[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
Anchorage Coastal Management Plan Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan 17 S, 1z HT 393 A42 1,7 A53 1980 I . - - . 17@ ty of Anc or k0ge 'n@ T- MUNCIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE George M. Sullivan, Mayor Municipal Assembly Jane Angvik Rick Mystrom Paul Baer Gerry O'Connor Fred Chiei Lidia Selkregg Joe Josephson Don Smith Ben Marsh David Walsh, Chairman Carol Maser Planning and Zoning Commission Kenneth Cannon Lois Lester Doyle Carmody Roger McShea Barbara Hill Raymond Pearce Dale Johannes Cary Vlahovich, Chairman ToniJones Michael J. Meehan, Planning Director The preparation of this report was financed in part through a Coastal Zone Management Program grant from the U.S. Depart- ment of Commerce under the provisions of Section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, and the Division of Community Planning, Departmentof Communityand Regional Affairs of the State of Alaska. Anchorage Coastal Management Plan "Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Prepared by: Elizabeth A. Hill Katharine L. Jacobs Linda L. Snyder Project Managers: Tony Burns, Senior Planner Michael Carberry, Senior Planner US Department of Comm e NOAA Coastal Service3 Center Library 2234 South Hobson Avenue Charleston, SC 29405-2413 The Municipality of Anchorage i Alaska Coastal Management Program Planning Department, Physical Planning Division Pouch 6-650, Anchorage, Alaska 99502 All men who come here learn but a part of the truth; tomorrow will not be the same as today. The true reality of this land is change. The snowflake melts. The mountain crumbles. John Milton; Nameless Valleys, Shining Mountains TABLE OF CONTENTS III THE MASTER PLAN CHAPTER PAGE Master Plan Concept: The Dynamic Landscape ..................................... 34 1 INTRODUCTION Master Plan Site Section Criteria ................ 36 Background ................................... 2 Activity/Land Use Requirements ................ 37 Geographical Setting ........................... 3 Master Plan Methodology ....................... 42 Coastal Management Program Master Plan .................................... 42 Background ................................... 4 IV AREAS MERITING SPECIAL ATTENTION Coastal Management Boundary ................. 6 Coastal Flood Zone ............................ 6 Fish Creek Management Plan ................... 70 Coastal Management Program Point Woronzof Fossil Beds Requirements .................................. 6 Management Plan .............................. 74 Process Description ............................ 8 Tanaina Archeological Site Management Plan .............................. 76 Point Campbell-Point Woronzof Wetlands 11 ENVIRONMENTAL SYNTHESIS Management Plan .............................. 78 Overview ...................................... 10 Point Campbell Sand Dunes Land Ownership and Bikeway System ........... 10 Management Plan .............................. 80 Vegetation and Habitat Areas ................... 12 Potter Andesitic Dike Management Plan ......... 83 Wildlife Resources ............................. 15 Potter Marsh Management Plan ................. 85 Geophysical Hazards ........................... 16 V CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Scenic Resources Inventory .................... 19 Conclusions ................................... 90 Landscape Types Resource Inventory and Management Considerations .................... 22 Recommendations ............................. 95 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Site Plan: Westchester Lagoon ................................ 51 Regional Setting .............................................. 3 Project Summary: Earthquake Park to Pt. Campbell ............. 53 Coastal Management Boundary Map ........................... 5 Site Plan: Pt. Wornozof Picnic Playground ...................... 55 Coastal Flood Zone Map ...................................... 7 Site Plan: Klatt Road Scenic Area .............................. 57 Process Chart ................................................. 8 Project Summary: Pt. Campbell to Campbell Creek ............. 59 Land Ownership and Bikeway System Map ..................... 11 Project Summary: Campbell Creek to Oceanview ............... 61 Vegetation and Habitat Areas Map ............................. 14 Site Plan: New Seward Scenic Overlook ........................ 63 Geophysical Hazards Map ..................................... 17 Project Summary: Oceanview to Potter Marsh .................. 65 Scenic Inventory Form ........................................ 20 Site Plan: Potter Marsh Nature Center .......................... 67 Visual Resources Map ........................................ 21 AMSA Site Plan: Fish Creek ................................... 71 Landscape Analysis Checklist ................................. 22 AMSA Site Plan: Fish Creek ................................... 73 Landscape Types Map ........................................ 25 AMSA Site Plan: Pt. Woronzof Fossil Beds ...................... 75 Dynamic Landscape ................ 35 AMSA Site Plan: Tanaina Archaeological Site ................... 77 Recreation Activity Compatibility Matrix ........................ 38 AMSA Site Plan: Pt. Campbell - Pt. Woronzof Wetlands .......... 79 Facility Requirements/Activities Matrix ......................... 39 AMSA Site Plan: Pt. Campbell Sand Dunes ..................... 82 Site Opportunities Matrix ....................................... 40 AMSA Site Plan: Andesitic Dike ................................ 84 Master Plan .................................................. 43 Typical Corridor Details: Boardwalk Treatment ................. 88 Site Plan: Nulbay Park Beach Access .......................... 45 Site Plan: Ship Creek Overlook ................................ 93 Project Summary: Ship Creek to Earthquake Park ............... 47 Typical Corridor Details: Bluff/Woodland Section ............... 94 Site Plan: Pt. Woronzof Overlook .............................. 50 Typical Corridor Details: Lower Bluff Edge Path ................ 94 CHAPTERI INTRODUCTION Background Geographical Setting Coastal Management Program Background Coastal Management Boundary Coastal Flood Zone Coastal Management Program Requirements Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Background high public value is most important. Transportation, commerce and food-gathering activities have long been concentrated in coastal In response to the high public value inherent in coastal areas, the areas. The use of the shoreline for recreation has become increasingly Coastal Management Program requires the development of a resource popular, creating demand for public access to the coast. As the popu- management and public access plan for the Anchorage District. This lation of Southcentral Alaska increases, sensitive ecological systems project represents the first comprehensive focus of coastal manage- are likely to be threatened in the absence of farsighted management ment policy on specific land areas in the Anchorage Bowl. Its intent is policies. to provide the Municipality with management recommendations and The issues addressed in this coastal resource protection and public site plans for coastai resources. access plan are required bythe Alaska Coastal Zone ManagementAct The shoreline of Anchorage has a number of scenic and recreational of 1977. The plan is in accordance with the recommendations of the opportunities which have not been officially recognized ordeveloped. Anchorage District Coastal Management Plan which was conceptu- Public access to the shore is limited. Most established access points ally approved by the Municipal Assembly in September, 1979. Specific are unofficial and involve trespassing on private land or railroad rights- aspects include: potential shoreline recreation areas, identification of of-way. In 1979, a general corridorfor the coastal trail was identified as coastal scenic and habitat resources, consideration of historic and part of the Municipality's Areawide Trails Plan. In this report potential archaeological sites, and public access to shoreline amenities. trail locations and alternatives are identified. The intent of this report Environmental opportunities and constraints have been assessed in is to connect neighborhoods and public facilities to coastal amenities. developing the master plan contained in this report. It is intended that The Coastal Management Program recognizes the need to promote the plan be used: (1) to minimize conflicting land uses; (2) to provide rational development in coastal areas while protecting vital resources. sensitive alternatives for trail locations and the siting of facilities; and Because the coast has historically been an area where competition (3) to provide the public with recreational and educational opportuni- between the land uses is intense, protection of resources that are of ties which are not presently available. N NO MAWS @NIIIK" RAIRW U A, NN2 V, ,N6 N % NOW -@"NN -;4 6' Al, V@ % W I View inland toward the Chugach Mountains from the railroad tracks at Westchester Lagoon. Master Plan Site #7. 2 Introduction Within the study boundary, which includes the shoreline from Potter's Marsh to Ship Creek, preliminary management recommendations are proposed forcontrol ofdevelopment in hazardous areas and wetlands. In addition, specific resource management plans are proposed for the IINWILLOW Areas Meriting Special Attention (AMSA's) which have been identi- fied in the Anchorage Coastal Management Plan. Site designs for S,x public facilities, resource areas, and corridor details for the coastal trail system are primary components of the Master Plan. Geographical Setting The Municipality of Anchorage is located in Southcentral Alaska on a ANCHORAGE triangular peninsula at the head of Cook Inlet. The Inlet is a tidal estuary, extending 180 miles inland from the sea. Bounded on the east by the Chugach Mountains, the Municipality is further defined to the north, west and south by two separate drainages of Upper Cook Inlet, Knik and Turnagain Arms. Of the 1950 square miles of the Municipal- ity, 85 percent consists of the rugged peaks and glaciers of the Chug- /I ach Mountains. The area known as the Anchorage Bowl is an alluvial MT.REDOUBT ENAII plain which slopes down from the mountains to the west. The topo- graphy of the area is glacial in origin, with the majority of the Anchor age bowl consisting of low-lying wetlands alternating with hummocks and moraines left by several major glaciations. The coastline of the Anchorage Bowl consists primarily of sea cliffs, tidal marsh, and mudflats, SEWAI Tides in the Cook Inlet average 30 feet, resulting in strong currents which limitcoastal land andwateruse. Low tide exposes vast mudflats in Knik and Turnagain Arms, The waters at the head of the Inlet have a/ Yli varying salinities, with high suspended sediment levels due to glacial silt. Though the Inlet is subject to ice cover during winter months, the 0 high tidal variation results in regular breakup of the ice. This allows the Inlet to serve as a major cargo route throughout the year. However, block ice buildup is a serious threat to navigation, and acts as a scouring agent along the shore. SEL VIA There are two major fault zones and five active volcanoes along Cook Inlet. The relatively high level of seismic activity is related to its posi tion on the Circum-Pacific Seismic Belt. The soils are largely uncon- sol idated surf icial deposits, with poorly developed horizons. A unique 3 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Coastal Management Program Background The development of land in Alaska's coastal zone is unique in the United States for several reasons. With its 33,000 miles of shoreline, the coastal area of this state nears that of the entire continental United States. Because only a small percentage of this land is in private ownership, Federal, State and Native Corporation holdings must be coordinated in order to provide adequate access, development oppor- tunities and management in coastal areas. With only five percent of the coast developed, Alaska has the opportunity to avoid ownership and access problems through effective coastal management policies. In the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, Congress declared its intent to help states developcoastal management plans to "preserve, protect, develop, restore and enhance" the nation's coastal zone. States were encouraged through financial assistance programs to implement "management programs to achieve wise use of the land and water uses of the coastal zone, giving full consideration to ecolog- ical, cultural, historic and aesthetic values as well as to needs for economic development." In 1976, several amendments were passed which related to the development of offshore oil interests and the This house narrowly escaped the landslide of the 1964 earthquake. The bedding layers siting of energy facilities. Other issues addressed were coastal erosion of sand and gravel are visible above the clay deposit. control and public access to the shore. clay material, locally known as Bootlegger Cove Clay, underlies much Alaska first started developing a coastal management program in 1974. At that time several major coastal issues were facing the state of the Anchorage coastal plain. This clay liquifies readily, and was including, responsible for the massive damage experienced by Anchorage dur- ing the 1964 earthquake. Ground failure, sliding and cracking are * The Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline associated with the liquefaction of this clay. e The Proposed Trans-Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Commercial resources include salmon, crab and shrimp fisheries in * Native, State and Federal D-2 Land Selections the lower Inlet. Sediment levels near Anchorage limit biological pro- 9 Outer Continental Shelf Energy Development ductivity considerably. Offshore oil rigs are located in the Inlet, and By 1977, the Legislature was convinced of the necessity of a state largecoal fieldswill be developed to the west of Anchorage in the near coastal management plan. The Alaska Coastal Management Act was future. There are five major drainages within the Anchorage Bowl: passed, creating a sixteen-member Coastal Policy Council. Further, it Ship, Fish, Chester, Campbell and Rabbit Creeks which flow westward established management districts and service areas which were from the mountains to the Inlet. These streams and ground water expected to develop local plans according to state standards and aquifers provide freshwater for approximately 200,000 people. Anchor- guidelines. The Coastal -Policy Council became responsible for estab- age serves as the hub of Alaska's transportation and communication lishing standards and guidelines for program development, and over- network, and the Port of Anchorage is a major commercial enterprise. seeing comprehensive coastal resource planning for the nine geogra- 4 N 0 f 7, 4 Ir .1 Ci 'A k 3j %I a-V -X W W J, _41 i W- 7)k Nk Anchorage Coastal Management Boundary Inland Extent Standard CZM boundary of 1,320 feet inland from 100 year coastal flood line extends to include wetlands, recreational and scenic areas, valuable biological habitat and natural hazard areas which have significant impact on coastal waters. M p Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan phic regions established by the Act. In 1978, Alaska Coastal Manage- floodplains, areas @dentified as having natural hazards or water ment Program Guidelines and Standards were accepted by the recharge value, recreational, scenic, or biological habitat values, then Legislature and became part of the Alaska Administrative Code. these areas have also been included within the management bound- The Municipality of Anchorage was awarded a two year grant to ary. This assures adequate protection for coastal-related resources. In develop its District Coastal Management Program in 1977. The Munic- addition, where the inland boundary crosses streams, the manage- ipality divided its coastline into three distinct planning units: Eagle ment boundary extends inland up to the 1000 foot contour level along River/Chugiak, Turnagain Arm and the Anchorage Bowl. The first the waterway. phase of program development was concentrated on Eagle River/ The seaward extent of the Anchorage Coastal Management Program Chugiak and Turnagain Arm . The second phase Involved develop- Is the Municipality's boundary In T U111clyalli CIIIU r\lllr% M1111Z), CLIIU ment of program elements for the Anchorage Bowl, and implementa- includes all of Fire Island. This project addresses the coastal areas tion strategies for all three district programs. The concept for the between Ship Creek and Potter Marsh that fall within the Coastal Anchorage Coastal Management plan was approved by the Municipal Management Boundary for the Anchorage Bowl. Assembly in the fall of 1979. Final approval by the state Legislature and Coastal Policy Council was given in March of 1980. Coastal Flood Zone The major advantages of the Alaska Coastal Management Act are: The inland extent of coastal flooding is shown in Figure 3. This zone � The program allows protection and management of valuable encompasses land between the shoreline and the 100 Year Floodline; environmental resources while accommodating growth in a sen- that is, the areas subject to flooding by gale driven tides at a statistical sible manner. probability of at least once every 100 years. � Federal consistency requirements of the Act allow the Municipal- Coastal Management Program Requirements ity the ability to coordinate management of land in Federal and This project addresses four of the eleven major uses and activities State ownership, over which it previously had no jurisdiction. identified by the Alaska Coastal Management Program. They are all � Resource management can now take place on a regional scale, considered in the context of the Shoreline Access Planning Element. since the Act encourages cooperation and integration of coastal Though the Alaska Coastal Act does not specifically require standards plans with adjacent districts (Matanuska-Susitna and Kenai guaranteeing shoreline access, it does grant authority to the District to Boroughs). plan for public access. � The collaborative state-local planning process, as it is set up by Standards Addressed in this Project (Numbers refer to Alaska CZM the Coastal Policy Council, allows the local government to Statutes): develop and implement its own program to suit local needs. At 6 AAC 80.060. Recreation the same time, it protects resources of state concern and estab- lishes a process for conflict resolution. 6 AAC 80.150. Historical, Prehistoric and Archaeological Resources Coastal Management Boundary 6 AAC 80.050. Geophysical Hazards Areas The boundaries of Anchorage's Coastal Zone are shown in Figure 2. 16 AAC 80.140. Air, Land and Water Quality The coastal resource boundary extends one-quarter mile inland from Article 4.6 AAC 80.16 Areas Meriting Special Attention. the line delineating the 100 Year Coastal Flood. Where the inland Discussion of these standards and elements and the responses to each boundary partially touches upon lakes, bogs, marshes, swamps, of these requirements may be found in Appendix A. 6 1A. N 0 74 ilk -7@ 4-, I-M LJ Coastal Flood Zone Area subject to flooding by gale driven tides with a statistical probability of at least once every 100 years. J`l Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan ANCHORAGE COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PROCESS PUBLIC ACCESS AND RESOURCE PROTECTION PLAN VISUAL RESOURCE LANDSCAPE INVENTO Ry TYPES -RAN ING OF IDENTIFICATION SCENIC RESOURCES P USL PA RT:CIPATION - COORDINATION WITH . n@,@!@@IES INTEREST GROUPS :NV RONMENTAL AND INDIVIDUALS MASTER PLAN PROBLEM D TA PY THESISOVERLAY DEFINITION GATHERING ROCESS -TR IL CORRIDOR RREVIEW OF PLACEMENT P ADOPTION AND -VE E IONAND OPOSED IMPLEMENTATION - ESTABLISHMENT COLLECTION OF WILDLIFE S ENIC AREAS PL INS OF MANAGEMENT BASE MAPS M NICIPAL ASSEMBLY SURFICIAL G OLOGY PU LIC C AITALPOLICY BOUNDARY AERIAL PH TOS VIRONMENTAL YGROLOGY CONCEPT PUBLIC ACCESS A DEXISTING DATA CATEGORIES TOPOGRAPHY DEVELOPMENT POINT PRES NTATION COUNCIL -US SAND DOCUMENTS FA ILITY SITES MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY PLA MING DEPART- ACTIVITIES IN -RESOURCE C ASTAL POLICY MENT COASTAL PROGRAM INTERVIEWS SEISMIC HAZARDS AND RESEARCH PREVAILING WINDS CTION COUNCIL MANAGEMENT GAT F OODPLAINS RE OMMENDATIONS S ATE PROGRAM AREAS MERITING LEGISLATURE IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS RELD WORK EROSION HAZARD OPPORTUNITIES SPECI L ATTENTION FOUNDATION AND MANAGEMENT PLANS CONDITIONS CONSTRAINTS PRO C ABLISIi CRITERIA FOR SITE SELECTION AND MASTER PLAN O-FI -PNT LAN AND WATER POLITICAL PROCESS US SUITABILITY SOCIA AND OVERLAY ANALYSIS POUICAL -OW EASHIP INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE DATA EASEMENTS Process Description constraints and opportunities of coastal areas. The educational con- The process for developing the Master Plan is outlined in chart form cept of "Landscape Dynamics" evolved quite naturally from the over- (Figure 4) to illustrate the sequence of decision-making steps. First, lay process. the project tasks were defined in relation to the project areas to deter- Site selection criteria for the Master Plan were developed, and several mine what data would be required. The data was collected, and new matrices were prepared to indicate appropriate uses for these sites. information sources were sought to fill gaps in the data. Base informa- The Master Plan includes a description of the corridor alternatives, tion was derived from various kinds of maps and photographs. Addi- and the facilities associated with thetrail. The Master Plan is illustrated tional data-gathering activities included library research, interviews in graphic form in five fold-out Project Summary sheets and on a base and field observation. A method of visual analysis was selected, and topographic map. The Project Summary includes a mile-by-mile de- theshorelinewas investigated on footwherever pedestrian accesswas scription of opportunities and constraints. Aerial photographs indicate feasible. spatial relationships of the land areas described. Site plans and corri- After the data was collected, it was sorted into relevant categories, dor details were prepared to provide the Planning Department with synthesized, and mapped. A combination of visual resource and prototypes for the coastal facilities. environmental information led to the identification of landscapetypes. Resource protection recommendations are made in the context of the Property ownership maps were used to identify land ownership con- 'landscape types' discussion, and in the specific management plans straints and suitable corridors for trails. Meetings and interviews with for each of the six Areas Meriting Special Attention. AN YP @CON.CIP'l BE '. 'M N1 individuals and groups allowed public input into the process. Overlay- Following publication of this document, the report will be forwarded to ing and synthesizing all the information led to an Widerstanding of the the Municipal Assembly and Coastal Policy Council for approval. 8 CHAPTER 11 ENVIRONMENTAL SYNTHESIS Overview Land Ownership and Bikeway System Vegetation and Habitat Areas Wildlife Resources Geophysical Hazards Scenic Resources Inventory Landscape Types Resource Inventory and Management Considerations Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Overview majority of the wetlands between Point Campbell and Potter Marsh. This land has been designated as a State Game Refuge. The Point Campbell - Point Woronzof wetlands are also held by D.N.R. The The sections of this chapter describe the environmental factors, both State's Department of Transportation and Public Facilities controls natural and man-influenced, which led to the Master Plan concept. In the majority of the land around the International Airport. the course of the project, the environmental factors were synthesized There is potential fortransfer of some of these land areasto the Munici- to identify the opportunities and constraints of land and water areas. pality under the Municipal Land Act of 1978. Mapped information in this report includes land ownership and exist- inq bikewav svstems, vegetation and habitats, qeophVsical hazards, The Federal Aviation Administration property near Point Woronzof, an-d scenic resources. The visual resource section describes the field the Point Campbell Military Reservation, and the International Airport observation process and visual ranking system, which appears in chart itself may be transferred to Municipal ownership. form. The maps in this chapter represent a synthesis of information The Municipality presently owns the tidelands along the Knik Arm, from several sources. The landscape types map goes a step further to several areas within the coastal zone that are being leased for gravel the analysis level, including a discussion of general land use extraction, and other industrial land areas near Ship Creek. The suitability. greenbelts, 'Park Strip' and other park areas are also owned by the Municipality. Development in areas that are presently in private ownership should Land Ownership and Bikeway System be anticipated. It is extremely important that easements be established through these areas for coastal access. Such easements should be established in the near future, before the land is subdivided further. The large gravel pits and wooded areas along Dimond Boulevard near Kincaid Park and the area south of Bayshore are of particular concern. The generalized land ownership pattern for the coastal zone of the Anchorage Bowl is based on information from the Planning Depart- ment Land Ownership and Land Use Maps and the Planning Depart- The bicycle system in Anchorage is already well developed and highly ment Municipal Selections Map. The bikeway system is based on the utilized. The majority of paths go along roadways and greenbelts. Municipality's Areawide Trails Plan and Bikeway brochures, and the Relatively few lead to coastal destinations. Several routes which are Parks and Recreation Capital Improvements Budget for 1980-81. The listed as existing on thetrails plan have notyet been built. The coastal public parks system for the Anchorage Bowl is taken from the Plan- bicycle access and resource protection plan, was identified in the ning Department's parks and trails inventory (1980). Areawide Trails Plan. The intent of this synthesis map is to show connections between Facilities for commuting to the urban center by bicycle are not pre- existing recreation systems and the coastal zone. In addition, this map sently adequate. However, recreational bicycling is very popular with depicts public land areas that could be considered for facility and many residents of the Anchorage area. It is reasonable to assume that access locations. demand will continue to increase for trail related activities. In a 1975 Major federal landholders in the coastal zone include the Alaska Rail- study of southcentral Alaska's outdoor recreation demand, trail road, the U.S. Army (Point Campbell Military Reservation), and the related activities were most popular. Driving for pleasure, sightseeing, Federal Aviation Administration which owns land on Point Woronzof. picnicking and fishing were also among the preferred activities (Draft The State's Department of Natural Resources (D.N.R.) holdstitle to the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan). 10 TU"T!, III @@10'jj 113 '. P vit, @ oi 'n w ir 4P LEGEND: GENERALIZED LAND OWNERSHIP AND BIKEWAY SYSTEM LAND OWNERSHIP: FEDERAL: FAA PROPERTY, MUNICIPAL SELECTION OTHER 1A STATE: DEPTOF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES GAME RE UGE INICIPALIT PARKS JOTHER PR VATEZ DEVELOP D H UNDEVELOPED SIKEWAYS2 E ISTING Municipality of PLANNED, HIGH PROBABILITY OF IMPLEMENTATION Anchorage + -El Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Vegetation and Habitat Areas Coastal Woodland Vegetation Types Coniferous Woodland Vegetation Resources Coniferous woodland consists of a predominant stand of white Most of the coastal vegetation of the Anchorage Bowl has been spruce, usually with an understory of wood rose, alder and willow. affected by residential and transportation system development. Very Associated trees are paper birch and balsam poplar. This type occurs little old growth vegetation remains, due to the technique used by the in small patches in Kincaid Park and on the Point Campbell Military Reservatinn Thin qhqllnw mr-itcz nf cznninin trpinQ nnimp thizm tn be Alaska Railroad to clear the area with fire near the beginning of this susceptible to w ind throw in-high winds. century. Between the east-west runway of the airport and Kincaid Park, the vegetation has been relatively undisturbed because of Deciduous Woodland limited access to the military reservation. Most areas below the bluff The deciduous woodland type is primarily birch, black cottonwood, along the Turnagain Arm have not been disturbed; however, two large quaking aspen, and several species of alder and willow. Occasionally, pads have been built by dumping fill into the marshes of this area. white and black spruce are intermixed with deciduous vegetation. South of Oceanview, where the railroad tracks run along the coast, Mixed Coniferous-Deciduous Woodland construction and maintenance have resulted in changes in the vegeta- tion pattern to alder-birch growth. Mixed coniferous-deciduous woodland is the primary vegetation pat- Probablythe most important determinant of vegetation patterns aside tern in coastal areas that have not been recently disturbed. These from the influence of man is the amount of water in the soil. The woodlands are composed of white or black spruce, birch, poplar, coniferous woodland and mixed coniferous-deciduous woodland are alder, cottonwood and conifers which appear regularly or in patches. essentially well-drained soil types. In contrast, spruce bog and Understory species include roses, grasses, devil's club and ferns. shrubby vegetation indicate a high water table. In the lowlands, soil Mixed Woodland depth to hardpan clay or permafrost is often quite shallow, and the Mixed woodland consists of shrubthickets and scattered trees. Dense water is trapped abovethis layer, causing very poor drainage. There is alder thickets occur in floodplains, along waterways and on disturbed not a particularly definite change in vegetation with slope-aspect, but sites. A number of herbs and shrubs are associated with this vegeta- the alpine vegetation begins at a relatively low altitude in Anchorage. tion type, including devil's club, red-osier dogwood, willows and Because there were no adequate vegetation or habitat maps available blueberries. forthe Anchorage Bowl, the information for the vegetation and habitat map was assembled using air photo interpretation and field observa- tion. The vegetation map from the Anchorage Environmental Atlas, the Coastal Wetiand Vegetation Types Southcentral Remote Sensing Demonstration Project Land Cover Map, and the United States Geological Survey quadrangle sheets (scale - 1:25,000) provided base information. Infrared air photographs Treeless Bog (scale - 1 "@500') taken in August, 1978, were used to identify specific Treeless bogs occur in low lying wet areas near the coast which aretoo vegetation patterns. Habitat information was constructed with infor- waterlogged for trees. The vegetation is predominantly sphagnum mation from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Department of Fish moss and low shrubs, with sedges, rushes, and cottongrass. Common and Game, field observations and information from the Audubon species are bog rosemary, labrador tea, shrub willows and bog Society. cranberries. 12 Environmental Synthesis Spruce Bog Spruce bogs consist of black spruce growing in poorly drained wetlands. The trees are very slow growing, and often appearstunted. A tree two inches in diameter may be one hundred years old. This species regenerates well after fire, since heat releases the seeds from the cones. Although black spruce do occur in the interior forest type as i ndivudual trees, a pure stand of tightly bunched, short-branched trees is characteristic of the wetland areas. Brackish Marsh Brackish marsh is vegetated primarily with sedges, bullrushes and grasses in standing surface water or varying salinities. Water hemlock, buckbean, pondweed and iris are associated species. Tidal Marsh . . . . . ... Tidal marsh consists of primarily salt water species, green and blue- green algae, sedges, rushes and grasses. Wet Deciduous Woodlands: Wet deciduous woodlands are a nearly impenetrable growth of alders, Patterns formed by green algal mats on the mudflats along Knik Arm. with larger trees on higher hummocks, and are usually found in the floodplain and on newly exposed alluvial deposits that are periodically Mudflats flooded. Mudflats are mostly unvegetated areas of shifting silt and sand below the mean water level. A thick mat of algae is commonly found on the Other Landcover Types mudflats, forming intricate patterns of intense green. Residential Areas Urban areas are mostly unvegetated except for small private gardens Ouarries and Disturbed Areas and park areas. No tree canopy exists in downtown Anchorage. Extensive gravel quarries are present within the coastal boundary due Residential tract subdivision areas along the Knik Arm have mature to excavation of the glacial deposits in this area. The gravel pits are trees and carefully kept lawns and gardens. Newer subdivisions have a vegetated only by weedy species; most pits have not been regraded. few scattered remnants of the black spruce that were there prior to Sizeable areas near the new north-south airport runway have been draining and filling, but no mature tree canopy. Most of the immediate devegetated during construction. coastline in the vicinity of housing development has mixed deciduous- Agriculture conferous or shrub growth. A field near the west end of the airport's east-west runway is the only Residential low-density areas are predominantly natural woodland in coastal area presently used for row-crop agriculture. character, with a regular pattern of houses and roads. Lot size aver- ages 5 acres. 13 @':'V -71 r LEGEND: VEGETATION AND HABITAT WOODLAND TYPES CONIIE OUS WOODIAND DECIDURUS WOODLAND MIXED CONIFEROUS- DECIDUOS WOODLAND MIXED WOODLAND (INCLUDES SHRUB TYPES) WETLAND TYPES TRIELESS B013 S RUCE BOG + BRACKISH MA13SH TIDAL MA SH WET DECIDUOUS WOODLAND OPEN OU FIRIESSANODISTURRED AREAS AGRICULTURE MUDFLAT DEVELOPED AREAS URBAN (PRIMARILY COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND MILITARY) ESIDENTIAL (TRACT SUBDIVISION 2-6 UNITSiACRE) Municipality of RES@ LOW DENSITY (LESS THAN 2 UNITS/ACRE) HABITAT Anchorage ANADROMOUS FISH SPAWNING AREAS 11-11T 1-11 -AGEMEIT MOGRA, SHO EBIRD AND MIGRATORY NESTING, WATERFOWL FEEDING AREAS I I -- Environmental Synthesis Wildlife Resources Animals Fish The wetlands and coastal woodland support populations of water Prior to 1942, Ship, Campbell and Chester Creeks supported annual shrews, meadow voles, muskrat, varying hare, red squirrels, and oc- runs of king, coho, silver, chum and pink salmon, as well as abundant casional predators such as mink, raccoons, red foxes, coyotes, Dolly Varden and rainbowtrout. Salmon fishing within the Anchorage ermine, and mouse weasels. Hawks, owls, and eagles also feed on Bowl is now minimal, sincethe small annual runs cannot support sport rodent populations in bogs and marshes. fishing pressure. Ship Creek still provides habitat for king, coho, pink One of the unique aspects of Anchorage is its resident moose popula- and chum salmon. It is closed to salmon fishing from January 1 until tion. Approximately ten tofifteen moose inhabitthe urban areaand are August 17; no fishing is allowed upstream of 300 feet belowthe Chug- concentrated in the Point Campbell-Kincaid Park area. Moose also ach Electric Dam. Campbell Creek has king, coho, sockeye, and pink range in the larger woodlands in the foothills of the Chugach Moun- salmon, and a resident population of Dolly Varden trout. Salmon tains. In the winter, the population expands considerably, as the anim- fishing is not allowed, and all fishing is restricted above the Old als move down to the lowlands in search of food. Human population Seward Highway. Rabbit Creek has limited salmon fishing, though the pressure restricts the moose habitat, resulting in a numberof conflicts. lower reaches support cohos and pinks. Jewel, Little Campbell and Accidents caused by moose arefrequent on the highways. They occa- Sand Lakes are stocked with rainbowtrout and open to fishing. Black- sionally create tense situations for joggers and skiers on the trails. fish, non-commercial fish in this area, are found in Fish Creek and Black and brown bears are sighted occasionally in the Anchorage Lake Hood. Bowl; the numbers in the coastal areas are probably not significant. Birds Habitat Management Considerations PotterGame Refuge, which includes the tideflats from PotterMarshto 1) Wildlife protection requires habitat protection. This necessitates Point Campbell, is used by nesting geese, ducks and shorebirds, and an understanding of the characteristics and vulnerabilities of each many migrating waterfowl. Swans, snow geese and large numbers of species to be protected. Canada geese use this area during migration. Potter Marsh is one of 2) In general, large, diverse habitat areas are more valuable than the most heavily used nesting areas in the state for ducks and geese. small, segregated areas of uniform type. Edge types - the transi- Nesting species include mew gulls, herring gulls, grebes, mallards, tion zones between types ofvegetation - arevery rich biologically. lesser scaup and many others. Water corridors and riparian zones are also of high habitat value. Shorebirds, such as plovers, yellowlegs and sandpipers nest and feed 3) Habitat areas that are connected by a system of waterways should on the tideflats. Sand Hill crane nesting and feeding occurs south of be managed as a unit whenever possible. Oceanview, at Earthquake Park, and in the bog east of the north-south runway at the International Airport. The tidal marsh west of the airport 4) Breeding and nesting grounds may be the most sensitive areas to is used primarily for feeding in early spring and late fall. The tidelands human interference. Many species are more adaptable in their along the Knik Arm are used for feeding, especially by migratory feeding grounds than they are in choosing places to mate and rear species, including widgeons, pintails, teal, goldeneyes and scaup, The their young, cooling ponds associated with the electric power plant on Ship Creek 5) Many animals need sheltered migration or movement corridors to provide ice-free water all year, allowing mallards to over-winter in the water and feeding grounds. It is important not to block access to area. Scattered small ponds, lakes and marshes provide habitat for water, and to maintain natural cover along corridors whenever nesting ducks and geese, and shorebirds such as yellowlegs. possible. 15 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan 6) Buffer zones (defined by the Department of Fish and Game) are offairly hazardous geological conditions. Mostof the hazard zones are considered to be "bands of undisturbed land forms and/orvegeta concentrated within the coastal management boundary, as the geo_ tion along rivers, lakes, streams, marine waters and contiguous physical hazards synthesis map illustrates. In view of the high aes- wetlands, or surrounding wildlife use areas." The Department of thetic, educational, and biological qualities and thegeneral unsuitabil- Fish and Game recommends establishing buffer zones around ity of certain coastal areas for development, open space and passive anadromous fish streams and critical wildlife habitats which are recreation are appropriate uses of this land. highly sensitive to human disturbance. Theelements of thegeophysical hazards map are foundation stability, Buffer zones are used to: landslide areas, unstable slopes, areas of coastal erosion, and high - protect the vegetative component of the habitat wind areas. These aspects were selected as having the most impact on - prevent pollutants from reaching a water body land use in the coastal area, within the scope of this project. - prevent water courses and wetlands from being unnaturally altered by being filled in, channelized, dammed, and drained Foundation Stability - avoid disruption of fish or wildlife populations during sensitive Foundation stability is the abilityof soils and othersurficial material to life history stages support buildings and structures. It has been categorized as follows: - protect watersheds and recharge areas Extremely Low: The only information available on habitats in the Anchorage Bowl is of a relatively informal nature. For this reason, only primary waterfowl This category is composed of chiefly fine-grained materials habitat and anadromous fish areas are outlined on the synthesis map. (silt and clay) which have low bearing capacity. It also includes Upland bogs, ponds and lakes all serve as waterfowl and shorebird extensive areas of poorly drained material. In places, thick habitat, but individual nesting and feeding areas have not been ade- quately identified. 71 Geophysical Hazards The unconsolidated surficial material of the Anchorage Bowl was deposited duringthe iceageor Pleistocene Epoch (1 millionto 10,000 years) in five separate glacial advances. Material deposited directly by the glaciers is an unstratified mixture of gravel, silt, and sand and clay. Stratified deposits of sand and gravel were sorted by flowing glacial meltwater, while fine textured silt and clay remained suspended in water until it reached still-water lakes and ponds. Soils are thin and poorly developed because of the cool climate and recent origin of the surficial deposits (Environmental Atlas of the Greater Anchorage Area Borough, Alaska 1972). The combination of fine grained unconsolidated deposits with the seismic activity characteristic of the Cook Inlet region create a number Bluff erosion is a serious problem in several areas along the coast of Anchorage. 16 -A Jiv 7, -74 LEGEND: GEOPHYSICAL HAZARDS FOUNDATION STABILITY EXTRIMELY LOW L W LOW 70 MODERATE MODERATE TO GOOD LANDSLIDE AREAS SLOPE STABI ITY EXTREMELY UNSTABLE SLOPES 60ASTAL EROSION AREA OF RAPID EROSION Y AREA OF MODERATE ERO ION ARE OF SLO EROSION HIGH WIND DIRECTION Municipality of Anchorage Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan peat deposits or marsh conditions prevail. The peat is generally under- Extremely Unstable Slopes lain by silt and clay. These areas are more difficult to modify to provide Very steep slopes which are underlain by sand, silt and clay, or suitable foundation conditions. Excavation is hindered by unstable by landslide deposits are subject to instability. The least stable material and high water table. slopes occur mainly on coastal bluffs where erosion is active. Low Such slopes are characterized by continuous downslope Silt and clay in this category may lack sufficient bearing capacity for movements. heavy loads. Moderateto verysteep slopes are potentially unstable. In places in the lowland, peat is at the surface and the watertable may be Coasial Erosion high. In some of these places the peat can be removed, so that the Coastal erosion is caused by tides, wind and ice-scouring. The water table can be lowered to improve foundation conditions. coast has been ranked 1, 2 or 3 according to severity of erosion Low to Moderate processes: Low to moderate foundation stability is found in some areas where Areas ranked (1) have slow to negligible coastal slopes in gravel and sand can support heavy to moderately heavy loads. In areas alluvial material and are not subject to tidal wave action under of hummocky topography, the conditions are fair to poor, especially in present shoreline conditions. This category includes shore- depressions where fine-grained material has lower bearing capacity. lines protected by structures or other man-made stabilizing On some steep slopes of limited extent, instability problems are also features (Anchorage dock, railroad embankments). likely. Areas ranked (2) have slow to moderate coastal erosion. Bluffs and beaches which are subject to occasional tidal and wave Moderate to Good action are included. This category includes chiefly homogeneous gravel and sand that is Areas of rapid coastal erosion are ranked (3). Bluffs at Point generally 20 feet or more thick and can accommodate heavy loads. Woronzof directly exposed to frequent tidal and wave action. Excavation by power equipment is generally easy. The rate of horizontal retreat is up to 2.5 feet per year. Wind Slope Stability Most coastal areas are subject to high winds. One or two wind storms up to 50 miles per hour can be expected, with occasional gusts to 100 Slope stability is based on steepness and degree of cohesion of the m.p.h. Two types of wind storms are responsible for damage along the slope face. Hazard areas are categorized as follows: coast (see arrows on map): Landslide Areas 1 ) North winds caused by cold air masses displacing the prevailing Areas which have been identified as having potential large southerly airflow affect waterfront areas. landslides are included in this category. Landslides are most 2) Strong funneled 'Chugach Winds' originate in the passes of the likely to occur during earthquakes, after heavy rainfall, or Chugach Mountains. They blow along the Turnagain Arm in a during spring thaw periods. generally southeasterly direction. 18 Environmental Synthesis Scenic Resources Inventory were recorded on a topographic base map and on two field forms that required descriptive information (see Figures 5 and 6). The first of The Anchorage coastline features a continuum of outstanding vistas, these forms consists of a United States Forest Service standard visual and an array of natural and man-made scenic resources. However, in analysis check list. It employs criteria established by Litton in Forest the past there has been little planning for aesthetic quality in the Landscape Description and Inventories (1968). The second form coastal zone. Coastal development is limited in Anchorage except addresses criteria from Litton, and from Roy Mann's Aesthetic along the urban waterfront, so the impacts are not as severe as they Resources of the Coastal Zone (1975). Coastal Zone Management might have been. Some unsightly areas, such as dumps and gravel requirements for ranking coastal scenic resources were derived from a pits, could be improved with careful site planning. As coastal land use format used by Mann in Shoreline Appearance and Design (1975). A increases, it becomes necessary to identify and prioritize scenic chart describing and ranking the scenic resources of Anchorage's resources. A greater understanding of the interaction of man-made coastline has been synthesized in this study from field notes, photo- and natural elements will prevent negative effects on visual quality. graphs and topographic maps. The criteria used in this chart are Scenic resources planning serves as a guide for other land and described in Appendix B. resource planning decisions. Following are some general considerations for visual management of In this scenic resource inventory, twenty-f ive sites with unusual view- the Anchorage shoreline (from Mann, Shoreline Appearance and ing opportunities or "typical" viewsheds were identified. Field notes Design). N 4 W Knik Arm and Mount susitna as seen from Point Woronzof vicinity. 19 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Visual Management Considerations VISUAL RESOURCE INVENTORY STATIONS LIST 1 ) Adopts ite selection and site design criteria for faci I ities within the 1 . Railroad Station shoreline view area; 2. Marina Site 2) Require building setbacks of 100'and minimum vegetative screen 3. Gravel Pad Near Nulbay Park (Site of Nulbay Park Beach Access) depths of 50' in residential bluff areas; 3) Require building mass and colorto be compatiblewith shorescape 4. Westchester Lagoon qualities; 5. Fish Creek Outlet 41, Morudra nrivPrti-,inn nnd iltilitv line controls in viewshed areas: - - - --- - - - - 1 6. End ol Marston Road, 5) Limit construction to water related or environmentally compatible North of Lyn Ary uses; 6) Acquire title and easements to protect and provide public access 7. End of McKenzie Road to important scenic viewpoints and adjacent areas; 8. Earthquake Park 7) Facilitate removal or enhancement of eyesores. 9. Earthquake Park Picnic Pullout Scenic Quality Inventory and Evaluation Chart 10. Gravel Pullout 7/; (Site of Pt. Woronzof Key Factors Description Picnic Playground) Landfor. (General) 11. Point Woronzof Overlook For -Isolation Vf.;(@L-T.A@I-K.@@i -Size and Scale 12. Gravel Pit (Site of Scenic Area at End of Old Clay Products Road) -CoRtour Distinction, Silhouette, -Surface Variation - Shapes, Patie@ns', 'rect.res 13. Point Campbell-Point Woronzof Utility Corridor Special Definition 14. Airport Fence -Degree of Definition; Floor to Wall Proportions T( _Nature 0f Enclosure and Floor; Floor Configurat@-@--;,;, @A,;E@. 7,@ 0@ :,@, -Size and Scale 15. Kincaid Park Sand Dunes 16. Bluff Base South of Kincaid Park Vegetation (General Type) 17. Campbell Creek Outlet -Contrast -Hue Color 18. Bayshore Ravine -Value 19. Klatt Road Gravel Pit (Site of Klatt Road Scenic Area) Influence of Adjacent Scenery 20. Furrow Creek Woodland (John's Park) Scarcity 21. Gravel Pad at Oceanview Cultural Modifications 22. Jeep trail North of Seward Scenic Overlook Sensitivity 23. Seward Scenic Overlook 24. Pullout at North End of Potter Marsh Scenic Inventory Form 25. South End of Potter Marsh 20 gil t-40 1 @W -5, LEGEND: VISUAL RESOURCE d INVENTORY STATION NUMBER AND OBSERVER POSITION II; SUPERIOR N: NORMAL I: INFERIOR CTV;j LINE OF SIGHT FEATURE LANDSCAPE ENCLOSURE I + CANOPY HIGH NORMAL VISUAL SENSITIVITY LOW Municipality of Anchorage I-R-1111TALIM-GITP Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS CHECK LIST LOCATION DATE HOUR OBSERVER S POSITION N I OBSERVER *F.G. *M.G. *B.G. SCENE COMPOSITION PAN ENCL FOCAL *FEATURE CANOPY OTHER *PLANT ASSOC. LIGHT B F S INTENSE DK DIFF OTHER STATION NAME DESCRIPT. FURROW CREEK (JOHNS PARK) GRAVEL PAD AT JEEP TRAIL REION CLUFF OVERLOOK NORTH ED OF RIVER MARSH *DEFINE ______________________________ ___________________________ Landscape Analysis Checklist Observer 22 Land Types Resource Inventory and Management Considerations Definitions Carrying Capacity: A conceptual upper limit to the number or density or organisms that can be supported by an ecosystem or the maximum tolerance of an ecosystem to disturbance by human occupancy or resource use. Exceeding the carrying capacity usually results in per- manent damage to the system. Ecosystem: The interaction of all living forms with their environment, both living and non-living, within a specific geographic area. True understanding of ecology is the knowledge of interrelating systems and consideration of how the whole relates to its parts. In coastal areas, it is important to keep in mind that upland uses have a great deal of effect on the quality and intergrity of coastal habitats. Cumulative Impacts: The additive effect of individual events that are seemingly unrelated. This concept is usually associated with water quality problems in coastal areas, and regional scale resource management. Erosion and Accretion: Normal shoreline processes that are the result of the combined effects of gravity, wind and water. Erosion is most obvious in the bluff areas, where freezing and hydrologic activity result in loosening of surface layers and subsequent slumping. accretion is the process of building landforms; wind piles sand into dunes, tidal currents carry silt and sand and deposit them in spits and bars. These processes are illustrative of shoreline dynamics; rather than ignoring them or attempting to arrest them, it is important to site land uses that are appropriate to these areas. Environmental Synthesis Management Concepts Specific management recommendations for Anchorage's wetlands Each of the landscape types in the following discussion has been arebeing prepared for the Municipality by Fugro Northwest, Inc. Their ranked according to its degree of sensitivity in three categories: final report is available at the Municipal Planning Department. Ecological/Biological Sensitivity: A high rank in ecological/biological sensitivity indicates important habitat for a large number of species, or critical habitat for one or more species. Human impact in these areas will be detrimental to the habitat in the absence of adequate control mechanisms. Physical Sensitivity: Physical sensitivity is characterized by land not physically able to withstand intensive uses, due to poor foundation stability, suscep- tibility to soil compaction, hydrologic sensitivity or other hazards. Although engineering solutions are possible in most areas, these are likely to be expensive or temporary at best. -Wz Visual Sensitivity: Open or unprotected areas, which are likelyto be changed signifi- cantly in appearance by most types of development, are consid- ered to be visually sensitive. The landscape types are rated High, Medium or Low in sensitivity according to the above criteria. General Management Recommendations for All Wetland Types (from Clark, Coastal Ecosystem Management): 1) Maintain natural supply of nutrients 2) Prevent excessive discharge of nitrogenous compounds into con- fined coastal waters 3) Maintain natural oxygen concentration 4) Protect storage components of ecosystem 5) Maintain natural water temperatures 6) Avoid increase in sediment load 7) Avoid blockage of waterflow, drainage, or circulation 8) Prevent discharge of toxic wastes into coastal waters 9) High degrees of development require more stringent wetlands Subsidence and salt water inundation killed larger trees in coastal lowlands following preservation techniques. the 1964 earthquake. 23 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Landscape Type: Beach Landscape Type: Mudflats Location: The coastal beaches consist of narrow bands of pebbles, gravel or sand along Knik Arm from Nulbay Park to Bootlegger Cove Location: Mudflats consist of an area of shifting silt and sand below Log House. These are located from Fish Creek to Earthquake Park in mean water level, surrounding the entire Anchorage coastline. the slide area, west of Earthquake Park to beyond the Sewage Treat- ment Plant, and the south side of Point Campbell. Environmental Sensitivity Rating: En- I Eco)ogicallBio)ogica): Medium U-indronmentall SenSiftwity On inn- I Physical: High Ecological/Biological: Medium Visual: High Physical: High Visual: High Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area: Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area Despite their seemingly barren appearance, mudflats serve an impor- tant function as nutrient storage areas, catching vital dissolved chemi- Beaches in the Anchorage Bowl are commonly associated with ero- cals that would otherwise be swept out to sea. Invertebrate organisms sion of the vertical bluff landscape type, as on the southern edge of that normally inhabit coastal mudflats are limited in this area due to Point Campbell and the Point Woronzof area. They are generally the high sediment load in the water. Filamentous green algal mats Jound inland of the tideflats, with a very sharp gradient between. which form on the mudflats have a high aesthetic value, and may be Recreational uses include jogging, walking and beachcombing at low damaged by boating activities. tide. Small boat use is extremely hazardous, though a few Bootlegger Cove dories are moored north of Westchester Lagoon. The extreme tides and cold water prevent traditional beach uses. The Sewage Treatment Plant outfall currently affects beach quality at Point Woronzof. An extended outfall pipe will be installed soon to improve tidal flushing of the area. Beach access is not presently ade- quate, since private property and railroad tracks must be crossed to reach them from an inland location. Safety hazards are present below the bluffs in spring, so beaches may have to be closed from the onset of break-up until June 1. Warning signs would be appropriate in areas of active bluff erosion. High tides cover the beaches completely, and it would be reasonable to provide tide tables near beach access points so that visitors could check when to use them safely. These beaches are highly scenic, but are not particularly valuable as wildlife habitat. vp or =NNE 1. Beaches and Mudflats 24 'u P zit, -7 i y -5, A-- 41 R. LEGEND: LANDSCAPE TYPES WETLAND TYPES MUDFLATS - UNVEGETATEO SILT AND SAND, EX- POSED AT LOW TIDE TIDAL WETLANDS - VEGETATED AREAS OF COASTAL FLOODPLAIN, REGULARLY INUNDATED BY SALT OR B PACKISH WATER. ESTUARIES AND BRACKISH MARSH - ENCLOSED COASTAL WATER BODY INFLUE CED BY A VARYING GRADIENT OF SALT AND FRESH WATER, PLAND WETLANDS - VEGETATED AREAS WITH SAT- URATED SOILS, FRESHWATER MARSH AND BOG, MAY BE TREELESS OR CHARACTERIZED BY BLACK SPRUCE AND ASSOCIATED BOG VEGETATION, 'RE HWATER LAKES AND PONDS SS TREAM CORRIDOR - LINEAR WATERCOURSE LINK- G UPLAND AREAS WITH THE COAST. SHORELINE TYPES IN f;Z@j BEACH - NARROW SANDY OR GRAVEL BEACH, BELOW HIGHEST HIGH WATER LINE. ERTICAL BLUFF - RAPIDLY ERODING UNVEGETATED BLUFF PRIMARIL UNCONSOLIDATED GLACIAL AND 4 ALLUVIAL DEPOSYITS. ST-P AN@,I.E - DFNRFI.Y VEGETATF.11 qI opr COASTAL BLUFF. LANDSLIDE AREA - HUMMOCKY LOW-LYING AND Municipality of DISTURBED AREAS AFFECTED By 1964 LANDSLIDE. Anchorage INSH RE TYPES OF THE CHUGACH RANGE. 0-MICT -AL I.. .....T...... FOOTHILLS FLAT AND UNDULATING LOWLAND PLAIN. HUMMOCKSAND ISO LATED HILLY AREAS. INTERMEDIATE WOODED PLATEAU. Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Mudf I ats near Anchorage have qualities similar to quicksand; several Landscape Type: Estuaries and Brackish Marsh people have lost their lives by walking on them too far from shore. Location: Estuaries and brackish marsh can be found at the outlets of Warning signs should be posted near beach access points so that Ship, Fish, and Campbell Creeks, and at Potter Marsh between Old visitors will be aware of the danger. Recreational potential on the and New Seward Highways. mudflats is limited, except for duck hunting and wildlife observation. Dueto its high hazard rating (ice buildup, poor foundation conditions, exposure to wind and tides) and visual sensitivity, it is not suitable for Environmental Sensitivity Rating: most types of development or recreational use. Ecological/Biological: High Physical: High Visual: High Landscape Type: Tidal Wetlands Coastal Management Considerations for the Area: Location: Includes tidal marsh of the Point Campbell-Point Woronzof wetlands, and coastal strip between Kincaid Park and Potter Marsh. Estuaries and brackish marshes are valuable wildlife habitat, often vegetated by pure stands of sedges and grasses. They serve as Environmental Sensitivity Rating: nutrient-rich feeding areas for some fish and shellfish, and are espe- cially important bird habitat. Potter Marsh, Fish Creek and the outlet of Ecological/Biological: High Campbell Creek are also of high aesthetic value, due to color con- Physical: High tracts, form, texture, and other visual qualities. Ecosystem protection Visual: High Coastal Management Considerations for the Project Area: Tidal wetlands are vegetated by salt-tolerant deciduous plants and marsh species. This is prime waterfowl nesting and feeding area, and habitat for various species of rodents and predatory birds, including eagles. It is an important buffer area in reducing the effect of coastal erosion processes and flooding. Salt marshes also serve as filters for runoff from upland sources and control release of nutrients to coastal waters. Tidal wetlands can support dispersed or low-impact forms of recrea- tion, with seasonable limitations on some activities that would disturb nesting waterfowl. They are not suitable for development due to poor foundation conditions and significance of the biologically rich ecosys- tem. Access on boardwalks is appropriate if these areas are highly used. Construction should occur after freezing inthefall. Dogsshould be kept on leashes in this area to avoid impacts on nesting activities. 2. Tidal Wetlands, Estuaries, Brackish Marshes 26 Environmental Synthesis is only achieved by careful control of upstream development, and enforced erosion and pollution control measures. Vegetation types change with differences in salt concentration in the water. This is most visible in Fish Creek, where natural drainage is not impeded at the outlet. Estuaries are most useful as nature study and birdwatching areas, since development requires costly construction and maintenance. Ice buildup can be a critical constraint in creek mouths in late winter and early spring. Access on boardwalks is recommended to prevent dam- age to the ecosystem. Pilings must be inserted eighteen feet into the ground to prevent pilejacking. Landscape Type: Upland Wetlands Location: Upland wetlands are found at Klatt Bog; the bog east of north-south runway at Point Woronzof; the bog between Jewel and Sand Lakes; and other scattered low-lying areas. s/ *Jb' Environmental Sensitivity Rating, Environmental/Biological: High 3. Upland Wetlands Physical: High wetland areas. Height controls might be considered to maintain the Visual: Medium landscape quality. Access into bogs can be established on boardwalks or adequately drained gravel pads. Some upland wetlands are under- Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area: lain by permafrost, which results in foundation construction difficul- Upland wetlands consist of peat bogs with or without scattered stands ties. of black spruce. Bogs nearthe airport support Sand Hill crane nesting areas; others are inhabited by song birds, rodents and predatory birds. They function as water storage areas and may have a role in recharge of subsurface aquifers. The peat bog areas of the Anchorage Bowl Landscape Type: Freshwater Lakes and Ponds were once much more extensive than they are now, but are being filled Location: Freshwater lakes include Jewel, Sand, Campbell and Little and drained for development at a rapid rate. Those near the coast are Campbell; also included are Westchester Lagoon and numerous probably quite important hydrologically, because of their direct con- unnamed ponds. nection with tidal wetlands. Large scale upland development is incompatible with most wetland Environmental Sensitivity Rating: types. Vegetation iseasilydamaged by soil compaction. Preferred use Ecological/Biological: High would be low-density single family housing clustered around edges of Physical: Medium bogs, with minimal road construction and no paved roads through the Visual: High 27 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area: Landscape Type: Stream Corridors Jewel, Sand, and Little Campbell Lakes are natural lakes with sandy or Location: Stream corridors include Ship, Chester, Fish, Campbell, peaty shores. Westchester Lagoon and Campbell Lake are dammed Rabbit, Little Rabbit, Furrow, and Hood Creeks. creek outlets. All of these larger water bodies have high recreation potential, including swimming, fishing and boating. In Anchorage, Environmental Sensitivity Rating: lake and pond recreation activities replace those normally associated with the coast in warmer climates. Public access to all of these areas Ecological/Biological: High except Campbell Lakcis adequate; the Campbell Lake Owners Asso- Phvsical: High ciation controls land and water activities in their area. The lakes serve Visual: High as resting and feeding areas for waterfowl, especially during migra- Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area: tion. They have an important function as water storage areas in the The greenbelt approach has been used in Anchorage as a manage- hydrologic cycle. ment strategy for stream corridors. Since riparian vegetation is valua- Since water quality is affected by refuse and boating activities, regular ble wildlife habitat, it should be maintained wherever possible. Paved water quality testing is recommended in public lakes and ponds during bikeways and equestrian trails should be separated from creek chan- high use periods. None of the freshwater lakes or ponds within the nels by a buffer strip to avoid water quality impacts. A ten-foot vege- study area are large enough to support sustained-use facilities or tated buffer, of fifteen-foot unvegetated buffer should be sufficient motor boating. except on steep slopes. A" AL "MAR 0'. 'tq/ 4. Freshwater Lakes and Ponds 5. Stream Corridors 28 Environmental Synthesis All waterways are affected by upstream development; increased flood- Environmental Sensitivity Rating: ing should be expected as a result. Floodplain development should be Ecological/Biological: Low limited to low impact recreational uses. Building inside the 100 year Physical: High floodplain, as is currentlytaking place in Fish Creek nearthe intersec- Visual: High tion with Northern Lights Boulevard, is detrimental to water quality and unnecessarily risky. Watercourses are important wildlife corridors, Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area: and they provide lowland access for moose in the winter. Parallel and perpendicular access should be unobstructed wherever possible. Habitat value of unvegetated coastal bluffs is minimal, except for nesting cliff swallows. Recreational value is limited, and steep cliffs are Landscape Type: Vertical Bluff not conducive to easy access. However, bluffs are highly visible and interesting from scenic and educational standpoints. They clearly Location: The vertical bluff landscape type can be found from Point illustrate the shoreline dynamics of the Anchorage Bowl. Buildings on Campbell and Point Woronzof, and below Oceanview to Potter Marsh. the bluffs require setbacks of at least 100 feet to avoid continuing erosion. Restricted use of the area below the bluff is necessary in spring, when constant mudflows and landslides occur. Landscape Type: Steep Angle Slope Location: Steep angle slopes are found along the urban waterfront ...son- near Point Woronzof, and from Kincaid Park to Oceanview. Environmental Sensitivity Rating: Ecological/Biological: High Physical: High Visual: Medium Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area: V Due to dense vegetation, steep-angled slopes are less visually and < physically sensitive than vertical bluffs. The vegetation stabilizes the slope, and provides cover for wildlife, although the slope/marsh inter- face has the highest habitat value. The slope itself probably does not 4W support a large number of species. Small predators that feed in the marsh (for example, foxes and raccoons) and songbirds are found here. The vegetation should be protected to avoid excessive and visu- ally obtrusive scars. Trails should beconstructed so asto preservethe 6. vertical Bluffs vegetated edge; other recreational uses are limited in this area. 29 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan lilt Ldk A4 7. Steep Angle Bluffs 8. Landslide Areas Landscape Type: Landslide Area Arm was affected less radically, though drowned trees still remain as Location: The landslife areas include bluffs along Ship Creek, West- evidence of the subsidence that occurred. chester Lagoon and Ship Creek, and the shore area to west end of The hummocky terrain and small ponds caused by seismic ground Earthquake Park. waves in the liquefied clay in Earthquake Park are a reminder of the magnitude of the earth movements. The sandy area that used to be Environmental Sensitivity Rating: Marston Road has a high recreation potential, butthe Municipality has been unable to prevent rebuilding of homes in this high risk area Ecological/Biological: High because it is private property. It is recommended that pedestrian and Physical: High bicycle access to earthquake hazard zones be improved, in the context Visual: Medium of a coastal earthquake education program. Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area: This landscape type includes a variety of land uses and habitats that were affected by the 1964 earthquake. Most of the slides involved lateral movement of large blocks of sedimentary material which over- lay the Bootlegger Cove Clay. Large sections of the coastline fell 30 or 40 feet, carrying houses and roads with them. The coast of Turnagain 30 Environmental Synthesis A 9. Lowland Plains 10. Hummocks and Isolated Hilly Areas Landscape Type: Flat and Undulating Lowland Plain Landscape Type: Hummocks and Isolated Hilly Areas Location: The flat and undulating lowland plain category contains the Location: The dunes along Turnagain Arm to Point Campbell and the large urbanized areas of the Anchorage Bowl and some reclaimed steep hill at the end of Klatt Road are the primary areas of hummocks woodland and bog areas, and hills. Environmental Sensitivity Rating: Environmental Sensitivity Rating: Ecological/Biological: Medium Ecological/Biological: Medium Physical: Medium Physical: Medium Visual: Medium Visual: Medium Coastal Management Consideration for Project Area: Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area: Hummocks are caused by a combination of glacial and wind-blown This is basically an inland type of landscape which extends into the duneactivity. These provide topographic variation andgoodobserva- coastal zone. The flatter areas were caused by glacial movement tion points, but otherwise are of limited recreational value. Access is across the Anchorage peninsula from north to south. Roadways pro- presently limited, since the hummocks west of Kincaid Park are in the vide adequate access; recreational uses are not significant. Military Reservation, and the hill at the end of Klatt Road is owned privately. The area west of Kincaid Park is valuable moose habitat. 31 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Landscape Type: Foothills quality between upland and lowland areas. It is not visible from many Location: The coastal foothill type is found in the hills east of Potter places in the Anchorage Bowl, and has lower physical constraints than Marsh. other areas near the coast. Recreational potential other than trail use is limited. Environmental Sensitivity Rating: Ecological/Biological: Medium Physical: Medium %/iqmq1- Hinh Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area: The foothills of the Chugach Range extend to the coastal area near Potter Marsh. The hills are visible from the Seward Highway and higher elevations in the Anchorage Bowl. Although presently heavily vegetated, a large subdivision is planned for the area. The Chugach Mountains are valuable moose and bear habitat, but areas near the road are probably not as sensitive as more protected locations. Occa- sional outcrops of bedrock signify a change in substrate type from that in the rest of the Anchorage Bowl. Chugach State Park provides recreational trails and access in this area. Landscape Type: Intermediate Wooded Plateau Location: The intermediate wooded plateau is located between Point Campbell and Point Woronzof, between the marsh and the upland area. Environmental Sensitivity Rating: Ecological/Biological: High Physical: Medium Visual: Medium Coastal Management Considerations for Project Area: This is an upland vegetation type that extends into the coastal area. Birch-alder woodland is supported by a mixed substrate of clay and sand. Habitatvalue isfairlyhigh, due to its isolated location and"edge" 32 CHAPTER III THE MASTER PLAN Master Plan Concept: The Dynamic Landscape Master Plan Site Selection Criteria Activity/Land Use Requirements Master Plan Methodology Master Plan Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Master Plan Concept: The Dynamic Landscape The project area from Ship Creek to Potter Marsh can be divided into foursegments to illustrate the concepts of historical, cultural, biologi- cal and physical dynamics of the shoreline. These theme areas form the framework for organizing the public access and resource protec- tion plan. They reflect the interrelated nature and relative intensity of urban, geological and biological processes. ntensive development of the The Urban Waterfront contains the most i shoreline and the greatest modification of its appearance by man. This concentration of population and diverse activities is reflected in the greater proportion of master plan sites identified in this area. The sites selected from Ship Creek to Fish Creek concern man's values in the urban context, and emphasize the potential harmony of man and nature in the city. This area offers the greatest range of activities to a variety of user groups. The Master Plan reflects the continued impor- tance of public access in the area with the highest concentration of The Urban Waterfront includes a portion of downtown Anchorage. users, framework, specific site facilities accommodate educational, recrea- Landslide Areas include coastal residential areas and parklands most tional, and scenic values. Thesites within the project area are linked by a bicycle/ski trail, with associated corridors for pedestrian, equestrian affected by the 1964 earthquake. The disturbed terrain and remnants and limited motorized trail use. of roads and houses illustrate the magnitude of geological processes in contrast to the changes wrought by man. The Dynamic Shoreline area includes the steep, unstable and rapidly eroding bluffs from Point Woronzof to Point Campbell as well as the more subtle changes of the associated wetlands. This area is the farthestfrom residential areas and only afew roadways provide access to points near the shoreline. The Master Plan identifies fewer sites in thistherne area. Expansiveviews allow educational presentation of the Cook Inlet regional setting and geologic history. Wildlife and Biological Processes are illustrated by the site selections in the fourth segment. The theme of this area takes advantage of the scenic and educational potential of the Potter Game Refuge. Coastal development in this area is primarily low density residential. These four areas have been collectively referred to as the Dynamic Landscape. This title emphasizes the element of change in the coastal environment. As John Milton wrote, "tomor@ow will not be the same as today. The true reality of this land is change." Within this conceptual Landslide areas include Earthquake Park. 34 V ............... URBAN RONT WATERF "T. LANDSLIDE AREAS t DYNAMIC SHORELINE ........ T, vA, A .. PLANT a WILDLIFE ECOSYSTEMS LEGEND: THE DYNAMIC /, It LANDSCAPE CONCEPT@ LEARNING AREAS AND PUBLIC ACCESS C, URBAN WATERFRONT CONCEPT: LEAR LANDSLIDE AREAS AREAS AND PU DYNAMIC SHORELINE ACCESS PLANT AND WILDLIFE ECOSYSTEMS 0 AREAS MERITING SPECIAL ATTENTION: F SH CRt EK OUTLET Pl@ WORONZOF FOSSIL BEDS TANAINA VILLAGE A PT CAMPBELL P RCHEOLOGICAL SITE - T WORONZOF WETLANDS T CAMPBELL $AND DUNES POTTER ANDESTFIC DIKE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PUBLIC ACCESS TRAIL Municip ality of Anch tx orage Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Master Plan Site Selection Criteria 1. Human and cultural values 4, e" A Educational opportunities, including increasing public aware- ness and coordinating with school programs B. Integration of existing recreational activities and facilities with coastal trails plan C. Unique or unusual viewing opportunities D. Consideration of history in the regional and local content 2. Environmental values A. Protection of fish and wildlife habitat B. Preservation of wetlands and other ecologically sensitive areas C. Erosion control and mitigation of geophysical hazards D. Preservation of natural landscape patterns 0, 3. Reconciliation of multiple uses Point Woronzof is part of the Dynamic Shoreline. Z, @.. . . .. . .;"@'. .............. ..... .. ... A. Consideration of tourist and local needs B. Opportunities for all age groups and population segments Z A;,, C Long range considerations vs. short term use tradeoffs. 4. Economic and political criteria A . Construction and implementation costs B. Political feasibility C. Land ownership 5. Public Access y"I" @t'@45 A. Existing pedestrian use B. Connections to existing and proposed bike routes C. Road access D. Proximity to anticipated user groups E. Linkage of activity areas in logical sequence. Wildlife and biological process areas are represented by the Potter Marsh Game Refuge. 36 Master Plan Bicycling Activity/Land Use Requirements 9 Paved surface with adequate structural support, All trail and corridor use areas should address the following @ Wide enough to avoid collisions with other bikes and pedestrians considerations: (standard is 8' wide), 1) Variety of scenery e Avoid blind curves, 2) Specific destinations * Grades less than 100' long, up to 15 percent; subtract I percent for 3) Viewpoints each additional 50 feet of slope length. Grades 1000' or longer 4) Separation from vehicular travel and other incompatible uses should not exceed 5 percent. 5) Good drainage Horseback Riding 6) Setbacks from dangerous bluff areas * Soft surface paving, adequate structural support, 7) Avoid road and railroad crossings whenever possible * Separation from skiing, biking, and motorized trail use, 8) Provide alternative loops e Access to rural areas, avoidance of highly developed areas, 9) Adequate trail maps and signage at regular intervals * Provide hitching posts and water at staging areas. 10) Slope standards for intended uses Snowmobiling 11) Access by auto, bicycle, foot, transit or tour buses. 9 Trail cleared of brush, In addition, the following specific considerations are anticipated for 9 Adequate staging area. activities in he project area: Dirt Bike Trail Riding Walking and Hiking * Separation from other uses, 0 Grades up to 6 percent do not affect normal walking speed; 15 e Variety of terrain, percent is considered the maximum for recreational walking, with a e Cleared of brush, maximum average grade of 10 percent. 9 One-way direction signs for trail use, Jogging and Running e Erosion control in high use areas. � Soft surface paving preferred (fine gravel pad or cleared dirt trail), Dirt Bike Racing and 9 Relatively large isolated land area, � Separation from bicyclists. 9 Staging area. X-Country Skiing Camping Trail free of snags and holes, 0 Land area cleared of underbrush, maintain canopy and/or Wooded setting preferable to avoid snow blowing off the trail, windscreen, Relative proportions of "Up: Down: Flat" stretches in approximately e Clearly marked use areas, equal proportions. Grade should be less than 10 percent if possible. 9 Good drainage, Clear trail close to ground to allow longer use period, e Quiet, remote, woodsy feeling, Widen trail at base ol steep hills and alter curves, and 9 Access to fresh water, 9 Separate from snowmachine and equestrian use. e Facility requirements appropriate to level of development, 0 Visual and noise barriers. 37 RECREATION ACTIVITY COMPATIBILITY MATRIX CM cc rn CL S E a CM Z 06 - CL Z E tm C13 'C: CM CD w i>f .2 cc cc -19 r- E Cn CM CM M w CD w C@ E 0 E co cc UJ W C) Z LL C3 W >< Ricreational Walking & Hiking + + + + + + + + + + + Jogging & Running + + + + X-Country Skiing + + + + + + + + Run, Ski & Bike Racing + + Bicycling + + + + + + + + + Horseback Riding + + + + Snowmobiling Dirt Bike Trail Riding + Dirt Bike Racing Camping + + + + + + + + Nature Study/ Field Trips + + + + + Birdwatching + + + Hunting + Picnicking + + + + Playground Use + + + LEGEND Outdoor Sports +- + COMPATIBLE Sightseeing + Cultural INCOMPATIBLE Entertainment NO RELATIONSHIP Fishing 1ndication of compatibility in this matrix is subjective and intended to illustrate qeneral relationships only. 38 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS/ACTIVITIES MATRIX CL Uj E cc M E E >. w CD D CL LU LL < Cr cc rr 0- Uj W 0 w co LU CD CD V3 LU CL < MW cc u L, M Cn w E cc cc 15 ca CL U) cc E 7S cm C5 W' cm ca C.3 E? CL CD E 0 q CL F- < LL > 0- < M w C-0 Cn Cn w CL CL > > z 1 0 C-) w - ICL CRRIDOR USES I I I Voing & Hiking 1000 0 0 00 000 A019ing & Running 0 0 0 1 10 00 0 1 1 >Wuntry Skiing loor Of loor 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 @Fll, Bike & Ski Racing v 1 0 0 0 0 0 10101 0 0 16cling Of 1101 0 0 0 0 010 10 0 0 Hgeback Riding 000 1 10 010 0 SoNmobiling 000 0 0100 0 DA Bike 000 T Riding vo 0 00-0 0 S6f USES I I 09 Bike Racing 000 0 00 0 CjWping Of 0100 0000 0 1 10 1000 00 0 Nare Study/ FOU Trips v 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01 0 0 0 0 00 Blawatching Of 000 0 0 00' 0 00 Ing Of 0 0 0 - - -0 0- 0 10 01 P@Micking 1( 000100000 0 100 00 1 1 10 PLround Use 00000 0000 00 001 - 0 0 Outdoor Sports 100, 00000 0000 0 0 0 0 0 Seeing 0000000 0 0 0000 0 0 Slit - Cultural Entertainment 1 1010101010 0 0010 0101 00 0 1 10 Fling 1 1010101 1 1 .0, 101 1 - 1Q1 1-10 1 A 1 39 Required Optional -1 Not Required LIEND: [0 F SITE OPPORTUNITIES MATRIX c6 cn c M * 8 CL < < E 0 cn w cc CD CM E > M < ca 0 -.1 CL. LL a- CL 1:5 w CL U - w C < r- >. w w Cc! f- C3 F- t . - a, m f 75 0 0 CL -0 a_ CL - cL.2 CL rr rr E E % r- Cr LU cc ca < @5 < 0 CL CO 0 en Cc V W L) U wu :2 OD 0 cc @6 < X > -0 Cr -j -i LU LU ic < < < Cwr_ .0 CD LU to C) CCn CL < W cr, Uj CL LU ct CL 0 CL N CL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Geological Processes 01 0 0, 0 0 0 0 0 0 le 0 0- 0 Biological Systems 0 0.0. 0. 0. 0 00.0 00.0 0 0-1 Historic/Cultural Interest 0000 0 0 0 0 0 Man/Nature Interactions 0 0.0, 0000 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES Existing Use Area 0 0 00 0 00 00 0 0 0 Potential Use Area 0 0 0 000 00 0 0 .000 VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES Unusual Scenic Value 10 0.0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0,0 '0.0 0,00,00 0 10, PUBLIC ACCESS Existing Pedestrian/ Eq. Access 0 0100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 001000 00 Existing Bicycle Route 0 Existing Vehicular Access -0 oleo 0000 0 0 0 Potential Access Point LAND OWNERSHIP Present Municipal Ownership Present State Ownership 00 0 Present Federal Ownership Wei I I A 0 Potential Public Ownership 40 Master Plan Birdwatching � Natural bird habitat, � Separation from noise or motorized vehicles where possible, * Bird blinds in remote areas. Hunting 9 Minimum distance from residences, roads and high use areas is one-half mile, * Migratory waterfowl habitat. Picnicking 0 View area or destination point, * Wind or rain shelter - vegetation or other, * Area for grill and tables, 0 Restrooms and access as appropriate. Playground Use � Close to schools, residences or other gathering places, � Level grassy or cleared area, * Variety of equipment or experience. Outdoor Sports � Large, level, grassy area, * Access for maintenance, � Close to schools, residences or other gathering places, � Drainage, lighting. Sight Seeing � View point, may be elevated, � Logical connection to trail or access, 4, � Variety of viewshed or experience. Cultural Entertainment � Building, shelter, natural amphitheater or large cleared areas, � Seating on grass, benches, or chairs, � Close to major access or trail, rim'. � Separation from noisy uses, � Facility design to reflect intended uses. Fishing Access to natural or stocked fish populations. Dirt bikers use the sand dune area in Kincaid Park during the summer. 41 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Master Plan Methodology MASTER PLAN SITES The development of the Master Plan was the major effort of this 1) Ship Creek Dam project. Preferred and alternative trail routes are described in relation 2) Railroad Station to the Master Plan criteria outlined at the end of this section. The theme areas are described in the Master Plan Concept. Master Plan 3) Resolution Park mapping was done schematically at 1:25,000 scale. The corridor was 4) Elderberry Park then located on a combination of 1" = 100'scale topographic/platting 5) Nulbay Park Beach Access maps and 1 " =200'scale topographic maps. The corridor could not be 6) Bootlegger mapped through the Point Campbell Military Reservation because no Cove Log House topographic maps were availabld for that area. Corridor route selec- 7) Westchester Lagoon tionswere based on field observations of thetwenty miles of shoreline, 8) Fish Creek topographic information, land ownership constraints and legal considerations. 9) Lyn Ary Park Numbers listed before items in the Master Plan discussion relate to 10) Earthquake Park locations on the schematic Master Plan map. The Areas Meriting 11) Earthquake Park Picnic Pullout Special Attention (AMSA's) are described in more detail in the next 12) Pt. Woronzof Picnic Playground chapter. 13) Pt. Woronzof Fossil Beds 14) Pt. Woronzof Overlook Master Plan 15) Old Clay Products Road Scenic Area 16) Tanaina Archaeological Site Site 1. The Ship CreekDam isthe logical origin forthe Master Plan due 17) Pt. Woronzof - Pt. Campbell Wetlands tothe historical significanceof this area. Itwas at this site that Anchor- 18) Pt. Campbell Recreation Area age's "Tent City" was established early in this century. The dam also allows linkage with the proposed Ship Creek Greenbelt. Facility 19) Pt. Campbell Sand Dunes designs for the site are based on its current high use as a salmon and 20) Klatt Road Scenic Area waterfowl viewing area, a unique opportunity in the urban area of 21) John's Park Anchorage. The site plan for viewing platforms, parking and pedes- 22) Oceanview Park Extension trian access to the water's edge is proposed by the Division of Parks and Recreation, and is included in Appendix C of this report. The 23) Seward Scenic Overlook design accommodates current use and protection from the high vol- 24) Trailhead Area tage electric equipment operated by Chugach Electric. It is anticipated 2.5) Potter Marsh Nature Center that the electric facility may become obsolete in the near future. If so, additional opportunities for public access may be possible across the 26) Andesitic Dike dam. 27) Rabbit Creek Park The coastal trail route begins at the dam and continues near the north bank along Whitney Road. This shc@uld be a Class I I I route (paved bike 42 AL 4A AU It t.,c Q,4@ k K A LEGEND: MASTER PLAN VEHICULAR ACCESS POINTS PEDESTRIAN ACCESS POINTS jz W@ ACCESS TO MUNICIPAL PARKS AMSA'S PREFERRED ROUTE OF BiKEIPEDESTRIAN PATH A ALTERNATIVE ROUTE OF SfKE/PEDESTRIAN PATH FBI a PEDESTRIAN PATH ',I EQUESTRIAN PATH MOTORCYCLEISNOW MACHINE PATH Municipality of Anchorage 01-11T C011TA1 -111EIT P-l" - - I Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan path with shoulder, separated from the road) with vegetation and Alternative 3c: A third possibility is to establish alternative elevation buffers. The Ship Creek crossing should be made via a (a) as a recognized and maintained pedestrian route while bicycle bridge between the existing "C" Street and railroad bridges. A using (b) for bicycles. separate structure is preferred to the modification of either existing bridge for both economic and aesthetic reasons. After Ship Creek, a Site 4. Access to Elderberry Park will provide restrooms, parking, and class I IC route (along the road, with route signs and a painted bicycle play equipment. One of Anchorage's oldest homes, the Oscar Ander- corridor) will rejoin "C" Street and continue east on 1st Avenue. son House, has been preserved on site as a point of historic interest. Site 2. The Alaska Railroad Station facilities proposals include bicycle parking and a bulletin board area for posting and distributing trails and Site 5. A Class 11 route (a marked bike lane) along the roads from N educational information. The route will be designated with signs and Street to West 7th Avenue and "0" Street, would provide a link with painted lines. Nulbay Park. Parking, picnic areas and a tot-lot are available here. In The ARR station serves as a transportation hub and is a logical place addition, Nulbay Park provides an excellent opportunity for pedestrian for the trail to join the local and regional network. The route may also access to the beach, via an existing roadbed and gravel pad across the form an important link here with the proposed "Anchorage Old Town," railroad tracks. This is the site of the proposed Nulbay Park Beach a cluster of relocated historic buildings. Excellent opportunities to Access platform with a stabilized path to the beach. This is designed to discuss Anchorage's historical and architectural heritage would be accommodate existing use patterns. This is the only opportunity north possible if the "Old Town" plan were realized. of Point Woronzof to be far enough out from the shoreline to obtain views back to the coast. Points of interest that could be emphasized at site 3. Resolution Park will be reached by one of the following three this site are the port facilities (for example, port history, navigation alternatives: information and types of ships and cargo) and Bootlegger Cove geology. Alternative 3a: West 1st Avenue and the base of the slope The pedestrian route from the viewing facility will continue along the bordering the G.S.A. property would be utilized to provide beach to an existing dirt drive at the log house north of Westchester access to the foot path below Resolution Park. A stairway Lagoon. Several drainage culverts may have to be lengthened or from the Resolution Park structure would enable pedestri- diverted to avoid the pedestrian path. ans to get down to thetrail below. The routewould continue within the railroad right-of-way and easements to join Elderberry Park. At M Street it would meet Alternative 3b on Site 6. The Bootlegger Cove Log House is currenfly owned by the West 5th Avenue. railroad and consideration should be given by the Municipality Alternative 3b: A Class IIC route roadway trail identified acquire it as a cultural facility when the present occupant leaves. In with painted lines and signs) follows West 1st Avenue from addition to an interesting history and high aesthetic value, the build- the Railroad Station to Christiansen Drive, to West 3rd ing's layout, stable condition, and present use by a potter make it ideal Avenue and on to Resolution Park on 3rd and "L" Streets. for the proposed use as a craft and cultural events center. From the park, the Class I IC route turns from L Street down The bicycle route would proceed as a Class I IC (along the roadway, the hill to West 5th Avenue. Drawbacks include heavy traf- with signs and painted bike lane) from Nulbay Park along 0 Street, to fic, a steep hill on 5th Avenue, and one-way traffic on L West 8th, to Stott Lane, West I I th Avenue, Bootlegger Cove Drive and Street. U Street to the northwest corner of Westchester Lagoon. 44 Master Plan -nrrpA3m w#,LIL b-cp pb-g@&- VL C-A,^\/r=L FILL L5@EEH -5TM@ft) -7777 17 em -"M --no@ Obb _rF- INC:, 4 Fri. lip Ji. Jll. V _14)C SCALE: NORTH Site Plan:-l\\L-fYT-.fAW. DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE 45 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Site 7. Existing facilities at Westchester Lagoon include parking, Site 8. The route proceeds along the existing pedestrian path in the picnicking, and trails along the north side. Proposals include a loop right-of-way sloping down to the Fish Creek estuary, the first Area trail around the lagoon with 18 exercise stations where joggers stop to Meriting Special Attention. Though flanked closely by residential do sit-ups, pull-ups or other calisthenics. This "par course" would be development, this stream estuary provides an excellent opportunity to ideal for use during lunch breaks and after work for downtown describe riparian environments, estuary vegetation, sand dunes and employees as well as area residents. More extensive definition of the waterfowl. A pedestrian boardwalk is suggested for nature study west end of the lagoon includes development of the bike trail around which could be easily accessible from nearby schools. There are four the lake and a planting plan to screen the embankment. This area alternatives for routing pedestrians and cyclists around the mouth of provides a rare inland view, focusing on inland water, neighborhoods, Fish Creek: foothills and mountains. The less developed south side of the lagoon Alternative 8a: The trail would follow existing paths around and asmall brackish marsh in thesouthwest corner offer opportunities the creek at approximately the 20 foot contour, crossing the forviewing wildlife in an urban setting. Thetrail route would rise up to creek with a small bridge and spanning minor drainages the railroad tracks near the south west corner of the lagoon. A view with culverts. On the south bank the path would stay at the across the Knik Arm could be enjoyed without climbing the embank- sameelevation, justabovethe lineof dense vegetation. This ment or walking along the railroad tracks. The railroad tracks would be would provide opportunities for views of the marsh and the crossed at an existing road. The trail would continue within the rail- Knik Arm through the existing trees. Short stretches of road right-of-way along a cleared woodland roadbed which is parallel to but above the tracks. boardwalk will add to the variety of experiences and allow for more sensitivity to topography. The path would cut up 41 1.;Z2 N M@ Bootlegger Cove Log House, built by soldiers during W. W. is presently owned by the Alaska Railroad. Master Plan Site #6. 46 PROJECT SUMMARY S HIP CREEK DAM OASTAL CORRIDOR BOOTLEGGER COVE LOG HOUSE YNARYPARK .Existing public use area Good potential as footpath 0 Land ownership: ARR, GSA, private Historic and aesthetic value Existing park facilities, restrooms and parking Proposed greenbelt connection Views along coast * Inadequate easement width Prime location for public facility Historic biological interest M 0 Steep slope, near RR tracks Use of existing RR crossing High voltage equipment area Association with artistic tradition Ship Creek to Industrial setting INLAND CORRIDOR 0 Cost of acquisition and maintenance Ownership. DOT, ARR, * Use of existing roads 0 L St. one-way traffic Alaska RR ownership Earthquake Park Chugach Electric 0 Departs from coast temporarily Steep hill on 5th Ave. ANDSLIDE AREA CORRIDOR Intersections WESTCHESTER LAGOON Sandy beachlike area Terminus of existing bilkeway Landslide education area ORRIDOR : Proximity to downtown and residences e Variety of terrain Use of existing roads RESOLUTION PARK Within Alaska RR right of way 0 Private property ownership Cost of new bridge Existing view platform Road crossings, inter 3 High use area LAGOON TO FISH CREEK CORRIDOR sections Excellent scenic value Existing RR crossing Difficult access to coastal corridor Trail at separate grade AIaska RR right of way LDERBERRY PARK 0 Proximity of private land EARTHQUAKE PARK Existing parking, restrooms, play equipment Earthquake education n4 Oscar Anderson House r, 01 Views over trees to city ISH CREEK AMSA Existing trails, parking �Coordination with Unique coastal area existing transportation ULBAY PARK 8 * High scenic, educational, biological network Existing parking, playground value �Restrooms, parking, 5 - Existing railroad crossing at grade, -Proximity to city and schools information beach access area 'Private ownership to tidelands �Historical context eCoastal views from gravel pad Engineering and construction costs Traffic patterns -Within RR right of way for sensitive wetland area INLAND CORRIDOR Variety of corridor type Departs coast temporarily Crosses private property COASTAL CORRIDOR Unbroken view of marsh Unstable, steep bluff Potential visual impact to beach opportunity It, F, constraint K, U Site -Corridor 13 I W09 13-Area Meriting Special Attention Sheet 1 Master Plan the slope through a storm sewer easement with an existing Site 10. In Earthquake Park the trail would gradually head up the slope foot path on it to the road and continue as a Class I IC route near the park boundary along existing trails. It may be necessary to (with painted bike lane and signs) along Loussac Drive to bridge Hood Creek here. The Parks and Recreation Division is cur- Marston Road. From Marston Road it is recommended that rently developing facility designs forthe park. Consideration could be a trail easement be established to provide coastal access. given to including restrooms, more signs and educational literature, Alternative 8b: The route will continue as in Alternative 8a to aerial photographs showing the landslide area as it appeared in 1964, the sewer easement. Instead of turning to the road on the and considerable trail and stairway improvements. Because of its west side of the estuary, it would continue along the slope heavy use by tourists, the Park is an ideal location for an educational below residential property lines. At the northwest corner of facility. The existing Northern Lights bicycle trail ends at Earthquake the estuary, the path would be built just above the beach Park. Continuation to the next pullout will be via a Class III route, a (cut into the slope) and would gradually ascend to thetop of separate trail leading west. the slope. This alternative may be subject to construction A pedestrian beach loop that connects to the bicycle trail at each end constraints due to the unstable clay slope. of the park could be developed. It is important to maintain the rugged Alternative 8c: An alternative pedestrian boardwalk and undeveloped nature of the park because it illustrates the magnitude of path would follow the same route as Alternative 8b, while the landslide that occurred here. the bicycles are routed as in Alternative 8a. This would Since it is currently posted as an equestrian route, Earthquake Park is result in less visual and construction impact. A small exten- the start of a proposed equestrian/running trail around Point Woron- sion of the boardwalk into the sand dune area is suggested, zof and Point Campbell to Kincaid Park. It would consist of an unpaved with stairs to the beach. The beach path would remain in its path separate from the paved bike route wherever possible. natural condition and would rejoin the bicycle route at the Site 11. The Earthquake Park Picnic Pullout has an excellent view of top of the slope, connected by a stairway. Access for handi- the park's disturbed landform and the city shoreline in the back- capped people would not be provided in this option, ground. It provides opportunity for discussing earthquakes in the because movement along the beach would be difficult for context of the changing shoreline. Selective pruning of the treetops them. may be necessary to preserve this view in the future. From the picnic Alternative 8d: Another pedestrian alternative trail would area a Class III bike path (separated from the road) will parallel the involve separation from the bicycle route on the northeast road to Point Woronzof. It will pass the airport fence, which extends to side, People would wall across the estuary on a boardwalk the bluff, and cross a small ravine on a separate bridge ,Thereafter the to the sewer easement. On the west side they could choose right-of-way of Old Clay Products Road can be used for trail place- to go up to the road on the bike path, or around the bluff on a ment. A portion of the old 'corduroy' roadbed at the head of this dirt pedestrian walkway. Stairs would lead up from the beach to road may be worth saving for its historic interest. the bicycle path near Marston Road. Site 12. The main bicycle route would continue along Clay Products Site 9. Access into Lyn Ary Park will be along the west side. Facilities Road at the top of the bluff to an existing auto pullout area. This is the already planned for this park include playing fields, vehicular access, site of the proposed Point Woronzof Picnic Playground. The pullout restrooms, water and play equipment. Existing coastal trails through offers the last good view of the urban waterfront before the trail curves the disturbed landslide area will be used for access from Lyn Ary to around the end of Point Woronzof. Proposals for the site include Earthquake Park, but upgraded for safe public use. parking, picnic and play areas. 49 V, F-w N C)HELTER -TTIET-@ WeLl- Ft-kH-7r-^` '104L& OD f@OCF CV5p%HEAD Cmfm@ -Tr tt-U--T-En \v\/tTH et -i&hr:t -rt [7-Lj\IK4 A4 > ac), SCALE: NOR Site Plaw-F-t- DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE Master Plan P! tp 71 4/' @71 "T V-:T 4 VIEV/ 0 c I r-@ (5 W F-:: t T ........ .. ..... . .. L A @41 Site Plan: \nZL@jT- Ek'12 \@,ZF,,@)T/dE-25TYM I @A D ALE: 9ft 1 :1 c, -ON sc DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE 51 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Site 13. The Point Woronzof Fossil Beds (AMSA #2) are found in the rapidly eroding bluff west of the creek crossing and continue to the end of the Bootlegger Cove Clay deposit. Pedestrian access can be provided to the beach via a footpath on the west side of the ravine. At low tide, pedestrians can hunt for fossils in the exposed clay and walk the beach as far as the airport's north-south runway gravel extraction site (Master Plan Site 15). There another pedestrian access path would be provided to the top of the bluff. Both access trails will require some improvements, signs and maintenance; however, no special provi- sions will be made along the beach. Site 14. Approximately 400 yards further down the Old Clay Products Road bicycle route, a Point Woronzof Overlook is proposed. A small pullout with a viewing platform on a hill just east of the airport radar station would be accessible only from the bicycle route. This point offe.rs an excellent 3600 view of the Anchorage Bowl and Cook Inlet Aerialview of Point Woronzof in 1977, showing the Fossil Bedarea from the lowerle environs. the change of elevation in the bluff. Master Plan Site #13. The Point Woronzof Pi Pullout site is the clearing in the foreground. Site 15. At the End of Old Clay Products Road is the gravel extraction Site 16. The Tanaina Archaeological Site (AMSA #3) is approximately site (end of the north-south runway). No design proposals can be one-quarter mile south of the sewage treatment plant and west of the made since the duration of the excavation and plans for regrading the oil pipeline easement. The bicycle corridor should remain on the east site are unknown. A bicycle trail easement, adequate setback from the side of the easement in this area to avoid damage to the site and allow bluff edge, and potential vehicular access for the excellent view of Mt. greater flexibility for research and possible development of this Susitna, the Alaska Range, Fire Island, and Turnagain Arm vistas archaeological site. should be provided. This area appears on the Airport Master Plan as site 17. The views through the trees from the easement corridor look park area. Pedestrian access to the beach would be available along an out over the Point Woronzof-Point Campbell Wetlands of AMSA #4. A existing graded jeep trail down the bluff. viewing platform-bird blind in the marsh is proposed for this area. The After the gravel pit site, the path would run parallel to the airport wetlands will probably become part of the Potter Game Refuge. access road. Around the sewage treatment plant, the trail would pass Room will have to be left for the bike route through (or at the end of) a through a mature mixed woodland. Unpleasant odors are frequent in fence being built by the airport along the northside of the east-west this area. South of thetreatment plant the path intersects and follows a runway. The Design and Construction Division of the Department of twenty foot cleared underground electrical easement. Next the trail Transportation at the airport has stated that there is no apparent need would intersect with an oil pipeline easement just north of the airport to fence the end of the runway since there is grade separation and a east-west runway. Thetrail along theeasements iswell separated from vegetative barrier. The high noise level associated with air traffic is the bluff edge, and it has been cleared for maintenance vehicle access offset by the inherent interest of observing low-level aircraft in the past. This part of the route provides the longest stretch of approaches. Thetrail would followthe oil easement until it reaches the canopied woodland corridor. Occasional views out to the water can be shore. Thereafter the corridor will continue through woodland at the seen through the trees. top of the bluff around Point Campbell. 52 PROJECT SUMM ARY ARTHQUAKE ARK PICNIC PULLOUT Canopied bircph woodland TANAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE AMSA Views of city and Earthquake Park * Historic and education area Existing use area - Deciduous woodland canopy iss may cause damage to site Earthquake Park PT. WORONZOF PICNIC PLAYGROUND Occasional unpleasant odors from sewage plant to -Skyline iews * Existing vehicular access Point Campbell * Near airport approach zone LUFF TOP CORRIDOR PT. WORONZOF FOSSIL BEDS AMSA Filtered, coastal views Beachcombing and education area Use of existing underground utility easements n13 Pedestrian path access Wildlile viewing opportunities Moose habitat area Rapid bluff erosion, seasonally dangerous Crossed by airport approach zone area n T. WORONZOF OVERLOOK 36 o view, educational value 14 In lairport approach zone I PT. WORONZOF - PT. CAMPBELL WETLANDS AMSA Wa erfowl and shorebird viewing CLAY PRODUCTS ROAD 17 State ownership CENIC AREA Near airport approach zone Panoramic view o Hunting presently permitted Existing pedestrian beach access Near airport approach zone High bluff erosion Near sewage treatment plant @Y opportunity constraint 13 13 Corridor 13=Area Meriting Special Attention Sheet 2 Master Plan BNT-11 5v(ug T@ALI p5E@VE r _TATj\/a FLAhTl H 6 ff LAI,- -z!1 N N -J A f @'Z) AUTO SCALE: NIRIP-H Site Plan: DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE 13 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Site 18. If the Point Campbell Military Reservation becomes Municipal off-road vehicle routes are possible. The currently active airport gravel Property and kept as parkland it is proposed that a Point Campbell pit west of the east-west runway could be used as a dirt bike race Recreation Area be established. course. Possible access to the course would be via a trail over the A picnic area and campground could be developed in the extreme hummocky terrain, one way on each side of the airport fence between southwest corner of the park. While the primary corridor would con- the pit and existing vehicle parking at Little Campbell Lake in Kincaid tinue along the bluff to Kincaid Park, several alternative equestrian and Park. A secondary equestrian loop, to enable a sufficient buffer from moto- rized vehicles, will depend on acquisition of the military property by the Municipality . When the coastal route reaches Kincaid Park, an equestrian corridor will loop back to the north through the park to the coast north of Point Campbell. One further consideration is the possi- ble location of a petrochemical plant pipeline shore facility at Point Campbell. Any plans for the use of Point Campbell should considerthe location and impact of this possible pipeline facility. Site 19. Thecoastal corridorwould remain atthetopof the bluff until it hes the Point Campbell Sand Dunes (AMSA #4) where it begins reac radual ly d roppi ng i n elevation to f ol low the I i ne of heavy vegetation at "'CU'r, 9 the toe of the slope, near the 20 foot contour. The corridor will stay at th is approxi m ate elevat i on, j ust above the 100 year f lood I i ne, cu rvi ng where necessary to avoid property lines. At Campbell Creek two alternatives are suggested: one based on property ownership patterns and the other based on physical engi- neering factors. Alternative 19a: The preferred route from both an aesthetic and environmental point of view is to follow the slope east- ward at the creek outlet and cross the creek at an existing culverted vehicular access road. Alternative 19b: An alternative proposal is to cross the creek at a wider point with a long (1000-1500 foot) boardwalk across the estuary to the opposite bank. This alternative is likely to be less advantageous because of engineering diffi- culties and extreme environmental conditions. In either case, the path continues southward at thetoe of the bluff after Campbell Creek. There are several possibilities for gaining access to This air photograph shows the shoreline between Campbell Lake and Point Campbell. the Bayshore West subdivision along existing greenbelt easements. 56 Master Plan t@ V F^f@h@ N C-i ZO bv@f6LF_ 7F-vNL 70 Q.@'T-T IV fe_4!@@,Alrr'Er:) EX -LA r=of\ f TIMCq FIFLP5 ?!q P", 1 t-4 el -7 rJ 4t=IH C1 WAILI woop v5(_ rLAI-171M> H f Fl@_J SCALE: I'- ice Oft- EZ7% Site Plan:-...._ f75vL_jA\_:T_T_ -------F 13 DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Site 20. At the site of the proposed Klatt Road Scenic Area, restoration and reuse of an existing disposal area and former gravel pit is pro- posed. Its proximity to Klatt Road makes it an ideal access point. The existing fill area onto the marsh affords good opportunity for observ- ing shore wildlife and tidal processes. With development of the gravel pit and pad it would be suitable for a picnic and viewing area. Design proposals include parking for cars and buses, rest rooms, water, bicy- cle parking, and viewing decks with shelters. The path continues along the base of the bluff before beginning a gradual ascent of the slope. Upon reaching the top of the slope the path will enter the west end of Shore Drive as a Class IIC route (a painted bike lane and signs). At the east end of Shore Drive, a sewer easement can be followed to John's Park. Boardwalks or a trail with numerous culverts may be required to allow adequate drainage across the route. Site 21. In John's Park, existing Park and Recreation Division trail proposals can be utilized to provide access around Furrow Creek to the opposite bluff to connect with nearby residential development. From John's Park two alternative routes to the next access point are suggested: Alternative 21a: A Class IIC route along the road from John's Road to Oceanview Drive, then to Reef Place, would provide access to an extensive fill area in the marsh. The Municipality is currently considering acquiring this area as an extension of Oceanview Park. Alternative 21 b: The trail would return to Oe toe of the bluff through John's Park and continue along the coast on a boardwalk or on an easement across private property lines below the bluff in Oceanview. Site 22. From the Oceanview Park Extension, the route would proceed below the bluff to join an existing jeep trail along the base of the slope below the railroad tracks. This is a densely wooded corridor offering views through the alders to Potter Game Refuge wetlands. There are many places to accommodate rest stops and picnic facilities. The landfill area near Oceanview is slated for Municipal acquisition forpark purposes, 58 PROJECT SUMMARY INN PT. CAMPBELL RECREATION AREA LOWER BLUFF EDGE CORRIDOR Remote, undeveloped area - Wildlife viewing, marsh vegetation Extensive viewing opportunities * Mountain and Inlet views Connection to Kincald P&rI( - High cost of construction on slope Military ownership - Boardwalks needed to avoid private property Pt. Campbell to Airport noise, north side Campbell Creek Moose habitat area ! LUFFTOP CORRIDOR Wildlife viewing potential Undeveloped natural woodland Variety of terrain and scenery Military ownership No topographic maps at large scals PT. CAMPBELL SAND DUNES AMSA Geology, landform education area Views of entire region E) Part of Kincaid Park E tablished dirt bike race area Tsraditional use for dumping and rifle shooting Insufficient information about dune movements 44 IF INK., ................. pew opportunity constraint 13 =Site 0 Corridor Aw- 13 Area Meriting Special Attention &M Sheet 3 PROJECT 11,40"', 7==---d -bfiA@NI4I4fiW1l#fti Jill W101AIIA lip oil J1, SUMMARY ,IlIll 141 illil,00 11 Ill, '11111 1.1. 1. Iffil 4)Y11110 110 AMPBELL CREEK INLAND CORRIDOR KLATT ROAD SCENIC AREA BLUFF TOP CORRIDOR Use of existing creek bridge and paths Unusual high hill for viewing 0 Existing road and sewer easement Connection to Campbell Lake residential area 20 e* Reuse of current eyesore Views inland across lake 0 Waterfowl viewing opportunities 0 Upland woodland deciduous canopy 0 Access from Shore Drive Private land ownership Privately owned site o Limited views CAMPBELL CREEK BOARDWALK CORRIDOR Traditional use as a dump area ' Wetland construction limitations Campbell Creek 0 Avoids property ownership problems Boardwalk over open water at high tide to Oceanview Ice, wind, tide and substrate conditions poor High visual impact on estuary High cost of construction and maintenance OWER BLUFF EDGE CORRIDOR 1OHN'S PARK L Marsh wildlife and vegetation . Linkage with park system Filtered woodland views - Riparian nature education area Connections to Bayshore neighborhoods - High quality understory vegetation o Private property extends below bluff Lower slope nearly impenetrable vegetation Ravine crossing LOWER BLUFF EDGE CORRIDOR a Views of Potter Game Refuge Inlet, Kenai Mountains 0 Mixed woodland understory OWER BLUFF EDGE CORRIDOR ' Cost of stabilizing slope L No vehicle conflicts 'Engineering constraints o Limited views Private property conflicts Cost of construction on slope mw@ At J, ..................... 1`0 opportunity -'r Site Corridor 13=Area Meriting Special Attention Sheet 4 Master Plan --77 -r-- 10 - M ELEVATI Orl @,X A@- /-\HP 7 "Al L =-t 1 ffr@r-. ft t)TEF,:) X -@T 00* Soot #T** -6ALE 1'= i m' Site Plan:-...-HL@d F\./AhP Hl(/- DVF-F)>LOC)6 SCALE: 9IRbT-H DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANC@ORAGE 63 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Site 23. The bicycle/pedestrian route would continue along the jeep Site 26. The bicycle trail leads to the Andesitic Dike (AMSA #6) which trail below the Seward Scenic Overlook and the steep railroad is located on the east side of the Old Seward Highway, approximately embankment. The Overlook provides an excellent view of the area's three-quarters of a mile from the Nature Center. Off-road parking for 5 regional context. It is a much-used, readily accessible area which or 6 cars is suggested near the dike to accommodate educational field serves as a gateway to the Turnagain Arm. It has merit as an educa- trips. Additionally, this parking would provide access to a boardwalk tional point for geology, history, biology and shoreline dynamics. and bird blind which could extend into the marsh on the opposite side Signage will direct people to the trailhead nearby, and to the Nature of the road. Center at Potter Marsh. Consideration might be given to the recogni- tion of Captain Vancouver, who anchored in Turnagain Arm and was site 27. The bicycle trail will continue through the wooded slopearea responsible for recognizing it as an arm of the sea. until it reaches Rabbit Creek Park. There access could be provided to connect with local greenbelt and trails associated with Rabbit Creek. Site 24. The Trallhead Area would be located near the rifle range now owned by the Department of Fish and Game. Parking facilities and a At the north end of Potter Marsh, contours and property boundaries tunnel for the trail underneath the railroad tracks and Seward Highway will be followed in bringing the trail across the marsh to complete the would be constructed. On the east side of the Highway, a modified I IA loop trail, and return to the trailhead under Seward Highway. bike route (a grade-separated route off the road's shoulder) will pass through the existing and proposed Potter Marsh pullout areas and continue to the nature center at the south end of the marsh. Site 25. The site of the proposed Potter Marsh Nature Center is pre- sently occupied by the state highway weigh station, the relocation of which is planned by the Department of Weights and Measures. Facili- ties proposed include classroom facilities, parking, restrooms, and viewing platforms. It could serve as a cooperative center, operated-by the U.S. Forest Service, the Alaska Division of Parks, the State Department of Fish and Game, and the Municipality of Anchorage. It is possible that the Potter Section House, a histor4c building located just south of the weigh station, could serve as an information center instead. Plans for both facilities will have to be coordinated between the various agencies. Information distributed would include wildlife education and recreation opportunities in Chugach State Park, Chu- gach National Forest, the Seward Highway and coastal recreation areas. The bicycle trail will continue north as a Class I IA route along the west side of Old Seward Highway until it reaches the wooded area on the west side of the road. At this point the path will leave the road and follow the slope to allow views of marsh through the trees. A seagull chases a troublesome bald eagle at Potter Marsh. 64 PROJECT SUMMARY ? CEANVIEW BLVD. NEW SEWARD SCENIC OVERLOOK OTTER MARSH NATURE CENTER Plea ant residential area Outstanding regional views P Lowscost to establish and maintain 23 Established use pattern .High habitat, scenic, education value Traffic conflicts, parking High speed highway access Proximity to major N-S route Steep, unstable bank e Cooperation with State and National Park, Fish & Game Dept. Oceanview to High public demand Pro posed interchange for major subdivision entrance o Traffic, potential road improvements Potter Marsh E nvironmental sensitivity CEANVIEW PARK EXTENSION ?Access down bluff already graded RAILHEAD AREA AND UNDERPASS � Proximity to residential area Logical connection with transportation and . Views of Turnagain Arm and Potter Game 24 activity centers Refuge * State ownership � Potential Parks and Recreation ownership 'Proximity of rifle range � Reuse of present eyesore *High construction cost of tunnel under highway NDESITIC DIKE AMSA Educational value Coordination with nature center El I Potential road improvement conflict CEANVIEW LOWER BLUFF CORRIDOR ?Established jeep trail NEW SEWARD HIGHWAY . Vertical separation from RR CORRIDOR * Crosses private property a Enclosed viewshed - Wildlife viewing and aesthetic quality RABBIT CREEK PARK High speed traffic Connection with Chugach trail system Potential expansion of highway to 27 -e Access to growing residential area fourlanes n tly undeveloped opportunity constraint 13 Corridor Site 13 =Area Meriting Special Attention Sheet 5 Master Plan L: A,- L-A -V41. FW1 14,?' @71E@11411t- 1k *44Lb 7VM r vim pF vz Aa-e--f-, j 4%@oo UP -A^ jy t)ff-6,T1 0" A rj Site Plan:-- Tff-F@- ScekL AftH DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE CHAPTERIV AREAS MERITING SPECIAL ATTENTION Fish Creek Management Plan Point Woronzof Fossil Beds Management Plan Tanaina Archeological Site Management Plan Point Campbell-Point Woronzof Wetlands Management Plan Point Campbell Sand Dunes Management Plan Potter Andesitic Dike Management Plan Potter Marsh Management Plan Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Fish Creek Management Plan is being developed immediately adjacent to the drainage. Road con- struction and surveying for this development has already taken place. Area Meriting Special Attention #1 Spoil has been dumped into the wetlands during construction. It is not Fish Creek flows approximately six miles from the Tudor Road and known whether or not the filling has taken place with the approval of Lake Otis area west and north to Bootlegger Cove on the Knik Arm. It the Corps of Engineers. No slope stabilization has taken place, and serves as a storm sewer for much of the residential and commercial extensive sedimentation of the channel has resulted. Bulldozed earth- land within its drainage area of 5.6 square miles. The Fish Creek en material and trees are encroaching in the drainage channel. This Restoration Project (1976) addressed the management issues in the activity Is causing the kind of environmental damage that designation area between Northern Lights Boulevard and Spenard Road. This plan of Fish Creek as an AIVISA was Intended to prevent. addresses the approximately three-quarters mile of the creek which is The creek channel above the railroad tracks is completely choked with located north of Northern Lights Boulevard. The study area has been sediment and debris. Consequently, the stream channel is no longer divided into two segments, one between Northern Lights Boulevard recognizable. The only culvert that drains the area is almost f illed with and the Alaska Railroad tracks, and the other from the railroad tracks sediment. This prevents normal flow of water and causes floodir to Bootlegger Cove. There are no gauging records for stream flow in high flow. Secondary culverts with a larger diameter are so far above Fish Creek, but the Corps of Engineers has prepared a Special Flood the water level that they probably serve as drainages only after severe Hazard report for +this drainage 1,1975.1. ice and snow buildup in the spring. Segment 1: Northern Lights Boulevard to the Alaska Railroad tracks Segment 2: Alaska Railroad tracks crossing to Bootlegger Cove. culvert. Beyond the railroad tracks, the creek flows into a tidal estuary. With The creek crosses Northern Lights Boulevard in a culvert and flows the exception of a large fill area near the mouth, the estuary is still in through residential areas in awell-defined channel. A newsubdivision relatively pristine condition. The salinity gradient and vegetative cover 1'41 w 717 714 4'v @'i 1,19 Z" X, 4 J R-15, The mouth of Fish Creek largely remains in its natural state, 70 Areas Meriting Special Attention Tj MLROAP @M5A@4W@NT FFVF0_1fD @51rlf fz4LFrE 4@, 6NqK1,*I,L 5rFEM 0"NEL Ila ANP/OK ff_PTz5TNM bC@Ztfl j;:. wm"@D F&P rNP ENT ZV F TL)V ,:-- _E 4@ULVFW @ww, fILL IN f@E@5T,5fz F0fzP--EP, 6hNm@ r-, N_Lo,/ FOK @V-F- f f f6@ KbAIN ZATO'N U,_ _0N -P.MDEK 6AtNON AkZ) K-W/t EK@_'_- 9LL AT RAP EKPK* 6TRV-T . . ........ . . FWT FILLIWI LVEfl aMNEL 46J ZT Od@,K@@T F,1_ATTNG J'Qtt): C"f'4 .5 v, V@ ci, 71- r it- 5rrE RMI. F@OffotEp @Y\15DA 667NPITIO .. . . ..... . ...... SCALE: AMSA Site Plan: FlIX CTV DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan have been affected by the reduced fresh water flow in recent years. rine vegetation and wildlife. A second boardwalk would protect the Although the railroad embankment has been in place since 1918, the small dune area. Nature trail information signs and widened areas for sedimentation problem has been greatly aggravated by new develop- seating and educational displays could appear at regular intervals ment and road construction. The recreation/open spacequality of this along the boardwalk. part of Fish Creek is quite high, both because of its 'proximity to residential arc-as and schools, and because of its scenic and biological Recommendations: assets. It is the only estuary in the Anchorage Bowl which features a The segment of Fish Creek between the railroad culvert and Northern sand dune with relatively undisturbed dune grasses. Because the Lights Boulevard should receive immediate attention. Development of wooded edge of the estuary north of the tracks has been preserved, land within the 100 year floodplain should not be allowed in this area. and residential development in this area has adequate setbacks, a Although Floodplain Zoning Regulations require a special permit and number of unusual species of shorebirds and waterfowl feed here. The construction restrictions, they do not provide adequate protection for estuary itself has high scenic, nature study and open space value. this area. It is hoped that the Coastal Management Plan will be able to prevent unsuitable development in both segments 1 and 2. All con- struction should be halted in this area until slope stabilization efforts reduceth e sediment load in the creek to the satisfaction of the Corps The location of the creek in a heavily urbanized area increases its value of Engineers and CZM requirements. Aesthetic factors should be as a public resource. Ownership of the tidelands is Municipal, except considered when choosing slope stabilization techniques. Any build- in the area of the Alaska Railroad right-of-way. North of the railroad ing construction that takes place should be considered when choos- tracks, individual property ownership extends to the 100 year flood- ing slope stabilization techniques. Any building construction that plain except near the mouth of the estuary. South of the tracks, how- takes place should have a 50 foot setback horizontally from the 100 ever, private ownership extends to the centerline of the stream channel year floodplain as measured by the National Flood Insurance Study on both sides. (the'Intermediate Regional Flood'of the Corps of Engineers Special Flood Hazard Report). Development of land that is contiguous with the The future of this delicate coastal wetland is being threatened by floodplain will be subject to design review for consistency with the upstream development. Increased sediment load and runoff volume intended use of the area for nature study. Slopes should be revege- are already changing species composition in the marsh. The site is in tated immediately after construction, using local species. The culvert immediate need of restoration. Development in either segment 1 or 2 beneath the railroad tracks should be cleared out on a regular basis by would change the hydrologic quality of the estuary. the Alaska Railroad, and consideration should be given to installing a larger culvert if it is demonstrated that this would not lead to greater In the context of the Coastal Access, Resource Protection and Scenic sedimentation load in the estuary. The installation of trash racks Areas Plan, several alternatives have been proposed to provide public upstream from theculvert is recommended to reduceculvert plugging. access to the area. The most reasonable is to bring a coastal bicycle The estuary should be closely monitored to allow recognition of any route across the railroad tracks from Westchester Lagoon at an exist- threats to its viability. ing (driveway) intersection, and follow a cleared roadbed which is Development of the nature trail should be in a park-like setting as a separated from the railroad tracks by a buffer of trees and a small hill. logical connection to the coastal access routes and the Chester Creek The bicycle/pedestrian path would circle the marsh on existing path- Greenbelt-Westchester Lagoon parcourse system. Protection of the ways abovethe 100 year floodplain. A boardwalk limited to pedestrian biological and physical systems should be the highest priority in use would cross the estuary, allowing closer observation of the estua- development of this area for recreational use. 72 Areas Meriting Special Attention we-ij ffff-5@ Purr- Pre E@UjT wryt, /qT-F*u1Wt "A7 F" 6Rff K, @WU Z- NIX "Y 4JI MAK VF r fT J@qTy_ All, "I .. . . ...... . .. ..... . ........ SCA 41 gft AMSA Site Plan: F::::):1 E- ff- r) DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENTPROGRAM MUNJICIPAUTY OF ANCHORAGE Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Point Woronzof Fossil Beds Management Plan low= Area Meriting Special Attention #2 The Bootlegger Cove Clay deposit between Earthquake Park and the 07- 40' end of Point Woronzof contains the only known fossil bed in the ".0*4rV - r r -A, Anchorage area. The fossils are mostly shells of mollusks, approxi- WK 4@ mately 14,000 years old. The area has been studied extensively by X Henry Schmoll of the United States Geological Survey, who served as a consultant in the development of this plan. 0 The fossils are scattered about twenty feet below the top of the clay layer which underlies peat sand deposits at Point Woronzof. The bluff is very steep and actively eroding (up to two feet per year) at this site. loop'. The Bootlegger Cove Clay is re-exposed each spring as erosion occurs on the bluff. The deposit is easily accessible from the beach w"I except at extreme high tide. The fossils are in a discontinuous layer that is one to four feet in depth, while the exposed clay in which they are found is twenty to sixty feet deep. The layered deposits at Point . ...... ... Woronzof illustrate the geologic history of the area. The clay deposit is Bootlegger Cove Clay oozes out over the sand, forming smooth, irregular castings on probably marine in origin, since it contains the shells of saltwater the beach (Knik Arm). species. This is evidence that sea level was considerably higher at the A sign which explains how this area illustrates dynamic landscape time that this deposit was formed, probably in an interglacial interval. processes should be placed near the top of the stairway. Caution The clay is of interest in relation to its role in the 1964 landslide, its use signs, regarding high tides and seasonal mudflows, should also be by local potters in ceramics, and its importance in the hydrologic cycle posted. The beach access point should be closed during hazardous of the region. The overlying deposits of sand and gravel are of glacial periods. This would be a good place for a tide table and warnings origin. Additional educational opportunities include viewing erosion about bluff erosion, quicksand and tidal currents. The pedestrian walk processes, such as slumping, mud flows, tidal erosion and deposition, along the beach would continue to the graded jeep trail at the presi and bluff recession. gravel extraction site at the end of Old Clay Products Road (if the graded trail is maintained). An educational brochure for the fossil beds Recommendations: will be prepared. It should be explicitly stated in the educational brochure or signs that the value of the area to the community will be Access to the area will be provided by a coastal bicycle route. Pedes- reduced by removal of fossils from the site. However, it is unlikely that trian access down to the beach would be on a stairway adjacent to the the supply will be exhausted because new fossils are constantly being small ravine near the Earthquake Park Picnic Pullout. Parking for two exposed through the erosion process. to three cars is available at the intersection of Old Clay Products Road It is not recommended that this site be developed extensively. with the Sewage Treatment Plant Access Road. The stairs down from Although small numbers of fossil hunters will have no impact on the k ;OW the road and bikeway would be built when the proposed bicycle route area, large numbers would contribute significantly to bluff erosion. is constructed. Both would require extensive slope stabilization to The areas should be checked regularly to make sure that providing control bluff erosion. public access does not cause excessive damage to the area. 74 Areas Meriting Special Attention N46Try FAVM !STN"y TO fVZm PULLIT 4 DKY-mugf 05R-51n6N -uwy -j 71 t4f rLNN ',ZO 0, NT 150 J@100TU 41AM W4 (-W FT 5TNWAY -TKV,\Trl@@T 0i AMSA Site Plan: fT- @E-D,-) SCALE: H DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Tanaina Archaeological Site Management Plan Recommendations: Area Meriting Special Attention #3 The site should be thoroughly studied before trail access is provided because of its fragile nature and potential archaeological importance. The Tanaina Archaeological Site is located near the bluff edge, Ideally, thorough excavation of several house pits and the grave area approximately one-half mile south of the Sewage Treatment Facility should take place under the direction of a professional archaeologist before the trail is completed. If it is determined that the site is eligible on Point Woronzof. Preliminary archaeological work has been done in I this area by Doug Reger, State Archaeologist, who served as a consul- for the National Register of Historic Places, it would be appropriate to tant in the development of this plan. Alaska Methodist University was have a Tanaina culture interpretative facility at this location. The site involved in excavation of one house pit in 1967. The site consists of could be made accessible to vehicles by constructing an auto turnout eight house pits, several storage pits, the roof of a grave house, several from the Airport West Access Road. A model "barabara" or shelter grave pits, and a midden and sweat house below the bluff. This is the could serve as a trail connection for the coastal route, the wetland only known archaeological site in the Anchorage Bowl. areas and the steam house below the bluff. If the site is not significant enough to warnant nomination to the National Register, an excavated The nation known as the Tanaina are Northern Athapascan Indians. house pit could still be fenced off for display purposes. In this case, the Their former territory included the entire land area around Cook Inlet trail system would provide the only access to the site. A small picnic and its tributary streams. This site was probably *the location of a area and educational materials would be the only development seasonal fishing village. The more permanent shelters used by the recommended. Tanaina consisted of an excavated pit with a log structure over it. The If there is no possibility of a thorough archaeological investigation semi-subterranean house, known by the Russian term "barabara," was beforethe trails system is constructed through the area, it is important characteristically used during the cold months. Less permanent struc- that adequate consideration be given to preventing vandalism from tures were often used in the summer. Since this site is not located near occurring at the site. No information should be posted relating to the any major streams, it may have been located here for fishing access to site until it has been investigated, and access to the area from the trail Cook Inlet. should be limited. The trail should be built on the east side of the There are three distinct areas of this village site. The grave area is on electric easement in this area. top of the bluff, and consists of several pit areas and a grave house roof. Below the grave area is a "banya," or steam house. The banya is probably more recent than the rest of the remains. Rusted tin cans and cracked bones (a'midden' deposit) were found near it. The house pits are probably "prehistoric," sincethey have been tentatively dated prior to 1741 (the time of Bering's explorations). The house pit area is approximately one-eighth mile south of the grave area. Most pits consist of two rectangular rooms, connected by a doorway or passage. Although this site is not easily accessible, it has already been damaged by activities related to gravel extraction. One house pit has been bisected by a bulldozer cut, and there is evidence of digging with power equipment near the grave area. Although the underground electric easement passes nearby, it was deliberately routed inland to avoid damaging the site. 76 Areas Meriting Special Attention LAI/f-R Bwf f fLr4E fEPE5TRIM n2i4 A Hn @5f -)rTE AMV-VIDIM-.. 11 i, f T" w\ fma 4V13170fl, 11`14FO. 61,4 Q-91UT & r N@E Lj@i@ I < 'WA NIEA I7mr5TNm ff'TH v FAFV-,l W-1 CIO 6V1\'5) - LJI SCALE: AMSA Site Plan: ]hkALjA fflLntf-01 A(-,1("-AL LEE-. DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Point Campbell-Point Woronzof Wetlands Man- agement Plan w Area Meriting Special Attention #4 The wetlands between Point Woronzof and Point Campbell are owned by the State of Alaska. At present there are no specific management provisions for this area other than general tideland restrictions under . ... . ............. state statutes. Ownership above the bluff includes Municipality, State Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, and . ........ . U.S. Army. The wetlands consist of pebble beach areas, tidal wetlands and mudflats. The unique vegetative community supported by the wetlands is important habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. This area is used extensively in early spring and late fall for feeding. It is the most remote area of the coast in the Anchorage Bowl, and still supports duck hunting activity. The approach zone for the airport IZZ, 17 > east-west runway crosses the wetland near its center. The area has tooint CaMn high scenic, educational and recreational value. pbefl wetlands. and included and made part of Potter Game Refuge. Nature The steep slope along the tidelands is vegetated and more stable than trails should be developed and public access provided. A the vertical bluff type. However, tidal erosion and deposition are management plan should be prepared jointly by the Munic- changing the shape of the tidal land area constantly. The heights of the ipality of Anchorage and the Alaska Division of Parks and mudflats has changed noticeably within the last few years (Schmoll). Department of Fish and Game. The landscape dynamics have shifted considerably after the 1964 At the present time, the Municipality is working out a Memorandum of earthquake. Understanding with the Department of Fish and Game, concerning Recommendation: compliance with the Anchorage District Coastal Management Pro- The proposed coastal bicycle/equestrian/pedestrian trail would pro- gram. This is the first step in developing the cooperative management vide access to this area. The trail would be located near the top of the plan. The arrangements for the Point Campbell-Point Woronzof bluff, with access points leading to a bird blind and nature trail below. wetlands should be made in conjunction with the plans for the Potter Facilities should be of an informal nature, only accessible to pedestri- Nature Center and the management of Potter Marsh. The site plans for ans. Access down to the coast would be established in the vicinity of the area included in this report are in concept form only. This is due to the proposed east-west fence that extends to the bluff along the north the present difficulty of access to the wetlands from the military base, side of the airport runway. A winding, stabilized dirt or gravel path and the extensive gravel extraction and construction activity near the should be established near the Tanaina Archaeological Site and the end of the east-west and north-south airport runways. No base topo- Point Campbell Recreation Area after these two sites are developed. graphic map is available for the area of the Nike Missile Base. Specific No hunting would be allowed after these public access facilities are siting of the bird blind and nature trail should take place after the constructed. The District Coastal Management Plan states that: Municipal land selection situation has been settled, since this will affect most of the upland areas adjacent to the wetlands. A visitor The site should be designated as a state game refuge, brochure will be developed as a guide to the wildlife and scenery of this administered by the State Department of Fish and Game area. 78 Areas Meriting Special Attention J, h0l- tITf- FLAW /AP 7) Ityp 'P BU kP/ W/\TUf;,'F- TFN L 0, r41<VFf-PE,5Tf;@JAN I@OLJTF- 14@tt- TO Czr@Vf-L -XTK@ICTIOW ^REA EAtT Al f@-f0f<F -Ac -A sk rlplff:5F-@@T MIUTAF-@ FT@-RWFION C, 1@rM 1P, L FTTLf- -u- LME N WIN P rm\r\ I SCALE: NORTH AMSA Site P1an:.-:'7-CA1ft)ELL F7 DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Point Campbell Sand Dunes Management Plan Although it is quite obvious that dirt bike scars are obliterating several Area Meriting Special Attention #5 important geologic features of the sand dunes, it is not clear whether the damage is of a permanent nature. Examples of dune features being damaged are wind ripple marks, buried soils horizons and dune bed- The Point Campbell Sand Dunes are migrating northward at the bluff ding deposits. According to Jim Stewart of the Alaska Motorcycle edge of Kincaid Park. Although in the past dunes have formed along Association, who has been watching the area closely since 1975, the thetop of the bluff closer to Point Campbell, those are all stabilized by tracks left bythe dirt bikes are of atemporary natureduetothe shifting vegetation. Gravel extraction at Kincaid Park apparently activated this sands. It is quite possible that the use of motorized vehicles is not dune. A combination of the use of the bluff edge as a dump area and harmful to the surficial geology of this area, but motorized uses are the dirt bike racetrack on the site have provided plenty of loose sand incompatible with the other activities that go on in this vicinity. for dune formation. Aside from the fact that these cliff head dunes are Recommendations: unique in the Anchorage area, the gravel deposits and deltaic features Limiting automobile and dirt bike to this area has traditionally been a visible here are most unusual from an educational standpoint. The problem, but the Parks and Receation Division has been using fencing layers of sand and gravel are exposed due to the gravel extraction and signage to try to control dirt bike use. The master plan for Kincaid activities, which allows the opportunity to view cross sections of the Park is being prepared for the Parks and Recreation Division by Group deposits. Another valuable asset of this location is the height of the III Design, landscape architects. It is hoped that the coastal zone dunes adjacent to the pit area. From the northern dune, views of the management recommendations will be considered in their design. entire region are excellent. It is probably the best place in the area to Rules for motorcycle use should be posted. These should include a describe the glacial history of Anchorage. Evidence of all five glacial map of dirt bike trails and hours of use of the track. Riders will be advances are visible from this spot. Anne Pasch, a Professor of Geol- ogy at Anchorage Community College, and Henry Schmoll of the U.S. Geological Survey, served as consultants in the development of this plan. One of the major difficulties in this area has been conflicts between trail bikes and other park uses. Since the geology of this site is of particular interest, it is important that students be allowed safe access. The former use of the area as a shooting range has not been com- pletely discouraged, and the area often reverberates with the sound of 9 uns. The site is also used as a dump area; this activity continues despite the Municipality's efforts to stop it. The former pit area is presently designated as a motorcycle racetrack, Z Z @,U and it receives heavy use. It is not a particularly appropriate location ?MZt@ "N' for this activity, but since a precedent has been set, it will be quite difficult to relocate the racetrack. Most of the paths in Kincaid Park X were intended for use by skiers, pedestrians, and equestrians. The use of these trails by dirtbikes has caused a great deal of damage, and makes them unsafe and unpleasant for pedestrians. The Point Campbell Sand Dunes (Master Plan Site 19) are shifting northward, burying trees as they move. 80 Areas Meriting Special Attention required to wear helmets, to have silencers on their biles and stay off The trail bile area just north of the east-west runway identified in the of the road. The track and trails will be closed for a short period in the Trails Plan is not suitable for trail bike use, due to its proximity to the spring when conditions are muddy. detoxication center. This pit is not extensive; consequently, it does not At present, the motorcycle club has no alternative race track area, and warrant development for bike use. Access to the site is also a problem. though use of gravel pits and roadside trails is prevalent, there is no The last alternative that has been identified within the coastal zone is satisfactory cross-country dirt bike trail. A number of alternative sites the gravel pit at Point Woronzof (Master Plan Site #15). Since moto- for motorized vehicle use have been identified in the Areawide Trails rized trail use is not coastal-dependent, inland alternatives are prefer- Plan. The alternatives proposed within the coastal zone are addressed able. The viewing and coastal access opportunities available at Point here: Woronzof outweigh the site opportunities for motorcycles. Kincaid Park (the site of this AMSA): The existing racetrack is feasible on a restricted basis, though as the park takes on a more urban nature due to increasing population in the vicinity, it may have to be phased out. The higher westerly dune should be off limits for trail bikes, and 4, there should be assigned times during the week when motorized vehicle use is not allowed on the whole site. This will enable class field trips and public visits to the area without distracting loud noises nearby. It is recommended that two weekday mornings, and one after- W noo n (preferably Friday) be reserved for educational use of the area. The effect of reducing the trail bike activity on the hillside dune ar ea should be monitored closely, to determine whether motorbike activity is actually responsible for the dune migration by preventing vegetati ve cover from stabilizing the slope. An observation areashould beestab- lished at the top of the hill, with an inconspicuous stabilized trail through the vegetation on the west side. The trail should circle outside the race track, through the woods. No motorized trail use will be allowed outside of the gravel pit area within Kincaid Park. Motorized vehicles will have to observe a setback from the coastal bicycle route, which will pass between the race track and the bluff. In return for restricting use at this end of Kincaid Park, a separate new staging area, cross-country motorcycle trail and racetrack area should be estab- lished. The staging area would be composed of a one-way circuit of trails south of the airport fence. The trail will go to the very large gravel pit area at the end of the east-west airport runway (also identified in the Trails Plan). Plans for regrading this area should be done coopera- tively with the motorcycle club to allow the best possible facilities for its use. Thistrail location isverysuitable because it concentrates noisy uses near the airport approach zone and allows dirt bikers to have trailriding opportunities they had not had previously. Eroding dune shows classic dune bedding deposits and buried soil horizons. 81 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan T-\ X@ TmLtlw rmNNCT/r0T6p1r_1rt V-E-@b lop' M f@46NG-r ikffA rvT" 7M@EK FILIKJ(@ MT0R6'(6LE 51\ME-'1\t) VIF f@,-Vt(7 'ATr-p TO PIMONE) -Z PIFT(fPON or rfVNUN6 WIWP /4NP PUNE MIWTION It @DITE fl,-NN SCALE: AMSA Site Plan: 3%p LAA 'wo? %ONE& DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE Areas Meriting Special Attention Potter Andesitic Dike Management Plan Recommendations: Area Meriting Special Attention #6 There is a muddy area between the road and the dike which is being used as fill area for road construction. It has no direct connection with a culvert or stream bed, and should be graded to allow parking for The Potter andesitic dike is an outcrop of bedrock of volcanic origin. It three or four cars. The rubble at the base of the dike should not be is located approximately three-quarters of a mile north of the weigh disturbed during construction, because it is important in illustrating station along the Old Seward Highway. The dike consists of a light- the weathering process. colored rockfacethat has been exposed by blasting for road construc- The coastal bicycle/pedestrian route will pass on the far side of the Old tion. The exposed area is approximately twenty feet high in the center, Seward Highway. A painted bicycle/pedestrian on-grade crossing sloping down to ground level at each end. The site is quite near the should connect thetrail tothe dike. A collection of local rocktypes and electric powerline, aboutone-tenth of amilesouthof wherethepower educational information could bedisplayed atthe Potter Marsh Nature line converges with the road. The rubble atthe bottom of the dike, and Center (see Potter Marsh Management Plan). The trail between the angles of cleavage illustrate joint patterns in the rock. This area is used nature center, the boardwalk/bird blind and the dike would allow a regularly for geology field trips, since it is the only igneous (volcanic) natural history education loop. A user brochure will be developed for dike exposed in the Anchorage area. this area. 4 The Andesitic Site is found on the ridge northeast of Potter Marsh. 83 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan OLP 5@ww LI-711 'POTTH2, M496H PLAH it IN" F40UT-F- mln]2 W$V@AbQP V%4eTATON ILL @i V\, AHPF-51116 PINE MVV-'T-D MP WNDftkTUf@,E TP-AL 1@@6fj MAP VPEWS@ 7H [(-Kf-T6 TMLhw FAgH AfrO FULLOUT6 ANP@571(- P1 K@ Tj ANPC51TL Pir-E FarTrA riN@ NATUM SCALE: AMSA Site Plan: ALLUMITIr, D]Nf- DISTRICT COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE 84 Areas Meriting Special Attention Potter Marsh Management Plan One automobile pullout would be constructed near the north end of the marsh along the Seward Highway. Preliminary designs for this Although Potter Marsh has not previously been identified as an Area pullout have been proposed bythe Department of Fish and Game. Two Meriting Special Attention (AMSA), it is recommended that it receive others have been proposed, but these would probably not be neces- special consideration forAMSA designation. It is extremely important sary if the nature center plans are carried out. Parking would be that an official management plan be written for the area in order to available for 36 cars and 8 buses in the naturecenter lotand pedestrian clarify permissible land uses in thearea. The marsh is presently under access would be possible around the marsh. the jurisdiction of the State Department of Fish and Game. The Department has indicated an interest in working out a management plan with inputfrorn othersources, such asthe State Division of Parks, the Municipality, and the Audubon Society. Potter Marsh is probably the habitat area of highest public value in the Anchorage Bowl. It attracts students, tourists, and residents in large numbers because of easy access, excellent birdwatching opportuni- ties and high aesthetic quality. The future of the marsh is dependent on sensitive construction techniques in the residential areas upstream from the marsh. Proposed new roadways and pullout areas may also encroach on marsh habitat areas. It is recommended that water quality testing programs be initiated to build a data base for measuring impacts in the marsh. More rigorous bird counts and vegetation analysis should be done on a regular basis to allow substantiation of habitat value. Access to the east side of the marsh is now limited for birdwatchers, and observation platforms and interpretive facilities should be considered for this area. Proposed plans for Potter Marsh are included in the Andesitic Dike AMSA site plan. The nature center could distribute information relat- ing to wildlife and coastal resources through a cooperative effortof the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the State Division of Parks. Efforts to develop these plans would require coordination with plans for the historic Potter Section House, located just south of Potter Marsh on the Seward Highway. A bicycle trail would pass in a tunnel undertheSeward Highwayfrom theTrail Head Area. This routewould continue adjacent to the road along the Seward Highway, but follow the twenty foot contourthrough the vegetation as it loops back on the east side. A boardwalk and bird blind connected to the bike route would allow birdwatchers a better vantage point to view marsh species along the Old Seward Highway. The Arctic tern is a regular summer visitor at Potter Marsh. 85 I I I CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND I RECOMMENDATIONS Conclusions I : Recommendations I I I I I I I I I 1, Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Implementation Tools for Establishing Public Access: It is the intent of the Coastal Management Program to use existing 1) Gift local control mechanisms to implement its plans. These include zon- *Opportunities provided by proximity to the trail system and ing, subdivision, floodplain and other local regulations that presently recreation areas would increase the value of the property, control land use. Such tools can be used to provide zoning, setback encouraging landowners to donate land for public use. A poten- requirements and right-of-way dedication procedures. tial incentive to the donor would be the tax benefits of such a There are some land and water uses which require additional man- gift. agement controls. These uses are addressed in the context of the Coastal Management Plan and within this report. Once the plans are 2) Public Purchase approved by the Coastal Policy Council and the Municipal Assembly, 9Fee simple title: Purchase of land at market value. compliance with these recommendations is required. The Coastal eEasement purchase: Obtaining partial interest in land for spe- Policy Council is responsible for establishing whether the District is cific use. Property may be revalued for tax purposes to provide actually in compliance with its own Coastal Management Plan. incentive to landowner. Through Federal 'consistency' and State 'compliance' regulations, eEminent domain: Condemnation of private land for public pur- land and water uses in State and Federal jurisdiction also have to poses with full compensation to the owner. comply with the District Plan. 3) Litigation and Legislation *Prescription: Allows public access through land remaining in FP,'U@,G private ownership. Prescriptive use rights can be established J based on existing use patterns. Existing footpaths to the coast 0 might be used to establish easements in this manner. L7 Dedication: May be implied or explicit; established by owner's acquiescence in sustained public use. Dedication is implied if it can be proven that the owner knows of this public use and has kwwl k4,Gr -ro not tried to stop it. FILNG EMT-f4p)b 4) Land Trading and Transfer of Development Rights FILNG, > 1Z MOW eDeveloper would dedicate land for public use in exchange for @F'1/7 9FTH equally valuable lands elsewhere. eDeveloper would trade right to develop land in exchange for right to develop elsewhere more intensively. Transfer of devel- opment rights commonly involves purchasing the rights from 1.:71 another developer. TYPICAL CORRIDOR DETAILS: bO@@PV^Lr) Tf@EATNEHT ril_@ V 11, -5 17" 'r, 88 Conclusions and Recommendations 5) Post Disaster Acquisition 7) Lease Agreement *Federal purchase of property rather than compensating the e Municipality would establish a rental agreement with the owner insured to rebuild after a natural disaster. Precedent has been for use of the land for a specified period of time. set by the National Flood Insurance Program. 8) Release from Liability Clause 6) Preferential or Deferred Tax Assessment e The trail easement contract would provide the landowner with Tax benefits for establishing public access easements and assurance that they will not be liable for trail-related accidents preservation of land for open space uses. Includes penalty pro- that occur on their land. visions for owners who renege on the terms of the agreement. @A 'N' "K MR WS11 14 The view from the Seward Highway overlook: The Potter Game Refuge, Fire Island and mountains across Cook Inlet 89 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Conclusions 0 The implementation and development of the facilities recom- Community involvement can be further encouraged by organiz- mended in this report should be overseen jointly by the Planning ing hikes, races and field trips on the coastal trails through such Department and the Department of Cultural and Recreational organizations as the Boy and Girl Scouts, Nordic Ski Club, Services. The key to a successful Coastal Management Program University Outing Club, Audubon Society, or the Dimond is consistency. It is recommended that one firm be hired to do all Range Horse Club. The Alaskan Motorcycle Club and the the design specifications for the facilities and trails in order to Snowmobile Club could help policethe trails used by motorized achieve integration of the various elements. If development were vehicles and encourage their members to respect regulations. to proceed in a haphazard fashion, it would be very difficult to Community groups and homeowners associations would control environmental impacts and quality in coastal facilities. almost certainly want to be involved in locating trail connec- tions that affect their neighborhoods. They could also be helpful The implementation of this plan should proceed in phases. in maintenance of trails and facilities. All of these organizations can contribute significantly to the development of the coastal Although in some cases construction of the trail could be rar-reatir)n system. expected to precede site development, in the more sensitive ecological areas construction should be synchronized to avoid bringing in heavy equipment more than once. Construction of boardwalks in wetlands will have to be timed to correspond with The Municipality should consider a "design review" process for freezeover in the fall. Facilities closest to existing population visual quality control in coastal development. The Urban Beau- centers should be developed first. Ties to existing trails and parks tification Commission, an advisory board consisting of local also should receive priority. Management recommendations for architects, landscape architects, and planners could advise the the AMSA's should be compiled within the initial implementation Planning Department on aesthetic considerations for develop- phases. ment within the coastal viewshed. 0 The educational concept of this coastal plan could provide community support for the project through coordination with There is already some duplication of Coastal Management local schools. Anchorage Community College, the University of efforts between State, Federal, and Municipal agencies. It is Alaska and the Anchorage School District will all benefit from recommended that coordination take place of agencies involved the use of educational materials, nature trails and coastal in Coastal Management activities in this area. Currently, the access areas provided by this plan. Biology, geology, art and National Marine Fisheries Service, the State Office of Coastal history classes will cover material relevant to the "Landscape Zone Management, Division of Parks, Department of Environ- Dynamics" theme. Development of educational brochures or a mental Conservation, and Department of Community and study of the dune movemeni at Kincaid Park, for example, Regional Affairs, as well as the Municipal Planning Department would make excellent student projects. The School District has are involved with coastal management activities in Anchorage. a science consultant who might be of assistance in organizing It would be advantageous to have regular interactions between such projects. these agencies to assure cooperation between them. 90 Conclusions and Recommendations Private ownership of tidef I atsshould be discouraged as a matter Most of the popu I ated region oft he Anchorage Bowl is near the of policy. Although the State and Municipality own most of the coast. The importance of the coastal trail system as a linking tidelands, private ownership extends into many of the 'se coastal element for the urban area should not be underestimated. A areas. This is a really difficult situation, since wetlands regula- comprehensive brochure describing the coastal system, its tions restrict development and result in a reduction of land facilities and educational concepts should be prepared. This values. Private ownership of parcels within the area of the Potter information should be available at all transportation centers, Game Refuge reduces the potential effectiveness of manage- parks, information stands, and at the access points for the trail ment of the refuge, Access to the shore is also made very system. difficult where private ownership extends into tidal areas. % 0, The beach between Fish CreeI and Point Woronzo, 91 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Developing Facilities Along the Corridor *Archaeological site: investigation under State Office of History and Archaeology and/or university auspices should be completed. Along the corridor there are a number of special sites - some accessi- 0Point Campbell Sand Dunes: buffers, picnic area and pedestrian ble by car, some by the trail - which can be enhanced by cultural and improvements (estimated cost: $50,000). recreation facility development. These sites, which include parks, stream courses, overlooks and natural areas, were described in the *Klatt Road Park improvements: acquisition and park development Master Plan chapter. The development of these facilities should be (estimated cost of facility improvements: $125,000.) (Acquisition primarily coordinated through the Department of Cultural and Recrea- cost must be determined.) tion Facilities. Already a number of these sites are slated for acquisi- *Oceanview Park extension: ball field development (estimated cost: tion or development. It is recommended that facility development be $75,000). balanced geographically and prioritized according to potential bene- 0New Seward Highway overlook (phase one): parking, decking and fits to the most number of people. The following objectives should be landscaping (estimated cost: $200,000). considered in funding and development. Estimated costs are based 9Potter Marsh Nature Center: parking, pavillion, decks and landsca upon similar public improvements and are expressed in 1980 dollars. p- ing (estimated cost: $250,000). 9Potter Section House improvements: preservation, parking, rest- Presently Slated for Development rooms, viewing platform, and landscaping (estimated cost: Ship Creek Dam site $200,000). Lyn Ary Park Mid-range Objectives Earthquake Park development (a phase of the suggested Master Plan development) The following should be scheduled in planning and capital improve- Ocean View Park extension (acquisition) ment programs between 1985 and 1990. Costs should be estimated when these improvements are programmed. Short-Term Objectives e Point Woronzof Overlook site: platform and related improvements. The following should be scheduled in planning and capital improve- * Point Woronzof Playground ment programs during the next three years. 9 Point Campbell Wetland Facilities � Nulbay Park: the pedestrian walk along the shore should be coordi- Long-range Objectives nated with possible parkland acquisition in the area and developed The following should be also considered. (estimated cost: $25,000). *Bootlegger Cove Log House: craft-center facility. This structure is � Westchester Lagoon: exercise trail (cost would depend on whether presently owned by the Alaska Railroad and leased. When the leas- or not the trail is to be gravel/woodchip or asphalt in composition). ing policy is terminated, the house, which has long been used as a � Fish Creek area: boardwalks (estimated costs are included in trail potter's studio, could be converted into a craft facililty. development costs). 9New Seward Highway Overlook: in 1792 Captain Vancouver � Earthquake Park: completion of pedestrian boardwalk and shore anchored off the coast at this site. As a commemorative, in similar access platforms (estimated cost: $100,000). styleto Resolution Park, a Vancouver Statue and platform should be � Fossil Beds: parking and access stairway (estimated cost: $25,000). considered. 92 Conclusions and Recommendations wo 2o + ... .......... .......... ............ 0. + ........... ........ ................. ..................... ................................. .............. .................... 'Ile ...... ........ low. ...... ........ ...... ....... X ....... C) .................. ..... IKE CK + ......................... + FLAG Q + -.:::AREA:"'**'*'***:**'*:'::**::'*:*:':'::*:*::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.,.*.,-*- Lp. + POLE ............................. *............ + I E IVE + ........... ................... .......................... XIS INQ .............. .......................... ENCE . . ................. . .......... .............. ................................. ......... MPL M, JMB N' ES ........... +13.5 .......... EXISTING .......... ............ EXISTING ...... .......... SALMON. VIEWING. AREA .......... ........ x FISH ............. ..................................... ......... .................. LADDER IMPOUNDMEN ........................... ........................ ................... ........ ....................... ........... .......... ...................... ........................................... . . ............ ............. - ........... ........ ............ ...... ...... ........................................... ST ................... ....... ........ .............. ........... ................... . .... ........ ....... T. ...... ... ...... ................ ........ .............. . .................................. ........... .... --------- ........ ..... .... ...................... . ............. ................... ............... ............ ................... ........ ............. ........ .................. ........ ...... ............. ......... ............................................. . ........................ .......... ..................................... .... .................. .......... ................. x ....... .................................... ....... .................. ...... ................... ............ ............ .. ............... ::,*,* .... ****"'--* . ...... ............... . . .. ... ... ... .......................... ........... . ....................... ....... . PLAN CONCEPT . ....... ......... ........... ........ x ............. ............. ........................................................................... .... ...... . ..... . ......... ............... ... ............... ..... .. . . .......... ..... . . .... ...... ....... .... ... ....... ................ ............ ............... ... ..... ........ ..... . ...... ..... ...... . ........ PREPARED BY THE MUNICIPAL..::'Cu. ''' A*'J'R'.T*,* **'8'''.* ........... DF;P . V 93 Coastal Scenic Resources and Public Access Plan Developing the Coastal Trail System The trail is the primary means to connect neighborhoods with the variouscultural and recreational opportunities along the corridor. The trail itself will be approximately twenty-four miles in length. Of that total, about seven miles are in private ownership, most of which is -TV undeveloped. Easements will have to be acquired across privately- owned parcels. It is projected that approximately $3,100,000 will be necessary for trail corridor acquisition, including settlement costs. The trail will go across a variety of terrain, providing a diversity of scenic and recreation experiences. The development costs will vary depending upon the slope, soils and related construction parameters. Boardwalks will be necessary where marshes and streams exist. Over twenty-two miles of the trail will be a gravel-base, asphalt trail, This is the standard bike trail which has previously been developed through Anchorage greenbelts. The design and engineering costs of this trail system are estimated to be $900,000. The projected construction cost of the twenty-two paved miles, including slope stabilization, is to be $4,500,000. An additional $1,500,000 is projected for bridge and boardwalk construction. TYPICAL CORRIDOR DETAILS: Lower Bluff Edge Path Summary Easements Easement acquisition $2,000,000 Negotiation and Documentation 550,000 Legal Services 550,000 Subtotal ($3,100,000 Trail Development Engineering, design and surveying $ 900,000 Construction: Paved trail (22 miles) 4,500,000 Bridges and boardwalks (2 miles) 1,500,00 Subtotal ($6,900,000) TYPICAL CORRIDOR DETAILS: Blufftop/Woodland Section Total trail cost $10,000,000 94 Conclusions and Recommendations Recommended Sequence of Trail Development the residential areas, especially south Anchorage, will be served by bike trails for the first time, and (3) the trail will be established and Two major segments of the trail corridor are particularly important to corridor opportunities will not be foreclosed by development. The itsoverall development. One istheareafrom Downtownto Earthquake following are recommended in order of priority. Park; theotherisfrom Kincaid Parkto Potter. These two segments are (1) Trail development from Downtown to Earthquake Park and Kin- adjoined by a number of neighborhoods, including Inlet View, Turna- caid Park to Potter, including easement acquisition, surveying gain, Sand Lake, Bayshore, the Klatt area and Oceanview. and design, and construction. The trail should be developed along these two segments first for three (2) Trail development from Earthquake Park to Kincaid Park, includ- basic reasons: (1) residential areas and existing parks will be con- ing easement acquisition, surveying and design, and construc- nected tothetrall as afirst aspect of corridor development; (2) some of tion. 41 .4 OR two'# !A 0 Mixed spruce and birch woodlands screen the corridor near Kiatt Bog. 95 APPENDIX A APPLICABLE STANDARDS Project Response: Hazard areas in the Anchorage Bowl have been identified by the Harding-Lawson study (1979). This information has been incorporated into the environmental synthesis used to Use: Recreation identify opportunities and constraints. The resource protection plan suggests land uses 6 AAC 80.060. Recreation and development that is suitable for hazard areas. The Master Plan identifies areas that Districts shall designate areas f or recreational use. Criteria for designation of areas are best used as open space and low impact recreation to avoid safety problems and of recreation use are: potential property damage. However, compliance with 6 AAC 80.050(b) is being (1) the area receives significant use by persons engaging in recreational pursuits or addressed in separate Geophysical Hazards study and report. is a major tourist destination; or Air, Land and Water Quality (2) the area has potential for high quality recreational use because of physical, 16 AAC 80.140. Air, Land and Water Quality biological, or cultural features. In addition to setting standards for major uses and activities on the coast, the Alaska This standard obligates the districts to provide for the recreational needs of their Coastal Policy Council has identified and promulgated standards for eight major areas by stipulating that areas shall be designated for recreational use. habitats. These standards are designed to protect and preserve these habitats, Project Response: regardless of the use oractivity which takes place within them. Therefore, in addition Field checks of the entire coast f rom Potter's Marsh to Ship Creek allowed observation to satisfying an applicable use standard, a use or activity in a specified habitat must of present use patterns. Wherever practical, existing use areas were incorporated into meet the relevant habitat standards. Habitats include: the Master Plan to protect public access for recreational purposes. In cases where (a) 1) offshore areas; present use isincompatible with environmental standards or ownership patterns, design 2) estuaries; and regulatory restrictions were considered to minimize conflict. 3) wetlands and ticleflats; The resource analysis allowed identification of areas with high scenic, biological or 4) rocky islands and seacliffs; human interest values. These locations were mapped and incorporated as elements in 5) barrier islands and lagoons; the Master Plan. Specific recreational needs of the community were considered in 6) exposed high energy coasts; development of site limitations, to determine the best land use from a recreational 7) rivers, streams and lakes; and standpoint. 8) important upland habitat. The key standard applicable to all of these habitats is: Use: Historic, Prehistoric and Archaeological Resources (b) The habitats contained in (a) of this section must be managed so as to maintain or 6 AAC 80.150. Historic, Prehistoric, and Archaeological Resources enhance the biological, physical, and chemical characteristics of the habitat which Districts and appropriate State agencies shall identify areas of the coast which are contribute to its capacity to support living resources. important to the study, understanding, or illustration of national, State, or local Project Response: history or prehistory. Management plans for estuaries, wetlands and ticleflats, seacliffs, lagoons, high energy The standard requires attention to historic, prehistoric and archaeological values by coasts, and streams are developed for the Anchorage Bowl in the discussion of lands- the districts and State agencies. cape types. Policies for these areas are identified in the Anchorage Coastal Manage- Project Response: ment Plan. Areas of significance as wildlife habitat are outlined in the discussion of the Through field checks, research and interviews, coastal resource information related to vegetation and habitat map. It is not within the scope of this project to manage offshore the history and prehistory of Anchorage was assimilated into the Master Plan concept. waters for sport commercial and subsistence fisheries; islands and rivers are not The Plan emphasizes the historical context of the urban waterfront, transportation included in the project boundary. The resource protection considerations are designed networks, military activities, historic buildings, and the proposed "Anchorage Old to mitigate any existing environmental problems within the scope of the project, and to Town." Educational opportunities have been identified along the coastal trail system. In enhance valuable coastal resources. The educational goal of the plan is to increase the addition, the Point Woronzof Archaeological Site is given detailed consideration as an awareness of local people and visitors to the natural processes of the dynamic Area Meriting Special Attention. landscape. Geophysical Hazards 6 AAC 80.050. Geophysical Hazards Areas Areas Meriting Special Atten tio n -Article 4, 6 AAC 80.16 (a) Districts and State agencies shall identify known geophysical hazard areas and A. Means - delineated geographic area within the coastal area which is: areasol high development potential in which here isa substantial possibilitythal (1) sensitive to change or alteration and warrants special management attention, or geophysical hazards may occur. (2) which because of itsvalue tothegeneral public, should be identified forcurrentor (b) Development in areas identified under (a) of this section may not be approved by future planning, protection, or acquisition. the appropriate State or local authority until siting, design, and construction B. These areas include: a measures for minimizing property damage and protecting againstlossof life have (1) areas of unique, scarce, fragile or vulnerable natural habitat, cultural value, been provided. historical significance, or scenic importance; The standard requires study by the State and local governments to identify hazard (2) areas of high natural productivity or essential habitat for living resources; areas, but limits the mandatoryscope of such studies to areas where development is (3) areas of substantial recreational value or opportunity; likely or where there is a suspected hazard. 97 (4) areas where development of facilities is dependent upon the utilization of, or Near/far contrast: the juxtaposition between foreground or middleground and horizon access to, coastal waters; forms; greatest when the nearer forms are distinct and the horizon forms, beyond water (5) areas of unique geologic or topographic significance which are susceptible to surfaces, are blued by haze and appear two-dimensional; industrial or commercial development; True to form rurality: a landscape possessing forms and materials both natural and (6) areas of significant hazard due to storms, slides, floods, erosion or settlement; man-made, typical or classic, natural, semi-natural or agricultural areas; (7) areas needed to protect, maintain, or replenish coastal land or resources, includ- True-to-form townscapes: a townscape possessing forms and materials, both man- ing coastal flood plains, aquifer recharge areas, beaches and offshore deposits; made and naturalized, typical of the region's architectural styles; (8) potential estuarine or marine sanctuaries; Human dynamics: visible manifestations of human activity associated with the coastal (9) areas important for subsistence hunting, fishing, and food gathering; and zone (e.g., clamming, fishing, shipping, swimming), which are of human scale and (10)areas with special scientific values or opportunities. interest; Absence of detractions: freedom from incompatibilities introduced by natural forces Project Response (e.g., storm-eroded slopes) or by man; Six Areas Meriting Special Attention were identified by the Coastal Management Pro- Instructive qualities: characteristics of geological, botanical, or other scientific interest, gram. Requirements for the resource protection and public access plan include devel- or which shed light on other qualities of the coastal zone; opment of management plans and site designs for each of the AMSA's. The Master Plan Uniqueness (scarcity): an index of value based on rarity; a quality subject to broad concept provides the AMSA's with special designations along the trail corridor and interpretation dependent on the experience and expectations of the individual viewer; incorporates them into the overall educational scheme. In most cases, recommended Endangerment (issue-real): an index of the aesthetic quality of concern for resources treatment includes development of an interpretive facility. The Areas Meriting Special facing real or imagined destruction; Attention for the Anchorage Bowl (as listed in the Coastal Management Plan) are: Sensitivity to change: a judgmental indicator of the extent to which a shorescape unit 1 ) Urban Waterfront* possesses components which would be blocked, overshadowed, replaced, orotherwise 2) Point Woronzof Fossil Beds damaged by the intrusion of objects or functions of moderate or average magnitude. 3) Point Woronzof Archaeoloaical Site 4') Fish Creek Restoration BIBLIOGRAPHY 5) Point Campbell-Point Woronzof Weiland Alaska Geological Society. 1973. Road Log and Guide: Geology and Hydrology for 6) Point Campbell Sand Dunes Planning, Anchorage Areas. Anchorage. 7) Potter Andesitic Dike Anchorage Audubon Society. 1979. "Birds of Anchorage, Alaska: A Checklist." *No special management plan was developed for the urban waterfront, although the Ashbaugh, B.L. and R.J. Kordish. 1971. Trail Plannin and Layout. New York: National Master Plan incorporates corridorand facility details in this area. The Port of Anchor- 9 age is currently conducting a Comprehensive Port Development and Master Land Use Audubon Society. Plan, the results of which will be used to prepare a management/land use plan for the Carpenter, Jot D. (Ed.) 1976. A Handbook of Landscape Architectural Construction. water f ront. McLean, VA: The Landscape Architecture Foundation, Inc. Clark, John R. 1977. Coastal Ecosystem Management.-A Technical Manual for the Con- servation of Coastal Zone Resources. New York: The Conse.rvation Foundation, John Wiley and Sons. APPENDIX B Columbia CascadeTimber Company. 1979. "Eighth Timberform Catalog." Sitefurniture design concept). Portland. Thefollowing criteria, defined by Mann in Aesthetic Resourcesof the CoastalZone, are Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, Alaska District. 1971. Special Flood Hazard Report, required to be addressed in the Anchorage District Scenic Resources Inventory: Greater Anchorage Area: Chester, Campbell, Fish and Ship Creeks. Anchorage: Topographic complexity: an index of thediversity aswell asthe relative relief of anareas Municipality of Anchorage. landforms (vertical qualities); ............. 1975. Special Flood Hazard Report, Greater Anchorage Area: Fish Creek. An- Shoreline complexity: an index of the irregularity of the coastal interface between land chorage: Municipality of Anchorage. and water (horizontal qualities); Ditton, R. B. and Mark Stephens. 1976. Coastasl Recreation: A Handbook for Planners Vegetative Integrity: unity of vegetative species of land forms within a single shorescape and Managers. Washington: NOAA Office of Coastal Zone Management. viewshed; FUGRO Northwest, Inc. 1980. Anchorage Wetlands Study. Anchorage: Municipality of Shore dynamics: the visual impressions of tides, currents and weather; Anchorage. Ecosystem continuity: the visible manifestations of shore ecology, such as marshes, Geoscience Division, Geosource, Inc. Proposed Summary for Onshore Pipeline Cor- inlets, flats, and barrier beaches seen within a single shorescape viewshed; ridor Elevation Program. Los Angeles. Pictorial composition: arrangement of scenic elements, varies with viewing orientation Greater Anchorage Area Borough, Division of Parks and Recreation. 1973. Bikeways and is a determinant of best veiwpoints for given vistas; and Related Trails Plan. Anchorage. Color (hue) Ingredients: color of natural elements (eartfl, vegetation, water, sky); a ---------- _ 1974. Campbell Creek Acquisition, Environmental Impact Statement. Anchorage. criterion that varies with seasons, daylight and weather; ............. 1973. Master Plan of Park Development for Kincaid Park. Anchorage. Vividness: a summary quality which expresses the uniqueness and impressiveness of ............. 1973. Sand Lake Park System. Anchorage. one or more of an area's other qualities; 98 Harper, D. B. and Warbach, J. 0. (eds.) 1976. Visual Quality and the Coastal Zone: Pro- ------------- 1979. "Wildlife of the Potter Point State Game Refuge." Anchorage. ceedings of a Conferencel Workshop. Syracuse, N.Y.: SUNY College of Environmen- State of Alaska, Office of Coastal Zone Management. 1979. Alaska Coastal Land and tal Science and Forestry. Water Use Guide, Volume 1. Juneau. Land Design North. 1976. Fish Creek Restoration. Anchorage: Municipalityof Anchorage. State of Alaska, Department of Community and Regional Affairs. 1980. Alaska Coastal Litton, R. B. 1968. Forest Landscape Description and Inventories - A Basis for Land and Water Use Guide, Volume 1. Juneau. Planning and Design. Berkeley: U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Forest and State of Alaska, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. 1979. Draft Master Range Experiment Station. Plan Study, Anchorage International Airport. Anchorage. Litton, R. B. et. al. 1974. Waterand Landscape. Port Washington, NY: Water Information United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1974. National Forest Land- Center, Inc. scape Management Volume 2. Washington, Meiners, Alan H. 1977. Coastal Recreation Resources: Cordova, Alaska. Alaska Division .......... - 1972. Alaska Trees and Shrubs. Agricultural Handbook No. 410. Washington. of Parks, for the Alaska Coastal Management Program. ----------- 1. 1979. Our National Landscape: A Conference onApplied Techniques for Analysis Municipality of Anchorage. 1979. Anchorage Coastal Management Plan, Concept and Management of the Visual Resource. Berkeley: Pacific Southwest Forest and Approved, Final Report. Anchorage. Range Experiment Station. ------------ 1979. Anchorage Coastal Management Plan, Resource Policy Unit Maps, Con- United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1979. Anchorage cept Approved, Final Report. Anchorage. Area Soil Survey. Anchorage. Municipality of Anchorage, U. S. Army Corps of ------------- 1977. Anchorage Coastal Resource District Program, Project Progress Report. Engineers. Anchorage. United States Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency. 1973. ------------- 1977. Areawide Trails Plan. Anchorage. Aesthetics in Environmental Planning. Washington: Washington Environmental 1976. Comprehensive Development Plan. Anchorage. Research Center. ------------- 1978. Land Use Regulation. Anchorage. United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 1978. Visual 1979. Ship Creek Recreational Resource Plan. Anchorage. Resource Management, A Summary. Washington. Murray, David F. 1979. Threatened and Endangered Plants of Alaska. U. S. Forest Universityof Alaska. 1972. EnvironmentalAtlasof the Greater Anchorage Area Burough, Service; Bureau of Land Management. Alaska. Anchorage: Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center. Osgood, Cornelius. 1937. The Ethography of the Tanaina. New Haven: Yale University Walker, Theodore D. 1978. Site Design and Construction Detailing. West Lafayette, IN: Publications in Anthropology. PDA. Pasch, Anne S. 1970. "Provenance Areas of Surficial Pleistocene Deposits Determined Way, Douglas S. 1973. Terrain Analysis: A Guide to Site Selection Using Aerial Photo- by Pebble Counts Near Anchorage, Alaska." Thesis. Anchorage: Alaska Methodist graphic Interpretation. Strouclsberg, PA: Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, Inc. University. Zube, E. H. et. al. 1975. Landscape Assessment: Values, Perceptions and Resources. Ranwell, D. S. 1975. Ecology of Salt Marshes and Sand Dunes. London: Chapman and Strouclsberg, PA: Halsted Press. Hall. Roy Mann Associates, Inc. 1975. Aesthetic Resources of the Coastal Zone. Washington: SOURCES: MAPS AND PHOTOGRAPHS Office of Coastal Zone Management. Alaska Department of Fish and Game: ------------- 1975. Shoreline Appearance and Design: A Planning Handbook. Boston: Na- - Coastal Habitats tional Park Seryice, New England River Basins Commission. Greater Anchorage Area Borough: Sally W. Jones Associates. 1980. "Coastal Shoreline Access in Alaska: The History, - Construction Materials Map of Anchorage; Schmoll and Dobrovolny, 1973 Issues, and Potential for Common Shoreline Use." Anchorage: Alaska Division of - Generalized Geologic Map of Anchorage and Vicinity; Schmoll and Dobrovolny, Parks. 1972 Schmoll, H. R. et. al. 1972. "Radiometric Dating of Marine Shells from the Bootlegger Municipality of Anchorage, Planning Department: Cover Clay, AnchorageArea, Alaska," Geological Society olAmerican Bulletin, v, 113, - Coastal Aesthetic Resources p, 1107-1114, - Land Ownership Southcentral Remote Sensing Demonstration Project. 1980. "Suggested Landform - Land Use Legend for Use in Ground Truthing or Visual Mapping on Alaska Demonstration - Municipal Selections Projects." Anchorage. - Parks System State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game. 1976. "Campbell Creek Data Report." - Transit System Anchorage. - Trails Plan ............. 1980. "Coastal Habitats of the Municipalityof Anchorage." Correspondance from - Natural Color Aerial Photographs Carole Hamilton, Habitat Biologist, to Tony Burns, Coastal Management Program. National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Color Infrared Aerial Photographs, Anchorage. and The Identification of Essential Fish andWildlife Use Areason State Lands." Pre- Southcentral Remote Sensing Demonstration Project: Land Cover Map, 1980 p a re d for the Division of Natural Resources. 99 State of Alaska, Division of Aviation: - Anchorage International Airport, North-South Runway, 1980 - Anchorage International Airport, Property Plan, 1980 U. S. Geological Survey: - Slope Stability, 1974; #74-57 - Foundation Conditions, 1974; #74-57 - Surficial Geology of Anchorage and Vicinity; #1093 - Tyonek (A-1) NE Quadrangle, Alaska; 1:25,000, 1979 - Anchorage, (A-8) SW Quandrangle, Alaska; 1:25,000, 1979 - Anchorage, (A-8) NW Quandrangle, Alaska; 1:25,000, 1979 AGENCIES CONTACTED United States Government U. S. Army Corps of Engineers U. S. Bureau of Land Management U. S. Department of the Interior, Alaska Resources Library U. S. Federal Aviation Administration U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service U. S. Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service U. S. Geological Survey U. S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration - Environmental Data and Information Services - National Marine Fisheries Service - Office of Coastal Zone Management State of Alaska State of Alaska Department of Commerce State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities State of Alaska Division of Parks State of Alaska Office of Coastal Zone Management University of Alaska - Arctic Environmental Information and Data Center - Anchorage Community College, Department of Geology - University of Alaska, Department of Engineering Municipality of Anchorage Department of Cultural and Recreational Services, Division of Parks and Recreation Department of Management and Budget Department of Transportation Legal Department Public Works Department Water and Sewer Department Private Firms and Organizations Alaska Audubon Society Alaska Motorcycle Association FUGRO Northwest, Inc. Group Three Design Harding-Lawson Associates Land Design North Kramer, Chin and Mayo, Inc. Nordic Ski Club Oceanview Homeowners Association Sally W. Jones Associates Tryck, Nyman and Hayes, Inc. 100 3 6668 14102 4572