The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates Jim’s Landing sees about 42,000 visitors a year. It’s the only ramp for putting in and taking out of the Kenai River between Russian River and Skilak Lake.
But the infrastructure at the launch isn’t really up to the task.
“It’s pretty clear that some improvements are needed," said Alexandra West Jefferies, an engineer with PND Engineers. She’s also managing a project to update Jim’s Landing and its parking lot, which is often stuffed to the gills in the summer.
Jefferies hasn’t finalized a project design yet. She says they’re considering a gradient of project scopes, from taking no action to adding off-site parking, a viewing platform, stabilizing 30 feet of river bank and improving boat ramp conditions.
The ramp as it is now is steep. And with the fast-running water, it can be hard to load and unload.
“The Kenai River comes ripping around an outer bend. So there’s some high velocities that are coming in right at the ramp area," Jefferies said.
The current “preferred alternative” of the project team at this time is the project involving the multitude of improvements.
“It doesn’t mean that’s what’s going forward. So public input definitely makes a difference at this stage," Jefferies said.
If everything goes according to plan, she said, they’re looking at construction for next year.
Jefferies’ team first has to address the potential environmental impacts of the project, which they’ve compiled into an environmental assessment. They’re collecting feedback on the assessment until June 19.
“We’ve got some sensitive riparian, riverine and wetland habitats in the area. So anything we do can have some impacts on it," Jefferies said.
There’s also a public Zoom meeting to talk about the improvements and ask questions at 5:30 p.m. May 19.
Read the draft environmental assessment here and tune into the meeting here.
