Western coast opens for tundra travel

The North Slope western coastal area is open for tundra travel, the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, said Dec. 27.

The division said soil temperature and snow cover (6 inches of snow and colder than minus 5 C soil temperature at 30 centimeters depth) criteria have been met.

While the western coastal area is open to all vehicles, the opening applies only to operators with valid off-road vehicle travel permits to operate on state-owned lands on the North Slope.

The division said that while overall snow cover is good, snow may be thin in some areas, which should be avoided or special construction methods used to protect the tundra surface.

Tundra opening areas which remain closed are eastern coastal, lower foothills and upper foothills.

- Petroleum News