Fox River Flats Trail R.S. 2477

Public Notice Fox River Flats Trail R.S. 2477 (Casefile RST 399) Alaska Department of Natural ResourcesThe Department of Natural Resources identified the Fox River Flats Trail located at the head of Kachemak Bay, near Homer, Alaska as a historic trail according to R.S. 2477 right-of-way. The Fox River Flats Trail begins near the community of Kachemak Silo within Section 30 of Township 4 South, Range 10 West, Seward Meridian at 59.7975 degrees north, 151.0516 degrees west. Currently the department is noticing only the section of the Fox River Flats Trail starting near Kachemak Silo and ending at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge boundary at 59.8871 degrees north, 150.8623 degrees west. Further research is needed to assess the validity of the remainder of the trail and can be done in the future.Extensive evidence was considered by the department including USGS Topographical Maps, Topographic Reconnaissance Maps, land title documents, interviews with relevant persons, primary historical

sources, secondary historical sources, U.S. Surveys, Patent documents, USGS Reports, historic interview transcripts, and both modern and historic aerial photographs. Historic accounts of people using the Fox River Flats trail date to at least 1898. Specific trail location is known as early as 1915. The territory of Alaska accepted the grant of this R.S. 2477 by public use across these unappropriated and unreserved lands with construction documented from May 1942 through the following decades. The Fox River Flats contains both a grazing lease to the Fox River Cattlemen’s Association, and a Department of Fish and Game Critical Habitat Area (CHA). Therefore the Department of Natural Resources will manage this trail within the CHA with the Department of Fish and Game according to the management goals of the Fox River Flats CHA. The public is invited to comment. The department will consider any relevant evidence that (1) supports or is contrary to evidence already considered. To ensure consideration, written comments must be received by the Division of Mining, Land and Water at the Public Access Assertion and Defense Section, 550 West 7 th Avenue, Suite 1030, Anchorage, AK 99501, on or before April 26, 2024. Questions concerning this activity or requests to view the full materials should be directed to Kara Moore, Telephone: (907) 269-6008; or e-mail: kara.moore@alaska.gov. DNR-DMLW complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services or special modifications to comment should contact Alaska Relay at 711 or 800-770-8973 for TTY services. DMLW reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice.