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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-15 KRSMA Board Packet9 *~ Meetin; Aigendu*="=~ ~~ J~~C~IG°i~ ~~`J~QC~ Thursday, January 15, 2004 7:00 p.m. Kenai River Center __._... ~.... - i I. CALL T~ (~~DER ~ ~~. ~" A. Roll Call ~ `~~ i ~ ~~ B. Approval of ll1~0/03 minutes ~~ 3 r ,., „ ,, r L. h`gellCtd ~t"ialibety mr.. ,p.ISYaVa1 r,. r a , r^ ; ~ t; IL PIJI3LIC ~flMDID+[~Ti' III. NEb~! F3U~5IId~FSS A. Kenai River Access Improvement ~oposal -Ray Price, Funny River Chamber of Commerce a.id Commru:ity Association B. Potential Regulatian Changes for I~SMA, Chsis Degernes I'~J. ~I,I) I31JSINI,r~S A. lover Terrace RV Park Contarmination Statas and Update, Rich Sundet, ADEC and Oasis Rnvironmemtal, Inc. R. Update on ocher Contaminated Sites, ?im Frechione, AD~~C C. Kenai River Hydrocarbon Study, Update, Jonne Slemons, ADEC D. Update from ADF&G -Guide Registration Issues, Toni Vania E. Commercial Operator Committee Report ft Kenai River Center Update, Suzanne Filler 5~. PUI3LII: C4JNIMl/NT VI. AI),~OU22N1dIIJNT A. Board Comments 8. Date/Agenda of Next Meeting Please nate: the Commercial t~peratar Conlnu%tee will be meeting at 4:Ot~ p.rn. an Thursday, Tan. 15 at tPieTienat River Center. Please canEacc J'UZ$ilric Eisler at 2b0-.q-816 for mare information. Kenai Area Office, Box 1247, Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 2625581 ~ ~~ ~L Kenai Peninsula Borough, Box 850, Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 2624441 C Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Kenai Peninsula Borough. . KENAI RIVER SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA ADVISORY BOARD Thursday, November 20, 2003 7:00 p.m. Kenai River Center I. CALL TO ORDER Robin West opened the meeting. He welcomed the new board members: Dick Hahn and Jeff King. A. Roll Call Members Present: Joe Connors, Ted Wellman, Paul Shadura, Jim Golden, David Westerman, Dick Hahn, Jeff King, Chris Degernes, Pete Sprague, Robin Wesi, Tom Vania, Linda Sncw, Jor:;;e Slemcr_s, Deb Coeper Members AbsenC: Ken Lancaster, Roland Maw, and Rick Wood B. Approval o~f IOl1Gl03 minutes The minutes were approved as written. C. Agenda Changes and Approval Jim Frechione could not be at this meeting. Therefore agenda item B under New business will be presented at the next meeting. IL PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment III. NE~h'BJSINESS A. Kenai River Hydrocarbon Study 2003, Tim Stevens and Kent Patrick- Riley, ADEC Donne Slemons inti-oduced Tim Stevens and Kent Patrick-Riley of ADEC who presented the preLm~nary results of the Kenai River Petroleum Source Assessment 2003 by power point. A handout was provided to each board member of the presentation. Tim began by thanking all the partners that helped out with the study: Kenai Watershed Forum, ADF&G Sportfish and Commercial Fish Divisions, City of Soldotna, Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation, USGS and numerous ocher vohmteers. This is a preliminary report with the final report slated for Januuy. Tim said Chic water quality sCUdy was prompted by pasC. studies done by Trout Unlimited in 1997 and thosa done by the Kenai Watershed Forum samplings done in ?000, 2001 and 2002. Tim reviewed the project goals: A. Determine the sources of petroleum entering the lower Kenai River $. Determine the spatial distribution of petroleum C. Deternune the temporal variation of petroleum In describing the sampling plan, Tim said the study looked at all potential sources of petroleum (storm water, boat motors, harbor activity, contaminated sites, on river commercialfuelirig facilities, etc.), spacial (Soldotna Bridge to the harbor), as well as temporal variations (fishing season, commercial fishing openings, diurnal variations, etc.). Tim said they were interested Co see if hydrocarbons were found only in the thalweg, (The line dorov~ti the center of the main channel of a stream; deepest, swiftest area of tlae river.) or if hydrocarbons might be coming in from other sources outside the sampling _ areas. Some of Che other suppling locations were: storm drain outfalls, harbor area, and representative habitat areas. There was an intensive sampling done on June 25`x', every four hours (4am - 8pm), and between July 20`~ through Iuly 22 every 2 hours during this 72 hour period. The handout showed a map with the sampling locations- Tim said their sampling schedule called for testing below storm drain outfalls during storm events once each during spring, summer and fall, but the summer event could not be accomplished as there were never any rain storms of any significance]ast summer. Samples were taken during peak motor boat use days every Tuesday May 2rJa' through August 26~`., Hubor sampling was done at the summer ebb tide and flood tide as well as in the spring and fall. Tim said the parameters tested were for Total Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Total Aqueous Hydrocarbons and basic water quality paruneters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, etc.). There were 284 samples collected with a quality control of 97%. The prelinunv-y results show that contaminated ground water and other sources do not appeu~ to be contributing measw-able levels of petroleum to the Kenai River. I3e then. showed several graphs with the petroleum suppling results from near storm drains, at various river miles, during various levels of boat traffic and within the water column.- Tim said that during intensive sampling period between Iuly 20-22, 285 boats were counted were on Sunday 7/20, and 379 were counted on Tuesday 7/22. Kenai Watershed Forum assisted with the boat counts, and also distinguished in their counts between 4 stroke and 2 stroke motors. The data. cleu-ly showed an inerease,in petroleum levels as one travels down river, Viand a cleax correlation between increased boat traff c with higher levels of petroleum m the samples. Of particular note was thaC even though boat Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Minutes -November 20, 2003 counts were lower on Sunday'?/20, petroleum Levels were higher than with a higher boat count on Tuesday 7/22. This was thought to be the result of more two stroke engines in use on Sundays. It was noted that most of the Kenai River guides have converted to 4 stroke engines, and although the total boat counC was higher on 7/22, it is notable that the petroleum levels were lower than on a day with fewer boats. Also noted was the petroleum was mixed throughout the whole water column, and not just in the surface water area. Additionally of note was that the river level was 25% higher than normal this past summer due Co high levels of snow and ice melting, so had the water levels been average, the concentration of petroleum would have even been higher, had all of the other factors held constant. Tim concluded his presentation by discussing some of the steps DEC is considering. They hope to pei'cT,.t modchng tC address v:.rious fackOrS that may influence petroleum levels in the water column, such as how flow levels, total number of power boats, and different types of engines may affect peholeum levels that might be expected. This would help the resource agencies identify di~P~ferent management options that would help to ensure thak water quality is maintained. At this point Tim and Kent opened discussion with the bosrd members to ask questions. Some of the primary concerns 'From boat'd members included: A. Atwhatlevelisthepetroleumharmfultothefish,andwerethere samplings done at the river edge where the'juveni]e fish live and migrate? Tim said they have asked Fish & Game foi~ intorrnation regarding the effects of petroleum on fish. B. How were the standards used developed'? Tim said every state adopts the.r o~~~n standa~s and then EPA has to approve it. C. Concerns about the harbor testing due to differences in tides and what they bring in and what types of petroleum products are in the harbor. Tim said the harbor has complicated issues because of the salt water influence and tides. Most products sampled were Btex {gasoline range organics). D. Were the results compared with those~of the Kenai Watershed Foram? Tim said they did compare the July 22°`~ sampling with those of KWF and they were very similar. E. Who was the conicactor foe these studies? Tim: Oasis Environmental out of Anchorage F. DOT site is below Swiftwater and contaminated sites in Sterling are above. How much is dissipated by the time the sampling is dcne? Tim said DOT has stated the pe~~oleum from the DOT site is not reaching the river at this time, and due to the lack of detectable petroleum attheSwiftwa{er site, iYs notbelieved thafthe contaminated sites are contributing measurabie'amounts to the Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Minutes -November 20, 2003 river. They also noted that when boat usage was low, there was no detectable petroleum in the water, and if there was another source other than boats, it would show up when boat levels use is low. ~ G. Why is the petroleum not evaporating more quickly like in other watersystems? Kent said. there are so many unknowns, but it is likely due to the temperature of the river. In the lower 48 the time fuel is in the water is minimal but here we are not sure how long it takes to dissipate. H. What is the plan for providing information regarding use of 2- stroke vs. 4-stroke motors? Tim said there is data on the efficiency of 4- stroke vs. 2-stroke that will be provided to the board at a Later _ date. I. Does the petroleum have an effect on plankton? Tim said Trout Unlimited looked at storm drain outfaIls and noted changes in macro invertebrates and did see a change in species diversity at the Soldotna outfall. This may be an indication of the effect of pollution on macro invertebrates. 7. Kent stated that a conservative estimate was made of 10,000 gallons of petroleum in the river during July alone. Two stroke engines are notorious for contributing 20-40% of their fuel unburned right into the river. Higher percentages of unburned fuel are introduced into the water at low rpm (idling) speeds. Robin then asked the board members if they wanted to for a committee now or wait until the final report is available in January. Jonne suggested waiting until the f nal report is out in .Tanuary. B. Update on Contaminated Sites, aim Erechione, ADEC Tim was unable to report this evening but will plan to attend the next KRSMA meeting to update the board. Jonne handed out summary updates of the DEC contaminated sites. C. Kenai River Guide Limitations - where do we go from here? Chris said Director Gary ivior7ison is interested in having a multi agency approach instead of purely a park issue. Chris said he is interested in working with the agencies and Department of Law. Robin said the frushation level is high on this issue and wonders if they would have a good understanding of the issue. Jim: Said not to be pessimistic, but haven't the agencies been working together orr this? He said unless we get something done we'll still. be talking ,_ aboutthis rssue S:years from now.: Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Roard Minutes -November 20, 2003 Robin: Suggested writing a very pointed letter that the public and this board have wanted this for years and ask specifically "what is it going to take?" Dave: Local F&G Advisorq committee will be taking up this issue - it will be good to have the strength of multiple entities all working on the issue. Tom: Departmenfof Fish & Game has beenhaving discussions with Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, DNR and Dept. of Law regarding occupational licensing on a statewide basis and that maybe Alan Austerman will introduce legislation. _ 7eff: Said there needs to be legislative involvement that will stand up to a constitutional challenge- Paul: Questioned why F&G is not working with DNR on this? Tom: The Administration is directing F&G to put draft legislation together to go to fisheries policy advisor Alan Austerman. Ted: We need commihnent of resources from the Governor's office to achieve the results. Robin: Asked the Board how to respond to the director's interest. Chris said Director Morrison knows it is ati important issue and he is willing to provide whatever support may be needed. Ted proposed Che following motion: Send a letter to Director Gary Morrison as:~,ing him to take the steps to coordinate ~F~ith ±he agencies and to let hum know this board wants to work on this. Send copies to the Commissioners, Department of Law and Governor. Dick: seconded. Short discussion was held and the vote was called for. All board members voted in fa~~~oz. 1V. OLD BUSINRSS A. Kenai River Center Update, Szezanne Fisler Suzanne reports they received an interesting letter regarding the Nationwide Permit 23. The Corps of Engineers has said that the Kenai River Bridge is not eligible for a Nationwide Permit for the wetland fill at the intersection of KBeach Rd and the Sterling Highway, DOT has the choice of applying for an ihdiVidual peiinit or they can go back to Federal Highways and have them certify it for aNW permit. The pzc~jectwill likely be delayed as a result. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Minutes -November 20, 2003 A draft report on Gary Galbraith's J hook rock vanes was mailed to all the board members. COE stated Yhere are cumulative affect concerns regarding this project. Gary and contractor are preparing for rebuttal. No news on the Cooper Landing bypass project. The annual letter to the Kenai River Guides will be going out soon. There were 375 guides who registered in 2003. To date Suzanne said she has received 204 use reports, so there are still a lot that are due before the Dec. lsi deadline. She will be calling or emailing those who have not sent their use reports in before the December deadine. V. PUBLIC COMMBNT No public comment VI. ADJOURNMENT A. Board Comments Linda: Welcome to the new/old board members. Jeff: Good Co see you all again? Deb: District Ranger from Seward wi!] be here from ti2rte to tune filling in for BiIl Shuster. 'Com: Welcome to Deb Chris: The Pillars are gone as of today! Ranger Bill Berkharin made arrangements to have the concrete structures removed from the river today, and has arranged to have the City of Kenai take the old concrete pillars 'for use as beach. parking barriers . I~G'te: ~v'wICOiJIe i0 'fie rich C< <i1.:2 122;n~i1GIS anQ 1-1ap(1 j ThaiL~Sgi`Jing. B. Date/Agenda of Next Meeting Jan 15, 2004. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Minutes -November 20, 2003