Refuge Notebook
Article
March
19, 2004
Breakup means it's time for refuge crews to gear up for summer
projects
Bill Kent
We are seeing more and more of the sun, temperatures
are rising and snow piles are shrinking. Everyone on the Kenai Peninsula is eagerly
anticipating another Alaska summer. For the staff at the Kenai National Wildlife
Refuge, this is the time of year when we begin to get very specific about summer
work projects.
The visitor service division's summer plans are what I want
to share with you this week. All of the other divisions (biology, fire, maintenance
and administration) also are making plans for the summer, but I'll let those divisions
speak for themselves.
Visitor services is preparing information and education
materials for the more than 500,000 visitors who will use refuge facilities. Providing
visitors with the most current information about refuge and peninsula opportunities
makes a visit more enjoyable and offers an opening for each visitor to learn more
about the mission of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Plans for interpretive
programs in our campgrounds and at the visitor center on Ski Hill Road are underway.
These programs grow in popularity every year, primarily due (in my opinion) to
the prep work that is done at this time of year.
My staff also is planning
for a major effort on trails this summer. Congress generously provided funds for
the rehabilitation of access areas, trail heads and trails along the Swanson River
and Swan Lake roads. D & L Construction of Soldotna began work on the trail heads
last fall and the trails will be worked on by that company and by Student Conservation
Association (SCA) high school trail crews during the summer.
Trails in
the Skilak and Tustumena lakes areas also will receive more attention, thanks
again to specific funding from Congress. We will recruit a three- to five-person
trail crew to supplement the usual backcountry crew, which consists of a ranger
and three SCA resource assistants. We anticipate the announcement of the application
period for the new crew will come soon. If you, or someone you know, possess the
skills needed for trail work, call Refuge Headquarters and ask for Scott Slavik,
who will lead the trail crews this summer.
The refuge cabin crew is preparing
for another busy summer. They rehabilitated several cabins last year and already
have begun to transport materials to other cabins scheduled for repairs or rehabilitation
this year. For more information about cabin projects, call and ask for Gary Titus.
Last, but certainly not least, our law enforcement officers are planning
their summer coverage of the refuge. We anticipate the usual crowds in the Russian
River Ferry area, as well as full campgrounds. Cooperation with the Alaska State
Troopers, Alaska State Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service is vital in their planning
efforts to keep the visiting public safe and to ensure protection of natural resources.
The overwhelming majority of our visitors make every effort to abide by
refuge and state laws and regulations. However, it seems that a few law breakers
can spoil an experience for others, as well as jeopardize public safety. Our law
enforcement officers encourage you to report violators to them or other enforcement
personnel as soon as possible.
I hope I have provided you with some insight
into the planning efforts we undertake each year to make your visit to the Kenai
refuge is enjoyable and safe. Have a great summer!
Bill Kent is the
supervisory park ranger for Kenai refuge. He and his family live in Sterling.
Previous Refuge Notebook articles can be viewed on the refuge Web site at http://kenai.fws.gov.
Recent
bird sightings are on the Central Peninsula Birding Hotline (907) 262-2300
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