LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

We are currently in the process of asking ADF&G and DNR to revisit the Kachemak Bay State Parks and Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Areas management plans with emphasis on looking at the closure to pwc's in the bay. We need you to write letters to the commissioners of these agencies as well as the governor. It's important to state that with new technology available regarding the cleaner and quieter machines, reasons stated 10+ years ago are truly not valid .
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Please go to our Related Links page and click on ARRA and BlueRibbon Coalition for some current access issues that are in need of public comments. You can click on their "take action now" tabs to send a letter to your state legislatures. It's important that everyone comment. If you have time download a copy of the letter and add some personal thoughts. The more personalized comments they receive the better. TAKE ACTION- GET INVOLVED NOW. Only YOU CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

IMPORTANT ACCESS INFORMATION REGARDING BOATING RESTRICTIONS. CLICK HERE FOR DNR -DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES this should take you to a pdf file of all ak boat motor restrictions
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CLICK HERE FOR ADF&G (AK DEPT OF FISH AND GAME) AND THIS WILL TAKE YOU TO A LIST OF CIRTICAL HABITAT AREAS AND BOAT MOTOR RESTRICTIONS

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Whenever there is an issue of concern it's important to contact your local Senators and Representatives. Click on the following links for email addresses etc.

senator_first_last@legis.state.ak.us and rep_first_last@legis.state.ak.us (those are underscores _ between the words senator or rep and their name.)
For a complete list go to www.legis.state.ak.us

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PWCA is a charter club member of the Alaska Outdoor Council - AOC
Please click here to access their website and read their quarterly newsletters. They provide a lot of information regarding access issues. Rod Arno the Executive Director has also invited us to write an article and send pictures to be included in upcoming issues.

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1 - COOK INLET CRITICAL HABITAT AREA -final ruling announced 4/8/11-
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/beluga/management.htm#habitat
If you google NOAA Cook Inlet Critical Habitat Area you will find most newspapers in Alaska did an article on it. It was on the front page of ADN 4/9/11 but I can't find it on their website. In the article they mention personal watercraft. (although I haven't seen or read that particular article yet) One thing on our side right now, in their news release it says "The critical habitat designation, required under the Endangered Species Act, only affects activities that involve a federal permit, license or funding and which may affect critical habitat, such as construction and operation of oil rigs, port construction, dredging or EPA -authorized discharges in Cook Inlet.

www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/beluga/ mmpa /final/ cp2008 .pdf read the entire proposal by The National Marine Fisheries go to www. alaskafisheries .noaa.gov/ prules / 74fr63080 .pdf


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2- Kachemak Bay MAY 2001 ADF&G AND DNR BANNED PERSONAL WATERCRAFT OUT OF 222,000 ACRES OF KACHEMAK BAY CRITICAL HABITAT AREA

Gina, Gene & John went to the AOC annual meeting in Juneau Feb 3 & 4, 2012. During our time there we had a meeting in the Governor's office with his Deputy Chief of Staff. We are working on our next step regarding getting the Kachemak Bay management plan revisited and updated. Contact any one of us for more information.

TO FIND THE STATUTE CLICK ON Alaska Legislature Infobases
Scroll down to Administrative codes and you'll find the following. (Also be aware that not only is it listed here it's also listed under 11AAC20 .115 and 11AAC20 .215.) 5 AAC 95.310. Personal watercraft use prohibited

(a) A person may not operate a personal watercraft within the following legislatively designated areas:
(1) Fox River Flats Critical Habitat Area established in AS 16.05.580 ;
(2) Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Area established in AS 16.05.590 .

(b) In this section, "personal watercraft" means a vessel that is
(1) less than 16 feet in length;
(2) propelled by a water-jet pump or other machinery as its primary source of motor propulsion; and
(3) designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than by a person sitting or standing inside it.

History: Eff. 5/3/2001, Register 158

Authority: AS 16.05.020

AS 16.20.500

AS 16.20.580

AS 16.20.59