By Jake Dye

Peninsula Clarion

Alaska State Parks will update the community next month about the development of a drift boat retrieval on the lower Kasilof River, the State Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation announced Thursday.

A release from the division says the public is invited to join the meeting either in person at the Gilman River Center in Soldotna or online via Microsoft Teams on Jan. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Funding was appropriated for development of the retrieval in 2011 and 2012 by the Alaska Legislature. The release says that Alaska State Parks has acquired two lots on Williamson Drive in Kasilof for the project. The project has been long in development, and in 2017 was halted.

Last month, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly defeated a resolution that would have cast their support in favor of private boat retrievals and against the state’s public development. The assembly ultimately voted 6-3 in opposition to the resolution, with those in favor citing the importance of public access to the river and adequate facilities for boaters.

For access to the distant meeting via Microsoft Teams, email dnr.pkskenai@alaska.gov prior to the meeting for directions.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.