Coastal areas open for tundra travel

Petroleum News

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources' Division of Mining, Land & Water has opened both the eastern and western coastal areas of the North Slope for winter off-road tundra travel.

The western coastal area opened Dec. 31 followed by the eastern coastal area Jan. 9.

Soil temperatures and snow cover in both coastal areas have met criteria for opening -- 6 inches of snow and soil temperatures colder than -5 degrees C at a depth of 30 centimeters.

The division said the openings apply only to operators with valid off-road vehicle travel permits for North Slope state lands and noted that the snow cover may be thin in some areas which should be avoided or special construction methods used there to protect the tundra surface.

State personnel may conduct inspections periodically to ensure compliance.

--Petroleum News