ORVs on Non-Motor Pathway in Butte, Alaska

A few random clips from 2002-2008 demonstrate the need for paving this 3-mile stretch of non-motorized pathway as soon as possible to protect residents from dust and noise. Lack of visibility, gravel on the highway, undercutting of the shoulder and reckless behavior by ORV riders endanger motorists traveling on the Old Glenn Highway.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Alaska

[benmeganlove]

this pathway has existed here since the 60s and has been used by motorized vehicles the whole time. my family has lived in the butte before burkharts saw mill was active. i don't believe atvs are causing accidents on the highway. i dont see how pulling off the edge of the road and walking across traffic is safer, and as for the dust, you live in the butte where silt is blown around on a daily basis. there are days you can see the dust from matanuska bridge and thats not caused by atvs

[kniklvr]

benmeganlove: Did you mean Barnhardt's sawmill? Mr. Barnhardt was the gentleman who donated the land for the fire station. Their house was/is on the corner of Old Glenn and Plumley. On the other hand, Mr. and Mrs. Burkhardt were the people that started "The Store."

We rode a street legal Honda 90 in the sixties on the road. There was no trail, except a sorta single lane in some places. I used to ride a horse in the 70s to Palmer and had to pick my way along the sides of the ditch.-continued-

[kniklvr]

If you'd like to see a history of the bike trail please google butte alaska pathway.

By the way, a lot of rough-cut lumber for various projects around the house came from Mr. Barnhardt's and Mr. Williams' sawmills.

[aknmopar]

I think it is getting better. I camped and went to the glacier July 4th, with a couple of virgin Jim Creekers in their 50's. They were very impressed.

They were like " where's all the crazy people, where's all the burned cars we've heard about. This place is beautiful."

Just the small police pressence has helped. My 17 year old daughter(sigh), who's a good kid but likes to camp/party a bit with friends, won't go out there. She scared they'll be busted, she's heard the cops go out there now.

[kniklvr]

I'm glad it's getting better. Our group (BARCO) was able to get $180,000 a year for on-the-ground law enforcement written into the legislation HB307; and, thanks to Rep. Stoltze, he listened to our request to make car burnings on state and municipal lands a Class C Felony and worked hard to get this legislation passed last year HB268. Sure looks like it works as planned: as deterrent.

Wish I had had the instincts and common sense of your daughter when I was her age --

[kniklvr]

PS to above: I need to give thankful credit to then Senator Lyda Green for having added the $180,000 a year fiscal note, per BARCO request, to allow for on-the-ground law enforcement. We had asked for $250,000 as per law enforcement officer estimate, but were very, very grateful to Sen Green, since the sponsors of the Knik River Public Use Area (KRPUA) legislation, Sen. Huggins and Rep. Stoltze, had not included any funds in the legislation for law enforcement.

[ukelp]

Ive herd of road spikes on the trails in the area and it killed a snowmachiner you don't here anything about that.

[kniklvr]

Thank you for understanding where we're coming from. It warms my heart. Things are not always what they seem. It's people like you who think for themselves who are making a difference. Your idea with the handi-wipes is super. I'll pass it along to the group. Maybe there'll soon be a time for such a campaign where we wouldn't have to do a "handi-wipes-and-flyer-cleanup­" the morning after? Or, find a sponsor to provide car trash bags along with the handouts - lol

[kniklvr]

It's sad that your grandfather suffered an untimely death. For you to have pass along to your kids such a rich Alaskan background will make them appreciate their rich heritage.

We're newcomers to you. My family bought the place in 1964 and the rock chimney was crumbled on top from the earthquake.

Just as your cousin, over the years, we also were fortunate to have been recipients of generosity and kindness from strangers.

[aknmopar]

I've always thought " what's the big deal?I'm riding on a washed out river bed. How much damage can I possibly be doing.

One good flood (like now), and all the trails will be washed away." Now I see that's not the area your targeting.(no pun-lol)

People need to be informed of what your group is REALLY intending. Not what the average, atv'er specuates you're intending. How about flyers with a handi-wipe, under people's winshields in the JC parking lot-lol ...be nice to come back to.-lol