Another fall flooding disaster not only looms large over K-Beach area, but appears to be ongoing. We are now experiencing spring, summer, and fall flooding of our properties. I am writing as a longtime K-Beach resident out of concern for all affected residents who are not only suffering the onslaught of flooded wells, septics, and dwellings; but also properties devalued by standing water, sinkholes, and a myriad of other flood related damages that compound with each rain storm. Groundwater in my septic system has risen ten inches in the past ten days this July.
I am grateful for the Kenai Peninsula Borough road upgrades this summer in our area, yet am concerned that building up roads without improving road drainage will only contribute to flooding upgradient property owners. Why is the borough not taking the necessary action to prevent ongoing groundwater flooding before our community suffers further damage?
I was informed by the borough that there is no plan to prevent future flooding in our area.
I don’t know about all my neighbors, but I am not giving in to discouragement from governing bodies. I am praying to my Lord in heaven who governs all for our borough leaders to seek wise counsel, formulate a plan, calculate the cost, and take action. If KPB has no plan, then at least tell it like it is, so we don’t pin false hope with KPB. I encourage everyone affected to call the governor’s office, and find out if the state is able to take action if the borough does not have a plan to do so. In two or three weeks, it may be too late for our community.
Remember that this is an election year. Call the candidates to find out which ones care about taking action on our flooding issues. Call our current representatives and voice concern. Pull together as a community, keep seeking solutions, and don’t give up.
Sherron Collins
K-Beach resident
Why are you not showing the horrible waste that is happening on at the mouth of the Kenai River? Why are the citizens of Kenai/Soldotna not standing in protest to block entrance? Why is no one putting a stop to the lack of respect for the fish, the city, the limits, the law? What will it take to see change? Does someone have to die?
When locals can’t get in to get their fish to make it through the winter, there is something horribly wrong with the system. Yes we got special funding for more enforcement officers. Yes, there have been a few tickets written, so what … the judges will reduce the fines, give a little tap on the wrist and send them back out to do it again.
I for one am outraged at the condition of our beaches and the amount of waste I’m seeing! Even with extra man power there is absolutely no way law enforcement can stop what is happening without help. We the people need to stand up and take back our beaches, help law enforcement in any way we can to stop the waste.
Subsistence fishing is to help make it through to the next year, not to see how many limits we can get each day for 2 weeks. Stop the madness and the waste!
Pamela LaForest
Soldotna
We would like to thank the Soldotna, Kenai, Funny River and surrounding areas and businesses for their wonderful support of the Funny River Festival. Because of you, it was a wonderful success. A gentleman from Sterling won the quilt and a gentleman from Soldotna won the 4-wheeler.
Thank you again everyone and we’ll see you next year!
Sheilah Eral
Funny River
