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Ninilchik Small Parcels

The Swartz and Icicle Seafoods collection of small parcels (18 platted lots, are downstream and immediately adjacent to a large parcel managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This package borders the Ninilchik River one of south central Alaska's most important sportfishing rivers and contains approximately 1,600 linear feet of shoreline. These lots are subject to periodic flooding during high water events. Harlequin ducks are commonly viewed in the downstream portion of this property and many wildlife species commonly use this area such as otters, mergansers, mink bear and moose. The public has used this area of the Ninilchik River for decades as they pursue king salmon, Dolly Varden silver salmon and steelhead. Placing this access point in public ownership secures this popular recreation and sportfishing accessing point for residents and tourists and helps to support the important sportfishing industry.

The Ninilchik parcel is located immediately adjacent to the Ninilchik State Recreation Area and shares many of the attributes of the previously described parcels. In addition, acquisition of this parcel greatly enhances access to publicly owned lands and has helped to eliminate trespass problems in this area.

The Morris parcel is located several miles upstream and includes both banks of the Ninilchik River for a distance of several hundred yards and provides key habitat for pink salmon and Dolly Varden. Other species utilizing this section of the river for spawning and rearing include chinook and coho salmon. Brown bear and moose also range along the river corridor and can be found in the uplands as well. The Kenai River Sportfishing Association notes that this section of the Ninilchik River provides some of the best steelhead fishing in the drainage making the parcel highly important for recreation and sportfishing access.