Appendix A: Deep Creek and Anchor River Off-Road-Vehicle Trails Assessment:

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Project Overview and Trail Prescriptions

Prepared by: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Sport Fish Division The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR)

This paper is funded by the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA17OZ2058. The preparation of this paper is funded in part by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Office of Project Management and Permitting, and the Department of Community and Economic Development, Division of Community Advocacy. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NOAA or any of its sub-agencies. Introduction As part of the Deep Creek and Anchor River Off-Road-Vehicle Impact Assessment and Mitigation Strategy, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) in conjunction with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) conducted an assessment and alignment surveys of three trails on the lower Kenai Peninsula in 2004. The Ninilchik Dome Trail, the North Fork Trail, and the Watermelon Trail were selected for survey through a public process led by ADNR, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. These trails were originally, at least in part, seismic lines that evolved into commonly used routes to access the interior of the lower Kenai Peninsula. All three trails converge and meet within three miles of each other; approximately 24 miles northeast of the town of Homer (see Figure 1). The purpose of the assessment and alignment surveys was to: identify off-road-vehicle (ORV) routes currently used by hunters, cabin owners, and recreationists on the lower Kenai Peninsula; identify existing or new trails that would minimize impacts to wetland, muskeg, and riparian habitats; and create guidelines for trail users to follow in transforming these trails into sustainable trails on the lower Kenai Peninsula.

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The resultant prescriptions create guidelines for trail users to follow in transforming the above mentioned trails into sustainable trails on the lower Kenai Peninsula. Trail Assessment and Surveys Surveys were conducted using a handheld mapping grade GPS unit mounted to an ATV.1 The GPS unit is capable of sub-meter accuracy and can export shapefiles of the routes and points surveyed for use in ArcView & ArcGIS software. This trail survey data has been shared with DNR for use by their easement and survey personnel. The GPS unit recorded horizontal position data at two-second intervals. Additional data was collected about stream crossings with the GPS unit and recorded in the form of a point feature at the crossing. Trail width at crossings, the wetted width of the creek, and the bankfull width were all recorded. Unique features such as incision depth were added into the crossing data set where applicable. A photograph was taken on each side of the crossing, looking up-trail and down-trail with the crossing in view. The direction the camera was facing and location of the photo were recorded with a compass and GPS unit. All position locations were post-processed utilizing post processing software. Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) are located in Anchorage, Kodiak, Kenai and on Mount Augustine Volcano. These stations are operated in conjunction with the National Geodetic Survey to provide GPS carrier phase and code range measurements in support of three-dimensional positioning activities throughout the United States and its territories. Post-processing downloads data for CORS sites which are compared with position data collected during the trail survey to reduce the effect of atmospheric and timing errors experienced during field data collection. Trail Descriptions The Watermelon Trail is approximately 14.29 miles long and crosses six streams, four of which are cataloged as anadromous fish streams by the ADF&G. The trail begins off Ohlson Mountain Road above the town of Homer. After approximately two miles, the trail enters the Anchor River/Fritz Creek Critical Habitat Area (CHA). The trail continues through the CHA, crossing Beaver Creek at a permitted location (FG Permit FG 05-II-GP12), and exits the CHA approximately two miles past the Beaver Creek crossing. Generally speaking, the trail follows ridgelines and high ground, however the watersheds in this area are aligned perpendicular to the trail forcing the trail user into low wet riparian areas and stream crossings. Most of the trail is located on State or Borough lands, however one section of the trail crosses privately owned land. The results

1 Leica model GS20 PDM. Horizontal accuracy DGPS/TRCM L1 code only: typically 40cm RMS. Horizontal accuracy with

post processing of data L1 code only typically 30cm; L1 and phase typically 5-10mm RMS. Horizontal accuracy estimates re for normal to favorable atmospheric conditions.

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of this survey were used to develop a pilot project to reroute the Watermelon Trail onto State land to resolve the trespass issue. The North Fork Trail is approximately 14.77 miles long and crosses five streams, one of which is cataloged as an anadromous stream. The North Fork Trail trailhead is off North Fork Road., just east of the community of Nikolaevsk at approximately 151° 36’ 34.10” West, 59° 47’ 36.12” North, approximately 10 miles from the town of Anchor Point. This trail, like the Watermelon trail, generally runs along ridgelines and high ground, but crosses fewer wet areas than the other two trails, although a redundant portion of the trail is situated in a wet area. Most of the trail crosses State or Borough lands. There is some private land near the trail, but not directly crossed by it. The Ninilchik Dome Trail is approximately 18.25 miles long and crosses seven stream crossings, four of which are cataloged as anadromous streams. The trail begins on the east side of the Sterling Highway at MP 140. The current parking area is approximately .22 miles south of the beginning of the trail on the west side of the highway. It is a gravel pit leased/operated by the Department of Transportation and is not a designated trailhead or parking area. The first 4+ miles of the Ninilchik Dome Trail can be characterized as lowland muskeg, very wet, and very flat. Along this section the trail intermittently intersects with some old logging roads for short distances on privately owned lands. After approximately nine miles, the trail passes just south of the Ninilchik Dome and then crosses a large riparian area (2 + miles2) that is the headwaters of Clam Creek. The three trails converge a few miles past the Clam Creek headwaters. Prescriptions: The following prescriptions provide descriptions of trail and trail crossing problems and solutions at seven locations in the project area. The prescriptions are listed as follows:

• prescriptions #1 and #6 are on the Watermelon Trail (see Figures 2 & 3)

• prescriptions #4 and #5 are on the North Fork Trail (see Figures 4)

• prescriptions #2, #3, and #7 are on the Ninilchik Dome Trail (see Figures 5 & 6)

Each prescription description is followed by a series of related photographs and a location map. Prescriptions #4 and #5 share a map, and prescriptions #2 and #3 also share a map.

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Watermelon Trail Prescription 1: The Watermelon Trail is a major entry point into the Caribou Hills and receives year round use. The trail crosses Beaver Creek at this site, the sole permitted crossing of Beaver Creek within the Anchor River/ Fritz Creek Critical Habitat Area. Beaver Creek is an anadromous fish stream, important for chinook and coho salmon, and Dolly Varden. Repeated ORV crossings at this location have changed the natural stream configuration by increasing the stream width and decreasing the stream depth. Possible Solutions:

1. Build a clear-span bridge over the creek – this may be the most logical, long-term solution.

2. Reduce run-off into the creek by rerouting the trails’ approach to the creek. Permit Authorities:

• Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish, and the Department of Natural Resources, ML&W have joint authority over Legislatively Designated Areas.

• The Office of Habitat Management and Permitting, DNR (OHMP) has regulatory authority for any habitat altering activities below ordinary high water of anadromous fish streams.

Trailhead Location/Description: Approximately 151° 29’ 11.28” West, 59° 42’ 39.83” North, on Ohlsen Mountain Road. Land Status: State land Trail Legal Status: ADL 229161 Crossing Information:

• Surveyed 8/2/2004 • Location: 151° 28’ 59.51” West, 59° 45’ 4.33” North • Trail Width: 4.4 meters • Wetted Width: 8 meters • Bankfull Width: 13.4 meters

Special Notes: Contact Cliff Larson at DNR, ML&W for information about a bridge platform that could be used at this location.

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Watermelon Trail Prescription 6: This crossing is located on the East Fork of Anchor River, an anadromous fish stream important for steelhead trout and for the rearing of coho salmon and Dolly Varden. The existing trail alignment crosses a small tributary on the south side of the river as it descends down a steep slope toward this crossing. The combination of slope angle and the small tributary that introduces water onto the trail makes this area highly subject to erosion. Trail erosion likely introduces sediment into the East Fork of Anchor River. Possible Solution:

1. The best solution to reduce impacts to this site is to build a bridge across the river at a new site not subject to erosion. A new crossing site should be selected in the general vicinity that addresses erosion concerns and limits sediment introduction into the river. Once a site is selected and the bridge built, the trail should be rerouted to the new crossing. Signage or other methods should be employed to direct users to the new crossing and divert them away from the old crossing.

Permit Authorities: The Department of Natural Resources, ML&W holds interest in this trail alignment. Trailhead Location/Description: Approximately 151° 29’ 11.28” West, 59° 42’ 39.83” North, on Ohlsen Mountain Road. Land Status: State land Trail Legal Status: ADL 229161 Crossing Information:

• Surveyed 8/3/2004 • Location: 151° 21’ 13.01” West, 59° 48’ 29.26” North • Trail Width: 1.8 meters • Wetted Width: 4.6 meters • Bankfull Width: 8.3 meters • Channel is downcut and incised approximately ½ meter from bankfull

Special Notes:

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This would be a large project in both size and logistics because it is located in a wide riparian valley.

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North Fork Trail Prescription 4: At approximately mile seven on the North Fork Trail, it splits into two trails, each approximately two miles long and one mile apart. Prescription #4 is on the east alignment, which mostly follows dry, wooded uplands. Prescription #5 is on the west alignment. Both trails receive considerable use. After the main trail splits, the east trail (Prescription #4) follows a seismic line and crosses the North Fork of Anchor River. This crossing is very wet and muddy. Efforts to avoid this wet crossing have increased impacts to riparian habitat and altered the stream channel. Although attempts to improve the crossing by constructing log bridges were good intentioned, a more permanent solution is needed. Possible Solutions:

1. Construct an elevated boardwalk with bridges over small headwater streams.

Permit Authorities: The Department of Natural Resources, ML&W holds the interest in this trail alignment currently. The Kenai Peninsula Borough is the landowner. Trailhead Location/Description: Approximately 151° 36’ 34.10” West, 59° 47’ 36.12” North, off North Fork Rd., just east of the community of Nikolaevsk. Land Status: Kenai Peninsula Borough Trail Legal Status: LSH 364, ADL 225660 Crossing Information: There are two crossings in this location due to extreme meandering of the creek.

• Surveyed 8/11/2004 • Location: Approximately 151° 27’ 25.41” West, 59° 50’ 20.12” North

- Crossing 1: Trail Width: 1.4 meters Wetted Width: 1.42 meters Bankfull Width: 2.3 meters

- Crossing 2: Trail Width: 2.2 meters Wetted Width: 3.4 meters Bankfull Width: 7 meters

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• Channel is downcut and incised approximately 1 meter from Bankfull • Total Length of Riparian Crossing: 65 meters

Special Notes: See Prescription #5 for another project in this area. Prescription #5 suggests abandoning the west alignment and favors implementing Prescription #4.

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North Fork Trail Prescription 5: At approximately mile seven on the North Fork Trail, it splits into two trails, each approximately two miles long and one mile apart. Prescription #4 is on the east alignment, which mostly follows dry, wooded uplands. Prescription #5 is on the west alignment, which crosses two small drainages with wet areas at the valley bottoms. Both trails receive considerable use.

Possible Solution:

1. Abandon, block, and either reclaim or revegetate this west alignment of the North Fork Trail. Implementing the solution to the east alignment (Prescription #4), which is generally on much drier land, and abandoning this west alignment will minimize impacts to the area. Signage or other methods should be employed to direct users to the east alignment and divert them away from the west alignment.

Permit Authorities:

• The Department of Natural Resources, ML&W holds the interest in this trail alignment currently.

• The Kenai Peninsula Borough is the landowner. Trailhead Location/Description: Approximately 151° 36’ 34.10” West, 59° 47’ 36.12” North, off North Fork Rd., just east of the community of Nikolaevsk. Land Status: Kenai Peninsula Borough Trail Legal Status: LSH 364, ADL 225660 Trail Information: Total length of this trail segment is approximately 1.91 miles Special Notes: See Prescription #4 for a related project to improve the proposed alternate route for this trail.

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Ninilchik Dome TrailPrescription 2: The first 4+ miles of the Ninilchik Dome Trail can be characterized as lowland muskeg, very wet, and very flat. Along this section the trail intermittently intersects with some old logging roads for short distances on privately owned lands. A user-constructed bridge exists at this site, which is near the beginning of the Ninilchik Dome Trail. The bridge is in disrepair and dangerous to cross. Possible solutions:

1. Reroute the trail to a drier location and select a stream crossing location with a less incised channel.

2. Install a small bridge at the existing location to maintain the current trail alignment along the seismic line.

3. Bypass the first 4.5 miles of the Ninilchik Dome Trail by obtaining a public easement from CIRI (private landowner) to use existing private logging roads. Obtaining a public easement from CIRI to use existing logging roads will address issues in Prescriptions #2 and #3.

Permit Authorities:

• The Department of Natural Resources, ML&W holds interest in this trail alignment.

• The Kenai Peninsula Borough is the landowner. Trailhead Location/Description:

• The trail begins on the east side of the Sterling Highway at MP 140. • The current parking area is approximately .22 miles south of the beginning

of the trail on the west side of the highway. It is a gravel pit leased/operated by the Department of Transportation but is not a designated trailhead or parking area.

Land Status: Kenai Peninsula Borough Trail Legal Status: LSH 360 Crossing Information:

• Surveyed 8/5/2004 • Location: 151° 42’ 55.29” West, 59° 59’ 19.97 North • Trail Width: 1.4 meters • Wetted Width: 2.5 meters

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• Bankfull Width: 2.5 meters • Channel is downcut and incised approximately 1 meter from bankfull.

Special Notes: Information on the location of logging roads and land ownership can be obtained from ADF&G, Division of Sport Fish or ADNR, ML&W.

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Ninilchik Dome Trail Prescription 3: The first 4+ miles of the Ninilchik Dome Trail can be characterized as lowland muskeg, very wet, and very flat. Along this section the trail intermittently intersects with some old logging roads for short distances on privately owned lands. The original Ninilchik Dome Trail alignment follows a seismic line that crosses wet areas. This area is very wet; users must head ¼ mile to the south to cross this area and continue on the seismic line to the east.

Possible solutions:

1. Reroute the trail a minimum of one mile in length to find an alignment on higher, drier ground.

2. Construct an elevated boardwalk similar to that on the Caribou Trail near Homer, Alaska. Note: the ponds in this area may be too deep to lay boardwalk supports on grade.

3. Bypass the first 4.5 miles of the Ninilchik Dome Trail by obtaining a public easement from CIRI (private landowner) to use existing private logging roads. Obtaining a public easement from CIRI to use existing logging roads will address issues in Prescriptions #2 and #3.

Permit Authorities: The Department of Natural Resources, ML&W holds interest in this trail alignment.

Trailhead Location/Description:

• The trail begins on the east side of the Sterling Highway at MP 140. • The current parking area is approximately .22 miles south of the beginning

of the trail on the west side of the highway. It is a gravel pit leased/operated by the Department of Transportation but is not a designated trailhead or parking area.

Land Status: Private – Native Corporation Trail Legal Status: LSH 360 Trail Information:

• Surveyed 8/5/2004 • The general location of Prescription #3 is from 2.5 to 2.9 miles down the

Ninilchik Dome Trail from the trailhead.

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Special Notes: Information on the location of logging roads and land ownership can be obtained from ADF&G, Division of Sport Fish or ADNR, ML&W.

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Ninilchik Dome Trail Prescription 7: The Ninilchik Dome Trail passes through a 1½ square mile area of wetlands, consisting of mud, muskeg and floating mats of vegetation. The main trail branches into many user defined trails across these wetlands. Stream crossings are incised or have cut banks. The wet muddy trails have the potential to introduce sediments into anadromous fish waters (Clam Creek), especially during wet weather. Possible solution:

1. Reroute the trail to a drier location along the slope to the southwest. 2. Construct an elevated boardwalk similar to that on the Caribou Trail near

Homer, Alaska.

Permit Authorities: The Department of Natural Resources, ML&W holds interest in this trail alignment. Trailhead Location/Description:

• This area can be accessed from either the Ninilchik Dome Trail or the North Fork Trail.

• The Ninilchik Dome Trail begins on the east side of the Sterling Highway at MP 140. The current parking area is approximately .22 miles south of the beginning of the trail on the west side of the highway. It is a gravel pit leased/operated by the Department of Transportation but is not a designated trailhead or parking area.

• The North Fork Trail trailhead is off North Fork Rd., just east of the community of Nikolaevsk.

Land Status: State Land Trail Legal Status: LSH 360 Crossing Information:

• Surveyed 8/14/2004 • The site is 13.1 miles down the Ninilchik Dome Trail and is about one mile

west of the North Fork Trail and Ninilchik Dome Trail intersection. • Location: 151° 24’ 6.24” West, 59° 53’ 13.84” North • Trail Width: 2.3 meters • Wetted Width: 3.1 meters • Bankfull Width: 6.9 meters

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