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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-21 KRSMA Board Packetrc t f Special Management Area "Working }ogether...tor the river" *** Meeting Agenda*"`* Thursday, February 21, ?002 7:00 p.m. Kenai River Center I. CALL TO ORDER A. Roll Call B. Approval of 1/17/02 minutes C. Agenda Changes and Approval II. PUBLIC COMMENT III. NEW BUSINESS A. Board Elections B. Seward Highway MP 18-25 and Soldotna Urban Project Proposals, Laurie Mulcahy, DOT Environmental Analyst IV. OLD BUSINESS A. River Terrace Site Cleanup -Update, Rich Sundet, DEC B. Water Quality Committee, Charles Quarre C. Recreation Use Study Committee, Chris Degernes D. Kenai River Nutrient Study Public Outreach Committee E. Kenai River Center Lpdate, Suzanne 1~isler V. PUBLIC COMMENT VL ADJOURiVMENT A. Board Comments B. Date/Agenda of Next Meeting Committee Meetings: 2/21/02 at the KRC: Water Quality Committee, 5:30 p.m.; Contact Committee Chairman Charles Quarre for more information LQDd~~OG°~~ ~ OO QG3D it -""~~ ', ,F < Kenai Area Office, Box 1247, Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 262-5581 Kenai Paninsula Borough, Box 850, Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 262-4441 M Q Alaska Division of Parks antl Outtloor Recreatioq Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Kenai Peninsula Borough. ,_ *'k* Meeting Agenda*** Thursday, January 17, 2002 7:00 p.m. Kenai River Center I. CALL TO ORDER A. Roll Call PresenC: Rick Wood, Robin West, Bill Shuster, Chris Degernes, Deric Marcorelle, Ted Wellman, Paul Shadura, Janette Cadieux, Charles Quarre, Jim Golden, Glenda Landua for Lance Trasky, Joe Connors, Brett Huber, Tim Navarre, Lrnda Snow Absent: David Westerman, Ann Whitmore-Painter B. Approval of 11/15/01 minutes Minutes approved as written. C. Agenda Changes and Approval Ted added new business agenda item A, Tim Stevens from DEC to talk about the Kenai Watershed Forum's funding source. IL PUBLIC COMMENT None III. NEW BUSINESS A. Kenai Watershed Forum's Funding, Tim Stevens, DEC DEC provides grant funding for agencies for water quality monitoring throughout the state. Currently DEC has provided die Kenai Watershed Forum a grant for $45,000. DEC hopes to give the Watershed Forum another grant this year to continue their monitoring of the Kenai River. This is the third year for the grant. B. City of Soldotna's Centennial Park Project Update, William Nelson, William J. Nelson and Associates, P.E. Blake Larson filled in for William Nelson. Currently Yhey are working on Phase 2 of the project, which is 1600 lineal feet upriver of the existing Centennial Park Phase 1. This will create more elevated walkways and river entries. They have put in rough1y1600 lineal feet of gravel trail. It will be late winter before the elevated wall<ways and stairs are placed, and the permits are received to construct within the 50 foot habitat corridor. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Page 1 Meeting Minutes -January 17, 2002 Phase 3 is from Che boat launch parking lot downr7ver approximately 1100 feet, and will include a gravel walkway with 6 elevated light penetrating walkways and stair entries into the river. Phase 4 will connect the existing Fishwalk'from the Soldotna Visitor Center down to the upper end of Phase 2, totalling16001ineal feet. Phase 5 is a project in SwifCwater Park that will connect the UNOCAL platform to the City of Soldotna's existing fishwalk and boardwalk. Jim G. asked if the funding is in place for this project. Blake confirmed that it is. Ted asked what the timeline is on the projects. Phase 3 will start up this spring. Permitting has slowed them down. Phase 5 in The Swiftwater project will not start until next winter so theycan minimize the damage the pile driving will cause. C. Upper Kenai River Rainbow Trout Research Update, Bruce I{ing, ADr&G Bruce provided a brief history on the start of the rainbow research project. The Rainbow fishery is the 2na largest on the Kenai River. Rainbow trout are one of the most highly regulated species on the Kenai, and new regulations have been added nearly every year. The upper river is designated for catch and release only while the middle and lower river is less restricted. Population estimate studies have been conducted between Naptowne and Skilak and between the lakes, mainly around Russian River. In 1999 ADF&G conducted the first population estimate by tagging in the middle river. A similar study was done in the late 80's also. The population estimate increased from 1750 in 1987 to 7882 in 1999. The greatest population class was increase was seen for fish less than 18 inches in size. The upper river is where most of the work has been done. Four poptdation research studies were done in 1986, 1987, 1995 and 2001. The 2000 statewide angler survey showed a catch rate of about 80,000 fish caught and released in the upper river. The 2000 radio telemetry study consisted of 200 internal radio tags placed in the rainbow trout. The fish were tracked once a week from Kenai Lake to the mouth of the river. Migratory behavior of rainbow Crout consists of a fall movement to the lakes with a small percentage staying in the river. In late April they move out again and by early June they are back in the river. The mortality rate is 25% lost to the tagging process. There is a 46% annual mortality rate with the combination of spawning losses, hook and release and tagging. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Soard Page 2 Meeting Minutes -January 17, 2002 Based upon questions from the Board,Bruce provided the following general information. Growth rates are around 2-3 inches per year, and fastest for younger age classes. AC 18 inches the rate tapers off, and around 24 inches or longer only''/a inch growth a year. Mouth damage increased the longer Che fish lives. Eye damage is fairly low and has not changed much over the years. The lower Kenai River catch and harvesC are up and Che larger fish are being caught, most likely due to gear type. In the middle river the population has increased as a whole. The upper river spawning population is healthy and increasing. This study is no longer being funded after July I, 2002. ADF&G will continue to track the tagged fish until they are gone. Bruce will be providing a full version of this report at the upcoming Board of Fish meetings in Anchorage. D. Kenai River l~'utrient Study, Public Outreach, Phil North, EPA This study has had a long "conceptual life" over the last 8-9 years, as funding sources were sought. EVOS, EPA, ADF&G, Kenai Watershed Forum, PWS Science Center, Borough, and matey more agencies have provided overwhelming support for this study. The purpose. of this study is to identify and understand where the nutrients in the river come from. Urban growth pressures are growing along with all use, and will affect nutrient levels in Che river. A preliminary study of the literature is being done to identify what is known about nutrients in the Kenai River so later an actual research program can be proposed. EVGS, Fish ~ Game, KRSi and other groups have contributed to the funding for the initial study. Jim Edmondson was selected to do the initial research. Phil said a nutrient study is a controversial issue that may impact managemenfof fisheries, land use and recreation. A public outreach is recommended to make sure people's concerns would be considered in planning for future research. The KRSMA board was suggested as the umbrella under which to do this outreach program. Phil then went over the outline for a public outreach by having public meetings that would establish the purpose and what people's concerns are. Phil said he can set up the outreach forum, but it would be best not to do under EPA as he thinks the board would be best to take on a facilitation role. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Page 3 Meeting Minutes -January 17, 2002 Ted asked what the study might address? Phil said they would look at the relative contributions of all the sources of nutrients to the system and how much Cransfer there is within the system. Board members discussed what this study might provide, and if this board is the appropriate place to help sponsor a public outreach program. Chris made a motion to establish a committee to work with Phil on developing an outreach program. Brett seconded this. Bill S. said we should look at the tirneframe of this. Brett suggests having a separate meeting sponsored by the board to support this forum. Ted asked the board to go ahead with a committee and at the next board meeting bring back details on a public outreach program for the board to consider. All In Favor: All of board except opposed by Paul S. Committee Members: Suzanne Fisler, Chris D., BretC 13., Charles Q., Robert Ruffner, Rick W. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Kenai River Boat Wake Study Discussion, Lance Trasky Glenda Landua provided the update for the Board, as Lance was unable to attend. Lance put together an interpretation of what the study says, for the Board's discussion. She said the COE would come out with an official publication at the end of the month. She also said they are working on providing a link to the Kenai River Center website. The report shows the wave energy may be a bigger concern than wave heights. The Boat Wake Committee met with Gordon Nelson from USGS in December and he was interested in matching money for the study and suggested that the study could be done over atwo-year period if funding was a limiting factor. The first year would look at developing the technology to measure the wakes and their impacts to the banks at select study sites along the river. The second year the full study would be conducted. Dave Meyer was asked to prepare a proposal for the board for the February meeting. Ted urged the board to review the study and discuss at a later board meeting what we want to do to move forward. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Page 4 Meeting Minutes -January 17, 2002 B. MP 45-60 Sterling Highway Project Report a. Stakeholder Sounding Board Report, Janette Cadieux Janette said the group is looking Through alternative routes and considering dropping some to seriously consider a few. She said DOT would build the road to National Highway Standards that would accommodate 60 mph speeds. The FHWA says they will. accept a waiver for a lower speed. At the next meeting DOT will reiterate "purpose and need." The committee has been request to review the evaluation criteria and comment by February 8`h regarding each route. Bill S. discussed the 4-F lands, which are lands or trails that are managed. principally for recreation. When considering alternative routes, choices should be made to avoid 4-F lands if there is another feasible alternative. Bill also said the USFS is concerned with how this pertains Co ANILCA. The alternatives do not describe what happens to the existing highway which means trucks might still use the existing highway. Some focus needs to be the safety concerns on the current highway which needs work since the new road will not be finished for about 10 years. C. Committee Reports a. Water Quality Committee Charles went over the MOU between multiple agencies and organizations. The board,approved the draft latter. A motion by Brett was placed and the board approved sending this letter. Charles said the cost of the program is around $65,000 with $45,000 from ADEC, but the cost is expected to rise 20-30% due to the CZuality Assurance/Quaiity Control Plan that is needed to ensure thaC all of the water quality samples are taken under rigid guidelines and provide accurate results. He said they are looking at different approaches to increase the amount of money devoted to it. He also said they will approach the agencies again regarding more contributions but if that does not work the sampling sites will have to be cut down from 20 to 14 or 15 sites. Tim Stevens, DEC, explained that in the original proposal for a grant included the QA/QC Plan. He said they are asking for a duplicate sample for every 20 samples or any unusual sample so there would be an additional cost for these extrasamples which he estimates wilt cost an additional 15-20%, not 20-30% as suggested above. Brett said he believes DEC should make this a priority and should pick up the extra amount needed. Tim S. said last year KWF requested $75,000 and actually received a $45,000 grant because of the reduced Kenai Raver Special Management Area Advisory Board Page 5 Meeting Minutes-January 17, 2002 amount of monies the state is receiving from EPA and the competition of grants. Ted suggested the Water Quality Committee should discuss the funding in more detail. b. Recreation Use Study Committee Chris D. said the committee is working on developing a draft survey to be reviewed by Dr. Brown. At this meeting the committee focused on the onsite survey. Chris said they made draft recommendations using the on- site Survey done in 1992 for boat anglers. This draft will be provided to the board at the next meeting. The objective is to have this done and ready to go well before spring. c. Commercial Operator Cotmittee Joe Connors, the new Chair for this committee, said they had a presentation from the Kenai River Professional Guide Association on a proposal for a Kenai River Guide Board. The topic centered on a new guide training and mentoring program. The concept includes training to reduce conflict with different user groups. He said that 50% of guides have less than 5 years experience and the quality is not as high for the guides out there. The Commercial Operators Committee will continue to work on this concept and bring back a proposal later this spring. D. Kenai Rivei`Center Update,'Suzanne Eisler Suzanne mentioned a couple more projects going on which include the rehabilitation and resurfacing of the Sterling Highway between the Skilak Loop access to Sterling, and the "Soldotna Urban" project, which will replace the bridge across the Kenai River, as well as rehabilitate the intersections in this area. DOT has also begun the planning for a new section of the Seward Highway between MP 18-25. More info will be provided during the Feb. meeting on these projects. a. Cooper Landing Tanker Truck Fuel Spill Report/Update Suzanne went over details pertaining to the Fisher fuel spill of 9100 gallons of unleaded and diesel fuel on October 30, 2001. After they cleaned up the fuel floating around on the wetlands they had recovered 6065 gallons. She said there is a hillside stream that drains into the river. The two ponds are estimated Co have 300,000 gallons of water in them. The truck crimped off the culvert and it is blocked off now. On January 4 there was a meeting with CH2M Hill regarding a proposal for cleanup and remediation. The proposal included routing the small tributary away from the lake system and back into the river. They also proposed installing a gate and weir on the culvert so there would be no more water flow to the river until it was clean. CH2M Hi11 also proposed treating the pond water Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Page 6 Meeting Minutes -January 17, 2002 on site with active charcoal or carbon filters or possible truck it away to clean it Suzanne said the water levels have risen since then and now we won't 6e able to do any work on the Kenai side because of concerns about where the culvert comes out to the Kenai River. The water ponds have thawed now and no equipment can be moved across the site. The propose] now will involve aeration of the water. Another spill occurred in the Cooper Landing area, and involved a 3-10 gallon diesel spill where Raven St. meets Bean Creek Rd., affecting a small stream that runs through the culvert. Apparently some thawing equipment was sitting there between December 17-29`h and to date, no more information is available. V. I'ITBLIC COMMENT Robert Ruffner expressed his appreciation for the support from the board on the water quality issues. VI. ADJOUIZNNIENT A. Board Comments Robin W. welcomes Joe Connors to the board. BretC said he talked to Rep. Lancaster and Sen. Torgerson about the KRSMA Lands Addition bill. Ken and John are talking and there may be movement on the bill. He also expressed his appreciation for Robett Ruffner's work on the water quality issues. Paul said what the board did today on the Nutrient Study Public Outreach topic was very damaging and he will publicly oppose the decision made earlier. B. DatelAgenda of Next Meeting February 21, 2002 Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Page 7 Meeting Minutes -January 17, 2002