BLM Says It Wants Comments on Heliskiing At Thompson Pass

Skiing at Thompson Pass in 1997. (Photo: Copper River Country Journal Archives) 

BLM seeks input on heliskiing on lands near Valdez and Thompson Pass 

Scoping period March 14 – April 12, 2024 

Notice From Bureau of Land Management 

Feb 28, 2024

Glennallen, Alaska — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public input through a scoping period to inform the next ten years of helicopter skiing (heliskiing) on BLM-managed lands near Valdez and Thompson Pass. This scoping period runs March 14 to April 12. Current heliskiing Special Recreation Permits (SRPs) in the region are set to expire in May 2025.  

There are approximately 150,000 acres of BLM managed lands where four heliski tour operators have been authorized to offer services since 2005. 

The public can learn more about this effort and provide input at an in-person March 14 public meeting from 5:30pm – 8:00pm at the Valdez Civic Center (314 Clifton Dr, Valdez, AK 99686). The same meeting materials provided in Valdez will also be available on the BLM NEPA Register project webpage: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2031076/510. 

The public can also submit comments online at the BLM National NEPA Register project webpage as explained under the How to Get Involved tab or sending in physical comments via mail (addressed to “Attn: Valdez and Thompson Pass Heliskiing” Glennallen Field Office, P.O. Box 147 Glennallen, AK 99588). 

The public is encouraged to consider the following questions when commenting:   

• What activities do you participate in on these BLM managed lands during the months of February through May?  

• What opportunities would you like to have available on these BLM managed lands during the months of February through May?  

• Have you experienced any issues on these BLM manages lands? Please explain.  

• To what extent should existing commercial heliski permits be modified, enhanced, and/or expanded?   

• What limitations and restrictions, if any, are needed and why?   

• Are there user-conflict concerns? If so, what are they?  

The BLM will use input from this scoping period, including input from operators, affected user groups, agencies, Tribal consultations, and members of the public to draft an Environmental Assessment (EA). This scoping period provides the public the opportunity to submit ideas, comments, and concerns for the BLM to consider when developing this EA. 

For additional information, contact Outdoor Recreation Planner Sean Williams at 907-822-7322 or sdwilliams@blm.gov