Conservation groups aim to protect waterways

November 8, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON\Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - A glass of clean local drinking water is one of many benefits Valley conservation groups hope fellow residents will continue to enjoy for decades to come.

They also want to see salmon fighting up local streams every summer and ducks and other wildlife living, eating and rearing their young along the banks of lakes and rivers.

While some Valley denizens may take these realities as a given in the Last Frontier, water conservationists see growing challenges to the environmental vitality of many local waterways.

Residents from Palmer, Wasilla and the Upper Susitna Valley recently gathered in informal groups over the last two months to discuss strategies to protect watersheds.

From the seemingly insignificant impact of a four-wheeler crossing a salmon stream, to the effects of highway expansion near Wasilla Lake or the proposed development of a Hatcher Pass ski area, conservationists are concerned that decisions are made daily that affect the short- and long-term health of local watersheds.

&#8220In this area, particularly, we take clean water for granted,” said Frankie Barker, education coordinator for the Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District. Barker met with other concerned Mat-Su residents last month during an informal meeting at Teeland Middle School.

The aim of these gatherings was to identify key waterway problems and brainstorm solutions. The Nature Conservancy, working together with local water conservation districts, is spearheading the meetings, thanks to a grant from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

&#8220The goal for the Nature Conservancy is to issue a report to Fish and Wildlife about local watershed problems and concerns,” said Corinne Smith, conservation planner for the Nature Conservancy. &#8220We want to provide suggestions for how people think we should address these problems.”

Concerns raised at

the meetings include pressures from development, too many septic tanks on small lots, a shortage of environmental data and lack of law enforcement for existing regulations.

To find out more about waterway protection and local efforts that are already under way, people may contact the Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District at 357-4563, Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District at 745-1441 or the Upper Susitna SWCD at 733-7923.

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266, or joel.davidson@ frontiersman.com.