Rough Riders AK, Inc. Fish Creek OHV Park Support

We, the undersigned, support the conditional use permit submitted by Rough Riders AK, Inc., a non-profit corporation, and CBJ Division of Lands and Resources as written:

Fish Creek Quarry OHV Park Plan
Submitted By:
Rough Riders AK, Inc and
Division of Lands and Resources
City and Borough of Juneau

Rough Riders AK, Inc. (RRAK) proposes improvements for off-road vehicle (ORV) use in the vicinity of the Lower Fish Creek Rock Quarry. The quarry is approximately half a mile from the bottom of Eaglecrest road. With minimal improvements this area could provide a much needed ORV recreational area. As proposed on the attached site plan, additional parking would be provided, ORV access and site circulation would be improved, the quarry pit would be closed and graded for additional riding area, existing logging roads would be brushed, and several new trails would be developed.

Parking / Access
Parking will be located at least 100 back from Fish Creek Road along the rock quarry access road. A minimum of 10 truck/trailer spaces will be provided, as well as 10 vehicle parking spaces. This is anticipated to match the parking demand as 30-40 riders can be accommodated in the proposed riding area, and riders typically share trailer use in small riding groups. Additional parking may be constructed in the future, by enlarging the proposed parking pad away from Fish Creek Road, or connecting to parking along Fish Creek Road. The quarry access gate will be moved, and the road widened, to accommodate two lanes of traffic. Widening could be accomplished by clearing the existing alders, wading out existing piles of debris and adding some fill material. Moving the gate and barricade boulders will be completed by the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) to ensure that placement meets with their approval. The boulders and gate will be placed so that when the gate is closed ORV's will be forced to enter the area through the designated ORV entrance located in the main parking area. Maintaining the gate is important to allow access for clean up vehicles and equipment to clear trails and grade the rock quarry.

Rock Quarry
The quarry currently has some trash in and around it. Members of RRAK will pick up this trash and CBJ will pay to remove it from the site. RRAK will coordinate with CBJ to grade the quarry area creating a track with banked curves jumps and other appropriate improvements. The quarry area will serve as the center of the riding area with several trails going into the clear-cut area. When trails are created around the quarry where steep inclines exist, rock barriers will be placed along the edge of the backs to increase safety before it is open for riding.

Trails
RRAK proposes the development of a loop trail System leading from the parking lot and quarry into the clear-cut (see attached site plan). Some of this trail will follow old logging roads and the remaining will need to be cleared by RRAK. This trail will be entirely in the clear-cut and rock quarry with no trails in the old growth forest. The trails will be brushed and cleared of stumps logs and other debris to make a safe trail. RRAK will work with the NOHVCC and Tread Lightly when aligning new trails to ensure minimal impacts to the natural resources, while developing safe, easy to use trails. Standard trail designs and cross sections are provided with this application.

Operation and Management
Rough Riders AK, inc. will provide volunteers to help CBJ facilitate management of this area. The Fish Creek OHV Park will be open to OHV use year round with the trail system open to OHV use between 8:00 am and 12:00 am (midnight). For safety reasons, trails will be restricted to motorized use only. A sound monitoring program will be implemented by RRAK, through assistance from the NOHVCC, to ensure sound levels are within acceptable limits. Sound testing at CBJ property lines will be done before and after park opening.

The main parking area will be open for trail access only and no fires or alcohol are allowed at any time in the riding or parking areas. A group picnic area may be established with a designated fire pit. There will be speed limits in specified areas, a designated youth only area based on OHV engine size, and helmets will be required for all riders. Signage and enforcement of OHV area regulations will be done by RRAK. Blocking of problem areas will be coordinated with CBJ, and trail cameras, to be provided by RRAK, will be used to aid enforcement if necessary.

The area will be covered by the CBJ general liability insurance. Any areas deemed dangerous by CBJ or RRAK will be blocked using material from site, and properly marked as off limits.

Trail layout and trail maintenance will be provided by RRAK through club funds, donations and grant monies. Periodic trail assessments will be done by RRAK and CBJ staff. RRAK will use GPS mapped trail assessment sheets to pinpoint problem areas.

Special events and activities will be limited to 6 events per year and will require authorization from CBJ. All authorized events will be non-competitive in nature and may include, but are not limited to, poker runs, match trials, family fun days. The site will also be used for proper OHV riding education, sustainable trail education and OHV safety training classes.