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Press Contact:Bobbie Jo Skibo Interagency Management Coordinator Chugach National Forest 907-362-1527 cell
Russian River Fishery Opens June 11th
Angler and visitor responsibility and respect to
natural and cultural resources is key to a safe season Cooper Landing, Alaska— The Kenai-Russian River area is an intensively used fishing and recreation area. High human use between the months of May and September, coupled with abundant fishery
resources, has led to safety concerns and impacts to the resources in the area. The agencies managing this area are asking visitors to be responsible to ensure respect for the area’s natural resources and cultural sites. The 2014 interagency priorities include responsibly managing retained fish, human food and human generated waste (including fish waste) to reduce the potential for human-bear conflicts.
Food Storage Regulation
A food storage regulation is in effect on both the Chugach National Forest and US Fish and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge lands and waters in the area.
All attractants (e.g., food, beverages, and garbage) and equipment used to cook or store food must be acceptably stored such as a bear resistant container, in your vehicle, or kept within 3 feet of you at all times.
Retained Fish in Possession Regulation
Fish must be kept within 12 feet of you all at times to ensure that bears do not attain fish from anglers.
Fish Waste Management During the 2014 field season, anglers are being asked to minimize any fish waste available to bears by:
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Taking fish out whole – Please take fish out whole when possible (gutting and gilling is acceptable) and manage fish waste offsite in a responsible manner based on local solid waste
standards.
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Processing fish only at established fish cleaning facilities- If you clean onsite, please Stop, Chop and Throw. STOP at fish cleaning tables at the confluence or ferry site, CHOP fish
waste into numerous small pieces and THROW the pieces into fast-moving river current.
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“Doing Your Part” – Help move fish waste downstream by regularly moving any fish waste you encounter along the shore or hanging up on rocks into faster moving water so it will move downstream.
Respect Habitat and Cultural Resource Protection Sites Visitors should respect the areas that are fenced or roped off to protect sensitive plants and cultural sites. Please stay on maintained and established trails and boardwalks, and use the public
restroom facilities dispersed throughout the area so sensitive cultural sites along the river corridor are not disturbed. Think Before You Act Weapons should only be discharged in legal situations such as in the Defense of Life or Property. Using a firearm as a noise maker to deter
a bear creates public safety concerns. Current regulations are in effect:
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Kenai National Wildlife Refuge:
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Firearm discharge restricted within 1/4 mile of designated public campgrounds, trailheads, waysides, buildings, or the Sterling Highway from the east Kenai National
Wildlife Refuge boundary to the east junction of the Skilak Loop Road.
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Chugach National Forest:
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Weapons are restricted within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area within the Chugach National Forest.
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Across a Chugach National Forest development road or body of water in any manner whereby a person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of the discharge.
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Alaska Department of Fish and Game:
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Russian River Closed Area: Consisting of the area within 150 yards, and including the river, from the outlet of Lower Russian Lake downstream to the Russian River/Kenai
River confluence is closed to hunting in June and July. The Russian River Interagency Coordination Group (RRICG) was formed in 2006 to coordinate management of public resources of the Russian River area. The
group includes representatives from the USDA Forest Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Divisions of Wildlife and Sport Fish; Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation; Cook Inlet
Region, Inc.; and the Kenaitze Indian Tribe. This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately. |
Attachment:
2014 Russian River Release.docx
Description: 2014 Russian River Release.docx
