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Home , Alaska Highway, Delta River, Denali Highway, Gulkana River, Hess Mountain, Mount Deborah

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ktA-fk.A- :5tA-te- :5ee-aie ?>1fWA-1f5 Designation Application /h ltC-ant In PJJt,-,aftC7n This application will Sponsoring Agency, Organization or Individual help the Department of I Ms. Annie Hopper, Black Rapids Lodge Transportation B.. Contact Person Public Facilities (DOTB..PF)determine I Annie Hopper whether the nominated Mailing Address byway willqualify under the Alaska I 1307 WindfallWay Scenic Byways Physical Address program. After a review by the Scenic I (sameas above) BywaysCommittee, the City Zip commissioner of DOTB..PFwill make the I Fairbanks, AK 99707 final determination as Telephone Fax to whether the byway qualifies for I (907) 455 -6158 designation. Once a E-mail Website road is designated as www.blackrapids.org an Alaska Scenic I [email protected] Byway,it is eligible for National Scenic Byway ;PrC7 C7fet(l>tjwa In prf1,-,attC7n grants, and for nomination to national Name of Proposed Byway status. Byways must have a corridor I RichardsonHighway management plan Route Section(s) (CMP)to apply for All Example: Section 1:Sterling Highway from Anchor Point to Homer American Road or Section2 D toGlennallen National Scenic Byway. . The CMPwill include FtJI!7 t;t:..E£l.."V information about how the community intends to develop and protect the byway. please return to: Approximate length (in miles) of the entire proposed byway Scenic Byways Coordinator 1151 ADOTB..PF Statewide Planning 3132 Channel Drive *Please include a map indicating the route, and up to six non-returnable photographs of Juneau, AK 99801 the propossed byway. Jfttn:tftC c:Lua!t'ttef he Bywaycan be designated underone or moreof the six "intrinsicqua(ities"defined bythe Federa( HighwayAdministration.P(ease indicatewhich of these qua(itiesare mostapp(jcab(efor the proposed Tbywaydesignation.

S«:eni«: Quality is the heightened visual experience derived from the view of natural and man-made elements of the visual environment of the scenic byway corridor. The characteristics of the landscape are strikingly distinct and offer a pleasing and most memorable visual experience. All elements of the landscape - landform, water, vegetation, and man-made development - contribute to the ~ quality of the corridor's visual environment. Everything present is in harmony and shares in the intrinsic qualities.

Na-tural Quality applies to those features of the visual environment that are in a relatively undisturbed state. These features predate the arrive of human populations and may include geological formations, fossils, landform, water bodies, vegetation, and wildlife. There may be evidence of human activity, but the natural features ~ reveal minimal disturbances.

llistori«: Quality encompasses legacies of the past that are distinctly associated with physical elements of the landscape, whether natural or man-made, that are of such historic significance that they educate the viewer and stir an appreciation for the past. The historic elements reflect the actions of people and may include build- ings, settlement patterns, and other examples of human activity. Historic features ~ can be inventoried, mapped, and interpreted. They possess integrity oflocation, design, setting, material. workmanship, feeling and association. rr. iii\ Cut-tural Quality is evidence and expression of the customs or traditions of a 10'" distinct group of people. cultural features include, but are not limited to crafts, music, dance, rituals, festivals, speech, food, special events, vernacular architecture, etc., and are currently practiced. The cultural qualities of the corridor could high- I!!-":'~ m light one or more significant communities and/or ethnic traditions. Ar«:heotogi«:al Quality involves those characteristics of the scenic byway corri- dor that are physical evidence of historic or prehistoric human life or activity that E are visible and capable of being inventoried and interpreted. The scenic byway corridor's archeological interest, as identified through ruins, artifacts, structural !I!t remains, and other physical evidence, has scientific significance that educates the viewer and stirs an appreciation for the past. rr . 8:\ Reaeational Quality involves outdoor recreational activities directly associ- ated with and dependent upon the natural and cultural elements of the corridor's landscape. The recreational activities provide opportunities for active and passive recreational experiences. They include, but are not limited to, downhill skiing, '~ .. rafting, boating, fishing and hiking. Driving the road itself may qualify as a pleasur- L!I. . . .~ ~ able recreational experience. The recreational activities may be seasonal. but the quality and importance of the recreational outdoor activities as seasonal operations must be well recognized. ~

:5tate/neftt Cl' :5t' ftt'.t"/caftce sing the intrinsic qua(ities identified on the previous page, p(ease exp(ain how the proposed byway is significant, and why it should be added to the Alaska Scenic BywaysSystem.Additional pages may be U attached if necessary. Please do not exceed five pages.

See attached.

7u n5t(/ct/Clft (ease (ist (oca(,state and/or federa( government agencies that have jurisdiction over the proposed byway route and the primary contact. Describe how the agencies have been informed about the effort to Pdesignate a scenic byway in their jurisdictions. Government Entity Contact Name B..phone Number How Informed DOT&PF Shannon McCarthy 451-2240 Meetings, phone, email, letters

City of Delta Peter Hallgren 895-4656 Meetings Les Ozawa 873-4604 Meetings, phone, email, letters

Bureau of Land Management Roger Delaney 474-2313 Phone

6Clf;tf;~U fttf;Parttct'att'Clft Community Organization Contact Name B..phone Number HowInformed Delta Chamber of Commerce Brenda Peterson 895-5068 Meetings, email, letters

Paxson Community Council Walter Kopp 822-5823 Meetings, phone LJ,tJrFtl(tJrMafia e»~eft'tiJjfuef escribe the corridor management issues that may be addressed for the route. Issues might range from the beneFrtof new income due to increased tourism, to the impact on public facilities (roads, parks, Dpub(jc restrooms, etc.), or from the benefit of preserving community history to the impact of new devetopment. Additiona( pages maybe attached. See attached.

orridor Continuity Atthough byways with a continuous scenic corridor are encouraged, federal (aw permits the designation of scenic bywaysfrom which are exduded certain segments. Those segments Cwith substantiat industrial or commercial use that indude tittle or none of the intrinsic qualities for which scenic byway designation is desired may be exduded. App(icants should attach a description of any sections proposed to be exduded, and establish a reasonable basis for the exdusion.

5i ftature U) 17':::5tJftftJrU).

Signature Printed Name Date v- /{~7-DS

4/15/99 AlaskaBywayApplication "'

Richardson Highway (Milepost 115-265) Alaska Scenic Byway Application Statement of Significance

Scenic and Natural Significance Glennallen to Delta (MP 115-MP 265) The is a world class scenic byway and represents the best of Alaska. The current state scenic byway designation extends from Valdez to Glennallen, but the entire length should be considered one of Alaska's most scenic byways. This application requests the addition of the central portion of the Richardson Highway (milepost 115 at Glennallen to milepost 265 at Delta Junction) to the list of Alaska's Scenic Byways.

The community of Glennallen is one of Alaska's quintessentially small towns. Named for two ofthe basins most famous western explorers, Major Edwin Glenn and Lt. Henry Allen, it is home to just under 600 people. However, Glennallen can be considered a hub in many ways, as its location is a launching spot for a number of outstanding recreational destinations-the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the Gulkana, Klutina, Tazlina, and Copper Rivers (world class salmon streams), and millions of acres of forest, alpine meadows, lakes, rivers and streams to explore.

A driver starting in Glennallen is surrounded by breathtaking views of the Wrangell mountain range-four peaks, , , , and can be seen from the center of the community. The surrounding vegetation is primarily interior boreal forest, with plentiful black spruce, birch and aspen. However, the higher humidity brought up from the Gulf of Alaska lends to lush vegetation during summer months reminiscent of a rain forest.

About 11 miles north of Glennallen is the confluence of the Gulkana and Copper Rivers. The driver is treated to glimpses of the Gulkana, a river well known for recreation-full of rapids, fish and wildlife-as well as being easily accessible. From here, the highway follows the to its headwaters high in the mountain pass at Summit Lake. The common alignment of river and road for over 65 miles is part of what make the Richardson so spectacular-considered one of Alaska's wild and scenic rivers-the Gulkana's drama of whitewater, cliffs, and peaceful vistas gives a thrill at nearly every turn of road.

The traditional native village of Gulkana is locatedjust off the highway in this area. Like many of the villages along the Richardson, it was established around the turn of the century. Originally the location of a telegraph station, it was named Gulkana by the U.S. Army Signal Corps after the river. The Gulkana Roadhouse was built in the early 1900's by C.L. Hoyt, a fur dealer who ran the roadhouse until 1916. However, the current village has moved across the river from its original location; it was cut in half during construction of the Richardson Highway during World War II. Residents moved the village in the early 1950's. As a traditional native village, subsistence plays an important economic and cultural role in the community.

As the road begins its long ascent into the Alaska Range, the driver can see a great expanse to the west. Peering through the trees, the Gulkana River drop off can be seen, where water has carved a deep river gorge through the landscape. A traveler can take advantage of these spectacular vistas on the numerous trails throughout the region.

But it doesn't take a willingness to hike a few miles to see some of Alaska's wildlife. Eagles are frequently seen circling above, while small roadside ponds provide excellent viewing of the occasional hungry moose. Migratory waterfowl also take advantage of the nearby wetlands and travelers will see everything from sandpipers and lesser scaups to arctic loons and trumpeter swans.

In case you miss the man-made landmark, the pipeline can be seen throughout the area, but is frequently buried to avoid distractions from the viewshed. Built to withstand frigid cold, earthquakes, fires, and frigid ground, it was completed in record time-three years and two months. Constructed with some of the most innovative engineering known, it provides a perfect compliment to the Richardson; Alaska's first highway.

As a northbound traveler begins to climb into the foothills of the Alaska Range, he or she enters a unique biogeographical region called Interior mountains. Instead of a homogeneous group of vegetation with remarkably similar terrain, the Interior mountains are actually a complex mixture of boreal forest, alpine shrubs, grasses, and tundra within a wide range of terrain and altitudes. Some of the hills and valleys have been carved from glaciers, but many have remained ice free, with rugged mountains shooting up from upland pastures. Moose, caribou, and Dall Sheep can be seen throughout the area, and their home range can be very large-ranging through several vegetation and terrain types.

Hogan's Hill, at an elevation of 2,647, provides the visitor a view of three mountain ranges; the Alaska Range to the north, the Chugach's to the southwest, and the Wrangell's to the Southeast.

However, the true jewels ofthe Interior mountain region are the lakes that line the Richardson at these highest elevations. Forming spawning grounds for sockeye salmon, the lakes teem with other species of fish including record sized lake trout and grayling. There are numerous boat launches and waysides to enjoy these unique, often glassy smooth water bodies.

Meier's Lake Roadhouse is set on the historic site ofthe original roadhouse, and one can imagine what it must have been like to stop along the lonely trail nearly a century ago. The original Catholic Chapel, built in 1920,is directly across the road and is still has a scheduled mass.

During the summer the area serves as a playground for campers, hikers and anglers, with a multitude of fishing holes, mountain trails and campgrounds. But during the Interior's Jl

long, snowy winter, the area becomes a virtual winter wonderland for those who use the area for snowmachining, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.

The unincorporated community of Paxson lies at the crossroads of the Richardson and Highway. It is the site of one of the original Richardson Highway roadhouses, the 'Timberline Roadhouse' established in 1906by Alvin Paxson. While the structure has fallen into disrepair, the community retains its unique Alaska appeal, with airplanes parked by the side of the road, moose and caribou racks on houses, and century old cabins intermixed with structures from the 1950's and beyond.

Just north of Paxson lies Summit Lake, at an elevation of 3,210 feet. The last of the alpine lakes visible from the road, Summit Lake is the most picturesque, with luminescent green water. It is headwater of the Gulkana River and is the northernmost body of water that flows to the Gulf of Alaska. Bodies of water located north of Summit flow north and west leading to the Bering Sea. Summit Lake is a premier sockeye salmon spawning ground, and visitors can witness the lifecycle of the lake spawning salmon first hand at the Gulkana River overlook at the southernmost tip of the seven mile lake.

This area also hosts Alaska's largest snowmachining event in the state; the Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic, drawing more than 10,000 spectators in early April each year. It is an economic boom to the local lodge owners and communities and has created a major winter recreation event available to Alaska residents and visitors alike. Snow clings to the valley crevasses even in the middle of summer and winter storms have been known to hit the area in what might be considered by many to be early and late summer.

The surrounding countryside is reminiscent of a moonscape, with large geologic features, and enormous vistas. The road peaks at Isabel Pass, elevation 3,280 feet, named after Isabelle Barnette, E.T. Barnette's wife who, with Isabelle, traveled the Richardson during the turn ofthe century Goldrush. There is more to the Barnette story, years before his Richardson Highway trip, he established a trading post on the Chena River that became the community of Fairbanks, the termini ofthe Richardson Highway.

Isabelle Pass is truly a mountain pass and the viewer is treated to mountain peaks, glacier moraines, and alpine streams. Moose, caribou, and sheep can be spotted in the area, along with the occasional porcupine and beaver house.

Shortly after reaching the pass, the driver gets a full view of the Rainbow Mountains. The full range of color comes from the volcanic, siltstone, and sandstone slopes. The 6,700 foot mountains are literally on the roadside and visitors may be tempted to pull over to collect the colorful rocks. Caution should be maintained, however, as the area is subject to frequent slides, including a slide that occurred during the November 3,2002 7.9 earthquake.

It is also in this area that the road begins following the . A few miles up the highway, visitors can pull off the road at a viewing area for the Pipeline and Denali Fault. "'

In addition to interpretive signage on pipeline history, the viewer can also learn about the seismic design of the pipeline, and how it survived the 7.9 Denali Fault earthquake on November 3, 2002.

As the Richardson begins its gradual descent toward , the visitor can see glimpses of the famous Black Rapids Glacier or "Galloping Glacier." Nicknamed for its rapid advance during the winter of 1936-1937,it nearly enveloped the Black Rapids Roadhouse. Historic markers reflect the location ofthe terminal moraine, while today's glacier is barely visible from the road.

The Black Rapids Roadhouse, another of the original roadhouses, sitsjust north of the historic markers. Known periodically as both the Black Rapids Roadhouse and the Rapids Hunting Lodge, it opened around 1902-1904to serve miners and other fortune seekers along the original Valdez to Fairbanks trail. Abandoned in the early 1980's, new owners have undertaken aggressive restoration efforts with grant assistance from the State of Alaska's Division of History and Archeology. It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. A modem lodge is currently under construction on the bluff overlooking the original roadhouse. It is expected to open in 2006 and serve as a year round alpine retreat.

The road continues northward, entering the great plains ofthe southern Tanana Valley. The unique landscape is dotted with solitary pines surrounded by scrub brush, at dusk appearing like lone soldiers standing guard over the river valley. Views of the Alaska Range to the South are remarkable as (elev. 12,339), (elev. 11,940), and (elev. 13,832) loom over the sweeping basin.

Donnelly Dome, at an elevation of 3,900 (2,400 feet above ground level), escaped the forces of two glacial ages that flattened the surrounding countryside. Sitting apart from the Alaska Range, it's a great spot for hiking and popular for blueberry picking in the summer. Its unique appearance makes it one of the most memorable geologic features along the entire Richardson Highway.

Those more interested in the pipeline construction can stop and stretch their legs at the Alyeska Pump Station Number 9 further up the road. Although tours of the facility have been suspended due to security reasons, one can appreciate the affect that the pipeline and pump stations had in developing Alaska.

Forest fire plays a pivotal role in the lifecycle of the Tanana Valley Forest. Visitors can see this first hand throughout this section of road as the burned areas along both sides of the road undertake a regeneration. Bare aspen trees create eerie silhouettes with blackened branches amongst new lush undergrowth that is slowly reclaiming the forest. Fireweed, one of the first plants to return after a fire, is abundant along the road and adds to the colorful display in the summer time.

If it's World War II history that you're after, then Ft. Greely, Milepost 261, will interest you. Built in 1941 as a strategic defense airfield, it served an alternative landing site in u

the Allies' Lend Lease program as a transfer site for Russian pilots. Becoming an Army Post after the war, it was named after Maj. Gen. Adolphus Washington Greely, explorer, author, and founder of Alaska Communication System.

Historic Significance

The Richardson Highway route is one of Alaska's oldest transportation corridors with the richest history in Alaska. Portions oftoday's modem day highway were historic Alaska Native trail systems which allowed Native groups, such as the Ahtna, Chugach, Tlingit and Eyak, to conduct trade for thousands of years.

When Russian explorers came to the area in the late 1700's, they likely used the same trails to penetrate into , which by the winter of 1798they had done as far north as the Ahtna village of Taral. Trade with the Russians increased use of certain trails in the area and by the time Americans explored the area nearly 100 years later, these paths were well established including evidence of brush cutting in the Copper River basin area.

However it was Native Alaskans, not the Russians, who brought evidence of Interior Alaska's great mineral wealth to Prince William Sound. The Ahtna traders brought copper to a Russian post at the mouth of the Copper River via the trail, what is now the southern most portion of the Richardson Highway corridor.

It was this mineral wealth that led to the development ofthe modem highway. Gold discoveries ofthe late 1880's, put pressure on the American government to establish an "All American" route to gold fields, as the majority of prospectors were coming through the , passing through Canada. By 1898,various American explorers had rediscovered traditional footpaths and the route from Valdez to Eagle was established.

As gold discoveries shifted from Eagle City and the , the Fairbanks fork ofthe trail gained dominance. By 1906, the U.S. Army's Road Commission, headed by Colonel Wilds P. Richardson, had carved these well-worn footpaths into a wagon trail from Valdez to Fairbanks.

Enterprising prospectors established roadhouses along the route, many of which still exist today. The roadhouses were often set on the banks of rivers, about 20 miles apart, the equivalent of a day's journey on the trail.

During the same time period, Alaska Natives in the region were establishing permanent settlements along the trail, often at or near their summer encampment areas along the flvers.

The continued its work into the 1910's adopting road standards that promoted year-round travel with commercial loads. While they still considered the Valdez to Fairbanks Trail a winter trail, they began upgrading the trail and adding bridges to make the route as continuous as possible. By 1913the first vehicle passed over the entire route. By 1918, the Alaska Road Commission redesignated the Valdez to Fairbanks route as a highway and named it after the first road commissioner, Colonel Wilds P. Richardson.

The Richardson continued to playa critical role in the development of Alaska, including the war time building ofthe , which gave Alaska its first ground transportation link through Canada to the Lower 48. During that time, the Richardson Highway was upgraded to an all-season road.

In 1953, it was reconstructed and paved. Most portions of the road have not changed significantly since 1953. The Richardson Highway once again became the center of industrial development during the 1970's when the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was built from the Prudhoe Bay oil fields to the Port of Valdez. In March of 1975,the first pipe was laid next to Richardson's Tonsina River crossing, less than 75 miles outside of Valdez. The pipelinewascompletedon May31st 1977. TheRichardsonHighwaycontinuesto provide critical access to the pipeline.

While the highway has been straightened, repaved, and upgraded over the years, its alignment remains remarkably the same as the footpaths on which it was built. Today it provides direct access from the rich ocean waters of Prince William Sound to the vast mineral wealth of Alaska's interior, just as it did for early Native Alaskans. The Richardson represents the best of the past and present-and this rich tradition deserves a special place as one of Alaska's scenic byways.

Roadhouses

Any history buff will be delighted to discover relics of the highway's early history dotting the byway's landscape; the Richardson Highway roadhouses.

Roadhouses, which lined many goldrush trails, played a critical role in the history of the era, however, not many have survived to recreate the journey for today's visitors. Fortunately, the Richardson Highway is the exception, with numerous roadhouses still in existence, and several taking overnight guests.

Heading northward from Glennallen, the first turn of the century site is Sourdough at milepost 147. The Sourdough Lodge was established around 1903, it was one of the longest continuously operating roadhouses until it was destroyed in a 1992 fire. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1994, however, many of the original 1903 outbuildings remain.

Twenty-three miles north, a rebuilt Meier's Lake Roadhouse is located on the original site. Charles Meier was the cook of Alvin Paxson, and got fed up with his benefactor to establish his own roadhouse just down the road. The one room Catholic Church on the opposite side of the road is original and is still conducting mass.

The remains of the original Paxson Roadhouse lie at milepost 185. While the roof and two walls of the 1900's structure have collapsed, one can still sense the grit and determination that it must have taken to establish a business in the middle of Alaska's wilderness. Alvin Paxson actually had several locations for his roadhouse, first building the Timberline Roadhouse, (a cabin kitchen and two tent bunkhouses) at Milepost 192. He then moved and expanded the rest stop a little further to the south at Milepost 191 in subsequent years. The big building you see at the Richardson and crossroads was actually built in 1958.

The next roadhouse a driver comes to heading north is the Black Rapids Roadhouse, built in 1902. Currently under restoration, it has a magnificent view of the Alaska Range and the Black Rapids Glacier. This glacier is also known as the Galloping Glacier because of its three mile advance during the winter of 1936-37, which threatened the nearby historic structure by surging over 200 feet daily until it stoppedjust short of the Delta River about a mile away.

Richardson's roadhouses continue northward outside ofthis scenic application. They contribute to the visitor's experience and are part of the larger historical story of this highway.

Recreational Significance Glennallen to Delta (MP 115-MP 265)

The middle section of the Richardson Highway contains Alaska's most fertile recreational areas, with opportunities abound for all season activities including climbing, hiking, berry picking, fishing, hunting, trapping, canoeing, rafting, boating, snow machining, sight seeing, glacier travel, flying, and numerous other outdoor pursuits.

Glennallen offers great launching off spot Charter salmon fishing. While king salmon fishing is the ultimate experience for Alaskans and visitors alike, there are plenty of other challenging fish to catch after the King season including red salmon that fill the rivers throughout the middle summer, pinks in late summer, and a strong silver run in the fall. Glacier fed rivers right in and around Glennallen offer fishermen a variety of opportunities including the Klutina, Tazlina, Copper, and Gulkana Rivers.

The community also rests in the foothills of the and serves as a supply and launching spot for those seeking adventure in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Boasting over 13 million acres of wilderness it is the nation's largest park with the largest number of glaciers and peaks above 16,000 in North America, included St. Elias, the second highest peak in the . Together with Glacier Bay National Park, Yukon's National Park, and 's Tatshenshini-Alsek Park, it is 24 million acre of wilderness which the United Nations recognized as a World Heritage Site.

The Gulkana is one of the Richardson highway's greatest treasures as it parallels the road from the headwaters near Paxson to the Glennallen area. The Gulkana offers world class recreational opportunities at every bend. It offers a truly Alaskan experience, from calm waters to class III rapids, wildlife viewing in it's most undisturbed state, and a plethora of fishing; from grayling, rainbow trout, to king and red salmon. The Gulkana is part of the national Wild and Scenic Rivers and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Along the highway, there are numerous BLM hiking trails to the Gulkana River, including Sailor's Pit, Milepost 129.4,Poplar Grove, Milepost 138, and from Milepost 141.3 scenic viewpoint. Additionally, BLM owns and maintains the popular Sourdough Creek Campground at Milepost 147.5 which has 60 camping sites, and Gulkana River Boat launch. The nearby Sourdough Creek offers additional angling opportunities, particularly grayling fishing.

The driver heading northward enters the higher elevations of the Interior, and toward a different set of natural attractions. The small creeks and upland lakes continue to offer great fishing experiences in the summer, including Haggard Creek, June Lake, Nita Lake, Gillespie Lake, Meier's Lake, Dick Lake, and Paxson Lake. The area offers great bird viewing opportunities of a wide variety of other migratory waterfowl including trumpeter swans, lesser scaups, and common loons.

Further north, the small community of Paxson offers the traveler overnight accommodations before embarking on nearby adventures, including the popular launching site for Gulkana River adventures, hiking and hunting along the rustic Denali Highway, and snowmachining in the mountains.

Summit Lake is the Interior mountains, at 3,210 above sea level, the seven mile long lake is the headwaters of the Gulkana River. Fishing is good and the lake offers burbot, lake trout, grayling, and red salmon. Recreation in this area is world famous, but not just in the summer; in the winter months the area becomes a snowmachiner's heaven, with no end to snow and variable terrain. Arctic Man and Ski and Sno Go Classic, a popular downhill skiing and snow machine event attracts over 10,000 spectators each year in April.

Five miles north, is Fielding Lake State Campground, a small campground with seven sites. Two miles further is the take out point for the Delta River Float from Tangle Lakes, to the west of the Richardson. Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site is 24 miles up the highway and is a central location for the small lakes nearby including Coalmine Road Lakes, Weasel Lake, and Donnelly Lake.

Donnelly Dome, elevation 3,910 feet, is one of the most attractive hiking areas to the north ofthe Alaska Range. A 2,400 foot rise from ground level, the Dome dominates the Delta River Valley viewshed for miles around. Once above tree line, the hiker is treated to magnificent views of the Alaska Range and Tanana Valley. Not only is it a great trek, but conjecture about how the Dome was formed is sure to keep the hiker occupied for hours.

Culture and Archeological Significance Glennallen to Delta (MP 115-MP 265) The Richardson Highway runs through lands inhabited by Native Alaskans for over 10,000 years. There are numerous archeological sites throughout the region, and two federally recognized tribes located in the region; Gulkana and Gukona. Native history and culture are vitally important to this byway and a visitor experience will be enriched by understanding the role they played in the development of this transportation corridor.

Gakona is locatedjust two miles off the Richardson Highway, on the Tok Cutoff Highway, at the confluence of the Gakona and Copper River. Gulkana, located at the confluence ofthe Gulkana and Copper River was originally located across the river. Both villages were permanently occupied around the turn of the century.

Conclusion To summarize, this highway is well qualified to become one of Alaska's scenic byways. It represents the best of Alaska's past, present and future. Northern Richardson Highway Corridor Management Issues

Issue #1: Increased income from visitor industry.

Three communities and numerous small businesses line the 151 miles comprising the middle section of the Richardson Highway. These communities and small businesses would greatly benefit from additional dollars that might be generated from a scenic byway designation.

While there are charters and cruise passengers traveling along the highway, the independent traveler brings significant benefit to the communities and businesses along the Richardson Highway. Independent travelers drive the highway in private or rented vehicles, buying fuel, supplies, and overnight accommodations at the small businesses that line the highway.

Because independent travelers have declined over the last decade, a State Scenic Byway designation would help highlight the byway as a destination. An increase in visitors will help the small businesses and the communities that define this scenic, historic, recreational, natural, and archeological transportation corridor.

Issue #2: Impact to public facilities (roads, parks, public restrooms, etc.)

Impacts to the highway and public facilities along the Richardson is an ongoing concern. While we do not feel additional traffic generated by an Alaska Scenic Byway designation will impact our highway and associated amenities, other developments along the highway are changing the traffic volumes along the corridor and should be considered part of any highway discussion.

At the northern end ofthe nominated corridor is Ft. Greely. Ft. Greely Army Base, which had been moth balled in the 1990's base realignment efforts, is now the site of Alaska's Ground-based Missile Defense System. There has been increased traffic now that the base has reopened. Additionally, there is support for an extension ofthe to Ft. Greely in the near future. We would expect construction of this project to also impact traffic on the Richardson.

Public facilities are also an item of interest. There are abundant federal and state trails and campgrounds, numerous lakes, rivers, and streams teaming with fish, rich hunting grounds, wonderful wildlife viewing and great scenery all along this 151 mile corridor. These recreational attractions and facilities are heavily used by both visitors and residents of the region. There is interest in additional garbage, restrooms, parking, and camping facilities.

Issue #3 Community History While the Richardson Highway has a rich 's first highway, it is largely uninterpreted for visitors. Designating this byway as a scenic byway will help connect its communities and businesses to their common stories.

Issue #4 Other Tourism Efforts

There are other initiatives to increase tourism along the Richardson Highway, including an ongoing effort between the communities of Valdez, Glennallen, and the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Additionally, there is a greater effort by Copper Valley residents, businesses and landowners to promote the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park as the rival destination to Denali National Park; a distinction that is truly deserved. Finally, a Richardson Highway Association (RHA) has formed to steer some of the many opportunities, such as tourism marketing grants and highway construction dollars, to benefit the byway.

A state or national scenic byway designation is compatible with these efforts, but communication will play an important role in coordinating the needs and wishes ofthe byway community.