Slide 1

Knik River Watershed Group Our mission is to sustain the Knik River watershed to ensure use and enjoyment for current and future generations. View from Bodenburg Butte across wetlands and Knik River to Knik Glacier. b.l. Doug loyd December 2004 Presentation to Public Agencies Slide 2 1.Realize sustainable management on public lands to protect natural resources and accommodate motorized and non- motorized recreation. 2.Mitigation, restoration and improvements as appropriate to protect watershed resources. 3.Enhance public understand of watershed resources. Knik River Watershed Group Our Goals Slide 3 Knik River Watershed Slide 4 Stakeholders Knik River Valley Alaska Department of Natural Resources Alaska Department of Natural Resources Matanuska-Susitna Borough Matanuska-Susitna Borough Alaska Department of Fish & Game Alaska Department of Fish & Game US Fish and Wildlife Service US Fish and Wildlife Service National Parks Service National Parks Service The people who live here The people who live here User Groups User Groups Eklutna Inc. Eklutna Inc. Knik River Watershed Group Knik River Watershed Group Palmer Soil & Water Conservation District Palmer Soil & Water Conservation District Alaska State Troopers Alaska State Troopers Our Legislators Our Legislators The Wildlife The Wildlife Visitors from everywhere Visitors from everywhere Mark Simpson Slide 5 Stakeholders Knik River Valley State of Alaska Lands GENERAL LAND OWNERSHIP Slide 6 Outstanding Wildlife and Habitat Outstanding Wildlife and Habitat Close to Alaskas population center, the Knik River Watershed is administered by dedicated public stewards, who are guided by Alaska statutes and regulations to protect and enhance these irreplaceable resources. Slide 7 Outstanding Values Knik River Watershed In any other area in the world, this place would be a National Park (Anchorage Daily News and Anchorage Chronicle) In any other area in the world, this place would be a National Park (Anchorage Daily News and Anchorage Chronicle) Rich cultural and natural history Rich cultural and natural history Unique and varied Alaskan recreation for residents and visitors provides a stable base for economic opportunities Unique and varied Alaskan recreation for residents and visitors provides a stable base for economic opportunities Abundant streams, lakes, forests, wetlands for wildlife habitat Abundant streams, lakes, forests, wetlands for wildlife habitat Integrated ecosystem of wetlands and uplands critical to south-central wildlife rearing, habitat and migration Integrated ecosystem of wetlands and uplands critical to south-central wildlife rearing, habitat and migration Northern-most estuary to the Pacific Ocean via Knik Arm and Cook Inlet Northern-most estuary to the Pacific Ocean via Knik Arm and Cook Inlet Lake George National Natural Landmark Lake George National Natural Landmark People who care People who care Trails for all kinds of users Trails for all kinds of users A variety of studies and existing plans which recommend special A variety of studies and existing plans which recommend special protection for high-value public lands and acknowledged critical habitat areas. Doug Lloyd Slide 8 Values Existing Studies Plans Research Susitna Area Plan 1985 Susitna Area Plan 1985 Willow Sub-Basin Plan Willow Sub-Basin Plan US Fish & Wildlife Service Study 1981 US Fish & Wildlife Service Study 1981 ACMP and Mat-Su Borough ACMP and Mat-Su Borough Swan Study Swan Study Anecdotal Observations and Documentation past 20 years Anecdotal Observations and Documentation past 20 years MSB Coastal Management Plan U.S. Coast Guard, Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council Resource Assessment of the Knik Glacier Area, Feb 1993, USDA and MSB RDC National Park Service Lake George National Natural Landmark Designation Mark Simpson Slide 9 The Value of clean waters Anadromous Streams with Plenty of Fish Slide 10 A High Value EcoSystem Wetlands Slide 11 High Value Habitat Springs and Streams Slide 12 High Value Natural Features Rivers Slide 13 Natural Features Slide 14 High Value Recreation Woodlands Doug Lloyd Slide 15 High Value Feature Alpine and Sub-Alpine Environment Slide 16 High Value Feature Glaciers Slide 17 The Value of Time and Place Bodenburg Butte, monument of the Ancients, Bodenburg Butte, monument of the Ancients, is the remnant bedrock between the Knik and Matanuska Glaciers when the Valley was covered with ice. A Rich and Diverse History of Natural Change and Human Endeavor Slide 18 High Value Resource The next Generation Children who Care about Their home Butte Elementary School Poster and Poetry Contest Slide 19 Historical Values A rich heritage of natural and cultural history. Looking west from Bodenburg Butte to Knik Arm where the Knik and Matanuska Rivers meet. Born of glaciers many miles away, the Knik River watershed is a major contributor to the northern-most origin of the Pacific Ocean alpha pacifica.. Slide 20 High Value Experiences Recreation Slide 21 Enjoyment of Nature On land and water Slide 22 Alaska Extreme and Down Home Grasping the opportunity to enjoy and be challenged - Not leaving a trace not making a scar Slide 23 Uniquely Alaskan Outstanding View at all hours (Pioneer Peak at 11:30 pm) Slide 24 World Class High Value Visitor Destination to Experience the Outdoors Scenery and Wildlife Slide 25 World Class Values Jaw-Dropping Scenery Slide 26 High Value Resource Rura Penthe, the brutal, icy penal colony, presided over by a one-eyed Klingon warden who breaks down the situation economically: "Work well, and you will be treated well. Work badly, and you will die." " Once again, we've saved civilization as we know it," Kirk says. . One message of Star Trek has always been that, We can become better as people, and maybe change the world. - Jammers Review http://www.st-hypertext.com/misc/movies/undiscovered.html Unique Destination: Rura Penthe at Knik Glacier, The Undiscovered Country of Star Trek VI Slide 27 World Class Resources Visitor Attractions Doug Lloyd Slide 28 Problems diminish Value Recreation ? Slide 29 Problems diminish Value Reckless and Mindless Recreation locks out legitimate users, takes away the quality of life for residents and takes away the quality of life for residents and prevents the benefit of economic opportunities to the community Slide 30 Problems diminish Value Destruction of Vegetative Cover in wetlands and woodlands Destruction of Vegetative Cover in wetlands and woodlands Harassment of migratory waterfowl by airboat, ATV, fireworks, Harassment of migratory waterfowl by airboat, ATV, fireworks, Stream bank destruction and erosion Stream bank destruction and erosion Waste and destruction of natural resources Waste and destruction of natural resources Mindless destruction of salmon, salmon habitat and beaver dams Mindless destruction of salmon, salmon habitat and beaver dams Contamination and pollution on land and in waters Contamination and pollution on land and in waters Poaching moose, fish, sheep Poaching moose, fish, sheep Target shooting through woods, trails and into waters Target shooting through woods, trails and into waters Mindless shooting of ravens and everything else that moves Mindless shooting of ravens and everything else that moves Chasing wildlife with ATVs, airboats and snowmachines Chasing wildlife with ATVs, airboats and snowmachines Chasing salmon in streambeds on ATVs Chasing salmon in streambeds on ATVs Cutting down live trees for firewood or breaking new trails Cutting down live trees for firewood or breaking new trails Human Waste Everywhere Human Waste Everywhere Reckless and destructive Recreation is accepted - Slide 31 Problems diminish Value Caravan Leaders! "Hey guys! Do you want to ride on the trail or in the stream?! (from web page: Awana Church Group Outing) http://home.gci.net/~spbc/active2.html Ignorance Slide 32 King makes his way through the Flooded trail. Problems diminish Value Slide 33 http://www.realcruiser.com/act2001/knik/knik.html [NOTE: Checkout the ACT 2001 Knik Glacier Run photos. You'll see the beaver ponds, water crossings and gravel barrens that Mark is talking about. Look close and you'll see Jack's green '73 FJ40 successfully crossing a 3-4 foot deep beaver pond.] ACT 2001 Knik Glacier Run Fun at all cost? Slide 34 Problems diminish value and contaminate salmon streams Slide 35 Problems diminish Value Destruction of root system of trees in woodlands and on river banks From Bodenburg Creek at Knik River to Jim Creek: Free-For-All Moto-Cross Where the wildlife, the habitat and legitimate users pay the price! Slide 36 Problems diminish Value .Well july 3rd i was asked to go out to a glacier out in a place called knik, i was supposed to town back a nissan pickup that fried its clutch trying to get unstuck. there are several water crossings along the way. This place is a hell hole, picture this place like mad max era autralia. Burnt cars and a whole bunch of crazy drunk people. Slide 37 No Respect No place left to hide for wildlife and waterfowl to escape. Riding roughshod over Stream bank destroyed duck nest, chased Mama Duck onto highway and killed Papa Duck Bodenburg Creek Waterfowl Nesting Area Slide 38 Loss of Value Poaching and Harrassment of Wildlife Bodenburg Creek at Knik River Nearby residents put up a sign like this Several weekends in a row it disappeared Each time. Willful Destruction! Slide 39 Problems diminish value and sources of our water Destruction of the vegetative mat in wetlands and on Stream banks Slide 40 Problems diminish Value Destroying the vegetative mat in transitional zones and wetlands diverts the flow of streams and prevents salmon from traveling to their ultimate destination Slide 41 Problems diminish Value, foul our waters and erode our dunes just playing around... and around the back end broke through, about two minutes later the front broke through also, Slide 42 Loss of Values Lack of Respect for the land and its resources Trophy Slide 43 Loss of Value Destruction of dunes and habitat. Our dunes keep Knik River in its channel and the dust out of the Mat-Su Valley Doug Lloyd Slide 44 Loss of Value Knik River Bodenburg Creek Slide 45 Loss of Value Knik River Watershed Knik River at Old Glenn Hwy Bridge Slide 46 Loss of Value Chaos no place for law abiding user Slide 47 Loss of Value Chaos and contamination keeps law-abiding users away Slide 48 Loss of Values Cleaning Prop in Bodenburg Creek Airboat in Jim Lake observed Harassing Swans Airboat And ORV tracks Damage, often caused by ignorance, but tough to undo Slide 49 Loss of Values How to execute a grove of trees (trail in background) How to execute a grove of trees (trail in background) Slide 50 Loss of Value for wildlife Construction wood stash set on fire later on prime forest, serving as moose shelter and corridor on their way to the hay flats. Live trees cut, ground cover destroyed Slide 51 Loss of Values Abandoned camp Off Rippy Trail Slide 52 Loss of Values Snowmachines at mouth of Jim Creek while fishermen had their lines in the water Slide 53 Issues Anchorage Daily News Week of November 22, 2004 Population Explosion in Mat-Su Frontiersman Week of November 22, 2004 Population Explosion in Mat-Su Comment heard many times by visitors to Jim Creek from Anchorage, Elmendorf, Ft. Richardson: But I was told you can do ANYTHING out here in Mat-Su that you cant do in Anchorage . thats why we came Slide 54 Therefore: The Time to Act is Now : To build upon and follow through on the progress that has been made with Agency and legislators help and cooperation during the last two years Slide 55 Progress with Issues Help from Agencies Slide 56 We thank: Mat-Su Borough and DNR for more aggressive cleanup of junked cars Mat-Su Borough and DNR for more aggressive cleanup of junked cars Mat-Su Borough for increased education and enforcement of No Fireworks and their cooperative effort with Alaska State Troopers Mat-Su Borough for increased education and enforcement of No Fireworks and their cooperative effort with Alaska State Troopers Rep. Stoltze for more Alaska State Troopers and Fire Dept Equipment Rep. Stoltze for more Alaska State Troopers and Fire Dept Equipment Mat-Su Borough for increased coordination with annual cleanup Mat-Su Borough for increased coordination with annual cleanup Mat-Su Borough for Asset Management Plan for public lands Mat-Su Borough for Asset Management Plan for public lands DNR for soliciting residents comments regarding unsafe and illegal activity on public lands DNR for soliciting residents comments regarding unsafe and illegal activity on public lands DNR Habitat for signage on Rippy Trail and soon to be on Bodenburg Creek DNR Habitat for signage on Rippy Trail and soon to be on Bodenburg Creek DOT for No Motorized signs on the Old Glenn pathway and MSB Land Management for encouraging DOT to do that. DOT for No Motorized signs on the Old Glenn pathway and MSB Land Management for encouraging DOT to do that. Butte Fire Department for conducting extra patrols in the area Butte Fire Department for conducting extra patrols in the area Alaska Court System for increasing the fine structure on No Motorized pathways in Alaska Alaska Court System for increasing the fine structure on No Motorized pathways in Alaska Alaska State Troopers for advice, assistance, response and very creative enforcement Alaska State Troopers for advice, assistance, response and very creative enforcement Slide 57 Progress with Issues Lend your Support and your Voice We have asked for legislative and agency commitment. The time to act is NOW: We have asked for legislative and agency commitment. The time to act is NOW: NOW, residents and, individual users and organized groups have the opportunity to add their voice to ours, to NOW, residents and, individual users and organized groups have the opportunity to add their voice to ours, to Enforce the rules Enforce the rules Work together on solutions Work together on solutions And develop a MANAGEMENT PLAN for this precious and unique area which will And develop a MANAGEMENT PLAN for this precious and unique area which will sustain the Knik River watershed to ensure use and enjoyment for current and future generations. KnikRiver.org email: info@knikriver.org Slide 58 for working toward solutions Thank you Photos copyright 2004 by: Doug Lloyd Photography Mark Simpson Photography Robert Howard Ted Cox Jim Courtney Gregory Nilsson Brit Lively All rights reserved. Production: Compliments of Mapmakers Alaska with assistance from Knik River Watershed Group Doug Lloyd