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The Knik River Public Use Area (KRPUA) (HB 307)

Current Activity: Management Plan Development by Department of Natural Resources. The Scoping Period ended February 8, 2007. Comment Period regarding Planning Alternatives ended May 4, 2007. Comment Period regarding proposed rules and statute changes ends November 25, 2007, 5:00 pm.

As Department of Natural Resources is developing a management plan for this area, help us remind them that the time has come for the State of Alaska to start enforcing the laws in Knik River Valley as they do in other areas of this beautiful state - from the Kenai Peninsula and the Little Su to the North Slope - and to give our damaged environment the opportunity to recover. Remind the State of Alaska to hold irresponsible users to the same standards when it comes to protecting streams, waterfowl, and fish & wildlife habitat as they do the employees in the construction and oil field industries.

Butte Area Residents Civic Organization (BARCO) have reason to be concerned about the continuing negative impacts on their community if the State of Alaska will go forward with the  DNR Proposed Alternatives for managing the Knik River Public Use Area. These alternatives demonstrate little respect to this community and the beautiful Knik River Valley.

BARCO has developed Alternatives for reasonable and sound management of multi-use recreation and fish and wildlife resources on the public lands in their neighborhood that follow the intent of HB 307.

The Priorities and Comments (BARCO ALTERNATIVE, Long Form. As PDF. BARCO ALTERNATIVE, Short Form )submitted to DNR during the planning process represent
Butte Area Residents Civic Organization’s solutions to combat and mitigate the loss of our quality of life and that of wildlife and it’s habitat. They will allow multi-use recreation without conflict and will open the door to new economic opportunities based on our world-class scenery and Butte’s proximity to Alaska’s population center and its visitors.

The State of Alaska neglected to incorporate these priorities in their proposed Management Plan Alternatives. The State of Alaska showed little regard for those who expressed concern about habitat and recreational destruction during the Scoping Period, even though 20% of all scoping comments showed concern about habitat and environment; and 25% of all scoping comments expressed concern about the destructive effects of ORV and trucks. Numerous studies acknowledge the importance of Knik River Valley eco system.While responsible motorized users are our friends and neighbors who treat the beautiful Knik River Valley with respect, this small community and the valuable resources of our surroundings are under siege.

Butte has much to overcome: Residents and the media have been reporting recent increased criminal activities and reckless behavior in the Knik River/Jim Creek area. These activities include gang training, drug activity with fatal consequences, car burnings, reckless shooting and issues of interest to Homeland Security. They demonstrate a lack of respect for the community of Butte and prevent legitimate recreational use of the area.

Irresponsible motorized users, who come here for mud, dirt and water, may not realize that all of our waters are salmon bearing, that the wetlands are migratory waterfowl and moose calf rearing habitat, that it will take years to revegetate the dunes which are keeping the Knik River in its channel and the dust out of the Valley, and that residents and wildlife are at risk because of the relentless assault of motorized acitivity on land and water by a conglomerate of several motor sports organizations. They continue to advocate toward recreational motorized access to all trails in the Knik River Valley, including valuable habitat, lakes and wetlands. AOAA and AOC position statement and editorial.

Butte Area Residents Civic Organization encourages residents, responsible motorized and quiet users, as well as those users who have been disenfranchised from recreating in this beautiful area, to remain vigilant and actively participate in this public process. Residents look forward to normal lives, and protection from the current chaos so that our community and the wildlife can grow and prosper and live in peace.

State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Knik River Planning Team website:
 www.knikriver.alaska.gov
View the 250-some public scoping comments at DNR Knik River web site.
http://www.knikriver.alaska.gov/krpua_scoping_comments.pdf
DNR PLANNING TEAM MEMBERS:
David Griffin, Area Manager: 907-269-8546 David_Griffin@alaska.gov
Brandon McCutcheon, Planner: 907-334-2551 Brandon_McCutcheon@alaska.gov
Ms. Ellen Simpson, Dept of Fish and Game Representative. (907)267-2463  Ellen_Simpson@alaska.gov
 Ms. Simpson is charged by HB 307 to, “protect and maintain migratory waterfowl nesting areas; habitats for moose, Dall sheep, and brown bear; and other fish and wildlife habitat so that traditional public use of fish and wildlife populations may continue;
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Representatives on the Planning Team:
Ms. Frankie Barker, 746-7439, frankie.barker@matsugov.us
Bruce Paulsen, 745-4801, bruce.paulsen@matsugov.us

View the 250-some public scoping comments at DNR Knik River web site.
http://www.knikriver.alaska.gov/krpua_scoping_comments.pdf
View the 233 comments to proposed DNR Alternatives.
http://www.knikriver.alaska.gov/krpua_pmaa_comments.pdf

Note: “Recognizing” existing trails as described in the language of Knik River Public Use Area Legislation HB 307 does not refer to “grandfathering” trails. See the Definition of “recognizing existing trails.” explained during the legislative hearing. Read fiscal notes 1 and 2, where Senate Finance expanded the original amount of $176,800 for planning and management by $180,000 for a total of $356,800 “to include $180,000 contractual funds to allow for additional enforcement.”

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The Susitna Area Plan recommended the creation of a KNIK RIVER VALLEY STATE RECREATION AREA . Such legislation is still an option for future lawmakers, or for our governor to establish by Executive Order.
Legislators’ addresses: http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/infodocs/leglist.pdf
List of Alaska legislators’ email addresses 

Published by Butte Area Residents Civic Organization with support from Butte FANS (Butte Friends and Neighbors). Their mission is to improve and protect the quality of life of residents and to safely enjoy their homes, property and the public lands in the Knik River Valley.