Project Description
This project sought funding for three years (2023, 2024, 2025) of continuing support for the highly successful cost share program. The cost share program is primarily managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), who closely partners with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Kenai Soil and Water Conservation District (KSWCD), Alaska State Parks, local governments, and private landowners to locate, assess, and prioritize sites and install restoration and rehabilitation projects along the Kenai River, Alaska. ADF&G and USFWS staff provide technical and design assistance and on‐the‐ construction oversight on selected restoration projects. ADF&G and USFWS staff also provide outreach and education to agencies and the public through presentations, consultations, site visits, and an annual 2‐day hands‐on streambank restoration workshop. This project benefits the EVOS impacted species sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), and Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) as well as Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).
The watersheds of the Kenai Peninsula are vulnerable to degradation of instream and riparian habitat and water quality because of increasing development and recreational use in the riparian zone. Development has led to direct loss of riparian habitat through the removal of trees and other native vegetation. Removal of native vegetation can lead to changes to surface and subsurface water flow, water temperature, and sediment transfer to a waterbody. Heavy angling pressure often leads to trampling of nearshore vegetation and continual erosion of fine sediments. Recent reductions in the number of salmon returning to Kenai Peninsula streams and rivers have had a dramatic impact on recreational and subsistence fishing use. The cost share program aims to address habitat degradation to support salmon, and the ecosystems and local economies that depend on them.
The cost share program was started in 1995, and through 2020, the ADF&G and the USFWS have partnered on 736 fish habitat rehabilitation and protection projects on the Kenai Peninsula. These projects removed 6,488 feet of structures detrimental to rearing salmon; protected 70,342 feet of fish habitat; rehabilitated 25,634 feet of shoreline. The bank revegetation and rehabilitation techniques developed and taught by ADF&G staff have become standard practice in many areas and are successful in countering damage associated with development along streams on the Kenai Peninsula. In addition, the program puts on a two-day streambank rehabilitation and habitat protection workshop, free of charge, for landowners, state and federal land managers, contractors, and private engineering firms.
Restoration Land Ownership
County or Municipal; Other Federal; Private; State
Parties Implementing Restoration
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
DOI Project Representatives
Fish and Wildlife Service