Tundra travel: eastern coastal area open

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, has announced that the eastern coastal area of North Slope state lands opened for off-road, tundra travel on Jan. 9. The snow depth and soil temperatures in the region have met the required criteria of at least six inches of snow and temperatures below minus 5 C at a 30-centimeter depth, the division said.

However, the division also cautioned that the snow cover may remain in thin is some areas - these areas should be avoided or may require special construction methods for tundra protection. And regardless of the tundra travel opening, operators wishing to go off-road require off-road vehicle travel permits, the division emphasized. Operators also need to comply with stipulations for operating vehicles off-road in the winter.

The western coastal area of state lands opened in late December. The upper and lower foothills areas remain closed.

- ALAN BAILEY