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State parks superintendent updates CAB on outhouse replacements, landing‑craft motors and concession contracts
Summary
The Kachemak Bay State Park superintendent reported equipment upgrades including requests to replace outboard motors on landing craft, renewal of an Anka River concession contract with Alaska Recreational Management, and that 95% engineer plans for prefab pumpable outhouse replacements are under review before a bid process.
State Parks’ operations were a central part of the advisory board’s discussion on April 9 as the superintendent summarized equipment, concession and facilities plans for the coming season.
Eric (state parks superintendent) told the board the department has a request out to procure replacement outboards for landing craft serving Homer and other sites: "we've got a request out for preparing for four ... horse outboards, two of which will stay here in Homer," he said, adding that the replacements will provide equipment continuity across park landing craft.
On concession contracts, staff said a concessionaire contract for Anka River facilities expired during a recent flooding event; the department has arranged to bring in a contractor (Alaska Recreational Management) to perform short-term facility fixes and get concession operations back in place.
Facilities work also includes a set of prefab pumpable outhouse replacements. "I just got an email today to review the 95% engineer plans for that round of outhouse replacements, which includes eight, I think, from memory," the superintendent said, noting the project will go out to bid once engineering review is complete and that on‑the‑ground timing this summer remains uncertain.
Board members pressed staff on timing and the likelihood the outhouse work would occur this summer; staff said the project is "on the tracks" but that precise scheduling depends on completing the engineering review and the bid process. The board also discussed volunteer agreement and insurance considerations, and staff said risk management review will occur over the winter to clarify what volunteer activities require additional coverage.
The board received no formal action on these operational items; staff said they will continue to report progress and timing in future meetings.
