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Post by Andy Schroeder on Feb 5, 2007 17:53:07 GMT -5
In December 2006, ITN was awarded a grant from the Alaska Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies to restore Pillar Creek beach, to include removal of marine debris from the beach area and remove a derelict vehicle from the site. This project is slated for 10:00 AM May 12, 2007.
Lunch and cleanup materials will be provided.
We will need volunteers! More information will follow from this website and local media outlets.
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Post by Andy Schroeder on Feb 14, 2007 20:54:36 GMT -5
Goals:
Through the Pillar Beach clean-up project ITN hopes to improve habitat for local wildlife, improve the quality of experience for recreational users, restore a site of cultural history, promote awareness of the hazards of marine debris to the environment, and build volunteer experience and project expertise throughout the Kodiak community.
Objectives:
• Remove an accumulation of marine debris dumped offshore and deposited by weather and tidal events. This deposit includes plastics, aluminum cans, and derelict fishing gear.
• Remove a derelict vehicle deposited on the bank of the river mouth using a boom truck.
• Remove brass shell casings and clay pigeon fragments left by shooters from the intertidal zone and river bottom.
• Remove accumulations of glass fragments by hand and pallet nails using magna-rakes to remove evidence of bonfires on the beach and make the beach surface safe for walking.
Anticipated benefits to NOAA trust resources:
The Pillar Creek restoration project will directly benefit the pink salmon run managed by Pillar Creek Hatchery located approximately 0.8 miles upsteam. The health of this run affects both the commercial and recreational fishing industries, as well as area wildlife populations including anadromous fishes such as pink salmon, king salmon, dolly varden, mammals such as brown bears, sea otters, river otters and seals, and birds such as eagles, pelagic birds, and ducks.
Pillar Creek falls under the Essential Fish Habitat definition of a Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC), possessesing living substrates in shallow waters as well as freshwater areas used by anadromous fish for migrating, spawning, and rearing.
Though relatively small in area, the site possesses several habitat types associated with National Estuarine Research Reserves including tidal freshwater wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation habitat, rocky intertidal shores and sandy beaches.
Though historically closed to sportfishing to allow full utilization of the Pillar Creek Hatchery resources by the commercial fishing industry, the river is to be legally opened to sport fishing in 2007, promising to significantly boost both resident and tourist visitation in future years. The restoration project will improve the aesthetic quality of the beach and overall quality of the recreational fishing experience. A letter of support from ADF&G Sportfish division is enclosed in this application.
Legal Authority:
The lands on which the cleanup site are locate are wholly owned by the Kodiak Island Borough (KIB), who has approved of the project. A letter of support from KIB is enclosed in this application.
CoastWatch Safety & Low Impact Plan:
The Pillar Creek restoration project will adhere to the CoastWatch Safety & Low Impact Plans, noting the following.
a. The removal of the derelict vehicle will not require the boom truck to leave the road surface area, avoiding any impact to the adjacent wetlands or river. However, as Pillar Creek is densely populated by bald eagles, the heavy equipment operation will likely occur within ¼ mile of an eagle nest.
b. River and wetland crossings will be minimized and only on foot.
Commitment to participate in the Alaska Forum on the environment and the Alaska Coastal Stewardship workshop.
ITN will attend both the Alaska Forum on the environment and the Alaska Coastal Stewardship workshop in February, 2007. We hope to use the knowledge and experience gained at these events to maximize the effectiveness of our restoration projects in the future.
Island Trails Network’s overall goal is to develop, maintain and promote trails. As an island community, we in Kodiak broadly define trails as any recreational route over land or water. Thus our trail stewardship programs extend to beaches like Pillar Creek beach and beyond. We welcome the CoastWalk project as our first opportunity to exercise our stewardship role in the marine environment.
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