A Monumental Step Towards Protecting our Trails
Thanks to the emails, calls, and testimonies of Alaska Wildlife Alliance members, Board and allies, the Anchorage Municipality passed the Safe Trails Ordinance in 2019. The Ordinance makes it unlawful to place a trap within 50 yards of a "developed trail" within the Anchorage municipality with the intent to protect dogs from being caught and killed on popular Anchorage-area trails. The definition of a developed trail is as follows:
"Developed trail" means any trail or footpath designated under AS 41.21.850 et seq., or marked, signed or designated by the municipality, excluding off-shoot trails. Any trailhead with a graded parking area and signage is a developed trail and the prohibited trapping zone extends the length of the mainstem(s) of the trail(s).
On February 25, the Assembly heard final testimony on a resolution designating a list of trails to be protected under the Ordinance. After compelling public testimony, the Assembly voted unanimously to approve the comprehensive list of trails! Click here to view the Ordinance and list of designated trails. You can also view interactive maps by clicking here and scrolling to "Parks and Recreation". These interactive maps show trails and other areas closed pursuant to other provisions in the ordinance: namely lands owned by the Municipality, land close to trailheads and campgrounds, and land where "dwellings" are within 1/4 mile of each other (thus subject to the provision prohibiting traps within 1/4 mile of a dwelling).
AWA Executive Director, Nicole Schmitt, and her friend backcountry ski with four legged companion, Josephine.
Why is this important?
This Ordinance is monumental. Yes, this Ordinance protect pets and people from traps on trails, but it’s much more than that. The Alaska Board of Game has received proposals for years from municipalities across the state requesting that they close trapping or create buffers in municipal areas for the protection of citizens and pets. The Board of Game widely refuses to close municipal areas, despite pleas from councils in Mat Su, Ketchikan, and others. This is the first Assembly to ensure those protections themselves, citing public safety through their municipal powers.
This Ordinance reflects a new opportunity for the public to truly be heard, where we have previously been dismissed at the Board of Game.
Please email Anchorage Assembly members to thank them for their efforts on this issue, particularly Pete Peterson and Suzanne LaFrance who co-sponsored the Ordinance.
Pete Petersen; East Anchorage
Pete.Petersen@anchorageak.gov
Suzanne LaFrance; S. Anchorage & Turnagain Arm
Suzanne.LaFrance@AnchorageAK.gov
John Weddleton; S. Anchorage & Turnagain Arm
John.Weddleton@AnchorageAK.gov
Christopher Constant; Downtown Anchorage
Christopher.Constant@anchorageak.gov
Forest Dunbar; East Anchorage
forest.dunbar@anchorageak.gov
Austin Quinn-Davidson; West Anchorage
Austin.Quinn-Davidson@AnchorageAK.gov
Cameron Perez-Verdia; West Anchorage
Kameron.Perez-Verdia@AnchorageAK.gov
Felix Rivera; Midtown
Felix.RiveraF@AnchorageAK.gov
Meg Zalatel; Midtown
Meg.Zaletal@AnchorageAK.gov
Fred Dyson; Eagle River and north
Fred.Dyson@AnchorageAK.gov
Crystal Kennedy; Eagle River and north
Crystal.Kennedy@AnchorageAK.gov
All Assembly Members:
wwmas@muni.org
We also want to recognise Alaska Wildlife Alliance Board Member, Kneeland Taylor, who was instrumental in the development and review of this Ordinance. Thank you, Kneeland, for years of work on this issue!
From our pups to yours, thank you to everyone who wrote, called, or testified in support of safe trails!
- AWA Team
