Proposed changes to popular local trails in Chugach State Park drew dozens to a public review meeting held Sept. 15 in Eagle River.

Most of the standing-room-only group, which squeezed into the community room in the Eagle River Town Center, favored the proposed changes to the system. However, some park users felt left out since their preferred use was either omitted from the plan or not given the attention they felt it deserved.

The mixed response is just what park superintendent Tom Harrison said the meeting was designed to evoke from state park fans.

"Chugach State Park has a variety of complex challenges," he said. "In developing the draft version of the Trail Management Plan, we set out to determine how to best address the various needs and desires of park users. To achieve that, we need to hear from the people who use the park as to what they want in the form of trails."

After a brief description of the management plan, the large group broke into small work groups with state park officials to discuss specifics about various proposed changes to several local trails.

Lora Reinbold, who has been working to develop trails near Eagle River High School was among those pleased with trail management plan.

"It appears that nearly all of the new trails we requested for consideration have been included in the draft plan. We have a few questions about the prescribed Trail Class for certain segments and specific trail locations, but overall this is validation for all the work that has been done in the past four years," she said.

In addition to trails on the campus of Eagle River High School, Reinbold petitioned state park officials to develop new trails adjacent to Eagle River Campground, which could be connected to the school's trails.

Dan McDonough, who manages seven state campgrounds, including Eagle River and Eklutna campgrounds located in Chugach State Park, also applauded the proposed changes set forth in the draft.

"Everything I've seen in the report appears to be a positive for the park and for the campgrounds," he said. "The changes, especially at Eklutna Lake, take into account what is necessary to improve and enhance the experience of a wide field of trail users. I'm happy to see that."

He also expressed excitement about the potential development of the Eagle River Greenbelt trail from Eagle River Campground to the Eagle River Nature Center.

One issue that captured the attention of Harrison and planner Monica Alvarez, who drafted the management plan, was the lack of water trails identified in the report.

"Eagle River is the only water trail listed in the management plan," said local rafter and kayaker Danny Crow. "I've lived here for years and have enjoyed floating the various waterways in the park, yet none of them are included in the proposed new management plan."

Crow identified Peters Creek, Ship Creek and Bird Creek as a few of the waterways he would like to see addressed in the plan.

Alvarez said park officials are aware of the popularity of the waterways, but implementing a trail plan for certain creeks and streams is challenging because of the private property adjacent to them outside the state park.

"He makes a valid point," she said. "We'll need to examine the issue in more detail, to see if it merits inclusion in the management plan."

The draft version recommends making changes to or constructing 26 trails locally, but there is no construction schedule.

"The recommendations we laid out are designed to address the future of trails in the park," she said. "Development of the recommended changes will not be done immediately, it will take time. The plan is just a road map for what we'd like to accomplish with the trail system in the long term."

Sources of funding to implement the trail management plan have not yet been identified.

To review the draft version of the Trail Management Plan visit dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chugach/planning.htm.

Public input can still be done by sending a comment on the plan to Monica Alvarez at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Chugach State Park, Planning, 550 West 7th Ave., Suite 1050, Anchorage, AK 99501. E-mailed responses can be sent to monica.alvarez@alaska.gov.

Reach the reporter at darrell.breese.@alaskastar.com.