RTP Grant Application - Kennicott McCarthy Gateway Trails

Recreational Trails Program Grant Application – Public NoticeProject Title:RTP Grant Application - Kennicott McCarthy Gateway TrailsOrganization Name:Kennicott McCarthy Recreation AllianceDate Public Notice Posted:January 29, 2026Posted Online:February 26, 2026Brief Description of Proposed Project:The Kennicott–McCarthy Recreation Alliance (KMRA) proposes a seasonal, system-wide trail maintenance project to improve the safety, sustainability, and usability of more than 20 miles of existing mixed-use recreational trails in the Kennicott–McCarthy area. These trails support hiking, sightseeing, subsistence access, and heritage tourism and serve thousands of annual users.From May through September, KMRA will employ two contracted trail crew members and one project manager, supported by organized volunteer labor, to carry out coordinated maintenance activities on priority trail segments. Maintenance-ready trails include the Bonanza Mine Trail (4 miles), Jumbo Mine spur (3 miles), Erie Mine Trail (5 miles), Root Glacier spur (0.5 miles), West Glacier Trail (1 mile), Old Wagon Road (4 miles), Kennicott Glacier Trail spur (0.5 miles), and approximately 4 miles of the McCarthy Creek Route (12 miles total). With the exception of limited segments of the McCarthy Creek Route that cross private land with long-standing informal public access, all work will occur on publicly accessible, established trailsProposed Timeline of the Project:Project State Date         May 1, 2026Project End Date          September 30, 2026Applicant Contact Information:Contact Name:     Matthew ShidnerPhone Number:    907-554-2127Email Address:    mxykmra@gmail.comMailing Address: PO Box Mxy #26, Glennallen, AK 99588Public Comment or Opposition can be submitted to the contact noted above.Deadline for Public Comment:   October 31, 2026The Alaska Recreational Trails Program is the possible funding agency for this proposed project. For information regarding the Alaska Recreational Trails Program, please visit the State website athttp://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/grants/trails.htm. Location: Statewide