Mat-Su planning commission backs new task force, orders testing of 10 lakes tied to setback noncompliance

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission on Aug. 18 approved a resolution recommending the borough assembly form a new task force to review proposed changes to the borough’s water-body setback rules and related land-use provisions. Commissioner McCabe moved the resolution; Commissioner Carpenter seconded. The commission adopted two amendments requiring prioritized water-quality testing and that at least one‑third of task-force members be lakefront property owners.

Commissioner McCabe said the revised resolution recognizes work already done by the water-body setback advisory group but seeks additional public input and data. “We are telling the property owners they have to restrict their use of their private property and it reduces their ability to use their personal property,” McCabe said, arguing property owners should have a stronger voice in future recommendations.

The commission’s amendment A instructs the task force to “provide for and prioritize water-quality testing on the 10 lakes within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough that have the greatest number of properties not in compliance with existing setback regulations, utilizing actual water-quality data to assess whether setbacks closer than 75 feet have caused environmental harm.” The commission added a companion amendment specifying that the task force include at least one‑third lakefront property owners to ensure representation from people who live on affected lakes.

Commissioner Glenn said testing is “low-hanging fruit” and predicted that road runoff — not homeowners — may be the largest source of some contaminants. “I think what we’re gonna find is a big polluter of all these lakes is our road system and not the homeowner’s property,” Glenn said, listing sample pollutants such as antifreeze, engine oil and tire particles.

Alex Straub, planning director for the borough, told commissioners the borough previously maintained a volunteer water-quality monitoring program that ended about 15 years ago and that the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation performs some state testing for impaired waters. Straub said the borough could hire a firm to conduct testing if the assembly provides funding and direction.

Trout Unlimited Alaska had urged the commission to retain a 75-foot setback and vegetative buffers at the audience-participation portion of the meeting. Chenery Fife, identified as South Central Alaska engagement manager for Trout Unlimited Alaska, said the group “does support a 75 foot setback and specifically the vegetative buffer” and thanked the commission for considering the ordinance’s potential effects on salmon habitat.

Debate on the task-force composition produced differing views. Several commissioners supported including lakefront owners to provide local knowledge; others urged that the group remain science- and expertise-focused with engineers, biologists and agency representatives. Commissioners and staff noted the assembly ultimately sets the task-force size and the mayor forwards appointments for assembly confirmation.

The commission adopted the amended resolution by voice vote with no recorded objections and moved the recommendation to the borough assembly for its consideration. The resolution asks the assembly to form the task force, prioritize the specified water testing, and consider the proposed composition when appointing members.

Next steps noted at the meeting: staff will prepare the amended resolution for transmittal to the assembly; the assembly will determine final task-force membership, funding for any testing, and the scope of the work.