News from The Kenai River Center
by Jenny Chissus
There has been a lot of talk about the status of the KPB Ordinance regarding Habitat Protection District – and how that will relate to Seldovia and our waterways – in particular the Seldovia Slough.
It was important to make sure that we had accurate information, and the true facts about the situation so I have been in contact with the Kenai River Center on numerous occasions to receive the official outcome/affect that this ordinance may have on our waterways. I just received this update, and wanted to share it with the community right away.
This ordinance has important implications for Seldovia, and all property owners surrounding affected waterways should be aware of the potential limitations or restrictions that may apply to their property. Notices will be mailed, and there will be a public hearing in Seldovia sometime in early March. Make your voices heard!
I do want to thank Tim P. Dillon who went to the borough assembly meeting this week to represent Seldovia’s interest. Dan, from the River Center in a previous email stated: ” Tim P. Dillon made a good presentation to the Assembly yesterday about how the district affects Seldovia. I am certain that a dialog with Seldovia and other communities will be continued in the upcoming months as we determine how to fairly apply the regulations while still meeting the goal of the legislation, the protection of habitat for salmon and wildlife.”
Thanks Tim!
I received this response from Dan Nelson, the Planning Assistant at the Kenai River Center. Please note that there is contact information at the bottom of the letter should you have further questions or want to contact the River Center.
the following letter was submitted by Dan Nelson of the Kenai River Center
Date: January 5, 2012
Subject: Implementation status of KPB Ordinance 2011-12, adding additional water bodies to the Habitat Protection District.
This ordinance authorized the administration to implement the management of streams published in the Atlas and Catalogue of Waters Important for Spawning, Rearing or Migration of Anadromous Fish under KPB 21.18 Habitat Protection District in geographic phases. The administrations will implement KPB 21.18 on January 1, 2012 for those cataloged waters on Kalgin Island and the west side of Cook Inlet within the Kenai Peninsula Borough boundary. The implementation of KPB 21.18 on those remaining cataloged waters, which are on the east side of Cook Inlet (this includes Seldovia) within the Kenai Peninsula Borough boundary excluding all portions within the Seward-Bear Creek Flood Service area will be May 1, 2012.
This time frame allows for the completion of proper mapping and the identification of properties of the generally populated areas within the newly expanded Habitat Protection District. The borough assembly at their regular scheduled meeting of January 3, 2012 appropriated funds so that individual mailing notification can be accomplished and public community meetings can take place. The administration plans to notify Seldovia residents by mail whose property lies within the newly established Habitat Protection District by March 31, 2012. River Center staff will coordinate with City of Seldovia staff to schedule and notice the Seldovia community meeting. This public meeting will take place after the mapping is completed which is expected to be by early March. It is the River Center Departments intent to establish the dates for notification and the Seldovia public hearing as early as possible subject to the completion of the mapping work.
If there are additional questions you can contact the River Center at (907) 714-2461 or (800) 478-4441 ext. 2461, email at KenaiRivCenter@borough.kenai.ak.us. Updates and information will be posted to the River Center website at www.kenairivercenter.org.
Category: Business
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