The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has published proposed public use changes.
Refuge Manager Andy Loranger said the major change would be to what they call “dispersed camping”.
Loranger: “So outside of our developed campgrounds and along the Kenai River, the upper river and middle river in the refuge, camping will be allowed but it will only be allowed 100 yards from the river shorelines, as opposed to anywhere along the river shorelines where it currently happens.”
Those changes were introduced in the hopes of protecting sensitive river bank habitats.
Loranger: “That vegetation is really important for young salmon as well as to help reduce erosion rates, vegetation helps do that as well.”
At an open house last Wednesday some supported the proposed changes but Amanda Alaniz said it raised questions for her.
Alaniz: “I don’t really see how they’re going to enforce that, it sounds like a good idea, in theory, but I’ve worked on the river and trying to enforce those boat closure zones are absolutely impossible, there’s not enough enforcement on the river to do that and I just don’t see how that’s going to be feasible, monetarily or just physically.”
Public comments will be taken until July 20 and the full proposed amendment can be found on the refuge’s website.