Chugach State Park Planning

Much has happened since the Chugach State Park Master Plan was adopted in 1980 and the Trail Plan in 1986. Anchorage has grown rapidly resulting in increased use of the park. This use has stressed park facilities that are often at capacity during busy summer days and raised new land use concerns. These concerns include park access along a boundary that is being rapidly developed, building and maintaining park facilities complementary to the area, trails and trail connectivity, and resource protection.

In an effort to address these issues and update plan recommendations, the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation initiated a planning process to revise these plans in the spring of 2008. The master plan will set forth management guidelines and make recommendations for the development of recreational facilities within the park while the trail plan will provide specific guidance for trail management and development. As part of this planning effort, the Department is also working with the Municipality of Anchorage on a joint Chugach Access Plan. This plan will provide guidance to both agencies for the placement and development of access points along the boundary of the park.

The first phase of the planning process concluded with the end of the public scoping period. During the scoping phase, the planning team learned about issues, concerns and ideas the public has regarding the park. After gathering additional information and analyzing issues, the planning team decided to initially focus on the development of the park trail management plan and the access plan. The input received on these plans will help inform the development of the overall park management plan and ultimately make it a more comprehensive document.

• Map 4.1: Planning Units Map (1.1 MB)
• Map 4.2: Eklutna-Peters Creek Unit Terra Trails (1.8 MB)
• Map 4.3: Eklutna-Peters Creek Unit Snow Trails (1.7 MB)
• Map 4.4: Eagle River Unit Terra & Water Trails (1.5 MB)
• Map 4.5: Eagle River Unit Snow Trails (1.4 MB)
• Map 4.6: Eagle River Unit Terra & Water Trails (1.5 MB)
• Map 4.7: Eagle River Unit Snow Trails (1 MB)
• Map 4.8: Ship Creek & Eagle River Units Terra Trails (1.6 MB)
• Map 4.9: Hillside Unit Terra Trails (1.7 MB)
• Map 4.10: Hillside Unit Terra Trails (1.1 MB)
• Map 4.11: Hillside Unit Snow Trails (1.2 MB)
• Map 4.12: Turnagain Arm Unit Terra Trails (1.6 MB)
• Map 4.13: Turnagain Arm Unit Terra Trails (1.6 MB)
• Map 4.14: Turnagain Arm & Ship Creek Units Snow Trails (1.4 MB)

Chapter 5: Implementation (10 KB) Includes: Recommended Regulation Changes / Phasing / Plan Review and Modification Information

Appendix A: Sample Completed Trail Management Objective (TMO) Form (55 KB)

Appendix B: ADA Guidelines (16 KB)

Appendix C: Glossary (50 KB)

Appendix D: Route Map (1.2 MB)





Meetings

A series of meetings have been scheduled in Eagle River, Anchorage and Girdwood to present this plan and the public is encouraged to attend and share their thoughts. At each meeting, there will be a short presentation and an opportunity to get more information, provide input and ask questions. Check the schedule below for the meeting site nearest you.

	STEP 1: Identify Issues - Through a public involvement process identify issues and concerns.
	STEP 2: Gather Information- Throughout the planning process collect information about natural resources, present and past land use, land ownership, and the local economy.
	STEP 3: Prepare and Evaluate Land Use Alternatives - Describe possible choices for management based on public interests, local resources, and state policies. Describe the effects of each choice on goals for the management of an area.
	STEP 4: Prepare Draft Plan - The planning team and advisory board create a draft plan that reflects resource values and public and agency goals. The agencies review the first draft and settle any land use conflicts that remain, or propose the best alternatives for public review.
	STEP 5: Public Review of Draft Plan - Hold public meetings to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the draft plan and to identify parts that need to be changed.
	STEP 6: Prepare Final Plan - Review agency and public comments and revise the plan as needed.
	STEP 7: Approve Plan - The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources approves and signs the plan.
	STEP 8: Adopt and Implement Plan -Plan guides management decisions for state lands in the planning area.