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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-19 KRSMA Board PacketEW~I RI Fi Special Managemen4 Area "Working fogether...forthe river" GaDb~~O °~~7 ~ OO QG°~D *** Meeting Agenda*** Thursday, February 19, 2004 7:00 p.m. Kenai River Center I. CALL To ORDER A. Roll Call R. Approvai_ of ? 115/04 minutes C. Agenda Changes and Approval II. PUBLIC COMMENT III. NEW BUSINESS A. Kenai River Sportfishing Association, Ricky Gease, Executive Director IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Kenai River Guide Restrictions -Recap of afternoon workshop to discuss public process, Gary Morrison, Director B. Kenai River User Fee Discussion C. Commercial Operator Committee Report D. Kenai River Center Update, Suzanne Fisler V. PUBLIC COMMENT VI. ADJOURNMENT A. Beard Comments B. DatelAgenda of Next Meeting Please note: A Work Session is scheduled from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers, to discuss haw to set up a public process to discuss sport dishing guide issues. 't'his session will be open to the public but no public comment or input will tae accepted at this work session. ~ ~~~...^^~ Kenai Area Oftice, Box 1247, Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 2625581 4 ~ Kenai Peninsula Borough, Box 85Q Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 2624441 . Alaska Division of Parks and Outtloor flecreatlon, Department of Nature) Resources, In cooperation with the Kenai Poninsula Borough. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Meeting Minutes Thursday, January I~, 2004 7:00 p.m. Kenai River Center I. CALL TO ORDER A. RoII Call -Present: Jim Golden, Deb Cooper, Ted Wellman, Tom Vania, Chris Degernes, Robin West, Linda Snow, Jonne Siemons, Rick Wood, Pete Sprague, Dick Hahn, Joe Connors, Paul Shadura, and Dave Westerman Absent: Jeff King, Roland Maw, and Ken Lancaster B. Approval of 11/20/03 minutes Approved as written. C. Agenda Changes and Approval Move Old Business item A to New Business item A and move Old Business item B Co New Business item B. IL PUBLIC COMMENT Suzanne introduced Lee McKinley, the new Habitat Biologist III for the Office of Habitat Management at the Kenai River Center. Kirk Hoessle, President of Alaska Wildland Adventures, spoke about the guide moratorium that he and other business owners contested last spring. He said he respects this group's work on the moratorium and k*?ows many were disappointed that it was not enacted this past summer. He and the group that contested the moratorium had a meeting with Commissioner Irwin last June, and Commissioner Irwin recommended that the business group come up with some recommendations to help solve these challenges. These recommendations were given to the Commissioner, with the board provided copies tonight. One of their recommendations is to convene a Kenai River sport fishing consultation committee to work together and formulate solutions. Kurt said he is noC opposed to a moratorium, just the manner in which it is implemented. John Nelson of Soldotna had a question for the board. The KRSMA Plan states that all monies earned by derbies on the Kenai River shall be returned to the river. Is Kenai River Sportfish Association in compliance, and where are the figures published`? This issue is one of trust and confidence. He has asked this question of KRSA via email twice with no response and also with a letter to the editor of the Peninsula Clarion. John said he would like to hear an answer. Chris Degernes said that the Dept of Revenue and Division of Parks both require a permit for derbies. The Management Plan recommendation are that derbies be limited and funds generated from these derbies be used for habitat protection and education. The State Parks permit does not require them to provide this information but we can ask them for this. Robin West suggested this possibly be a future agenda item. Dwight Kramer, Chairman of the Soldotna Fish & Game Advisory Committee, said he found it interesting that Alaska Wildland Adventures was asked for comments by the DNR Commissioner, when his organization were told to keep their hands off and participate in any future public process. His committee is dismayed and frustrated on this issue. If everyone was brought into this process we could have come up with something that is meaningful. He is asking the board for their assistance in this matter. Joe Manes, Kenai River Guide, wanted to address the board on a couple issues tonight. He said that to get to where we want to get we need Co take steps. We have people who want it the way it was thirty years ago and these restrictions take time, they can't happen overnieht. He also said the increase in fees needs to be for everyone who fishes. III. NEW BUSINESS A. River Terrace RV Park Contamination Status and Update, Rich Sundet, ADEC and Tim McDougal, Oasis Environmental, Inc. Tim McDougal with Oasis Environmental gave an overview of the remediation status at River Terrace including excavations, phase injections and sediment sampling. The process being used is to introduce a reductive or anaerobic environment Co remove chlorine atoms from the molecule. The PCE is then transformed down to DCE and further down to vinyl chloride and ethene. PCE is no longer showing in the upper plume and is reduced to a small area in the lower plume. The contractor is now starting to see the DCE in both plumes but have not been able to get it to reduce much further overall. Since the hydrogen releasing compounds (HRC) injections were started, they are seeing a continuous decline in the total chlorinated ethenes and Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board January 15, 2004 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of S that is an indication that those compounds are being degraded. At other sites in the lower 48 where bioaugmentation has been done Chey usually see results with complete degradation of the DCE down to vinyl chloride and ethene within 100 days to six months, and yet after a year, the contractor has not seen this happen. It is happening at a slower rate at Chis site compared to other sites in the lower 48. Last September the USGS came and collected samples for their microcosm study and they also did hydrogen measurements to confirm if the geochemical conditions are conducive for dechlorinarion of the DCE or if there isn't enough hydrogen, causing a limiting process. The question now is why the degradation at this site so slow. The contractor thought there may be competition with other bacteria, but the hydrogen measurements show that is not the problem. It is believed that the problem is due to lower levels of bacteria growth at the site possibly due to lower temperatures in Alaska, or lower groundwater ph levels that resulted from injecting the HRC. It has been decided to do some microcosm studies to determine the best methods to accelerate the bioremediation at the site. The goal of the study is to look at the electron donor to see if there is another one that is more efficient than the HRC. A second study is being done to look at oxidation or aerobic degradation of the DCE and vinyl chloride in the Kenai River sediments. Oasis Environmental will continue monitoring the upper plume and injecting the HRC or another donor. They are also considering injecting HRC under the building. In the lower plume they will continue monitoring the grotmd water and do another sediment study hke the one done 2 years ago. Pete Sprague asked if we are getting anywhere after years of work and now with the new pilot projects. Tim said it is hard to get contaminants out of tight layers in the soil. Jim Golden asked if a study should have been done before any action was taken. Rich said a feasibility study was done and 5 different alternatives were identified before this route was taken. He is hoping that after the USGS microcosm study is done, they'll have a better idea of whether a different donor would work, and how long the cleanup might take. Dick Hahn asked about the estimatedland volume of the site and cost of p p ~ know the size and Rich com letion of the ro'ect. Tim stud he did not said it was projected to cost $5.6 million over 10 years. Rich said they already have $2 million in contractor cost alone into this project. Dick asked why the site was not totally excavated in the first place. Rich said about 3300 cubic yards were dug ouC. Jim Frechione said it is hard to get Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Soard January 15, 2004 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of S it all out because they are dealing with a product that sinks and ultimately gets into the groundwater which is constantly moving. Tim Frechione stated that DEC would continue to provide updates to the Board as the cleanup continues. B. Update on other Contaminated Sites, Jim Frechione, ADEC The former DOT site is still in a long term monitoring status. The primary contaminant of concern is the chlorides from salt stored on site. The solution to this site is a major excavation but he is not sure if that is practical and cost effective. Hamilton's Place in Cooper Landing had leaking fuel tanks and there is still soil contamination and groundwater contamination. The plume seems to be stable and is not moving toward the river. The owner still has the ability until June to use state funds to excavate the site. Sterling Zipmart is still having major groundwater contamination and DEC and their contz~actor is still trying to track the extent of the plume. The plume has moved out from the site towards the highway and B&D Auto shop as well. Contamination has also been detected across the highway for the first time. There was an estimated 40-50,000 gallon release with about IG,000gallons recovered so far. Cook's Tesoro has been in tracked for 10-12 years now. The contamination migrated across the highway and info shows it parallels the highway towards the processing plant. A well drilled by the Kenai Watershed Forum between the gas station and the processing plant has shown very low level hits of petroleum products. Information from these tests shows Chis petroleum contamination is not from Cook's Tesoro based on 10-12 years of monitoring data from between the Tesoro station and Che Kenai River. Ted asked what resources are being applied to the Zipmart spill. Jim F. stated that the responsible party started the investigation, but when they found out the extent of the spill, they bailed. The owner is not doing anything about the eteanup so the State stepped in and assumed the lead. The State has a contractor working on this situation now. Paul Shadura asked how fast the plume is moving on the Zipmart site. Jim F. said it is not moving very fast. Jim F. said that he heard that Wards Cove cannery did a contaminant assessment and there mighC he some fuel contamination there. Kenai River Speciat Management Area Advisory Board January 15, 2004 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 8 Tim Golden thanked Jim for the continued positive approach to these updates. Tim G. asked if the contamination at the former DOT site is detrimental to human use. Jim F. said no. C. Kenai River Access Improvement Proposal -Ray Price, Funny River Chamber of Commerce and Community Association No one showed for this topic. Chris Degernes said the Funny River Chamber is interested in improved access at the River Ranch EVOS property, as there is limited public access to the river on the Funny River side. D. Potential Regulation Changes for KRSMA, Chris Degernes Chris D. said we have been advised by the administration that Chey would like Co pursue regulation changes that would address fee increases. One of the proposed increases would affect Kenai River guides starting in 2005. The specific language has noC been developed yet. The concept would be to raise the guide fees from $500, up to $1000 for residents, and from $1400, up to $3000 for non-residents. The second regulation change proposal is to close the loophole regarding power boats towing drift boats back upstream on the Kenai.River on drift boat Mondays.. (suggested language: "A person may not use a motor to propel or tow a boat used for fishing on days designated as non-motorized fishing days or in areas designated for non-motorized fishing on the Kenai River.") Joe Connors said tiie committee does not have a problem with raising the guide fees but other groups using the resources need to be a part of this also by a sharing of the fees all around. Rick Wood asked if rental boats are part of this change. Chris D. said the current regulations would not have to be changed to raise Chose fees, if that was a recommendation that came from the Advisory Board. Jim Golden said the fees should be raised once, not in small steps. Ted Wellman said he would make a suggesCion that board members show up at the next Commercial Operators Committee meeting to discuss these issues.. Paui Shadura made a motion to support both regulation changes. Jonne Slemons seconded the motion. Vote in favor: Unanimous. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board January 15, 2004 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 8 IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Kenai River Hydrocarbon Study, Update, Jonne Slemons, ADEC There have been no significant changes from the preliminary data and the report done in November. The next step was to do some computer modeling of various parameters of the Kenai River that DNR would then use to develop management actions. DEC has not decided whether to do this in-house or contract it out. A grant proposal, submitted by the Kenaitze Tribe and other partners, was submitted to the EPA's Watershed Initiative. It might help mitigate many of the problems found in this study, as it would provide cash incentives to people who turn in 2 stroke boat motors and purchase 4 stroke motors or non-motorized boats. Motors collected will be destroyed and recycled. There would also be a possible fee offset for guides who use 4 stroke motors instead of 2 stroke motors. People would also be encouraged to buy flat bottom boats which are more river friendly. Pete Sprague asked how much this grant is for. Chris said it is about $830,000 for a three year progam. Paul asked how much for Che boat wake study Phase III. Chris said $250,000. B. Update from ADF&G -Guide Registration Issues, Tom Vania The draft legislation that has been prepared by ADFG has been given to Allan Austerman, the Governor's Fishery Assistant, to find a Legislator to sponsor the bill. Tom said that as soon as he is able, he will share the information with the Board. Chris Degemes asked the board if they want the State Parks Director to come and talk to them either next month or the month after. C. Commercial Operator Committee Report Joe Connors said thaC in the 2002 season 101 citations were written to guides for non-compliance in turning in their end of season reports. In 2003 there will be about 10 citations issued for the same non-compliance. The committee feels all user groups should be part of the fee increase in 2005, notjust commercial operators. The Guide Mentoring Program is moving forward with a proposal to work with the Kenai Peninsula College Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board January 15, 2004 Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 8 on a program to serve as an educational forum. Toe will meeC with folks at the KPC next week to try and design a program. D. Kenai River Center Update, Suzanne Fisler No new changes on Che DOT Sterling Highway MP 45-60 project, or Gary Galbraith's rock vane project yeC. New projects include a proposal by Enstar to relocate a gas line under the Poachers Cove area, and CIRI is working with a private contractor do some salvage timber logging and beetle kill cleanup in the Killey River area. The Corps has signed off on the project since the contractor will be using the ForesC Practices Act, utilizing all the best management practices. Suzanne is hoping Dl\TR will be able to participate in the permit review on this project. The Corps has proposed a new General Pei7nit for bank stabilization for bioengineering projects. Suzanne's concern is this will be Borough wide. DNR's Div. of Mining, Land and Water is going to start requiring registration of commercial users of state lands (other Chan State Parks). This program only requires a business to register, with no tees required unless there is overnight use. Tim Golden asked what the latest is with the RiverQuest Campground subdivision. Suzanne said there might be a final subdivision map but nothing new has come thru the River Center. Ted Wellman asked about the development there and the lots that were noC in the 50 foot habitat ordinance. Suzanne said the structures that were there before the 50 foot ordinance get to stay there, but she doesn't think there has been any grandfathering to new lot owners. V. PUBLIC COMMENT Don Johnson, of Soidotna, said he recognizes that people want what is fair, but limited entry for guides will not solve the problem. He thinks a program needs to be developed that gives people an incentive to not fish. Raising guide fees will only reduce the overall guide numbers a small amount. Kenny Bingaman, former guide, said it is wrong to raise the fee for only the guides and there should be a user fee across the board. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board January 15, 2004 Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 8 VI. AI3JOURNMENT A. Board Comments Paul S. said the 9`h District Court made a ruling on aquaculture programs within wilderness areas. He doesn't know how far this wiii ga. Ted W. said thaC regarding the Alaska Wildland Adventures letter, it seems like we are starting all over again and he is very angry about another stakeholders meeting. He is also against businesses owning guide permits. Chris D. said that 2004 marks the 20`h year for KRSMA, and asks if board members may be interested in planning some sort of celebration for this anniversary. Rick W. said he supports Ted W. 100%. He also said that regarding the contamination coming from fueling stations, maybe there can be a regulation for these stations being away from the river. Joe C. support Ted W's comments. He is extremely annoyed by the Riverquest position and the way Che Borough dea]t with it. This is not good for the river. B. Date/Agenda of Next Meeting Separate afternoon work session planned to discuss how to set up a public process for restricting guides. (1:00 - 5:00 pm at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Conference Room, Thursday, February 19) Next KIt Advisory Board meeting is February 19`x', at the KI2C. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board January 15, 2004 Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 8