June 19, 2007
Contact:
Brad Meiklejohn, The Conservation Fund, 907.694.9060
Lisa Eyler, The Great Land Trust, 907.278.4998
Anchorage, Alaska - The Conservation Fund and the Great Land Trust, in partnership with the State Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, announced today the completion of a multi-year effort to secure public access to the Rabbit Creek Valley in Chugach State Park.
The partnership has completed the purchase of three properties totaling 320 acres that long formed an impediment to legal public access into the Rabbit Creek Valley of Chugach State Park. Conflict between public users and private landowners in Rabbit Creek stretches back to the 1980’s when the State of Alaska lost a key court decision about public access to the alpine valley.
The three properties were purchased by The Conservation Fund with funding from the Alaska Legislature, the Rasmuson Foundation, ConocoPhillips, Inc., Royal Caribbean, Ltd. and donations from many private individuals. The total project cost was $1.2 million.
“Chugach State Park is Anchorage’s backyard, and the Rabbit Creek Valley is one the most family-friendly spots in the park,” said Representative Mike Hawker. “Resolving this conflict is good for everybody.”
The project is a major stride for Pathways to the Chugach, a project of the Great Land Trust that aims to secure public access to Chugach State Park.
“The Rabbit Creek project is a great beginning to our work to keep Chugach Park open and available to everyone,” said Jim Stratton, board chairman of the Great Land Trust. “This is a fantastic start, but there are many more places around the Park that need our attention.”
“We are excited to add these lands to Chugach Park and open this spectacular alpine valley to the public,” said Tom Harrison, Superintendent of Chugach State Park. “The exact location and design of future public facilities at Rabbit Valley will be determined through a public process,” said Harrison.
About The Great Land Trust
The Great Land Trust, a local nonprofit organization, seeks to conserve special places close to home. We work in partnership with willing private and public landowners to permanently conserve important lands and signature landscapes and waters essential to the quality of life and economic health of communities in the region. We seek to protect the integrity of natural ecosystems, access to recreational lands, wetlands, and streams, and to conserve important open spaces near and within towns and cities.
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