Susitna Recreation Draft Report Out For Comment

The Susitna Basin Recreation Rivers Advisory Board and Alaska Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, have drafted an update to the 1991 management report.

The draft plan includes updated maps, figures, and challenges for the region. DNR Natural Resources Specialist Shelby Burridge says the plan determines how the six rivers will be managed over the long-term. That includes providing management intent for each river segment and guidelines for authorizing uses within the corridors.

New to this plan is a section outlining invasive elodea (el-OH-dee-uh) and Northern pike pressure and management.  In addition, the Talkeetna Recreation River designation currently stops short of the canyon. The updated plan proposes including the river up to mile 51.5. Burridge says this section serves as access to the Talkeetna Canyon and provides white water opportunities.

Of particular interest to Borough residents is the possibility of the West Susitna Access Road and how this plan might help or hinder that effort. Burridge says the plan does not specifically mention potential projects that might occur within the corridors. She went on to say when DNR receives an application, the guidelines in Chapter 2 for roads and bridges will be used to consider if the project can be authorized. 

The plan is available for review on the DNR website. The website also outlines changes between the 1991 plan and the updated draft.   Representatives from DNR will be available for questions and public comment at the Talkeetna Public Library on January 30th from 5 to 7pm. Comments are also accepted on the website.

https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/planning/mgtplans/susitna-revision/