(Image courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

(Image courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge OKs snowmachine use south of Tustumena

The areas was previously closed due to inadequate snow conditions.

Areas of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge traditionally open to snowmachine use are now open, according to a Feb. 7 news release from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Refuge Manager Andy Loranger announced on Friday that refuge lands south of Tustumena Lake are open to snowmachine use effective immediately. That area was previously closed due to inadequate snow conditions.

Areas always closed to snowmachine use within the refuge include the headquarters area on Ski Hill Road, Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, Swan Lake and Swanson River Canoe Systems and all areas above timberline except in the Caribou Hills. Hidden Lake, Kelly Lake, Petersen Lake and Engineer Lake are open to snowmachine access specifically for ice fishing.

For more information about which areas of the refuge are open to snowmachine use, call the refuge headquarters at 907-262-7021, visit the refuge website at Kenai.fws.gov or visit the Refuge Headquarters on Ski Hill Road in Soldotna.

A map of the areas open to snowmachine use is available at the Refuge website.

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