Tying up some loose ends

We’ll start out with a few announcements that might be of interest. First, I received this e-mail announcement awhile ago and figured I’d better pass it on. The e-mail was originally from the State Parks folks. They are looking for public input in their revision of the master plan for the Nancy Lakes State Recreation Area (SRA).

Quoting from the State Parks e-mail: “This plan sets forth management guidelines within the recreational area and will be an opportunity to identify new or changing recreational needs and adjust management and facilities recommendations to meet these needs.

“Public input is vital to assist in developing a shared vision for the recreational area. A short questionnaire has been posted online or can be requested through the contact information provided below. To complete the questionnaire and learn more about the planning process, visit: dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/nancylk/planning.htm or contact the Nancy Lake SRA planning project manager at 334-2551, or charles.pinckney@alaska.gov.”

The deadline for submitting a completed questionnaire is Sept. 13.

I’ve done a little snowmobiling, some canoeing, a bit of hiking and some pike fishing — both with rod and reel — and bowfishing in the Nancy Lakes SRA. I’ve also chased a few spruce grouse around with my bow and arrow there, too. Lots of folks enjoy the camping, hiking and fishing available. I hope those activities are protected and continued in this new master plan. The only way they will be is if enough folks respond and say they want these outdoor pursuits included in the new plan.

The second announcement has more of an indirect connection to outdoor recreation in the area, but can be instrumental in accessing that recreation. On Thursday, Sept. 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Raven Hall on the state fairgrounds in Palmer, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, city of Palmer, city of Wasilla, Alaska Railroad Corp., the Mat-Su Community Transit and Mat-Su Borough are presenting a transportation fair.

Multiple highway reconstruction and upgrade projects, a regional aviation system plan, the Port Mackenzie rail extension and other Alaska Railroad projects, and other planned improvements to our area’s roads, rails and trails will be discussed. These projects can significantly impact access to various areas in the Valley and, with the future development these projects will attract, can have a bearing on the potential future loss of fish and game habitat. It might be a good idea to know what will be coming down the road, so to speak.

The third announcement is, at this point, more of a rumor than a confirmed statement. Through the grapevine, I’ve heard that our state Sport Fish Division area management biologist is planning to retire and go to work for the feds in Anchorage. I haven’t spoken with Dave since I learned of this so I can’t confirm its validity, but if he does leave, another large piece of “institutional memory” in the management of our Valley fish and game resources will be gone.

I’ve known Dave for almost 20 years and worked with him some while I was employed by Fish and Game. If you don’t know Dave, that’s your loss, because he is a very personable guy who will tell you how things are — good or bad. I’ve always preferred dealing with a straight shooter rather than a dodger or someone who tells you what he thinks you want to hear. Dave has called things right down the line in regards to fisheries management in the Northern District for the last decade or so. If his supervisors and the Board of Fisheries would have listened, things would be better than they are now fisheries-wise.

And finally, remember a few columns back where I was talking about having some fishing plans through the fall and possibly dovetailing that activity with some hunting? To quote the old cliché: “The best laid plans of mice and men …” describes my current situation.

Last February, I had a ruptured disc removed from my neck. The surgeon told me to lay off the recoiling firearms until late August or September to let the bones fuse properly, and then go for it. The neck is doing nicely, but about six to weeks ago, I was doing something and had my right foot firmly planted. Apparently, I twisted wrong. I heard a distinct “pop” in my right knee. My joints tend to pop anyhow, so I didn’t think too much about the incident.

My knee has gotten progressively worse since then. I really found out how much it could hurt after spending a long day at the fair. After a visit to an orthopedic specialist, the preliminary diagnosis is a torn meniscus. X-rays have ruled out arthritis in the knee as the cause. While I do have arthritis there, it’s not bad enough to cause the pain I have experienced. An MRI scheduled for next week will confirm the meniscus tear diagnosis or indicate what else is going on. The only corrective treatment at this point is surgery.

My fishing plans are on hold, any moose hunting will probably be from the road or off an ATV, and long hikes are something for next summer. So much for being young, handsome and indestructible. Now I’m just handsome!

Howard Delo is a retired fisheries biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. You can leave him a message by e-mailing sports@frontiersman.com.