Base Regulations for Snowmobiles

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Information presented here is extracted from 354 FWI 32-7002, Use and control of Off-Road Vehicles (ORV).  The use of snowmobiles on Eielson AFB property is a privilege not a right. Through careful adherence to these regulations we may be able to gain more privileges. It only takes one rider to be noticed by the right person (or wrong person, depending on your point of view) to ruin the privilege for everyone. Use your common sense and repect your neighbors!

Requirements for riding on base:

Registration:

  • Snowmachines must have current registration with a state DMV.
  • Snowmachines must be registered on-base with Pass and ID.
    • All riders must complete the snowmobile safety course conducted by the safety office and have a competency card.
    • Temporary registration may be obtained from Pass and ID with proof of being scheduled for the safety course.
  • The rider competency card must be carried on the machine and base registration must be displayed along with the state registration on the machine.

Required Equipment:

  • Working brakes
  • Complete and working factory exhaust system with no installed cut-outs or by-pass.
  • Working and operatiing headlight and taillight.

Safety:

  • Designed seating will not be exceeded.
  • Do not tow anything which does not have a rigid tow bar.
  • Racing and competitive events are not allowed unless a request has been submitted and approved by the Support Group Commander.
  • DOT, Snell or ANSI approved Helmets with full face shield or goggles made of shatterproof material must be worn by all riders or occupants of towed devices.

Operating Rules:

  • Snowmobile operation is prohibited except during the designated snowmobile season. The Support Group Commander will determine the beginning and the end of this season.
  • Snowmobiles will not:
    • be operated in a reckless manner.
    • be operated under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
    • be operated in a manner to destroy government or private property cause damage to the ground or ground cover including grass, trees, bushes, shrubs.
    • exceed established speed limits posted or outlined in 32-7002.
    • chase, disturb, disrupt or otherwise harass the local wildlife.
  • Persons under 14 must be under the direct supervision of a parent.
  • Snowmachines may not be ridden through the front gate.
  • Snowmobiles must be operated at least 6 feet off CE-maintained roads and parking lots, except those roads authorized as areas of operation.
  • The main access routes for base housing occupants are Industrial Drive, Broadway Avenue, Kodiak Street, North Street, Polaris Street, Glacier Boulevard, Moose Lake Drive, Mid-night Sun Drive, and French Creek Drive. Individuals not living on these main access routes must proceed by the most direct route to/from these main access routes using the roadway on which they live.
  • Housing occupants cannot operate west of Arctic Avenue or on Arctic Avenue from North Street to Manchu Trail.
  • Dorm residents in Buildings 2260-2266 will use the east loop road behind the dorms and proceed through the CE shop parking area between Buildings 2350 and 2351, turn left and proceed to the parking area entrance off Central Avenue, use Central Avenue to Manchu Trail, and use Manchu Trail to get to use areas behind base.
  • Dorm residents in Buildings 2202-2208 will use Wabash Avenue to the BX Service Station, cross Central Avenue to Manchu Trail, and use Manchu Trail to get to the use areas behind base. Use of these access routes is limited to that operation necessary to get to use areas.
  • Snowmobiles may be operated on Manchu Trail east of the French Creek bridge, Quarry Road from the Arctic Survival Command Post to the base boundary, and the roads west of the Richardson Highway, but must obey the posted speed limits and operate on the extreme right-hand side of the road.
  • Snowmobiles can cross French Creek using the bridges on Quarry Road and Manchu Trail, Moose Creek using the bridge on Transmitter Road, and Garrison Slough using the bridges on Transmitter Road, and using the road shoulder of the culvert crossing on Arctic Extension. When on these bridges or culvert crossing, operate snowmobiles at the minimum throttle setting necessary to maintain forward motion (approximately 5 mph).
  • Snowmobile use is prohibited in any area where training is being conducted and where children are playing.
  • Snowmobiles will not be driven to and from duty sections or places of employment.
  • Firearms will be visible (in plain sight) and unloaded when being carried on a snowmobile to and from authorized hunting areas. Firearms will not be left unattended or unsecured.

    Closed Areas. The following areas are closed to all snowmobile use:

  • Airfield.
  • Firing range and impact area.
  • Asbestos landfill, soil remediation area, and fire training area.
  • Quarry Road and Engineer Hill Munitions Storage Areas
  • EOD Controlled Area.
  • Ski Slope and sledding hill next to ski lodge.
  • POL Tank Farms.
  • Sewage Lagoon and Treatment Area.
  • Parcours and Eielson AFB Self-Guided Nature Trail.
  • Arctic Survival Training Area and Command Post.
  • The cross-country ski area near the Ski Lodge bounded by the ski slope, Quarry Road, east and south boundaries of Eielson AFB, and including the 160 acres in the Yukon Maneuver Area permitted to Eielson by the Army for ski trails.
  • When there is snow cover on the ground, ORV operation is prohibited in the cross-country ski area between French Creek, the Youth Center, and cooling ponds
  • Area bounded by Central Avenue, Transmitter Road, Garrison Slough, north base boundary, and Old Richardson Highway is closed to all-terrain vehicle, two-wheeled vehicle, and snowmobile use. This area includes the main gate and Alaska railroad tracks north of Transmitter Road. The ORV hands-on training site within this area is exempt for training classes only.
  • Archery practice and field ranges.
  • Trap/skeet range.
  • The forested buffer zone around Manchu Ponds.
  • School grounds to include the high school football field and track.
  • Det 460 AFTAC, Remote Operating Facility (ROF). Beaver Creek Road, which goes through the Det 460 ROF, can be used for access to non-closed areas on either side of the ROF. Anyone using Beaver Creek Road as an access route is restricted to the road.
  • "C" Battery off Johnson Road in the Yukon Maneuver Area.
  • Birch Lake Recreation Area.

Use Areas:

  • The use of snowmobiles is prohibited on Eielson AFB except on designated trails, in designated use areas, and for transit from housing and dormitories to the use areas
  • Operation in the Base Cantonment Area:
    • limited to that operation necessary to reach designated use areas. The base cantonment area is not a designated use area; it is a transit area to be used only for access to designated use areas.
    • limited to that operation necessary to effect a crossing perpendicular to traffic flow. Snowmobiles will yield the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians at all times.
    • snowmobiles will be operated at the minimum throttle setting necessary to maintain forward motion (approximately 5 mph). Operators will take the most direct route to designated use areas and, where possible, maintain a minimum of 100 feet separation from any buildings. When 100 feet separation is not possible, a route that is half-way between buildings will be used.
  • Snowmobilers meeting all the requirements for on-base operation may enter/exit Eielson AFB using A Battery Road.

Public Access:

  • The privilege of ORV use on Eielson AFB will be granted to the general public subject to requirements for safety, security of government property, accomplishment of the military mission, and all restrictions and rules.

Parking and Storage:

  • When the official base snowmobile season has been opened, snowmobiles may  be parked on frozen, snow covered lawns adjacent to assigned quarters.
  • Snowmobiles are not considered year-round vehicles and will be stored in either assigned garages, or the Recreational Vehicle Storage Lot during the summer months.
  • Snowmobiles parked in owner assigned driveways/parking spaces, patios, adjacent to dormitories, and on frozen, snow-covered lawns adjacent to quarters shall be currently registered with any state and the Security Police.

Contact us here for more information.


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