FAQs
Index (click on a title to skip to that section)
About the Project and the Area
Environmental Impact Statement
Project Phasing and Facilities
Public Participation/More Information
Click here for a printable PDF. of the FAQs.
About the Project and
the Area
What is the purpose of this project?
Where is this project?
Hatcher Pass is located approximately 12 miles north-east of Palmer, about 14 miles east of Wasilla, and 55 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska, in the heart of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The topography is best described as a glacially carved alpine valley. The altitude of the proposed alpine facility is 1,479 feet. The total vertical distance for the Alpine ski runs will be approximately 2,400 feet.
How big is the project area?
The project area consists of 10,000
acres, all of which is located within the Government Peak Sub-Unit
of the Hatcher Pass Management Plan area. The Government Peak area
consists of prime skiing and other recreational use terrain, which
is easily accessible by more than half the state's residents.
Who owns the land in the project area?
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) owns
over 3,000 acres where the main developments and improvements will
be located. Another 7,000 acres of state land has been
transferred to Borough management to support development of the
recreation area.
The MSB has embarked on a campaign to limit and define
development risks. The Borough acquired the Hatcher Pass lands
necessary to develop the ski and recreation areas.
Ownership and control of the property where the development and
facilities will be located, by a single entity who strongly
advocates for the development of both the Alpine and Nordic ski
area, will significantly simplify and expedite development of the
project.
Environmental Impact
Statement
What are the steps
that must be taken before we see the recreational facilities?
There are many steps to take before construction of the
facilities begins. An Environmental Impact Statement must be
completed, funding needs to be acquired, the Borough Assembly must
decide on what facilities will be built, a management structure and
organization must be agreed to and formed, and final design and
permits must be obtained
What is the purpose
of the Environmental Impact Statement?
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has received federal funds to
improve access to the area by developing roads, parking areas,
trails and transit facilities.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires
federal agencies providing project funding to evaluate the possible
environmental impacts due to their decisions and the improvements.
Since the Federal Transit Authority is providing funds for
transportation improvements; they must comply with NEPA by
completing an environmental review of this project.
Does the Environmental Impact Statement cover all the proposed
phases?
No - the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has funding
available for construction of road improvements, parking, trail
access, and transit facilities for phase 1 of this project. As
part of the National Environmental Policy Act, the FTA must conduct
an environmental study to look at the impacts of any improvements
that will be funded by the FTA.
In addition, as part of the federally-funded environmental study, there is a section called the cumulative impact analysis. This study will determine the possible impacts of "reasonably foreseeable" projects in the area for Phase 1: for the Alpine area this is one lift, one lodge, downhill trails, and parking; for the Nordic area this is trails and access. Phases II-IV will not be covered in the environmental study as the FTA does not consider these later phases to be “reasonably foreseeable”.
Project Phasing and
Facilities
What facilities will
be provided?
As currently envisioned, the proposed Hatcher Pass Ski and
Recreation Area will be built in phases to provide an opportunity
for development of a ski and recreation area that is both
financially feasible and environmentally sensitive. Only
the first phase is being considered at this time.
By developing the recreational facilities in phases the
following objectives will be met:
·
Provide facilities that will meet public
needs that can be expanded to meet anticipated demand over a period
of time.
·
The ability to grow with market demand and
add more user-requested trails, lifts, and support services as
needed and confirmed by operational experience.
·
Provide a facility that is designed primarily
to serve the local and regional markets.
·
General terrain balance that satisfies the
skier market including all ages, abilities, and special population
groups.
·
Balanced lift and trail capabilities.
· Provide base staging and congregation areas that are in balance with mountain access requirements and social and competitive event needs.
·
Provide adequate skier and guest services.
·
Ensure efficient mountain, terrain, trail,
and base area circulation.
What facilities are
included in Phase I?
Phase I in both the northern (Alpine) and southern areas
(Nordic) will include the backbone for Phase I and potential future
phases. This includes roads, parking areas, transit facilities
for MASCOT service, and access trails to the ski areas.
In the northern Alpine area, two lifts, a day lodge,
snowmaking and lighting will be included, also supporting
infrastructure such as electrical and telephone service, and
domestic water, sewer facilities, and a maintenance facility.
In the southern Nordic area 10 km of family trails, 10 km
of competitive trails along with warming areas, and restrooms will
be included.
What is the cost of
Phase I?
Current estimates to complete all the environmental
analysis work, design, and construction has been estimated to cost
$24.8 million.
When will the additional
phases be built?
It is not known when additional phases will be built.
That will depend on a variety of factors including: public
acceptance, cost, the amount of users, revenue generated, and the
ability of the area to cover operational costs and pay off debt
service.
Why can’t you just develop the Nordic area?
The Borough has received federal funds to develop
transportation infrastructure for both areas (Nordic and Alpine).
Therefore, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will focus on
the transportation improvements for these areas. The EIS will also
have to address the cumulative effects of the actual recreation
uses. Once the EIS is complete, the Borough can decide whether
to move forward with the improvements in both areas or just one
area.
What might be included in the additional phases?
In the northern area, an additional lift,
a mid-mountain chalet, and additional ski runs would be added in
Phase II. In Phase III, the main lift will be converted to a
high-speed quad, more trails would be added with night lighting and
snowmaking, and the day lodge would be expanded.
In the southern area, a day lodge and 10
kms of additional Nordic and multi-purpose trails will be added
along with a sledding hill. In Phase III, night lighting would
be added for some of the trails and a biathlon range built.
Who will own and
operate the area and facilities?
Past proposals to develop the area have included private
ownership and management, and public-private partnership. For
a variety of reasons, none of those proposals came to fruition.
In order to build a facility that meets the recreational needs
identified by the public, the Borough is exploring development and
management by a semi-public entity – The Hatcher Pass Development
Authority. The Board of Directors would be appointed by the
Assembly, but unlike other Borough boards and commissions, the
Hatcher Pass Development Authority would be autonomous from daily
oversight from the Borough administration and Assembly. The
Authority would be responsible for the daily operations (including
hiring their own staff), budget and funding for the Recreation Area,
yet would be held responsible by the Assembly and the public.
Other ski areas have successfully operated using this model.
The State of
Is residential
development part of this project?
No. Residential development is not proposed in any of
the phases. However, because the potential for residential
development does exist, the Borough, as part of the environmental
field investigation work, is having the area analyzed to determine
if the area could support residential and commercial development and
at what scale. This analysis will include a determination if
the area will support additional domestic water and sewer systems,
whether the soils could support residential or commercial
development and other related factors.
Will this project
cause more development in the area?
It is common for projects like this to cause more
development on lands adjacent or in close proximity to the project.
Recreational facilities attract people who want to make the most out
of their available leisure time. The Borough does not have any
plans to develop anything more than the recreational facilities.
However, the area to the south of the project area is all private
land. Landowners may see an opportunity in developing services that
support the ski area.
If
private property is needed for the road, what happens?
If private property is needed, the Borough will pursue
property acquisition from a willing seller. The Borough does
not plan, nor do they have any intention, to use condemnation to
acquire property for this project.
Will this project impact the
The Hatcher Pass Public Use Area was
created in 1986 by the Alaska State Legislature. The area is
open to a variety of recreational activities. This project is
not expected to adversely impact the Public Use Area. The proposed
Phase 1 development in the southern area is outside the Public Use
Area boundaries. In the northern area an existing road and some
alpine ski runs (which is an authorized use) may cross a corner of
the Public Use Area.
Where are you planning to put the southern access road?
Several road alignments are being evaluated to access the
site from
Where is the funding
coming from?
The Borough is receiving federal funding from the Federal
Transit Administration to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement
and for development of the
road improvements, parking areas, transit facilities for MASCOT
service, and access trails to the ski areas. Funding sources
have not yet been identified for the remainder of Phase I. The
Borough is seeking additional funding sources for the other
components of the project, such as developing the trail network, ski
lifts and chalets.
Will the project use
taxpayer money?
That has not been determined. Until the Environmental
Impact Statement has been completed and a Record of Decision issued,
it is not possible to finally determine what can and cannot be
constructed and the ultimate cost of those improvements. The
Borough Assembly will make the ultimate decision on what will be
constructed, how it should be funded and how it will be operated.
Public hearings will be held on the “ultimate look” of the
facilities, the management structure and funding sources. If
the Borough Assembly decides that taxpayer dollars should be used
for any portion of this project in the future, the taxpayers will be
given an opportunity to vote and decide on whether taxpayer dollars
should be used.
How long will
construction take once the decision is made to proceed and funding
is in place?
Construction of Phase I is proposed to begin in spring 2011
and should be complete by late fall 2012.
Is this project
guaranteed to happen?
Not yet. That decision cannot be made until the
Environmental Impact Statement is completed, funding sources
identified and secured, and the management structure determined.
The final determination on the fate of the project will be made by
the Borough Assembly, following public input and hearings.
I have seen plans
like this many times over the last few years - why is this plan
different?
Past plans have varied from a large four-season resort to
one similar to this, but with a large residential and commercial
development component. This plan is designed to be a regional
day-use recreation area without a residential or commercial
component.
Are there any plans
to change the motorized recreational vehicle usage regulations in
that area?
Currently, the entire project area is closed to motorized
uses. Any changes to motorized recreational vehicle usage
would require the approval of the Borough Assembly and State
Department of Natural Resources. At the present time there are no
plans to change the “status quo.”
How about firearm
regulations?
Presently the area is open to the discharge of firearms and
for lawful hunting. Changes to firearm regulations for the
area are not proposed as part of this project. Only the Board
of Game can change the regulations concerning lawful hunting.
Will I be able to
use the trails in the summer?
Hiking, running, mountain biking, horseback riding and
other non-motorized uses will be allowed and encouraged on the
trails in the summer months.
Public
Participation/More Information
How can I stay
informed?
Visit the hatcherpass.com website regularly to review
studies, fact sheets, presentations and other materials as the
project progresses. You can also sign up for e-mail updates
about the project. Public meetings will also be advertised in
the local paper and listed on the project website.
How do I share my
opinion with the project team regarding the project?
The official scoping period for this project ended on
January 16, 2009, however, the project team will continue to accept
and consider comments throughout the duration of the project. In
addition, there will be additional comment periods on alternatives
in the spring of 2009 and on the complete environmental document and
its recommendations in the fall 2010. Comments can be submitted
through the project website at www.hatcherpass.com, via e-mail at
hatcherpass@dowl.com or by
calling Michela Spitz at DOWL HKM 907-746-7600.
What types of comments are most useful?
We want to hear about issues that are important to you.
Your comments will be used to help shape the development and outcome
of the project. Each comment received is reviewed by project
team members and becomes part of the project’s official public
record. Your comment is not a ballot and is not used as a
means to measure the degree of support for the project. The
most useful types of comments may include the following:
·
Alternative approaches and ideas for
accomplishing project goals.
·
Information and issues that need to be
considered.
·
Information on how you use the area and how a
project might affect that use.
·
Identify incomplete or inaccurate
information.
·
Opinions and discussion regarding a
particular element or alternative.