Reality check on Knik River basin usage

Aug. 5, 2005

Spectrum\Cecily Fritz

Let's take a look at just a few comments regarding public land planning in the Knik River basin:

"It's a warŠ" "They want to put a fence around it that says: 'Closed. No riding. No hunting.'" - Sen. Charlie Huggins, Frontiersman

"Whether or not you're one of the thousands that access the Knik River drainage by ATV, snowmachine, riverboat, airboat, or airplane you may find that the area is no longer available unless you are willing to walk"

- Alaska Outdoor Council Newsletter Summer 2005

"The Knik River Watershed Group is blatantly anti-motorized-use - everywhere."

- Mike Erickson Alaska ATV Club, Frontiersman

Where do they get this stuff? If there is a group that wants to achieve the above nefarious objectives, I am not aware of them. These are not the objectives of the Knik River Watershed Group. But don't take my word for it, consider statements from me published in the Frontiersman:

"We would be saddened and extremely surprised if that outcome [public planning process] was to close down the area to motorized use or a loss of excellent hunting, trapping or fishing."

"Š do an arduous trek to the alpine or a flight-seeing trip upriver Š"

"With proper planning and management, public lands in the area can sustain most motorized and nonmotorized uses Š"

"A planning effort should include a collaborative planning group representative of motorized and nonmotorized user groups, the local community, adjoining landholders, planners, biologists, trail-design expertise Š"

Our group includes motorized, nonmotorized, consumptive and nonconsumptive members.

There is fear that planning will lead to closure, but we do not believe that ignoring or denying damage will lead to a solution.

Damage is quite evident in some areas: A salmon stream has been diverted from its natural bed. There is erosion, loss of stabilizing vegetation, enormous ruts, and a growing system of go-everywhere trails created without knowledge of sustainability.

How significant these are to the long-term health of the area we do not have the expertise to answer. One thing we know is that without proper planning, management, enforcement and user education, the impacts on the resources and on nearby residents will increase as use increases.

Respectful honest collaboration will have better results than fear-mongering propaganda and divisive tactics. Legislation introduced last session by Rep. Bill Stoltze and Sen. Charlie Huggins

pre-empts a comprehensive, necessary planning process.

Carefully read House Bill 307/Senate Bill 197 on the Legislature's Web site under "Bill Search." Our legislators appear to have listened to one perspective and ignored many other constituents' concerns.

We expect our legislators to be leaders, listen to all perspectives, and promote honest civil discourse and collaboration, not "war." Our legislators should go back to the drawing board and work up reasonable legislation.

Cecily Fritz chairs the

Knik River Watershed Group. She can be contacted at info@knikriver.org. For more information about the

group and its activities, see www.knikriver.org.