropriate for commercial use, according to the clerk's notes.

Monday's session is for discussion only, with no final action planned. Whatever the commission recommends goes to the mayor and Assembly, and none of it is binding until they act.

The work session follows the commission's regular 6 pm meeting, which opens with public comment.