DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking public comments on the draft Environmental Assessment of the Jims’ Landing Access Improvements project on the Kenai River. The Kenai River is important habitat for spawning salmonids and other fish species. The Service proposes improvements to the Jims’ Landing facility, consisting of transportation access, parking areas, and boat ramp improvements. The Jims’ Landing boat ramp and parking facility is within the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, which is a component of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This recreational site offers important recreational opportunities (e.g., boat ramp for boat launch and retrieval on the upper Kenai River) between the Russian River and Skilak Lake.
The purpose of this proposed action is to address recreation needs, public safety, and access requirements of Jims’ Landing day use facility by improving the boat launch and retrieval area, and facilitating traffic and pedestrian flow with improved roads, parking areas and signage. Protection of the wetland, riverine, and riparian habitats is integral to the purpose and need of the proposed action. The Service, ADF&G and ADNR have worked together to combine scientific data, public input, and institutional knowledge to develop a Draft Environmental Assessment. The Draft Environmental Assessment analyzes the impacts of three different alternatives to resources of Jims’ Landing and the Refuge
The Draft Environmental Assessment will be made available from May 5, 2021 to June 19, 2021.
A 45-day public comment period will begin on May 5, 2021 and end on June 19, 2021.
The legal Notice of Availability for the Draft EA can be downloaded with this link: Notice of Availability for the Draft EA