The re-appropriation of funding for the Kenai Bluffs Stabilization Project has topped the list of Kenai Capital Priorities for the upcoming state budget cycle.
City Manager Rick Koch says the re-appropriation of state funds is essential, along with continuing the state’s municipal matching grant program that enables localities to accomplish these kinds of projects.
Koch: “So when you put all these pieces together, the funding pieces for the local share, it’s all very important, this $1.75 million is as well. Holding on to that, having it in the project, being able to show the Corps of Engineers that we have our local match, continues to move this project forward. Hopefully the request and the argument that we put forward to Governor walker will result in him placing that re-appropriation into his capital budget.”
The project to mitigate Kenai’s eroding bluffs has been ongoing for over ten years and is a collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies.
The Army Corps of Engineers is working on the final feasibility study, or “decision document”, which is expected to be completed by August 2017.
The governor’s state budget plan for FY2017 is expected to be published on or before December 15, as required by Alaska State Statutes.