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Off-road travel closes on North Slope
North Slope winter off-road tundra travel in the eastern and western coastal areas closed May 21.
In announcing the closure, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Mining, Land and Water said all off-road travel must be completed by May 24.
The division said weather conditions in the western and eastern coastal tundra opening areas were expected to be near or above freezing for the foreseeable future and combined with previously observed amounts of snow pack deterioration, conditions were no longer adequate for general off-road travel.
Snow may be adequate for travel in some areas and the division said it will consider granting travel extensions on a case-by-case basis. Exceptions must have prior approval of an authorized representative of the division.
Foothills closed May 18 Winter off-road travel in the upper and lower foothills tundra opening areas closed May 18, with May 21 the deadline for completing any off-road travel in progress.
The division said it was not aware of any off-road travel projects under way in the upper and lower foothills area and said it would not be granting any new off-road travel requests.
Summer off-road travel in both foothills and coastal areas may begin on or after July 15 and applies only to holders of valid permits with specific project approval. Summer off-road travel is further limited to vehicles approved by the division for off-road travel.
—Petroleum News
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