(L to R) CIRI President and CEO Carl H. Marrs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director David Allen, Margie Brown, CIRI senior advisor, and U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Paul Forward sign Russian River Agreement.
"This is a significant step to reach a settlement that is not only acceptable to CIRI, but preserves the public's use and enjoyment of the Russian River fishery. We hope we have crafted a settlement that provides an opportunity for CIRI to work collaboratively with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe to the benefit of our shareholders and their tribal members," said Carl Marrs, CIRI president and chief executive officer.
While sport fishing at the confluence of the Russian and Kenai Rivers is among the best in Alaska, there is also abundant archeological evidence and oral tradition that show the salmon resources in the area were used extensively by the Dena'ina Athabascan peoples in the late prehistoric-early historic period. Recent archeological work has also shown that the area was occupied by Native people even earlier than the Dena'ina, perhaps as long as 8,000 to 10,000 years ago.
"I am very pleased with the result of the negotiations," said Robin West, refuge manager of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. "The agreement contains provisions to protect public fishing access, preserve wildlife habitat, and protect cultural resources for future interpretation and understanding of the public. It truly is a win-win situation."
The agreement covers lands surrounding the confluence of the Russian and Kenai Rivers. The U.S. Forest Service's Russian River Campground and the ferry crossing, owned by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, will remain in federal ownership, and public fishing on federal land will continue.
CIRI will be conveyed archeological and cultural resources in approximately 502 acres of Fish and Wildlife Service lands. From the Chugach National Forest, CIRI will also be conveyed a 42-acre parcel on the bluff overlooking the confluence of the Kenai and Russian Rivers, and a 20-acre parcel near where the Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River. The 20-acre parcel is subject to Section 14(h)(1) restrictions. In addition, a public easement managed by the Forest Service along the banks of the Kenai River is reserved on the 20-acre parcel.
CIRI, Fish and Wildlife, and the Forest Service have agreed to pursue an interpretive center for the shared use of all three parties to be built on the 42-acre parcel. The visitors center would provide interpretation of both the natural and cultural resources of the Russian River area. The three organizations are hoping a federal appropriation can be secured to build the center. In conjunction with the visitors interpretive center, an archeological research center may be established to facilitate the management of the cultural resources in the area.
The parties have also agreed to enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding the management of the area so that future activities are carried out in a coordinated fashion. The Kenaitze Indian Tribe will be invited to join the parties in negotiating and signing the MOU. In addition, CIRI plans to solicit input from the Kenaitze as to their level of interest in the archeological research center and the cultural component of the visitors interpretive center. KIT currently conducts an interpretive program at Russian River. CIRI also has the right to develop visitor-oriented facilities on the 42-acre parcel, including a lodge, dormitory housing for staff and agency people, and a restaurant.
