MEMORANDUM

TO: Pete Sprague, Assembly President

Members, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly

FROM: Milli Martin, Assembly Member

Ron Long, Assembly Member

Pete Sprague, Assembly President

DATE: January 9, 2003

SUBJECT: Resolution 2003-009, supporting a proposal by the Alaska Mountain and Wilderness Huts Association for a hut-to-hut system in the Kenai Peninsula Borough

On January 7, 2003, John Wolfe, President of the Alaska Mountain and Wilderness Huts Association, made a presentation to the assembly lands committee describing a proposed Paradise Valley Trail Hut-To-Hut System in which several backcountry huts would be constructed in the Ptarmigan Creek and Snow River (North Fork) drainages. The proposal envisions ultimately including four huts along one of two alternate trails. These huts would be capable of housing twelve bunks with potential expansion to twenty, plus seasonal staff. In addition to providing shelter, part of the proposed program would include education for those who utilize the huts. The proposal also contains details regarding addressing environmental concerns relating to the use of huts by the public.

The Huts Association has secured a grant of $16,600 from the National Park Service Cooperative Cost Share Program for construction purposes. Additionally, Senator Ted Stevens has proposed paying $500,000 for partial funding through the U.S. Forest Service for the project, but Congress has not yet acted on that proposal.

The purpose of this resolution is to show the assembly's support of the backcountry huts concept and proposal, to indicate its agreement that reopening the Iditarod National Historic Trail is complementary to this proposed hut project, to encourage the U.S. Forest Service to expedite the permitting process, and, finally, to encourage Congress to approve the $500,000 proposed funding from Senator Ted Stevens. Your support would be appreciated.