Moose
Pass Community
Comprehensive
Plan Public Survey
Summaries
of Written Comments
62
returned surveys, November 1991
Dumpsters
Person states that visible dumpsters detract from
scenic quality of highway.
Person favors plain‑view dumpsters.
Fire Department
Person favors Crown Point as auxiliary site.
Community Hall
Person would rather have events at the school.
Person suggests investigating acquisition of new
hall.
Person states that the school should be the
community hall.
Person states that the hall is adequate.
Person favors a new site that can accommodate
park/hockey rink.
Person wants quality repair work.
Person favors existing site.
Person favors acquiring ball diamond site for
community use.
Person favors using existing site as a fire station
and building a new community center.
Person suggests adjusting wishes to ability to pay.
Re: Co-op
central water system
No local resident
would begrudge any other local resident from improving their living conditions.
My negative response to this question is based on my belief that the residents
would not want to bear the financial burden at this time. The problems of
inadequate water quantity usually need to become serious before people
are willing to bear the substantial financial burden of a community water
system. In my experience, it is usually an inferior water quality that
pushes small communities into a central water system. When water supplies
become contaminated over a widespread area - often as indicated by
illness and/or the presence of coliform bacterial in the water - then
persons have little alternative but to consider a more reliable (but more
expensive) community system.
In developing a
community system, you will have to locate the funds for capital improvements,
and you will need to address the ongoing operation and maintenance costs.
"Locate funds" usually means finding grant funds - which
invariably have strings attached. Grant funded systems are seldom designed for
just the existing population - they are usually required to serve
undeveloped lots also. Grant funded System designs are usually carefully
scrutinized by the funding agency or the designated representative agency - often ADEC.
Capital improvement
costs can be crudely broken into four categories: supply, storage,
distribution, and administration.
1. Supply: If the equivalent of say 50 homes
are connected to the system initially, with provisions for another 50 to be
added later as the community grows, you will need a dependable year-round
supply of at least 35 gallons per minute - possibly as much as 100 gpm.
Unless there's a source that I'm not aware of, the most optimistic possibility
would be development of a spring or stream above town. (Does that exist? I
don't know.) Regardless of what is found, the source would have to meet strict
ADEC standards. Chlorination would be required. If a surface source is
developed, more sophisticated treatment might be mandated.
2. Storage: Any community system would have to
have storage, which serves three basic functions. First, storage is needed for
those times when the source is removed from service. Commonly you try to have
at least one and sometimes two or more day's supply on hand at all times. Say
50,000 gallons as a rough guess. Second, storage is needed for those periods
during the day when demand exceeds supply. Wild guess ‑ 20,000 gallons.
Third, community systems are usually designed to serve a dual purpose, providing also water for fighting fires. That demand is
commonly stipulated by the local fire marshal, or equivalent. The lowest fire
storage quantity I have seen is 500 gpm for two hours, or 60,000 gallons. That
is generally not considered adequate for any commercial establishments, unless
they have sprinkler systems. Thus without doing any research, you can rough
guess your storage requirements for this 100‑unit system at not less than
130,000 gallons. Based on my experience with regulatory agencies, I would not
be surprised to find that a study would recommend 250,000 gallons or more.
3. Distribution: A network of small pipes could
theoretically serve a community this small, but almost invariably the
distribution system is designed to serve for fire protection also. If fire
protection is included, a typical watermain will be 8-inches. Some short
stubs might be as small as 6‑inches. Some long stretches may need to be
bigger than 8-inches. The point to consider: that will cost $30 to $60
per foot installed.
4. Administration (including studies and
design): Often overlooked in the early stages - will be not less than 25%
of the capital cost.
Bottom line? A
community system for Moose Pass designed to serve the equivalent of 100 homes
would cost between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 assuming a reliable source can be
found within a reasonable distance. Those
figures are not an engineering estimate.
That is simply a guess based on past experience. The question is not
whether a system could be built for less. The question is whether ADEC would
allow a lesser system to be built.
If funds are found
to build such a system, the next (and major) question is how is it to be
operated and maintained?
I have had
experience with many small water systems in Alaska, California, and Hawaii. I
don't recall ever seeing a community system of this size that I could say was
well maintained. The problem is that there is insufficient revenue base to pay
for a trained and licensed operator plus pay for vehicles, equipment, tools,
chemicals, etc. Grant funding programs of which I am aware normally do not
subsidize these types of costs. Figure what the operator, etc., would cost on
an annual basis, and then divide by 100 and that will be roughly what each user
will have to pay per year ‑ assuming that you have found a grant to fund
100 percent of the capital costs. If a lesser capital grant is offered, then
capital amortization will need to be added to the O&M costs.
I sincerely hope
that the above doesn't sound too negative. I have seen (and participated in)
too many studies which are gathering dust on the shelf because the proposed
costs were simply more than the community could afford.
Alternatives?
Water quality is
the big concern. Regardless of what is done, this is a potentially serious
problem which cannot be ignored. Water supplies should be monitored for coliform
bacteria and for nitrates. Excessive concentrations of either could indicate a
life-threatening situation. Homeowners can obtain their own water
samples, and have them tested for low cost. If significant contamination is
found, then the cost concerns voiced above become secondary to the protection
of human life.
Approach ADEC as lay
citizens, and request assistance. ADEC generally wants the public to hire
engineers to solve the problems. However they do have trained staff, and many
are willing to help to the extent that they can. Sometimes they will take and
test water samples. If nothing else, perhaps you could talk them into testing
the samples obtained by the homeowners. This would need to be done on an
ongoing continuous routine basis.
Regarding the
problem of quantity, consider replacing conventional plumbing fixtures
with water conserving fixtures. Water consumption can be cut in half with
little sacrifice in lifestyle quality.
I don't mean this
typed response to indicate that I consider this issue to be the most important
one on the questionnaire. It is simply an issue in which I've had some training
and experience and I hope that the
above comments might be useful.
Sincerely,
Dick Lowman
RURAL LIFESTYLE
Person mentions quiet, lack of traffic, respect for
neighbors and respect for environment.
Person likes helpful neighbors and states that low
development is essential.
Person states that to remain rural, Moose Pass
should develop itself for itself, not for tourists. Rural means large amounts
of undeveloped land.
Person opposes government.
Person mentions clean air and quiet.
Person mentions little development.
Person favors lack of zoning and lack of building
restrictions.
Person favors zoning to preserve commercial center.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Person states Moose Pass is fine as is.
Person supports growth that is privately funded,
environmentally safe and not detrimental to rural life‑style.
Person states that if he/she wanted growth then
he/she would live in Seward.
Person wants little development and to keep lands
wild.
Person states tourism is the easiest to pursue.
Person wants public land to remain public. States
that only agencies that have resource managers should get public land. Opposes
industry.
Person does not want growth.
Person favors hydroelectric development.
Person encourages tourists.
Person does not favor development and wants low
impact, nonpolluting uses.
Person favors small business.
Person favors development controlled by community goals.
Person does not favor development and states that
there is little interest in Moose Pass.
Person favors all Federal č
State č Borough land conveyances being made
homesites and states that Seward, not Moose Pass, should be the industrial
area.
Person likes Moose Pass as it is now and seeks to
avoid strip development, rural slums and conflicting uses.
Person states that tourist growth is good if
managed.
Person states that growth is compatible with rural
lifestyle.
Person states that industrial development is not
compatible with Moose Pass.
Person favors handcraft/woodworking businesses.
Person would like to see small business and light
industry, but without pollution.
BOROUGH/STATE LANDS CONVEYED TO PRIVATE
Person states that recreational lots shouldn't
exceed 10% of total.
Person states that only a few lots should be
offered.
Person favors recreational lots.
Person states that there is already enough private
land and that the public land is for the public good.
Person does not want lands conveyed, would ruin area
and lower value of existing lots.
Person does not favor public lands conveyed to
private, too many places for sale already.
Person does not favor land conveyance and wants land
left wild. Person does not want special areas conveyed.
Person wants residential lots made available in the
future as needed and wants lands designated now for future use.
Person sees need for additional residential lots but
also states that too many dwellings would disrupt rural appeal.
Person favors land conveyances for private, non‑commercial
residences.
Person does not want land conveyances because of
associated population growth.
Person feels that conveyances are inconsistent with rural lifestyle.
Person feels that multi‑family units should be
accommodated within existing townsite.
TOURISM
Individuals are free to promote tourism at their own
expense.
Person states that tourists are annoying and private
funds can promote tourism.
Person wants slow, careful growth.
Person states that more access promotes more tourism
and that private dollars can develop private facilities while public dollars
can develop public lands.
Person does not want tourist development and states
that no public dollars should be spent to promote private business.
Person does not want tourism.
Person favors tourism.
Person states that only private money should promote
tourism.
Person states that tourism is clean but does not
want too much.
Person states that there is already adequate development
and that more people will further lessen the area's appeal.
Person wants area to stay as is and not be developed
for tourists.
Person does not favor public funding of tourism
promotion.
Person does not favor public funding of tourism
promotion.
Person feels that visitor's bureau does a fine job.
Person favors lodging and recreational cabins.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
Person states that
existing laws already address this and that
local law would not have
prevented the 1986 formaldehyde spill.
BALL DIAMOND
Person favors Borough development of park with
campground nearby.
Person wants it left alone.
Person states that if the Borough gets the diamond,
then Moose Pass won't have a say in its management.
Person states that it should be community property
for community events.
Person favors development and a charge for its use.
Person favors Borough developing the area for day
use only.
Person opposes overnight camping.
Person favors leaving as is.
Person states Moose Pass
has no means to manage area.
Person favors park, but
not RV park.
Person favors development
of facilities.
Person favors creating
community park with camping limited or prohibited.
Person is concerned about
litter/sanitation.
Person wants it closed.
TRAIL RIGHTS-OF-WAY
Person does not want rights-of‑way across
private land.
Person states that easements would be adequate.
Person does not want trail rights‑of‑way
on private land.
Person thinks that
there are already rights‑of‑way across public lands.
SPRUCE BARK BEETLE
INFESTATION
Person wants action now.
Person says NO to herbicides.
Person favors prescribed fire and opposes herbicides
and pesticides.
Person favors prescribed fires.
Person thinks that the
Forest Service won't make plans or take aggressive action concerning beetles.
MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS
Person states that Moose Pass should concentrate on
manageable things such as bike path, community hall, ball diamond and not on
big things such as a hockey rink.
Person expresses concern that two people from same
household serve on the commission.
Comment 1: I think it is
good the community plans ahead for its future potential growth, but please try
to not use the bikepaths to segregate nature and human or business growth: growth can complement nature if carefully
planned.
Comment 2: It is
important now to analyze potential dangers, and it is best to be cautious and
protective, rather than lose a child's life.
I place in your decisions the length of extensions needed to establish
the possible protection.
Comment
3: Currently the family is not residing in the community. During the time of
residency the dumpster sites were adequate. If the community is planning on
growth - future dumpster locations should be planned. Maybe with a good
selection of bushes and trees -- in time a proper screening will
develop.
Comment
4: Naturally, yes to all three. All adults are responsible for all children.
Kids need all the education and support they can get. If we don't plan ahead,
how can we expect our children to be able to plan ahead?
Comment
5: Again the community has the chance to expand and try to plan. If the borough
or state does the planning then little will be left for the community
Comment
6: It is a lot cheaper now then it will be later. If there is no site to
relocate for future expansion then work and plan with what you have. Maybe the
library and community hall could be combined!
Comment
7: As our property does not have a well or septic system, we cannot state the
quality of water. I feel a community well, if one is created, should be for
emergency supply only and not used for normal supply.
Comment
8: Public money should never be used to promote economic development. Public
money can be used to enhance development, i.e., good schools, police and fire
protection, low taxes, etc. As far conveying public land to private holdings
-- this should only happen after extensive planning. The importance of value to
your statements are as follows: 1,7,4,8,12,2,10,3,11,9,5,6.
Comment
9: If the state and borough obtains some land, naturally Moose Pass will or
should be able to obtain some land. Some land can be set aside for future
growth that will restrict the impact of other lands being conveyed to private
lands. If some lands are set aside for the town -- the town should
support private property, which in turn will help support the public lands
through taxes.
Comment
10: If the state gets land (and the borough), the land can be obtained for
community and private growth. This can also be accomplished without the extra
land. With hope and foresight private business can provide its own financing.
The town can enhance growth by keeping the taxes lower, not being over
restrictive in zoning, support and creating
public events, etc.
Comment
11: Just by living humans create wastes, that are problems: some even toxic and
hazardous. I suggest the committee plan now for the wastes
they have now and plan now for the future.
Naturally I suggest we keep all industries out -- that cannot prove they
can control and contain its wastes. I
also feel the town can stop the state or borough by zoning and other measures.
Comment
12: To this problem I can only suggest
an idea. If part of the ball park is
large enough and if the layout is arranged well enough -- why not prepare part
of the park for RV camping and charge a nominal fee. That fee could help support the ballpark.
Comment
13: Develop the trails and protect the
area now -- while it is not too late.
Comment
14: There are always alternatives to
chemicals. Surely, the Spruce Bark
Beetle has natural enemies, besides man.
Originally,
I obtained the patent, and then it was transferred to my folks. I have answered these questions since I know
the area better. I will participate in
learning fire fighting and I can also be at your disposal, to help, if you
request.
Jim Carter
3901 Merrill Dr.
Anchorage,
Alaska 99517
(907)
243‑3540