HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-11 KRSMA Board PacketSpecial tVlanagewnent Area
"Working together...for the river"
I{enai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
*** Meeting Agenda***
Thursday, October 11, 2007
5:30 p.m.
Kenai River Center
~ I i.
I. CALL TO ORDER `~'- ~ ~ ~ ~
A. Roll Call
B. Minutes Approval ~~ ~~
C. Agenda Changes and Approval
II. PUBLIC COMMENT' _
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. Guide Advisory Committee report -Connors
B. Regulation Proposals - No Wake Speed Zones- Sinclair
C. Kenai River Center Report- Russell
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A- Board Membership Nominations -Lancaster
B. Board Development Committee Report - Shuey
C. Board Planning Session for 2007-08 potential dates
D. KRSMA Comp Plan Review Date
E. Deputy Commissioner Comments
V. ACTION ITEMS
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
VII. AD.IOURNMENT
A. Board Comments
B. Date/Agenda of Next Meeting November 8, 2007 5:30 p.m.
Kenai Area Office, PO Box 1247, Soldotna, AK 99669, 907-262-5581 - ~J
/ Kenai Peninsula Borough, PO Box 850, Soldotna, AK 99669 907-262-4441
/ ~ ~ Kenai River Center 514 Funny River Road, Soldotna, AK 99669, 907-260-4882 i ~ -~
Aleaka Dlvlsion of Parks and Outtloor Recreation, DeFertinent oEA~atural Resources, In cocperafion wl[h the Kenai Peninsula 5orough
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Kenai River Special Management Area
Advisory Board
Thursday, September 13, 2007
5:30 p.m.
Kenai River Center
I. CALL TO ORDER:
A. Roll Call
Members present: Ken Lancaster, Jack Sinclair, Joe
Connors, Brenda Trefon, Curt Shuey, Richard Dykema,
George Heim, Jim Czarneski, Ted Wellman, Richard Hahn,
Rick Koch, Robin West, Jeni Evans,. Robert Begich for Tom
Vania, Tim Stevens
Members Absent: Gary Knopp, David Carey
B. Approval of May 10, 2007 minutes -Minutes were approved
as written.
C. Agenda Changes and Approval: Item D will be moved to after
first public comment section.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
Walt Arthur: Here to protest the taking of fees and licenses
from the public trust to perpetuate agency goals and desires.
That includes the Borough as they let development go. He also
sees DEC as having total indifference of protection of the river
in the issue of hydrocarbons and how to pursue them. There is
more crowding, less quality of experience on the river, less fish,
and smaller fish. Alaskans are being forced out. He thanked
the KRSMA board for their efforts. The board is a public
watchdog watching out for the river. But it seems like the
proposals this board makes die in Anchorage or where ever they
go.
He then offered solutions. He would like to see the board's
charter revisited. This board should become a regulatory board
rather than an advisory board. He would like to see all issues
discussed and not avoid allocations. He would like to see this
board have a permanent board member on the Board of Fish to
represent Cook Inlet. He would like to see the Guide fees raised
from $750 to $2500 for residents and $1650 to $4000 for non-
residents. He said the bottom line is agencies need to stop
maximizing revenues and start protecting the watershed.
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. Guide Advisory Committee Report -Joe Connors
Future meetings will be lpm just prior to board meetings on
the second Thursday of each month. Working on a variety of
issues to bring to the full board: Stipulation changes;
concerns about existing regulations, loss of guide procedure,
complaint process created last year.
B. Waterbody Recovery Plan Status -Stevens
Draft plan will be done by the end of October. There will be
a public notice in December and a complete document by
February. He anticipates the document to be about 10
pages. He will continue to do water quality monitoring to be
sure it is effective. The water monitoring was done at river
mile 10.1. In 2003 there was a similar study done at river
mile 10.1 so they used the same location to compare data.
C. River Corridor Planning and Permitting -Lancaster
Ken met with the Borough mayor in regards to future
corridor river permitting. There is a loophole that allows
extensive development on the river corridor. It allows
Planning 8v Zoning committees to allow conditional uses to
already permitted uses. Ken said Gary Knopp will research
this further.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. River Water Quality Report -Robert Ruffner
There was a lot of water quality monitoring done this
summer. Compared to previous years, DEC and Kenaitze
tribe have worked very well with the Kenai River Watershed
Forum. He was encouraged to see agencies working together
more closely than they did in the previous administration.
Water quality monitoring started 8 years ago. With funding
from DEC reports have been summarized in a 211 page
document looking at trends from 2000 to present. He said
the board members will each be receiving a copy. Robert
provided a chart for each board member showing preliminary
findings of TAH (ppB) for July 21 through July 25th. Two
different types of studies were done. One was to look at the
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 2 of 15
high density areas. The second was to repeat a study from
2004. Overflights were done to count boats to give more
accurate numbers of boats. The water levels were low this
year. There was 30-40% more water in the river than in
previous years. Good news -the actual volume of fuel is
going down. The number of boats was not statistically
different than in 2004.
They also monitored the river for turbidity. Turbidity
increases with numbers of boats out there. This is
potentially a new thing to monitor.
Dick Hahn asked whether or not hydrocarbons are retained
in the river sediment and if they are could turbidity be a
serious problem.
Robert said it could be. He said the heavy hydrocarbons are
the ones potentially much more harmful to aquatic life. He
recommended that a sediment analysis should be done in
the lower river.
Rick Koch: Where do you think it will put us when 2 strokes
are removed and 35 horse is increased to 50 horse in July
08?
Robert said he thought those numbers will go down. We have
seen them go down already through the voluntary measures
from the buyback program. We still saw a range of 2 strokes
as low as 8-9% or as high as 30%. Based on the highest
numbers for July, the removal of 2 strokes above the Warren
Ames Bridge would still result in exceedences being
measured at the mouth if restrictions are not made in that
area.
Rick Koch: In Iight of the information on turbidity would you
say that the 35 hp limit should be left alone?
Robert Ruffner: Yes.
Ted Wellman: Was there localized testing done below high
density areas like Beaver Creek?
Robert R: Yes; we had readings below state standards in
those areas of 4, 5 & 6 ppb.
Brenda Trefon: How dangerous is the 10 parts per billion
(ppb) to people participating in the personal use fishery
Kenai Rives Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
page 3 off 15
standing in the water at the beach? The chart shows that
section of the river is high for TAH. What should the
standards be? She wants to see the board recommend that
the lower river, where people are standing be made to meet a
level below the State standard 10 ppb.
Tim Stevens added that at the site they monitored at RM
10.5 the reading was 7.Sppb.
B. Easement Access Planning -Gary Williams
Robert Ruffner reported for Gary that access issues are
important to get a handle on. There are approximately 110
access points on the river that are not developed. For various
reasons some people would like some of those developed and
some not. From health of the river to public safety aspect we
might want to develop some. The challenge is there is no
plan, no criteria to judge when someone comes forward with
an idea to develop some public access. Then once developed
who will take care of new accesses? There needs to be a
matrix that shows some areas should never be developed,
those that could be developed with plans for management,
etc.
C. 2007 River Operations -Jacques Kosto
Rangers will be working the river through November as there
are still plenty of fishermen on the river. Jacques provided
the board with a field operations report. The staff included
17 c~nlcµntaarc who are tha front lino, Regi~tec ,Janque a there
are three river rangers; two of whom are new. There are also
one Natural Resource Tech and one Ranger Assistant.
He went over the staff priorities: Resource protection, public
education, boating safety, and regulation enforcement.
There were several accomplishments this season including
repairs and removal of hazards from the winter flooding and
boating safety programs.
Jacques reviewed the law enforcement statistics. There were
half as many cases this year compared to 2006. Some of
that can be attributed to having two new rangers. The
common result of intense enforcement with high citation
numbers in a given year (2005) is a decline in violations in
the subsequent years.
D. River Permits -Pam Russell
Kenai Rives Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 4 of 15
Pam introduced Amber Wheat to the board as the new
Admin Clerk for Parks at the Kenai River Center.
Pam provided the board with the guide numbers and trends.
For 2007 there were a total of 425 Kenai River Guides
registered. There were 396 total fishing of which 372 were
motorized and 53 were drift boat guides. There were 29 non-
fishing guides. Of these 312 were residents and 113 were
non-residents. Pam also provided other statistics to the
board.
E. Additional Regulation proposals -Sinclair
Jack told the board the Division will be doing a cleanup of
State Park regulations this fall. He has heard concerns
from landowners about shallow water areas for boat passage
that have now become water fares for boats on step. These
folks are worried about the increase to 50 horsepower and
what will happen to their property. Landowners would like
to see some of these sensitive areas become "no wake" areas.
Jack said four property owners would like to come testify at
the next board meeting about this issue.
F. Board Planning Session for 2007-08
At the next board meeting on October 11 Jack asked the
board to meet at 3pm to go over the 2007 Accomplishment
Update list he handed out. This would also be a chance to
talk about walking through the existing 1997 Kenai River
Comprehensive Management Plan.
G. Deputy Commissioner and Director Comments
Dick Lefebvre, Deputy Commissioner of DNR -Back in 2004
a moratorium to limit the number of guides was attempted
that ended up in lawsuit. As a result of that the Department
was required to complete a public use impact study on the
river prior to any further measures made to limit guide
numbers. That has never been done. In meeting this week
with new Director of Parks James King it was decided we
need to get this study done. At this point in time we are
working with other agencies, DEC, F&G to see if we can
come up with funding necessary to complete that study.
We have gone ahead with regulations that were
recommended by this board. Those regulations have gone to
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 5 of 15
public comment as well as public hearing. We are still
moving ahead with those and it is controversial. At this point
in time they were .turned into the Department of Law for final
review. DOL made some changes to them and we just
received them back. DOL unfortunately changed the intent
in some of the regulations so they are now returned to DNR
to clean up. We will then return them to the DOL before
they are sent up to the Lt. Governor. Commissioner Irwin
has asked for additional information on hydrocarbon studies
in the river. DNR is working with DEC on their plan. Their
plan is tied to our regulations. The regulations themselves
are not a complete package. We have struggled with the river
for years. We hear the problems with overcrowding and with
the 50 horsepower. We hear people are running over
horsepower anyway even though people are supposed to
have them detuned to 35. It is hard to regulate. We have
people on the river checking and sometimes we catch them
a_nd sometimes we don't. These are all management issues.
The Wake study that was done is tied to the number of
people in boats (weight). It is also tied to the hull shape. We
have to ask ourselves what is important. Is keeping the
economic prosperity of river moving ahead allowing more and
more people whether they are guides or just the Saturday
fishermen, to the extent we kill the resource? The answer is
no. We all have a responsibility and it is to the river.
Without the river we have nothing. The resource comes first.
Then y0u deride hnw yni~ USe that reSOLZrCe. Hnw many
guides should there be? How many drift days? Hopefully we
will work through the tough decisions. We have to make
sure we are protecting this resource. This board has a
greater responsibility and it needs to be used. This board
needs to take a hard look at the river and the resource and
decide on getting us the advice on how we should look at it.
That responsibility is not being dumped on the board
because as the Department of Natural Resource personnel
we have an obligation to the public. We are your public
servants. We have to make sure in our decision making that
we are protecting that resource. We need the good advice
from people like the audience tonight as well as the board
members. We are all faced with a dilemma. We want fish in
the river, a clean river and access to the river and its
resources. The question is how to do it right. That is the
challenge.
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 6 of 15
James King, DNR Director: It is good to be here. What an
exciting resource you have here. You are lucky to live here
near this amazing river. He echoed some of the things the
Deputy Commissioner has said. The resource is number one
priority to protect. He assured everyone we listen and will
continue to listen. Some people accuse us of acting too slow
or too fast. We want to slowly and methodically and
carefully think about decisions so we do not destroy the
river. At the same time we want to make actions so it does
not get worse by doing nothing. We also understand this
river is a huge part of the economy. We want to carefully
incorporate that into the management of this river in
protecting the resource. We also understand it is a huge
recreation opportunity..
As far as planning goes we are pressing forward with the
regulations. We are planning to have a public use impact
study next summer. Another aspect of the planning is to
update the Kenai River Comprehensive Management Plan
that is 10 years old. He spent some time this week going
through it and looking at issues we have been asked to
consider and though we are still evaluating the plan, it is
still a good working document and very relevant. Probably at
this. point we do not need to open up the whole plan for
revision. There are great guidelines to make our
management decisions under the plan as it stands. We may
need to do an addendum to it or add to it. So as we finish up
our inventory for the public use impact study next summer
we can bring the agencies together and start to talk about
how we meld together all the scientific studies, public input
with this new study. He said he has heard from almost
everyone he has talked to that there is a time when the river
will be too crowded. Some would say that was 20 years ago,
some would say it is in another 20 years. Something has to
be done or we will ruin this resource. He assured the board
and the public that they are listening and that although they
are the resource and land managers they are also .public
servants.
Ted Wellman: Thanked James and Dick for coming down.
He liked what he heard with the exception of the public use
impact study. We have done so many studies we could roll
them out in a wheelbarrow. Going back 20 years the studies
have all reached generally the same conclusion: the river is
too crowded, too much commercial activity. Ted would like to
see some action. Really need to move this process along
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 7 of 15
faster than we have in the past. When we had the Kenai
River Working Group we had good momentum, moved
forward and made good progress. We fought and argued and
came up with solutions. All we have been waiting for was the
DOL and DNR to get together and say what farther studies
were necessary. That was three years ago! Appreciates
what is said but hopes it comes to some fruition. It has been
frustrating because nothing has happened for much of the
last five years.
James: There is a court order for making no regulations
restricting use on the river until the public use impact study
is done. That is why we need to get the study done so we
can go forward.
Dick L added that if we have so many studies out there bring
those to him to see if they can be used.
Dick Hahn: It seems that everyone focuses on what is
happening now. There are trends in river usage in growth of
use - so it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out
before very long left to its own we will lose this resource.
You will be involved in that loss if you don't look further
ahead because we are losing it as we talk. When DEC is
perfectly willing not to address the hydrocarbon issue for
four years is plainly absurd [ref: the 2011 deadline for plan
implementation]. The fact that DNR allows that just
infuriates him. Thinks that when you made the decision to
do two things at the same time, that is stopping the 2-stroke
and adding the 50 hp at the same time was a monumental
decision in the wrong direction. You are risking the economy
of this entire area. You must look ahead -don't focus on
today. There are plenty of trends involved in all the reports
that Ted said he had a wheelbarrow load of that tell you we
are going in the wrong direction in the management of this
river. Do something before it is irreversible. He is truly
concerned about the management of this river right now.
Dick L: Said he was somewhat surprised since the
recommendation came from this group to go ahead with 50
horsepower.
Dick Hahn answered that Dick L does not know the complete
history of that.
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 8 of 15
Ken: Asked if there is not enough data with the Fish 8s
Game logbooks as well as what Parks has done to use for
support.
Dick L said it is a court order that DNR go through and
assess if there is enough information as is. If we can
determine that there is enough data we are in good shape.
Otherwise we will hire someone to do the studies next
summer. The three deputy commissioner's -Ken Taylor
(ADF&G), Dan Easton (ADEC) and himself are committed to
working together on the Kenai River. They have just met this
week.
Rick Koch: To follow up on Dick Hahn's comments; they are
spot on. Why would DNR believe it prudent to have two
variables in the equation of raising horsepower and at the
same time removing 2-stroke engines? Collect scientific
information and base that on increasing horsepower.
Dick L: The Commissioner did agree to adopt 50 hp. He did
look at hydrocarbons studies but the decision was made to
go ahead. He said he is waiting for additional information
from the Kenai Watershed Forum.
Ted: One of the things this board is frustrated about is that
the court decision is quite old. The board has been pushing,
jumping up and down and screaming about when are we
going to get the necessary things done. Now we are years
later - it was in the first year of the Murkowski
administration. As these things go through what are your
plans for using this board in that process?
Dick L: The intent is to utilize this board to the fullest
degree we can -.even though it is advisory - it is a good
diverse group. He will use this board as a sounding board.
He said it makes his life better when you bring
recommendations to him.
James added that the beauty of a board like this is that it
represents all the different user groups and we welcome that
advice. It will be important to get the new study done or as
suggested we will look at the old studies- it may be enough
to meet the court order. But we do have to clear up that
court order.
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 9 of 15
Dick L: Was a large mine coordinator for DNR for many
years. That meant his responsibilities were going out and
reviewing, analyzing and adjudicating permits for Fort Knox
and the State to see if they could be permitted. He put
together ar. interdisciplinary team of the different agencies,
but also invited all the different interest groups to the
meetings. It encouraged the agency team and the public to
"take off their hat" and look at what we were doing, the best
way to get there. He told the board to "take off your hat" and
look at the best interest of the river.
Joe: In the past we have made recommendations and
forwarded them up to the Commissioner's office and never
hear what happens. Feels like recommendations• go into a
void. He asked for a commitment that DNR will interface
with the board. For example the 50 hp recommendation was
forwarded quite some time ago and not heard what has
happened to date. No information going back to the board.
Dick L suggested if they are not answering letters, have the
board chair call us. He said the commitment from him will
have James or himself or one of our people close to us will be
here at every meeting. That way you can hand letters to us.
James added he will guarantee response. If you do not hear
from us, call Jack Sinclair. He said he will respond and aid
in the communication.
Joe: This board was ahead of the curve when there were
critical development issues at Porters. Though it was in
someone else's jurisdiction we could not get a resolution
heard. And now we are faced with more development.
Dick L: Wants to be part of the debate of the upcoming
issues. Wants to make sure we are talking to them so he
won't have to second guess what is going on.
Dick Hahn: Since the river is narrowly defined as a Park is
the enforcement of so called overlay districts -those 100 to
150 feet of riverbank along the river. There needs to be a
way for the state agencies to interface with the Borough and
municipalities to be sure that those overlays districts are
enforced. There are ordinances and they exist but for the
most part people just look the other way. There is a big
condo complex being built as we speak right on the river in
Soldotna. This is one more part of the riverbank will go to
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 200
Page 10 of 15
hell as a result. Someone has to enforce the already existing
ordinances in what is called overlay districts to prevent that
kind of utilization of the riverbank. The habitat of the river
goes far beyond the bank.
James said "you guys are our eyes and ears". We need your
input on items like that. A letter to us addressing these
concerns is invited. We can work with you whether we need
to go to the City or whoever it is to discuss further.
Dick L closed by saying " We are a team". We are trying to
do the best job. We have a common goal. If you see
something that needs to be addressed, bring it to our
attention. You have a part and an obligation and we have
responsibility.
James: Hopes that board goes through goals for the
upcoming year to identify issues to work on. We can be part
of the team. It gets us all going in the same direction.
H. Board Seat Expirations and Reappointments
Board seats expire October 1. Jack said currently we have
10 applicants. According to the Bylaws there needs to be 3
applicants per vacant seat. There will be a work session on
the nominations on Oct. 11 and then an action item at the
next meeting.
V. ACTION ITEMS
No Action items this agenda.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
Ricky Gease: Strongly suggested as the board goes through
the KRCMP to get one more person on the Memorandum of
Agreement and that would be DOT. The Kenai Watershed
Forum has done a comprehensive study of fish passage issues
in the Kenai River watershed. There are probably 200 culverts
that need to be replaced as they are undersized. The circulation
of juveniles is being stymied. Invite DOT to get involved.
Every day there are many trucks that go through Cooper
Landing loaded with toxic materials. How many more years will
that go on before one of them ends up in the river? Move the
highway off the Kenai River. It is a danger to this river. There is
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 11 of 15
nobody else out there carrying the torch for getting the road off
the river.
He also stated looking at the difference between the present and
the mid 90s of the number of property owners who launch
boats from their property. He said the increased number of
boats may came from the private boat launches as there has
been a decrease in the number of public river access. This
could be from property owners subdividing which would create
more private access.
Herman Fandel: Is a Sportfisherman and Kenai River Guide.
He said he sincerely hopes something will be done to correct a
bad thing with 35 horsepower. He likes the idea of 50 hp. It is a
safety factor. Regarding hydrocarbons he said with this
regulation we are heading in a good direction in getting bad
motors off the river. He said he has a lot of money invested in
the river and it is a precious resource to him.
ilIl. ADJOURNMENT
A. Board Comments
Brenda: Happy to hear the city councils are talking about
the personal use fishery.
Buyback update: Brenda said last summer we had only 30.
But to date there are now 160 motors that have come
through the program. The grant ends in December and
Brenda is hoping for an extension from EPA.
Richard Dykema: This board recommended increasing
motors to 50 hp as well as getting rid of 2 strokes. After all
the studies were done, this whole board came up with the
decision. Let's start there.
Dick Hahn: The answer is a phased-in drift fishery for this
river. It would be self regulating, but you would need a few
more access sites and a few more toilets along the river but
in the long run the answer is a drift fishery for this river..
Curt Shuey: Liked the comments about taking this board to
task and "to take off our hats". In a sense it is telling us that
when come in we need to jump in and swim. Not all know
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 12 of I5
how to swim in that way with experience in good healthy
decision making process. Any support you can give along
those lines in helping the board to gain a sense of how to
function in that way would be appreciated.
Robin: Our biggest problem is also our solution =People.
This process has proven to be a good community sounding
board. The frustration you received a hint of tonight is that
after the process is the relative inaction from
administrations. Appreciate the Director and Deputy
Commissioner coming but especially the commitment that
you will have someone here at future meetings because
that's how we get things done.
Ted: Thanked the Director and Deputy Commissioner for
coming down and appreciate the interest in this board. He is
concerned that we have seemingly lost some stability and
lack of respect as we go through contentious issues. He
thinks it would be useful to have a facilitator to come in and
do some training to teach us how to treat each other with
respect. As the demand for river use increase every user
group will have to make some sacrifices.
He is concerned about the section of the river below Skilak.
Two weekends ago he counted 39 boats in a 2-mile stretch.
30 of those 39 were guide boats. That is a huge increase.
The problem is those guide boats are out there 12 hours a
dav. We need to keep that in mind. That the season is
extending.
Tim: Appreciate seeing Dick L again and a pleasure to meet
the new director.
Jeni: Wonderful to have you both here.
Rick Koch: City of Kenai, City of Soldotna and the Borough
are in the process of putting forth proposals to the Board of
Fish to suggest a change in the regulations as to means and
methods of harvest for the personal use fishery. It would
require the use of motorized vessels to fall under similar
regulations as DNR has put forth in their regulation. He
would like to send that to DNR and have DNR support that
in some visible fashion before going to the BOF. He said he
will be bringing it to the KRSMA board as well.
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 13 of 15
George: Reminded the Director that the upper Kenai River is
getting crowded. The most heavily used area is the refuge
area and there are only 20 guide permits. There are
crowding issues and as well as habitat issues. Please keep
in lr~ind that there are three separate sections of the river
and think about what is causing problems in each section.
Robert Begich: We need you. The community needs you.
Thanked the Director and Deputy Commissioner for coming
down.
Joe: Sounds like you will make a commitment that has not
been made by any other administration and he said he looks
forward to that exchange. Will help to get direct feedback
and interface and this will help the board in making good
decisions. There were a lot of positive vibes tonight!
Jirn C: Refreshing to hear your comments. Nice to hear you
point out the resource is first. Any support for board
development would help as there are tough issues coming..
Training and tools to function would be appreciated.
Ken: Some of the things that lacked in the past are support
not just from DNR, but from the Governor's office on down.
He stated he is a little disappointed to hear the comment
about being satisfied with the 97 KRCMP. At the very least it
would help this board to walk through it as a work session to
See wtia,t a.rea3 of ui0 KRCiviP SiiG uid be reVi3ltcd.
Dick L responded to the board comments: It is a good idea
to set a time and walk through the plan. He left the board
with this: Would it be beneficial to get both cities and the
borough, F&G, DOT, DEC to come up with a memorandum
of agreement to meet and identify the issues that need to be
addressed? Thanked the board very much for all their
comments and said the board would see them more. He will
bring all the comments to the Commissioner.
Jack: Pointed out that in the KRCMP under appendix E,
paragraph 15 reads "That there shall be a Kenai River
Technical Coordinating Group and that all parties through
their designated representatives on this group will meet at
least three times each year on or about September 15,
December 15, and April 1. The purpose of this group shall
be to discuss issues of common importance, to coordinate
management and enforcement programs, and provide
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
Page 14 of 15
information to the Kenai River Advisory Board. The Kenai
River Advisory Board shall be able to request information
and technical assistance in fulfilling their responsibilities, as
required under Alaska statute. In addition to the agencies
signatory to this Memorandum of Understanding, local and
federal agencies can participate in this group, including but
not limited to the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the cities of
Kenai and Soldotna and the following agencies: US Corps of
Engineers, EPA and US Geological Survey". That is the
framework we need to latch onto.
James also responded to the board comments: It is good to
hear the board's perspective. It would be great for this board
to sit down and review :the plan and he would like to
participate.
B. Date/Agenda of Next Meeting
Next meeting will be October 1 1, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. at the Kenai
River Center. A working group meeting will commence at 3:00
pm.
Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Minutes -September 13, 2007
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