Coastal recreation resources, West Kenai Peninsula, Alaska [a report

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Coastal Recreation Resources:
West Kenai Peninsula
Alaska

GV
191.42
A42
C63
1976

m
",-b

,(7\

US Deiparbnent of Commerce
NOAA Comital Service's Center Libr=7
2234 South Hobson Avenue
Charleston,,
SC 29405-2413

Coastal
Recreation Resources:
\A(pe.st Kenai Peninsula Alaska

ALASKA ALASKA
DMSION OF PARKS
COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

A report by

Planning Section
Alaska Division of Parks

for

Alaska Coastal Management Program

Man-H. Meiners
Rev i e%@,
-Ed.-Itilng"," NOII@;C. Johannsen
Graphics Assistance: Sanford P. Rabinowitch
Ron F. Martindale
Typing: Phyllis A. Gervell

"This project was supported, in part, by federal Coastal Zone Management
Program Development funds (P. L. 92-583, Sec. 305) granted to the State
of Alaska by the Office of Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, U. S. Department of Commerce."

November, 1976

rxeface

The coastal parks and recreation situation, on the.west Kenai

Peninsula shoreline is critical. Each year thousa nds of Alaskans

and out of state tourists drive to the Cook Inlet beaches to dig

clams, fish, camp, and beachcomb. The existing 297 acres of

coastal State parklands spread between four coastal park facilities

between the mouth of the Kenai River and Homer is inadequate to

accomodate the present level of recreational use much less increases
in future use. The City of Homer, which operates one cam'pground

on Homer Spit and a second east of the downtown business district,

is the only other provider of public recreation facilities on

the west Kenai coast.. Kachemak Bay State Park and the Kenai

National Moose Range are extremely large acreages of public lands

dedicated for recreation use; however, their locations and accessibility

do little to solve the demand for lower Cook Inlet beach access

by automobile-oriented recreationists.

The poten tial for new coastal-park areas is limited by the extent

of existing developments on the coastline and the severe lack of

public lands. The acquisition of private lands for public recreation
is very costly and most likely beyond the means of either State,*

municipal or local governments. Land trades are possible but

take long periods of time. it, is'imperative that the remaining

public lands which are capable of supporting recreational use be

retained along this coastline. Where necessary, private lands

should be acquired to insure public accessibility to the Kenai

beaches.

contents
Preface
Table of Contents
List of Figures
I' Introduction I

Natural Setting I
Cultural Setting
Outdoor Recreation 3
Study Objective 4
Study Methodology 5
Inventory 5
Analysis and Synthesis 6
Recommendations 7

2 Inventory.(Biophysical) 9

Topography 10
Climate 13
Soil 18
Geology 23
Physical Oceanography 28
Shoreline Geohydraullc Processes 32
Vegetation (Terrestrial) 35
Vegetation (Marine) 44
Mammals (Terrestrial) 50
Mammals (Marine) 55
Birds (Marine and Terrestrial) 59
Fish (Marine and Fresh Water) 64
Benthic Invertibrates 69

3 Inventory (Sociocultural) 74
Tradition 74
Change 78
Heritage Resources so
Archaeological 80
Historical 82
Heritage Sites 84
Demography 89
Economy 93
Land Status 97
Other Plans/Proposals Ill

4 Coastal Land Units 117
Definition and Determination 117
Identification and Description 118
Active Bluffs 119
Stable Bluffs 120

4 Coastal Land Units (continued)
River Mouths 121
Small Drainages 122
Estuary 123
Sand Spit 124
Salt Marsh 125
Land Unit Capabilities 134

5 Coastal Recreation Land Use 136
Activities . 136
Existing Areas and Facilities 137
Recreation Demand 141
Recreation Carrying Capacity 147
Activity Compatibilities 147
Recreation Impacts 148
I.mp,acts on Environmental Quality 148
Impacts on Other Land Uses 154

6 Recommendations 157
Clam Gulch 158
Deep Creek 161
Silver King Wayside 163
Homer Spit 165
Cohoe Beach Access 167
Falls Creek Beach Access 169
Kall'fonskey Beach Access 170
Ninilchick Wayside 174
Mouth of Kasilof River 176
Cape Starichkof/Stariski Creek 178
Whiskey Gulch/Lulda Spit 179
Bluff Point Natural Area 181
Cottonwood and Eastland Creeks 183
,D1-amond Gu [ch 185
Stariski Wayside 186
Fritz Creek 187
Public Road Ends 188
Recreation Access and Leases 188
Adverse Uses 189
Highway Rest Areas 189
Private Campgrounds 189

7 Implementation 190

8 Appendix 192
9 Bibliography 198

List of Figures

1. Study area.
2. Study flow chart. 8
3. Topography. 11
4. Climate data. 14
5. Climate data. 15
6. Soil characteristics. 20
7. Soil characteristics. 21
8. Soil areas. 22
9. Geology. 25
10. Leasable Min6rals,;- 26
11. Locatable minerals. 27
12. Marine surface water circulation. 30
13. Shoreline geohydraulics. 33
14. Vegetative ecosystems. 37
15. Species list (hemlock/spruce and spruce/poplar forests). 38
16. Species list (upland spruce and lowland spruce forests). 39
17. Species list (high brush and muskeg). 40
18. Species list (moist tundra and wet tundra). 41
19. Species list (alpine tundra). 42
20. Species I ist (Estuarine). 45
21. Marine flora. 46
22. Known ranges of large marine plants. 47
23. Bear, goat and caribou range. 52
24. Moose rangeand concentrations. 53
25. Marine mammals. 57
26. Marine and coastal bird resources. 62
27. Freshwater fisheries. 66
28. Commercial fishing areas. 67
29. Commercial shellfishing areas. 71
30. Range of commercial crustaceans. 72
31. Native cultural and subsistence areas. 76
32. Heritage resource sites. 87
33. Populations by community. 91
34. Land status. 99
35. Land selections. 100
36. State land ownership i.ndex map. 101
37.-45. State land ownership maps. 102-110
46. Potential oil and gas facilities sites. 112
47. Coastal land unit index map. 126
48.-54. Coastai'land unit maps. 127-133
55. Land unit capability matrix. 135
56. Existing recreation facilities. 138
57. Kenai moose range public use data. 143
58. Distribution of Cook Inlet razor clams. 145
59. Recreation activity compatibility matrix. 149
60. Facility requirements of recreation activities. 151
61. Relationship of facilities to potential impacts. 152
62. Environmental impacts of recreation activities. 153
63. Land status of Silver King Wayside area. 190
64. Land status of Clam Gulch Wayside area. 191
65. Land status of Deep Creek Wayside area. 192
66. Land status of Ninilchik Wayside area. 193
67. Land status of. Stariski Wayside area. 194

Claska

canada

anchorage

kenai

study
area

'1Dntrod'uctiDon

Natural Setting

The natural environment of the study area is generally referred

to as the Kenai lowlands. Although relatively flat, the Caribou

Hills which are located to the north and east of Homer provide

some topographic relief to the area. The coastal lowlands in the

northern portion of the study area are quite broad while in the

Kachemak Say-Homer area these lowlands decrease in width to the

point where the Caribou Hills slope directly into.Kachemak Say.

Solis in the area have been formed in marine co ntinental deposits

which are overlayed with glacial drift. The coastal strip bordering

on Cook Inlet is vegetated with coastal hemlock, Sitka spruce,

and a variety of hardwood, while inland is an upland spruce-

hardwood forest interspersed with muskeg and black spruce bogs.

The coastline is typified by relatively high coastal bluffs of

which many are actively eroding. Beaches generally have a belt

of cobbles near the foot of the bluffs and are sand or silty sand

in texture. In some areas large boulders which have eroded from

glacial drift may be found off-shore. Waters in the northern

portion of the study area are highly turbid and contain drift ice

during the winter month s. Waters south of Anchor Point and in

Kachemak Bay are relatively free of glacial-caused turbidity.

Relatively large rivers drain the interior of the study area

while smaller streams drain the coastal uplands. Several of

these rivers form estuaries and sand spits at their entrance to

Cook Inlet.

Cultural Setting

Many important archaeological sites attest to early habitation of

th,e area by.Pacif,ic Eskimos. At,a period which Js still uncertain,

the Pacific Eskimos yielded the area to the Tanana Athapaskan

Indians. The first historic record of the area is from a 1778-

expedition into Cook Inlet by Captain James Cook in his search

for the Northwest Passage. Minor contact with Natives in th-e

form of trading occurred during Cookts expedition as well as a

second English expendition in 1786. The establishment in 1786 of

Russian settlements at English Bay and Fort St. John on the

Kasilof River marked the beginning of Russian dominance of the-

area. During this Russian period of activity, both material

(tools and weapons) and spiritual (Russian Orthodox Church)

changes occurred in the Native people.

Further Western influence occurred in the area in 1867 when

Alaska was purchased from Russia. Americans continued fur

trading in the area until 1897 when both low prices and a depletion

of resources led to the demise of-the fur trading industry. The

gold rush era saw the founding of Homer in 1895 by coal and gold

prospectors. Up until World War 11 the area was dominated by

fishing, mining, trapping, hunting and agriculture.

In 1957 the discovery of oil and gas in the Swanson River area

brought the establishment of an urban population in the Kenai-

Soldotna area and saw oil and gas production begin in the 1970's.

A recent federal proposal to expand oil and gas development in

the area by leasing lower Cook Inlet outer continental shelf

tracts promises to cause further population growth and economic

orientation towards the oil and gas industry on the Kenai Penin-

sula.

Aside from oil and gas related development, fishing continues to

be an important industry in the southern portion of the area

while tourism and the demand for outdoor recreation areas and

facilities by local and non-local residents continues to grow.

Outdoor Recreation

Although comprehensive recreation demand data is lacking for the

Kenai Peninsula, circumstantial information including field

observation shows this area to be possibly the most intensively

used recreation area in the State of Alaska. Because of the long

continuous coastal beach and the Sterling Highway having been

constructed paralleling that beach, the coastal zone receives a

majority of the recreation use which occurs on the west Kenai

Peninsula. Presently operated coastal park and recreation facilities

are inadequate, both in terms of acreage and level of development,

to meet present usage. In view of pending new oil and gas develop-

an;d 1 ts cP-,comm itent commerc.i,a,l - an.d res-i,, dent !,a I deve I opment,

there is a need to assess outdoor recreation and the role it

should play in future land use patterns on the west Kenai Peninsula.

Study Objectives

.It is the purpose of this report to investigate the landbase upon
which recreation does or might occur; asses's present and future

recreation demands; and identify specific areas and boundaries

necessary to protect the areals coastal recreation, scenic, and

heritage resources.

Study Methodology

The methodology employed by this study involves three major

phases. These are an inventory phase which focuses on the

gathering of information on both the natural and cultural environ-

ments; an analysis and synthesis phase which views the implications

of the inventory data for coastal recreation, and finally, a

recommendation phase which develops proposals for the protection

of recreation and heritage resources in the area.

Inventory. The inventory portion of this study (Chapters I and

11) has attempted to gather information pertinent to the identification

and management of areas possessing unique recreational, scenic,

and heritage values. Both primary and secondary source materials

have been utilized. Primary sources are listed in the bibliography.

Secondary source material includes the Alaska Reqional Profile:

Southcentral Region, prepared by the University of Alaska's

Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center and the Draft

Environmental Impact Statement for Lower Cook Inlet Proposed Oil

and Gas Lease Sale prepared by the Alaksa Outer Continental Shelf

Office, Bureau of Land Management. Additional efforts in the

inventory phase involve the contacting of all agencies, organizations,

and individuals which were felt to have knowledge of the area

pertinent to the needs of this study.

Analysis and Synthesis. The focus of the analysis and synthesis
phase of the study was to define the oppo4unities and constraints

imposed on coastal recreation by various components of the

environment. For example, constraints included such things as

soil types which are incapable of supporting intensive use or

critical wildlife habitat areas which may be severely disrupted

by recreational use and developments. Opportunities included

such things as salmon streams, areas of high scenic quality, and

coastal areas with upland acreage suitable for the necessary

support facilities such as parking and camping. These opportunities

and constraints are identified under the heading Management

Implications following each section of the inventory. Additional

work in this phase of the study involved a determination of

coastal landforms or land units representing relatively homogeneous

ecosystems. These landform types Were identified along the study

areats coastline through the use of topographic maps and from

visual observation during an aerial overflight of the area. A

discussion of environmental impacts, which@may be expected to

arise from various recreational activities is also presented in

this section. Since these impacts can only be identified in a

generalized (non site specific) manner, a set of matracies was

developed. These matracies showed the relationships between the

activities and facilities, facilities and impacts, and subsequently

environmental impacts likely to be generated by specific recreational

activities. It must be remembered that these impacts are generalized

and site specific conditions may alter their intensity or duration.

The synthesis portion of this phase attempts to assess recreation

demands for use of the areas coastline. Also addressed is the

capability of specific coastal land units to support various.

recreational activities, without undue impact to the natura.1

environment.

Recommendations

Recommendations developed in this study are an attempt to identify

needed areas and facil ities which will resolve some of the recreational

use problems presently occuring in the study area. The various

recommendations have been grouped according to their intended

functions in meeting present and future shortages in coastal

recreation areas. Also included in this section is a discussion

of land use policy questions which have a bearing on coastal

recreation use and should be addressed by both state and local

governments. The flow chart on Page 8 illustrates the overall

study procedure.

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2. 'i&nventory'.bioph Sica
Inherent in the process of identifying and assessing recreation

values of an area is an understanding of the natural and social

environments. Potentials and constraints of these environments as

they relate to outdoor recreation must be determined prior to the

identification of areas worthy of special management or land use

designations to protect the recreation resource.

This chapter as well as Chapter 3 are a discussion of the study

area's natural and cultural subsystems (i.e., soils, wildlife,

economy, land status, etc.). Potentials and constraints of each

of these subsystems are itemized to highlight their implication

for the identification planning and management of the recreation.

resource. The management implications listed in each section of

the inventory is by no means a complete listing of the inter-

relationships between recreation and its environment. They are

simply an attempt to highlight known concerns and present possible

planning and management pr ograms for consideration.

10
OF

Topography

The topography of the study area is typified by coastal bluffs

along Cook Inlet leading up to a wide and relatively flat area

referred to as the Kenai lowlands. To the northeast of these

lowlands are the Chugach Mountains, while the Kenai Mountains lie

due east. The Caribou Hills and Lookout and Bald mountains near

Homer provide a west by northwesterly slope to this lowland. A

portion of the study area lies along the northern shore of

Kachemak Bay which is some 7 miles wide and 25 miles in length.

Major rivers in the area include the Kasilof, Ninilchik and the

Anchor. Larger creeks are Stariski, Clam, and Deep Creek. The

stream systems generally flow in a westerly direction to enter

Cook Inlet. Several small creeks along Kachemak Bay with relatively

small watersheds flow in a southerly direction. Figure 3

illustrates the area's topography.

Relatively high coastal bluffs tend to dominate the study area's

coastline. Low bluffs (less than 251 in heighth) occur along the

areals northern coastline, near river mouths, and in the vicinity

of Homer.

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Management Imp] !cations

El The relatively continuous high coastal bluffs of the study

area's shoreline tend to physically restrict access to

beaches. River mouths, small drainages, and low bank areas

tend to provide the easiest access to the coastline and

should be valued highly for public park use.

On @bfu f f s wh-Ich- a@re stab I-e kgenelra I I-y those- wh4i ch 'are

vegetated) it may be possible to deve(op trails to the

beach. Staircases could be utilized in areas where trail

construction is difficult.

As the shoreline topography is generally similar, those

areas which provide a diversity of topographic relief would A6.

possess a higher value in terms of scenic qualities than

those areas which do not.

Cl !mate

The entire study area lies within a transitional climatic zone.

This is a zone which exhibits a climate between +he ex+remes of

the continental zone found in interior Alaska, and the milder

southern Alaska coastal climatic zone. Precipitation rates in

the study area are greater than those for the Anchorage area

illustrating a stronger maritime influence. Temperatures are

slightly higher than Anchorage with Homer showing a mean average

temperature which is 10 degrees F warmer than Anchorage or the

Kenai/Soldotna area. Figure 4 shows climatilogical data for

the study area.

While summers generally exhibit warm temperatures, winter temperatures

may dip quite lo w. These winter lows may be partially attributed

to cold westerly air drainage from the Kenai mountains. However,

cool temperatures may also be experienced during the summer

months along glacier-fed rivers such as the Kenai River. This

chilling ef,fect due to cold water temperatures is generally

localized to a river drainage.

The study area is generally protected from strong winds due to a

sheltering effect of the Kenai mountains to the east and the

Aleutian Range to the west. Kenai wind data shows a north or

northwest wind direction from September through April and a south

Figure. 4.Cjjma.T,e data

5.0.-
SELZC= MTIONS

Anchorage
4.0.. ,'IF
Homer

3.0

2.0

a.
10 a

'a.

0 WIN
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. NOV. Dec.

CUkATOLOCICAL OATA - CCOX INLET

July your
'Now, I Tamv- Temp. Tem*. T"M. Te"I". To". T-P. T-Q.
min. Moan Lux. Total Min. Mean. Man. Total sno- Min. Mes. Vs.. Total S@ Ela@.
A.,*. A@e. Ae. =r-fo. Aw. A@m. A-e. Precto. Ave. Ave. A@*. PI-elp. ff"t)

susilms 1.% 12.11 Z2.2 1.33 14A 43.3 S7.11 MI 2.33 0.0 24.11 33A 44.5 28.01 $4.2

An4MMqv 3.1 11.4 19.2 L" 11.7 49A 17.11 41.3 3.07 0.0 24.2 34.7 42.5 :4.13 71.4 114
Ai.l-*rt
t243-:971

Tvwmk- 4.3 9.2 2.10 11.9 30.3 S4.3 ".0 I.S4 0.0 28.1 41.4 14.77 64.3 114

K4.Ui 3.7 12.7 21.6 1.22 13.4 44.3 S3.3 41.4 2.23 0.0 24.S 22.3 411.7 tv.31 ".7 w
22 yGae

K2 AW 3.7 12.1 22.6 1.12 10.4 ARM "A "A L 4.0 23.3 34.4 43.4 17.77 33.4 so-
22 a;:,

Kamm- 14.0 .10.7 Z7.z 1.13 14.4 44.6 32.4 44.2 1.62 3.0 25.2 38.4 43.S 23.44 SS.4 67

solcavia. Ts. t 23.1 29.2 2.3 10.2 48.11 $1.4 S7.7 1.40 0.0 33.7 49.0 48.2 211.3 Mi 4-30

Umoiliclai Lwmi records
I Ocvjron Fahrenheit
I Inahes
Sourcs: Evans at mi. 1972.

Figure.5 Climate data
SKY CONDITIONS, FCC AND THUNDERSTORMS
COOK INLET

Monthly Mean Number of Days Per Year
Variation of Visibility
Mean Tenths Heavy Less Than
Station -Sky Cover Cloudy* Thunderstorms Fog 1/1 Mile

Susitna 149

Anct ==e a to a 235 1 22 28

Kenai 1 22

Kasilof 102

Homer 3 to 8 223 1 9 10

Generally, 8-10 tenths coverage

V;sibilltv is reducted to 1/4 mile or less

maximum frequency in

'age frequency of

6, rZONS

C/I

IWO

T-

X
N

0
10
Jan. Feb. mar. Apr. may It- July Aug. Sept. Oct. Now. D.C.

or southeast wind direction from May through August. Occasionally,

strong winds (50 to 75 knots) are channeled up the inlet during

the winter. These winds originate in the Gulf of Alaska.

The Kasilof area has half as many cloudy days per.year as Anchorage

(102 versus 235). Whereas, Homer exhibits approximately the same

number of cloudy days per year as Anchorage. Cloudiness occurs

slightly more often during the summer months than during winter

months.

Management lmp7caT7ionsj

Local wind and weather patterns should be considered in the

design and location of recreational facilities.

Should winter operation of facilities be desirable, facility

design considerations should be given to drifting snow, as

north or northwesterly winds occur during the winter months.

Recreational use of facilities should be located behind

primary dune lines as these areas receive significantly less

wind than the primary dune and beach area.

Because of the occasionally high winds.experienced in the

area, any trees near visitor use areas and facilities

should be inspected periodically and potentially hazardous

trees should be removed.

Cold air drainages should be considered in the location of

overnight facili.ties.

So i I

The following information is generalized from the Soil Conservation

Service publ'ications entitled Soil Survey: Kenai-Kasilof Area and

Soil Survey: Homer-Ninilchik Area. For detailed site specific

soil data, the appropriate publication should be consulted.

Soils found in the study area may be classified into three broad

groups. These are: 1) 6xcessively drained to moderately well-

drained soils found in upland areas, 2) imperfectly drained to

poorly drained mineral soils found in depressions and valley

bottoms, and 3) the poorly drained and very poorly-drained soils

of the muskegs or bogs. As mentioned in the previous section on

geology, loess br windblown silty material overlays much of the

uplands. This is the material in which soils have developed.

Upland soils are generally infertile and strongly acidic.

Wel,l-d,rai-ned soil,s in the-area include Napetown, Tustumena,

Ka chemak, and Mutanala soils. The Napetown and Tustumena soils

occur in the area around Soldotna and south to Clam,Gulc'h. The

Kachemak and Mutanala soils occur from Anchor Point to Homer and

into the Caribou Hills. Cohoe soils occur in the area between

Clam Gulch and Anchor Point and is slowly permeable and thus

poses restrictions to development. White spruce and birch are

the predominate vegetation types associated with Cohoe soils.

However, in flood plains and depressions, balsam poplar, willow,

and black spruce, and tall grass comprised of fireweed and horsetails

occur. Large areas of muskeg are associated with this area.

Flood plains such as near Anchor Point, Ninilchik, Kasilof

River, and.the Kenai River are composed of alluvial soils. These

s:oils are comprised of sand, tilt, and clay material which ranges
from poorly-drained to excessively-drained.

Alders, willow, tall grasses, and cottonwood are associated with

these areas. The Salamatoff and Beluga soil types are poorly

drained and pose some restrictions to development. Soil areas

are shown in Figure 8 - Soil descriptions, veg6tation associations,

probable locations, and associated soil series are shown in

Figure 6 7.

ASSOC.
VEG. ASSOC. SERIES
AREA MAP# DESCRIPTION ASSOC. LOCATION SERIES CHARACTERISTICS

Naptowne 1 Well-drained developed in uplands white spruce & Longmare formed in deeper silty deposit
moderately deep silty mat- birch, fire scars black
erial underlain w/gravel spruce, wet areas balsam Kallfonsky poorly-drained, in low areas
(poorly drained in flood poplar, aspen, black adjacent to muskeg.
plains) spruce, some bluejoint
tallgrass fields.

Salamatof 2 Poorly-drained, thick moss peat & dense mat Low areas Doroshin Peat shallower accumulation of peat
accumulation of raw peat, of shrubs, sedges, than Salamatof.
muskeg with islands & cottongrass, & horse- Starlchkof
strips of mineral soil tails may support Peat more freely divided peat.
spindly black spruce.

Tustumena 3 Well-drained, developed Young aspen & spruce broad, Kasllof shallower & occur mostly on lo
in moderately deep, wind- w/a few birches & level terraces immediately adjacent
lain silt over water laid willows. Thick cover plains rivers.
substratus of gravel or of shrubs, grasses & Pincher imperfectly drained w/ layered
or coarse sand forbs hammocky surface silty and sandy substratum.

Kenai 4 Developed in silty, wind- uplands forest of white hilly Cohoe slighty better drained.
lain material over slowly birch & aspen, coastal areas
permeable, firm, clayey balsam poplar & alder, irregular
substratus drainageways, black choppy
spruce and willow topo-
graphy

Cohoe 5 Slowly permeable developed uplands white spruce nearly
in moderately deep, silty & birch, flood plains level to
material overlying layerd & depressions, balsam moderately
coarse and fine material poplar, black spruce sloping
& willow w/tall grass lands that
firewood, & horsetails are broken
by strips
of more
steeply
sloping
land & by
broad mus-
kegs.

Figure. 6 Soil characteristics.

ASSOC.
VEG. ASSOC. SERIES
AREA MAP DESCRIPTION ASSOC. LOCATION SERIES CHARACTERISTICS

Kachemak 6 Well-drained, varying depth bluejoInt reedgrass, elevat-lon
developed in volcanic ash forbs, and shrubs range Is
mixed w/wInd laid slit below Sitka spruce clumps 8001-2,0001
ash or moderately consoli- at lower elevations Caribou
dated layers of shale & alder & willows In Hills area
sandstone drainages

Beluga 7 Poorly-drained mat of partly sparse forest of Sitka near Kachemak Well-drained
decomposed litter over a silt spruce, black spruce, Homer Mutrula Well-drained
loam layer 2 inches thick. paper birch, alder, and along the Samatof Muskeg
Underlaying is stratified X.In open areas, blue- the coast-
layer of mottled slitloam joint reedgrass, fire- line on
week, and horsetails foot.slopes

Broken 8 No well developed soil.
Steep and very steep
eroded escarpments, sea
cliffs and canyon walls

Alluvial 9 Sandy, silty & clayey alders, willows, flood plain,
material, poorly drained tall grasses, horse- Fox River
to excessively drained tails & a few Valley only
scattered cottonwoods

Mutanala 10 Well-drained, formed In a Sitka spruce,,white on ' knolls Spenard
mantle of volcanic ash and spruce and paper of moraines
other silty wind-laid birch between Salanatof muskeg
wind-laid material over Anchor Pt.
gravelly glacial till. Mat Moderately
of organic material In extensive
undisturbed areas on side
side s,lopes
of Caribou
Hills. 1000
-1,000,

Figure. 7 Soil characteristics

047
soi.
co
FIGURF.8 SOIL AREAS

5
NAPTOWHE
SALAIMATOF mai; k
.3 TUSTUMM
MIA I
COME
6 KACHEMAK
... ... ...... .
BELUGA
9 BROKS (NO ASSOCIATION)
ALLUVIAL
MULTAHALA
SOLDOTM
RX

tOURCE: SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE
jff!4,K,ENAI-KASILOF
SOIL S
JUNe, OMER-NINILCHI
JULYj 6.

'pi

2'@

Ntnikhi

Q4
7,

5
7N

HOM99.11

-d

Geo I ogy

The study area is underlain by the Kenai formation which consists

of marine deposited sand, silt, and clays from the Tertiary age.

At a latter date these sediments were acreted to the continental

margins through northwestward underthrusting of the oceanic plate

beneath the,continental plate. These sediments are exposed in

only a few areas. In a majority of the area, these Tertiary

sediments are overtopped by thick glacial and all-uvial deposits.

During periods of glaciation, the study area was filled by a

large valley glacier which covered most of the Cook Inlet basin.

Deposits left by this and other glaciers include coarse morainic

material. This material ranges from sand to boulders and is

noncompacted and unsorted. Thick beds of sand and gravel parallel

both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers as these were the two main

rivers during the period of glacial retreat.

Colluvium, or soil and rock material moved chiefly by gravity,

from the Qaribou Hills covers much of the foothills on Katchemak

Bay. Strong winds off of the retreating glaciers have deposited

loess, or windblown silts, in a mantle over most of the study

area ranging in thickness from a few inches to several feet.

Figure 9 shows geologic properties of the area. Figure 11

identifies locatable minerals while Figure 10 shows the general

location of leasable minerals.

Lmanagement Implica

Developments (whether recreational or non-recreational) T

should avoid areas of poorly drained soil. Low bearing

strength exhibited by these soils may cause continual and

expensive maintenance. These soils and associated plant

life also exhibit a low tolerance to intensive use.

F_2@ Drainfields should not be placed in these areas. Properly

sealed and weighted vaults, or small self-contained sewage

treatments facilities should be used when necessary.

Several fa,ults tran;sect the studyarea. Facilities should

be built to withstand a medium-size quake. Peat and sandy

soi Is should be avoided as 'these soil types may intensify

ground shaking and structural vibrations. Public use facilities

should not be sited at the base of bluffs as they may be

subject to slumping and mass movements during an earthquake.

Said no
ELM. 9 GEOLOGY
:7p

;XF
A- @2,
ALLUVIUM

. .. . ......
C. Z. CEiOZOIC ROCKS

MESOZOIC ROCKS

FAULT(APPROXIMATE)

SOURCE:% OPEN FILE REPaRT 31-15,
YP953
47
p@

-@w

t@d
............ .)
r

Qd
4L

.........

HOMEIZ
10

lilt
Sol a
FIGURF.io LEASABLE MINERALS

M
Zw'

GRAVEL POTERTIAL
i@ million

OIL, GAS, AAD COAL POTENTIA
(WEST OF LINE)
t-a

SOUftCE:'LUPC OPEN F
mE 31-3B, 1973

. ....... . ..
j",

HOMER.:
n

2,
10

Sold no
47
FIGURE.,, LOCATABLE MINERALS

M
REPOSIT, PROSPECT,
IA,
Q) JR&W i-113ING CLAIP
2P T
Om YflAlrAYEV(C
LA 9
A
ml
T 4
RL LAT 'A Csp%

SOURCE:-LUPC O"N FILE 31-3A,
cram
cp

(ZI

"A mr,

HOMER

_3
lE
L

Physical Oceanography

Surface current data for the lower Cook Inlet shows a northwardly

flowing floodtide offshore of the study area. Ebb flow tends to

hold to the western side of the Cook Inlet channel. Flood tide

waters are generally clear, while ebb tide flushes the turbid

waters of upper Cook Inlet. The mean diurnal tide range varies

from 13.7 feet at the mouth of -Cook Inlet to 29.6 feet at Anchorage.

The mean diurnal tide range for the study area is 19.1 feet. A

strong coriolis,force to and in northern latitudes, strong currents,-

and the Inlet's bathemetry offshore of the study area tend to

produce considerable turbulence throughout the entire water

profile.

Although no verified information is available on waves or swells

in Cook Inlet, fishermen have reported waves in excess of twenty

feet during 'per1ods of severe weather condit-lons. Generally,

however, these conditions occur in the western portion of the

Inlet toward Kamashak Say as they are usually caused by westerly

.or southwesterly gale and storm velocity winds.

During the winter, ice conditions occur in the northern portion

of the study area and south to Anchor Point. This condition also

occurs along the northern shore of Kachemak Bay. Flow ice does

occur throughout the area. Ice formed on tidal flats in the area

tends to be broken by the rising and falling in tide and gathers

successive layers of ice with each new tide cycle.

Turbidity due to suspended glacial sediments is greatest in the

northern portion of the study area and decreases towards the

mouth of Cook Inlet and in Kachema.k.Bay. Water temperatures in

Cook Inlet average around 50 degrees F whereas freshwater runoffs

from tributaries during the summer range in temperature from 55

degrees F to 58 degrees F.

Surface water circulation along the study area coastline during

an incoming or flood tide conditions is shown in Figure 12.

Management.Impl

Boating facilities such as ramps, should be located in wave

protected areas as severe weather conditions can occur on

Cook Inlet generating waves up to 20 feet.

Boating access facilities should be useable during all

phases of the tide cycle as a sudden storm may require boats

to be pulled out rapidly.

s ld ma
SURFACE WATER CIRCULATIOR

KACHEMAK BAY PATTERN
KW a

FLOOD TIDE (SEAWATER)
INFiRWING CLEM COASTAL
WAT

souRcs: BLm/ocs r.RAPIJIC No. 4, 1976
FROM NOAA, 1975 AN
WENNEKENS ET AL, 275
17

-w 4

N k,

4.-
L

............

140ME9.
12 S

-14

Facilities located in the intertidal zone must be designed

to consider winter ice conditions.

[47 Highly turbid waters which occur in the northern portion of

the study area make this area less desirable for fishing.

Because of potential storm conditions and cold water temperatures,

boating safety information should be a part of any park

1,nterpretive program.

Shoreline Geohydraulic Processes

The shoreline is a result of geohydraulic processes. Although it

may appear stable in the short-term, over a long period of time

it is quite dynamic. Sediment such as sand and silt are constantly

being carried along the shoreline from shoreline bank erosion and

upland sources. Material@is moved along the shoreline by either

wave action or tidal currents. This geohydraulic process is a

beach erosion-transpbrtation-acretion process which occurs through

a range of intensities on the shorelines in the study area. As

illustrated in Figure 13 , longshore currents and wave action
Je
erode material into the inter-tidal zone. This material is then

moved along a downstream section of beach referred to as a transport

zone. Within this zone there is generally no net increase or

decrease of beach material, although material is continually

moving through the zone. Downstream from the transport zone is

the acretion zone where material is finally deposited forming a

wide,beach spit or mud flat.. The deposition of material In this

zone is due to a decrease or slowing down of the along-shore

current due to deeper water or a deflection of the sediment-laden

current. The length of any one of these three zones may vary, as

well as theIntensity of activy occuring within it. Groins,

jetties and breakwaters may'have extremely disruptive effects on

this process leading to accelerated rates of beach and bank

got
at, awl Awl go,

40sioq

flap

i MITI k

IIs
=3(t

oArrell

Figure. 13 Diagram of shoreline geohydraulic process

erosion downstream. The net effects of these processes are to

cause the shoreline to recede in erosional zones;. remain the

same in the transport zone; and to be built up in the acretion

IN
zone.

Management Implications

The placement of structures in the inner-tidal zone must be

proceeded by an assessment of the area's shoreline acretion-

erosion processes. The indiscriminate placement of jetties,

groins, or fills may initiate or accelerate undesirable

shoreline erosion processes.

on
f2 Structures or facilities should not be placed directly

the beach or sand or gravel spits. These areas are extremely

active portions of the shoreline and are continually shifting

in their location.

Sulkheading of eroding bluffs should not occur as this

practice may starve beaches of material and cause a narrowing

of beach width.

Vegetation (Terrestrial)

The study area contains a wide diversity of vegetation types as

identified by Spetzman (1963) and Viereck (1972). Vegetatation

types and their locations are shown in figure 14. Species found

within each of these vegetation types are listed in figures 15

through 20.

Coastal vegetation in the Kas'ilof area is a combination of

upland and lowland spruce-hardwood forests. From south of

Kasilof to Anchor Point is a strip of coastal hemlock and Sitka

spruce forest. South of Anchor Point a large area of muskeg

occurs while near Homer is found a mixture of high brush and

coastal hemlock-Sitka spruce.

White spruce comprises the climax forest community on well

drained soils in the uplands. Birch and aspen may occur in

association with white spruce, however they are eventually out-

competed and replaced by white spruce. Understory vegetation in

this plant community consists of willow, alder, rose, high bush

cranberry, lingonberry, raspberry, and current.

The narrow coastal belt of hemlock and Sitka spruce forests is an

extension of the broad ranging Pacific coast hemlock-spruce

forests. Sitka spruce is by far the dominant species in this

association. Understory vegetation includes Sitka alder, devil's

club, salmonberry, willow, Pacific red elder, rusty menziesia,

copperbrush, blueberry, and huckleberry.

Sparse stands of black spruce and white spruce grow on the

bottomlands along streams and rivers. Cottonwood occurs in,small

stands on natural levies adjacent to streams. Willow and alder''

dominate the understory in these areas. High brush'communities

occupy those areas with better soil drainage, while low brush bog

and muskeg occur in areas of poor drainage conditions. Moist

tundra vegetative types occur in the Caribou Hills and the hill

slopes north of Homer. Wet tundra occurs in only a few scattered

locations.

no
M-TEMS (VEGETATIVE)
EIM. 14 ECO
@g- 4
4A

. . . . . . . . . . . .
COASTAL HEMLOCK-SPRUCE
,z BoTrollLAND SPRUCE-POPLAR
3 UPLAND SPRUCE-HARDWOOD
LOWLAlm SPRUCE- HARDWOOD
HIGH BRUSH
4
SA
qA HIGH BRUSH (BURNED AREA)
Low BRUSH
6 A HUSKEG a
7 MIST TUNDRA
8 WET TUNDRA
ttfLPINE TU-'MRA ARO BARREN

SOURCE: LUPC CPEN FILE 31-3, 1973 !,_r

Figure. 15 Species list
bottomland Spruce Poplar Fore
Coastal Western Hemlock-Slike Spruce Forest Trees
Trees White spruce Plcea glauca
Balsam poplar Populus balsamisfera ssp. balsmlfera
Sitka spruce
Picea sitchensis
Western hemlock Tusga heteophylla Black cot lonwo6d P. balasmifers
Mountain hemlock T. mertenslana ssp. balsamlfera
Alaska cedar Chamaecyparls nootkantensis Alaska paper birch Betula papyrlfera
Balsam poplar Populus balsamifera ssp. humills
ssp. baliamilera uaking aspen Popoulous tremuloldes
Black cottonwood P. balsamifere Black spruce Plcea mariana
ssp. trichocarpo
Shrubs
Shrubs
American green alder Ainus crispa
Sitka alder Alnus crispa ssp. crispa
ssp. sinuata. Thinleat alder A. Incana
Devil's club Echinoponax horridum ssp. tenulfolla
Salmonberry Rubus spectabills Willow Sallx ssp.
Wl'i low Salix 5pp. Rose Rosa spp.
Pacific red older Sambucus racimosa Labrador tea Ledum palustre
ssp. pubens ssp. decumbens
Rusty menziesla Menziesla ferruginea Raspberry Rubus spp.
Copperbrush Cladathamnus pyrolaefforus Blueberry. huckleberry Vaccinium spp.
Blueberry and huckleberry Vacclnlum spp. Bearberry Arctostaphylos spp.
Servicebarry Amollancher spp.
Grasses, herbs and others, High bush cranberry viburnum edule
Bluejoint Calmagrostis spp. Grasses, herbs, others
Lyme grass Eiymus arenarlus Bluejoint Calmagrotis spp.
Lichens
Mosses Fireweed Epilobium angustifollum spp
Llverworts Horseta I I Equlsetum
Mushrooms Wintergreen Pyrola spp
Parsley torn Crytogramma drispa
var. sitchensis
Source: Alaska ReIonal Proftle Southcontral Marsh fern Tholypteris phegopteris
Lady fern Athyrium fillx-femina
Lichens
Mosses
Llverworts
Mushrooms
Other fungi

Source: Alaska Reglional Profile Southcentral

moo. a

Figure. IG Species List

Upland Spruce-Hardwood Forest
Lowland Spruce-Hardwood Forest
Trees
Trees
White spruce Piced glauca
Black spruce P. marlana Black spruce Picea mariana
uaking aspen Populus tramuloidas White spruce P. glauca
Alaska paper birch Betula papyrifera Alaska paper birch Betula papyrifera
ssp. humIlls ssp. humills
black cottonwood Populus balsdmitera Quaking aspen Populus tremuluoides
ssp. trlchocarpa Balsam, poplar P. balsamifera
Balsam poplar P. balsamilfara ssp. balsamifera
ssp. bal5amilern Black cottonwood P. balsamifera
ssp trichocarpa
Shrubs
Shrubs
Willow Salix spp.
Alder Alnus spp. Willow Sallx spp.
Rose Rosa spp. Dwarf arctic birch Betula nana
High bush cranberry Viburnum edula ssp exills
Lingonberry Vacclnlum vills-idaea Linganberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
ssp. minus ssp. minus
Raspberry Rubus Idaeus Blueberry vaccinium spp.
subsp. malaGlaslus Labrador tea Ledum palistre
Currant Ribes spp. ssp. groenlandicum
Crowberry Empetrum nlgrum ssps.
Grassos, herbs, others Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ssp. minus
Bluejoint Calamagrostis spp.
Firaweed Epiloblum angustifollum ssps. Grasses, herbs, others.
Horsetail Euisetum, spp.
Parsley fern Criptogramma crispa Cottongrass Erlophorum spp.
var. sitchensis florsetall Equsetum spp.
Marsh fern Theiypiarls phagopteris Firewaed Epilobium angustifollum ssps.
Lady fern Athyrium filix-famina Parsley fern Cryptogramma crispa
fragile torn Cystopterls fragIlls ssps. var. sitchensis
Other ferns Marsh fern. Theipteris phegoteris
Lichens fragile torn Cystopteris tragilis ssps.
Hosses Lichens
Mushrooms Mosses
Other fungi Livorworts
Mushrooms
Other fungi
Source; Alaska Regional Profile Southcentral
Source. Alaska Regional Profile Southcentral

Figure. 17 Species list

High Brush Low Brush Bog and Muskeg
Shrubs

Sitka alder Alnus crispa
ssp. sinuata
American green alder A. crispa
ssp. crispa
Thinleaf alder A. Incana
ssp. lenulfolla
Devil's club Echinopanax horridum
Willow salix spp.
Currant Vaccinium spp.
Blueberry Rubus spp.
Raspberry Shepherdia canadensis
Soapberry Vaccinium vitis-idaes
Lingonberry ssp. minus
Spirea beauverdiana
Alaska spirea Rubus parviflorus
Thimbleberry var. grandflorus
R. spectabitls
Salmonberry Cornus spp.
Dogwood

Grasses, herbs, others

Bluejoint Calamagrostis spp.
Fescue Festuca spp.
Yarrow Achlilea spp.
Lupine Lupinus spp.
Jacob's ladder Polemonium spp.
Horsetail Equisetum spp.
Fireweed Epllobium angustifollum spps.
Parsley fern Cryptogramma crispa
var. sitchensis
Marsh fern Thalpteris phegopteris
Lady fern Athyrium fillix-femina
Fraglie fern Cystopteris fragills ssps.
Lichens
Mosses

Low Brush Bog and Muskeg

Trees

Western hemlock Tsuga heterophyila
Alaska cedar Chamacyparls nootkatensis
Black spruce Picea mariana

Shrubs

Labrador tea Ledum palustre
ssp. goenlandicum
Bog cranberry Oxycocus microcarpus
Willow Salix spp.
Crowberry Empetrum nigrim ssps.
Blueberry Vaccinium spp.
Resin birch Batula glandulosa
Dwarf arctic birch B. nana
ssp. exills
Bog rosemary Andromeda pollfolla

Grasses, herbs, others

Cottongrass Eriophorum spp.
Sedges Carex spp.
Rushes Juncus spp.
Lichens
Mosses
Liverworts
Mushrooms
Other fungi

Source: Alaska Regional Profile, Southcentral

Aft

Figure. 18 Species list

Moist Tundra

Shrubs

Willow Sallx spp.
Dwarf arctic birch Betula nana
ssp. exills
Labrador tea Ledum palustre
ssp. gorenlandicum
American green alder Ainus crispa
ssp. crispa
Lapland rosebay Rhodendron lapponicum
Blueberry Vaccinium spp.
Lingonberry V. vitis-idaea
ssp. minus

Grasses, herbs, others

Cottongrass Erlophorum spp.
Polar grass Archtagrostis latifolla
vars. latifolla and arundinacea
Bluejoint Calamagrostis spp.
Hairgrass Deschampsia spp.
Fescue Festuca spp.
Lyme grass Elymus arenarius
Alpine azalea Loiseturia procumbens
Muntain avens Dryas spp.
Bistort Polygonum spp.
Yarrow Achiliea spp.
Geranium Geranium spp.
Horsetail Equisetum spp.
Fireweed Epilobium angustildium ssps.
Wood rush Luzula spp.
Sedges Carex spp.
Lichens
Mosses
Liverworts
Mushrooms
Other fungi

Source: Alaska Regional Profile, Southcentral

Wet Tundra

Shrubs

Willow Salix spp.
Dwarf arctic birch Batula nana
ssp. exilla
Labrador tea Ledum palustre
ssp. groeniandicum
Shrubby cinquefoil Potentilla fruiticosa
Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
ssp. minus
Bog cranberry Oxycocus microcrapus

Grasses, others

Lyme grass Elymus arenarlus
Pendant grass Arctophila fulva
Cottongrass Erlophorum spp.
Bur reed Sparganium spp.
Mare's tail Hippuris spp.
Rushes Juncus spp.
Sedges Carex spp.
Lichens
Mosses
Liverworts
Lichens
Mushrooms
Other fungi

Source: Alaska Regional Profile, Southcentral

Figure. 19 Species list
Alpine Tundra
Shrubs
Resin birch Botula glandulosa
Dwarf arctic birch B. nana
ssp. axills
Arctic willow Salix arctica ssps.
Crowberry Envatrum algrum ssps.
Labrador tea Ledum palustre
Mountain heather ssp. alplnum
Phyllodoce spp.
Rhododendron Rhododendron lapponicum
Dwarf blueberry Vaccinlum caespliosum
Alpine blueberry V. ullgonosum
ssp. alplnum
Alpine bearberry ARctostaphyqlos alpina
Grasses, harps, others
Mountain ovens Dryas spp.
Mass camplon Sllene acaulls ssps.
Arctoc sandwort Mlnuartia arctica
Casslope Casslope spp
Alpine azalea Lolslurla procumbens
Sedges Juncus spp.
Lichens
Mosses
Mlsc. fungi

Source: Alaska Regional Protile, Southcentral

Vegetation (Marine)

Turbid water conditions found in the northern portions of the

study area generally inhibit the growth of larger marine plants.

Kelps, eelgrass and the larger red and green algaes fail to

prosper where light is unable to reach the marine substrate.

However, some five m-iles south of Ninilchik turbid water conditions

cease and larger marine plants occur. Marine plants have several

ecological functions. They are primary producers and thus a
source Pf food for consumers. Root systems in areas of'unstable

substrate often help to stabilize or reduce erosion. Marine

plants also provide shelter for many fish and invertebrates.

Kelp beds occur north and south of Anchor Point as shown in

Figure 22.

Estuarine vegetation which grows on land but is tolerant of

saltwater inundation include alkali grass, arrow grass and

several species of sedges and rushes. Figure 21 shows marine

flora which is known to occur along the north gulf coast. As

the environmental conditions are somewhat similar in Cook Inlet,

it may be assumed'that such a list for Cook Inlet would be similar.

Figure 20 lists plants which may be found living under estuarine

conditions in southcentral Alaska.

Figure 20 Species Estuarine
Ditch grass llst Ruppla spiralls
Horned pondweed Zanichella patustrls
Arrow grass Triglochin spp.
Alkali grass Puccinallia spp.
Sedges Carax spp.
Rushes Juncus spp.
Read bent grass Calamagrostis spp.
Hair grass Deschampsla spp.
Lyme grass Elymus aranarlus
sup. wollls. var. mollls
Yarrow Achllan spp.
Kamchatka fritillary. Sarana fritillarla camschatcansis
Shooting star Dodocatheon pulchellum
spp. superbum
Buttercup Ranunculus spp.
Beach pea Lathyrus Maritimus ssps.
Indian paintbrush Castlllaja spp.
Marsh fivefinger Oenanthe sarmentosa
Potentilla palustris

Source; Alaska Regional Profile, Southcentral

Figure. 21 Marine Flora Occurring Along the North Gulf Coast 46

Common Name Generic Name Description

Kelps Family Laminarlaceae Brown algae
Genera: Nereocystis Large kelps reach 1001
'MacrocystTs in length found in
deep water.

Alaria Large, leaf-like kelp
reaching 701 in length
and 2-61 in width.
Common in Alaska.

Laminaria Kelps growing on rocks
Cymathaera between high and low
Egregia tide or just below
Alaria low tide.
Lesson*iopsis
Costaria
Agarum

Rockweeds Family Fucaceae Occur between high and low
Genera: Fucus tide and often completely
cover rocky beaches.

Red algae Genera: Gigartina Leaf-like body; live in
Iridaea low tide zone.
Porphyra
Prionitis
Rhodymenia
Callopyllis
Dasyopsis

Green algae Genera: Ulva Sea lettuce; grown between
high and low tide.

Enteromorpha Slender green algae occuring
with or near Ulva.

Eelgrass Genus: Zostera Narrow ribbon-like leaves
with rootstalks in muddy
or sandy bottoms; can
completely cover beach
when exposed at low tide.

Sea basket grass Genus: Phyllospadix Rootstalks cling to
rocks in heavy surf and
exposed areas.

Saltwort Genus: Sallcornia Fleshy plants abundant
in salt marshes.

Source: Rigg, G. S. 1942 as adapted by BLM/OCS 1976.

Said no
EIM. 22Mp'EE @M MFER
Rm =0

KU BEDS

OTM IMACROPHYTES

49 ma

Go
C*

I a-

SOURCV ADAPTED FROM BLWOCS
OUPHIC No.

W- 0,

id, I

IN;

. ........

4' "@7

11-4

;@r 91@-""-

IManagement Imp7ca lons

71 Vegetation occurring on moist or water laden soil types is

most susceptible to foot trampling, off-road vehicle use, or

equestr ian trampling. The construction of trails in these

areas would require a gravel pad or an elevated boarowalk,

with the latter being environmentally more preferable. The

ideal is to route trails around bog or peat soil/vegetation.

72 Well designed trails can help to prevent random trampling of

vegetation.

The diversity of vegetation types is more desirable than a

single and continuous vegetative community for most recreational

activities.

F44@ Existing vegetation patterns should be considered when

designing and locating of facilities. Existing vegetation

should be used whenever possible to screen highways or

aesthetically unpleasing land uses from recreation activity

areas.

F5@ Thinning or manipulation of vegetative densities may be

desirable in some locations for improving viewpoints.

M6 The protection of off-shore eelgrass beds and bladder kelp F

communities is important. Breakwater construction, filling,

or intensive boating activities can physically destroy these

important marine plants. Probably the most important

(.economically) fish species associated with eelgrass is the

Pacific herring which deposits its eggs on the.blades of

eelgrass. Aside from the direct harvest of herring, they

are also considered to be one-of the major fodder animals of

the sea, providing food for salmon, waterfowl, sharks,

lingcod and sea mammals.

M7 Bladder kelp beds, because of their attraction to fish,

offer good fishing opportunities. Recreational facilities

located in proximity to these beds would be an asset to

recreational fishermen.

Mammals (Terrestrial)

Some 38 species of terrestrial mammals have been identified in

the Cook Inlet area. The larger mammals to be found in the area

include black and brown/grizzly bears, caribou, Dall sheep,

moose, wolf (although extremely limited), wolverine, coyotes,

wolves, mink, and river otters.

Bears are found during the spring foraging on coastal beaches for

carrion, mussels, and crab. During summer periods bears depend

-on coastal streams where they feed on migrating salmon. Bears

also forage on coastal vegetation after emergence from their

winter dens. Winter concentrations of moose are found along the

Ninilchik River, Anchor River, near Homer Spit and throughout the

area around Kasilof, Although population levels have been greatly

reduced, caribou are still found in the Kenai-Sterling area as

well as the foothills east of Tus temena Lake. Mink, river otter,

and wolverine forage along beaches in the inter-tidal zone. The

river otter is found both in fresh and salt water where it feeds

upon fish, shellfish and birds. Minks are felt to be dependent

upon the inter-tidal zone for food, especially during winter

months. While wolverines have a much larger range than mink or

river otters, they too are part dependent upon the coastal beach

for food.. Foxes, wolves and coyotes feed on inter-tidal carrion
when avai;able.

Although the present level of development on the Kenai Peninsula

has significantly impacted wildlife habitat, these species of

terrestripi mammals are still present although they are not as

visible and probably occur in lesser numbers.
F,igures 23 and 24 show the known ranges of black bear, mountain goat,

caribou., and moose.

Sold wra
BLACK BEA
ELM. 23 R, MOUATAI3 GUT,
XID CARIBOU

BLiCK BEAR

MOUATAIN GOAT

CARIBOU: WINTER RANGE

N
cm

icuRce:* OPEN FILE31-48,4c, LID

ere

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231
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FIGURF. 24 MOOSE RANGE AND CONCEM1 lot
el

51AVAMtf
GUERAL MOOSE RANGE

'7@
CONCEffRATIONS BY SEASONS

-4A, 1973
SOURCECLUPC OPEN FILe 31
Cam c;

.......... .

Min
it

f4l(

"A h

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Hom
ER

LOL,

Managment Implications

r-,@ The management of wildlife for either consumptive or non-

consumptive uses should focus on the protection and enhance-

ment of their habitat. Alterations of the landscape may.

have severe effects upon wildlife populations. Relation-

ships of animals to their environment should be studied in

detail prior to facility design and siting decisions.

M2 A diversity of vegetation cover should be maintained. It is

important that a potential development not be located so as

to consume a majority of the area's remaining acreage of

one specific vegetation type.

M Future park acquisitions should consider wildlife habitat

values as well as recreational values.

Pets should be restricted in those areas where significant

wildlife values exists.

smaller, intensely developed park or recreation areas should

be closed to the discharge of firearms to insure visitor

safety.

Mammals (Marine)

Some eighteen species of marine mammals are known to inhabit the

lower Cook Inlet area. The more common species are the sea

otter, Stellar sea lion, harbor seal and Beluga whale.

Recovering from near extermination, sea otters are beginning to

reappear in the southern portion of the study area as far north

as Ninilchik. The present sea otter population near the southern

tip of the Kenai Peninsula is approximately 500 to 600. Marine

benthic invertebrates including sea urchins, mussels, chitons,

crabs, and octopus are their dominant food items. Fish are also

taken for food. 16

Stellar sea lions visit the off-shore waters occasionally,

although no hauling grounds are located in the study area.

However,, hauling grounds,are located at English Bay, Elizabeth

Island, and Augustine Rocks, as well as the Barren Islands.

These sites serve as a base for sea lions which occasionally

visit the area. Sea lions feed on a wide variety of fish and

benthic invertebrates.

Harbor seals range widely throughout Cook Inlet. River mouths

are used for haul-out, pupping, and foraging. Fish and crustaceans

comprise the seal's diet. Beluga whales occur throughout Cook

Inlet, with an estimated summer population of 300 to 500 individuals.

F! sh, crustaceans and squid are the primary components of the .

Beluga whale's diet. Killer whales have been observed in Kachemak

Say; however, no sightings have,been made north of this area.

Feeding on marine benthic invertebrates and bottom fishes, Dail

a.nd harbor porpoises range throughout the lower Cook Inlet area.

The ranges'of several species of earine mammals are illustrated in

Figure 25

FIGURE.25 MARINE MAMMALS
SoIJ na
2,4
In _,@@t
'E,

HARBOR SEAL PRESE)NT

HARBOR SEAL-HIGH DENSITY

BELUGA WHALE
@AV AnJARB&PORPOISES
N KI

Claar
SOURCE:A5Fq, 1973
BLM/OCS GRAPHIC NO. 6. 1976 ep
1@@ ;.V_

-N

5
7,

C
C,

Homm...
2-5 1

6. @1976

Management ImplicaTi7ons

Observing marine mammals Is a unique value in the study

area. It should be encouraged in a manner that does not

threaten the local condition of these species. Interpretive

facilities could be provided to enhance the visitor's

understanding of these organisms and their habits.

River.mouths should be protected from.developments or use

which may interfere with the activ.itles of harbor seals.

The hunting of marine mammals should be discouraged in small

park areas along-Cook Inlet.

Birds (Marine and Terrestrial)

Approximately 180 species of birds have been identified in the

Cook Inlet region. Of these species, about 105 to 110 are regarded

as being associated with marine or coastal areas. There is a

paucity of data available on birdlife in the study area. However,

aerial surveys have been conducted as well as species lists

composed for specific sites. One aerial survey conducted off the

west shore of the Kenai Peninsula indicated between 10 and 30

birds per square kilometer. Further studies verified this

density and showed a decreasing density of birds from the entrance

to Lower Cook Inlet moving.north. Surveys of the area's coastline

are presently being conducted to identify critical coastal- bird

habitats. Most likely, critical habitat areas include river

mouths, coastal wetlands, and off-shore zones of water turbulence.

The stu,dy area-receives its heaviest bird usage during -spring and

fall migration and summer breeding and nesting periods. Cook

Inlet serves as a flyway for migrating birds moving to and from

the interior of Alaska North Slope, and west coast of Alaska

breeding grounds. During spring migration Cook Inletts wetlands

are used by over 1.25 million ducks and geese (primarily lesser

Canada and Snow) about 25,000 whistling and trumpeter swans,

several thousand cranes, and millions of shorebirds. Fall usage

by waterfowl begins in August and peaks in late September.

Abundant summer birds include sheerwaters, black-legged kittiwakes,

glaucous-winge d gulls, puffins, murres, and several species of

other waterfowl and shorebirds.

Seabirds, sea ducks and shorebirds generally feed on marine

animals such as molluscs, crustaceans, and several species of

fish, as well as marine plants. Habitat areas for marine and

coastal birds include sea cliffs for nesting, wetlands for

nesting and foraging, and upwelling areas for foraging.

Although about 24 seabird colonies have been identified in Lower

Cook Inlet, none have been identified in the study area. Kenai

River flats and several bays and estuaries in Kachemak Say have

been identified as important coastal wetlands for usage by birds.

Gyrfalcons and golden eagles are known to occupy upland areas in

Cook Inlet. Great horned owls, gray great owl and rough-legged

hawks are characteristic rapters of the spruce-birch forest in

the more northerly portions of Cook Inlet subregion. Shorebirds

in the area (as identified in Alaska Regional Profile: Southcentral

Region), include American golden and black-bellied plovers; surf

birds; ruddy and black turnstones; common snipe; whimbrels;

spotted, solitary, pectoral, Baird's least, semipalmated and

western sandpipers; wandering tattlers; greater and lesser

yellowlegs; dunlins; shortbilled and longbilled dowitchers;

Hudsonian godwits; sanderlings; and northern phalaropes. Other

birds include woodpeckers, jays, ravens, chickadees, redpoles,

crossbills, water pippits, finches, snowbuntings, longspurs and 01

savanna sparrows. Summer migrants include thrushes, robins,

warblers,,water threshers, waxwings, swallows, sparrows, junkos,

say's, phoebes, and Trailiv.s flycatchers.

Both the American and Arctic peregrine falcon are known to F

migrate through the area although they are not known to nest in

the western Kenai area.

Kachemak Bay is an important nesting and feeding area during

spring and fall migration periods.

Figure26 shows waterfowl habitat areas as well as the locations of

known seabird colonies.

FIGURE-26 MARINE AND COASTAL X
BIRD RESOURCES

WATERFOWL HABITAT(LOW DENSIP Y'

WATERFOWL KABITATMIUM DOST
R'S75llflNMKJl ffi"O@L

KNO
Ll OR SUSPECTED SEABIRD
0 V
CO

t4
1-6, 1973 ANI
L OPEN FILE 3:
;QURCE:.
SnOCS GRAPWIC NO. tP
lam,

ol
n"
", 3r@'

........................

tManagement Imp,lications

M As with marine mammals the bird life of the west Kenai area

offers excellent opportunities for wildlife observation

activities.

El Since the shoreline zone offers highly favorable edge

conditions to wildlife, the management and protection of

vegetation immediately adjacent to the shoreline is most

critical.

Dead snags located within the park areas should remain, if

they present no direct threat to visitors, as they provide

nesting opportunities for several species of birds.

M4 The coastal surveys which are presently being conducted to

identify critical coastal bird habitats, should be utilized

to identify areas which should be restricted from recreation

or non-recreational developments.

F4@ Estuaries and wetlands, such as those at the mouths of the

Kasilof and Anchor rivers and at Deep Creek, should be

protected for wildlife habitat.

Fish (Marine/Freshwater)

Pink salmon are the most abundant anadromous species of fish with

the greatest numbers arriving to spawn in even numbered years.

Sockeye salmon are second in abundance with the greatest populations

in the Kenai and Tustemena Lake drainages. Chum and Cohoe salmon

are found in most coastal streams. Chinook salmon may be found

in Anchor River, and drainages north of this river. Pink and

chum salmon may reproduce in intert idal portions as well as fresh

water reaches of many streams in the study area. Estuaries and

other protected inshore waters host large numbers of young salmon

prior to their seaward migration.

Young salmon feed on plankton which is composed of free floating

microscopic plant and animal life. Pink, sockeye, and chum

salmon continue to eat primarily plankton through their life

cycles although they may also eat larger squid and shrimp.

Chinook and Cohoe salmon in marine waters feed primarily on

herring and other small marine fish as well as some plankton.

Herring spawn in Kachemak Say. Rather than broadcasting eggs

loosely in the water, herring deposit their eggs on solid surfaces;

preferring eelgrass, rockweed and seagirdle. Herring occur in

schools of up to I million fish or more. Steelhead trout, dolly

varden, and eulachons also inhabit the saltwater areas of lower

Cook Inlet. Other species found in off-shore Cook Inlet-waters

include seven species of sculpin; black cod; four species of

smelt; skatel ocean perch and rock fish; greenling; lumpfish; F

eelpouts; pricklebacks; poachers; and four species of codfish;

sandfish, twelve members of the right eye flounder family; sand

lances; ronquils, lanternfish; and dogfish.

Figures27 and28 show areas of both fres-h and saltwater fisheries.

FTGIIRF.27 FRESHWATER FIS
HERIES
Sold na

FISHERIES RESEARCH
S
0 FRESHWATER-FISHE.IY (LAKE)

FISH STREAM

SOURCE:'LUPC OPEN FILE 31-Z 1973
cl-

...........

-es
X.: HOMER
ta
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k
F @o

47
Sold na
FIMRE.Zs COMMERCIAL FISHI1146 AREAS
15
Vp

SALMOR gi jj-
"K r

HALIBUT

pum.- BLM/OCS GRAP141C @Q,
PROM EVANS ET AL IWZ
A 0 PERSONAL COMM. ADFU
N
61OLOGIST, HOMER, ALASKA ;r'

............ .

R>
2S C

Management Impi

Salmon, as a recreationally and commercially important fish

species, should be protected from recreational uses or

facilities which may impact their habitat. The siltation of

streams through erosIon from developments or use of areas

poses probably the greatest threat.

M2 Recreational fishing for salmon is an important activity on

the Kenai Peninsula. There should be areas established for

this activity and facilities developed to accomodate the

growing number of sport salmon fishermen.

M Well-de'sIgned and located trails along salmon fishing streams

should be constructed. However, trails should be planned to

avoid concentrating fishing and other activities,in areas

with limited carrying capacities.

Sport fishing regulations should be strictly enforced in

park areas to insure the renewability of this important

recreational resource.

F5@ Estuaries should be protected from filling or developments

as these areas host large numbers of young salmon prior to

their seaward migration.

Benthic Invetebrates

Benthic invertebrates are those animals without backbones which

exist in or near the marine substrate. Clams, barnacles, sea

pens and numerous species.of polychaete worms comprise the filter

feeders found in the study area. Snails, brittle stars and sea

cucumbers exist in the study area feeding on detritus, or decomposed

or decomposing organic matter. Crabs, shrimp, snails and sandfleas

are considered scavengers as they feed on carrion or capture

their prey alive. King crab are found throughout tower Cook

Inlet with their greatest abundance occuring between Augustine

and Barren Islands and in and near Kachemak Say. Snow crab also

occur in these areas. However, their abundance is greatest mid-

channel between Augustine and Barren Islands. Dungeness crab are

distributed in a similar manner; however, they generally occur in
shallower waters. Several species of shrimp also occur in the 1b

area.

Razor clams occur along the coastline between the Kasilof River

and Homer Spit with the greatest abundance between Kasilof Point

and four miles south of Clam Gulch. Razor clams in Cook Inlet

spawn from mid-July until mid-September. Each female clam two

years or older lays six to ten million eggs which are fertilized

in the surf. The eggs hatch into minute floating larvae. After

several months, the larvae settle to the sand and begin to form a

shell. Exhibiting rapid growth rates, most clams are four inches

long by their fourth summer. Razor clams move only vertically

and are not capable of lateral movement. Other clams inhabiting

the intertidal zone include the littleneck, horse, butter and

redneck clams. Generally, clam densities decrease and size

increases as one moves south through the study area.

Important shellfish areas are illustrated in Figures29and3O

Scallops have been taken from lower Cook Inlet off-shore waters..

47
Said na
FISHING
FIGURE
.29 COMMERCIAL SHELL
AREAS "'c'
@@Z2, F.-

DIJ36ENESS CRAB

SHRIMP

KING CRAB 'z

SNOW CRAB

94
X

SOURCE: ELM/OCS GRAPHIC 1976
FROM EVANS ET AL
PERSONAL COMMUNICATION WITH
ADF3G BIOLOGIST, HOMER, AK.

J,
ti tt *44

n-
30 PRES11M RANGE OF Sold na
Xt
0
COMMERCIAL SPECIES OF CRUSTACEAN!
'h-

kg@%S@@g DRIFT OR
z z,
Fi

SHRIMP OISTRIBUTIOH
A L@l RAI,@A
A @A Mi A,
A I E

C;*

;QtJRCE:.BLK/0CS GRAPHIC No.

5L.

T1 'o
@: gH
I IL- L
1+17 - ---I T-T

Management Implications

Beaches with large populations of clams offer a valuable

recreational resource. However, overharvesting should be

avoided through the limiting of facility size and the dis-

persal of clam diggers through the provision of additional

clamming areas.

Cooperation between the recreation land management agency

responsible for the area and the Alaska Department of Fish

and Game to post and enforce bag limits is an important

element in the conservation of all marine organisms.

El Since clams are normally harvested during low or minus

tides which are short in time duration - the result is

high concentrations of people in vehicles at public beach

access areas, requiring large parking lots, adequate sanitary

fa,ciliti,es-and I.itter,receptacl,;es. Due to the high cost of

low-density campgrounds, and the extreme peak-valley type of

use at clam beaches, lower cost but aesthetically pleasing

parking lots should be encouraged.at popular access points.

74
inventory sociocultural
Trad it ion

Although prehistoric records are unclear, it appe ars that Pacific

Eskimos were the first inhabitants of western Kenai. Research to

date shows human habitation of the area extending back in time

approximately 3,000 years. It Is felt that +he archaeological

record may extend beyond 6,500 years.

At a time period which is uncertain, the-Pacific Eskimos began

y.ielding terr-itory to the Tanaina Athapaskan Indians. It is

believed that sometime before the arrival of the Russians in the

18th century the Eskimo culture had receded and the Tanaina held

dominance over the west Kenai area.

The existence of numerous shell middens along the coastline

suggest that the early peoples were engaged in coastal food

gathering. As with present inhabitants of the area, the coastal

zone was a prime focus of activity. Presumably, villages were

located on the coastline in defensib.le locations, while fishing

and gathering camps were established elsewhere along the coastline.

SettIments may have occurred inland; however, archaeologists

propose that this is unlikely in view of the more favorable

living conditions found along the coast.

Today Pacific Eskimo Natives in the communities of Port Graham

and English Bay continue a coastal oriented subsistence lifestyle.

Throughout the Eskimo, Tanaina, Russian, and American periods of

habitation, the coastal zone has remained a focal point of

activity.

Figure 31 shows the present day location of salmon fishing subsistence

areas and communities which are composed primarily of native

people.

FIGURE. 31 - RQ'
Said no
IIIATIVE CULTURAL AAD
SUBSISTERCE AREAS

STENCE'
WNPAW'
ro"k

P
&4TIVE
Cmm

SOURCE: BLWOCS GRAPHIC NO. 13,1976

c ;k

cto.+

Q51

-j-

Management Implica

Park interpretive programs should, in part, focus on pre-

historic and historic activities in the area. A possible

aim for such an interpretive program would be the coastal

orientation of early inhabitants in the'area. Additional

emphasis could be placed on the use of coastal areas.during

both the Russian and American development periods.

Archaeological surveys should be conducted prior to any

recreation area developm ent or redevelopment.

Change

Cultural change stimulated by various factors 1.n a group's

environment are important in any discussion of culture. Cultures

are never static, they are always changing at varying rates of

speed. As the Native culture was once altered by,the influen ce

of Russian activities, today's culture will be influenced by

targe scale oil and gas development in the area. The first known

major cultural change in the area was the displacement of Pacific

Eskimos by Tanaina Athapaskan Indians.

The arrival of Russian explorers and the ensuing fur trading

activity in the 18th century greatly altered the Native culture.

As the Russians established trading posts, Native communities

were soon to relocate near these trading posts and experienced

both material (tools and weapons) and spiritual (the Russian

Orthodox Church) changes in their culture. The American influence

furthered this cultural change and formally instilled western

culture in the midst of Native groups. Although superficially,

the Native lifestyle today would appear to have adopted western

values. However, subsistence fishing remains a primary pursuit

which supports a seasonal lifestyle. Recent testimony at OCS

development hearings suggests that Natives of English Say and

Port Graham are extremely concerned over the pos,sible impacts of

oil development on their subsistence lifestyle.

Management Implica

The effects of an influx of tourists due to recreation area

designations and developments can have a profound effect on

an area's culture. Consideration should be given to such

effects prior to location and design decisions.

Heritage Resources

Archaeological As previously mentioned, the earliest known

inhabitants of the Cook Inlet Region were Pacific Eskimos.

However, Frederica de Laguna mentions in her book, the Archaeology

of Cook Inlet.. Alaska, that the Pacific Eskimo culture reflects

certain Thule culture types and reflects influences from Kamchatka

and Japan on one hand and the northwest coast of America on the

other. To date, de Laguna's work stands as the most comprehensive

yet done in the Cook Inlet area. Although de Laguna's work in

the 30's is some of the most in-depth research conducted in

Alaska, by her own statement it merely scratches the surface.

To date, fifteen archaeological sites have been identified within

the Kenai Study Area. All sites known to date are located along

the coastline and, although unlikely, the potential for sites

inland is acknowledged by archaeologists. The mouth of the

Ninilchik River, Deep Creek and Anchor River provide evidence of

past habitation. House pits and shelf middens are found in these
z
areas. Likewise, house pits and middens are found on the north

shoreline of Kachemak Say in several locations. The majority of

these sites contain the remains of early communities which reflect

the Alaska Heritage Resourcets theme of "Asia discovers Alaska

and the New World". The sub-theme of these sites is maritime

subsistence patterns. Other sites are classified under the

Alaska Heritage Resource theme "Later Migrations and Cultural

Evolution". A listing of sites found within the area, as well as

a discussion of their significance follows the next section on

Historic resources. Figure 32 shows the relative locations of

these sites.

Historical. Hi storic resources of the study area focus on early

Russian an.d American resource exploitation. Since 1778, when

Captain James Cook first sailed into Cook Inlet, furs, minerals

and other natura-I resources of the area have been the focus of

outside interests. In the late 1700's, Russian settlements were

established at English Say andon the mouth of the Kasilof River.

The latter, named Fort St. George, is.within the study area.

Missionaries were brought from Russia in an effort the Christianize

the local natives. The process of Christlanizing the natives

involved the destruction of some native cultural traditions,

creating strife between the groups and the death of one priest.

A third Russian settlement, at Ninilchik, is still inhabitated by

descendents of the Russian period of occupation. The Russian

Orthodox Church at Ninilchik attests to the Russian Orthodox

influence in the area.

The period of American control began with the breaking up of the

monopolistic Russian American Company into competing individual

companies. Low fur prices and a depletion of the fur bearing

resource resulted in an end to the fur trade economy in 1897.

The rise of the coal and gold economy was marked by the founding

of the town of Homer in 1895.

Following is a listing of the 24 archaeological and historical

sites listed with the Alaska Heritage Resource Survey. By no

means is this list a complete listing of all heritage sites i.n

the study area. This list is merely composed of those sites

which have been identified through the Heritage Resource Survey.

Heritage Sites

Kenai #1 Theme 2-D. Two storage pits have been located at this
site on Kalifonsky beach. Excavation of one of these pits failed
to yield information indicating human activity.

Kenai Site #2. Theme 2-D. A single storage pit was found at
this site; however, excavation produced no evidence of human
activity.

Kenai Site #14. Theme 3A5. Old Village of Kalifonsky. Five
house pits have been located. Excavations have yielded small
bits of iron and bone. This site was used by Tanaina Indians and
was abandoned in 1927.

Kenai Site #30. Theme 3A4. Kasilof Aboriginal Village. In 1937
a village was unearthed here and was thought to be of Eskimo
origins. In 1786 the Lebedel-Lastochkin Company built a small
post here consisting of two log cabins surrounded by a stockade.
A Tanaina Indian settlement was developed around this stockade.

Kenai Sit
e #31. Theme A5. Old Russian Schoolhouse at Ninilchik.
The schoolhouse is a small log structure which was reportedly
used during the Russian era. This facility also served as one of
the first territorial schools.

Kenai Site #32. Theme 4A. Old NinilchTk Village. Though still
inhabitated by descendents of the original villagers, this village
was originally established by the Russian-American Company for
its employees. Several of the original buildings remain today.

Kenai Site #39. Theme 4A. St. George. Established as a fur
trading post, 37 foundations remain as well as several house
pits.

Kenai Site #41. Theme 5C3. Ninilchik Post. No information
available.

Kenai Site #44. Theme 5. One standing log structure constructed
in 1900 is present. Significance has not been determined.

Kenai Site #45. Theme 2D. Three middens are present at this
site as well as numerous pits-and depressions. No artifacts are
discovered although the site appears to hold great potential.

Kenai Site #46. Theme 4A. Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel
A small totally wood structure built by the residents of Ninilchik
during the early 1890fs or 1900's. The building is intact and
still retains much of its original appearance.

Seldovia Site #2. Theme 20. McNeil Creek. Excavations by de
Laguna in the 1930fs revealed material of the Yukon Island's
three and four phases.

Seldovia Site #4. Theme 3B. Ksnatchin. This site was a former
Tanal.na Indian camp or settlement.

Seldovia Site #19. Theme #5. Homer. A presently occupied town
which was established in November of 1895 by Homer Dennock.
Dennock was a prospector who worked the Cook Inlet area.

Seldovia Site #24. Theme 20. Cape Starischkof. This site
contains the ruins of a two-room house and a shell midden. A
barbed bone arrowhear and a slender barbed point were collected
at this site by de Laguna in the 1930's.

Seldovia Site #23. Theme 2. Eastland Creek. This site contains
five layers of shell midden. The thickness of this layer is
approximately five inches. A possible house pit is located at
this site.

Seldovia Site #29. Theme 5C. K11scher Ranch. An authentic
Alaskan homestead which dates to the 1940's. This homestead is
still owned and operated by the original homesteader.

Seldovia Site #30. Theme 20. Cottonwood Creek. de Laguna in
1934 partially excavated a house and midden. Materials from this
site helped to identify the Kachemak three phase. Evidence
suggests Tanaina Indians. This site has been excavated on two
occasions by archaeologists, and has yielded artifacts.

SdIdovia Site #32. Theme 2D. Diamond Creek. Artifacts have
been found on the beach near this site.

Seldovia Site #61. Theme 2D. Barbara Point #1. A thin shell
midden is evident at this site; however, no artifacts have been
found.

Seldovia Site #77. Theme 2D. Homer Spit #1. Extensive developmental
disturbances at this site have spread midden remains over some
800 square feet. No artifacts have been found.

Seldovia Site #78. Theme 2D. Homer Spit #2. Two thin shell
middens are present at this site.

Seldovia Site #87. Theme 2D. April Site. A shell midden and
two house pits have been located at this site.

Seldovia #88. Theme 2D. Anchor River Cemetery. This site is a
cemetery which was originally Indian. However, two Christian
missionaries are reportedly buried here from the 1930's. Presently
the cemetery consists of five graves.

.2-
EIM.32 HERITAGE RESOURCE SITES

tl ORIC OR ARjHtlADpGl L
RS RESURI FE""'I
RO

Z@
Z 3
'SOURCE:*ALASKA
DIVISION OF PARKS,
HERITAGE RFSnURCE SURVVY

7'@

6 A

it
Lz'
@j

om ER
F@PARKS.

7
-4'@r

Management Implications]

The protection of historic and archaeological sites is a

prime responsibility of park managers. Vandalism of such

sites is an increasing problem and may in part be related to

the level of public knowledge concerning such sites.

72 Lands containing important heritage sites should be acquired.

Public access to these sites should only be allowed or

encouraged when preservation can be insured.

Archaeological and Historical surveys should precede the

development of recreational facilities.

Demography

Demographic characteristics of the study area by population

centers are as follows:

Kenai

The 1970 population of Kenai was 3,533. However, 1975 estimates

indicate a population of 5,200. Of this population, approximately

5% is of Native background. The town of Kenai is the most developed

town on the Kenai Penins-ul'a. Its economy is primarily related to

oil and gas industry.

Homer

In 1975 the population of Homer was 1,538. The non-white population

is 2% or 35 persons. Homer is located at the end of the Sterling

Highway and serves as a termina'I for the-,Alaska Marine Highway

System to Kodiak. To the east of Homer is the small community of

Kachemak. In 1970 the population of Kachemak was 76 persons, of

which 16% were Native.

Ninilchik

The 1970 po pulation of Ninilchik was 134, of which 13% were of

Native background. N.inilchik still retains many persons of

Russian background.

Anchor Point

The 1970 population of Anchor Point 'was 102 persons.

Soldotna

1975 population projections indicate a total population of 4,000

persons, Located at the center of the Peninsula road system,

Soldotna is strongly linked economically to oil development in

Kenai.

Nikolaevsk

Niko.laevsk has a 1976 population of 275 residents comprising some

40 families. This group is of Russian origin known as the

Russian Old Believers. The community is economically based on

fishing and agriculture. The goal of this community is to form a

self sufficient lifestyle, free of dependence on modern society.

Clam-Gulch

Clam Gulch has a population of 47 persons, while Kasilof has a

population of 71. The population of Cohoe is 89.

Figure 33 shows the location of populations identified during the

1970 census.

c
S (d
FIFMRF.33 POPULATION BY COMMUNITY
1970 CENSUS

COMMUNITY AND POPULATION

pouRca: 1970 cEmsus

zi QJ

r-j

1@ @lj

. . . .. ... .
R; ;z@ HOMER

-r,4
3-1191

7,
M

Management Impli

Local demographic characteristics may be important in "I-he

location and design of recreation facilities. However, as a

majority of the use of existing recreation facilities on the

Kenai is by non-local residents the influence of local use

may be slight. Nonetheless, the needs of local residents'

must be considered.

Economy $6

The Kenai-Cook Inlet area has a total labor force of 6,345 persons.

With an unemployment rate of 15.6%, the total employment force is

5,375. For 1974, 32% of wages and salaries paid were to government

employees; 16% to trades people; 11% to transportation, commerce

and public utilities; 17.5% to service, finance, insurance and

real estate industries. 16% to the construction industry. The

remainder to manufacturing, miningand miscell.aneous wage earners.

The petroleum industry is emerging as one of the largest private

sector industries in the area. Oil and gas development in the

Kenai and Swanson River fields.as well as off-shore Cook Inlet

drilling and production has spurred rapid growth in the town of

Kenai. Since 1972, however, oil production in the Cook Inle t

basin has declined significantly. Yet, gas production is rising

and will continue to rise in the future. Overall, oil and gas

devel.opment tends to have a cyclical effect on both employment

and the economy as a whole. During development in 1968, peak

employment related to hydrocarbon industries was 2,308. In 1974

this figure dropped to 945 persons. Thus, while the development

stage is occuring and facilities are being constructed, numerous

job opportunities are available. However, once the production

stage has begun, the low level of labor necessary to operate a

facility becomes evident.

Tax revenues from oil and gas industry to local and state governments

is significant. In 1975 assets of the oil and gas industry

comprised 49% of the assessed valuations of the Kenai Borough.

In terms of the state government, state.assessed properties in

the Kenai.Borough in 1977 equaled 57% of the total assess valuation

for the area.

Commercial Fisheries. Active fisheries from Anchor Point north

focus on salmon and razor clams. The majority of the fishery's

production occurs in the Barren Island District, Kamishak Bay

District and Southern District near Homer. Harvested in the area

are five species of salmon and shrimp, Pacific halibut, Pacific

herring, King crab, snow crab, dungeness crab and razor clams.

Salmon entering tributaries within the study area support a sport

fishery which is valued in excess of two million dollars annually

for gross expenditures.

Tourism. As tourism continues to play a large role in the statewide

economy, Southcentral Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula receive a

large portion of visiting tourists. A recent study by the Department

of Environmental Conservation on the effects of tourism on Alaska

coastal communities, shows the economic impact of tourism on the

towns of Homer, Kenai and Ninilchik to be heavy. While the

effects on Soldotna, Kasilof and Anchor Point are moderate. The

economic impact of tourism on the town of Kachemak was rated as

slight. The existing Sterling Highway which parallels the

coastline in the study area is believed to be a major contributor

to this effect. A 1973 study showed almost 2.1 million recreation

days on the Kenai Peninsula.

Timber. Timber harvesting is generally economical.ly unimportant

and occurs primarily on the eastern shores of the Kenai Peninsula.

Harvesting also occurs along the western side of Cook Inlet at

Tyonek. No major harvesting operations occur within the study

area.

Overall, for the Kenai-Cook Inlet area, employment levels fluctuate

seasonally primarily due to variations in the fishing, tourism

and construction industries. This fluctuation is from an unemployment

low of 10.0% in the summer months to a high of 23.7% during the

winter months.

Management Impl.ications

M, Recreational land use designati ons and management should

consider the economic contributions of this activity to the

Kenai Peninsula economy.

As the towns of Homer, Kenai, and Ninilchik presently

receive substantial economic contributions from tourism, it

may be desirable to consider increasing the tourism economies

of other towns on the Peninsula.

M3 Although the designation of park areas removes land from the

potential tax base, the revenues lost are generally offset

by tourism and increased land va.lues in the area due to park

amenities.

Land Status

Construction of the Sterling Highway and subsequent post-World

War 11 homesteading activity, has left a majority of the coastal

uplands near the Sterling Highway of the west Kenai area in

private ownership. Remaining public lands between the Sterl-ing
Highway and the shoreline are shown in Figure 3L Much of the

remaining State lands in the area have been selected by the Kenai

Peninsula Borough. Conveyance of Borough-selected lands from the

.State to-th.e.Borough is presently bei-ng hel-d-up,and l1tigat[on

over this issue may occur.

Some parcels of remaining unselected State land occurs in school

sections 16 and 36. Other lands are State mental health and

State university lands. Recent policy of the Department of

Education is to lease their lands at fair market rental value.

Concentrations of public lands occur from the mouth of the Kenai

River south past the Kasilof River to Clam Gulch. Between Clam

Gulch and Anchor Point, public lands are generally small in

acreage and only occur occasionally. Several miles south of

Anchor Point occur large parcels of State-owned lands, with a

high and actively-eroding bluff. Publicly owned uplands in the

vicinity of Homer are almost non-existent. From five or six miles

northeast of Homer to the Fox River flood plain occur several

relatively large parcels of State and Borough selected lands.

Figure3::@shows the locations of native village corporation land

selections in the study area. State and Federal as well as nat ive

v i I I age w i thdrawa I areas are i H ustrated i n Fi gure 34 The set of

maps begining on page 101show the status of State lands along the

study area coastline.

't S
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FIGURF.,14 LAilD STATUS
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12 12
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54 Ken" posimoula 3oromo Approved Lands

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as Ke"i peninsula Borough Selected Lands
114-
Be 1@1 Peninsula Borough Approved Lands

ap Canai Peninsula Borough Patented Lands
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%-ca: State Lands which have been leased under 55-year
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in X-L peninsula Borough Selected F
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-X 31

a Noces Stace lands which have been leaned undar 55-yaar
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34 Ken" Pent-m-1- Borough Approved 2

B;k KMGL Peninsula Borough Patented Lands
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lit MAjLcAjk Native Association Inc. Emcb"99 Lan"
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PSG Patented State University Trust Lands

PS ah Patented State Mental Wealth Trust Lands

as ton" Peninsula Borough Selected Lands

U Kauai Peninsula Borough Approved Lands
39 Camal Peninsula Borough Facenced Lands j

mt Himilchik Naclv* Assoclagloa Inc. tachauge Lands

40ts: Staca lands which have beem leaned under 55-yeac
coacracca cc vh1ch are reserved tar airport cc pace
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ps. Patented Scace School Trust ?,,A$

PSU ftcauced State Uaivsrsic7 Trusc Lauds Q

PS mh pacented Scace Mental Health Trust Lands

Be Xamai Peninsula Borough Selected Lauds

&a X*M&i Borough Approved Tands

39 r-.i Peninsula Borough Patented ?-,A,

at Unilchik Mcive Association Inc. Zschange Lan"

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see ic
contracts 0 -hich azo reserved foe airport or poet 7t
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Mc Miallchik Naclve Aasoclaclam Inc. Exchange a

Note: State Lands which have b*qm leased under 55-year
ion"acca or vhicb are reserved for airport or pact
us*& are Mac shown.

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pse Patented Scats School Trust Leads
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PSU ?,tested Seats Univgrsicy Trust Lands
p&cenced Stars H*Ac&L Usalth Trust Lands
PS ah
W Be TAUSI PGIMIASUIA garough Selected Lands
U g,"i peninsula mrough Approved Lands

h Patented Lands
39 rAnal. Peninsula 3crous
Nift"chik Ucivg AgdocUtido Jac. &schangs Lands
a Lands

Notes State lands which have been leased under 55-year
Contracts or which are reserved for airpocc or part
Uses are not Shown.
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"IC Kean

Other Plans/Proposals

The plans and proposals of either public agencies or private

interests will have a profound effect on future land use patterns

on the Kenai Peninsula. Recreation as a land use will both

affect and be affected by these other plans and proposals.

Following is a discussion of the plans and proposals by public

agencies or private interests which may occur in the study area.

Department of Interior. The Department of the Interior presently

proposes to lease 152 off-shore oil and gas tracts in an area of

approximately 9 million acres. The estimated recoverable oil and

gas resources from this saie are 2.6 billion barrels of oil

(maximum) to a minimum of .09 billion barrels. Gas from this

field is estimated at 3.3 tril'Ilon cubic feet with a minimum

estimate of .6 trillion cubic feet. The proposed project would

include 84 exploratory wells, 420 development wells, 23 off-shore

platforms., 300 m4[es of@plpell-ne, two on-shore terminals and one

liquid natural gas plant and two on-shore treatment plants.

These figures are.projected by the Department of the Interior

utilizing a high-development scenario. Potential sites for

support facilities are identified as Kenai, Homer, Port Graham,

and English Bay. Potential terminal sites are identified near

Port Graham, near Homer, Anchor Point, Nikiski, Cape Douglas, and

46 POTENTIAL 01 Id na
L AND GAS
FACILITY SITES

T[AL SUPPORT FACILITY

. ..... ...n
POTENTIAL TERMINAL SITE

POTENTIAL LNG SITE
@?MTJAJ PR?PUCTION
M N sl
74,

TE: TRESE SITES WERE IDENTIFIa
IN BLM'S DEIS UNDER A HIGH CASE
Guk
DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO.
cp
OtMF: 'BLM/OCS DEIS FOR LOW
c@
N[LET OIL AND GAS LEASE SALE119T,

--a

---A PC

\K,

113

near Drift River on the west shore of Cook Inlet. A liquid

natural gas plant might be located at Nikiski, Kenai or on the

coast north of Anchor River. Potential locations of these

facilities within the study area are shown in Figure 46.

Should the lease sale proceed, development activity will begin in

the area in 1977. As the majority of the study area's coastl-ine

is composed.of high bluffs, it is quite possible that oil and gas

developments will be competing with parks and other land uses for

the low bank and river mouth areas. The mouth of the Anchor

River has been identified by the Department of Interior as a

possible staging area. This area is presently a State Park

(Silver King Wayside) and is used intensively by.sport anglers

and other recreationists. The exact effects of heavy industry on

recreation at this site are difficult to ascertain at this time.

However, some form of displacement of recreationists would certainly

occur.

Overall, the Department of Interior's lower Cook Inlet oil and

gas lease sale will increase recreation demand (by increasing

employment in the area) and decrease the land base upon which
coastal-recreation does or might occur.

State of Alaska. Should the federal off-shore oil and gas lease

1114

occur, it is quite likely that the State will move In a similar

direction to prevent the pumping of State oil and gas reserves

near the State-Federal three mile boundary. Should this occur,

oil and gas Impacts will be intensified.

A land use plan for State lands on the Kenai Peninsula to be

undertaken by-the Division of Lands is pending. State holdings

in the southern portion of the Peninsula are extensive and the

outcome of such a plan may have a significant effect on the

allocation of coastal recreation resources.

Kenai Peninsula Borough. The -1970 comprehensive plan for the

Kenai Peninsula proposes a number of recreational facilities and

parks located in close proximity to areas of residential development.

No Borough or regional parks operated by the Kenai Peninsula

Borough are proposed in this document. Under provisions of the

Borough Selection Act the Kenai Peninsula Borough has applied for

many parcels of land along the study area coastline. The use of

these lands by the Borough, should their selections be granted,

is uncertain at this time.

Ninilchik Native Association, Incorporated. As Figure illustrates,

most Ninilchik Corporation selections are well inland of the

coastline. However, two selections by Port Graham and English

1 15

Bay Corporations are along the coastline near Homer. Uses of

these lands should the Natives receive title is uncertain at this

time.

City of Homer. The City of Homer presently operates two camping

areas. One of these is located above the Homer business district,

while the other is on Horner Spit. The.Homer Spit camping area is

located on city lands which are classified for industrial staging

use. Should off-shore oil development occur and Homer used as a

s"upply base, this camping area will be eliminated. The effect of

this action will be to displace a large number of campers.

Presumably, these campers will seek out other city and State

facilities. At present the City of Homer has no plans for the

development of new camping areas.

Private Development. With or without growth stimulated by off-

shore oil development, private lands along the study area coastline

will continue to be subdivided and developed for private residences

and the accompanying commercial development.

1 16

Management Implications

Resource development such as offshore oil leasing may have a

profound effect on recreation. The effects of such resource

development will be to generally decrease the supply of

undesignated lands and increase levels of recreation demand

through population growth.

CD It will be important for recreation-use'to be fully considered
in the upcoming S@ate Division of Lands land use plan for

the Kena.i Peninsula.

As the Kenai Peninsula Borough will become a major land

holder in the area, it is important that adequate consideration

be given to the designation of Borough coastal lands for

park use.

n4 As the City of Homer presently receives a large amount of

tourist camping activity, it may be desirable for Homer to

consider additional City campgrounds. A means for acquiring

such property may be to retaintax delinquent coastal

property rather than liquidate such parcels for immediate

revenue.

117
CO I' land units

Definition and Determination

Land units are defined for the purposes of this study as areas of

relatively homogeneous ecological characteristics-. That is to

say that elements such as soil type, vegetation, wildlife or

shoreline geohydraulic processes tend to demonstrate similar

properties within a given unit type. Although various-environmental

characteristics can be used to identify land unitsp coastal land

form or geomorphic features are used in this study. The use of

land form types is valuable wh en assessing types of recreational

activities which may occur in a given area and for assessing

impacts which may be generated from a specific use.

Through the definition and identification of land forms, environmental,

information may be a-scribed to each land form type regarding

opportunities and constraints for recreational land use.. For

example, a rocky headland may present constraints to boating

activities and boating facilities, whereas the same area may

represent an opportu nity for fishing or observing birdlife.

Possible environmental impacts from certain activities within
4 astcx

1 13

each land unit type may also be identified by this same process.

However, it must be remembered that site specific conditions may

modify the intensity, duration, or frequency of impacts identified

in the generalized situation.

Identification and Description

The identification and description of specific land units was

determined through the use of U.S.G.S. topographic maps, aerial

photographs, navigation charts, and aerial and on the ground

observations. Thus, each section of the shoreline has been

identified*as to its landform type. When the situation arose

where two landform types occurred in the same section of shoreline

(i.e., high active bluff and sandspit), both are denoted.

Figures 48through54 show the -location of coastal land units along

the study area coastline.

A brief description of each land form type in regard to characteristics,

origin, constraints, and opportunities regarding recreational

land use is included within this chapter preceeding the land unit

maps. Figure 47serves as an index to the land unit maps.

119

Active Bluffs

Active.bluffs, which are a common occurence along the study area

shoreline, are those sections of the shoreline which are actively

being eroded. Wave action during high tide and storm conditions

erodes the foot of the bluff causing the slumping of material

downslope. This type of coastal landform may range in height

from several feet to well over several hundred feet. While a low

bluff height (between zero and 25 feet) may not physically

constrain access to the beach from the upland, a medJum or high

bluff presents a real constraint on coastal access. Active

bluffs, because of their unstable slope conditions, pose constraints

to trail construction and maintenance.

RecreAtional facilities in these areas should be located far

enough back from the edge of the bluff to prevent facilities from

being undermined by coastal erosion. Small drainages or ri-vers

are possible means of access to the beach area.where these landforms,

exist. However, the practice of filling in small drainages to

provide a road surface to the beach should be strongly discouraged

due to both environmental and aesthetic impacts. Moreover,

periods of high rainfall may cause these roads to be washed out.

Active bluffs occur throughout the study area with the largest

bluffs being located northwest of Homer and south of Anchor

River.

120

Stable Bluffs

Stable bluffs occur in those areas along the coastline which are

not eroding or have not eroded for some period of time. These

areas are most easily recognized by the vegetation which has been

able to establish itself due to stable soil conditions. As with

active bluffs, stable bluff areas may range in heighth from

several feet to several hundred feet. Low stable bluffs (less

than 25 feet in heighth) present an opportunity for recreational

beach access. However, higher bluffs may require the construction

.of trails or roadways to the beach. It is possible, due to the

shifting of shoreline erosion-acretion proce .sses, for a stabilized

bluff to exhibit a small eroding escarpment at the beach elevation.

This may be a short-term condition or may signal the beginning of

a long-term erosional process. Should a long-term erosional

process be occurring, then the bluff will become active and begin

sluffing.

Low stable bluff areas should receive a high priority for public

recreational use and beach access.

121

River Mouths

River mouths are an important coastal land unit from both an

ecological and recreational viewpoint. As a zone of freshwater

and saltwater mixing, these areas form a diversified environment

favorable to certain organisms during all or a stage of their

life cycle. The congregation of salmon or other anadromous fish

at river mouths makes these areas important for sport and commercial

fishing. Sediments carried bFy rivers will tend to form deltas or

bars and spits at the river mouth. These lowlying wetlands

provide excellent opportunities for beachcombing and observing

wildlife. As wil.dlife habitat is often the highest and best land

use designation for these areas, recreational developments and

use should only be encouraged if they are compatible with the

protection of wildlife habitat. Roads should not be constructed

across wetlands as they may severely after drainage patterns and

estuarine characteristics. Beach grasses found in these areas

should be protected from trampling and development as they (beach

grasses) generally serve to stabilize the land form.

122

Small Drainage

Small drainageways occur throughout the study area's coastline.

These drainages generally form small ravines or canyons perpendicular

to the shoreline. An important ecological function of these

drainages is their supply of sediment, nutrients, minerals, and

organic matter to the coastal waters. Adversely, these drainages

may carry pollutants and toxic substances from upland uses.

These drainageways should be buffered from upland land uses

through the protection of streamside vegetation. Upland wildlife

often use these drainages to gain access to the beach area where

high bluffs occur.

From the standpoint of recreation, these drainageways may offer

the only easy access to'the beach in areas of steep bluffs. The

practice of constructing road access to the beach through the

filling of these drainageways should be discouraged. Properly

designed foot trails could be constructed in some of these areas

to provide beach access.

123

Estuary

Estuaries are those areas which are relatively enclosed coastal

water bodies that receive a significant freshwater input. Rivermouths

are estuaries when the riverbed grade is slight enough that

significant tidal action occurs in the river upstream from the

river mouth. Estuarine conditions also occur in areas such as

the upper-portion of Kachemak Bay or upper Cook Inlet. Estuaries 011

are beneficial to marine organisms in that they provide shelter

from wave action. Shallow water conditions which allow light

penetration to the bottom serve as nutrient storage areas. Water

circulation conditions caused by fresh and saltwater mixing

establishes beneficial circulation patterns supplying the area

with food. These strong circulation patterns also serve to flush

wastes from the estuary.

Estuaries often host significant concentrations of waterfowl.

Plant and a,nimal diversity is usually high. Overall, these areas

provide an excellent opportunity for interpreting the physical

and biological processes of the coastal zone.

124

Sandspit

Spits found in the study area are generally composed of sand,

although some may be composed of gravel where currents are sufficient.

Spits are the end product of the previously discussed shoreline

erosion-acretion process. That is to say that the material which

forms the spit has been transported by current and wave action

from its source (usually a bluff) to the point where the spit is

formed. These land forms are highly dynamic in that they frequently

shift location and change shape. The shape of spits generally

points towards the land mass at their tip and may continue to

grow towards the shoreline, forming a saltwater marsh or lagoon

directly behind the spit. Such lagoons or quiet water areas may

become valuable waterfowl habitat. Spits are found throughout

the study area with by far the largest spit being the Homer Spit

which extends nearly halfway across themouth of Kachemak Bay.

Smaller spits occur at the mouth of the Ninilchik River, the

mouth of Deep Creek, Cape Starikof, the mouth of the Anchor

River, and Laida Spit south of Whiskey Gulch. Although spits'are

generally unsuitable for development because of their dynamic and

changing nature, they are an extremely popular coastal recreation

landform.

125

or
Salt Marsh/Sa-It-influenced,Backshore

Salt marshes are those areas which are inundated daily by a tidal

cycle. Salt-influenced backshore or wetland areas occur above the

mean high tide mark and below the yearly high storm level. The

vegetation found in these areas'is usually salt tolerant. While

salt marsh areas are extremely valuable in providing nutrients

and habitat to aquatic species, wetland areas are important for

waterfowl and help to cleanse water of contaminants from upland

sources. Aside from their inherent ecological value, these areas

are unsuited to develo pment due to flooding which occurs during

high tide and storm conditions. Recreationally these areas are

suited to beachcombing, clam digging, fishing, and wildlife

observation.

126
.are
FIr4JRE 47 COASTAL LAND UNIT Sol f me
area',
INDEX MAP
Re
(AR-A MAPS ON FOLL
F OWING PAGES)

Ket

oa-

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Gj INE
area
'2-
COASTAL LANO UNITS L

Active Bluff

Ah High 101, +
001
51 .;;;
A. Medium 25: 21
Al LOW 0

Stable stuff
:7'777@i
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of
Sm Medlum 261 -IC'
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RM River Month

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sw Salt MarSh/Salt-influanCed backshore

It
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stud, coun dcV,-

%ING
re-a-

COASTAL LANO UNITS
'Active Bluff AM
Ah High 101,+ i
Sit.-
A, Mod I um 26, - 1001!
Al LOW - 251

Stable Bluff
18.

sh High 101,
Medium 25'- 100' WA&
SM .1
@T
St LOW 01- 25, i is
RM River Month
J7-
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E Estua" az@
go

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backshors
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t

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129

a rea

'A&Ivo Bluff

Ah High
Am Mad I um 100,
Al LOW Of 2.31

Stabld Bluff

Sh High +
SM Mod I un 25: 100'
Si LOW 0 231

F*4 Rlv*r Month
A
Small Drainaq*

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ss Sand Spit

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ss

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p
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L4

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COASTAL LAND LWITS

Active Bluff

#0 Ah High 101, +
Am Medium 26: 100'
Al LOW 231

Stable Bluff

Sh High 101, +
6.@
L, Mad I Um 26 - 100f
LOW - 25,
St
TV
RM River Month

jr@-
so Small Drainage

Estuary

SS Sand Spit

sw Salt Marsh/Saft-influonced backsnore

g,
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r
r
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r - JA
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COASTAL LAND WTS

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High
Ah 101, +
Am Medium 26 1 100,
'Lo,, 0.
Al 25,
SS
4
I Stable 8luff
Sh High LIM 101o +
St Low 01 25#

RM River Month

Small Drainage
so 1A
)2 1
Estuary

SS Sand Spit
nr
SW Salt Marsh/Sait-Intluenced bac
7- kshore

-j7

VI
SM
7'

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----- ------

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to

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Is

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c
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r

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area.-f
COASTAL LAND tMITS

Active Sluff

Ab High lot, +
Am medium 25: : 100'
At LOW 0 Z58

Stable Sluff +
sh High 1011 +
SM Medium 26: 100' K A C H E M A K B A Y
sl LOW 0 25#

w River Month

so Small orainage

Estuary

SS Sand SpIt

SMR Salt Marsh/Salt-influenced backshore
Me

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r7l n
T r@@ wf
13

-7;7

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'-w

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-SL

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area -

CO STAL LAND LWITS

Active Bluff
kf'.
Ah High +
A. Medium
LOW
At 0 as
Cif INA ft**r
Stable Bluff
Vk
A. Sh High 101, +
A 261 100
Medium
S1 LOW
01 251
.AqI
River month
3@- SO Sma I I Ora I nags

Estuary

SS Sand S.olt

Salt Marsh/Sait-influenced backshor.

r
izz

134

Land Unit Capabilities

Prior to the consideration of land areas for specific developments

or uses, a review of the land unit's ability to sustain uses and

disturbances without the loss of its inherent qualities is paramount

to the planning process. This inherent ability or lack of it to

sustain uses is defined as a land unit's capability. Assumed in

this process is a desire to retain the inherent qualities of the

andscape to meet both environmental and recreational needs. It

is realized, however, that the landscape can be altered through

filling, dredging, excavating, etc., if necessary, to force the

landscape into a more capable situation. Yet, since these actions

are often costly both economically and environmentally, it is

deemed desirable to locate facilities within the inherent capabilities

of the landscape.

The capability of each land unit for specific recreational

activities is-portrayed in matrix form in Figure 55.

135

Figure 55 Land Unit Capability matrix

ACTIVE STABLE
BLUFF BLUFF z
E-

@-4 E-4
> E-

SNOWMOBILING
CROSS CIOUYMY. SKI .000000011-00010

HUNTING
0 0 C 0 0 0
DAY HIKING
A / C 010 0 a 0
au
PICNICKING 01007*1010 0___ 010 A
CANPING 01010 04) Q C A/ A

OBSERVEING WILDLIFE

BEACHCOMBING

CUM DIGGING
FISHING (SALT) Z1,000-043-11- 3-M .0000
FISHING (FRESH)
CAN OEINNG/IKYAKING 00
SAILING C /10
POWERBOATING 101 C
OFF-ROAD DRIVING 0 a0a/l/

area capable of supporting use

conditionally capable
L

area incapable of use

no relationship between area an(

Co oI 136
recreation land use

The purpose of this part of the study is to
assess the nature and

extent of coastal recreation activities occurring, or which may

possibly occur within the study area. Aside from the obvious

need to assess the supply and demand factors of coastal recreation,

there is also an important need to look at impacts to the environment

and other land uses which may be generated by coastal recreation

activities.

Activities

The nature and extent of recreational activities which may occur

in or related to the coastal zone are extremely broad. However,

since it may not be practical or necessarily desirable to provide

for each and every activity which may occur, the more common

types of recreation activity are discussed here.

Recreational activities may be segregated into those which are

water-dependent and those which are water-related. Water-dependent

activities are those which require the presence of water, whereas

water-related activities are those which may be complemented or

enhanced by the presence of water. When allocating activity

space in the coastal zone, it follows that water-dependent activities

should be given priority over those activities which are simply

137

enhanced by the presence of water (or are water-related). For

example, a target range should not be located on or adjacent to a

high quality clam digging beach when a demand for clam digging is

either present or projected. In essence, there are alternative_

locations for target ranges, but there may not be alternative

locations for the activity of clam digging.

Coastal recreation activities which may occur within the study

area and their water-dependency or relatedness are shown below.

Water-Dependent Water-Related

Power boating Observing wildlife
Sailing Camping
Canoeing/Kayaking Picnicking
Fishing Day hiking
Clam digging Hunting
Beachcomb 1 ng Trapping
Observing wildlife Backpacking
Cross country skiing
Snowmobiling

Existing Areas and Facilities Recreation Supply

When assessing the need for new recreation areas, the question

arises as to what are the existing areas and facilities presently

available to meet the needs of both resident and non-resident

recreationists. Recreation areas and facilities in the study

area are operated by the State Division of Parks, the City of

Homer, and the State Department of Highways througb the provision

of roadside pull-outs and beach access roads.

138

Sold no
AN
LOMECREATION

CAMPGROUND

BOAT RAMP

BOAT HARBOR

PICNIC AREA

in outch

mij-14chil

,lZ

ere

w-L

HOMER,

10
lmz=
C@@CA

139

The State Division of Parks operates nine waysides, of which five

have coastal frontage. State Park areas and their respective

facilities are shown in Figure56 ffecause of the

lack of public lands at the time of the establishment of these

waysides, all of these coastal waysides with the exception of

Silver King Wayside on the Anchor River are less than fifty acres

in size with minimal saltwater front footage.

The City of Homer operates two campgrounds. One of these is

forty acres in size with thirty camp units and is located in

Homer. Camping is also allowed on City-owned parcels at the end

of Homer Spit. However, there is the possibility that camping

will be eliminated on Homer Spit if this area becomes a staging

site for off-shore oil develop ment. The City of Soldotna operates

two campgrounds and maintains a boat ramp at the mouth of the

Kasilof River. The Kenai National Moose Range operates a twenty

unit campground at Tustemena Lake. Privately owned and operated

facilities in t-he area include a private campground on Homer Spit

(on land leased from the City of Homer), lodges, motels, and boat

and aircraft charter services.

Large recreation areas outside of the study area include Captain

Cook State Recreation Area northeast of Kenai, Kachemak Say State

Park and Kachemak Bay State Wild erness Park across Kachemak Bay

140

from Homer, and the Kenai National Moose Range which is located

to the northeast of the study area. The five State operated

coastal waysides offer sixty-seven designated camping units. At

present, overflow camping occurs in parking areas, picnic

sites, along access roads, and on beaches during both peak and

normal usage periods. The beach adjacent to the Homer Spit Road

is utilized for undesignated camping along the entire length of

the Spit.

141

Recreation Demand

Shoreline recreation demand in the study area is derived from two

sources. These are local or resident demand, and non-local

demand which is composed of regional, State, and out-of-State

recreationists. Although comprehensive recreation demand data is

lacking for the Kenai Peninsula specifically, the following

information does provide some insight into the types and frequencies

of activities people engage in Southcentral Alaska. The Draft

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan,, 1975 shows the

following participation rates for Southcentral Alaska:

Activity Average Annual Participation
Days Per CapiTa (Resident)

Trail-related activities 46.6
Sightseeing 19.5
Driving for pleasure 27.0
Picnicking 11.7
Fishing 10.8
Boating 5.7
Camping 5.3
Swimming 6.1
Hunting 5.8
Outdoor games and sports 6.0
Iceskating 2.7
Snowplay 2.0
Flying for pleasure 1.4
Alpine skiing 1.5

Activities participated in by out-of-State tourists are similar to

those participated in by State residents. However, sightseeing,

trail-related activities, camping, and picnicking are among the most

popular tourist related activities.

142

A 1976 study conducted by Field Research Corporation for the

Alaska Visitor Industry attempts to a-Ssess tourist perception and

motivation in visiting Alaska. A significant finding of this

marketing research is the tourist's strong desire to visit parks

and scenic wonders, view wildlife, and learn about different

cultures. Thus, it can reasonably be assumed that adequate

access to scenic and natural features is a prime component of

tourist demand.

Public use figures by specific activities for the Kenai National

Moose Range are shown in Figure 57. Primary activities which

occurred on the moose range, in order, are non-consumptive wildlife

use (observation, photography), freshwater fishing, resident game
hunting and tra@ping, and non-wildlife related recreation. It

should be remembered that these are non-marine oriented recreational

activities as the majority of areas and facilities on the moose

range are well inland of the coastline. Coastal related activities

such as saltwater fishing, clam digging, and beachcombing occur

elsewhere on the Peninsula.

Regarding coastal recreation activities, the Alaska Department of

Fish and Game conducted a creel census in Kachemak Bay during

1973 to determine fishing pressure. The results of this census

showed that 25,257 man days of effort were expended on shore

Figure 57 Heimi NaHurial Wose Ibuticle Ikiblic Use Data -

1.973 1974 197 5
Visits Act. Hrs. visits Art. lirs. visits Act. lirs.

Interpretation 1,240 620 1,600 800 2,400 1,100

I@iviroiviv-AnLal Illucation 2,200 20,400 000 4,700 B00 2,600

Hunting Resident Gane 23,500, 615,500 30,700 215,600 15,000 150,000

Hunting Migratory Birds 2,300 1-7,400 1,500 12,200 1,000 12,000
Fishing 45,300 603,400 71,400 436,400 49,000 536,700

Wier Coiismiptive Ac-,tivity 1,050 0,400 500 1,300 1,600 3,400

1.0,000 90,000 0,0()0 30,000 7,000 2.1,000

Wi IIII i It-/Wi WkIlld
011".100 1,120,400 106,000 40,079,000 141,000 2, 10, 000

W-Cruzkt: !oil Wil WiJdlife/
Wildlaix] 47,100 3,504,000 J.0,:loo 11101900 5,5()() 110 1900

'IbLal Activity VisILs 201,190 271,000 224,900

1%)tal Visits 140,300 156,300 102,000

Distribution of tv,-Livity
A. Swc-inson River Wc, Area 307
B. Skilak Loop Rec. Area 55-7.
C. 'I'Listum-Ana Lxlke Mc. Area 10%
D . Mystery Creek Road 2%
E. All Other 3%

Hote-. Due to chan(jes in sempling techniques, statistical validity nlay vary from year to year.

L)4

7,
liml owl I I I I

144

angling and 5,856 man days were spent for shellfish angi ing for a

total of 31,113 man days of angling effort in the area. These

figures do not reflect fishing effort from charter and private

fishing boats. Clam digging on the beaches between Homer Spit

and the Kasilof River is an extremely popular activity. Approximately

45,000 razor clams were harvested in 14,000 man days of clam

digging in 1972. In 1973 approximately 682,000 razor clams were

harvested during 23,770 man days of digging.

Clams sought by the recreational clam digger include razor clams,

cockles, redneck clams, and soft shelled clams. FigureSs Ashows

the location of sport clam beds in the study area. Aerial surveys,

counting persons on the beach, conducted by the State Division of

Sport Fisheries during periods of low tide conditions, show Clam

Gulch receiving the most clam digging use. The oil pad access

site approximately two miles south of Clam Gulch and Happy Valley

area receive the second greatest amount of use during an aerial

survey conducted in May of 1976 during a -5 .7 foot tide. 3,003

-clam diggers-were counted on the beach at Clam Gulch. Figure 58

shows the results of these aerial surveys conducted since 1971 at

six popular clam digging areas in the study area.

A variety of factors will influence recreation demand. However,

one of the more prominent factors is population. Regional population

14%,

t
Soid no
4 g %T
EMM.56SPORT CLAM- BEDS
4
tz'

EXCELLENT
Wk

GOOD-FAIR

POOR

SPOM DISCONTINOUS BEDS

rTE,' UqKNOWN AREAS ARE BELIEVED TO
Be POOR.

anr
SOURCE: PIRSOMAL COMUNICATION WITH
AQF G BIOLOGIST, SOLDOTNA, AK. 4"w'

'Q@

w"
@3z
or- P0

f HCIMER.@

Figure. 58

Distribution Of Cook Inlet Recreational Razor Clam Diggers Enumerated by Aerial Survey.

Year
1971* 1972* 1973* 1974* 1975* 1976*
General Location (No.) (%) (No.) (%) (no.) (%) (No.) (%) (No.) (%) (No.) (%)

Cohoe 9 1.7 121 5.6 199 9.8 94 7.1 157 9.8 221 8.6

Clam Gulch 290 53.5 915 42.4 869 43.0 781 58.6 952 59.1 1,160 65.0

Oil Pad Access 43 7.9 86 4.0 167 8.3 185 13.9 190 11.8 233 9.1

Nioilchik 59 10.9 225 10.4 365 18.0 52 3.9 113 7.0 173 6.8

Happy Valley 106 19.5 483 22.4 295 14.6 171 12.8 182 11.3 217 8.5

Whiskey Gulch 35 6.5 327 15.2 128 6.3 49 3.7 16 1.0 51 2.0

Total 542 100.0 2,157 100.0 2,023 100.0 1,332 100.0 1,610 100.0 2,555 100.0

* Figures presented are the average of two annual surveys - one on a weekend day and one weekday at which time the tide
was lower than -4.0'.
** Figures presented are the average of three annual surveys - two on weekend days when tide was -4.0 or lower and one
weekday when tide was -3.8'.
*** Figures presented are the average of three surveys - two on weekend days and the third on a weekday.

(No.) Is the average number of persons at one time.

146

projections for Southcentral Alaska show an approximate doubling

of the regional population by 1990. A majority of this growth

will occur in the Anchorage area. As the Kenai Peninsula presently

serves as a major recreation destination for the City of Anchorage,

further population increases in Anchorage will have a significant

effect upon recreation demand on the Kenai Peninsula. Local

population increases may also be expected from off-shore oil

development in lower Cook Inlet. The cities of Homer, Soldotna,

and Kenai will likely receive the bulk of this growth. The

present growth pattern of developments between the Sterling

Highway and the Cook Inlet shoreline will most likely continue.

Residential development in this zone will further decrease the

supply of potential coastal recreation areas while at the same

time increase demand due to population increases.

The possible future construction of a Turnagain Arm highway

crossing and/or upgrading of the Seward and Sterling Highways

would increase accessibility and decrease travel time, placing

further pressure on recreational resources in the area.

The demand for recreational or second home sites along the study

area's coastline will in all likelihood follow the national trend

for this type of development. The effect of this development as

with residential development will be to consume more of the

landbase which could potentially be used for public recreation.

147

Recreation Carryinq Capacity

Carrying capacity has been defined as "the character of use that

can be supported at a specific time by an area developed at a

certain level without causing excessive damage to either the

physical environment or the experience of the visitor". Carrying

capacity may be measured by 1) the environmental or physical

capacity of the natural resource, 2) the social, psychological or

visitor capacity - a subjective level of satisfactory experience

crowd tolerance), 3) the facility capacity relating to the level

of accomodation or man-made facilities. The concept of carrying

capacity is best dealt in a qualitative manner as methods for

making adequate quantitative determinations are lacking. Either

deterioration of the physical environment (soil compaction,

erosion, vegetation damage, etc.) or a decrease in visitor satisfaction

(overcrowding, complaints., etc.) are signs of a carrying capacity

which has been exceeded. When an analysis of recreation carrying

capacity in a particular area and set of activities is undertaken,

it is important to remember that, as a concept, it is difficult

to deal with in absolute terms and is subject to a high level of

professional judgment.

Activity Compatibilities

Compatibilities between recreational activities may be def-ined by

the degree to which two activities may occur at the same time in

148

the same area without resulting in conflicts between uses or

appreciation of the recreational experience.

Figure 59 illustrates the relative degree of compatibility between.

various coastal recreational activities. It should be noted that

conditionally compatible refers to the situation where the compatibility

may be dependent upon intensity of use or season of use.

Recreation Impacts

Impacts generated by the recreational use of the western Kenai

coastline are of two types. They are those which impact- the

environment and thus lower environmental quality, and those which

restrict or prohibit other land uses. These two categories of

impact are discussed separately below.

Impacts on Environmental Quality

Due to the complexities of environmental systems, a complete

listing of all impacts which may be expected from various recreational

activities is difficult. However, it is poss.ible to discuss

those impacts which have been identified from previous coastal

recreation uses elsewhere. Yet, it must be remembered that

impacts which have been generalized from other situations may

have differing characteristics, durations, and intensities,

depending upon the actual site conditions and types and levels of

MM MM M M MM M'M M

U)
EA :r 14.
H, 13
p Og tj
OQ 0
0 M 0
P- 10
09 M (b (A ti
13 (D
C) 09
r) :@ :r ti
cr In A n tj r
M 0 alt P, N Ln tu
r) tj. r) fi. M 0
H CL c1Q fa
P. *a rt OQ rt
P. (D
1-h
OQ 09 04 09 Oq 0() 00 09
M 09 QQ OQ (M 09

SnOW11101

Cross

Trappli
o
3
4. \/ I I I I I +
rr
F +1
o 0 -:r Backpa
-1 n + +
M 0
9. :3 .+ + Day Ili
0 + + +
Picnic
+ t + +
LA 0-
+ + Campill

Observ

clam 1)

FtH111111

Canoeir

P wer

150

use. For example., sewage discharge from recreational water craft

may be a serious problem in an enclosed bay with slow flushing

characteristics. However, if the same number of boats were to

moor in a channel with stronger currents, sewage discharge may

exhibit a negligible affect on water quality.

The following three matr;@cies are designed to assist in identification

of possible environmental impacts from specific activities and

recreational developments.

The first matrix illustrates the types of facil-ities (horizontal

access) required for each of the related recreational activities

(vertical access). The second matrix shows the possible impacts

to the natural environment which may be ascribed to each type of

facility. The third matrix is a composite of the first and

second and directly illustrates the possible impacts which may be

expected from each recreational activity. It should be noted

here that both.actfvity.and facility-related impacts are shown.

Parking areas, restrooms, and garbage cans, generate facility

related impacts while people and their recreational equipment

generate activity-related impacts.

LU M
>
cd to a
a Od a -
$4 CA 41 $4 CU
-4 00 0) -P4 Oj M 9d
M C 4j M Aj 9
06 -H -P4 Cd a Oj 00
LU r. 0 00
j.@ M V4 W 0
,.4 -0 x -U 10
U CU to 54 0 .0 Q 0 M $4 00;
q W 0 to 0 al Ca cc -ri W W 03 -P4
ACTIVI,,Y E-4 ad 04 P-4 Cj Ow P2 Od Q cn
Power Boating
0 CEEMEAMMEN
Sailing Obb
Canoeing/Kyaking
W _
Fishing (freshwater)

Fishing (saltwater)

Clam Digging AML

Beachcombing
0
observing Wildlife
Camping 0

Picnicking

Day Hiking
100, 01
Backpacking Am
Hunting AMI 0 0
Trapping 1 101010
n 10010
Cross Country Skiing -
N..

Snowmobilin av%

required
0 optional or conditional
not required

FIG. 60: Potential facility requirements of activities
:L9

FIG. 61: Potentlal Impacts-from faclittles and use

Go 14M M n -0C a0 CrM H 0 0
= 0 14WI'll I." Pr a.
PA. n 0a :3 rt
:3 0 M
P1 (M
M
P0W M 1-6 Mcm, > significont.
M Pt rr M
W M
"..w 0
C-4 9 M conditional-
M 10
r?
no-significant-impad.
M

AMPACTS
0
0 00 AM Co '"Ok
OW IV 'bisturb/"Remov'e Vegetation

Amok
00ARM Increase Erosion
.0 0.0 Ole G.,
00 0 JIMI 0 Aftle 4) Compact Soil
Alter tongshore Currents
0'
00 AM% 00001 Excavate/Fill
wa
Decrease Soil Permeability
woo
000 Vo A0161
__' )I Alter Surface Runoff
QC)Q_@' _Q 0 016) wd@%
Am A.1ter-Beach Habitat
WAMh,00 0 A1111, J0(00,M%G0 Alter Terrestrial Habitat
W IV W
a 0 jmk gavk@ Am AINJ Inc. Pathogen Level
WOW we
0 to '61b, A@ A016 a %w . ,Inc. Nutrient Level
IV U; w w 190-ML.
@'ffft @ RN Oil/Gas Input

Inc. Turbidity
00001" '0400.
Inc. Flotsam
C- -6010
QP AM, Alter Marine Communities
1 0 1 1
I 1 0 Harvest Marine Organisms
Aaw Harvest Terrestrial Organis
W Alft A%JA%@ Q
0 U 1w _
AE@ 0
dM AM Aft Ift Inc. Noise
0,9!hm A"k Inc. Air Pollutants
Visual Impact
GOP _j

0 U)

r4
E A
Id rA
M 44
to W a) bo
W U 41 rA>
A! rj (d 0)
tt r14A 1-4 t4 0
.2 WPH 14 td P., U.
> f-4M 0 41 Aj
U rj W 0V-H 0
C P .14 -A0to boWP4 10
0)00
N 0bo r-14 U) 440-HM-14
r
U 14 F4 J3
4jM 0
41 41 (n :2M:1H4J
U W P4z 44 U)
Td % k 14
&J 14 0
MU 41 U U'AU
04 r!
ACTIVITY 14
Power Boa 0 0
> tin g 0-0 -0-0061 1
4- 0 ,I
U Sailing 0 010 0 0 0 0000000
E Canoeing/ Kyaking 0QQG _0 0jr
0
L
4- . Fishing (freshwater)'Goe 0000 0a 01'
tn
4- G 0
Q Fishing (saltwater) eel 010, Ole 00 0091
CL
E Clam Digjing 001 1000 000001. Ole
Beachcombing 0 001 O1OOG0Qr00OOqG

C Observing Wildlife
0 _QOO.. Q0001
4- Aghle0
0 Camping
VIIN 0 CID 0 (D a0.
0601 00 0010. 0, CIQ
CA Picnicking

Day Hiking
0 0001 Ole) 0 19010000 1
Backpacking' 0001 0000000co
Hunting -0@0-0101 000010 0
Trapping
9916 .0010 00000
P%0

Cross Country Skiing.01010 000 -QOQOO@
Snowmobiling 01 01QQ I JL

154

Impacts on Other Land Uses

Park and recreational activities do not op erate independently of

other land uses. The designation of areas for recreational use

may suppl ant or impact other land*uses depending on the nature or

intensity of the recreational use. The following is an assessment

of the relationships between recreation and present as well as

probable land uses in the west Kenai area.

Wildlife Habitat. It has been well established that the health

and abundance of wildlife populations are directly correlated

with the quality of their habitat. Since recreation often occurs

within or near key wildlife habitat areas, it follows that recreational'

activities may impact wildlife through habitat disruption or

modification.

Critical habitat areas should be avoided when siting more intensive

forms of.recreational use. The clearing of vegetation probably

poses the single'greatest threat to wildlife from recreational

development.

Activity associated impacts such as noise may severely disrupt

the breeding and behavioral patterns of many forms of wildlife.

An assessment of wildlife populations and behavior patterns prior

to development can help a great deal toward minimizing recreational

impact s on wildlife. Park regulations pertaining to the leashing

155

of pets should be enforced in areas with wildlife populations in

order to avoid harassment and the subsequent loss of wildlife.

Residential Development. Residential developments are generally

enhanced (both aesthetically and economically) by the presence of

park or recreation areas. However, the converse may not always

be true. Often the protection of park values is difficult when

park boundaries adjoin residential developments, especially high-

density developments. While a park may be designated for the

protection of natural features, adjoining residential devel.opment

and the potential for adverse uses (off-road vehicles,.poaching,

firewood cutting, etc.) may lead to a deterioration of park

values. The designation of lands for park status will preempt

residential development, except for private parcels within park

boundaries.

Fisheries. Construction and development within park areas may

lead to erosion and siltation of salmon spawning streams which

will adversely impact the fisheries resource. However, for parks

which are minimally developed or properly designed, this problem

will most likely not occur. The harvesting of salmon and shellfish

by recreall-ionists most likely does not impose a problem of competition

with commercial fishermen.

A possible benefit to fisheries from park designation is through

156

the preemption of other land uses which may prove to have a far
more serious impact on the fisheries resource. r

Agriculture. Few areas along the study area's shoreline between

the Kenai River and Homer have agricultural uses in the coastal

zone. However, the shoreline northeast of Homer has considerable

coastal uplands acreage devoted to agricultural use. Park or

recreation area designations here would pre-empt agricultural

activity.

Oil Facilities/Transportation. The exploration and possible'

development of lower Cook Inlet oil tracts"will require the

siting and construction of on-shore support facilities. These

facilities will take the form of tank farms, pipeline terminals,

warehousing and distribution buildings, and loading and unloading

docks. Several sites along the study area shoreline are identified

in the lower-Cook Inler OCS Environmental Impact Statement for

oil-related staging faciliti-es. Quite-obviously, on a given

parcel of land oil facilities and outdoor recreation are incompatible.

However, aside from the possibility of oil spills damaging beach

areas, properly buffered, these two land uses may co-exist with

little difficulty. During the oil facility siting process,

recreation, scenic and heritage values should be considered and

weighed appropriately. Presumably, the presence of a park designation

would preempt oil-related development on a common site.

157
recommend ions

The recommendations set forth on the following pages outline a

series of acquisition and development actions that will help to

alleviate some of the coastal recreational use problems which are'

presently occurring on the west Kenai Peninsula. These proposed

actions have been grouped according to their intended function in

meeting the present demands on the Peninsula's coastal recreational

resources and insuring an adequate land base for future recreational

needs. The organization of the recommendations is as follows:

Group A Objective: Meet the needs of present coastal recreation

demand levels.

Grouo B Objective: Meet near-future increases in recreation

demand which will be generated by lower Cook Inlet oil development

and population growth in Anchorage.

Group C Objective: Meet long-term needs for open space and

recreation areas on the west Kenai shoreline.

Grouo 0 Objective: Identify present land use policy questions

which should be addressed by those responsible for making future

public and private land use decisions in the area.

Note: All maps on the following pages showing proposed park
areas use the following ownership symbols (excluding Homer Spit
which is a zoning*proposal).

public land

private land

existing park
at

158

GROUP A OBJECT=:

MEET NEEDS OF PRESENT COASTAL RECREATION DEBAND LEVELS

Action 1: Clam Gulch

Clam Gulch Wayside was dedicated to public recreation in 1968 by
the State. Parks' an4 Recreation Section via a land management

transfer from the general State land management domain. The

present 36 acre site has been developed with 20 picnic units,

'toilets, drinking water, and a picnic shelter. Clam Gulch is

considered the major access point to the highest @uality clam

digging on the west Kenai shoreline. During p eriods of clam

digging activity, use of this area far exceeds the carrying

capacity of the site and facilities. During spring low tide

conditions, over 500 automobiles and camping vehicles have been

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159

parked in the area in conjunction with cl-am digging. During a

5.7 tide in May of 1976 3,003 persons were observed on the beach

at Clam Gulch pursuing this activity. During these periods of

high use; automobiles are forced to park up and down the highway;

garbage containers overflow; toilets are inadequate creating

unsanitary conditions; and vegetation is trampled leading to

erosion. During other portions of the year the site is used for

picnicking, sunbathing and beachcombing.

The extremely @igh use levels at this wayside warrant the acquisition

of addition.al acreage. Additional lands between the existing

wayside and the Sterling Highway should be acquired for parking

facilities. Parking facilities should not be constructed for

peak loads because they will remain empty during the majority of

the year. Moreover, construction for peak load use may simply

encourage additional use which would increase the problems that

now exist. A parking area for some 150 to 250 cars would be

fully utilized-during clam tides and would be partially used for

other activities during the remainder of the year. State-owned

land lying north of the existing wayside in Sections 20 and 21

should be dedicated for public recreation use. Although the area

is located on a high and unstable bluff, this action would help

to preserve the site's natural and scenic values and provide an

excellent opportunity for hike-in tent camping. This land has

160

been selected by the Kenai Peninsula Borough, which does not have

park and recreation powers. It will be necessary for the State

to either acquire a long-term use permit from the Borough, or

offer the Borough selection rights on other State lands in the

area if they will rescind this earlierselection.

Acquisition of private lands to the south and east of the present

Wayside would prevent incompatible developments (hot dog stands,

liquor stores, tackle shops, etc.) from bai.nglocated on the

access road to the Wayside. This road presently crosses private

property, though the road itself is assumed to have a public

easement. Soil conditions in this area are more favorable for

development (e.g., better drainage and bearing strength) than

those soils found near.the existing facilities which are poorly

drained and usually saturated. A parking area near the present

picnic site would require a large amount of fill and would

detract from the on-site aesthetics during periods of non-clam

digging related use. Lands which should be acquired are shown on

Page of the appendix. This proposal would expand the size of

the present Wayside to 350 acres.

161

Action 2: Deep Creek

Deep Creek Wayside (presently 44 acres in size) is Iocated at the

mouth of Deep Creek south of the town of Ninilchik. Facilities

at this site include ten picnic sites, a vaulted latrine, a boat

ramp, and a parking area. Summer use estimates extending back to

1972 show peak use levels of 600 vehicles. Although the site is

developed as a picnic area, a majority of users camp at this

site. Popular activities in this area include fishing, beach-

combing, and camping. The present facilities are located on a

sandspit. Beach grasses which would normally occur in such areas

have been trampled and are almost non-existent.

. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .

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..........
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Cape kim

To help remedy overcrowding and site deterioration problems

presently occuring, private land along the Deep Creek Access Road

162

should be acquired to relocate camping and parking facilities.

Th@is action woul-d also serve to prevent incompat-ible developments

along this road. A loading and unloading area would be retained

on the spit, as well as parking for handicapped persons and

senior citizens. The possibility of relocating the Deep Creek

boat ramp to the Ninilchik Harbor should be explored. Should

this prove unfeasible, then the present ramp should be repaired

and upgraded.

Private lands lying to the west of the Wayside should be.acquired

to protect the Deep Creek estuary from development. Although not

included in this proposal, should private lands to the north of

'Deep Creek become available, their acquisition would provide an

area for campground development and access to the north side of

Deep Creek.

Management of this area should be retained by the State Division

of Parks. Lands to be acquired are shown on pagel96 of the

appendix. The estimated acreage of this proposal is 445 acres.

163

Action 3: Silver King Wayside

Silver King Wayside is located at the mouth of the Anchor River

and is the most westerly point of land in the study.area. The

present Wayside comprises 174 acres with 40 developed campsites

and support facilities. An additional five acres of waterfront

is preseinfly being leased from the U. S. Coast Guard. While this

facility is a major destination for anglers, it also provides

opportunities for camping, beachcombing, photography, a-nd observing
wildlife. These non-fishing acti'vities may be expected to

increase in the future. A portion of the present campground is

being eroded by the river and should be relocated rather than

riprapping the stream bank. The latter action is both environmentally

and economically costly.

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164

The present size and configuration of, the Wayside is inadequate

and should be altered to provide additional beach frontage fishing

access to Anchor River, a site for the relocation of a portion of

the present camping area, and the construction of additional

camping facilities. Acquisition of the private subdivision which

the Wayside road passes through, would provide an excellent site

for the relocation of the existing campground facilities as well

as the provision of additional camp units. The acquisition of

private lands on the coast to@the north of the parcel would

provide an excellent site for campground development, increase

the Wayside's beach frontage, and protect the area's aesthetic

qualities. Public ownership of this land would also facilitate

access for anglers to the north side of Anchor River. As the

estuary offers important fish and wildlife habitat, it should be

protected from development. The random trail pattern which

presently occurs in the estuary could be remedied by the construction

of wooden boardwalks or gravel-surfaced trails designed for

fishing access to the river. Additionally, the parking area near

the beach should be barriered and organized to avoid damage to

beach vegetation.

Management of this area should be retained by the State Division

of Parks. The acquisition of additional lands would increase the

size of the Silver Kin19 Wayside to 445 acres. Proposed acquisitions

are shown on page 190 of the appendix.

165

Action 4: Homer Spit

Homer Spit, located within the city limits of Homer, annually

receives a large amount of use as a prime destination point for

rec reationists on the Kenai Peninsula. Camping presently occurs

on the Spit at a private campground and on City-owned property.

Unregulated camping occurs on the beach to the west side of the

Spit highway. Recreational activities on the Spit include clam

digging, beachcombing, fishing, and camping. A large clam bed

-occurs on the east side of the Spit near Coal Say. However,

present sport harvesting of the Spit is believed by some biologists

to be excessive. As portions of Homer Spit become dedicated to

on-shore facilities for off-shore oil development and other

industrial uses, it will become increasingly more difficult to

protect the recreational opportunities provided in this area.

22
at

...........

lap

PEW X
Cos Point

166

Protection of recreational values of the area can best be obtained

through Kenai Peninsula Borough zoning powers. The a-pproximately

224 acre area shown on the above map should be zoned as open

space for recreational use.

As some campground area on the Spit will most likely be lost to

off-shore oil development activities, the City of Homer should

seek to construct'new camping areas on other portions of the

City's coastline. The new recreational lands could be most

readily acquired by holding tax delinquent properties for public

camp@round development rather than re-selling them. In the event

that overnight camping on Homer Spit is prohibited, it is important

that parking, preferably near the end of the Spit be provided for

beach fishing and walking.

167

Action 4: Cohoe Beach Access

A public access site on the lower portion of Cohoe Loop Road Is

needed to expand the opportunities for clam digging and beach

combing. The provision of beach access in this area would help

to alleviate some of the present excessive pressures on Clam

Gulch.
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Parking facilities to facilitate 'beach access could be developed

to the east of Cohoe Loop Road-in an old gravel pit. A trail

from the parking area to the beach could be constructed. This

section of the beach presently receives a great deal of clam

digging use during low tide conditions. Acquisition of those

lands around Lower Cohoe Lake and the wooded area between the

168

Lake and the road would be highly desirable for the development

of camping facilities.

T@ls proposal includes 864 acres, of which 160 acres are privately

owned and would have to be acquired. Several residential parcels

occur on the coastline within the area, but are not critical

acquisitions at this time. These properties should be acquired

only if sufficient funds are available. Development and management

of this site should be undertaken by the State Division of Parks.

169

Action 5: Falls Creek Beach Access

The mouth of Falls Creek is located approximately two miles south

of Clam Gulch. Although this area is private land, it is used by

clam diggers to gain access to the excellent razor clam beds

located in this area. The-potential exists at this site to help

disperse some of the excessive use occuring at Clam Gulch Wayside.

The acquisition of this area would allow for the development of

parking and picnicking facilities, as well as a beach trail

adjacent to Falls Creek. This area is 64 acres.in.size. Management

of this area should be by the State Division of-Parks in consultation

with the State Division of Sport Fish.

......... . .
.........

. . . . . . . . . .

. . .........

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170

GROUP B OBJECTIVE:

ACQUIRE AND DEVELOP COASTAL PARK AREAS TO MEET INCREASES IN

RECREATIONAL DEMAND GENERATED BY OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT AND

FURTHER POPULATION GROWTH IN ANCHORAGE

Action 1: Kalifonsky Beach Access Parks

Kalifonsky Beach is located south of the Kenai River mouth and

extends to the mouth of the Kasilof River. This beach area is

approximately ten miles in, length with a low but actively eroding

bluff. The acquisition and development of several access points

in this area will greatly facilitate public use of this beach.

Public lands adjacent to Kalifonsky Beach will provide for the

development of three access parks. These areas would be developed

primarily for day use with parking, restrooms, and trail facilities.

Although campground facilities could be developed at two of these

sites. The northernmost site lies just off Kalifonsky Loop Road,

while the southern two sites are bisected by the road.

............

171

Kas 11 of Loop Road I eads away f ram the Ster 11 ng H i ghway to Ka I i f ons ky

Beach and returns near the@mouth of the Kasilof River.

The northern access site presently has a short road constructed

to the beach. The upland area, east of the road, has been completely

cleared of vegetation . Parking facilities could easily be developed

on a portion of this clearing and the remainder revegetated. The

vegetated backshore area, between the road and the beach, is

comprised of several salt-tolerant plant species and should be

protected from development or excessive foot trampling. This

area is Boeough-patented land. As the Kenai Peninsula Borough is

without park and recreation powers, a special land use permit for

a 25 year period should be obtained by the State Division of

Parks for the development of this facility. This site is 31

acres in size.

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172

The second Kalifonsky Beach Access Site is approximately halfway

between the mouth of the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers. This area is

approximately 240 acres. A small drainageway to the beach provides

the potential for constructing a trail from the uplands to the

beach. Some camping could be provided between the Kialifonsky

Road and the bluff. Additional camping and parking could be

developed east of the road. A portion of this area to the east

of Kasilof Road is private land and would have to be acquired.

The coastal portion has been selected by the Borough, while the

most easterly area.is tentatively approved as State land. A

radio tower is located on private land to the east of Kasilof

Road. Properly fenced to prevent vandalism, the area near the

tower could be developed for parking and some camping without

conflict between these two uses.

The third Kalifonsky Beach Access Site is approximately 1,050

acres in size. This,area will have approximately two miles of

coastal bluff; approximately 80 acres of land east of the road

which could be utilized for parking and facilities; and nearly

500 acres of muskeg and wetlands which could be reserved from

development as open space. As the purpose of this proposal is

primarily beach access and open space, several parcels of private

land which have been developed for residential use would not need

to be immediately acquired. However, should these lands become

173

available, their acquisition would be advisable.

These last two areas should be acquired, developed, and managed

by the State Division of Parks, with the option of turning them

over to the Borough at such time as it obtains park and recreation

powers.

174

Action 2: Ninilchik Wayside

The Ninilchik Wayside Is located on a bluff overlooking the town

of Ninilchik and the Ninilchlk River. The existing Wayside is

thirteen acres, with only a small portion of the parcel having

beach frontage. The lower portion on the beach at Ninilchik is

presently subject to a great deal of camping activity. No

facilities have been constructed in this area. The upland

portion of the Wayside, adjacent to the Sterling Highway, presently

receives camping and picnic use.

Kenai
Cook inlet
Jan

............
Jai

sterling

Ninilchik

Landing Gravel
Pit

A portion of the old Ninilchik Airstrip is located on the beach.

This should be acquired, as well as a private parcel of land

immediately to the south of the Wayside. Acquisition of this

additional property will insure that existing public recreation

175

use opportunities are protected. While camping activity. should

be restricted to the upper portion of the Wayside, the beach

section of the Wayside could be developed for limited parking.

Tent camping in the lower parking area could be allowed on the

margin of the parking area. Areas of vehicular travel should be

barriered to prevent further destruction of beach vegetation.

Since the Ninilchik Wayside occurs in an area which, according to

the Alaska Department of FIs,h and Game, provides a wintering

ground for moose, area vegetation should be managed to protect

winter browse plant species. Facility design should also consider

the historic and architectural qualities of Ninilchlk Village and

avoid locating structures which are in contrast to the village.

Should.funds become available or land trades possible, those

private lands on the bluff between Ninilchik and Deep Creek

waysides should be acquired. Lands to be acquired are shown on

page 193 of the appendix.

176

M
Action 3: Mouth of- the Kasilof River

Existing public lands surrounding the mouth of the Kasilof Ri*ver-

are currently being used for public recreation. Present use

includes picnicking, beachcombing, boating, fishing, and some

camping. Beaches in the area are sand, while the backshore is

primarily wetlands. These backshore wetlands and the off-shore

waters serve.as important marine and.waterfowl resting and

foraging areas. Anadromous fish utilize the Kasilof River to

gain access to Tustemena Lake. Clam digging is good in the

vicinity of Cape Kasilof to the south of the river mouth. A

commercial and recreational boat ramp and dock facility are

presently operated by the City of Soldotna on the northern side

of the river mouth.

. .......................
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A parcel,of private property should be acquired near the boat

ramp. State lands surrounding this private parce I on the north

177

side of the river mouth hav e been identified by the State Division

of Lands in Planning Report #120 as being best suited.to public

recreation. To the southwest of 'the river mouth towards Cape

Kasilof is what is believed to be the remains of a Russian fort.

Park designation of this area will insure the protection of this

historic resource and open the possibility for the develop ment of

interpretive facilities on this site. Upland areas hear Cohoe

Loop Road contain sufficient and suitable acreage for campgrounds
a.nd other recreational support facilities.

.Kasilof Loop Road provides access to the northern portion of this

area, while the southern section is accessible by use of the

Cohoe Loop Road. Wildlife habitat values of the areats wetlands

should be protected from roads or recreational development

This area is approximately 1,500 acres in size. The

boundaries of the proposed area encompass State, Borough-selected,

and some private land. Acquisition, development, and operation of

this area should be undertaken by the State Division of Parks.

178

Action 5: Cape Starichkof/Stariski Creek

This area Possesses a unique one-mile long sandspit with Starlski

Creek serving as an estuary immediately behind it. Fishing is
excellent at this site and there exists the potentla] for clam'

digging, beach combing, and observing wildlife. Camping and

picnicking are also possible uses of this area. Brown bear are

occasionally seen foraging and fishing along Stariski Creek. The

scenic quality of this area is high.

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The major i ty of this area Js in pub I ic ownership (e.g., both

State and Borough-selected lands). However, a portion of private

land would have to be acquired. As this private land presently

contains a residence, acquisition of this land with life tenure

for its residents would be the most logical means to insure

protection of the area for future public use without displacement

of its present owners. Thi's proposal is 448 acres in size.

179

Action 6: Whiskey Gulch/Laida Spit

Whiskey Gulch is located approximately three miles south of Cape

Starichkof. A road constructed from the uplands to the beach in

the Whiskey Gulch area has led to the use of this area and.Laida

Spit for recreational purposes. Camping on the beach, surf

fishing, and beach combing are popular activities. T he beach in

this area is probably the widest found anywhere on the west Kenai

coastline. Moreover, Laida Spit, which is presently stable (not

actively eroding or accreting), is nearly two and one-half miles

in length.
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A wash-out of the access'road during the summer of 1976 has

presently rendered the beach area inaccessible by automobile.

The possibility of reconstructing the beach access road should be

carefully considered; Present use of the beach area by automobiles

ISO

has not greatly affected beach vegetation; however, increased use

levels, which can reasonably be expected in the future, will most

certainly damage the fragile beach vegetation. The reconstruction

and upgrading of the access road would most likely be extremely

costly and thus, unrealistic. An alternative to opening the

beach to automobile use would be the construction of upland

parking and foot access only. Tent camping facilities could be

constructed on the beach. Private land surrounding the Whiskey

Gulch access road should be acquired and Laida Spit, whi-ch is

publicly owned, dedicated for public recreation use. Laida Spit

is 40 acres 1.n size. The area to be acquired near the access

road is approximately 60 acres. It is important that this area

receive adequate protection to preserve public access to this

unique beach area.

181
(
GROUP C OBJECTIVE:

MEET LONG-TERM OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION NEEDS ON THE WEST KENAX

SHORELINE

Action 1: Bluff Point Natural Area

Several miles south of Anchor Point exists the potential for the

establishment of a large natural area or greenbelt due to the

large amount of consecutive public ownership of lands. This area

Is predominantly muskeg with scattered sections of spruce.forest.

This area connects with the old Sterling Highway at four points

which would help to disperse public use. Although the bluff in

this area is extremely high, several drainages exist where trails

could be constructed to the beach. There are a number of creeks

and ponds in the area. Trail systems could be developed in

forested areas where soil conditions would be more suitable.

-Where muskeg is crossed, boardwalks should be utilized.

The proposed site is 6,080 acres in size. Acquisition of private

parcels near Mutanala Gulch and on a drainageway to the north is

desirable but not critical at present.
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183

Action 2: Cottonwood and Eastland Creeks

This area is located at the head of Kachemak Bay on the northern

shoreline. Several large parcels of publicly owned land occur in

the vicinities of both Cottonwood and Eastland Creeks. Cotton-

wood and Eastland Creek's drainages offer outstanding scenic

qualities as well as a means of providing a beach access from the

uplands. Several archaeological sites exist in the area, and

there is a high probability that additional sites w.ill be identified.

The East End Road from Homer passes through the proposal in two

locations, providing the potential for road access. The potential

for camping, observing nature, beachcombing, fishing, an d hiking,

exist. The dedication of these two parcels of public land and

the acquisition of private lands between these parcels will

insure the protection of recreation, scenic, and historic qualities

of this area. The approximate size of the area is 3,960 acres.

184

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185

Action 3: Diamond Gulch

To the south of Diamond Gulch is-a parcel of Borough-selected

land which has been previously classified by the State for public

recreation. With approximately one-half mile of beach frontage,

this area could be developed for beachcombing and camping. Trail

access from Diamond Gulch Road could be constructed to this area.

A right of way would have to be acquired from a djacent property

owners. Hike-in campsites could be constructed in the uplands

'and the small drainages which exist in +he area could be used for

trail access to the beach. This parcel comprises some 95 acres.

Should land north of this area become available, acquisition

would be desirable.

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186

Action 4: Stariski Wayside

Starisk! Wayside is approximately 30 acres in size and has been

developed with twelve campsites. The campground is located on a

high bluff overlooking Cook Inlet and the Alaska Range. A heavily

timbered site, Starisk! Wayside offers excellent camping [email protected]

As the site is located on a high stable bluff, it may be possible

to construct a trail or trail and staircase system to provide

access to the beach. Additional acreage adjoining the Wayside

should be purchased. Until such time as the WaysIde could be

expanded, lim.its on the number of persons'camping at one time

should be enforced to protect the vegetation and avoid soil

compaction problems.

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187

Action 5: Fritz Creek

Several miles east of Homer occurs a parcel of State University

and Borough-selected lands approximately 220 acres in size near

the mouth of Fritz Creek. These lands should be reserved as

future recreation and open space. As the level of residential

development increases on the East End Road, open space will be

necessary to help retain the rural quality of this area. In

addition to retaining a portion of the public coastline in this

area, the upland portion of this site could be developed for

community recreation needs. The lower portion of this site is

muskeg and should be reserved from development. Future access to

this area by elther road or traii would require the purchase of a

right of way.

-------------
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188

GROUP D OBJECTIVE:

FUTURE GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE LAND USE ACTIONS NECESSARY TO

HELP INSURE THE QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF COASTAL RECREATION

RESOURCES IN THE AREA

Public Road-Ends

Public road-ends abutting salt water, whether dedicated by

prescriptive easement or through subdivision plats, should be

retained for public beach access. Vacation of.these roads should

only occur after a comprehensive assessment of the road's relationship

to either present or future recreation needs. This recommendation

should be implemented by the State Division of Parks in conjunction

with the State Division of Lands and the Kenai Peninsula Borough

which have authority for the vacation of publicly owned roads.

Recreational Access Clausefor Tideland Leases

The leasing of State owned tidelands in the area should not occur

without proper covenances guaranteeing the ability of recreationists

to gain access through the subject lease. Oil drilling directly

on the beach, sand, gravel, or mineral extraction, or the construction 0

of bulkheads and filling of intertidal areas all present possible

M
restrictions to public use of tidelands. To the greatest degree

possible, a means for public travel through or around these

facilities should be guaranteed.

189

Protection of-Park Beaches From Adverse Use

As oil and gas or other leases to public tidelands in front of or

adjacent to public,coastal parks expire, they should be acquired

through an interim land management transfer to the State Division

of Parks or other public recreation agency managing the area.

Adjoining tidal leases should be acquired for as far up the beach

as practica'I to insure protection of beachcombing, clam digging,

and fishing use areasi

Highway Rest Areas and Pullouts

Highway rest areas and pullouts operated and maintained by the

State Division of Highways provide an excellent opportunity for

the development of interpretive programs at these sites. Future

rest areas and pullouts should be located in areas of high

scenic quality and which will allow for interpretation of the

coastal zone and its many uses.

Private Campgrounds

The development of privately owned and operated campgrounds in

the area should be encouraged. Private campgrounds which generally

offer a wide variety of services (showers, laundromat, electric

hookups, sewage hookups) not only provide a valuable service to

the public but also help to alleviate pressures on publicly owned

and operated facilities.

190
7 ImplementQt0ion

Coordi-nation between the State Division of Parks, the Kenai

Peninsula Borough, local town governments, and citizen groups

will provide the most effective overall means of implementing the

recommendations of this study. Since the Kenai Peninsula Borough

is without park and recreation powers, initial implementation M

should be undertaken by the State Division of Parks. This action

would not preclude the potential for Borough or city operation of

these areas, but simply that the State would take the lead in

initial acquisition and development.

The following is a di.scussion of specific approaches which may be

useful:

Interim Land Manaaement Transfer

The interim land management transfer (ILMT) is a means by which

the State Oivision of Lands transfers management authority of

State-owned land to other State agencies, in this case the State

Division of Parks. ILMT's should be requested for all State-

owned lands included in the proposed park areas. Although ILMT's

may not be immediately granted by the Division of Lands, ILMT

requests are noted on State status plats and serve to "flag"

specific areas for specific uses.

191

Borough Selected Lands

As many of the State lands included in these proposals have been

selected by the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the State of Alaska

should work closely with the Borough. Possible actions by the

Borough would include; withdrawal of specific selections and the

selection of other State lands; or the retention of Borough

selections (with the prospect of receiving the patent from the

State) and the issuing of a special use permit to the State

Division of Parks for a period of 25 years. The 25 year period

is necessary in order to receiv e federal funds for recreation

area acquisition and development.

Private Lands

Private lands involved in the study's proposals should be acquired

first through the means of land trades involving the State Division

of Lands and, if necessary, through purchase. Private lands

where persons are presently residing should be acquired through a

life tenure arrangement. This means of acquisition allows residents

to continue to reside on the land although a purchase of their

land by the State has been made. Benefits to the private landowner

would include payment for the value of their property in the form

of either additional lands or cash. Rights to reside on the

property would be retained by the owner. Recreation developments

would not be constructed near the residence until after the

expiration of the life tenure agreement.

1,90
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193

Figure 66 Land Status of

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195.
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