Erosion aid is borough's responsibility

Aug. 23, 2005

Spectrum\Jerry Beale

The Mat-Su Borough and Borough Manager John Duffy need to determine what their priorities really are, and if it is the banks of the Matanuska River, take appropriate action now and not kick the can down the road until another house is on the edge - and there will be someday.

I read the "Governor rejects erosion funding" story by Darrell Breese in the Aug. 16 edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman and thought, "You have to be kidding!"

But apparently John Duffy, Linda Smith and Matanuska Riverbank residents really think Gov. Murkowski is the cause of their erosion problem - forget the fact that the river has cut its banks to over a quarter-mile wide in some locations over many decades.

Duffy and the Mat-Su Borough leaders feel the governor should have issued an administrative order for assistance as they requested.

State Emergency Management representatives visited the area and reported their findings. The state Disaster Policy Cabinet met, discussed the erosion caused by the river, and forwarded its recommendation to the governor.

Gov. Murkowski declined to issue the requested administrative order (Mat-Su Borough leadership has not issued a local disaster declaration). By no means did the governor say he wouldn't help, as Duffy implied.

Speaking of help, agencies currently involved in trying to find a solution to the riverbank demise include the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service ($500,000 toward a fifth dike); U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (site assessment and permits); Federal Emergency Management Agency; Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; and the Alaska Legislature with a $200,000 special appropriation for erosion control, which Gov. Murkowski approved.

The fact is the Matanuska River will continue to do what rivers do. Bones Cannon has enjoyed living on the bank of the Matanuska for years and now must move back from the banks he loves as they wash away.

When will the project for Dike 5 start? There is $700,000 available to the Mat-Su Borough to be used for this purpose right now, but not spent. Why is it not spent yet to fix the problem? If saving the riverbank was the Mat-Su Borough's No. 1 priority project for federal, state and local dollars, Dike 5 would be complete by now.

Knowing the river's power, why have Mat-Su Borough officials allowed building along the Matanuska? Why would Alaskans want to make their home in a location that will someday fall into the river?

I'm truly sorry for Mr. Cannon and the expense he must pay to save his house. But it isn't a state disaster and Gov. Murkowski again exercised good judgment in not providing disaster assistance.

It is time for the Mat-Su Borough to step up and do what they should have already done.

Jerry Beale works for the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as a special assistant for communications.