“Snow pack in the Lower Foothills Tundra Opening Area has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer adequate for general off-road travel,” DNR said. “… All off-road travel in the Lower Foothills Area currently in progress must be completed within 72 hours (of the closing time).”

DNR said that the weather in the lower foothills area remains cool and that the snow cover may still be adequate for travel in some areas — the department will consider granting travel extensions on a case-by-case basis. Any exceptions to the tundra travel ban require approval from the Division of Mining Land and Water.

Tundra travel remains open in the upper foothills, but tundra travel on state lands in the coastal areas of the North Slope closed on April 26.