Proposed Knik River basin legislation gets public hearing

August 21, 2005

DAWN DE BUSK/Frontiersman reporter

BUTTE - Few Butte residents would be likely to describe the Knik River basin as "peaceful." They're more likely to point out how discharging firearms and driving motorized vehicles creates undesired noise pollution.

Many outdoor enthusiasts say peace-of-mind would be knowing the area will be protected - as a place to engage in a variety of recreational activities, and for its wildlife habitats and natural beauty.

"Peaceful" could also be cooperation between users-groups, who treat one another respectfully - admitting some activities clash, and finding a way to mitigate that.

Could the word "peaceful" ever be synonymous with the Knik River basin?

That was one of the questions with which public-hearing participants were struggling as they took some of the first steps toward managing the popular Knik River recreational area. Almost 200 people - local residents, outdoor lovers, off-road-vehicle enthusiasts, adventure guides and concerned citizens -showed up at Butte Elementary School on Thursday evening for the first hearing on land use in the area.

Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-South Mat-Su/Chugiak, and Sen. Charlie Huggins, R-Mat-Su, hosted the meeting to seek viable solutions for some of the issues arising from activities at the popular recreation area, which offers places to fish, hunt, trap, mine, camp, hike and horseback ride, as well as miles of beach for riding off-road vehicles.

About one-third of the people, who had a chance during the set amount of time to speak, shared early memories of experiences on the Knik River. Local resident Noel Woods, a supporter of responsible firearms use, described a Boy Scout trip in 1945, riding in the back of a truck to the Knik Glacier.

Alaska Outdoor Access Alliance member Cliff Judkins recalled taking a paddle boat up the river in 1965 and seeing three airboats.

Compared to 1995, when, in his airboat, he came upon three canoes.

Resident Craig Puddicombe said his dad owned the first water boat in the Valley's waterways, a tradition he carries on.

Butte resident and horse owner Margaret Runser remembered when she felt safe taking 20-mile horseback rides along the windy riverbank.

Yet, increasing vandalism and the rising popularity of the area as a place to recreate during the weekend has forced change upon the scenic Knik River and the people who enjoy it, most present agreed.

"I like to think of the Butte as a teenager who's irresponsible with a pimpled face and gangly, and doesn't want to be controlled," resident David Holladay said.

Holladay challenged the group to grow up and accept that the area has changed.

"You need to accept restriction. As a canoer, I need to accept that my peace and quiet might be broken," Holladay said. "Just because, I am a quiet user doesn't mean anyone else's use is less important."

Chris Whittington-Evans, Valley resident and a member of the watchdog group Friends of Mat-Su, also called for a higher level of responsibility between user groups.

"There is a responsibility, and that responsibility changes according to what we're using. The more populated the public-use area, the more responsibility," Whittington-Evans said. "The is not over access rights."

Some citizens concurred that many user groups can co-exist, while others were concerned that the wording of the legislation didn't allow for prohibition of incompatible uses.

"It's good uses and abuses are being studied. We can recognize that degradation is occurring and some of these users are in conflict," Ralph Baldwin, a teacher and Valley resident said. "We need to get a plan, but realize compromise is necessary."

Airboat operator Bob "Hak" Hakenson said he sees an opportunity for the user groups to benefit from one another.

"I'd like to take canoers farther out than they've ever been and drop them off for a few days," he said during a phone interview Friday.

Many people perceived the proposal as being biased toward ATV-users because the first statement in the text reads "The Knik River Public Use Area is established to provide an area for public use as an off-road motorized vehicle recreation area."

Prior to audience participation, Rep. Stoltze explained that just because an activity is listed first doesn't mean it takes priority.

In the second row of the audience, Rod Arno, with the Alaska Outdoor Council, tallied people's opinions into two categories: For the bill and against the bill. Anyone who didn't accept the bill at face value was against it, he said. His outcome: 25 for the bill, and 12 against.

Arno, who provides wilderness guiding in the Brooks Range, Valley Preserve, Kodiak and ANWR, favors keeping the Knik River public-use area open to all user groups, especially for hunting.

"Here it is close to the largest population. Most people can't afford to go more remote for hunting trips," he said.

If the proposed legislation, House Bill 307 and Senate Bill 197, passes during the upcoming legislative session, there would be another 18-month period of public input, according to Bob Loeffler, director of the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Mining, Land and Water.

"We deserve more than one option. Hastily creating a multi-user plan won' t do anyone any good," Friends of Mat-Su member Kathy Wells said.

Huggins said people need to ask themselves whether they are content with the status quo or change is needed.

"This legislation is the framework for change," he said.

More than one-third of the people - both motorized-use activists and non-motorized users - who spoke during the hearing agreed a land-use management plan has become necessary.

"If there wasn't a land management plan, I wouldn't have a homestead," John Mystrom said. "This bill is a good starting place."

Dawn De Busk can be reached at 352-2252, or dawn.debusk@ frontiersman.com.