This post is for the socially minded folk out there who have, or will appreciate Alaska’s rugged beauty via the Dalton Highway. More specifically, the region near Mt Sukakpak, which is in the vicinity of mile 204-208, north of Wiseman a few miles. That area is one of my favorite parts of the 400+ mile road. The Dalton highway holds a special designated status as a Scenic Byway.
“Alaska established a Scenic Byways program in 1993 to recognize and celebrate some of the most beautiful landscapes in our state. Administered by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, this program also recognizes routes that provide access to our most scenic areas, cultural riches and recreational resources.”
The Alaska Department of Transportation has put in a request to the BLM for two permits in this area. Permits for gravel pits that will span a 10 year use period. While it is obvious that a road of this nature needs maintenance and upgrade, there just must be some alternative source for material, rather than making a few gravel pits in the one of the most scenic spots on the Dalton Highway. You can express your opinions to the BLM up until April 12th, 2011, which is not much time. Please send your comments to Darrel_Vandeweg@blm.gov, and include this permit number in the subject FF-095770, FF-095771 (3621113).
See more photos of Mt. Sukakpak on my website.
Koyukuk river and Mount Sukapak in the Brooks mountain range, Actic, Alaska.
Approximate locations of gravel pits
How deeply beautiful is this photo…As usual with your photo…
Hey Patrick
Thanks for this note. I’ll forward it to a few folks I know as well, who’ve ridden the highway with me.
Agree completely with your sentiment …. there could hardly be a worse spot on the road for that.
Cheers
Carl
Hi Patrick, thank you for sending along this news. I am greatly saddened. The thing I love MOST about the Dalton is that there is little impact still in the Arctic considering all of the sq miles and beauty! I am appalled that they would choose this most beautiful of all landmarks on the Dalton….I simply don’t want to believe this BLM request for land use, ug!! What are they thinking? I will most definitely write and attach my favorite photos from this beloved location. My daughter named Mt Sukapak “Shark Mountain” and refers to our entire 6 weeks in the Arctic as that Shark Mountain place….it is a memorable area indeed! Continue to use your photographs for good! Miss seeing your sparkling spirit!
Patrick,
Wow, this is big! I don’t think even Joan Baez ever imagined this!
I’m not qualified to know the ramifications, short and long term of such a gouge. A before and after projected photo would be good too – many a forest has been saved after seeing the devastating effects of strip-mining or deforestation. There must be some department that has the seasonal flow rates that can mock up a worst case sceniro. A computer model would be great – like those end of the world animations where you the ocean rises and covers New York and California.
I’d put on a dry suit, load up on energy bars, call the press, and tie myself to any permanent marker at the site until a plausible independent report could be issued explaining the cause and effect.
Patrick,
Thanks for the update on this. That is one of my favorite parts of the highway. I just submitted comments. (Great photo too, as usual).
-Dave
Thanks for the heads up, just passed it along and will write in some comments of my own!
Thank you for alerting the public to this threat. I’ve certainly enjoyed this corridor and the easy access it provides to the coastal plain! I’m forwarding this along.
Thank you for alerting the public to this threat. I’ve certainly enjoyed this corridor and the easy access it provides to the coastal plain. I’m forwarding this along!
I just wanted to let you know that I thought of you when I saw your poster in a building I was at recently. http://patrickendres.wpengine.com/blog/2010/11/att-2011-calendar/
Hey Eli,
Thanks, I have not see the poster around much, but have a sample copy, the print quality was excellent considering it was a 35mm shot blow up 48 inches.