Hatcher Pass

HATCHER PASS

The Hatcher Pass Management Plan is out and available for review.  Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has proposed opening up new areas to both winter and summer motorized uses within Hatcher Pass, which already predominantly favors motorized uses.

DNR is taking public comments on the Hatcher Pass Management Plan.  COMMENTS ARE DUE MAY 5, 2010!

If you value the quality of a non-motorized recreation experience, please take a few minutes to submit written comments to DNR.  Send a clear message asking them to provide for more non-motorized opportunities and an East-West split between motorized and non-motorized areas.

To review the Hatcher Pass Management Plan Public Review Draft, please click here.

To submit your comments online, please click here.

Talking Points:

1. The Hatcher Pass Management Plan should designate the East side as a year round non-motorized recreation area with the current motorized corridor to escort motorized recreation users to the West Side, which is primarily designated for motorized recreation.
2. Motorized and non motorized uses are incompatible.  High marking on slopes and fast snowmachines put non motorized users at risk from injuries and avalanches.  Enforcement would be easier.  Enforcement of the current plan is inadequate due to staffing and insufficient funds. 
3.  We support additional funding for the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.
4. Reed Lakes and High Glacier Peaks Units should be closed to year round motorized recreation.
5. There should be no summer motorized ATV/ORV corridors/trails on the East side.  There is a public safety issue between non-motorized users like mountain bikers and hikers and motorized users on ATV’s and dirt bikes.   The proposed trails/corridors are incompatible and put non motorized users at risk.  The degradation of habitat is inevitable, given what is occurring on the West side of HP.

If DNR does not hear a repeated, cohesive and coherent message we stand to lose our recreation opportunities and our quality of experience in Hatcher Pass.  Thank you for your passion and commitment to Hatcher Pass and its recreation future.