Planning commission gives nod to recreation classification

MAT-SU -- At its March 4 meeting, the Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission passed a resolution to recommend to the borough assembly that approximately 850 acres of borough-owned land in the Talkeetna Lakes area be classified as public recreation lands, and that a management plan be developed for the area.

According to Pat Owens, borough land management specialist, the recommendation knits together a skein of plans and public processes from both regional and borough levels that could eventually, with the borough assembly's approval, result in a new park area for borough residents.

Maps provided by Owens to the commission reflect that the acreage, in combination with adjacent existing state recreational land, would comprise a recreational system of approximately 1,000 acres surrounding X, Y, Z and Tigger Lakes, often referred to as the "Talkeetna Lakes."

The recommendation appears to fall in line with the wishes of the Talkeetna community. The Talkeetna Comprehensive Plan recommends reserving the X, Y, Z and Tigger Lake area, along with other similar tracts, for park and preserve purposes, and that a citizens' park advisory board be created to guide the management of the park in order to maximize their wildlife habitat and compatible recreation values.

The plan states, "The … areas identified not only have high recreational and scenic value but also provide important wildlife habitat. Grizzly and black bear, moose, beaver, otter, wolf, fox, muskrat, five salmon species, trout, and a large variety of songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl utilize these areas. Talkeetna's residents all share a common feeling of good fortune to have such quality wildlife habitat so close to our town. We wish future generations to have the same good fortune."

According to Owens, the designation of the area as public recreation land is also consistent with the goals and objectives of the borough's recreational trails plan, and the Park, Recreation and Open Space plan component of the borough's Asset Management Plan.

Owens said Thursday that the two borough plans are important land-management tools.

"These plans have been a great boon to our department because they provide us with guidelines that we didn't have before," she said.

Owens presented the commission with a preliminary best-interest finding decision that included information about the terrain itself, current land uses, infrastructure, resources and assessment.

According to the presentation, the current land uses include fishing, canoeing, hiking, hunting, berry picking, skiing and dog mushing. One

camp/canoe business currently operates within the area around X and Y Lakes.

Chris Mannix of Talkeetna, president of the Denali Nordic Ski Club, testified to the commission that the proposed classification would increase the accessibility of the area to a wider range of recreational uses. Development and expansion of trails would enable greater use by hikers and bikers than is currently possible because of the brushy nature of the terrain, Mannix said.

Owens explained that if the assembly chooses to act upon the commission's recommendation, the process will begin for development of a management plan for the new recreation area.

When asked why a management plan is considered necessary for the area, Owens said the borough feels the plans are an important part of area planning.

"We don't have an existing management plan on any park, and we think it's really important that we begin to develop them," Owens said. "A lot of people are interested in the property and we need to satisfy what people think of as a park. For example, without a plan and guidelines for future development, we could experience problems similar to those surrounding the Campbell tract in Anchorage where some people want ballparks and other people want the land left alone."

Having a plan on hand, she said, could eliminate such obstacles.

"We can avoid those kinds of problems if we define the uses that people want in a park area in a management plan," Owens said. "We may not develop it all now, but we will have guidelines for the future."

Owens explained that the planning process would begin with public input in order to inventory what people want. The whole process could take, according to Owens, from six months to a year to complete.

"We already have a commitment from the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program in Anchorage for help," Owens said. "This is a very small National Parks Service group that works with communities to fulfill whatever the community wants in parks and recreation."

Owens added that the group does not provide funding, but provides professional parks service staff who come in, look at the ground itself and what people want and help with the planning process.

The land management division hopes to begin soon on similar guidelines for borough-owned land along the Deshka River that is already classified as recreational. In the past, the borough has tried to manage the area, which is surrounded by state land, consistent with the state plan for recreation rivers.

But this approach may take a more comprehensive look at the land.

"The borough hopes that good future guidelines for the area will result in better recreational use of the land for the public while protecting the area's important fish habitat," Owens said.