Minutes from North Campus Subcommittee Meeting
November 6, 2006

Present: Cynthia Steiner, Pete Fix, Tim Stallard, Linda Zanazzo, Dan Osborne, Rich Boone (Chair), Luke Hopkins (North Campus Manager)
Absent: Scott Jerome
Guests: Stan Justice, Don Lokken, Ed Clark

Meeting came to order at 12:15P. There was no quorum until 12:40P.

Minutes of the November 1, 2006 meeting were adopted as corrected.

Manager’s Report – Luke Hopkins
At the recent Parking & Circulation Subcommittee meeting Luke reiterated the NCS request that connections be established between main campus trails and North Campus trails. He noted that the issue of accessibility with respect to campus trails needs to be clarified with UA Statewide.

Public Comment
None

Continuing Business
The Subcommittee discussed and voted on a motion that Linda had made at the last NCS meeting. The motion: Snowshoeing is permitted on North Campus winter walking trails and on the outside of groomed ski trails. This policy will be in effect for a trial period of one year and will be reviewed subsequently by the North Campus Subcommittee.” The motion failed 4-1.
Pete made the following motion (seconded by Cynthia): Snowshoeing is allowed on winter walking trails and other trails not designated for skiing.” The motion passed 5-0.

Tim made the following motion: “Winter walking trails should be re-named ‘Winter Walking and Snowshoe Trails’”. Motion passed 5-0.
There was considerable discussion about walking on the CIGO road (south of Yankovich Road). Dan made the following motion (seconded by Pete): “A walking trail should be created near the ski trail west of the CIGO Road, in lieu of walking trail along the CIGO Road. The selected route should minimize impacts or interference with existing ski trails.” Motion passed 5-0.
Luke reviewed the walking trails issues that hadn’t been resolved by the conclusion of the November 1, 2006 meeting. The NCS now has resolved all the major issues that had remained at the end of that previous meeting.
Pete made the following motion: “The North Campus Subcommittee endorses the winter walking trails plan and supports forwarding it to the Master Planning Committee for its consideration.” Motion passed 5-0.

Minutes from North Campus Subcommittee Meeting

December 5, 2006

Present: Cynthia Steiner, Pete Fix, Tim Stallard, Dan Osborne, Rich Boone
(Chair), Luke Hopkins (North Campus Manager)
Absent: Scott Jerome and Linda Zannazo
Guests: Stan Justice, Don Lokken, Andy Blossy

Meeting came to order at 12:05P.

Manager’s Report – Luke Hopkins
Luke received a Special Event request for the Snowshoe Race (same event as was held on North Campus last winter). Last year Andy Blossy groomed the course after the event. The proposed date for the race is February 24 (Saturday) from 11A-1P. Chad Carroll from Running Club North is the sponsor.

Luke met with Chris Bennett (Chair, Circulation & Parking Subcommittee), Ed Foster, and Annette Chism regarding the main campus interconnecting trails. Annette noted that any trails between buildings must be lighted. The main identified priority is improvement of the North-South connections (e.g., the trail to Lola Tilly Commons from the dorms). Luke noted that we should work out the issues regarding the Sheep Creek road connector to campus. The NCS had a general discussion about interconnecting trails on campus.
Luke described the tree cutting and shelter building activity that occurred in early November on North Campus. The activity was not authorized and was carried out as an activity of an Arctic survival course through the Aviation Technology program at the Tanana Valley Campus. Luke is trying to identify the instructor to follow up on this.
UAF Facilities is purchasing two snow machine units for trail grooming.
Luke has signs ready for posting that state that walking if prohibited on ski trails.
Luke notes that the NCS will need to develop a management plan for Ballaine Lake. Kathleen Schedler (Facilities Director) has asked for a fact sheet on Ballaine Lake. For example, who owns the water of Ballaine Lake? Dan pointed out that we don’t know how many users Ballaine Lake can support. He pointed out that we need baseline information on use of the lake, e.g., number of person days that the lake is used.
Rich commented that the Winter Walking Trails Plan was adopted by the Master Planning Committee at its most recent meeting and forwarded to the Chancellor.

Public Comment
Stan Justice noted that he contacted the Chancellor asking for a statement that walking on ski trails is not allowed.

Time of meeting adjournment was not recorded, though it would not have continued beyond 1:30P.

Minutes from North Campus Subcommittee Meeting on April 10, 2006

Present: Scott Jerome, Linda Zanazzo, Tim Stallard, Pete Fix, Dan Osborne, Rich Boone (chair), Luke Hopkins (ex officio and North Campus Manager)
Absent: Cynthia Steiner
Guests: Stan Justice, Don Lokken

Meeting came to order at 12:05 PM. A quorum was present.

Minutes from April 2, 2006 meeting approved.

Manager’s Report – Luke Hopkins
Luke communicated to Dr. Kim that the proposed location for his equipment was unacceptable to the Geophysical Institute (Dan Osborne’s group). Luke will work with Dr. Kim to find an alternative location.
Permit request from Diane Wagner and Pat Doak was reviewed. The proposed work should not impact other researchers; low-impact vehicles will be used for any summer access.
Ongoing work on walking trails reviewed. Suggestion that walking trails options be presented to students in early September for their consideration.

Public Comment
Stan Justice requests to see approval for Skiathon application. Stan notes that minutes are inaccurate because approval process never got to completion. Stan notes that individuals on campus have discouraged use of certain trails. He requests that issues be sent “up the chain” so that individuals cannot unnecessarily quash trails proposals without going through the process. Luke responded to Stan’s comments regarding approvals.

New Business
Dan Osborne moves to approve the application from Wagner and Doak. Tim Stallard seconds. Luke noted that the work should have very little impact on the trees and that it will not impact other research. There is an agreement between Luke and the applicants that the equipment must stay on the roads. The motion to approve the application passed 4-0.

Continuing Business
Luke proposes creating four plans instead of one.
Dan is against a new trail connector from the Pooch Loop to Smith Lake. He doesn’t support establishing trails for winter walking in areas that are wet in the summer. Establishment of those trails in winter will encourage unwarranted walking on the same (wet) trails in the summer. Dan thinks we shouldn’t intentionally steer people into swamps. Dane notes that winter trails may be widened if people use the same trail (then wet) in the summer.
There was a general discussion of Luke’s maps with Options A-D for winter walking trails.

Meeting adjourned at 1:30P.

Minutes from North Campus Subcommittee Meeting on April 3, 2006

Present: Scott Jerome, Linda Zanazzo, Tim Stallard, Pete Fix, Dan Osborne, Rich Boone (chair), Luke Hopkins (ex officio and North Campus Manager)
Absent: Cynthia Steiner
Guest: Stan Justice, Don Lokken

Meeting came to order at 12:00 PM.

Minutes from March 6, 2006 meeting approved.

Manager’s Report – Luke Hopkins
Luke gave an overview of the discussion about campus walking trails at the most recent meeting of the Circulation & Parking Subcommittee (CPS). CPS members agreed to visit trails before the end of this snow season, especially the trail behind the houses on Chandalar Drive and the trail south of Yukon Drive. NCS members had a general discussion of some of the issues regarding main campus trails. The possibility of a trail from Yukon Drive to the Patty Center was raised. Luke pointed out that safety issues would need to be considered. A working group from the CPS will meet later today (April 3) to look at campus trails.
The issue of deciding the switchover from ski season to non-ski season was discussed. The trails are still in good shape now. Luke will put up a sign that trails are still being groomed and is preparing a sign to announce when grooming is over.
A request for Outdoor Days was received. Luke is working with UA Real Estate and Statewide Land Management on the request.
A request was received from Student Activities to hold a “Mudrun” on North Campus, as part of UAF Springfest on April 28. Luke said he would identify trails that might be used for the run. Dan Osborne suggested using the farm fields for the run.
Resolution of Dr. Kim’s permit request is still in process.
Luke raised the issue of using eminent domain to secure trails. Ralph Seekins (state senator) has proposed a bill (Bill 318) that a 2/3 majority from municipal government would be required to secure trails via eminent domain.
There is a statewide trails conference in Fairbanks this week, starting on Wednesday. One guest speaker is a developer who includes trails in his developments and maintains that trails are important to economic development. Information about the conference can be found at the Borough’s Park and Recreation web site. There will be a workshop on grant writing for trails improvement.
The T-field ASF reflector was vandalized. Footprints were found leading to the reflector, which was bent. ASF staff removed the reflector, repaired it, and re-installed it.

Public Comment
Stan Justice reported that the Ski-athon was successful and raised $1700. Stan noted that he had not received notification that his permit application was approved. He said that notification needs to be timely. He also noted that inaccurate maps were submitted for the phonebook and visitors map at the last NCS meeting, when there was no quorum. Stan objected to the omission on the submitted map of (1) the trail that crosses from the Beaver Slide Trail to the T-field, and (2) the trail south of Smith Lake.

Old Business
Pete Fix reviewed a summary of the walking trails survey. Notable were the large portion that don’t walk to Smith Lake (63%) and those that don’t walk on the Pooch Loop (57%). 64% preferred to walk side x side. 92% preferred to walk on trails <60 minutes. Half of the respondents want a trail length <3 miles. Only 6% were against allowing dogs on trails. 18% were against allowing bikes on trails. 57% would use trails 1-2 times per week. About half of respondents would contribute to grooming of walking trails.
There was a general discussion of the survey results. It was noted that in general people who responded to the survey and at the focus group showed they are respectful of the need to maintain trails for skiers in the winter. Luke believes our information may not sufficiently include the needs of walkers from West Ridge.
Member of the NCS will meet at Tim Stallard’s office at 4P Wednesday, April 5 for a walk to examine possible winter walking trails.

Meeting adjourned at 1:25P. The next meeting of the North Campus Subcommittee is planned for Monday, April 10, 2006.

Minutes from North Campus Subcommittee Meeting on February 6, 2006

Present: Tim Stallard, Dan Osborne, Pete Fix, Scott Jerome, Rich Boone (chair), Luke Hopkins (ex officio and North Campus Manager)

Meeting came to order at 12:05 PM

Manager’s Report – Luke Hopkins
Fairbanks Shakespeare Theater (FST) will locate their Summer 2006 production to the wooded area north of the museum (outside the North Campus).
Luke reported on the February 2, 2006 meeting of the Master Planning Committee (MPC). At the MPC meeting John Craven had raised a concern about reports of a “squashed motion” within the North Campus Subcommittee (NCS). Luke offered at the meeting that he was not aware of a squashed motion and suggested that perhaps Craven was referring to an email from the Chancellor regarding walking trails. Luke had pointed out that the email was forwarded to the North Campus Subcommittee after the NCS Chair contacted the Chancellor for approval to distribute the email. Kathleen Schedler presented a plan at the MPC for building sites west of the Natural Sciences Building.
Luke forwarded information to the Circulation & Parking (C&P) Subcommittee regarding suggestions for connections between campus trails and the North Campus as well as for expansion of the trail network on the central campus. Chris Bennett (Chair of the C&P Subcommittee) will be forming a working group of members from the NCS and C&P Subcommittees to formulate a joint plan.
Luke and Rich met with Nick Nugent (President of the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks, NCSF) regarding formulation of a Memorandum of Agreement between the NSCF and UAF regarding trail grooming in the North Campus.
Luke commented on the plan from Alaska Fish & Game (AF&G) for fish stocking in Ballaine Lake. Comments from UAF are still welcome. A stocking of 3000 fish/yr in Ballaine Lake is planned for 2006 and 2007. The AF&G plan allows for a maximum stocking of 8,000 fish.
Luke will meet with Dr. Kim during the week of February 20, 2006 regarding his request to locate equipment on North Campus, near a research site used by Dan Osborne.

Rich asked whether the NCS should review the Ballaine Lake stocking plan. Luke is drafting comments on the plan now. Rich suggested that discussion of the plan be included as a agenda item for the next NCS meeting.

Public Comment
Stan Justice shared UAF put a high school student from Eagle River in touch with him regarding the trails at UAF. The student is a skier and may be interested in attending UAF.

Don Lokken suggested upgrading the ramp/entry to Ballaine Lake for winter access.

There were general comments about the need to upgrade the Calypso Nature Trail.

Old Business
CIGO Trail issues: Luke provided a reminder that the NCS at its January 9, 2006 meeting passed a motion to relocate the Beaver Slide Trail (outside the 500’ buffer around the CIGO facility) to satisfy concerns of CIGO staff. There was a discussion about the connector trail to the north of the CIGO site. Jack Townsend favors elimination of the trail. Luke reported that Roger Smith (GI Director) appears open to a compromise solution. Luke presented the option of a compromise solution that would involve some realignment of the trail so that it crosses the CIGO road further north of its current location, which is near the CIGO parking area. Rich and Dan both supported the concept of a compromise solution.
Update on walking trails: Pete gave an update on the web page survey to obtain input on walking trails. The web page will be active shortly. There was a general discussion of a timetable for getting a walking trail plan to the MPC. The following was decided:
early March (first 2 weeks): focus groups on walking trails
mid-March: Comment period period ends for comments via the NCS web site
mid-March to mid-April: Formulate plan for walking trails
April 15-30: Obtain public comment on walking trail plan
Early May: Forward final walking trail plan to MPC.
Skarland Trail grooming: There was a brief discussion about whether the northwest portion of the Skarland 6-mile Trail should be groomed or not. The discussion was tabled for continuation at the next NCS meeting on Monday, February 20, 2006.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:30P.

North Campus Subcommittee (NCS) Meeting 3/9/04

Attending:

Members - Carol Adamczak, Rich Boone, Darrin Edson, Dan Osborne, Tim Stallard
Consultants ? Pete Fix, Mike Hay
Public ? Stan Justice, Don Lokken

Approved with amendments minutes of 2/24/04 meeting.

PC ? Stan is gathering notes of non-objection on proposed trail projects. Access to SAR dish should be included in the North Campus Plan, because there are some conflicts with ski trail grooming and access to the dish that is plowed for vehicles..

New Business

Discussion on Roger Asbury's proposal for geo-caching activity in the North Campus Area. Roger was invited to attend the ad hoc committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, 2004. The ad hoc committee is currently the body that makes management recommendations for the NCA to the Chancellor.

Specific Comments:

• Dan ? It's difficult to give consideration to an activity without details of what is involved. Rich ? We need more details. What's the cache consist of?
• Tim ? There could be some good educational opportunities, but it would need management by the North Campus Manager (NCM).
• Pete ? There would be appropriate areas for it to occur, and inappropriate also.

Summary of discussion: The NCS needs more information on the specifics of the activity before it can make recommendations.

Timetable for finishing the North Campus Plan ? The Plan must be drafted by early April. Public comment must be incorporated into the Plan. Notification of public involvement meetings must be posted at least two weeks prior to the meetings. The meetings will be held in late March. Notification needs to be posted this week. Overall format of the meetings will be similar to the previous public scoping meetings. Three meetings will be held at three different locations, two on campus, and one in town at a location that is to be determined. A difference from the public scoping meetings is that there will be a 20-minute presentation by Pete Fix highlighting certain aspects of the plan. Presentations will be followed by question and answer opportunities, and a chance for the public to view posters giving details on the Plan.

The draft Plan, other than public comment, can be finished by March, 21 st if votes on management decisions are made on before spring break. If Chancellor Lind is to approve it before he leaves the University, the Master Planning Committee (MPC) needs to look it over and approve it before he does. The MPC needs it in early April.

Proposed on-campus trails ? A section will be put in the Plan that supports the building of trails on campus. This section includes proposals for trails that warrant further study, and a proposal for a central campus trailhead near the Wood Center. The Farm is concerned about people biking through the farm. There is already a problem with trespass by snow machines. They don't want more of similar issues.

Dan as a new member on the North Campus Subcommittee (NCS) has a fresh perspective and has comments regarding the Plan. There is a lack of balance. Coverage in the Plan is weighted towards recreation and outreach, and away from research. 51% of research revenue in Alaska comes through UAF. Not all research uses the NCA, but some do. There is a lot of research history here, and it is inadequately represented in the history section of the Plan. There are many management details provided for the trails, but none for research. There are roads within the NCA that were built as roads, still used as roads, but called trails in the Plan. This is misleading. There should be a more detailed treatment of research uses in the NCA. The agreement for the land used at the CIGO site is a permanent agreement. Funding for the CIGO site is through a twenty year agreement with the USGS.

General responses from other committee members:

Rich ? The fact that research is not well represented in the history section is known. This has been addressed by an expanded history section written by Pat Holloway.

Carol ? Trails are managed not only because they are used for recreation, but also because they are access to research sites. Trails and roads are the access for all activities that occur in the NCA.

Pets - The details in the Plan that reference trails are, in fact, restrictions on trail development activities.

North Campus Subcommittee (NCS) Meeting 2/24/04

Attending:
Members - Carol Adamczak, Rich Boone, Tim Stallard, Cynthia Steiner
Consultants ? Pete Fix, Mike Hay
Public ? Stan Justice
Visiting - Dan Osborne

Approved with amendments minutes of 2/17/04 meeting.

Welcome to Dan Osborne. His membership on the committee is not official yet, but he's started attending meetings.

Ken Larrimore will not be on the NCS. The Director of Athletics feels the new ski coach would be a more appropriate member for the NCS. Whoever it turns out to be will not be nominated until next month.

Regarding proposals put forth as public comment at the last NCS meeting: Decisions on the trail projects will be made by the ad hoc group convened until implementation of the North Campus Plan. The next scheduled meeting for the group is March 5, at which time the ad hoc group will look at the proposals. After the ad hoc group reviews the proposals they will make recommendations to the NCS.

There is an aerial photo dating from 1948 of most of the Arboretum. This photo can be used to aid in decision-making regarding management of trails within the Smith Lake Preserve. One of the management guidelines of the Reserve is that there be no tree cutting. Knowing which trails pre-dated the 1950 Regent's designation of the Smith Lake Preserve will facilitate trail management decisions.

Rich presented some specific rules-of-order for the committee's decision-making process.

• A vote can be called at anytime by anyone.
  
   
• Any formal recommendations made by NCS to the Master Planning Committee (MPC) must have been decided by vote.
  
   
• A quorum is a majority of committee members that are currently on the committee. For instance, currently there are six members on the committee, so four is a quorum.
  
   
• A majority vote by a quorum carries as a majority vote.
  
   
• Nine is the maximum number of people the NCS can have.

Because the deadline for submittal of the North Campus Plan (NCP) is approaching, some decisions may have to be made by vote. The NCP can be considered a detailed recommendation to the MPC and Chancellor. They will have the ability to make changes to the NCP after it has been submitted. When the NCP goes out for public review the MPC will get copies. After the public comment period appropriate changes will be made by the NCS, and the revised plan will be sent to the MPC.

Discussion on proposal for connection trails between Lower Campus, West Ridge and NCA.

The Master Plan mandates there be a trail connection plan developed. Currently there is a trail from Wood Center that connects to the south end of the NCA trail system west of faculty housing. Outdoor Adventure rents skis, and students use this trail as access to the trail system. This trail could be managed and marked with a sign. Another trail connecting Lower Campus with West Ridge could be extended to form a contiguous connection between the two ends of campus. Another trail that has been proposed is a commuter trail that connects Yankovich Rd., near the Muskox Farm, with West Ridge via the T-field Rd. There is also a proposal to upgrade and reroute the commuter trail connecting Sheep Creek Rd. with the West Ridge. The proposal will be refined by Tim Stallard, and discussed with the Landscaping and Outdoor Art, and Parking and Circulation Subcommittees of the MPC. The proposal will also be discussed with the NCS for potential inclusion in the NCP.

North Campus Subcommittee (NCS) Meeting 2/17/04

Attending:
Members ? Carol Adamczak, Rich Boone, Pat Holloway, Tim Stallard, Cynthia Steiner
Consultants ? Pete Fix, Mike Hay
Public ? Stan Justice, Don Lokken

Approved with amendments minutes of 2/10/04 meeting.

Public Comments this week were submitted by Don Lokken and Stan Justice in the form of trail project proposals. Because of their length they have been moved to the bottom of the meeting minutes.

Ken Larimore with Athletics and Recreation, and Dan Osborne with the Geophysical Institute have been invited to serve on the NCS.

The UAF Shooting Club would like to have scheduled hours to use the firing range. Because of questions about the safety of the range building, the NCS feels Risk Management should approve use of the building, and the Rifle Coach should ensure that safety standards for the activity are followed.

The North Campus Management Plan should have a section addressing access to the range road .

General discussion of ramifications of disclosing to the public too much detail and jeopardizing the integrity and confidentiality of current research in the North Campus Area (NCA).

Discussion on trail conditions.

• Introduction to the recreation management concepts of indicators and standards.
• The trails section in the Plan is currently in the recreation section. It should be moved to its own section, because trails are a part of all uses.

There should be a section in the Plan that addresses ADA accessibility in the NCA.

Trails in the NCA should tie-in with trails in the built part of campus. An Action Statement will be added to the Plan stating that there should be coordination between the Parking and Circulation, Landscape and Outdoor Art, and North Campus Subommittees regarding this topic.

In the Plan:

• the Venn diagram should be changed to a triangle to imply connectivity.
• Status quo is poor wording.

Public Comments submitted by Don Lokken

Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks,
Priorities for UAF 2004 Trail Maintenance Projects
 

The current winter ski trail grooming done jointly by UAF and NSCF has worked very well. The additional trail work done by UAF Facilities Services during summer and fall of 2003 has resulted in the best ski trails ever at UAF. We would like to thank the Grounds Supervisor, ?Bear? Edson, and his staff and encourage them do a similar job in 2004. We are eager to help Facilities Services however we can, including some financial assistance where necessary to continue improvement of the system. The NSCF priorities are roughly as follows:

1. Mowing and Brushing
   Again in 2004 all the trails need to be mowed before snowfall. No activity improves early season skiing like trail mowing. Use of the tracked Bobcat with heavy duty mower worked very well in 2003. Brush and small trees that lean towards the trails end up in the trail once they are loaded with snow. They need to be identified and trimmed again.
   
    
2. Trail Flattening With the exception of the Midnight Express and parts of the 6-Mile Trail, none of the trails have been flattened in many years. In their current rough condition, considerable snow is required before the trails can be groomed. Grooming removes snow from the high points and deposits it in the low areas. It is not uncommon for the groomer to expose bare ground at the high points. Rough trails are also hard on equipment and on the machine operator. The trail sections we'd like to see flattened in 2004 include: Potato Field - In 2003 the central trail was rerouted around the worst of the thermokarst features. There are still a few dips and bumps that need to be flattened or bypassed. Practice/Start Area - The wide power-line clearing from the back of the IARC parking lot to T-Field Road is used as a ski practice area and race start. There are many stumps that need to be removed to facilitate mowing and grooming. Eventually we want to develop a larger more functional stadium/practice area but with the potential for the ring road, and the warming hut being forced to move, we only plan to remove the stumps at this time. T-Field-Smith Lake Connector - This connector trail is rough because the original construction left low cut stumps. We support a project to remove the old stumps. Ballaine Lake Ramps - The trails leading down to Ballaine Lake from the North and South need be smoothed out.
   
    
3. T-Field Road - The northernmost section of road (immediately south of the T-field) is frequently muddy, resulting in deep frozen ruts. It would be great to get some sort of stabilizer and/or surface on this (or at least keep wheeled vehicles off when it's muddy). The construction of the huge dish antenna at the picnic area has eliminated much natural humus and vegetation and evidently resulted in run-off and bad erosion at the start (south end) of the T-field road. Both re-seeding and other erosion control are needed.

Public Comments submitted by Stan Justice.

Trail Projects for 2004
University of Alaska Fairbanks
February 25, 2004

What is being submitted?
Below is a list of trail projects that are planned for construction by the University Trails Club and the Nordic Ski Club during the 2004 construction season. The projects are broken into maintenance projects and capital projects.

Who is submitting the request?
Stan Justice, President of University Trails Club
Rob Cremak, Secretary of University Trails Club
Jim Mery, President of the Nordic Ski Club
Phone - 479-5017
Email - ffsrj@uaf.edu

What is needed?
Approval to complete the projects.

Maintenance Requirements?
The projects will decrease maintenance requirements.

Who benefits from the Projects?
UAF students make considerable use of the trail systems and the improvements are focused on areas accessible to students. Staff, faculty and the Fairbanks community also use the trail system.

What review process have the projects gone through?
All of these projects with the exception of the Big Whizzy - Smith Lake Connector Trail were included in the document "Trail Projects for 2002 and 2003" submitted to the Chancellor on November 26, 2001. Before submitting the 2001 document the plan was circulated for comment via the trails listserve, discussed at Trails Club meetings, and posted in the warming hut. The below list of projects was again circulated via the listserve and further discussed at Trails Club meetings. The list was also circulated to all members of the North Campus Planning Subcommittee of the Master Planning Committee and briefly discussed at their meetings on 1/14/2003 and 1/28/2003. The Big Whizzy-Smith Lake Connector Trail project was submitted on January 30, 2003.

Maintenance Projects

The below projects are routine trail maintenance. All work is within the existing clearing limits of the established trails.

1. Trail Flattening
   With the exception of the Midnight Express and parts of the 6-Mile Trail, none of the trails have been flattened in many years. In their current rough condition, considerable snow is required before the trails can be groomed. Grooming removes snow from the high points and deposits it in the low areas. It is common for the groomer to expose bare ground at the high points. The rough trails are also hard on equipment and on the machine operator. The trail sections to be flattened in 2003 include:

• Potato Field - In 2003 the central trail was rerouted around the worst of the thermokarst features. There are still a few dips and bumps that need to be flattened.
• Practice Area - The wide powerline clearing from the back of the IARC parking lot to T-Field Road is used as a ski practice area and race start. There are many stumps that need to be removed to facilitate mowing and grooming. Eventually we want to develop a larger more functional stadium/practice area but with the potential for the warming hut being forced to move we only plan to remove the stumps at this time.
• T-Field-Smith Lake Connector - This connector trail is rough because the original construction left flush cut stumps. The project would remove the old stumps.
• Ballaine Lake Ramps - The trails leading down to Ballaine Lake from the North and South would be smoothed out.
• Winter Walk to Smith Lake - There are a few thermokarst bumps and dips that prevent this trail from being maintained by the snowmachine. If the walk to Smith Lake is not maintained people walk down the ski trail causing damage. The bumps would be pushed into the dips.

The soils in the proposed work areas are generally well drained. The work will be within the existing trail clearing limits. The stumps will be removed with a Secon Head on a Franklin carrier. This equipment chips the stumps much like a stump grinder. A small cat with a six-way blade will then be used to level the trails. The work will be done without making berms. Any grubbed materials will either be buried in low areas or back bladed to separate the roots from the soils. The roots will be removed by hand and the soil used in trail leveling. The trails will be built higher in the center or sloped to one side to facilitate drainage. If available, fill material will be used to build up the trails. If grass seed and fertilizer is provided by UAF, volunteers will spread it.

Estimated Cost - $6000
Funding Source - Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks
Lead - Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks

2. T-Field Road
   The 1999 TRAAK grant funded a project to install typar and gravel over the 300-foot wettest section of the T-Field Road. The next 300-foot section of road immediately N of the graveled section is always treacherous with slimy mud.

Estimated Cost - $11,000
Funding Source - Unknown
Lead - UAF

3. Additional Trail Name/Warning Signs -
   In the summer of 2001 name and warning signs were installed on many of the trails. A need for the following additional name/warning signs has been identified.

• Skarland 6-Mile Trail (2)
• Caution (2)
• One way - Do Not Enter (2)
• Lights on at dusk - off at 9pm (3)

Additional name and warning signs may be identified with a comprehensive survey of the existing signs. The signs would be the same style, color and size as the existing signs. They would be placed on eight foot long 4x4 pressure treated post buried 4 feet in the ground.

Estimated Cost - $450
Funding Source - Remaining Jim Whisenhant Lighting Grant
Lead - University Trails Club

4. 6-Mile Trail Chip Projects
   Past work has installed typar and wood chips on the worst sections of the 6-Mile Trail. There are three sections that need additional work.

1. North of Museum - 200 feet of new chip trail
2. E of Dalton Trail - 200 feet of new chip trail
3. W of Dalton Trail - This is the first section of chip trail that was built 3 years ago. The chips are shavings from a log turning operation in Fox. The shavings have proven to be less durable than the Northland Wood unscreened chips that were used on subsequent trails. This project would add a layer of wood chips to this popular trail

5. Mowing and Brushing
   As in 2003 all the trails need to be mowed before snowfall. No activity improves early season skiing like trail mowing. Use of the tracked Bobcat with heavy duty mower worked very well in 2003. Brush and small trees that lean towards the trails end up in the trail once they are loaded with snow. They need to be identified and removed.

Estimated Cost - $3000
Funding Source - $1500 University Trails Club as per 2002 agreement
$1500 Facility Services
Lead - Facility Services

Capital Projects

1. Arboretum Classic Trails Safety Correction
   The Arboretum portion of the Six-Mile Trail is the most rustic portion of the trail system. The trail is listed on the trail map as "ungroomed - use at your own risk" because the trail has one dangerous turn. This proposal would correct the safety problem while retaining the pristine nature of the area.
   
   The problem is a sharp turn at the base of the hill where the connector trail to LARS leaves the Six-Mile Trail. The dangerous turn could also be fixed by removing 4 or 5 spruce trees at the sharp turn.
   
   On the South side the trail branches into an E trail (the uphill trail) that cuts over to the T-field and a W trail that continues down the hill in a fun and popular descent. "Do Not Enter" Signs would be posted to keep people going the correct direction and Caution signs placed before the downhill.

Estimated Cost - $200 (signs and posts)
Funding - University Trails Club
Lead Signs - University Trails Club
Lead Tree Removal - UAF Grounds Crew

2. Informational Signs
   Name signs were installed in the summer of 2001. The original sign plan submitted in January 2001 included signs addressing common trail conflicts. Facility Services only implemented the name signs. This project would install the following signs.
   1. Skiing Only - during ski season No walking, running, dogs, bicycles (30 signs)
   2. Dog Must be on a Leash (10 signs)
   The signs would be placed on eight foot long 4x4 pressure treated post buried 4 feet in the ground.

Cost estimate - $2000 (signs and posts)
Funding - University Trails Club or Facility Services
Lead - University Trails Club

3. Big Whizzy - Smith Lake Connector

For safety concerns DOT posted Sheep Creek Road "NO PARKING", eliminating easy access to Smith Lake. There is parking further S near the Sheep Creek/Gold Hill intersection but the connecting trails from the parking to the lake are either steep or gravel strewn. This project would construct a 0.3 kilometer connector trail from the bottom of the Big Whizzy Trail over to Smith Lake. Much of the trail would follow old cleared lines from historic UAF activity. There is an existing trail but it is too narrow for skate skiing.

The terrain to be crossed is low and boggy. To minimize disturbance the trail would be cleared with a Secon Head on a Franklin carrier when the ground is frozen. The blade of the equipment would be set low to leave a smooth surface. Hand work would be employed to fill dips with material cut by the Secon Head.

Estimated Cost - $2,500 (plus volunteer labor)
Funding - Nordic Ski Club
Lead - Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks

4. Pooch Loop Additions

The project list submitted in 2001 included a number of Pooch Loop additions. Next summer we want to bush out the old trail that runs from the west leg of the Pooch Loop and goes towards Dalton Trail. The trail is important because it provides a connection between the existing Pooch Loop and the existing multi-use trail along the North border of campus. This trail would also provide a commuter trail for people coming to campus from the Dalton Trail area.

Estimated Cost - None
Funding - NA
Lead - University Trails Club

Attending:
Members - Carol Adamczak, Rich Boone, Pat Holloway, Cynthia Steiner,
Consultants -- Pete Fix, Mike Hay
Public -- Stan Justice, Don Lokken

Approved with amendments minutes of 2/4/04 meeting.

Public Comment

Don -- The section in the plan that states that there should be no trail grooming in the Arboretum should be removed. The trails within the Arboretum have been groomed for some years now.

Stan -- There is currently no clear definition of the boundaries of the Arboretum and there should be.

Rich is working on getting a replacement for Bill McDonnell, hopefully someone to represent UAF athletics.

General discussion of formatting of Action Item tables.

General discussion of terminology for Recommendation for North Campus Area section.

History section needs to be expanded with more details.

Previous plans that have been written should be included.

The paragraph introducing the Action Items should be made more descriptive.

A timeframe column was added to the Action Item table.

Discussion on whether to include specifics regarding trail maintenance in the plan.

There should be some on-campus expertise on trail maintenance.

A tentative proposal was made to meet for most of a day on a weekend.

Meeting every Tuesday 12:00pm -- 1:30pm

Bill McDonnell has resigned. Rich will try to get someone from Athletics. Ken Larimore recommended for position

Minutes approved.

Meeting with UA Marie Montgomery

• Kathleen Schedler, Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Services
• Kellie Fritze, Senior Real Estate Manager UAF
• Person from Risk Management and others
• Bottom line -- Kellie has authority for permitting events on campus.
• North Campus activities will also go through her.
• This committee will make recommendations to her.
• Board Of Regents gives Marie authority to approve activities on lands.
• Most things require lease or insurance. Maybe some things on North Campus that will require input at Marie's level. Kellie will forward those to Marie. Marie doesn't want to know about a ski race.

UAF land use is for education. Chancellor sets limits.

• Equinox Marathon -- Does it fill out a permit every year?
• BLM does fill out permit for outdoor day and Marie approves.
• Kellie deals with campus issues.

The web event request forms sent to many departments on campus.

• Will broaden event form to be event or land use authorization.

Especially interested in community uses of campus.

Kellie would be main clearinghouse. Anything for North Campus will come to our committee.

• Do all proposals go through Kellie-- GS Troop to hike trails would not need ok but would like to know use.

Concern that NCL will become a gated community.

The issue is impact so no permit would be required for normal use.

We have task to get word out to use the web request for events on North Campus.

• School groups coming on campus, UAF should know for liability. Will be useful info for planning.
• Need to advertise event form.

Public Comment

• Stan -- Time is of the essence. Need plan by summer. Need decisions on trails by summer.
• Don -- Sent e-mail on old 6 mile trail.
• Issues raised in Stan's comments should addressed. Will look at them as we go through the plan.
• Rich to talk to DOT about any work they might do on Smith Lake parking.

Committee began discussion of plan with "Recommendations of Plan." (p. 38)

• Preserve and protect -- need to emphasize throughout plan.
• There are no rules in the plan to evaluate a proposed action on the NCL.
• "Research should be away from trails". How far?
• Some places okay to be vague.
• Bullet the priorities. Do not need numbers in front of them.
• Discussed headings, wording and order of listing for the recommendations. --Specific-- Management recommendations (p. 40) was discussed. What further plans must be developed?
• Change headings to time critical.
  • Immediate action
  • Ongoing action/activities

List of actions -- go back to Edie for Safety Plan.

• Trails -- need trails management plan. How to build trails, drainage, surfacing to protect.
• Need signage plan.

Come back to this Tuesday.

Executive Summary. Move mission of NCS to top. Pete planning to rework with our actions up front.

Public comment

• Don & Stan would like a copy of the draft plan.
• Separate the appendix from the plan to make the download easier
• During the public comment period -- have hard copy at Noel Wien and Rasmuson libraries. Web version will be OK for most people.

Regular Business

Change meeting time. We will not meet next Monday.

Public Meeting tomorrow to discuss permitting process at UAF.

• North Campus permitting must agree with UAA & UAF permitting
• Much happening without UA involvement.
• UAF has authorized land use without UA involvement.
• Meeting tomorrow includes Kathleen Schedler & Kelly Fritze of UAF, and Marie Montgomery, head of Land Management for UA in Anchorage will be at meeting Butrovich 208 E. 1:00 pm.
• Can North Campus have its own permitting process?
• Draft permit application was sent to UA.

UA Statewide also has taken over fund raising & donations to UAF

• Need to look into new rules & requirements.
• Look at Nordic Ski Club donations/assistance.

Many statements in documents that must be agreed to by the entire committee.

History issue needs to be addressed. Look at what is in plan.

Rich talked to Shirish Patil, Parking & Circulation Committee Chair. Meetings at Noel Wien & Wood Center were about 40 minutes of presentation followed by questions.

• There was poor attendance. Shirish recommended that there be better advertising.
• Decisions of the plan were shown on poster boards.
• Impacts to uses of NCL should be addressed for recreation, education, outreach, research.

Pete reviewed changes since last draft

• Brought maps from appendix into plan
• Followed Master Plan format
• Priorities listed on p. 38

Need to address Tanana Loop Road completion. Does the plan include Pat's memo to the Master Planning Committee.

Next time we will go through specifics of plan that are controversial to be sure we have consensus.

We need to identify any missing issues.

Address BOR policy for trails at Smith Lake

Attending:
Members - Carol Adamczak, Rich Boone, Tim Stallard, Deborah Wilkinson
Consultants - Pete Fix, Mike Hay
Public - Stan Justice
Visiting - Lilly Capell, ASUAF Vice-President.

Approved with amendments minutes of 12\8\03 meeting.

Public Comment

Stan went to the Master Planning Committee (MPC) meeting last week. There have been changes made to the Parking and Circulation Plan, and he wanted to be sure the NCS has received copies of the changes. Concerns of the NCS have definitely had an impact on the Parking and Circulation Plan; however, there is still only mention of mitigation and no mention of the North Tanana Loop Extension Project, as a whole, being reconsidered. The MPC meeting on January 8, 2004 should have a NCS representative attending.

Discussion with Lilly regarding reopening of campground

1. There is an interest in the student governance in both the senate and executive branches to reopen the campground. Currently there is no money to do this, but it is included in a bond issue that is to be voted on.
2. There should be a detailed health and safety analysis before any decisions are made regarding the campground. Health and safety are primary concerns in planning for such a facility. Water and bathroom facilities would have to be built.
3. When the campground was open in the past there were problems with the manager position being part-time. There are records showing problems with presence of transients, sexual assault, drugs, alcohol, and sanitation.
4. After student governance crafts a memo, the NCS can make a recommendation regarding how to approach a new campground.
5. There is a question as to whether a campground supports the values and mission of the North Campus Area (NCA).
6. It would not be appropriate for the North Campus Manager (NCM) to be responsible for management of a campground. Possibly Residence Life would manage a campground.

General Discussion

1. The NCS will seek guidance on what makes a quorum, so constraints on decision-making will be known.
2. It is important the meeting process is seen as transparent. There was question amongst some MPC members regarding a meeting between members of the NCS and members of the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks.
3. The MPC is moving ahead with the Parking and Circulation Plan trying to incorporate concerns of the NCS. A draft of the Parking and Circulation Plan has been sent out. NCS members should read the plan and make recommendations to the MPC this week. It was noted that there is not a consensus within the NCS on specifically what recommendations should be made to the MPC.
4. Another memo from the NCS will be sent to the MPC this week providing further information on impacts of the Tanana Loop Extension to the NCA and its uses.
5. The North Campus Plan (NCP) history is very thorough in some areas, but there are some gaps in the history. History of trails and geoscientific history is sparse. This should be acknowledged in the history section, so there is no misunderstanding about the diverse nature of land use in the NCA.
6. At past meetings the NCS agreed that the history discussed in the NCP will be restricted to currently active Memoranda of Understanding. A more detailed history will be available via the NCS website and the NCM.
7. Results and summary of public scoping meetings held in Spring of 2003 should also be linked, but not contained within the NCP.
8. It would be beneficial to keep copies of certain documents, such as the NCP and results and summary of the public scoping meetings, at the Library.
9. If the format of the NCP is good then Pete can move forward with putting the finishing the first draft. There are some strong statements in the NCP that the NCS may not agree on as a whole. These will have to be decided before the NCP is given to the MPC.
10. Regarding the Master Plan - the MPC put a lot of work into producing the MP. There were very few votes on contentious issues. Most of the issues were decided on by discussion.
11. The Action Item section of the NCP should be prioritized and have a timeline added to it. Included in the Action Item section should be an interim plan since the NCM will likely not be hired for a few years.
12. Action Items could be elaborated upon. As written they seem to assume a level of familiarity that not all readers will have.
13. Researchers do not yet officially know of the impending permit system.

Next meeting scheduled for 1\12\04
Will discuss - NCP, and interim plan to carry over until NCM is hired.

Attending: Carol Adamczak, Rich Boone, Mike Hay, Pat Holloway, Stan Justice, Tim Stallard, Cynthia Steiner

Approved with amendments minutes of 11\24\03 meeting.

Update on Parking & Circulation Plan, the Tanana Loop Extension and their impacts on the North Campus Area (NCA)

• The memo that was sent to the Master Planning Committee (MPC) has had an effect. The concerns of the North Campus Subcommittee (NCS) need to be addressed by the MPC.
• The MPC cannot change the Parking & Circulation Plan from where it currently stands.
• If Biological Research Reserve (BRR) facilities are moved there are considerations with regards to animal research.
• MPC has had discussions regarding some of the Tanana Loop Extension impacts on education, research, and trails.
• Pat has compiled an objective list of the impacts of the Loop Road.
• Some comments on mitigation of trail impacts:
  • New trails need to be aesthetically appealing
  • A commuter trail could be adjacent to the road, however ski\foot trails should be offset and separated from the road by a visual barrier.
  • The trails are multi-use trails, not just recreational.

The North Campus Plan (NCP) is being reformatted by Pat and Pete.

• The Acknowledgements section should be added to by the NCS.
• The NCP is supposed to last for 10 years. It will be a large document, because it is the first and a baseline document.
• As few sections as possible should be put in an appendix, because appendices don’t get read.
• The NCA has been multi-use for its entire history, and this should be emphasized in the history section.
• The extensive literature review that Pat has produced will remain in the NCP, and will reside in the appendix. Eventually, all references will belong to the North Campus Manager.
• The Introduction includes a description of the connection between the NCP and the Master Plan.
• A Goals and Action Plan section has been formatted to match the Master Plan.
• A more complete list of what user groups were interviewed is needed.
• Pat’s research into current agreements in the NCA has uncovered some interesting aspects of Ballaine Lake.
  • One of the MOUs for Ballaine Parking Area maintenance and clean-up were with the Alumni Association, however responsibility has been turned over to Facility Services.
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife began stocking the lake originally because it was a “dead” lake, no fish could winter over due to insufficient dissolved oxygen in the water. At some point that changed and now fish are living in the lake year-round.
     
• General discussion on formatting details:
  • Hardcopy form of NCP will probably be portrait, not landscape.
  • There will be photos, maps and copies of the seven posters added later. They require lots of bytes of storage, so they are not yet being added.
  • There are various binding options, all with advantages and disadvantages: spiral, comb, and 3-ring were mentioned.
  • Wordsmithing has not yet happened, but it will.
     
• There should be some discussion on ADA accessibility to the NCA. It should be addressed in the NCP.
  • The National Park Service addresses this by offering a variety of trails with different levels of accessibility.
  • The Troth Yeddha Park is proposed to be ADA accessible.
  • A trails consultant would provide good guidance on the level of accessibility for different difficulties of trails.
     
• Other components that should be addressed in the NCP are monetary donations by groups, and the use volunteers for work projects.
  • The Development Office has rules and regulations concerning donations to the University. The NCP should defer to these guidelines.
  • Georgeson Botanical Garden has a set program for orienting volunteers for work projects, so they are a source of information on how to succeed at this.
  • The Nordic Ski Club might have records of how many hours have been volunteered so far for trail work.
     
• More details should be added to the signage section of the NCP.

Attendees: Carol Adamczak, Rich Boone, Pete Fix, Mike Hay, Pat Holloway, Tim Stallard, Deborah Wilkinson.

Visited by: Edie Curry, Carol Lewis.

Approved minutes of 11\17\03 meeting.

Discussion with Carol Lewis, Dean of the School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, regarding status of the Arboretum and Arboretum Committee.

• Rich - The North Campus Subcommittee (NCS) needs to figure out how to mesh the North Campus Plan (NCP) and management with management of the Arboretum. Areas of management overlap need to be identified, and differences in management goals need to be identified.
• Carol-
  • The provost agreed to continue the Arboretum Committee (AC) at Carol's request. The AC will include new appointments from NCS, Institute of Arctic Biology, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences (SNRAS), Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Geophysical Institute, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Institute of Marine Sciences, Museum, US Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, US Forest Service Boreal Ecological Cooperative Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Nordic Ski Club.
  • The Arboretum consists of 320 acres including Smith Lake, a portion of the Exotic Tree Farm, and excluding the T-Field.
  • Previous leases held on the Exotic Tree Farm are no longer in effect.
  • Management of Arboretum and North Campus Area (NCA) should be integrated and cooperative. Their missions are close enough to be managed by the same person, who should be housed within SNRAS. The AC will make a recommendation on how the Arboretum should be managed by the NCS and North Campus Manager.
  • There is no money available for management of the Arboretum.
  • The Arboretum should be a managed area that is research and instruction focused.
  • There is some question whether the Arboretum management area should be reduced to just the Exotic Tree Farm, T-Field and Smith Lake.
  • There is no consensus in the current AC whether or not to keep the fence around the Exotic Tree Farm.
  • The AC should read the draft NCP, and define their level of involvement in management of the Arboretum.

Discussion with Edith Curry, UAF Fire Chief, regarding potential for building fire station and fire and police training facility near the rifle range.

The need for a fire\safety response plan for the North Campus Area (NCA) was reiterated. The NCS also has concerns that a fire station and training area would impact trails and research in the northeast part of the NCA.

Edie-

The fire station's current response plan for the NCA states that ATV and snowmobile will be their access vehicles. They need to get better information on which size and type of vehicles can use the different access points, as well as trail widths (this information is available from the NCS). It should be noted that barriers erected to help restrict unauthorized access to motorized vehicles also are a hindrance to rescue personnel. While not forming a complete barrier, they may slow down response time somewhat. A trail marking system would help rescue personnel locate people in need of assistance.

The current location of the fire station is not good. The building is old, and does not adequately serve the needs of the station. The building has seismic and electrical concerns, and inadequate space. The station needs to be moved to a new site.

A site was chosen and is in the Master Plan. This site is a 7 acre plot of undeveloped land bounded by North Tanana, Kuskokwim Way, and Tanana Loop.

The station needs to be on the east side of campus because of service area response time parameters.

The North Campus, near the shooting range specifically, was looked at, also. The advantages of this land would be enough room to build a large training facility for the fire station. The land would have a visual buffer from nearby roads.

General comments:

Pat - The Tanana Loop Extension section to the NCP should be changed. Currently it is too subjective and negative, and should more objectively list impacts.

Attendees:
Bill McDonnell, Carol Adamczak, Cynthia Steiner, Darrin Edson, Deborah Wilkinson, Mike Hay, Pete Fix, Rich Boone, Stan Justice

Approved with changes minutes of 11\10\03 meeting.

Meeting minutes will now be taken by Mike.

Stan thanked the North Campus Subcommittee (NCS) for going to Master Planning Committee (MPC) meeting. He thinks there's a possibility the proposed loop road may go in at a reduced speed design.

Rich discussed memo on loop road that was sent to the MPC. Writing the memo to represent a consensus view of the NCS was difficult in that there is no consensus view. The decision was made to follow the advice of Pat, the MPC representative on the NCS, and propose constructive ideas for how the loop road could be accommodated to mitigate negative impacts to the NCA. Rich will send some comments made about the memo to the NCS.

General discussion of Tanana Loop Extension:

There have been community members that have written UAF speaking against the Tanana Loop Extension.

During the public scoping meetings for the NC Plan people commented on the Tanana Loop Extension, and the MPC should be sent those comments.

The MPC is looking to the NCS to define the impacts of the Tanana Loop Extension on the North Campus Area (NCA).

Impacts are mentioned, but more detail needs to be added.

Rich - more information about the impacts to skiing, running and recreation should perhaps be added by Bill, and Brian Barnes could add more on impacts to the Biological Reserve.

General discussion of North Campus Manager position:

• The position will change with each year and season, especially as the position evolves.
• Percent of time for given tasks will be written as consisting mostly of maintaining communication with users and facilitating use requests with a smaller amount of time given to maintaining communication with NCS, MPC, and Facilities Services (FS).
• The global description of their job is to implement the North Campus Management Plan.
• They should be able to assess trail conditions, so there will be time spent on the trails.
• There will be a supervisory component involved in the position when volunteers are working in the NCA.
• The North Campus Manager (NCM) will need to look into funding sources for special projects. Funding could come from a variety of sources: grants, fund raisers, etc.
• The land grant money could be a source of funding for the position.
• Bill - The position will, to an extent, become what the NCM makes it. Where they focus their energy will determine what the role looks like for them.
• Pay and benefits will be decided by HR by comparing the position to similar positions within the UA system.
• With University financial situation as it is, getting this position funded as soon as 2004\2005 will be difficult.
• Cynthia - NCM should have someone working with them so the information doesn't reside with one individual.
• Carol - If the NCM is operationally under the Chancellor's office they will have support.
• Bill - The NCM needs to have some level of budget authority.
• Rich - The NCM will probably lack the experience to recognize research impacts of note. Most research requests should be sent through a research review committee.
• The NCM can prepare a synopsis of the proposed research to present to the review committee.
• The position will require a Master's, or 5 years of comparable experience.
• The Position Description should be as detailed as possible, and included with what is presented to the MPC, but not included online for public comment.
• The position will be balanced between education, research, outreach and recreation.

Discussion on organizational chart.

• Darrin - The position could be organizationally located in many places, let the University decide that because where the money comes from is where the NCM will end up.
• Physically the NCM should be on West Ridge.

On Monday 11\24

• Look at Plan
• Hopefully meet with Edie Curry

Attending:  Rich, Pat, Darrin, Deborah, Carol, Michael, Peter, Stan

We will review the draft plan next Monday.

Discussion of the Research area should be included in the plan

Brian Barnes should be asked to fill in more detail in reviewing the December draft.

Permit is not in plan yet. Will be in appendix.

Defer the discussion of the plan until next week

Edie can talk to us on Fire Station. Rich will see if she can talk to us next week.

Head of Parking & Circulation would be willing to talk to us.

Rich said that it would be valuable to have Carol Lewis to come talk to us.

Pat talked to Carol Lewis, Dean of SNRAS. She will be setting up committee this week. They will discuss options of remaining autonomous or working within the North Campus Area rules. Pat hopes that they meet next week.

Committee agreed to discuss plan next week.

Peter noted that the Tanana Loop Road image is very large if he deletes it he can send as e-mail attachment. (12MB with image)

Also on agenda today

1. Will give update on last 2 meetings today.
2. Consider permit process today.
3. Discuss ecological center
4. Discuss position description
5. Discuss meeting with trails committee

DOT meeting very positive. The main objective was to improve safety.

• Paul Prusak is looking at ways to change intersection
• Rich was encouraged by what is possible in the near future.
• The installation of an all way stop might not cost much.
• We discussed ways that improved signage could help
• Paul had noted that a flashing light doesn't help much
• Tim brought up the possibility that rumble strips might help.
• We discussed who would provide the money and planning. It is possible that DOT safety money could help this issue.
• Paul also said that he could look into the possibility of using funds from Thompson Drive.
  • We discussed the possibility of changing the road alignment. It is not in any plans at present. Long term could be possible.
• Paul very open minded and positive.
• Pedestrian crossing is not in a defined location. We discussed options for a crossing location.
• Gravel thrown on existing path. Not much can be done.
• The Miller Hill Road widening project may be pushed until after the bike path construction.
• Enforcement of speed limit would help the safety of this area.
• Signed area is only place where parking is illegal.
• Paul is supposed to get back to us soon. We will wait for his response. Rich will e-mail him soon if he has heard nothing.

Nordic Ski Club Meeting -- Rich, Peter, Michael, Jim Mery, Andy Blossy, Byron Broda, Don Lokken, Stan Justice.

• Discussed their trail issues. Very happy how things are going at this time.
• Did not seem major problems.
• Nordic Ski Club would like involvement of how funds are spent. Would like to be involved with work on trails.
• Things are working well now.
• Discussed Ring Road project and impact to the trails.
• Master Plan Committee forwarding recommendation maybe Thursday for Tanana Loop Road.
• Concerned about the construction of North campus loop road and the connection to trails.
• Many people assume a single trailhead. There are many places to get on the trails.
• Nordic Ski Newsletter showed alternate routes of North Loop Road

Pat commented that the Circulation study should state that the Tanana Loop Road construction must ensure that the trails are not disconnected. The road can't cut off campus from trails.

Cynthia stated that if the Tanana Loop goes through we want certain considerations.

Rich will draft memo on statement for MPC to consider on Thursday. He'll send tomorrow and needs comments on Wednesday.

Pat stated that we must make sure we have multiple points of contact.

• Allow everyone access, classes, pedestrians, skiers, etc.
• "Preserve and improve" access for trails.

Committee agreed that we need statement to insert in Circulation and Parking plan

Rich to talk to Shirish Patil, Chairman of the Parking and Circulation subcommittee.

Deb said that we should point out that community funds are spent on the trails.

Pat said that it would be best that we have specific statement to add into plan

In summary of meeting with Nordic Ski club, the North Campus Subcommittee should plan to meet twice a year with Nordic Ski Club.

Approved minutes of meeting with ADOT.

Approved minutes of 10/27 meeting

Deb asked about biathlon use for the Rifle Range. She had recently talked to Bert Boyer about the upcoming Arctic Winter Games.

• Bert talked to Andy Blossy about finding the original trails that were used for training for these games.

These were originally a snow shoe trail but they now need to be a ski trail.

Pooch loop may be the old trails for biathlon.

Randy Rogers, AK Fish and Game, was involved in the Borough Trail plan and may be able to provide background as to agreements on the North Campus trails.

Pat will talk to Fish and Game on agreements.

Discussion of environmental center

• Deb just came back from the North American Environmental Education Conference

We need an Outdoor Study Center. AK is behind the times.

We need to get the ideas for this center documented in this plan.

Pat has been working on this with Botanical Garden for a number of years. Plan was for trails with limited interpretive signs. Plans for 3 trails.

She has had discussion with LARS and Museum who are also interested in these trails.

The Calypso trail is part of this original plan.

There has been planning for trails from the Botanical Garden into the NCL.

• Also trails from the Museum into the NCL/
• Fits with many programs on campus.

AK should have degree in environmental education. Probably won't get Department of Education certificate.

• Could get a national certificate that is honored between government agencies.

Peter noted that there is an environmental learning center where he got his PhD that had facility for environmental classes.

Pat stated that people have been trying to coordinate this plan with environmental education.

The Educational Center should be discussed in the NCL plan. Do not need to specifically mention facility. The plan for the details of the Education Center will need to be separate.

The Alaska National Resource and Outdoor Education meeting will be here next year.

Karla Kirts was only person in education in their department.

The Lower '48 uses these centers for education of troubled youth.

Need to include statement in plan on Environmental Education.

Environmental Sustainability Grant to have course in environmental resources

• Expect this area of study to build in future.

"Place based education" has to do with environmental education. Complements native ways of knowing.

Permit Process

Need to have focus group from key researchers to review this permit. Explain that the permit is necessary to protect research. Send to researchers that originally responded.

Discussed possibility of one permit for all uses of North Campus.

First page of permit can be generic.

Might have different permits for different uses

Information from the permits will provide documentation for grant proposals

Cleaned up some things near rifle range this summer. Need to make sure things are not left behind like that in the future.

This process will help to know what's going on in the NCL.

Good to have group activities permitted also.

Liability statement will be needed on the permit.

Need prompting questions. Different permit for each type of use.

To visit an Education Center, people usually call ahead.

Agreed to meet next Monday

Get comments to Peter and Mike by Monday.

See if Edie can be here. If not what are the issues?

Talk about position description next week.

Discussion of Smith Lake Parking

Attending:
Paul Prusak, Tim Stallard, Rich Boone, Pat Holloway, Michael Hay, Carol Adamczak, Stan Justice, Don Lokken

• A couple years ago DOT put up signs per troopers request.
• Jeff Roach talked to Master Planning Committee previously about this area and the bike path.
• Don't know ROW widths for road in this area.
• Pat noted that people are parking where the "No Parking" signs stop, across from the intersection.
• Paul said that more stop signs could be added to make an all way stop.  It seems possible.  Would want to upgrade curbs on intersection and create actual islands.
• Don noted that a flashing yellow light at a crosswalk will help.
• Paul explained that UAF maintains W. Tanana Drive to the intersection.
• Paul will talk to safety engineers about improvements to intersection. 
  • There is usually resistance to adding a pedestrian crosswalk.
• Don would like to keep the pedestrian walk at parking lot.
• Paul believes islands at the intersection will help.
• Tim asked if rumble strips would help to slow down traffic. Paul said that a speed hump, if designed properly, would work. He did not know if a rumble strip would work. Would have to check with design engineers.
• Miller Hill/Yankovich upgrade is planned to have a separate bike trail. Another project is scheduled to fix the road. 
  • Bike path design does not include Sheep Creek. Design for Miller Hill bike path scheduled for '05.
• DOT has over programmed recently.
  • Bike path construction scheduled for '08.
• UAF committed to maintenance of bike path. Approved by Board of Regents.
• People still want Miller Hill as country road. Need to upgrade to12' traffic lanes.
• Generally look to DOT to fund road improvements. Will be several years for additional programming to be added..
• The latest census requires a local committee to determine DOT priorities.
  • Local mayors are on the committee. We would have to work with committee to get on list.
• We would like to talk to safety and traffic people.
• If project small enough, can be worked through maintenance.
  • It also may be possible to get safety money.
• All way stop probably low cost but need islands improved.
• Look on internet for speed hump design. May help pedestrian crossing.
• Need advance notice for cross walks.
• Enforcement of speed would help to slow down traffic in this area.
• There is still ¼ mile of road that will not have a bike trail when planned improvements are completed.
• Paul will check with safety engineers about 3 way stop and pedestrian crossing.
• Lime green crosswalk signs might be a good way to get people to notice the crosswalk. People do not pay attention to signs in general.
• Elevated crosswalk -- speed hump should be looked into. They usually cause people to slow down. Have to be designed correctly so they are not a safety problem.
• We would like to request a bike path to be built past the farm.
• Existing bike path was pushed by groups using 4 wheelers. University does not allow motorized vehicles on trails. All paths signed "no motorized vehicles" on campus.
• State law says that motorized vehicles can't use paths used by pedestrians.

Paul Prusak said that he would follow up on these ideas with DOT and would get back to us with possibilities for us to consider.

The North Campus subcommittee met on  October 27, 2003

Attendees: Rich Boone, Bill McDonnell, Pat Holloway, Tim Stallard, Carol Adamczak, Peter Fix, Michael Hay, Stan Justice, Don Lokken

Rich Boone had talked to Rick Caulfield about completion of draft plan. Need to get public input. Set up schedule with public comment period.

•  "Troth Yeddh" means potatoes.
•  "Troth Yeddha" is the place.

Pat reported on conversation that she had with Paul Prusak at DOT.

• Pat said that previous DOT contact, Jeff Roach, is gone for a year. Paul Prusak interested in connecting with us.
• Committee needs to continue dialog with DOT.
• It is important to understand the philosophy of DOT decisions.
• The Miller Hill bike path is still in line for planning but has been delayed a year. Planning is scheduled for '05 (Yankovich/Miller Hill bike path).
• Bike path ROW could go into NCL.
• Ed's research moved off road in preparation for bike path. Need to coordinate with DOT on the location of this bike path.
• Project is not near design phase yet.
• We want to be involved heavily in the planning and design.
• Miller Hill to be widened primarily for safety but residents want the "country road feel."
• Widening is not the same project as the bike path. Widening is scheduled first.
• Pat discussed Smith Lake parking with Paul. There is no road construction in that area. Just Miller Hill.
• There is no change to RR planned for the area by Smith Lake.
• DOT is aware of the safety issue of people crossing the road in this area.
• A 3 way stop can be discussed. Paul knows that DOT worries about traffic backed up over the tracks.
• Pat asked Paul for a way to make the area safer. He'd be happy to talk to us.
• Construction generally occurs 3 years after planning.

Committee discussed possible meeting with DOT next week. Maybe next Monday.

Pat also getting the mutual agreements between DOT and UAF at Ballaine Lake. Hank Strandberg to send them to Pat.

Pat to contact Fish & Game on Rifle Range agreements.

Rich heard about a possible fire station relocation. Initially the location was near the rifle range but he now hears that is will be near Ballaine Lake. Need to meet with Edie soon to discuss this.

The Engineering Department called Pat about their placing concrete in NCL. It had something to do with the use of canola oil.

The committee needs to talk to rifle coach, Glen Dubis. He wanted to expand the Rifle Range.

Rich meeting w/Nordic Ski Club Thursday at noon with Pete & Mike.

Master Plan for University should match Borough Plan.

• Trails plan for borough calls for connection to University trails.
• University agreed to keep Skarland trail connected to Borough trails.
• UAF can move trails somewhat with the agreement with the Borough.

Karl Kassel would be a good person to get to talk about trails.

Need to have action in our plan to connect to Borough trails and Trails Plan.

Copies of the approved minutes will be sent to Bev Frey to put on the website.

Rich pointed out that we must have an official public comments period.

Public comments -- None.

Guest speaker Miranda Wright -- Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Native Education

Miranda has submitted a proposal for the space between NSF & Museum to faculty senate & MPC. It is a proposal for green space called "Troth Yeddha." The name comes from the history of the area. Peter John referred to this in a speech. It is a place native people came after fish camp, looking for fall hunting. According to Eva Moffet., this is the area that 5 nations came together for a peace summit. Troth Yeddh because the wild potato was an important part of the regions diet.

• Their committee would like to restore the area to natural vegetation.
• Looking at their plan, the circle is too large as drawn. Would have to be scaled down.
• Miranda noted that their committee liked the access to parking at NSF & Museum and ADA access
• There is no definitive plan for a ski hut at this location.
• They do not want ski trails on the site. Width required for ski trails is too wide for their plan.
• The circle is to be the public center of the space, with a slope to the center of the circle.
• Pat noted that the Denver Botanical garden has a beautiful area with sloped gathering area.

Pat reminded everyone that this committee needs to look at the trails to campus center after the initial draft plan is complete.

The area of ground above the Utilidor must remain tree free due to the heat it generates.

Troth Yeddha includes a sculpture area that could work above the utilidor.

The area will be primarily for educational activities.

Rich added that this space and the NCL have issues that overlap.

Miranda expects this area will have concrete paths around and leading to the main circle. There will also be "brown" paths for nature trails. Do not want to disturb boreal forest where it remains.

Having a culvert under Tanana Loop Rd for people to cross to the ski trails would be ok but they would not want a main ski trail on the site.

Pat explained that the Tanana Loop Road is on the planning schedule for '08. Paul Prusak with DOT has stated that one tunnel is all we can expect. For whatever crossings we want, get request in early. These are very expensive.

Pat explained how the use of natural grasses over the utilidor could be very beautiful. Miranda would like to see a water feature. Pat said this is very popular with children at the farm.

Rich told the committee that Rick Caulfield would like the North Campus Committee to look at the benefits/disadvantages of the different road alignments for Tanana Loop. There are 3 proposed alignments. Carol to see if she can get these for the next meeting.

Rick wants to know impacts of alignments such as Storage area behind GI.

Michael got input from Brian Barnes on what is in research area and has mapped out research.

Rich and Bill both stated that the Ski Hut will need to remain in area where it is.

Miranda does not want groomed ski trails on the Troth Yeddha site.

Already trail by Cutler Apartments for skiers to use.

Need to have trails to campus center and to residential areas. There was a trail up behind North Chandler houses.

Pat thought that from current information, the earliest construction for Tanana Loop would be in 2011.

The North Campus Draft plan should be ready in early December. (Revised draft)

Peter said that the draft is getting close to sending back to committee.

The Plan needs to be in the style of the Campus Master Plan.

Pat would like to see a Safety Plan that includes fire, rescue, and injury.

After we get this plan out for review, Pat reminded us that the connecting trails to campus should be our next issue. We need to add something on trail signage.

In this draft we need a section that identifies future projects.

Rick said that we need to make the managers position clear. The manager authorizes most decisions. There should be a flow chart of duties and responsibilities. There will be an appeal process for the times someone disagrees with the manager.

This plan needs to address the interaction with the Arboretum Committee.

Rich noted that the NCL plan includes Arboretum Maybe we allow the Dean the power to veto. Arboretum must be under the NCL Plan.

Pat told the NCL committee that the Arboretum Committee plans to meet within the month. We need to resolve this issue immediately

NCL made need rules for individual zones. Include agreements for use in the appendix.

Pat's write up about each area will be included at the end of the plan.

Tentative schedule:

• E-mail for more review November 10 th
• Meet on November 24 th to discuss revised draft.
• Send to Master Planning Committee on 12/15

Need to discuss the approval process of the North Campus Plan as one of the chapters.

Meeting of October 13, 2003

In attendance:

Members: Rich Boone, Bill McDonnell, Deborah Wilkinson, Cynthia Steiner, Tim Stallard, Carol Adamczak
Community: Stan Justice, Don Lokken
Plan consultants: Peter Fix, Michael Hay

Issues in plan that need further discussion:

1. Lighted trails
2. Smith Lake Parking
3. Troth Yeddh Park

What goes into plan?

1. Smith Lake Parking
   Alternatives Proposed
   1. a. Status quo is not acceptable
   2. b. Alternatives 2 and 3 were discussed

Points noted in Smith Lake discussion:

1. Person killed trying to get a stuck snowmachine.
2. Jim Whisenhant made funds available toward improving parking.
3. Parking lots not supported in North Campus Area particularly southwest end.
4. Arboretum should remain without development. May need to do improvements in the area.
5. Safety is the biggest concern.
6. The Alaska Railroad rerouting might allow a change in the road alignment.
7. Can people park where the bike path is?
8. Add a cross walk at the north end of the existing parking lot.
9. Can we make the intersection with Sheep Creek Road a three way stop?
10. Need to talk to DOT about the possibilities.
11. Need to decide if a parking lot is allowed on North Campus Land.
12. Suggest rerouting road and allowing parking on the east side of the road.
13. Senator Stevens offered to help with this issue.
14. Discussed moving ski hut to west side by Smith Lake for the trailhead. There would be no security. Vandalism would be a problem.
15. Need about double the parking that there is now.
16. If safe parking is built use will grow.
17. Need to list our concerns and address these in the plan. We do not need to come up with the specific answer in our plan.

Points to include in Smith Lake discussion of the long term plan:

1. Safe community access
2. Don’t want to impact Arboretum. Preserve remote attributes of northwest corner of the North Campus Land.
3. Must address the issues associated with wetlands.
4. This committee must be involved in the final plan for this area.
5. Parking should be limited.
6. Parking should be on the University side of the road.

Further discussion:

1. Short term solutions should include signage and possible lighted signal with crossing.
2. Parking should not be for UAF decal. (Free to community)
3. Discourage large parking lot in North Campus Land.
4. Three way stop would really help in the short term.
5. Goal is to make safer not to expand.
6. Plan should state that there is adequate parking for community to use trails (wherever it is located).
7. On West Ridge, there must be access across ring road from parking to trails.
8. Need to note the Tanana Loop completion impact in the NCL plan. Access to trails from parking is key.

Discussion of North Campus Land Manager

1. Need to set the tasks for the Manager.
2. Do not need to set the budget for the Manager.
3. Environmental Education must be part of the Manager’s background.
4. Must interface with educators in the community.
5. Must coordinate with Facilities Services on campus.
6. Interpretation Center should be a goal for the NCL. Campbell Creek in Anchorage would be a good place to look at. UW Arboretum would be another.
7. Manager must interact with recreation, education, facilities, and research. Must have ties to these areas.
8. Talk to personnel as to how to define the job. Use UAF JEF development form to help define the tasks of the Manager.
9. This is not an entry level position.

Other issues Meet with Miranda Wright on the Troth Yeddh site.
Rich to talk to Rick Caulfield on meeting with DOT.
Next meeting October 27th.

Meeting of September 29, 2003

Attending: Cynthia Steiner, Carol Adamczak, Pete Fix, Rich Boone, Mike Hay, Bill McDonnell, Tim Stallard (Committee Members);

Stan Justice (public)

Updates

1. Rich Boone reported on his contact with the Nordic Ski Club.
2. The committee shared general information on the Landscaping Committee, Troth Yeddh Park Committee, and Parking and Circulation Committee.
3. Pete Fix reported that the summary of survey results from the public meetings is now on the web.
4. Tim Stallard reported that the 2003 summer mowing seemed to go well.
5. Mike Hay reported that Pete Fix and he had started working on a research permit, based on the Toolik Lake permit. He also has obtained GPS locations for research sites in the Deer Yard (IAB Biological Reserve).
6. Rich Boone asked Cynthia Steiner if the new trail barriers have affected horseback riders. Cynthia reported that the barriers are an impediment to riders; riders must dismount and lead their horses around the barriers.

Comments on Draft Management Plan

1. Pete Fix summarized comments that have been received from the subcommittee and any others.
   1. Deb Wilkinson wrote that the plan needs to clarify what group or person(s) that have direct authority for the North Campus Area.
   2. John Craven wrote that there is too much emphasis on skiing and not enough attention to education uses.
   3. Pat Holloway wrote that any zones in the North Campus Area would need their own regulations.
2. Rich Boone recommended inclusion of more information on research.
3. Bill McConnell asked whether there has been any recent input on the viability of the manager position.
4. The committee discussed and fully endorsed the creation of a NCA manager position.
5. Carol Adamczak noted that the plan needs an Executive Summary.
6. Cynthia Steiner noted that information on horseback riding needs to be included.
7. Carol Adamczak recommended retention of four management themes: Research, Education, Outreach, and Recreation.
8. There was a general discussion that the plan needs guidelines about winter access for researchers.
9. Carol Adamczak suggested the plan include a recommendation for groomed, walking trails. Bill McConnell noted that the wider mowing over the summer may allow for groomed walking trails this coming winter.
10. Rich Boone reported that Pat Holloway had suggested the value of having a professional trails consultant assess the trails. Mike Hay noted that he has identified a trails consulting agency.
11. Carol Adamczak recommended that the plan identify possible areas for new parking, and that it should prohibit parking north of the proposed Tanana Loop Road.
12. Cynthia Steiner recommended that the plan should indicate that the Tanana Loop Road will have negative impacts on land within the NCA and that committee has concerns about the impacts. Rich Boone recommended that new lights on ski trails should be discouraged and that down-cast lighting should be used whenever possible.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:00P. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 13, 2003 at the Georgeson Botanical Garden building.

Meeting with Facilities Services, April 22, 2003

The North Campus subcommittee met on April 22, 2003

In attendance: Rich Boone, Carol Adamczak, Tim Stallard, Pat Holloway, Mike Hay, committee nominees Deb Wilkinson and Cynthia Steiner and invited guests Rick Caulfield, Deb Brownfield and Steve Titus, Brian Barnes

Next meeting, May 6, Tues. 9:30 a.m. at the Experiment Farm visitor's center

The bulk of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of the Tanana Loop road, particularly the portion north of West Ridge Rick Caulfield and Deb Brownfield, both from Master Planning Committee, clarified the history of the road, basically stating that it had been in the Master Plan for many years and is a major component of campus circulation by re-directing traffic from the center of campus to the periphery. It has been approved by the Master Planning Committee, the Chancellor and Board of Regents and will proceed pending funding and design approval. Steve Titus. Deputy Director, Design and Construction, Facilities Services, presented a map with two proposed alignments (by Harding ESE dated 4/16/02) that will impact the North Campus area at two locations: north of the West Ridge complex, and west of IARC and Arctic Health. The first re-alignment will impact trails and the Biological Reserve. The second will impact the location of a trail head and ski hut.

Dr. Brian Barnes, Director, Institute of Arctic Biology, spoke to the committee on the impact of the re-alignment on the biological reserve and long term research as well as the animal holding facilities at the north end of the Irving building. They are looking at significant impact from increased traffic, noise, possibly vandalism in the animal facilities as well as relocation of permanent research plots. The committee asked if Mike Hay could help identify potential impacted areas and to share this information with the Master Planning committee.

Pat Holloway asked Steve Titus to predict the maximum "footprint" of the road. Steve said without knowing slopes, location of ice, drainage requirements, heights above grade the maximum footprint could be about 80 feet. During the next year, the committee will identify impacts of the road re-alignment and describe ways to mitigate impact on trails, structures and educational and research plots.

Although the road has been approved, the exact location of the road is still very much up for discussion. Several committee members took issue with the two options on the map and wondered if there couldn't be an option C that would skirt the edge of the parking lot north of Irving, O'Neill and Elvey and have a lower speed limit. Rick Caulfield stated that an option to re-direct traffic along Sheenjek was not an option, but there was plenty of time to consider all others. He advised the committee not to make it an immediate priority, but to prepare information for the Master Planning Committee on all impacts that must be considered.

Meeting of April 9, 2003

The North Campus subcommittee met on April 9, 2003.

Attendees: Carol Adamczak, Tim Stallard, Bill McDonnell, Pat Holloway, Peter Fix, Mike Hay, Rich Boone, committee member candidate Deb Wilkinson

Next meeting: Next meeting, Tues April 23, 9:30 -11 am at the Visitor's center at the
Experiment Farm

We reviewed the initial results of our public meetings. Pat Holloway shared the "stickies" comments that were placed on the posters during the meeting. Pat also included oral comments that she received at the meetings and requested that all members write down oral comments they received to be included in the list. The comments were coded by type (dogs, ski, research, etc.), and Peter Fix suggested they should be further coded by response type such as (positive, negative, neutral, or some other ranking). Pat will try to code the comments and return the excel files to the committee members.

Peter tabulated the responses from the 54 surveys that were returned. He showed beginning trends but cautioned the sample size was very small and not representative of the entire population of users. He and Mike will add to the tabulations as more surveys come in.

These data will be shared with committee members as they are completed, and ay final tabulations will be placed on our web site.

Meeting of March 25, 2003

The North Campus subcommittee met on Mar 25, 2003

Attendees: Carol Adamczak, Tim Stallard, Rich Boone, Pat Holloway and consultants: Peter Fix, Mike Hay

Next meeting: PLEASE NOTE NEW TIME AND DAY, April 9. Wed. 3:30 - 5p.m.

Most of the meeting was dedicated to refining the outstanding posters designed by Peter Fix and Mike Hay. Peter hopes to have the posters completed by Monday, Mar 31. Changes included formatting the posters to highlight the questions we want answered, changing the location of some information from one poster to another, making sure outreach includes more than just recreation.

The issue of Tanana Loop was raised and whether it should be included as a debatable question on the posters. Pat Holloway stated the existence of the Tanana Loop Road is already approved by Master Planning and the Chancellor. We can have no input on that. It will happen. However, we can help the road planners by informing them of potential conflicts with trails and the biology research yard. We can help them minimize impact to these areas and request mitigation if, for instance, a trail must be re-routed. The decision for the exact plaecment of the road will be debated by the master planning committee and Design and Construction at some later date whenever funding becomes available, and no doubt public input will be solicited. One thing the committee can and should debate is any potential parking lots proposed for the North campus area.

Everyone at the meeting was asked if they plan to attend the public meetings. Peter Fix has a conflict with one of them, but everyone else agreed to be there to answer questions and receive comments.

Carol Adamczak arranged to have the display boards in place for the meetings. Pat Holloway agreed to bring all the supplies (clip boards, etc) for the event

Peter Fix introduced his supplemental questionnaire to be handed out at the meetings. He received great comments for his efforts and will continue to refine it. He will include contact names and phone numbers as well as drop-off points so people can hand in the questionnaires later if need be.

We will plan to arrive about 1/2 hour before the meeting times to make sure everything is set up properly.

We discussed PR about the meeting. Rich Boone contacted Dermot Cole, and an article appeared in this morning's News-Miner in Dermont's column. Public service announcements went out to everyone on the UAF public relations list last week. Pat H. was contacted by one of the television stations that will air a short piece on it .

Tim Stallard said the color posters would be ready tomorrow for distribution all over campus. He will give copies to members so they can distribute more.

We discussed the possible addition of two new members, and Rich and Pat will follow up on getting the chancellor's approval should they agree to serve. Pat also mentioned another possible group of individuals who might be represented on our committee would be a representative from the Chancellor's task force for Native issues. We might consider asking that a member of that task force be on our committee. We will take this up again at a later meeting.

Meeting of March 11, 2003

The North Campus subcommittee met on Mar 11, 2003

Attendees:
Carol Adamczak, Tim Stallard, Mike Suplis, Pat Holloway, Peter Fix, Mike Hay

Next meeting, Mar 25, R, 174 Arctic Health, 8:30-10a.m.

We reviewed documents prepared by Peter Fix relating to the public meeting posters. The documents (attached) provided an excellent review of the issues and value statements to be covered at the public meetings. All committee members agreed to critically review those documents and provide input diretly to Peter about format for the posters and key issues that need to be pulled from the summaries for the posters.

Peter provided sample surveys with the documents, and we decided they should be handed out at the public meetings to gather additional information.

At the meetings we will have:

1. posters with lots of pictures, big maps and key issues to stimulate public comment
2. Surveys
3. Fact sheets, one on the description and history, others on the value statements

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PLEASE READ THE SUMMARIES AND RETURN YOUR COMMENTS TO PETER IMMEDIATELY!

Tim Stallard gave us an update on the 11 x 17 color posters to be placed all over campus. He will also give committee members some copies for distribution as far and wide as possible. He received pictures from Peter Fix,, and the poster layout was conpleted by the Wood Center graphics layout crew. They should be available next week,.

We discussed a variety of issues relating to management of the lands and how one gets permission to do anything in the area. There are a lot of pieces to this issue that need sorting out such as land use permits, work order requests, notification of events on the "Event Planner". Pat Holloway talked to Linda Zanazzo about the land use permits. Linda, in turn, will provide information on when they are necessary, who must approve the use, and who is exempt. More on this later.

Mike Supkis described the existing "Event Planner" calendar maintained on the health and safety web site. When events are scheduled anywhere on campus, this site links that information to security, fire, facilities services, etc. all the individuals who might need to respond to these events. It sounds like something the north campus subcommittee needs to include in any events schedule for the north campus area. More on that later.

We discussed some of the points addressed in a memo sent earlier from Pat Holloway to the subcommittee on maintenance issues in the North campus area. Actions taken on that memo include:

The committee approved:

1. Establishing a work order system for all maintenance work requests in the north campus area. This may nvolve requesting a modification to the work order web site to include the north campus area. This work order system will specifically exclude grooming of the ski trails.
2. Sending a request to the Master Planning committee to appoint a member of Facilities Service grounds maintenace staff as an ex officio member of the North Campus subcommittee
3. Summer work requeats by Ed Foster:
   1. continue annual mowing maintenance of the trails
   2. Resolve an issue relating to hazardous barriers designed to keep snowmobilers off the trails. We will assist Ed in resolving issues between horse owners and skiers relating to the height and possible style if these barriers. Once a good compromise is agreed upon, Ed will proceed to remove the hazardous barriers and replace them.
4. All other requests for trails maintenance and construction are on hold until after the public meetings and when the committee is satisfied they have enough information to proceed. We request that Ed Foster prepare a list of all projects and evaluate them in terms of disturbance level. Will the project result in irreversible changes to the North Campus area? Are there some quick fixes that might help solve an immediate problem without significantly impacting existing conditions? Following prioritization, we will meet with Ed Foster to discuss additional maintenance projects that might be completed.

Other issues were touched upon but need more work:

1. Land manager position- begin to discuss te type of person we might hire to be a land manager, qualifications, where they would be housed, responsibilities. All committee members are asked to think about what this person should do so we can begin to formulate a job description. Keep in mind there is no money for this (yet).
2. Consider hiring an outside consultant for developing a trails maintenance and management plan
3. Consider a process similar to an Environmental impact statement for future users of the area; perhaps a checklist of people who need to have input on proposed projects; perhaps a kind of "Event Planner" notification system; perhaps a list of questions to make sure use is compatible with master plan. Just a good thought from Mike Supkis.

Attached: working documents from Peter Fix and memo to committee from Pat Holloway.

Meeting with Facilities Services, March 4, 2003

On Tuesday, Mar 4, Rich Boone and I met with Ed Foster, Superintendent of Operations, and Darrin “Bear” Edson, Grounds Supervisor, to begin a dialog regarding management of the North Campus Area. Our goals were to:

1. begin involving Facilities Services personnel in the master planning process since they are the ones who will be responsible for carrying out maintenance and construction projects in the area;
2. establish procedures for work requests in the North campus area, especially during this time when the master plan is not completed;
3. discuss the possible hiring of a natural resources manager
4. discuss the current list of project requests

Currently, Ed Foster receives most of the requests for work in the North Campus area and coordinates his staff to work with faculty, staff, students and community personnel in carrying out various projects. He has encountered conflicts with various user groups even on projects previously approved by the Master Planning Committee mostly because all of the users had not been identified. Hopefully, we will improve that situation with the master plan. He has also encountered activities such as unauthorized vehicle access, snow machine access, non-approved trails maintenance activities, unsafe construction projects and is seeking guidance from the North Campus Subcommittee on methods of reducing such activities.

Bear is the person on the front lines. He supervises a crew of full time and student employees whose responsibility is campus grounds maintenance. When a directive comes down to remove a bunch of trees, smooth out trails, improve access, install barriers, etc., Bear and his crew are responsible for completing the work. He would like to attend the NC Subcommittee meetings to become better informed and possibly provide expertise on the “realities” of implementing our plan.

Below are some action items for the subcommittee:

1. Rich and I enthusiastically supported Bear’s request to come to the meetings on a regular basis. The subcommittee can, if desired, formalize that request by adding a Facilities Services representative as a permanent member of the subcommittee or by establishing a non-voting, advisory position to be filled by Facilities Services Personnel (1).

2. We recommend that all requests for maintenance or construction work in the North Campus area be routed through the existing work order system. This system is available to everyone with a UAF web site access and will provide a permanent record of work requests and actions taken by Facilities Services personnel to complete, revise, deny, etc. the work.

   Establish a link on the NC subcommittee website directing people how to submit work orders.

   Develop forms for use of the area, one each for research, education and outreach/recreation. Who gets these first, Ed, or the committee? Should these, somehow be incorporated into the work order system or separated(2)

3. We recommend that Ed Foster (and other Facilities Services personnel, as needed), compile all work requests and meet with the NC Subcommittee a minimum of 3 times each year, possibly monthly, to discuss/approve/deny submitted work requests. The question for the subcommittee is, how far we should micro-manage the requests. Should all requests be approved/disapproved by the subcommittee, or only major construction projects, or whenever Ed decides he needs advice? I can see this relationship evolving over time, and at least until a master plan is completed, perhaps we recommend that all requests come through the committee. That way the committee can learn more about the needs in the area and possible conflicts, and Facilities Services can understand the desires of the NC Subcommittee. (2)

4. Ed suggested that we think about the natural resources manager (forester, land manager) position. He would like to compile a JEF (job evaluation form) that costs nothing to produce but would give all of us a better understanding of what we would want this person to do. I suggested it was a bit early in the game since we have no approval for this position, but Ed suggested it doesn’t hurt to work on a job description and revise it as we go along. He said it would be very beneficial to the hired person to be in on the master planning discussions as early as possible (4)

5. Current work requests: Ed has two projects he wants to complete this summer:
   1. continue annual mowing of trails for ski maintenance,
   2. Ed has been working for the past year to rectify a hazardous situation. The (Trails Committee, Ski Club?), in an attempt to eliminate snow machine traffic from the trails in winter, erected barriers at major entrances. According to Ed, the barriers are too low and create a winter hazard when they are buried by snow and cannot be seen. Facilities Services has been slowly replacing the barriers with taller ones (railroad ties) and wishes to complete all replacement this summer. Carol Adamczak later pointed out to me that the horse riders have a hard time negotiating those taller barriers and prefer the shorter ones. We need to resolve this issue and approve or disapprove this work.
   3. Ed has received a list of project proposals from the Ski Club relating to trails construction and maintenance projects. Previous committee discussions have basically divided the projects into two camps: maintenance and construction. Previously, the NC Committee recommended that all construction projects be put on hold until the master plan is complete. This list would include:

In addition, some committee members recommended that some of the trails maintenance projects could be accomplished if Ed and Bear had the time and finances to manage them. However, this list was generated with a single use in mind without attention to educational and research needs. Even the maintenance projects might interfere with these programs. For instance, one of the trails maintenance projects is to level the hilly, thermokarst pits near Smith Lake/potato field to make it safer and faster for skiers. Steve Sparrow told me this area is heavily used by soils classes as classic examples of the effects of land clearing. There are several more examples, but the bottom line is, the requested maintenance projects need scrutiny from all sides to make sure educational programs and research projects are not impacted.

These conflicts led to the conclusion that all proposed trails projects need to be delayed until a comprehensive trails plan is completed. We need to know the extent of permafrost, exactly where the problem areas are with tree roots, etc. Rather than complete piecemeal maintenance projects that might have serious impacts on other uses in the area, we recommend delaying all maintenance projects with the exception of annual mowing until a trails maintenance assessment can be completed. As part of the baseline data-gathering process, we need to contact specific users of the trails, have them accompany (Peter? Mike? A member of the committee?) along the trails and map problem sites, identify hazards, detail wet areas, identify areas that should not be disturbed because of their importance to classes, etc. This needs to be repeated in spring, summer and fall to ensure that problems buried by snow now are revealed.

What all this boils down to is:

1. Should the committee delay all maintenance and construction projects with the exception of the two identified by Ed Foster as needing immediate attention?
2. We need to complete a trails assessment including all user groups.
3. Who should do all that?

Finally, we also discussed potential actions to be taken if violations occur to university regulations in the North Campus area such as unauthorized vehicles, tree cutting, etc. I suggested it was not in our job descriptions to become cops, but we should be diligent in notifying Security about infractions in this area. Like the work orders, notification of authorities would provide a written record of violations and may help the NC Committee manage the entire area better. We need to contact Security to identify university regulations that already impact that area and include them in the master plan. These may also be posted on our web site or even in the information kiosks so people are aware of the regulations.

I will compile people’s thoughts so we can continue this dialog over the next few weeks. At the next meeting we do need to address:

1. Ed’s summer work request
2. Delay of decisions regarding submitted trails maintenance and construction projects.

Meeting of February 25, 2003

The North Campus subcommittee met on Tuesday, Feb 25.

Attendees:
Tim Stallard, Mike Supkis, Pat Holloway, Carol Adamczak, Peter Fix and his graduate assistant

Next meeting: Tues, March 11, 8:30a.m. 174 Arctic Health

The committee discussed poster format. Carol brought in samples of poster style, and the committee decided on a style, glossiness and size that would fit the poster easels being provided by Physical Plant.

The dates of the public meetings were set:
April 1 - Wood Center 11 am to 2 p. The posters will be on display all day, and the committee will be available for comments at the times listed above

April 2- Wien Library- 5:30 - 8:30p.m.

April 3- Globe Room, GI. Location needs to be finalized and time.

We discussed poster content. There will be 6 posters, 3 relating to the overall value statement, and 3 relating to specific issues such as access, potential conflicts among users, etc. In addition, there weil be a handout including map that explains the history of the area, and what the north campus master planning subcommittee will accomplish with the master plan.

We also discussed publicity for the public meetings. Carol Adamczak will contact University Relations and Rich Boone will contact the faculty senate to get the meetings advertised. We will continue to work on publicity to make sure most people who are interested in the north campus area will be able to have input.

Peter Fix, using lists generated from the fall meetings, will develop some trial posters and present them at the next meeting.

Pat Holloway contacted Dean Carol Lewis regarding the Arboretum Committee. A meeting is being arranged for mid March that will clarify the future of the Arboretum committee and its role in the master plan.

Peter Fix will make a presentation at the Chancellor's Summit on Mar 25 regarding progress on the north campus master plan.

Please make any additions or corrections to Pat Holloway.

Meeting of February 11, 2003

The North Campus subcommittee met on Tuesday, Feb 11. Because of the bad weather, attendance was sparse, so we decided not to delve into substantive matters at that time.
Next meeting: Tues, Feb 25, 8:30a.m. 174 Arctic Health

Members Present:
Pat Holloway, Carol Adamczak, Peter Fix and his graduate assistant

Please plan to attend these meetings. We need to hear all voices on these issues. If you cannot attend meetings regularly, please hand in your resignation from the committee so we can find others willing to attend.

The Subcommittee received a letter of resignation from Dave Musgrave. The co-chairs wish to thank Dave for his participation on this sub-committee and anticipate he will continue to provide valuable input as we proceed.

Please send in suggestions for possible candidates to replace Dave.

Peter Fix, Rich Boone and Pat Holloway met on Modany, Feb 10, to plan a dialog with Physical Plant on management and maintenance strategies for the North Campus Area. We need to include in the master plan a process of decisionmaking and subcommittee oversight to make sure the master plan we develop will be followed. Peter, Rich and Pat plan to meet with Ed Foster and any other interested physical plant personnel, to discuss possible options. This will happen after Rich returns from his singing engagement in New York! The information will then be brought back to the entire subcommittee for discussion and recommendations for the master plan.

Pat Holloway met with Dean Carol Lewis regarding the Arboretum Committee. This committee is responsible for oversight of the arboretum. Dean Lewis agreed to call a meeting of the old committee to discuss the future of the Arboretum Committee and develop a plan for that area that is consistent with the original intent of the arboretum.

We are beginning plans for our first public meetings that will take place the last week of March. The meetings will occur at 3 locations:one on West Ridge, one on lower campus and at a community site possibly the Wien Library. Carol Adamczak will arrange sites and obtain assistance from physical plant to provide easels for our visual aids. Peter Fix will develop the posters. The meetings will follow the same format that was so successfully used at the master planning meetings. We will have stations with specific questions to ask the public.

WE NEED ALL SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MAKEUP OF THESE QUESTIONS.

Peter Fix presented some suggestions, and we need to formalize these at our next meeting. The questions should include our value statements as well as specific areas such as access to the north campus area. Peter's first attempts are listed below. we will refine these questions at our next meeting so Peter can begin making the visual aids.

From Peter: Here are the 3 value statements:

1. Protect the natural integrity of the area while providing opportunities for education, research, outreach and recreation
2. Preserve access for education, research, outreach and recreation
3. Continue to provide opportunities for community involvement that are compatible with the mission of North Campus

There are sub-goals that go along with this, many were mentioned in the notes from 1-14 meeting attachment.

The questions I currently have in the posters are as follows.

For access:
Is current access adequate?
What types of access points would you like to see more off?
What types of access points would you like to see less off?

For trails:
Is the current trail system adequate?
What types of trails would you like to see more off?
What types of trails would you like to see less off?

For research:
What types of research activities are compatible with North Campus?
What types of research activities are incompatible with North Campus?

The above questions are pretty basic and general, we may need a few more specific questions to stimulate discussion among committee members. I would be willing to meet sometime (although it would probably have to be on Friday), so we can get some thoughts on other relevant issues we should include in the email to the committee.
 

Meeting of July 16, 2002

The north campus subcommittee met on July 16, 2002
Next Meeting: Aug 6, 8:30 a.m. Botanical garden visitor's center

Members Present:
Tim Stallard, Chris Bennett, Pat Holloway, Peter Fix

Absent: Jane Parrish, Bill McDonnell, John Eichelberger, Terry Chapin, Carol Adamczak

Agenda: meet with individuals who will discuss the past, present and future of the arboretum. Invited individuals who have agreed to attend: Les Viereck, Dave Murray, Dave Klein, Rich Boone, Carol Lewis

Finalize temporary replacement for Pat Holloway - Aug 3 through early January 2003

Future meeting dates: Dates subject to change with majority request from the committee.

August 6, and August 20 - to be held at the Botanical garden

Remainder of meetings, location to be announced
 

September 3
September 17
October 1
October 15
October 29
November 12
November 26
December 10

7/16/02 - Master planning chair, Rick Caulfield met briefly with the committee and commented on the importance of the master plan for the north campus area. He reviewed the process taken by the Master Planning committee to create the North Campus Subcommittee and emphasized that the subcommittees work was central to the overall effort of the Master planning committee.

He also reviewed the discussion of the master planning committee relating to the IARC proposal (Dr. Harazono, visiting scientist) to erect a research tower east of Smith Lake. He requested that the subcommittee meet with the scientists and project managers involved in order to finalize agreements on areas of concern that were outlined to the Master Planning Committee.

For the remainder of the meeting, the committee established a calendar of future meetings (shown above), and made a short list of people to invite who are key players in the north campus area. The included members of the original arboretum committee, IAB research "deer" yard committee and UAF trails club and Nordic ski club, Joe Nava and the rifle coach, GI personnel involved in the north campus projects, educators who use the north campus area for classes. This list will be expanded as the committee sees fit. It is recommended that the interviews be taped, and Peter Fix has agreed to do this.

Meeting of July 2, 2002

The North Campus subcommittee met on Tuesday. July 2, 2002
NEXT MEETING Tues July 16, 2002, 8:30 am at the botanical garden

Members Present:
Chris Bennett, Carol Adamczak, Tim Stallard, Pat Holloway and guest, Peter Fix

Absent:
Dave Musgrave, Terry Chapin, Bill McDonnell, John Eichelberger,,Jane Parrish

Most of the meeting was an introduction to Dr. Peter Fix, Assistant Professor of Outdoor Recreation Management at UAF. Peter has agreed to help us conduct a user survey and put all the pieces together for the North campus master plan. Peter discussed several methods that would provide the most useful information, and he warned the entire process could take one year depending on the kind of information we need. We agreed we have a good beginning user list, but it needs to be formalized so that no group feels left out. Peter will discuss with Carol Adamczak, the details of getting started, and we should have so much needed help soon. Pat agreed to share all her files on the North Campus area to develop a historical perspective.

Next, Carol Adamczak shared with us a memorandum, plan and the updated information on the research tower that is proposed for the bog area east of Smith Lake. The committee had several questions regarding power lines, power poles, trail construction, if any, and Pat Holloway will send a memo to the Master Planning committee outlining our concerns which were:

1. no permanent structures- there should be a specific ending date with the researchers returning to the committee for renewal 2
2. Equipment removal and cleanup- their plan should include complete removal of tower, equipment storage areas, cables, guy wires, and anything else used in the research project
3. the committee is concerned that a trail will have to be constructed to allow access to instrument boxes, etc. The researchers need to address how they will minimize impact to avoid a permanent trail to the site. The boardwalk
4. There was also concern about power- where it would come from and if power poles would be needed. The committee was not in favor of more power poles
5. The committee questioned why the project needed to be done in the North Campus area as opposed to a location such as Poker Flat. What makes the north campus area so special for this project?

Finally, Tim Stallard gave an update on his progress with the history of the campground. He passed around pictures of the campground "violations" that were compiled by Fred Sacco. We have heard a lot of information on things wrong with the operation of the campground. Lots of people like the idea, but the mismanagement has been a big problem. Tim will continue with his search. He will write a short summary of his interview with Fred Sacco for our records.

At the next meeting, we will compile a list of people to interview, continue with the historical reviews, hear more from Peter Fix on future directions.

Please send additions/corrections to Pat Holloway

No Notes Available.

Meeting of June 10, 2002

The North Campus subcommittee met on Mon, June 10, 2002
NEXT MEETING - Tues June 25, 2002, 8:30 am at the botanical garden

Members Present:
Chris Bennett, Carol Adamczak, Tim Stallard, Pat Holloway

Absent:
Dave Musgrave, Terry Chapin, Bill McDonnell, John Eichelberger, Jane Parrish

The members present reviewed progress on the designated sites in the North Campus Area. Since it was one week since the last meeting, most members were just beginning to start researching the assigned areas, and this work will continue for several weeks. Carol Adamczak is researching the GI sites. She brought in a lit of digital photos of the storage area, rifle range, and offered to take pictures of any other area of interest in the north campus area that we needed to document. The committee agreed photos would be most helpful, and we will also get Bev Frey, webmaster, to include a photo album on the north campus web site.

[ One note, Bev is extremely busy right now getting the master plan on the web site, so she said it might be a few days before she can get to the north campus materials]

Pat Holloway reviewed her progress with the Arboretum. The committee recommended that we have some joint meetings with the Arboretum Committee to discuss land use issues and what to include in the master plan. Since this are was approved by the Regents and the committee was formally recognized by H. Cutler and re-approved by Jack Keating, the North Campus Committee must work with this Arboretum Committee to formulate a plan for that area.

Pat also noted that the Wildlife Preserve was a formal designation introduced by Terris Moore, also approved by the Regents. She will continue to get original documentation to verify this designation.

The committee recommended that we develop a list of individuals with whom the committee would like to meet one on one to gather detailed information on the north campus area. All committee members are asked to contribute to a list of key people who can help us define the area. This may include educators, researchers, recreation and event organizers, security personnel, etc. We would like to have a series of meetings to develop a detailed picture of the north campus area. At a later date, once we have a good working draft, we will schedule open public comment periods similar to those sponsored by the Master Planning Committee. Start thinking of individuals to put on the list, and we will begin scheduling meetings.

Please plan to attend these important meetings, if at all possible.

Please make additions or corrections to these minutes as you see fit.

Meeting of June 4, 2002

The North Campus subcommittee met at 8:30 a.m. on 6/4/02
NEXT MEETING: June 10, Mon, 8:30 a.m.

Present:
Carol Adamczak, Tim Stallard, Jane Parrish, Chris Bennett, Pat Holloway

Absent:
Bill McDonnell, John Eichelberger, Terry Chapin, Dave Musgrave

Pat Holloway gave a brief update on the Smith Lake parking area. Basically, access to Smith Lake will be addressed within the larger picture of the bike and multi-use trails that are planned along Miller Hill/Yankovich and possibly extending along the south side of West Tanana Drive. The Master planning committee has recommended that the VC for Administration write to DOT, requesting that the parking area be included in the plans for the bike trails unless DOT decides that for some safety reasons, changes are needed immediately. The North Campus Subcommittee will examine this entire project and make recommendations in the North Campus Master Plan unless DOT requests a more rapid response to a safety issue.

Pat, Chris Bennett and Carol Adamczak also updated the committee on the land planner position that is currently proposed for the North Campus area. Details are sketchy at this time. The North Campus Subcommittee received a letter from Mr. Chris Maisch, President of the Board of Advisors for the School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management. Mr. Maisch and the Board wish to support the Land manager position and suggested that this person be involved in planning for other natural areas on the UAF campus, specifically some large land holdings in Palmer at the Palmer Research Station. The North campus subcommittee can submit a memo to the Provost identifying specific needs for this position if anyone sees the need. Please contact Pat, and it will be put on the agenda for future meetings.

The subcommittee will now tackle the huge task of a North Campus Master Plan. It will be a difficult and time consuming task because there is no existing master plan to revise. This will be the first! Through the historical notes and limited inquiries, we have identified specific areas that need to be addressed. We will tackle these first, try to provide some written documentation on specific areas, their purpose, etc., then move on to the bigger picture of trails, boreal forest, overall goals for research, education and research. The following 9 areas have been identified:

1. USGS seismic area - Carol Adamczak
2. Arboretum - Pat Holloway
3. Biological Reserve - Terry Chapin
4. Rifle range - Chris Bennett
5. GI storage/research area - Carol Adamczak
6. Wildlife Preserve - Pat Holloway
7. T-Field - Jane Parrish
8. Exotic Tree plantation - Dave Musgrave
9. John Alfonsi campground - Tim Stallard

The people's names listed behind the sites have agreed (with the exception of two, and we volunteered you!) to write a summary about these areas. Keep in mind, that we will examine everything about these areas right down to their very existence. We will dig for hard and fast reasons why they are there, what they contribute, etc. We have tentatively agreed to gather the following information:

• history
• purpose, past and present
• UAF person who is responsible for the area
• past, present and proposed future uses
• contractual arrangements, if any
• its value in continuing
• why it is such an important asset to the university
• Could it be done somewhere else?

The goal is to produce a draft document that defines these areas as best as we can, then go through a process of public hearings and debates that will help define our master plan. We had tentatively set September as a goal for having a draft available for public debate, but some believe that is too ambitious considering everyone's summer schedule. Since none of us wants this process to slide, we will proceed, knowing we will have to revisit some of these topics several times.

Pat Holloway will go through past emails and forward pertinent information to individuals working on specific areas.

Following Tuesday's meeting, one member of the committee requested that the north campus subcommittee try to refrain from getting into the trails politics and coloring our conversations with accusations of wrong doing, and who did what to whom. We need to understand past problems, and learn from them, but not get bogged down in putting out fires. This issue will be discussed at the next meeting

Any additions or corrections, please forward them to Pat Holloway.

Meeting of April 11, 2002

Members Present: Jane Parrish, Tim Stallard, Pat Holloway, Terry Chapin, Carl Adamzcak, Dave Musgrave

Absent: Bill McDonnell, John Eichelberger, Chris Bennett

We reviewed the results of the email that circulated on campus and the lists of users and uses. The email resulted in 113 responses within one week and resulted in an impressive list of UAF classes, community and K-12 classes and events, recreational uses and past and present research projects. The list was divided among members present to fill in blanks and get additional responses from individuals, clubs and organizations in the community who use the area.

We will continue to refine this list and generate a map of use locations.

Jane Parrish brought in a trails map for use in the master plan.

Pat will pursue setting up a web page associated with the Master Planning Committee's existing page for minutes, surveys, maps, and other information

Pat Holloway agreed to develop a simple survey for requesting additional use information. This was emailed to members.

Carol Adamczak agreed to make a map with a grid overlay for use with the survey.

Next meeting: Thursday, April 25, 8:30 a.m. AFES/GBG classroom at the farm.

Agenda:

Continue discussion of users and uses
DOT /railroad plans for Sheep Creek intersection
Miller Hill/Yankovich bike path plan

Meeting of March 28, 2002

The North Campus Subcommittee met Thursday, March 28, 2002 to begin the process of crafting a master plan for the North Campus area.

Attendees:
Carol Adamczak, Tim Stallard, Bill McDonnell, Dave Musgrave, Jane Parrish, Pat Holloway

We reviewed the mission for the committee and had a general discussion of meeting times and approach for completing the mission.

Pat Holloway agreed to sift through historical documents and identify those most pertinent to the early discussions. She will copy as many as possible and send them to the members. Two documents of special consideration are the Smith Lake Conservation Management Plan and the Scarland Trails Plan.

Pat also agreed to send out an email to the UAF community asking for input on current land uses in order to construct maps.

Carol Adamczak will get information on the US Geological Survey site, lease conditions, etc.

Our next meeting will be at 8:30 a.m., April 11 in the botanical garden visitor's center.