Agencies

Kenai River Flood Map Update

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. 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.

The final, effective maps must be adopted by the Kenai Peninsula Borough by February 28, 2025. Ordinance 2024-35 to do so is scheduled for a public hearing at the KPB Assembly on January 21, 2025. Written comments can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or to the the Assembly via the eComment portal.

Are the maps wrong? Request to remove your property from the floodplain:

Because the regulatory floodplain maps are a snapshot in time, they are static and aren't able to reflect elevation changes that occur throughout the years. This includes things such as river migration or adding fill that "raises" a structure out of the floodplain.

Recognizing that these situations do happen, FEMA established procedures to change the floodplain designation for these properties. These processes are referred to as a Letter of Map Change (LOMC), and can be done via a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or a Letter of Map Revision-Based on Fill (LOMR-F). Here is a link to the LOMC tutorial.

By going through a LOMC process, an individual who owns, rents or leases property may submit certain mapping and survey information to FEMA and request that FEMA officially removes a property and/or structure from the regulatory floodplain. In most cases, the applicant will need to hire a Licensed Land Surveyor or Registered Professional Engineer to prepare an Elevation Certificate for the property.

It is recommended that applicants submit their LOMA application directly to FEMA through their online portal. Upon receiving a complete application, FEMA will normally complete its review and issue its decision in 60 days.

Look at Your Property: Current vs New Comparison Map Viewer
FEMA's Federal Register Notice
Preliminary FIRM and FIS Report

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.

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