3.0 Affected Environment - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority

Knik Arm Crossing DraftFinal EIS
Affected Environment
off-road vehicle sales. FHWA determined that the Point MacKenzie Recreational Trailhead
is a Section 4(f) resource; it is discussed in greater detail in Section 3.7.
3.6.2.1.6 Iditarod Trail/Sled Dog Race
The Iditarod National Historic Trail stretches from Seward to Nome. Alaska’s best known
dog mushing contest, the 1,049-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, starts at Wasilla and
follows the trail, crossing the Mat-Su portion of the Study Area from Wasilla to Yentna.
Most of the National Historic Trail is usable only during winter, when rivers and tundra are
frozen. Aside from the annual sled dog race, use of the Iditarod Trail is primarily recreational
(e.g., ATV, snowmachining, cross-country skiing).
3.6.2.2 Knik Arm
Because of its heavy silt content, strong currents, high tidal fluctuations, and winter ice, Knik
Arm is not considered a recreational resource. Nonetheless, fishing boats and pleasure craft
are used in Knik Arm to fish off the mouth of Ship Creek, cross to Fire Island, or cross to the
Susitna River flats. A small public dock and a boat ramp at the mouth of Ship Creek are used
in summer, but Anchorage has no small boat harbor. Most pleasure or sportfishing boats
owned by Anchorage or Mat-Su residents are moored in Whittier, Seward, or Homer. In
comparison with these locations, use of Knik Arm for recreational boating is minimal.
3.6.2.3 Anchorage
The Anchorage discussion begins with recreational resources in the broader geographic sense
(Anchorage Bowl) and then focuses in and around the Anchorage portion of the Study Area
(narrower focus). Recreational resources, parks, and wildlife refuges outside the Study Area
are not expected to be directly or indirectly affected by the proposed project.
3.6.2.3.1 Anchorage Bowl
The Anchorage Bowl, as shown in Figure 3.35, includes more than 10,800 acres of municipal
parkland, 200 parks, 40 recreational facilities, and over 400 miles of trails (Section 3.2.2.5)
linking neighborhoods with surrounding natural open space and wildlife habitat. Publicprivate
partnerships and commercial enterprises are fast-growing components of
Anchorage’s recreational activities. 38 Parks and open spaces in the Anchorage Bowl make
important contributions to the quality of life for local residents.
3.6.2.3.2 Anchorage portion of Study Area
In the Anchorage portion of the Study Area, there are approximately 58 acres of parkland,
open space, and greenbelt areas (Figure 3.36). All of these amenities were considered in the
alternatives screening, alignment location and design, and further refinement and avoidance
of the build alternatives discussed in Sections 2 and 4 and in the Draft Section 4(f)
Evaluation.
38 Park and trail information gathered from municipal Web sites: and .
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