environment

Kenai Fire Chief Tony Prior presents updates on the city’s spruce bark beetle mitigation efforts to Kenai City Council members during a council meeting on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to mitigate hazard trees through mid-May

The city last year adopted the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Kenai Fire Chief Tony Prior presents updates on the city’s spruce bark beetle mitigation efforts to Kenai City Council members during a council meeting on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner-designee John Boyle presents information about carbon capture, utilization and storage during a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Friday, April 14, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State officials tout carbon capture initiatives at chamber chat

Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner-designee John Boyle attended Friday’s Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon

Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner-designee John Boyle presents information about carbon capture, utilization and storage during a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Friday, April 14, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. A section of the Kasilof River estuary called “the Dinosaur Parcel,” sized at 309 acres, has been added to the Alaska State Parks system for conservation. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kasilof River parcel added to Alaska State Parks

The Dinosaur Parcel, named for its unique shape, has long been prioritized for conservation

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. A section of the Kasilof River estuary called “the Dinosaur Parcel,” sized at 309 acres, has been added to the Alaska State Parks system for conservation. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow coats an eroding bluff near the mouth of the Kenai River on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bluff project moves ahead

Kenai to buy last land parcels needed for stabilization effort

Snow coats an eroding bluff near the mouth of the Kenai River on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Architect Nancy Casey speaks in front of a small gathering at this year’s final Fireside Chat presented by the Kenai Watershed Forum on Nov. 30, 2022, at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Building with the environment in mind

Kenai Watershed Forum’s Fireside Chats conclude

Architect Nancy Casey speaks in front of a small gathering at this year’s final Fireside Chat presented by the Kenai Watershed Forum on Nov. 30, 2022, at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Project would convert landfill methane to energy

The project would located at the Central Peninsula Landfill

The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A map showing tracts available as part of an upcoming state oil and gas lease sale in Cook Inlet. (Map via Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas)

State to begin accepting Cook Inlet oil and gas lease bids next month

Bidding will open Dec. 12 and close on Dec. 28 at 4 p.m.

A map showing tracts available as part of an upcoming state oil and gas lease sale in Cook Inlet. (Map via Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas)
In this Aug. 25, 2017, file photo, provided by NOAA Fisheries, a newborn beluga whale calf sticks its head out of the water in upper Cook Inlet, Alaska. (NOAA Fisheries via AP, File)

BOEM proposes changes to Cook Inlet lease sale for wildlife, gillnet fishery

Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the sale must take place before the end of the year

In this Aug. 25, 2017, file photo, provided by NOAA Fisheries, a newborn beluga whale calf sticks its head out of the water in upper Cook Inlet, Alaska. (NOAA Fisheries via AP, File)
Beluga monitor Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. Beluga monitoring will be the first topic of a series of Fireside Chats hosted by Kenai Watershed Forum at Kenai River Brewing, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)

Fireside chats to feature speakers on the local environment

The Kenai Watershed Forum will host the chats through Nov. 23

Beluga monitor Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. Beluga monitoring will be the first topic of a series of Fireside Chats hosted by Kenai Watershed Forum at Kenai River Brewing, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)
Trees with fall colors populate the Shqui Tsatnu Creek gully as seen from Fourth Avenue on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to use $770k in grants to remove hazard trees along Shqui Tsatnu Creek

The money will be used to mitigate hazards caused by dead and dying spruce trees over more than 100 acres of city land

Trees with fall colors populate the Shqui Tsatnu Creek gully as seen from Fourth Avenue on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Wood is piled near the entrance to Centennial Park on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More state money rolls in for Soldotna spruce bark beetle mitigation

The $200,000 accepted by council members Wednesday comes from the Alaska Division of Forestry

Wood is piled near the entrance to Centennial Park on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishers set out equipment a short distance from shore in the Tongass National Forest. The federal government on Friday announced it is awarding a $49 million grant to Alaska Mariculture Cluster, which is seeking to develop a $100 million a year sustainable seafood program in Southeast Alaska and other parts of the state. (U.S. Forest Service)

Alaska mariculture gets $49 million boost from feds

The coalition behind the project includes the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District

Fishers set out equipment a short distance from shore in the Tongass National Forest. The federal government on Friday announced it is awarding a $49 million grant to Alaska Mariculture Cluster, which is seeking to develop a $100 million a year sustainable seafood program in Southeast Alaska and other parts of the state. (U.S. Forest Service)
Alaska LNG Project Manager Brad Chastain presents information about the project during a luncheon at the Kenai Chamber Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski, Sullivan throw support behind Alaska LNG Project

The project would move gas from the North Slope through an 800-mile pipeline to a liquefaction plant in Nikiski

Alaska LNG Project Manager Brad Chastain presents information about the project during a luncheon at the Kenai Chamber Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Cook Inlet can be seen at low tide from North Kenai Beach on June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Last open house on proposed Cook Inlet lease sale is Wednesday

Do you have thoughts on a proposed oil and gas lease sale in Cook Inlet? The federal government wants to hear from you. The Bureau… Continue reading

Cook Inlet can be seen at low tide from North Kenai Beach on June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Invasive green crabs now present in Alaska

Alaska’s fish and game experts are keeping their eyes on a new aquatic invasive species that was newly detected in Southeast last month. Live European… Continue reading

Courtesy Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks at the Kenai Classic Roundtable at Kenai Peninsula College on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bycatch stirs debate at fisheries roundtable

Bycatch was the issue du jour at Wednesday’s annual Kenai Classic Roundtable on Fisheries. Hosted at Kenai Peninsula College by the Kenai River Sportfishing Association,… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks at the Kenai Classic Roundtable at Kenai Peninsula College on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly members participate during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly to revisit gravel pit legislation

A proposed ordinance would overhaul borough code addressing material site permits

Assembly members participate during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion file Alaska LNG Project Manager Brad Chastain presents information about the project during a luncheon at the Kenai Chamber Commerce and Visitor Center on July 6.

Local leaders voice support for LNG project

Local municipalities are making their support for the Alaska LNG Project known

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion file Alaska LNG Project Manager Brad Chastain presents information about the project during a luncheon at the Kenai Chamber Commerce and Visitor Center on July 6.
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Dipnetting wraps up; Kenai late-run kings still off limits

Northern Kenai fishing report

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The banks of the Kenai River can be seen on July 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Streambank project cost-share program accepting applications

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is accepting applications for the program through 5 p.m. on Sept. 30

The banks of the Kenai River can be seen on July 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)