Link to Kenai River Flood Map Update: Story Map

Project Background

Since 2011, the Kenai Peninsula Borough has been working to update the regulatory floodplain maps for the Kenai River. This has involved the cooperation of numerous Federal, State, and Local stakeholders. 

Look at Your Property Using: Current vs New Comparison Map Viewer

FEMA Map Appeal Information

On January 31, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided the Kenai Peninsula Borough with Preliminary copies of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for the Kenai River below Skilak Lake. These proposed map changes, if finalized, will become the new regulatory maps that the Borough will regulate to. However, before any new mapping becomes effective, FEMA provides community officials and citizens an opportunity to appeal the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report.

Appeal Period Starts: October 11, 2023
Appeal Period Ends: January 9, 2024

All appeals must be delivered to the Kenai Peninsula Borough, who will then forward the appeals in a single submission to FEMA. The Kenai Peninsula Borough will not review the content of these appeals, which must be based on the technical aspects of FEMA’s modeling. To accommodate this process, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Floodplain Administrator has provided an Appeal Form to be completed by the applicant. FEMA will not accept appeals or comments that are not first submitted to the Borough.

FEMA's Federal Register Notice regarding the Appeal and Comment Period

Residents and business owners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements.Residents may submit an appeal or comment if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is incorrect.

  • What is an Appeal?
    Appeals submitted to FEMA must include scientific or technical information that explains why you believe floodplain boundaries, base flood elevations or zone designations are incorrect. An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim. Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.

  • What is a Comment?
    If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information, they can submit a written comment. Comments may include: feedback regarding road names, jurisdictional boundaries and other base map features; concerns regarding proposed flood hazard information; or, any technical submittal that does not meet the full requirements for appeals.

The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

To submit an appeal or comment, complete the Kenai Peninsula Borough Appeal Form. Submit the completed form and required back up documentation to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by January 8, 2024 (in order to meet the FEMA deadline of January 9, 2024).

KPB Appeal Form
FEMA Requirements for Supporting Documentation
Maps: Current vs. New Comparison Viewer
Preliminary FIRM and FIS Report


What happens after an appeal is submitted?
FEMA will review the submitted information and prepare an acknowledgement that will state one of the following:
• The appeal is valid and a change to the Preliminary FIRM and/or FIS is warranted
• Additional data or information is needed to complete the review. The appellant will have 30-days to provide additional information
• The information is considered a Comment and will not be incorporated

Should I consider a LOMA instead of an Appeal?
Due to map scale limitations, making flood zone changes at the individual lot or structure level impossible to show on the FIRM. The appeals process typically cannot be used to remove a structure or property from the floodplain. Instead, FEMA’s Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) process is the avenue to follow for this purpose. Because LOMAs officially change the flood zone designation for a structure or property on an effective FIRM, not a Preliminary FIRM, it is recommended that applicants submit their LOMA application directly to FEMA through their online Letter of Map Change application portal 30 to 60 days prior to the effective date for the Preliminary FIRMs (likely in fall 2024). Once approved, an official amendment to an effective map is sent out by letter to the property owner. Please note that LOMAs apply to individual structures or properties and do not change the flood zone boundaries on the FIRM.

Adopt A Stream Program

The Kenai Watershed Forum Works in cooperation with the River Center to provide watershed-focused education and outreach to local youth. The Adopt A Stream Program partners with local elementary schools to help foster stewardship of local watersheds. The Adopt A Stream program combines monthly classroom presentations, field trips to local streams and data collection and review to help promote appreciation and increase understanding of local watersheds. The hands-on scientific experience provided by KWF Professional Staff offers new and exciting opportunities for students to learn about watersheds both inside and outside of the classroom. 

 

Please visit the Kenai Watershed Forum Website for more information.

watershed

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The Habitat Section is a unit of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Effective July 1, 2008, fish habitat permitting, Forest Resource and Practices Act review, and other project review functions were transferred from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Fish and Game

The Habitat Section's specific statutory responsibilities are:
1) protecting freshwater anadromous fish habitat under the Anadromous Fish Act (AS 16.05.871)
2) providing free passage of anadromous and resident fish in fresh water bodies (AS 16.05.841).
(These statutes were formerly known as Title 41.)

Alaska Statute AS 16.05.841 (Fishway Act) requires that an individual or governmental agency notify and obtain authorization from the ADF&G, Habitat Section for activities within or across a stream used by fish if the department determines that such uses or activities could represent an impediment to the efficient passage of fish. Culvert installation; stream realignment or diversions; dams; low-water crossings; and construction, placement, deposition, or removal of any material or structure below ordinary high water all require approval from the ADF&G.

Alaska Statute 16.05.871 (Anadromous Fish Act) requires that an individual or governmental agency provide prior notification and obtain approval from the ADF&G "to construct a hydraulic project or use, divert, obstruct, pollute, or change the natural flow or bed" of a specified anadromous waterbody or "to use wheeled, tracked, or excavating equipment or log-dragging equipment in the bed" of a specified anadromous waterbody. All activities within or across a specified anadromous waterbody and all instream activities affecting a specified anadromous waterbody require approval from the ADF&G, Habitat Section including construction; road crossings; gravel removal; placer mining; water withdrawals; the use of vehicles or equipment in the waterway; stream realignment or diversion; bank stabilization; blasting; and the placement, excavation, deposition, disposal, or removal of any material. Recreational boating and fishing activities generally do not require a permit.

The description and location of specified anadromous waterbodies is contained in the "Catalog of Waters Important for the Spawning, Rearing, or Migration of Anadromous Fishes." Copies of the catalog may be viewed at any office of the ADF&G, Division of Habitat.

The Division of Habitat also issues permits for recreational mining on the Kenai Peninsula.

Special Area Permit Application

Sixmile Creek General Permit

Resurrection Creek General Permit

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The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (Alaska State Parks) Kenai River Office issues permits for the building of structures (i.e., roads, buildings, bank restoration, floating docks, walkways etc,) in the Kenai River Special Management Area and the State Park units of the Kenai Peninsula, Kachemak Bay, and Prince William Sound.

The permitting staff also issues non-competitive park use permits for commercial activities in the State Park units. Water taxis, flight seeing tours, fishing guides, white water rafting, kayak tours, back country hiking, and boat rentals are just a few of the businesses that operate in the State Parks of the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound.

View the Kenai River Special Management Area enabling legislation:

AS 41.21.502. Kenai River Special Management Area Established
AS 41.21.504. Designation of Management Responsibilities
AS 41.21.506. Comprehensive Management Plan; Regulations

View the Kenai River Special Management Area regulations:

11 AAC 20.850. Use of Weapons
11 AAC 20.855. Aircraft
11 AAC 20.857. Snowmobiles
11 AAC 20.860. Boat Motor Use
11 AAC 20.861. Boat Specifications
11 AAC 20.862. Boating Methods
11 AAC 20.865. Non-Motorized Areas
11 AAC 20.867. Personal Watercraft
11 AAC 20.870. Boating and Aircraft Speed Limits
11 AAC 20.875. Water Skiing
11 AAC 20.880. Camping
11 AAC 20.885. Kenai River Guide Permits11 AAC 20.890. Boat Rentals
11 AAC 20.910. Horse Use in Kenai State Parks
11 AAC 20.918. Recreational Gold Panning in Kenai State Parks

Kenai River Special Management Area home page

Information about motor and boat regulations in Kenai River Special Management Area

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Coastal Management Program was adopted by the Borough Assembly in 1990. The program provides an information base and policies to assist the borough in managing borough land and making resource use decisions. The Borough Coastal Management Plan is not intended to duplicate or assume management or permitting authority for resources and activities that are managed by State and Federal agencies.

The KPB Coastal Management Program was revised in August of 2007.

To see the revision, click on 2008 Coastal Management Plan.pdf * This document includes the KPB Enforceable Policies.
(Note: This PDF is a large file and may load slowly.) 

 

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