Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-24 KRSMA Board Packet5pasciaBN9ageenentArea "Working togeiher...tor the river" QD V ~~0~ tl ° O/ru1~D "~* Meeting Agenda"^~* ~ ~~ L~" ' Thursday, May 24, 2001 r ~~ . Sp 7:00 p.m. ~; ~~$~' r . Kenai River Center • , ~ ~. I. CALL TO ORDER A. Roll Call B: Approval of 4/19101 minutes C. Agenda Changes and Approval II. PUBLIC COMMENT III. NEW BUSINESS A. Boat Wake Study -teleconference with Dr. Steve Maynord, ACOE-WES B. Legislative Appropriation 'for a new lower river boat launch parcel C. USFS Russian River Mining Withdrawal Proposal, Mike Kania, Seward DistricC Ranger D. Cooper Creek Erosion Concerns, Bill Shuster, USFS IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Update -Beaver Creek/Wolf Lake Marathon's pipeline construction .resource damage, Jim Hall, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge B. Recr-eation Impact-Study -Future plans, Chris Degernes C. Kenai River Center Update, Suzanne Fisler V. PUBLIC COMMENT VI. ADJOURNMENT A. Board Comments B. DatelAgenda of Next Meeting e Kenai Area Office, Boz 1247, Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 2625581 Kenai F~ninsula Borough, Box 850, Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 262-4441 Q Alaska Division of Parks and Outtloor Recmatlon, Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Kenai Peninsula Borough ~ KENAI RIVER SPECIAL iVIANAGEMENT AREA ADVISORY BOARD iVIEETING April 19, 2001 Kenai River Center I. CALL TO ORDER A. Roll Call: Present: Jim Golden, Jeff King, Charles Quarre, Janette Cadieux, Ann Whitmore-Painter, Rick Ross, Robin West, Paul Shadura, Clu-is Degernes, Rick Wood, Bill Shuster, Deric Marcorelle, Ted Wellman, Glenda Landau for Lance Trasky Absent: Brett Huber, Tim Navarre, Jim H. Richardson B. Approval of 3/15/01 minutes Approved as written. C. Agenda Changes and Approval Bi11 Schuster added a new business item D, Co discuss the USFS's proposed withdrawal of mineral rights near the Russian River area. Deric Marcorelle added item E, a discussion of the need to study macro invertebrates in the vicinity of the River Terrace contamination. II. Public Comment None III. New Business A. Jim Stratton -Div. of Parks & Outdoor Recreation. Jirn gave a Legislative update, which included for the first time in 5 years no budget cuts plate-ted and The state budget is steady Tl;is year with no park closures planned. One of the problems with a budget that hasn't grown to match inflation or the increased needs for park management is that we have seen a lot of turn over with rangers in Kenai River District in the last few years. He said the problem is with ranger positions in the Kenai Area being 8 month positions compared to 12 month positions in other areas around the state. Parks needs to retain experienced river rangers who are willing to learn the river, the issues, and KRSMA management needs, and not move to 12-month positions in other areas. The Kenai River District has previously had four rangers, one Park Ranger II at 12-months, Bill Berkhahn, and three Park Ranger I's with 8 month seasons. Since August, two rangers have left the river program to seek Kenai River Advisory Board April 19, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 8 better jobs elsewhere that had longer seasons As a result, the Kenai River District has been reorganized to have one 12-month Park Ranger II, two 10- month Park Ranger I's and one Natural Resource Technician. Rangers can then focus more on river management and enforcement, and lesson routine campground maintenance and land unit work that will now be done by a Natural Resource Technician. There will still be the same amount of river patrol effort on the river itself. Jim said the Legislature has not completed the Capital Budget yet. The Legislature is working on two bills that affect KRSMA: one is HB 165, which adds new KRSMA lands This bill passed the House and is in the Senate now. The second bill, HB 159, would prohibit Parks from adding new lands administratively to the park system if the total acreage would exceed 40 acres, and it would prohibit Parks from managing any parcels of land over 40 acres that were not legislatively approved. This bill would impact the management of the Pillars and Cooper Landing Boat Launch and a few other Kenai River Iands. On the Federal level President Bush has proposed fk11y funding the state side of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, with a total of approximately 16,000,000 for Alaska. There is strong commitment in Washington, DC for this program. The state would have to match the fiords 50/50, but this has the potential for finding some needed campground and public access improvements in the Kenai Area. On Sunday, May 20`x', 2001 there will be a Kid's Fishing Day, which creates aone-day waiver for guides to be able to take kids fishing on a day normally closed to fishing from guide boats. Parks and ADF&G worked together to faeiiitaie tnis one day event. The kids 'that participate wiii be able to fish at no cost. The idea is to promote more interest in sport fishing by kids. Bill Shuster asked if Fish and Game has a special fishing regulation in place for the youth fishing.. He thought it would require special legislation. Jim Stratton said this is a one-day event so Fish and Game has a waiver. Paul asked what impact this has on the fish stocks during that time of year. Jim Stratton said Fish and Game was comfortable wifll the idea and did not mention stock concerns. Paul was worried about early run king salmon for this special day of fishing. He does not want to see this continued as a standard thing every year. A member of the public asked if Pillars management world cease if HB 159 passed. Jim Stratton said it is an administratively created parcel, owned by ADF&G but managed under a cooperative agreement. As the bill currently Kenai River Advisory Board Apri119, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 8 is written, Parks would not be able to manage this site unless the Legislature specifically authorized us to do so. Ted asked where HB 159 originated from and what the intent is. Jim Stratton said it came from a 950-acre snowmobile closure ir. the Hatcher Pass area. Jeff King asked if the new Kenai River District technician would have citation authority. Jsn Stratton said they will not. Chris said we will still have to make spot checks in the campgrounds with our Law Enforcement rangers, but this teclurician will be able to weed out many of the problems before they occur. Rangers can then only respond to emergencies. Charles asked what would happen if Parks couldn't manage parcels over 40 acres in size? Jim Stratton said no one would be authorized to manage them. B. Bridge Access Road Trail Project -John Dickinson, DOT, and Phil Bryson, Wince-Corthell-Bryson Phil Brycon, with Wince-Corthell-Bryson, stated that his firm has been contracted by DOT to assist with design of a 3.5 mile long trail across the Kenai River Flats that would connect on each end with the trails adjacent to the Kenai Spur Highway and the K-Beach trail He said they have had three meetings to date with one more preliminary agency scoping meeting and one public informational meeting planned. The schedule for the project consisfs of obtaining permits azid the design by 2002-2003 and construction can then begin in 2004. Another meeting is scheduled for May 15`x' in the Kenai Council Chambers at 1:30 p.m. and a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. Paul asked if there is a proposal to get people across the bridge safely. John said there are two alternatives right now which consist of using the existing width of the bridge with narrow shoulders and having an 8 ft. walkway over the bridge or to design a widening attachment to the bridge. Paul then asked if airy wetland fill is plamred. John said with either alternative there will be some fill in the wetlands. Charles asked what is involved in the environmental assessment process, and if permits are not approved, will that result in the prof ect being cancelled? John said there are a lot of impacts to be addressed and if there are too many negative ones there may be no project. John Dickinson then went over what the permit process for this project will be. C. Sterling Hwy Mile 45-60 Project- Laurie Mulcahy, DOT and Mark Dalton, HDR Alaska. Mark went over the background of this project, stating that the current objective is to address the highway section between Mile 45-58. He has Kenai River Advisory Board April 19, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 8 been asked to supply a supplemental EIS. A draft EIS was approved in 1994, but there have been a number of new issues raised since that document was completed, requiring that additional work be completed. Mark said a series of workshops were held in March and there were clearly mixed views by the people with a lot of good suggestions for the project. A website, httpa/www.sterlin~lu~hway.net will be set up in the next couple of weeks for anyone wanting information on the proj ect. The next agency meeting in Cooper Landing is May 31s`. There will be a "Stakeholder Sounding Board" to talk about issues and to get comments from the public on May l0`h in Cooper Landing at the Community Center from 7-9 p.m. The three basic alternatives that are being considered right now include the Juneau Creek bypass with Refuge and Forest Service variants, the Kenai River alternative with 5 new bridges and the Cooper Creek alternative on the south side of the river, which may transition down near Cooper Creek or extend further west toward Russian River. Scheduled this fall is an extended outreach process with extra agency meetings and stakeholder sounding boards. A draft supplemental EIS will be out later next winter, 2002. The decision to build or not to build will be out next sununer. Ann asked how the new bridge design for the Kenai Lake outlet crossing world affect the Cooper Landing Boat Lalmch facility. Mark said they want to be able to replace the old bridge by building a new one on either side and that they need to consider the impact on the Parks boat launche Jim Golden asked why the existing road could not be upgraded instead of having two roads to maintain. Mark said the new road will improve the convenience and safety of traffYC through tine Cooper Landing community. Janette asked why the Juneau Creek alternative would go above the falls. Mark replied that crossing the creek canyon downstream from the falls would be very expensive due to the bridge span length. However, they are looking at alternate lower routes in that area. Paul said he does not like the idea of the new bridges over the Kenai River and asked if DOT and HDR are just reevaluating the work from 25 years ago and making new analysis now. Mark said yes, they are re-evaluating the old data. Ted said it is frustrating that here 25 years later, traffic is still crawling through Cooper Landing and we are not any closer to getting the project done. He asked that this boardbe included in the discussions and public process. He asked for volunteers to serve on a committee for this process. The subcommittee will consist of: Ann, Janette, Jim G., Suzanne, Chris and Bill. Kenai River Advisory Board April 19, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 8 D. Bill Shuster-li~dining Withdrawal in the Russian River area The U.S. Forest Service has proposed to BLM that they add just under 3000 acres, extending from the Russian River campground to Upper Russian Lake, to their existing mining area withdrawal: Bill said there is one mining claim in the area that is a "non-locatable deposit". Bill said the Forest Service is interested in the withdrawal because the area is adjacent to the Russian River, which is important brown bear and salmon habitat. The Forest Service is concerned about how mining close to the river might impact these resources. The proposed 2998-acre withdrawal would be added to the existing withdrawal and has gone forth to the BLM and is in the federal register now. Public comments are being accepted right now. Janette asked if Red Smith has the one claim within this withdrawal area? Bi11 said yes, and a mineral exun was completed which concluded that the limestone is a "non-locatable" mineral form. Charles asked how this proceeds from the federal registry. Bill said they will take public comments on this and make a decision on this fora 20-year withdrawal. In a couple of decades, the decision could be re-evaluated. Ted asked how the Forest Service ended up with such a meager withdrawal. Bill said it was to mhumize the extent of the withdrawal to just that necessary to maintain abuffer of %< mile from The river. Ted said that the board would like more information on this so that a board letter can be prepared prior to the May 29"' comment deadline. 'T`his shoulc be on the agenda for the next meeting. Bill said he would provide more information to the board. E. Deric Marcorelle-14~Iacro Invertebrates. Deric received an update from Rich Sundet with DEC, who has been leading the effort to clean up the contamination at the River Terrace RV Park. Rich warted to remind the board that when ADF&G ccnducted same water quality tests in the early 1990's, they identified a potential problem in the Soldotna area as evidenced by aquatic insect numbers and ratios indicating a water quality problem. No further efforts were made to trace the source causing this problem. Deric stated now that we know the River Terrace has been. a source for contamination it would be important to check on these macro invertebrates again. Rick Ross asked if ADF&G can evaluate this question and get back to the Board. Glenda said she would pass it along to Lance. Kenai River Advisory Board Apri119, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 8 IV, C)Id Business A. Recreation Impact Study -Glares Degernes Chris provided a review of what has been happening to date. There has been some discussion of dividing the study into two phases. The first year, we could conduct exit surveys and video the activity at certain areas. We could also test the usefulness of the GPS monitoring project, and work out any bugs in this part of the shtdy. Then in year two, with extra funding, ample numbers of GPS units can be purchased, and this part of the study can be completed. Paul asked if the Alaska Pacific University is still interested in assisting with the study? He stated that it would be important to take advantage of their expertise. Chris stated that there have been cautionary statements from ADF&G to wait until the Legislature completes the capital budget before we'll know if the money siuvives. Assuming it does, the available 60.0 will be split with ADF&G, and we will have the 30.0 as planned. Ted stated that it will be important to proceed with at least the survey and video work this season. He expressed that he is a bit nervous about the GPS monitoring, but would like to see some testing of this idea this summer too. He recommends that the Board proceed with the two-phase process idea, and meet in committee to prepare the final plan. Hearing no objection to this idea, he stated we will move forward. ~. Boat Vdake Study Ugdate -Glenda Landau for Lance ~'rasky Glenda said the report arrived today and copies have been made for the board members. She said there is a lot of technical information still in the report. Glenda stated that the board should fake the next month to review the draft study and prepare some questions that can be forwarded to Dr. Steve Maynord for him to cover during our next meeting. Glenda advised the board to read the draft report carefully and not just read the brief conclusions. Glenda also reported that Lance has talked to Gordon Nelson, USGS, and he is committed to conducting more work on the Kenai River once a federal hiring freeze is lifted. Paul asked if the study looked at just wakes produced by boats operating under the maximum power. Chris said both maximum power and the speed to produce the maximum wake were evaluated. Chris reminded the board this is a draft and the board can still provide input on how the final plan can be presented. Kenai River Advisory Board April 19, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 8 Rick Ross said that the users of the river will need to understand what this report means. Ted said we should all read it before too many questions are asked. He urged the Board to carefully read the report and prepare a list of questions to provide to Dr. Maynord. Chris and Lance will compile the list to provide to Dr. Maynord prior to the teleconference with him next month. C. Kenai River Center Update - Suzanne Fisder Suzanne said that tlu-ee orientation sessions have been held so far for the Kenai River commercial operators, four more planned. She said there have been audiences of 75 plus and there has been great feedback on the orientations from both new and veteran guides. Kenai river guides are trickling in now while guides utilizing Deep Creek and Kachemak Bay are registering in larger numbers right now. Suzanne said that the River Center received a small grant to do bank restoration on the Kenai River and they will Try to match that with federal funding to improve access to the river below KRC. They also want to improve ADA access to the river below the center. The Kenai River Center is looking for funding to hire a person to do research and compile parcel permits from over the years to make sure we have all the parcel numbers and paperwork in the correct files. She said once that is done they could take the Fish & Game f les and slides they have and integrate all these items and you will see the changes over time to parficular parcels. She said they are still working on plans to use EPA grant money to get the library organized, and outreach programs for the river center that have been planned. Ted said he heard about someone hydroaxing vegetation along the river. Suzanne said that Chugach Electric Assoc. conducted some clearing below their powerlines in the Quartz Creek area, and violated the Borough's 50 foot habitat protection ordinance by cleat-ing within 50 i cf the creek. She believes that they did this accidentally as the creek corridor was avoided in another section of creek. In another incident, DOT contracted out some clearing along the Sterling Highway and also violated the Borough's 50 foot ordinance. DOT's superintendent George Church has been advised by the Borough of the problem. Suzanne said that both incidents were violations of borough ordinances and the Borough would be addressing the issues. V. Public Comment Dale Bondurant said that he supports the US Forest Service's proposal to withdraw the areas around Russian River to mining. He has seen what the mining has done to Kenai River Advisory Board April 19, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 8 the area, and believes that mining in the Russian River area would ruin habitat and recreation. Vf. Adjournment A. Board Commeuts: Rick W. would like to see the boat wake shady made user friendly and more readable for people to be able to understand. Doric said DEC would be hiring a frill time water quality person soon, and this person is expected to assume DEC's position on the board. He will finish out the year. Jim G. said that more community involvement would be great in the Mile A5-60 Sterling Highway project's stakeholder process. Chris said she that wants to take a moment to recognize Suzamie for all her hard work in organizing the guide orientation sessions and representing DNR well at the Kenai River Center. Paul said he would like afollow-up on the Beaver Cr/Wolf Lake problem with Marathon Oil. Paul also wanted to know if Marathon will be fined for the problems. 1-le also said that the Borough Assembly passed a resolution in support of HB 165. Robin said Marathon's pipeline work is finished, and that Marathon will be responsible for restoring the area.. He believes the problem was a result of the lack of"snow and warm weather. Once the area dries up, a determination wi'l'l be made on what level of restoration needs to take place. He will. be able to provide more information at the next meeting. Tim Stratton said he recently attended a boating safety conference and there is a website to promote fishing and boating, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, www.rbff org. He also wants to thank everyone for his or her volunteer tune for this board. Ted said he wants to remind all board members that care should be taken in testifying before public bodies, and that board members should only testify on board issues if authorized by the board or speaking onboard positions. Otherwise, the member should state that their testimony is personal. B. Date of next meeting: May 24, 2001 Agenda of next meeting: Boat Wake Study teleconference with Dr. Maynord; Forest Service mining withdrawal; Beaver Creek/Wolf Lake Kenai River Advisory Board Aprd 19, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 8