HomeMy WebLinkAboutARRI Support Letter!\.qual.i(·RCStOI<lOUll Rc sc arxl i Institute
P.O.Box 923 Talkeetna,Alaska,99676-0923 (907)733-5432 arri@mtaonline.net
September 10,2010
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly
Matanuska-Susitna School Board
350 E.Dahlia Ave.
Palmer,AK 99645
Borough Assembly and School Board Members
Re:Susitna Valley High School Research Forest
The Aquatic Restoration and Research Institute (ARRI)conducts water quality and fish habitat
research for local,state,and federal governments.Over the past three years we have been
conducting research funded by the State of Alaska,Alaska Clean Water Action Plan,which is
developed and implemented by representatives from the Departments of Environmental
Conservation,Fish and Game,and Natural Resources.The focus of this research has been to
evaluate the effectiveness ofthe Forest Resources and Practices Act and accompanying
regulations that are designed to protect water quality and fish habitat.ARRI has also served on
the technical committee to develop riparian management standards for Region II,which includes
the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
ARRI supports the proposal to set aside a specific area of land to provide timber for the proposed
wood-fired boiler used to heat the Susitna Valley High School and to be used as a research
forest.A research forest would allow for the development of timber harvest units and roads that
could be used to test for effects of harvest on hydrology,water quality,and fish habitat.Students
and researchers could observe first-hand the importance of stream setbacks and road construction
standards to limit soil erosion and the transport of fine sediments.For these reasons,among
others,we encourage you to fully support this project.
Jeffrey C.Davis
President