The design of a new access point to Kenai’s South Beach is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers…
Koch: “We go through what’s called a 404 permit process and a 404 permit is for when you fill wetlands in the United States and that’s where we’re at now, that application was submitted in early November so I think we got a couple more months before we get towards the end of that permitting process.”
City Manager Rick Koch said they have made it through the conceptual drawings, alternatives routes, a wetland delineation and based on that delineation designed the route which was the least impact.
He was hoping to see construction of the 1,500 foot gravel road start early this spring, before the wetlands thaw out. The preferred new route would start at Bowpicker Lane and through City-owned property to the beach, bypassing private property owners.
Koch: “So we responded to the request of private property owners in that area and while the beach is open for travel you won’t be allowed to camp or have other activities there. They told us that people came down with generators and vans that were on their property so we’ve responded to that, again that shouldn’t have any negative response to people who are fishing.”
Homeowners in the area have complained about various summertime nuisances, including noise, property damage, litter, and human waste.
