Decision: Changes coming to how Campbell Tract is managed
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Anchorage Field Office signed a decision on the Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) for the Campbell Tract on Sept. 30. The Campbell Tract was reserved for use by the BLM as an administrative site in 1982 and designated a special recreation management area (SRMA) in 1985. The plan affects 730 acres of public land that provides visitors with extensive recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities in the heart of Anchorage, Alaska.
The Campbell Tract sees nearly 500,000 visitors a year and has seen steady growth in visitors over the past 30 years. This increase in traffic required an updated management plan to handle new recreation use patterns and technology. The signed decision focuses on a long-term vision and a commitment to improve day-use recreational activities and implements the following actions:
• Design and build a narrow year-round multi-use single-track trail.
• Conduct routine maintenance (as staff and funding allow) on existing trails and roads within existing disturbance
• Authorize and manage seasonal development of the existing unmanaged winter only single-track trails in designated corridors.
• Remove hazard trees and perform maintenance on an existing fuel break.
• Rehabilitate and expand the Campbell Airstrip Trailhead parking area.
• Authorize BLM to manage commercial and competitive special recreation permit activities and events on the Campbell Tract.
The RAMP also considered the use of e-bikes on the Campbell Tract however this RAMP does not include a decision on e-bikes. While the 1985 SRMA designates Campbell Tract as closed to all motorized vehicles, the decision on e-bikes has been deferred to allow more time to analyze the closure of Campbell Tract to all motorized vehicles. A decision on e-bikes will be considered further in an upcoming travel management plan for the area.
BLM sought public input for the RAMP through a scoping period in May and June of 2021 and through the release of the draft environmental assessment in March and April of 2022. Maps and other planning documents associated with the project can be found on the NEPA Register Documents Page.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.