Southeast Alaska Land Trust is planning a way for Douglas Island residents to access the Mendenhall Wetlands more easily.
According to a public notice posted Thursday by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the trust plans to construct a staircase to the wetlands from property it owns along North Douglas Highway. The property, in the 6200 block of the highway, is currently vacant.
The executive director of the trust, Allison Gillum, said by phone that construction is expected in the spring. The project is formally known as the Marjory & Edgar Huizer Fishing Access Site and would include five parking spaces along the highway, an information kiosk, stabilization of the bank below the parking area, and the staircase. The trust is attempting to raise $75,000 by March 31 to build the site.
DNR has granted an easement for the project, and anyone with a comment on that easement can email adam.moser@alaska.gov before the end of the business day, Jan. 12.
For more information about the land trust, visit http://southeastalaskalandtrust.org.
• Contact reporter James Brooks at james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com or call 523-2258.
