North Slope western coastal area opens

The western coastal area on the North Slope opened for tundra travel Dec. 17. Other areas remain closed.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, said soil temperatures and snow cover in the western coastal area have met the criteria for opening - 6 inches of snow and temperatures colder than minus 5 degrees C at 30 centimeters depth.

The opening applies only to operators with valid off-road vehicle travel permits to operate on state-owned lands. The division warned that while overall snow cover is good it may be thin in some areas, and those areas should be avoided or special construction methods used to protect the tundra surface.

State personnel will conduct periodic site inspections to ensure compliance.

Questions should be directed to the division’s northern region land section in Fairbanks at 907-451-2740.

- Petroleum News