The State of Alaska is pursuing a criminal charge against a Halibut Cove-based lodge that it says constructed an illicit trail from the lodge property into Kachemak Bay State Park.
True Life Adventures Alaska LLC is facing one misdemeanor charge of disturbance of natural objects in a state park in connection to the trail, which extends 785 feet south from the commercial property into the state park. Halibut Cove is located southeast of Homer across Kachemak Bay and abuts the 400,000-acre state park.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s online mapping software shows that the parcel owned by True Life Adventures Alaska LLC shares the same physical address as Cove Peaks Lodge.
Alaska State Park Ranger Carter Forney wrote in a Jan. 24 affidavit accompanying charging documents that True Life Adventures Alaska admitted to him over the phone that the business was responsible for constructing the trail. Forney wrote that he investigated the area and observed an excavated area roughly 10 feet wide and 785 feet long extending from the property into the state park.
“Without a special use permit, authorization by the director, or any notification to Alaska State Parks, the defendant created a trail approximately 10’ wide by 785’ long into Kachemak Bay State Park land for the commercial use of guests staying at the property,” Forney wrote.
The section of Alaska Administrative Code governing the disturbance of natural objects says someone cannot disturb, deface or remove natural objects including trees, plants, moss, rocks, gravel, or minerals unless authorized.
The case arraignment will occur Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 2:30 p.m. in the Homer Courthouse.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
