Neighbors and land trust preparing public-charitable sale request to protect 70 acres and trails in Goldstream

A group of neighbors and the Interior Alaska Land Trust told the Trails Advisory Commission that they have applied to the state for purchase of two 70-acre state lots above the SkyFlight airstrip, aiming to prevent subdivision or auction that could block access to the Cranberry and O'Connor Ridge trails.

Dan Reichardt, a nearby property owner acting as a project representative, said the state application is "under review" and the land trust has submitted a public-and-charitable sale request. Reichardt told commissioners the Cranberry and O'Connor Ridge trails "traverse through that land" and that current informal access requires trespass over private property, while legal access crosses a section line that is unsafe because it crosses an active airstrip.

Reichardt said the plan is to return in October with a formal request that the commission support the public-and-charitable sale. Commissioners asked for clearer maps and route details in advance so they could review trail overlap, parking and trailhead options. Jacobs and commissioners suggested the project collect a trailhead and parking plan and prepare materials for TAC review at its October meeting.

No formal TAC action was taken at the July meeting; the group will seek a formal support motion in October when it supplies maps and details for the commission's review.