CONTENTS 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Conclusion Recommendations Goals Interpretation Tourism Safety and Signage Stewardship Resources and Qualities Public Involvement Description Introduction to Byways ...... 99 - 104 ... 77 - 88 ...... 131 - 133 13 - 18 53 - 60 89 - 98 ...... 19 - 24 ... 105 - 130 61 - 76 ... 5 - 12 25 - 52

CONTENTS 1 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT areas strongly support the byway concept, as businesspeople in the North and South Sterling the byway effort. Residents, elected officials, and greater support, this segment has been omitted from others do support the designation. Until there is expressed by some residents to the designation while is not a state scenic byway. There is skepticism omitted from this plan due to the fact that road portion of the full Sterling Highway has been Homer Spit for a total of 29.0 miles. The middle at the end of highway (milepost 179.5) on Stariski Creek (milepost 150.5) and ends in Homer Sterling Byway, of Anchor Point begins north at state byway. The southern segment, the South This segment of the Sterling Highway is an Alaskan then travels southwest for approximately 38 miles. intersection with the Seward All-American Road and Alaska. The northern segment begins at the of the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula in This plan covers the northern and southern segments Sterling Highway corridor. long-term economic future of their portions the these parts of the Sterling Highway to plan for landowners, businesses, and local governments along South Sterling Byways is designed to help the This corridor partnership plan for the North and EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Sterling Highway. residents and visitors of the communities on and infrastructure investments that will serve both This plan will also provide a blueprint for tourism economy and enjoyment of traveling the highway. should be pursued in order to strengthen the local infrastructure, and interpretive investments that has been prepared largely to identify the economic, be pursued by area leaders and residents. This plan for grant funding and further designations that may structured to meet the state and national requirements As described within this plan, document is and provide more amenities for travelers residents. and national marketing to improve the local economy groups seek to use their designations, grant dollars, to limit property owner rights. Instead, the byway does not address land use regulations nor it seek the visitor economy.strengthen and support This plan improvements with visitor investments that will tourism economy and integrating highway The focus of this plan is on encouraging a stronger endorsement of this process. evidenced by their state byway status and North and South Sterling Byway groups are: The major categories of actions identified by the associated with the Sterling Highway. approaches to better tell the many stories low power radio, audio tours and other visitors. year-round so they benefit residents and restrooms. Make these facilities accessible upgrade traveler pullouts, rest areas and signage. visitors. provide better service to residents and will make the Sterling Highway safer and Support highway improvements that Improve orientation and directional Invest in new interpretative panels, Find to funding and partnerships Peninsula residents. corridors for both visitors and year-round Kenai and South Sterling Byways better recreational resources, the above actions will make North America’s Byway program funding and other Through partnerships, plus making good use of enhancing critical habitat areas. opportunities while protecting and from the Sterling to improve recreation and access to other recreation opportunities number of visitors. facilities to better handle the growing path to experience the corridors. trails along the byways that will offer another anglers. natural areas that are overburdened by to manage and restore riverbanks other Work with various groups in partnership Inventory and identify river access areas Begin to plan now for future separated Upgrade state and local recreation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Caption Opposite. BYWAY INTRODUCTION 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

5 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT traveling that route. the personality of America through experience significance, a byway also conveys something about the road exists. But whether it be historic or natural transportation that it allows is the core reason why more route. Certainly, than a transportation the natural or cultural history of the place, a byway is to see and visit historic villages or learn about the experience is tremendous scenery or the opportunity byway provides an experience. Whether that pavement connecting two places. Traveling along a A byway is a road that more than just strip of WHATBYWAYS? ARE INTRODUCTION TO BYWAYS 1 It is a natural part of why scenic driving one the attractions, and great destinations experiences. out routes that offered beautiful vistas, unusual as people have been driving cars, they sought Association’s scenic route recommendations. As long of these efforts would be the American Automobile most interesting experiences. The most well-known aware of routes that offered the best scenery or national groups have attempted to make travelers Since the invention of automobile, local and There is nothing new about the concept of byways. National Park Scenic Roads. Service Management Backways, Forest Service Byways, or have designated roads as Bureau of Land having exceptional qualities, and thus those agencies agencies identified roads under their jurisdiction as state byways in all 50 states that have been given designation as that, there are several hundred more byways, located been given the designation of there are 125 roads in the United States that have in this new national endeavor.to participate Today program was formed just a few years later, in an effort existence since 1991. The Alaskan state byways National Scenic Byways Program) has been in The America’s Byway Program (formerly the . In addition, some state and federal national byway . Beyond Image caption.

1 - BYWAY INTRODUCTION 7 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. The from using their land in the ways that they wanted. or it resulted in restrictions that prevented people by eminent domain from private property owners, old model that occurreddevelopment within that area. This districts, and used regulations to control the type of and created regulatory designations on historic and local governments purchased land to create parks National Parks and designated National Forests. State a place. Thus, the federal government created with the ownership, management, or regulation of federal government becoming very involved directly old model interfering or placing burdens on local people? The and federal government support those efforts without enhancement of special places, and how can state efforts to link economic development with the places: How can local people initiate and control in American thinking about highways and special What is new that byways are part of a trend communities, or cultural experiences. routes, be they world class fishing, historic visitors aware of the resources that lie along those seeking to attract more visitors by making those addition, there is a long history of towns and regions most popular recreational pursuits in America. In development. resource protection, rather than economic ownership. The resources that sometimes lay within private emphasis on the protection and management of capitals or in Washington, DC. The controls defined by governments located in state old model for these types of initiatives was that the resulted in land being purchased or taken resulted in too many regulations and old model had a preference for old model put opportunities along the highway. highways, the communities along it, and Program is about recognition of outstanding help them accomplish their goals. The Byways then will work in partnership with the local group to agency (Federal Highway Administration for byways) Inthe effort. those cases, the appropriate Federal and property owners are supporting organizing groups of elected officials, citizens, business owners national program, there must be evidence that local Before a byway can be considered for inclusion in the area programs are guided and driven by local groups. found along the route. cultural, scenic, natural, archeological, and historic, highway and six intrinsic qualities: recreation, resources to include economic development of the similar but has a broader scope beyond just heritage if the local groups so choose. The Byways Program is National Park Service as technical assistance providers, resources. These groups can then work with the development with the enhancement of heritage established groups who wish to link economic National Heritage Area Program is an effort by locally- these new special place recognition efforts. The Area Program share many similarities as examples of America’s Byways Program and the National Heritage place regulations owners. on local property The model different set of tools and a different attitude. The The new model does not buy land; the for ‘special place recognition’ uses a Both the byways and heritage new model does not new with short peak visitation periods. with short The Byways periods of time and thus reduce congestion associated at ways of dispersing peak visitor periods over longer recreation opportunities. These groups can also look resources along the highway such as improving make highway improvements, and enhance the to stimulate private investments in new businesses, attract more visitors and find ways to use public funds and community resources. These groups work to regulatory investments associated with the highway integrating economic development with non- By far, the majority of byways are focused on Byways. partnership plan for the North and South Sterling and the desires of its residents reflected in this of the Bywayas part Program. This is typical of Alaska with the byways. In those cases, no regulations emerge no interest in seeing additional regulations associated regulations, whereas other parts of the country have the country that are more interested in local regulations are considered. There of are some parts preferences of the people in that area as to whether controlled program, it will be the wishes and case, especially in Alaska. As with any locally needs. However, generally speaking, this is not the appropriate to help them address their particular that additional locally sponsored regulation is Highway). It is true that some byway groups feel thus not an added burden along the Sterling this is already a prohibition under Alaskan law and prohibits new billboards along national byways, (but Byways There are

Program no mandatory regulations associated with the with the exception that program tell a story about America. region through which that road passes, and help of the special qualities about community or driving and travel experience that can convey some groups work to pass on future generations a why groups form byways. But, in all cases, byway make. Economic diversification is often the key reason help them with the investments that they wish to the road and to obtain state or federal funding designation in order to make more people aware of they then sometimes seek state or national Local people form groups to support that road and strongly about and want to shepherd into the future. transportation corridors that local people feel And so, what are byways? Byways special along the corridor. qualities along the highway and in communities them and make aware of the place’s special while they are visiting, there is a need to educate order to draw visitors and keep them entertained a special place. There’s an understanding that in etc.) in order to better tell the story associated with signs, interpretive kiosks, museums or visitor centers, Program will commonly invest in interpretation (i.e., Image caption.

1 - BYWAY INTRODUCTION 9 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. This document is a PARTNERSHIP PLAN? WHAT IS A CORRIDOR of those elements within this plan. review of these requirements and the location each the plan. Please refer to end of Chapter 2 for a There are 14 elements that must be addressed in volunteer resources for the byway. local decisions about allocating scarce financial and defining the goals for byway, the CPP can guide and receive grants to implement that plan and, by Plan (CPP) will enable the state byway to apply for than national designation: A Corridor Partnership There are more reasons that could be included here the ‘best of best’ byway designations. about their road that would merit its inclusion in demonstrate that there was something important idea of the plan was to require local groups something regionally or nationally significant). The (i.e., the qualities of route that illustrated the important intrinsic qualities along byway national byway to prepare a plan that would indicate Congress created it in 1991, called for each potential does that mean? The federal byways program, when corridor partnership plan . What agencies to tell local people what do. document that somehow allows federal or state document is an expression of local desires, not a plan will not promote or recommend regulation. The (as is the case with Sterling Highway), then process. If the community wishes to avoid regulation they wish to achieve as defined during the planning to help the community move toward outcomes of the corridor partnership plan is that it a guide regulations, or allocating funds. The best way to think procedures for making capital improvements, passing actions require the use of usual, locally-controlled but it cannot mandate any of those actions. Any such groups think should be pursued by local government, will often point out actions that the local byway with it any regulations or obligations. These plans the plan by local byway committee does not carry document. a regulatory Therefore, the approval of answer is that the plan an advisory document, not ownerthe corridor plan mean for me as a property One of the most often asked questions is, What does ? The in the America’s Byway program. application and makes a final decision on inclusion Secretary of Transportation then reviews the around the nation. If chosen by committee, heritage management, and other professionals from committee composed of tourism, highway, design, byways to include in the program lies with a selection has national significance. The decision of which attractions in order to demonstrate that the byway range of questions regarding the byway and its submittal of a corridor plan and the completion two to threeevery years. The application requires the during the periodic application rounds that occur Designation requires submittal of an application categories. must demonstrate significance under two or more historic, scenic or archeological. An All-American road following categories: natural, recreational, cultural, national significance under at least one of the experiences along the route that are of regional or Program) must demonstrate that it has resources and (the basic designation under the America’s Byways attained All-American Road status. A National Byway there are now 125 National Byways and 26 have American Road. The most common is the former; second is the highest level of designation, All- categories. The first is National Byway status and the America’s Byways designation can be one of two STERLING? DESIGNATION MEAN FOR THE WHAT MIGHT NATIONAL offer the traveler. the special stories that these roads and communities government, to enhance local economies and tell level, with support from state and federal to identify actions that can be taken at the local or adjacent to special road corridors work together offer opportunities for local communities that lie on In summary, the state and national byways programs for byways. dollars available for funding a wide array of projects The Byways Program has made over $229,811,000 signage, trails, visitor facilities, and other projects. allowable categories like marketing, pull-outs, can also apply for larger amounts other grant- year to assist with staffing and management. Byways program, including a guaranteed $25,000 grant per for priority funding under the national byways grant Once included in the program, byways are eligible Image caption.

1 - BYWAY INTRODUCTION 11 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. DESCRIPTION 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

13 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT the first vehicle to drive road. of-way of-way community of Kenai is now found. In 1950 the way western portion of the Kenai River and WW II veterans were able to homestead along the Landing to the Seward Road. The following year, connecting the mining community of Cooper the Sterling community of Seward in 1938. The first segment of Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula and the port the Seward Road provided first access from The Sterling Highway was constructed in phases after of the Sterling Highway is 143 miles. Highway, an All-American Road. The entire length In Homer the Sterling connects to the Alaska’s Marine the “End of the Road” at the community of Homer. highway parallels the shoreline of Cook Inlet until reaches the western shore of the Kenai Peninsula. The Recreation Area and follows the Kenai River until it the Seward Highway at the “Wye” near Tern Lake an All-American Road. southwest from The road runs 89 miles south of Anchorage off the Seward Highway, The Sterling Highway (Alaska #1) is located HIGHWAY OVERVIEW OF THE STERLING THE NORTH AND SOUTH STERLING 2 was extended the following year to where was improved to road quality in 1951 allow was extended to Homer and the entire right-of-way was constructed in 1947 right-of- right- right- three distinct segments. The Sterling Highway can easily be divided into natural features, and historic significance. outstanding recreational activities, scenic quality, designated as an Alaska State Byway for its Skilak Lake. This portion of the Sterling is currently famous Kenai River, Kenai Lake, Russian River, and popular recreation destination along the world in this segment. This segment is an extremely The small community of Cooper Landing is located National Forest and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Much of the road travels through Chugach 75.3 at the west intersection with Skilak Lake Road. Seward, Alaska) and this segment ends at milepost Highway starts at milepost 37.0 (the distance to 38.3 miles to the southwest.approx The Sterling with the Seward All-American Road and travels at the “Wye”This segment starts at the intersection THE NORTHERN SEGMENT 3.The southern Cook Inlet portion 3.The middle rolling hills 2.The northerly mountainous portion 1.The Image caption.

2 - DESCRIPTION 15 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. lying in the middle. between the North and South segments area there will continue to be a strong partnership prevalence of tourism all along the Sterling Highway, though it is clear that due to the importance and formally included in this corridor partnership plan, the middle portion of Sterling Highway is not for either State or National designation. As such, Byway and at this time there is insufficient support This segment is currently not an Alaskan State highway. a large portion of private land holdings along the Kenai River. The topography is gently rolling with Wildlife Refuge and numerous rivers including the opportunities found along the Kenai National The highway provides access to recreation the communities and population along highway. segment is 118.7 miles and includes a majority of then south along the shores of Cook Inlet. This road west out of the Refuge along Kenai River and of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and travels intersection of Skilak Lake Road and the boundary This segment starts at milepost 75.3 the western THE MIDDLE PORTION highway segments of the Sterling. National nominations be submitted for these two requested that Corridor Partnership and Plans segments, which are currently State designated, have National significance. The North and South pursue designation despite this portion’s State and it became apparent support was not sufficient to workshops there was enough public skepticism that as a State Byway. After several public meetings and middle undesignated portion of the Sterling Highway In 2004 an effort was undertaken to include the significance. natural features, and cultural, archeological outstanding recreational activities, scenic quality, currently designated as an Alaska State Byway for its up to 400 pounds. of the SterlingThis portion is the World” for its “barn-door” sized halibut weighing fishing. Homer is known as the “Halibut Capital of outstanding recreation and in particular, its salt water Travelers flock to this segment of the Sterling for its the surrounding volcanoes of Chigmit Mountains. outstanding views of Cook Inlet, Kachemak Bay, and Spit (milepost 179.5). This segment provides terminates at the “End of Road” on Homer 150.5) on the bluffs over looking Cook Inlet and of the community Anchor Pointnorth (milepost This 29.0 mile stretch starts at Stariski Creek just THE SOUTHERN PORTION Anchorage. largest community and primary tourism hub, America’s Byway the state’s loop extending from American Alaska’s Marine Highway to create a special Seward Highway with the recently designated All- offer the potential to connect All-American beauty on the planet. Finally, the Sterling segments lying at the edge of some most dramatic natural town filled with a variety of high spirited souls all particular is known throughout the world as a unique unusual character of their communities. Homer in of both state and national byway designation for the The North and South Sterling Byways are also worthy by this corridor. other recreational opportunities that are only accessed the fishing, there is gorgeous scenery and numerous for a variety of trophy-sized fish. And in addition to their lines into the waters along Sterling Highway angling. People travel from around the world to cast opportunities for both freshwater and saltwater America offers anglers the range of world-class fishing fishing destination highway. No other corridor in The North and South Sterling is America’s premier SIGNIFICANCE SUMMARY OF THE BYWAY’S spend more, and come back again again. destinations and will draw visitors to stay longer, Together, our byways will be the envy of Alaskan those seeking great Alaskan cultural opportunities. destination for a wide array of recreationalists and wilderness environment creates a unique must see visitor services and world class recreation in a any visitor’s trip exceptional. By combining these and well-trained tourism professionals who will make directions for activities, great shopping and food, oriented destination with good signing, clear packaged in a well-maintained, visitor service- soul of the Kenai Peninsula. All of this will be methods that bring the visitor in touch with stories will be told through creative interpretive encounter those people up close and personal. Their all together on the Kenai Peninsula. Visitors will freedom, and those wanting to live closer nature that brings artists, writers, people seeking religious the individualistic, get-away-from-it-all creative spirit personality exemplified by the Sterling Byways: i.e., outdoorsman, but there is another Alaskan stereotypes of the Alaskan personality as rugged juxtaposition of culture and wildness. There are these opportunities combined by the unusual watch whales and ogle at bears all on one trip? – All a fish the size of barn door, sit next to a bald eagle, recreational opportunities – where else can you catch destinations due to the combination of amazing Highways will be known as In the future, North and South Sterling BYWAY VISION must-see North American Image caption.

2 - DESCRIPTION 17 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Caption opposite. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

19 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT community and citizens. would be useful and well received by the local business that the corridor partnership plan for their segment continuation. Each group was enthusiastic and felt attendees were asked whether this program merited At the conclusion of each these kickoff workshops, that were most important to their highway segments. discussions with the attendees talking about issues plan. The bulk of the workshops were spent in involved in the preparation of a corridor partnership byways program and to understand the process opportunity to hear about the state and national At these initial workshops attendees had an representatives, and interested citizens. representatives, federal land management agency was well-attended by chamber members, community and Cooper Landing. Each of these initial workshops in Homer,sponsored kickoff workshops Anchor Point, Commerce. These two groups coordinated and units of governments and the local Chambers South Sterling Byways began with contacting local The public involvement approach for the North and STRATEGY AND ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN 3 land access, interpretation, trails, campgrounds, trailhead parking, recreation opportunities public visitor information, restrooms, signage, road safety, enhanced. Specific questions asked about pullouts, and ways in which the visitor’s experience can be reinvestment, potential interpretive stories to tell, representative of each byway, areas in need of The responses identified specific places that are most objectives and overall vision for the highway plan. provided a basis from which to develop goals and individuals responded to this questionnaire and relevant for each of the segments. Twenty-five to assess the challenges and stories that are most for questionnaire.) was The objective of this survey and organizations along each byway. (See Appendix developed and sent to all interested key individuals Following these initial meetings, a questionnaire was consulting team. agencies, key citizens and businesspeople by the officials, state and federal agencies, non-profit on-one interviews were held with local elected Once local support was expressed numerous one- Image caption.

3 - PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 21 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. completed!] discussion, the plan was...... [ Following a several and month period of plan review to what the end segments were doing. the middle undesignated segment of highway Interestingly enough, no opposition was voiced from support grew with each public meeting. Northern or Southern Sterling Byways and public opposition or concern was expressed from the and radio coverage broadened the outreach. No reaction to the draft corridor plan. Local newspaper to capturethe public opportunity the public’s on goals and priorities. These workshops provided greater detail collected on previous public direction moreobtained from of the corridor’s citizens and consulting team. Additional public input was and the corridor inventory carried out by along the byway to verify the results of survey, Subsequent workshops and open houses were held rethinking. would enjoy and which areas needed investment observations on the key experiences that most visitors Responses confirmed the consulting team’s transportation, retail, and hospitality services. lodging, dining, public transportation, air stay tuned, to be of Homer serves as the fiscal agent for two byways. and a transparent local planning process. The City maintained open doors to all additional public input key community leaders to their meetings and potential byway projects. Both groups have invited to address common concerns, priorities, issues and Both groups meet jointly during the planning process from the City of Homer.Commerce, with support in alliance with the Anchor Point Chamber of the lead entity is Homer Chamber of Commerce Commerce is the lead organization. In South, In the North, Cooper Landing Chamber of and work within existing organizational structures. and South Sterling Byways was to keep it informal The organizational approach chosen by the North ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN Image caption.

3 - PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 23 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Caption opposite. RESOURCES & QUALITIES 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

25 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT opportunities, in particular for salmon and halibut. quality of the fishing experience and quantity States that exceeds the Sterling Highway for 2002). There is no highway corridor in the United Recreation Survey (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated $36 billion in economic activity, according to the participate in every year and which generates over Fishing is an activity that over 35 million Americans of culture. 48 culture and generating one’s own distinct brand a distinct Alaskan spirit of getting away from the Lower by the recreational pursuit of fishing) combined with abundant natural resources (in this case as exemplified Sterling, of Alaska’s it is the story and America’s aspect of the American story. For the North and South about the highway that helps to convey an important corridor must show that there is something special archeological, and historic. The people along a include recreation, natural, scenic, cultural, or national significance. These intrinsic qualities it has at least one intrinsic quality that is of regional National Byway status, a road must demonstrate that As noted in the introduction, order to qualify for ASSESSMENT AND SIGNIFICANCE RESOURCE AND INTRINSIC QUALITIES 4 Point. through down-home small town America in Anchor downtown Homer and on the Spit, through great shops, art, dining and lodging in lands in North America. All of that is expressed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling,boating and wild people wanting to be next door some of the best spirits, freedom seeking religious followers, and of a thriving full service community artists, free- and Anchor Point are another Alaskan dream: that friendly people living their Alaskan dream. Homer cabins, enveloped by mountains and filled with food franchises and car dealerships, filled with log Cooper Landing is all-Alaskan, unspoiled by fast- see two distinct sides of life on the Kenai Peninsula. South Sterling Byways gives the visitor a chance to Regarding culture, a trip through the North and Image caption.

4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 27 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. pursuits found on this byway. following is a review of the primary recreational the North and South Sterling Highway. The on the Kenai Peninsula are accessed primarily from Many of the recreational resources and experiences are of state and many national significance. watching, and dog-mushing. All of these activities wildlife viewing, canoeing, snowmobiling, bird kayaking, back-country and cross-country skiing, hunting, mountain biking, river rafting, sea and Sterling have access to fishing, hiking, camping, official Alaska Highway Map. Those traveling the and is described as “Alaska’s Playground” on the Wildlife Refuge, Alaska State and numerous Parks, Chugach National Forest, the Kenai National recreational opportunities, including access to the surrounding Kenai Peninsula offer world-class The North and South Sterling Byways RECREATION PRIMARY INTRINSIC QUALITY: residents. of Alaska’s being of Alaska’s economy and the well plan emphasizes sport fishing as an essential element of FishDepartment and Game’s long-term strategic Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish. The Alaska populations managed by the Alaska Department of All fisheries on the Kenai Peninsula are stable, healthy rock bass, and a variety of clams crabs. target world record halibut, as well cod, sea and grayling and northern pike. Saltwater sport fisheries rainbow trout and lake trout, as well Arctic fisheries include Dolly Varden, steelhead trout, smelt, freshwater, and in various stocked lakes. Other popular sockeye, and chinook, which are found in saltwater, four species of North Pacific salmon: pink, coho, visitors to the Kenai Peninsula. Anglers can target is the most popular activity for both residents and largest in the world. This world class salmon fishing among fishing enthusiasts that these runs are the Russian and Kenai Rivers. It is common knowledge access to two of Alaska’s largest river fisheries, the Lake to the Homer Spit. The highway provides easy the entire length of the Sterling Highway, from Tern Exceptional fishing opportunities are accessible along FISHING following: Economics of Sport Fishing in Alaska of Fishfor the Alaska Department and Game titled A 1999 report (the most current available) prepared Alaska have a trophy size of 50 pounds. considered a “trophy salmon.” All other fisheries in are required to weigh more than 70 pounds be large and plentiful on the Kenai Peninsula that they America to catch a trophy salmon. The salmon are so consistently the number one location in North of the last twelve WORLD record salmon and is indicates that the Kenai Peninsula has produced ten The March 2004 issue of level in the state. on the Kenai Peninsula – this is the highest fish the Kenai Peninsula. areas are accessed by the Sterling Highway. Ninilchik area came in second. All of these areas in Alaska. The Homer/Anchor Point/ overwhelming most popular sport fishing million was related to Kenai fishing. 2005 level of $749 million which $254 a 2% annual growth rates, this suggests Alaska on sportfishing activities. Assuming 46% (the most) of all visitors to Alaska 34% of Alaskan resident fishing occurs The Kenai and Russian Rivers are the In 1993, $540 million was spent in Field and Stream Magazine summarizes the Fishing Byway in North America.” fishing. Together these corridors offer the “Premier South Sterling provides access to world-class saltwater access to world-class freshwater fishing, while the Simply put, the North Sterling Byway provides Highway. fishing along the South portion of Sterling indication of the national popularity saltwater three Homer residents have ever won the derby, an been out-of-state visitors on fishing charters and only over 320 pounds. Half of the derby winners have hosted, the average weight of winning halibut is twenty years the Homer Halibut Derby has been the “Halibut Capital of World.” During the significant for its “barn-door” sized halibut and is the South Sterling Byway. Homer is nationally world class saltwater fisheries are only accessed from communities of Anchor Point and Homer. These and sea bass are found at the South Sterling Popular saltwater fishing areas for clams, halibut, popular fishing area in Alaska. highway. This region represents the second most rivers and creeks along the southern segment of Anchor River, the North Fork and numerous smaller Other rivers with significant fisheries include the provide exceptional fishing opportunities. Lake, both of which flow into these rivers and also segment provides access to Skilak Lake and Kenai significant fisheries. Additionally, the northern of the Kenai River. Both of these rivers are nationally Peninsula, the Russian River and the upper portions most popular freshwater fishing areas on the Kenai The North Sterling Highway provides access to the Image caption.

4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 29 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. along the Sterling Highway: agencies manage and maintain the following facilities recreation along the corridor. opportunities These Game, and Alaska State Parks all provide public Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Department of Fish and National Forest, the 1.92 million acre Kenai National the area. The Seward Ranger District of the Chugach other outstanding recreation opportunities found in visit the Sterling Highway also take advantage of South Sterling Byways. A vast majority of those who recreation opportunities exist along the North and In addition to world-class fishing, hundreds of OUTDOOR RECREATION viewing facilities available RV facilities with several hundred sites totaling more than a thousand, as well numerous fishing platforms and wildlife dozens of boat launches 200 miles of canoe routes 16 public use cabins 4 visitor/interpretive centers 30 trails totaling over 500 miles 46 public campgrounds with sites found in to fully enjoy the numerous recreation opportunities services from remote rustic to luxury accommodations complete recreation services and a variety of traveler economy. All communities provide exceptional and recreation tourism plays a significant role in its community of Homer is more diversified; however industry.primary The larger South Sterling Point rely almost solely on recreation tourism as their Landing and South Sterling community of Anchor The North Sterling Byway community of Cooper Peninsula and across Cook Inlet. and other wilderness adventures on the Kenai horseback expeditions, gold panning, charter fishing, adventures, guided hunting, sea kayaking tours, wildlife viewing, skiing and snow machining opportunities such as whitewater rafting, guided South Sterling Byways offer extensive recreation Dozens of private businesses along the North and interpretive centers. opportunities including trails, camping facilities, and the highway provide smaller-scaled recreation Additionally, local agencies and organizations along “Alaska’s Playground.” to let you sit in for awhile when visit. place that is marching to its own drum and happy local historical museum) and you get a picture of children processed and reassembled for display in the the brown bear skeleton that local elementary school openness and charm of this little town’s residents (plus most Alaskan communities. Add to this the genuine make Cooper Landing much more ‘“Alaskan” than winning lodge and “Wild Woman” enterprises, all distinctive historic businesses like Gwin’s award architecture, the absence of franchise businesses, and road, the high surrounding mountains, log cabin destination. The combination of the narrow, winding Cooper Landing is also a distinctive cultural else in the United States. is nowhere else like Homer—in Alaska or anywhere watch bald eagles and bears in the afternoon? There sculptures (that are really beautiful!) and then go Where else can you shop for one-of-a-kind utensil North America? bay from some of the best dining establishments in that are accessible only by water and air across the Name another place that offers two National Parks the 1700s? Homer. hasn’t changed since Captain Cook sailed through in looking out over active volcanoes and scenery that and homesteaders all hanging out at a local brew pub Russian refugees, yuppie escapees, deep sea fishermen, Where can you find world-class visual artists, writers, CULTURAL QUALITIES QUALITY CO-PRIMARY INTRINSIC area for hundreds of thousands migrating birds. recognition for its significance as a shorebird staging Shorebird Reserve Network, bringing it international of the designated as part Western Hemisphere and add to your life list. Kachemak Bay was and is another opportunity to learn about the birds Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival May held every loons, and arctic terns. Homer hosts the popular ptarmigan, trumpeter swans, common and pacific life lists with species such as spruce grouse, willow salmon. Birders find opportunities to add their brown and black bears, wolves, lynx, of course including moose, caribou, bald eagles, Dall sheep, Highway and its surrounding public lands, than 200 wildlife species are found along the Sterling observation, recreation, hunting, and fishing. More waterways leading to popular areas for wildlife The Sterling Highway provides access to trails and year, more than any other wildlife refuge in Alaska. and wildlife draws over a half million visitors National Wildlife Refuge’s wealth of habitat, scenery outstanding natural environment. The Kenai landforms, and vegetation, to recreate in an and provides significant opportunities to see wildlife, Refuge. A large portion of this area is undisturbed only highway that traverses this National Wildlife Wildlife Refuge. The North Sterling Byway is the including the 1.92 million acre Kenai National and managed lands along the Sterling Highway, There are over two million acres of public owned NATURAL AND SCENIC QUALITIES QUALITIES SECONDARY INTRINSIC Image caption.

4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 31 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. presented on the following pages. refer to the site-by-site inventory maps and tables intrinsic resources along the highway corridor, please For of the fishing, recreation,and an inventory other a highway system to the “Pacific Ring of Fire.” locations in the nation that provide visual access from 2006!) The South Sterling Byway is one of few smoldering and spewing lava for most of 2005 recently become active again and has been erupted as recently 2006. (Mt. Augustine has Mt. Iliamna, and Augustine all three have Sterling Highway. These include Mount Redoubt, from points along the southern segment of volcanoes, many of which are still active and visible Inlet are home to some of Alaska’s most famous The Chigmit Mountains on the west side of Cook CORRIDOR INVENTORY STERLING STATE SCENIC BYWAY LEGEND designated as a State Scenic Byway and is not inventoried in this document. northern end of the Sterling Highway. Segments 5 thru 7 represent the portion of Sterling Highway that is currently not geography, visual quality, type of development along the highway, or a combination of these qualities. Segment 1 starts at the The Sterling Highway is divided into 11 segments. Each segment has its own unique characteristics whether it be road condition, a partial list. Additional recommendations can be found throughout the Corridor Plan. opportunities along the byway. This inventory also makes basic recommendations for enhancements and these only represent and attractions along the byway. These are not listed to maintain a clear and simplistic understanding of the qualities and of the Sterling Highway that are currently designated as a State Scenic Byway. There are hundreds of private facilities, busine This inventory lists road conditions, visitor services, attractions, opportunities, and public facilities found along the two s SBoth Sides South Bound Opportunity off the Sterling Highway and distance from highway North Bound OFF (0.0) Visitor Services BS Visitor Center SB NB USDA Forest Service US Fish and Wildlife Service VS Scenic Viewing T VC Recreation Vehicle Facilities USF&WS Recreation Opportunity USFS Point of Interest Parking TOWN SV RV REC Food and Beverage (Restaurant) POI P NMTF INTRP F&B ARC/CUL Non Motorized Transportation Facilities Interpretation/Museum Archeological/Cultural Site own/City Limits Image caption. egments sses,

4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 33 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT 1618PNB NB Road condition: New road surfacing, 2 lane with 3' to 6' paved shoulder and occasional passing lanes. Good NMTF. NB P NB S Segment Summary: Passes through Chugach mountains. Mountains in close proximity. High scenic quality and recreation. P 147 148 NB 42.6 SV 149 41.6 P SB 41.4 150 BS SV 151 41.3 40.6 152 POI 40.3 153 NB 154 38.6 NB 38.0 37.5 SV 155 SB POI 37.4 156 157 37.1 POI 37.0 158 36.5 WA MILE SEGMENT #1: LENGTH 6.1 MILES NORTH SEGMENT - SEWARD HIGHWAY TO WEST INTERSECTION WITH SKILAK LAKE ROAD P SYMBOL YPT MFBS NMTF NB P/REC NB REC/SV SIDE HWY SIDE HWY Begin/end 6' paved shoulder. Gravel parking for 5 vehicles, unorganized. Access to Quartz Creek for fishing Gravel parking for 4 vehicles, unorganized. Access to Quartz Creek for fishing. Quartz Creek for fishing. Needs improvements and intrp. Alternate visitor center site? Gravel parking area for 8 vehicles, unorganized. Marked as scenic but limited. Access to Gravel parking for 8 vehicles, unorganized. Intrp opportunity. Access to Quartz Creek for fishing. Could be improved with restrooms and intrp, or Sterling Highway visitor center. New paved parking and scenic view area of Daves Creek surrounding mountains. Fishing and gold panning occurs, need to provide better access, parking intrp. Gravel parking area for 10 vehicles, unorganized. Road crosses Quartz Creek. Avalanche gates and public phone. Short intrp trail. Great area with potential for expansion including camping. Area can flood. USFS Tern Lake Day Use Area. Salmon viewing, intrp and seasonal restrooms. Paved parking for 25 vehicles. Site could be expanded and improved. Very scenic. USFS Tern Lake Scenic View Area. ADA accessible boardwalk and viewing with intrp panels. South intersection with Seward All-American Road. Needs better Byway and destination signage. Seward. Needs Scenic Byway signage. Great scenic gateway to Sterling Highway. Needs to show destinations and attractions along Sterling rather than all destinations are in North intersection with Seward All-American Road. Beginning of Sterling Highway. Off ramp. DESCRIPTION terling Wye South Junction intersection.

4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 35 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT 59V SS BS SB Road condition: 2 laned paved with no shoulder. No NMTF. Most hazardous segment of the highway. along road. High scenic quality and recreation. VS VS Segment Summary: High winding road through Chugach mountains along Kenai Lake. Little development except in small scattered poc 141 POI/REC 47.6 REC 45.9 143 NB 45.6 REC 45.0 REC 144 44.8 VS 145 44.8 44.8 146 42.7 WA MILE SEGMENT #2: LENGTH 5.2 MILES P SYMBOL YPT P/INTRP NB Old Old NB P/INTRP F 26 USFS Crescent Campground via Quartz Creek Road. 9 sites and restroom in wooded area. OFF (2.6) USFS Quartz Creek Campground via Road. 45 sites and restroom on Kenai Lake. OFF (0.5) USFS Quartz Creek Day Use Area via Quartz Creek Road. Boat launch, picnic and restroom. OFF (0.2) SIDE HWY recreation supplies. Small commercial area offering basic visitor services. Lodging, F&B laundry and Needs improvements and thinning of vegetation. Kenai Lake. Large mountainous lake. Popular recreation area with high scenic qualities. Trail to Crescent Lake and recreation opportunities. tours and RV. First/last services along highway. Sunrise. Small commercial area offering a wide array of basic visitor services. F&B, gas, lodging, DESCRIPTION mall commercial area offering basic visitor services. Lodging, F&B and tours. wayside facility, gravel area for 20 vehicles. Good potential of intrp and Dall sheep viewing. kets 4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 37 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT 4811RCNB BS BS REC POI 121 NB 122 54.8 ARC/CUL 123 54.0 54.0 NB 124 NB 53.5 125 REC 126 53.1 REC NB 53.0 SB NB 127 ARC/CUL 128 52.5 52.5 VS SB 129 P 52.4 NB 130 REC 131 52.0 REC 50.7 REC SB 132 REC 50.6 133 NB 50.5 P SB 50.5 50.4 135 VS 49.5 VS SB 48.7 137 138 REC 48.2 REC 47.9 POI 139 47.9 140 47.9 47.8 WA MILE SEGMENT #3: LENGTH 16.7 MILES 3 E BVarious rafting guides, tours and cabins for next half mile. River access rafting. SB REC 134 P SYMBOL YPT E/ SB BS REC/P TOWN SB INTRP F 2.)USFS Russian River Campground OFF (23.0) SIDE HWY vehicles, 30 trailers and RVs. Major non motorized boat launch area for fishing. Restrooms, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sportsman’s Lodge Recreation Area. Paved parking for 75 Chugach National Forest sign. Enter/leaving Forest. Mile marker 54. Many mile markers missing. Replace missing markers. Unorganized parking and river access. Upgrades required throughout including directional signs. Kenaitze Indian Tribe and USFS Hchan’iyut Interpretive Trail. Short cultural trail along river. Large parking, restrooms, intrp facilities. Mountain bike and horseback use allowed. USFS Resurrection Pass trailhead. Popular 38 mile recreation trail with cabins along route. Kenai River bridge. Cooper Landing limits. RV and restrooms. USFS Russian Lake campground. Extremely popular due to access fishing. 84 sites, USFS Russian Lakes and River Falls trailheads. Popular trails. and intrp of Native people. Restrooms. Need upgrade self guided tour during off season. Kenaitze Indian Tribe and USFS K’Beq Footprints Heritage Site. Short cultural trail recreation supplies. Commercial area. All needed services available including lodging, F&B, tours, and Gravel parking for 10 vehicles, unorganized. Little potential. New trailhead Stetson Creek? Campground is small with limited area. USFS North Cooper Creek Campground. 7 sites with creek access. Intrp potential. Campground could be expanded, reconstruct old Stetson Creek Trail. USFS South Cooper Creek Campground. 23 sites with creek access. No intrp facilities Bridge over Cooper Creek. Summer fishing. Bridge over Juneau Creek. Summer fishing. Paved parking for 12 vehicles and RVs. Along Kenai River. Needs river access and intrp. Cooper Landing Museum. Small but interesting. Could use expansion and improved intrp. and recreation supplies. Commercial development. Many visitor services provided lodging, F&B, tours, RV, Collection of scattered seasonal commercial shacks offering F&B, tours, and souvenirs. Basic visitor center with host. Lake. ADA ramp and scenic viewing with intrp panels. Restrooms, day-use parking for 30 RVs. Cooper Landing State Boat Launch and Rec Area. Popular launch area for Kenai River and Bridge over convergence of Kenai River and Lake. Major recreation destination. DESCRIPTION via Snug Harbor Road. Also access to Cooper Lake (12.0 m). 4318PNB Road condition: 2 laned paved with 2' paved shoulder. Paved shoulder absent on some guardrail curves. Limited NMTF Gra SB small scattered pockets along road. High scenic quality and exceptional recreation. P Segment Summary: Road in foothills and steep rocky Chugach mountains midground. Lakes valleys. Little development except REC NB 108 SB 64.3 109 NB 63.7 P P 110 REC 111 60.9 112 60.7 60.5 NB 59.8 SB REC BS 113 VC 58.1 POI BS 114 115 57.9 57.7 116 117 57.2 118 56.9 119 56.7 NB 120 56.6 56.5 55.0 REC 121 54.9 E/ NB REC/P SB NB REC/P NB P/REC NB P/REC NB P/REC P/REC Gravel parking for 6 vehicles, unorganized. Some potential improvements. recreation. Gravel parking for 25 vehicles, unorganized. Needs info signs, intrp and trash cans. Road access to Mystery Hills. is open seasonally and managed by USF&WS. Access to and trail add intrp. Popular trail. Parking on opposite side of road from trail. No facilities or intrp. Improve safety between parking USF&WS Skyline Trail parking and trailhead. Gravel for 20 vehicles RVs. Gravel parking for 15 vehicles, unorganized. Little potential. Needs signage from road. USF&WS Jean Lake Campground. 3 sites, boat launch and fishing. Expand camping facilities. Transportation to USF&WS and seek funding for improving road. need of serious repair and is not suitable for large RVs. Transfer road from AK Department of Skilak Lake Loop Road is old Sterling. Create road as an alternate recreation route. Road is in 4 campgrounds, several cabins and boat launches, numerous recreation opportunities. East intersection with Skilak Lake Loop Road. Provides access to over 12 USF&WS trails, add information services about Refuge when facility is closed. host. Restrooms, water and picnic. Day use. No intrp other than kiosk. Seasonal. Need to USF&WS Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor Contact Station. Basic information kiosk with Kenai Wildlife Refuge sign. Begin/end paved shoulder. Views of Kenai River. No facilities or intrp. Need Fishing. USF&WS Fuller Lakes parking & trailhead. Unorganized gravel for 20 vehicles. Gravel parking for 40 vehicles and RVs, unorganized. River access intrp needs improving. Gravel parking for 12 vehicles, unorganized. Improve and river access. Potential new parking and trail to river. Gravel parking for 25 vehicles and RVs, unorganized. Improve river access. Enter/leaving USF&WS Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. upgrades due to heavy use. and recreation. Major fishing destination. Bank stabilization needed. Some facilities need and restrooms. Russian River ferry provides access to other side of river additional fishing USF&WS Russian River Ferry and Access. Large parking area, fish cleaning stations, river/bear viewing with some intrp that could be improved. Major fishing destination. vel parking for 4 vehicles, unorganized. in

4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 39 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT 5309RCN W NB Road condition: 2 laned paved with 2' paved shoulder. Limited NMTF. Gr Good scenic quality, interesting natural features (Moose Flats) and recreation. POI NB NB BS Segment Summary: Rolling landscape with Chugach Mountains in background. Spruce and alder with marshy flats. Little development NB 098 REC 76.0 SV SB SV 099 P 100 75.3 NB 101 74.1 P 102 72.4 71.4 REC NB 103 104 71.3 105 70.7 REC 70.8 POI 106 107 68.3 64.6 WA MILE SEGMENT #4: LENGTH 11.4 MILES P SYMBOL YPT P/REC NB Gravel par Gravel NB P/REC SIDE HWY SIDE HWY Kenai National Wildlife Refuge sign. Enter/leaving Refuge. Contact Station and restrooms. Provide facilities to allow for year round information on Refuge. See segment #3, milepost 58.1 for road and recreation opportunities. Provide USF&WS Visitor Great view of flats and mountains in background. Potential scenic area. Middle of flats with great long views. Potential scenic view area. boat launch. Expand camping facilities. USF&WS Watson Lake Campground. Access road 0.5 miles. 3 sites, picnic, restrooms and USF&WS Egumen Lake Trail. Potential for intrp. Trail to lake fishing. Fishing. Access to USF&WS Seven Lakes Trail and cabins. Expand camping facilities. (0.5 m and 1.0 m). Each has 4 sites, picnic areas, RV, boat launch and restrooms. USF&WS Kelly and Peterson Lakes Campgrounds. Access road to campgrounds Begin/end of Moose Flats. Unique geography. Provide intrp on landscape and ecosystem. DESCRIPTION est intersection with Skilak Lake Loop Road. Begin/end State Scenic Byway. No byway signs. avel parking for 10 vehicles, unorganized. Little potential views or intrp. king for 10 vehicles. Parking Egumen Lake Trail. Better signage and access needed. . 4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 41 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT IEWA MILE SEGMENT #8: LENGTH 4.7 MILES SOUTH SEGMENT - STARISKI CREEK TO THE HOMER SPIT (LAND’S END) 153.9 038 SV SB Potential scenic view view scenic Potential Road condition: 2 laned paved, stripped with 3' paved shoulder each side and rumble strip. Good NMTF. SB SB St opportunities and scenic natural features found along segment. St SV SB Segment Summary: Road returns to edge of bluff and views both Cook Inlet inland toward Kenai Mountains foothills. Good r SV BS SB 036 REC 038 155.2 153.9 POI REC 039 152.7 040 151.9 151.7 P SYMBOL YPT SIDE HWY SIDE HWY land owner. Last/first view of Cook Inlet from highway since Homer. Potential scenic view area. Private Residents have requested no road improvements. Coal deposits on beach bluffs. Whiskey Gulch Road. Public beach access. Hazardous road. 4 wheel drive only. intrp. Entire campground needs upgrading and expansion. DESCRIPTION ariski State Recreation Area. 16 camp sites, ADA restroom, great views of Cook Inlet. No ariski Creek bridge. Begin/end State Scenic Byway. Need byway signs. point. Private land owner. Spruce beetle kill intrp possible. ecreation

4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 43 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT 6. 2 NB NB BS REC SB P POI BS 028 029 164.3 POI 162.4 VS 161.0 159.7 157.5 REC 157.2 REC 157.1 REC development. REC commercial Begin 157.1 SB REC SB 157.1 SB SB REC 157.1 POI 032 157.1 VS VC 034 157.1 157.1 005 156.8 035 156.4 155.7 WA MILE SEGMENT #9: LENGTH 12.9 MILES P SYMBOL YPT ONNB TOWN SB TOWN F 16 Anchor River Beach State Day Use Area via Anchor River Road. Cook Inlet beach access, boat OFF (1.6) Halibut State Campground via Anchor River Road. 20 sites, picnic and restrooms. Popular area OFF (1.5) Slidehole State Campground via Anchor River Road. 30 sites on river, ADA sites and restrooms. OFF (1.1) Steelhead State Rec Area via Anchor River Road. Small campground on river with restrooms. OFF (0.7) Coho State Rec Area via Anchor River Road. Small campground on river with restrooms. Fishing. OFF (0.5) SIDE HWY river banks. Establish Anchor River Trail from this location to North Fork Road? access to Anchor River and interpretation site. Develop day use recreation area and stabilize Gravel unorganized parking. Old camping area that was flooded out by river. Potential recreation Gravel pull off. 6 vehicle capacity, unorganized. Potential river access site. services. River access and fishing. Bridge over Anchor River. Scattered art studios and small commercial area offering basic including intrp, parking, road signage and site enhancements. Blackwater Bend Homestead. Historic homestead site needing all levels of improvements Community of Anchor Point welcome sign. Bridge over North Fork River. End/begin Anchor River commercial area. Highway idea to be more of a celebration. Expand on volcano intrp and general maintenance. America accessed by road system. Volcano and gold history intrp. Expand on most Westerly launch, viewing area with spotting scopes to view volcanoes. Most Westerly point in North maintenance needed. Add intrp. due to access river and Cook Inlet for fishing clamming. Minor improvements Popular day use for fishing. Minor improvements and maintenance needed. Add intrp. Fishing. Minor improvements and maintenance needed. Minor improvements and maintenance needed. Anchor River Road. Access to numerous recreation opportunities. Marker: Most westerly point of highway in North America. Needs improvement and signage. Entire visitor center needs upgrades and improvements. Anchor Point Visitor Center. Seasonal. Poor intrp and mapping. Located in old schoolhouse. Community of Anchor Point welcome sign. DESCRIPTION All visitor services available. 6. 2 SSB Road condition: 2 laned paved with 3' paved shoulder each side and rumble strip. Good NMTF. NB SB views. Recreation opportunities and scenic qualities found along this segment. VS REC Segment Summary: Light residential with scattered commercial. Road moves from water’s edge and provides interior distant mo REC 023 SB 024 169.3 BS SV 169.1 POI 025 167.0 POI 165.0 026 NB 027 164.8 REC/POI 164.5 164.3 WA MILE P SYMBOL YPT SIDE HWY SIDE HWY Begin/end 2 lane road. Small commercial area with fuel, F&B, and RV. Baycrest Ski Area. Variety of cross country ski trails and summer hiking. needs improvements at all levels. Diamond Ridge Road. Access to Diamond Creek State Park with hiking trail to beach. Area Inland view of flats and Caribou Hills in distance. to first Alaskan oil well. Provide signage and intrp for old Sterling route at intersection. Old Sterling Highway runs 8 miles to the north Anchor River Road. Alternate route with access Enter/leave Anchor River Valley. museum. Need to work with community and determine if improvements (signage) are needed. Church and traditional lifestyle. Community includes basic services with a café, gift shop Nikolaevsk, a Russian ‘Old-Believers’ community is found on North Fork Road with its Orthodox North Fork Road. Access to recreation along Anchor River. Provide river access and parking. DESCRIPTION untain

4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 45 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT 7. O BS NB Road condition: 4 laned paved and stripped with 4' shoulder each side 6' wide separated NMTF along a portion of the r NB POI Good scenic and some recreation. interpretation facilities with outstanding visitor centers. REC SB Segment Summary: Coming off bluff and into Homer. Residential to commercial development and visitor services. All services pro VS NB REC 175.2 017 174.8 SB 174.4 VS 174.0 SB 173.5 SB REC 173.4 VC 018 173.4 VC BS 173.4 VS/TOWN 007 019 173.4 020 173.1 SB 21 172.6 SB 170.0 170.0 SV SV 006 022 169.6 169.5 WA MILE SEGMENT #10: LENGTH 4.9 MILES P SYMBOL YPT MFBS NMTF INTRP BS BS NMTF TOWN F 03 Pratt Museum via Pioneer Avenue and Bartlett Avenue. Outstanding local museum looking at OFF (0.3) SIDE HWY End of mainland. Good views Homer Spit and Kachemak Bay. Beluga Wetlands Wildlife Viewing Platform. Needs directional signage and improved intrp. Begin/end separated 6' wide NMTF. Salt water crossing. NMTF on west side of bridge Lake Street. To downtown Homer with numerous art galleries, shops and visitor services. Bishop’s Beach Park with public access to beach and picnic area. Needs intrp. life on the edge of wilderness and Kachemak Bay. Pioneer Avenue. To downtown Homer with numerous art galleries, shops and visitor services. Beluga Slough Trail through a variety of ecosystems. Intrp signage. National Wildlife Refuge. Restrooms. Guided center tours and walks on Beluga Slough trail. USF&WS Islands and Oceans Visitor Center. World class facility with intrp on Alaska Maritime Homer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. Good services and location. Restrooms. Begin/end commercial development. All visitor services provided. Begin/end separated 6' wide NMTF. Welcome to Homer ‘Halibut Capital of the World’ sign. replacing or upgrading. Restrooms could be improved. Potential for more intrp. Parking for 75 vehicles. Great site, panoramic views and entry to Homer. Intrp signs need and gold rush. Area includes benches, restrooms, spotting scopes and garden display. Baycrest Rest Area. Large scenic overlook. Existing interpretation mountains, volcanoes, islands, Restrooms next to scenic overlook below. DESCRIPTION oad. vided. 4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 47 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Road condition: Paved road with no paved shoulder. NMTF along a portion of segment. A unique natural feature with interesting history and numerous recreation opportunities. NB BS Vast history including: coal mining, 1964 earthquake and affect on spit, fishing, marine port, and surrounding State and Nation BS SB Segment Summary: Long narrow sand spit jutting into Kachemak Bay. Great scenery and opportunities. A great ‘End of the Road’ se VC POI NB VS POI 008 179.5 POI 009 179.5 BS NB 179.1 010 179.0 NB 178.9 REC VS REC NB 011 178.5 012 178.5 REC 178.5 178.1 013 178.0 014 175.6 015 175.4 SB 016 REC/POI 175.3 175.3 WA MILE SEGMENT #11: LENGTH 4.2 MILES P SYMBOL YPT MFNB NMTF NB NB INTRP SB INTRP NMTF SIDE HWY SIDE HWY State Park and 2 National Parks (Lake Clark Katmai) that surround End of the Road. for End of the Road. Provide photo opportunity. Visitor Center? Need to play up Kachemak Bay End/start of byway and Sterling Highway. Need byway and orientation signs, focal point/attraction Alaska’s Marine Highway Homer Ferry Terminal. Restrooms and visitor information. Seafarer’s Memorial. Organize space around memorial to increase prominence. Begin/end commercial area. Salty Dawg Bar. Historic lighthouse bar on spit. vehicles and pedestrians. Need to improve safety, parking and pedestrian routes. businesses. Great place to see catches being brought in. Area can get congested with numerous linked by boardwalks on west side of spit. Dozens charter fishing and wildlife viewing Homer Spit commercial area: Restrooms, F&B, tours, parking, shopping. Small colorful shacks Public boat launch. End/begin separated path. Paved 8' wide on east side of spit. Needs to be extended. Homer Spit Public Campground. Fee station for numerous camping sites along spit. Restrooms. due to heavy use by locals and visitors. Add intrp, viewing area and fish cleaning stations. The Fishing Hole. Popular fishing area on spit. Area unorganized and needs some improvements Bench, bike racks, spotting scope. 5-10 years old. Good site but only accessible from trail. Homer Spit State Viewing Area. Existing interpretation: Shorebird, migration panels. Bench, bike racks, spotting scope. 5-10 years old. Good site but only accessible from trail. Homer Spit State Viewing Area. Existing interpretation: Time, birds, food chain panels. Great facility but needs to be expanded to end of Spit. Add more intrp along its length. End/begin 3.5 mile separated path. Paved 8' wide on east side of spit. intrp, trash cans, and other amenities to ensure success of area. abundant recreation opportunities and access to beach. Need sign facilities provide Organized public pullouts and parking needed along spit especially middle portion to access Beginning of Homer Spit. Beachcombing, beach walking and wildlife viewing along entire length. DESCRIPTION al Parks. tting. 4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 49 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. of regional, if not national, significance as well. scenic and natural qualities are also outstanding these two segments of the Sterling Highway. The opportunities to solidify the national significance of Playground America.’ Sterling Highway the trophy sized salmon and halibut. This makes the and saltwater fisheries for dozens of species including to the world’s most significant and abundant fresh The Sterling Highway provides convenient access unique cultural qualities of the area. of highest significance, closely followed by the outdoor recreation stand out as the intrinsic qualities Byways are significant. As discussed, fishing and The resources of the North and South Sterling INTRINSIC QUALITY SUMMARY The highway also provides access to with hundreds of other recreation Premier Fishing Byway in North Alaska’s merit national byway designation. experience, the North and South Sterling Byways the potential for a nationally unique multi-byway nationally significant recreation resources as well on both the North and South Sterling Byways’ and spectacular beauty that defines our state. Based history of its human inhabitants, and on the varied resource recreation, on the wildness of Alaska, related to the land and water, on resource use and offer residents and visitors experiences perspectives Highway. Together, these three connected routes will connect to these two portions of the Sterling Alaska’s Marine Highway. Both All American Roads neighboring All-American Roads, the Seward and also perfect complements and partners with two The North and South Sterling Byway segments are 4 - RESOURCES AND QUALITIES 51 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Caption opposite. STEWARDSHIP 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

53 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT INTRINSIC QUALITY STEWARDSHIP STRATEGY 5 monitored and taken into consideration. Alaska Fish problems, and other human impacts are already to ensure strong future runs. Disease, habitat species are allowed to reproduce in sufficient numbers Game. Through annual permit and take limits, of Fishmanagement by the Alaska Department and important and so significant, that they are all under The fish populations of the Kenai Peninsula are so HUNTING FISHING AND intrinsic qualities: straightforward, as summarized for the following key For this byway, strategy is the stewardship travelers can appreciate the byway? special be conserved so that future generations of the resources, places, and events that make byway stewardship of the intrinsic qualities; i.e., how can organization and relevant entities will support the criteria, this plan must address how the byway As required by the national byway program planning cleaning stations, and interpretive signage. bank stabilization and ecosystem restoration, fish projects include boardwalks, trails, fishing platforms, impact on natural resources. Examples of potential advance conservation projects that minimize visitor and other groups, including municipalities, to organizations should work closely with the KRSA damage to the resources.minimize The byway the byway program: managing visitors in order to This group focuses on issues of direct relevance to stabilization, conservation, and access management. a private non-profit group concerned with bank The Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA) is here sophisticated and scientific manner. in a very Fishing and hunting stewardship is already practiced impressive effort at wildlife population management. the byway should do to augment this already Peninsula, there is little to be recommended that big and small game populations. On the Kenai and assesses their health. for the The same is true and Game continually studies the fish populations Image caption.

5 - STEWARDSHIP 55 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. the same manner as everywhere else in U.S.? At the existing community? Or merely to function in community. Are these projects designed to enhance of signage, and how the projects fit into than with how the buildings are designed, design may have less to do with the presence of franchises In a place like Homer, the issue of national franchises Center Plan, the two areas each other. should support main road, Pioneer Avenue. As noted in the Town taken to not pull the energy from the community’s a focal point for the community, but care should be The Homer Town Center Plan should help to create individual character and flair. attractive development while still allowing for Community Design manual to help encourage support the arts. In addition, Homer has adopted a and encouraging the development of businesses that by supporting arts festivals, events, and competitions Not much. In places like Homer, it can be Can or should the culture of a place be CULTURAL DISTINCTIVENESS encouraged managed ? and the positive attitude of its residents. Landing are likely given the geography of area place should stay the same. Few threats to Cooper its present day charm and character. The scale of the the road and river to all stay in place maintain Cooper Landing. This will allow the buildings edging significant widening of the Sterling Highway through If such a road is built, it will decrease the need for construction of a proposed Sterling Highway bypass. town” feel of the place may be assisted through In Cooper Landing, maintaining the “real Alaska small issue. City’s new Design Manual should help with this and by it residents should it become an issue. The needs to be addressed at the local level of government establish themselves in Homer. This however does in regards to local character and businesses that might it now?” This plan does not make recommendations him do it five years ago, why aren’t you letting me do quickly wades into the difficult waters of “you let Determining that point is a tough exercise and too many businesses are national franchises. some point, local tourism character is diluted when Coalition is a model for this type of lobbying effort. higher park funding levels. The American Recreation create a more substantial constituency to work for other byways around the state may be one way to entities under the byway umbrella and working with Organizing businesses, local governments, and other levels of funding in the future to address repairs. public resources today that will just require higher extravagance, but rather of inadequately funding services. This is not a problem of reining in repair bathrooms and parking lots other basic echoes of rising visitation and insufficient funding to resources. Throughout the byway, the problem agencies given the ever growing demand for their is the marginal funding provided to various park private. The greatest threat to State and Federal Parks land, but some campgrounds and RV facilities are peak season. Many of these facilities are on public camping and RV popular during facilties that are very Along the byways, there are numerous trails and CAMPING HIKING AND effort, not wildlife manipulation. wildlife. of the byway That should be the purview enhanced to give more people the chance see where pullout and viewing improvements could be are some additional noted spots along the byway accessible and not be more than 40 miles apart. There wildlife watching with almost all sites being vehicle book and signs to identify the site as a good spot for trail. Work will include the development of a guide businesses that are working to develop the driving between the general public, local agencies and effort has established a 50-person partnership Trail called the itinerary underway to establish a highway-based driving along the highway. Additionally is a local effort Wildlife Refuge and State Parks land that are found given amount of Forest the vast National Service, bear, birds and large mammals are likely sufficient The existing opportunities and facilities for seeing arranged? Probably not. more “managed” interactions with wildlife be recently restricted the feeding of wild eagles.) Should of any threat associated with that behavior. (Homer to the presence of additional food and absence Kachemak Bay, but they drift toward humans due good example. due to the bounty of They survive sight of humans. The presence of bald eagles is a on the part of creatures to go about their lives in support the creatures combined with sufficient ease sufficient wildness in the surrounding landscape to one that involves an intangible combination of the whims of creatures – and their presence is These qualities are transient – they come and go at EXPERIENCES WILDLIFE VIEWING AND that includes the Sterling Highway. This local Kenai Peninsula Wildlife Viewing Image caption.

5 - STEWARDSHIP 57 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. interpretation and basic roadside facilities. the South Sterling Byway and providing paid to opening more scenic viewing points along grown up or been abandoned. Attention should be but there are many areas where old pullouts have few pullouts offer great views (Bluff Point is one), for more scenic views. Along the South Sterling, a Sterling and Skilak Road should meet the demand last chapter for improving key pullouts along the Sterling Byway. Recommendations presented in the Views are easy to come by along most of the North There is much beautiful scenery along these byways. VIEWS SCENIC DRIVING AND SCENIC potential partnership groups. to inadequate funding and lack of cooperation between or to restore experiences that have deteriorated due will help either maintain existing good experiences that live along the highway. New byway strategies to the overall quality of byways or lifestyle those these byways, but none of issues poses a threat address regarding intrinsic quality management along With this said, there are some important issues to residents of the highway. little shortage of enthusiasm and energy from the and projects may be the greatest shortfall. There is shrinking budgets for the many outstanding ideas qualities. Obtaining funding during times of designation can only add to the success of intrinsic and establishing stronger partnerships through byway of these resources are already being effectively managed organizations, government and land agencies. Many beyond what is already being done by local the byway special need little additional assistance The existing resources, places and events that make SUMMARY Image caption.

5 - STEWARDSHIP 59 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Caption opposite SAFETY AND SIGNAGE 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

61 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT interfering with this road’s primary purpose. businesses and the byway effort should not be seen as paramount to all Kenai Peninsula residents and efficient transportation along the Sterling. This is these two byways must not hinder the primary role of Therefore, it must be emphasized that the program for numbers of people and goods along this part Alaska. function primarily as roads capable of moving large the North Sterling and South must and tourism – on the west side of the peninsula. Thus traffic – resident auto, local commercial, industrial the Sterling Highway is main travel route for all Due to the importance of state highway system, transportation modes as well highway travel. visitors. As such, this chapter will touch on all a unique freedom enjoyed by both residents and community to another is not always the norm and many, however, the ability to drive from one Alaskan it is a five hour drive to Anchorage from Homer. For and this is also the case on Kenai Peninsula where Generally in Alaska, boat and air service are important, where the Sterling Highway fits into that system. system on the Kenai Peninsulatransportation and This chapter presents an overview of the roadway and HIGHWAY SAFETY AND SIGNAGE 6 Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF). Transportation Plan and Kenai Area Plan and was collected from various sources including the The following material describes the road system Borough for upgrade of state secondary roads. Region with some state funding directly to the Administration through the ADOT&PF Central funded by the USDOT, Federal Highway Construction and maintenance of state roads are roads provide local access along the highway corridor. Facilities. State A number of secondary and local Alaska Department of Transportation and Public State roads are constructed and maintained by the of State-maintained roads on the Kenai Peninsula. Highway. Overall, there are approximately 650 miles Highway, the Sterling Highway, and the Kenai Spur Borough, there are three State highways: the Seward on the Kenai Peninsula. Within the Kenai Peninsula The Sterling Highway is one of the main highways TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OVERVIEW OF KENAI PENINSULA and the the Alaska Department of the Alaska Department Kenai Peninsula Borough Image caption.

6 - SAFETY AND SIGNAGE 63 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. 29.6 miles. while the South Sterling Byway comprises final encompasses the first 39.5 miles of highway the Homer Spit. The North Sterling Byway 143 miles to its southernmost point at the end of intersection at the The full Sterling Highway runs from its northern Status of the Road Today Borough Road Service Area. maintains approximately 600 miles of roads in the cities. In addition the Kenai Peninsula Borough city roads are constructed and maintained by the Seward, which lies on the Seward Highway. These along the Sterling Highway, with the exception of and Homer. These cities and their roads are all located city roads in the cities of Kenai, Soldotna, Seward, Along with state roads on the peninsula, there are Wye (at the Seward Highway), for Creek Road the lake Mountains and approaches Kenai Lake commercial near Cooper Landing then open space and lake, followed by mixed area to the edge of Cooper Landing. ALONG KENAI LAKE SEGMENT II: MILEPOSTS 42.7 TO 47.9 FROM THE WYE TO KENAI LAKE SEGMENT I : MILEPOSTS 36.5 TO 42.6 four segments. of each segment follows.The summary The North Sterling Byway is easily organized into Lanes: two Lanes: two Shoulders: six foot paved Road surface: variable quality Shoulders: no shoulders Extent: 6.1 miles from the Wye to Quartz Other: road is quite narrow and winding along Road surface: new and in excellent condition Landscape: follows pass in the Chugach Extent: Quartz Creek Road and its commercial Other: occasional passing lanes Landscape: small commercial uses initially, development mixture of residential and roadside commercial absent on some guardrailed curves eastern intersection of Skilak Lake Road. Landing at the beginning of Moose Flats and Lake boat launch and bridge to the edge of Cooper THROUGH COOPER LANDING SEGMENT III: MILEPOSTS 47.8 TO 64.3 Lanes: two Road surface: mixed road surface quality Landscape: road winds along river through a Shoulders: two foot shoulders except where Extent: 16.5 miles from Kenai River/Kenai Road Flats and ends western intersection of Skilak Lake Skilak Lake Road through a portion of Moose THROUGH MOOSE FLATS SEGMENT IV: MILEPOSTS 64.6 TO 76.0 undeveloped National Wildlife Refuge Land Lanes: two Road surface: good Shoulders: two foot paved shoulders Extent: Begins at eastern intersection of Landscape: rolling hills and a winding road; Image caption.

6 - SAFETY AND SIGNAGE 65 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. segment Baycrest ski area segment ANCHOR POINT TO SOUTH OF TOWN SEGMENT II: MILEPOSTS 156.9 TO 169.3 STARISKI CREEK TO ANCHOR POINT SEGMENT I: MILEPOST 150.5 TO 156.9 this byway. segments. The following is a review of the status The South Sterling Byway can be divided into four SOUTH STERLING STATUS Anchor Point Recreation area to the edge of community commercial with periodic views across Cook Inlet commercial with periodic views across Cook Inlet Lanes: two Lanes: two Shoulders: three foot paved. Road surface: ranges from moderate to good Shoulders: three foot paved. Road surface: ranges from moderate to good Extent: 6.4 miles from Stariski Creek State Other: rumble strip present for most of Extent: 16.4 miles from Anchor Point to the Other: rumble strip present for most of Landscape: residential and scattered Landscape: residential and scattered Homer Spit SEGMENT IV: MILEPOSTS 174.4 TO 179.5 SEGMENT III: MILEPOSTS 169.5 TO 174.4 needed. paved shoulder/bike lane along the entire route is Anchor Point and Homer. Developing a consistent are found in the Cooper Landing area and between and Public Facilities for future realignment. These targeted byof the Alaska Department Transportation highway is a few dangerous curves, which have been the byways. The most serious problem facing the ranges from good to excellent on most portions of In summary, the condition of Sterling Highway of this road Lanes: Four Lanes: two lanes Shoulder: four foot paved Surface: ranges from good to excellent Shoulder: unpaved Other: six foot separated trail Extent: 4.9 miles from Baycrest to the start of Extent: 4.2 miles along the Homer Spit Other: separated trail runs along the majority Landscape: commercial and industrial ups and downs in the number of accidents. significantly overall, although there were year-to-year that from 1992 to 2001, accident rates did not vary design. For the Borough as a whole, Figure E indicates is largely due to its full-two lane, well-maintained Overall, the Sterling Highway safe road. is a very This DATATRAFFIC ACCIDENT fishing and recreation opportunities. state visitors flock to the corridor for its world class and the Sterling Highway as Alaskans out-of- a sense of the impact that tourism has on Peninsula January. The difference between these figures provides in July. The lowest level was 5,600 vehicles/day in the highest traffic counts were 13,500 vehicles/day compiled year. Along the entire Sterling Highway, day.This data is from 2002, the most recently between approximately 3000 and 8500 trips per South Sterling, average daily traffic levels range between 1500 and 3500 trips per day. Along the On the North Sterling, average daily traffic ranges TRAFFIC VOLUME DATA accidents in the Borough. accidents and the total Property Damage Only Sterling Highway comprises about 30% of the total compared with Figure E, these data suggest that the Highway saw a total of 376 accidents in 2001. When entire Sterling Highway, the data indicate that compiled year) are shown in Tables 3 and 4. For the Accident data collected in 2001 (most recently 1992-2001 TrafficSeverity Accidentsby Accident Figure E - Kenai Peninsula Borough Image caption.

6 - SAFETY AND SIGNAGE 67 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. result in serious accidents. part of the accident data since these collisions can ADOT&PF also records collisions with moose as abundant wildlife along the Sterling Highway, portion of the Sterling Highway. Due to the alignment and limited shoulders in the mountainous Byway segment still have a narrow winding road near future; however, of the Northern some portions have recently been completed and are slated for the the way to or from Anchorage. Many improvements Sterling traffic travels through the North section on these two corridors lies primarily in the fact that all (Table 4) saw 113 accidents. The difference between total accidents in 2001 while the North Sterling Table 3 shows that the South Sterling saw just 33 2001, Skilak Road to Seward Highway Accidents for North Sterling Byway, Table 4 - National Highway System 2001, Homer to Anchor Point Accidents for South Sterling Byway, Table 3 - National Highway System transportation, including commercial traffic. be oriented toward handling all forms of ground Peninsula. As such, it is now and must continue to that serves all ground traffic on the west side of Kenai The Sterling Highway is the backbone state highway COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC parking and river access points to name a few. interpretive facilities, trailhead improvements, and experience through the addition of pullouts, that some of these projects will improve the visitor safety along the Sterling Highway. It is also hoped improvements will improve carrying capacity and the next five to seven years. These highway process of securing funding and will be completed in the Sterling Highway. Many are funded or are in the There are several planned highway improvements for and Homer appear to be the major areas of concern. at intersections in the communities of Anchor Point been made over the years and congestion safety Along the southern byway, improvements have also months. continues to be a major issue during the summer Cooper Landing and along the winding Kenai River segment still need to be improved. Congestion in restoration work for Davis Creek. Portions of this and parking areas. Work also included stream lanes, paving shoulders, and providing scenic pull outs straightening of dangerous curves, providing passing from the Wye (MP 38.3) to Sunrise (MP45) included in the north were most significant. Improvements entire highway corridor in the last few years but those affair. Many improvements have been made along the and other slow moving vehicles can make travel a mountainous terrain. In the summer, numerous RVs long been a narrow and winding highway through The northern segment of the Sterling Highway has IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED HIGHWAY Image caption.

6 - SAFETY AND SIGNAGE 69 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. area. reduce congestion for those traveling through the beyond Cooper Landing favor the bypass to Cooper Landing. Many residents who are traveling existing Sterling Highway that runs through congestion during the peak tourism season for bypass will provide for a more manageable level of by many residents that the construction of the existing section of Sterling. There is hope bypass alternates will be selected over upgrading Given these difficulties it is likely that one of the existing roadway difficult, but not impossible. mountains and the river make improving this Highway. The immediate proximity of both businesses that lie directly adjacent to the have large impacts on the many homes and section , but this would be extremely costly and improving the existing highway through this impacts has been completed. Another option is engineering and evaluation of environmental developed for the corridor and preliminary 45 to milepost 60. Alternatives have been Highway extending from approximately milepost provide an alternative route to the Sterling around Cooper Landing. This project would road for a 15 mile section of the Sterling Highway potential project would develop a new byway pass ongoing for several years by ADOT&PF. This The Cooper Landing bypass study has been Landing Bypass Study for the Sterling Highway: NORTH STERLING BYWAY Road This porject has become kown as The Cooper Mileposts 45 to 60: Sunrise Skilak Lake area are planned, including: SOUTH STERLING BYWAY Various improvements to streets in the Homer to downtown Homer. and the Alaska’s Marine Highway terminal uninterrupted link from the end of Spit end of the Homer Spit to create an Trail along the Sterling Highway to the o Extension of the non-motorized Spit Main Street Street/East End Road, Bartlett Street and improvements with Heath Street, Lake o Pioneer Avenue intersection o Freight Dock Road East Hill Road improvements with Fairview Avenue and o East End Road intersection Drive (roundabouts or traffic signals). Lake Street, Pioneer Avenue, and Kachemak lane) as well as, Main Street, Heath improvements with West Hill Road (turn o Sterling Highway intersection installed in 2006– 2007. Mile markers and Alaska scenic byway signs are being be made. signage is good but some minor improvements could Forest and National Wildlife Refuge lands. Overall, portion of the highway traveling through National Sterling segment has the best signage due to large access points needs to be better signed. The North highway to access smaller recreation areas and river recreation and other destinations. Parking along the signage should be installed to better direct visitors several milepost markers are missing and additional Initial sign studies for highway signage indicate that while supporting economic growth. to maintain the community’s aesthetic environment also has local jurisdiction over signs within its limits the Kenai Peninsula Borough. The City of Homer Signage requirements come under the jurisdiction of character to the highway and businesses along it. unique qualities. Several signs add flair and local style for the highway and often highlight area’s on private property are of an appropriate scale and highway without signage. Private commercial signs visitor services. This leaves large tracts along the the communities or small pockets of private land with Private commercial signs are typically clustered within inappropriate given the corridors’ byway designation. adequate. What exists is not intrusive or North and South Sterling byways is minimal Private commercial and business signage along the SIGNAGE the Kenai Peninsula. halted. This leaves Homer as the only stop on the Alaska’s Marine to Seward Highway service was respectively.and 11 hours to each port, Recently, and Kodiak. Travel times are one and a half, eight of Seldovia,the next most proximate ports Port Lions, Thursday. from Homer Service connects travelers to Stops occur on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and M/V Tustumena times in September and 11 times in December. The eleven times per month in June, 12 times in July, 8 Alaska’s Marine Highway ferries make stops at Homer Sterling Highway. According to the 2005 schedule, the only stop for Marine Highway along neighboring communities along coastal Alaska. It is and vehicles to from the Sterling Highway Highway All-American Road and delivers passengers community for the Alaska’sHomer is a service Marine Highway vessels. vessels, the US Coast Guard, and the Alaska’s Marine provide berthing for commercial freighters, fishing Pioneer Dock and Deep Water Dock. These ports which includes two major docking facilities, the also maintains the HomerThe Department Port known as the Small Boat Harbor on Homer Spit. operates Alaska’s largest single basin boat harbor Homer has a Port and Harbor and Department Kenai, Nikiski, and Drift River. Sterling outside the byways’ corridors are located in located in Homer. along the Other smaller ports The primary port along the Sterling Highway is MARINE TRANSIT SERVICE signing is not a problem.) Alaskan statute. (As noted above, on-premise Outdoor, is prohibited off-premise by advertising OUTDOOR ADVERTISING and the M/V Kennecott serve Homer. serve Image caption.

6 - SAFETY AND SIGNAGE 71 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. the Peninsula. Charters offers special event and charter service on from Homerservice to Anchorage. Unique Bus Sterling byways. The Homer Stage Line is a bus serve communities in either the North or South program. public transportation This system does not CARTS (Central Area Rural Transportation System) The central Kenai Peninsula by the area is served PUBLIC TRANSIT than then Alaska’s Marine Highway. surrounding communities on a more regular schedule connecting Homer to Halibut Cove, Seldovia and planning of the Kachemak Bay Ferry System Federal funding has been obtained for initial System. and Homer and thus creating a Cook Inlet Ferry given to expanding that service the cities of Kenai Mackenzie and Anchorage. Consideration is being the Knik Arm Ferry Portinvolves starting to serve for that region.service The first phase of this plan communities along Cook Inlet of creating a ferry There continues to be discussions amongst signage. services, recreation providers, and through good on the Sterling will need to be provided at rental make them aware of the byways. Thus, information experience prior to reaching the Peninsula would not community. is that visitors’ Of most importance trip many others rent vehicles in their destination by guides or other recreation service providers, while the Peninsula via air, not just by car. Many are met This number of flights means that many visitors enter the issue of how people travel within the corridor. The importance of air service to the byways relates flights per year. 70,000 flights and Homer is second with 35,000 Kenai is the most active on the Peninsula airport with communities on the Kenai Peninsula. As indicated, Aviation Administration are shown in Table 5 for the Records on number of flights from the Federal daily flights between Homer and Anchorage. on season and day. In 2006, Grant Aviation began Kenai airport offers 13-18 trips per day, depending the season and day of week. The Anchorage to daily between Anchorage and Homer, depending on these airports and Anchorage. There are 6-8 flights and in Homer. ERA Aviation between provides service Airports provide commercial aviation services in Kenai AIR SERVICE TO THE BYWAY oe 0706005,000 1,000 Intinerant Air Taxi 200 500 150 300 - - 150 100 20,000 Seward Seldovia 500 500 150 100 100 Port Graham 50 Ninilchik Lawing 50 17,300 50 Kenai 2,500 6,000 Kasilof Hope 20,700 Homer Beluga Lake 35,000 Homer Local Airport Table 5 - Annual Number of Flights by Type by Kenai Peninsula Airport, 2003 ynk2005600 2,000 5 10,000 3,000 15,000 Soldotna 2,000 2,605 Tyonek ,0 ,0 600 2,000 4,500 ,0 2,000 1,500 FAA Airport Master Records 700 700 300 7,100 Total 23,500 1,150 250 40018,700 70,000 34,000 3,300

6 - SAFETY AND SIGNAGE 73 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. an important objective. groups identified the provision of separated trails as Sterling Highway. Both the North and South byway more trails will no doubt be constructed along the trails is very high. As funding becomes available segments are heavily used. The demand for separated trails between Kenai and Soldotna. Both of the trail decades. The Borough has constructed separated trails as a major objective in the coming years and residents identified the construction of separated In the Kenai Borough Trails Plan, the Borough and nonetheless. requires more care, but many cyclists use these routes shoulders at all. Bicycling through these stretches each Byway have very narrow shoulders or no paved two to six foot paved shoulders, other portions of of the shoulder. of each bywayWhile portions have hazardous to comfortable, depending on the width of these byways, bicycling quality ranges from In the absence of separated trails along majority Byway. users. No such trail exists along the North Sterling is popular with a wide variety of non-motorized (Lake Street) down along the Homer Spit. This trail separated trail extends from the Homer town area Currently along the South Sterling Byway, a Sterling Byways are limited to specific areas. Bicycling opportunities along the North and South TRAILS BICYCLING AND travel. more accessible to pedestrians and non-motorized construction of separated trails will make the byways side of the Kenai Peninsula. As feasible, the traffic as this is the only north-south route on automobiles must share the road with commercial realignment. Along the entire Sterling Highway, improvements will address the few curves that need In all cases, the road is safe and planned developed landscape in its mid and southern portion. northern portion and through a more settled moves through a much more open landscape in its byway’s character and charm. The South Sterling narrow and winding, but that structure is part of the services. The North Sterling has sections that are interpretive stories, and a wide variety of visitor exceptional scenery, access to great resources, good themselves well to byway status. They each offer Byway and the South Sterling – lend functioning road. The two ends – the North Sterling The Sterling Highway is a modern and well SUMMARY a challenge, as noted elsewhere in this document. parking, trailhead restrooms, and signing is major attention. The improvement of trailhead The creation of new trails is not a topic that requires National Park, State Park, and National Forest lands. of trails run through National Wildlife Refuge, trails. As described in Chapter 4, hundreds of miles byway offer a great number of hiking and walking Aside from separated trails, the Borough and each Image caption.

6 - SAFETY AND SIGNAGE 75 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Caption opposite. TOURISM 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

77 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT diversify the rest of peninsula’s economy. strengthened on its own right as well used to the economic development efforts, tourism could be plays today and the degree to which, with assertive reviewed in order to understand the role that tourism Peninsula Borough and the two byway corridors is in the pages that follow, the economy of Kenai to help diversify the overall local economy. As such, edge, economic development tool that can be used tourism is increasingly being recognized as a leading strengthen the local tourism economy. In addition, byways to prepare this partnership plan is A major reason for the North and South Sterling TOURISM 7 Image caption.

7 - TOURISM 79 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. features: come to the Kenai Peninsula each year to enjoy these North America. Hundreds of thousands visitors special compared with travel destinations all across cultural resources of this area are distinctive and in Chapter 4, the fishing, outdoor recreation, and a major business along these byways. As described It is clear to all residents and visitors that tourism THE PRODUCT Refuge visits whales, eagles, seals, otters national parks Fishing Cycling Hunting Wildflower viewing Skiing and skijoring Horseback riding Snowmachining Four-wheeling Bird watching Cross-country skiing Canoeing, kayaking, rafting Wildlife viewing – bear, moose, Wildlife boat excursions to state and Deep sea boating and fishing National Park and National Wildlife services. investments in signage, interpretation, trails, and and help to improve the visitor experience through effort will organize communities along the corridors will provide a stamp of authenticity. The byways they are designated as byways, but rather the byways it. Visitors will not come to these areas solely because In short, the product is here and people already know festival, solstice music and others. Festival, wooden boat festival, kayak Winter Carnival, Kachemak Bay Shorebird tournaments, holiday celebrations, Homer Variety Show, the Snow Rondi, fishing along the byways including Cabin Fever Theatre Live Music Hiking Camping Fine Dining Shopping Volcano viewing Weekend getaways from Anchorage Museum and heritage site visits And visiting numerous events held Visiting artists and artisan workshops employed individuals.) agencies. In addition, these data do not include self- do not include jobs provided by local, state and federal figures only include data from the private sector and sector.eating and drinking service (Please note, these recreation sector and approximately 1000 jobs in the approximately 600 jobs, with 250 jobs in the that employment in the accommodation sector is Workforce Development. This agency’s data suggest data are from the Alaska Department of Labor and approximately 2,000 jobs or 11% of the total. These employment in the tourism industry equals Of the borough-wide job total, it is estimated that which lie within Sterling Highway communities. home to between 15,000 and 16,000 jobs, most of means that the remainder of Kenai, Peninsula is contributes approximately 2,200 positions. That approximately 22,000. The City of Seward Total employment on the Kenai Peninsula is manufacturing and fishing. with major industries in oil, energy, extraction, economy as the region has a diversified economic base But, it is clearly not the major driver of peninsula’s 11% of the total jobs and 27% businesses. From an economic perspective, tourism comprises THE CORRIDOR ECONOMY oa 7 2 6 642 119 476 375 2 66 2 100 8 163 13 1 125 127 18 20 93 7 3 25 0 9 2 29 16 273 6 2 205 4 Total Homer 38 30 Cooper Landing ser Food Anchor Point Community Table 6: Number of Tourism Businesses by Tourism Sector by Corridor Community, 2002 Area TotalBus’nsLic’s Source: Situations and Prospects 2002 ieSi vice ghtSee-ing . Community Economic Development Division, Kenai Peninsula Borough. Page 194. ms-etadRce-inFsigGie n ihn hresTraveler Accom-modations Fishing Guides and Charters Recrea-tion and Amuse-ment the Borough. rate at that point was 11.1%; again, a low for levels over the last 15 years. The unemployment at 2,499 workers, one of the lowest unemployment at the borough level) unemployment level stood of the spring 2005 (latest published detailed data 3,000 unemployed workers at any given time. As 16%. These figures translate to between 2,000 and rate on the peninsula has ranged between 9% and workers. Over the last 15 years, unemployment Kenai Peninsula Borough was approximately 22,000 As of the spring 2005, total labor force the North and South Sterling corridors. Cooper Landing, and Homer, the communities in Table 6 presents this information for Anchor Point, tourism-related businesses, or 27% of the total. businesses on the Peninsula (8656), 2323 were tourism by the number of businesses. Of total breakdown of the types businesses involved in 2003 Situations and Prospects of the Kenai Peninsula Borough and presented by the Borough in document, much more information) were gathered, organized of tourism in the Kenai Borough. These data (and Development provide another measure of the role Commerce, Community and Economic Data collected by the Alaska Department of . Table 13.3 in that document presents a Tourism As Percent of Area Total 2418 1924 26.6% 24.7% 55.5% 26.7% RV Parks and R ecrea-tional Camps ecrea-tional Tour-ism T otal

7 - TOURISM 81 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. would benefit permanent adult residents. suggest that higher tourism employment levels unemployment on the Borough throughout year spring into the fall, relatively higher levels of and have no need for employment that extends from residents fill many of the peak season tourism jobs seek to address). While students and seasonal Borough and most other areas in Alaska continually important objective (and obviously one that the attempting to strengthen the shoulder seasons is one economic development effort, it is clear that and how the byways can support overall consider the role of tourism in their local economy Thus, as the North and South Sterling byways of the annual tourism jobs. fishing and natural resource positions, but also many course of any year). The seasonal jobs include various to 4% drop in the unemployment rate during the peak of summer season (this equates to a 3% increase from the early spring of any given year to Based on historic data there is a 500 to 1000 job is relatively higher in Alaska than the Lower 48. decade, although during recessions, the jobless rate relationship has been relatively consistent for the last and in the Kenai Peninsula Borough 6.4%. This unemployment rate in the state of Alaska was 5.7% United States was 4.9%. At the same time, data were last published, the jobless rate for As of August 2005, when basic unemployment rate How does this compare with the state and nation? data in Table 6. even stronger role, as indicated by the business license Cooper Landing and Anchor Point, tourism plays an employment and number of businesses. In Homer, third or fourth sector on the Peninsula in terms of data suggest that the leisure industry stands as over a thousand positions in each sector. Thus, these and construction both provide significant jobs, with trade comprise 14% of the job count. Finally, mining typical for most local economies, retail and wholesale manufacturing stands at 11% of total jobs). As is situation in the United States today where jobs (i.e., healthy relative to the overall manufacturing tourism). Manufacturing is healthy at 7% of total (with other jobs in the retail sector also supported by industry provides approximately 13% of the jobs, largest employer in the Kenai Borough. The leisure As indicated in Table 7, government comprises the Situations and Prospects, 2003. Table 4.9. Economic Development Division. 2003. Source: Kenai Peninsula Community Borough Levels by Sector for Kenai Borough, 2003 Table 7: Annual Average Employment benefit from tourism. and the Safeway grocery store. All of these businesses are the Lands End Resort, Alaska Wildberry Products, where some of the largest private sector employers of business activity. It is also the case in Homer, town demonstrates that tourism is the primary source small communities where just to drive through the clearly the case in Cooper Landing and Anchor Point, Landing – tourism is the main industry. This is byway corridors – Homer, Anchor Point and Cooper For the specific communities located within two that offer such well-paying positions. a strong tourism economy as well industrial jobs the Borough is in an enviable situation to have both need a range of job types and wage levels. Therefore, sectors.) Nonetheless, a diversified economy does skilled jobs required for manufacturing and other tourism do pay significantly less than the higher addition, the entry-level and service-oriented jobs in produce a lower per monthly wage figure. In data when averaged by month for the year will clearly majority of the leisure and hospitality jobs, annual (Please note that given the seasonal nature of and hospitality sector average $1,112 per month. and in manufacturing ($4,072). Wages in the leisure plants ($6,683), in the utilities industry ($4,754) found in the petroleum and chemical manufacturing year 2002. The highest monthly wages paid are employed on the Kenai Peninsula was $2,798 in the sectors. The average monthly wage earned by workers industry generally pays lower wages than some other Wage data verifies the well-known fact that the tourism they are not incorporated cities.) collected for Cooper Landing and Anchor Point, as sales within the City of Homer. (Data are not Sterling Byway there are over $14 million in such $72 million borough-wide, and relative to the South steadily since 1991. Currently, they comprise almost total visitor-related sales have been rising quite government operations. As indicated in Table 8, these sales support schools and general local related taxable sales by city. The taxes flowing from local sales taxes. Table 8 presents data on visitor is the sector’s impact on municipal finances via the Another aspect of tourism’s role in the local economy : Borough – 1991 to 2003 Table 8: Visitor-Related Taxable Sales for Cities and Full Kenai Peninsula Development Division. Situations and Prospects, 2003 . Kenai Peninsula Borough Community Economic

7 - TOURISM 83 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. Development Division. Kenai Peninsula Borough Community Economic Source: Percent of Total Taxable Sales Table 9: Visitor-Related Taxable Sales as 9.8%. Clearly, tourism is growing in this region. to tourism; by the year 2003, that figure rose Peninsula. In 1991, 7.1% of all sales were related playing a greater role in the retail activity on in the Borough. Since 1992, tourism has been tourism taxable sales relative to total occurring Table 9 provides a sense of the contribution Situations and Prospects, 2003 . are less oriented toward tourism. not be the case along portions of highway that along the highway that could serve visitors; this may more interest in those communities for improvements Sterling Highway. This suggests that there will be tourism than the undesignated portions of Point and Homer are much more oriented toward uses along the byway in Cooper Landing, Anchor economy. The data also suggest that adjoining land due to the high level of diversification local to commercial traffic and other uses of the roadway tourism visitation, consideration must also be given Sterling Highway given the potential to support designation is important for the North and South The data also demonstrate that while byway economy. and the state are all working to strengthen the area’s would not be welcome; clearly, the Borough, cities residents. improvementsThis is not to say that further provides a full range of job opportunities for its that the Peninsula’s economy is well diversified and of the Kenai part Peninsulaimportant economy, and The above data demonstrate that tourism is an ROLE TOURISM PLAYS A CRITICAL help the local economy? Therefore, what can and should the byways do to fix up, and prepare for the next high season. welcomes the respite of winter as a chance to rest up, seasonal visitation patterns and, in some respects, – as in most northern climes is one that adjusts to But with all of this said, the tourism business in Alaska to the Kenai in snowy months. nation. Winter sports events will also bring visitors will continue to draw visitors from the state and crowded feeling of the summer months. Fall hunting visitors wishing to avoid the higher prices and general abundance of birding opportunities are popular with early fall. The eagle populations and general runs on the Kenai draw visitors from early spring into visitors in the shoulder seasons. Certainly, the salmon the Lower 48, it is now much more feasible to draw Nonetheless, with better air service to Anchorage from accommodating in the summer. in the summer and weather is more that basic travel pattern. People have the time to travel in the colder and darker months, but little will change standard Alaskan tourism problem of low visitation established tourism economies. The area faces the The Sterling Highway and its two byways have well- BYWAYS SUPPORT TOURISM? SUMMARY: HOW CAN THE negative aspects. qualities – or at least not be mentioning the current recommendations. Travel will note these articles a repeat stay, and glowing word-of-mouth result will be an increased likelihood of a longer stay, absence can make for a really bad vacation. The are really essential to a good travel experience; their interpretation. All of these seemingly small things beyond the peak season, and more engaging round restrooms, recreation facilities that stay open very basic levels: better signage, more clean year experience could be dramatically improved at some the North and South Sterling that the visitor’s can help the local economy. It is clear along both important part of the equation as to how byways Byway improvements are perhaps the most high quality.road segments is of very the traveler that experience to be found on these designation offers a branding distinction that tells chunks for the traveler. In addition, byway of the Sterling Highway into more consumable idea. new The byways merely help to package parts tourism groups are doing this already; is not a of activities to be found along these byways. All be one of making more travelers aware the range information, interpretation and marketing should will not fundamentally change, but the role of byway get to the Kenai River fishing! to start These patterns I must get to Homer start my vacation, or visitors come with a very specific destination in mind: the distance traveled from Lower 48, many experience and roaming territory. Currently, due to play is that of broadening the average visitor’s tourism of the most important roles that byways can From the perspective of local tourism businesses, one Image caption.

7 - TOURISM 85 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. Byways. help to distinguish the North and South Sterling “byway brand” and its associated marketing can only something original and different. Being part of the travelers will be seeking out destinations that offer same signage and resulting look feel, more become homogenized by the same franchises, experience. As more places and destinations branding byways as an authentic American travel Finally, the national byways program is steadily season, especially as baby-boomers retire. Sterling byways; this will broaden the visitation oriented and wildlife viewing travelers will find the the remarkable natural wonders. More heritage- as much emphasis on the heritage of area and In the future, byway improvements will help to put fishing activities and for the distinctiveness of Homer. North and South Sterling Byways are known for their that consider the Sterling Highway. Today the partnership plan will broaden the type of travelers Next, the types of investments associated with this Image caption.

7 - TOURISM 87 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Caption opposite. INTERPRETATION 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

89 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT of interpretive sites on the North Sterling: to vandalism potential. The following is a summary interpretive signs removed after the peak season due this area many interpretive sites are closed and two federal agencies. Due to the low population of interpretation to more of the sites managed by these quality however there is the opportunity to expand interpretive facilities. Many of these sites are high Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and as such has many through either the Chugach National Forest or the Much of the Northern of the Sterling portion travels NORTH STERLING EXISTING INTERPRETATION- to enhance the local economy. story and encourage more spending by visitors so as information and experiences that convey the byway’s interpretation program should be a system of businesses. The ultimate goal of the byways’ experiences as well local tourism and ability to direct visitors additional interpretive to tell its story. This chapter also looks at the byway’s interpretive approaches to enhance the byway’s ability lies along the corridor and recommends new This chapter reviews the existing interpretation that INTERPRETATION 8 be useful to local businesses. Interpretation on what one can do in the area would is one of the few sites that open year round. accessible from the restrooms and parking area. This a nice winding excursion along the river and is easily condition and well executed. The boardwalk offers rafting, and boating safety. Panels are in good a variety of topics including fishing, dall sheep, Area: Cooper Landing State Boat Launch and Recreation people compared with other sites along the byway. at these trailheads will reach a limited number of signage is directional or related to safety. Any signage minimal interpretation at the trailheads; most the byway up into National Forest. There is Chugach National Forest: could be added if the campground is reopened. restrooms. The panels are up-to-date. More material also has salmon viewing, interpretation, and panels on the ecology of Tern Lake. The picnic area constructed boardwalk along with interpretive and Picnic Area: USDA ForestTern Service Lake Scenic View Area Boardwalk and area by the boat launch cover This facility consists of a well- Several trails extend from Image caption.

8 - INTERPRETATION 91 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. present. scopes are installed. A bear viewing platform is also such as fish, bears, and mountain goats. Spotting panels along the river reviews natural history topics Lodge: of FishAlaska Department and Game, Sportsman’s closed. the peak season and provides no interpretation when Peninsula. This visitor center is only open during range of topics covered about native life on the Kenai including more panels, an audio tour, and a broader could be done with this site additional funding visitor center interprets the Native heritage. Much K’beq civilization and findings at this site. A small boardwalk and trail provides information on the Kenaitze Tribe Interpretive Site and Trail: current technologies. funds to preserve and present their collection using with all such facilities, would benefit greatly from must-see. It is a well-managed local facility, but as skeleton reconstructed by local school children is a of the area. and the natural history The brown bear early development, the lifestyle of residents, covers the mining history of Cooper Landing, its locally-owned and managed historical museum Cooper Landing Historical Society Museum: Day Use Recreation Area with interpretive This This other sites within the Refuge. for the Refuge. Interpretation could be expanded to general wildlife, geography and ecology information panels in this area by U.S. Fish and Wildlife cover Skilak Lake Road through the Refuge: the peak season and provides no services when closed. specialist; however the Station is only open during numerous pamphlets and a staffed interpretation Station provides in-depth interpretation with funding were available. The Refuge’s Visitor Contact adequate, but more information could be provided if Generally speaking, the panels are minimally and camping areas on the North Sterling Byway. variety of small panels dispersed along their trailheads Kenai National Wildlife Refuge: when closed. but closes in the off season. There is no interpretation interpretation specialist on site to answer questions heritage travel experiences. has an The ferry many locations, there are very few participatory While the heritage of Peninsula is discussed at directly connect to historic events or ways of living. perhaps the only experiences a visitor can have which and forth across the river. This and gold panning are summer, carries anglers and other visitors back a ferry USDA Forest Russian River Ferry: Service, The Refuge has a Interpretive In the be replaced and improved. loss of an anchor in the nearby waters. This should that reviews Captain Cook’s visit to region and his ADOT&PF interpretive sign on Anchor River Road Captain Cook sign: recreation could all be explored in more depth. energy exploration (past and present), outdoor in which the topics of volcanoes, homesteading, this facility would create a very appealing visitor center foundation problems at the moment). Funding for more permanently on the site (they are addressing house that they are seeking to improve and locate of the area.history The Chamber has an old school Facility has some information on volcanoes and Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center: fishing etiquette. protection, the life cycles of salmon, fish habitat, and the river. The panels cover topics such as riverbank along the various trailheads and fishing areas visitor center, but does have some interpretive panels Anchor River State Park: to the visitor today are following: more visitors). The main interpretive sites available occurs in the south (i.e., more intense tourism with population levels and the nature of tourism that interpretation than the North Sterling due to higher The South Sterling Byway has significantly more SOUTH STERLING EXISTING INTERPRETATION- There is an aged state The Park does not have a the village’s formal wishes for the following options: group must approach the community and identify village. These people welcome visitors. The byway more awareness of their faith, culture, and it that way. There are some residents who want outside world; these residents would prefer to keep place where they might avoid the intrusions of by outsiders. They created home in a their new are residents of the village who prefer to not be visited a cultural tension that must be acknowledged. There an interesting one and could be interpreted, there is could practice their religion and culture in peace is journey over many years to find a land where they of these adventurous and committed Russians’story about 20 minutes outside Anchor Point. While the Nikolaevsk: tells visitors to respect villagers’ privacy. village as being Old Believer but explicitly from making the drive. This identifies the about Nikolaevsk, but discourages visitors the village. is raised, but visitors are not directed to awareness and appreciation for the culture the Old Believers in the area. Thus talks generally, but not specifically, about more commerce for local businesses. with the result being more traffic and culture and directs visitors to the village This Old Believers Russian village lies Interpretation in Anchor Point that Interpretation that describes the Interpretation that talks specifically Image caption.

8 - INTERPRETATION 93 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. Parks. experience. There is little interpretation about these and offer an unusually un-crowded national park volcanoes, rich wildlife systems, and amazing scenery, and are accessible only by boat. They contain National Park: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and Katmai during the summer, including boat tours of the Bay. person interpretive programs and lectures are offered Marine National Wildlife Refuge. Various first interaction with the marine system and Alaska has exceptional displays on marine life and human around the Kenai Peninsula. Today, this visitor center ecosystems of the Prince William Sound and areas cleanup and general public education on the restoration were focused on both environmental the National Park multi-agency center following Service as a U.S Fishwas constructed and Wildlife and the major interpretive destination in south. It Islands and Ocean Visitor Center: and the entire byway. well stocked with a variety of pamphlets for Homer cross section of interpretive services. The center is facility is staffed year round and provides a thorough Homer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center: signs need to be replaced. the general heritage of Homer.review These aging review the distant mountain and volcano profiles is well presented at this site. Interpretive panels are spectacular. The “lands end” quality of the place a clear day. The waters surrounding the community and the Homer Spit. Volcanoes are easily visible on and provides great views across Cook Inlet, Homer, approaches Homer. It lies at a dramatic highpoint Point to Homer, this is the main pullout as one Baycrest Pullout: Exxon Valdez These parks lie across Kachemak Bay : As one drives south from Anchor spill. The funds from that This facility is This interpretation along the trail. of the area. There is much room and need for more shorebirds, marine life, and the general natural history panels along the Homer Spit Trail. These panels cover Homer Spit: be found at a variety of sites. some tours as well. Information about the Park can access route for visitors, although the state park offers of Homer’s environment. Private tours are the major bear watching and generally experiencing the drama via boat or air only across Kachemak Bay from Homer and is accessible Kachemak Bay State Park: is very high. is guided tours around the Bay and Homer. Quality natural history. members provide The main service (KBEEA): Kachemak Bay Environmental Education Alliance nice sense of the flora and fauna Kenai. collection of natural history items gives the visitor a himself and his native culture. A wide varied a native seal hunter on the significance of hunting for deadly experiences on the water, and thoughts from homesteaders, boatmen who had close-calls or near- Personal touches include reminiscences from interpreted through static displays, audio, and video. water, edge of civilization and wildness) is well theme of living at the edge (i.e., land and on the connections between people and nature. The local fine art to a well-done, professional presentation – a gem for the visitor. Its collection ranges from Pratt Museum: This facility offers a small display on local The state park has some interpretative This is an exceptional local museum . It is a popular destination for This large state park lies connect to and reinforce this theme. Examples: Future interpretation should therefore seek to the whole package is an angler’s paradise. outstanding recreation opportunities and facilities, even in Alaska. When combined with the community – make Cooper Landing very unusual, qualities – great fishing and a classic small within a gorgeous valley. Therefore, those two intensely. It is still a little log cabined Alaska town Cooper Landing has not boomed and developed resident population and the growth of nearby areas, “small town Alaska”. Due to topography, small opportunities and nearby a community that is very pristine area with numerous other recreation distinctive is that the great fishing located in a North America. However, what makes this area remains one of the premier fishing destinations in the community for last half century. The area interpreted – it has been fishing that defined for gold – and that history is should be Landing’s claim to fame. While early settlers came no question that freshwater fishing is Cooper following categories: The strongest themes for these byways fall into the BYWAY DEFINING THEMES FOR THE North Sterling – An Angler’s Paradise : There is : There in the Lower 48. connected to the natural world than many spots make life along the Sterling Highway more closely not remote for much of Alaska). All these issues area (well, it is remote for most of the U.S.; and tidal waves, the relative remoteness of resource extraction), the potential for earthquakes still gained from nature (e.g., fishing, guiding, wildlife, the proximity of sea, livelihoods most Americans. The presence and abundance of and forces of nature in a way that is unfamiliar to be up-close and personal with the abundance of the Kenai Peninsula offers a chance for residents to Wildness South Sterling - rivers and lakes. might connect back to the health of Discussions of local flora and fauna o tourism industry. review the beginning of fishing- o Discussions of local history should managed to ensure good fish populations. which the Russian and Kenai Rivers are present day water quality and the ways in panning might also connect to issues of o Discussions of gold mining and : That is, exploring the ways that life on Living at the Edge

of Image caption.

8 - INTERPRETATION 95 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. connect to and reinforce this theme. Examples: Future interpretation should therefore seek to development of the individual and local culture. is different here and how it affects the The interpretive message should be about how life Peninsula impacts their art. to how being in Homer or on the Kenai protect the ecosystems. also how it must be managed carefully to place, and the abundance of resources; but intrinsic part of Alaska, the bigness should connect to how that industry is an such as mining, natural gas and petroleum presentation is a perfect example of this. the people of Homer. The Pratt Museum’s connect to how that abundance impacts surrounding National Parks should Kachemak Bay, Cook Inlet and the Discussions of resource extraction Discussions of the rich ecosystems Discussions of artists should connect byway theme. both segments together into one unifying premier world class fishing destinations ties strong theme not to be ignored. Being both ends of the Sterling Highway is a to find world class fishing and recreation at connection for anglers and recreationalists Capital of the World” marketing itself rightfully as the this theme as Homer is already successfully There is little need to further expand upon surrounding Homer and Anchor Point. waters of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet salt water fishing is found in the rich protecting the wilderness that we cherish. challenge of meeting human needs while of human settlements and the constant encourage contemplation about the impact And finally, the fact that world class Discussions of habitat change should . However the “Halibut in Alaska! Be adventurous! readingexperience that goes beyond a panel...you’re for you to engage more deeply in this and have an If you are interested in this topic, here some ways be: doers also encourage visitors to move from being When appropriate, interpretive information should at all major interpretive sites. accomplish the above. These panels should be present consistent orientation and information panels that chapter, the byways should pursue use of a money. As described in the recommendations more, do spend more time and interpretive sites that encourages travelers to find out consistently provide information at visitor service and Another objective for these byways should be to INTERPRETATION SYSTEM LINKED TO INFORMATIONBUILDING AN . For example, the underlying message should readers to the local economy. awareness that serves the broader goal of enhancing new interpretation into a system of information and theme to the interpretation and link existing style. The larger challenge is to provide an underlying to be consistent in its message, and presentation about the byway and its stories. Interpretation needs continue to travel down the road and learn more limited, and that visitors are engaged want to sure the right stories are being told, duplication is along the byway needs to be analyzed and make tourism groups, and organizations. The messages basis by a variety of agency land managers, local interpretation has been carried out on a site by for interpretation.or missing opportunities Thus far on these byways due to aging signs, repeated stories, improvements can be made to existing interpretation a range of interpretive experiences today; some The North and South Sterling Highways both offer SUMMARY Image caption.

8 - INTERPRETATION 97 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Caption opposite. GOALS 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

99 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT wildness. of galleries?– An unusual juxtaposition culture and 5 star meal and purchase local art at one of the dozens watching bald eagles, whales, and bears, then have a opportunities of the area that include hiking, camping, you can participate in the vast recreation your share and are looking for something else to do) day? If you do not want to fish (or have caught go after halibut the size of a barn door later same salmon in the morning while river fishing and then opportunities – where else can you catch a 70 pound due to the combination of amazing recreational will be known as In the future, North and South Sterling Highways BYWAY’S VISION of residents, businesses, and visitors. recreation facilities, and the economy for benefit Byways to improve the transportation facilities, and Homer will use the North South Sterling The communities of Cooper Landing, Anchor Point, BYWAY’S MISSION VISION, MISSION AND GOALS 9 must-see North American destinations spend more, and come back again again. destinations and will draw visitors to stay longer, Together, our byways will be the envy of Alaskan will make any visitor’s trip exceptional. and food, well-trained tourism professionals who signing, clear directions for activities, great shopping visitor service-oriented destination with good All of this will be packaged in a well-maintained, with the soul of Kenai Peninsula. interpretive methods that bring the visitor in touch personal. Their stories will be told through creative Visitors will encounter those people up-close and closer to nature all together on the Kenai Peninsula. seeking religious freedom, and those wanting to live all creative spirit that brings artists, writers, people Byways: i.e., the individualistic, get-away-from-it- Alaskan personality exemplified by the Sterling the rugged outdoorsman, but there is another There are stereotypes of the Alaskan personality as Image caption.

9 - GOALS 101 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. visitation peak season. experiences available to locals during the non-peak seasons GOALS FOR THE BYWAYS places. Increase Alaskan Make the byways a Project an Be clear that the byways are about Make the byways relevant Seek ways to Work with businesses and public agencies to help Use graphics, signage, and a clear interpretive approach to image that is distinct minimize the negative resource and community impacts traveler awareness critical part of any visit for citizens and businesses in the area. from other Alaskan destinations. recognition, not regulation of these byways. to the Kenai Peninsula or Alaska. make the corridor’s resources, facilities and . shape the byways as perceived unified . that occur during the high facilities. funding shortfalls to develop new facilities and their maintenance, as well improve maintain existing major components. areas and protecting river banks shorelines pullouts, pedestrian facilities, restrooms, and interpretive signing. Use Use Improve Create an Make Increase Support existing planning efforts Develop partnerships with local organizations, government agencies, and other groups to overcome Expand and improve recreation opportunities with public agencies. interpretation economic activity to support improvements to the byway visitor awareness access and facilities to fishing areas from the byways while minimizing impact interpretive system

of the area’s resources that avoids redundancy and offers a reason to go each of the byway’s that mesh with the byway’s mission.

corridor . , including safety modifications, better parking, more . through interpretation and orientation signing. Image caption.

9 - GOALS 103 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Caption opposite. RECOMMENDATIONS 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

105 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Name the North Sterling Byway the 1. NAMING AND BRANDING THE BYWAYS the North and South Byway groups should work on together. The following are four broad recommendations that are relevant for both byways. These are the issues that OVERALL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOTH BYWAYS objectives. that will have the best prospects for success and yield highest return on reaching their respective goals are intended to allow the byway groups along each route focus their energy and attention on projects Chapter 10 presents recommendations for the North and South Sterling Byways. These recommendations RECOMMENDATIONS 10 outstanding recreation opportunities. They exit their car and look out at wildness wilderness. road system ending on the Homer Spit in beautiful Kachemak Bay surrounded by volcanoes, mountains, and vision before they arrive of where are going: to a place at the most western edge North American Land’s End for paradise. good people, and endless recreation Forcountryside, opportunities. most anglers, those are the ingredients round freshwater salmon and trout fishing like no where else in America, great services food, gorgeous Angler’s Paradise on the Kenai Peninsulasets it apart and in the United States. Highway, the North Sterling Byway should take advantage of its byway initiative and give itself a name that up and captures visitors’ imaginations. Despite the fact that there is great fishing along much of the Sterling End Byway . Having a byway means having the opportunity to give your destination a name that sums it all is mysterious, dramatic and accurate for both Anchor Point and Homer. Visitors have a clear is what fishing along the Northern segment of the Sterling is all about: world class, year Angler’s Paradise Byway. Name the South Sterling Byway the Land’s Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 107 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. time they visit an important site on the byways: An information system linked to interpretation is needed accomplish several objectives for travelers every 4. INTEGRATED INTERPRETIVE AND INFORMATION SYSTEM the facility year round. This model should be considered at sites along both byways. information. to house the facility’sThe second floor will be an apartment caretaker to ensure the upkeep of develop a new visitor rest structure on-site. area with a two story The first floor will hold restrooms and visitor are also top priorities. The Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce is on the right track with its plans to scenic viewing, and interpretation. Year-round maintained restrooms and better signage, visitor services Both byways need more pullouts and investments in existing for access to recreation, wildlife viewing, 3. PULLOUTS AND VISITOR SERVICES and trails along these byways will be good for tourism, but it also a major amenity residents. destination or an overnight stay. Fifth, local residents love and use their trails. Investing in separated paths Fourth, a good long trail becomes solid half-day experience which can result in either an extra meal at the a major part of the destination’s draw especially when linked to other existing trails create looped routes. settlement and along the water – either river or ocean. Third, people will travel for good trails; they become through the corridor. Second, the trails will provide extended experiences away from the road and away from routes will accomplish a number of objectives for the byways. First, pedestrians and cyclists can move safely A major need on both the North and South Byways are separated paths and trails. These non-motorized 2. TRAILS anywhere else in America? literature. If someone is making the trip to Alaska, shouldn’t they expect to find places that are different than Evocative names will make the byways stand out in literature, web searches, and travel required for various activities. Provides a sense of the time involved to travel other spots along byway and Encourages travelers to engage in activities. Encourages visitors to go local businesses and attractions. Provides travelers with a better sense of what opportunities lie around them. Orients travelers to where they are located within the byway. following: It is recommended that the byways adopt a standardized information/orientation panel includes byway plan. Therefore, interpretation must be linked to information provision. alter traveler behavior or impact the local economy. Economic development is the central mission of this As noted in the interpretive chapter, while traditional interpretation provides information, it does not necessarily saltwater fishing). byway but have a different experience (ie. North segment-freshwater fishing; South segment- Land’s End shorter versus a longer period of time. to see what they might do as their stay extends. They see what they are missing if they stay for a each byway based on a variety of themes such as fishing, hiking, history, etc. Visitors will be able from “You are Here” to each symbol with travel time and distance shown along the line.) how long it will take to reach those destinations (i.e., think map with symbols and lines extending fishing, hiking, heritage, wildlife, etc.). A map of the byway on which viewer is traveling at that time. A map of the Kenai Peninsula showing the location of both byways. Use the symbols and associated information to help travelers see what lies around them A system of symbols that organizes the various activities on byway into categories (e.g., Each byway should promote the other byway. Develop a brochure that provides half-day, 1-day, 2-day and 3-day experience itineraries for and vice versa. Both byways have common themes that tie them together into one Angler’s Paradise should encourage visits to Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 109 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. and sequencing. be found at the end of this chapter. This section concludes with an implementation plan that defines priorities OVERALL BYWAY INVENTORY the planning process. These enhancements are also indicated on the The following are ideas and solutions offered by the byway groups, public consulting team during OPPORTUNITIES CHALLENGES AND ANGLER’S PARADISE BYWAY/NORTH STERLING: directional signs. Consolidate and create a sign system with visual continuity. avoided. Perform and remove a detailed sign inventory all unneeded, unwanted ADOT&PF and with fishing areas and habitats that can accommodate anglers. reduce safety issues related to the existing unplanned pullouts. Coordinate these parking areas need to be designed and paved signed new pullouts installed in strategic locations care will also be important for these facilities. Roadside restrooms that function year-round are needed in a variety of locations. Year-round Additional interpretive signing will be useful in some locations, but sign overload should Dozens of unplanned pullouts/parking areas along the highway exist near fishing areas. These Byway Improvements Mapping that can enhances existing byway. Capitalize on opportunities presented by bypass. maintain existing facilities, enhance and develop new facilities. extend shoulder season. provide facilities capable to handle demand. Coordinate with parking areas above. facilities to limit habitat damage. and add new Work with agencies to designate fishing areas and loop routes. especially along narrow winding sections of the highway. Connect with existing trails to create Develop to assist the US Forest partnerships and US Fish Service and Wildlife Service to help Low power radio could be an effective information and interpretation tool. Inventory river and lake banks that are popular fishing areas. Manage sensitive areas, restore Open public campgrounds earlier in the spring and later autumn for local use to Trail/separated path improvements are needed along the highway in a variety of locations Develop separated trail/path from the Sunrise Inn to Jim’s Landing. Coordinate byway work with potential Cooper Landing bypass and ensure design of Create orientation panels that encourage people to experience the full byway. Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 111 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. THE WYE TO COOPER LANDING Sterling Highway road bed. northeast of above site). Add interpretation on geology, glaciers, and the Harding Icefields. (Close pullout just to caretaker. on second floor to house part-time building with apartment should include two-story as well Landing, and local services, Cooper Landing communities. Road. site. Cover topic of gold discovery and panning. Expand USFS Crescent Creek Campground where possible Expand day-use USFS Tern Lake facility to a campground. Coordinate with Moose Pass and Provide interpretive panel on public gold panning at small commercial area Quartz Creek Expand Quartz Creek pullout to provide better access creek. Add interpretation this Upgrade the Sheep Lookout pullout. Interpretive panels need to be replaced. Provide new camping facilities and upgrade extend existing trail along the old abandoned Consider a pedestrian/equestrian underpass just northeast of Quartz Creek Road. Develop new Chamber of Commerce-managed pullout and rest area at milepost 41.5. Facility Install sign on Seward Highway that directs travelers to the Sterling Highway, Cooper Provide Creek separated path between Quartz campground and byway. Land’s End Byway . COOPER LANDING TO CREEK Cooper Creek. campground. for this section of road. Enforce! Kenai River Bridge. Create Juneau new Creek Falls Loop Trail from Bean Creek Trail to Juneau Falls, and to the Provide new boat launch to Kenai Lake on Snug Harbor Road. Reestablish Cooper Creek Trail (Stetson Creek Trail) trailhead west of and link to new Upgrade restrooms at State Parks Kenai Lake Boat Launch to be year-round and heated. Reduce speed limit to 35 mph from Sunrise to Gwin’s and Russian River Ferry. Double fines Improve trailhead for Slaughter Ridge Trail to include parking. Obtain funding for local historical museum to upgrade exhibits. Upgrade USFS Cooper Creek campgrounds and interpret gold panning opportunities at Straighten at Princess curves Curve, Wildland Adventures, and Mile 52.5 at Gwin’s. Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 113 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. ROAD AND SKILAK LAKE ROAD STERLING HIGHWAY BETWEEN EAST AND WEST INTERSECTION OF SKILAK LAKE COOPER CREEK TO EASTERN INTERSECTION OF SKILAK LAKE ROAD to day use facility. opportunities. Improve all pullouts along Skilak Lake Road. road has been upgraded develop as an alternate route with access to additional existing recreation and National Forest with the US F&WS, Forest and other local organizations. Service Jim’s Landing. Relocated USF&WS Jean Lake Campground to north of lake due dangerous traffic, convert Provide winter trail grooming of USFS Russian River Falls Trail for skiing Improve USF&WS campgrounds at Watson Lake, Kelly and Peterson Lake. Improve Skilak Loop Road surface to make it accessible all vehicles driven by visitors. Once Invest in the USFS Kenaitze K’beq interpretive site for year round use Upgrade restrooms at eastern Skilak Lake Road intersection. Assist in the development of a new visitor center near boundary National Refuge Add signs to direct traffic and parking USFS Resurrection trailhead. Add more pullouts/parking and improve river access from the Russian River Confluence to Install USFS Russian River Trail and Falls Trail advance warning signs along highway. directional signs from highway to Skilak Lake Road. the western intersection of Skilak Lake Road. Provide interpretation when closed. Lake Road. Develop wildlife viewing at Marsh Lake. Campground and provide hike in campgrounds along route link to other trails area. visitor services. Facility on Skilak Lake Road to include a nature center, environmental education, restrooms and at trailhead. Develop new loop trail with USF&WS fromDevelop Hidden new Creek Trail to Lower Skilak Lake Develop new USF&WS trail from MP 65 to Mox Lake and Chatelain Lake. Provide restroom Expand USF&WS Engineer Lake Campground. Close pull out on north side of highway near MP 64. Work with USF&WS in the development of a new Visitor Contact Station with restrooms at Provide day use facility at Bottenintnin Lake. Add directional signing to Skilak Lake Road on Sterling Highway at the east end of Develop trails from USF&WS new Training Center to Peterson, Egumen and Marsh Lakes. Work with the USF&WS and development of their proposed Land Management Training Provide interpretation on Moose Flats and geology of area along byway. Improve pedestrian connection between USF&WS Skyline Trail parking lot and the trail head, Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 115 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. Wye on the Seward Highway. Approximate Funding: $5,000. Work with ADOT&PF to erect highway directional sign for the Sterling Highway Byways. Place near the PUT UP BYWAY SIGN ON THE SEWARD HIGHWAY website. Approximate Funding: $5,000 byway based on a variety of themes, fishing, hiking, history, etc. Help visitors plan their time. Put this on the Develop a simple brochure that lays out half day, 1-day, 2-day and 3-day itineraries of things to do along the CREATE 1-TO-3 DAY ITINERARY BROCHURE Funding: $3,000. potential visitors. Provide solid contact information via phone numbers, web sites and e-mail. Approximate there is little need for complexity early on. Provide a well-designed, basic site and pique the interest of information described below.the 1-to-3 day itinerary While the website could become an elaborate project, Pull together the ideas in this plan and prepare a simple website for the byway. Most importantly, provide CREATE BYWAY WEBSITE (OR ADD BYWAY PAGES TO EXISTING SITE) Funding: $5,000. guide all information, orientation, and interpretative signing and graphics along the byway. Approximate The byway should hire a graphic artist to develop logo for the and set of standards that will DEVELOP AN ANGLER’S PARADISE GRAPHIC THEME AND LOGO players. Approximate Funding: $400,000 on how to properly catch, handle and clean fish. Provide podcasts on audio files about for visitors’ MP3 and cameras so visitors can see how many anglers are in popular areas. Provide fishing training for new beautiful photos. Perhaps a live cam of fishing action on the river. Include daily updates of fishing hotspots fish life cycle, trophy mountings, how to catch fish, and welcome what can you do here. Plenty of Interpretation should focus on “Welcome to Angler’s Paradise” with the following to sea maps, topics: river floor, develop and install interpretation orientation panels, low power radio audio installations. structure, build apartment on 2 build two-story Seek national byway funding and rural housing to support the following: prepare site, develop DEVELOP NEW REST AREA BETWEEN WYE AND COOPER LANDING The following is an approach to addressing the above needs and opportunities: ANGLER’S PARADISE/NORTH STERLING: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN nd floor, install restrooms on first and other visitor services for panel manufacturing. US F&WS, Forest and State Service, Parks. Approximate Funding: $100,000 for plan and designs. for all installations. Obtain funding creating panels or other facilities. Work agencies with partnership Seek byway funding for an interpretive plan that will include text, images, and detailed construction designs OBTAIN FUNDING FOR AN INTERPRETIVE PLAN Service or local group. alliance project. Investigate a maintenance partnership with USDA Forest U.S. Fish Service, and Wildlife objectives might be accomplished. Approximate funding: Time will be required but no funding for the earlier in the year and keep them open later. to lay out ways that these A formal process should be started Coordination and to open State will be needed to upgrade state campgrounds and Federal campground CREATEPROJECT ACAMPGROUND ALLIANCE Develop new pullouts along the byway: ( three To be determined. ) Approximate Funding: $300,000. DEVELOP THREE NEW PULLOUTS will be needed. for projects should be included in the engineering and construction request bypass. Local coordinator about Cooper Landing and the byway. Approximate Funding: No funding needed to coordinate. Funding Sterling, interpretation on the byway, a low power radio broadcast along the bypass that informs traveler areas at each intersection with the existing Sterling Highway, pullouts along the bypass with trails to Old are at each end of the bypass developed Cooper Landing and its byway. to support Examples include rest amenities and sites are developed along the project area. If a new highway bypass is chosen, ensure If and when this project moves forward, coordinate bypass work with ADOT&PF planners to ensure that COORDINATE WITH THE STERLING HIGHWAY MILEPOST 45 TO 60 PROJECT development of part the trail). planning the route and $1,000,000 for phase one development (land purchase, obtaining easements, initial the trail. Then obtain funding for the first phase of trail development. Approximate Funding: $50,000 for Begin the process of creating a separated trail along the byway. Obtain funding to plan the detailed route for OBTAIN TRAIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING sites. Approximate Funding: $30,000. podcast download from website, and use pieces of the product for low power radio broadcasts various Hire a specialist to prepare an audio tour and related audio products for the byway. Offer tour via CD, DEVELOP AN AUDIO TOUR FOR THE BYWAY Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 117 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. improvements along the corridor. Approximate Funding: Unknown. Sterling and Skilak Lake Road. Partner with the agency to assist and provide input on proposed Refuge The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has an extensive list of improvements for recreation facilities along the WORK WITH USF&WS AND RECREATION PRIORITIES use trail and national byway or enhancement funds for this project. Approximate Funding: Unknown. Find a funding source the resurfacing of this road. Consider making the road that will support into a multi- SEEK FUNDS TO RESURFACE SKILAK LAKE ROAD $200,000. Work with local museum to plan exhibit upgrades. Seek funding for upgrades. Approximate Funding: OBTAIN FUNDING FOR THE COOPER LANDING HISTORICAL MUSEUM obtain funding to construct them. Approximate Funding: $200,000. Work with local tribe representatives and U.S. Forest facilities at this site and then Service to plan for new OBTAIN FUNDING FOR THE KENAITZE K’BEQ INTERPRETIVE SITE significantly. Approximate Funding: No funding required at local level. Work with ADOT&PF to lower the speed limit through Cooper Landing. This will improve safety LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT GENERAL NEEDS FOR THE SOUTH STERLING BYWAY OPPORTUNITIES CHALLENGES AND LAND’S END/SOUTH STERLING BYWAY: round restrooms are needed the full length of byway. along the route for topics such as first oil well in Alaska. Lake Clark National Parks. in area. good interpretive perspective to their visitor service work due large range of opportunities found Expand of surrounding volcanoes, Kachemak Bay on opportunities State Park, and Katmai Need for maintenance of State local partnerships Parks and similar facilities. Need hospitality training with a focus on interpretation. Tourism workers do not provide Prepare a detailed inventory and interpretive plan for the entire byway (See North Segment). Add passing lanes along byway and remove dangerous highway curves. of a separated trail/path the entireSeek the eventual construction length of byway. Expand and upgrade popular recreation facilities, develop new ones where needed. More pullouts with directional and orientation signing, bear-proof garbage cans, year Recommend the Old Sterling Highway as an alternate route. Include interpretative signing Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 119 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. ANCHOR RIVER COMMUNITY STARISKI CREEK TO ANCHOR RIVER highlight major activities and history. Direct to sources for more information and visitor centers. beetle kill. to include a new restroom,developed and shelter, campgrounds, and replant trees that died from provides great views of Mount Illiamna (volcano). , Entire campground needs to be planned and information and updates of local hot spots. interactive displays with the Alaska Volcano for live updates. Provide Observatory fishing coal and oil exploration the Dena’ina culture. Provide interpretation on volcanoes, and link landscaping. Add interpretation on topics such as Captain Cook’s visitation to area, homesteading, stabilization of this historic school house. Other improvements include parking, restrooms, and Install pedestrian route from visitor center to Anchor Point Beach. Install low power radio for the approach into Anchor Point. Provide welcome information and Add byway signage and direct visitors to Anchor Point Visitor Center. Whiskey Gulch – do not promote this area to visitors; reserve primarily for residents. Redevelop the Stariski State Campground. Provide interpretation on volcanoes as area Upgrade and expand the existing Anchor Point Visitor Center to include foundation Extend sidewalks and streetExtend lighting in the community along Sterling sidewalks Highway. and other surrounding neighborhoods. Extend to the south Homer. when these projects are planned and constructed. (Anchor River State Park). the community its name. Provide basic visitor services, and restrooms. interpretation. impede fish migration. Provide path along North Fork Road and new trailheads trail improvements are needed. Provide information kiosk and signage for Beach Road the numerous facilities in that area Enhance the Captain Cook monument west of highway and expand on story that gives Upgrade old visitor kiosk at milepost 161.5 to be a contact station during peak season. Upgrade the old homestead site near Black Water Bend into a day use recreation area with When ADOT&PF replaces the North Fork River Bridge ensure that the structure does not Encourage visitors and residents to visit the trail system that leads Caribou Hills. Add interpretation on Anchor River watershed and its contribution to the region. Sign and celebrate the most westerly highway point in North America. Develop loop trail system in Chakok Valley between Anchor Point, Happy Valley, Nikolaevsk Road modifications: MP 157 and 169 are dangerous; need to include visitor improvements Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 121 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. ANCHOR RIVER STATE PARK State Park. planning above. Watershed Forum, and the Nature Conservancy. Fish & Game, State Parks, BLM, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, Kenai and access in the Anchor River mouth area. Agencies involved: ADOT&PF, of Alaska Department recreation, interpretive facilities, parking, camping, safety, wildlife protection and enhancement, recreation facilities. acquired property at the mouth of Anchor River to upgrade existing and provide new improvements with State and Chamber of Commerce. Improve pedestrian access on Beach Access Road and bridge across Anchor River to the RV dump facilities are needed within Park. More and better signs needed to direct visitors to Anchor River State Park. Anchor Point Beach – install interpretive kiosk on spawning salmon or other topics. Expand and improve popular recreation facilities in Anchor River mouth area based on Fish cleaning stations needed throughout Park. Work with the Nature and Kachemak Heritage Land Conservatory Trust on their recently Redesign the Anchor Point platform, along with parking viewing and beach access of FishAlaska Department and Game fish weir needs access improvements and interpretation. Encourage a multi-agency coordinated planning process to improve pedestrian access, FROM ANCHOR POINT TO HOMER demand. Coordinate with parking areas and other facilities to support fishing sign facilities. damage. Work with agencies to designate fishing areas and provide facilities capable to handle popular fishing areas. Manage sensitive areas, restore and add new facilities to limit habitat Anchor River to prevent future erosion and flooding. on Sterling byway to Anchor River bridge on North Fork of work above. Road as part Point, and ask whether how the village would like to be involved. present them with potential information that might be covered on an interpretive panel in Anchor the byway group approach village leaders, present them with information on byway, must ultimately be decided by the leaders and residents of that village. It is recommended Russian Old of this byway’s are Believers part story. However, the role of Nikolaevsk in the byway culture will clearly be of interest to visitors, visitors can bring money the village, and through the town. This is an issue that the residents of village must decide. This village and that seeks more visitors. There are also Nikolaevsk residents who do not want visitors driving village is mentioned here due to the fact that there a business (the Samovar Cafe and Gift Shop) endorsement of including the village in byway’s marketing and interpretive plans. Instead, the access State land adjacent to the byway. Inventory access points to Anchor River and associated river forks from the highway that are Bus services would be useful: Anchor PointBus services to Homer, Homer downtown to Spit. Investigate and if possible develop an Anchor River Recreation Trail from Anchor River bridge Nikolaevsk – Russian Old Believer Village Please note that referencing this village is not an Need to examine whether there is an ATV problem along the beaches and dunes. Interpretive signs needed near fishing areas, at some viewing areas. History should be covered. Plan long term and develop a separated trail along the entire Byway segment. Improve access, provide signs and trailhead facilities where needed to indicate you can Provide new fishing access and habitat improvements when stabilizing channeling the Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 123 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. HOMER TOWN AREA beach. parking improvements, a gate, caretaker cabin, restrooms, and trails, including loop trail to the with views to volcanoes. necessary trailhead facilities. to access the Parks via Homer. Replace aging interpretive signs with similar. highlights the two National Parks that can be seen from point. Provide information on how Direct to more information and visitor centers. Implement Homer’s Trail Plan (Coastal, Beluga Lake, and Harbor Trails). Improve orientation signage from byway to downtown area. Install volcano interpretive signage near Striski Creek Recreation Area or other area pull outs Provide signage to trail opportunities in the area including skiing and hiking provide Implement the Homer Town Center Development Plan. Baycrest Scenic View Area: Replace bathrooms at this site. Add interpretive signage that Install low power radio for the approach into Homer. Highlight major activities and history. Diamond Ridge State Recreation Area: This area needs a variety of improvements including Realign dangerous Sterling Highway between Anchor Point curves and Homer. Encourage well-designed architecture in all new buildings at the gateway to town. and viewing facilities at sites also include Homer Spit Area. Beluga Slough Trail. Connect to separated path along byway and Homer Spit Trail. it can and cannot be done requirements for harvesting. Loop. and the Islands & Ocean Visitor Center. Parks, and the homesteader history. Lake Clark and Katmai National Park field office. Provide interpretation on State Parks, National offices. Explore leasing land from the ADOT&PF. Seek to connect this property with the nearby Resources complex that combines a State Park visitor center with a campground/RV park and Move bike path to other side of Sterling Highway from Lake Street Homer Spit Road. Repair or replace the Beluga Slough Trail. Promote the idea of traveling through downtown as a loop. Install signs for Homer Arts Provide public restrooms in downtown Homer and signage for them. On Kachemak Drive, pursue the concept of multi-use Alaska Department Natural Provide interpretation on the definition of a “tsunami ready community”. Provide information on coal gathering, clamming, and tide pooling along Bishops Beach. Provide directional signage from byway to shorebird viewing sites. interpretive Reestablish and expand the Skyline Trail from Skyline neighborhood to downtown and the Provide public awareness signage on harvesting of clams, invertebrates, seaweed, etc; and when Pursue improvements along Sterling Highway for pedestrian crossings between Town Center Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 125 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. HOMER SPIT Include a map of the park. Alaska’s first state park, as well as information on the recreational opportunities at the park. otters, and sea ducks. Install state park interpretive panels regarding Kachemak Bay State Park – opportunity through installation of public art piece. through the addition of restrooms, interpretation, improving park setting and developing a photo the Spit. property. Look at options for reinstating a shuttle bus between the town, Mariner Park and along Install directional signs for the Spit Trail. provide some graphic coherency to the area. Provide restrooms at midpoint areas along the Spit. Encourage the private sector to provide a harbor tour. Install restrooms at Mariner the head of Spit. Plant native wildflowers along the Spit Trail. Install sign near Mariner Park for byway drivers: “3 Miles to End of Spit”. Install interpretive panels at the End of Road Park. Cover topics such as glaciers, sea Expand and upgrade the End of Road Park to be a better final destination for the byway Need to address lack of parking on the Spit without additional paving already limited Head of the Spit: Expand parking, bike racks, and restrooms at the trailhead to Spit Trail. Acquire habitat on Spit as per the City of Homer’s capital improvement plan. Install signs along the boardwalk to direct walkers various businesses and services Provide bike racks and interpretive signs along the Spit Trail at destinations. Extend the Spit Trail to the Alaska’s Marine Highway terminal and the “End of Road”. Install additional interpretive signage at Mariner Park. from the visitor center to Anchor Point Beach. Approximate Funding: $450,000. and his time spent at Anchor Point. Provide podcasts on audio files for visitors’ MP3 players. Develop a trail including live video and updates from the Alaska Volcano Observatory. Expand on the Captain Cook story Homer Visitor Center, shorebirdroute. Provide festival,gallery beachcombing, and art volcano interpretation beautiful photos. Introduce in Homer opportunities including Islands and Ocean Center, Pratt Museum, derby fishing updates and list hotspots for local river recreation opportunities. Provide plenty of cycle, trophy fish mountings, how to catch fish, and welcome what can you do here. Provide halibut Interpretation should focus on “Welcome to Land’s End” with the following topics: river to sea maps, fish life and historic preservation funds to assist with this work. Funding: $50,000. topics such as volcanoes, and orientation panels for the various fishing spots in town. Approximate point in America” sign, directional signs, perhaps an interpretive sign for Nikolaevsk, various interpretive signs. new Target improvements “most include the following: new Captain Cook sign, westerly highway A variety of signage is needed in Anchor Point. Define the specific needs and seek byway funding to put up ANCHOR POINT SIGNAGE Approximate Funding: $300,000. national byway funding install restrooms, develop and interpretation orientation panels. interest and at other key locations along the byway. Each site will need restrooms, orientation panels. Seek New or improved pullouts are needed at several locations along the byway to access recreation, points of NEW AND IMPROVED PULLOUTS easements, initial development of part the trail). $50,000 for planning the route and $1,000,000 phase one development (land purchase, obtaining route for the trail. Then obtain funding for the first phase of trail development. Approximate Funding: Begin the process of creating a separated path/trail along the byway. Obtain funding to plan the detailed OBTAIN TRAIL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING critical structure as it acts the The old school house/potential visitor center needs funding to stabilize and develop the structure. This is a ANCHOR POINT VISITOR CENTER The following recommendations address the above challenges and opportunities: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN LAND’S END/SOUTH STERLING BYWAY: welcome center for the northern entrance into the byway. for the northern Seek byway funding Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 127 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Image caption. Approximate Funding: $3,000. potential visitors. Provide solid contact information via phone numbers, web sites, and e-mail addresses. there is little need for complexity at this point. Provide a well-designed, basic site and pique the interest of information described below.the 1-to-3 day itinerary While the website could become an elaborate project, Pull together the ideas in this plan and prepare a simple website for the byway. Most importantly, provide CREATE BYWAY WEBSITE (OR ADD BYWAY PAGES TO EXISTING SITE) Funding: $5000 guide all information, orientation, and interpretative signing and graphics along the byway. Approximate The byway should hire a graphic artist to develop logo for the and set of standards that will DEVELOP A LAND’S END GRAPHIC THEME AND LOGO Time and energy required. modifications to the Sterling Highway that will improve safety. Approximate Funding: No funding required. Use the byway group as an additional lobbying force to request that ADOT&PF make alignment and other ENCOURAGE SAFETY PROJECTS interest. Approximate Funding: $5000. Work with ADOT&PF to plant native wildflowers along the byway to provide beauty and promotional BYWAY WILDFLOWER PROJECT Approximate Funding: Varies; fund highest priority projects as soon possible. through partnerships utilize facilities. A formal process should be started to lay out ways that these objectives might accomplished. partnerships to help keep recreation facilities open longer beyond the peak season and allow local residents opportunities and provide the most facilities with a limited budget. Look at developing maintenance needs lists, and prioritize where new or improved facilities will be located to avoid duplication, missed recreation important area and along the Anchor River. existing facilities, develop need to inventory All parties Coordination will be needed with the numerous agencies, landowners and non-profits that play a role in this CREATE A ANCHOR POINT/ANCHOR RIVER PARK ALLIANCE PROJECT for plan and designs. $100,000 panel manufacturing. for all installations. Obtain funding creating panels or other facilities. Approximate Funding: $100,000 Seek byway funding for an interpretive plan that will include text, images, and detailed construction designs OBTAIN FUNDING FOR AN INTERPRETIVE PLAN a photo opportunity for reaching this destination. Approximate funding: $400,000 will be required to enhance this park include restrooms, signage, a setting, and public art that that will be a memorable experience when reaching the end of road. Planning, design, and construction Seek local, state and byway funding to make enhancements the End of the Road Park and create a designation END OF THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS public art, restrooms, and other projects. Approximate Funding: $500,000. shuttle bus solution and operating expense formula, Spit T Seek byway funding to address the numerous needs on Spit, including: expanding interpretive signage, a HOMER SPIT IMPROVEMENTS Approximate funding: $250,000. activities. recreation found in the area including beachcombing, birding, sea kayaking, hiking, camping, and winter with information on where to see the catch and go fishing in area. Promote other outstanding Parks (Lake Clark and Katmai) that are typically accessed from Homer. Promote world class halibut fishing promote the surrounding recreation and wilderness found at Kachemak Bay State Park and the two National would include developing an Art Gallery Route similar to a Vineyard Driving Route. Develop facility Seek funding to develop and promote culture recreation in Homer surrounding lands. Projects HOMER IMPROVEMENTS sites. Approximate Funding: $30,000. podcast download from website and use pieces of the product for low power radio broadcasts various Hire a specialist to prepare an audio tour and related audio products for the byway. Offer tour via CD, DEVELOP AN AUDIO TOUR FOR THE BYWAY Funding: $5,000. byway with a variety of themes. Help visitors plan their time. Put this on website. Approximate Develop a simple brochure that lays out half-day, 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day itineraries of things to do along the CREATE 1-TO-3 DAY ITINERARY BROCHURE rail completion, boardwalk directional signing, Image caption.

10 - RECOMMENDATIONS 129 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT Caption opposite. CONCLUSION 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

131 North and South Sterling Byways Corridor Partnership Plan - DRAFT their local economies. and people that live along the byway while improving understanding of the local environment, communities enhancements for all, and to get a better is to improve along the byway, opportunities make of these byways. The goal of these recommendations the needs of residents, visitors, and businesspeople recommendations in this plan are intended to meet No matter the level of complexity or timeframe, current needs that face residents and visitors everyday. Homer); many are short term in nature and address complete (e.g., a bike path from Anchor Point to ideas here are visionary and may require decades to change, this plan should be updated. Some of the changes, as the priorities of visitors and citizen’s accomplish. As times change, as resource availability what the citizens of these byways would like to should be seen as a snapshot at this point in time of are not intended to be seen as static; instead they Sterling Byways. The recommendations of this plan and various organizations along the North South the interested individuals, leaders, businesspeople, This corridor plan is intended to offer a blueprint for CONCLUSION 11 Image caption.

11 - CONCLUSION 133