Public Scoping Summary

This post provides a project update, summarizes the initial public scoping phase, and provides information on the project schedule. A virtual public meeting was held on December 8, 2020, and a comment period followed, ending on January 8, 2021. If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can find the recording and meeting summary in a previous blog post.

Comments received during the comment period consisted of 21 comments during the meeting, 45 comments received online via the website and comment collector, 5 comments from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s Facebook page, and a letter from ANILCA Program Coordinator. All but two public comments were in support of the project, and generally, the comments were in support of Option B and C along with Offsite Parking Option 1. Based on these comments, and in order to minimize impacts to wetlands and riparian areas, Option B will be carried forward with some modifications to accommodate preferable parking, vehicle circulation, and staging similar to Option C. Additionally, this alternative will look at the expansion of the ramp downstream with articulated concrete block mat surfacing as well as hydraulic improvements to reduce velocities at the ramp (such as planting rootwads for bank stabilization upstream and potentially pulling the ramp inland), pending hydraulic analysis which is ongoing.

We are continuing with the preparation of the Environmental Assessment, analyzing a No Action Alternative, Option A as previously presented, and a modified version of Option B with offsite parking. Both offsite parking options are being considered alternatives at this point in time. Additional work will continue on preliminary design and analysis efforts. The draft Environmental Assessment will be released for public review, and another public meeting and comment period are tentatively scheduled for March. We will continue to keep you apprised of project progress.

Thank you for your interest in the Jims’ Landing Improvements Project.

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