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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-17 KRSMA Board Packet1!f Sp®cial Management Area '. "Working togefhec..for theriver" *%k ~k :X:s Lv-u1DV ~~0~ LI ° Olril~D Meeting Agenda" Thursday, January 17, 200 7:00 p.m. Kenai River Center f`"` I. CALL TO ORDER ~ A. Ro11Call ~~~, B. Approval of 11/15/Ol minutes ~' C. Agenda Changes and Approval ~' II. PIIBLIC COlbIMENT iII. ItirEW BUSINESS A. City of Soidotna's Centennial Park Project Update, William Nelson, William J. Nelson and Associates, P.E. B. Upper Kenai River Rainbow Trout Research Update, Bruce King, ADF&G IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Kenai River Boat Wake Study Discussion, Lance Trasky B. N7J' 45-60 Sterling Highway Project Report • Stakeholder Sounding Board Report, Janette Cadieux • Agency Consultation Committee Report, Chris Degernes C. Committee Reports • Water Quality Committee • Recreation Use Study Committee D. Kenai River Center Update, Suzanne Filler • Cooper Landing Tanker Truck Fuel Spill Report/Update V. PUBLIC COMMENT VI. ADJOURNMENT A. Board Comments B. Date/Agenda of NexC Meeting Committee Meetings: 1/17/02 at the KRC: Water Quality Committee, 5:00 p.m., Recreation Study Comrittee: 5:30 p.m. ~ ^'{r"~`~,~ Kenai Area Office, Box 1247, Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 2625581 _'~'~~I Kenai Peninsula Borough, Box 850, Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 2624441 Q Alaska Division of Parks and Ouftloor Recrea0oq Department o! Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Kenai Peninsula Borough _" KENAI RIVER SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA ADVISORY BOARD Thursday, November 15, 2001 '7:00 p.m. Kenai River Center I. CALL TO ORDER A. Roll Call Present: Ted Wellman, Jeff King, Ann Whitmore-Painter, Paul Shadura, Jim. Golden, JaneCCe Cadieux, Charles Quarre, Rick Wood, Bill Shuster, Lance Trasky, Chris Degernes, Deric Marcorelle, Linda Snow Absent: BretC Huber, Tim Navarre, and Robin West B. Approval of 10/1$/01 minutes Approved as written. C. Agenda Changes and Approval No changes. II. PUBLIC COMMENT John Nelson sCated that he does not support a lower Kenai River boat launch at this time, as it would exacerbate an already crowded area of the river. III. NEW BUSINESS A. Cooper Lake Dam Relicensing -Process Introduction, Steve Padula & Tbm Baxter, Longview Associates Chairman Ted Wellman passed the meeting over to Charles Quarre for this section of the meeting. Steve Padula introduced himself and his associate, Tom Baxter, who have been retained by Chugach Electric Assoc. (CEA) to help prepare fox the FERC relicensing process. CEA has to file for relicensing no later than April 2005 with Che current license expiring in April 2007. The first step is to talk to local, state and federal agency staff, local environmental groups and the public, and Cake the recommendations from this outreach program to CEA so that they can develop an effective relicensing process. Questions from the Board followed. Janette asked if the Cooper Landing community would be involved in the outreach process. Steve Padula: yes, they will include local Cooper Landing citizens and representatives of groups. Kenai River Advisory Board Page 1 November 15, 2001 Meeting Minutes Bill asked if it would be their responsibility to recommend alternatives to the formal process for relicensing to CEA, and when might a decision be made? Steve: yes; they want to provide CEA as much useful info as possible. He hopes for a decision early next year B. Kenai River Recreation Use Monitorit.g; Br. Greg Brown, APII Chris provided a brief background on the idea to conduct a study that would evaluate recreation use on the Kenai River, and why a study is needed. The Kenai River Comprehensive Management Plan recommended a study to identify sources of conflict and make recommendations to reduce that conflict. Funding previously available through the Department of Fish and Game was reappropriated last spring, so new funding must be identified. The Recreation Use Study Committee has discussed some ideas and recommended investigating a focused, efiicienC monitoring program that would utilize assistance from the Alaska Pacific University. Chris invited Dr. Greg Brown Co the meeting tonighC to discuss his ideas with the Board. Dr. Brown: He made a pitch that any agency that manages recreation ought to be doing recreation inventories. Ideally, an extensive, accurate baseline inventory should be done first, followed by routine monitoring to check activity levels compared to the baseline. He understands that informal monitoring is being done, but a more systematic monitoring program is needed. Dr- Brown recommends that we implement an annual low cost monitoring assessment of different user groups on different sections of the river. Dr. Brown discussed the use of GPS traits, which would provide a real time record of speed and location over the course of the river. The "patterns of use" of boats on the river would emerge once the GPS coordinates are plotted on a map. Those patterns could establish "norms"' of use for both private and guided boaters thaC would show the diversity of use and patterns sunilar for particular user groups. Dr. Brown related how routine monitoring done by the National Park Service on the Ozark National Scenic Riverway is done annually for about $6000. He believes that for a similar amount, we can conduct interviews of users and manage the GPS units to collect spatial boat use, so it would be relatively inexpensive and capable of being done each year. That woald be a far better approach than conducting a big, expensive study just once every decade or so. Dr. Brown also stated that as a scientist, he feels that this monitoring effort would have an important public relations value. It would show the public that the managers do care and that they want to know what people think about managing the river. Questions from the Board followed: Janette asked if a statistically accurate sample could be obtained with only 10 GPS units. Dr. Brown: the objective here is not to obtain a statistical number of Kenai River Advisory Board Page 2 November 15, 2001 Meeting Minutes samples, buC rather Co get a handle on "river use patterns" and the relative density of boats by getting as many views as possible with the available money. Ted asked about conducting a video monitoring program. Dr. Brown: He favors this idea, which would use a camera at popular fishing holes to tape footage of boating encounters. This would document behavior, and it would need to be determined whether the observed behavior was within or outside the "norms". The video footage could also be used in an educational program to educate people about appropriate or inappropriate behavior. He stated that Chis would be best used as an educational tool, and noC as useful for policy makers to draw inferences from. Paul asked if the on-site interview questions have been developed. Dr. Brown: has some id,°.as on this; thinks we should use some of the questions from the 1992 Carrying Capacity Study so thaC we can compare. He offered to help develop the survey with us. MOTION: Janette moved that the Board proceed with designing a monitoring program as outlined by Dr. Brown. Bill seconded. Discussion followed. Jim G stated that the committee could work on the survey with some help from Dr. Brown, and then the Board could approve the survey questions. Paul is very interested in seeing that the on-site interviews are done well. Vote on Motion: all in favor. Ted thanked Dr. Brown for sharing his knowledge with the Board. IV: Or.n BUSINr.SS A. Board Vacancies Motimr: Paul moved that the Board accept the applications from Dave Westerman and Roland Maw, and forward them to Commissioner Pat Pourdrot for consideration, Seconded by Jim G. Vote: all in favor. B. Lower Kenai River Boat Launch Proposal, Chris Degernes Chris provided a brief background on this proposal. Money was appropriated by the Legislature in May to purchase a 10 acre parcel upstream'from Cunningham Park for the purpose of constructing a boat ramp. That parcel has wetlands across the entire river frontage so other parcels were evaluated, and a set of four lots immediately down stream from Cunningham Park were identified as a possible alternative. That idea has not been well received among river interests, despite the fact that the Kenai City Council recently passed (by a narrow margin) a resolution supporting the construction of a boat ramp at this new site. Kenai River Advisory Board Page 3 November 15, 2001 Meeting Minutes During the discussions since May, a few other alternative sites were suggested, but most would not be well suited, for various reasons. Chris had prepared a written briefing paper to evaluate the alternatives so that the Board could make a decision tonight. Ted asked Che Board whether they thought the Comp Plan supports this idea or not. Discussion followed. Janette has heard a lot of sites described, and the parcel below Cunningham seems to be the best. V/outd it be possible to recommend that the launch be managed for drifC boats only? Ted: one of the first decisions Che board should make is whether a new ramp is desired or not, and then decide what resaictions should be placed on the site. Deric: the Legislature appropriated funds specifically for a certain parcel; are we confidant that they would accept an alternative location? Chris: informally, the answer has been yes, as long as the site could and would be developed for a bcat launch. Paul asked Linda what the City Council thinks about a drift only launch idea. Linda: Council did not address drift vs. power, but this discussion did come up at Commission meetings and there seemed to be support for a drift only launch. Linda stated that they heard extensive opposition regarding a new ramp from neighbors who live in the area. Charles noted that the Comp Plan does not call for many additional recreation access facitities. Jeff: Cunningham never had a very good gravel boat ramp. if fne intention is to replace what was there, that might not be Coo bad. He does not support a full fledged boat ramp. He asked Linda if the City had plans Co expand the City Boat Ramp facility? Linda stated that she is unaware of plans for this. Paul feels that a new ramp rnighY actually increase impacts from fhe dip net fishery if new access is provided. He supports the idea for a drift boat take out, but does noC like the idea of building a ramp just because there is money available. Jim G agreed with Paul that a drift boat Cake out is important, and he does not support a ramp that is open to motorized use. Janette also supports the drift boat only idea, to take people off the river. Ted thinks it would be consistent with the Comp Plan to provide access to the public in a responsible manner, and encouraging non-motorized use would not be harmful to the river. Kenai River Advisory Board Page 4 November 15, 2001 Meeting Minutes Larry Marsh, ADF&G, offered some information on fishing use: total sport fishing effort has been relatively stable over Che past five years, with a steep jump in the personal use fishery. He has observed a slight increase in drift boat fishing, particularly as result of Che Monday drift only fishing restrictions. He feels that a new Cake out for drift boats would resulC in increased participation in this section of the river by drift boaters. MOTION`: Paul moved that the Board supports a boat ramp take out for drift boats, but not for power boats. Seconded by Bill. Discussion: Rick questioned whether it would be worth the money Co purchase property and build a take out for a limited number of users. Janette stated that she is not convinced Chat a ramp is needed but if we have to have a ramp, iC should be fer drift boats only. She recognized that drift beats did lose their opportunity to take out at Cunningham when it was rehabilitated a couple of years ago. 7anette asked Paul to withdraw his Motion so the Board could first decide on whether they support a ramp or not. Paul and Bill agreed, and Janette made a new motion: Recommend to DNR that a ramp on the lower river is not desired. Vote: Yes: Janette and Charles; No: Ann, Linda, Rick, Jim, Bill, Ted, Deric, Paul, and Chris; Abstained: Lance and Jeff; Motion failed. Paul reintroduced his previous motion: The Board supports a boat ramp take out for drift boats, but not for power boats. Seconded by Bill. Paul indicated that this would mean a limited faciliCy that is less developed than [he concept design. Vote: All in favor except for Linda and Rick, who voted no. Motion passed. C. MP 45-60 Sterling Highway Project Report i. Stakeholder Sonuding Board Report, Janette Cadieux Janette provided a brief review of the Stakeholder process. Anew varianC has been added to the mix: the Russian River Variant, which extends the Cooper Creek Alternative to cross the Russian River near the powerlines before it transitions back to Che river for a crossing back to the existing alignment. The stakeholders have been discussing criteria to help determine which alternatives should be retained for further analysis. They will meet in January to finish Che criteria development. Bill is concerned that the alternatives should be designed to minimize the threat of a spill Co Che river. He proposed that the Board write a letter to DOT asking that all alternatives be designed to minimize the threat to the river. Charles is concerned that truckers might not want to use a bypass with a 7% grade during the winter, so would still be traveling through Cooper Landing. Henai River Advisory Board Page 5 November 15, 2001 Meeting Minutes Linda stated that all the cities on the Peninsula, at Rep. Lancaster's request, are recommending to DOT that they should upgrade and improve the road in any areas where a spill might occur that could shut the road access down, as a 'road closure would.be harmful to the cities. Ted asked if there was any opposition. to Bill drafting a letter Co DOT from the Board? None was noted. Ann stated thaC she would be abstaining from any votes on this issue as she has a conflict of interest. D. Kenai Coastal Trail Update Lance provided a brief update on this projecC, which would serve to stabilize the riverbank below the Cityand construcC a pedestrian trail along Che toe of the slope. He stated that ADF'&G is concerned that this is a substantial project at the mouth of the river, and iC is not known how it will affect salmon resources. They need additional information before they can proceed with the review. Linda agreed that the City would need to provide additional information to the resource agencies. Their consultant has consolidated a hst of all the information needed by the agencies, and is now working on developing a recommendation to The City on how to proceed. The City is prepared to work with the agencies in answering their questions. A. Committee Reports: i. Commercial Operators Commttee Suzanne F7sler provided the committee report. They have developed new permit stipulation language to define abusive and offensive verbal behavior, plus added anon-discrimination clause. The Committee has assisted Suzanne in fine-tuning the annual letter to guides and setting up orientation dates. Suzanne reported that annual use reports have not ail been submitted, so operators who do not submit them by the due date will be issued written warnings. In the future; they may be cited for not providing this information as required. Other agencies need the data, so it is more important now Yo receive this information on time. ii. Water Quality Committee Charles provided Che report for this newly formed committee. The Committee established its propose: "To maintain broad community support for continuing baseline water quality nwnitaring of the Kenai River watershed. Ensure that regular water ga~ality monitoring occurs with a systematic anal scientifically credible approach to data collection and analysis. To address water quality concerns that arise as the result of monitoring. " Charles asked for Board supporC of the committee purpose. Kenai River Advisory Board rage a November l5, 2001 Meeting Minutes Charles also recommended that the Board become involved in a renewal of the MOU between Che local, state and federal agencies. The MOU has been revised to reflect a 5 year review, as desired by federal entities, and this was supported by the Committee: Charles recommended that Che Board write a letter to all the MOU participants asking for their continued support. Ted recommended that the Committee provide a copy of the revised MOU and draft letter for the board to consider at its next meeting. B. Kenai River Center Update, Suzanne Fisler Suzanne provided a brief report. The fuel tanker truck that overturned in Cooper Landing in early Nov. spilled fuel onto lands designated for KRSMA, so Parks will be very involved in Che cleanup and permitting effort. She will keep the Board posted on this long term effort, and will provide a full report at a later date. V. PUBLIC COMMENT None offered. VI. ADJOURNMENT A. Board Comments Lance announced that on Dec. 3, the Boat Wake Study Committee will meet with Gordon Nelson of USGS. The USGS has shown interest in doing this study next summer. The Army Corps ofEngineers has also shown interest. B. DatelAgenda of Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Tan ii, 2002 at the Kenai River Center. Kenai River Advisory Board Page 7 November 15, 2001 Meeting Minutes