Alaska News

State seeks comment on Kachemak Bay heli-skiing

Alaska's Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation is soliciting input from the general public in regard to "multiple" applications it has received seeking permission to operate commercial helicopter skiing operations in Kachemak Bay State Park and Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park.

The division is in the process of deciding whether to approve such use of the parks. It may grant an authorization to allow helicopter skiing activities in the park if minimum standards outlined in Chapter 18 of the Alaska Administrative Code are met:

Park facilities and natural and cultural resources will not be adversely affected; the park is protected from pollution; public use values of the park will be maintained and protected; and, the public safety, health, and welfare will not be adversely affected.

Beyond those minimum requirements, the division would like to know what residents think about potential heli-skiing ventures in the area.

Alaskans are encouraged to submit comments addressing other considerations, including (but not limited to): Timeframe, geographic area, potential conflicts, plan of operations and number of landings.

If you have recommendations, please mail comments to Pamela Russell, Project Coordinator at Gilman River Center, 514 Funny River Rd., Soldotna, AK, 99669) before 5 p.m. Nov. 19. Or email them to pamela.russell(at)alaska.gov. Contact Russell at (907) 714-2471.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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