Mat-Su Assembly writes scenic trail opposition into Rasmuson grant resolution

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on Tuesday added language opposing National Scenic Trail status for the Alaska Long Trail to the resolution behind a $300,000 Rasmuson Foundation grant that includes a Long Trail gateway at Matanuska River Park.

The grant pays for $200,000 in water and electrical upgrades at the park's campground and $100,000 for the gateway installation. The new "whereas" clause says the assembly opposes the designation "because of the use restrictions and loss of local control over the trail." The amendment passed without objection.

Snowmachine and access advocates had asked for it. They said the grant and the gateway could someday be cited as local support if federal designation comes back.

A resolution the assembly adopted unanimously in October 2024 already opposes designation on borough-owned land in nearly the same words, and reaffirms the assembly's commitment to the trail.

Assembly Member Dmitri Fonov, the amendment's sponsor, said he drafted the clause with Borough Manager Mike Brown after talking with those advocates. "I don't think it puts the grant in any risk, but yet it makes our position clear," he said.

The assembly accepted the grant unanimously on Sept. 15, after Assembly Member Michael Bowles withdrew his amendments targeting the gateway sign. Brown told the assembly then that the borough added the gateway to make its application more competitive, and that the foundation stuck with the scope it approved when staff asked about dropping it. "It's not the foundation dictating terms to us," Brown said.

Everyone who spoke on the amendment during public comment Tuesday backed it.

Michelle Stevens, president of the Alaska Snow Machine Alliance, said the trail has already been through a federal feasibility process. "You are simply making clear that the borough can support the Alaska Long Trail without supporting its designation," Stevens said.

Lisa Agnew said support letters were counted as backing for designation in the earlier federal study, even when they did not use those words. "I'm simply asking for some safeguards so that we can make sure that the record cannot be later used as a local support for a National Scenic Trail designation," Agnew said.