Changes to the Waterbody Setback Distance for Lakes in Mat-Su
Contributed by Patricia Fisher
Assembly Members Tew and Yundt are at it again. Their gravel ordinance, after being pulled, was resubmitted to the Planning Commission on a fast track course to be voted on by the Assembly in May. The amended version does not include provision for public input.
However, I am writing now about a change in the Waterbody Setback Distance for habitable structures on Lakes in the Mat-Su. The code currently requires that habitable structures must be 75 feet from the water’s edge. This is a safeguard against septic seepage and chemical runoff from homes.
The 75-foot limit was established in 1973. It was in place until November of 1986 when the Assembly reduced the setback to 45 feet. Six months later, in May of 1987, a ballot initiative returned the setback to 75 feet. Only 6 months had passed and during that time residents got together a ballot initiative to change the distance back to 75 feet. It is not easy to get an initiative on the ballot; it requires a lot of signatures. The vote on the initiative was 2 to 1 in favor of returning to the 75-foot setback. The residents of the valley spoke clearly. They did not want to have homes built that closed to the water.
This change proposed by Tew and Yundt to a shorter distance, with no provision for a riparian buffer, is contrary to recommendations of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, the Mat-Su Fish and Wildlife Commission and a number of Management Plans, such as the Fish Creek Plan. Our lakes are already suffering from pollution, run off from lawns that are heavily fertilized, septic seepage and road chemicals. Changing the Setback will only increase the damage to the lakes and wildlife.
Please be watchful of this change and speak out to protect our beautiful lakes.