 April 20, 2005
The main goal of the analysis is to provide information on all of the roads on the island, which are located approximately 12 miles west of Wrangell. According to the Forest Service, the analysis will provide several things including information critical to developing a road system that is safe and responsive to public needs and desires, is affordable and efficiently managed and has minimal negative ecological effects on the land. Roads Analysis is an integrated ecological, social and economic approach to transportation planning, addressing both existing and future roads. It will use a science-based approach to document the current condition of the transportation system to address existing and future road management options. "The analysis is not a decision-making process," said Acting Wrangell District Ranger Bill Messmer. "The analysis will provide information to assist us with transportation planning efforts." The next phase of transportation planning on the Wrangell Ranger District will be an Access and Travel Management Plan that will include a decision process for road management and additional opportunities for public input. "This analysis is a proactive way for us to get a handle on future road management issues to prevent any possible negative impacts from unplanned roads and trails such as erosion, watershed and habitat degradation, and impacts to cultural resource sites," said Messmer. "But, in order for us to do this effectively, we really need input from the public." "We will use the input we receive from the public to develop a set of issue statements to provide focus for the Roads Analysis," Messmer explained. "We would like to know what people use the road system for and what their access needs are on Zarembo Island." Comments can be general or oriented to a particular road. Comments will be most useful for the Roads Analysis process if received by May 13, 2005. Comments may be mailed to:
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