Session: State Capitol, Room 421 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-2693 Toll Free: (800) 463-2693 Fax: (907) 465-3835 Interim: 35477 Suite 101-B Spur Highway Soldotna, AK 99669 Phone: (907) 260-5236 Fax: (907) 260-5238

House Passes Kenai
River Area Expansion
HB 165 Would Help State Better
Manage Popular Watershed

(JUNEAU) - The House today passed legislation that would help the state better manage the Kenai River watershed to protect not only environmental quality, but also the region's recreational and commercial industries that depend on a healthy river system.

Rep. Ken Lancaster (R-Soldotna) sponsored House Bill 165, which would expand the Kenai River Special Management Area (KRSMA) to include an additional 7,938 acres of land and water.

"The health of the entire Kenai River system, including its many communities, depends upon sustaining adequate water quality and healthy wildlife habitat throughout the watershed basin," he said. "Now that the federal government has conveyed this land to the state, the Legislature needs to make this designation to assure good management practices and to protect this key element of the Kenai Peninsula's natural resources."

The Legislature created the KRSMA as a unit of the state parks system in 1984, and during public testimony on revisions of the area's comprehensive management plan, it became clear the state could do a better job of managing the area if it included the entire watershed, Lancaster said.

The bill would expand the KRSMA to encompass almost all of the public lands and waters that contribute to sustaining the river's fish and wildlife. It includes 200 feet of riverbank along each side of 11 upper Kenai River or Kenai lake tributaries, and the waters of the Upper and Lower Trail Lakes.

A healthy Kenai River, and access to it, is at the heart of the Kenai Peninsula's fishing, boating, camping and sightseeing businesses, and the improved management afforded by expansion of the management area should help protect and enhance the local economy, Lancaster said.

HB 165 moves next to the Senate for consideration.

# # #

Attachments:

• Sponsor Statement for HB 165
  
• Print Friendly Version
  requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - 1 page(s) - 88 K

Broadcasters Note: Audio comments are available on the Majority Actuality line:
1-800-478-6540 or below.

| Rep. Lancaster's Page |

| Top | Home | Site Search | Breaking News | Legislators | Bills |
| Committees | E-Newsletter | Surveys | Research | Help |

The Official Web Site of the House and Senate Legislative Majorities
for the 22nd Alaska State Legislature
To Report Technical Problems or Contact Webmasters