Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board
Kenai River Special Management Area explained.
The Kenai River Special Management Area (KRSMA) consists of more than 105 linear miles of rivers and lakes, including Kenai Lake, Skilak Lake, and the Kenai River from river mile 82 downstream to four miles above the river's mouth on Cook Inlet. Adjacent to these waters are fifteen state park sub-units and land owned by cities, the borough and the federal government, as well as private and native lands.
The popularity of the Kenai River, one of the most heavily used fresh-water fisheries in Alaska, puts a strain on its resources. In response to increasing threats to the river system's health, the legislature established the Kenai River Special Management Area in 1984 as a unit of the state park system.
A comprehensive management plan for the area, developed by agencies and a public advisory board, guides the cooperative efforts of the land managers. The plan's goal is to protect the natural resources and fish and wildlife habitat, manage the river's recreational and commercial uses, and provided public facilities.
What is the Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board?
The Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board was originally created in 1985 under the authority of A.S. 41.21.510. The original Board was charged with developing a comprehensive management plan for the Kenai River. The original Comprehensive Plan was completed and the Board disbanded in 1986. In 1988, a new Board was appointed to help advise the Department of Natural Resources on implementation of the Plan. In 1997, the Board worked to update the Kenai River Comprehensive Management Plan, and it was adopted in December 1997. In May 2004, the Alaska Legislature passed a bill that changed the composition of the board from what the law had directed in the original 1984 KRSMA statute.
The Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board meets the second Thursday of each month from September to May.
Meeting Recordings
May 15, 2025 Meeting:
Previous Meeting Recordings
April 10, 2025
February 13, 2025
January 9, 2025
December 12, 2024
April 11, 2024
January 11, 2024
April 13, 2023
February 9, 2023
January 12, 2023
December 8, 2022
November 11, 2022
May 12, 2022
November 18, 2021
September 9, 2021
KRSMA Board Meeting Minutes:
| 2024 November 14, 2024 |
2022 January 13, 2022 February 9, 2022 April 14, 2022 |
Archived minutes are available upon request from state park staff at Morgan's Landing 907-262-5581 or the Donald E. Gilman River Center 907-714-2471.
KRSMA Board Members
2025-2027 Board Members
KRSMA Resolutions
Resolutions
Kenai River Recreation Study - Major Findings and Implications - October 2010
2009 Kenai River Recreation Use Study
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Boat Waves on Johnson Lake and Kenai River 2001 (PDF)
Kenai River SMA Comprehensive Management Plan: December 1997
Kenai River Guide Academy
Kenai River Commercial Guide Permit
Map of the River
Kenai River Special Management Area brochure
1982-2011 Commercial Operator Trends
Contact information |
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Kenai Area Office (located at Morgan's |
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