Eastern coastal area tundra travel ends

The eastern coastal area has been closed to tundra travel, effective April 26.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water said April 26 that there had been high winds and below average seasonal snow fall in the eastern coastal tundra opening area, making it no longer suitable for off-road travel.

“Snow pack deterioration is widespread, evidenced by large swaths of visible vegetation,” the division said, with snow quality very low in snow-covered areas.

Although temperatures remain at or slightly below freezing, “with cloudy skies for the near future, there is enough thermal gain to warm the ground and continue to break down the existing snow pack leaving the tundra vulnerable to damage.”

The closure was effective at 10 p.m., April 26, and the division said off-road travel in progress must be completed by 10 p.m. April 29.

The snow may be adequate in some areas and the division said it would consider granting travel extensions on a case-by-case basis, but said exceptions require prior approval by an authorized division representative.

The division said the current plan is that summer off-road travel may begin at 6 a.m. July 15. Valid permits for specific projects are required, and are limited to vehicles approved by the division for summer off-road travel.

- Petroleum News