HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA1719BLM L nd Use Plan for Southcentr I lask
A Summary
HT
393
.A4
U54
1980
I
Cover: Peaks of the Alaska Range loom
behind forested hills near the Denali
Highway in Southcentral A Iaska.
Photo by Page Spencer.
•
September 22, 1980
We are pleased to share with you the results of our Southcentral land use plan. In this booklet
we show maps of the areas likely to be administered by B LM, give a brief discussion of the
resources of those areas and their present uses, and summarize the most important decisions
made for each resource activity. Since this plan is intended to be implemented over a number
of years, actions taken to carry out the decisions will necessarily hinge on funding.
Land status in Alaska has been changing quickly and often dramatically in recent years as
Congress, the President, the courts, the State of Alaska and Native Corporations all interact to
vie for land ownership. The State or Native corporations may select. areas we show as being
administered by BLM. For this reason, the boundaries we show here may change-may even
have changed while this booklet was in press.
We began working on the Southcentral plan in late 1977. The first thing we did was to contact
other government agencies, special interest groups, and individuals likely to be interested.
Detailed resource information was gathered by specialists who work for B LM and from other
outside sources wherever available. By December of 1978, we had completed the analysis of
resources and the ways those resources are now being used. An economic and social analysis
had been prepared by our economist. During the summer of 1979, we talked with the residents
to find out their preferences for land use.
By December 1979, we had finished a proposed or tentative plan. We sent a brochure describ-
ing this proposal to federal, state and local government agencies, to residents and landowners
of the affected areas, and to interested citi zen groups. We held meetings with state , federal,
and borough groups to explain the proposed plan. We advertised and held open houses in
Anchorage on January 17 and 22, 1980, and in Fairbanks on February 7, 1980. Comments we
received, whether verbal or written, were carefully considered by the planning staff, the Area
Manager, and the District Manager. Our recommendations received broad general support
from the public. Some public comments brought to light important points we might otherwise
have missed, so we feel the public response was very helpful to us.
The complete plan (the Management Framework Plan) and all the reference documents
prepared in connection with it are available at both the Anchorage District Office and the
Glennallen Area Office. You are invited to visit and review these documents at your
convenience.
We would like to thank all of you who participated, who gave us information or suggestions to
help us develop this plan. We would also like to emphasize that BLM's land use plans are not
static, but dynamic, and will be changed as national or local conditions require. We invite your
comments and suggestions at any time .
Richard W. Tindall
Anchorage District Manager
Contents
H-r
3Cf3
~ltv
Southcentral Planning A rea _____ _ 1 u~v
General Description ______ _
Economics ________ _
Issues __________ _
Denali Planning Block ________ _
General Description ______ _
Land Use Decisions _______ _
! /9Jt)
4
7
7
8
Columbia Planning Block _______ 21
General Description 21
Land Use Decisions 25
Tiekel Planning Block _________ 27
General Description 27
Land Use Decisions 28
Bering Planning Block ________ 33
General Description 33
Land Use Decisions 33
The Planning System---------37
Relationship to Other Plans ______ 37
What Happens Next? _________ 38
GlossarY---------------39
Maps
Southcentral Planning Area _____ _ 2
Denali Planning Block: Recreation 10
Denali Planning Block: Minerals,
Cultural, Forest Products and Lands __ l2
Denali Planning Block: Wildlife,
Watershed and Range _________ 16
Columbia Planning Block. ________ 22
Tiekel Planning Block _________ 29
Bering Planning Block ________ 35
Southcentral
P h ot o b Y R . L . War d
Spruce covered islands follow the curves of the Nenana River as it winds
through Southcentral Alaska.
Southcentral P lanning Area
General Description
In preparing our Management F ramework
Plan, we first studied t h e whole general
region of Southcentral A Ias k a, some 55
million acres of land , of which about 5.5
million acre s are public lands expected to
be a dmin is tered b y t h e Bureau of Lan d
Ma n agement (s ee map next page).
Mountai n s rim all four sides of t he
Southcentral A rea. A long the s o u t hern
coast are the Kenai, Chuga ch , and
Robinson mountains. Along th e eastern
boundary with Canada are the Wr angells,
while on the west is the north ern end of
the Aleutian Range. The A las k a Range
forms the northern border .
The great watersherls of the Copper,
Susitna and Matanuska rivers and their
tribut a ;ies drain the area. During
prev ious geo logic periods the entire
region was glac iate d, a nd today a II the
mo u ntain ranges s ti ll contain active
gla ciers .
T er r a in va r ies in Southcentral Alaska
from some of the hi g hest peaks on the
No rth Ame rican continent to vast marshy
lowlands . Between are some of the best
agricultural lands in A Iaska, including
the much-publicized Matanuska Valley,
where ho mesteaders started new lives
during the 1930's.
T h ree b asic climatic zones affect the
southcent r al planning area. A long the
c oasts is a maritime climate characterized
b y cool summers and warm winters, but
heavy precipitation and strong winds.
Inland is a continental zone affected by
land mass temperatures . It is character-
ized by hot summers, cold winters, and
has a t empe r atu r e range of 100 degrees F
o r more, although precipitation and
w inds ar e usually light. Between the
coasta l ma r itime and the inland con-
tinental c limatic a r e as is the transitional
zone, whi ch can be affected either by
wa ter or by land ma ss temperatures,
dependi n g on t h e local it y. Its g e n era l
t e mperature r a nges a r e g r eater th a n the
mar it ime, but s malle r than t h e contin-
ental, w ith va r iab le preci p itation and
g e n e r al ly li ght w ind s.
Planning Bloc k s
Because of the vast size of the overall
planning area and the scattered locations
of B LM-managed lands within that area,
we divided our area of special planning
emphasis into four smaller units called
the planning blocks. The Dena I i block,
largest of these, is also the largest
remammg single parcel of Bureau-
managed land. Its 4.5 million acres
surround the Denali Highway and stretch
to the crest of the Alaska Range in the
northern part of the general South-
central planning area. The Denali block
extends from the Richardson Highway on
the east almost to the Parks Highway on
the west.
Columbia block contains approximately
346,600 acres of land in three parcels
grouped about College Fiord and Port
Valdez.
Tiekel block, a parcel of about 507,000
acres, is located southeast of Denali,
straddling the Richardson Highway
between Glennallen and Valdez. Part of
the Alaska Pipeline corridor passes
through this planning block, and sepa-
rate planning has been done for that
portion.
The fourth planning block, Bering, con-
sists of two parcels of land on and about
Bering Glacier not·th of Cape Yakataga.
The following map shows these plann ing
blocks in relation to the entire South-
central planning area.
S.'-4 \.j
I
f
~tJ •l '" ~ ~ c,:
' \
) \">' {
I .. _r,. ,.-
Southcentral Planning Area
1
2
3
':4
Denali Planning Block
Columbia Planning Block
Tiek~l Planning Block
i
Beri[lg Planning Block
0 -1ugu.rrine I
blalld.' I Middleioll;p 10 0 :ro 20 10 100 MLES
l 150
.1~,
Economics
The present population of Southcentral
Alaska is about 250,000. In 1978, almost
half of the whole state's nonagricultural
wage and salary employment was in
Anchorage.
Petroleum and government are the basic
industries of Southcentra I A Iaska. A I-
t hough the oil and gas industry accounts
for a relatively small number of direct
employees, it is a major driving force
throughout the economy, generating more
than half of the state's revenue. The
second economic force, government, ac-
counts for 27 percent of all employment
in Anchorage. Falling third behind
these major economic bases is manu-
facturing, primarily fish processing.
Recreation also forms an important part
of the southcentra I region's economy. In
1978, recreation and visitor-related
business accounted for $762 million, of
which $275 million came from sales to
out-of-state visitors. This industry em-
ployed 6,000 people. It has been esti-
mated that visitor-related expenditures
accounted for about 6 percent of gross
business receipts for that year and that
well over half of those expenditures were
made in the southcentral region.
The state has just been through an eco-
nomic boom that culminated with the con-
struction of the Trans-Alaska oil pipe-
line. When pipeline construction began
in 1974 it superimposed a construction
boom on top of an economy already
expanding from previous oil-related
activities. Between 1973 and 1975 the
employment rate leaped 18.4 percent
annually, population grew 10.3 percent,
and income grew 18 percent. Since the
completion of pipeline construction, this
growth rate has dropped abruptly.
The possible construction of other major
projects such as the gas pipeline, the
Susitna hydropower project, or the re-
location of the state capital may bring
another growth surge. Already the
creation of the new Wrangell-St. Elias
National Monument is expected to in-
crease travel between the Monument and
Mount McKinley National Park. Much of
-tl:@t travel will pass over the Denali
Highway, through the Denali planning
block.
Now, however, the resources of the
planning blocks play only a minor role in
the economy of Southcentral Alaska.
Denali block makes the greatest impact
and has the greatest potential for future
impact; Tiekel, Columbia and Bering
blocks have no significant economic
activity at present. The most important
economic role now played by B LM-
administered public lands is providing
access and materials for projects actually
outside the blocks, such things as
rights-of-way for communications sites
and gravel for construction.
Issues
Since 1971 and the passage of the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act, a very
considerable amount of land has been
withdr21wn from general use. This Act
required that, more than 103 million acres
of land be patented to the State and 44
million to regional and village Native
corpo'rations. Of these corporations,
Cook Inlet Region, Inc.; Ahtna, Inc.;
and Chugach Natives, Inc., have select-
ed their lands ,;.in Southcentral A Iaska.
This same act ~lso authorized the Secre-
tary of the 1 nterior to choose up to 80
million acres from all over the state for
inclusion in the four national conserva-
tion systems. President Carter in 1978
created three new national monuments
(totaling 15,410,000 acres principally in
Southcentral A Iaska) including a large
addition to Mount McKinley National Park
' out of part of this. The State of Alaska
has now made most of its selections as
granted by the statehood act of 1959.
4
A II of these land commitments have
drastically changed the availability of
land for general use. After final dis-
position has been made of the land, the
Native entitlement and some of the State
selected land will become private.
One of the major concerns of the people
of Southcentral A Iaska is that there may
not be enough land for them to use in
the pursuit of their traditional economic
and recreational activities. Therefore,
they will begin looking more t0ward
lands administered under the multiple-
use mandate of the Bureau for these
activities. Alaskans also are concerned
that the Bureau may place new restric-
tions on uses now occurring on its
lands. At the same time, they want the
visual quality of key areas to be main-
tained, wildlife habitat to be maintained
or enhanced, and work to be coordinated
between the various government agencies
so as to manage the overall habitat to
the best advantage for wildlife and
fisheries.
Another point that was felt to be of po-
tential concern was the need for gravel
supplies from BLM lands if a large con..:.
struction project should be undertaken
on adjacent lands. However, coordina-
tion with other agencies and the public
revealed that there was not a great
demand for this resource.
Following is a summary of issues and
concerns related to specific resources
that were addressed during preparation
of the p lan:
• Rec r ea t ion w i ll continue to be a
major activity in this region. How
will the Bureau hel p t o meet the .
demand?
• Cultural resources are well repre-
sented in this area. What is the
Bureau going to do to preserve and
protect these resources?
• Wildlife populations are a concern in
the region. Moose populations have
declined; caribou populations have
leveled off and are starting to
increase. How is the Bureau going
to manage wildlife habitat?
• Southcentral A Iaska has spectacular
scenery. How will the Bureau
protect scenic quality while allowing
development to take place?
• Most of A Iaska has water of ex-
cellent quality. How will the
Bureau insure that the water quali-
ty is maintained?
5
•
•
•
•
Much of Southcentral A Iaska is
0oing into either private ownership
or single-use management systems.
How much land will remain in multi-
ple-use management?
Mining continues to be a major
activity in this region. How will
the Bureau help to meet the de-
mand?
Commercial and sport fishing are
big business in Southcentral
Alaska. The Bureau is responsible
for management of a sizeable amount
of spawning habitat. How can the
Bureau maintain or enhance this
habitat?
The forested areas under Bureau
administration are generally of low
commercial value. Their value is
considerably greater as a future
source of products and for re-
sources other than forest products.
How is the Bureau going to manage
the forest resource?
• There is some demand for domestic
livestock grazing in the area.
Traditional grazing areas may not
be avai I able in the futu r e. Will the
Bureau accommodate requests for
domestic grazing in Southcentral
A Iaska?
There are two issues that have not been
addressed in this plan. Management of
easements designated under the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (1971) is
being addressed in separate easement
management plans. The decision was
made because these easements cross
private land and the U.S. Government
holds only a very specific, limited inter-
est. Wilderness has not been addressed.
During the year when the area's resour-
ces were being analyzed (in the report
entitled Southcentral Planning Area Unit
Resource Analysis, June 1979) there was
a Congressional freeze on spending
money in Alaska on wilderness review.
AI! the decisions in this plan must be
consistent with the Interim Wilderness
Management Policy dated December 1979.
Those that are now consistent can be
implemented immediately. All others
must be delayed until a wilderness
review is completed.
Denali
Seen from the Denali Highway, the Susitna River cuts through rolling hills and alpine
meadows.
Denali Planning Block
General Description
Land in the 4.5 million-acre Denali plan-
ning block ascends northward from
forested, rolling country into treeless
alpine meadows and finally touches the
glittering peaks of the Alaska Range,
that formidable band of glacier-covered
mountains clustered around North
America's tallest peak. The Alaska
Range is a curving band of volcanic
mountains arching from east to west
across the midsection of Alaska. Its
massive ridges generally extend from
6,000 to 18,000 feet in height.
Within most of the planning block south
of these mountains, the topography con-
sists of more rounded ridges of 3,500 to
5,000 feet separated by wide lowlands
formed of glacial deposits. Viewed from
the Denali Highway, the single road that
crosses the planning block, the country
is rolling hills punctuated by glacial
lakes and streams, with a backdrop of
jagged, snow-covered peaks to the
north. In this rolling terrain, moist
tundra alternates with alpine tundra.
Farther south, away from the road,
lowland spruce-hardwood forests grow,
interspersed with upland spruce-hard-
wood forests around the river valleys.
The Susitna, Copper, Delta, and Nenana
rivers all drain this region.
A I though there are no towns within the
planning block itself, the small com-
munities of Paxson, Cantwell, Glennallen,
and Gakona are important service centers
for the area. There are about 60 per-
manent residents scattered along the
Denali Highway. These people operate
lodges and guide services, or are trap-
pers. Since the highway is not kept
open during the winter, many of the
local residents leave during that season .
Denali planning block provides fish habi-
tat in many streams near the highway.
Most fishing is done in the Tangle Lakes
7
area and on the Gulkana River.
North of the community of Sourdough,
the Gulkana River experienced an approx-
imate threefold increase in angler use
between 1976 and 1978, with 2, 51 0 vi sits
recorded in 1978. Brushkana Camp-
ground in the western part of the block
received about 8,000 visits, of which
about 5,000 included the, activity of
fishing in the Brushkana River as part
of the visit. During late summer and
early fall, when bears are feeding on
berries on the open slopes above timber-
line, this is popular hunting and sight-
seeing country.
The 460,000-acre Tangle Lakes Archeolo-
gical District is located within the boun-
daries of the Denali planning block.
Placed on the Nationa I Register of H istor-
ic Places in 1971, the district contains
hundreds of archeological sites in an
outstanding setting of glacial landforms.
More than 220 sites have been recorded,
making this one of the densest occurren-
ces of prehistoric sites in the North
American subarctic. Some sites have
been estimated to be as much as 10,000
years old. The area also contains geo-
logical formations with the potential to
contain sites not yet identified.
A rich variety of wildlife inhabits the
Denali block. Black bears, grizzly
bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep,
waterfowl including Trumpeter swans,
and many kinds of furbearers use the
region. Nine grizzly bear denning areas
have been identified at scattered loca-
tions throughout the block.
Denali block contains certain areas where
high concentrations of waterfowl occur
during the nesting and molting seasons .
During this period the birds are very
vulnerable to predators. Numerous small
rivers and lakes throughout the planning
block are also important habitat and
spawning areas for grayling and other
sport fish species; the Gulkana River
and its tributaries are very important
spawning areas for salmon.
The climate is continental. Relatively
hot summers in the range of 66° to 70° F
are followed by very cold winters rang-
ing from 10° F to -30° F. Winds and
precipitation are light, although locally
high winds are generated by downslope
movement of dense, cold air along the
foots lopes of the A Iaska Range in the
northern part of the block. Such winds
intensify wind chill, increase danger of
wildfire, and cause damage to manmade
structures.
The Denali planning block is crossed by
a system of active faults with high
earthquake potential. This system,
called the Denali fault system, extends
along the Alaska Range · southwest
through the Clearwater Mountains and
across the Susitna River near Watana
Creek. In the northern part of the
block, the Alaska Range has extreme
slopes with a high erosion rate and
landslide potential. These slopes may
lim it r esource development and constitute
a hazard to man in some places.
Over the next few years it is expected
that demand for the resources of the
area, particularly those related to rec-
reation, will increase dramatically. This
increase will not be related to the resi-
dent population of the area, but rather
to the area's accessibility by road from
the large population centers of Anchor-
age and Fairbanks.
This region is noted for its scenery and
its opportunities for hunting, fishing,
and camping.
Land Use Decisions
a Recreation Map page 10
Y Study the following areas in order to
designate them as either open, restricted
or closed to Off-Road Vehicle (ORV)
use: (a) Tangle Lakes Archeological
District, (b) Butte Lake area sout h of
the Denali Highway, and (c) Susit na
River area. In any area where it is
found that an Area of Critical En viron-
mental Concern exists, consider only a
restricted or closed designation. In any
area where mineral development is possi-
ble, allow for necessary access. Con-
sider opening all areas where O RV use
would not be in specific conflict with
other resource values.
Summer off-road vehicles are po pular in
Alaska. Most of their use awa y from
populated areas is in support o f other
recreational activities such as hunting
and fishing, or of economic act ivities.
Much of the land in Southcentr al Alaska
that has traditionally been us ed for
0 RV's i~ being transferred to private
ownership and will probably be closed to
ORV use, especially in the An chorage
bowl and the Matanuska-Susitna River
basin . 1 Other large areas are now
national monuments where 0 RV use may
either be prohibited or significantly re-
strictecli . While the Dena I i p lann ing
block would normally be considered too
far from populations centers b y the most
users, there are only limited use-areas
close to the population centers . For this
reason, people seeking this kind of
recreation may be willing to t ra v el far-
ther than before to find a sui tab le pla c e
for this activity. On the othe r h and ,
the increasing cost of fuel ma y deter
many people.
0 RV use and regulation are c ontroverisal
,subjects. ORV's are used t o provide
8
access to private lands withi n the plan-
ning block, and to reach rem ote h unting
and fishing grounds.
Y Develop the following wa ter trails in
the Denali block: Delta R iver, Gulka na
River, Maclaren River fr om the Den a li
Highway to the Susitna Ri v er to the
Tyone River to Lake Louise, and the
Upper Tangle Lake to Dickey Lake circle
route. Establish a 1/4-mi le buffer zone
on either side . of the river or around the
lake to separate this activity from others
proposed in the planning block.
Water trails such as lake systems or
river systems attract visitor use that is
increasing substantially each year.
Already the three main systems in South-
central A Iaska (Swan Lake, Swanson
River, and Nancy Lake) are being heavi-
ly used. The water systems radiating
from the Denali Highway are ideal for
such routes, and can be used to provide
new recreational experiences. Public
comment was very supportive of this
recommendation.
~ Rehabilitate the Tangle Lakes camp-
ground, which is suffering from constant
use. A rehabilitation program for this
campground at the east end of the Denali
Highway should correct most of the major
problems, such as uncontrolled camping
and site deteri.oration.
~Rehabilitate Brushkana Campground.
Because it receives heavy, sometimes
excessive use, Brushkana Campground is
in very poor condition. This camp-
ground serves the west end of the
Denali Highway and the Parks Highway;
its location, will tie into the planned
hiking trail system, so it may become
even more important in the future.
~ Develop a series of 3-unit waysides
along the Denali Highway. Roadside
camping is popular with many campers
who prefer undeveloped sites. Recently
more people have been observed camping
at gravel pits. These could easily be
developed into small waysides.
~ Construct a 10-unit family campground
in the area of the Clearwater River on
the Denali Highway. The two existing
campgrounds are now receiving constant,
seasonal use, and parts of them are
beginning to need rehabilitation. Bui I d-
ing a new campground about midway
between these two will disperse use and
will meet the anticipated use levels.
~ Create an interpretive program to ex-
plain the natural history and archeology
of the Denali Highway area to visitor.s.
9
Signs, brochures, or visitor centers
might be appropriate parts of the pro-
gram. An interpretive program will
reach a large number of people and
would not conflict with any other re-
source recommendation.
~ Establish a foot trail system for ex-
tended hikes. Give highest priority to
(1) a trail from the Denali Highway to
Glacier Lake to Landmark Gap Lake to
the Highway and (2) to a trail from
Fielding Lake Campground to Tangle
Lakes Campground. Develop others as
time and money permit.
~ A I so develop day-length trails at the
following locations: Denali Highway to
Landmark Gap Lake, Tangle Lakes to
Dickey Lake, and Denali Highway north
along the Maclaren River.
~ Prepare a winter recreational use plan
for the area east of the Maclaren River
trails. Include plans for dogsled trails,
cross-country ski trails, and for snow-
mobile trails starting at Paxson Lake and
Fielding Lakes. Preparing plans now
will hold open as a future option winter
use of the eastern part of the planning
block, where there is year-round access.
There was some public concern about the
exact nature of the proposals that could
result from this proposal.
~Cultural Resources Map page 12
~ Make a thorough field inventory of
the cultural resources of the Tangle
Lakes Archeological District to determine
its actual extent and the methods needed
to protect these cultural resources.
Public comments reflect support of an
effort to delineate cultural resources for
protection of these resources and for a
possible reduction in size of the archeo-
logical district.
~ Protect known cultural resource
values from direct fire effect and from
damage caused by fire suppression
activities.
Cultural resources are non-renewable;
~ ~
' •
' t
y
. . ' 1?--~·-;~ >
'
b
! _j
t
I
. ,.
,.
-~-,· o-9: 'I -'?0 ~/ I
:, j .;
i ' 'I I
{
DENALI PLANNING BLOCK
Recreation
I': \'::: ,,;~~ 0 RV study areas
..___ ~ Hiking trails
• • • • • ·• Proposed hiking trail not
administered by BLM
~ .... -Water trails * 1 0-unit campground
• 3-unit wayside
~' til ~---~ -+ i,:
~---~:
I
~ l>
' l r .
I ·
' ~ r' ,.
*
-'-/>.,.,
\,t--f<~t I -~)
f',lo,cr
.l
0
0
' c
"'·
-t'
' (""
' ~ t (
i' ··~ l
' 1 !
,/'"
. !
•. y
~
r
I
'
1' I ~, ·t
~ ..
,J ,L ,.. '*',4, ! I
I
1 <
1
t),
/ S ~eplw~ L a kr?
DENALI PLANNING BLOCK
Cultural
(\\((+) Tangle Lakes archaeological district
~ Tangle Lakes-Cantwell trail * Alaska Road Comm. shelter cabins
~ Forest products
Lands
~ Susitna access corridor
.l
5
5 0 10
Approxlmllte SCille
20 Kilomete rs
'!
··"!>...
i,{/'(~ t j -~) ),,-
f,/q cr'
i
. j -J -t ..
,-· f-
. l , ..
L-.
c;:> ~1 \ (L . ~e ·"
0~ -.
,;
I
,..L,.
{
-·-
\
)
·r
i
0
1 1
/ ,1 Lo / 11111"-P
+ 0 t l ~du n /.
( 'ri<-JSSU)l ~(i !
/_(_-ike t .
' ' c
~ +
t
·~
structural sites and shallow archeological
sites may be adversely affected both by
wildfire and by fire suppression activi-
ties. The cultural integrity can be
maintained through fire management.
Y Preserve the shelter cabins and
structures built along the trail from
Cantwell to Valdez Creek mining camp by
the A Iaska Road Commission during the
1920's. These cabins are important
examples of shelter cabins built during
that period when winter sled travel was
a major means of transport. They are
accessible from the Denali Highway and
along the trail itself.
Vandals and the natural elements have
caused deterioration of the shelter cabins
and other structures. Through pro-
tection and preservation, they might be
used for recreation or other purposes.
~Visual Resources
Y Define the "seen areas" of the Delta
River and the Middle Fork and West Fork
of the Gulkana River. Manage the wild
sections of these rivers to maintain a
completely natural setting as much as
possible.
These rivers, which are now providing
unique wilderness recreation experien-
ces, need management attention. Seen
areas provide a logical management unit
for protecting those experiences.
Because these rivers are considered to
be of national significance, the protec-
tion of wilderness qualities of the seen
areas should have management priority.
Y Evaluate all proposed management ac-
tivities for their visual impact; encour-
age those projects that are compatible
with the character of the natural land-
scape. This will assure that the visual
impacts of proposed activities are con-
sidered before a project is begun.
Y Improve all sites in public ownership
where there are man-made scars on the
surrounding landscape. Tangle Lakes
Campground and the existing 0 RV trails
have the highest priority for rehabilita-
14
tion. Additional sites have been identi-
fied in the Southcentral Unit Resource
Analysis, one of the background plan-
ning documents.
The overall area displays such high
scenic quality and such high visual
sensitivity that we should attempt to im-
prove visual intrusions in the landscape.
The sites mentioned above are ideal
places to start a visual resource im-
provement program. They are consistent
with other resource recommendations.
Y Evaluate all proposed management ac-
tivities with the visual resource manage-
ment contrast rating system. Encourage
those projects that are compatible with
the character of the natural landscapes.
This will assure that visual impacts are
considered before projects are started.
!:B Watershed Management Map page 16
Y Insure that any land use or develop-
ment is consistent with the A Iaska Water
Quality Standards. BLM is required by
law to maintain the standards to protect
human safety and habitat for fish.
Y Inventory likely habitat in the Alaska
Range , for the species Smelowskia
borealis, a plant proposed for inclusion
on the Federal list of threatened and
10 mm
Drawing by Ann C. Shell
endangered plants. Designate ;=J: .y areas
where it occurs as potential Areas of
Critical Environmental Concern. Only
three specimens of this variety are
known, and one is from this area. It is
in a remote location above 4,500 feet in
the A Iaska Range. B LM has the respon-
sibility, by law, to protect "sensitive"
plants that could be designated as threat-
ened or endangered. This action of
inventorying likely habitat will partially
fulfi II B LM 1s responsibility.
Wildlife Habitat Map page 1 6
Y Consider raptor nest areas of primary
importance in land management.
The management priority would afford
the protection of the specific species
required by legislation or treaty.
9 Initiate prescribed burning in areas
where it would not affect viewsheds seen
from either roads or trails. Work for
quick, light burns.
This would accomplish the objective of
benefiting moose browse without harming
the vegetation mat or the water quality,
or causing erosion.
By writing fire management plans to in-
corporate other social values, we can
benefit the wildlife without causing harm
to other uses.
9 Use mechanical crushing or removal of
timbered vegetation to promote new
growth where moose browse has deterior-
ated in areas of crucial winter range
where use of fire is impractical.
This would increase. moose browse with-
o ut harming the vegetative mat; it would
g ive good control to preserve esthetics.
Y Assure that all activities that could
occur within caribou migration routes
would not adversely affect caribou migra-
tion. This would help to protect this
important part of caribou 1s life cycle.
'Y Create protective buffer strips around
lakes and water bodies used by water-
f owl .
9 Designate the primary calving a rea of
the Nelchina caribou herd as an Area of
Critical Environmental Concern. Caribou
calve in the same general area year after
year. It is important to avoid man-
induced stress on these caribou at this
time.
9 Provide for natural fire occurrence
where other important resource values
would not be harmed. A number of
plant and animal species require the
special environment that is created by
the occurrence of fire. While some
species require a mature, unchanging
vegetation, other species need the
changes caused by fire. By providing
for this through fire management plans,
all resources will be accommodated.
'Y Protect from fire the portions of cari-
bou range that have a strong lichen
component. Develop a fire management
plan that identifies those portions of the
range.
Caribou habitat is to be considered of
prime importance in managing the re-
source. Small, controlled fires may be
beneficial to caribou range, but large
fires over vast acreages are probably
harmful to the range.
9 Protect Dall sheep winter range and
lambing areas from all activities not con-
sistent with maintaining the population.
Dall sheep winter habitat and lambing
areas constitute crucial habitat which
Dall sheep depend on for their exis-
tence. This is a recognized use in the
public interest.
15
Jr
~ I I .
i
tr--
!1
t-
i
l
I
DENALI
Moose winter range a Caribou calving. area
~Dall sheep habitat
··Watershed
~Threatened plant habitat
Range
Grazing
J
l ~_i·
-t--r
I t
''.
.
::.'"-·
.
5 0 10
Approximate Scale
16 i
~
20 Kilometers
. -·''\
--~·-· ~-J--
i '
I ~
;_ .~; ~·
' ~i
I ~~D
t-
0;~ /~;
! /'
~-
/
l . i . ._;_
I
I
I·
f'!ac?qr~n
· Glarier
1
,..·· L r , ..
Seoen{.ni(e ·//;rake ~
o-· '
!
Lak.b La _,_ ------. ------~----···---
I
~~
f ·'
.,
l,
'
' l -
··t '/
I +··-
(;
~
!
.C) l--...
~~ I
!
d
I
/ . +
I
\:}•
~'
lr-
I
.~r
' I
) + >i Jt
!
I
I
't
I
Photo by Page Spe ncer
Hikers stop for lunch in
block.
a meadow with a mountain view in the Denali planning
~Lands
Y Provide a right-of-way corridor to the
proposed Susitna Project site, using
visual rating criteria to mitigate visual
impacts. This project, currently being
planned by the State of Alaska, would
be the constr u ction of two hydroelectric
dams on the Susitna River. Although
the damsites would not be located on
BLM-managed land, access is necessary
for preconstruction studies and for dam
construction, if that is undertaken.
This will allow planned access to a
potential hydroelectric site. Future
c:te velopment within the corridor could fa-
18
cilitate public access to the backcountry.
No other potentia I corridors have been
identified on BLM-managed land.
Y Through resource inventories, identi-
fy lands that would best meet the public
needs if they were managed by other
agencies. Exchange those lands so
identified as best meeting public needs
by being managed by other agencies.-
This provides the Bureau with the
ability to adjust boundaries and classify
lands to facilitate management.
t
~
I
.Minerals
'Y Make areas ava ilable for exploration
ba sed on seasona l use to protect wildlife
r e sources and to p r ovide surface pro-
t e ction.
'Y P r ovide o p p o rtunities for the develop-
ment of gold, silver, c op per and other
min e r a ls in the C learwater Mountain
ar e a, with co nside r a t ion fo r o the r r e -
so urce valu e s.
'Y Co nside r the Alphabe t Hi ll s in th e
s outhern portion of the De n a l i p lan ni ng
b lock for oil and gas leasing. Wr ite
stipulations to protect other re s ource
values, especially nesting grounds of
waterfowl.
The State of Alaska has sold leases in
the southern part of this potential petro-
leum basin. To promote better opportu-
nities to determine the oil and gas poten-
tia l of this bas in, BLM s hou ld con s ider
opening t h e nort h ern part of t h e b a s i n
t o le as ing.
[i;l Fisheries
Y For stream management, key the
management efforts to identifying and
protecting salmon spawning areas.
We feel salmon spawning areas are most
important to sport and commercial fishing
and, therefore, put emphasis on their
management over lower-valued fish.
Forest Products
'Y Protect a n y timber stand which p r o-
duces 20 cu b ic feet per ac r e per yea r
(o r has the potential to meet commercial
standards) from destruction by fire or
mechanical manipulation.
This decision r ec og nizes the value of the
forested areas for non-tim b er purposes
such as wildlife h a bitat.
• Range Management
19
'Y A !l ow saddle and pack horse grazing
in the Brushkana Creek-Denali Highway
and the Susitna River-Denali Highway
areas upon lease application and deter-
mination of carrying capacity. This
could benefit local guides, with no
forseeable impact on other Bureau pro-
grams.
Columbia
Photo by Maynard Nuss, U.S .F.S .
Mount Grosveno r is surrounded by the glaciers that cover most of the Columbia
planning block.
Columbia Planning Block
General Description
Columbia planning block consists of three
separate parcels of land totaling approxi-
mately 346,000 acres. BLM-managed land
borders Yale Arm and Harvard Arm of
College Fiord, which is a deep, glaciated
bay off Prince William Sound. Here the
land rises abruptly from sea level to the
peaks of the Chugach Mountains, some of
which reach heights of approximately
10,000 feet in this part of the range.
There are no known residents of the
planning block. The closest towns are
Whittier (pop. 240) to the west, Valdez
(pop. 8,250) to the east, and Cordova
(pop. 2, 406) to the southeast. Some
trapping originates in Valdez and Cor-
dova. Some hunting parties are based
from Valdez. Hunting and sightseeing
are essentially the only economic activi-
ties based in this planning block.
The largest of the three land parcels in
the planning block lies north of College
Fiord along the northern boundary of
the Chugach National Forest. This area
consists almost entirely of glaciers and
mountain peaks. Barry Glacier, Harvard
Glacier, Yale Glacier, and Meares Glacier
all pass through this parcel, draining
into Harriman Fiord and College Fiord.
Prominent peaks here include Mount Muir
(7,705 feet), Mount Gannett (10,000
feet), Mount Goode (10,610 feet), and
Aspero Peak (9,831 feet).
The second parcel of land in this plan-
ning block lies to the west of Valdez
Arm approximately 10 miles west of the
town of Valdez, and covers two town-
ships along Shoup Bay. This parcel is
, a I so almost entirely covered by the ice of
Columbia Glacier. The land here rises
from sea level on the east around Shoup
Bay to altitudes of about 3,000 feet.
There is a single body of water, Number
One Lake, 1.6 ,miles long, that has
formed at the terminus of Anderson
Glacier. Vegetation extends about three
miles inland, principally bordering Shoup
21
Bay. Here coastal western hemlocks are
mixed with Sitka Spruce and some Alpine
tundra.
Southeast of Valdez is the third parcel,
a roughly triangular piece of land with
no coastal areas. This is steep, rugged
terrain with glaciers over the entire
area. There is some mineralization here,
but at present it is inaccessible because
of the glaciers.
Climate for this planning block is mari-
time-transitional. In Maritime areas cool
summers averaging from 60° to 65° F al-
ternate with warm winters averaging 20°
to 30° F. Precipitation is heavy. Areas
with transitional climate have more tem-
perature fluctuation than the maritime
and are subject to extreme winds be-
cause of the influence of the glaciers.
Winds in this region frequently reach 100
100 mph.
One of the most noteworthy physical fea-
tures of this parcel is Solomon Gulch, a
ravine that extends north and south into
the parcel from the coast. The gulch is
3 miles long and drains Solomon Creek.
It is historically interesting as the site
of an old gold mining operation.
Significant wildlife species using Colum-
bia planning block are black bears,
brown/grizzly bears, mountain goats,
marine mammals, waterfowl, and sea
birds. Approximately 20,000 acres have
been identified as critical spring habitat
for black bears. Black bears usually
winter in hillside dens and concentrate
in valleys, small alluvial plains, lake
shores and tidal areas during spring.
During the summer months they feed at
the salmon streams. They generally stay
close to timber and move up slope as the
snow line recedes. Berries make up a
large portion of their diet in late summer
and early fall. Intensive spring con-
centration areas are located on the west
side of College Fiord and Harriman
Fiord. Brown/grizzlies occur throughout
the block except for the pa reel north of
College Fiord. Their use of the habitat
is in general very much like that of the
black bears. To many hunters, the
brown bear represents the ultimate in
sport hunting trophies. For the years
1961 through 1975 between 13 and 63
brown bears were taken annually in this
State Game Management Unit, (which
covers a much larger area than just this
planning block).
In addition to bears, mountain goats live
among the rugged slopes of the Co'lumbia
block. Critical habitat for goats gener-
ally consists of windblown ridges closest
to salt water. South-facing alder slides
are critical spring habitat. In this
planning block, goats are found on the
south-facing slopes above Harriman and
College Fiords and Unakwik Inlet and in
the mountains around Valdez Arm. The
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
intends to manage this area to provide
for the greatest opportunity to partici-
pate in hunting of mountain goats.
About 100 goats are taken annually in
the whole State Game Management Unit.
High densities of marine mammals are
found in Harriman Fiord, College Fiord,
Unakwik Inlet, and Valdez Arm.
All along the coast there are colonies of
sea birds. These birds usually occupy
rugged, rocky islands or mainland cliffs
above the water, free from predation.
No rare or endangered species are
known to inhabit the area. Common in
the Prince William Sound area are the
bald eagle and osprey, while Peales
Peregrine Falcon (not endangered) also
inhabits the area. Trapping has some
significance to people in this region. In
Cordova and Valdez live approximately 30
people who go trapping as a recreational
activity.
These lands are quite isolated, and hunt-
ing constitites the primary use by man.
Wildlife
-Mountain goat habitat
( (
i I I
I ' 1 ·l--·--'
I
I
I
' ,< •••
r
Land Use Decisions
~Cultural Resources
Y Protect known cultural resource
values from fire and from fire suppres-
sion activities that might damage the site
or structure.
Cultural resources are non-renewable
and must be considered in fire manage-
ment.
Wildlife Habitat
Y Manage mountain goat range primarily
for goat habitat .
·~Visual Resources
Y Evaluate all proposed management ac-
tivities for visual impacts, and encourage
those projects that are compatible with
the character of the natural landscape.
This will assure that the impact of
proposed activities on visual resources is
considered before a project is started.
1M Watershed Management
Y Insure that land use or development
is consistent with the A Iaska Water
Qua I ity Standards.
The BLM is mandated by law to maintain
the Alaska Water Quality Standards to
protect human safety and fisheries
habitat.
25
~lands
Identify lands that would best be manag-
ed by other agencies to meet the public
needs. Exchange those lands identified
by future resource inventories as best
meeting public needs by being managed
by other agencies.
This provides the Bureau with the
ability to adjust boundaries and classify
lands to facilitate management.
.Minerals
Y Make areas available for exploration
based on seasonal use to protect wildlife
resources and to provide surface pro-
tection.
Tiekel
Photo courtesy of Jerry Zamber
A Dall sheep, one of the most prized of game animals, stands warming in the sun.
Tiekel Planning Block
General Description
Located southeast of the Denali block,
Tiekel planning block is a parcel of
about 507,000 acres of land straddling
the Richardson Highway roughly midway
between the towns of Valdez and Copper
Center. The Alaska Pipeline Corridor
crosses this planning block. A separate
management plan has been prepared by
Anchorage District BLM for this part of
the corridor (see Pipeline Corridor,
South Half, MFP, 1975).
There are no towns in the planning
block, but important, if very small,
communities nearby are Chitina and
Lower Tonsina to the east, Tonsina to
the north, and the city of Valdez
(pop. 8,250) to the south. At present
the main contributions this area makes to
the general economy of Southcentral
Alaska are provided by tourism, hunt-
ing, and some trapping.
The Richardson Highway runs north-
south through the western half of the
planning block following the Tons ina,
Little Tiekel, Tiekel, and Tsina River
valleys.
Tiekel planning block is dominated by
the Chugach Mountains. The clustered
lower peaks of this range cover the
entire block except where swift rivers
have cut steep channels. Mount Billy
Mitchell at 7,217 feet is one of the
highest peaks in the planning block. In
general the peaks range from 1,800 'to
~,300 feet. Numerous small glaciers
hang at the 4,000-foot level on the
northern and ·eastern slopes :··of the
mountains. The tallest peaks Clre found
in the southern part of the 'planning
block. In the western part of the block
there are some extreme slopes with a
high erosion rate and high landslide
potential. Extreme slopes, avalanches,
and glacial activity may limit development
of r eso urces or be a hazard to man. In
t his p ia nning block the Border Range
fault system crosses from the Uranatine
River westward to the outlet of Tonsina
Lake, outside the block. This is an
active fault system with a high potential
for earthquakes.
Upland spruce-hardwood forests grow
along the drainages of the Tiekel and
Tsina Rivers in the northern and west-
ern parts of the block and along the
drainages of the Copper River in the
southern and eastern parts of the block.
This upland spruce-hardwood forest
grades into high brush and then alpine
tundra toward the tops of the ridges.
This area has a transitional climate, with
temperature extremes greater than those
of the maritime climates but less than
those of the continental climate in the
Denali block. Precipitation in Tiekel
block is variable; winds are generally
light, although locally strong winds do
occur.
Wildlife is plentiful, with black bears,
grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall
sheep, mountain goats, various species
of waterfowl, and furbearers all utilizing
this area. It is especially good country
for mountain goats and Dall sheep.
Black bears can often be seen from the
Richardson Highway in the spring.
Grizzlies also range throughout the area.
Their best summer habitat is .the foothill
country where rivers and lakes support
spawning salmon. Seasonally dense
concentrations of grizzlies occur near
these salmon spawning areas along the
Tons ina River. Moose range throughout
the planning block, and caribou range
through the northern half of the plan-
ning block. Dall sheep generally occupy
the hills of the central part and north-
eastern corner of the planning block.
Mountain goats occupy an area in the
southeast part of the block along the
Copper River.
27
Fire occurrence is low, with only three
fires recorded during the five year peri-
od from 1973 to 1977.
Land Use Decisions
a Recreation
• Develop or maintain a foot trail sys-
tem for extended hikes. A component of
the system would be a trail from Hurtle
Creek to Tonsina Lake. This particular
trail has a lower priority than those in
Denali block, but is part of a sound and
achievable development plan. Hiking
continues to be a major recreation use in
Southcentral A Iaska. The Tiekel block
offers a diversity of scenery and terrain
for the hiker.
~Cultural Resources
• Preserve the cultural integrity of th~
part of the Copper River and North-
western Railway in the Tiekel planning
block that is under interim BLM manage-
ment. The railway was an important
part of the early mineral development of
the area. Buildings and other struc-
tures are deteriorating, and preservation
is needed until land status has been
determined. At present it is undeter-
mined whether the railroad right-of-way
is Federal or State land.
• Protect Dall sheep lambing areas and
winter range from all activities not con-
sistent with maintaining the population.
Dall sheep winter habitat and lambing
areas constitute crucial habitat that the
sheep depend on for their existence. It
is Bureau policy to maintain through
hab1tat management a maximum diversity
of wildlife species, in sufficient numbers
to meet public demands.
Through fire management plans, provide
for the occurrence of natural fires in
places where vital resources would not
be harmed. During winter, a variety of
species are sought by trappers in Tiekel
planning block. Some of these species
require a mature plant community, while
others depend on the introduction of new
plants or a mixture of the two. By
providing for this through planned
management of fires, resources will be
accommodated.
• Protect mountain goat range in the
Tiekel block from all activities not con-
sistent with maintaining the population
for sport hunting and enjoyment of rec-
reational areas. As traditional hunting
grounds for goats in the Wrangell Moun-
tains are closed to sport hunting, the
demand for huntable populations on
Bureau-administered lands may increase.
~Visual Resources
• Evaluate all proposed management ac-
tivities for visual impacts. Encourage
those projects that are compatible with
the character of the natural landscape.
I
This recommendation will assure that the
impacts ~ proposed activities have on
vi sua I 'resources are cons ide red before
projects are started.
~Watershed ManaEement
28
• Insure that land use or development
is consistent with the A Iaska Water
Quality Standards. The Bureau of Land
Management is mandated to maintain the
A Iaska Water Quality Standards to pro-
tect human safety and fish habitat.
BLOCK
Recreation
•••••• Hiking trails
Forest products
....... Copper River & NW R R
Dall sheep habitat
~Mountain goat habitat
5
10
-"
) I
t
~lands
Y Through resource inventories identify
lands that would best be managed by
other agencies to meet the public needs.
Exchange those lands identified by
future resource inventories as best
meeting public needs by being managed
by other agencies.
This gives the Bureau ability to adjust
boundaries and classify lands to facilitate
management.
BMinerals
Y Make areas available for exploration,
based on seasona I use to protect wildlife
resources and to provide surface pro-
tection.
··Both minerals and wildlife are important
resources. Exploration for minerals can
avoid crucial wildlife periods through
seasonal uses and can comply with sur-
face protection needs through winter
use.
[i;l Fisheries
Y Give first management priority to
identifying and protecting salmon spawn-
ing areas, then for other species as
need a rises.
VIe feel that salmon spawning areas are
most important to sport and commercial
fishing, and therefore put emphasis on
their management over lower valued fish.
30
• Forest Products
Y Protect any timber stand which pro-
duces 20 cubic feet per acre per year
(or has the potential to meet commercial
standards) from destruction by fire or
mechnaical manipulation.
This decision recognizes the value of the
forested areas for non-timber purposes
such as wildlife habitat. Where commer-
cial timber production is possible,
though, it will be given a priority, since
there is a very limited area of potential
commercial stands within the planning
unit.
Photo bY R. L . Ward
An old Alaska Road Commission cabin still stands near the Denali Highway.
31
Bering
Photo by John W. Merrick
Glaciers and mountain peaks dominate the Bering planning block.
Bering Planning Block
General Description
For real raw, awesome wilderness, it
would be hard to beat the Bering plan-
ning block. Peaks of the Chugach
Range stab up through the glaciers like
islands in a sea of ice. No roads, no
inhabitants, nothing penetrates this
forbidding territory but mountain goats,
a few roving black bears, wolves, and
other hardy animals. Seven large
glaciers flow from the peaks of this
area, ultimately draining into the waters
of Prince William Sound.
Bering planning block consists of two
parcels of land containing approximately
714,000 acres, located north of Cape
Yakataga in the Chugach Mountains.
Exposed peaks reach elevations of more
than 10,000 feet. Mount Steller is one
of the highest at 10,267 feet. The
closest cities are Valdez and Cordova.
In general, the rocks of the area are
highly faulted, metamorphosed rock. At
the edge of the glacier on the western
side of the planning block, the Bering
coal beds are exposed. This coal field
has a low potential because of the pre-
sence of active glaciers.
Crossing the Bering block near Bagley
icefield and a long the southeastern edge
of Bering Glacier, the Chugach-St. Elias
fault system has a high earthquake
potential. Mass wasting caused by
avalanches and glacial activity occurs in
the planning block.
Climate is transitional, with temperature
ranges more extreme than a coastal cli-
mate, but less extreme than a continental
one. Precipitation is variable. Winds
are often extreme because of the glacial
influence. There are some very small
areas with alpine tundra and some
coastal western hemlock-Sitka spruce
forest, primarily along the eastern
shores of Berg Lakes, on the extreme
western boundary of the planning block.
Since the Bering block is almost entirely
glacier covered, it has few significant
wildlife species. Mountain goats are
known to inhabit the rugged areas, and
brown bears gather on some streams in
the area, but black bear and moose use
more coastal areas in this general
region, and normally are not found
within the planning block. Bald eagles
may forage in the area; waterfowl nest
on the southern boundaries of the plan-
ning block. Ranging through this area
are wolves, wolverines, and an occasion-
al black bear.
Land Use Decisions
Map page 35
Y Protect mountain goat range from all
activities not consistent with maintaining
the population for sport hunting and
enjoyment of recreational areas. As
traditional hunting grounds in the
Wrangell Mountains are closed to sport
hunting, the demand for huntable popu-
lations on Bureau-administered lands may
increase.
~Visual Resources Map page 35
• Evaluate all proposed management ac-
tivities for visual impact, and encourage
only those projects that are compatible
with the character of the natural land-
scape. This decision will assure that
the visual impact of a proposed activity
is considered before a project is started.
33
l:l'l Watershed Management
'Y Insure that land use or developme-nt
is consistent with the A Iaska V/ater
Quality Standards.
The B LM is mandated by law to maintain
the A Iaska Water Quality Standards to
protect human safety and fisheries habi-
tat.
~lands
'Y Through resource inventories, identi-
fy lands that would best be managed by
other agencies to meet the public needs.
Exchange those lands identified by
future resource inventories as best
meeting public needs by being managed
by other agencies.
This provides the Bureau with the
ability to adjust boundaries and classify
lands to facilitate management.
.Minerals
'Y A I though the Bering River area has
been identified as a high potential coal
basin, much of the area is covered by
the Bering Glacier. Exploration and
development of the coal field would
probably take place first on the sur-
rounding native lands, although the coal
on BLM administered lands may eventual-
ly be in demand. The decision, there-
fore, is to withhold action unti I coa I
reserves on Native lands have been fully
developed.
I
~
j
J
>
"
34
' JJUftut:,ttU .Lff t+a5 oj !:
. I I I
-1+
C'ape Su'ckling
5
BERING
Wildlife
1·:::.'.:::::·:::):.:_::1 Mountain goat habitat
Minerals
Coal
0 5
0 10 20 Kilometers
Approxlm~te Scale
The Planning System
The Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 requires BLM to use a sys-
tematic, interdisciplinary land-use plan-
ning process. The fundamental question
that the Bureau's planning efforts must
answer is, how will BUll-managed lands
help meet the needs and desires of the
public, both now and in the future,
while insuring that environmental quality
is maintained? To answer the question,
we follow an orderly series of steps so
that many complex and interacting
factors are given consideration.
Throughout the process, people are
encouraged to contribute their ideas and
their special knowledge about the land
and how it should be used. Briefly,
these are the general steps we follow in
our planning process:
• Contact government agencies, citizen
groups, and individuals interested in the
area, so we can be aware of and respon-
sive to their needs and concerns.
• Meanwhile, gather information about
the land, its resources, and their pre-
sent uses. Analyze the information.
• Recommend for each land use the best
possible management objectives, without
giving consideration to other possible
resource uses.
• Identify and resolve conflicts between
these recommendations.
• Propose a balanced multiple-use plan
for use of the land.
• Ask public review of the proposed
plan.
• Make changes based on comments and
administrative review.
• Circulate the decisions.
• Make periodic future revisions to the
plan as needed.
Relationship To Other Plans
The Bureau of Land Management has
completed two other p fans for lands
within the Southcentral Planning A rea:
the Pipeline Corridor, South Half (1975)
and the Portage Flats Management Frame-
work Plan (1977). Decisions in both of
these plans are considered fully valid
and compatible with those of the South-
central Plan. Another area, the Halibut
Cove Natural A rea, located on the Kenai
Peninsula, has been designated as an
"instant wilderness study area" under
_the Federal Land Policy and Management
37
Act of 1976. A wilderness review is
projected for this area; therefore, the
Southcentral Plan does not address
Halibut Cove.
What Happens Next?
The life of this plan is expected to be
no more than 10 years. A comprehen-
sive review should be undertaken at the
end of 5 years. Also, this plan has
shown the need for a second level plan-
ning effort for the Denali planning
block. Within 5 years, this area should
be scheduled for detailed planning.
A Management Framework Plan (MFP)
such as this one is intended to be dyna-
mic and never really finished. Through
the Bureau's planning process it is
subject to update and revision when new
information becomes available and as
resource conditions or land use demands
change. Any major changes are, of
course, subject to public review.
The MFP is a working document that is
used, with its supporting studies and
analyses, in the following ways:
• guiding land use decisions and man-
agement actions that are required in
daily operations.
• programming and preparing the
-Bureau's annual work plans.
• guiding preparation of activity plans
for individual resource programs such as
Cultural Resource Management Plans,
Habitat Management Plans, Timber Man-
agement Plans, etc.
38
• coordinating the Bureau's actions with
other government agencies.
• making environmental analyses of spe-
cific actions, for the preparation of
environmental ana lysis records and
environmental statements.
Glossa r y
As in most systems B LM's Planning
System has its own "language". This
glossary is included to help you under-
stand some of the terms used in this
brochure.
ACEC -(Area of Critical Environmental
Concern) an area within the public
lands where special management
attention is required to protect and
prevent irreparable damage to
important historic, cultural, or
scenic values, fish and wildlife
resources, or other natural systems
or processes, or to protect life and
safety from natural hazards.
Archeological District - a concentration
of archeological values recognized by
inclusion in the National Register
of Historic Places. This designation
insures that the district will be
considered in land-use management.
Family campground -an area designed
for weekend or longer stays. It may
be either a transient or destination lo-
cation. Units are designed to accom-
modate four people and one vehicle.
Privies and potable water may be
provided.
Management Framework Plan (MFP) - a
land use plan and the report that
documents it. It establishes the
project land uses and management
objectives to meet identified public
needs for a given planning area.
ORV -(off-road vehicle) a motorized
vehicle designed specifically for travel
over natural terrain.
Planning Area -the overall geographic
region that affects the smaller blocks
of land for which B LM is preparing
this land use plan. Information about
the entire Planning Area is analyzed
in order to make realistic land use
plans for BLM-managed areas.
Planning Area Analysis -the analysis of
present and future needs and public
demands for land and for renewable
and non-renewable resources. This
analysis shows the significance of
BLM land within a planning area to
the region's people.
Planning block - a block of land or
grouping of blocks expected to remain
under BU1's jurisdiction, and for
which land use decisions are being
prepared.
Public Land -(as used in this document)
land owned by the Federal govern-
ment and administered by the Bureau
of Land Management.
Seen area -that portion of the landscape
which can be observed from a particu-
lar observation point.
Waysides -An area designed specifically
for short term or overnight stays.
No developed facilities other than
privies and a fire ring are provided.
39
Unit Resource Analysis (URA) -the
analysis of information about the land
and its resources within the Planning
Area; also the document in which the
analysis is recorded.
• .
.
U.S. Department of the Interior
As the Nation's principa I conservation
agency, the Department of the Interior
has responsibility for most of our nation-
ally owned public lands and natural re-
sources. This includes fostering the
wisest use of our land and water resour-
ces, protecting our fish and wildlife,
preserving the environmental and cul-
tural values of our national parks and
historical places, and providing for the
enjoyment of I ife through outdoor recrea -
tion. The Department assesses our
energy and mineral resources and works
to assure that their development is in
the best interests of all our people.
The Department also has a major respon-
sibility for American Indian reservation
communities and for people who live in
Island Territories under U.S. administra-
tion.
--L-. -:: -~ :-;.---jj;-._.._._' United States Department of the Interior ~~ ~Bureau of Land Ma~agement k~~ Alaska State Off1ce 701 C Street · "-" Anchorage, Alaska 99513 99LB~00009tr€G€ Ill\ \Ill IIIII IIIII IIIII Ill\\ IIIli \\Ill \\Ill \\Ill 1111\ Ill\\ IIIII IIIII IIIII \11\11 I