Chilkoot Lake SRS: Road Corridor Improvements
Background
The Chilkoot River corridor near Haines is an area rich in cultural history and is a popular salmon sport fishing and bear viewing area. Land along the corridor is within the Haines State Forest boundary and is managed by DNR Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR). The Chilkoot Lake Road runs parallel to the Chilkoot River for approximately one mile to Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site that provides camping, a day-use area, and boat launch. The Department of Fish and Game maintains a salmon counting weir on the Chilkoot River. Visitors to the area use the road adjacent to the river to watch bears, sport fish or access Chilkoot Lake for fishing, hunting, trapping and other recreation. There are few existing areas along the road that are wide enough for fishermen and visitors to park and access the river. The large numbers of visitors and commercial tour operators going to the area has led to concerns related to the degradation of the biological, cultural, and aesthetic resources of the area as well as safety concerns related to bear and human interactions and user conflicts.
In November of 2011 representatives from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Game, and Transportation and Public Facilities met to discuss Chilkoot River corridor management. The focus of the discussion was on solutions that would reduce the potential for bear and human conflicts in the area and ways to address other recreation management issues. The agencies identified various issues related to corridor management and recommended both short and long-term solutions.
The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation hosted a public workshop in Haines on April 17, 2012 and April 30, 2013 to discuss Chilkoot River corridor improvements and management. The Division learned from the input received at the workshops and would like to thank everyone who attended.
The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation received capital improvement funds in 2011 to establish a bear viewing facility along the river. The Division is sensitive to issues surrounding work on the Chilkoot River corridor and these improvements were identified as a management recommendation by the involved agencies. Implementing the improvements along the Chilkoot River and Chilkoot Lake Road provides safer access by reducing human and bear interaction opportunities, wildlife viewing areas, designated parking areas, and improved access to the boat launch and harvest sites for hunters and trappers, while facilitating emergency vehicle access, better protection of cultural resources, and lessen congestion.
Final Site Plan and Issue Response Summary from Public Comments Received
Based on feedback from the public workshops, DPOR developed the Master Site Development Plan. Below you will find the Final Site Plan and Issue Response Summary summarizing the comments received and agency responses. The comments and feedback provided throughout the public process have been essential in guiding the development of the Chilkoot River Corridor. Many thanks to all those who participated in the process.
Chilkoot Lake Road / Chilkoot River Corridor
Ownership of Chilkoot Lake Road was officially transferred from the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to the Department of Natural Resources, under the management of Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation in 2016.
On August 21, 2018, the Division received a grant from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program (Pittman-Robertson Act) in conjunction with State CIP match funds to improve the road. The nearly $1.5M grant will help augment the initial 2011 CIP to include parking improvement, resurface the road, improve drainage and boat launch access, as well as address the pedestrian and bear viewing improvements identified in the Final Site Plan.
Construction Updates
The project was bid and awarded to Glacier Construction dba Southeast Roadbuilders. Construction began in early September of 2020, is anticipated to resume starting mid-May 2021, and be completed by June 30, 2021. This schedule may be adjusted for weather and site conditions and updates will be made as the project progresses.
Access to the project site will be limited to one lane traffic for residents, area staff, and local bear hunters and guides. A full closure for paving operations is anticipated from Monday, June 14th through Tuesday, June 15th*.
| Anticipated Spring 2021 Construction Schedule | |
| Bear Viewing areas | May 2021 |
| Paving* | June 2021 |
| Final project items | May - June 2021 |
| Project Completion | June 30, 2021 |
*Full closure for paving operations is anticipated to occur during favorable weather conditions for approximately 1-4 days in June 2021. A seven (7) day notice will be provided prior to anticipated paving operations.
As the Chilkoot Lake area has cultural resources present, both an archeological and tribal monitor were present during onsite ground disturbing activity. There were no cultural resources or human remains discovered during construction activity.
Public notices will be provided on a regular basis through the duration of the project and updates will be reflected on this website.
The construction project is funded through a United States Fish and Wildlife Service grant, which is administrated through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
This Federal Aid is part of the Wildlife Restoration Program made possible by the Pittman-Robertson Act and is funded by taxes on the purchase of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
Documents and Additional Information
Chilkoot River Corridor FINAL Site Plan
Chilkoot River Corridor - Issue Response Summary - Feb. 18, 2014
Chilkoot River Location Map Overview Map
Report on the Chilkoot River Corridor Strategic Planning Project
Hunter Access Grant Program Overview
Hunter Access Program - Chilkoot Lake Road Project Page
Advertised Plans and Specifications
For more information, to get added to the project mailing list, or to comment contact:
Dakota LaFramboise
Project Engineer
Department of Natural Resources – Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Email: dakota.laframboise@alaska.gov
Phone: (907) 269-8745
For traffic or access concerns please contact:
Chevy Fowler
Project Traffic Control Supervisor
Southeast Roadbuilders
Email: cfowler@colaska.com
Phone: (907) 766-2833
Cell: (907) 314-0354
Traffic Project Hotline
Phone: (907) 314-0680
For questions on area management and facility use:
Preston Kroes
Southeast Area Superintendent
Department of Natural Resources – Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Email: preston.kroes@alaska.gov
Phone: (907)465-4563
For questions on ADF&G Hunter Access Program:
Katie Sechrist
Program Coordinator
Department of Fish and Game – Division of Wildlife Conservation
Email: katie.sechrist@alaska.gov
Phone: (907)267-2541
