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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-13 KRSMA Board Packet1C ~-1 RI!/ R Special RfianagementArea "Working togethea..tor the river" *** Meeting Agenda*** Thursday, October 13, 2005 5:30 p.rn. Kenai River Center I. CALL TO ORDER A. Roll Call B. Approval of 09/08/05 minutes C. Agenda Changes and Approval GQDb~~OG°~~ ~ OO Q °~D II. PUBLIC COMMENT LII. NEi'V BUSINESS A. Kenai River Operations- Bill B. Membership- New Board appointment applications- Jack C. Introduction: Jerry Lewanski, Director Alaska State Parks D. Work Session report- Ken Lancaster IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Boat wake shady report-Jack B. Kenai River Center Update, Suzanne Fisler C. Kenai River Bridge Update-Suzanne D. Letters to DEC, Commissioner DNix V. PUBLIC COMMENT VI. ADJOURNMENT A. Board Comments B. DateiAgenda oftiexi Meeting 0 ._-1/ ~S Kenai Area Oftice, Box 1247, Soldotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 2fi2-5581 Kenai Peninsula Borough, $ox 650, Shcdotna, AK 99669, Soldotna 2624447 Alaska D~~~sion cf Parks and Gutooor Pecrsatio4 Department a( Natural Pescurces, in cooperaCon with :he Kenai Peninsula aorauGh. ~~. Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board Thursday, September 8, 2005 5:30 p.m. Kenai River Center Minutes correction: I. CALL TO ORDER A. Roll Call Members Present: Joe Connors, Ted Wellman, Paul Shadura, Floyd Heimbuch, Ken Lancaster, Richard Hahn, Jeff King, Pete Sprague, Keith Kornelis, Tom Vania, Jack Sinclair and Tim Stevens. Members Absent: Rick Wood, Robin West, Bill Shuster and Ted Forsi. B. Approval of 05/12/05 minutes Changes: Tim Stevens was added to the outboard motor buy-back committee. Keith Kornelis change page 5 under my comments that there is a new leasee at the City of Kenai Dock, Cooper River Sea Food. They are operating 2 of the 3 unloading stations at the dock. Approved as corrected and written. C. Agenda Stands Approved as Amended. II. PUBLIC CuMMEIvT III. NEW BUSINESS A. Kenai River Operations- Sack Sinclair Jack said this year seemed busier on the Kenai River than previous years. Guide numbers were the highest they have ever been with a total of 408. An additional river ranger was a welcome benefit this season. Kenai River Sport Fishing Association provided funding for overtime in July and it doubled ranger presence on the lower river. With this added enforcement over 800 citations were issued. The violations included over horsepower, boating safety, PFD's and non residence-claiming residency. A more thorough report will be available by Ranger Bill Berkhahn at the next meeting. The campgrounds for the state were successful for the season. There is always need for improvement. The Pillars could use an entrance station in helping to control the parking area. Pete Sprague asked why the increase in guide numbers'? Suzanne said that with possible limitations and the guide class requirement that many guides wanted to get experience to assist them to qualify. Joe Connors noted that the fishing guides increased by l5% and the non fishing guides increased by 30%. Suzanne stated non-fishing is more intense on the river such as the short day raft trips available in Cooper Landing,...A new company in Cooper Landing may start some new power boat trips from the rapids up to the bridge which is open to powerboat. Tom asked why numbers don't reflect activity? Suzanne said more statistics would be available next meeting. Tom Vania stated that the log book information that is required from the guides may not be available until January. B. Membership- Jack Sinclair Jack stated that there are 4 board members with terms expiring in October of this year. We need to go through the process to see if the members would like to retain their seats. One member Dave Westerman has submitted a letter of resignation. The group needs to solicit a member for this position and any other that may become vacant. Jack encouraged the board members to start talking with others who maybe interested in participating on.this board.. An announcement for the position should be going into the paper within the next: week or two to start the. application ' process. Paul Shadura suggested that a letter of appreciation be sent to Dave Westerman for his time spent on the board. Other member's on the board whose term is up is Joe Connors, Ted Wellman and Paul Shadura. C. Outboard motor discussion- Jeff King Jeff made a motion to relax the horsepower limit to 50 hp. Jeff suggested that with the Johnson Lake study and the Kenai River boat wake study that there is information to show that there will be minimal harm to the river. The Kenai River Special Management plan the variety of factors including the ease of enforcement, ability to minimize boat induce wakes, and convenience to boat user, should be considered when this analysis is evaluated by the Advisory Board. To raise the limit would fit this entire criterion. The recommendation would be to raise the limit to SOhp and strictly have no detuning and assign a maximum weight and size to fit the boats that are currently on the river. None of the motors right now are big enough to push the guide boats that are already out there. Jeff proposed to raise the hp to 50 on the Kenai River, Joe seconds the motion. Pete asks if the board has the right to raise the hp. It is a statutory law that requires the recommendation of the board to be sent to the legislature. It is a state park regulation and would require regulation change. Ted commented that he supports the concepYbut would first like to see the results of the boat wake study. He suggested the board discuss this more to come out withoufsdme type of resolutioh before the seasori is over: Joe Connors suggested it could come back to the comrrrercial user group committee to come up with a recommendation: Joe amended the motion and it was taken off the floor and sent to the commercial user group for further work. Joe Connors and Jeff King will bring a proposal to the board at the next meeting in October. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Boat wake study-Robert Ruffner The COE came to Alaska this year to look at what is happening on the river during peak use time (July). They set up time lapse cameras at five locations starting at Slikok Creek going down to Beaver Creek. The five sites were selected after a long discussion with Mary King of Fish and Game. The instruments measured the height of the boat wakes, which can translate into energy that hit the banks. While they were measuring the boat wake, the time lapse cameras were at the same time recording the boats as they were passing by. With observers on the shore`at each location they were recording ifthe boat was going upstream or downstream, the type of hull, flat or v-style, how many people in the boat, placement in the river, middle or near shore and if it was planing or not. This was done in 12-hour shifrs. They also recorded the configuration of the shore, was it shallow, deep, gravel or sandy. The Corps has six or seven variables to work with to do some statistics to find out what this mean to the bank. The other group of researchers came up and looked at the type of material along the shore, clay, muddy, grassy, gravel, etc. Each of these materials will have a different resistant to the wake impact. This was a lot of work in a short period of time, but with the help of many volunteers the study was very successful. Some results maybe available as early t~ecember or January. Jack stated that one amazing fact was that 4800 boats in a twelve-hour period were counted at Eagle Rock. Paul asked about the boat wake-measuring device? Robert said the device has electrical current to the instrument and the electricity is affected when the wave goes up and down. B. Kenai River Working Group update- Jack Sinclair Once the working group was done with. their work the State was going to produce a draft regulation package that would go out for public review this winter. Jack stated that a draft has not come out of the Law or Administrative office in Anchorage. With a newly appointed Director, Mr. Lewanski needs time to get up to speed with what the working group was commissioned to do by the Commissioner. There is a possibility he will be .present at the next board meeting... Paul asked if there is a fund available for the working group. Jack is not sure if there is still money available. There were no set funds but some would become available if needed. Paul made the motion to send a letter to the new Director asking about the status and the schedule for the next working group process and an update on the regulation package. Joe Connors seconded it. It was voted on and there were no objections. C. Outboard buyback committee This is just a reminder that a meeting needs to be schedule before the next board meeting. Jack Sinclair, Ted Wellman, Jeff King and Rick Wood, Tim Stevens are presently on the committee. D. Kenai River Center Update-SuzanneFisler. Pam Russell reported that things are quiet, nothing new to report. E. Kenai River Bridge Update-Matt Coultihan Matt C".niillahan is the DOT Bridge; Engineer. They are enrrently in the process of driving a cofferdam, which is a rectangular 111' by 38' sheet pile system, which is going to encapsulate the old center pier for removal purposes. Currently they are experience problems driving the sheet piles down into the ground due to the hard bedrock at the bottom of the river. They are currently using a water jetting system to help in driving the piles down. Once this is completed a new pier wiltbe constructed. Everyone is welcome to visit the site and check out the system.- Check with the office so that you can acquire a hard hat and vest. The off ce is located at 44661 Suite C Sterling Highway in the mall next to Dairy Queen. E. Goal Review for 2006: 1. Additional lands in the upper Kenai River -lands around Trail Lake. Ken Lancaster was going to check with Olson and Wagner about additional land. 2. Corr Property status- Mrs. Corr first asks if there were any question. Jack stated how it was a pleasure to meet Mrs. Corr and to give a short updat8 as to what had been happehing in the last year. Jack reported how the information that the board had been receiving was by means of persons other than the interested parties. The board went to the Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly and asked for their support and that a resolution be drafted to the Governor to support the purchase of the property. It is now understood that the negotiation has changed and the conservation service is no longer interested in the purchase of the property. The concern is to find out whether the property is still available for purchase, if there is still an interest that the state buys it and is there some conservation status. Mrs. Corr stated that her husband said to never sell the homestead, but he would have liked a conservation easement on it. Many would rather see a row of houses instead of nature. But she would sell the easement under certain conditions. Jack asked would it be appropriate for the KRSMA group to off r to centinne The effort to pursue conservation status on the easement. Mrs. Corr agreed and would welcome a conservation easement on the property. Jack stated that Brad Micklejohn has discussed that the money that was slated for the purpose of the Corr property purchase has been committed to something else because no other money was coming from the state or any other source. Brad indicated that if there was still interest in getting the property in conservation hands he would work in getting the money somewhere else, even a newsource: Floyd askedhowbig the easement would be. Mi-s. Corr stated approximately 154 acres. Paul asked if there were any other interested parties in purchasing the property. Mrs. Corr stated she always gets offers, but not for a conservation easement. Jack stated he would follow up on process and see if he can make anything happen toward the purchase of the property. Tom Corr said the family is concerned that this land be taken care of. Tom feels they need some guarantees the state will take care of the land. Such as stabilizing the bluff erosion; creating a no boat wake area, or buoys to control boats. No bridge on the property, no Poachers Cove or River Bend and no major campground. They want the land kept natural. Tom commented that the property is for sale but the price is negotiable. Guide Standards program/ Academy adoption This is in the regulation package and the college is just waiting to get the OK from the group. 4. Updated Carrying Capacity Dick Hahn asked why some data from the boat wake study would be very useful in carrying capacity? It was suggested that Tom Walker from the Aquaculture center be invited to a board meeting. Paul asked if there was any information about the workshop being put together about the carrying capacity of the river and how to design new regulation. Jack is working on the workshop and will have more information when it comes available. 5: More public restrooms on She Kenai River. 6. User fee for everyone. using the Kenai River: 7. HP Increase. 8. Commercial user group. Joe stated the group is thinking along the lines that the committee needs to have. comprehensive approach concerning the Kenai River. The package that has been submitted is just a small portion as to what is going on with the commercial guides. Commercial and Non commercial activities that are going on, such as tournaments, B&B, booking agents and the pseudo guides, where people are paid by their friends to take other friends out and are not permitted and water taxi drop off service and not licensed. The river needs to be professional across the board for all activities. 9. Mixing zones. Paul presented an article that was printed and that the deadline September 15S is now is just a matter of policy not procedure. Paul was bothered that this process was being done behind closed doors and that more public participation needs to happen. Paul would like a letter presented that the procedure needs to have public comment. Paul made the motion that the board wouid iike to make a comment of any information that comes out as well as a public review process. Dick seconds the motion. The letter will be addressed to DEC. V. PUBLIC COMMENT Ricky Cease wanted to thank Jack Sinclair and the staff for doing a good job on law enforcement on the river this year. This is the first year the public did not complain about lack of law enforcement on the river. Many of the comments were positive. VI. ADJOURNMENT A. Board Comments Paul Shadura commented that the law enforcement was not as strong as it could have been in the dipnet fishery area. The area was a free for all and that there were many complaints about out of state people dipnetting. More enforcement should be present during the Kasilof and Kenai personal use fishery. Keith stated that the City of Kenai is planning another 2 boat launches at the city dock to help relieve some of the pressure during the dipnet fishery and a new exit road out of the area. Anew restroom is also in the planning. Jeff stated that the new launches will help the river during the dip net fishery. Having the additional ranger helped in the deterrent of violators on the river. Pete commented about the borough electionsroming up ~n Octeber 4`h, and one of the items of interest to the KRSMA board is the on ballot proposition. It is an advisory vote about the Funny River bridge proposal. Ifis a two-part question, the first being should the state build abridge and the second is should the borough help fund the project. A proposition summary should be sent out in the election information and everyone should vote and stay informed. Dick commented that something that disturbed him more than last year was the 3-day exempt silver fishing that did notoccur. He saw guided boats net kings and keep them a year ago. This year no 3 day hiatus for silvers, guides are now fishing post July 31 catch and release for king openly; that is absurd. Once the fish escape the July 31st deadline they should be left alone. No catch and release. C~,.,, ,.., .I Tl: L L.. ,].: t acwiiuly, Lick iiaS nOt ~iVCii up Gn tuc ul ift fishery prGpoSai oli the Kenai. If he could borrow the raw data for the boat wake study, he could prepare a powerful argument for phasing in drift fishing for the river and then there would be no problems with boat wakes, and no worry about bank erosion. He is shocked that a proposal for an increase in HP will help the boat wakes in the river. It is 35hp now and people have 50 if it is changed to SOhp people with have 60's. In July the river should be changed to drift only. Ken Lancaster asked about the. American Fishing Society meetings held in Anchorage September 12 through the 15. Ken suggested having a work session before the meeting at 3pm at the River Center. B. Date/Agenda of Next tYdeeting: October 13, 2005