CAINES HEAD STATE RECREATION AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN ALASKA DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES KENAI/PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AREA PARKS OFFICE December 1997 Front cover photo by Robert Angell This publication was released by the De- partment of Natural Resources to provide the Caines Head State Recreation Area Management Plan for the public and other agencies. It was printed in Anchorage, Alaska, at a cost of $8.89 per copy. CONTENTS SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................ 1 Location map ....................................................................................................................................... 2 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 3 Existing Features and Facilities map ................................................................................................ 4 PHYSICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ......................................................... 7 PHYSICAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................................... 7 Climate ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Wind and Waves ........................................................................................................................... 7 Tides and Currents ........................................................................................................................ 7 Geology ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Tsunamis......................................................................................................................................... 8 Hydrology ...................................................................................................................................... 8 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES .............................................................................................................. 8 Vegetation ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Fish .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Wildlife............................................................................................................................................ 9 CULTURAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................................... 10 Native History ............................................................................................................................. 10 Russian History ........................................................................................................................... 10 Recent History ............................................................................................................................. 10 Military History ........................................................................................................................... 10 Population .................................................................................................................................... 11 Economic and Population Growth Projection......................................................................... 11 REGIONAL AND LOCAL RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ............................................... 13 Kenai Peninsula ................................................................................................................................. 13 Public Agencies ................................................................................................................................. 13 Commercial/Private Sector ............................................................................................................. 13 Implications........................................................................................................................................ 14 LAND USE ZONES ................................................................................................................................ 15 Land Use Zones map ........................................................................................................................ 17 SPECIAL ISSUES ................................................................................................................................... 19 ACCESS .............................................................................................................................................. 19 Marine Access .............................................................................................................................. 19 Overland Access .......................................................................................................................... 19 ACQUISITION .................................................................................................................................. 19 Summary of Acquisition Recommendations........................................................................... 20 CRITICAL HABITAT AREAS ......................................................................................................... 20 Sea Bird Colonies ......................................................................................................................... 20 Bald Eagle Nests .......................................................................................................................... 20 HISTORIC PRESERVATION VERSUS PUBLIC SAFETY ........................................................... 21 i Caines Head State Recreation Area Management Plan INTERPRETATION .......................................................................................................................... 21 INTERPRETIVE TECHNIQUES ..................................................................................................... 21 CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ................................................................................. 22 HISTORIC STRUCTURES................................................................................................................ 22 HISTORIC TRAIL CORRIDOR ....................................................................................................... 22 DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS BY ZONE ................................................................... 23 RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ZONE ................................................................................. 23 North Beach.................................................................................................................................. 23 CULTURAL RESOURCE ZONE..................................................................................................... 24 Road of 42, North Beach to Fort McGilvray ........................................................................... 24 War Reserve Magazines ............................................................................................................. 24 Fort McGilvray and Support Facilities ..................................................................................... 25 Road from Junction to South Beach .......................................................................................... 27 South Beach Garrison and Support Facilities .......................................................................... 28 Road from South Beach to Rocky Point ................................................................................... 29 Rocky Point and Support Facilities ........................................................................................... 29 Other Structures........................................................................................................................... 31 NATURAL ZONE RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................. 32 North Beach to Derby Cove .......................................................................................................32 Callisto Canyon ........................................................................................................................... 33 Minnesota Beach .......................................................................................................................... 33 Bog Lakes ...................................................................................................................................... 33 Other Trails and Facilities .......................................................................................................... 33 WILDERNESS ZONE RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................... 34 GENERAL MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................. 35 MANAGEMENT ACTIONS............................................................................................................ 35 COOPERATIVE INTER-AGENCY AGREEMENTS .................................................................... 35 MANAGEMENT