Kenai Watershed Forum

RECOVERY ACT - RESTORING SALMON HABITAT ON THE KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA

F10AC00716 - BEAVER LOOP ROAD FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

KENAI PENINSULA FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION AND PROJECTS

KWF-KENAI PEN FISH HAB PARTNR COORD & PR

AWARD PURPOSE PROVIDE COORDINATION SERVICES FOR THE KENAI PENINSULA FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP KPFHP , COMPLETEANNUAL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE STREAM WATCH PROGRAM AND INVASIVE SPECIES WORK COORDINATION OF KPFHP WILL INCLUDE HOSTING A SERIES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS, COORDINATION OF A SCIENCESYMPOSIUM, UPDATING KPFHP WEBSITE, AND GENERALLY KEEPING THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND MEMBERSHIP AWARE OF FISHHABITAT TOPICS THE STREAM WATCH PROGRAM WILL MANAGE 70 VOLUNTEERS WHO STEWARD AND RESTORE FISH AND WILDLIFERESTORATION PROJECTS THE INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECT WILL USE THE WATERBODY PRIORITIZATION METHOD DEVELOPED BYKENAI WATERSHED FORUM TO COMPLETE SURVEYS ADDITIONALLY, EDUCATION OUTREACH USING THE ALASKA INVASIVE SPECIESPARTNERSHIP INVASIVE SPECIES COMMUNICATION FRAMEWORK THE BENEFICARIES INCLUDE FRESHWATER SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE KENAI PENINSULA INCLUDING THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVESPECIES THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT INTEND TO HAVE SUBRICIPIENT ACTIVITIES BEYOND HAVING UNPAID VOLUNTEERS ASSISTANCE WITHTHE STREAMWATCH PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

REMOVE FISH BARRIER IN KEANI RIVER

PARTNERSHIP COORDINATIONDESCRIPTION THE KENAI WATERSHED FORUM (KWF) WILL PROVIDES COORDINATION SERVICES FOR THE KENAI PENINSULA FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP (PARTNERSHIP) AND ITS ASSOCIATED STEERING COMMITTEE.GOALS1.ENSURE ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND EFFECTIVE OPERATING SYSTEMS ARE IN PLACE FOR THE PARTNERSHIP TO MAKE POSITIVE AND LASTING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROTECTION AND THE RESTORATION OF HABITAT.2.THE BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF ECOSYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT HEALTHY FISH HABITAT ARE PROTECTED, MAINTAINED, OR RESTORED.3.ENSURE NECESSARY WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY TO SUPPORT HEALTHY FISH COMMUNITIES AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS.4.IDENTIFY EXISTING PLANS WHERE THE PARTNERSHIP CAN PLAY A ROLE IN IMPLEMENTATION OF BMPS, AND PARTICIPATION IN COST SHARE PROGRAMS.5.FACILITATE AND INCREASE THE USE AND AVAILABILITY OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE TO GUIDE PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES, POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT DECISION-MAKING6.INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF FISH HABITAT FOR EVERYONE THAT LIVES, WORKS, RECREATES, VISITS, REGULATES OR OTHERWISE HAS AN INFLUENCE ON THE STRATEGIC ISSUES.7.IDENTIFY, PRIORITIZE AND ENSURE ADEQUATE REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PLANNING PROCESSES ARE IN PLACE.INVASIVE PROGRAMDESCRIPTION VEGETATION SAMPLING WILL TAKE PLACE DURING ALL SURVEYS AND EDNA SAMPLING WILL TAKE PLACE SELECTIVELY, DEPENDING ON WATERBODY CHARACTERISTICS.GOALS1.KWF WILL SURVEY 6 REMOTE AND 10 ROADSIDE WATERBODIES FOR THE PRESENCE OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES. VEGETATION SAMPLING WILL TAKE PLACE DURING ALL SURVEYS AND EDNA SAMPLING WILL TAKE PLACE SELECTIVELY.2.KWF WILL SURVEY 5 STREAMS WHERE REED CANARYGRASS (RCG) IS NOT YET KNOWN TO BE ESTABLISHED.3.KWF WILL UPDATE SURVEY DATA FOR AN ADDITIONAL 5 STREAMS WHERE RCG HAS BEEN DISCOVERED.4.KWF WILL PERFORM ERADICATION, CONTAIN, AND CONTROL TECHNIQUES AS ADVISED BY THE KP-CIMSA RCG STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN.5.EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE WILL BE PLACED AT 2 HIGH PRIORITY AREAS TO TARGET USER GROUPS ACCESSING THE BACKCOUNTRY VIA ROADS AND TRAILS WHERE INFESTATIONS OF RCG EXIST OR RESTORATION HAS TAKEN PLACE.ADOPT A STREAM PROGRAMDESCRIPTION A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OF KWF, ADOPT-A-STREAM (AAS) HAS SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERED NATURAL RESOURCE EDUCATION TO A BROAD AUDIENCE OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS SINCE 2006.GOALS1.WORK WITH TEACHERS TO SCHEDULE MONTHLY CREEK AND CLASSROOM VISITS WHICH EDUCATE STUDENTS IN WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS, SALMON LIFE CYCLE, MACROINVERTEBRATES, STREAM ECOLOGY, AND ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT.2. AVERAGE 500-700 STUDENT CONTACT HOURS PER MONTH DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.3.HOST SIX WEEKS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY THEMED SUMMER CAMP AT KWF FOUNDED IN AAS CONCEPTS AND OUTDOOR EXPLORATION.STREAM WATCH PROGRAMDESCRIPTION STREAM WATCH PROVIDES VITAL EDUCATION AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES AT THE REGION S MOST TREAD UPON RECREATIONAL AREAS TO PROMOTE ECOLOGICALLY STABLE RIVER SYSTEMS, GOOD FISH HABITAT, AND AN INFORMED PUBLIC.GOALS1.RECRUIT 15 VOLUNTEERS, CONDUCT 8 INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL WORKDAYS, AND ASSIST IN SURVEYING FOR INVASIVE SPECIES AROUND THE PENINSULA. JUNIOR AMBASSADORS PROGRAM WILL WORK WITH 5 COMMUNITY YOUTH GROUPS TO ENGAGE IN RIVER RESTORATION AND STEWARDSHIP EFFORTS.2.VOLUNTEERS WILL EDUCATE RIVER COASTAL USERS ABOUT THE SALMON LIFECYCLE, THE VALUE OF RIPARIAN HABITAT, ETHICAL ANGLING, AND INVASIVE SPECIES. VOLUNTEERS WILL STAFF EDUCATIONAL BOOTHS AT HIGH USE SPORT AND PERSONAL USE FISHING SITES.3.AMBASSADORS WILL REMOVE 3,500 POUNDS OF ENDANGERING DEBRIS, COMPLETE EROSION CONTROL PROJECTS, AND EDUCATE 4,000 PEOPLE.4.STREAM WATCH VOLUNTEERS WILL ASSIST IN THE PROTECTION OF RIPARIAN FISH HABITAT AND MITIGATE THREATS, URBAN RUNOFF, AND TRAMPLING OF RIVERSIDE VEGETATION VOLUNTEERS WILL EDUCATE RIVER USERS TO FOSTER STEWARDSHIP.5.STREAM WATCH WILL INTRODUCE INVASIVE SPECIES TASK FORCE AND JUNIOR AMBASSADORS PROGRAM. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO EXPAND THE REACH OF STREAM WATCH IN CONSERVATION IMPACT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.

ERADICATION OF ELODEA FROM THE KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA

KENAI PENINSULA FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION AND PROJECTS

PARTNERSHIP COORDINATIONTHE KENAI WATERSHED FORUM KWF WILL PROVIDE COORDINATION SERVICES FOR THE KENAI PENINSULA FISHHABITAT PARTNERSHIP KPFHP AKA THE PARTNERSHIP AND ITS ASSOCIATED STEERING COMMITTEE. THE DUTIESINCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TOFACILITATION AND RECORD KEEPING FOR REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE STEERINGCOMMITTEE COORDINATION OF ONE BIENNIAL SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM REGULAR UPDATE AND MAINTENANCE OF THEKPFHP WEBSITE AND RELATED CONTENT CONDUCTING AN ANNUAL CALL FOR PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS COMPONENTS OFTHE KPFHP STRATEGIC PLAN AND CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN WORKING TOGETHER WITH OTHER FISH HABITATPARTNERSHIPS IN ALASKA AND IN THE LOWER 48 ACTING AS THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE KPFHP WITH THENATIONAL FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP NFHP BOARD AND RESPONSE TO INQUIRIES ABOUT THE KPFHP. THE KPFHPCOORDINATOR WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE KPFHP STEERING COMMITTEE KWF SUPPORT STAFF AND THE UNITEDSTATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE USFWS PROJECT MANAGER TO CARRY OUT DAYTODAY ACTIVITIES OR THEPARTNERSHIP IN ORDER TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT ACHIEVEMENT OF THE PARTNERSHIP S PRIORITIES.STREAM WATCHAS DEVELOPMENT INVASIVE SPECIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE THREATEN KENAI PENINSULA RIVERS STREAM WATCHPROVIDES VITAL EDUCATION AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES AT THE REGIONS MOST TRAFFICKED RECREATIONAL AREAS TOPROMOTE ECOLOGICALLY STABLE RIVER SYSTEMS GOD FISH HABITAT AND AN INFORMED PUBLIC.1. RECRUIT 15 VOLUNTEERS CONDUCT 8 INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL WORKDAYS AND ASSIST IN SURVEYING FORINVASIVE SPECIES AROUND THE PENINSULA. ADDITIONALLY A NEW JUNIOR AMBASSADORS PROGRAM WILL WORK WITH 5COMMUNITY YOUTH TO CREATE AN AVENUE FOR YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN RIVER RESTORATION AND STEWARDSHIPEFFORTS.2. VOLUNTEERS WILL EDUCATE RIVER COASTAL USERS ABOUT THE SALMON LIFECYCLE THE VALUE OF RIPARIAN HABITATTHE CORE COMPONENTS OF ETHICAL ANGLING AND INVASIVE SPECIES. VOLUNTEERS WILL STAFF EDUCATIONAL BOOTHS ATHIGH USE SPORT AND PERSONAL USE FISHING SITES. THIS PROJECT ALSO ADDS A YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONCOMPONENT.3. AMBASSADORS WILL MANAGE PROTECTION FENCING REMOVE 3500 POUNDS OF FISH ENDANGERING DEBRISCOMPLETE EROSION CONTROL PROJECTS AND EDUCATE 4200 PEOPLE ABOUT HEALTHY FISH HABITAT.4. STREAM WATCH VOLUNTEERS WILL ASSIST IN THE PROTECTION OF RIPARIAN FISH HABITAT TO MITIGATE THREATS SUCHAS CLIMATE CHANGE URBAN RUNOFF AND TRAMPLING OF DELICATE RIVERSIDE VEGETATED HABITAT VOLUNTEERS WILLEDUCATE RIVER USERS TO FOSTER STEWARDSHIP AND ALLEVIATE NEGATIVE PRESSURES FROM EXCESSIVE RIVER USE ANDINFORM LANDOWNERSADOPT A STREAMTHE JUNIOR STREAM WATCH PROGRAM JSW AND AAS PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE RECREATION AND CONSERVATIONBEHAVIORS. BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO INTERACT WITH OUR WATERSHED THROUGH A HANDS ONAPPROACH WE ENABLE THEM TO LEARN IN A MEMORABLE WAY AND BUILD A PASSION AND PERSONALRESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTING THESE SPACES.1. WORK WITH TEACHERS TO SCHEDULE MONTHLY CREEK AND CLASSROOM VISITS FOCUSING ON VARIOUSWATERSHED SCIENCE TOPICS.2. AVERAGE 500 STUDENT CONTACT HOURS MONTHLY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.3. HOST FIVE WEEKS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY THEMED SUMMER CAMP AT KWF FOUNDED IN AAS CONCEPTS ANDOUTDOOR EXPLORATION.4. HOST STEWARDSHIP DAYS AT LOCAL SITES FOR JSW WHERE MEMBERS WILL CONDUCT RESTORATION PROJECTSTEST WATER QUALITY AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON CONSERVATION ISSUES.

THE KENAI RIVER IS A STRONGHOLD FOR WILD PACIFIC SALMON, IN PARTICULAR CHINOOK AND SOCKEYE SALMON, AND IS VITAL TO THE REGIONS CULTURE, ECONOMY, AND ECOSYSTEM. DEVELOPMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND INTENSIVE RECREATIONAL USE THREATEN WILD FRESHWATER FISH HABITAT, AND THROUGH THIS PROJECT, KENAI WATERSHED FORUM (KWF) WILL WORK WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP DATA-DRIVEN COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO MAINTAIN THE KENAI RIVERS WATER QUALITY. KWF POSSESSES A ROBUST WATER QUALITY DATA SET FROM THE KENAI RIVER WATERSHED SPANNING FROM THE YEAR 2000 TO PRESENT TIME, GATHERED WITH SUPPORT OF NUMEROUS AGENCY, PRIVATE, AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS. KWF WILL USE OPEN-SOURCE, REPRODUCIBLE DATA SCIENCE TO CURATE AND PUBLICLY ARCHIVE KWFS HISTORIC WATER QUALITY DATA, AS WELL AS DEVELOPING A QUALITY ASSURANCE PIPELINE TO ADDRESS ANNUAL DATA MANAGEMENT NEEDS. IN THIS NEW PROPOSED TWO YEAR PROJECT ENDING IN SEPTEMBER 2027, KWF WILL A) ENSURE THAT ALL CURRENT WATER QUALITY DATA IS ACCESSIBLE IN AN ONLINE INTERACTIVE INTERFACE FOR BOTH LAYMEN AND PROFESSIONALS, B) UP-TO-DATE TECHNICAL RESULTS ARE COMMUNICATED TO LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AND FEEDBACK IS RECEIVED IN A SERIES OF MEETINGS, AND C) FINALIZE A KENAI RIVER WATER QUALITY ACTION FRAMEWORK, A DOCUMENT INTENDED FOR A GENERAL AUDIENCE OF MANAGERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS TO GUIDE FUTURE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT OF THE KENAI RIVER WATERSHED. THE PROJECT PRESENTS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A HIGHLY ENGAGED COMMUNITY WITH THE TOOLS TO ENSURE THAT EXISTING ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE CONTINUES TO SERVE AS THE KEYSTONE OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY, CULTURE, AND ECOSYSTEM.KENAI WATERSHED FORUM IS A COMMUNITY-BASED 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1997 THAT WORKS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS TO ENSURE HEALTHY WATERSHEDS ON THE KENAI PENINSULA OF SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA, PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION, RESTORATION, AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON WATER QUALITY, FISH HABITAT, AND ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE. KWFS PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER NONPROFITS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATIONS, AND CORPORATE ENTITIES HAVE STRENGTHENED LOCAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS, CREATING A CULTURE OF SCIENCE DRIVEN, COLLABORATIVE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT.

DEVELOP A WETLANDS ASSESMENT FOR MAT-SU BUROUGH, ALASKA

RESTORING FISH PASSAGE WITHIN THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH

LOWER KENAI RIVER TRIBUTARY FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT

KENAI PENINSULA FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION AND PROJECTS

KENAI PENINSULA FISH PASSAGE RESTORATION PROJECT

KENAI MOUNTAINS TO SEA CONSERVATION STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT

2020 NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ACTION PLAN

2018 KENAI PENINSULA FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION AND PROJECTS

TWO MOOSE CREEK CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJECT

KENAI WATERSHED FORUM, LOCATED ON THE KENAI PENINSULA OF SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA, WILL IDENTIFY ONGOING AND EMERGING CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ISSUES, DETERMINE HIGH-PRIORITY CHALLENGES AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, AND PROVIDE A ROADMAP FOR FUTURE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS. THE KENAI WATERSHED IS UNIQUELY PRODUCTIVE OF MULTIPLE SALMON SPECIES, ARCTIC LAMPREY, DOLLY VARDEN, AND HOOLIGAN OR EULACHON. THE WATERSHED SUPPORTS COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL, PERSONAL USE, ANDSUBSISTENCE FISHERIES. MUCH OF THE WATERSHED IS FEDERALLY MANAGED, AND OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION OCCURS WITHIN THE WATERSHED. WATERSHED HEALTH AND RESILIENCE CONCERNS INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT IN THE RIPARIAN ZONE, CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS, AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES, AND INTENSIVE RECREATIONAL USE. THE FORUM HAS IDENTIFIED DECLINE IN RETURN OF ADULT SALMON TO THE WATERSHED FOR SPAWNING; DECLINE IN MEAN BODY SIZE OF ADULT SALMON; AND INCREASED LEVELS OF ZINC, COPPER, FECAL COLIFORM, AND PETROLEUM-ASSOCIATED COMPOUNDS IN THE WATERSHED. THE FORUM WILL ANALYZE A 20-YEAR BASELINE WATER QUALITY DATASET AND DEVELOP A PLAN TO MITIGATE WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN THE WATERSHED.

DESCRIPTION:THIS PROJECT PROVIDES FUNDING TO KENAI WATERSHED FORUM TO IMPLEMENT ITS PROJECT, WHICH WILL DESIGN, DEMONSTRATE, AND DISSEMINATE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PRACTICES, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES, THAT WILL SERVE TO INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND ENCOURAGE BEHAVIOR THAT WILL BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT IN KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA. THIS PROJECT WILL FOSTER INTERCONNECTIVITY BETWEEN FORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM AND TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE OF ALASKAN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES BY WORKING WITH UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND STUDENTS TO INFUSE TRADITIONAL APPLICATION INTO A CULTURALLY SUSTAINING AND PLACE-BASED CURRICULUM. THE GRANTEE WILL EXPAND THE DELIVERY OF THE ADOPT-A-STREAM CURRICULUM TO CO-CREATE AND DELIVER WATERSHED EDUCATION GROUNDED IN LOCAL CULTURE TO UNDERSERVED YOUTH, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES AND BUILD MORE MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS IN RURAL KENAI PENINSULA COMMUNITIES. ACTIVITIES:THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE KENAI PENINSULA COMMUNITIES AND PROVIDE THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND TO TAKE RESPONSIBLE ACTIONS. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED DURING THIS PROJECT PERIOD WILL SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION OF HIGH-LEVEL CONSERVATION EDUCATION AND DISSEMINATION OF WATER QUALITY CURRICULA TO K-12 STUDENTS WHILE DELIVERING LEARNER-CENTERED, CULTURALLY SUSTAINING CURRICULUM THROUGH POSITIVE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES TO TITLE I SCHOOLS, TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES. THE GRANTEE STAFF WILL WORK WITH TEACHERS AT 15-20 SCHOOLS REACHING ABOUT 750 STUDENTS TO SCHEDULE MONTHLY CREEK AND CLASSROOM VISITS WHICH EDUCATE STUDENTS IN CRUCIAL WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS, SALMON LIFE CYCLE, MACROINVERTEBRATES, STREAM ECOLOGY, AND ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT. WITH THE FOCUS ON LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS, THE ADOPT-A-STREAM CURRICULUM GUIDES STUDENTS TO ADOPT AND MONITOR NEARBY CREEKS, TO HELP THE STUDENTS GAIN REAL-WORLD CONTEXT AND CULTIVATE THEIR ABILITY TO REASON USING EVIDENCE FROM THEIR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT. SUBRECIPIENT:FIVE SUBAWARDS WILL BE AWARDED THROUGH A CALL FOR PROPOSALS TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM WITH A PREFERENCE GIVEN TO SUBAWARDEES WORKING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. SUBAWARDEES WILL HELP IN DELIVERING THE WATERSHED EDUCATION GROUNDED IN LOCAL CULTURE TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.OUTCOMES:THE OUTCOMES OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO INCREASE IN NUMBER OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES PARTICIPATING IN WATERSHED EDUCATION AND INCREASE MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT THROUGH SUSTAINABLE AND CO-CREATED CURRICULUM. THE GRANTEE AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE EDUCATION PROGRAM GAIN CRUCIAL INFORMATION IN TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND INCREASED ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND MOTIVATION TO PROTECT HABITAT AND ENVIRONMENT AND ENTHUSIASM IN EXPLORING IN NATURE AND LOCAL AREAS.

THE ADOPT-A-STREAM IS AN INTERACTIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO INCREASE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WATERSHEDS THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF INTERDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM CENTERED ON OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCES TO 1,200 K-12 STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IN THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH SCHOOLS. THE PROJECT WILL DESIGN AND DISSEMINATE WATER QUALITY CURRICULA VIA CLASSROOM VISITS, FIELD TRIPS TO LOCAL STREAMS, AND A SUMMER CAMP. K-12 STUDENTS WILL ADOPT A NEARBY STREAM SITE TO MONITOR AND PROTECT, LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS, CURIOSITY, AND ACTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.

THE KENAI WATERSHED FORUM (KWF) IS SEEKING FUNDING TO CONTINUE PROVIDING COORDINATION AND OPERATIONAL SERVICES TO THE KENAI PENINSULA FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP (KPFHP, OR THE PARTNERSHIP) AND ITS STEERING COMMITTEE. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2010, KWF HAS PROVIDED COORDINATION AND FISCAL SPONSORSHIP TO THE PARTNERSHIP, WHICH CURRENTLY CONSISTS OF 36 ACTIVE PARTNERS. FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIORITY PROJECTS AIMED AT ENHANCING FISH HABITAT ON THE KENAI PENINSULA.OUR OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO MAINTAIN THE WELL-BEING OF FISH, PEOPLE, HABITAT, AND ECONOMIES. KPFHP WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON ALL FISH SPECIES AND HABITAT TYPES WITHIN THE PARTNERSHIP AREA, SPANNING FRESHWATER AND MARINE ENVIRONMENTS. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY CONTINUING TO FOSTER EFFECTIVE COLLABORATIONS AMONG STAKEHOLDERS BY FACILITATING REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE KPFHP STEERING COMMITTEE, PLANNING A BIENNIAL FISH HABITAT SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM, AND OTHER OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES. THE KPFHP COORDINATOR ALSO WILL SOLICIT HIGH QUALITY PROJECT PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS THE TOP THREATS TO FISH HABITAT THROUGH AN ANNUAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.

THIS RESEARCH PROJECT SHALL MEASURE HYDROLOGIC AND ECOLOGIC PROCESSES IN PEATLANDS. OUTCOMES SHALL LEAD TO A SET OF DEFENSIBLE ASSESSMENT METHODS TH

KENAI PENINSULA FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION

F12AC01613:REED CANARY GRASS CONTROL AND NATIVE PLANT RESTORATION AT PRIORITY SITES.. KENAI PENN BOR

KENAI PENINSULA FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION AND PROTECTION PROJECT

F12AC01614: KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH/MOOSE RIVER FISH PASSAGE PROJECTS

STREAM WATCH IS A VOLUNTEER AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM THAT UTILIZES A GROUP OF TRAINED AMBASSADORS AND SINGLE-DAYSTEWARDSHIP EVENTS TO PERFORM HABITAT PROTECTION PROJECTS AT HIGH USE RECREATIONAL SITES ON THE KENAI PENINSULA IN ALASKA.THROUGH THIS PROJECT, THE KENAI WATERSHED FORUM (KWF) WILL CONTINUE TO ADMINISTER THE 25-YEAR-OLD STREAM WATCH PROGRAM.THROUGH THIS PROJECT, KWF WILL CONTINUE TRAINING STREAM WATCH AMBASSADORS TO PATROL POPULAR RECREATIONAL AREAS WHEREAMBASSADORS COLLECT LITTER, IMPLEMENT PROJECTS PROTECTING SENSITIVE RIPARIAN VEGETATION, AND PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITHENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL MESSAGING, ENCOURAGING A CULTURE OF STEWARDSHIP FOR RECREATORS ON THE KENAI PENINSULA THROUGHTHESE ACTIVITIES, FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT IS BOTH DIRECTLY BENEFITTED BY THE ACTIONS OF AMBASSADORS, BUT ALSO INDIRECTLYTHROUGH THE PASSING OF EDUCATION TO OTHER RECREATORS ABOUT BEST PRACTICES RELATED TO FISHING AND OTHER RECREATION, ALLOWING FORFISH HABITAT TO BE CONSERVED AND THE CONTINUED ENJOYMENT OF THESE RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR A VARIETY OF USER GROUPS.IN ADDITION TO TRAINING INDIVIDUAL AMBASSADORS, SEVERAL STEWARDSHIP EVENTS WILL BE HOSTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT THAT WILLALLOW FOR UNTRAINED VOLUNTEERS TO PARTICIPATE IN SINGLE-DAY EVENTS FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC PROJECTS INCLUDING HABITAT CLEAN-UPS,INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVALS AND HABITAT RESTORATION PROTECTION PROJECTS. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO SEEK TO COORDINATE WITH A VARIETYOF PARTNERS ON FISH BARRIER REMOVAL PROJECTS AND OTHER HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS AS THEY ARE DEVELOPED.STREAM WATCH OPERATES AS A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, WHOSE STRONG ROOTS WITHIN MULTIPLE RURAL COMMUNITIES ON THE KENAIPENINSULA BRINGS BENEFITS TO A WIDE VARIETY OF STAKEHOLDERS. RESULTS OF THIS WORK INCLUDE IMPROVED HABITAT FOR FISH ANDWILDLIFE SPECIES OF THE KENAI PENINSULA, HOME TO ALL FIVE SPECIES OF WILD PACIFIC SALMON. RESULTS OF THIS PROJECT ALSO INCLUDEAN INCREASED NUMBER OF INFORMED USER GROUPS ON THE BEST PRACTICES OF OUTDOOR RECREATION INCLUDING ANGLERS, HUNTERS, HIKERSAND OTHER TRAIL USERS, WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS AND LOCAL FISH AND WILDLIFE HARVESTERS. AREAS TARGETED FOR WORK UNDER THIS PROJECTINCLUDE PUBLIC USE SITES ALONG THE KENAI RIVER, HOME TO A WORLD-RENOWNED SALMON FISHERY. STREAM WATCH IS JOINTLYADMINISTERED BY THE KENAI WATERSHED FORUM AND CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST. PROGRAM PARTNERS INCLUDE ALASKA DEPARTMENTOF NATURAL RESOURCES, CITY OF KENAI, CITY OF SOLDOTNA, US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH ANDGAME, KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH, AND THE KENAITZE INDIAN TRIBE.

KWF-CLARK ANCHOR RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT

UPDATING NHD IN SELECTED WATERSHEADS ON THE KENAI PENINSULA

STREAM CROSSING INVENTORY IN THE KENAI PENINSULA AREA

MATSU PEATLAND HYDROLOGIC ASSESSMENT

REED CANARY GRASS ERADICATION IN KENAI WATERSHED AREA

F12AC001333 - DEBRIS REMOVAL PROGRAM

F12AC01609:KENAI PENINSULA FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIP SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM

SELDOVIA FISH PASSAGE DESIGN PROJECT

F12AC01324 - RESTORATION OF TIDAL FLATS BELOW THE BIRDING PLATFORM

F12AC01445 - ADOPT-A-STREAM

THIS PROJECT WILL ASSESS THE IMPORTANCE OF GROUNDWATER TO MAINTAINING COOL STREAM TEMPERATURES FOR SALMON IN THE BEAVER CREEK BASIN, KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA USING A GROUNDWATER AND STREAM TEMPERATURE MODEL. BEAVER CREEK WAS SELECTED FOR THIS STUDY FOR ITS 1) HIGH CONSERVATION PRIORITY STATUS HIGH SENSITIVITY TO RISING AIR TEMPERATURES, 3) PROXIMITY TO DEVELOPMENT, 4) HIGH VALUE FOR BOTH HUMANS AND SALMON, 5) POTENTIAL TO SERVE AS A MODEL SYSTEM FOR BROADER APPLICATION IN SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT, AND 6) A DECADE OF HISTORICAL DATA ON DISCHARGE, STREAM TEMPERATURES, AND GROUNDWATER LEVELS. NEW CONTINUOUS DATA TO BE COLLECTED FOR THE STUDY INCLUDES STREAM DISCHARGE, GROUNDWATER ELEVATIONS AND TEMPERATURES IN 3 5 SHALLOW WELLS AND POTENTIALLY 1 DEEP WELL, AND STREAM TEMPERATURE AT 12 15 LOCATIONS.STREAM DISCHARGE WILL BE SIMULATED USING A GROUNDWATER FLOW MODEL COUPLED TO A SOIL WATER BALANCE MODEL DRIVEN BY CLIMATE INPUTS. STREAM BASE FLOWS FROM THE GROUNDWATER MODEL WILL IN TURN BE FED TO A STREAM TEMPERATURE MODEL TO SIMULATE DAILY STREAM TEMPERATURES. THE MODELS WILL BE CALIBRATED TO HISTORIC AND CURRENT BASEFLOW, GROUNDWATER ELEVATIONS, AND STREAM TEMPERATURE DATA. MODEL SCENARIOS WILL LOOK AT HOW CHANGES IN DEVELOPMENT (LAND USE AND PUMPING) AND CLIMATE (AIR TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION) AFFECT STREAM BASE FLOW AND TEMPERATURE, AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF ANY CHANGES RELATIVE TO SALMON THERMAL THRESHOLDS.THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE EMPIRICAL DATA AND MODELING RESULTS FOR BALANCING ECOLOGICAL AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS OF THE KENAI BOROUGH. THE MODEL WILL HELP IDENTIFY IF CURRENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN BEAVER CREEK ARE SERVING THE BOROUGH S GOALS BY SIMULATING VARIOUSGROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ANALYZING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND WATER SUPPLY FOR STAKEHOLDERS SUCH AS THE CITY OF KENAI. THE KENAI WATERSHED FORUM (KWF) WILL FACILITATE DATA COLLECTION AND HELP ENSURE THAT THE APPROACH AND FINDINGS ARE ALIGNED WITH THE COMMUNITY S NEEDS THROUGH THEIR INTERACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS. THE APPROACH AND FINDINGS WILL BE TRANSFERRABLE TO OTHER NEARBY REGIONS WITH GROUNDWATER DOMINATED BASINS WITH SALMON HABITAT, SUCH AS THE MAT SU BOROUGH.

F13AC00230 - LINKING SCIENCE TO ACTION

F11AC00576 MOD 1 - CULVERT DATABASE

IDENTIFY AND DOCUMENT ANADROMOUS FISH HABITAT

WETLAND LOSS ASSESSMENT IN THE MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH

INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT IN WHITTIER

KENAI CONSERVATION BLUE PRINT PROJECT

F12AC01322 - ANADROMOUS WATERS CATALOG PROJECT

KENAI RIVER COASTAL HABITAT PROTECTION AND OUTREACH PROJECT

KENAI SPUR RD CULVERT REMOVAL

KENAI PENINSULA REPLACED CULVERT ASSESSMENT

STREAM WATCH VOLUNTEERS: PROTECTING SALMON HABITAT

HABITAT PROTECTION AND DIRECTED OUTREACH

UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF ROADWAYS ON THE MOVEMENT OF GROUNDWATER THROUGH PEATLAND HABITAT

FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT AT HIDDEN CREEK

SALMON CREEK AT SALMON ROAD FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH ROADS FISH PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

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ADJUSTMENT

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