Resident concerns ignored in access debate

April 28, 2006

SPECTRUM/Britt Lively

Picture airboats at Potter Marsh in Anchorage scattering your favorite family of ducks, or off-road vehicles slicing up wetlands and shorelines while &#8220exploring” for nesting swans and cute little moose calves. Imagine 4X4 trucks conquering mud and water in a nearby stream, or visualize trees damaged with cables and chains, and abandoned rigs sticking out of the water.

Add the sound of fireworks, gunfire and trees felled by a chain saw or heavy caliber gun. Stumble upon a shot raptor or raven. This may sound like a bad dream, but it's reality, and it's sanctioned behavior - definitely not in Potter Marsh - but in Knik River Valley, some 45 miles to the northeast.

This is behavior our neighbors and unsuspecting visitors to Knik River Valley have witnessed for years. In vain we have tried to get the attention of public officials.

Knik River drainage is a large, very important part of Southcentral Alaska's ecosystem. It is certain we'll be seeing even more destruction and mindless activity in the months to come.

We're not surprised. High-placed land managers have admitted that the Knik River Valley has been sacrificed as a no-restriction area to every kind of destructive recreation.

Quite a shame, as the small community of Butte has everything to be a world-class visitor destination. Nestled between glaciers and mountains, Butte is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it could be a great place for all of us to play and add to the borough's economy.

Legislation introduced in the Alaska Legislature ensures that bad behavior in the Butte area will continue legitimately. House Bill 307, establishing the Knik River Public Use Area, is a mini Band-Aid being put on a wound that is gushing. In spite of assurances from bill supporters Rep. Bill Stoltze and Sen. Charlie Huggins that &#8220this is a first step, and we have the support of Mat-Su residents,” those of us who live in Butte feel they have done us a disservice by promoting this bill without recognizing our valid concerns.

The bill has little money behind it to enforce the state statutes. Its language favors the enhancement of motorized recreation over the well-being of residents, wildlife and habitat. The bill puts control of widely recognized serious misconduct under one unarmed Department of Natural Resources field official. Lord help the poor individual who takes that job.

What this area needs is to be designated the Knik River State Recreation Area to comply with the Susitna Area Plan and follow previous recommendations for critical habitat within this area. Waterfowl and wildlife habitat is being destroyed, and deserves at least two full-time law enforcement officers immediately to stop the abuse that has become commonplace.

Sanitary facilities need to be built, signage (that isn't burned or shot at) needs to be posted, and user fees need to be collected. DNR needs to be given the responsibility to regulate target shooting throughout the area so everyone can go enjoy its beauty without fear. Lead cannot be allowed to continue the contamination of our waterways.

With State Recreation Area designation, Butte might have a chance at garnering grant funding and community participation. A 15-member advisory committee of all users would be formed to find common ground.

This does not mean that motorized uses would be shut out. Along with most of my neighbors, I favor a multi-use area that includes horses, bird watchers and ATVs, as long as there is a plan for protecting wildlife habitat and making all uses compatible.

Finally, what we really need is a solid educational campaign. People need to understand the destruction they are causing when they get behind the wheel of a boat or when they jump on an ATV or dirt bike.

Gun users need to understand that the large number of people who live and play in the area have made target shooting unsafe, and the noise has become a nuisance that no one should have to be forced to listen to around the clock. Hunting should remain a privilege, but sighting in the rifle can't be done at Knik River any more.

People who come from Anchorage and the military bases to recreate here need to become a part of the solution. Their behavior needs to change, and we all need to start paying our share to make sure the area is maintained and healthy for generations to come.

Salmon spawning areas, springs feeding the wetlands and the banks and bottoms of salmon streams already have been destroyed. Human waste is contaminating the woods. The dunes on Jim Creek, our guardian ramparts that keep dust out of Palmer and prevent the Knik River from flowing through the community, are suffering from extreme erosion damage. Those of us who live in the area are, quite frankly, fed up.

Please join us in giving Butte an opportunity for peace and economic growth by creating a multi-user, high-end visitor destination. Let us show you that we're a healthy community that is ready to meet this positive challenge.

For more information, visit our Web site at www.buttealaska.org. Call your legislators and let them know that you care about Butte's future, and ask them to oppose any bill that fails to recommend state recreation status for this wonderful place, doesn't provide funding for effective law enforcement, and doesn't include an open, public planning process with a multi-user advisory committee.

The next time you see someone acting irresponsibly in your back yard or in mine, don't be afraid to correct his or her behavior. Together, we can make Alaska a place where it's &#8220not like it is Outside,” and where beautiful places like Butte are the ideal place for a safe and enjoyable family outing.

Brit Lively and her family are longtime residents of Butte. She served two terms on the community council board and helped organize Butte Area Residents Civic Organization.