Rob Yundt’s assembly resignation accepted, starting 30-day clock on appointment to fill vacancy

The Matanuska Susitna Borough assembly formally accepted Rob Yundt’s resignation from the assembly at its Tuesday, Sept. 10 meeting, an action that formally starts a 30-day clock before the assembly appoints a temporary replacement.

Yundt sent in his resignation Sept. 3, citing a change in residence from his assembly district that made it no longer able to represent the district.

In another action, the assembly accepted a $944,804 Maritime Administration grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a heavy cargo crane at Port MacKenzie, the borough’s port on Knik Arm in Upper Cook Inlet. The crane will augment the ability to load and unload heavy freight at the port, expanding its capabilities.

The assembly postponed until Oct. 1 a resolution opposing a federal scenic trails designation for the proposed 500-mile Alaska Long Trail, which would cut through 100 miles of state, borough and private lands in the Mat-Su region and potentially bringing the corridor under the National Scenic Trails Act. If the designation is made it would prohibit motorized access, the assembly was told during the public participation portion of the Sept. 10 meeting.

The designation could also include portions of Hatcher Pass and including the Skeetawk downhill ski area, the assembly was told. The proposed route of the Long Trail in Mat-Su includes many existing trails and is also crossed by existing trails.

The objections center around loss of local control to federal agencies over use of the trail and decisions affecting connector and side-trails as well as the inability to have snow machines on the trail.

Motorized winter sports activity is growing fast in Alaska, growing 15.4 percent in over the prior year and 48.4 percent in 2021 over 2020, the assembly was told. Motorized sports has also brought an estimated $33 million in economic activity into the state compared with $24.5 million in non-motorized winter recreation, the assembly was told.

Several people speaking to the assembly urged the borough to support an alternative long trail route that would be totally on federal lands. A suggestion was made that an existing easement on the route of the historic Copper River railroad from Cordova to Chitina and McCarthy would make a good recreational trail for long-distance hiking.

Also, the designation of the Iditarod trail as a historic trail, and where snow machines are allowed, should not be confused with a designation of the long trail under the National Scenic Trails Act, which is more restrictive than a designated historic trail, the assembly was told.

In his remarks to the assembly, borough manager Mike Brown said the borough’s annual “Emergency Preparedness Expo” is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Menard Sports Center in Wasilla. “This is a family event with exhibits and demonstrations that will allow people how to prepare for emergencies and disasters,” which unfortunately happen far too often,” Brown said.