Winter offroad tundra travel closed May 13

Kristen Nelson

Petroleum News

The Eastern and Western Tundra Opening Areas were closed for offroad winter travel May 13.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Mining, Land and Water said the coastal areas are no longer suitable for offroad travel, with widespread snowpack deterioration made evident by “large swaths of visible vegetation.”

The division said that while snow quality in localized areas appears to be capable of supporting travel, “snow cover is highly variable across the region,” with warm weather and sunny skies expected to continue to compromise snowpack

All North Slope areas are now closed to offroad travel for the season.

The Upper Foothills tundra opening area was closed to offroad travel April 20; the Lower Foothills tundra opening area was closed May 6.

Because snow may be adequate for travel in some coastal areas, the division said it “may consider granting travel extensions on a case-by-case basis,” with any exceptions requiring prior approval by an authorized representative.

Summer offroad travel may begin at 6 a.m., July 15, “unless otherwise notified,” the division said, and applies only to holders of valid permits who obtain specific project approval and is further limited to vehicles approved by the division for summer offroad travel.

Specific area information and an area map are available online: http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/tundratravel/.

- KRISTEN NELSON