2024 Saltery Cove Trail Update
With funding and support from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Hunter Access Program and support from Kodiak Island Borough, we were able to initiate our efforts again in 2020 to secure the trail from Saltery Lake to Lake Miam with an easement, to secure dedicated public access, and provide some trail maintenance along the way. By the end of May 2024, trail work was completed and we are currently starting the survey process before Kodiak Island Borough can apply for the trail easement.
The ADF&G Hunter Access Program utilizes federal Pittman-Robertson Act funds. Taxes on your purchase of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment make this project possible. Check out the project page here. These federal funds covered 75% of the project cost and the remaining 25% had to come from non federal funds as match. Island Trails Network was able to meet that 25% match through private donors and Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative grant for providing cash contributions as well as our volunteers and local business for their support and in-kind contributions. Saltery Adventures provided us with side by sides as in-kind contributions to help us meet our match and some of the logistical challenges of this remote project.
The ADF&G Hunter Access Program utilizes federal Pittman-Robertson Act funds. Taxes on your purchase of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment make this project possible. Check out the project page here. These federal funds covered 75% of the project cost and the remaining 25% had to come from non federal funds as match. Island Trails Network was able to meet that 25% match through private donors and Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative grant for providing cash contributions as well as our volunteers and local business for their support and in-kind contributions. Saltery Adventures provided us with side by sides as in-kind contributions to help us meet our match and some of the logistical challenges of this remote project.
Saltery Cove Trail
Mission: Develop and promote stewardship, restoration and maintenance projects for trails.
Project Dates: May 2015 - Summary: In 2015 we embarked with project partner Interior Trails on a multi-year design and construction project to improve braided and ponded areas of the the Saltery Cove trail. This trail sees more motorized use than any other in the Kodiak Island Borough. It provides access to five salmon-bearing streams and tributaries, and hunting for deer, bear and goat. For trail enthusiasts, the trail system provides motorized and non-motorized opportunities for a wide range of user groups. For these reasons, the Saltery Cove trail is a long-standing favorite of trail users and trails enthusiasts. As of February 2017 the Kodiak Island Borough's planned improvements to Saltery Cove road have been delayed due to lack of jurisdiction. A detailed records review during the permitting process revealed no easement associated with the Saltery Cove trail. In September 2016 the borough applied for the easement, triggering a public process. By November 2016 the application has been provisionally approved by Alaska Department of Natural Resources, but required the borough to complete a survey, which is taking place in the winter and spring of 2017. Read the regional manager's decision. Until the easement is granted, the use of the Saltery Cove road is allowably only under Generally Allowed Uses of state land. The easement will cause little change for trail users, but will allow much-needed improvements to be made to the trail. Project Partners: Interior Trails Funding Partners: Kodiak Island Borough |
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