The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) recently released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the South Coastal Trail Extension Project. The report analyzes all alternatives for the coastal trail extension, including the alternative for no action to be taken. Public open houses and hearings have been scheduled December 11 and 12 at the Egan Convention Center, and written comments can be submitted to the ADOT&PF up until January 8, 2003. Copies of the report are available for public review at all municipal libraries, on the Intranet at http://home.gci.net/~southtrail. For additional information or to obtain a copy of the report, contact Jim Childers, ADOT&PF Project Manager, at 646-9015.

Selection of the route for the south extension of the coast trail is a very contentious issue for residents of South Anchorage. My family and I greatly enjoy the Kincaid Park facilities and the coastal trail and we would appreciate the south extension of the trail, however, I believe money would be better spent on access to the existing coastal trail rather than extending it. I am a strong supporter of the Kincaid park trail connection along Raspberry Road and the trail connection between Kincaid Elementary School and Jewel Lake Road along Raspberry Road. Adding these portions of trail would improve the safety at the Jewel Lake and Raspberry Road intersection and help complete the circle of trails from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid. Improving access to the coastal trail would provide a huge benefit and convenience to families with young children.

Anchorage's scenic trail system is one of the features that makes this a great city. I am confident that as a community, we can work together to solve this issue.

# # #