More than 1 million people pass through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge every year and Manager Andy Loranger says it may be time to update some of the regulations which govern the area.
Loranger said roughly a third of their visitors spend extended time on the Refuge and he wants “people to feel welcome and safe while ensuring that abundant plant, fish and wildlife populations are maintained into the future.”
Proposed changes include:
- Expand areas and time frames for airplane use, including the Chickaloon River Flats;
- Adopt motor horsepower and boat size restrictions for portions of the Kenai River within the refuge that would enhance consistency with existing state boating regulations;
- Require campers along the Kenai River to camp at least 100 yards away from the shorelines of the river, with the exception of a few designated sites;
- Reduce the risks of accidental wildfires and the introduction and spread of invasive plants;
- Codify the hunting restrictions and trapping closure for the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area established by the refuge in 2013, consistent with the 2007 Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area Management Plan;
- Reduce the potential for negative human-bear interactions in the area surrounding the confluence of the Kenai and Russian rivers by managing wildlife attractants, including food, refuse and retained fish;
- Prohibit the discharge of firearms in areas of high public use along the Kenai and Russian rivers, with exceptions for waterfowl and small game hunting;
- Clarify that hunting over bait is prohibited on the refuge, with an exception for hunting black bears over bait under terms of a Refuge special use permit.
The US Fish & Wildlife Service is seeking comments from the public for 60 days regarding information pertaining to the proposed rule. Click here: www.regulations.gov, Docket No. FWS-R7-NWRS-2014-0003, for additional information.
The proposed rule will publish in the Federal Register on May 21, 2015, comments must be received by July 20, 2015.