Refuge Remains Closed to Snowmobiles

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge will not be open to snowmobile use until snow depths reach an acceptable level, according to Refuge Manager Robin West. "Snow so far this winter has led to only two to six inches of accumulation over most of the Refuge," said West.

Snowmobiles are allowed on the Refuge only when sufficient snow cover is present to protect the underlying vegetation and terrain. "We hope the last days of January and early February will bring enough snow to open the Refuge to snowmobile use," stated West. "We will certainly watch the situation closely on order to permit snowmobile use as soon as possible," he continues. Only two years in the last twenty has snow accumulation been insufficient to allow snowmobile use all winter.

FWS