Tim Sponseller, Fort Wainwright Directorate of Public Works, stated the purpose is to develop year-round access to the Tanana Flats Training Area (TFTA) and the Blair Lakes Range Complex (BLRC) via a 24.2-mile double-lane gravel road. Currently, the Tanana River Bridge near Salcha provides year-round access to the TFTA for aircraft and low ground pressure vehicles, and seasonal access for higher ground pressure vehicles via an unimproved winter trail extending from the bridge to the TFTA and BLRC. A gravel road designed and constructed to provide reliable, year-round access would enable the Army to better utilize the TFTA and the BLRC and thus more readily support the Army’s Arctic Strategy. PROPOSED WORK: Construction of the road would involve the discharge of clean gravel fill into 35.2 acres (30,905 linear feet) of wetlands and other waters. The proposed gravel road would follow the unimproved winter trail that is currently used to access TFTA and BLRC (see Sheets 1 through 26). The winter trail was established between 2015 and 2022 by clearing vegetation, masticating the cuttings, and leaving them on the trail. All work would be performed in accordance with the enclosed plan (Sheets 1-27), dated May 2025. Please contact Greg Mazer at (907) 347-9059, toll free from within Alaska at (800) 478-2712, or by email at Gregory.j.mazer@usace.army.mil if further information is desired concerning this public notice.
POA-2024-00584 Tanana River PN