HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA2917DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
BILL SHEFFIELD, GOVERNOR
POUCH M
JUNEAU, ALASKA 99811
PHONE:
The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources finds that the Susitna
Basin Area Plan meets the requirements of AS 38.04.065 and 11 AAC 55.010-.030
for Area Land Use Plans and does hereby adopt it as policy of the Department
of Natural Resources for state lands within the planning area.
Esther Wunnicke, Commissioner
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has actively participated in
the Susitna area land use planning process. We appreciate the opportunity to
present fish and wildlife values in the plan and the commitment of the
Department of Natural Resources to address fish and wildlife concerns. We
recognize that the planning area cannot be managed solely for fish and wild-
life resources and the people who use and enjoy them, yet we believe that the
open planning process has achieved a significant public benefit. We acknowl-
edge progress made in the plan to strike a balance between often conflicting
uses of land. Although any disposal of recreation lands reduces their avail-
ability to the public, we recognize the demands on the state to dispose of
lands at the level provided for in the plan. The department strongly supports
the proposed public access, trail, and lake and stream shoreline policies
established in the plan. In addition, we support the plan's endorsement of
long-term legislative or administrative dedication of some key public resource
lands in this area. The department will use the guidance and policies of the
plan when executing its statutory authority during plan implementation, and
will continue to cooperate with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.
Don W. Collinsworth, Commissioner
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Date
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
BOX B. PALMER. ALASKA 99645 • PHONE 745-48O1
BOROUGH ASSEMBLY
The Susitna Area Plan contains four major products for public land:
areawide land management policies, land use designations for specific
sites, priorities for implementing, and procedures for review and
amendments. The Assembly of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough adopted
the Susitna Area Plan on March 19, 1985, by Ordinance Serial No. 85-8.
^
Dorothy A. Jones fj
Mayor u
ATTEST:
Gary Thurlow1
Borough Manager
HI
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Susitna Area Planning Team would like to acknowledge our debt to the staff of the Susitna
Cooperative River Basin Study, particularly Sterling Powell, John O'Neil and Devony Lehner of the
USDA Soil Conservation Service and Paul Fuglestad of the USDA Economic Research Service for
providing much of the data on which this land use plan is based. We also would like to extend our
special thanks to Amy Garrett, Charlotte Sponsel, Elaine Thomas, Patty Kerschner, Susan Peck, and
Diane Martin for their patience and dedication in the preparation of the manuscript and graphic work
for this document, and to Carol Larsen for coordinating public information for the plan.
IV
PLANNING TEAM *
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Division of Land & Water Management, Resource
Allocation Section (Lead Agency)
Tom Hawkins (Division Director)
Randy Cowart (Section Chief)
Bill Beaty (Section Chief through 6/84)
Chris Beck (Project Manager)
Marty Welbourn, Marjorie Willits,
Liz Baron, Peggy McNees (Project Staff)
Jim Allaway, Randy Cowart,
Frank Rue (Areawide Policies)
Division of Land & Water Management, Southcentral
Regional Office
Pat Beckley
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Pete Martin, Jack Wiles
Division of Agriculture
Carlos Lozano, Keith Quintavell
Division of Mining
Jerry Gallagher
Division of Forestry
Dan Ketchum
Division of Oil and Gas
Cass Ariey
The name of the official agency representative to the
planning team is in bold type. Other agency people
added expertise on various issues.
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Rich Cannon, Carl Yanagawa, Dimitri Bader,
Pat Baird, Dan Rosenberg, Greg Bos
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND
PUBLIC FACILITIES
Roger Maggard
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH
Zane Cornett, Bob Stickles, Rodney Schull-
ing, Michelle Stearns
COOPERATING AGENCIES
U.S.D.A SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE
U.S.D.I. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
HOW TO USE THIS PLAN
While the size of this plan may be intimidating, the document is organized to make it simple to use.
The plan has two main sections: Chapter 2, which deals with areawide land management policy and
is organized by types of land uses or resources (e.g., agriculture, wetlands, etc.); and Chapter 3, which
deals with policy for specific locations (e.g., land at Lake Louise, Trapper Creek, etc.).
In addition to these chapters, which comprise the bulk of the plan, Chapter 1 presents an introduction
to how and why the plan was done and gives a summary of the plan's overall goals. Chapter 4 describes
actions necessary to implement the plan (e.g., transportation improvements, legislative actions, etc.).
The table of contents and some examples of how to use the plan are shown on the facing page and below:
EXAMPLES:
If you want to know how the plan affects a particular
land use or resource — for example, agriculture,
forestry or land sales — turn to Chapter 2. This chapter
presents general land management policies for the
entire planning area and a summary of the amount
and location of land allocated to each type of land use.
For example, pages 35 through 41 present policies on
state and borough land disposal programs and describe
the amount and location of land allocated to this use.
If you want to know how the plan affects a particular
piece of land — for example, a parcel north of Trap-
per Creek — turn to Chapter 3. The planning area is
divided into 12 subregions, and Chapter 3 has a sec-
tion on each subregion. To find the portion of the plan
dealing with the specific parcel you are interested in,
turn to the map showing subregions on page 67 . On
this map, locate the subregion containing the parcel
and then turn to the appropriate section of Chapter
3. For example, the area north of Trapper Creek is in
the Petersville Road Subregion which is covered on
pages 131 through 163.
VI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Signature Pages......................
Acknowledgements ...................
Planning Team .......................
How to Use This Plan, Table of Contents
List of Maps ........................
. . MM
. . . iv
... v
vi, vii
• • viii
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
Chapter 4 IMPLEMENTATION .......... 405
Priorities for Legislative and
Administrative Designations ......... 405
Transportation Proposals ............... 410
Land Disposal Schedule ............... 418
Land Trades Selections and
Relinquishments .................... 422
Public Recreation Improvements ....... .423
Land Use Classifications ............... 424
Priorities for Instream Flow Studies. ..... .427
Management Planning Priorities ......... 42L)
Chapter 2 AREAWIDE LAND MANAGEMENT
POLICIES ............................. 13
Agriculture ........................... 17
Fish and Wildlife Habitat ............... 23 ____________________________ _
Forestry .............................. 28 APPENDICES ........................... 431
Recreation ........................... 31 Appendix A: Procedures for Plan
Settlement............................ 35 Modification and Amendment ........ 433
Subsurface Resources .................. 42 Appendix B: Glossary ................ 435
Transportation ........................ 49 Appendix C: Publications Related
Miscellaneous Guidelines to the Susitna Area Plan ............ .437
Instream Flow ..................... .52 Appendix D: Areas open for
Lakeshore Management ............. .53 Remote Cabin Permits.............. .439
Public Access ....................... 54
Stream Corridors .................... 55
Trail Management ................... 57
Wetlands Management ............... 59
Resource Management-Borough
Land Bank ...................... 61
Chapter 3 LAND MANAGEMENT POLICIES
FOR EACH MANAGEMENT UNIT 63
North Parks Highway Subregion ........ .69
South Parks Highway Subregion. ........ 85
Petersville Road Subregion ............. 131
Sunflower Basin Subregion ............. 165
Susitna Lowlands Subregion ............ 191
Mt. Susitna Subregion ................. 251
Beluga Subregion ..................... 285
Alaska Range Subregion ............... 301
Lake Louise Subregion ............... .313
Glenn Highway Subregion ............. 331
Talkeetna Mountains Subregion ........ .375
Chugach Mountains Subregion ......... .393
VII
LIST OF MAPS
Location of Study Area ..................... .4
Susitna Area and Subregion Boundaries ....... .5
Generalized Land Ownership ................ .7
Subregion Land Ownership and
Land Use Designation Maps
North Parks Highway ...................... 83
South Parks Highway. ..................... 129
Petersville Road .......................... 163
Sunflower Basin .......................... 189
Susitna Lowlands ..................... 247,249
Mt. Susitna ............................. 284a
Beluga ................................. .299
Alaska Range .........................309,311
Lake Louise.............................. 329
Glenn Highway .......................... 373
Talkeetna Mountains ...................... 391
Chugach Mountains ....................... 401
Rights-of-way to be Reserved
for Possible Future Roads ........... .41 2 ,414
Also included in a package at the end of this docu-
ment are two large colored maps showing surface and
subsurface land use designations and a reference map
indicating the location of all subregions and manage-
ment units in relation to geographic features and the
township-range grid.
VIII
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
photograph by Pete Martin
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
SUMMARY OF PURPOSE
This document is a land use plan for public lands in
the Susitna Area. The plan designates the uses that are
to occur on much of the public land within the Susitna
Area. It shows areas to be sold for private use and areas
to be retained in public ownership. The plan results
in specific policies for the near term (5 years) and more
general policies for the long term (20 years). It does
not control uses on private land, nor does it direct land
use on areas that already have been legislatively desig-
nated for specific purposes, such as parks or wildlife
refuges.
Since most public lands will be managed for multiple
use, the plan also establishes rules which allow various
uses to occur without serious conflicts. For example,
in an area intended for land disposals, the plan ex-
plains how public access to streams and trails is to be
maintained.
HOW THE PLAN IS ORGANIZED
To present this information, the draft plan is organized
into four chapters.
Chapter 1 provides a brief description of the planning
area, explains the reasons a plan is necessary for the
Susitna Area, and explains the types of decisions made
by the plan. It also provides a summary of the plan's
land management goals and a description of the
planning process.
Chapter 2 presents an overview of the goals,
management guidelines, land allocations, and
implementation procedures that affect each major
resource or type of land use. This chapter explains how
agriculture, fish and wildlife habitat, forestry, recrea-
tion, settlement, subsurface resources, transportation,
instream flow, lakeshore management, public access,
remote cabin permits, stream corridors, trail manage-
ment, wetlands management and "resource manage-
ment/borough land bank" issues are handled by the
plan throughout the planning area.
Chapter 3 is a detailed description of the land use
designations in each of the plan's twelve subregions.
The subregions are major geographical subdivisions
of the planning area. Each subregion is further divided
into management units, of which there are 78 in the
plan. A management unit is an area that is generally
homogeneous with respect to its resources, topo-
graphy, and land ownership. For each management
unit there is a statement of management intent; a chart
listing primary and secondary land uses, prohibited
land uses, and subsurface resource policies; and
management guidelines that are specific to that
management unit. Designated land uses are shown on
maps of each subregion at a scale of 1:250,000
(approximately 1 inch to 4 miles).
Chapter 4 explains how the plan will be
implemented. It includes sections on administrative
measures to implement the plan (land classifications,
land exchanges/relinquishments and land disposal
schedules), and priorities for more detailed planning.
It also lists proposals for special legislative and
administrative designations (e.g., state forests or
recreation rivers) and recommendations for developing
transportation systems within the study area.
Appendices. Detailed information on procedures for
modifying or amending the plan is included in
Appendix A. Appendix B is a glossary of key terms used
in the plan. Appendix C presents a listing of past publi-
cations associated with this plan (e.g. information on
agriculture, forestry and other resources; information
on past public meetings, etc.).
Colored maps of the entire study area at a scale of
1:500,000 are enclosed on the inside of the back
cover. These maps summarize surface and subsurface
land use designations.
THE PLANNING AREA
The Susitna Area covers approximately 15.8 million
acres in southcentral Alaska (see Maps 1 and 2). All
of the lands in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough except
those in the Willow Sub-basin are included in the
planning area. Willow Sub-basin lands, which include
land in the vicinity of Wasilla, Houston, Big Lake and
Willow, were covered by a land use plan completed
in 1982.* In addition, lands within the Kenai Peninsula
Borough north of the Chakachatna River also are
covered by this plan.
The Susitna Area is an extremely diverse region that
rises from sea level at Cook Inlet to the summit of
Denali. In between are the valleys of major rivers —
the Susitna, Chulitna, Talkeetna, Matanuska, Kahiltna,
Yentna, Skwentna, Talachulitna, and Beluga — and
uncounted smaller streams. Broad, forested lowlands
with abundant lakes and wetlands occupy approxi-
Copies of this plan are available from the Anchorage office of
the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land & Water
Management, Resource Allocation Section. Boundaries of this
area are shown on Map 2.
LOCATION OF THE
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
mately one quarter of the study area, mostly in the
region west of the Susitna River. The remaining lands
are generally mountainous, with parts of the Alaska
Range, Talkeetna Mountains, and Chugach Mountains
all included in the planning area.
The State of Alaska owns or has selected approximately
60% of the land in the study area (9.5 million acres).
Another 30% (4.7 million acres) is in federal
ownership. Of the remaining land, 4% is owned by
the Matanuska-Susitna and Kenai Peninsula Boroughs,
another 3% (0.5 million acres) by Native village and
regional corporations, and 4% (0.6 million acres) is
in other private ownerships. See Map 3 for a general-
ized land ownership map.
The 1983 population of the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough was approximately 30,600. Most residents
live in Palmer, Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Trapper Creek;
in small communities along the Parks and Glenn High-
ways and Alaska Railroad; or in scattered settlements
that are not on the main road system such as
Skwentna, Tyonek, and Lake Louise.
Lands and resources in the Susitna Area serve a much
bigger population than that residing within the
planning area boundaries. The Susitna Area is close
enough to Anchorage and the Houston-Wasilla area
that many people from these areas hunt or fish, harvest
firewood, engage in a variety of recreational activities,
or enjoy traveling within the region.
WHY PLAN FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC
LAND?
Through the management of public lands, the state,
borough, and federal governments greatly influence
the physical development patterns and the general
quality of life in the Susitna Area. Major development
projects such as mining, timber harvests, or agriculture
influence local job opportunities. Land sold for
residential or private recreational use clearly affects
the character of community life, as does land retained
for hunting, fishing, and other public uses. Because
the use of public land has such great effects on the
physical landscape and quality of life, it is essential that
there be an open public process of deciding how to
manage that land.
The Susitna Area planning process is a means of openly
reviewing resource information and public concerns
prior to making long-range decisions about public land
management. It is also a way of resolving conflicting
land use objectives and making clear to the public
what choices have been made and the reasons for
those choices.
r
Susitna Study Area
JUNE 1985
SUBREGiON BOUNDARIES_____
The Susitna Area is divided into 12 large subregions
for issue and resource analysis. A description of
the resources and land management policies for
-....*.-.-. _.._ *._• „. ,~ .. each of these subregions is presented in thisUinds Not Addressed by this Plan (Denali chapter. Lands within Denali State Park, Denali
State Park, Denali National Park). National Park and Preserve are not addressed
by this plan.
Land managers, who face many day-to-day decisions
about land use, such as whether to issue permits for
roads, timber harvests, or sand and gravel extraction,
need clear and consistent guidelines for their decisions.
Therefore, it is essential that land managers have a
written document which establishes long-range com-
mitments for the use of public land and provides clear
policies for public land management.
A land use plan is also valuable for private landowners.
If the state and borough are publicly committed to land
use patterns and policies, private investors can feel
more secure in making decisions about their own land.
For example, if someone is contemplating developing
a subdivision next to state or borough land, it is impor-
tant to know whether the public land is likely to
become a gravel pit or a recreation area.
THE PURPOSE OF A JOINT BOROUGH-
STATE PLAN
A land use pattern which meets both local and
statewide objectives is fundamentally dependent on
cooperative borough and state planning. Many of the
important resource lands in the planning area are in
mixed borough and state ownership. These lands can
be developed most productively through projects
which entail joint land use commitments, joint
planning for roads and other infrastructure compo-
nents, coordinated disposals, etc. For example, the
proposal to extend the Oilwell road into the Amber
Lakes area is justified best when the state and borough
make joint land use commitments in the area. Addi-
tionally, the likelihood of receiving funds to build the
road is increased greatly when the state and borough
both actively support the proposal.
Many of the benefits of joint planning are as obvious
as they are critical to rational land management. For
example, this document proposes parts of Moose
Creek and Kroto Creek as undeveloped public recrea-
tion corridors. It would make little sense for the
borough to pursue that intent by restricting use on one
side of the river if the state were to sell land for houses
on the opposite bank. In short, because what the state
does with its lands affects the borough and vice versa,
cooperative planning is essential.
Land disposals in particular require borough and state
cooperation. The borough and state should agree on
the amount and type of settlement demand and which
public lands — borough or state — best meet that
demand. Not only the amount of land sold, but also
its location, require cooperative planning. The pattern
of land disposals dramatically affects service costs,
community character, feasibility of providing access,
and the ability to manage adjacent lands for other
purposes, such as mining or forestry. These are
important matters that should be dealt with coherently
and consistently by major public land owners. In light
of these considerations, the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources,
and the Alaska Department of Fish and Came are plan-
ning jointly for the use of state and borough lands in
the Susitna area.
HOW WAS THE PLAN DEVELOPED?
The Statewide Plan
The Department of Natural Resources operates under
a statewide land use plan that gives guidance to
planning on a regional and local scale and serves as
an aid to decisions that require more than a local
perspective. The statewide plan identifies general land
use designations and management guidelines for all
state land in Alaska. In regions such as the Susitna
Area, where more detailed resource information has
been collected and an area plan prepared, the land
use designations and management guidelines devel-
oped in the area plan will be used to refine the
statewide plan. In the Susitna Area, therefore, the land
use designations in the statewide plan and area plan
will be identical once the Susitna Area Plan has been
officially adopted.
The Susitna Area Planning Process
The Susitna Area Plan is the product of over three years
of work by an interagency planning team and over 40
public meetings held throughout the study area. Figure
1 illustrates the planning process that led to the final
plan. The following section describes the process in
more detail.
In 1982, an interagency planning team was formed.
Team members included representatives from the
various divisions within the Department of Natural
Resources and the Department of Fish and Came as
well as representatives from the Department of Trans-
portation and Public Facilities and the Matanuska-
Susitna Borough. The U.S. Department of Agriculture,
the Kenai Peninsula Borough, and the Bureau of Land
Management participated on issues specific to their
respective areas of expertise or concern.
As indicated by the planning process diagram, the
planning team held public workshops in May, 1982
to identify land use issues in the study area. At the same
time, the team, in conjunction with the U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture, prepared maps and reports
describing resource values and identifying existing and
potential land uses throughout the planning area. The
resource information and the issues identified in the
public workshops were used to develop four alterna-
Susitna Study Area
LEGEND
u a A-C H MOUNTAINS
The adopted Willow Sub-basin Land Use Plan
establishes land use designations for state and
borough lands in this area.
0 6 12 18 24
^E=
MILES
GENERALIZED
LAND OWNERSHIP
FEDERAL
I I STATE SELECTED
BOROUGH (includes selected lands)
STATE
PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
liTl'JI LEGISLATIVELY DESIGNATED AREA
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show
ownership in blocks of 640 acres of greater. Hence, many
isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., lots within past
state land disposals and private parcels surrounding
many lakes.
JUNE 1985
tive land use options. The land use alternatives repre-
sented different ways to resolve land use issues in the
Susitna Area. Each emphasized a different general
theme.
The alternative themes were as follows:
Alternative 1 —
Alternative 2 —
Alternative 3 —
Alternative 4 —
Emphasis on land sales for
settlement;
Emphasis on land sales for
agriculture;
Emphasis on fish and wildlife,
recreation; and forest resources;
and
Emphasis on economic
diversification.
The alternatives were presented to the public at work-
shops in April and May, 1983. The information from
the workshops was used to evaluate the alternatives
and develop a preferred alternative which was circu-
lated for agency review in March and April 1984, This
agency review draft was not the same as any one of
the four alternatives, but represented a combination
of parts of each of them. Following agency review of
the preferred alternative, it was revised and a draft plan
for public review was circulated. This draft was
reviewed by the public at hearings throughout the
study area during late summer 1984. Public comments
were incorporated and necessary revisions made
before the final plan was adopted by the Commissioner
of Natural Resources and the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough assembly in early spring of 1985.
Public Participation
Organization: Public participation was an essential
part of the planning process. In the spring of 1982 and
again in the spring of 1983, public workshops were
held throughout the study area (in the communities
of Lake Louise, Glacier View, Sutton, Trapper Creek,
Talkeetna, Skwentna, and Tyonek) and in Anchorage,
Wasilla, Willow and Cantwell. Approximately 250
people attended the 1983 workshops dealing with
alternative land use plans, and written comments were
received from several dozen more. Results of these
workshops are summarized in a separate document
available from the Department of Natural Resources
(Susitna Area Plan — Public Workshops Spring, 1983).
The hearings on the public review draft of the plan,
held in August and September of 1984, were also well
attended. In addition to the approximately 250 people
who came to these hearings, over 100 people sent in
written comments on the plan. The full set of public
comments and responses is available in another DNR
publication (Susitna Area Plan — Response to Public
Comments on the Draft Plan).
Figure 1
SUSITNA AREA PLAN
PLANNING PROCESS
——————1._______
An interagency planning team was formed
with stale and borough members represent-
ing each of the important resources in the
area: Forestry, Settlement, Agriculture, Fish
and Wildlife, Recreation, Minerals and
Energy (Winter, 1982).
2.
The planning team identified land use issues
and planning needs through public
workshops and review of existing information
(Spring, 1982).
3.
Existing and potential resource values and
land uses were identified and mapped by
the planning team. Most of this resource
information was derived from the US. Depart-
ment of Agriculture / ADNR Susitna River
Basin cooperative data Inventory process
(1977-1983) and meetings with special in-
terest groups (Winter / Spring, 1982-83).
4.-
Alternative land use plans showing possible
resolutions to land use issues were devel-
oped by the planning team and reviewed
by the public in twelve workshops (Spring,
1983).
5.
Based on response to the alternatives, a draft
plan was prepared by the planning team
and reviewed by affected agencies (Spring,
1984).
6.
After necessary revisions following agency
review, a Public Review Draft was distributed
and public hearings were held (Summer/
Fall, 1984).
7.-
Final revisions were made tallowing the
public hearings The Commissioner of ADNR
and the Borough Assembly approved the
plan which now guides public land
management decisions in the Susitna Area.
Throughout the planning process, members of the
planning team and staff met informally with represen-
tatives of many special interest groups to inform them
of the plan's progress and provide them an opportunity
to review resource data and plan proposals. Contacts
included meetings with the Alaska Miners Association,
Alaska Center for The Environment, forestry
associations, the Mat-Su Borough Agricultural Advisory
Board, Native corporations, Fish and Came Advisory
Boards, the Resource Development Council and
others.
Results of the two key steps in the public participation
program — review of land use alternatives and review
of the draft plan — are summarized below.
Public Review of Alternative Land Use Plans: The
majority of people attending the Spring 1983 public
workshops put greatest importance on the goals of
preserving community character and protecting
environmental quality. Opinions on the goals of
economic development and additional land sales were
more varied but less favorable overall. Overall, the
land use designations and management guidelines in
the final plan approximate those presented in alter-
natives 3 and 4, as preferred by workshop participants.
The gross area available for land sales is greater than
the amount proposed in either of these alternatives,
however. This reflects additional information on public
opinion, including widespread interest in the home-
stead program at public meetings held by the Division
of Land and Water Management (February, 1984), and
continued strong public response to the existing
disposal program.
Public Review of the Draft Plan. A large number
of minor and several major issues were brought up
during the public review of the draft plan. The major
issues included the plan's policies on land disposal,
mining and the multiple use of state lands, and desig-
nation of wilderness areas. While the overall direction
of land management policy presented in the draft plan
was not changed, public comments resulted in numer-
ous specific revisions and clarifications of the plan.
SUMMARY OF LAND MANAGEMENT
GOALS AND POLICIES
The major goals of the final plan are summarized in
the following section. In general, the purpose of the
plan is to define a set of management policies for state
and borough lands that will allow these lands to pro-
duce the greatest possible public benefits.
Under this plan, the majority of state and borough
lands will be retained in public ownership and
managed for multiple use including forestry, develop-
ment of mineral resources, recreation, tourism, and
protection and use of fish and wildlife. The majority
of land with potential for agriculture will be retained
in public ownership for at least the near term and
classified "resource management," a category that
preserves options for all possible uses until better
information and/or access is available. A moderate
amount of agricultural land (approximately 26,000
acres) will be offered for sale in the near term. This
will allow the state and borough to observe the results
of agricultural efforts on land already committed to
this purpose while retaining the opportunity to expand
agricultural production in the future.
Under the plan a substantial amount of land
(approximately 110,000 acres of state land and 7,000
acres of borough land) will be offered for settlement
over the next 20 years. Offerings will focus on pro-
viding land necessary for community expansion, land
for settlement associated with resource development
and high quality accessible land for recreational/
seasonal use and investment. Some land also will be
available in more remote areas for recreational use and
self-sufficient lifestyles. If past patterns continue, most
land will be used at least in the near term for recrea-
tional/seasonal or investment purposes. In addition to
land sales, the plan encourages development of a
public use cabin system and identifies areas for
issuance of remote cabin permits.
Overall, this plan strives for development of resources
on state and borough lands while emphasizing pro-
tection of environmental quality and community
character. The plan proposes expanded use of the
area's resources, but controls the manner and location
of development so that many of the qualities that make
the area attractive are protected and enhanced.
Outlined below are the plan's major economic,
environmental, social and transportation goals.
Economy
The economy of the study area is at present almost
exclusively dependent on government, service, retail,
and construction sectors which in turn are largely
based upon the state's current oil wealth. A major goal
of the plan is to use public lands for development of
basic industries that can contribute to the local and
regional economy when state oil revenues decline.
Analysis of different development options show that
the major way this can be achieved, at least in the near
term, is through the use of public land for forestry,
mineral and energy resource development, hunting
and fishing, recreation and tourism. Agriculture is also
seen as important at gradually expanded levels.
10
L,
Natural Environment
Maintaining environmental quality was rated the most
important goal for management of public lands by the
great majority of people attending workshops on plan
alternatives held in the area and Anchorage. A primary
goal of the plan is to allow forestry, agriculture, mining
and other types of development to occur but manage
these uses to minimize environmental impacts. This
goal is not seen as contrary to the economic objectives
because the area's economy is likely to be very
dependent on opportunities for hunting, fishing,
sightseeing, etc., that require high environmental
quality. Protecting quality of riparian environments is
a particular focus of the plan.
Social Environment and Land Sales
A major goal of the plan is to use state and borough
lands to sustain the characteristics of the region that
attract people to the area: proximity to recreation
opportunities, availability of local supplies of wood and
fish and wildlife resources, visual quality, and plenty
of open space. To achieve this goal for as many people
as possible, and simultaneously to reduce fiscal costs,
the plan strives for a pattern of settlement that results
in relatively concentrated settlement areas separated
by large areas of open space where settlement is sparse
and land is used for forestry, mining, fish and wildlife,
and recreation. Another important way this goal is
achieved is by developing a plan for the use of state
lands with the consultation of local governments and
with consideration of their goals. Finally, the overall
pace of land sales will be slowed gradually under
policies in this plan.
Transportation and Access
The final major goal of the plan is to open more land
in the region to a variety of public and private uses.
This is achieved in part by the pattern of land use
designations in the plan. This pattern is specifically
arranged to combine designated uses in a manner that
makes benefits of road construction greater than the
cost. For example, in the region south of Petersville
Road,, forestry areas are designated to encourage con-
struction of pioneer roads that will open adjacent land
to use for public and private recreation and agriculture.
Another result of the plan is the preparation of a joint
state and borough capital improvement budget for pre-
sentation to the state legislature. This set of transpor-
tation priorities will be coordinated with the DOT/PF's
ongoing transportation planning work. Finally, the plan
will require future land sales of small lots (< 10 acres)
in areas near roads to meet borough requirements for
construction of physical access to all parcels. This will
slow the pace of land sales and increase sale prices
but reduce fiscal and environmental costs.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUSITNA
AREA PLAN
The plan has been signed by the Commissioners of
the Alaska Departments of Natural Resources and Fish
and Game and is now state policy for the management
of state lands in the Susitna Area. All ADNR and
ADF&C decisions (land disposals, classifications,
timber sales, road building, mineral leasing and all
other actions on state lands) shall comply with the pro-
visions of this plan. The plan also has been approved
by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly and
controls land use decisions on borough lands as well.
All decisions on borough lands will comply with the
provisions of this plan. Where land management
policy is different for state and borough lands, for
example, the policy dealing with the use of land with
agricultural potential, these differences are described
in the plan. In the case of federal lands, the Bureau
of Land Management will consider the recommenda-
tions of the area plan when preparing a management
plan for federal lands in the area.
The land use designations made on state lands in this
plan are officially established in state records through
the state's land classification system. The system is a
formal record of the primary uses for which each
parcel of state land will be managed. These classifica-
tions will be shown on status plats which are available
for public use at various offices of the Department of
Natural Resources. These plats will indicate the
primary uses designated by this plan and will refer the
reader to the plan for more detailed information,
including statements of management intent, secondary
land uses and land management guidelines. Classifi-
cations for each management unit are shown in chart
form in Chapter 4.
Another important step in the implementation of this
plan will be more detailed planning for specific man-
agement units or for specific issues such as trails or
transportation. These detailed plans are referred to as
"management plans" as distinguished from this
document which is an "area plan." An area plan sets
forth permitted land uses, related policies and man-
agement guidelines but at less detail than a manage-
ment plan. For example, an area plan does not design
individual land disposals, pinpoint the location of new
roads or utility lines, or establish the schedule for
timber sales. These design and scheduling decisions
on state lands are addressed by management plans
which implement the provisions of an area plan on
a site specific basis. Chapter 4 includes a list of
management plans proposed for implementation of
the Susitna Area Plan.
11
Other important implementation actions, also
addressed in Chapter 4, include proposals for legisla-
tive or administrative designation of areas possessing
particularly valuable public resources (e.g., state
recreation rivers, state forests, etc.), plans for protecting
the routes of future roads and other possible improve-
ments to the regional transportation system, and pro-
cedures for determining the pace of state land disposal.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough eventually will adopt
the Susitna Plan as part of the borough comprehensive
plan. The borough is currently working on its com-
prehensive plan; the transportation and public services
components are nearly complete and the land use
component is underway. The borough's comprehen-
sive plan and the Susitna Area Plan are designed to
complement one another: while the area plan deals
with public lands in more remote areas, the borough's
comprehensive plan focuses on the developed por-
tions of the borough and includes consideration of uses
on private lands. Together these two efforts will
produce a regional land use plan covering lands in all
ownerships.
MODIFICATION OF THE PLAN
A plan can never be so comprehensive and visionary
as to provide solutions to all land use problems, nor
should it be inflexible. Therefore, the land use
designations, the policies, and the management
guidelines of this plan may be changed if conditions
warrant. The plan will be updated periodically as new
data become available and as changing social and
economic conditions place different demands on
public lands. An interagency planning team will
coordinate periodic review of this plan when the
Alaska Department of Natural Resources and/or the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough consider it necessary. The
plan review will include meetings with all interested
groups and the general public.
In addition to periodic review, modification of the plan
or exceptions to its provisions may be proposed at any
time by members of the public or government
agencies. Appendix 1 presents procedures for making
amendments to and minor modifications of the plan
which will be followed by the Department of Natural
Resources with regard to state-owned land and by the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough with regard to borough-
owned lands. On borough lands, the Matanuska-
Susitna Borough Assembly may approve changes
without requiring approval of DNR as DNR may
approve changes on state lands without approval of
the borough. However, each will consult with the
other prior to making such changes. Appendix 1 also
presents procedures for making special exceptions to
the provisions of the plan when modifications are not
necessary or appropriate.
12
Chapter 2
AREAWIDE LAND MANAGEMENT
POLICIES
INTRODUCTION ........................... 15
AGRICULTURE ............................. 17
FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT. ............... 23
FORESTRY ................................. 28
RECREATION .............................. 31
SETTLEMENT. .............................. 35
SUBSURFACE RESOURCES AND MATERIALS .... 42
TRANSPORTATION ......................... 49
MISCELLANEOUS GUIDELINES
INSTREAM FLOW........................... 52
LAKESHORE MANAGEMENT. ................. 53
PUBLIC ACCESS ............................ 54
STREAM CORRIDORS ....................... 55
TRAIL MANAGEMENT ....................... 57
WETLANDS MANAGEMENT .................. 59
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT/LAND BANK ....... 61
photograph by Pete Martin
13
.
CHAPTER 2
AREAWIDE LAND MANAGEMENTPOLICIES
INTRODUCTION
This chapter contains land management policies for each of the major resource or land use categories
affected by the plan: agriculture, fish and wildlife habitat, forestry, recreation, settlement, subsurface
resources, and transportation. The chapter also presents management policies for a number of specific
land management concerns: instream flow, lakeshore management, public access, stream corridors,
trail management, wetlands management, and "Resource Management" and "Borough Land Bank"
areas. These policies apply to state and Matanuska-Susitna Borough land throughout the region,
regardless of the land use designation. In addition, Chapter 2 presents a summary of the land allocations
for each resource.
The policies in this chapter consist of goals and management guidelines, which tie together the general
conditions the Department is trying to achieve (goals) and the specific directives (guidelines) to be
applied to land and water management decisions as resource use and development occur.
See the Glossary, Appendix B, for definitions of "goal," "guideline" and other terms used in these
policies.
15
AGRICULTURE
1. GOALS
A.Economic Development. Diversify and
strengthen the state's economy by increasing the
availability of competitively priced Alaskan food
products through:
1. encouraging expanded production and
availability of competitively priced farm products
from existing agricultural lands;
2. increasing the acreage available for agricultural
production for both in-state and export
production;
3. preserving the future option to use potential
agricultural lands for agricultural uses.
B.Agrarian Lifestyle. Provide the opportunity for
Alaskans to pursue an agrarian lifestyle.
C.Conservation of Agricultural Resources and
Protection of the Environment. Design all
agricultural projects in a manner that maintains or
enhances the productive capability of the soil and
protects or enhances the quality of the natural
environment.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A. Disposal of Agricultural Development Rights.
Agricultural development rights only will be
conveyed to private ownership where the
Department disposes of state lands that are
designated for agricultural use.
B.Farm Development Schedules and
Conservation Plans. When agricultural
development rights are conveyed to private
ownership, terms of conveyance will include the
requirement to comply with a farm development
schedule and farm conservation plan. Conservation
plans will be approved by ADNR in consultation
with ADF&G prior to farm development. The plans
will incorporate soil, water and wildlife conservation
practices as developed by the SCS and other
affected agencies. ADF&C's technical assistance to
farmers and Soil and Water Conservation Districts
in the preparation of farm conservation plans will
be the primary means of incorporating fish and
wildlife concerns into these plans.
C.Agricultural Disposal Program. Large blocks of
designated agricultural lands (2,000 or more
generally contiguous acres) should be used primarily
to support commercial farming under the state's
standard agricultural land disposal program (rather
than under the homestead program, which limits
farm size to 160 acres, and imposes a relatively
lenient development schedule). Scattered, smaller
parcels of designated agricultural lands should be
considered for disposal under the agricultural home-
stead program. (See the Forestry guidelines for
requirements regarding timber salvage on
agricultural lands.)
DProtecting Options for Agricultural
Development. Remote state land with good
agricultural potential, but not scheduled for sale or
homesteading, should generally remain in public
ownership and be classified "resource manage-
ment" to protect the option for agricultural use.
Exceptions to this policy may occur when excep-
tionally high forestry, habitat, or recreation values
merit a long-term retention classification. Potential
agricultural lands classified resource management
will be available for uses that do not preclude
agricultural development or impact other primary
resource values. Such uses include habitat protec-
tion and enhancement, recreation and forestry
management.
Parcels of 40 acres or larger which are owned by
the Matanuska-Susitna Borough must be classified
agriculture if they contain more than 40% Class II
and III soils (Soil Conservation Service capability
classification). Exceptions to this can be made by
the Assembly, under the provision of Ordinance
13.25.070, if it is found to be in the public interest.
Such a finding can be made only if the land is deter-
mined to be unsuitable for agriculture, if the pro-
posed alternative use contributes to agricultural
development, or if the other proposed use is essen-
tial to the welfare of the borough and no reasonable
non-agricultural alternative site is suitable and
available.
E. Retention of Publicly-owned Land Adjacent to
Wetlands, Waterbodies and Streams. Publicly
owned buffers should be retained on all lands slated
for disposal for agricultural purposes adjacent to
wetlands, streams or other waterbodies that have
important hydrologic, habitat or recreational values.
The specific width of a buffer shall be determined
after consultation with affected agencies and in
accordance with the management guidelines
contained in the lakeshore, stream corridor, and
17
wetlands sections of this chapter. A minimum buffer
width of 100 feet shall apply to agricultural land
disposals. This width should be increased as
necessary where, because of steep slopes or other
conditions, the potential for sedimentation or pol-
lution is high. Buffer widths should also be increased
where appropriate to provide or maintain public
recreation opportunities or important habitat.
F. Timber Salvage on Agricultural Lands. See
forestry management guidelines, this chapter.
G.Depredation. Efforts will be made to minimize
depredation of crops by wildlife. Means of achieving
this may include avoiding agricultural disposals in
areas where depredation is likely to be a major
problem and integrating game movement corridors
into the design of agricultural projects. When
depredation does occur on agricultural land, non-
lethal means of wildlife control are prefered.
H.Floodplains. DNR will generally avoid agricultural
disposals in the 10-year flood plain. Where the
10-year floodplain has not been identified, the best
available information will be used to identify areas
where flooding is likely to be a severe limitation on
agriculture. Agricultural disposals in such areas will
be avoided.
I. Grazing
1. Grazing in Remote Areas. In the Susitna Basin
grazing generally will be discouraged in roadless
areas with little natural grazing potential and in
areas where there are no feasible farm headquar-
ters sites. This policy is intended to direct the
department's leasing and permit program and
range management plans to areas where grazing
is economically feasible and to minimize the im-
pacts of grazing on soil stability, water quality and
habitat.
2. Grazing on Important Habitat Lands. Grazing
generally should be prohibited in the following
habitat types unless DNR determines, in
consultation with ADF&G, that impacts can be
mitigated through specific management
guidelines:
• Dall sheep range;
• brown bear concentration areas;
• habitats of endangered species and species af-
forded special protection, if such species
would be threatened by grazing;
• moose winter concentration areas;
• caribou calving areas; and,
• other important habitats identified on a case-
by-case basis by DNR in consultation with
ADF&G.
3. Multiple Use Management of Grazing Lands
a. Grazing lands will be managed as multiple use
lands to support a variety of public benefits in
addition to livestock production, including the
following:
• fish and wildlife maintenance
• water quality maintenance
• public recreation
• timber
• soil conservation
b. Grazing lands will be managed to ensure
sustainable forage for domestic stock and
wildlife.
c. Public access across and public use of grazing
lands may not be limited by persons holding
grazing leases or permits unless approved as
part of a grazing operations plan.
4. Grazing Permits and Leases. A grazing lease
or permit issued by DNR is required for any
person who releases livestock on state grazing
lands. Grazing leases will be granted for a period
not to exceed 25 years. Permits must be renewed
annually. Permits, rather than leases, should be
issued in areas especially susceptible to soil
erosion or water quality degradation, and in other
environmentally sensitive areas. These areas will
be identified through DNR's range management
plans (see 5 below).
The requirements stated in these guidelines will
be implemented through appropriate lease and
permit stipulations.
Provisions of existing grazing leases and permits
are not affected by these guidelines. In areas
where grazing leases and permits have been
issued previously, new permits may be issued and
existing leases may be renewed prior to the com-
pletion of range management plans. However,
such permits or leases will be subject to these
management guidelines.
5. Range Management Plans. Where grazing is
anticipated to be a significant, widespread land
use with potential for creating environmental
harm, DNR will develop range management
plans (RMP) before issuing grazing leases or
permits. RMPs will be developed by DL&WM in
consultation with the Divisions of Agriculture and
Forestry, ADF&G, SCS and Soil and Water Con-
18
Agriculture
servation Districts. The provisions of RMPs will
provide the basis for approval of grazing opera-
tions plans (see below) and of stipulations to be
included in grazing leases and permits. RMPs will
not be required where grazing is a minor use with
few animals and little land area involved. DNR
will determine where range management plans
are appropriate based on consultation with other
affected agencies, including ADF&G. In the
Susitna planning area it is the Department's
intention to complete RMP's for the following
management units: Management Unit 3C, in the
Talkeetna Mountains Subregion; Management
Unit 6a, in the Clenn Highway Subregion;
Management Unit 2, in the Mt. Susitna
Subregion; and Management Unit 1a, in the
Chugach Mountains Subregion. Preparation of
RMP's will be contingent on funding. RMPs shall
address, at minimum, the following items:
a. Stocking Densities. The state shall use
standard United States Department of
Agriculture range assessment procedures or
other scientifically acceptable methods to
identify the abundance, distribution, annual
productivity, nutrition, and seasonal availability
of range vegetation available for grazing.
Forage availability, expressed as animal unit
months (AUM's) shall be used with proposed
grazing schedules to establish maximum allow-
able stocking densities, with consideration for
meeting wildlife forage requirements, that will
provide sustained range production and
condition.
b. Water Quality Protection. Range
management plans will state how anadromous
fish and streams, other waterways and lakes
are to be protected from the adverse impacts
of grazing. Fencing may be required to protect
portions of waterbodies. Identification of
specific watering sites, feeding stations, head-
quarter sites, or other improvements, may be
required to minimize the adverse impacts of
grazing.
c. Annual Grazing Schedule. Range
management plans will establish spring and fall
dates for release and removal of stock on
grazing lands. This may be necessary to protect
the range and to minimize competition
• between stock and wildlife.
d. Map of Proposed Grazing Areas. Range
management plans will include a map which
shows the location, acreages, and configura-
tions of proposed lease and permit areas.
e. Physical Improvements. Range manage-
ment plans will show proposed feed lot sites,
stock watering sites, supplemental feeding sta-
tions, farm headquarter sites, fences and other
improvements necessary to minimize conflicts
between grazing and other resource values.
Range management plans shall include, where
appropriate, guidelines for the design, location,
and/or use of roads, trails, bridges and other
improvements or actions that may be
necessary or incidental to grazing operations.
f. Environmental Monitoring. Range
management plans will establish procedures
to monitor the impacts of grazing on wildlife,
vegetation and soil stability and establish
conditions under which a lessee's or permit-
tee's grazing operations plan may be modified
to prevent environmental degradation.
g. Disease Transmission and Livestock-
Predator Conflicts. Range management
plans will establish measures necessary to
minimize transmission of disease between
domestic stock and wildlife and to minimize
^vestock-predator conflicts.
h. Modification of Vegetation. Artifical
modification of natural vegetation (e.g.,
clearing, burning, crushing, seeding, etc.) will
be permitted only in the locations and under
the guidelines specified by applicable range
management plans.
6. Grazing Operations Plan. Before receiving a
grazing permit or lease, a person must have an
approved grazing operations plan. DNR will assist
a lessee or permittee in plan preparation with the
consultation of ADF&G and SCS. A grazing oper-
ations plan will be included as a condition of a
lease or permit. Minimum requirements of a
grazing operations plan are as follows:
a. Cooperative agreement between the lessee
and the appropriate Alaska Soil and Water
Conservation District.
b. A physical resource map identifying: (1)
location, acreage, and configuration of the
proposed lease or permit area(s); (2) proposed
feedlot sites, stock watering sites, and
supplemental feeding stations; (3) farm head-
quarter site, outbuildings, fences, and other
proposed improvements.
c. A statement of the lessee's proposed
management activities, including (1) range
management practices considered essential or
desirable, including clearing and modification
of vegetation; (2) livestock species to be
stocked; (3) annual grazing schedule and (4)
forage balance sheet.
19
d. Proposed stocking densities: a maximum
stocking density will be based on DNR's range
management plan for the area concerned (if
such a plan exists). A minimum stocking den-
sity with a schedule for achieving it will also
be established as a part of each grazing oper-
ations plan to ensure efficient use of state
grazing land.
7. Standards of Approval — Grazing Operation
Plans. A grazing operations plan will be approv-
ed only when it is in compliance with an ap-
plicable range management plan. Where there
is no range management plan in effect, approval
will be based on consideration of the potential
effects of grazing on water quality, riparian lands,
soil stability, disease transmission, livestock-
predator conflicts, and competition between
wildlife and stock for forage. DNR, in consulta-
tion with affected agencies, may require that
appropriate measures be specified in a grazing
operations plan to minimize adverse impacts.
8. Modification of Grazing Operations Plan.
Modifications of grazing operations plans may be
required if grazing activities are determined to
cause significant degradation to the range or
wildlife habitat, including, but not limited to,
water quality, soil stability or sustainable forage
for stock and wildlife. Determination that
modification of a grazing operations plan is
necessary will be made by ADNR in consultation
with the lease or permit holder, ADEC, and
ADF&C.
J. Other Guidelines Affecting Agriculture. A
number of other guidelines affect agricultural
development. For details of these guidelines, see
the following sections of this chapter:
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Subsurface Resources and Materials
Transportation
Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management andBorough Land Bank
3. LAND ALLOCATIONS SUMMARY
The Susitna area contains a significant portion of the
state's total supply of potential agricultural lands.
Preliminary work by the USDA, Soil Conservation
Service estimated that there were approximately
20
400,000 acres of publicly-owned cultivable soils in
contiguous blocks large enough to support farming in
the Susitna area. Cultivable soils are Class II and III
and certain IV soils as defined by the Soil Conservation
Service. These soils have the fewest natural limitations,
such as wetness, steepness, etc., for farming. These
preliminary estimates are now being revised to better
consider climate and other factors and to ensure con-
sistency between soil ratings in different locations. The
results of these revisions are reducing previous estima-
tions of the amount of potential crop lands. Final soils
information should be available in the latter half of
1985.
Most cultivable soils lie in the central lowlands of the
study area between the drainage of the Yentna River
and the western foothills of the Talkeetna Mountains
— the land within the South Parks Highway, Petersville
Road, and Susitna Lowlands Subregions. The majority
of these potential agricultural areas lack road access
now and are not likely to have road access in the next
five to ten years. There are, however, several concen-
trations of potential farmlands, primarily in borough
ownership, within a few miles of the Parks Highway
and the Petersville Road.
A.State Lands. Most state-owned cultivable soils lie
south of Petersville Road and west of the Susitna
River. Because of the expense of providing roads
to this remote area and the administration's policy
of emphasizing the development of farm lands
already in private hands, the plan designates little
remote agricultural land for near term sale. The plan
instead stresses protecting the option for future
agricultural use by giving most large blocks of
potential agricultural lands a resource management
designation. Approximately 100,000 acres of lands
that have a high percentage of cultivable soils in the
Petersville Road, Mt. Susitna and Susitna Lowlands
subregions are designated resource management.
The bulk of these lands are in three areas: 1) along
both sides of the lower Kahiltna River, 2) between
Alexander Creek and the Mt. Beluga-Mt. Susitna
area, and 3) in the Deshka Flats area. Although other
uses on resource management lands, such as for-
estry management, recreation and habitat
enhancement, are permitted, nothing may be done
that precludes future agricultural use unless the plan
is amended and the land reclassified. A resource
management designation does not, however,
commit the land to agricultural use: the land may
be evaluated for several possible uses based on
additional information, improved access, or
changing social and economic conditions. It should
be noted that some resource management lands are
open to mineral entry. If mining activities or claims
on these lands increase significantly, the potential
for agricultural development may be reduced.
Agriculture
The one exception to the general policy of not
designating remote lands for agriculture is in the
Kashwitna Knobs area. At this site, located south
of the Petersville Road approximately 30 miles,
approximately 18,000 acres of land containing
several large contiguous blocks of Class II and III
soils are designated for agriculture. This area is
intended to be a future commercial agricultural
project. It will not be sold until access improves or
funding for road improvements is approved.
In portions of the study area with better access, this
plan designates approximately 8,000 acres of state
land for agriculture disposal. Land designated for
agricultural is summarized on the following chart.
About 3,620 acres are designated for agricultural
homesteads in the South Parks Highway Subregion
in an area southeast of Sheep Creek near Caswell
Lakes.
Approximately 520 acres of state land are designated
for agricultural disposal in the Petersville Road
Subregion. These agricultural homesteads are
located in several different management units
including areas near Rabideux, south of the
Petersville Road and just west of the Big Susitna
River. The 2,400 acre Rabideaux Project was offered
for sale in this area in summer, 1984. This project
is just east of the Susitna River, 2-3 miles south of
the Petersville Road.
In addition to the 18,000 acre Kashwitna Knobs
area, approximately 4,000 acres of land are
designated for agricultural homesteads in the Susitna
Lowlands and Mt. Susitna Subregions. These parcels
are located in the area between the Yentna and
Susitna Rivers near Kroto Creek and near Alexander
Creek.
Grazing is designated as a permitted use on
approximately 150,000 acres of state land in the
Susitna Lowlands, Mt. Susitna, Talkeetna Moutains,
and Glenn Highway Subregions. Most of this land
does not have road access, except for portions of
the land within the Matanuska Valley Moose Range
east of the Hatcher Pass Road. In addition, there
are many millions of acres of state lands where
grazing is neither a designated nor a prohibited use
— in these areas decisions to issue grazing leases
or permits will be made on a case-by-case basis.
B.Borough Lands. The approximately 34,000 acres
of borough lands with good agricultural potential
are located principally in the South Parks Highway,
Petersville Road and Susitna Lowlands Subregions.
Particularly large concentrations (10,000 acres or
more) occur in the three areas: 1) between the
Chulitna and Susitna Rivers near their confluence,
2) on the west side of the Susitna River opposite the
town of Talkeetna, and 3) in the Chijuk Creek area
between Amber and Parker Lakes 10-15 miles south
of Petersville Road.
A borough ordinance restricts to agricultural use
borough-owned Class II and III soils when they
occur in parcels of 40 acres or more. In this plan,
almost all borough lands with agricultural potential
are designated borough land bank, to be managed
in the near term as multiple use public lands, with
the option for agricultural use protected.
I ABLE 1
AGRICULTURAL LANDS DISPOSAL SCHEDULE
STATE
PROJECTS
Petersville
Homesteads
Caswell Lake
Ag. Homestead
Kroto West
Yentna Uplands
Addition
Kashwitna Knobs
Lower Sucker
Creek
Total Acres of
State Projects:
NET
ACRES
520
3,620
2,200
980
18,000
800
26,120
LOCATION
MANAGEMENT UNIT
Petersville Road
Subregion
South Parks
Highway 13b
Su Lowlands 1 1g
Su Lowlands 13g
Su Lowlands 14b
Mt. Susitna 2e
4. IMPLEMENTATION
A number of measures are necessary to implement the
agricultural goals, guidelines and land designations of
this plan. Among these measures are land disposals,
additional research and road construction. Recom-
mendations for road construction are presented in
Chapter IV where road priorities are established based
on a comprehensive consideration of resource value
in each subregion. The following material addresses
land disposal schedules and research needs.
A.Land Disposal. The preceding table indicates ap-
proximate disposal dates for six state agricultural
projects. The main limit on the pace of sales of lands
designated for agriculture is the lack of road access.
B.Research and Educational Needs. In addition to
periodic evaluations necessary to determine when
future agricultural land sales are appropriate,
continuing research and improved educational
services may significantly contribute to successful
agricultural development. The following are recom-
mended implementation measures:
1. Plant materials research: As indicated by recent
economic feasibility studies, on-farm economic
21
success is most dependent on plant yields,
management and commodity prices. Continuing
research of plant varieties best suited to Alaska's
climate, and appropriate crop and soil manage-
ment may improve yields which can off-set
Alaska's relatively high production costs.
2. Range inventories: More detailed evaluation and
inventory of potential grazing areas will expedite
leasing of publicly owned lands for domestic
livestock grazing.
3. Assessing the Economics of on-Farm Feasibility:
a. Diversified farming may provide better returns
than single crop production. The Division of
Agriculture is currently evaluating the success
of diversified operations on small and medium
size farms. Continued study may provide
information on optimum crop rotations and
investment scheduling which may help
improve cash flow and farm management.
b. Farm Surveys: Little historical data exist
regarding costs of production, crop manage-
ment and yields. Surveys could provide
necessary information which would be useful
in determining crop budgets, expected yields
and improved management techniques.
c. Forecasting: Projecting future price trends,
production costs and demand are necessary
in plannning sales far enough in advance to
allow land to be available and in production
to benefit from expected market conditions.
4. Educational Services: These services are needed
on a regular basis so that farmers can be kept
abreast of plant and soil research findings and
management techniques.
22
FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT
1. GOALS
A.Maintain and Protect Publicly Owned Habitat
Base. The state will maintain in public ownership
and protect the habitat values of sufficient suitable
lands and waters to provide for the habitat needs
offish and wildlife resources necessary to maintain
or enhance public use and economic benefits.
B.Ensure Access to Public Lands and Waters.
Ensure access to public lands and waters where
appropriate to promote or enhance responsible
public use and enjoyment of fish and wildlife
resources. Access improvements should be
designed to match the public use objectives for the
area under consideration.
C.Mitigate Habitat Loss. When resource develop-
ment projects occur, avoid or minimize reduction
in the quality and quantity of fish and wildlife
habitat.
D.Contribute to Economic Diversity. Contribute
to Alaska's economy by protecting the fish and
wildlife resources and habitats that contribute
directly and indirectly to local, regional and state
economies through commercial, subsistence, sport
and non-consumptive uses, while working to
achieve the economic development of other
resources.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A.Habitat Protection and Enhancement. While
recognizing that all lands serve to a degree as fish
or wildlife habitat, important habitat lands will be
managed to the extent feasible and prudent for the
purpose of maintaining and enhancing fish and
wildlife production and related public uses.
Procedures for this include the following:
1. Through interagency consultation with the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game and other affected
agencies, important fish and wildlife habitat and
public use areas are identified. Emphasis is placed
on species and areas with significant subsistence,
commercial, recreational or aesthetic values,
areas needed for important life functions of
species which are limited in supply, and species
which are especially vulnerable to impacts
associated with human use.
2. Lands important for fish and wildlife production,
public use, or the livelihood of local residents are
retained in public ownership and classified as
wildlife habitat.
3. Mitigative guidelines are applied to ensure the
protection and maintenance of fish and wildlife
or related public uses, as described in I below.
4. Habitat manipulation through controlled burning,
water control, timber management practices or
other measures may be used to improve habitat
for certain fish and wildlife species where feasible
and compatible with other designated primary
uses.
B.Special Fish and Wildlife Management Areas.
The plan recommends for legislative or
administrative designation lands or waters with
special values for fish, wildlife or related public uses
that require permanent retention and improved
protection.
C.Activities in Important Waterfowl Habitat. In
important waterfowl habitat, activities requiring a
permit, lease, or development plan, and producing
high levels of acoustical or visual disturbance from
sources such as boat traffic, blasting, dredging, and
seismic operations, will, to the extent feasible and
prudent, be avoided during sensitive periods.
Where it is not feasible and prudent to avoid such
activities, other mitigative measures will be
considerd to attempt to avoid significant impacts.
The Department of Fish and Game will be consulted
for assistance in identifying areas of important
waterfowl habitat.
D.Dredge and Fill in Important Waterfowl
Habitat. Permits for dredging and filling in
important waterfowl habitat, including permits for
grave! extraction and construction of roads and
pads, will not be granted unless it is determined that
the proposed activity will not cause significant
adverse impacts to important waterfowl habitat or
that no feasible and prudent alternative exists.
Where dredging or filling does take place, other
mitigative measures will be considered to attempt
to avoid significant impacts.
E.Structures in Fish Habitat. Structures in fish
habitat will, to the extent feasible, be designed to
minimize impacts on fish migration and other
important life stages and activities including
spawning and rearing.
F.Water Intake Structures. When issuing
appropriations for waters providing fish habitat,
DNR will require that practical water intake
structures be installed that do not entrain or impinge
upon fish. The most simple and cost-effective
technology may be used to implement this
guideline.
23
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Water intake structures will be screened and intake
velocities will be limited to prevent entrapment,
entrainment, or injury to fish. The structures
supporting intakes should be designed to prevent
fish from being led into the intake. Other effective
techniques may also be used to achieve the intent
of this guideline. Screen size, water velocity, and
intake design will be determined in consultation
with ADF&G.
G.Threatened and Endangered Species. Identify
as endangered species habitat those lands and
waters necessary for protection, restoration, and
propagation of fish and wildlife species that are now
or may be threatened with extinction. All land use
activities should be conducted so as to avoid
jeopardizing the continued existence of threatened
or endangered species of fish or wildlife or their
continued use of an area, and to avoid modification
or destruction of their habitat. Specific mitigation
recommendations should be obtained through
interagency consultation for any land use activity
potentially affecting threatened or endangered
species. Activities potentially affecting peregrine
falcons and bald and golden eagles will be consis-
tent, respectively, with the federal and state
endangered species act and the Bald Eagle
Protection Act of 1940 as amended.
When threatened or endangered species have been
identified in the vicinity of a major federal action
(projects that are federally constructed, permitted,
licensed, granted, or necessitating other forms of
federal authorization or approval), Section 7(c) of
the Federal Endangered Species Act requires that
a biological assessment be prepared. In general, a
biological assessment should include the following:
1. An onsite inspection of the area affected by the
proposed project.
2. Interviews with recognized experts on the species
at issue.
3. A literature review to determine the species
distribution, habitat needs, and other biological
requirements.
4. An analysis of possible impacts to the species,
including cumulative effects.
5. An analysis of measures to avoid or minimize
impacts.
The Endangered Species office of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service should be consulted on questions
involving endangered species.
H.Trumpeter Swans. Where feasible and prudent,
all land use activities in or near trumpeter swan
nesting habitat, including sales or the granting of
leases or permits, will be conducted so as to avoid
disturbance to swans or detrimental alteration to the
habitat. Leases or permits may include seasonal
restrictions on activities to avoid disturbance to
swans. Consultation with the ADF&C should be
used to identify current or potential nesting habitat
and to determine guidelines to follow and activities
to avoid.
Construction of transmission lines in trumpeter swan
habitat should be avoided. If transmission lines are
constructed they should be sited in forested areas
and kept close to treetop level, and wires should
be strung in one horizontal plane rather than in
multiple, vertical stacks. Where wires cross rivers,
marshes and other open spaces, they should be
marked in a fashion to try to make them visible to
swans.
I. Mitigation. All land use activities should be con-
ducted with appropriate planning and implemen-
tation to avoid or minimize foreseeable or poten-
tial adverse effects on fish and wildlife populations
or their habitats. Mitigation should include the
following:
1. Attempt to avoid the loss of natural fish and
wildlife habitat.
2. Where habitat loss can not be avoided, minimize
loss and the need for habitat restoration or
maintenance efforts. Procedures for this include
the following:
a. Include fish and wildlife habitat and use
considerations in the early phases of
development project planning and design to
minimize the spatial and temporal extent of
impacts.
b. Develop siting and design criteria which will
minimize wildlife-caused damage to life and
property where conflicts between people and
animals may arise.
c. Request information on best managment
practices from the Department of Fish and
Came and other appropriate agencies.
3. When loss of habitat production potential cannot
be minimized, restore and rehabilitate the habitat
that was lost or disturbed to its pre-disturbance
condition where doing so is feasible and prudent.
24
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
4. When loss of existing habitat production potential
is substantial and irreversible and the above objec-
tives cannot be achieved, compensation with or
enhancement of other habitats should be con-
sidered. In general, compensation with similar
habitats in the same locality is preferable to com-
pensation with other types of habitat or habitats
elsewhere.
J. Other Guidelines Affecting Fish and Wildlife
Habitat. A number of other guidelines affect the
protection and management of fish and wildlife
habitat. For details of these guidelines, see the
following sections of this chapter:
Agriculture
Forestry
Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface Resources and Materials
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management and Borough Land Bank
3. LAND ALLOCATION SUMMARY
Over three-quarters of the public land in the region
will be retained in public ownership and managed for
multiple use, including protection offish and wildlife
habitat and provision of hunting, fishing and other
wildlife use opportunities. Habitat protection and
management is a primary use on over 90% of retained
public lands and a secondary use on the rest (e.g.,
small recreation sites). Potential conflicts between
competing uses will be resolved through application
of the management guidelines in this plan, or through
subsequent more detailed management plans.
Significant areas are closed to uses that would be
incompatible with fish and wildlife habitat values. In
particular, the major clearwater streams — Lake Creek,
the Talachulitna River, the Kroto Creek-Moose Creek
system, the Talkeetna River, and Alexander Creek —
are closed to mineral entry and coal leasing, and large
areas are closed to grazing because of Dall sheep or
caribou range, moose winter range, or bear concen-
tration areas along streams. Large areas are proposed
for legislative or administrative designation to protect
their wildlife and habitat resources; these areas are
noted below (see Chapter 4, Implementation, for
details).
A.Remote Areas. Approximately 80% of the plan
region is remote — i.e., more than two miles from
a road or railroad — and the great majority of this
remote area is retained in public ownership. All
mountainous portions of the region — the Talkeet-
na, Chugach, and Alaska ranges — are retained. In
lowland remote areas — most of which presently
are in public ownership — the plan calls for
approximately 100,000 net acres to be sold over the
next twenty years. Even where land is sold,
however, some important habitat lands will be
retained. For example, publicly owned buffers at
least 200' wide will be retained on each side of
nearly all streams.
As development occurs on existing private land and
future land sales in these remote areas, some effects
on wildlife populations can be expected. Popula-
tions of species sensitive to disturbance by people
— such as grizzly bear — will become smaller near
growing recreational and residential settlement
areas. Populations of more tolerant species — such
as moose — probably will not be affected seriously
by land sales and resulting development in the near
future because many important habitat areas are
retained and because of the protection offered by
the management guidelines for land use. In the
longer term, development of existing private lands
and lands proposed for sale may have significant
effects on these species. Opportunities for hunting
and fishing, however, are likely to be affected
sooner. Hunting and fishing are likely to increase
in rural areas because of larger human populations
and improved access. Although this represents
increased utilization offish and wildlife, it also will
produce increased competition, likely eventual
reductions in fish and wildlife populations and an
altered experience for prior users.
In addition, road access to new areas is likely to be
significantly expanded by the economic activities
that may follow the land use designations of this
plan. New road systems are particularly likely for
new timber harvest or farm projects, and eventually
may link concentrations of settlement lands.
B.Road/Railroad Accessible Areas. In the 20% of
the region that is presently accessible by road or
railroad, a much larger proportion of the land
already is in private ownership and proportionately
more additional sales are planned than in remote
areas. Although sizeable areas of important habitat
will be retained some places, and smaller areas with
habitat value retained near land disposals, a large
segment of the lands presently accessible by road
will be in private ownership after completion of the
sales called for in this plan. The principal road-
accessible areas to be retained and managed at least
in part for their habitat values include: lands along
25
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
the upper Glenn Highway; land in several river
corridors that cross the Glenn and Parks Highways
and Petersville Road such as Kings River, Moose
Creek, and Kroto Creek; lands proposed for legis-
lative or administrative designation west of Kroto
Creek; the existing Denali State Park; lands along
the upper Parks Highway; lands along the Lake
Louise road; and federal lands along the Denali
Highway.
Where land is offered for sale some lands
particularly important for habitat will be retained.
Firstly, the most important and sensitive habitat
lands are excluded from disposal projects. Secondly,
lands near or within disposal projects are retained
to establish interconnected systems providing some
habitat requirements — including movement cor-
ridors — of fish and wildlife populations. These
retained areas include — where the land is still
public — buffers along lakes and streams, wetlands,
other lands with low capability for settlement, and
forested areas serving as personal-use woodlots.
(Protection of wetlands important for habitat is
provided in addition by the wetlands policies
presented later in this Chapter.)
C.Allocations and Management Guidelines. In
addition to protecting a substantial portion of the
existing habitat of fish and wildlife populations, the
plan's land use allocations and management guide-
lines are intended to protect or enhance human use
of fish and wildlife populations in most places in
the region.
1. Fishing
To protect fishing, corridors along most impor-
tant fishing streams presently in public ownership
will be retained and managed to provide oppor-
tunities for fishing, camping, hiking, and other
compatible recreational activities. Of these, the
major floatable, clearwater streams — Lake
Creek, Talachulitna River, the Kroto Creek-Moose
Creek system, the Talkeetna River, Alexander
Creek; and portions of Sheep Creek, the Kashwit-
na River, the North Fork Kashwitna River and
Peters Creek — are protected by retention of par-
ticularly large buffers (1/4 to 1/2 mile on each side).
Nearly all the land in the buffers along these rivers
is in public ownership.
The banks of most of the other large rivers, in-
cluding the Susitna, Chulitna, Yentna and
Skwentna rivers and the rivers in the Talkeetna
Mts. Subregion are predominantly publicly own-
ed as well. A portion of the middle reaches of
the Susitna River, parts of the Matanuska River,
and the upper portion of the Beluga River are in
Native ownership. There are existing and/or pro-
posed disposals on short sections of the Chulit-
na, Yentna and Skwentna Rivers. Public corridors
will be retained within these disposals subject to
the areawide Stream Corridor policy (q.v., this
chapter) and the management guidelines in
Chapter 3. Construction of public use cabins to
support recreational use is recommended for
some of these corridors. On most smaller streams,
the buffer of publicly-owned land on each side
of the stream will be at least 200 feet wide. These
buffers will allow public access to and along the
streams for uses such as fishing and picnicking.
Many of the area's smaller streams already have
extensive private land holdings along their banks.
On a few of these, in areas particularly impor-
tant for public access or recreation, the plan
recommends that the state buy back private
lands.
Most of the largest lakes in lowland areas already
have numerous private lots on their shores. Some
additional land sales will take place on several
of these, but a significant amount of the remain-
ing public lands will be retained on all these lakes.
Only a few of the area's largest lakes have little
private land at present. The plan calls for reten-
tion of all of the remaining public shoreline of
several of these lakes, notably Chelatna, Tyone,
Strandline, and Alexander Lakes. Much of the
shoreline property around smaller lakes is private-
ly owned, particularly in the Petersville Road and
South Parks Highway Subregions, and in the large
remote parcel areas in the central and western
portions of the Susitna Lowlands Subregion.
Numerous small lakes are and will remain in
public ownership in other portions of the plann-
ing area, although there will be additional sales
of lakefront property in some proposed disposals.
Sales of lakefront property in these disposals will
not exceed 50% of the shoreline on any lake with
significant public recreation value. (See Lakeshore
Management policy, this chapter.) Additional
sales will take place on Hiline Lake, Lake Louise,
Little Lake Louise, Larson Lake, and possibly
Beaver Lake (in Lake Louise Subregion). On Susit-
na Lake, up to 25 additional lots may be offered
for sale. Existing unsold surveyed lots on Hewitt
Lake and Shell Lake will continue to be available
for purchase over-the-counter.
The net effect of the plan's land allocations and
management guidelines on fishing opportunities
will be protection of remaining public land along
the region's road-accessible fishing streams and
the most heavily used remote rivers. A few lakes
will be kept wholly in public ownership, and
public use of the others will be protected through
26
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
retention of public lots and easements. On some
lakes, provision of public or commercial recrea-
tion facilities is recommended to support public
use.
2. Hunting
Moose hunting opportunities in most heavily
hunted areas will be protected by public land
retention. The most important moose hunting
areas are along the Petersville Road, the lower
Glenn Highway, and the portions of the Yentna,
Skwentna, and Susitna rivers accessible by boat.
Much of the western Petersville Road and Peters
Hills area is recommended for legislative desig-
nation and will be managed partly to perpetuate
hunting opportunities. However, some hunting
lands in the eastern part of the area will be sold.
A large area of the public land along the lower
Clenn Highway has been legislatively designated
as the Matanuska Valley Moose Range. Most
public land along the Yentna, Skwentna, and
Susitna rivers will be retained, although small
areas will be sold. The lower Yentna and Susitna
River corridors, including the Kroto Slough area
near their confluence, also have been
recommended for legislative designation to
permanently protect riparian habitat and
opportunities for public recreation.
Caribou hunting opportunities will be protected
through retention of most caribou habitat lands
(including all of the Talkeetna Mountains), and
restrictions on mining or other potentially
disruptive activities in caribou calving areas. The
plan proposes legislative or administrative desig-
nation of a Nelchina Public Use Area, largely for
caribou habitat protection.
3. Other Fish and Wildlife Uses
Trumpeter swans receive special protection
through specific management guidelines and
recommended legislative or administrative
designation of four areas containing particularly
important swan nesting habitat. These areas are
near the Kahiltna, Upper Yentna and Hayes
Rivers, and near the confluence of the Yentna
and Susitna Rivers, where protection of moose
winter habitat is another reason for special
protection. Trumpeter swan habitat in the Lake
Louise area also receives particular protection
through the same guidelines applied to the four
areas proposed for special designations.
Opportunities for other uses of fish and wildlife
— including photography, viewing and other
non-consumptive uses — also will be protected
in large part through retention of large and small
blocks of land in strategic locations, as mentioned
above. In the road accessible portions of the
study area, these opportunities will be dimin-
ished, however, as development of private lands
takes place.
D.Summary. Under the land use pattern
recommended in the plan, significant populations
of most fish and wildlife species are likely to
continue to exist in most areas they presently
occupy. Future sales of public land will be
concentrated in presently accessible areas where
considerable private land already exists, and this will
help minimize reduction of habitat. However, some
land sales, and increasing development of existing
private land, will take place in some remote areas.
As noted above, populations of species that are
tolerant of disturbance are likely to be little affected
in remote regions until a significant degree of
development takes place. Populations of intolerant
species can be expected to decline as development
and human land use intensifies. The plan's
management guidelines, in conjunction with
existing statutes and regulations, are expected to
minimize the detrimental effects of land use
activities on habitat quality. Never-the-less,
increasing development on existing private lands
and lands proposed for sale in the plan will have
some negative effects on fish and wildlife popula-
tions and habitat quality.
27
FORESTRY
1. GOALS
A.Economic Development. Contribute to Alaska's
economy with an integrated forest products industry
that provides a range of job opportunities, compe-
titively-priced products and increased per capita
income, while ensuring that personal-use needs of
all Alaskans are met within the capabilities of the
land.
B.Land Base for Forestry. Maintain in public
ownership a forested land base that is adequate to
meet the economic development goal above, and
is dedicated to the production of a full range of
forest products for commercial and personal use
and associated resources such as recreation, wild-
life, soil, water and range.
C.Management of Alaska's Forest Resources.
Manage the public forested lands of Alaska to
guarantee their long term productivity and the con-
tinuous availability of forest products at reasonable
cost, while maintaining and enhancing other
valuable resources and opportunities for the public
to use and enjoy them.
Protect valuable public and private forest lands from
wildfire, insects and other destructive agents, and
protect significant human improvements and all
human life from wildfire.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A.Multiple Use Management. Unless particular
forms of natural resource use are specifically
prohibited, all lands designated for forest use are
intended to be managed for the fullest possible
range of beneficial uses. The relative importance of
each use will be specified in the management intent
statements and controlled by the management
guidelines for each management unit.
B.Timber Salvage. Timber with commercial or
personal use value should be salvaged from lands
that are to be cleared for other uses, such as farms
and transportation or utility corridors. This will be
accomplished by adherence to the following
guidelines.
1. The Division of Forestry will review proposals for
significant land clearing actions to evaluate
whether the timber is worth salvaging and to
advise the Director of the Division of Land and
Water Management on what method of salvage
to use.
28
2. Major projects that involve clearing large amounts
of forested land — such as agricultural projects
— will be planned and scheduled far enough in
advance to allow a reasonable period to arrange
for and carry out commercial salvage of the
timber prior to clearing the land. This advance
planning includes sufficient time to secure budget
allocations for timber inventories to determine
the most appropriate methods of harvest, and
time to carry out the inventories.
3. If timber is not salvaged prior to sale of land to
farmers, the value of the timber will be included
in the evaluation of the land and in the price paid
by the farmers, so that the state will be compen-
sated for the loss of this public resource.
4. Where necessary as part of the most appropriate
method of timber salvage, future farm home sites,
wood lots, wooded wind breaks and other areas
to be left uncleared will be delineated. This may
be done whether timber on the project area is
to be harvested in large blocks prior to sale of
the farms, or whether farms are to be sold with
the timber and then individual farmers are to be
responsible for land clearing and possible timber
harvest. The Division of Forestry will work with
the Division of Agriculture, Division of Land and
Water Management, Department of Fish and
Came and the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service
to identify these areas to be left uncut. Identifi-
cation will include flagging or otherwise marking
in the field so the timber harvest operator can
distinguish the areas to avoid.
5. If the timber is not salvaged prior to sale of the
land, the Division of Forestry will provide tech-
nical assistance to farmers in finding and
negotiating with a logging contractor, or in
carrying out the harvest themselves and
marketing the timber.
C.Forest Practices Act. Guidelines for forest
management in this plan assume compliance with
the Forest Resources and Practices Act. That act and
implementing regulations will help guide forest
management and help ensure protection of non-
timber forest resources. The guidelines in this plan
apply to forest management in addition to the
direction given by the Forest Practices regulations.
DPersonal Use Wood Harvest. An important
objective of forest management is to provide
opportunities for people to harvest firewood and
houselogs from public land for their personal use.
Therefore, when forested lands are available near
communities and where personal-use harvest is con-
Forestry
sistent with other purposes tor which the land is
being managed, some of this land should be
managed to help provide personal-use wood
products. (For guidelines on providing personal-use
harvest areas near land disposal projects, see
Settlement guidelines, this chapter.)
E.Fire Management. Fire management practices,
including prescribed burning, will be designed to
implement the land management policies laid out
in the area plan. These practices will be described
in a fire management plan that is in conformance
with the area plan and is developed as part of the
Alaska Interagency Fire Management Council
planning process.
F. Other Guidelines Affecting Forest
Management. A number of other guidelines may
affect forest management. For details of these
guidelines, see the following sections of this chapter:
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Subsurface Resources and Materials
Transportation
Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
3. LAND ALLOCATION SUMMARY
In the Susitna study area there are approximately
900,000 acres of public land with high or moderate
potential for commercial timber management and a
significant additional area with potential for personal
use. These lands lie principally below 1,500 feet in the
lowlands and river valleys between the Talkeetna
Mountains on the east and the arc of the Alaska Range
on the north and west. Large blocks of forest lands
occur in the Susitna Lowlands, Mt. Susitna, South
Parks, Petersville Road and Glenn Highway Subre-
gions. Smaller blocks occur in the Beluga and Lake
Louise Subregions.
A.Remote Forest Lands. Most (approximately 60%)
of the forest lands with commercial potential are
remote. The remote lands with the highest capability
for forestry (based on their soils and existing vege-
tation) are between the Yentna and Susitna Rivers
south of Petersville Road, in the Lewis, Theodore
and Beluga River drainages southwest of Mt. Susitna
and between Lake Creek and Donkey Slough. The
plan proposes administrative or legislative establish-
ment of state forests or forest reserves for most of
these lands.
B. Accessible Forest Lands. Approximately 360,000
acres of commercial forest lands have access, or are
close enough to a road (within 5-6 miles) that they
probably will have road access in the near future.
These accessible lands lie principally in the foothills
of the Talkeetna Mountains east of the Parks High-
way, along the Chulitna River, along Petersville
Road and south of that road in the Peters Creek and
Kroto Creek drainages. In addition, there are over
100,000 acres of forest land with potential for
personal use that are close to either roads or settled
areas in remote regions.
C.Allocations. In this plan approximately 464,000
acres are proposed for legislative designation as
multiple use areas with forestry as one of the primary
uses. Lands in the following areas are proposed for
legislative or administrative designation:
1.Peters Creek — Petersville Road Subregion
(150,000 acres recommended by plan)
2. Yentna-Susitna — Susitna Lowlands Subregion
(approximately 40,000 acres)
3. Kashwitna — South Parks Highway Subregion
(54,000 acres)
4. Mt. Susitna
acres)
Mt. Susitna Subregion (96,000
5. Lake Creek — Mt. Susitna Subregion (25,000
acres)
6. Kroto-Kahiltna — Susitna Lowlands Subregion
(approximately 99,000 acres)
In addition to these proposed legislative
designations, there is a substantial amount of land
proposed for public retention in other management
categories (e.g., recreation river corridors) where
forestry is designated either a primary or secondary
use.
Lands proposed for legislative designation generally
are large blocks of high quality forest land, although,
because they are committed to multiple use man-
agement, some portions of these areas are included
in the special designations primarily for their habitat,
recreation or other public use value. Other retained
forest lands are extremely mixed, including both
high quality forests and land where timber is
relatively scarce.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough owns
approximately 185,000 acres of forested land. Due
to ownership patterns and parcel sizes, however,
less than 60,000 acres are suitable for commercial
management. The plan designates most of this land
"borough land bank;" decisions regarding appro-
priate uses are left to a later date when improved
29
Forestry
access or changing economic conditions merit
reevaluation. Approximately 25,000 acres of
commercial forest land near Chijuk Creek have
been classified by the Borough for forestry.
30
RECREATION
. GOALS
A.Recreation Opportunities. Alaskans and out-of-
state visitors desire and expect accessible outdoor
recreational opportunities. Well designed, main-
tained and conveniently located recreation facilities
should be provided to aid the physical and mental
health of a highly competitive society. These
expectations shall be realized by:
1. Developing a state park system of recreation
areas, trails, historic parks, rivers and sites which
provide a wide range of year-round outdoor
recreation opportunities for all ages, abilities and
use preferences in close proximity to population
centers and major travel routes;
2. Providing recreation opportunities on land and
water areas which serve multiple purposes such
as habitat protection, timber management, and
mineral resource extraction;
3. Assisting communities through cooperative
planning, conveyance of state lands and grants-
in-aid for parks and trails within population
centers; and,
4. Encouraging commercial development of
recreation facilities and services through land
sales, leases, loans and technical assistance where
public recreation needs can most effectively be
provided by private enterprise.
In addition to developed recreation areas and
multiple-use lands, the state will attempt to provide
some minimally developed or undeveloped
recreation opportunities if suitable areas are
identifed.
B.Resource Protection. Alaska's natural and cultural
resources are the foundation for recreational
activities and tourism throughout the state.
Deterioration of recreation areas and cultural and
historical sites, loss offish and wildlife habitat, and
loss of scenic areas must be prevented if recreation
values are to be maintained over time and not lost
to future generations. Long-term public appreciation
of Alaska's natural and human history and perpet-
uation of Alaska's distinctive identity will be
accomplished by:
1. Protecting and portraying natural features of
regional or statewide significance and cultural
features representative of major themes of Alaska
history in historic sites, parks and preserves of the
State Park System; and,
2. Assisting other land managing agencies to
perpetuate natural and historic features on other
state lands, in community park systems and on
private property by providing technical assistence
and grants-in-aid.
C.Economic Development. The Susitna area's
scenic and recreation resources have great potential
to contribute to the tourism, recreation and
hospitality industry, the state's third largest. Areas
managed primarily for outdoor recreation and
appreciation of scenic and historic resources attract
large numbers of out-of state visitors; one fifth of
the visitors to Alaska's state parks come from out-
of-state. Further contributions to increased
recreation industry employment will be achieved
by:
1. Rehabilitating and maintaining recreation facilities
which enable greater appreciation of Alaska's
scenic and historic resources;
2. Increasing the number of attractions through
additions to the Alaska State Park System; and,
3. Developing cooperative interagency visitor
information centers.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A.The Roles of Different Public Land Owners in
Providing Public Recreational Opportunities
1. Generally the state's proper role is to retain and
manage land supporting recreational
opportunities of regional or statewide
significance. The state and federal governments
are particularly capable of providing recreational
opportunities, such as hunting, dispersed
wilderness hiking, or boating, that require large
land areas. In general the borough's proper role
is providing and managing community
recreational opportunities.
2. In recognition of the borough's role in meeting
community recreational needs, the state should
consider eventual transfer under AS 38.05.3l5 of
certain state recreation sites near existing
communities to borough ownership. The selec-
tion of these sites shall be agreed to by the
borough and the state and shall be contingent
on the borough's commitment to develop and
maintain the recreational values of the sites as
required by AS 38.05.315.
31
Recreation
B.Public Use Cabins. A system of public use cabins
should be established in the Susitna Basin. The
Department will develop administrative procedures
for managing a state public use cabin program, set
priorities for cabin sites, and seek a budget for
construction and maintenance and for program
management. Cooperation will be sought with
borough or federal governments or local non-profit
organizations for construction or maintenance of
some cabins. Locations and priorities for cabins will
be based on comprehensive and region-wide con-
sideration of resource values and uses.
C.Private Recreational Facilities on Public Land.
Lodges, tent camps, or other private facilities
designed to be run as private, profitmaking
recreation facilities will be permitted or leased
where a management plan, land planning report or
AS 38.05.035 finding shows the following:
1. Significant public recreational opportunities will
not be lost or blocked by the facility.
2. The amount of use generated by the facility will
not exceed the best available calculation of the
recreation carrying capacity of the area. This
calculation will be based on the management
intent and management guidelines of this or
subsequent plans for the area.
3. The facility will be sited, designed, constructed
and operated in a manner that creates the least
conflict with natural values and traditional uses
of the area.
4. The facility will be sited and designed in
accordance with stream corridor, access,
wetlands, and other guidelines of this plan.
Final approval of a permit or lease for the facility
will be given only after consultation with ADF&G
and the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.
D Promotion of Under-Utilized Areas. Promote use
of under-utilized recreation areas where appropriate
to take pressure off overcrowded recreation areas.
E.Maximum Use of Sites. Achieve maximum use
of recreation sites consistent with maintaining high
quality recreation experiences, environmental
quality, and safety.
F. Other Guidelines Affecting Recreation. A
number of other guidelines may affect recreation
management practices. For details of these
guidelines, see the following sections of this chapter:
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Public Access
Stream Corridors
Trails Management
Lakeshore Management
Wetlands Management
3.LAND ALLOCATION SUMMARY
A.Rivers and Streams. Rivers or streams that provide
public recreational opportunities generally will be
protected through retention of publicly owned
buffers extending at least 200 feet each side of the
stream. This width of buffer will allow access to and
along streams for uses such as fishing and camping.
A publicly retained buffer of this width will protect
recreational values on the majority of smaller
streams in the study area. (See river and stream
policy, this Chapter, for details.)
On rivers where a larger buffer is desired to allow
a wider variety of recreational opportunities, a
publicly owned buffer of between 200 feet and V*
mile on each side of the stream is retained in public
ownership. This width of buffer should provide
adequate land for camping and hunting in addition
to protecting visual quality, water quality and
riparian habitat along the river. Examples of rivers
in this category are Montana, Mendeltna, Rabideux
Creeks and portions of Trapper Creek and the Kings,
Upper Susitna, Little Nelchina and Tyone Rivers.
Refer to Chapter 3, subregion summaries and
management guidelines, for futher information on
corridor widths on individual waterways.
Some rivers are deemed to have such exceptional
recreational values that wider corridors are desired
to protect these values. Rivers in this category are
proposed for legislative or administrative designa-
tion to protect their recreational uses. There are
seven rivers within the Susitna area proposed for
such designation along all or part of their length:
Kroto/Moose Creek, Lake Creek, the Talachulitna
River, Alexander Creek, Lower Yentna and Susitna
Rivers, Sheep Creek, and the Talkeetna and Kash-
witna Rivers. Buffer widths on these rivers range
from % mile to Vi mile on either side of the rivers.
Land to be retained in public ownership in these
seven corridors totals 250,000 acres. Refer to
Chapter 3, subregion summaries, for a more detailed
discussion of allowed and prohibited uses within
these river corridors.
32
Recreation
B.Lakes. Lakes with important public recreational
values will be protected through retaining in public
ownership at least 50% of the land within 500 feet
of the lake, a significant portion of which should
be suitable for recreational activities (see Lakeshore
Management Policy, this Chapter, for details). The
impact of this policy will be somewhat limited
because a large percentage of the area's lakes —
particularly the larger lakes — already are ringed
with private land. However, where land sur-
rounding lakes has been sold by the state since
1979, several blocks of lakefront property usually
have been retained in public ownership to provide
access to the lakes.
A special effort has been made in this plan to protect
the recreational values of the largest lakes (those
larger than 640 acres) in the planning area. There
are few of these lakes (28) and virtually all those with
potential for development already have been at least
partially settled. Remaining public land surrounding
the large lakes with relatively little development —
notably Lake Susitna, Chelatna Lake, Tyone Lake,
Alexander Lake, Strandline Lake and Old Man lake
— will be retained in public ownership and
managed to protect and provide public recreational
opportunities. Where the decision has been made
by the plan to sell additional land surrounding a lake
greater than 640 acres in size (e.g., Lake Louise),
those sales will be designed to minimize damage
to public recreation values by retaining islands and
lakefront property in public ownership, protecting
public access from lakes to backcountry areas and
protecting stream and trail corridors and other
important open space areas.
C.Dispersed Recreation Areas. The plan designates
large areas to support dispersed recreation activities
such as cross-country skiing, hiking, tent camping,
snowmobiling, and dog mushing. These areas also
offer protection for scenic vistas, geologic features
and unique ecosystems for scientific, educational
and aesthetic values.
This is done in part through retention in public
ownership of the majority of state owned land in
the study area. These lands will be managed to
support a variety of uses in addition to recreation,
including mining, forestry and protection and use
of fish and wildlife. Land retained for these purposes
include most land in the following subregions: Sun-
flower Basin, Mt. Susitna, Alaska Range, Chugach
Range and Talkeetna Mountains. Less land is
retained in the more developed accessible subre-
gions, but the amount of retained land suitable for
recreation is nonetheless substantial. Details on
specific areas are included in the subregion
summaries, Chapter 3.
In addition, several large retention areas are
proposed for legislative or administrative designation
to protect their unique and high quality public use
values. Mulitple use forest/habitat/recreation lands
are proposed for designations in the Peters Creek,
Mt. Susitna, Kroto-Kahiltna, Lake Creek-Yenlo Hills
and Kashwitna areas. These areas are intended to
provide for long term management of timber
resources, recreational opportunities and mineral
development, and protection of fish and wildlife
habitat and opportunities for human use. These
proposals include large alpine areas with low or no
forestry potential and some important river corridors
in order to maintain the integrity of large contiguous
blocks of land and to protect recreation
opportunities.
Other areas proposed for legislative or
administrative designation with recreation as a
primary use include Jim-Swan Lakes, the Nelchina
Public Use Area, the Tyone Lake-Lake Susitna Area,
an expansion of the existing Long Lake recreation
area, and the Gunsight Mountain public recreation
area. These areas also protect important fish and
wildlife habitat and opportunities for human use.
Details on the amount and management of land
within these designations are presented in the
subregion summaries, Chapter 3.
DXand for Developed Recreation Sites. The plan
designates land to support developed recreation
facilities such as campgrounds and picnic areas at
sites throughout the Susitna basin. Additionally, the
plan recommends purchase of land presently in
private ownership in several areas where public
recreation demand is particularly heavy. Capital
improvement funding for recreation facilities and
funding for the land purchase program are discussed
in the implementation section, Chapter 4.
Details on specific sites are presented in each
subregion description in Chapter 3. The general
types of sites designated and some examples are
outlined below.
1. Campgrounds and Picnic Sites. Land with
potential for campgrounds is identified and
retained by the plan at several sites along the
Parks and Glenn Highways. In general, the plan
follows a policy of retaining isolated blocks of
public land in the more developed parts of the
study area where need for campgrounds is likely
to exist. Sites suitable for campgrounds also are
retained in select locations in more remote parts
of the study area, for example at likely bridge
crossings and confluences of streams.
33
Recreation
2. Parking /Access Sites on Lakes and Streams.
As mentioned above in the discussion of lakes
and streams, the plan follows a policy of retain-
ing in public ownership land adjacent to water
bodies with important recreation values. In most
cases this land may be used to construct facilities
to allow greater public recreational use. (Retain-
ed land will not be available for developed
facilities in those few stream corridors intended
to be kept in their natural state.)
3. Other Recreation Facilities. Land is reserved
in public ownership near Petersville for possible
use as a base for access to the south side of Denali
National Park and Preserve. (Alternatively, visitor
accommodations could be built along Curry
Ridge or west of the Chulitna River within Denali
State Park.) Accommodations in these locations
could range from a campground and trail system
at the Petersville site to a four-season hotel and
visitors' center near Curry Ridge.
4. Heritage Interpretation. Interpretation of the
history of the area will be pursued in conjunction
with development of new facilities such as
waysides or campgrounds. This interpretation can
emphasize the trapping history, mining history,
development of the highway and/or development
of the railroad. These are important aspects of
the past and add a dimension to recreation
developments.
E.Trails and Access. To ensure continued
opportunities for public use of trails, those
recreation and historic trails of regional and
statewide significance generally will be protected
through public ownership of trail corridors. (See
Trail Management policy, this Chapter, for details.)
The Iditarod and the Chickaloon-Knik-Nelchina
trails have special significance because of their
historical values and present public use. They
generally will be protected through a publicly
owned corridor 500' each side of the centerline.
Other trails with statewide or regional significance
will be protected through publicly owned corridors
of at least 50' each side of the centerline. Use of
these trails is likely to increase as the state's
population increases. The majority of trails in the
study area are in this category.
Among the many trails identified and protected by
the plan are those in a proposed trail system through
the Talkeetna Mountains. This trail system would
link many trails used for recreation and mining in
the Talkeetna Mountains to trails in the Hatcher Pass
Area and to others in the west along the Susitna
River.
In addition to protecting a system of trails in public
ownership, the plan attempts to improve road
access to a number of areas with potential for
expanded public recreation. In very few instances
do recreational benefits by themselves justify road
construction. Therefore the plan generally proposes
roads that serve a variety of uses, including settle-
ment. Details of road improvement proposals are
presented in Chapter 4. Examples of proposed im-
provements that will benefit recreation include
extension of the Oilwell Road and road improve-
ments in the Kings River and Chickaloon River areas
of the Glenn Highway Subregion.
34
SETTLEMENT
-U-
1. GOALS
A.Private Land Use. Make available to present and
future Alaskans suitable public land needed for the
following private settlement purposes:
1. Year-round residences or community
expansion. For this category of use, DNR will
offer land that has road access and is suitable to
meet the needs of growing communities. This
category serves people whose principal place of
residence — and usually work — is in the area
of the disposal.
Where the state does have land suitable for this
purpose disposal will be a high priority unless
there are overriding public values. To address this
important category of settlement the state will
concentrate its efforts on assisting municipalities
with their disposal programs under the provisions
of AS 38.04.021.
2. Recreational use or seasonal residences. For
this use, which is the most common use of land
disposed of by the state, DNR will offer high
quality sites with characteristics such as proximity
to water, views, good hunting, or interesting
topography. The state will be selective in land
offered for this use.
Although the state also will offer a variety of lands
for sale commensurate with demand, expendi-
tures of time and money will be directed toward
identifying high amenity disposals.
The state also will provide the opportunity for
private construction of cabins on state-owned
land under a remote cabin permit program.
Under this program an individual can get a permit
allowing use of five acres for construction of a
cabin without gaining title to the land.
3. Year-round, relatively self-sufficient remote
residences. For this use, DNR will attempt to
provide opportunities for a small number of
people who wish to pursue a remote, more or
less self-sufficient lifestyle. Generally, the state will
not offer tracts large enough for families to subsist
on, but rather offer smaller parcels adjacent to
public land that can be used for the gathering of
firewood and houselogs and for hunting and
fishing.
This category, although important, will not be a
high priority in the disposal program because it
requires low-density settlement and thereby
satisfies few people, and it is less in demand than
the preceding two categories. Committing suffi-
cient land to allow individuals to create a self-
sufficient lifestyle in effect allocates a massive land
area to a few people.
4. Settlement associated with natural resource
development projects. The state will set a high
priority on making land available for the
development of new towns or the expansion of
areas adjacent to such projects. In some cases
this will require a decision by the state as to
whether leasing lands for a campsite or temporary
settlement is preferable to selling land for a
townsite.
5. Industrial or commercial development. In
order to stimulate or facilitate economic develop-
ment, DNR will attempt to sell, lease or protect
for future use suitable land for private, commer-
cial and industrial use. Requirements for these
uses are highly site-specific, and disposal deci-
sions will be made on a case-by-case basis as
demands arise.
B.Resource and Economic Impacts. Contribute
positively to other uses of natural resources and
minimize undesired impacts from land disposals.
C.Pricing. Receive fair market value for public land
sold for private use. However, in the case of
homesteads and homesites, allow land to be earned
by personal investment of time and effort.
D.Fiscal Impacts. Minimize future fiscal costs to local
or state government for services, wildfire
management, and infrastructure requirements
resulting from settlement of state lands.
E.Community and Social Impacts. Minimize
undesired changes in the character of life among
nearby communities or residents as a result of land
disposal projects.
F. Coordination with Local Governments.
Coordinate state land offering programs with similar
programs of local governments to best achieve
common objectives.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A.Land Use Needs. Regional demand assessments
for settlement lands will include estimates of land
necessary for projected conversion to residential,
commercial, industrial, public facility and recrea-
35
Settlement
tional uses, based on projected population levels.
The disposal program will give a high priority to
ensuring the availability of an adequate supply of
land to meet these needs, including an amount
necessary for market choice.
The state also will make available land for
investment beyond what is necessary for actual use.
However, providing land for specific needs will be
a higher priority.
B.Long-Term Program. The disposal program will
be designed to make land available for at least
twenty years to ensure that Alaskans in the future
have the opportunity to purchase public land.
C.Price and Terms. The state will make land
available to be earned by personal investment of
time and effort in homesteads and homesites. This
will continue to result in acquisition of those lands
at less than fair market value. Aside from this, fair
market value should be received for public land sold
to private parties. This does not preclude offering
generous payment terms.
D.Competition with the Private Market. The state
will not seek to minimize competition with private
land markets by changing or reducing its land
offerings. The state, however, will not undercut the
market with artificially low prices.
E. Protection and Management of Natural
Resources. In its settlement program, the state will
protect the economic potential of public lands with
high value for oil and gas development, minerals,
coal, forest products, public recreation, tourism,
agriculture and the production of fish and wildlife
resources, including lands especially important to
the livelihood of local residents. Exceptions to this
guideline may be made where land is needed for
community expansion or other important purpose
and no other suitable land is available.
When the state sells land in locations and amounts
that have high potential for commercial agricultural
use, only agricultural rights to that land should be
sold. This policy is not intended to mean that all
land with high agricultural potential will be desig-
nated for agricultural use. Some of these lands may
be retained for forest management, public recrea-
tion, fish and wildlife habitat, or other public uses.
However, if lands with high commercial agricultural
potential are to be sold they generally should be
sold for agricultural use rather than alternative uses
such as settlement. An exception to this policy may
be made where land is needed for community
expansion or other important purpose and no other
suitable land is available.
Most lands of high potential or value for mining,
commercial forestry, fish and wildlife habitat or
public recreation, or lands where numerous active
mining claims exist, will not be offered for sale for
residential or recreational purposes. However,
much of the settlement land offered by the Depart-
ment also is valuable for public recreation or habitat,
and some lands of high value for public recreation
or habitat will continue to be offered.
F. Protection of Life and Property. The state will,
by retention of public lands, discourage develop-
ment in areas of flooding, unstable ground,
significant avalanche risk, poor percolation for septic
tanks and other hazards. The state will coordinate
with local governments to achieve this.
Public lands within the surveyed 100-year floodplain
should remain in public ownership except where
a regulatory floodway and flood fringe have been
identified through detailed hydrologic studies.
When such studies have been done, public lands
within the flood fringe may be offered for sale. Land
offerings within the flood fringe should be for low
density development — for example, private recrea-
tion cabins or agriculture — rather than dense
residential subdivisions. DNR will provide available
information about flood zones in land disposal
brochures when a disposal is in a potential flood
hazard area.
In drainages where the 100-year floodplain has not
been surveyed, the best available information will
be used to determine the flood hazard zone which
should remain in public ownership. In areas where
no alternative land is available for development, the
Director of the Division of Land and Water Manage-
ment may make exceptions to these floodplain
guidelines.
Lands generally will be retained where slopes are
predominantly north-facing and steeper than 25
percent. This will hold in public ownership many
lands where permafrost is prevalent, where shadows
prevail for four months of the year, and where the
vegetation is predominantly black spruce. These
sites are among the least appealing residential
environments.
GProtection and Management of Valuable En-
vironmental Processes. The state will provide a
publicly-owned open space system to preserve im-
portant fish and wildlife habitats and natural areas
such as estuaries, shorelands, freshwater wetlands,
riparian lands, watersheds, and surface and ground
water recharge areas.
Wetlands with important hydrologic, habitat or
recreational values and adjacent buffer strips will
be retained for open space. Systems of publicly
owned land will be designed to provide the
36
Settlement
u
necessary linkage and continuity to protect or in-
crease values for human uses and wildlife
movements. Some places it may be necessary to re-
tain large areas to provide adequate terrestrial
habitat.
HProtection and Enhancement of Scenic
Features. The state generally will retain in public
ownership unique natural features such as cliffs,
bluffs and waterfalls, as well as foreground open
space for panoramic vistas. Public access to such
amenities also will be preserved.
Land disposal offerings along scenic roads popular
for sightseeing will be selected and designed to
minimize their impacts on scenic vistas. Unusual
landforms or scenic features will be retained in state
ownership for enjoyment and use by the public.
Such lands include islands in lakes or rivers unless
land disposals can be designed to prevent negative
effects on the scenic and recreational values of the
area.
I. Protection and Enhancement of Recreational,
Educational and Cultural Opportunities. The
state will retain areas for outdoor recreation, trails,
campsites, boat launches, fairgrounds, historic sites,
areas for scientific study, etc. Areas for both
intensive and dispersed use will be preserved.
J. Providing Public Land for Communities. The,
state will reserve green belts, public-use corridors,
personal-use wood lots, buffer areas, commons,
building setbacks, and other open spaces to help
create a desirable land use pattern in developing
areas.
K.Reservation of Land for Future Urban
Development. Public lands will be retained as a
transitional tool to help shape community
development by precluding premature private
development on sites intended for schools, gravel
pits, roads, parks, sewer treatment plants, etc.
L. Cost of Public Services. In accordance with AS
38.04.010, the Department will attempt to guide
year-round settlement to areas where services exist
or can be provided with reasonable efficiency. State
land that is located beyond the range of existing
schools and other necessary public services, or that
is located where development of sources of employ-
ment is improbable, may be made available for
seasonal recreation purposes or for low density
settlement with sufficient separation between
residences so that public services will not be
necessary or expected. Wildfire management costs
resulting from settlement will be considered and
minimized to the extent feasible.
DNR will set a high priority on seeking funding to
implement the provisions of AS 38.04.021 to assist
municipalities in their disposal programs with the
aim of making land available in and around
established communities.
DNR will seek the assistance of and cooperate with
the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOT/PF) in evaluating the impacts of
proposed disposals on the costs of extending,
improving and maintaining transportation facilities.
M.Provision of Access. DNR will comply with the
capital improvement provisions of local government
subdivision ordinances. Where no subdivision
ordinance is in effect, DNR will ensure the existence
of actual physical access (by road, rail, air or water)
to each new state subdivision.
N.Local Plans. DNR will comply with provisions of
local comprehensive plans regarding the pace,
location and density of land development, except
to the extent that local requirements are inconsis-
tent with a major overriding state interest.
OPersonal Use of Nearby Resources. One of the
considerations in deciding the location, size and
design of land disposal projects will be the nearby
supply for personal use of resources such as fire-
wood, houselogs and fish and wildlife. Where it is
anticipated that land recipients will want to use
wood resources, some blocks of land nearby may
be retained in public ownership to provide some
firewood and/or houselogs.
In general, in remote areas the Department will
cluster disposal offerings. This will provide some
nearby public land for gathering of firewood and
houselogs and for hunting and fishing and will keep
open options for other uses of these lands when
access develops.
P. Design Review Boards. A local design review
board will be established when, in the opinion of
the Director of the Division of Land and Water
Management, it would be a constructive way to
involve persons affected by a disposal project. A
design review board will consist of a maximum of
eight citizens and local government officials
appointed by an appropriate local government
official. Where local government does not exist or
is unwilling to appoint such a board, DNR will make
the appointments if sufficient interest exists.
The design review board will participate in and
review all stages of design, including location,
design of parcel size, transportation routes, open
space, etc. The board will make recommendations
to the Director of the Division of Land and Water
Management at appropriate points in the design
process.
Q.Cumulative Effects. Chances for inadvertent and
undesired cumulative effects of land offerings and
disposals will be minimized by a planning process
37
Settlement
B.State and Borough Lands Allocated to
Settlement. A total area of approximately 602,000
acres is allocated to settlement in the plan. Of this
total, defined as the gross area allocated to
settlement, it is estimated that approximately
110,000 acres of state land and 7,000 acres of
borough land actually will be sold or otherwise
transferred to private ownership through various
disposal programs. This estimated level of actual
disposals, called the estimated net disposal offering,
is lower than the gross area allocated to settlement
as a result of the retention of land within disposal
boundaries. Lands are retained within these areas
either because they have low physical capability for
settlement or because they provide public rights-
of-way, stream buffers, woodlots, etc. Most state
land disposals will be used, at least in the near term,
for recreational, seasonal or investment purposes.
The net acreage figure should be considered a pre-
liminary estimate prior to more detailed evaluations
of site characteristics and the decision regarding the
type of disposal to be offered at each settlement
area. These decisions will occur with further agen-
cy and public review through the department's
disposal process.
Tables 1 and 2 on the following pages present
figures on the gross and estimated net acreage
designated for settlement on state and on borough
lands in each of the area's 12 subregions. While
these allocations reflect the application of all the
settlement goals listed on the preceeding pages, the
plan sets highest priority on three goals: 1) making
settlement land available where necessary for
community expansion, 2) making land available for
resource development, and 3) offering accessible,
high amenity lands where demand for
recreational/seasonal settlement is high.
The first goal is achieved largely by relying on the
abundant existing supply of private lands in areas
where communities are located. The state owns
very little land within or adjacent to existing
communities. Where the state does own land in or
near communities, a high priority will be placed on
offering the land for disposal or using it for com-
munity purposes such as schools, airfields, etc.
Borough lands in areas adjacent to communities are
generally designated "borough land bank" — a
category which maintains the option to sell these
areas in the future while retaining the lands in
borough ownership in the near term.
The state will be in a good position to meet future
needs for settlement lands associated with resource
development, simply because the state owns large
tracts of land in remote areas where future projects
might occur. Where there is a near term possibility
of major resource development, for example the
development of coal reserves in Beluga, the plan
designates specific areas to support workcamps or
townsites. In other areas where there is some future
possibility of resource development but the exact
locations are not yet known, for example develop-
ment of mineral resources in the Talkeetna
Mountains, the plan is flexible enough to
accommodate these possible settlement land needs.
The last goal, provision of accessible high amenity
land for recreational/seasonal settlement, is met by
allocating new lands for settlement and relying on
existing private lands and the unsold portions of past
state offerings. Because of the location of state lands
relative to employment opportunities, most disposal
lands will be used for recreational/seasonal or
investment purposes, at least in the near term. New
land designated for future disposals for this type of
use is concentrated in the Petersville Road, Glenn
Highway, Lake Louise, South Parks Highway and
Susitna Lowlands subregions. In these subregions
state land is relatively accessible. Land offerings in
the more remote subregions generally also will
provide some high amenity areas for recreational/
seasonal use. The relative quality of these areas is
expected to rise as access improves over the twenty
year life of the plan. Borough land, much of which
has very high quality for recreational/seasonal
settlement, generally will be designated "borough
land bank." An exception is borough land sur-
rounding Larson Lake and Amber Lake which is
designated for settlement and which the borough
hopes to offer for sale after roads are constructed
into the areas.
Regarding the location of sales, overall the plan
strives to concentrate settlement areas. To the extent
state lands are available, sales are
concentrated in the vicinity of existing settlement
areas, for example, near Trapper Creek and
Talkeetna. Concentrating sales provides greater
efficiency in the provision of public services and
facilities and allows retention of blocks of public
land for other uses (e.g., forestry, mining, public
recreation and habitat protection). However, to
reduce the impacts of disposals on existing rural
residents, substantial amounts of land within and
near disposals will be retained in public ownership
to protect public access, water quality and habitat
and to provide areas for public recreation and
woodlots.
40
Settlement
- TABLE 1 —————
ACREAGE IDENTIHED FOR SETTLEMENT ON STATE
(includes agricultural
SUBREGION
AND TYPE OF
OFFERING '
North Parks Hwy
New Offerings
Reofferings
South Parks Hwy
New Offerings
Reofferings
Petersville Road
New Offerings
Reofferings
Sunflower Basin
New Offerings
Reofferings
Susitna Lowlands
New Offerings
Reofferings
Beluga
New Offerings
Reofferings
Mt. Susitna
New Offerings
Reofferings
Alaska Range
New Offerings
Reofferings
Lake Louise
New Offerings
Reofferings
Glenn Hwy.
New Offerings
Reofferings
TOTALS
New Offerings
Reofferings
LANDS
homesteads and spring
GROSS AREA
(ACRES)
22,000
— —— —
38,020
6,400
41,000
29,790
62,300
26,130
47,630
165,420
5,440
27,650
37,210
16,320
————
5,125
46,080
25,230
____
290,715
311,030
'85 offerings)
NET AREA
(ACRES)
2,610
— — — —
10,330
— ———
9,490
1,570
6,620
5,590
13,775
29,970
1,400
7,430
4,800
3,330
————
1,125
4,600
5,750
——— —
61,860
46,530
In addition to land disposal, the state will meet demand
for recreational/seasonal settlement through opening
portions of the Susitna area to construction of privately
owned cabins under the remote cabin permit program.
Under this program, individuals can get a permit
allowing use of five acres for construction of a cabin
without gaining title to the land. The permits are for
at least 25 years. Finally, the state will institute a system
of public use cabins on appropriate public lands. Such
a system will provide the public with an inexpensive
recreational cabin experience and will provide the
public an alternative to buying land and building a
cabin.
_
ACREAGE IDENTIFIED FOR SETTLEMENT ON
BOROUGH LANDS
SUBREGION
AND TYPE OF GROSS AREA NET AREA
OFFERING (ACRES) (ACRES)
South Parks Hwy
New Offerings 8,000 1,870
Petersville Road
New Offerings 9,030 3,630
Glenn Hwy
New Offerings 1,550 470
TOTALS 18,580 5,970
GRAND TOTALS 601,745 108,390
"Acres shown as reofferings are planned land sales within the
boundaries of areas previously offered under the remote parcel
program. These areas will be offered primarily as homesteads. No
figures on land available over-the-counter from past subdivisions
are shown. It is estimated that approximately, 8,000 acres in over
1,400 unsold, subdivided parcels are available over-the-counter
in the Susitna area.
41
SUBSURFACE RESOURCES AND MATERIALS
1. GOALS
A.Mineral and Energy Supplies. Make metallic and
non-metallic minerals, coal, oil and gas, and
geothermal resources available to contribute to the
energy and mineral supplies and independence of
the United States and Alaska.
B.Economic Development. Contribute to Alaska's
economy by making subsurface resources available
for development, which will provide stable job
opportunities, stimulate growth of secondary and
other primary industries, and establish a stable
source of state revenues.
C.Environmental Quality and Cultural Values.
When developing subsurface resources, protect the
integrity of the environment and affected cultures
to the extent feasible and prudent.
D.State Support for Mining. Aid in the development
of infrastructure (ports, roads, railroads, etc.) and
continue to provide geologic mapping and technical
support to the mining industry.
2. MINERAL, MATERIAL AND COAL
DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES
A.Mineral and Coal Exploration. Recognized
exploration methods for beatable minerals will be
allowed on all state lands unless specifically closed
to prospecting and will be subject to the conditions
of a land use permit.
Prospecting for coal may be permitted adjacent to
anadromous fish streams (other than those
protected in specific corridors); however, if a lease
is given, the Department reserves the right to restrict
surface entry where it determines the surface values
are significant enough to warrant such a restriction.
Decisions on surface entry for coal adjacent to
streams will be made in consultation with the
affected agencies.
B.Open to Mineral Entry. All state lands that are
open to mineral entry are multiple use areas where
mineral development will be accommodated and
encouraged consistent with applicable state law and
the policies of this plan.
C.Reclamation of Mined Land. Land use permits
and plans of operation for mineral development and
gravel extraction will specify measures needed to
return the land to a useful state. Determination of
the specific measures to be taken and whether or
not a performance bond will be required will be
done in consultation with the affected agencies.
Specific measures may include: storage and reuse
of top soil; disposal of overburden; regrading of
tailings and revegetation; reestablishment of natural
(not necessarily original) contours; reestablishment
of natural drainage system; long-term erosion
control measures; and, removal of equipment,
improvements and other man-made items.
DAccess for Mineral and Coal Development.
Existing roads should be used to provide access to
mine sites wherever feasible.
Access across tundra, wetlands, and other
environmentally sensitive areas will be managed in
a manner that minimizes damage. (See also Trans-
portation, this chapter.)
E.Unauthorized Use of State Lands. The
Department will place a high priority on taking
appropriate action against construction of illegal
structures, blocking public access, or other
unauthorized use of public lands for private
purposes. This will include taking appropriate action
against mining claimants who are using their claims
for facilities that are not necessary for prospecting,
extraction or basic mining activities. In carrying out
this policy, emphasis will be placed on unauthorized
uses that are obstructing significant settlement,
public recreation or other public uses or obstructing
public access.
F. Control of Visual Impacts. Guidelines will be
developed as necessary through the land use permit
or leasing process to minimize the adverse visual
impacts of mining especially in settled areas,
recreation areas, and in areas viewed from roads.
In such areas, guidelines should consider, at a
minimum, the following items: control of solid
wastes; removal of vegetation; siting of mining
structures, tailings and overburden; roads; and
rehabilitation of mining sites.
GApproval of Plans of Operation. DNR may
approve plans of operation required for locatable
mineral leases if the plans adequately address the
guidelines of an area plan and DNR has consulted
with and given careful consideration to the
recommendations of ADF&C and DEC. Violation
of the plan of operations is cause for enforced
cessation of operations, if after a reasonable period
of time a negotiated solution cannot be reached
with the operator, or in the event of repeated
violations.
42
Subsurface Resources and Materials
3. GUIDELINES FOR LAND SALES IN
AREAS WITH MINERAL, MATERIAL, OR
COAL POTENTIAL.
A.Land Sales in Areas with High Mineral or
Material Potential. Generally, land sales will not
occur in areas of high mineral potential; areas with
claims in good standing; or areas containing sand
and gravel deposits, rock sources or other similar,
high value material resources.
B.Land Sales in Areas with High or Moderate
Coal Potential. Generally, land sales will not occur
in areas of existing coal leases, or areas of high coal
potential as defined in 11 AAC 85.010. Land sales
should be avoided in areas of moderate coal
potential as defined in 11 AAC 85.010 except where
land sales are determined to be the highest and best
use of the land.
steads will be reopened for mineral entry and
location unless it is determined that the settlement
pattern that has resulted creates significant
irreconcilable land use conflicts.
E. Lands proposed for exchange or trade will be closed
to mineral entry and location at the time a
preliminary agreement to exchange the land is
reached.
F. Lands reserved for transfer to another public agency
for development of a public facility or reserved as
a future townsite will be closed to mineral entry and
location at the time the area is classified "reserved
use."
5. GUIDELINES FOR THE APPLICATION
OF THE LOCATABLE MINERAL LEASING
PROGRAM.
4. GUIDELINES FOR THE APPLICATION
OF LOCATABLE MINERAL CLOSURES.
Locatable mineral closures are the most extreme
management tool that can be employed by the
Department to resolve subsurface and other resource
conflicts. Therefore:
A. Before an area can be closed to beatable mineral
entry and location, the Commissioner must
determine that the tangible and intangible surface
values to be protected are significant and that other
management options are not adequate to protect
the surface resources should subsurface resources
be developed (see AS 38.05.185(a));
B. The area to be closed to mineral entry and location
will be limited to the minimum necessary to protect
the continued productivity and availability of the
surface resources being protected;
C.Land scheduled for commercial, industrial,
agricultural, or subdivision sale will be closed to
mineral entry and location at the end of the first year
of the LADS process, (i.e., approximately two years
prior to the anticipated sale of the land.)
D.Lands available for homesteading (including
agriculture homesteading) will be closed to mineral
entry and location at the end of the first year of the
LADS process (i.e., approximately two years prior
to the anticipated sale of the land). These areas will
remain closed until the allowed number of home-
stead entries has occurred. At that time those
portions of the project area with few or no home-
Requiring that beatable mineral developments occur
under a lease is a more flexible management tool than
mineral closure. Therefore:
A. Mineral leasing is preferred over mineral closure as
a management option to resolve conflicts between
other significant resources and mining of beatable
minerals.
B. Mineral leasing should be
Commissioner determines
intangible resource values
significant and that other
cannot adequately resolve
between those resources
38.05.185(a)), or where the
land in full fee estate or has
other interests in the land.
used only where the
that the tangible and
to be protected are
management options
the potential conflict
and mining (see AS
state does not own the
previously disposed of
C.The area where beatable minerals will be
developed under lease will be limited to the
minimum necessary to protect the continued
productivity and availability of the resources being
protected.
D.Concurrent with the designation of an alrea as being
open to beatable mineral entry under lease only
due to potential conflicts between other resources
and mining, DNR, after consultation with ADF&G
and DEC, will identify the other resources needing
protection and state the general nature of
stipulations to be used in leases to protect those
other resources.
43
Subsurface Resources and Materials
6. CATEGORIES OF RESOURCE VALUES
THAT MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH COAL
OR MINERAL DEVELOPMENT AND MAY
BE CONSIDERED FOR CLOSURE,
LOCATABLE MINERAL LEASING, LAND
USE STIPULATIONS OR OTHER
MANAGEMENT.
In some circumstances the Commissioner may find
that the following categories of resource values require
either locatable mineral leasing or closure, or a
prohibition of coal leasing and prospecting to protect
their continued productivity and availability. In other
circumstances, care during mineral development is all
that may be necessary to protect these resources. It
is impossible to predict the degree of conflict that could
occur between mining and any other resource value
in all circumstances. Therefore, the following cate-
gories of resource values will be evaluated to deter-
mine if locatable mineral closure, locatable mineral
leasing, prohibition of coal leasing or prospecting, or
another management option is needed to protect the
continued productivity and availability of the resource
in conflict.
The decision to apply mineral closures or locatable
mineral leasing will be made by the commissioner
within the parameters set by the Alaska Statutes. AS
38.05.185(a) requires that the Commissioner make a
determination that mining is incompatible with a sig-
nificant surface use before an area can be closed to
mining. The same section of the statutes requires the
commissioner to make a determination that there is
a potential use conflict before requiring the develop-
ment of locatable minerals under a lease.
A.Retained lands with significant commercial,
industrial, or public use values
• Lands with significant coal, oil and gas, timber
or other commercial potential.
• Lands recognized as future transportation cor-
ridors where access for pipelines, road, railroads,
or other surface transportation infrastructure
could be blocked or impeded by mining claims.
(After the alignment is established, areas will be
reopened if they are surplus land.)
• Lands and waters that provide unique or unusual
opportunities for the human use and enjoyment
of fish or wildlife, including fishing, hunting, trap-
ping, photography, and viewing.
• Lands and waters that provide significant recrea-
tion opportunities, such as clearwater rivers that
are now or are expected to be important for
recreation, key public access sites, and recrea-
tion facilities.
44
• Lands and waters that are the watershed of a
community water supply.
• Sand and gravel pits, stone quarries or other
significant known material sites that might be lost
to public use if mineral claims were staked.
B.Retained Lands with Significant Fish or
Wildlife Resources
• Lands and waters that support protected species
of plants, fish or wildlife (e.g., bald and golden
eagles), threatened species (e.g., tundra and
trumpeter swans or peregrine falcons), or en-
dangered species (e.g., short-tailed albatrosses
and eskimo curlews).
• Lands and waters that support production or
maintenance of fish or wildlife species which
have significant economic, recreational, scientific,
educational or cultural values or which have
been given special protection through state or
federal legislation or international treaty.
• State game refuges, critical habitat areas and sanc-
tuaries. In decision memorandum #44 signed by
the Commissioner in January of 1984 the Depart-
ment did set the statewide policy that in legisla-
tively established Critical Habitat Areas and
Wildlife Refuges mining will occur under lease.
Also, individual legislatively designated areas may
be recommended for mineral closure, but such
a closure would be decided on a case-by-case
basis using the criteria found in AS 38.05.185(a).
• Other lands and waters not included above that
are known to support unique or unusually large
assemblages of fish or wildlife.
7. MATERIALS GUIDELINES
A.Preferred Material Sites. When responding to a
request for a material sale or identifying a source
for materials, the highest priority should be given
to using existing upland material sources. Using
materials from wetlands, lakes and the active* or
inactive* * floodplain of rivers or streams should be
avoided unless no feasible alternative exists. Sales
or permits for gravel extraction will not be permit-
ted in fish spawning beds.
' Active floodplain — (he portion of the floodplain that
is flooded frequently; it contains flowing channels, high-
water channels, and adjacent bars, usually containing little
or no vegetation.
"Inactive floodplain — the portion of the floodplain that
is flooded infrequently; it may contain high-water and aban-
doned channels and is usually lightly to heavily vegetated.
Subsurface Resources and Materials
B.Material Extraction from Sensitive Areas.
Material extraction from wetlands, lakes, or stream
corridors (including the active and inactive
floodplain) should occur only after design consulta-
tion with ADF&G, DOT/PF, DPOR, DGGS and
ADEC.
If the only feasible and prudent source of gravel is
an active or inactive flood plain of a stream or river,
the following guidelines* will be used, in addition
to the design consultation required above, to mini-
mize negative impacts of material extraction on
other resources and uses.
1. Stream types should be selected for material ex-
traction based on the following order of
preference (most to least preferable): braided,
split, meandering, sinuous, and straight. This
order of preference reflects the availability of
gravel from exposed bars: the largest volumes are
available from braided systems and the least from
straight systems. An additional factor is the
decreasing floodplain width of the stream types
identified above. Wider floodplains allow extrac-
tion further from the river channel itself, reduc-
ing environmental impacts.
2. Generally the largest river feasible should be
selected for a gravel operation in a given area.
Larger rivers have higher volumes of gravel and
wider floodplain. The proportionally smaller
disturbance in large river systems will reduce the
overall effect of gravel removal.
3. Mining gravel from active channels should be
avoided to reduce detrimental effects on water
quality, aquatic habitat, and biota. However, if
hydraulic changes can be minimized, in-channel
sites will replenish more rapidly than other areas
and effects on the terrestrial biota and scenic
quality of the floodplain will be avoided or greatly
minimized.
Before gravel is extracted from the active
floodplain or channel of a stream or river DGGS
should be consulted to ensure that the planned
operation does not exceed the annual rate of
gravel deposition and cause upstream erosion.
It is particularly important for DGGS to establish
the rate of deposition in rivers or streams when
large quantitiesof gravel will be taken from the
active floodplain or channel over long periods
of time.
4. Whenever possible, avoid vegetated habitats.
* These guidelines are adopted from: "Gravel Removal
Studies in Arctic and Subarctic Floodplains in Alaska,"
U.S.F.W.S., Biological Services Program, June 1980. More
detailed guidelines are continued in the "Guidelines
Manual" that accompanies that report.
5. When scraping gravel in active or inactive
floodplains, maintain buffers that will contain ac-
tive channels to their original locations and
configurations.
6. When small quantities of gravel are required
(approximately 50,000 m3), select sites that have
only unvegetated gravel deposits.
7. When large quantities of gravel are required (ap-
proximately in excess of 50,000 m3), select large
rivers containing sufficient gravel in unvegetated
areas, or select terrace locations on the inactive
side of the floodplain and mine by pit excavation.
8. If pit excavating is used, design a configuration
with high shore line and water depth diversity and
provide islands.
9. If mining in vegetated areas, save all overburden
and vegetative slash and debris to use during site
rehabilitation to facilitate vegetative recovery.
This material should be piled or broadcast in a
manner so it will not be washed downstream.
C.Maintaining Other Uses And Resources When
Siting and Operating Material sites. Before
allowing the extraction of materials, the manager
will ensure that the requirements of the permit or
lease give adequate protection to other important
resources and uses including, but not limited to: ex-
isting water rights; water resource quantity and
quality; navigation; fish and wildlife habitat and
harvest; commercial forest resources; recreation
resources and opportunities; historic and arch-
aeological resources; adjacent land uses; and ac-
cess to public or private lands. The disposal of
materials should be consistent with the applicable
management intent statement and management
guidelines of the plan.
The manager should also determine if other existing
material sites can be vacated and rehabilitated as a
result of opening a new material site.
D.Screening and Rehabilitation: Material sites
should be screened from roads, residential areas,
recreational areas and other areas of significant
human use. Sufficient land should be allocated to
the material site to allow for such screening. Where
appropriate, rehabilitation of material sites will be
required. For additional guidelines affecting material
extraction see policies under the section of subsur-
face resources.
8. OIL AND GAS GUIDELINES
Oil and gas guidelines are not addressed here. Oil and
45
Subsurface Resources and Materials
gas guidelines specific to a particular management unit
are found in Chapter 3. The Department's statewide
policies for oil and gas are found in the Five Year Oil
and Gas Leasing program and the Statewide Natural
Resources Plan. Specific stipulations for oil and gas ex-
ploration, development and production activities will
be developed and applied on a case-by-case basis for
each oil and gas lease sale using the lease sale process.
9. OTHER GUIDELINES AFFECTING
SUBSURFACE RESOURCES AND
MATERIALS.
A number of other guidelines may affect subsurface
resources and materials. For details of these guidelines,
see the following sections of this chapter:
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Transportation
Public Access
Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management and Borough Land Bank
10. RESOURCE ALLOCATION SUMMARY
Economic deposits of mineral resources are rare oc-
curences in nature and occupy a very small fraction
of the land. These deposits can be developed only
where and when they are found. As mineral deposits
often have little or no surface exposure, they can not
be readily inventoried as are surface resources, but
must be actively sought and discovered. For this
reason, the most practical way to encourage subsur-
face resource development is to maintain the max-
imum amount of land open to mineral location or
leasehold location.
The large majority (approximately 95%) of state- and
borough-owned subsurface lands in the Susitna Basin
are currently open to exploration and development
of locatable minerals and to coal leasing and prospec-
ting and will remain open under this land use plan.
However, this plan does close certain limited areas
to these activities. The areas closed are judged by
department geologists generally to have low or very
low mineral values. Oil and gas leasing is not pro-
hibited anywhere by the Susitna Area Plan.
Subsurface resource designations such as "minerals,"
"coal," or "oil and gas" generally are not applied as
primary or secondary surface land use designations.
This is because the problems in locating and measur-
ing subsurface resources make it difficult and poten-
tially misleading to apply primary and secondary desig-
nations in the same way these can be applied to sur-
face resources like timber. In order to make clear the
department's policy regarding subsurface resource
development, the plan provides a statement for each
management unit that the area is open or closed to
location and available or unavailable for leasing. In
management units that are open and available, mineral
development will be encouraged and accommodated
consistent with state law, areawide land management
policies of chapter 2, and the statements of manage-
ment intent and management guidelines in the affected
unit. Where a management unit is open to mineral
location and it has a primary surface designation such
as fish and wildlife, this surface designation will not
be construed to prevent mineral development.
A primary surface designation for minerals, coal, and
oil and gas is made in certain cases where there is cur-
rently intensive subsurface resource exploration and/or
development of statewide significance or likely to be
such activity in the next several years. In these areas,
as in areas that are open and available, subsurface
development will be encouraged and accommodated.
Other primary surface values will be protected,
however, in so far as possible through the application
of existing state laws and procedures, the policies in
the plan, and the provisions of such instruments as
SEEA lease stipulations and approved plans of
operation.
The following sections describe areas that are open
and closed to mineral entry and available and
unavailable for coal prospecting and leasing.
A.Lands Open to Mineral Location. Approximately
95% of the roughly 10 million acres of state and
borough lands in the Susitna Basin are open to
mineral location. Under this plan, all lands within
the Nelchina, Willow Creek, Yentna, Valdez and
the Chulitna mining districts — locations where the
majority of the region's mining has occurred and
is expected to occur in the future — will remain
open to mineral entry and location. In addition, the
large majority of mineral terranes rated as having
the best mineral potential in the region also remain
open.
B.Lands Available for Locatable Mineral Develop-
ment Under Lease. Approximately 55,000 acres
«.5% of the state and borough land in the planning
area) will be open to locatable mineral entry only
under a lease as a result of this plan. Areas restricted
to leasehold location are the lands surrounding nine
Dall Sheep mineral licks located in the Talkeetna
and Chugach Mountains.
46
Subsurface Resources and Materials
As a result of decision memorandum *44 signed by
the Commissioner in January '84, lands within three
existing game refuges — Susitna Flats, Palmer Hay
Flats, and Goose Bay State Game Refuges—are cur-
rently only open to locatable mineral entry under
a lease.
C.Lands Closed to Mineral Entry and Location.
Approximately 5% of the roughly 10 million acres
of public land within the Susitna Basin will be clos-
ed to new mineral entry and location. Virtually
all of this acreage lies within areas of low or very
low mineral potential (see below).
It is important to note that mineral closures and
other policies resulting from this plan do not alter
or replace existing regulations, nor do they affect
any existing mineral closures in the area. The areas
closed to mining described below are closed only
to new exploration or development activities; any
existing leases, prospecting permits, or claims will
not be affected. (Mineral closing orders will be
prepared for those areas in compliance with AS
38.05.185.)
The following categories of lands will be closed to
mineral entry in the Susitna Basin.
1. Lands identified for settlement, agriculture, com-
mercial, or industrial use. The plan designates ap-
proximately 700,000 gross acres for settlement
of which approximately 110,000 will be sold over
a twenty year time period. The actual areas that
will ultimately be closed as a result of these land
sales will be approximately 350,000 acres. (As
was described earlier in this chapter these areas
will not be closed to mineral entry until a disposal
project has gone through the first year of the
department's detailed disposal design process.)
This figure is greater than the amount of acres
to be sold because certain public lands directly
associated with sales areas (e.g., roads, trails,
woodlots, greenbelts) are also closed to mineral
entry. The figure is lower than the total number
of acres designated for settlement because after
some of these areas are offered for sale large por-
tions of the unsold areas will be reopened to
mineral entry.
2. Boatable clearwater rivers recommended for
legislative designation due to their existing public
recreational use, anadromous fish habitat, and
their uniqueness among rivers in the study area.
Specific rivers which will be closed are: the Tala-
chulitna River, Alexander River, the Kroto-Moose
(Deshka) system, Lake Creek, and the Talkeetna
River. On several of these streams selected tri-
butaries also will be closed, however, not those
tributaries judged to have high mineral potential.
3. Non-floatable, heavily used, clearwater
anadromous fish streams and selected tributaries.
Only the lower reaches of these streams, in areas
that do not have concentrations of existing
claims, will be closed. The only streams in this
category are Montana Creek, Sheep Creek, and
Goose Creek.
4. Certain areas proposed for legislative or ad-
ministrative designation primarily due to their
value for public recreation. The legislation that
created Nancy Lakes State Park (within the
Willow sub-basin) and Denali State Park has
already prohibited mineral entry in these areas.
The only new such areas recommended closed
by the Susitna Plan are the Jim-Swan Lakes area,
the proposed expansion of Long Lake Recreation
area and the Susitna Lake-Tyone Lake area. The
Jim-Swan and Susitna-Tyone areas receive heavy
hunting and fishing use; the Long Lake area is a
popular hiking and skiing areas. These three areas
are thought to have generally low mineral values.
5. Other smaller areas closed to new mineral entry
and location are described below.
• Small (less than 640 acres) recreation sites
• Transportation rights-of-way
• A 25,000 acre parcel at the junction of the
Yentna and Susitna Rivers with exceptional
recreation and habitat values; this area also has
a concentration of trumpeter swan nesting sites
and will be recommended for legislative
designation.
DJLands Available for Coal Leasing and Pro-
specting. Over 1.3 million acres of land in the Susit-
na Basin show high and/or moderate coal poten-
tial. An additional 2.4 million acres are estimated
to have low or unknown coal potential. Over 95%
of the study area's high and moderate coal poten-
tial areas will remain available for coal leasing. Ap-
proximately 50-60% of the low or unknown coal
potential areas will remain available for coal pro-
specting and leasing.
E. Lands Not Available for Coal Leasing or Pro-
specting. The 5% of the area with high or moderate
coal potential unavailable for coal leasing occurs
in two areas: in a portion of the Matanuska field
where limited land sales will occur in moderate
potential coal areas; and on some lands in the
Sunflower Basin subregion which will be unavail-
able due to the Lake Creek corridor.
The lands with low or unknown coal potential that
will not be available for coal prospecting and leasing
are lands where surface resources were deemed of
47
Subsurface Resources and Materials
higher value. Lands in this category are generally
the same lands closed to mineral location. These
areas are described below.
1 . Lands identified for settlement, agriculture, com-
mercial or industrial use and lands designated
resource management which contain large blocks
of agricultural soils. This category constitutes the
majority (approximately 50-60%) of the lands
unavailable to coal prospecting or leasing.
2. Clearwater rivers recommended for legislative
designation due to their existing public recrea-
tion use, anadromous fish habitat, and their uni-
queness among rivers in the study area. Specific
rivers which will be closed are: the Talachulitna
River, Alexander Creek, the Kroto-Moose
(Deshka) system, Lake Creek, and the Talkeetna
River. Other rivers will generally remain available
on a case-by-case basis.
3. Existing legislatively designated areas and certain
areas proposed for designation due to their public
recreation fish and wildlife values. These include
the following:
Palmer Hay Flats
Susitna Game Refuge (closed prior to plan)
Goose Bay (closed prior to plan)
Denali State Park (closed prior to plan)
Jim-Swan Lakes (12,480 acres)
Long Lake Recreation Area Expansion (1,200
acres)
Lake Susitna-Tyone Lake (137,600 acres)
Yentna-Lower Susitna Rivers (25,000 acres)
4. Transportation rights-of-way.
F. Lands Available for Oil and Gas Leasing. Oil
and gas leasing is not prohibited anywhere by the
Susitna area plan. However, in order to protect
recreation, fish and wildlife and other public values,
oil and gas exploration and development activities
will be sited and/or timed to mitigate impacts on
the fish and wildlife habitat and public use values
of the five streams proposed for legislative designa-
tion. Specific mitigation measures necessary to pro-
tect the values for which these river corridors were
designated will be developed as part of the lease
sale process. Mitigation measures will be developed
on a case by case basis considering timing, topo-
graphy, vegetation and other factors affecting the
impact of oil and gas exploration and development
activities on fish and wildlife, habitat and public use
values.
48
TRANSPORTATION
1. GOALS
These goals pertain to all forms of surface, air and
water transportation and all forms of utility or resource
transportation corridors.
A.Support Plan Designations. Develop a transpor-
tation system that supports the land use designa-
tions made by this plan and is integrated with other
area-wide transportation needs.
B.Minimize Costs. Develop a transportation system
having the lowest possible long run costs, including
construction, operations and maintenance.
C.Minimize Adverse Impacts. Develop a transpor-
tation system with minimal adverse impact on the
aquatic environment, the terrestrial environment,
and aesthetic and cultural features.
DPromote Efficiency. Develop a transportation
system that uses energy efficiently and encourages
compact, efficient development patterns.
E.Ensure Public Safety. Develop a transportation
system with a high standard of public safety.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A. Identification of Potential Transportation
Routes. This plan provides general recommenda-
tions for transportation routes necessary to support
the land use designations made. However, more
detailed route alignment and feasibility analysis must
be completed before the routes can be considered
final.
To the extent feasible and prudent, DNR will avoid
actions incompatible with the eventual construction
of potential transporation routes identified in this
plan until final decisions are made on the feasibili-
ty of these routes.
B. Access Plans for Land Disposals or Resource
Development Projects. Prior to a land disposal
or the initiation of a resource development project
DNR will identify appropriate means of access and
responsibilities for design, construction and
maintenance of any proposed transportation
facilities. Access plans will be developed in consulta-
tion with DOT/PF and affected local governments.
C.Joint Use and Consolidation of Surface Ac-
cess. Joint use and consolidation of surface access
routes and facilities will be encouraged wherever
it is feasible and prudent to do so. Surface access
also should be sited and designed to accommodate
future development and avoid unnecessary duplica-
tion. The feasiblity of using an existing route or facili-
ty should be evaluated before the use of a new route
or facility is authorized.
DProtection of Hydrologic Systems. Transporta-
tion facilities will, to the extent feasible and prudent,
be located to avoid significant effects on the quality
or quantity of adjacent surface water resources, or
detracting from recreational use of the waterway.
1. Stream crossings should be avoided. When it is
necessary to cross a stream in road construction,
the crossing should be as close as possible to a
90 angle to the stream. Stream crossings should
be made at stable sections of the stream channel.
2. Construction in wetlands, flood plains and other
poorly drained areas should be minimized, and
existing drainage patterns maintained. Culverts
should be installed where necessary to enable
free movement of fluids, mineral salts, nutrients,
etc.
3. Bridges and culverts should be large enough to
accommodate or positioned to avoid 1) altering
direction and velocity of stream flow, and 2) inter-
fering with migrating or spawning activities of fish
and wildlife. Bridges and culverts should span the
entire nonvegetated stream channel and be large
enough to accommodate the 25-year peak dis-
charge (where known). Bridges and culverts
should provide adequate clearance for boat,
pedestrian, horse and large game passage when-
ever these uses occur or are anticipated at signifi-
cant levels.
4. Recontouring of disturbed streambanks and
revegetation or other protective measures should
occur to prevent soil erosion into adjacent waters.
5. During winter, snow ramps, snow bridges or
other methods should be used to provide access
across frozen rivers, lakes and streams to avoid
the cutting, eroding or degrading of banks. These
facilities should be removed immediately after
final use.
6. All transportation facility construction and
maintenance should comply with water quality
standards of the State of Alaska.
E. Protection of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Important fish and wildlife habitats such as riparian
areas, wildlife movement corridors, important
wintering or calving areas, and threatened or en-
dangered species habitat should be avoided in siting
transportation routes unless no other feasible and
49
Transportation
prudent alternatives exist. Location of routes and
timing of construction should be determined in con-
sultation with the Department of Fish and Game.
F. Protection of Cultural Resources. Known
historic and archaeological sites should be avoided
during construction of transportation facilities unless
no feasible and prudent alternative exists.
G.Road Pull-Outs. Where road corridors contact
streams, habitat corridors or other areas of expected
recreational use, sufficient acreage should be
retained in public ownership to accommodate
public access, safety requirements, and expected
recreational use. The size and location of pullouts
should be determined in consultation with the
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Depart-
ment of Transportation and Public Facilities and
Department of Fish and Game.
H.Timber Salvage From Rights-of-Way. All timber
having high value for commercial or personal use
should be salvaged on rights-of-way to be cleared
for construction.
I. Material Sites. To minimize the construction and
maintenance costs of transportation facilities,
material sites should be located as near to material
use as practicable. It is recommended that the State
Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and
the Department of Transportation inventory and
analyze potential gravel sources near proposed
transportation corridors to locate the required
material sites.
Material sites should be screened from roads,
residential areas, recreational areas and other areas
of significant human use. Sufficient land should be
allocated to the material site to allow for such
screening. Where appropriate, rehabilitation of
material sites will be required.
For additional guidelines affecting material extrac-
tion see policies under the section on subsurface
resources.
J. Off-Road Vehicle Activity. Most off-road vehicle
activity does not require a permit on state lands.
By statute and regulation, off-road use of vehicles
such as snowmachines, jeeps and small all-terrain
vehicles does not require a permit if it takes place
on open public domain land and is occasional and
infrequent or intermittent. Such activity may require
a permit on lands designated by the Department
of Natural Resources as "special use" lands (depen-
ding on the restrictions made for each particular
area) and usually requires a permit on state park
system lands, fish and game sanctuaries, refuges and
critical habitat areas and for crossing anadromous
fish streams. In addition, repeated off-road vehicle
activity in a given area and activity by larger vehicles
may require a permit on any state lands.
When permits are issued for vehicle use off roads,
they will require that disturbance of soils, vegeta-
tion, fish and wildlife populations, drainage patterns,
water quality and authorized land uses be minimiz-
ed. Operations should be scheduled when adequate
snow and ground frost are available to protect the
ground surface, or should require the use of low
ground pressure vehicles, avoidance of problem
areas, or other techniques to protect areas likely to
be damaged. (See also Wetlands Management
Guidelines, this chapter.) Before issuing permits the
land manager will consult with affected agencies.
In addition, off-road vehicle permits generally
should not be given for vehicle use in important
wildlife habitats during sensitive periods. If such
vehicle activity is essential and there is no practical
alternative, it should be allowed only as an occa-
sional use. This policy will be applied only when
significant wildlife populations are likely to be pre-
sent. The Department of Fish and Game will be con-
sulted to help identify important habitat areas and
sensitive periods that might warrant this restriction.
K.Roadless Areas. Some areas may be designated
by the state and local governments as roadless and
managed to exclude construction of new roads, in
order to protect particular resources or forms of
resource use. Settlement projects may be included
in roadless areas. Roadless areas would be desig-
nated in the course of transportation planning, the
disposal project review process, or other interagen-
cy decision process conducted with public
participation.
L. Scenic Highways. The studies, Scenic Resources
along the Parks Highway (ADNR, 1981) and Denali
to Wrangelt-St. Elias (ADNR, 1982) should be con-
sulted for additional information on scenic resources
during planning for management activities that are
likely to result in significant changes to visual quality
along these routes.
M.Other Design Standards. For other guidelines af-
fecting the design of transportation structures see
DOT/PF's "Preconstruction Guidelines."
N.Other Guidelines Affecting Transportation. A
number of other guidelines may affect transporta-
tion. For details of these guidelines, see the follow-
ing sections of this chapter:
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Recreation
Settlement
50
Transportation
Subsurface Resources and Materials
Public Access
Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management and Borough Land Bank
51
INSTREAM FLOW
1. GOAL
Maintain water quantity and quality sufficient to pro-
tect the human, fish, and wildlife resources and uses
of the region.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A.Studies and Reservations to Support Plan. In
accordance with applicable statutes, regulations and
procedures, give support to instream flow studies
and reservations that are necessary to protect and
promote resource values and uses identified in this
area plan for streams and other waterbodies.
B.Streams and Uses to Consider. All streams and
other waterbodies that are retained wholly or in part
in public ownership for their public values should
be considered for instream flow reservations. Ad-
ditional streams and other waterbodies may be iden-
tified for consideration.
Under DNR's statutes reservation of instream flow
is possible for four types of uses:
1. Protection offish and wildlife habitat, migration
and propagation; instream flow reservations to
protect habitat may be made for streams that: (a)
have significant anadromous or resident fish pop-
ulations; (b) flow into wetlands that support
significant waterfowl, furbearer or other wildlife
populations; or, (c) provide the water supply
needed for other habitat types that support sig-
nificant wildlife populations;
2. Recreation and park purposes;
3. Navigation and transportation purposes; and,
4. Sanitary and water quality purposes.
C.Priorities. High priority streams and other water-
bodies for instream flow study and possible reser-
vation are identified in Chapter 4, Implementation.
These have been identified because of their high
public values particularly for habitat and recreation
and the high potential for conflicts with these values
from resource developments.
D.Process for Determining Reservations. The pro-
cess of determining instream flow reservations
should include the following steps for each stream
or other waterbody.
1. Identify the management objectives.
2. Estimate the quantity of water seasonally available
by direct measurement (hydrograph), predictive
methods (regional hydrographic models) or other
appropriate methods.
3. Determine the quantities of water already
appropriated.
4. In consultation with appropriate agencies, use
site-specific studies or other information to deter-
mine the instream flow requirements for the
resources and uses to be protected. For habitat
resources this will require cooperative work and
consultation with the Alaska Department of Fish
and Game to identify necessary conditions for
rearing, staging, reproduction, spawning, over-
wintering and migration of valuable fish and
wildlife resources.
5. Specify in advance: (a) study methods; (b) agency
or other responsibilities for every aspect of the
studies, including funding; (c)schedule for the
studies; and, (d) responsibility for applying for
instream flow reservation.
52
LAKESHORE MANAGEMENT
1. GOALS
A.Recreation. Protect and enhance a variety of
lakeshore public recreation opportunities. Protect
visual quality of lakeshores.
B.Habitat. Protect fish and wildlife habitat along
lakeshores.
C.Private Ownership of Land. Provide opportunities
for private ownership of lakeshore property.
D.Water Quality. Maintain water quality.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A.Land to be Retained. All islands and at least 50
percent of all public land within 500 feet of the
lakeshore will be retained in public ownership and
not made available for remote cabin permits on all
lakes with significant recreation values; retained
lands shall include 50 percent of the actual shore-
line. These percentages may be increased or
decreased on a case-by-case basis if topography,
amount of use or other local conditions warrant.
A significant portion of the lakefront land retained
in public ownership should be suitable for recrea-
tional activities. Where feasible, the publicly
retained land should include the land adjacent to
lake inlets and outlets.
B.Easements and Setbacks. Where lakefront pro-
perty is conveyed to private ownership or made
available for remote cabin permits, a minimum
public access easement of 50 feet will be reserved
along the shoreline, and a minimum building set-
back of 100 feet will be required.
C.Varitety of Management Strategies. DNR,
through its management of land surrounding dif-
ferent lakes, will provide a full spectrum of public
and private recreation opportunities. While there
are a great variety of possible lakeshore manage-
ment strategies, in the Susitna region DNR will at-
tempt to provide at least the following three general
types of lake-related land use opportunities:
1. Wilderness Lakes — lakes that will be protected
in their natural state. This will be accomplished
through retention of land surrounding the
lakeshore so that people using the lake general-
ly do not encounter the sights and sounds of
human development. The minimum provisions
of guidelines A and B above will be expanded
as necessary to achieve this.
2. Recreational Development Lakes — lakes
managed to retain a primarily natural character.
This typically will be accomplished through ap-
plying guidelines A and B above and, in addition,
retaining in public ownership the majority or all
of the land within at least 200 feet of the entire
shoreline, while allowing residential and recrea-
tional development in some areas near the lake
beyond this buffer.
3. General Development Lakes — lakes man-
aged to allow a mixture of natural and developed
uses. On these lakes the minimum lakeshore
protection standards described above in A and
B would apply.
Prior to land sales around a lake with significant ex-
isting or potential recreational or habitat values,
DNR will determine through an interagency pro-
cess the most appropriate long term management
for the lands surrounding the lake.
D.Structures in Fish Habitat. (See Fish and Wildlife
Habitat guidelines, this chapter.)
E. Water Intake Structures. (See Fish and WildMfe
Habitat guidelines, this chapter.)
F. Other Guidelines Affecting Lakeshore Manage-
ment. A number of other guidelines may affect
lakeshore management. For details of these
guidelines, see the following sections of this chapter:
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface Resources and Materials
Transportation
Public Access
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
53
PUBLIC ACCESS
1. GOAL
Maintain or enhance access to publicly owned land
and resources by protecting rights-of-way or publicly-
owned corridors such as trails, winter roads, river cor-
ridors, etc.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A.Retain Access. Retain access sites and corridors
in public ownership, or retain sufficient rights to
lands that the state leases or sells, where appropriate
to protect or improve public access to areas with
significant public resources.
B.Reservation of Access. Appropriate public access
will be reserved when land is conveyed to private
ownership. Section line easements should not be
vacated unless alternative physically useable public
access can be established. To the extent feasible,
public access rights through private use areas and
along public waters should be retained.
C.Access for Development. When an access route
is constructed for resource development, existing
public access should be maintained or improved
to mineralized areas, recreation, fish, wildlife, and
forest resources, agriculture areas and other public
resources.
DAdequate Access Rights. Where practical and
within the limits of available funding, full public
rights of access should be provided when roads are
constructed by state or local governments. Perpetual
exclusive easements should be acquired when the
state acquires access rights across property in other
ownerships.
E.New Access. Where new or additional access is
warranted, such access should be provided on
public land where possible. Where suitable public
land is not available, attempts should be made to
arrange for such access across private land. Possi-
ble means of doing this include easements granted
by land owners, state purchase of limited rights, fee-
simple purchase of the land or land exchange.
F. Limiting Access. Access to public lands may be
curtailed at certain times to protect public safety,
to allow special uses and to prevent harm to the
environment. Examples of conditions that may
justify limiting public access are fire management,
timber harvest operations, and high soil moisture
content when traffic may cause extensive damage
to roads and trails.
GPurchase of Access Sites. Public appropriations
may be requested to purchase -access sites,
easements or reservations to public use areas and
to proposed settlement and agricultural projects.
H.Other Guidelines Affecting Public Access. A
number of other guidelines may affect public access.
For details of these guidelines, see the following
sections of this chapter:
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Foresty
Settlement
Subsurface Resources and Materials
Transportation
Lakeshore Management
Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
* See also the Transportation and Trails Management -.ei'lions ol
this chapter.
54
STREAM CORRIDORS
1. GOALS
A.Recreation. Provide opportunities for a variety of
recreational activities within stream corridors, in-
cluding both wilderness and developed recreational
activities.
B.Habitat. Protect riparian fish and wildlife habitats.
C.Private Ownership of Land. Provide opportunities
for private ownership of land near streams.
D.Water Quality. Protect water quality to support
domestic uses, fish and wildlife production and
recreational activities.
E. Forest Products. Where consistent with the
management objectives of a stream corridor, pro-
vide for the harvest of timber from riparian forests.
2. MANAGMENT GUIDELINES
A. Priority of Public Uses in Stream Corridors. As
a general rule, ADNR will set a higher priority on
protecting public use values in stream corridors than
providing opportunities for private ownership of
land. However, the Department recognizes the
strong demand for property along streams and will
provide land for private purchase in some stream
corridors. Prior to the disposal of stream corridor
lands, DNR, in consultation with 6ther affected
agencies and the public, will assess existing and pro-
jected public use needs associated with the stream
corridor. Disposals near streams with important
recreation value will be designed to protect access
to and along the stream for fishing, hiking, camp-
ing and other recreational activities.
B.Retention of Publicly Owned Buffers as a
Management Tool in Stream Corridors.
1. When the management intent for land adjacent
to a stream is to permit uses such as fishing, pic-
nicking, hunting, timber harvest, building fires,
camping or other similar active uses,public own-
ership of stream buffers should be used rather
than easements to provide for these uses. These
buffers will not be opened to remote cabin
permits.
2. In state subdivisions, stream buffers should, in all
cases, either be retained in public ownership or
dedicated to the public or the local government.
If streams in subdivisions have recreation or
habitat values of regional or statewide impor-
tance, or are identified as public waters, buffers
should be retained in state ownership.
3. Publicly owned buffers adjacent to a stream may
be retained along the full length of the stream or
on the segments determined to have high cur-
rent or future public use and habitat values.
C.Retention of Access Easements as a Manage-
ment Tool in Stream Corridors.
1. When the primary management intent is to pro-
tect the public's right to travel along a stream
bank rather than to establish a public use area,
an easement should be used to protect this right.
The public rights reserved in an easement shall
be explicitly defined and normally will include
only the right of ingress and egress, inclusive of
the right to pause briefly to observe wildlife, take
photographs or rest. On a case by case basis the
state may reserve other rights (e.g., the right to
fish or to picnic) as necessary to protect the public
interest. (The public use rights protected by
previously established easements are not affected
by this policy.)
2. Easements along streams should establish the
right to travel by foot, dogsled, horseback and
snowmobile. On a case-by-case basis the right
to travel by all-terrain vehicles and wheeled
vehicles may be reserved, where doing so is in
the public interest. Easements should be reserved
for roads or railroads only if they are planned for
construction.
3. Easements and publicly owned buffers may be
used in combination on a stream to provide
opportunities for private ownership near the
stream while protecting public use or habitat
values on other portions of the stream. Therefore,
although easements should not be used where
significant public use is to be encouraged, they
may be used on portions of a stream with impor-
tant public recreation and habitat values when
most portions of the stream are retained for public
use.
D.Establishing Widths of Publicly Owned Buffers,
Easements and Building Setbacks in Stream
Corridors.
1. Widths of publicly owned buffers along streams
will vary according to management intent. In add-
ition, the buffer width for any given stream may
vary along the stream course depending on topo-
55
Stream Corridors
graphy, vegetation and land ownership. Estab-
lishing buffer widths for particular streams will be
based, at a minimum, on objectives for the
following: recreational activities to be accom-
modated, habitat protection and management,
noise abatement, visual quality, water quality,
prevention of erosion of the riverbank (in which
case the buffer should be widened to compen-
sate), and land disposal.
2. Although buffer and easement widths may vary
among streams, a basic level of consistency is
needed to avoid confusion about the widths of
public use and access areas along the state's
many streams and because it would be pro-
hibitively expensive to establish by fieldwork and
site analysis separate buffer widths for each
stream corridor. The following guidelines are in-
tended to establish a reasonable degree of con-
sistency in buffer and easement widths:
a. When it is determined that a publicly owned
buffer is appropriate, a standard minimum buf-
fer width of 200 feet landward from the or-
dinary high water mark on each bank generally
should be established. This width may be
reduced to a minimum of 100 feet on each
bank in individual cases when consistent with
the management objectives of the stream
corridor.
b. As a general standard, publicly owned buffers
of at least one-fourth mile landward from the
ordinary high water mark on each bank should
be retained on streams recommended for legis-
lative designation as State Recreation Rivers to
be managed as part of the State Park System.
Exceptions to this policy may be made where
land ownership, topography, or the nature of
anticipated public uses in a stream corridor
warrant.
c. When it is determined that a public access
easement will be reserved on land adjacent to
a stream, a minimum easement of 50 feet land-
ward from the ordinary high water mark on
each bank will be reserved.
d. In all cases where land is sold near a stream
a minimum building setback of 100 feet land-
ward from the ordinary high water mark on
each bank will be established.
E. Permits and Leases for Non-Water-Dependent
Uses. Permit?., leases, and plans of operation for
non-water-dependent commercial and industrial
uses, transportation facilities, and pipelines will,
where feasible and prudent, require setbacks be-
tween these facilities and adjacent water bodies to
maintain streambank access and protect adjacent
fish habitat, public water supplies, and public
recreation. The width of this setback may vary
depending upon the type and size of non-water
dependent use, but will be adequate to maintain
public access to riparian areas and to protect water
quality in accordance with water quality standards
established by DEC. Adjacent to designated ana-
dromous fish waters this setback will, to the extent
feasible, never be less than 100 feet landward of or-
dinary high water.
Where it is not feasible and prudent to maintain a
setback adjacent to fish habitat, public water sup-
plies or recreational waters, other measures will
be implemented to meet the intent of this guideline.
F. Structures in Fish Habitat. (See Fish and Wildlife
Habitat guidelines, this chapter.)
G.Water Intake Structures. (See Fish and Wildlife
Habitat guidelines, this chapter.)
H Alteration of the Hydrologic System. To the ex-
tent feasible channelization, diversion, or damm-
ing that will alter the natural hydrological conditions
and have a significant adverse impact on important
riverine habitat will be avoided.
I. Soil Erosion. Soil erosion will be minimized by
restricting the removal of vegetation adjacent to
streams and by stablizing disturbed soil as soon as
possible.
J. Other Guidelines Affecting Stream Corridors.
A number of other guidelines may affect stream cor-
ridors. For details of these guidelines, see the follow-
ing sections of this chapter:
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface Resources and Materials
Transportation
Instream Flow
Public Access
Trails Management
Wetlands Management
56
TRAIL MANAGEMENT
1. GOALS
A.Public Use Opportunities. Ensure continued op-
portunities for public use of important recreation,
public access and historic trails of regional and
statewide significance.
B.Local Trails. Assist in establishing local trail systems
that provide access to community recreation areas.
C.Trail Corridors. Protect or establish trail corridors
to meet projected future use requirements as well
as protecting current use.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A.Special Trail Corridors. These are trails that re-
quire unusual widths or management practices
because of historical significance or unique values.
Management guidelines should be developed for
such trails on a case-by-case basis. As a general
policy special trails will be protected by publicly-
owned corridors. These corridors will generally be
wider than the 100 foot minimum trail buffer width
established for trails of regional or statewide
significance in C below.
The Iditarod Trail Those portions of the Iditardd
Trail in state and borough ownership will be pro-
tected by a public ownership corridor 1000 feet
wide (500 feet each side of the centerline). This
width allows flexibility to reroute the trails within
the corridor, combine motorized and non-motor-
ized uses on separate trails within the corridor, and
include a visual and sound buffer between the
recreation corridor uses and adjacent uses. To
minimize potential land use conflicts or the impact
of the trail's existence on adjacent land uses, the
corridor width may be expanded or reduced. These
width adjustments, as well as rerouting of the trail
corridor, may be permitted in specific instances with
the consultation of the Alaska Division of Parks. The
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Trail Committee shall
also be consulted if rerouting the trail corridor is
proposed. The trail corridor width may be reduced
to a minimum total width of 400 feet where the
adjacent land use would not adversely affect the trail
experience. Such adjacent uses might include
farming, grazing, personal use or commercial timber
harvesting, habitat enhancement, or similar low
intensity uses. A corridor wider than 1000 feet may
also be desirable in certain instances to incorporate
high quality adjacent land features and scenery or
where adjacent land use such as high density
residential, industrial, or commercial uses would
adversely affect the trail. No permanent structures
or equipment should be placed within the trail
corridor if they could adversely affect the trail
experience. Where necessary, trail crossings may
be permitted to allow access to lands on both sides
of the trail. Crossings should be limited to a few
discrete areas rather than scattered crossings many
places along the trail.
B.Neighborhood and Community Trails. Local
trails which are not of regional or statewide
significance will be identified and protected through
management plans or disposal design under guide-
lines recommended in the Department's subdivi-
sion design manual. The following criteria should
be used to determine whether a local trail should
be protected by easement or public ownership:
1. If the trail is of regional or statewide importance
or connects to a public open space system, it will
be kept in public ownership.
2. If the trail is to be used almost entirely by
residents of a subdivision, but it provides more
than just pedestrian access, for example, if it pro-
vides a multiple-use greenbelt for jogging, bik-
ing, etc., it should be dedicated to the public or
local government.
3. If the objective is to provide local pedestrian
access that is not part of an integrated
neighborhood or community trail system, an
easement may be used. This would typically
occur when the purpose is to establish access be-
tween two lots in order to improve pedestrian
circulation within a subdivision where a greenbelt
and neighborhood trail system does not provide
adequate access or where it is impractical to
establish such an integrated trail system.
4. In cases of land disposal projects other than sub-
divisions — for example land opened to
homesteading — either a publicly owned buffer
or an easement will be used to protect designated
trails. If a trail has the characteristics described
in 1 or 2 above, it will be retained in public
ownership. If it has the characteristics described
in 3, an easement will be reserved.
C.Standard Trail Corridor of Regional or
Statewide Significance. This category includes
the majority of trails on state land that will be iden-
tified in area or management plans. These trails
generally provide foot, dogsled, horse and
sometimes vehicle access for a variety of purposes.
57
Trait Management
Most have a history of public use and can be ex-
pected to see increased use as the state's popula-
tion increases. The following guidelines are intended
to insure consistent management practices on such
trails throughout the state while allowing some flex-
ibility to tailor management decisions on site specific
conditions.
Trail Buffer Width. Trails of regional or statewide
significance on state land shall be protected by
publicly-owned corridors that have a minimum
width of 100 feet (50 feet each side of centerline).
This buffer should be designed to protect the quality
of the experience of the user and to minimize
negative effects such as noise or dust from adjacent
land uses. Buffer widths may be increased to
minimize land use and ownership conflicts, to pro-
tect the privacy of adjacent landowners, to separate
motorized from non-motorized uses, to allow future
siting of public facilities, to allow flexibility for
rerouting, or to adopt a trail to specific public uses
or aesthetic or environmental concerns. Buffer
widths may vary along the length of a trail because
of the above considerations. The width of a buffer
on any portion of a trail should also be based on
the management intent for adjacent public land as
expressed through applicable land use plans.
However, in no case should the width of the buf-
fer be less than 100 feet. Trail buffers should be
designed in consultation with affected divisions of
DNR, ADF&G, DOT/PF and local trail committees.
Activity areas of 10-40 acres may be identified along
trails for camping areas, rest areas, etc.
D.Identification of Trails. Prior to lease or disposal
of public lands, trails that merit consideration for
protection by one of the methods described in 2A
through 2C above should be identified. When iden-
tifying trails, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough trails
plan (Comprehensive Development Plan — Trails,
Mat-Su Borough, July 1984), theSus/fna Basin Land
Use/Recreation Atlas (DNR/USDA Soil Conservation
Service, 1980) and Alaska's Existing Trail System
(Div. of Technical Services, ADNR, 1984) should be
consulted. The Division of Land and Water Manage-
ment will be the lead agency for identification of
trails not included in these documents and will con-
sult with the other divisions of DNR, DOT/PF and
ADF&C when identifying trails. In addition, any
agency, organization or individual may identify
public trails to be considered for protection.
E.Land Use in Corridors. To the extent feasible and
prudent, land use activities within a trail corridor
— for example, permits, leases, timber sales and
material sales — will be managed so as to not
adversely affect trail use or the aesthetic character
of the trail. This does not preclude trail crossings
or rerouting of trails as described below.
F. Rerouting Trails. Rerouting of trails for a short
distance may be permitted to minimize land use
conflicts or to facilitate use of a trail if alternate
routes provide opportunities similar to the original.
If trails are rerouted, provision should be made for
construction of new trail segments if warranted by
type of use. Rerouting trails should be done in con-
sultation with affected Divisions of DNR, DOT/PF,
ADF&G and local trail committees. Historic trails
which follow well-established routes should not be
rerouted unless necessary to maintain trail use.
G.Trail Crossings. When it is necessary for
powerlines, pipelines or roads to cross trail cor-
ridors, crossings should be at 90 angles when feasi-
ble. An exception is when a trail corridor is
deliberately combined with a public utility or
transportation corridor. Where feasible, vegetative
screening should be preserved when a utility crosses
a trail corridor.
H.Other Guidelines Affecting Trail Management.
A number of other guidelines may affect trail
management. For details of these guidelines, see the
following sections of this chapter:
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface Resources and Materials
Transportation
Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Stream Corridors
Wetlands Management
58
WETLANDS MANAGEMENT
1. GOAL
Protect Wetland Values. Protect the hydrologic,
habitat and recreational values of public wetlands.
Land management practices will be directed at
avoiding or minimizing adverse impacts on the follow-
ing important functions of wetlands.
A.Water quality: Wetlands serve to filter nutrients
and sediment from upland run-off.
B.Water supply: Wetlands serve to stabilize water
supplies by storing excessive water during flooding
and by recharging groundwater during dry periods.
C.Habitat and recreation: Wetlands provide impor-
tant feeding, rearing, nesting, and breeding grounds
for many species; related recreational use and
aesthetic values also are important.
2. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
A.Definition of Wetlands. For purposes of inven-
tory and regulation of wetlands, ADNR will use the
definition adopted by the State of Alaska under the
regulations of the Coastal Management Program (6
ACC 80.900(19):
Wetlands includes both freshwater and saltwater
wetlands. Freshwater wetlands means those
environments characterized by rooted vegetation
which is partially submerged either continuously
or periodically by surface freshwater with less
than .5 parts per thousand salt content and not
exceeding three meters in depth; saltwater wet-
lands means those coastal areas along sheltered
shorelines characterized by halophilic
hydrophytes and macro-algae extending from ex-
treme low tide to an area above extreme high
tide which is influenced by sea spray or tidally-
induced water table changes.
For purposes of these management guidelines,
wetlands are further divided into three classes: Class
I, wetlands larger than 100 acres and all wetlands
with a beatable stream outlet (the stream shall be
considered part of the wetland); Class II, wetlands
between 40 and 100 acres with no outlet; and Class
III, wetlands less than 40 acres with no outlet.
B.Retention of Wetlands in Public Ownership.
Class I and II wetlands generally will be retained
in public ownership. Based on field inventory and
analysis, however, DNR may determine, after con-
sultation with affected agencies, that a Class I or If
wetland does not have sufficiently high water quali-
ty, water supply, habitat, and/or recreation values
to merit public ownership.
Class III wetlands will be evaluated on a case-by-
case basis to determine whether public retention
or other measures are necessary to protect their
values.
C.Retention of Land Adjacent to Wetlands.
1. Class I wetlands and certain surrounding lands
(buffers) should remain in public ownership
whenever feasible. A Class I wetland buffer shall
include, at minimum, a 100-foot strip adjacent
to the wetland. Restrictive use covenants and
public access easements rather than public
ownership may be used to protect Class I
wetlands and associated buffers under conditions
specified in D below.
2. Class II wetlands and certain surrounding lands
(buffers) should remain in public ownership
whenever feasible. A Class II wetland buffer shall
include, at minimum, a 60-foot strip adjacent to
the wetland.
Restrictive use covenants and public access
easements, rather than public ownership may be
used to protect Class II wetlands and associated
buffers under conditions specified in D below.
3. Class III wetlands will be dealt with on a case-
by-case basis through the public land disposal
process or applicable public land management
plans.
D .Restrictive Use Covenants and Public Access
Easements. Class I and II wetlands (including outlet
streams) and associated buffers should remain in
public ownership whenever feasible. Restrictive use
covenants and public access easements may be
used rather than public ownership under the
following conditions:
1. Where the configuration of the wetland is
such that surveying the meandering boun-
dary of the wetland would be excessively ex-
pensive. In this case an aliquot-part (rectangular)
survey rather than a meander survey may be us-
ed along the edge of the wetland. This may result
in small portions of wetlands being conveyed to
private ownership. Restrictive use covenants and
public access easements shall be applied to en-
sure that those portions of wetlands and assoc-
iated buffers conveyed to private ownership re-
main in a natural state and that public access and
use are maintained.
59
Wetlands Management
2. Where an entire wetland is included with a
parcel of land to be sold for private use. In
this case the wetland and associated buffer may
be conveyed to private ownership with restric-
tive use covenants which ensure that the wetland
and associated buffer remain in a natural state.
If there is a stream outlet from such a wetland,
public access easements shall be reserved adja-
cent to the outlet and the wetland.
E. Dredge and Fill Permits in Wetlands. Permits
for dredging and filling in wetlands, including per-
mits for gravel extraction and the construction of
roads and pads, will not be granted unless it is deter-
mined that the proposed activity will not cause
significant adverse impacts to important fish and
wildlife habitat or important ecological processes,
or that no feasible and prudent alternative exists.
Where it is not feasible and prudent to avoid such
activities, other mitigative measures will be con-
sidered to meet the intent of this guideline.
F. Operation of Heavy Equipment in Wetlands.
Permits issued for activities that require the use of
heavy equipment in wetlands that have important
hydrologic, recreation or habitat values will, to the
extent feasible and prudent, require that damage
to wetlands and wetland vegetation be avoided.
Winter access only should be used in or across
wetlands whenever feasible. DNR will consult with
other affected agencies prior to issuing such permits.
G.Other Guidelines Affecting Wetlands Manage-
ment. A number of other guidelines may affect
wetlands management. For details of these
guidelines, see the following sections of this chapter:
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface Resources and Materials
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Stream Corridors
Trails Management
60
USE OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND BOROUGH
LAND BANK DESIGNATIONS
1. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
A.Resource Management — High Value This
designation is used when land has all four of the
following characteristics:
1. Significant existing or potential value for more
than one land use when the uses are not com-
patible and one or more of the potential uses re-
quires land disposal (i.e., settlement or
agriculture);
2. Inadequate existing information to establish the
highest values of the land for the long term;
3. No existing road access, nor likelihood of access
being developed in the next 5 to 10 years. Ac-
cessible lands are defined as those within 5 miles
of roads that can be traveled by 4-wheel drive
vehicles; and
4. Resource development (e.g., farm development,
timber harvests, habitat enhancement) is unlikely
in the next 5 to 10 years.
B.Resource Management — Low Value This
designation is used for lands with no significant ex-
isting or potential resource values for either public
use or private development. Examples of this
category include mountaintops, ice fields and large
wetlands with little hydrological or habitat values.
Under a resource management designation, lands
will be available for public use in the near term, pro-
vided that the uses are not detrimental to the poten-
tial long term uses identified when the resource
management classification was established. For ex-
ample, timber may be harvested from potential
agricultural areas designated resource management
as long as the agricultural potential is not
diminished.
Resource management designations will be
reevaluated either:
1) When plans are reviewed (at least every 5
years); or,
2) When conditionsaffecting the potential use of
the area change, for example, when road ac-
cess is improved or when better information
is available on the benefits/costs of a possible
use.
Reevaluation will be done through an interagency
planning team, and with public review.
NOTE: in areas where retention values are high and
where there is low potential for settlement or
agricultural use, or where retention values are
known to be greater than potential disposal values,
land generally is designated for retention rather than
resource management.
2. BOROUGH LAND BANK
Most Matanuska-Susitna or Kenai Peninsula Borough
lands will be designated by the plan "borough land
bank." This category signifies that an area will be re-
tained in borough ownership at least in the near term
and managed for various public uses (public recrea-
tion, forestry, etc.). In the long term, however, many
of these areas may be used for settlement or agricul-
ture. Lands in this category are not committed to either
long term retention or near term sales.
61
Chapter 3
LAND MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOR EACH
MANAGEMENT UNIT
NORTH PARKS HIGHWAY SUBREGION ............ 69
SOUTH PARKS HIGHWAY SUBREGION ............ 85
PETERSVILLE ROAD SUBREGION .................. 131
SUNFLOWER BASIN SUBREGION .................. 165
SUSITNA LOWLANDS SUBREGION ................ 191
MT. SUSITNA SUBREGION ....................... 251
BELUGA SUBREGION ............................ 285
ALASKA RANGE SUBREGION ..................... 301
LAKE LOUISE SUBREGION. ....................... 313
GLENN HIGHWAY SUBREGION ................... 331
TALKEETNA MOUNTAINS SUBREGION ............. 375
CHUGACH MOUNTAINS SUBREGION ............. 393
photograph by Pete Martin
63
CHAPTER 3
LAND MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOR EACH
MANAGEMENT UNIT
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter land management policy is presented
for specific sites within the planning area. The chapter
is organized into 12 subregions. A map of these areas
is shown on the following page (and in Chapter 1).
Subregions are presented on the pages and in the order
shown on the divider sheet at the beginning of this
chapter. Subregions are further divided into manage-
ment units. A management unit is an area that is
generally homogenous with respect to resources, topo-
graphy and land ownership.
Each subregion section is divided into two parts. The
first is an overview of resources and their management
for the subregion as a whole. The second presents
specific land management policy for each manage-
ment unit is the subregion. A map showing land
ownership in the subregion and boundaries of man-
agement units and subunits is presented at the end
of the second part.
The land management policies presented for each
management unit are described below:
A. Statement of Management Intent — The state-
ment of management intent defines near and long-
term management objectives for the management
unit and the methods to achieve these objectives.
B.Land Use Summary Chart — These charts include
primary and secondary surface land use designa-
tions, prohibited uses, subsurface resource manage-
ment policy and land ownership. The land use
designations provide a quick picture of planned uses
within a unit, but they must be used in conjunc-
tion with the statement of management intent for
the complete explanation of management policy.
C.Management Guidelines — This section includes
management guidelines that apply only to a specific
management unit and a reference to applicable
area-wide management guidelines in Chapter 2.
D.Maps of Land Ownership and Management
Unit and Subunit Boundaries — units are
divisions of land within management units.
Surface and Subsurface Land Use
Designations
The plan presents separate land use designations for
surface and subsurface resources. The plan designates
the primary and secondary surface land uses that are
permitted. A primary surface use is one that is of
major importance in a management unit or subunit.
The unit will be managed to encourage this use, and
its conservation and/or development. A secondary
surface use is permitted within a management unit
or subunit when its occurrence will not adversely af-
fect achieving the objectives for the primary uses. A
secondary use may be the main use for a limited area
of the management unit. For example, within a man-
agement unit where the primary uses are forestry and
public recreation, a small area may be identified for
land disposal and private recreational development.
The plan also identifies prohibited surface uses
within each unit. These are uses that will not be per-
mitted anywhere in the unit without a plan amend-
ment. In an area identified as critical habitat, for ex-
ample, construction of year-round roads may be pro-
hibited. Uses that are not specifically prohibited may
be permitted on a case-by-case basis if the Alaska
Department of Natural Resources (for state land) and
the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (for borough land)
determine the proposed uses are consistent with the
statement of management intent for the unit in ques-
tion and applicable management guidelines.
Subsurface resource designations such as "minerals,"
"coal," "oil and gas" generally are not applied as
primary or secondary surface land use designations.
This is because the problems in locating and measur-
ing subsurface resources make it difficult and poten-
tially misleading to apply primary and secondary
designations in the same way these can be applied to
surface resources like timber. In order to make clear
the department's policy regarding subsurfce resource
development, the plan provides a statement for each
management unit as to whether the area is open or
closed to location and available or unavailable for leas-
ing. In management units that are open/available,
mineral development will be encouraged and accom-
modated consistent with state law, the areawide land
management policies of Chapter 2 and the statements
of management intent and management guidelines in
the affected unit. Where a management unit is open
to mineral location and it has a primary surface
designation such as wildlife habitat, this surface
designation will not be construed to prevent mineral
development.
A surface designation for primary use minerals, coal
and oil and gas is made in certain cases where there
is intensive subsurface resource exploration and/or
development of statewide significance or likely to be
65
such activity in the next several years. In these areas,
as in areas that are open/available, subsurface develop-
ment will be encouraged and accommodated. Primary
surface values will be protected, however, in so far
as possible through the application of existing state
laws and procedures, the policies in the plan, and the
provisions of such instruments as SEEA lease stipula-
tions and approved plans of operation.
Management Guidelines
Most public lands will be managed for multiple use.
For this reason, the plan establishes management
guidelines that will allow various uses to occur without
serious conflicts. Management guidelines can direct
the timing, amount, or specific location of different
activities in order to make the permitted uses com-
patible. For example, timber harvests along anadro-
mous streams will be designed to protect habitat values
in the stream corridors.
Areas Proposed for Legislative or Admini-
strative Designations
A number of areas in this plan are recommended for
legislative or administrative designations as state
recreation rivers, state forests, state parks, wildlife
refuges or public reserves. The areas recommended
for these special designations are lands and waters with
outstanding public values that should remain in public
ownership permanently. Legislative designations (e.g.,
state forests) must be established by the Alaska
Legislature. Administrative designations (e.g., public
reserves) can be established by the governor. For more
information on specific proposals for special designa-
tions see the "Priorities for Legislative and Ad-
ministrative Designation" section of Chapter 4.
designated may be permitted if they are not inconsis-
tent with the management intent for a particular
management unit. This plan should not be construed
to preclude site decisions which are in compliance
with the management intent and guidelines herein.
A related point is that this plan will not provide direct
answers to many of the site specific issues frequently
encountered by state and borough land managers. A
plan that deals with a region the size of the Susitna
Area cannot provide a predetermined answer to, for
example, a question related to a proposed com-
munication site on a ridge of the Chugach Mountains.
The plan can, however, make clear the general man-
agement objectives for the area in question and
thereby provide the basis for a more informed
decision.
Definitions
Definitions of terms used frequently in this chapter are
given in a glossary presented on Appendix B of this
plan.
Flexibility of the Plan
The large majority of land addressed by this plan will
be managed for multiple use. The land use designa-
tions shown on the maps and charts in this chapter
are not intended to be inflexible. Uses not shown may
be permitted on a case-by-case basis if the Alaska
Department of Natural Resources (on state land) and
the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (on borough land)
determine they are consistent with the statement of
management intent for the management unit in ques-
tion and consistent with applicable management
guidelines. Boundaries of land use designations shown
on the following maps may be modified through on-
the-ground implementation activites (site planning,
disposal, etc.) as long as modifications adhere to the
intent of the plan. For example, field surveys may be
necessary to delineate precisely the wetland bound-
aries shown on management unit maps. In addition,
through implementation of the plan, uses not originally
66
Susitna Study Area
PengllNotlonal Pdrk and Preserve
Denali State Park
^•_ i ! - i i\.< y I~lalkeetna Mountains
migach Mountains
SUBREGION
BOUNDARIES
LEGEND
The Susitna Area is divided into 12 large
subregions for issue and resource analysis. A
description of the resources and land manage-
ment policies for each of these subregions is
presented in this chapter. Lands within Denali
State Park, Denali National Park and Preserve
are not addressed by this plan.
Lands Not Addressed by this Plan (Denali
State Park, Denali National Park).
JUNE 1985
NORTH PARKS HIGHWAY
SUBREGION
^SP^SmoSoiSii^T^ENALI NATIONAlmmm^Mmnar PARK ANHPPK.^,,
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
69
NORTH PARKS HIGHWAY SUBREGION
The following section describes land use policy within
the North Parks Highway Subregion. It is divided in-
to two parts. The first part provides an overview of
resources and their management for the entire sub-
region. The second part presents specific statements
of management intent, land use designations, pro-
hibited uses and management guidelines for each of
the subregion's three management units. A map show-
ing land ownership in the subregion and boundaries
of management units and subunits is presented at the
end of the second part.
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
Background
The North Parks Highway Subregion encompasses the
Parks Highway and Alaska Railroad from the northern
border of Denali State Park (near Chulitna Pass) north
to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough boundary. It ex-
tends east to the Talkeetna Mountains and west to the
border of Denali National Park and Preserve. The
western portion includes part of the Alaska Range sur-
rounding the Ohio Creek Drainage. There are approx-
imately 223,300 acres in this subregion, of which
189,800 (85%) are state owned or selected, 26,800
(12%) are Native owned or selected, and 4150 acres
(2%) are owned by the federal government. Approx-
imately 1 % of the subregion (approximately 2500
acres) is in private ownership.
This subregion has high values for recreation, fish and
wildlife and minerals. The Parks Highway in this
subregion provides one of the most scenic drives in
the planning area. The area east of the Parks Highway
between North Chulitna Butte and Summit Lake (Mid-
die Fork Chulitna River) contains the finest terrain and
conditions for cross-country skiing along the entire
Parks Highway. It is largely a subalpine zone with
broad vistas of the Alaska Range and Talkeetna Moun-
tains. Winter recreation includes dog mushing,
snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, especially in
the area between Hurricane and Broad Pass. Summer
activities include hiking, fishing, floating and camp-
ing. Honolulu Creek and the Middle, East and West
forks of the Chulitna River are important salmon pro-
ducing streams for the Cook Inlet commercial fishery
and are also popular sport fishing areas. In addition,
these drainages support a good deal of trapping. The
Chulitna River is growing in popularity for floating and
boating trips. Moose, Dall sheep and caribou from the
McKinley Park herd also frequent this subregion.
There are many mining claims in this area. Claims are
primarily for gold (in the Colorado area particularly),
but also for tin (especially along the Ohio Creek
drainage). Most mining activity, however, occurs in
more remote areas closer to stream headwaters out-
side the subregion borders. In addition, subunit 2a in-
cludes a large limestone deposit, and sand and gravel
deposits exist throughout the subregion. There is no
oil and gas potential in this region and only very low
to low potential for coal. There is little potential within
this subregion for agriculture or grazing. There are only
limited areas with timber, but these provide wood for
personal use. State lands near the highway have poten-
tial for disposals for private recreation.
The Parks Highway and Alaska Railroad provide much
of the area with a high degree of accessibility, with
the exception of the southwest part of the area in the
Alaska Range. There are airstrips at Colorado and Sum-
mit, and several major trails lead from the highway
into the back country, including a jeep trail heading
northwest to the Dunkle Mine area. Approximately
two miles north of Hurricane Gulch there is a suspen-
sion bridge across the Chulitna River, providing foot
access to the west.
Management Summary
The overall intent for land management in this
subregion is to protect or improve recreation, fish and
wildlife and scenic values, while allowing mining and
a small number of land sales. To achieve this, the ma-
jority of public lands will be retained in public owner-
ship with primary designations for recreation and
wildlife habitat, and be open to mineral exploration
and development. An overview of management of
resources is presented below.
Settlement
A gross area of approximately 22,000 acres will be
available for sale in the North Parks Highway. This is
expected to yield net sales of approximately 2,610
acres.
New disposals will be offered near Colorado Station,
Pass Creek and Granite Creek. In addition, a small
amount of land will be identified for sale in the vicini-
ty of Antimony Creek and/or Hurricane Creek (see
Management Unit 3c). A large area west of the Chulit-
na River (over 100,000 acres) will be open for remote
cabin permits.
71
North Parks Highway
A summary of acreage proposed for sale in the
North Parks Highway Subregion is shown in Table
1, below.
TABLE 1
Acreage Identified for Settlement '
GROSS NET
STATE LAND AREA (ac.) AREA (ac.)
New
Offerings 22,000 2,610
F-: rtions of this subregion are within the current boun-
daries of the borough's Talkeetna Mountains Special
Use District (TMSUD). An ordinance regulates uses in
this area. The TMSUD ordinance allows land sales but
requires a permit before construction of a cabin.
Limitations on residential uses imposed by the TMSUD
ordinance include restrictions on subdivision, the size
and appearance of cabins, allowable water systems,
and the methods for sanitary waste disposal. Condi-
tions for issuance of a specific permit may be modified
on a case-by-case basis.
Agriculture and Grazing
There is little potential for agriculture or grazing due
to climatic limitations. There are no areas designated
for agricultural use.
Forestry
Timber resources are of limited extent but locally im-
portant for personal use. Forestry designations are
limited to secondary designations for personal use
within proposed settlement areas.
Fish and Wildlife
The Chulitna River and its tributaries support
anadromous fish, and the area provides habitat for
black bear, caribou and moose. Especially valuable
are winter habitat areas along the rivers. The major-
ity of the subregion will be retained in public owner-
ship and managed to protect fish and wildlife habitat
and use areas.
Recreation
Public recreational opportunities will be protected by
retaining the majority of the area in public ownership.
Protection of the scenic quality of the Parks Highway
corridor is a major objective. Several public recrea-
tion cabins are recommended for this subregion to
accommodate and encourage winter use of the area,
particularly between Hurricane and Broad Pass. In
addition, the planning team recommends develop-
ment of a commercial recreation facility in this area
to help support public use.
Subsurface
Mining and mineral exploration are, and will continue
to be, very important activities in this subregion. The
great majority of public lands will remain open to
mineral entry except in areas offered for disposal. In
areas easily viewed from the Parks Highway or Alaska
Railroad, guidelines and stipulations attached to
miscellaneous land use permits will be designed to
minimize adverse impacts of mining on scenic qual-
ity. Public lands in this subregion will be available for
coal leasing or prospecting except in areas offered for
disposal. All public lands will be available for oil and
gas exploration and development.
Transportation
No additional roads are proposed in the subregion at
this time, but DOT/PF is examining possible improve-
ments to the Parks Highway. The Colorado-Bull River
Road also could be improved in the next 10 years if
mining activity increases. Finally, one of the alternative
routes for the proposed Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline
follows the Parks Highway-Alaska Railroad corridor
through this subregion. Selection of this route would
result in additional transportation developments in the
subregion. Several sites on state land need to be ident-
ified and reserved for material sites to accommodate
DOT/PF's maintenance needs for the Parks Highway.
Chapter 4 includes a more detailed description of
possible transportation improvements. For this
subregion these include provision of parking areas
along the Parks Highway and upgrading of trails and
foot bridges.
In addition, there are four unsold surveyed parcels within In-
dian River Subdivision that remain available for sale.
72
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES
BY MANAGEMENT UNIT
MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - BROAD PASS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit is approximately 65% private
land (primarily Native or Native selected). It includes
most land immediately adjacent to the Parks Highway
and railroad from two miles south of Broad Pass north
to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough boundary. Gener-
ally, state land in this area should be managed to pro-
vide public recreation opportunities, and to protect
the quality of fish and wildlife habitat. The McKinley
Park caribou herd ranges into this area, as do moose
and sheep; the area is especially important for winter
recreation. All public lands in this unit are available
for oil and gas leasing. Public lands in this unit also
will remain open to mineral location and be available
for coal leasing.
This management unit has been divided into 2
subunits: the primarily private, Native and university
land from Broad Pass to Summit (1a), and the four
blocks of state land (1b). See the maps at the end of
this section for boundaries of these areas and the
accompanying chart for a summary of land uses.
Subunit la is primarily private land which is not af-
fected by this plan. There are five small parcels of
university land in this subunit, all of which border or
include land along the Parks Highway. Since there is
very little public land on or adjacent to the Parks
Highway in this unit, the possibility of trades should
be investigated so several public use sites can be re-
tained along the highway.
Subunit Ib will be managed to protect existing public
use values — public recreation, scenic values, and
wildlife habitat — by retaining land in public
ownership.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
* Recreation
Settlement
*Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
"Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below.
Submits la and Ib (Broad Pass Private Lands
and Broad Pass Public Lands)
Public Access
Trails and public access points from the highway and
railroad into the backcountry will be protected. Min-
ing or other development will not be allowed to block
public access.
Mining
In areas easily viewed from the Parks Highway or
Alaska Railroad, stipulations attached to miscellaneous
land use permits for mining operations will be designed
to minimize adverse impacts on scenic quality. Stipula-
tions should address reclamation; siting of processing
facilities, access roads and tailing piles; and other activ-
ities affecting visual quality.
Scenic Highways
The study Scenic Resources along the Parks Highway,
(ADNR, 1981) should be consulted for additional
information on scenic resources whenever planning
occurs for management activities which are likely to
result in significant changes to visual quality along the
Parks Highway.
73
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION North Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT J^BroadPass
SUBUNIT
la
Broad Pass-
Private
Lands
Ib
Broad Pass-
Public
Lands
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
Itetive/
Univer-
sity
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Primarily Private
Land
Public Recreatior
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
__
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc.. that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed If consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - ALASKA RANGE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit is that portion of the subregion
west of the Middle Fork of the Chulitna River and in
the foothills of the Alaska Range including the drainage
of Ohio Creek. The majority of land in this unit is rug-
ged, mountainous country above timberline. It is all
state owned or selected. The unit will be managed to
protect fish and wildlife values (caribou, sheep, and
to a lesser extent, moose), and to provide recreational
opportunities (especially hiking, cross-country skiing
and snowmobiling). All public lands in this unit are
available for oil and gas leasing. Public lands in this
unit also will remain open to mineral location and be
available for coal leasing.
This management unit is divided into two subunits:
lands around Paradise Lake (2b) and the remainder
of the management unit, including the Ohio Creek
Valley and Alaska Range (la). See the map at the end
of this section for boundaries and the accompanying
chart for a summary of land uses.
Subunit 2a will be retained in public ownership and
managed for wildlife habitat and recreation. Additional
recreational use of this area should be encouraged
through the remote cabin program, construction of
public use cabins or commercial recreation facilities,
and installation of footbridges across some of the
creeks running into the Chulitna River north of the
Susitna River.
Subunit 2b (Paradise Lakes) will be retained in public
ownership and managed for habitat and recreation.
Because of the high public recreation values around
the large lakes in this subunit, public use cabins are
recommended.
*Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 2a and 2b (Ohio Creek and Paradise
Lakes)
Mining
In areas easily viewed from the Parks Highway or
Alaska Railroad, stipulations attached to miscellaneous
land use permits for mining operations will be designed
to minimize adverse impacts on scenic quality. Stipula-
tions should address reclamation; siting of processing
facilities, access roads and tailing piles; and other ac-
tivities affecting visual quality.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
* Recreation
Settlement
* Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
75
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION North Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Alaska Range
SUBUNIT
2a
Ohio Creek
2b
Paradise
Lakes
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED
State/
State
Selected
State/
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreatior
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreatior
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Remote Cabins
SUBSURFACE
IDCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Closed to
grazing in
T22S R11W
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Closed to
grazing In
T21S R10W &
T21S R11W
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - CHULITNA RIVER
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit extends south from near Broad
Pass to the southern border of the subregion along the
Middle Fork of the Chulitna River. The management
unit contains a mix of public and private land. It will
be managed to provide public recreation opportunities
and protect fish and wildlife values while offering land
to the private sector for seasonal recreational settle-
ment. This is one of the few places in the planning
area where there is much state land along the Parks
Highway or Alaska Railroad — approximately 15 miles
of the highway and railroad within this unit are
bordered on at least one side by state land. All public
lands in this unit are available for oil and gas leasing.
Public lands in this unit also will remain open to
mineral location and be avaialable for coal leasing ex-
cept for existing and proposed disposal areas (subunits
3b, 3c, and 3e).
The management unit has been divided into five
subunits. The approximately 2,800 acres of private
and Native lands scattered throughout the manage-
ment unit comprise subunit 3a. Past disposal areas
comprise subunit 3b. The Antimony Creek subunit (3c)
is state land mostly east of the highway from near
Hurricane north to the East Fork Chulitna River. The
Middle Fork Chulitna River unit (3d) is public land
running along the Parks Highway north of Honolulu.
Subunit 3e includes all but one of the new disposal
offerings in the subregion. See the map at the end of
this section for boundaries of these areas and the
accompanying chart for a summary of land uses.
Subunit 3a is primarily private land. Private lands are
not affected by this plan.
Subunit 3b includes two areas that were open for
staking of remote parcels in the spring of 1984. The
Hurricane disposal has been closed to further offer-
ings, and any unstaked land will be retained in public
ownership and managed to protect habitat and public
recreation values. The area is an important fall and
winter moose concentration area and spring concen-
tration area for black bear. It supports a high diver-
sity of species. Recreational uses in the winter include
snowmobiling and cross-country skiing and in the
summer, hiking, fishing and camping. The Middle Fork
Chulitna remote parcel area is a smaller, more access-
ible area and has been heavily staked. Remaining un-
staked parcels will be retained in public ownership.
Subunit 3b also includes the existing Indian River
Subdivision (spring 1981) in which there are 4 unsold
lots remaining available over-the-counter.
In subunit 3c, sales of up to 500 acres (net area) of
land will be offered. The acreage shall be located in
either one or two sites, the location of which will be
determined by the Division of Land and Water Man-
agement in consultation with the Division of Parks and
Outdoor Recreation. The land remaining in public
ownership outside the sale area will be managed for
public recreation, wildlife habitat and timber harvest
for personal use.
Subunit 3d will be retained in public ownership and
managed to provide buffers and open space between
blocks of private land and settlement areas. This will
provide opportunities for hiking, cross-country skiing,
snowmobiling, and other types of recreation, and pro-
tect especially scenic views from the Parks Highway.
Subunit 3c is designated settlement. Within this area,
three disposal projects are proposed as homesteads
* Hurricane Addition (FY 86), Pass Creek (FY 86), and
Chulitna Bluffs (FY 86 or 87).
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most likely
to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list
below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
Management
Forestry
* Recreation
Permits
*Settlement
* Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore
* Public Access
Remote Cabin
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
77
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION North Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UMT 3 - Chulitna River
SUBUNIT
3a
Private
Land
3b
Chulitna
Bluffs,
Hurricane
Remote,
Indian R.
Subdivision
and
Middle Fork
Chulitna
Remote
3c
Ant imony
Creek/
Hurricane
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED
Private
State/
Private
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Primarily Private
Land
Settlement
(Past remote
parcel offerings
& existing
subdivisions)
Settlement
Public Recreation
SECONDARY USE(S)
__
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use)
Wildlife Hah.
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Set t lament
area closed
prior to
disposal;
other areas
remain open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasiog or
prospecting
Set t lenient
areas not
available for
coal leasing
or prospect-
ing; other
areas
available
Por^uiRiTmn
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Closed to
Grazing on
public lands
in past
Hurricane
remote parcel
area & Indian
River
subdivision
Remote Cabins
Port ions
closed to
Grazing (see
ragmt .
guidelines)
Remote Cabins
COMMENTS
Approximat eiy 4
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available over-
the-counter
in the Indian
River Subdivision
Estimated net
disposal area
=500 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION North Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Chulitna River
SUBUNIT
3d
Railbelt/
Chulitna
Butte
3e
Hurricane
Addn.
Pass Creek
i
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
___w
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLEMINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Portions
closed to
Grazing (see
ragmt.
guidelines)
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Closed to
grazing in
Hurricane
Addition &
Pass Creek
disposal areas
COMMENTS
_
Estimated net
disposed area
=2,210 acres
•Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
vo specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such usesj/vill be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
North Parks Highway 3
Subunits 3a, 3c, and 3d (Private Land, Anti-
mony Creek-Hurricane, and Railbelt-Chulitna
Butte)
Scenic Highways
The study Scenic Resources along the Parks Highway,
(ADNR, 1981) should be consulted for additional
information on scenic resources whenever planning
occurs for management activities which are likely to
result in significant changes to visual quality along the
Parks Highway. (See also Visual Quality Guideline for
subunit 3c below.
Subunit 3b (Hurricane)
Grazing
The lands remaining in public ownership within the
past Hurricane remote parcel area (the portions of
subunit 3b in T21S and 225 R11W P.M.) will be closed
to grazing because of the importance of this area for
brown bear and moose winter range.
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One set of improvements is proposed for this
subunit. These include a trail into the Hurricane
disposal area, improvements to the foot bridge across
the Chulitna River, acquisition of access to the bridge,
and a parking area along the Parks Highway. The
precise locations of the trail and facilities has not been
determined, although a general location is given on
the map in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in this
unit, such as land sales, leases or other actions should
be located so as not to preclude the option to develop
these facilities at feasible and efficient locations.
Subunit 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e (All Public Lands)
Mining
In areas easily viewed from the Parks Highway or
Alaska Railroad, stipulations attached to miscellaneous
land use permits for mining operations will be designed
to minimize adverse impacts on scenic quality. Stipula-
tions should address reclamation; siting of processing
facilities, access roads and tailing piles; and other activ-
ities affecting visual quality.
Subunit 3c (Antimony Creek-Hurricane)
Visual Quality
Land sales or other development along the highway
should be designed to have minimal impact on views
from the Parks Highway. This can be achieved by re-
taining land immediately adjacent to the highway,
locating sales that are on the east side uphill from the
80
road where they would be less visible or concentrating
sales in areas with existing development. Refer to
Scenic Resources Along the Parks Highway (DNR,
1981) for further details.
Location of Land Sales
Sales should be located to produce minimum impacts
on access and public recreation values, including Hur-
ricane Gulch. This can be accomplished by locating
sales east of the highway on the ridge and clustering
them to allow public use of other land in the area.
Recreation and Fish and Wildlife
Public access to the land surrounding the rest area and
picnic area in T20S R10W Section 26 will be retained
in public ownership.
Grazing
The portions of subunit 3c within Townships 21S
R10W, and 22S R11W (P.M.) will be closed to graz-
ing because of the importance of this area as moose
winter range and the presence of brown bear concen-
tration areas.
Subunh 3c and 3d (Antimony Creek-Hurricane
and Railbelt-Chulitna Butte)
Protection of Access
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. Improvements for these subunits include pro-
vision of parking areas along the Parks Highway to pro-
vide public access into adjacent land. The precise loca-
tion of these areas has not been determined, although
a general location is given on the maps in Chapter 4.
Land use authorizations in this unit, such as land sales,,
leases or other actions should be located so as not to
preclude the option to develop these facilities at feasi-
ble and efficient locations.
Subunh 3c and 3e (Antimony Creek-Hurricane
and Hurricane Addition-Pass Creek)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit uses such as
fishing, camping and other active uses and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently, this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using policies
in Chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer width
(200' on each side of the river) should be used on
Honolulu and Little Honolulu creeks, Antimony Creek,
Hardage Creek, Granite Creek and unnamed creeks
that appear on the 1:63,360 scale USGS topographic
maps. On the Chulitna River a wider corridor should
North Parks Highway 3
be retained. The wider buffer is intended to preserve
the visual quality and natural character along the river
for boaters and floaters and to allow for hunting in
addition to the uses identified above.
Subunit 3d (Railbelt-Chulitna Butte)
Grazing
The portions of subunit 3d within Township 33N R2W
(S.M.) will be closed to grazing because of the impor-
tance of this area as moose winter range.
Subunit 3e (Hurricane Addition and Pass
Creek)
Recreation and Access
In the proposed Pass Creek sale, land will not be sold
above 2,000' elevation.
Forestry
When sales are designed in this subunit, several sites
within the sale areas will be identified and reserved
for woodlots to provide timber for personal use.
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transporation
system. One such route passes through subunit 3e.
The precise location of this route has not been deter-
mined, although a general location is given on the
maps in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in this unit,
such as land sales, leases or other actions should be
located so as not to preclude the option to build this
road along a feasible and efficient route. In addition,
a trail into the Chulitna Bluffs area should be built and
parking facilities developed on the Parks Highway.
81
LAND STATUS NORTH PARKS HIGHWAY
FEDERAL
I I STATE
k\1 STATE SELECTED
V//A PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, eg., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
^
,Q•OoV*
^t3
£&K
'>
c^S
Map Scale 1:250,000
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Mt. McKinley
Healy
Talkeetna
Talkeetna Mts.
Tyonek
\\\
^W]
s^ Cf
®&>•Q'
BH
m
-O1
1(\
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary
designations; those in lower case letters are
secondary designations. Statements in ;fa//cs
indicate whether areas are open or closed to
mineral location and coal leasing; all areas
are available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT I - BROAD PASS
la PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native,
University)
Ib PUBLIC REC, WILDLIFE HAB.; Open
MGT. UNIT 2 - ALASKA RANGE
2a PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE
,_, HABITAT; remote cabins; Open
-\^ 2b PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE
1 ~ HABITAT; Open
MGT. UNIT 3 - CHULITNA RIVER
3a PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
3b SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel
offerings and existing subdivisions);
forestry, wildlife habitat, public rec.;
Closed
3c PUBLIC RECREATION, SETTLEMENT;
forestry, wildlife habitat: Settlement
Area Closed Prior to Disposal, Other
Areas Open
3d WILDLIFE HABITAT, PUBLIC
RECREATION; Open
3e SETTLEMENT; forestry, public
recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed Prior
to Disposal
SOUTH PARKS HIGHWAY
SUBREGION
DENALI NATIONAL loENALI_
PARK AND PRESERVE I""!5™1
Talkeetna Mountains
f Alaska
m Range*Susitna
Lowlands <Glenn Highway /'
<|jr *££ _. JyVr-iChugach Mountains
SUSFTN A STUDY AREA
85
SOUTH PARKS HIGHWAY SUBREGION
The following section describes land use policy within
the South Parks Highway Subregion. It is divided into
two parts. The first is an overview of resources and
their management for the subregion as a whole. The
second presents specific statements of management
intent, land use designations, prohibited uses, and
management guidelines for each of the subregion's
fourteen management units. A map showing land
ownership in the subregion and boundaries of man-
agement units and subunits is presented at the end
of the second part.
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
Background
The subregion encompasses the area from Chulitna
Pass south to near Little Willow Creek, west to the
Susitna and Chulitna Rivers and east to the foothills
of the Talkeetna Mountains. It includes a strip of land
along the Susitna River and Alaska Railroad in the
foothills of the Talkeetna Mountains just east of Denali
State Park. The lower portions of several river drain-
ages also are included — Montana Creek, Sheep River
and Sheep Creek, the Talkeetna River, and the North
Fork and mainstream of the Kashwitna River. The Parks
Highway south of the Susitna River bridge is includ-
ed in this subregion. (North of the bridge, it is within
the Petersville Road Subregion.)
The subregion contains approximately 496,600 acres,
of which approximately 61 % is owned or selected by
the State of Alaska, 13% is owned or selected by the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and 7% is owned or
selected by Native corporations. Past state and
borough land sales (including agricultural sales) and
other private land accounts for the remaining 19%.
The presence or proximity of the Parks Highway, the
Talkeetna Spur Road and the Alaska Railroad makes
much of the land in this subregion relatively access-
ible. However, little of the state-owned land is access-
ible by road. In addition to the railroad, Parks
Highway, and Talkeetna Spur Road, this subregion in-
cludes local roads (e.g., Caswell Lakes Road), trails
(particularly in the Talkeetna area), and airstrips at
Montana and Talkeetna.
This subregion receives a high level of recreation use.
Rivers in the area are important salmon producers for
the Cook Inlet commercial fishery and also support
some of the most popular sport fishing in the study
area, especially where the Parks Highway crosses ana-
dromous fish streams such as Sheep and Montana
creeks. These drainages also are important for com-
mercial trapping. Other recreational activities include
hunting, hiking, camping, boating, dog mushing,
snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Mining activity
is less than it was in the past, but there are still con-
centrations of claims just north of Talkeetna along
Chunilna Creek and at Gold Creek. Coal potential in
the area is low to very low and oil and gas potential
is unknown.
Much of the subregion, especially along the Talkeet-
na Spur Road, has agricultural potential. The state and
borough have sold agricultural lands at Talkeetna and
Bartlett Hills, and agricultural homesteads at Chase III.
Potential grazing land has been identified just east of
the subregion in the foothills of the Talkeetna Moun-
tains. Much of the land with agricultural potential also
has potential for settlement and commercial or per-
sonal use forestry. A number of state land disposals
have taken place in the subregion in recent years in-
cluding Talkeetna Bluffs, Talkeetna Bluffs Addition,
Bald Mountain Remote, Bald Mountain and Bald
Mountain South subdivisions, Chase, Chase II remote
and sub-division, Bartlett Hills subdivision, and Indian
River subdivision and remote parcel area.
Management Summary
The overall management goal for this subregion is to
preserve much of the character of the area by retaining
habitat and recreation lands, protecting visual qual-
ity along the highway, and maintaining low popula-
tion densities in some settlement areas, while providing
for future growth in the area. Because of the large
amount of private land on or adjacent to the Parks
Highway, most of the little remaining state-owned land
near the highway will be retained in public ownership
to provide recreation sites, material sites, woodlots and
open spaces, and to maintain visual quality along the
highway. A substantial percentage of other public
lands further from the highway will be retained in
public ownership for forestry, fish and wildlife habitat
and recreation. A moderate amount of state land will
be offered for disposal for settlement, including fee
simple (i.e., ownership of all surface rights) and
agricultural homesteads. Most borough land will be
designated borough land bank which signifies that the
areas will be retained in borough ownership at least
in the near term and managed for various public uses
including recreation, wildlife habitat and forestry. In
the long term, however, many of these areas may be
87
South Parks Highway
used for settlement or agriculture. Some borough land
is designated for long term retention (including land
along the Susitna River, along Birch Slough, and north
of Goose Creek). A small amount is designated for set-
tlement near Larson Lake.
Settlement
The majority of the public lands at lower elevations
have high potential for near term settlement due to
their relative proximity to access and existing com-
munities. More than 52,000 acres in the subregion
(over 10%) already have been offered for settlement
by the state and borough.
A summary of the acreage proposed for future disposal
in the subregion is shown in Table I. Approximately
10,330 acres of state land are recommended for
disposal over the next twenty years. Most of the offer-
ings will be subdivisions or non-agricultural home-
steads, with approximately 3,620 acres to be offered
as agricultural homesteads. Approximately 1,870 acres
of borough land are proposed for sale, and 54,000
acres of land are designated borough land bank.
Portions of this subregion are within the current boun-
daries of the borough's Talkeetna Mountains Special
Use District (TMSUD). A borough ordinance regulates
uses in this area. The TMSUD ordinance allows land
sales but requires a permit before construction of a
cabin. Limitations on residential uses imposed by the
ordinance include restrictions on subdivision, the size
and appearance of cabins, allowable water systems,
and the methods for sanitary waste disposal. Condi-
tions for issuance of a specific permit may be modified
on a case-by-case basis.
Table 1
Acreage Identified for Settlement and Agriculture
GROSS NET
STATE LAND AREA («c) AREA («c)
New Offerings
Reofferings within Past
Disposal Areas
Agriculture
(Homesteads)
31,980
6,400
6,040
6,710
-0-
3,620
STATE TOTAL 44,420 10,330
BOROUGH LAND
New Offerings
BOROUGH TOTAL
STATE AND BOROUGH
TOTAL
8,000
8,000
52,420
1,870
1,870
12,200
Agriculture and Grazing
No additional state land in this subregion will be of-
fered for sale for commercial agriculture. However,
a gross area of approximately 6,040 acres (estimated
net area = 3,620 acres) of state land have been iden-
tified as agricultural homesteads. This is in an area east
of Caswell Lake.
An estimated gross area of 25,680 acres of borough
land are suitable for agriculture. The largest block of
borough land with agricultural potential, over 14,000
acres, is located between the Susitna and Chulitna
Rivers. Most of the potential agricultural lands owned
by the borough, including this area, will be designated
borough land bank. (See explanation of borough land
bank in the introductory paragraph of the management
summary for this subregion.)
Forestry
This subregion has potential for both commercial and
personal use forestry. A substantial amount of state
land will be retained in long term public ownership
to support these uses. One area encompassing 75,280
acres is recommended for legislative designation as
multiple use forest land. This area is in the southeastern
portion of the subregion, extending from just north
of Little Willow Creek to the Middle Fork of Montana
Creek and from near timberline of the Talkeetna
Mountains west about five miles. Publicly owned river
corridors in the area also will be available for timber
harvests wherever this does not impair the value of
the corridors for habitat and recreation. All areas
designated for forestry also will be managed for their
habitat and public recreation values.
Fish and Wildlife
This subregion is important as habitat for a variety of
fish and wildlife species and important for hunting and
fishing due to its relatively good access. Since much
of the land east of the Parks Highway from Wasilla to
Talkeetna, including land along river corridors, is at
least partially in private ownership, and since this area
will be subjected to increased demands for recreation,
hunting and other public uses, the plan attempts to
secure a corridor of public land between the Talkeet-
na Mountains and the Susitna River. This will provide
for a variety of public uses — personal use and com-
mercial forestry, open space amid the otherwise
uninterrupted development along the Parks Highway,
and a movement corridor for animals, especially
moose. Even though no uninterrupted corridor re-
mains in public ownership, the best place to accomp-
lish this is between Sheep Creek and Montana Creek.
In November, 1983, the borough offered agricultural
land for sale in this area, but is committed to long term
88
South Parks Highway
retention of the remainder of their lands in the cor-
ridor (Management Unit 11, mostly in T23N R4W
S.M.).
Most of the little remaining public land along rivers
and creeks — such as Montana, Sheep, and Goose
creeks, and the Talkeetna River — will be retained in
public ownership. The few small sites of state land
along the highway will be retained in public owner-
ship to provide access to fishing and hunting areas.
In addition, consideration should be given to purchase
of valuable habitat and access points at the mouths
of some streams from willing private owners. This is
of particular importance on those streams that are
heavily fished, such as Montana Creek. In addition,
the areas proposed for retention and legislative desig-
nation mentioned in the forestry section will be avail-
able for habitat management and human use of wild-
life resources.
Recreation
This subregion receives intense and growing pressure
for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing,
tent and RV camping, picnicking, cross-country ski-
ing and snowmobiling. Many of these activities require
campsites, parking areas, pulloffs along the highway,
or other developed facilities. The existing facilities to
handle these demands are inadequate, and the state
and borough must cooperate to meet this demand.
The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation cur-
rently is acquiring private land at Montana Creek to
enlarge the recreation site, and consideration should
be given to developing new campgrounds at other
sites. Two important objectives in this category are
development of an Alaska Range viewsite on the hill
just south of Talkeetna and development of improved
access and a boat launch facility on the Susitna River.
Hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, etc. re-
quire large, undeveloped areas. The large blocks of
land retained in public ownership for forestry and fish
and wildlife also will be managed to accommodate
these uses. A corridor of 27,440 acres along the
Talkeetna River is recommended for legislative desig-
nation as a state recreation river. (A portion of this cor-
ridor is in the Talkeetna Mountains Subregion.) In add-
ition, the plan recommends funding be provided for
construction of public use cabins (such as those built
and maintained by the U.S. Forest Service on the Kenai
Peninsula) in various backcountry areas of this sub-
region. Finally, an area near Montana Creek has been
identified as an ecological reserve. It has high forestry,
fisheries and wildlife habitat values and has been pro-
posed as an experimental forest.
Subsurface
Mining and mineral exploration are and will continue
to be very important activities in this subregion. The
great majority of public lands will remain open to
mineral entry and available for coal leasing, although
densely settled areas and agricultural areas will be
closed to mineral location and unavailable for coal
leasing, as will homesteading areas until staking is com-
pleted. Other areas, such as developed recreation sites
and certain river corridors (e.g., the proposed Talkeet-
na state recreation river and portions of Montana,
Clear, and Sheep creeks) also will be closed. All public
land in this subregion is open to exploration and
development of oil and gas. In the Talkeetna River cor-
ridor, specific mitigation measures will be establish-
ed to protect habitat and recreation values. Coal values
in this subregion generally are low to very low.
Transportation
Proposed transportation routes within the subregion
include road access to the Larson Lake area and the
Chase III area. A route into the proposed state forest
in the southeast portion of the subregion has been
identified for further study. The borough currently is
requesting legislative funding for a road to Larson Lake
which would run north from Answer Creek and the
Bartlett Hills area. A 300' right-of-way which runs east
from the railroad north of Talkeetna to the Chase area
has been platted but not constructed. Additional rights-
of-way are proposed for access within the Chase pro-
ject. Access to the proposed state forest could run
south from the Bartlett Hills area, east and north from
the Caswell Lake area, or enter both by both routes.
See the transportation section of Chapter 4 for addi-
tional information on these routes.
89
South Parks Highway
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES
BY MANAGEMENT UNIT
MANAGEMENT UNIT I - GOLD CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit is a narrow strip of land from one to four miles
wide immediately to the east of the Alaska Railroad
and at the northern end of the subregion. The presence
of the Susitna River adjacent to the western boundary
of this management unit makes it attractive and desir-
able for a variety of uses. The railroad provides access,
and there is some low density year-round settlement
in the area from a past land disposal. The unit is mostly
in public ownership and will be managed to provide
additional land sales separated by blocks of publicly
owned land. The public lands will protect public
recreation values, habitat, and firewood for local use.
Three small settlement areas will be offered in FY 85.
All public lands in this unit are available for oil and
gas leasing. Public lands in this unit also will remain
open to mineral location and be available for coal leas-
ing except in existing and proposed disposal areas
(subunits 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1e).
The unit is divided into eight subunits: the proposed
Indian River West homestead disposal (1a); the past
Indian River remote parcel area (1b); state selected
land owned in part by the Alaska Railroad (1c); two
blocks of land to be retained in public ownership (Id);
lands which will be offered for sale in FY 85 (Sherman,
Curry North and McKenzie Creek) (1e); a block of
borough selected land encompassing Lane Creek (10;
land along Indian River which encompasses Lake 1395
to be retained in public ownership (1g); and land
owned by the Alaska Railroad in the southern portion
of the management unit (1 h). See the maps at the end
of this section for boundaries of these areas and the
accompanying chart for a summary of land uses in
each subunit.
Subunits la and le (Indian River West, Sherman,
Curry North, and McKenzie Creek) encompass land
designated for settlement. Subunit 1 e consists of three
areas which will be offered under the homestead pro-
gram in FY85. They are (from north to south) Sher-
man, Curry North, and McKenzie Creek. Up to 40
acres may be staked by each entrant in these areas;
there are three entries allowed in Curry North, eleven
in McKenzie Creek and five in the Sherman area.
Subunit Ib is the past Indian River remote parcel
area. At some point in the future, it may be reoffered
under the homestead program.
Although subunit le is primarily public land, it has
90
been designated reserved use and very little of it is
available for public use. Part of this land is managed
by the Alaska Railroad, part is the subject of a Native
group claim, part encompasses a portion of the Healy-
Willow Intertie route, and one of the proposed routes
to the possible Devils Canyon dam site crosses the
subunit. The portion of the Susitna River in this subunit
will remain in public ownership and be managed to
protect fish and wildlife and recreation values.
Subunits Id and lg (Mile 255 and 261 Retained
Areas and Miami Lake) will be retained in state owner-
ship and managed to provide opportunities for fish and
wildlife and recreational use as well as access to the
Talkeetna Mountains. Subunit 1d consists of 2 parcels
of land on either side of the proposed Sherman settle-
ment area. Subunit 1g is land in the northern part of
the management unit along Indian River.
The land in subunit If will be designated borough
land bank. These lands are not likely to be offered for
settlement in the near term, but may be offered in the
future if competing resources are deemed less valuable
and demand merits such an offering. In the near term,
the lands will be used to support fish and wildlife
habitat, recreation and personal use forestry.
Subunit Ih in the southern portion of the manage-
ment unit is owned and managed by the Alaska
Railroad and not available for public use.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
*Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
""Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
"Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT i - Gold Creek
SUBUNIT
la
Indian
River West
Ib
Indian
River
Remote
Ic
Gold Creek
1
Id
Mile 255,
261
Retained
Areas
LANDOWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State/
Private
State/
State
Selected/
Native
Selected/
Railroad
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
Settlement
(past Remote Par-
cel offering)
Reserved Use
•ublic Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use)
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLEMINERALS
Closed prior
to disposal
Closed
Closed
Open
LEASEABLEMINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Grazing
Portions
closed to
grazing (see
ragmt. guide-
lines)
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area=100
acres
•Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are fiot
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
ro LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - Gold Creek
SUBUNIT
le
Sherrnan
Curry North
McKenzie
Creek
If
Lane Creek
lgMiami
Lake
Ih
Alaska
Railroad
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
Borough
State
Alaska
Railroad
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Borough Land Bank
Values: Forestry, Public
Recreation, Settlement,
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreatior
Wildlife Habitat
AK Railroad Land
—Not available
for public use
Forestry
(personal use)
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed prior
to disposal
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Trapper Cabins
Grazing
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area=760
acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2
South Parks Highway 1
*Stream Corridors
"Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit la and le (Indian River West; Sher-
man. Curry North and McKenzie Creek
disposal areas)
Forestry
Sites within the planned sales areas that are able to
provide personal use timber should be identified and
retained.
Access
When land is conveyed, public access to the Susitna
River, Alaska Railroad, and remote areas to the east
should be preserved.
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on Deadhorse Creek,
McKenzie Creek, Lane Creek and most other unnamed
tributaries to the Susitna River shown on the 1:63,360
scale USGS topographic maps. The corridor on the
Susitna River should be at least 300 feet on the north
bank of the river in the Indian River South subdivi-
sion and 300 feet on the east bank within the disposal
areas in subunit 1e. Indian River should be protected
with a corridor 300 feet on either side within subunit
la.
Settlement (Sherman)
Homesteads in this area should be a minimum of
20-acre parcels. Staking of parcels should occur dur-
ing the summer months so that the terrain and vegeta-
tion are more visible. Existing trails should be iden-
tified and rights-of-way reserved.
Subunit 1b (Indian River Remote Past
Disposal)
Grazing
Due to conflicts with fish and wildlife habitat, grazing
will not be allowed in the western portion of this
subunit (T32N R11W S.M., sections 24, 33, 34 and
T31N R11W S.M., sections 3, 4, 9 and 10).
Subunit le (Gold Creek)
Stream Coridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat should land in this subunit be con-
veyed to private ownership. Corridor widths will be
set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on the unnamed
tributaries to the Susitna River. The corridor on Gold
Creek should be at least 300' on both sides of the river
to protect brown bear feeding concentration areas.
The Susitna River should be protected with a 300' cor-
ridor on both sides.
93
MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - SUS1TNA-CHULITNA RIVERS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit is completely in public ownership and con-
sists of those portions of the Susitna and Chulitna Rivers
and immediately adjacent land within the South Parks
Highway Subregion. All private land immediately sur-
rounding Talkeetna is excluded from this unit; the
private land is included in subunit 9d. Two small sites
adjacent to the corridor are included in the unit to pro-
vide public access points—one encompasses a por-
tion of Sheep Creek Slough, and the other is approx-
imately two miles northwest of the Talkeetna Spur
Road and provides access to the river from the Parks
Highway. This management unit has not been divided
into subunits because the entire area will be managed
similarly. It will be retained in public ownership and
managed for forestry, recreation, and protection offish
and wildlife and water resources. All public lands in
this unit are available for oil and gas leasing. Public
lands in this unit also will remain open to mineral loca-
tion, except along Sheep, Goose, and Montana
Creeks, and be available for coal leasing. See the maps
at the end of this section for boundaries of the unit
and the accompanying chart for a summary of land
uses.
Mining
Public lands within 300' of Sheep, Goose, or Montana
Creek will be closed to mineral location. The closure
is intended to protect water quality and fish and
wildlife habitat in some of the most important
tributaries to the Susitna River.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
Agriculture
"Instream Flow
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
Lakeshore Management
*Forestry
Public Access
'Recreation
Remote Cabin Permits
Settlement
*Stream Corridors
Subsurface
Trail Management
Transportation
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below.
94
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Susitna-Chulitna Rivers
SUBUNIT
2
Susicna/
Chulitna
Rivers
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State/
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
SECONDARY USE(S)
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along Sheep,
Goose, and
Montana Cks.
(see mgmt.
guidelines)
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - WHISKERS CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit of public land, located north of Talkeetna
between the Susitna and Chulitna rivers, contains large
blocks suitable for agriculture, forestry or settlement.
The largest contiguous area is the approximately
14,000 acres of borough land located between the
Chulitna and Susitna rivers just north of Talkeetna.
Access to the area between the rivers is difficult — the
Parks Highway is west of the Chulitna River and the
Alaska Railroad is east of the Susitna River. The most
logical route would be south from the Parks Highway
after it crosses the Chulitna River in Denali State Park.
All public lands in this unit are available for oil and
gas leasing. Public lands in this unit also will remain
open to mineral location except for the proposed
disposal area (subunit 3c) and will be available for coal
leasing except in the agricultural area in subunit 3b.
This management unit is divided into three subunits:
state land surrounding Blair Lake (3a), the borough
land between the Chulitna and Susitna rivers (3b), and
the state land adjacent to the Susitna River (3c). See
the maps at the end of this section for boundaries of
these areas and the accompanying chart for a sum-
mary of land uses in each subunit.
Subunit 3a is a small pocket of state land surround-
ing Blair Lake. It will be retained in public ownership
and managed to protect fish and wildlife habitat and
recreation opportunities.
Subunit 3b is borough land with potential for settle-
ment, forestry and agriculture. It is designated land
bank. Under the existing borough agricultural policy,
it eventually may be developed for agriculture. In the
interim it is likely to be managed for forestry.
Subunit 3c is a small state owned parcel between the
borough land and the Susitna River. An estimated 30%
of the total area is suitable for settlement and recom-
mended for this use. However, the sale of this land
is contingent upon access to and plan for development
of the agricultural area.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 1 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
'Agriculture
96
Instream Flow
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
*Lakeshore Management
* Forestry
* Public Access
*Recreation
Remote Cabin Permits
*Settlement
*Stream Corridors
Subsurface
"Trail Management
"Transportation
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 3b (Whiskers Creek Agricultural
Land)
Agriculture
To the extent feasible, the borough should use Class
II and III soils for agricultural use rather than settle-
ment. Where parcel configuration or topography
render large farms infeasible, small farm agricultural
development should be encouraged.
Trails and Public Access
Existing trails through the subunit should be retained
in public ownership with a width of at least 50 feet
either side of the centerline. Existing access to and
along the Chulitna and Susitna rivers should be main-
tained and improved during agricultural development.
Settlement
Land of marginal agricultural capability due to soils,
parcel size or configuration, topography, etc. should
be used for settlement. In addition, land should be pro-
vided for any commercial development necessary to
support the possible future agriculture project or com-
mercial recreation needs associated with the river
systems.
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat should land in this subunit be con-
veyed to private ownership. Corridor widths will be
set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on most of the un-
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Whiskers Creek
SUBUNIT
3a
Blair Lake
3b
Whiskers
Creek Ag.
Land
3c
Whiskers
Creek
Planned
Sale Area
UNO
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
Borough
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Borough Land Bank
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Public Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area
=470 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
so management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevantJ management guidelines in chapter 2.
South Parks Highway 3
named tributaries to the Susitna and Chulitna Rivers
and Whiskers Creek shown on the 1:63,360 scale
USGS topographic maps for the area. The corridor on
Whiskers Creek and the Susitna and Chulitna Rivers
should be at least 300' on both sides of the streams.
98
MANAGEMENT UNIT 4 - CHASE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This large management unit extends from the Susitna
River east to the Talkeetna Mountains and includes
the Chase area, Chunilna Creek, and Sockeye Lake.
Due to a large number of past open-to-entry (OTE)
sites, mining claims, state remote parcel and subdivi-
sion disposals, and the proximity of Talkeetna and
access via the Alaska Railroad, this area supports a
number of year round and many seasonal residents.
The area will be managed to support additional state
land sales and to protect public access within and
through the area, to protect habitat, and to provide
opportunities for public recreation and harvest of per-
sonal use firewood. All public lands in this unit are
available for oil and gas leasing. Public lands in this
unit also will remain open to mineral location and be
available for coal leasing except for existing and pro-
posed disposal areas (subunits 4c, 4d, and 4e) and
Lower Chunilna Creek Corridor (subunit 4f).
The unit has been divided into seven subunits: a reten-
tion area east of the Susitna River and north of the
Chase III area (4a), a parcel of borough land between
the railroad and the Chase III area (4b), the Chase III
agricultural homestead area (4c), the Chase II remote
parcel area (4d), an area in the eastern corner of the
management unit proposed for sale (4e), Lower
Chunilna Creek Corridor (4f), and Upper Chunilna
Creek Corridor (4g). See the maps at the end of this
section for boundaries of these areas and the accom-
panying chart for a summary of land uses in each
subunit.
Subunit 4a encompasses some fairly steep land in the
northwest corner of the management unit. The unit
will be managed to protect important fish and wildlife
habitat (e.g., concentrations of black and brown bear,
fall and winter moose habitat) and recreation oppor-
tunities, and to provide open space.
Subunit 4b, borough land just east of the Susitna
River, has high values for settlement and forestry, pro-
vides moose winter range, and has some potential for
agriculture (Class III soils). This area is designated
borough land bank. It is accessible by railroad, but
it is unlikely to be offered for sale in the near term.
Subunit 4c (the Chase III area), was offered in 1984
for agricultural homesteads. Parcels were awarded in
September, 1984, but staking was halted by court
order in April, 1985. The project is currently in litiga-
tion. There are 32 parcels ranging in size from 40 to
160 acres for a total of 3,530 net acres. Local trails and
access routes for existing residents have been iden-
tified to protect pedestrian access and routes of possi-
ble future roads through and within the area. Habitat
concerns have been addressed primarily through
retention of land within the project area with par-
ticularly high fish and wildlife values. This includes a
corridor of between 'A and 1 mile wide to be retained
along Chunilna Creek (although much of the land
immediately adjacent to the creek is privately owned
or under mining claims). It also includes retention of
much of the land in the southwest portion of the pro-
ject — the area where habitat concerns are greatest.
(See also the management guidelines section for this
management unit.)
Subunit 4d is a large area on either side of Chunilna
Creek encompassing Sockeye Lake. This entire area
was offered in 1980 as the Chase II remote parcel area.
It was reopened to further stakings in February, 1984
and remained open until the close of the remote parcel
program on June 30, 1984.
Subunit 4c is located in the eastern portion of the
management unit, approximately 14 miles east of the
Alaska Railroad. It is just north of the Talkeetna River
corridor and west of Disappointment Creek and
encompasses several lakes. This area has values for
fish and wildlife (it is near a suspected brown bear den-
ning area), recreation, and settlement. It is designated
for settlement, and probably will be offered under the
homestead program.
Subunits 4f and 4g comprise the Chunilna Creek
Corridor. Much of the land in this corridor is already
in private ownership due to past open-to-entry dis-
posals, or covered by mining claims. Remaining public
land will be managed to protect important fish and
wildlife habitat (e.g., concentrations of black and
brown bear, fall and winter moose habitat and ana-
dromous fish) and recreational opportunities, and to
provide open space. The plan recommends investi-
gating the possibility of a buy back program to restore
to public ownership some of the private lots along the
creek and retaining any relinquished open-to-entry
sites along the creek. Due to high public values subunit
4f (Lower Chunilna Creek Corridor) will be closed to
mineral entry and unavailable for coal leasing. The
Upper Chunilna Creek Corridor (subunit 4g) has a sur-
face use designation of minerals due to the high con-
centration of existing claims in the area.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
99
oo LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 4 - Chase
SUBUNIT
4a
Mile 238
Retained
Area
4b
Mile 233
Borough
Land
4c
Chase III
Ag.
4d
Chase II
Remote
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
(includes
many
open-to-
entry
parcels
Borough
State/
Private
State/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Hiblic Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
iorough Land Bank
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Public Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat
Agriculture
(existing
homesteads)
Settlement
[past remote
>arcel offering)
Forestry
(personal use)
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
(personal use)
Wildlife Habitat
SUBSURFACE
IQCATABLEMINERALS
Open
Open
Closed
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
me _erm juid * in ptei
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks High*ay MANAGEMENT UNIT 4 - Chase
SUBUNIT
4e
Disappoint-
ment Creek
4f
Lower
Chunilna
Creek
Corridor
4gUpper
Chunilna
Creek
Corridor
LANDOWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
State
(includes
many OTE
parcels)
State
(includes
many OTE
parcels)
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Minerals
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
(personal use)
Forest ry
(personal use)
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed prior
to disposal
Closed
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal leas-
ing or pros-
pecting
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal
area=l,040 acres
•Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc, that ace fiot
>- specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed If consistent with the
2 management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
South Parks Highway 4
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
'Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
"Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
"Trail Management
"Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 4b (Mile 233)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat should land in this subunit be con-
veyed to private ownership. Corridor widths will be
set on a case-by-case basis using policies from Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on unnamed tribu-
taries to the Susitna River which appear on the
1:63,360 scale USGS topographic maps.
Subunits 4b, 4c and 4f (Mile 233 Borough
Land, Chase HI, and Lower Chunilna Creek
Corridor)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One route passes through these subunits. The
precise location of this route has not been determined,
although a general location is shown on the maps in
Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in these units such
as land sales, leases, or other actions should be located
so as not to preclude the option to build this road along
a feasible and efficient route.
Subunit 4c (Chase 111 Agricultural Homestead
Area)
Refer to the Summer, 1984 disposal brochure for a
parcel map and locations of items discussed below.
Transportation Corridors
Maintaining pedestrian access and possible future road
corridors through and within the Chase project is an
important objective for this area. The platted right-of-
way called Clear Creek Road on the brochure map,
runs east from the Alaska Railroad and is 300' wide.
Access to and between all parcels will be retained
through interior lot line easements linked to the larger
route described above. Interior lot line easements are
50' wide in each lot for a total width of 100'. An ease-
ment of 25' will be retained on all exterior lot lines.
This allows alternative access through the project in
addition to the main access routes.
In the southwest portion of the project (sections 17,
20, 29) there is an existing summer trail which bypasses
a wetland and the Clear Creek Road right-of-way
crosses a narrow portion of the wetland in section 20.
The existing summer trail has been protected through
issuance of a temporary 60' right-of-way and is shown
on DNR status plats. If and when the Clear Creek Road
actually is constructed, the 60' temporary ROW will
be vacated.
Trails and Access
The general rules for protection of trails are as follows:
where a number of trails pass through a relatively nar-
row area, or where a single trail is used on a regular
basis by a significant number of people, this route
generally will be retained in public ownership. Where-
a trail is primarily used to provide access to the
residence of one or just a few people, and this route
crosses a proposed homestead parcel, reasonable
alternative access will be provided through retention
of easements along the boundaries of the parcels or
identification of other routes. Wherever possible these
parcel boundaries have been adjusted to better coin-
cide with existing trails. As an additional measure, tem-
porary (3 year) easement permits will be issued that
allow access across homestead parcels. These tem-
porary easement permits will give existing users the
opportunity to establish new trails along homestead
parcel boundaries or to work out arrangements with
owners of homestead parcels.
East-west-pedestrian access through the project area
generally will be maintained through the retention of
numerous interior lot line easements. One corridor ap-
proximately 1/4-mile wide will be retained, however,
through sections 16 and 20 west of Chunilna Creek.
102
South Parks Highway 4
North-south access through the project will be pro-
vided by a corridor along Chunilna Creek and an
approximately 1/2-mile wide north-south corridor be-
tween the two groups of parcels.
Retention of Land in Public Ownership
Public land immediately surrounding Mama and Papa
Bear Lakes and to the southwest of the lakes in T27N
R4W S.M., section 26 will be retained in public owner-
ship to protect habitat of anadromous fish that use
streams in this area, to allow public recreation and to
provide woodlots and public access. (See also subunit
5a).
Anadromous fish streams feeding into Mama and Papa
Bear Lakes are primarily of value as spawning and rear-
ing areas. Public use is low or non-existent, in part
because the lower reaches of this tributary system are
lined with private land. The quality of water will be
protected along these streams through application of
a 100' development setback on either side of these
streams on any new parcels sold. Fifty-foot pedestrian
easements also will be retained to provide a degree
of public access.
In the western portion of the project where there are
private parcels or poor soils, any remaining public land
will be retained in public ownership. This includes all
of sections 9 and 16. In addition, portions of sections
20 and 29 have been retained in public ownership to
provide wood for residents on smaller parcels in the
homestead area and in the subdivisions to the south.
Land along Chunilna Creek was heavily staked dur-
ing the open-to-entry (OTE) program, and there are
numerous mining claims in the area. Remaining public
land in this corridor will be retained in public owner-
ship for recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, hunting
and fishing, public access, and possibly wood lots. If
relinquishment of OTE parcels occurs within '/2 mile
either side of Chunilna Creek, these sites will be re-
tained in public ownership to protect habitat, recrea-
tion and other public values. Determination of appro-
priate action on relinquished OTE parcels outside the
river corridor will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Recreation and Fish & Wildlife
Chunilna Creek corridor will be managed to protect
fish and wildlife habitat and opportunities for recrea-
tional use by retaining the area in public ownership
in a natural state. See guidelines on "Retention of Land
in Public Ownership" for management of land around
Mama and Papa Bear Lakes.
Woodlots
To help meet the personal use firewood needs of pre-
sent and future residents in the Chase area and in sub-
divisions to the south, land retained in public owner-
ship, particularly in the southwest, southeast (near
Mama and Papa Bear lakes) and central (sections 9
and 16) portions of the project, will be available for
personal use woodlots or small timber sales.
Wetlands
On all water bodies and significant wetlands within
or adjacent to agriculture parcels, clearing and
development setbacks will be specified in the farm
conservation plan and conveyance documents. (See
regional guidelines, Chapter 2, for a definition of
wetlands.)
Subunits 4d and 4e (Chase II Remote Parcel
Area and Disappointment Creek)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on the unnamed creek
which runs northwest from Sockeye Lake (4d). Buf-
fers 100' wide should be used on either side of all other
unnamed creeks that appear on the 1:63,360 scale
USGS topographic maps in subunit 4d, and on all
tributaries to the Talkeetna River and Disappointment
Creek which appear on the 1:63,360 USCS
topographic maps in subunit 4e.
Forestry
Personal use or small scale timber sale areas will be
identified to supply some of the wood products for
any future settlement in subunit 4e and to the west.
103
MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 - LARSON LAKE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit extends from the Susitna River east to Lar-
son Lake and south to Bartlett Hills and includes a por-
tion of the Talkeetna River. It consists primarily of
borough land and past state disposals with a little re-
maining state land along the western portion of the
Talkeetna River. Borough land on the west side of Lar-
son Lake will be sold for settlement. The remaining
borough land will be designated land bank. State land
along the Talkeetna River will be retained in public
ownership and recommended for legislative designa-
tion as a state recreation river. All public lands in this
unit are available for oil and gas leasing. Only subunit
5d will remain open to mineral location and be
available for coal leasing. Subunits 5a and 5c will be
closed due to existing or proposed disposals, and 5b
is closed due to recreation and habitat values in the
river corridor.
The management unit is divided into four subunits:
private land, almost all of which is a result of past state
land sales (5a); a corridor along the Talkeetna River
(5b); borough land proposed for settlement around
Larson Lake (5c), and other borough land to the west
of Larson Lake (5d). See the map at the end of this
section for boundaries of these areas and the accom-
panying chart for a summary of land uses in each
subunit.
Subunit 5a is primarily private land on the south bank
of the Talkeetna River. Where private land now abuts
the river, the state will consider purchase of land to
improve public access and to enhance public enjoy-
ment of the river corridor: The state will not use the
power of eminent domain in such cases but will pur-
chase land only from willing sellers. Purchase is con-
tingent upon funds being appropriated by the
legislature for this purpose.
Subunit 5b encompasses approximately 10 miles of
the Talkeetna River in a corridor of approximately 1 /3
to 1 mile wide. The corridor is primarily in public
ownership, although the mouth of the river is privately
owned. The river corridor is exceptionally valuable for
fish and wildlife and recreation and is easily access-
ible from Talkeetna and the Susitna River. The
Talkeetna River corridor supports concentrations of
black bear, provides high and moderate winter moose
habitat, is one of the most popular moose hunting
areas in the entire study area, and receives a great deal
of river floating and sport fishing use. The river is an
anadromous fish stream supporting populations of
Dolly Varden, arctic char, trout, and five species of
salmon. This subunit is recommended for legislative
designation as a state recreation river. The remainder
of the Talkeetna River (subunit 6a, east of this area)
also is proposed for legislative designation.
Subunit 5b, in conjunction with Management Unit
6, will be managed to provide recreation opportunities
and protect scenic values. Principal recreational uses
will be on and adjacent to the river. To protect these
recreation opportunities, the unit should be manag-
ed to provide a visual and sound buffer from uses out-
side the corridor, and to protect water quality. Public
recreation cabins should be developed with a coor-
dinated river and trail access system; no roads will be
permitted to these cabins. Road access to or across
the corridor will be avoided. Fish and wildlife habitat
will be protected, with special emphasis placed on the
stream and adjacent riparian areas.
Subunit 5c is approximately 8,000 acres of borough
land designated for settlement that surrounds Larson
Lake. A preliminary development plan for the Larson
Lake area was completed in June, 1984 by consultants
to the borough. Their recommendation is for a four
phase development of the west shore of the lake in-
cluding private parcels, commercial recreation
facilities, and public recreation facilities. The major in-
tent of the plan is to provide an area for both public
and private recreation. The borough established a
committee which is studying the current proposal and
will make recommendations on it by spring, 1985.
Thus, the current development plan prepared by the
consultants can be viewed as a base from which the
final plan for Larson Lake will be developed. The
borough is committed to protection of important fish
and wildlife habitat areas and areas for public use.
Under the proposed plan, 40% of the 1,870 acres in
the project will be retained in public ownership as
trails, open space and as a 200-300' buffer around the
lake. In addition, the possibility of a fish hatchery is
being considered for the southwest end of the lake.
A major aspect of designing land sales in this area is
the provision of road access. The borough is pro-
ceeding with development of the road to Larson Lake
from the south through Bartlett Hills. The state sup-
ports borough plans and requests that the borough
work with the Department of Fish and Game and Divi-
sion of Parks and Outdoor Recreation in designing land
sales in this area to protect the shore of Larson Lake
and Larson Creek. Of particular importance is the pro-
tection of red salmon spawning areas.
Subunit 5d is borough land to the west of Larson Lake
which will be designated borough land bank.
104
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 - Larson Lake
SUBUNIT
5a
Talkeetna
Bluffs and
Chase II
Subdivision
5b
Talkeetna
River
Corridor
5c
Larson Lake
5d
North
Bartlett
Hills
LAND
OWNERSHIPGENERALIZED:
State/
Private
State
Borough
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
[existing sub-
divisions)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Borough Land Bank
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Public Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Closed
Closed prior
to disposal
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
DD/~\UlQITCr\rKvJrliDlitiJ
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
One unsold
surveyed lot
remains available
over-the-
counter
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Estimated net
disposal area
=1,870 acres
oUl
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
South Parks Highway 5
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
'Settlement
Subsurface
transportation
*lnstream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 5a (Talkeetna Bluffs and Chase II
Subdivisions)
Retention of Land in Public Ownership
All lots within the Chase I subdivision have been sold.
One lot remains in the Chase II Subdivision and will
continue to be available. Any other parcels of public
land in this area along the Talkeetna River should be
retained in public ownership to protect moose habitat
and hunting areas, to provide wood lots for local use,
and to provide open space and access to the Talkeet-
na River and other amenity features.
Grazing
Those portions of the subunit west of and including
Chunilna Creek will be closed to grazing.
Subunit 5b (Talkeetna River Corridor)
Retention of land in Public Ownership
This subunit includes primarily state land along the
Talkeetna River. However, pockets of private land
staked under the open-to-entry program are
interspersed throughout the corridor. II any of these
parcels are relinquished to the state they should then
be retained in public ownership.
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas exploration and development activities will
be sited and/or timed to mitigate impacts on the fish
and wildlife habitat and public use values of the
Talkeetna River Corridor. Specific mitigation measures
necessary to protect the values for which the river cor-
ridor was established will be developed as part of the
lease sale process. Mitigation measures will be
developed on a case-by-case basis considering timing,
topography, vegetation and other factors affecting the
impact of oil and gas exploration and development
activities on fish and wildlife, habitat, and public use
values.
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for subunit
5b. The management plan will determine, among
other things, whether remote cabins will be a per-
mitted use in this subunit. Remote cabin permits will
not be offered until and unless areas open to remote
cabins are designated by a management plan.
Subunit 5c (Larson Lake)
Recreation and Fish & Wildlife
Given the existing and proposed amount of settlement
in this area, demand for developed recreation areas
likely will increase dramatically. For this reason, the
borough should consider a developed recreation facil-
ity somewhere on or near Larson Lake during its plan-
ning for the area.
Forestry
Personal use areas or small timber sale areas to sup-
port future settlement in the area should be identified
and reserved in the site plans for disposals in this
subunit.
Subunits 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d (Talkeetna Bluffs,
Chase II, Talkeetna River Corridor, Larsoin
Lake and North Bartlett Hills)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. Two routes pass through these subunits, one
to the Larson Lake area and one north across the
Talkeetna River to the Chase area. The precise loca-
tion of these routes has not been determined, although
,i general location is shown on the maps in Chapter
4. I and use authorisations in these units such as land
sales, leases, or other actions should be located so as
not to preclude the option to build these roads along
a feasible and efficient route.
106
MANAGEMENT UNIT 6 - TALKEETNA RIVER
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit, which is all either state owned or selected,
will be retained in public ownership and managed to
protect wildlife habitat and provide opportunities for
public recreation. Timber harvest will be an allowed
use where it does not disrupt fish and wildlife or recrea-
tion values. All public lands in this unit are available
for oil and gas leasing. Subunit 6b will remain open
to mineral location and be available for coal leasing.
Subunit 6a (the recreation river) will be closed to
mineral location and unavailable for coal leasing.
The management unit has been divided into two
subunits: the Talkeetna River corridor (6a) and the area
to the south including Sheep River (6b). See the maps
at the end of this section for boundaries of these areas
and the accompanying chart for a summary of land
uses in each subunit.
Subunit 6a is the Talkeetna River corridor. This
subunit, in conjunction with subunit 5b, is recom-
mended for legislative designation as a state recrea-
tion river. See the discussion under subunit 5b for
details of this proposal.
Subunit 6b is an area south of the Talkeetna River
proposed for retention. It includes the Sheep River cor-
ridor and several large lakes. The area is important for
moose and caribou fall and winter habitat and pro-
vides a buffer between developed uses to the west and
the Talkeetna Mountains to the east.
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 6a (Talkeetna River)
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas exploration and development activities will
be sited and/or timed to mitigate impacts on the fish
and wildlife habitat and public use values of the
Talkeetna River Corridor. Specific mitigation measures
necessary to protect the values for which the river cor-
ridor was established will be developed as part of the
lease sale process. Mitigation measures will be
developed on a case-by-case basis considering timing,
topography, vegetation and other factors affecting the
impact of oil and gas exploration and development
activities on fish and wildlife, habitat and public use
values.
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for subunit
6a. The management plan will determine, among other
things, whether remote cabins will be a permitted use
in this subunit. Remote cabin permits will not be
offered until and unless areas open to remote cabins
are designated by a management plan.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list that follows.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
Settlement
* Subsurface
Transportation
"Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
107
o00 LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 6 - Talkeetna River
SUBUNIT
6a
Talkeetna
River
6b
Sheep
River
UNO
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
*ublic Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Forestry
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting.
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Recommended
for legislative
designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that afe fiot
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
in ^hnoter ">
MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - BALD MOUNTAIN
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit, south of Sheep River and including the Bald
Mountain area, encompasses several areas that have
been offered for remote parcel and subdivision sales
in the past. The general intent for this area is to offer
additional land for sale (probably through the home-
stead program) while preserving some important
habitat and recreation areas. All public lands in this
unit are available for oil and gas leasing. Subunit 7d
will remain open to mineral location and be available
for coal leasing. All other subunits will be closed to
mineral location and not available for coal leasing due
to existing or planned disposals.
The management unit has been divided into five
subunits: a small parcel of state land proposed for sale
in the northern portion of the management unit (7a),
three past state land sale areas (7b), the proposed
Talkeetna Foothills homestead area (7c), a small reten-
tion area on the eastern edge of the management unit
(7d), and two small proposed settlement areas (7e).
See the maps at the end of this section for boundaries
of these areas and the accompanying chart for a sum-
mary of land uses in each subunit.
Subunit 7a consists of one parcel of fairly steep state
land proposed for settlement immediately south of the
Sheep River and Talkeetna River. The intent is to allow
some sales (probably homesteads) while preserving the
integrity of the river corridors.
Subunit 7b includes the past Bald Mountain remote
parcel area, Bald Mountain Subdivision, and South
Bald Mountain Subdivision. No additional acreage has
been identified for futher settlement offerings, but the
option to do so in the future will remain open. Re-
maining public land along the Middle Fork of Mon-
tana Creek which has high fisheries values, and the
area south of Bald Mountain which includes peregrine
falcon nests should remain in public ownership to pro-
tect tish and wildlife habitat and provide opportunities
for recreational use.
Subunit 7c (the Talkeetna Foothills proposed sale)
includes portions of the North Fork of Montana Creek.
Access near the area is provided from the Answer
Creek Road in the Bartlett Hills area to the west in add-
ition to several platted roads and rights-of-way applica-
tions. Additional access may be available in the future
south from Larson Lake. A portion of this area will be
offered for sale in FY86. Land outside of this area will
remain in the 20-year disposal pool and may be offered
at some point in the future.
Subunit 7d is approximately 1,280 acres encompass-
ing a large lake in the alpine region just south of the
North Fork of Montana Creek. It will be retained in
public ownership and managed to protect fish and
wildlife and recreation values.
Subunit 7e consists of two parcels of state land pro-
posed for settlement. One is just south of the existing
South Bald Mountain Subdivision (and the Middle Fork
of Montana Creek) and the other is in the western por-
tion of the management unit near Baldy Lake.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
*Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
*lnstream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 7a (Sheep River Sale)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on most unnamed
tributaries to the Talkeetna River which appear on the
1:63,360 USCS topographic map. On the south side
of Sheep River a 300' corridor should be retained in
public ownership.
109
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - Bald Mountain
SUBUNIT
la.
Sheep River
Planned
Sale Area
7b
Bald Mtn.
Remote and
Subdivi-
sions
7c
Talkeetna ,
Foothills
7d
North Fork
Lake (Lake
2125)
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
State/
Private
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
Settlement (past
remote parcel &
offering existing
sub.)
settlement
^iblic Recreation
ttldlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Wildlife Hab.
_
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed prior
to disposal
Closed
Closed prior
to disposal
Open
LEASEABLEMINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
DDfkUIBITCn
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Portions
closed to
grazing — see
guidelines
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Portions
closed to
grazing — see
guidelines
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area=340
acres
Estimated
net disposal
area = 3,440
acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etcx. that ote not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
ma< snt ' 'elin '~ crv~ ~'~r2.
ri
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - Bald Mountain
SUBUNIT
7e
Montana
Ck. Planned
sale areas
i
LAND
OWNERSHIP
*«•
|
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
Sattlanent
Secondary USE(S)
Public Sec.
Wildlife Bab.
SUBSURFACE
MINERALS
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
closed to
grazing — see
guidelines
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area=560
acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc, that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management Intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
South Parks Highway 7
Forestry
Personal use woodlots or small timber sale areas will
be identified and reserved in the site plans for disposals
in this subunit.
Subunlt 7b (Bald Mountain Remote and
Subdivisions)
Grazing
Bald Mountain and South Bald Mountain subdivisions
will be closed to grazing to protect important fish and
wildlife habitat areas associated with the North Fork
and Middle Fork of Montana Creek.
Subnnit 7c (Talkeetna Foothills)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on the south side of
Answer Creek and on east side of Possum Creek. The
corridor on the North and Middle Forks of Montana
Creek should be 300' on both sides of the streams to
protect important fish and wildlife habitat and guard
against flood hazards.
Forestry
Personal use woodlots or small timber sale areas will
be identified and reserved in the site plans for disposals
in this subunit.
Grazing
Those corridors described in the stream corridor
guideline for the North and Middle Forks of Montana
Creek will be closed to grazing.
Subunit 7e (Montana Creek Planned Sale
Areas)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on Answer Creek and
the stream that runs into Baldy L->ke. The South Fork
112
of Montana Creek is just south of the southern por-
tion of this subunit. A 300' corridor should be retain-
ed in public ownership on its north side.
Grazing
The southern block of this subunit is closed to graz-
ing. The southern '/4 mile of the western parcel is also
closed to protect important fish and wildlife habitat
associated with the stream corridors.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 8 - ANSWER CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 8 is a large block of private and
Native land and past sale areas. It encompasses por-
tions of Answer Creek and the North, Middle and
South Forks of Montana Creek. The general manage-
ment intent for this area is to retain in public owner-
ship any remaining blocks of public land, and to
preserve trail corridors and public access to rivers and
streams. Montana Creek and its three forks are
anadromous fish streams which support a high level
of sport fishing. The area also provides year-round
habitat for moose and black bear. Because of these
values and the'limited amount of remaining public
land in this general area, public land should be
retained. All public lands in this unit are available for
oil and gas leasing. This unit is not open to mineral
location or coal leasing due to past disposals.
This unit is divided into three subunits: past state and
borough agricultural sale areas including the Bartlett
Hills area (8a), the Answer Creek area which is in
Native ownership (8b), and past state and borough
land sales, including part of the Bartlett Hills subdivi-
sion (8c). The plan does not affet private lands. See
the maps at the end of this section for management
unit boundaries and the accompanying chart for a
summary of land uses in each subunit.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
'Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below.
Subunit 8a, 8b, and 8c (Bartlett Hills, Answer
Creek and Emil Lake)
Retention of Land in Public Ownership
Unsold parcels of public land in this unit will be re-
tained in public ownership. Where possible, publicly
owned corridors of 200' either side of the ordinary high
water mark on Answer Creek, and the North, Middle
and South Forks of Montana Creek will be retained
in public ownership. Public access points to these
amenities will be maintained.
Subunit 8a and 8b (Bartlett Hills, Answer
Creek)
Mining
Public lands within 300' of Goose Creek or the North,
Middle or South Fork of Montana Creek or the
mainstream of Montana Creek will be closed to
mineral location. The closure is intended to protect
water quality and fish and wildlife habitat in some of
the most important tributaries to the Susitna River.
113
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION .South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 8 - Answer Creek
SUBUNIT
8a
Bartlett
Hills
8b
Answer
Creek
8c
Emil Lake
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED
Private/
State/
Borough
Native
Private/
State/
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Agriculture
(past state
and borough
sales)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Primarily Private Ownership —
Recommended uses: Forestry, Public
Recreation, Settlement (limited),
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
(existing state
subdivision &
past borough
sales)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Any public
land along
the North,
Middle or
South Fork of
Montana Creek
is closed
(see mgmt.
guidelines)
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Remote Cabins
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 9 - TALKEETNA
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit extends from the Susitna River east to Bartlett
Hills and from Talkeetna south to approximately five
miles north of the junction of the Parks Highway and
the Talkeetna Spur Road. This unit includes a large
block of mostly Native land in the eastern half of the
unit, mixed ownership in the area south of Talkeetna
along portions of the Talkeetna Spur Road, and one
isolated parcel of public land. All public lands in this
unit are available for oil and gas leasing. Public lands
in this unit also will remain open to mineral location
and be available for coal leasing.
This management unit has been divided into four
subunits: the borough and private land in the west
along the Susitna River and the Talkeetna Road (9a),
mostly Native land in the eastern portion of the
management unit (9b), public land along Birch Slough
(9c), and primarily private land surrounding the com-
munity of Talkeetna (9d). See the maps at the end of
this section for boundaries of these areas and the ac-
companying chart for a summary of land uses in each
subunit.
Subunit 9a encompasses mostly private land, but in-
cludes approximately 2,300 acres of borough land
along the Talkeetna Road up to about three miles
south of Talkeetna. Borough land in this subunit has
values for agriculture, settlement, forestry, fish and
wildlife habitat, and recreation. This land will be
designated land bank. An important goal for the area
is to maintain and improve public access to lakes,
rivers and other amenities. Recreation and habitat
values should be protected by following the guidelines
for lakeshores and rivers, by retaining at least 50% of
the Talkeetna Lakes area in public ownership, and
possibly by developing additional recreation facilities
in the area. It is likely that the northern block of
borough land around Talkeetna Lakes will be classified
public recreation by the borough.
Subunit 9b, in the eastern portion of the manage-
ment unit, is primarily Native land. Recommended
uses for this area include forestry, recreation, settle-
ment and fish and wildlife habitat.
Subunit 9c is public land between the Talkeetna Road
and the Susitna River. It will be retained in public
ownership for its habitat and recreation values. The
land between the Susitna River and Birch Creek Slough
is in borough ownership. It will be designated for long
term retention in public ownership. This area has ex-
ceptional fish and wildlife and recreation values —
Birch Creek and Birch Creek Slough are anadromous
fish streams, and the area is important winter moose
habitat.
Subunit 9d is approximately 3,300 acres of land
around the community of Talkeetna which are primari-
ly in private ownership but which include some state
and borough land. The state land in the area is
classified "reserved use" for the Talkeetna airfield.
Recommended uses for the remainder of the subunit
are recreation and limited settlement. It is also recom-
mended that the existing boat launch and associated
facilities on state land be upgraded.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are referenced below by subunit.
Subunit 9a (Talkeetna Spur Road)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat if land in this subunit is conveyed
to private ownership. Corridor widths will be set on
a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter 2. The
standard minimum buffer width (200' on each side of
the river) should be used on Question Creek and Birch
Creek. A 400' corridor on the east side of the Susitna
River should be retained in public ownership.
115
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 9 - Talkeetna
SUBUNIT
9a
Talkeetna
Spur Road
9b
Birch Creek
9c
Birch
Slough
9d
Talkeetna
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
Borough/
Private
Native
State/
Borough
Private/
Borough/
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Borough Land Bank
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Public Recreation,
Settlement, Widlife Habitat
Primarily Private
Ownership — Recommended Uses:
Forestry, Public Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Primarily Private
Ownership — Recommended Uses:
Community Facilities (airport,
parking facilities), Limited
Settlement, Public Recreation
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
•~
Open
——
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
• — ••
Available for
leasing
——
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
—
—
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
——
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant•Tien :delr~— in c'——*er 2
South Parks Highway 9
Recreation and Public Access
Access or public use sites along the Talkeetna Spur
Road should be retained in public ownership.
Alaska Range View Site
There is a small hill located just south of Talkeetna off
the Talkeetna Spur Road that provides one of the only
road-accessible views of the Alaska Range in the South
Parks Highway Subregion. This site is used in part as
an FAA electronics and communications facility. The
state, working with the FAA, should utilize the existing
road to develop a parking and viewing area. The view
from this site is truly spectacular and would please both
tourists and local people.
Subunits 9b and 9d (Birch Creek and
Talkeetna)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One route passes through these subunits. The
precise location of this route has not been determined,
although a general location is shown on the maps in
Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in these units such
as land sales, leases, or other actions should be located
so as not to preclude the option to build this road along
a feasible and efficient route.
Sobnnh 9c (Birch Sloagh)
Forestry
Timber cutting may be allowed in this subunit on a
site by site basis to enhance habitat values.
Subunit 9d (Talkeetna)
Community Facilities
State or borough land in the community of Talkeetna
should be reserved as a parking area for those peo-
ple who live outside of Talkeetna along the railroad.
117
MANAGEMENT UNIT 10 - MONTANA CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit extends from near Sheep Creek
north to Answer Creek. It is mostly private land but
includes isolated parcels of state and borough land.
The majority of the land along the Parks Highway and
Talkeetna Road is in private ownership. A portion of
this unit near Montana Creek has been identified as
an ecological reserve because of high forestry, fisheries
and wildlife habitat values. It has been proposed as
an experimental forest. All public lands in this unit are
available for oil and gas leasing. Public lands in this
unit also will remain open to mineral location except
for Sheep Creek and Montana Creek. This manage-
ment unit will be available for coal leasing.
This management unit has been divided into two
subunits: the vast majority of the area which is
primarily private land (10a), and a block of public land
near Sheep Creek (10b). See the maps at the end of
this section for boundaries of these areas and the ac-
companying chart for a summary of land uses in each
subunit.
Subunit lOa consists of mostly private, Native and
University land, including past state and borough land
sales. Present uses in this area are personal use forestry,
recreation, fish and wildlife habitat and settlement. It
is specifically recommended that parking facilities and
a trail to the popular fishing area on Sheep Creek be
developed on public land at mile 88. The borough has
sold approximately 840 acres of agricultural land in
the northwest portion of the subunit just south of
where the Parks Highway crosses the Susitna River.
There are several isolated parcels of land remaining
in borough ownership. Two of these are between the
Susitna River and the Alaska Railroad in the northern
portion of the management unit. A third is in the
southern part of the unit adjacent to Sheep Creek and
west of the Parks Highway. These will be designated
land bank. If sales occur, the borough should retain
some land along the road system and/or streams for
various public uses.
Subunit lOb is primarily swampy land in mixed state
and borough ownership. Sheep Creek runs through
the southeast corner of the subunit. This subunit will
be retained in public ownership and managed for
recreation and fish and wildlife habitat.
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
*Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
*Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit lOa and lOb (Montana and Sheep
Creek Corridors)
Mining
Public lands within 300' of Montana, Goose, or Sheep
creeks will be closed to mineral location. The closure
is intended to protect water quality and fish and
wildlife habitat in one of the most important tributaries
to the Susitna River.
Scenic Highways
The study Scenic Resources along the Parks Highway
(ADNR, 1981) should be consulted for additional
information on scenic resources whenever planning
occurs for management activities which are likely to
significantly affect visual quality along the Parks
Highway.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
118
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 10 - Montana Creek_
SUBUNIT
10a
Montana
lOb
Sheep Creek
Corridor
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
Private/
Native/
Univer-
sity/
Borough
State/
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Primarily Private
Recommended Uses:
SECONDARY USE(S)
Ownership —
Forestry
(personal use), Public Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
(personal use)
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Any public
land along
Montana,
Goose, and
Sheep Creeks
is closed
(see mgmt.
guidelines)
Open except
along Sheep
Creek (see
mgmt. guide-
lines)
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 11 - GOOSE CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit llencompasses land from the
Parks Highway near Goose Creek north and east
approximately six miles and includes portions of Goose
Creek. The unit is primarily public land and will be
managed to support a variety of public uses. All public
lands in this unit are available for oil and gas leasing.
It will remain open to mineral location except along
Goose Creek and be available for coal leasing.
This management unit has not been divided into
subunits. See the maps at the end of this section for
boundaries of these areas and the accompanying chart
for a summary of land uses in each subunit.
Land in the west of the management unit near Goose
Creek is fairly wet, whereas land upland and to the
east has potential for forestry and settlement in addi-
tion to recreation and fish and wildlife. All land will
be retained in public ownership and managed to pro-
tect public values, primarily forestry and wildlife
habitat. This unit is an important part of the east-west
corridor of public land (described previously in the
management summary section of this subregion) be-
tween the Talkeetna Mountains and the Susitna River.
Grazing
The majority of this unit is closed to grazing to pro-
tect important moose habitat areas. The two sections
in the eastern portion which remain open to grazing
are T23N R4W S.M. section 1, and T24N R4W S.M.
section 36.
Scenic Highways
The study Scenic Resources along the Parks Highway
(ADNR, 1981) should be consulted for additional infor-
mation on scenic resources whenever planning occurs
for management activities which are likely to
significantly affect visual quality along the Parks
Highways.
Mining
Public lands within 300' of Goose Creek will be clos-
ed to mineral entry. The closure is intended to pro-
tect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat in Goose
Creek.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
*Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
*Forestry
*Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
*lnstream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below.
120
.r
LANP USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 11 - Goose Creek
SUBUNIT
11
Goose Creek
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along Goose
Creek (see
mgmt. guide-
lines)
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Portions
closed to
grazing—
see guidelines
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 12 - KASHW1TNA STATE FOREST
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This large unit is in state ownership except for 8,300
acres of borough land and encompasses portions of
the Kashwitna and the North Fork of the Kashwitna
River, Sheep Creek, and the South Fork of Montana
Creek. This area has high values for forestry, hunting,
fishing, fish and wildlife habitat and recreation. This
unit is among the most valuable in the planning area
for commercial forest management, encompassing
high or moderate capability stands of cottonwood or
white spruce. The area provides year-round moose
habitat and also contains concentrations of brown bear
on the North Fork of the Kashwitna River. Both rivers
support anadromous fish and a great deal of sport
fishing. The management unit is recommended for
legislative designation as a state forest to protect these
public values. The borough land is included in the
legislative designation but the borough will retain
management authority over its lands. Public use cabins
are encouraged in this area. All public lands in this
unit are available for oil and gas leasing. This unit will
remain open to mineral location and be available for
coal leasing.
The area has been divided into three subunits: the bulk
of the area excluding the river corridors and borough
selected land (12a), Sheep Creek, the North Fork of
the Kashwitna and Kashwitna River corridors (12b),
and the 8,300 acres of borough land (12c). See the
maps at the end of this section for boundaries of these
areas and the accompanying chart for a summary of
land uses in each subunit.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
*lnstream Flow
Lakeshore Management
Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunits 12a & 12b (Forest Area & River
Corridors)
Grazing
Portions of these subunits are closed to grazing to pro-
tect fish and wildlife values associated with the river
corridors. The portions that are closed are: one mile
either side of the South Fork of Montana Creek and
those portions of subunit 12b which encompass the
Kashwitna and the North Fork of the Kashwitna Rivers.
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for subunits
1 2a and 12b. The management plan will determine,
among other things, whether remote cabins will be
a permitted use in these subunits. Remote cabin per-
mits will not be offered until and unless areas open
to remote cabins are designated by a management
plan.
Subunit 12a (Forest Area)
Trails Access
Trails that provide access through this subunit to more
remote lands to the east should be maintained and
improved during forestry operations.
Subunit 12b (River Corridors)
Forestry
The major objective within the river corridors is to pro-
tect fish and wildlife and recreation values. Timber
management and harvest will be an allowed use where
it does not conflict with or where it enhances these
values.
Recreation
Public use cabins are an appropriate use in this area.
122
LAIMU usfc DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 12 - Kashwitna State Forest
SUBUNIT
12a
State
Forest Area
12b
River
Corridors
12c
Borough ,
Forest Area
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Public Rec.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
Open
LEASEABLEMINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
land Disposals
Portions
closed to
grazing — see
guidelines
Land Disposals
Portions
closed to
grazing — see
guidelines
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Recommended
for legislative
designation
Recommended
for legislative
designation
•Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 13 - C AS WELL CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit, which is approximately two miles east of the
Parks Highway, extends from near Goose Creek south
to near Little Willow Creek and includes a large
amount of private land. The area has high values for
a variety of uses — recreation, fish and wildlife,
forestry, settlement, and agriculture. It will be managed
to allow for private ownership through agricultural
homesteads while retaining important recreation and
fish and wildlife areas in public ownership. All public
lands in this unit are available for oil and gas leasing.
The majority of this unit will be closed to mineral loca-
tion and will not be available for coal leasing due to
a proposed disposal.
The management unit has been divided into two
subunits: most of the private land in the management
unit, including areas surrounding Sheep Creek,
Caswell Lake and portions of Caswell Creek (13a), and
a block of land in the eastern portion of the manage-
ment unit proposed for agricultural homesteads (13b).
See the maps at the end of this section for boundaries
of these areas and the accompanying chart for a sum-
mary of land uses in each subunit.
Subunit 13a is almost entirely in private or Native
ownership. Recommended uses for the area include
agriculture, personal use forestry, recreation and fish
and wildlife habitat. There are approximately 320 acres
of state land in the southwest part of the subunit which
will be retained in public ownership and managed for
fish and wildlife habitat and recreation.
Subunit 13b is approximately 6,080 acres of state land
between Caswell Lake and the North Fork of the
Kashwitna River which is proposed for agricultural
homesteads. There are 320 acres of borough land in
the northwest portion of this unit which will be
designated land bank.
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 13a (Caswell Creek)
Mining
Public lands within 300' of Sheep Creek will be clos-
ed to mineral entry. The closure is intended to pro-
tect the water quality and fish and wildlife habitat of
the Sheep Creek corridor.
Subunit 13b (North Fork Kashwitna
Agricultural Area)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on most unnamed
streams that appear on the 1:63,360 scale USGS
topographic map. A corridor of 300' on both sides of
Caswell Creek should be retained in public ownership.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
*Agriculture
'Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
124
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 13 - Casu/ell Creek
SUBUNIT
13a
Caswell
Lake
13b
North Fork
Kashwitna
Ag. Area
LANDOWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
Private/
Native
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Primarily Private Ownership —
tecommended Uses: Agriculture,
Forestry (personal use), Public
tecreation, Wildlife Habitat
Agriculture
homesteads)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Any public
land along
Sheep Creek
is closed
(see mgmt.
guidelines)
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLEMINERALS
_ ___ .
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PDr^WIRITCn
SURFACE
USE(S)*
_
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area
=3,620 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 14 - 197 MILE CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit is in the southwest corner of the subregion
and extends south from Caswell Creek to near Little
Willow Creek and east from the Susitna River approx-
imately five miles. It is mostly public land with a small
amount of private land. It also encompasses portions
of Caswell Creek and the Kashwitna River, including
their mouths, plus approximately five miles of the Parks
Highway. The unit provides year-round moose habitat
and protects especially important moose winter habitat
along the Susitna River. Streams in the area support
anadromous fish. The area receives a lot of hunting
and fishing pressure in addition to other recreational
uses. All public lands in this unit are available for oil
and gas leasing. Public lands in this unit also will re-
main open to mine/al location and be available for
coal leasing.
The unit is divided into two subunits: primarily
borough land (14a), and remaining state land encom-
passing a portion of the Kashwitna River corridor near
its confluence with the Susitna River (14b). See the
maps at the end of this section for boundaries of these
areas and the accompanying chart for a summary of
land uses in each subunit.
Subunit 14a has values for settlement, forestry,
recreation and fish and wildlife habitat. It will be
designated borough land bank. The area is accessi-
ble by means of the Parks Highway and Alaska
Railroad, but it is unlikely it will be offered for sale
in the near term.
Subunit 14b is mostly state land which abuts the
Susitna River and encompasses a three mile stretch
of the Kashwitna River. The Parks Highway and Alaska
Railroad also run through this subunit. Because of the
high values for fish and wildlife habitat and recreation
associated with the river corridors this subunit will be
retained in public ownership and managed to protect
habitat, recreation and water resources. It is recom-
mended that private land at mile 82 at the confluence
of the Kashwitna and Susitna rivers be purchased to
provide a public boat launch and parking facilities.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
"Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunits 14a and 14b (Caswell Creek and
Kashwitna Corridor)
Access
Public access from the Parks Highway to fish and
wildlife and recreation use areas should be improv-
ed. Purchase of private land from willing sellers should
be considered.
Scenic Highways
The study Scenic Resources along the Parks Highway
(ADNR, 1981) should be consulted for additional in-
formation on scenic resources whenever planning
occurs for management activities which are likely to
significantly affect visual quality along the Parks-
Highway.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within the manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable in this unit are indicated with asterisks in
the list below.
126
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION South Parks Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 14 - 197 Mile Creek
SUBUNIT
14a
Caswell
Creek
14b
Kashwitna
Corridor
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
Borough
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Borough Land Bank —
Values: Forestry, Public
Recreation, Settlement,
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Grazing
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
* Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS South Parks Hwy,
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in lower case letters are secondary designations; areas
shown with stars * are proposed tor legislative or administrative designation. Statements in i!nli,:, indicate whether
areas are open or closed to mineral location and coal leasing; all areas are available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - GOLD CREEK
la SETTLEMENT: public rec., wildlite hah.;
Closed Prior to Disposal
1 b SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel tittering);
public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
Ic RESERVED USE; Closed
Id PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Open
le SETTLEMENT; public rec., wildlife hah.;
Closed Prior to Disposal
If BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry,
Public Rec., Settlement, Wildlife Hab.; Open
Ig PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry;
Open
IhAK RAILROAD LAND - not available tor
public use
MGT. UNIT 2 - SUSITNA/CHUL1TNA RIVERS
2 FORESTRY, PUBLIC REC., WATER
RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HAB.; Partially Open
MGT. UNIT 3 - WHISKERS CREEK
3a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry;
Open
3b BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Agric.,
Forestry Public Rec., Settlement, Wildlife
Hab.; Open
3c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public rec., wildlife
hab.; Closed Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 4 - CHASE
4a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry;
Open
4b BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values:
Agriculture, Forestry, Public Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Open
4c AGRICULTURE (past sale); forestry, wildlife
habitat; Closed
4d SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel offering);
forestry, wildlife habitat; Closed
4e SETTLEMENT; public rec., wildlife hab.;
Closed Prior to Disposal
4f PUBLIC REC., WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Closed
4g MINERALS, PUBLIC REC, WATER
RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Open
MGT. UNIT 5 - LARSON LAKE
5a SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry,
public rec., wildlife hab.; Closed
*5b PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry;
Closed
5c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation,
wildlife habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
5d BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Agric.,
Forestry, Public Rec., Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat; Open
MGT. UNIT 6 - UPPER TALKEETNA RIVER
*(><i PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry;
Closed
6b PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Open
MGT. UNIT 7 - BALD MOUNTAIN
7,i SETTLEMENT; forestry, wildlife hab.; Closed
Prior to Disposal
7b SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel and subd.
offerings); forestry, public recreation, wildlife
habitat; Closed
7c SETTLEMENT; forestry, wildlife hab.; Closed
Prior to Disposal
7d PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; Open
7e SETTLEMENT; public rec., wildlife hab.;
Closed Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 8 - BARTLETT HILLS
8a AGRICULTURE (past sales); forestry, public
rec., wildlife hab.; Closed
8b PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native)
Be SETTLEMENT (existing subdivisions); forestry,
public rec., willdife hab., Closed
MGT. UNIT 9 - TALKEETNA
9a PRIVATE/BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values:
Agriculture, Forestry, Public Rec., Settlement,
Wildlife Habitat; Open
9b PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native)
9c PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry;
Open
9d PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
MGT. UNIT 10 - MONTANA CREEK
lOa PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
lOb PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry;
Open Except along Sheep Creek
MGT. UNIT 11 - GOOSE CREEK
11 FORESTRY, WILDLIFE HAB.; public rec.;
Open Except along Goose Creek
MGT. UNIT 12 - KASHWITNA STATE FOREST
*12a FORESTRY, WILDLIFE HAB.; public rec.;
Open
*12b FORESTRY, PUBLIC REC. WILDLIFE HAB.;
Open
*12c FORESTRY, WILDLIFE HAB.; public rec.;
Open
MGT. UNIT 13 - CASWELL CREEK
13a PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native and
other private)
13b AGRICULTURE; public rec., wildlife hab.;
Closed Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 14 - 197 MILE CREEK
14a BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry,
Public Rec., Settlement, Wildlife Hab.; Open
14b PUBLIC REC., WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
128
SOUTH PARKS HIGHWAY
LAND STATUS
r+-H FEDERAL
I I STATE
IXN STATE SELECTED
I I BOROUGH
K//J PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
''•'•< PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks ol approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
Map Scale 1:250,000
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Talkeetna
Talkeetna Mts.
Tyonek
Anchorage
PETERSVILLE ROAD
SUBREGION
D£NALI NATIONAL DENALI
AND PRESERVE
SUSTTNA STUDY AREA
131
L--J
PETERSVILLE ROAD SUBREGION
The following section describes land use policy within
the Petersville Road subregion. It is divided into two
parts. The first is an overview of resources and their
management for the subregion as a whole. The second
presents specific statements of management intent,
land use designations, prohibited uses, and manage-
ment guidelines for each of the subregion's seven
management units. A map showing land ownership
in the subregion and boundaries of management units
and subunits is presented at the end of the second part.
Beyond Moose Creek, it continues south and west
through the rest of the subregion as a winter road. In
FY 85, the state legislature appropriated $97,400
toward construction of a bridge across Moose Creek.
Construction may begin in the summer of 1985. Once
the creek is crossed, the year-round road could be ex-
tended south toward Amber Lake. There is also a
winter trail connecting Petersville Road to the Shulin
Lake area, and there are landing strips near the junc-
tion of Oilwell Road and Petersville Road. Several lakes
are used for float plane landings.
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
Background
The Petersville Road Subregion comprises approx-
imately 350,000 acres. It is bounded on the east by
the Chulitna and Susitna rivers and on the north by
the boundary of Denali State Park. The subregion ex-
tends south of Petersville Road approximately 15 miles
along the drainages of Kroto, Gate, Seventeen Mile,
Ninemile and Peters Creeks, and along Oilwell Road.
This subregion is predominantly state owned with
significant areas in borough, Native and university
ownership. Of the total area, approximately 72% (ap-
proximately 246,000 ac,) is in state ownership, 15%
borough (50,000 ac.),10% university selected (36,000
ac),and (3-4%) (10,000 to 15,000 ac.) privately own-
ed. Numerous state land disposals have occurred in
this area.
The Petersville Road Subregion is the focus of near
term development interests for settlement, forestry,
and agriculture. It is currently the most heavily hunted
portion of the planning area. It also is used for other
recreational activities including snow-machining, dog
mushing, cross-country skiing, and fishing. Settlement
presently is scattered throughout most of the subregion
on old OTE sites and other past disposals. Some small-
scale agriculture exists along the Petersville Road and
on past borough agricultural land sales. There is
relatively little mining in this subregion. The majority
of mining activity that does occur is located along
Peters Creek south of the Petersville Road.
Unlike the other subregions west of the Susitna River,
the Petersville Road subregion has road access. It is
bounded on the east by the Parks Highway and cross-
ed by the Petersville Road. Oilwell Road branches off
Petersville Road approximately 6 miles from the Parks
Highway and travels south for approximately 6.5 miles
to Moose Creek. It is an all-weather road to this point.
Management Summary
Road access and high resource values will result in in-
creased use and development of a variety of resources
in the Petersville Road subregion. Additional state and
borough land sales will be offered, primarily in the
eastern half of the subregion. Sales may include a small
number of agricultural homesteads where specific sites
within disposal areas have suitable soils. The land
along the Petersville Road will be the focus of much
of the recreational activity and development in the
subregion. While some development will take place
close to the road, other parts of the road corridor will
remain in public ownership to enhance settlement
values and protect visual quality. A system of public-
ly owned lands will be retained throughout the sub-
region to provide recreational opportunities and public
access and to protect scenic quality and habitat. In
addition, much of the southwest quarter of the sub-
region will remain in public ownership to provide a
base for forest management, including timber produc-
tion, habitat management and recreation. Portions of
this area are proposed for legislative designation as
multiple use forest lands and state recreation rivers.
Management of each of the major resources and land
uses in the subregion (settlement, agriculture, forestry,
fish and wildlife, recreation, subsurface resources, and
transportation) is summarized in the following sections.
Settlement
The Petersville Road subregion contains some of the
most desirable land for private recreation, year-round
settlement and commercial development in the en-
tire study area. There are good lands close to road ac-
cess in areas where topography and vegetation can
reduce adverse visual impacts of development. Num-
erous disposals have been offered in this subregion
in the past, including Gate Creek, Denali View,
Schneider Lake, Nine Mile and Amber Lakes remote
parcel areas, and subdivisions at Swan Lake, Trapper
133
Petersville Road
Creek/Glen, Kenny Creek, Ninemile, Peters Creek
South, and Safari Lake. State and borough agricultural
disposals also have taken place at Moose Creek, Scotty
Lake, and Rabideux.
A gross area of approximately 8.3,000 acres of state
and borough land is designated for settlement in this
subregion (see Table 1). Settlement areas are concen-
trated between Moose Creek and the Susitna River.
Additional sales are proposed between Kroto Creek
and Moose Creek within and adjacent to existing
disposal areas and near Amber Lake. West of Kroto
Creek, two small sales are located near Schneider
Lake, and over-the-counter sales of the approximately
90 unsold surveyed lots in the existing Kenny Creek,
Safari Lake, and Trapper Creek/Glen subdivisions are
recommended. Settlement is appropriate in this
subregion, but it is essential that disposals meet the
goals emphasized by local residents — protection of
environmental quality and rural lifestyles. Therefore,
the following policies will be implemented.
a. Subdivisions will be limited to areas near existing
access (generally 2-3 miles from existing roads, or
adjacent to areas with water or air access) or where
roads can be built to each parcel by the state or
borough prior to sale. More remote areas will be
offered as homesteads with prestaked parcels.
1ABLE. 1
Acreage Identified for Settlement and
GROSS
AREA (ac)
STATE LAND
New Offering 39,960
Reofferings 29,790
within Past Disposal Areas
Agriculture 1,040
STATE TOTAL 70,790
BOROUGH LAND
New Offerings 1 1,820
STATE AND 82,610
BOROUGH TOTAL
Agriculture
NET
AREA (ac)
8,970
I.S70
520
11,060
4,190
15,250
b. New disposals generally will be concentrated in the
eastern half of the region, or in conjunction with
resource development or community establishment
or expansion.
c. Sale of remaining parcels in existing disposal areas
generally will be a higher priority then offering new
areas for sale, although disposals will include both
reofferings and new sale areas.
(I. Disposals will be designed to provide a variety ot
residential and private recreational opportunities
ranging trom road accessible subdivisions to low
density settlement in an area that may remain
roadless. (See also the Transportation section of this
subregion tor more inlormation on the roadless area
proposal.)
e. Publicly owned buffers and setbacks trom major
roads, lakeshores and streams will be used to help
protect public access and open space. The land
along some streams will be retained entirely in
public ownership (e.g., Kroto Creek).
A summary of the acreage proposed for sale in the
Petersville Road subregion is shown in Table 1. A
net area of approximately 1 1,000 acres of state land
will be available for sale over the next twenty years.
Most of the sales will be subdivisions or non-
agricultural homesteads, but approximately 520
acres may be sold as agricultural homesteads if the
soils are suitable for agricultural use. Approximately
4,190 acres of borough land near Amber Lake and
Trapper Creek also will be offered for sale if they
are needed to support community development.
Approximately 35,300 acres of land are included in
the borough land bank. This may be available for set-
tlement in the long term,but there are no immediate
plans for sale. When these areas are reevaluated to
determine their long term best use, forestry, habitat,
and public recreation values will be considered as well
as agricultural and settlement potential. In the interim,
these lands will be managed for existing public uses,
including forestry, habitat and recreation.
Construction of public use cabins is recommended for
the Kroto Creek and Moose Creek corridors to sup-
port public recreation along the waterways.
Agriculture
Opportunities for agricultural development (including
homesteads) are limited by poor soil conditions in most
of the subregion. The only accessible area of state land
with blocks of soils suitable for commercial agriculture,
the 2,360 acre Rabideux agricultural project, was of-
fered for sale in 1984. Approximately 520 acres of state
land may be available for agricultural homesteadirig
adjacent to settlement areas if the soils prove to be
suitable. There is little potential for grazing in the
Petersville Road subregion. Therefore, grazing is not
a designated use in any management unit. A few areas
are closed to grazing, where conflicts between live-
stock and wildlife would be likely. On the remainder
of the public lands in the subregion, applications for
grazing permits will be reviewed on a case-by-case
134
Petersville Road
basis. In addition, grazing operations may take place
on lands conveyed to private owners.
Approximately 19,000 acres of borough lands that may
have agricultural potential are included in the borough
land bank. They may be available for agricultural
development in the long term, but there are no im-
minent plans for sale. Future evaluation should deter-
mine their agricultural potential as well as their value
for forestry, settlement, habitat, and public recreation.
In the interim, these lands will be managed for timber,
wildlife habitat, and public recreation.
Forestry
Most of this subregion supports timber resources with
considerable value for commercial and/or personal
use. The timber is especially valuable because it is
much more accessible than most public forest land
in the study area. A number of state timber sales have
taken place in this subregion in recent years. Approx-
imately 57,600 acres of land with high or moderate
potential for commercial forestry will be retained in
state ownership with forestry designated a primary use.
These lands are primarily in the Peters Creek-Kroto
Creek area in the southwestern portion of the sub-
region. Forestry is designated a secondary use on an
additional 25,800 acres of land retained for public
ownership along the Kroto Creek and Moose Creek
corridors. Both these primary and secondary designa-
tions are within areas proposed for legislative designa-
tion to provide for multiple use management including
timber harvest, habitat and public recreation. Some
smaller forested areas will be identified for personal
use to provide firewood and houselogs to local
residents.
Fish and Wildlife and Recreation
This subregion is hunted more heavily for moose than
any other area in the Susitna Basin. In addition, it con-
tains extremely popular fishing streams and important
habitat for bears and swans. Fish and wildlife resources
are one of the main attractions that bring people to
the area. These resources must be protected in order
to preserve the settlement and recreational values in
the subregion.
Recreational activities occur throughout most of the
subregion. In addition to wildlife-based recreation, the
area supports extensive lake, trail, and river-based ac-
tivities such as boating, snowmachining and cross-
country skiing. The subregion's cold, snowy winters
and relative accessibility have made it very popular
for dog mushing. Most of the Peters Creek and Kroto
Creek drainage south of Petersville Road will be pro-
posed for legislative designation to protect habitat,
public recreation and forest values (see forestry above).
Where Kroto and Moose Creek corridors are presently
publicly owned, they will be retained in public owner-
ship and proposed for legislative or administrative
designation in recognition of their extremely high
habitat and public recreation values. In general, set-
tlement will be concentrated in the eastern half of the
subregion, leaving most of the western half in public
ownership.
Public ownership of trail and river corridors, public
access points, campgrounds, and reservation of some
lakefront property also will serve to ensure that op-
portunities for public recreation are protected.
Mining
a. Mining Resources and Mining Claims
A number of mining claims have been staked in the
northern part of the subregion, but there is little min-
ing activity at present. The concentration of past and
proposed land sales in this area will result in a relatively
large proportion of the area being closed to mineral
entry, but the lands proposed for closure have little
mineral potential. In addition to settlement and agri-
cultural areas, public recreation sites and some im-
portant recreational rivers (Kroto and Moose creeks
and their major tributaries) will be closed to mineral
entry. All other areas, including the large tracts of
public land in the western portion of the subregion
proposed for legislative or administrative designation
for forestry, habitat and recreation, will be open to
mining.
b. Coal
Potential for coal development is low to very low in
all but the extreme northwest corner of the subregion.
Recreation sites, settlement and agricultural disposals,
and the Kroto and Moose Creek corridors will not be
available for coal leases or prospecting permits. The
availability of these areas will have little or no effect
on coal development because of the low coal poten-
tial involved. All other public lands will be available
for coal leasing.
c. Oil and Gas
Several portions of the subregion have been leased
for oil and gas exploration, but little activity is presently
occurring. Oil and gas exploration is permitted
throughout the subregion. In the Kroto and Moose
Creek corridors specific mitigation measures necessary
to protect the recreation and habitat values of the cor-
ridors will be developed as part of the lease sale pro-
cess if and when such a sale occurs. (See guidelines
in Management Units 1 and 4.)
135
Petersville Road
Transportation
This subregion is currently accessible via the Parks
Highway, Petersville Road, Oilwell Road, winter trails,
and small planes. A number of possible routes are
recommended for further consideration for expanding
road access in this subregion. These include 1) an ex-
tension of Oilwell Road to Amber Lake and eventually
farther south into the Susitna Lowlands Subregion, 2)
spur roads from Petersville Road and Oilwell Road to
some settlement and agricultural areas, 3) an upgrade
of the Shulin Lake trail for year-round use, and 4) roads
to lands intended for long term commercial forest
management.
The lands within T28N R6W; sections I, 2, 11-14,
23-26, 35 and 36ofT28N R7W; sections 1-12of T27N
RbW; and sections 1, 2, 11 and 12 in T27N R7W, have
been proposed for designation as a roadless area by
a local group, the Tokosha Citizens Council. Transpor-
tation under this proposal would be by summer foot
paths, winter ski trails, snowmachine and dogsled
routes, and fly-in access. The final responsibility for
the decision on the proposal will rest with the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Jhe land use designations
within this area should not be taken as either opposi-
tion to or support for the roadless area proposal.
136
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES
BY MANAGEMENT UNIT
MANAGEMENT UNIT 1: PETERS CREEK-KROTO CREEK
!=»
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 1 includes the lands along and bet-
ween Peters, Kroto, Twentymile, and Bear creeks in
the western portion of the subregion. This manage-
ment unit has the largest extent of accessible forest
lands suitable for long term timber management of any
unit in the planning area. In addition, there is more
moose hunting in this unit than any other. Kroto Creek
is part of the Deshka River system, the most impor-
tant waterway in the entire study area for riparian
habitat and public recreation. Peters Creek and its ma-
jor tributaries is rated the seventh most important
waterway in the planning area by the Department of
Fish and Game. King, pink, coho, and silver salmon
populations supported by these streams contribute to
the Cook Inlet commercial fishery as well as sport
fishing. This unit is to be retained in public ownership
and managed for protection and enhancement of its
very high forestry, habitat, and public recreation
values. Because of the importance of these resources,
most of the area will be proposed for legislative or ad-
ministrative designation. Two small locations in the
southern portion of the unit are designated for settle-
ment. All public lands in this unit are available for oil
and gas leasing. The great majority of the land in this
management unit will open to mineral locatioin and
available for coal leasing. However, the Kroto Creek
corridor and the settlement areas will be closed to
mineral entry and not available for coal leasing and
land along Chijuk Creek will be closed to mineral loca-
tion only.
Road access should be expanded in this management
unit to facilitate resource development. This includes
upgrading of the Shulin Lake road for year-round use,
const! uction of spur roads for logging, and extension
of Oilwell Road across Kroto Creek to the southern
part of the unit. In addition, chapter 4 recommends
consideration of upgrading the trail that runs from the
Forks roadhouse at Peters Creek to the Lower Cache
Creek mining area.
There are five subunits within Management Unit 1: the
forest lands that constitute the main body of the unit
(la), KrotoCreek corridor Ob), the past Schneider Lake
remote parcel area (1c), borough lands around the
Forks roadhouse and existing development at Peters
Creek (1d), and lands proposed for settlement west
of Kroto Creek (le). See the maps at the end of this
section for boundaries of these areas and the accom-
panying chart for a summary of land uses in each
subunit.
Subunit la (Peters Creek) is state land proposed for
legislative designation to provide for long term multi-
ple use management for timber, habitat, public recrea-
tion, and other uses that are compatible with these
activities. Within this subunit, facilities and activities
subject to land use permits will be restricted when they
occur close to the major anadromous fish streams
(Peters Creek, South Fork Peters Creek, and Martin,
Middle, Sand and Black Creeks). See the management
guidelines for additional information. In the riparian
zones of these streams, forestry is a secondary use.
Timber management activities are allowed when con-
sistent with the habitat and public recreation objec-
tives along the streams.
Subunit Ib, Kroto Creek and the adjacent riparian
habitat, will be proposed for legislative designation.
The designation on these state and borough lands is
intended to protect riparian habitat, fishery values and
opportunities for public recreation. It is proposed that
public use cabins be built within subunit 1b to sup-
port recreational use of Kroto Creek.
Subunit le (Schneider Lake) is designated for settle-
ment. This is a past remote parcel area with a small
amount of developable land still available for disposal.
Subunit Id (Forks): Commercial development to sup-
port recreational activities in the subregion and
residential development for community expansion are
encouraged in this subunit. The subunit is primarily
borough land around the existing development at
Petersville; the remaining area is in private ownership.
The borough is considering developing a campground
or other recreation facilities on the river in this subunit
at some time in the future.
Subunit le is a new settlement area on state land on
the periphery of the management unit. It is accessi-
ble by float plane. Settlement on state land within
Management Unit 1 is limited to subunits 1c and le
in order to minimize inholdings in the state forest and
river corridor and to allow efficient long term resource
management.
137
woo LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Petersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - Peters Creek-Kroto Creek
SUBUNIT
la
Peters
Creek
Ib
Kroto Creek
corridor
Ic
Schneider
Lake
Id
Forks
le
Kroto Creek
West
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED)
State
State/
Borough
State/
Private
Borough/
Private
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement (past
remote parcel
area)
Commercial
Development ,
Public Recreation
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along Chijuk
Creek (see
mgtnt .
guidelines )
Closed
Closed
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Not avail, for
coal leasing
or prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Grazing (along
Peters Creek &
Kroto Creek -
see mgmt.
guidelines )
Land Disposals
Grazing
——
——
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Estimated net
disposal area
= 160 acres
——
Estimated net
disposal area
=430 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Petersville Road 1
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
*Transportation
*lnstream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
SubunHs la and Ib (Peters Creek-Kroto Creek
corridor)
Land Use Permits and Forestry
In subunit 1b and within !/2 mile of Peters Creek or
1/4 mile of its major tributaries in subunit 1a (South
Fork Peters Creek, Middle, Martin, Sand and Black
creeks) development activities requiring land use per-
mits (e.g., gravel extraction, airstrips) generally will be
permitted only where there are no feasible and pru-
dent alternatives.
Grazing
Crazing is prohibited within the riparian zone along
Peters and Kroto Creek.
Mining
Public lands within 400' of Chijuk Creek will be clos-
ed to mineral location. The closure is intended to pro-
tect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat in some
of the most important tributaries to Kroto Creek.
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas exploration and development activities will
be sited and/or timed to mitigate impacts on the fish
and wildlife habitat and public use values of the Peters
Creek and Kroto Creek corridors. Specific mitigation
measures necessary to protect the public recreation,
habitat and water resource of values the river corridors
will be developed as part of the lease sale process.
Mitigation measures will be developed on a case by
case basis considering timing, topography, vegetation
and other factors affecting the impact of oil and gas
exploration and development activities on fish and
wildlife, habitat and public use values.
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for the area
proposed for legislative designation in subunits la and
1b in conjunction with the other portions of the Kroto
Creek-Moose Creek corridor in subunit 4a and Susit-
na Lowlands subunit 11 b. The management plan will
determine, among other things, whether remote
cabins will be a permitted use in these subunits.
Remote cabin permits will not be offered in these
subunits until and unless remote cabin areas are
designated by a management plan.
Interagency Consultation
Since protection of habitat and recreation values is of
such importance in this unit and the area is being
recommended for administrative or legislative designa-
tion, special consideration should be given to con-
sulting with the Division of Parks & Outdoor Recrea-
tion and the Department of Fish & Game when review-
ing permit or lease applications in this unit.
Transportation
Kroto Creek and Peters Creek road crossings should
be minimized. Road crossings must be designed in
consultation with the Division of Parks and Outdoor
Recreation and the Department of Fish and Came.
Subunits la and Id (Peters Creek and Forks)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One route passes through this subunit. The
precise location of this route has not been determined,
although a general location is shown on the maps in
Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in this unit such
as land sales, leases, or other actions should be located
so as not to preclude the option to build this road along
a feasible and efficient route.
139
MANAGEMENT UNIT 2: TOKOSHA
MANAGEMENT INTENT
The Tokosha region is an area of interspersed
wetlands, low ridges and lakes occupying the northern
part of the subregion and extending south along Ken-
ny Creek. The landscape, the view of the Alaska Range
and the access from the Parks Highway and Petersville
Road, have attracted scattered settlement throughout
much of the region. There is also a considerable
amount of hunting and other forms of public recrea-
tion. Several waterways are important for riparian
habitat and salmon spawning. These include Bunco
Creek, Kenny Creek, and the Tokositna River. The
Trapper Creek corridor also is a focus for local and
regional travel and recreational activities. Under this
plan, the Tokosha area will continue to provide a mix
of opportunities for private and public recreational use.
All public lands in this unit are available for oil and
gas leasing. Management Unit 2 also will remain open
to mineral location and available for coal leasing ex-
cept for the areas to be offered for sale. Sale areas
(subunits 2c and 2d) will be closed to mining and leas-
ing prior to their sale.
Existing access into Management Unit 2 includes fly-
in access to numerous lakes and use of snowmachines,
3-wheelers and skis on trails throughout the area, in
addition to the road access in the southwestern and
northeastern corners of the unit. Possible access im-
provements identified in Chapter 4 include formal
identification and recording of the trails, providing
parking at major (railheads along the Parks Highway
and constructing the platted road in the Kenny Creek
Subdivision. For more information, see the Transpor-
tation Section of Chapter 4.
This management unit has eight subunits — the Bunco
Creek-Tokositna River area (2a), open space lands con-
necting the Parks Highway and Trapper Creek (2b),
lands available for settlement in several blocks
throughout the region (2c), existing subdivisions and
past remote parcel areas (2d), borough lands south and
east of Bunco Lake ("Bunco Bump') and along the
Parks Highway (2e), university selected lands south
of Kroto Lake (20, state lands around Swan Lake (2g),
and the upper Trapper Creek area proposed for sale
(2h). See the maps at the end of this section for boun-
daries of these areas and the accompanying chart for
a summary of land uses in each subunit.
Subunit 2a (Bunco Creek-Tokositna River) will be re-
tained in public ownership and managed for fish and
wildlife habitat, public recreation, water resources and
forestry. This state-owned subunit includes large
140
wetlands, Bunco Lake, a portion of the Tokositna
River, and upland areas that are transitional between
forested and alpine areas. The Bunco Lake and Bunco
Creek areas are important moose winter range and bear
habitat. The Tokositna River is used for boating and
provides access to a portion of Denali State Park and
Denali National Park. Twentyfive Mile Lake is relatively
undeveloped compared to most of the lakes in the sub-
region and offers opportunities for public recreation.
Subunit 2b (Open Space) will be retained in public
ownership. These state and borough lands are intended
to create an open space system that will provide
recreation opportunities for both the general public
and local residents. This unit retains an east-west cor-
ridor of public lands that connects a number of the
lakes and muskegs in the area, and includes one of
the area's major trails. It also retains a north-south cor-
ridor along Trapper Creek with a total width of ap-
proximately 1/4 mile. Forestry and wildlife habitat are
secondary uses in this subunit. Timber harvesting for
personal use will be allowed when consistent with the
public recreation objectives for the subunit.
In subunit 2c (Tokosha land disposals), settlement will
be the primary use of these state lands. These lands
will provide opportunities for recreational and some
year-round settlement with recreational amenities.
Parts of the area are relatively close to road access.
Within this area it is important that public recreational
values be maintained as well. Sections of lakeshores
will be retained in public ownership around water
bodies with values for public recreation. Publicly owned
corridors will be retained along major trails. Major
trailheads on the Parks Highway also will be retained
in public ownership. Before additional disposals are
offered in the Tokosha area (the eastern portion of
Management Unit 2 for which primary access is from
the Parks Highway), DNR should investigate means
of providing adequate parking for existing and future
area residents. This shall include, but not be limited
to, study of sites on the east side of the Parks Highway
in existing gravel pits at miles 126 and 128.
Subunit 2d includes the past Kenny Creek, Safari
Lake, Peters Creek South, Denali View and Swan Lake
Subdivisions and the Denali View remote parcel area.
Settlement is the primary use of this area. Remaining,
unsold, surveyed parcels in the subdivisions will be
offered for sale, but no new parcels will be designed
or sold. A maximum of 290 acres may be offered for
sale within the past Denali View remote parcel area.
The feasiblity of offering this much land will be deter-
mined if and when an additional land offering is con-
sidered for this site and the project goes through the
Land Availability Determination System (LADS).
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Petersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - ibkosha
SUBUNIT
2a
Bunco
Creek/
Tokos itna
River
2b
Open space
2c
Tokos ha
land dis-
posals
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
State/
Borough
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Recreatior
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreatior
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
——
Forestry
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLEMINERALS
Open
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area
= 2,230 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc.. that ore not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines In chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Petersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Tokosha
SUBUNIT
2d
Peters
Creek
South/
Kenny
Creek/
Safari
Lake/
Denali
View/
Swan Lake
Disposals
2e
Bunco Bump
and Parks
Hwy.
2f
University
Land
2g
Swan Lake
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED)
State/
Private
Borough
IFniver—
sity
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
(past remote par-
cel offerings &
existing sub-
divisions)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Borough Land Bank
Values: Settlement, Public
Recreation, Wildlife
Habitat
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
SUBSURFACE
UOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area 290
acres plus
approximately 80
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available
over-the-counter
——
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc.. that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Petersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Tokosha
SUBUNIT
2h
Upper
Trapper
Creek.
1 I
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
IJOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area
=1,890 acres
•Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Petersville Road 2
Subunit 2e (Bunco Bump and Parks Highway) will
be included in the borough land bank. Although
parcels may be available for disposal in the long term,
there are no plans for immediate sale. In the near term,
these lands will be managed for public recreation,
wildlife habitat, and timber harvest for personal and
commercial use. Evaluation to determine the best long
term use of the land will consider agricultural, forestry,
habitat (including trumpeter swan habitat), recreation
and settlement values.
Subunit 2f is university land southeast of Kroto Lake.
This plan does not designate uses on university lands.
However, it is recommended that lands in T27N R7W
S.M. section 8 NVV/4 and SE1/* and section 17S'/2 NW
'A, S'/2 SE'A be included in the Kroto Creek corridor
proposed tor legislative designation. These lands are
close to the creek and are an integral part of the cor-
ridor. If and when any of the selections in 2f, other
than the lands in the Kroto Creek corridor, are relin-
quished by the university and returned to ADNR man-
agement, decisions on appropriate management
should be made through an interagency planning
process.
Subunit 2g, the state land immediately adjacent to
Swan Lake and the wetland north of Swan Lake, is
designated for wildlife habitat, water resources and
public recreation. This area includes important
trumpeter swan habitat. Therefore, the swan guidelines
in the fish and wildlife section of Chapter 2 will apply
to this subunit. (See the management guidelines sec-
tion that follows.)
Subunit 2h is state land on both sides of the Trapper
Creek corridor proposed for disposal in FY 86 under
the fee simple homestead program. These lands offer
opportunities for both private and public recreational
use of the lakes and streams within and adjacent to
subunit 2h. There is likely to be some year-round set-
tlement use of this area because of its proximity to road
access. Public recreation values will be protected by
retaining major trail corridors, stream corridors, and
portions of lakeshores in public ownership.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES:
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
"Transportation
Instream Flow
'Lakeshore Management
"Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
"Trail Management
"Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunite 2b, 2c and 2h (Open Space, Tokosha
Land Disposals and Upper Trapper Creek)
Trail Corridors
Prior to additional sales, a publicly owned corridor of
at least 200' wide should be retained along the north-
south ridge running through the portion of subunit 2c
located just east of Swan Lake. The exact width and
location of this corridor should be defined after field
work to determine the best way to protect oppor-
tunities for public use along this ridge.
Subunlts 2b and 2g (Open Space and
Swan Lake)
Forestry
In subunits 2b and 2g, only personal use harvesting
and/or limited commercial sales for firewood and
houselog harvesting will be permitted.
Subunite 2c, 2d & 2e (Tokosha Land, Kenny
Creek-Safari Lake-Denall View-Swan Lake,
and Bunco Bump East-Parks Highway
Disposals)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water quali-
ty and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on unnamed streams
that appear on the 1:63,360 scale U.S.G.S. topographic
map. The corridor on the Chulitna River should be
at least 300' on each side of the river in order to pro-
vide opportunities for camping in a natural setting and
protect visual quality for river users. The corridor along
the stream connecting Life Lake and Swan Lake should
be at least 200' wide on each side of the creek. At the
144
Petersville Road 2
time sales are designed for this area, consideration
should be given to establishing a corridor wider than
the standard 200' buffer, since this corridor also serves
as a skiing and dog mushing route, and provides im-
portant habitat, including trumpeter swan habitat.
Subunits 2c and 2e (Tokosha Land Disposals
and Parks Highway)
Public Recreation Sites and Parking
Public recreation sites will be identified and retained
in public ownership at major trailheads along the Parks
Highway (e.g., Mile 126 and Mile 131). Parking areas
will be provided at these sites where possible. Camp-
ing facilities may be provided at one or more of the
sites.
Scenic Highways
The study Scenic Resources along the Parks Highway
(ADNR, 1981) should be consulted for additional in-
formation on scenic resources whenever planning oc-
curs for management activities which are likely to
result in significant changes to visual quality along the
Parks Highway.
Subunit 2d (Denali View-Swan Lake
Disposals)
Trail Corridors
Publicly owned north-south corridors coinciding with
existing trails in the Denali View-Swan Lake area
should be retained before additional land is sold. The
exact routes should be determined after on-site inspec-
tion of the area. The most important of these corridors
should be at least 200' wide. In areas with poor land
capability, the flexibility exists to widen the corridor.
Subunit 2g (Swan Lake)
Trumpeter Swans
All land use activities in or near trumpeter swan nesting
habitat, including sales or the granting of leases or per-
mits, should be conducted so as to avoid disturbance
to swans or detrimental alteration to the habitat. Leases
or permits may include seasonal restrictions on activi-
ties to avoid disturbance to swans. Consultation with
the ADF&C should be used to identify current or
potential nesting habitat and to determine guidelines
to follow and activities to avoid.
Construction of transmission lines in trumpeter swan
habitat should be avoided. If transmission lines are
constructed they should be sited in forested areas and
kept close to treetop level, and wires should be strung
in one horizontal plane rather than in multiple, ver-
tical stacks. Where wires cross rivers, marshes and
other open spaces, they should be marked in a fashion
to try to make them visible to swans.
Subunit 2h (Upper Trapper Creek)
Stream Corridors
The Moose Creek (subunit 4a) and Trapper Creek cor-
ridors and the corridor along the main east-west trail
to the Parks Highway at approximately mile 126 are
intended to be the foundation of a permanent public
open space system within this portion of the subregion.
Therefore, there will be a 660' (one-eighth mile) stak-
ing setback on Trapper Creek (see subunit 2b). Cor-
ridor widths on other streams will be set on a case-
by-case basis using the policies in Chapter 2.
Lakeshore Management
The larger lakes in this subunit have been staked heavi-
ly in the past. Wherever possible (e.g., on the lake in
section 34, T27N R6W) at least 50% of the shorelines
and adjacent lands should be retained in public
ownership.
Trail Management
Site planning for the disposal must designate trail ac-
cess to and through the sale area. Extensive wetlands
make this area, including existing foot trails, suscepti-
ble to damage, particularly by off-road vehicles. Trail
corridors should be retained in public ownership with
a corridor identified at least 50' wide on each side of
the centerline (see the Trail Management Section in
Chapter 2).
Forestry
Public woodlots should be identified in the site plan
for the Upper Trapper Creek disposal.
145
MANAGEMENT UNIT 3: GATE CREEK-AMBER LAKE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 3 lies between the Kroto Creek and
Moose Creek corridors. It is an area that is highly
desirable for settlement because of the lakes, recrea-
tion opportunities, and road access. It also supports
valuable timber and moose habitat, and provides
opportunities for hunting and recreation. I iunting and
other recreational activities are centered around the
lakes and major streams — the west fork of Moose
Creek and the tributary to Kroto Creek that rises in
section 1, T24N R9W. The latter is an important
tributary of Kroto Creek and supports populations of
silver, coho, and king salmon. Generalized soil data
indicate that there is some potential for agricultural
homesteads, although the opportunities for agricultural
production are limited by climate and local occur-
rences of rocky and shallow soil. Because of its recrea-
tional amenities,existing access by air, and potential
access from Oilwell Road, this area is expected to be
an important center for settlement and private recrea-
tion. Most of the land in Management Unit 3 is
designated for these purposes.
All public lands in this unit are available for oil and
gas leasing. Management Unit 3 also wil! remain open
to mineral location and available for coal leasing ex-
cept for the lands that will be offered for sale (subunits
3b, 3c and 30 which will be closed to location and
coal leasing, and land within 200' of Gate Creek,
which will be closed to location only.
Land and resource development in this management
unit will necessitate expansion of the road system. This
will include, but not be limited to, improvement of
the Petersviile Road, upgrading and extension of the
Oilwell Road across Moose Creek to the Amber Lake
area and beyond into Management Unit 1 (See Trans-
portation section in Chapter 4). Providing road access
is an integral part of the land sales recommended for
this management unit. Most of the areas designated
for settlement should not be offered for sale until roads
are funded or built.
Management Unit 3 is divided into seven subunits:
wetlands along Petersviile Road and in the northern
part of the unit (3a), the past Gate Creek and Amber
Lake disposals (3b), Gate Creek South and Amber Lake
settlement lands (3c), university selections (3d),
borough lands along the west fork of Moose Creek and
Petersviile Road (3e), borough lands near Amber Lake
(3f), and a small parcel of state land south of Amber
Lakes (3g). See the maps at the end of this section for
boundaries of these areas and the accompanying chart
tor a summary of land uses for each subunit.
146
Subunit 3a will remain in state ownership to provide
open space, protect wetlands, and provide some
wildlife habitat areas, and protect visual quality along
Petersviile Road.
Subunit 3b contains the past Gate Creek and Amber
Lakes remote parcel land disposals and the Amber
Lake North subdivision. Settlement is the primary use
of this subunit. Because of the high density of remote
parcel stakings in Gate Creek, there are presently
no plans for additional land sales within this disposal.
The subunit may be reevaluated in the future to deter-
mine whether or not additional sales are appropriate.
Additional sales of approximately 520 acres will be
offered in the Amber Lakes area.
Subunit 3c contains state land along Gate Creek
south of Petersviile Road and a small parcel near
Amber Lakes that will be available for disposal. These
lands are presently near road or floatplane access and
will become more accessible if Oilwell Road is
extended across Moose Creek. The Amber Lakes area
is a particularly attractive settlement area and likely
to become one of the foci for seasonal and year-round
settlement in the subregion.
Subunit 3d is land with development potential that
has been selected by the university as part of its en-
titlement. If and when some of these selections are
relinquished, decisions on appropriate management
of these lands should be made through an interagen-
cy planning process. It is recommended that land
within T24N R6W S.M. section 8 N'/i, E'/2 SW'/i, SE'/i;
section 17 NE'A, N'/2 SE'/i; section 21 NW'/i, NE%
SW/4; section 28 W/2 W'/.; and section 35 S'/> NE'/4
be included in the Moose Creek and Kroto Creek cor-
ridors proposed lor legislative designation. These lands
are close to the c reeks and would be a valuable addi-
tion to the corridors.
Subunit 3c (West Fork Moose Creek) contains
borough lands along Petersviile Road that will be in-
cluded in the borough land bank. They may be
available for long term settlement, but there are no
plans for sale in the immediate future. In the interim,
they will be managed for public recreation, wildlife
habitat, and timber sales for personal and commer-
cial use.
Subunit 31 consists of borough lands near Amber
Lakes that are designated for settlement and will be
available for sale when needed for community expan-
sion. When lands in this area are offered for sale, the
Borough will consider carrying capacity, public recrea-
tion opportunities, and other public values in design-
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Petersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Gate Creek-Amber Lake
SUBUNIT
3a
Wetlands
3b
Gate Creek
and Amber
Lakes
t
3c
Gate Creek
South
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
State/
Private
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitac
Settlement (past
remote parcel
offerings and
existing
subdivision)
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along Gate
Creek, (see
mgmt.
guidelines)
Closed
Closed along
Gate Creek,
rest of unit
closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
tor coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Grazing (in
portion of
subunit near
Amber Lake)
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area
= 520 acres
Estimated net
disposal area
= 2,600 acres
* Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc, that we not
•- specilically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
vi management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines In chapter 2
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Petersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Gate Creek-Amber Lake
SUBUNIT
3d
University
Land
3e
West Fork:
Moose Creek
3f
Amber Lakes
- Borough
3g
Amber Lakes
South
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
Univer-
sity
Borough
Borough
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Primarily Private Land — Recommended
Uses: Public Recreation, Wildlife
Habitat
Borough Land Bank
Values: Agriculture (small farms/
homesteads) , Public
Recreation , Settlement ,
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Any public
land along
Gate Creek, is
closed (see
management
guidelines)
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
——
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
DD/^MJIDITCPi
SURFACE
USE(S)'
—
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
—
Estimated net
disposal area =
970 acres
__
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be aiiowed. Such uses wiii be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Petersville Road 3
ing the disposal. In keeping with the regional lakeshore
policy, only a portion of the land adjacent to Amber
Lakes will be available for private purchase.
Subunit 3g is a small parcel of state land south of
Amber Lakes. This area is designated for public recrea-
tion and wildlife habitat and will provide open space
for the settlement lands surrounding it.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guideline's
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
""Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
'Stream Corridors
Trail Management
*Wetland Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunits 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d (Wetlands, Gate
Creek and Amber Lakes, Gate Creek South
and University Land)
Mining
Public lands within 200' of Gate Creek will be closed
to mineral location. The closure is intended to pro-
tect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat in one
of the most important tributaries to Kroto Creek.
Subunits 3b, 3c, 3e and 3f (Gate Creek and
Amber Lakes, Gate Creek South, University
Land, and West Fork Moose Creek)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, to protect water in public
ownership. Corridor widths will be set on a case-by-
case basis using policies in Chapter 2. The standard
minimum buffer width (200' on each side of the river)
should be used on Seventeen Mile Creek, the west
fork of Moose Creek, Gate Creek and unnamed
streams that appear on the 1:63,630 scale USGS
topographic maps. The corridor on (he unnamed
tributary to Kroto Creek that originates in the lake in
Section 1 of T24N R7W SM., should be up to V-t mile
wide on each side. The wider buffer on this stream
is intended to provide open space in a densely settled
area, allow for hunting, and protect riparian habitat
along one of the most important tributaries to Kroto
Creek.
Subunit 3c (Gate Creek South)
Grazing
Grazing is prohibited in the southern block of Subunit
3c near Amber Lakes and in the riparian zone of the
stream identified on the USGS 1:63,360 topographic
map crossing sections 35 and 36 of T25N R7W.
149
MANAGEMENT UNIT 4: MOOSE CREEK CORRIDOR
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit is a corridor of land one-half
to two miles wide along Moose Creek. Moose Creek
is part of the Deshka River system, the most important
waterway in the entire Susitna area for riparian habitat
and public recreation. Salmon populations in this
stream contribute to the Cook Inlet commercial fishery
as well as sport fishing.
Public lands in Management Unit 4 will be retained
in public ownership and managed for public recrea-
tion and fish and wildlife habitat. There are two
subunits within management unit 4 — the main part
of the corridor that is in state and borough ownership
(4a), and lands close to the Petersville Road that have
been sold for agricultural development (4b). See the
maps at the end of this section for boundaries of these
areas, and the accompanying chart for a summary of
land uses in each subunit. All public lands in this unit
are available for oil and gas leasing. Subunit 4a will
be closed to mineral entry and unavailable for coal
leasing due to its value for public recreation, habitat,
and water resources and the potential for conflict be-
tween these uses and mining. Subunit 4b was closed
to mining prior to its sale for agricultural purposes.
The Petersville Road and Oilwell Road currently pro-
vide year-round access to the central portion of this
management unit. One of the borough's highest
priorities for road building is construction of a bridge
across Moose Creek to extend Oilwell Road south and
west. This would provide additional access to the
southern part of the unit. Bridge construction may
begin as early as the summer of 1985. Improvements
of Petersville Road also have been proposed (see
transportation section'in Chapter 4).
Subunit 4a, the state and borough lands in the Moose
Creek corridor, will be retained in public ownership
and proposed for legislative designation to protect
riparian habitat and provide opportunities for public
recreation. Because Moose Creek receives intensive
public recreational use and provides highly valuable
riparian habitat, including moose winter range and
salmon spawning areas, no land sales will be permitted
in Subunit 4a. It is recommended that public use
cabins be built within this subunit to support recrea-
tional use of Moose Creek. Road crossings should be
held to the absolute minimum necessary to achieve
the recreation and habitat management objectives.
Forestry is a secondary use in this subunit. Timber
harvesting for personal use will be allowed when con-
sistent with the habitat and recreation objectives for
the subunit.
Although most of the subunit is in public ownership,
numerous private parcels line the banks along
segments of the creek and limit public access. It is
recommended that public land be acquired at the
junction of Moose Creek and Oilwell Road to provide
public access to the creek. The junction is a major star-
ing point for fishing trips and float trips on Moose
Creek.
Subunit 4b includes lands just south of Petersville
Road which already have been sold by the state and
borough for agricultural use. These are primarily
private lands and therefore unaffected by this plan.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
*Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
"Forestry
*Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface
"Transportation
*lnstream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
"Stream Corridors
"Trail Management
Wetland Management
Resource Mangement
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 4a (Moose Creek corridor)
Transportation
Bridges and road improvements must be designed in
consultation with the Division of Parks and Outdoor
Recreation and the Department of Fish and Game
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas exploration and development activities will
be sited and/or timed to mitigate impacts on the fish
and wildlife habitat and public use values of the Moose
Creek corridor. Specific mitigation measures necessary
150
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Petersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 4 - Moose Creek Corridor
SUBUNIT
4a
Moose Creek
corridor
4b
Moose Creek
Ag.
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Primarily Private
Land (past agri-
cultural dispos-
als)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative
designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
^ specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
2 management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Petersville Road 4
to protect the values for which the river corridor was
established will be developed as part of the lease sale
process. Mitigation measures will be developed on a
case-by-case basis considering timing, topography,
vegetation and other factors affecting the impact of
oil and gas exploration and development activities on
fish and wildlife, habitat and public use values.
Land Use Permits
Activities and facilities requiring land use permits (e.g.,
gravel extraction and airstrips) generally will be per-
mitted only where there are no feasible and prudent
alternatives.
Management Planning/Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for the area
proposed for legislative designation in Subunit 4a in
conjuction with planning for the other portions of the
Moose Creek and Kroto Creek corridors in Subunit 1 b
and Susitna Lowlands Subunit 11 b. The management
plan will determine, among other things, whether
remote cabins will be a permitted use in this subunit.
Remote cabin permits will not be offered in this subunit
until and unless remote cabin areas are designated by
a management plan.
Interagency Consultation
Since protection of habitat and recreation values is of
such importance in this unit and the area is being
recommended for administrative or legislative designa-
tion, special consideration should be given to con-
sulting with the Division of Parks & Outdoor Recrea-
tion and the Department of Fish & Game when review-
ing permit or lease applications in this unit.
152
MANAGMENT UNIT 5: TRAPPER CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 5 is an area of interspersed low
ridges, lakes, and wetlands that lies between Moose
Creek and the Parks Highway. Most of the lands in
this unit are near road access via the highway,
Petersville Road or Oilwell Road. Because of this ac-
cessibility, the degree of existing development, and
the demand for additional land for year-round as well
as seasonal recreational settlement, a large percentage
of the land in this unit will be available for future settle-
ment. The major purpose of land disposal in the region
is to allow for community expansion and year-round
settlement. In order to allow for orderly growth within
the area and to ensure that there will be opportunities
for individuals to purchase land in this area for a
number of years to come, not all the land will be
disposed of in the next few years. It is intended that
sales be spread over a 20 year period. In determining
the appropriate rate and type of disposals, the loca-
tion of woodlots near settlement areas, and the design
of individual sales, disposal plans for this unit should
be coordinated with those in the rest of the subregion.
Where borough lands in the subunit have agricultural
potential they may be disposed of for agricultural use.
All public lands in this unit are available for oil and
gas leasing. Most of this management unit will be clos-
ed to mineral location and unavailable for coal leas-
ing. Subunits 5a, 5c, and 5d will be closed to location
and coal leasing due to past or proposed land dis-
posals. Land along Ninemile Creek will be closed to
location to protect water quality and fish and wildlife
habitat.
Several possible access improvements have been iden-
tified in this management unit. They include upgrading
the Petersville Road, formally identifying and recor-
ding existing trails, providing parking along the Parks
Highway at major trailheads, and constructing a road
to the region north of the Parks Highway between
Trapper Creek and Moose Creek. For a more detail-
ed description of these possibilities, see the transpor-
tation section of Chapter 4.
There are five subunits in Management Unit 5: a small
area of borough land along the Parks Highway (5b),
the existing Ninemile and Trapper Creek/Glen Sub-
divisions (5c), Scotty Lake agricultural disposal (5d),
university selections (5e), and the remaining state and
borough lands (5a). See the maps at the end of this
section for boundaries of these areas, and the accom-
panying chart for a summary of land uses in each
subunit.
Subunit 5a (Trapper Creek) is state land that will be
available for settlement. Within this area, important
public values will be protected by retaining corridors
along major streams (e.g., Trapper, Ninemile and
Sawmill Creeks) in public ownership and keeping a
large portion of the shoreline on the larger lakes in
the area in public ownership (see Lakeshore Manage-
ment and Stream Corridor policies in Chapter 2). Pro-
vision of road access will be a major factor in the
timing of land sales in subunit 5a. Most of these areas
will not be sold until roads are funded or built.
Borough lands in this subunit will be sold only when
there is a demonstrated need for additional land to
support community expansion around Trapper Creek.
Subunit 5b is a parcel of borough land on the Parks
Highway. It will be retained in public ownership to
help protect scenic vistas along this major route. A
public campsite is within this unit at mile 121.6 on the
Parks Highway. Forestry is a secondary use in this
subunit. Timber harvesting for personal use will be
allowed when consistent with the recreation and
scenic quality objectives for the subunit.
Subunit 5c contains the existing Ninemile Lake and
Trapper Creek/Glen Subdivisions. Settlement is the
primary use in this subunit. A number of the subdivid-
ed parcels in Trapper Creek/Glen have not been sold
yet. They will remain available for sale over-the-
counter.
Subunit 5d is the past Scotty Lake agricultural
disposal. This subunit is primarily private land and
therefore unaffected by this plan.
Subunit 5e is land with development potential that
has been selected by the university as part of their
entitlement. If some of these selections are relinquished,
decisions on appropriate management of these lands
should be made through an interagency planning
process. It is recommended that lands within T25N
R6W S.M. sections 20 and 29 be included in the
Moose Creek corridor proposed for legislative designa-
tion. These lands are close to the creek and would be
a valuable addition to the corridor.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELENES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
153
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Petersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 - Trapper Creek
SUBUNIT
5a
Trapper
Creek
5b
Parks High-
way
5c
Ninemile &
Trapper
Creek/Glen
5d
Scotty Lake
5e
University
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough/
Private
Borough
State/
Private
Private
Private/
Univer-
sity
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
Public Recreation
Settlement
(existing subdi-
visions)
Primarily private
land (past ag.
disposal)
Primarily private
land (university
selections)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Widlife Hab.
Forestry
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
——
__
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed along
Ninemile Cr.,
rest of unit
closed prior
to disposal
Open
Closed
——
Any public
land along
Ninemile
Creek is
closed (see
guidelines)
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
——
——
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
_
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
——
——
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
1,370 acres of
state land;
2,210 acres of
borough land
_
Approximately 10
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available over-
the-counter
——
——
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
mAdeline"; in chcr^tpr 2.
Petersville Road 5
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
'Settlement
Subsurface
*Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 5a (Trapper Creek)
Stream corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camping
and other active uses, and to protect water quality and
riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should be re-
tained in public ownership. Corridor widths will be
set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on Ninemile Creek,
Sawmill Creek and the unnamed streams that appear
on the USCS 1:63,360 scale topographic maps. Wider
buffers should be retained on the Chulitna River (at
least 300' each side) and Trapper Creek (at least 400'
each side). The wider buffer on the Chulitna River is
intended to protect visual quality along the river and
provide additional camping opportunities. The Trap-
per Creek corridor will serve as the main open space
corridor in an area that is likely to become densely
settled. It is contiguous with the wider publicly retained
corridor in subunit 2b.
Forestry
Only personal use harvesting and/or limited commer-
cial sales for firewood and/or houselog harvesting will
be permitted in the portions of subunit 5a in T27N
R6W S.M.
Subunits 5a and 5b (Trapper Creek and Parks
Highway)
Scenic Highways
The study Scenic Resources along the Parks Highway
(ADNR, 1981) should be consulted for additional in-
formation on scenic resources whenever planning oc-
curs for management activities which are likely to
result in significant changes to visual quality along the
Parks Highway.
Subunits 5a, 5c and 5d (Trapper Creek, Trap-
per Creek/Glen and Scotty Lake)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One route passes through this subunit. The
precise location of this route has not been determin-
ed, although a general location is shown on the maps
in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in this unit such
as land sales, leases, or other actions should be located
so as not to preclude the option to build this road along
a feasible and efficient route.
Subunits 5a and 5e (Trapper Creek and
University Lands)
Mining
Public lands within 200' of Ninemile Creek will be clos-
ed to mineral location. The closure is intended to pro-
tect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat in one
of the most important tributaries to Moose Creek.
155
MANAGEMENT UNIT 6: ROOKY'S LAKES
MANAGEMENT INTENT:
This is an area of mixed wetlands, low ridges and abun-
dant lakes south of Sawmill Creek between the Parks
Highway and Ninemile Creek. It is intended that this
varied landscape accommodate a range of public and
private uses. All public lands in this unit are available
for oil and gas leasing. Management Unit 6 also will
be open to mineral location and available for coal leas-
ing except for the existing settlement area around Nine
Mile Creek (subunit 6a). In addition, land along
Ninemile Creek will be closed to mineral location to
protect water quality and habitat.
The eastern portion of the area is accessible from the
Parks Highway. Some additional road access may
develop west of the highway, but the extent of wetland
areas will make construction of year-round roads dif-
ficult. Numerous fly-in lakes currently provide access
to the region so that road access is not critical for
private or public recreational use.
There are five subunits in Management Unit 6: areas
of lakes and wetlands available for land disposal (6a),
borough lands (6b), lands retained for public use (6c),
the Susitna River corridor (6d), and private lands just
west of the Susitna River (6e). See the maps at the end
of this section for boundaries of these areas and the
accompanying chart for a summary of land uses in
each subunit.
In subunit 6a (Ninemile Creek), settlement is the
primary use. This state-owned area will provide op-
portuhities for private ownership on a number of fly-
in lakes that are two to five miles from the road system.
The past Ninemile Creek remote parcel area is includ-
ed within this subunit. A small amount of additional
land may be made made available for sale within the
past disposal area.
Subunit 6b will be included in the borough land
bank. It may be available for settlement in the long
term, but there are no immediate plans for sale. In the
interim, these lands will be managed for timber
harvest, wildlife habitat, and public recreation.
Subunit 6c (Wetlands) will be retained in state owner-
ship to protect the habitat and water resource values
of the unit's lakes and wetlands. This area contains
some sites that have been used for trumpeter swan
nesting. Forestry and public recreation are secondary
uses in this subunit; they will be allowed when con-
sistent with the habitat objectives.
Subunit 6d: Borough lands in the Susitna River cor-
ridor form subunit 6d. This subunit will be retained
in public ownership and managed for hunting, fishing,
and other public recreation activities; forestry; visual
quality and use of the river for transportation.
Subunit 6c, on the west bank of the Susitna River
consists of primarily private lands which are unaffected
by this plan. Any remaining public lands in this subunit
within ]A mile of the Susitna River will be retained in
public ownership and manged for hunting, fishing and
other public recreation consistent with mangement of
the Susitna River corridor lands in subunit 6d.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES:
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
"Transportation
Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
"Trail Management
"Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 6a (Ninemile Creek)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses and to protect water quality
and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on Queer Creek. Nar-
rower buffers may be applied to the unnamed streams
that appear on the 1:63,360 scale USGS topographic
maps.
156
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Petersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 6 - Rocky's Lakes
SUBUNIT
ba
Ninemile
Creek.
6b
Borough
Lands
6c
We elands
6d
Susicna
Kiver
Corridor
6e
Private
Lands
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
Borough
State
Borough
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
. SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Sec clement
(partly past
remote parcel
offering)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Borough Land Bank
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Public Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Widlife Habitat
Primarily private
land
Forestry
Public Rec.
——
——
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Open
Open (Note:
swan nesting
areas may
require
special MLUP
stipulations)
Open
——
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
——
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Grazing
Remote Cabins
——
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
220 acres
——
——
——
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Petersville Road 6
Mining
Public lands within 200' of Ninemile Creek will be clos-
ed to location. The closure is intended to protect water
quality and wildlife habitat in one of the most impor-
tant tributaries to Moose Creek.
158
MANAGEMENT UNIT 7: RABIDEUX CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT:
This unit contains a mixture of wetlands and uplands
that follow the Parks Highway and extend east to the
Susitna River. Parts of the area have class II and III soils
capable of supporting agriculture. These and other
areas are also valuable for settlement, particularly
because of their proximity to year-round access. The
Susitna River corridor, Rabideux Creek, and the
wetland areas are important for recreation and fish and
wildlife habitat. In addition, the Susitna River serves
as a transportation corridor along the eastern edge of
the unit. A variety of public and private uses are in-
tended for these lands. All public lands in this unit are
available for oil and gas leasing. Management Unit 7
also will be open to mineral location and available for
coal leasing except for the existing and proposed set-
tlement areas (subunits 7a and 7b).
Much of Management Unit 7 is accessible via the Parks
Highway and unpaved spur roads running east from
the highway. Additional access will be provided by
roads constructed to agricultural and residential
developments in subunits 7a and 7b.
Management Unit 7 is divided into six subunits: State
and borough lands available for disposal near Sawmill
Creek and the Susitna River (7a), Rabideux agricultural
sale (7b), the Rabideux Creek corridor and wetlands
(7c), the Susitna River corridor (7d), borough lands
(7e), and private lands along the Petersville Road and
between the Parks Highway and Susitna River (70. See
the maps at the end of this section for boundaries of
this area, and the accompanying chart for a summary
of land uses in each subunit.
Subunit 7a: Settlement will be the primary use in
subunit 7a. These are relatively accessible state and
borough lands between Sawmill Creek and Petersville
Road, and adjacent to the Susitna River corridor.
Subunit 7b (Rabideux agricultural sale) will be used
primarily for agriculture. Subunit 7b consists of state
lands within the Rabideux agricultural disposal that
were offered for sale in 1984.
Subunit 7c (Rabideux Creek) consists of state and
borough-owned wetlands along the Parks Highway.
This area will be retained in public ownership to pro-
tect scenic quality along the highway, protect water
resources, and provide road accessible public recrea-
tion opportunities.
Subunit 7d, state and borough lands in the Susitna
River corridor, will be retained in public ownership
and managed for hunting, fishing and other public
recreation activities; forestry; visual quality and use of
the river for transportation.
Subunit 7e will be included in the borough land
bank. These lands may be available for settlement or
agriculture in the long term but there are no immediate
plans for disposal. In the interim, these lands will be
managed for timber harvest, wildlife habitat, and
public recreation.
Subunit 7f consists primarily of private lands near the
junction of the Petersville Road and Parks Highway,
and between the highway and the Susitna River.
Private lands are not affected by this plan. Any remain-
ing public lands in this subunit that are within !4 mile
of the Susitna Rvier will be retained in public owner-
ship and managed for hunting, fishing and other public
recreation activities consistent with the management
of the Susitna River corridor lands in subunit 7d.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES:
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list that
follows.
*Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 7a and 7b (Sawmill Creek-Susitna
River Sales and Rabideux Agricultural Project)
Stream corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and active uses, and to protect water quality and
159
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Petersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - Rabideux Creek
SUBUNIT
7a
Sawmill
Creek/
Susitna
River Sales
7b
Rabideux
Agricul-
tural Pro-
ject
7c
Rabideux,
Creek
7d
Susitna
River Cor-
ridor
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough
Primarily
Private
land
State/
Borough
State/
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
Agriculture
(past agricul-
tural disposals)
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
——
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed prior
to disposal
Closed
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Grazing (in
portions of
subunit
ad j acent to
Susitna River)
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
130 acres of
state land; 1,110
acres of borough
land
——
"Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Pctersville Road MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - Rabidcux Creek
SUBUN1T
7e
Borough
Lands
7f
Private
Lands
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
Borough
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
, SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Borough Land Bank
SECONDARY USE(S)
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Public Recreation,
Settlement
Habitat
Primarily private
land
, Wildlife
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
£ specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
^ management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Petersville Road 7
riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should be re-
tained in public ownership. Corridor widths will he
set on a case-by-case basis using the policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on Rabideux, Sawmill
and Trapper Creeks [Note: This is a different stream
than the Trapper Creek discussed in Susitna Lowlands
Management Unit 14]. Narrower buffers may be re-
tained on unnamed streams that appear on the USGS
1:63,360 scale topographic map.
Subunits 7a, 7b and 7c (Sawmill Creek-
Susitna River Sales, Rabideux Agricultural
Project and Rabideux Creek)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One route passes through this subunit. The
precise location of this route has not been
determined, although a general location is shown on
the maps in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in this
unit such as land sales, leases, or other actions should
be located so as not to preclude the option to build
this road along a feasible and efficient route.
Subunits 7c, 7d and 7e (Rabideux Creek,
Susitna River Corridor, Borough lands)
Scenic Highways
The study Scenic Resources along the Parks Highway
(ADNR, 1981) should be consulted for additional in-
formaton on scenic resources whenever planning oc-
curs for mangement activities which are likely to result
in significant changes to visual quality along the Parks
Highway.
162
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS LAND STATUS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in lower case
letters are secondary designations; areas shown with stars * are proposed tor
legislative or administrative designation. Statements in italics indicate whether
areas are open or closed to mineral location and coal leasing; all areas are
available lor oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - PETERS CR./KROTO CR.
*1a FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER
RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open except
along Chijuk Creek
*1b PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Closed
Ic SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel offering);
forestry, public rec., wildlife hab.; Closed
Id COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC RECREA-
TION; forestry, wildlife habitat; Open
1e SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife
habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 2 - TOKOSHA
2a FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER
RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
2b PUBLIC RECREATION; forestry, wildlife habitat;
Open
2c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife
habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
2d SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel offerings & ex-
isting subdivisions); forestry, public recreation,
wildlife habitat; Closed
2e BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Public
Recreation, Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Open
2f PRIMARILY PRIVATE LANDS (University
selections)
2g PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
2h SETTLEMENT; forestry, public rec., wildlife habitat;
Closed Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 3 - GATE CR./AMBER LAKE
3a PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Partially Open
3b SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel offerings & ex-
isting subdivision); forestry, public recreation,
wildlife habitat; Closed
3c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife
habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
3d PRIMARILY PRIVATE LANDS (University selections
and conveyances)
3e BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Agric., Public
Rec., Settlement, Wildlife Hab.; Open
3f SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife
habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
3g PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT;
forestry; Open
MGT. UNIT 4 - MOOSE CREEK CORRIDOR
*4a PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Closed
4b PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (past agricultural
disposals)
MHH FEDERAL
I 1 STATE
STATE SELECTED
I I BOROUGH
\//A PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,^
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
1EE3I PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show
ownership in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater.
Hence, many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many
lakes which appear public are ringed with private lots.
MGT. UNIT 5 - TRAPPER CREEK
5a SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife
habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
5b PUBLIC RECREATION; forestry, wildlife habitat;
Open
5c SETTLEMENT (existing subdivisions); forestry,
public rec., wildlife hab.; Closed
5d PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (past agricultural
disposal)
5e PRIMARILY PRIVATE LANDS (University selections
and conveyances)
MGT. UNIT 6 - ROCKY'S LAKES
6a SETTLEMENT (partly past remote parcel offering);
forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
6b BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Agriculture,
Forestry, Public Recreation, Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat; Open
6c WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT;
forestry, public recreation; Open with Stipulations
6d FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER
RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
6e PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
MGT. UNIT 7 - RABIDEUX CREEK
7a SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife
habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
7b AGRICULTURE (past agricultural disposal); Closed
7c PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
7d FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER
RESOURCES, WILDLIFE-HABITAT; Open
7e BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Agriculture,
Forestry, Public Recreation, Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat; Open
7f PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
PETERSVILLE ROAD
SUNFLOWER BASIN
SUBREGION
jSSSjjjTDENALI NATIONAL JDENALI
PARK AND PRESERVE
Talkeetna Mountains
Susitna
Lowlands <*-•Glenn Highway /'
Chugach Mountains
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
165
SUNFLOWER BASIN SUBREGION
The following section describes land use policy within
the Sunflower Basin Subregion. It is divided into two
parts. The first is an overview of resources and their
management for the subregion as a whole. The second
presents specific statements of management intent,
land use designations, prohibited uses, and manage-
ment guidelines for each of the subregion's seven
management units. A map showing land ownership
in the subregion and boundaries of management units
and subunits is presented at the end of the second part.
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
Background
The Sunflower Basin Subregion lies in the northwest
part of the study area and includes Chelatna Lake and
the majority of the Dutch Hills — Peters Hills area. Its
north and west boundaries are formed by Denali
National Park and Preserve and Denali State Park. The
southwest boundary follows the Yentna River and
Donkey Creek Slough. The eastern border lies be-
tween Peters Creek and the Peters Hills and Little
Peters Hills. The southern part of the subregion in-
cludes Mt. Yenlo.
The area encompasses approximately 482,000 acres.
The state owns or has selected all the land within this
subregion with the exception of some small private
parcels in the past Yenlo Hills remote parcel offering
and a series of federal mining claims along Petersville
Road and Cache Creek which are in the process of
being patented to private individuals.
The most prevalent uses in this subregion are placer
mining, hunting, fishing and other recreational uses.
Mining activity is concentrated in the Peters Hills and
Fairview Mountains, but claims are scattered through-
out the subregion. The Yentna Mining District overlaps
this entire area. Mineral potential is high, and approx-
imately 35,000 acres of high and 140,000 acres of
moderate coal potential also are found here. In addi-
tion, this subregion and the adjoining Petersville Road
Subregion form one of the most heavily hunted areas
in the Susitna Basin. Moose, black and brown bear
are the most popular big game species. Through
habitat enhancement techniques, moose production
and associated public use could be increased greatly.
Favorite hunting areas overlap the mining areas due
in large part to the ready access (airstrips and roads)
mining has provided. Commercial trapping also occurs
in this area. Major anadromous streams such as Lake
Creek, Peters Creek, the Yentna and Kahiltna rivers
have headwaters in the Sunflower Basin Subregion.
Lake Creek and Peters Creek are heavily used fishing
streams. The Department of Fish and Game has rated
these creeks among the top ten streams in the entire
study area for riparian habitat and public use. In add-
ition, Lake Creek is one of five streams in the study
area proposed for state recreation river status in the
Southcentral Recreation Action Plan prepared by
ADNR and ADF&G. Recreation activities are focused
on Lake Creek, a popular rafting stream, and the Peters
Hills and Fairview Mountains which provide hiking,
berrypicking, skiing and snowmobiling areas.
Access into the Sunflower Basin Subregion is by road,
trail and air. Petersville Road, a four wheel drive road
open primarily in the summer, extends into the north-
east corner past Petersville ending at Cache Creek. An
extensive trail and airstrip system takes over where the
road system leaves off to provide access to the re-
mainder of the subregion. Two major trail systems, one
originating about five miles north of Petersville, the
other originating at the junction of Petersville Road
and Peters Creek, branch off to provide access to
placer mines and hunting and recreational areas. These
trails receive extensive all-terrain vehicle use for
hunting on the east side of the Kahiltna River. At least
fifteen landing strips are located along the trail system:
four are publicly owned, and eleven are privately
owned. Access west of the Kahiltna River is predomi-
nantly by air.
Management Summary
The overall purpose of resource management in this
subregion is to retain the large majority of the area
in public ownership, emphasizing management of the
values most important in the area now — minerals,
wildlife habitat, and recreation. The Lake Creek
corridor and some very important habitat lands east
and south of the Peters Hills are recommended for
legislative designation, primarily to protect habitat and
provide opportunities for public recreation. Three
areas have been identified where land will be offered
for sale for settlement and private recreation in remote
areas. Details of the management intent by resource
are presented below.
Settlement
Settlement in this subregion has been and will continue
to be limited. Much of the area is remote, and the
existing resource uses — mining, habitat, and public
recreation — conflict with land sales. Settlement is
designated the primary use on four sites with a net area
of approximately 12,210 acres available for sale (see
Table 1). The gross acreage totals 88,430. One of the
167
Sunflower Basin
tour sites has been offered previously as the Yenlo Hills
Remote Parcel sale. The remaining lands — a gross
area of 62,300 acres and net area of 6,620 acres
are newly designated disposal areas. The first location
proposed for new settlement is northwest of the Yenlo
Hills remote parcel land offering. This area parallels
the Yentna River but lies further north. This portion
of the study area is likely to remain without road access
and undeveloped for many years given its geographic
isolation. As a result, this sale is intended to provide
land for long term, remote, self-sufficient lifestyles. This
is the only area in the Susitna Basin specifically pro-
posed for this type of use. The remaining two areas
are located on either side of Lake Creek. These sales
would provide primarily recreational properties. Fly-
in access is available at both locations.
TABLE I
Acreage Identified for Settlement
New Offerings
Renderings Within Past
Disposal Areas
TOTAL
Gross Area
(Acres)
62,300
26,130
88,430
Net Area
^(Acres)
6,620
5,590
12,210
Other disposals in this subregion will be limited to
lands necessary to support resource development
(primarily placer mining and coal). Land will not be
sold for these purposes until such development occurs.
In addition to land disposals, a large area west of Lake
Creek will be open to remote cabin permits (approxi-
mately 40,000 acres). Construction of public use cabins
is recommended in the Lake Creek corridor.
Agriculture
Agricultural potential is limited to grazing in the vicinity
of the Fairview Mountains. Because this area is remote
from road access or farm headquarter sites, grazing
is not a designated use at this time. Applications for
grazing permits or leases will be reviewed on a case-
by-case basis as provided for by the areawide grazing
policies in Chapter 2.
Forestry
Timber values are limited in this subregion. Forest
lands generally will be managed to provide personal
use fuelwood and houselogs for the area's few sea-
sonal and year-round residents, but there is also long
term potential fora small amount of commercial pro-
duction from forest lands near the major rivers.
Forestry is designated a primary use on the 61,800
acres proposed for legislative designation as a multiple1
use area, although commercial potential is generally
168
low in this area. Forestry is a secondary use on an
additional 85,400 acres of land to be retained in public
ownership, including the Lake Creek corridor.
Recreation and Fish & Wildlife
Recreation and habitat are some of the most valuable
resources in the Sunflower Basin Subregion. The
subregion will be managed to protect existing
opportunities for hunting, fishing, and other types of
recreation. Special emphasis should be placed on
maintaining the quality of big game and salmon
habitat. Improved public access and habitat enhance-
ment should be encouraged.
A large wetland area adjacent to the Kahiltna River
will be proposed for legislative or administrative
designation to protect trumpeter swan nesting sites.
In addition, the Lake Creek corridor, a very popular
fishing and boating stream, is proposed for legislative
designation as a state recreational river. A large area
east and south of the Peters Hills is proposed for
legislative or administrative designation as a multiple
use area. Fish and wildlife habitat and public recreation
are two of the primary uses on this area. It is a parti-
cularly valuable area for moose hunting.
Subsurface
Mining and mineral exploration are, and will continue
to be, very important activities in this subregion. The
great majority of the subregion will remain open to
locatable mineral entry. The only exceptions are in
settlement areas and corridors along Lake Creek and
selected tributaries, and land adjacent to Chelatna
Lake. The corridors will be closed to mineral entry in
recognition of their important recreation and habitat
values. For the most part, these closures are in areas
of low mineral potential. Near trumpeter swan nesting
sites, stipulations attached to miscellaneous land use
permits for mining will be designed to prevent distur-
bance to swans and their habitat.
Coal leasing and prospecting are allowed throughout
most of this subregion. However, the Lake Creek
corridor (including lands adjacent to Chelatna Lake)
and selected tributaries to Lake Creek will be unavail-
able for coal leasing and prospecting. Existing and pro-
posed settlement areas also are unavailable for coal
leasing or prospecting. Portions of the high and
moderate coal potential areas located southwest of
Chelatna Lake and in the Peters Hills-Cache Creek area
may be offered for lease under the competitive coal
lease program. All public land in this subregion is open
to exploration and development of oil and gas. In the
Lake Creek corridor, however, exploration and
development activities are subject to special restric-
tions designed to protect public recreation and habitat
values.
Sunflower Basin
Transportation
Numerous trails cross this subregion. These need to
be identified and protected to maintain existing public
access across mining claims and in proposed land sale
areas. Improved public access is recommended for this
subregion. This may include upgrading the existing trail
from Peters Creek to Collinsville.
169
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES
BY MANAGEMENT UNIT
MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - YENTNA RIVER SALES
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit includes a system of lakes and
moderately sloping, southwest-facing forested terraces
adjacent to the Yentna River. The Yentna River and
several lakes in the area provide access to this unit.
In addition, several small tundra strips have been
created in the northeastern portion of the management
unit where the terrain is relatively flat. A landing site
has been reserved southwest of Donkey Creek Lake.
This unit is divided into two subunits: the Yenlo Hills
remote parcel sale (1 a), and land not previously offered
for sale on Donkey Creek terraces (1 b). See the map
at the end of this section for boundaries of these areas
and the accompanying chart for a summary of land
uses.
Subunits la and Ib (Yenlo Hills and Donkey
Terraces): Settlement is the primary land use design-
ation in both subunits with secondary designations for
forestry and wildlife habitat. Forest resources will be
managed to provide personal use timber for local use.
Although a number of stakings already have occurred
in this area, ample land is still available for disposal.
Subunit 1b is a new settlement area on the lakes and
terraces above Donkey Creek. The intent in offering
this land for sale is to provide opportunities for remote,
self-sufficient lifestyles. This is the one place in the
planning area specifically identified for such sales.
Subunit 1 a is currently closed to mineral location and
unavailable for coal leasing, since it is available for sale.
Subunit 1 b will be closed to location and coal leasing
prior to being offered for sale. All public lands in
management unit 1 are available for oil and gas leasing.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the guide-
lines potentially apply to uses within this management
unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
*Forestry
Recreation
*Settlement
*Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that are specific to this man-
agement unit are presented below by subunit.
Subunits la and Ib (Yenlo Hills Disposal and
Additional Settlement Lands)
Settlement
Before land is sold, or reoffered for sale, a study will
be conducted to determine the "carrying capacity"
of the land. The carrying capacity is the ability of the
land to provide a sustained yield of firewood and
houselogs for personal use. The density of land sales
will be limited to a number that can be provided with
adequate wood resources to support the remote sub-
sistence lifestyle objective.
Forestry
Forestry is a secondary use in subunits 1a and Ib.
Forest lands will be managed for personal use to
support remote self-sufficient settlement. Woodlots of
sufficient size and density and appropriate location to
provide sustained yield firewood and houselog
products will be identified and reserved prior to
conveying lands.
Trails
When lands are conveyed in these units, a system of
trails between lakes and stream corridors will be
identified. These trails will be reserved for public use
(including access to fishing streams and hunting areas)
through a combination of retention in public owner-
ship and easements (see also Chapter 2, Trails
Management).
Subunit la (Yenlo Hills Disposal)
Stream Corridors
The corridors established in the spring 1982 offering
of this land will continue to be in force when the land
170
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Sunflower Basin MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - Yentna River Sales
SUBUNIT
la
Yenlo Hills
Ib
Donkey
Terraces
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Private
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE{S)
Settlement (past
remote parcel
offering)
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Habitat
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Grazing
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
5,590 acres
Estimated net
disposal area =
4,320 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Sunflower Basin 1
is reoffered in 1985. In addition, there will be a 100'
setback on either side of the major tributary to Donkey
Creek Lake.
Lakeshore Management
Any lakeshore property within 500' of Donkey Creek
Lake which has not been sold will be retained in public
ownership to guarantee future public access.
Before additional lakefront is offered for sale or
conveyed around lake 240 (T24N R12W Sec 7, S.M.),
remaining parcels of public land will be identified. If
the remaining parcels of land comprise less than 50%
of the lakefront, all remaining lakeshore property
within 500' will be retained in public ownership to
protect public access. Unsold land in excess of 50%
may be conveyed to private individuals.
Subunit Ib (Additional Settlement Lands)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camping
and other active uses, and to protect water quality and
riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should be
retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will be
set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on the Yentna River,
Rich Creek, Donkey Creek, Clearwater Creek, and the
unnamed streams that appear on the 1:63,360 scale
USGS topographic maps.
Lakeshore Management
At least 50% of the land within 500 feet of lakes
accessible by floatplane or with significant recreational
value will remain in public ownership to protect public
access. At least 25% of the lakefront property within
500 feet of remaining lakes will remain in public
ownership to protect public access and retain some
open space.
172
MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - FAIRVIEW MOUNTAINS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit is a large block of public land encompassing
the Fairview Mountains, an active placer mining area.
The area provides important moose winter habitat and
calving grounds. In addition, the headwaters of
numerous anadromous fish streams which are tribu-
taries to Lake Creek are located in this unit. The unit
is popular for fly-in moose hunting because numerous
airstrips provide easy access. Some high to moderate
values for coal are present in the eastern part of the
management unit. There is potential for grazing
throughout most of the unit.
Management Unit 2 will be retained in public
ownership and managed to support mining and main-
tain wildlife habitat, the two primary land use desig-
nations. Because this unit is remote from road access
or farm headquarter sites, and because of potential
conflicts between livestock and bears, portions of the
unit will be closed to grazing. In the remainder of the
unit, applications for grazing leases will be reviewed
on a case-by-case basis subject to the areawide guide-
lines in Chapter 2. This unit will remain open to
mineral entry and available for coal and oil and gas
leasing.
This unit has not been divided into subunits. See the
map at the end of this section for management unit
boundaries and the accompanying chart for a
summary of land uses.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the guide-
lines potentially apply to uses within this management
unit; however, those that are most likely to be applic-
able are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
'Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Public Access
Forestry
* Recreation
Settlement
*Subsurface
Transportation
*lnstream Flow
Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below.
Grazing
The riparian zone along Sunflower and Camp creeks
will be closed to prevent conflicts between livestock
and the bears that concentrate seasonally along these
streams.
173
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Sunflower Basin MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Fairview Mountains
SUBUNIT
2
Fairview
Mountains
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State/
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Minerals
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public
Recreation
SUBSURFACE
UDCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Reraote Cabins
Land Disposals
Portions
closed to
grazing (see
rpgmt .
guidelines)
COMMENTS
i
"Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that ate not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
manaaement ouidelines in chanter 2
MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - CHELATNA LAKE-LAKE CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 3 includes the land surrounding
Chelatna Lake and a wide corridor along approxi-
mately 10 miles of Lake Creek. Aside from several
private parcels on Chelatna Lake, this unit is entirely
in state ownership. Chelatna Lake is a scenic lake
nestled at the base of the Alaska Range. It is the starting
point for recreationists floating Lake Creek. This lake
is one of the few lakes larger than 640 acres in the
study area not surrounded by private lands.
Lake Creek is an important anadromous fish stream
and popular float trip. This creek, nationally known
for fishing, is one of only five streams in the study area
proposed for legislative designation as a state recrea-
tion river. The Department of Fish and Game rated
this the second most important river in the entire study
area for habitat values and public use.
Management Unit 3 will be retained in public
ownership and managed to protect recreational
opportunities and riparian habitat. Recreational
activities should be encouraged and enhanced by
development of a public use cabin system and by
leasing state lands for commercial recreation facilities.
It should be noted, however, that this area is a lower
priority for public use cabins than other, more
accessible portions of the study area. Recreational
developments should be designed to protect the
natural character of the region.
There is some coal, placer gold, and oil and gas
potential in this unit. Due to the extremely high public
recreation and habitat values described above, por-
tions of this subunit will be unavailable for coal leasing
or prospecting and closed to mineral entry. Public
lands in this unit are available for oil and gas leasing,
but exploration and development for oil and gas near
Lake Creek will be subject to restrictions designed to
protect the public recreation and habitat values of the
creek corridor (see management guidelines that
follow). Public retention of this unit will allow main-
tenance of visual quality along the creek banks and
protection of riparian habitat and recreation
opportunities.
This management unit is not divided into subunits. See
the map at the end of this section for management unit
boundaries and the accompanying chart for a
summary of land uses.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most likely
to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list
below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
"Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below.
Forestry
Timber values are limited in this portion of the Lake
Creek corridor. Timber harvest for personal use will
be allowed only when the visual and wilderness qual-
ities of this unit can be protected. Timber harvests shall
be designed in consultation with the Division of Parks
and Outdoor Recreation.
Transportation
Road crossings in Lake Creek corridor should be
minimized. All crossings and roads within the corridor
must be designed in consultation with the Division of
Parks and Oudoor Recreation and the Department of
Fish and Game.
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas exploration and development activities will
be sited and/or timed to mitigate impacts on the fish
and wildlife habitat and public use values of Lake
Creek corridor. Specific mitigation measures necessary
to protect the values for which the river corridor was
designated will be developed as part of the lease sale
process. Mitigation measures will be developed on a
case by case basis considering timing, topography,
vegetation and other factors affecting the impact of
oil and gas exploration and development activities on
fish and wildlife, habitat and public use values.
175
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Sunflower Basi MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Chelatna Lake-Lake Creek
SUBUNIT
3
Chelatna
Lake & Lake
Creek
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED]
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting.
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Cabins
Land Disposals
Trapper cabins
COMMENTS
Recoramer^ied for
legislative
designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc, that we fiot
specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Sunflower Biisin ,'3
Interagency Consultation
Because protection of habitat and recreational values
is of such importance in this unit and the area is being
recommended for administrative or legislative desig-
nation, special consideration should be given to
consulting with the Division of Parks and Outdoor
Recreation and the Department of Fish and Game
when reviewing permit or lease application in this unit.
Management Plans and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for Management Unit 3. The management
plan will determine, among other things, whether or
not remote cabins will be permitted in this subunit.
Remote cabin permits will not be offered until and
unless areas open to remote cabins are designated by
a management plan.
177
MANAGEMENT UNIT 4 - WETLANDS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 4 is a lowland area bordered by
Lake Creek, the Fairview Mountains, Yenlo Hills and
Chelatna Lake. The area is a mixture of wetlands and
better drained uplands. Numerous tributaries to Lake
Creek, most of which are also anadromous fish
streams, flow through this unit. The area south of
Home Creek is high value moose habitat and may con-
tain trumpeter swan nesting sites. Access to this unit
is provided via a winter trail located between Home
and Camp creeks and airstrips located to the west
around Collinsville.
Management Unit 4 will be retained in public owner-
ship and managed to preserve the habitat and water
resources values within its boundaries. Remote cabins
are a secondary use to allow for some private recrea-
tion in the unit. This unit will remain open to mineral
location except for land along Home Creek and an
adjacent unnamed tributary to Lake Creek. All public
lands in this unit are available for coal and oil and gas
leasing.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most likely
to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list
below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Stream Corridors
Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below.
Remote Cabins and Stream Corridors
Remote cabin permits will not be offered in
Management Unit 4 for at least 10 years following
adoption of this plan. When permits are offered, they
should not be permitted within the buffers listed below
on either side of the mean high water mark on the
following streams:
Sunflower Creek — 300'
Home Creek - 300'
Unnamed tributaries to Lake Creek shown on the
1:63,360 USCS topographic maps — 200'
Development will be kept out of these buffers to
minimize the impacts of development on wildlife
migration corridors.
Remote Cabins and Trails
A buffer of 200' on either side of the centerline of the
winter trail from Peters Creek to Collinsville shown on
the 1:63,360 scale USGS topographic map will be
identified. Remote cabins should not be permitted
within this trail corridor.
Grazing
The riparian zones along Sunflower Creek and Camp
Creek will be closed to grazing to prevent conflicts
between livestock and the bears that concentrate sea-
sonally along these streams.
Mining
Lands within 300' either side of Home Creek and lands
within '/4-mile of the unnamed tributary to Lake Creek
just south of Home Creek that encircles the north side
of Mt. Yenlo and Willow Mt. will be closed to mineral
location. These closures are intended to protect water
quality and fish and wildlife habitat in two of the most
important tributaries to Lake Creek.
178
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Sunflower Basin MANAGEMENT UNIT 4 - Wetlands
SUBUNIT
4
Camp Creek-
Home Creek
wetlands
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Remote Cabins
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along Home
Creek and an
unnamed
tributary to
Lake Creek
(see mgmt.
guidelines)
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Portions
closed to
grazing (see
mgmt.
guidelines)
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 - YENLO HILLS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit encompasses Yenlo Hills, Willow Mountain
and the lowlands to the east of these mountains
adjacent to the Lake Creek corridor. Yenlo Creek and
major unnamed tributaries to Lake Creek that cross
the unit are important anadromous fish streams. Large
numbers of brown bear den around Mt. Yenlo, and
moose densities are high throughout most of the area.
The lowland areas are attractive for private recreational
use. This unit will be managed to support a mixture
of wildlife habitat, recreation and settlement.
There are no known mineral terranes in this
management unit and few, if any, mining claims. Two
stream corridors (Yenlo Creek and an unnamed tri-
butary which encircles Mt. Yenlo and Willow Moun-
tain to the north) will be closed to mineral entry to
protect habitat values. All public lands in this unit are
available for oil & gas leasing. The portions of Subunit
5a that will be offered for sale will be closed to mineral
location and unavailable for coal leasing prior to sale.
The remainder of Management Unit 5 will remain
open to mineral location and available for coal leasing.
This unit has been divided into two subunits: Mt. Yenlo
(5a), and the lowlands between the Yenlo Hills and
Yentna River along Yenlo Creek (5b). See the map at
the end of this section for boundaries of these areas
and the accompanying chart for a summary of land
uses.
Subunit 5a (Mt. Yenlo) will be retained in public
ownership with a primary designation for wildlife
habitat. The principal human use which occurs here
is hunting.
Subunit 5b will be designated settlement, public
recreation, and wildlife habitat, and managed to
support a mixture of these uses. The northeastern edge
of this unit borders the Lake Creek corridor, making
portions of it desirable for recreational settlement. Fly-
in access may be provided by the lakes in the north
half of the unit. Land sales will be offered in portions
of this subunit and will be designed to minimize the
impacts on the wildlife migration corridors along Yenlo
Creek and tributaries to Lake Creek. Forestry is a se-
condary use within this subunit. Timber harvesting for
personal use will be allowed when consistent with the
objectives for public and private recreation and habitat
management.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the guide-
lines potentially apply to uses within this management
unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
"Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
"Settlement
* Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
"Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunits 5a and 5b (Yenlo Hills and
Lowlands)
Mining
A corridor V* mile wide on either side of Yenlo Creek
and the unnamed tributary to Lake Creek which en-
circles the northern portions of Mt. Yenlo and Willow
Mountain ending west of Shovel Lake, will be closed
to mineral location to protect water-based public
recreation (including recreation on Lake Creek),
moose winter range, anadromous fish habitat and
water quality.
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camping,
hunting and other active uses, and to protect water
quality and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land
should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using policies
in Chapter 2. The buffer width should be at least 300'
on each side of the Lake Creek tributaries shown on
the 1:63,360 scale USCS topographic map and '/4 mile
each side on Yenlo Creek. These wide buffers are in-
tended to provide for the uses named above and
protect riparian habitat, moose migration corridors and
the natural setting along important tributaries to Lake
Creek.
180
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Sunflower Basin MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 - Yenio Hills
SUBUNIT
5a
Mt. Yenlo
5b
Yenlo Creek
lowlands
LANDOWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreatio
Settlement
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public
Recreation
> Forestry
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along Yenlo
Creek & un-
named tribu-
tary to Lake
Creek (see
mgmt. guide-
lines)
Settlement
areas closed
prior to dis-
posal; Yenlo
creek and un-
named tribu-
tary to Lake
Creek closed
(see mgmt.
guidelines) ;
remaining
area open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Closed to
grazing below
1,500'
elevation
Grazing
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
1,000 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that ore not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Sunflower Basin 5
Trails
When land is conveyed, trail corridors will be
identified and retained in public ownership between
the Lake Creek corridor and the lakes in the north half
of the unit, and between the lakes themselves.
182
MANAGEMENT UNIT 6 - KAHILTNA RIVER
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit is dominated by the Kahiltna River and its
floodplains. Two tributaries, Wetbutt Creek and
Treasure Creek, also are included in this unit. Much
of this area contains concentrations of trumpeter swan
nesting sites. The majority of this area will be retained
in public ownership to protect the habitat and water
resources. One area between Lake Creek and Treasure
Creek is recommended for recreational settlement.
This management unit will remain open to mineral
location and available for mineral leasing except for
Subunit 6b, which will be closed prior to offering it
for sale. All public lands in Management Unit 6 are
available for oil & gas leasing.
Access into this unit is provided by the winter trail that
connects Petersville Road to the lower Cache Creek
mining area as shown on the USGS topographic maps,
and via floatplanes to Shovel Lake located just to the
west of this unit. The trail to the Cache Creek area is
recommended for future consideration for upgrading
to improve access to the Sunflower Basin Subregion.
(For additional information, see the Transportation
section of Chapter 4.)
The area has been divided into three subunits.
Wetlands along the Kahiltna River are subunit 6a.
Subunit 6b is a settlement area between Lake Creek
and Treasure Creek. The Kahiltna floodplain with con-
centrations of trumpeter swan nesting sites is 6c. See
the map at the end of this section for boundaries of
these areas and the accompanying chart for a summary
of land uses.
Subunit 6a (Kahiltna West) is a wetland area along
the Kahiltna River that is under state selection. It will
be retained in public ownership and managed to
protect the wetlands and lowland habitat, including
important moose winter range.
Subunit 6b will be designated for recreational and
seasonal settlement use. It consists of a strip of land
approximately 2 to 3 miles wide on the west side of
Treasure Creek.
Subunit 6c encompasses the Kahiltna floodplain and
contains one of the largest concentrations of trumpeter
swan nesting sites in the study area. Wildlife habitat
and water resources are the primary designations in
6c. Protection of swan nesting areas is the major ob-
jective for this subunit. It will be proposed for legisla-
tive or administrative designation in order to protect
swan habitat. Subunit 6c also provides important
moose winter range.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most likely
to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list
below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
*Settlement
* Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
'Stream Corridors
"Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 6a & 6b (Kahiltna West & Treasure
Creek)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One route passes through this subunit. The
precise location of this route has not been determined
although a general location is shown on the maps in
Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in this unit such
as land sales, leases, or other actions should be located
so as not to preclude the option to build this road along
a feasible and efficient route.
Subunits 6a, 6b, and 6c (Kahiltna West,
Treasure Creek, and Kahiltna River)
Grazing
Lands within these management units will be closed
to grazing because of their importance as moose
winter range.
Subunit 6b (Settlement Area)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
183
oo LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Sunflower Basin MANAGEMENT UNIT 6 - Kahiltna_Riv_er.
SUBUNIT
6a
Kahiltna
West
6b
Treasure
Creek
6c
Kahiltna
River
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
State
Selected
State/
State
Selected
State/
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Forestry
Wildlife Habitat
Public Rec.
Forestry
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
Grazing
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
__
Estimated net
disposal area =
1,300 acres
Recommended for
legislative or
administrative
designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc, that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
s 'n chanter 2
Sunflower Basin 6
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camping
and other active uses, and to protect water quality and
riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should be
retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will be
set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on Shovel Creek and
the unnamed streams that appear on the 1:63,360
scale USGS topographic maps.
Subunit 6c (Kahiltna River)
Swan Habitat
This subunit is recommended for legislative or admini-
strative designation to protect swans. Until designation
takes place, the following guidelines are intended to
provide sufficient protection and will be applied by
the Department.
1. Restricted Activities. Activities that potentially
will damage swan nesting habitat or cause visual
or noise disturbance should be prohibited from April
1 through August 31 within at least one-quarter mile
of current or potential swan nesting or staging
ponds, marshes or lakes. Particular activities may
be restricted in a wider area if their potential level
of damage or disturbance warrants doing so.
Activities that may be restricted include, but are not
limited to, use of off-road vehicles, airplanes and
motorboats. However, some traditional access
routes and sites will be designated that will remain
open to motorized access. [Note: This guideline will
result in the restriction of the activities described
above on most ponds, marshes and lakes other than
those that are identifed as traditional access points.]
2.Off-road vehicles. At a minimum, permits should
not be issued for those types of off-road vehicle use
requiring permits in the areas and during the period
described in 1. above.
3. Aircraft. At a minimum, landing of aircraft should
be prohibited in the areas and during the period
described in 1. above except at designated access
sites.
Management Plans and Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for Subunit
6c. The management plan will determine, among other
things whether or not remote cabins will be permitted
in this subunit. Remote cabin permits will not be
offered until and unless areas open to remote cabins
are designated by a management plan.
185
MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - PETERS HILLS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit is comprised of the Peters Hills, Dutch Hills,
Little Peters Hills and the area between the hills and
the Kahiltna River floodplain. The management intent
of this unit is to retain the area in public ownership
emphasizing the existing mining, wildlife habitat and
recreation values. This unit's large moose population
and accessibility via the Petersville Road make it one
of the most heavily used units in this subregion for
hunting and fishing. Panoramic views of the Alaska
Range also make the Peters Hills a popular hiking and
skiing destination.
Nearly all of this area will be retained in public
ownership and managed for wildlife habitat, public
recreation and mining. The southeastern portion of
this unit is proposed for legislative designation as a
multiple use area along with the adjacent lands pro-
posed for a similar designation in the Petersville Road
Subregion to the east. The limited timber values in this
area will be managed to enhance habitat values and
recreational opportunities as well as to provide timber
for personal use. Management Unit 7 is open to
mineral location and available for coal and oil and gas
leasing.
Numerous trails originate on the Petersville Road east
of this unit and then honeycomb this area, providing
access for uses such as fishing, hunting, snowmobiling,
cross-country skiing and berry picking. The trail that
connects Petersville Road to the lower Cache Creek
mining area crosses this management unit. It is
recommended for future consideration for upgrading
to improve access into the Sunflower Basin Subregion.
(For additional information, see Chapter 4.)
This unit is divided into two subunits: the Dutch Hills-
Cache Creek area in the northern half of the
management unit (7a), and the southern half including
Peters Hills and Little Peters Hills (7b). See the map
at the end of this section for boundaries of these areas
and the accompanying chart for a summary of land
uses.
Subunit 7a comprises the Dutch Hills, the northwest
side of the Peters Hills, and the upper reaches of Cache
Creek and Peters Creek. Petersville Road extends into
this area, and numerous airstrips and seasonal trails
provide additional access. Most of this subunit is either
state owned or state selected. However, there are
approximately 4,200 acres of federal land along Peters-
ville Road from Petersville to Cottonwood Creek.
Within the federally-owned area thpre are strips of
federal mining claims along Dutch Creek, Cache
Creek, Peters Creek, and a number of their major tri-
butaries. Some of these claims have been transferred
to private ownership under the federal claim laws, and
others likely will receive private patents in the future.
The surface estate on remaining public land in Subunit
7a will be retained in public ownership. Because of
this area's high value for moose habitat and hunting,
wildlife habitat and public recreation are primary
designations. In recognition of the large amount of
ongoing mining, minerals also is a primary designation.
Subunit 7b (Peters Hills) will be retained in public
ownership and managed for wildlife habitat, especially
moose range; hunting and other types of public recrea-
tion; and mining. The public lands in 7b merit addi-
tional protection and will be proposed for legislative
designation as a multiple use area along with the lands
in Subunits "la and Ib in the Petersville Road Sub-
region. Of particular concern are the anadromous fish
streams that are major tributaries to Peters Creek
(Black, Sand, South Fork Peters, String, Big, Middle,
and Martin creeks and Lunch Gulch). Moose range
is also extremely important, since this area receives
a great deal of hunting pressure. Other public recrea-
tion opportunities in the Peters Hills, including hiking
and skiing, are among the major values of this area.
Finally, forestry is one of the primary uses in 7b. Timber
resources offer a little potential for commercial use and
have some value for personal use as well. Remote
cabins may be an allowed use in Subunit 7b, but cabin
permits will be issued only when guidelines for siting
and use of remote cabins have been adopted in a man-
agement plan for this area.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the guide-
lines potentially apply to uses within this management
unit; however, those that are most likely to be applic-
ble are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
'Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
'Recreation
Settlement
'Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
'Public Access
Remote Cabin Permit
'Stream Corridors
* Trail Management
186
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Sunflower Basin MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - Peters Hills
SUBUNIT
la
Dutch
Rills/
Cache Creek
7b
Peters
Hills
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
State
Selected/
Federal/
Private
State/
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Minerals
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
____
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
DDr"»UIIRITCn
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative
designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Sunflower Basin 7
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below.
Subunits 7a and 7b (Dutch Hills-Cache Creek
and Peters Hills)
Subsurface Management
Miners holding claims adjacent to the Petersville Road
system (defined as the road plus one mile on either
side) shall be notified by receipt of their miscellaneous
land use permits that the road system is a public right-
of-way which is to remain open to the public.
Land within these subunits will not be made available
for coal leasing until such time as a market can be
demonstrated for this low-grade coal. If a market can
be demonstrated, every precaution should be taken
during development to protect the high wildlife and
recreation values.
Grazing
Those portions of these subunits within the following
area will be closed to grazing. The closure is intended
to avoid conflicts between livestock and the moose
that depend on this area for winter range.
T25N R8W S.M.
T25N R9W S.M.
T26N R8W S.M.
T26N R9W S.M.
T26N R10W S.M.
T27N R9W S.M., sections 3-10 and sections 15-36
T27N R10W S.M.
T28N R9W S.M., S1/2
T28N R10W S.M.
T29N R10W S.M.
Subunit 7b (Peters Hills)
Management Plans/Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for Subunit
7b in conjuction with management planning for
Petersville Road Subunits 1a and 1 b. The management
plan will determine, among other things, whether
remote cabins will be permitted in Subunit 7b. Remote
cabin permits will not be offered until and unless areas
open to remote cabins are designated by a
management plan.
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One route passes through this subunit. The
precise location of this route has not been determined
although a general location is shown on the maps in
Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in this unit such
as land sales, leases, or other actions should be located
so as not to preclude the option to build this road along
a feasible and efficient route.
188
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in lower case
letters are secondary designations; areas shown with stars * are proposed for
legislative or administrative designation. Statements in italics indicate whether
areas are open or closed to mineral location and coal leasing; all areas are
available tor oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - YENTNA RIVER LAND SALES
la SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel offering); forestry, public recrea-
tion, wildlife habitat; Closed f
1b SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed y(
Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 2 - FAIRVIEW MOUNTAINS
2 MINERALS, WILDLIFE HABITAT, public recreation; Open
MGT. UNIT 3 - CHELATNA LAKE/LAKE CREEK
*3 PUBLIC REC, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry;
Closed
MGT. UNIT 4 - WETLANDS
4 WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HAB.; remote cabins; Open
Except Along Selected Streams
MGT. UNIT 5 - YENLO HILLS
5a WILDLIFE HABITAT, public recreation; Open Except Along
Selected Streams
5b PUBLIC REC., SETTLEMENT, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open ,1
Except Along Selected Streams & Settlement Area Closed Prior to ^.
Disposal /(!
MGT. UNIT 6 - KAHILTNA RIVER
6a WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT, forestry; Open
6b SETTLEMENT; forestry, wildlife hab.; Closed Prior to Disposal
*6c WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, public rec,; Open
SUNFLOWER BASIN
Map Scale 1:250,000
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Talkeetna
- / v\» • _r -* 1 ^•••-J \\B V *'—— 1 %• « f _
MGT. UNIT 7 - PETERS HILLS
7a MINERALS, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
*7b FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
LAND STATUS____________
H—H FEDERAL IX ^ STATE SELECTED
I I STATE |ili3| PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This Information has been generalized to show owner-
ship In blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g.. many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
SUSITNA LOWLANDS
SUBREGION
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
191
SUSITNA LOWLANDS SUBREGION
The following section decribes land use policy in the
Susitna Lowlands subregion. It is divided into two
parts. The first is an overview of resources and their
management for the subregion as a whole. The second
presents specific statements of management intent,
land use designations, prohibited uses, and manage-
ment guidelines for each of the subregion's fourteen
management units. Maps showing land ownership in
the subregion and boundaries of management units
and subunits are presented at the end of the second
part.
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
Background
This area contains the greatest untapped wealth of sur-
face resources within the planning area. The subregion
has the potential to provide large amounts of forest
and agricultural products. It presently provides
substantial hunting, fishing and recreational oppor-
tunities which could expand with improved access,
better facilities and habitat enhancement. It also has
potential to support growth in year-round and seasonal
or recreational settlement.
This subregion is bounded on the east by the Big Susit-
na River, and on the west by the lowlands north of
Mt. Susitna and Mt. Beluga. The north boundary
follows the Yentna River southeast for approximately
20 miles, then turns north at the confluence of the
Yentna and Kichatna Rivers to the line separating
Townships 25 and 26 North which forms the northern
boundary. This area comprises approximately
1,200,000 acres.
The great majority of lands within the Susitna Lowlands
Subregion is owned or selected by the State of Alaska.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough owns approximately
51,000 acres.
There are numerous small parcels in private owner-
ship (10,000-15,000 acres total) which were purchased
under the state's open-to-entry program and more re-
cent land disposal programs. Most of these parcels are
located on or near water. A small amount of land —
approximately 1,500 acres — is in Native ownership.
The Susitna Lowlands area is currently reached by air
or trail. In this area there are public landing strips at
Eightmile Lake and Skwentna and at least three pri-
vate landing strips: at Yenlo Lake, Trail Ridge, and Alex-
ander Lake. Gravel bars along the major rivers and
many of the lakes scattered throughout the region pro-
vide additional fly-in access. Boat access from Anchor-
age or the Parks highway is possible via the Skwentna.
Yentna and Susitna Rivers, and other lateral streams.
There are no year-round roads within this subregion.
Winter and/or tour-wheel drive roads provide access
to Shulin Lake, to the Amber Lakes just outside the
northeastern boundary of the subregion, and to lands
within the Beluga Subregion adjacent to the southern
tip of the Susitna Lowlands. Primary trails include 60
miles of the Iditarod Trail, another winter trail running
southward from Oilwell Road that connects with the
Iditarod, and a 30-mile winter tractor trail from the
Parks Highway near Trapper Creek south to the Delta
Island area on the Susitna River. In addition, seismic
lines crossing the area are used as winter trails.
Management Summary
The Susitna Lowlands Subregion is inaccessible by
year-round road, rendering large-scale development
in the next 5 years unlikely. The wealth of resources
in the subregion and the potential for development
in the longer term argue strongly that land use designa-
tions should:
• Protect important public resources such as critical
habitats, wetlands, and prime recreational rivers;
• Allocate sufficient land that is relatively near ex-
isting access to forestry and settlement to en-
courage expansion of the road system into the
subregion;
• Protect the options for future resource develop-
ment on remote lands; and
• Provide some lands for private ownership near
recreational attractions and future development
centers.
The management intent for each of the major
resources and land uses in the subregion (settlement,
agriculture, forestry, fish and wildlife, recreation, sub-
surface resources, and transportation) is summarized
in the following sections.
Settlement
Lands will be sold for settlement in association with
resource development and to provide opportunities
for private recreation. Over the long term, land offer-
ings may include a large proportion of borough
193
Susitna Lowlands
holdings. Some land also will be offered by the state
to complement future agriculture and forestry develop-
ment and to offer some private recreational sites. Most
of the near term state sales will be homesteads in
remote regions. In order to provide tor efficient
development patterns and minimize adverse impacts
of settlement, the majority of sales will be within areas
where lands have been offered previously. Sales
associated with resource development likely will be
subdivisions. These will not be offered until road ac-
cess is available. In addition, several areas will be open
to remote cabin permits.
A summary of the acreage proposed for sale is shown
in Table 1. Approximately 37,700 acres of state sub-
division and fee simple homestead parcels will be of-
fered for sale in the Susitna Lowlands subregion over
the next twenty years. Sales will be offered in a number
of locations along the Yentna and Kahiltna Rivers; near
Lockwood, Sucker, Neil, Shell and Onestone Lakes;
between the Skwentna and Kichatna Rivers in the
western part of the subregion; and near the confluence
of the Skwentna and Hayes Rivers on the south side
of the Skwentna River. Much of the land is within the
boundaries of past remote parcel areas. In addition,
over 900 surveyed lots (approximately 6000 ac.) in ex-
isting subdivisions are available for sale over-the-
counter.
TABLE 1
Acreage Identified for Settlement *
STATE LAND
New Offerings
Reofferings within
Disposal Areas
Agriculture
Homesteads
TOTAL
GROSS
AREA («c)
36,990
Past 165'420
10,640
213,050
NET
AREA (ac)
7,735
29,970
6,040
43,745
Approximately 39,000 acres are designated resource
management, and 14,600 acres are included in the
borough land bank. Resource management areas in-
clude Deshka Flats, the southern portion of the past
Lake Creek — McDougal remote parcel offering be-
tween Lake Creek and the Kahiltna River, lands be-
tween Alexander Creek and Sucker Lake, and lands
south of Sevenmile Lake. Land bank designations
cover parcels around Sevenmile, Lockwood, Whitsol,
and Witsoe Lakes; and at the confluence of the Yentna
and Susitna Rivers. Some of these areas may be
available for settlement in the long term, but there are
* In addition to the sales listed above, approximately 900 surveyed
parcels in existing suMivisions are currently available for sale oxer-
the-counter. These parcels total approximately 6,000 acres.
no immediate plans for sale. When these lands are
reevaluated to determine their best long term use, their
high values for forestry, wildlife habitat, agriculture
and public recreation will be considered in addition
to their settlement potential.
Agriculture
This subregion is presently inaccessible, but has the
potential to become a productive agricultural area.
Approximately 18,000 acres of land with commercial
potential are designated for agriculture in the Kashwit-
na Knobs area. An additional 10,640 acres are
designated for agricultural homesteads in smaller
blocks of land just west of Kroto Creek and southeast
of Lockwood Lake. In addition, to protect the option
for future agricultural development in more remote
areas, including Deshka Flats, approximately 39,000
acres of land are designated resource management and
14,600 acres are in the borough land bank (see de-
scription of location in settlement section above).
There are no grazing lands identified in this subregion.
Forestry
Inaccessibility makes most forest development in this
subregion unlikely in the next few years, although ac-
cess can be provided by winter roads to some timber-
lands. Long term forestry values are high enough to
justify retention of several large areas for forest
management, however. Designation of lands for
forestry will encourage development of access that will
support other land uses. Forestry is designated a
primary use on approximately 283,600 acres of state
and borough land of which approximately half has
high or moderate potential for commercial timber
management. These lands are primarily between the
Yentna and Susitna Rivers south and west of Parker
Lake, along Trail Ridge, and between Lake Creek and
the Yenlo Hills. 141,400 acres of this land are proposed
for legislative or administrative designation to provide
for long-term timber management as well as other
forest uses. Forestry is a secondary use on an addi-
tional 465,000 acres of land retained in public owner-
ship including 125,000 acres of timberland along the
Yentna and Susitna Rivers and Alexander, Kroto and
Moose Creeks, where public recreation and fish and
wildlife habitat are the primary uses.
Habitat and Recreation
The Susitna Lowlands Subregion contains extremely
valuable habitat. Most of the existing recreational use
of the area centers around fish and wildlife use,
although the river corridors such as Lake Creek, Kroto
Creek, and Alexander Creek are also important for
floating and canoeing.
194
Susitna Lowlands
Much of the highly valuable habitat land is retained
in public ownership, and several areas are identified
for special designation. The Lake Creek, Kroto Creek,
Moose Creek, and Alexander Creek corridors will be
retained entirely in public ownership and proposed
for legislative or administrative designation to provide
for habitat management and protect public recreation
opportunities. Lands along the Yentna and Susitna
Rivers and near their confluence also are proposed
for legislative or administrative designation primarily
to protect their habitat values. The forested lands iden-
tified in section 3 above also will serve to protect im-
portant moose winter range and recreation
opportunities.
Mining
a. Mining Claims
Mineral values are relatively low in this subregion,
with existing, often inactive mining claims occurr-
ing primarily along Lake Creek and the Nakochna,
Kichatna and Kahiltna rivers. Areas designated for
settlement or agriculture will be closed to mineral
location, as will the Lake, Kroto, Moose, and Alex-
ander Creek corridors, and one recreation site on
the Kahiltna River. Chijuk Creek, an important
tributary of Kroto Creek, also will be closed to
mineral location. The remainder of the area will be
open to mineral location.
b. Coal
The potential for coal development is low to very
low throughout most of the subregion. A limited
amount of land with high and moderate coal poten-
tial occurs in the far western part of the area, and
there are existing coal leases on this site. There is
also moderate coal potential in a small area in the
southern tip of the subregion.
Nearly all the land with high to moderate coal
potential will be retained in public ownership and
managed to permit exploration and development
of these resources.
Coal leasing is permitted throughout the area ex-
cept in densely settled areas and the Lake Creek,
Kroto Creek, Moose Creek, and Alexander Creek
corridors.
c. Oil and gas
There is some potential for future oil and gas
development in the subregion, although little ex-
ploration or development is currently underway. All
areas will be available for oil and gas leasing.
However, within the Lake, Kroto, Moose, and Alex-
ander Creek corridors specific mitigation measures
will be established to protect public recreation and
habitat values.
Resource Management
Several large areas are designated resource manage-
ment in this subregion. These are areas that are
valuable for a number of different and potentially con-
flicting land uses. Because these areas presently are not
accessible, resource development is not likely in the
near term. Therefore, they will be managed for existing
uses in the near term (primarily habitat, recreation,
and some timber harvesting) and reevaluated in the
future to determine whether their best long term use
is for public resource management or sale for residen-
tial or agricultural development. The location of these
areas is described in the settlement section above.
Transportation
A priority for implementation of the Susitna Area Plan
will be to improve road access into the Susitna
Lowlands by extending roads south from Petersville
Road. Road access is necessary for forestry and
agricultural development and for most residential use.
Main routes proposed in this subregion are, (1) a north-
south road connecting the Amber Lakes area (Oilwell
Road extension) and Fish Creek agricultural develop-
ment in the Willow Sub-basin, including a Susitna River
bridge at the south end of the road, and (2) extension
and upgrading of the Shulin Lake winter trail across
the Kahiltna River and Lake Creek. Construction of the
northern half of the first route could occur in the near
to mid term and would provide access to borough
lands with forestry and agricultural potential in
Management Unit 10 and state and borough lands in
Management Units 11, 12, 13 and 14. The Shulin Lake
route is a longer term project that eventually could
provide access to settlement and forestry lands on both
sides of the Kahiltna and open up large areas to hun-
ting and other recreational activities.
195
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES
BY MANAGEMENT UNIT
MANAGEMENT UNIT 1: UPPER YENTNA
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 1 is a remote area consisting of the
floodplain of the Yentna River, adjacent wetlands and,
in the northwestern part of the unit, upland terraces.
The lowlands in this unit contain a large area of swan
nesting habitat. The Yentna River is the main transpor-
tation route through the unit. The Yentna, Donkey
Creek Slough, and Gagnan Creek also provide access
for moose hunting and fishing. This management unit
is virtually all state owned or state selected. These lands
will be retained in public ownership to protect wet-
lands and fish and wildlife habitat, including swan
nesting areas and moose winter range, and to provide
for public recreation. Management Unit 1 will remain
open to mineral location and available for coal leasing.
There are two subunits within Management Unit 1:
the swan nesting area in the northwest half of the
region (1 b), and the lowlands and Yentna River flood-
plain that make up the southeast half of the area (1a).
See the maps at the end of this section for boundaries
of these areas and the accompanying chart for a sum-
mary of land uses for each subunit.
Subunit la (Yentna Valley) will be retained in public
ownership and managed for fish and wildlife habitat;
water resources; and hunting, fishing and boating on
the Yentna River and Donkey Creek slough.
Subunit Ib (Swan Habitat) will be retained in public
ownership and proposed for legislative or ad-
ministrative designation to protect swan nesting areas,
salmon spawning streams, moose winter range, and
public recreation opportunities.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
*Forestry
*Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit la and Ib (Yentna Valley and Swan
Habitat)
Grazing
The lands within this area will be closed to grazing
because of their importance as moose winter range.
Subunit Ib (Swan Habitat)
Swan Nesting Habitat
This subunit is recommended for legislative or ad-
ministrative designation to protect swans. Until
designation takes place, the following guidelines are
intended to provide sufficient protection and will be
applied by the Department.
I. Restricted Activities. Activities that potentially will
damage swan nesting habitat or cause visual or
noise disturbance should be prohibited from April
1 through August 31 within at least one-quarter mile
of current or potential swan nesting or staging
ponds, marshes or lakes. Particular activities may
be restricted in a wider area if their potential level
of damage or disturbance warrants doing so.
Activities that may be restricted include, but are not
limited to, use of off-road vehicles, airplanes and
motorboats. However, some traditional access
routes and sites will be designated that will remain
open to motorized access. [Note: This guideline will
result in the restriction of the activities described
above on most ponds, marshes and lakes other than
those that have been identified as traditional access
points.]
196
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - uPPer Yentna
SUBUNIT
la
Yentna
Valley
Ib
Swan
Habitat
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State/
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Forestry
Public Rec.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
—
Recommended for
legislative or
administrative
designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Susitna Lowlands 1
2. At a minimum, permits should not be issued for
those types of off-road vehicle use requiring permits
in the areas and during the period described in 1.
above.
3. Aircraft. At a minimum, landing of aircraft should
be prohibited in the areas and during the period
described in 1. above unless at designated access
sites.
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for subunit
1b. The management plan will determine, among
other things, whether remote cabins will be a permit-
ted use in this subunit. Remote cabin permits will not
be offered until and unless areas open to remote cabins
are designated by a management plan.
198
MANAGEMENT UNIT 2: KICHATNA/NAKOCHNA
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit comprises the drainages of Johnson Creek
and the Kichatna and Nakochna Rivers, and land sur-
rounding large recreational lakes such as Shell,
Onestone, Hewitt and Whiskey Lakes. The Nakochna
and Kichatna Rivers, Johnson and Red Creeks are all
anadromous fish streams with high value as moose
winter range. Hewitt and Shell Creeks are also
anadromous fish streams, and Shell Creek is an im-
portant recreational stream as well. The Iditarod Trail
runs along the southern edge of the management unit.
Approximately two-thirds of the lands in the unit are
within the boundaries of past state disposal offerings.
There are concentrations of private land holdings in
the Shell Lake-Onestone Lake and Hewitt Lake-
Whiskey Lake areas. Mobil Oil Company has coal
leases at a site with commercial potential north of the
Skwentna River near Johnson Creek. Lands adjacent
to the lease also have high to moderate potential for
coal development. Concentrations of placer claims ex-
ist along the Nakochna and Kichatna Rivers above their
confluence. A mix of public and private uses will be
accommodated on lands within this management unit.
Management Unit 2 will remain open to mineral loca-
tion and available for coal leasing with the exception
of the existing and proposed disposal areas (subunits
2b and 2c). All public lands in this unit are available
for oil and gas leasing.
The six subunits within this management unit are: the
Kichatna River, Nakochna River and Johnson Creek
corridors and the adjoining uplands in the western
reaches of the unit (2a); lands between the rivers within
the boundaries of past land disposals that are available
for additional settlement (2b); existing subdivisions
(2c); Shell Creek corridor (2d); Shell Hill (2e); and four
parcels of land adjacent to past sales in the Shell Lake-
Skwentna River vicinity (20- See the maps at the end
of this section for boundaries of these areas, and the
accompanying chart for a summary of land uses for
each subunit.
Subunit 2a, the western reaches of the management
unit and the corridors of the Nakochna River, Kichat-
na River and Johnson Creek will be retained in public
ownership for habitat, public recreation, timber man-
agement, mining, and coal development. Remote
cabin permits are an allowed use on state lands within
this area.
Subunit 2b is made up primarily of land within the
past Kichatna, Johnson Creek, Hewitt-Whiskey Lake
and Shell Hills remote parcel offerings. Most of the
area included in past land disposal areas will remain
available for additional settlement. Subunit 2b also in-
cludes one new settlement area west of the existing
disposals between the Kichatna River and Johnson
Creek. Consistent with the general subsurface policy
in Chapter 2, the unstaked portions of the past Johnson
Creek, Kichatna, and Nakochna remote parcel areas
in this subunit will be reopened to mineral location
and mineral leasing. The portions of subunit 2b out-
side the past disposal areas will continue to be open
to location and mineral leasing.
Subunit 2c is composed of the existing Shell Hills,
Onestone Lake, Shell Lake North and Hewitt-Whiskey
subdivisions. There are 400 to 500 surveyed lots within
these subdivisions that are as yet unsold and will re-
main available for sale over-the-counter.
Subunit 2d (Shell Creek corridor) will be retained in
public ownership for public recreation and fish and
wildlife habitat. This creek is an important recreational
route connecting Shell Lake to the Yentna River.
Subunit 2e (Shell Hill) is a highland area, largely
above treeline, that provides moose winter range and
grizzly habitat. These state lands will be retained in
public ownership and designated for public recrea-
tion and wildlife habitat.
Subunit 2f consists of four parcels of state land in the
Shell Lake-Skwentna River vicinity. These lands, like
the surrounding areas that have been offered for sale
previously, have good capability to support settlement.
However, because much of the surrounding area is
within past and future sales these parcels also are
valuable for public use and open space. This subunit
is designated resource management-high value, and
this area will be reevaluated in the future to determine
its best long term use, and to decide whether it will
be offered for sale or retained in public ownership.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the guide-
lines potentially apply to uses within this management
unit; however, those that are most likely to be ap-
plicable are indicated with asterisks in the following
list.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
*Forestry
*Recreation
199
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION .Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Kichatna-Nakochna
SUBUNIT
2a
Western
region
2b
Kichatna,
Johnson
Cr., Hewitt
Lake &
Shell Hills
remote
parcel
areas
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED)
State
State/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
(partly past
remote parcel
offerings)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Remote Cabins
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Portions
closed to
grazing (see
mgrat.
guidelines)
Portions
closed to
grazing (see
mgmt.
guidelines)
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
16,580 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc.. that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Siisitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Kichatna-Nakochna
SUBUNIT
2c
Shell
Hills,
Shell Lake
North,
Hewitt-
Whiskey, &
Onestone
Lake
Subdivi-
sions
2d
Shell Creek
corridor
2e
Shell Hill
2f
Shell Lake
perimeter
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED!
State/
Borough/
Private
State
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
(existing
subdivisions)
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Resource Management (high)
Values: Forestry, Settlement,
Wildlife Habitat
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Open
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
DDOUIRITEn
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Portions
closed to
grazing (see
ragmt.
guidelines)
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Approximately 450
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available
over-the-counter
N>O
•Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Susitna Lowlands 2
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunlt 2a (Western Region)
Grazing
Grazing is prohibited within those portions of subunit
2a in T23N R12W S.M. and T23N R13W S.M.
Subunh 2b (Kichatna, Johnson Creek, Hewitt-
Whiskey Lake and Shell Hills Past Remote
Parcel Areas)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit uses such as
fishing, camping and other active uses, and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently, this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using policies
in Chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer width
(200' on each side of the river) should be used on Red
Creek downstream from the unnamed tributary in
T23N R14W S.M. section 25, on the unnamed stream
crossing T22N R12W S.M. section 4, on the two ma-
jor branches of this stream that join in Section 4, and
on the main tributary to the Kichatna River that crosses
T23N R13W S.M. section 9. A 100' buffer will be re-
tained on Red Creek upstream from the unnamed
tributary in T23N R14W S.M. section 25, and on the
stream crossing T22N R12W S.M. sections 15 & 16.
A 50' access easement and 50' building setback will
be applied to all other streams in the existing disposal
areas. In the portion of this subunit that has not been
offered for sale previously (i.e., that portion of 2b in
T22Nand23N R15W, T23N R14W Sections 31 & 32,
and T22N R14W Sections 5, 6 & 8), the standard
minimum buffer width (200' on each side of the river)
should be used on the unnamed streams that appear
on the 1:63,360 scale USGS topographic maps.
Grazing
Grazing is prohibited in those portions of subunit 2b
within the following areas because of their importance
as moose winter range:
2, 12 and 13, S.M.
- 3, and 11, S.M.
T23N R14W Sections 1
T22N R13W Sections
T22N R12W, S.M.
T21N R12W, S.M.
Woodlots
Additional woodlots must be identified and retained
in public ownership near settlement areas south of
Johnson Creek prior to more disposal offerings in these
areas.
Subunit 2c (Shell Hills, Shell L. North, Hewitt-
Whiskey and Onestone Subdivisions)
Grazing
Grazing is prohibited in all of subunit 2c except for
the portion within T22N R12W and 1 3W. The closure
is intended to protect the important moose winter
range in this area.
Subunit 2d (Shell Creek Corridor)
Trail Management
A trail corridor connecting Shell Lake with the Shell
Creek corridor will be identified and retained in public
ownership subject to the trail management policies in
Chapter 2.
Subunit 2f (Shell Lake Perimeter)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the un-
named streams that appear on the 1:63,360 scale
USGS topographic maps is to permit uses such as
fishing, camping and other active uses and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently, this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using policies
in Chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer width
(200' on each side of the river) should be used.
Grazing
Grazing is prohibited within the portions of subunit
2f inT24N R13WS.M. sections 1, 2 and 11 andT21N
R12W S.M. This closure is intended to protect impor-
tant moose winter range.
202
MANAGEMENT UNIT 3: SKWENTNA RIVER
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit includes the floodplains of the Skwentna and
Hayes Rivers and the uplands between the two rivers.
Major features include Red Salmon Lake and Por-
cupine Butte. The river corridors are important habitat
and recreation areas and the Skwentna is a major trans-
portation route. The rivers and adjacent riparian lands
support several species of salmon, provide important
moose winter range and have important swan nesting
areas. The river corridors support forests that can sup-
ply timber for personal use. The Iditarod Trail follows
the Skwentna River through this unit. Mobil Oil Com-
pany has a coal lease that extends south to the Skwent-
na River near its confluence with the Hayes River.
Some of the adjacent lands have high to moderate
potential for coal development as well. Most of the
management unit will remain in public ownership to
protect habitat and public recreation values. One area
of land between the Hayes and Skwentna Rivers will
be available for remote settlement. Management Unit
3 will remain open to mineral location and available
for coal leasing with the exception of the proposed
disposal area (subunit 3b), which will be closed prior
to sale. All public lands in this unit are available for
oil and gas leasing.
The three subunits in Management Unit 3 are the
Skwentna River and Spring Creek corridors (3a), lands
identified for settlement west of Porcupine Butte (3b),
and important swan habitat along the Hayes River (3c).
See the maps at the end of this section for boundaries
of these areas, and the accompanying chart fora sum-
mary of land uses for each subunit.
Subunit 3a (Skwentna Valley-Spring Creek) will be
retained in public ownership in the long term. The
management intent for these state-owned and state-
selected lands is to protect water resources and the
public values noted above.
Subunit 3b (Porcupine Butte West) will be designated
for settlement. This state land is accessible from the
Skwentna River and offers opportunities for remote
settlement, particularly recreation and seasonal use.
Subunit 3c contains state-owned and state-selected
lands with critical trumpeter swan nesting habitat along
the Hayes River. It will be retained in public owner-
ship and proposed for legislative or administrative
designation to protect the swans and their nesting
habitat, water resources, and other riparian habitat
values.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
Public Access
* Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
*Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 3b (Porcupine Butte West)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit uses such as
fishing, camping and other active uses and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently, this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using policies
in Chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer width
(200' on each side of the river) should be used on the
unnamed streams that appear on the 1:63,360 scale
USGS topographic maps.
Subunit 3c (Swan Habitat)
Critical Swan Habitat
This subunit is recommended for legislative or ad-
ministrative designation to protect swans. Until
designation takes place, the following guidelines are
intended to provide sufficient protection and will be
applied by the Department.
203
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 — Skwentna River
SUBUN1T
3a
Skwentna
Valley/
Spring
Creek
3b
Porcupine
Butte West
3c
Swan
Habitat
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED)
State/
State
selected
State/
State
selected
State/
State
selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Remote Cabins
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Public Rec.
SUBSURFACE
IDCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for leasing
Available for
leasing
DDOHIRITCn
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
—
Estimated net
disposal area =
1600 acres
Proposed for
legislative or
administrative
designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that oce fiot
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
Tian~-~rner* '-•idell"°«- in ch<""Mer 9
Susitna Lou/lands 3
1. Restricted Activities. Activities that potentially will
damage swan nesting habitat or cause visual or
noise disturbance should be prohibited from April
1 through August 31 within at least one-quarter mile
of current or potential swan nesting or staging
ponds, marshes or lakes. Particular activities may
be restricted in a wider area if their potential level
of damage or disturbance warrants doing so. Ac-
tivities that may be restricted include, but are not
limited to, use of off-road vehicles, airplanes and
motorboats. However, some traditional access
routes and sites will be designated that will remain
open to motorized access. [Note: This guideline will
result in the restriction of the activities described
above on most ponds, marshes and lakes other than
those that have been identified as traditional access
points.]
2. At a minium, permits should not be issued for those
types of off-road vehicle use requiring permits in
the areas and during the period described in 1.
above.
3. Aircraft. At a minimum, landing of aircraft should
be prohibited in the areas and during the period
described in 1. above unless at designated access
sites.
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for subunit
3c. The management plan will determine, among other
things, whether remote cabins will be a permitted use
in this subunit. Remote cabin permits will not be of-
fered until and unless areas open to remote cabins are
designated by a management plan.
205
MANAGEMENT UNIT 4: SKWENTNA FLATS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 4 consists largely of wetlands and
open forests south of the Skwentna and Yentna Rivers.
The Skwentna River floodplain, Eightmile Creek and
Lake, Sevenmile Lake, and numerous smaller lakes are
important features of the landscape. The town of
Skwentna straddles the Skwentna River in the northern
part of the management unit. The amount of subsis-
tence-related fish and wildlife use in this area is the
second greatest in the study area. The Iditarod Trail
crosses the southern part of the area. The Skwentna
River and Eightmile Creek are important anadromous
fish streams and provide moose winter range. The
lowlands offer some opportunities for additional
remote, low density settlement. Existing and likely
future access to the region is by air or along the
Skwentna River. It is intended that this region will sup-
port a mixture of public and private uses. The popula-
tion in this management unit is likely to grow on past
and proposed land sales and other private lands in this
area. State and/or borough land should be set aside
for community facilities near Skwentna, and if it
becomes necessary, near other growing settlements.
(See also management guidelines regarding communi-
ty facilities in subunit 5a). Management Unit 4 will be
open to mineral location and available for coal leas-
ing with the exception of the existing and proposed
disposal areas (subunits 4c, 4e, and a portion of subunit
4a). All public lands in this unit are available for oil
and gas leasing.
There are five subunits within this management unit:
private and Native lands around the town of Skwent-
na (4a), Skwentna Flats (4b), land adjacent to the
Skwentna River available for settlement (4c), borough
lands at Sevenmile Lake (4d), and Skwentna Flats Sub-
division (4e). See the maps at the end of this section
for boundaries of these areas and the accompanying
chart for a summary of land uses for each subunit.
Subunit 4a: Private and Native lands around the town
of Skwentna, including the existing Skwentna Station
Subdivision, will be a focus of settlement activity. Un-
sold surveyed lots in the subdivision will remain avail-
able for sale over-the-counter.
Subunit 4b, state land in the Skwentna Flats, in-
cluding the Eightmile Creek drainage, will be retain-
ed in public ownership for forestry, fish and wildlife
habitat, and public recreation. The lands in this unit
within the boundaries of the past Skwentna Flats and
Skwentna Flats Addition remote parcel disposals will
be closed to further land sales, but the lands east of
Eightmile Creek will be open to remote cabin permits.
Retention of subunit 4b will protect Eightmile Creek,
a particularly valuable salmon spawning stream. It also
will help keep timber available for personal use by
local residents. Consistent with the general subsurface
policy in Chapter 2, the unstaked portions of the past
Skwentna Flats remote parcel area will be reopened
to mineral entry.
Subunit 4c: Additional low density settlement is the
primary use. These are state-owned lowlands access-
ible from the Skwentna River.
Subunit 4d, borough lands around Sevenmile Lake,
will be included in the borough land bank. These lands
may be available for sale in the long term, but there
are no plans for disposal in the near future. Reevalua-
tion to determine the best long term use of this area
will consider settlement, forestry, fish and wildlife
habitat and public recreation values.
Subunit 4e is the existing Skwentna Flats Subdivision.
Unsold surveyed lots in the subdivision will remain
available for sale over-the-counter.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
'Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
/"Trail Management
'Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
206
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 4 - Swentna Flats
SUBUNIT
4a
Skwentna
Station
4b
Skwentna
Flats
4c
Skwentna
River Sale
4d
Sevenmile
L.
4e
Skwentna
Flats
Subdivision
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
Native
Private
State
State
Borough
State/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY L)SE(S)
Primarily private
land (part exist-
ing subdivision
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
(part past re-
mote parcel
offering)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Remote Cabins
(east of
Eight-mile
Creek)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Borough Land Bank
Values: Wildlife Habitat,
Settlement, Public
Recreation
Settlement
(existing sub-
division)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed within
existing
subdivision
Open
Closed
Open
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
within
existing
subdivision
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
SURFACE
USE(S)*
—
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Approximately 15
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available
over-the-counter
Estimated net
disposal area =
1,320 acres
Approximately 20
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available
over-the-counter
O•-J
•Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Susitna Lowlands 3
Subunit 4b (Skwentna Flats)
Remote Cabins
Remote cabin permits will not be allowed within a cor-
ridor along Eightmile creek that is at least 200' wide
on either side of the stream. [Note: the standard
Chapter 2 policies on location of cabins near lakes,
streams, trails and wetlands also will apply to this
subunit.]
Subunits 4c and 4d (Skwentna River Sale and
Sevenmile Lake)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the un-
named streams that appear on the 1:63,360 scale
USGS topographic maps is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water quali-
ty and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on these streams.
208
MANAGEMENT UNIT 5: MIDDLE YENTNA
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 5 includes the Yentna River flood-
plain, Twentymile Slough, and and the Fish Lake-
Bulchitna Lake country. The Yentna River serves as
an important transportation route through this man-
agement unit. Twentymile Slough, Fish Creek and the
Yentna are important waterways for salmon, and the
land along these streams provides black bear habitat,
moose winter range and timber for local use. There
is a concentration of mining claims along the Kahiltna
River where it joins the Yentna. The numerous lakes
north of the Yentna provide attractive sites for private
recreation, and there is some potential for agricultural
development in a small area southwest of Bulchitna
River, the corridor of the Yentna River will be retain-
ed in public ownership to protect opportunities for
public recreation, fish and wildlife habitat manage-
ment, and timber management, and to maintain visual
quality along the river banks. Private land uses will be
supported on other lands in the unit. The population
in this management unit is likely to grow as a result
of past and proposed land sales. State and/or borough
land should be set aside for community facilities near
Skwentna (see guidelines for subunit 5a) and, if it
becomes necessary, near other growing settlements
in this area (e.g., Lake Creek). All public lands in this
unit are available for oil and gas leasing. Management
Unit 5 will be open to mineral location and available
for coal leasing except for the existing and proposed
disposal areas (subunits 5c, 5d, 5e).
The six subunits in Management Unit 5 are: the nor-
thern part of the Yentna River floodplain from Bottle
Creek west (5a); lands with agricultural potential (5b);
the existing Alder View disposal (5c); Bulchitna Lake
(5d); a proposed addition to Alder View Subdivision
(5e), and the southern floodplain area (50 See the maps
at the end of this section for boundaries of these areas
and the accompanying chart for a summary of land
uses for each subunit.
Subunit 5a consists of riparian lands in state owner-
ship along the Yentna and lower Skwentna Rivers.
These lands will be retained in public ownership and
managed for public recreation, wildlife habitat,
forestry, scenic quality, and transportation. In addi-
tion, a portion of this subunit may be used for com-
munity facilities for the town of Skwentna.
Subunit 5b: The state lands in this subunit will be
designated resource management-high value. For the
near term (approximately 5 years), subunit 5b will be
retained in public ownership and managed for public
recreation, habitat, forestry, transportation and scenic
quality. When these lands are reevaluated to deter-
mine their the best long term use, major values to be
considered are wildlife habitat, water resources, public
recreation, forestry, settlement, and transportation.
Subunit 5c: Settlement is the primary use of this
subunit, the existing Alder View Subdivision. Unsold
surveyed lots in the subdivision will remain available
for sale over-the-counter.
Subunit 5d: The borough land surrounding Bulchitna
Lake generally will be retained in public ownership
for public recreation and fish and wildlife habitat. Com-
mercial development to support recreation activities
is designated a primary use of this subunit. Most of
the large lakes within this management unit are sur-
rounded by private lands, increasing the importance
of retaining some lakeshore for public use. Forestry
is a secondary use in the subunit. Timber harvesting
is an allowed use when consistent with the recreation
and habitat objectives for the subunit.
Subunit 5c is a proposed state disposal area adjacent
to the northern edge of Alder View Subdivision.
Subunit 5f is the Yentna floodplain south of Alder
View Subdivision. This land will be retained in public
ownership and managed to protect riparian habitat
and water resources and to provide opportunities for
public recreation and timber management. Because
of the high public values present, and particularly
because of the unit's importance as moose winter
range, this area is recommended for legislative designa-
tion as a multiple use foresty and habitat area.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
209
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 - Middle
SUBUNIT
5a
Yentna
floodplain-
( north
half)
5b
Southwest
Bulchitna
5c
Alder View
5d
Bulchitna
L.
5e
Alder View
Addition
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State
State/
Private
Borough
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Resource Management (high)
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Settlement, Public
Recreation, Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement
(existing sub-
division)
Commercial
Development
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
UDCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
Closed
Closed
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Grazing
Land Disposals
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Grazing
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Approximately 60
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available
ove r-the-counte r
Estimated net
disposal area =
375 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
marw~"~iemerit guidelines in chnoter 7
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 - Middle Yentna
SUBUNIT
5f
Yentna
Floodplain
(south
half)
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative
designation
'Other uses such as material sales, lanb leases, remote cabin permits, eta, that a*e not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Susitna Lowlands 5
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 5a (Yentna Floodplain — north half)
Community Facilities
A portion of subunit 5a between the Skwentna and
Yentna Rivers may be needed in the future as a site
for a school or other necessary community facilities.
Actions that would preclude the option to designate
land for this purpose will be prohibited until a deter-
mination of the need for community facility land has
been made.
Subunit 5c (Alder View)
Lakeshore Management
Where more than 50% of the land within 500' of the
lakes in subunit 5c is already in private ownership, re-
maining public land should be kept in public owner-
ship because of the lakes' value for public recreation.
Subunit 5c and 5e (Alder View and Alder View
Addition)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to Fish Creek
is to permit fishing, camping and other active uses,
to protect water quality and riparian habitat and to
minimize conflicts with bear concentration areas. Con-
sequently, this land should be retained in public
ownership. The corridor on Fish Creek should be at
least 300' wide on each side of the creek to achieve
these purposes.
Woodlots
Woodlots for personal use should be designated and
retained prior to design of additional sales in subunit
5c and 5e. Subunit 5f (Yentna Floodplain —south half)
SubnnH 5f (Yentna Floodplain - south half)
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for subunit
5f. The management plan will determine, among other
things, whether remote cabins will be a permitted use
in this subunit. Remote cabin permits will not be of-
fered until and unless areas open to remote cabins are
designated by a management plan.
212
MANAGEMENT UNIT 6: ALEXANDER CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 6 covers the Alexander Creek
drainage and runs east to the Yentna River. Most of
the area is wetland or lowland forest, but Trail Ridge
is a prominent feature of the unit. Several large lakes
fall within this area, including Alexander, Sucker, Rab-
bit and Trail Lakes. Alexander Creek is one of the most
important waterways in the entire study area for
riparian habitat and salmon spawning. It is also a very
popular destination for fishing and float trips. Many
of the smaller creeks also support anadromous fish
populations (Lower Sucker, Wolverine, Clear, Texas,
Anderson and Bear Creeks) and provide winter range
for moose (Deep, Fox, Rabbit, Kutna, Lower Sucker,
Clear, Texas and Bear Creeks). The Iditarod Trail
crosses through the center of the management unit.
Lands around Sucker Lake and near the Yentna-Susitna
confluence also have some potential for settlement and
small to medium scale agriculture. The southern part
of the region has moderate potential for coal
development.
Because of the extensive wetlands and public recrea-
tion and habitat values, most of the unit will remain
publicly owned, but provision will be made for addi-
tional land disposals in portions of the management
unit. All public lands in this unit are available for oil
and gas leasing. Management Unit 6 will remain open
to mineral location and available for coal leasing ex-
cept for the existing and proposed disposal areas
(subunits 6c and 60, and the Alexander Creek corridor
which is proposed for legislative designation as a state
recreation river (subunit 6d), and land along Lower
Sucker Creek (closed to location only, available for
leasing).
Although presently remote from year-round roads, the
southern portion of the unit is accessible by winter
roads that cross the Susitna River on an ice bridge.
DOT/PF has identified a potential road corridor to
Rainy Pass that would provide access to lands on the
southwest edge of the management unit. Construc-
tion is unlikely for many years, however, and the low
level of resource development that is likely in the near
future (approximately 5 years) will not require addi-
tional access.
There are six subunits in the management unit: the
large wetlands in Kutna Flats (6a); resource manage-
ment lands around Trail Lake, Deep Creek and Clear
Creek and borough land bank lands west of Susitna
Station and around Sucker Lake (6b); state owned
areas proposed for settlement in the Sucker Lake area
(6c); Alexander Creek corridor (6d); Trail Ridge and
Anderson Creek (6e); and past remote parcel offerings
and existing subdivisions (6f). See the maps at the end
of this section for the boundaries of these areas, and
the accompanying chart for a summary of land uses
for each subunit.
Subunit 6a: The large wetland areas in the Kutna Flats
will be retained in public ownership for wildlife habitat
and water resource protection and public use.
Subunit 6b: These lands have values for habitat,
public recreation and forestry, and moderate values
for coal development. They are potentially valuable
areas for settlement and small to medium scale
agriculture. The potential for future development is
high, but since provision of access is unlikely in the
next few years, state lands in this subunit are
designated resource management-high value, and
borough lands are included in the borough land bank.
All these values will be considered when the subunit
is reevaluated to determine its best use for the long
term.
Subunit 6c: Settlement is the primary designation on
state-owned lands around Rabbit Lake and Toms
Creek.
Subunit 6d: Alexander Creek corridor and Alexander
Lake will be retained in public ownership and manag-
ed for fish and wildlife habitat, public recreation and
watershed protection. Because of its extremely high
habitat and recreation values, this unit is recommend-
ed for legislative designation as a state recreation river.
It is rated by the Department of Fish and Game as the
third most important river in the Susitna Area for
habitat and public use, and is one of five rivers in the
study area proposed for designation as a state recrea-
tion river in the Southcentral Recreation Action Plan
prepared by ADNR and ADF&G. Public cabins should
be built in subunit 6d to support recreational use of
Alexander Creek. Forestry is a secondary use in this
subunit. Timber harvesting will be allowed when con-
sistent with the habitat and recreation objectives for
the subunit.
Subunit 6e consists of state lands along Trail Ridge.
These lands have very high habitat value (especially
as moose winter range) and potential for commercial
forestry. They have been proposed for legislative
designation to provide for long-term timber and habitat
management, and to provide public recreation oppor-
tunities adjacent to the Yentna and Susitna River
corridors.
213
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 6 - Alexander Creek
SUBUNIT
6a
Kutna Flats
6b
Trail L.I
Anderson
Creek
6c
Rabbit
Lake/
Toms Creek'
6d
Alexander
Cr.
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State/
Borough
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
. SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Kemote Cabins
Resource Management (high)/Borough
Land Bank
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABIEMINERALS
Open
Open except
along Lower
Sucker Creek
(see mgmt.
guidelines
Closed prior
to disposal
Closed
LEASEABLEMINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PDOUIRITCn
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Grazing
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Grazing
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
«^»
Estimated net
disposal area =
240 acres
Recommended for
legislative
designation
"Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
in
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 6^- Alexander Creek
SUBUNIT
6e
Trail Ridge
6f
Kutna
Creek,
Otter
Lakes, &
Trail Ridge
Disposals
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED)
State
State/
Private
/
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement (past
subdivisions &
remote parcel
offering)
SECONDARY USE(S)
_
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLEMINERALS
Open
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
toeconmended for
legislative
designation
Approximately 160
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available
over-the-counter
(vj "Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
J£ specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2
Susitna Lowlands 6
Subunlt 6f: Settlement is the primary designation
along the Yentna River in the past Kutna remote parcel
disposal area, and in the existing Kutna, Otter Lake
and Trail Ridge subdivisions. Unsold surveyed lots in
the subdivisions will remain available over-the-counter.
Numerous parcels have been staked in the Kutna
remote area in the past. There are no immediate plans
for additional sales in the past Kutna remote parcel
area, but this area may be reconsidered for additional
offerings in the future.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
""Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 6d (Alexander Creek)
Commercial development
Commercial development to support recreational ac-
tivities is a permitted use in the Alexander Creek
subunit.
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for subunit
6d in conjuction with management planning for the
portion of Alexander Creek corridor in the Mt. Susit-
na subregion. The management plan should develop
guidelines to prevent snowmachine disturbance of
moose populations that winter along Alexander Creek.
The management plan will determine whether remote
cabins will be a permitted use in this subunit. Remote
cabin permits will not be offered until and unless areas
open to remote cabins are designated by a manage-
ment plan.
Mining
Public lands within 200' of Lower Sucker Creek will
be closed to mineral location. The closure is intend-
ed to protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat
in one of the most important tributaries to Alexander
Creek.
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas exploration and development activities will
be sited and/or timed to mitigate impacts on the fish
and wildlife habitat and public use values of the Alex-
ander Creek corridor. Specific mitigation measures
necessary to protect the values for which the river cor-
ridor was established will be developed as part of the
lease sale process. Mitigation measures will be
developed on a case by case basis considering tim-
ing, topography, vegetation and other factors affec-
ting the impact of oil and gas exploration and develop-
ment activities on fish and wildlife, habitat and public
use values.
Interagency Consultation
Since protecion of habitat and recreation values is of
such importance in this unit and the area is being
recommended for legislative designation, special con-
sideration should be given to consulting with the Divi-
sion of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and the Depart-
ment of Fish and Game when reviewing permit or
lease applications in this unit.
Transportation
Road crossings of Alexander Creek should be minimiz-
ed. Road crossings must be designed in consultation
with the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and
the Department of Fish and Came.
Subunlts 6b, 6c, and 6f (Sucker Lake-Trail
Lake, Rabbit Lake, and Past Disposal)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit uses such as
fishing, camping and other active uses, and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently, this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using policies
in Chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer width
(200' on each side of the river) should be used on
Deep, Clear, Toms, Anderson, Kutna and Snag Creeks,
and unnamed creeks that appear on the USGS
1:63,360 scale topographic maps. The corridor on
216
Susitna Lowlands 6
lower Sucker Creek should be *A mile wide on each
side to protect the opportunities for "wilderness camp-
ing" and hunting on one of the most important
tributaries to Alexander Creek.
Subunit 6e (Trail Ridge)
Management Plans and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for units 6e, 13d and 13e. The management
plan will determine, among other things, whether or
not remote cabins will be permitted in these subunits.
Remote cabin permits will not be offered until and
unless areas open to remote cabins are designated by
a management plan.
217
MANAGEMENT UNIT 7: LAKE CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 7 covers state-owned and state-
selected lands in the Lake Creek corridor, lowland
forests west of the river, and uplands surrounding
Shovel Lake. This is a remote, unpopulated area with
valuable timber and moose winter range. Yenlo Creek,
Lake Creek and the major unnamed tributaries to Lake
Creek* are important anadromous fish streams. Yenlo
Creek is the site of seasonal concentrations of black
bear, while Lake Creek is a popular destination for
fishing and float trips. Concentrations of mining claims
also exist on the middle reaches of Lake Creek.
Management Unit 7 generally will be retained in public
ownership to facilitate management for forestry, fish
and wildlife, public recreation, and water resources.
There will be a small amount of land available for
private recreational use.
All public lands in this unit are available for oil and
gas leasing. In addition, subunit 7a will remain open
to mineral location except for lands along Yenlo Creek
and be available for coal leasing.
There is no existing road access to this area and pro-
vision of access is not imminent. It is recommended
that an extension of the Shulin Lake trail across the
Kahiltna River be considered to provide access to the
forest lands west of Lake Creek. See the transporta-
tion section of chapter 4 for additional information.
The three subunits in this management unit are the
forest lands west of Lake Creek (7a), Lake Creek cor-
ridor (7b), and an area available for settlement east
of Shovel Lake (7c). See the maps at the end of this
section for boundaries of these areas, and the accom-
panying chart for a summary of land uses for each
subunit.
Subunit 7a is densely forested land west of Lake
Creek and north of Link Lake. This subunit will be re-
tained in public ownership and recommended for
legislative designation in recognition of the high forest
values throughout the subunit. The land will be manag-
ed for timber, habitat and public recreation.
Subunit 7b, the Lake Creek corridor will be retain-
ed in public ownership and managed for fish and
wildlife habitat, public recreation and water resources.
Because of its extremely high value for recreation and
habitat, this subunit is recommended for legislative
designation. The Department of Fish and Game rated
Lake Creek the second most important river in the
study area for habitat values and public use. It is one
of five rivers in the study area proposed for legislative
designation by the ADNR and ADF&G in the South-
central Recreation Action Plan. This is a high priority
area for construction of public use cabins. Forestry is
a secondary use in the Lake Creek corridor. Timber
harvesting will be allowed when consistent with the
public recreation and habitat objectives of the subunit.
Subunit 7c: Settlement is the primary designation on
the lands around the string of lakes to the north of
Shovel Lake.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
*Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
'Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 7a (Forest Land)
Mining
Public lands within 'A-mile of Yenlo Creek will be clos-
ed to mineral location. The closure is intended to pro-
tect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat in one
of the most important tributaries to Lake Creek.
Those streams with headwaters rising in Sections 25 and 35,
T25N R11W. and in T24N 10W S.M., section 23.
218
-f" -
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - Lake Creek
SUBUNIT
7a
Forest
Lands
7b
Lake Creek
Corridor
7c
Shovel Lake
East
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State/
State
Selected
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
——
Forestry
Forestry
(personal use)
Public
Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along Yenlo
Creek (see
mgmt.
guidelines)
Closed
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Estimated net
disposal area =
1,070 acres
reh^
vO
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 8: McDOUGAL
MANAGEMENT INTENT
The McDougal management unit is composed of state
lands between Lake Creek and the Kahiltna River
within the boundaries of past remote parcel disposal
areas. The lands are a mixture of lowland forests, lakes
and wetlands. Although the Kahiltna River is not boat-
able, it supports runs of king, coho, silver, pink and
chum salmon. There are concentrations of mining
claims along the Kahiltna. This area has some poten-
tial for additional remote settlement, especially in the
southern half of the unit. Potential for agriculture and
forestry also exists in the southern portion of this
management unit. Management Unit 8 will be open
to mineral location and available for coal leasing ex-
cept for the area open to settlement (subunit 8a). All
public lands in this unit are available for oil and gas
leasing. Existing access into this unit is by plane to the
lakes or by boat along Lake Creek. There is presently
no road access, but construction of an extension of
the Shulin Lake trail that crosses Management Unit 8
is recommended for consideration. See Chapter 4 for
additional information.
The McDougal Management Unit is divided into the
north (subunit 8a) and south (subunit 8b) halves. See
the maps at the end of this section for boundaries of
these areas, and the accompanying chart for a sum-
mary of land uses for each subunit.
Subunit 8a, the northern part of this region, will re-
main open for additional settlement. This subunit is
within the boundaries of the past Lake Creek/
McDougal remote parcel disposal area.
Subunit 8b, the southern part of the region, is
designated resource management-high value to
preserve options for future use. Values for settlement,
forestry, habitat and agriculture all are higher in 8b
than in the northern section of the Management Unit
(8a). All these values will be considered when the area
Is re-evaluated to determine its best use for the long
term. The portion of the existing Lake Creek/McDougal
remote parcel disposal area within subunit 8b will be
closed to further sales as long as the subunit is
designated for resource management.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
* Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 8a (Lake Creek/McDougal North)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan indentifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One route passes through this subunit. The
precise location of this route has not been determin-
ed, although a general location is shown on the maps
in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in this unit such
as land sales, leases, or other actions should be located
so as not to preclude the option to build this road along
a feasible and efficient route.
Subnnite 8a and 8b (Lake Creek /McDougal
north and resource management areas)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water quali-
ty and riparian habitats. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on Indian Creek and
the unnamed creeks that appear on the 1:63,360 scale
USGS topographic maps.
Subunit 8b (Lake Creek/McDougal south)
Grazing
Grazing is prohibited within the riparian zone along
the Kahiltna River.
221
N>to LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 8 - McDougai
SUBUNIT
8a
Lake Cr./
McDougai
North
8b
Lake Cr./
McDougai
South
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED]
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S) SECONDARY USE(S)
Settlement Forestry
(past remote (personal use)
parcel offer- Public Rec.
Ing) Wildlife Hab.
Resource Management (high)
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat
SUBSURFACE
UOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Pbrtions
closed to
grazing (see
mgmt .
guidelines)
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
5,750 acres
"Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 9: KAHILTNA RIVER
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit includes the Kahiltna River corridor, Shulin
Lake, and extensive areas of interspersed lowland
forests and wetlands east of the river. Over half of the
area falls within the existing Kahiltna remote parcel
disposal area. Shulin Lake is a fly-in lake that provides
opportunities for public and private recreation. The
Kahiltna River, although not beatable, is an important
river for runs of pink, king, coho, silver, and chum
salmon. Most of the area also has moderate value for
moose winter range, and about half of the area has
potential for commercial forest management. There
are concentrations of mining claims along the whole
length of the Kahiltna in this management unit.
Although not accessible by year-round road, the Shulin
Lake winter trail provides seasonal access to the nor-
thern part of the unit. This route is recommended for
consideration for upgrading to provide year-round ac-
cess to this area. Consideration also is recommended
for a route to tie the Shulin Lake trail to the forest lands
between the Kahiltna River and Kroto Creek. See the
transportation section of Chapter 4 for additional in-
formation on both these routes. This management unit
will be managed to provide for both public and private
land use. Management Unit 9 will be open to mineral
location and available for coal leasing except for the
existing disposal area in subunit 9d. All public lands
in this unit are available for oil and gas leasing.
Four subunits are included in the Kahiltna manage-
ment unit: the Kahiltna River corridor (9a), borough
lands around Shulin Lake (9b), the lowlands between
the river corridor and the past disposal area (9c), and
the past Kahiltna Flats remote parcel area (9d). See the
maps at the end of this section for boundaries of these
areas, and the accompanying chart for a summary of
land uses for each subunit.
Subunit 9a, the Kahiltna River corridor, will be re-
tained in public ownership for recreation, fish and
wildlife habitat and mining. Forestry is a secondary use
in this subunit. Timber harvesting will be allowed when
consistent with the habitat and recreation objectives
for the subunit. Provision will be made for logging road
access through subunit 9a where necessary for harvest
and management of timber resources further west, par-
ticularly in subunit 7a.
Subunit 9b, borough lands around Shulin Lake, will
be put in the borough land bank. The southern and
eastern portions of the unit have some potential for
agriculture. Portions of the area may be available for
future sales if residential land is needed to support
resource development nearby. Because of the lake and
the unit's proximity to the Kahiltna River, the Shulin
Lake area would be an attractive location for settle-
ment if forestry, coal, or other development occurs.
There are no plans for disposals in the immediate
future. Additional sales will be unnecessary if resource
development does not occur.
Subunit 9c (Kahiltna Lowlands) also will remain in
public ownership, at least in the near term, and will
be designated resource management-high value. It will
be reevaluated in the future to determine appropriate
management for the long term. This area has high
potential for forestry and habitat management and set-
tlement, with some possibility of agricultural use. All
these values must be considered in determining its long
term designation. The relative ease of improving ac-
cess to the subunit, especially if resource development
occurs in subunits 1a and/or 10a, increases the area's
value for all these uses.
Subunit 9d, the past Kahiltna remote parcel area, will
remain available for additional settlement. A net area
of approximately 5,360 acres will be available for add-
itional disposal offerings within this subunit.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the guide-
lines potentially apply to uses within this management
unit; however, those that are most likely to be applic-
able are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
'Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
223
roNS LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 9 - Kahiltna River
SUBUNIT
9a
Kahiltna
R. corridor
9b
Shulin Lake
9c
Kahiltna
lowlands
9d
Kahiltna
disposal
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough
Borough
State
State/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Borough Land Bank
Values : Coomercial Development ,
Forestry, Public
Recreation, Settlement,
Wildlife Habitat
Resource Management (high)
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement (past
remote parcel
offering)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
IDCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
Open
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
DD^~MJIOITCr\
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Remote Cabias
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
Portions
closed to
grazing (see
iBgmt.
guidelines)
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
5360 acres
•Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
manaaement ouidelines in chaoter 2.
Susitna Lowlands 9
Subunit 9b and 9c (Shulin Lake and Kahiltna
Lowlands)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. Two of those routes pass through these sub-
units. The precise location of these routes has not been
determined, although a general location is shown on
the maps in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in
these units such as land sales, leases, or other actions
should be located so as not to preclude the option to
build these roads along feasible and efficient routes.
Snbunits 9b, 9c, and 9d (borough lands,
Kahiltna disposal and resource management
lands)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the un-
named streams that appear on the 1:63,360 scale
USGS topographic maps is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water qual-
ity and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used.
Snbunft 9c (Kahiltna Lowlands)
Grazing
Grazing is prohibited in those portions of subunit 9c
within T23N R9W and T24N R9W.
225
MANAGEMENT UNIT 10: PARKER LAKE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 10 is a large block of primarily
borough-owned land that lies just to the west of the
Kroto Creek corridor and includes Parker Lake. It con-
tains large contiguous areas of soils with good agri-
cultural potential and some of the best stands of timber
in the Susitna Basin. It also serves as habitat and of-
fers opportunities for settlement. Although presently
inaccessible by road, access will be relatively easy to
provide via an Oilwell Road extension or a route
through the forest lands proposed for legislative
designation in Petersville Road subunit 1a. See the
Transportation section of Chapter 4 for additional in-
formation on routes proposed for consideration for
future access development. In short, this area has some
of the highest surface resource values in the planning
area. Management Unit 10 will be open to mineral
location and available for coal leasing except for the
area designated for settlement in subunit 10b. Land
along Chijuk Creek is available for coal leasing but clos-
ed to location. All public lands in this unit are available
for oil and gas leasing.
There are two subunits within the Parker Lake Manage-
ment Unit. Most of the region is included in subunit
10a, the land in borough ownership around Chijuk
Creek. State lands surrounding Parker Lake are subunit
10b. Seethe maps at the end of this section for bound-
aries of these areas, and the accompanying chart for
a summary of land uses for each subunit.
Subunit lOa is designated for forestry, public recrea-
tion and wildlife habitat. This subunit also contains soils
with high potential for agricultural use. Because of the
value of the resources present, this area should be
carefully reevaluated to determine its best long term
use when better information is available on the
economic benefits of agriculture and forestry in the
Susitna Basin. Opportunities for settlement and habitat
management also should be considered when the area
is reevaluated.
Subunit lOb: A small area surrounding Parker Lake
is identified for additional land disposals. This includes
the Parker Lake subdivision offered for sale in FY85
and adjacent lands north of the lake. This area is highly
valuable for recreation due to the presence of the lake
and the proximity to Kroto Creek. Settlement in this
area should consist of small lot subdivisions designed
to enhance both public and private recreational values.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the guide-
lines potentially apply to uses within this management
unit; however, those that are most likely to be appli-
cable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
*Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
*Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit lOa (Chijuk Creek)
Access
When public lands are conveyed to private interests
in this subunit, a public corridor will be retained to
connect this subunit with the Kroto Creek corridor.
(See also subunit lOb).
Mining
Public lands within 400' of Chijuk Creek will be clos-
ed to mineral location. The closure is intended to pro-
tect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat on one
of the most important tributaries to Kroto Creek.
Subunit lOa & lOb (Chijuk Creek and Parker
Lake)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan indentifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transporta-
tion system. Two of these routes pass through these
subunits. The precise location of these routes has not
been determined, although a general location is shown
on the maps in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in
226
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT IO - Parker Lake
SUBUNIT
lua
Chijuk
Creek
105
Parker Lake
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
Borough
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement (part
existing
subdivision)
SECONDARY USE(S)
——
Agriculture
(homesteads)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
UOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along Chijuk
Creek (see
management
guidelines)
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Estimated net
offerings in new
disposal = 430
acres, approxi-
mately 20 unsold
surveyed lots
remain available
over-the-counter
in the existing
subdivision
M 'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc.. that ace not
NS specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Susitna Lowlands 10
these units such as land sales, leases, or other actions
should be located so as not to preclude the option to
build these roads along feasible and efficient routes.
Subunit lOb (Parker Lake)
Lakeshorc Management and Settlement
Waterfront property remaining in state ownership will
not be sold when additional disposals are offered.
These lands will be retained to keep public access to
and around the lake and to provide public recreation
opportunities in the area. An area of public land con-
necting the disposal area to Kroto Creek also will be
retained for future use as a local recreation site and/or
campground.
Subunits lOa and lOb (Chijuk Creek and
Parker Lake)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water quali-
ty and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The buffer width on Chijuk Creek, one of the most
important tributaries to Kroto Creek, should be 200'
on each side of the stream in order to protect oppor-
tunities for hunting as well as the uses identified above.
The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side) also should be used on unnamed streams that
appear on the USCS 1:63,360 scale topographic maps.
228
MANAGEMENT UNIT 11: KAHILTNA-KROTO
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 11 contains the corridors of Kroto
and Moose Creeks, a section of the Kahiltna River cor-
ridor, and a large area of lowland forest with stringers
of wetlands between Kroto Creek and the Kahiltna.
Kroto and Moose Creeks and their major tributary, Chi-
juk Creek (the stream entering Kroto Creek in Section
28 of T21N R6W S.M.), are important anadromous fish
streams and spring concentration areas for black bear
and are used extensively for fishing and boating. The
unit is highly productive for timber of commercial
value and is of moderate value for moose winter range.
It offers opportunities for settlement and small scale
agricultural development. There are concentrations of
mining claims along the Kahiltna although there is lit-
tle mining activity at present. The river corridors in the
unit will be retained in public ownership and man-
aged for public recreation and fish and wildlife habitat
as well as protection of water resources. Most of the
forest lands also will be retained in public ownership
and managed for timber and wildlife habitat. Several
sites have been designated for agricultural homesteads,
and a small settlement area is designated near Neil
Lake.
This management unit is currently inaccessible by
road. It is likely that roads eventually will extend south
into and through the Amber Lake area and into this
management unit. A road would make these lands
accessible for timber management; hunting, fishing
and other types of recreation; agricultural development
and settlement. See the Transportation section of
Chapter 4 for additional information on the routes pro-
posed for consideration for future access development.
The large forest and wetland areas in subunit 11a and
11e will remain open to mineral location except for
land along Chijuk Creek and be available for coal leas-
ing. Five subunits will be closed to mineral location
and unavailable for coal leasing. They include areas
open to settlement (1 Id and 11e) or agriculture (11g),
the Kroto Creek-Moose Creek corridor proposed for
legislative designation (1 Ib), and a public recreation
site on the Kahiltna River (11c). All public lands in this
unit are available for oil and gas leasing.
The seven subunits within this area are the forest land
and wetlands between the Kahiltna River and Kroto
Creek corridor (11a), the Kroto-Creek-Moose Creek
corridor (11 b), a public recreation site on the Kahiltna
River (lie), the past Neil Lake remote parcel area
(1 Id), an additional disposal area at Neil Lake (11e),
the wetlands between Kroto Creek and Moose Creek
(11f), and agricultural homestead areas west of Kroto
Creek (1 Ig). See the maps at the end of this section
for boundaries of these areas, and the accompanying
chart for a summary of land uses for each subunit.
Subunit Ha, the forest and wetland areas between
Kroto Creek and the Kahiltna River will be retained
in public ownership and managed for timber, water
and wildlife resources. Because of the high potential
for commercial forestry and importance of the area
for moose winter range, this subunit is recommended
for legislative designation. Although there is no existing
road access into this subunit, access could be prov-
ided in the next 5-10 years via extensions from Oilwell
Road, or construction of a winter or year-round log-
ging road that continues south of forest lands in
Petersville Road subunit la.
Subunit lib, the Kroto Creek-Moose Creek (Deshka
River) corridor will be retained in public ownership
and managed for hunting, fishing, riparian habitat and
public recreation. Because of its extremely high public
value it is recommended for legislative designation.
The Department of Fish and Game ranked the Kroto-
Moose system the most important in the entire study
area in terms of a combination of habitat values and
public use. It is one of five rivers in the study area pro-
posed for legislative designation by ADNR and ADF&G
in the Southcentral Recreation Action Plan. This cor-
ridor is an extension of the Kroto Creek and Moose
Creek corridors proposed for legislative or administra-
tive designation in Petersville Road subunits 1b and
4a. It is recommended that public use cabins be built
on state lands in this subunit to support recreational
use of Kroto and Moose Creeks.
Subunit He: A small area of land on the Kahiltna
River is identified as a public recreation site. This unit
will provide a public wayside and campground for
river users.
Subunit lid is the past Neil Lake remote parcel area.
No additional sales are planned in this subunit because
there are a large number of existing private parcels
in the area and because it is important to keep some
of the land near the lake available for public recrea-
tion. In addition, it is recommended that the state
aquire property on Neil Lake adjacent to Kroto Creek
to provide public access from the lake to the creek.
Subunit He (Neil Lake East) is identified for additional
settlement. Because of its proximity to the Kroto Creek
corridor and its accessibility by floatplane, this subunit
is an important site for public as well as private recrea-
tion. Additional land sales shall be in a subdivision that
will be designed to protect both public and private
229
to LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 11 - Kahiltna-Kroto
SUBUNIT
lla
Forest land
lib
Kroto
Cr. /Moose
Cr.
Corridor
lie
Kahiltna
River
Recreation
site
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED)
State
State/
Borough
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Forestry
Forestry
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along Chijuk
Creek (see
mgmt. guide-
lines)
Closed
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Portions
closed to
grazing (see
mgmt.
guidelines)
Grazing
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Recommended for
legislative
designation
——
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses wi!! be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
mar'~"~"^mei~'t '""jide1"^'31; in n^
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT H - Kahiltna-Kroto
SUBUNIT
lid
Neil Lake
lie
Neil Lake
East
llf
Wetlands
HgKroto West
homesteads
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Private
State
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement (past
remote parcel
area)
Settlement
Wildlife Habitat
Water Resources
Agriculture
(homesteads)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Public Rec.
Remote Cabins
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Closed prior
to disposal
Open
Closed along
Chijuk Creek;
rest of unit
closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
510 acres
Estimated net
disposal area =
2,200 acres
00
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that ewe not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Susitna Lowlands 11
recreation opportunities. It is recommended that one
or more public use cabins be constructed at Neil Lake.
Subunit llf is a large wetland lying between Kroto
and Moose Creeks. It will be retained in public: owner-
ship to protect water resources and wildlife habitat.
Subunit llg includes three separate blocks of land
near the eastern boundary of the management unit.
These areas will be offered for private use through the
agricultural homestead program.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
*Agriculture
'Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
'Recreation
'Settlement
Subsurface
'Transportation
Instream Flow
'Lakeshore Management
'Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
'Stream Corridors
'Trail Management
'Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Management Unit 11 (all subunits)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. Two of these routes pass through this manage-
ment unit. The precise location of these routes has not
been determined, although a general location is shown
on the maps in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in
this unit such as land sales, leases, or other actions
should be located so as not to preclude the option to
build these roads along feasible and efficient routes.
Subunit lla (forest lands)
Mining
Lands within 400' each side of the Chijuk Creek will
be closed to mineral entry. The closure is intended
to protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat
on one of the most important tributaries to Kroto
Creek.
Grazing
Grazing is prohibited within the riparian zone along
the Kahiltna River.
Subunits lla & lib (Forest lands and Kroto
Creek-Moose Creek)
Management Plans and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a joint management plan be
prepared for subunits 1 la and 11 b. The management
plan will determine, among other things, whether or
not remote cabins will be permitted in these subunits.
Remote cabin permits will not be offered until and
unless areas open to remote cabins are designated by
a management plan.
Subunit lib (Kroto Creek-Moose Creek
corridor)
Transportation
Road crossings of Kroto and Moose Creeks should be
minimized. Road crossings must be designed in con-
sultation with the Division of Parks and Outdoor
Recreation and the Department of Fish and Came.
Since protection of habitat and recreation values is of
such importance in this unit and the area is being
recommended for legislative designation, special con-
sideration should be given to consulting with the Divi-
sion of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and the Depart-
ment of Fish and Game when reviewing permit or
lease applications in this unit.
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas exploration and development activities will
be sited and/or timed to mitigate impacts on the fish
and wildlife habitat and public use values of the Kroto
Creek-Moose Creek corridor. Specific mitigation
measures necessary to protect the values for which
the river corridor was established will be developed
as part of the lease sale process. Mitigation measures
will be developed on a case by case basis consider-
232
Susitna Lowlands 11
ing timing, topography, vegetation and other factors
affecting the impact of oil and gas exploration and
development activities on fish and wildlife, habitat and
public use values.
Subnnit lie (Kahiltna River Recreation site)
Recreation
Exact boundaries of subunit 11c will be determined
following site planning for recreation facilities. Acreage
in subunit 11c not included in the recreation site will
be added to subunit 11 a.
Subnnits lid and lie (Neil Lake and Neil
Lake East)
Lakeshore Management
No additional land within 500 feet of the shoreline of
Neil Lake will be sold. Public access from the lake to
Kroto Creek must be maintained. If necessary, access
will be maintained through purchase of a public
corridor.
Subunhs lid, lle&llg (Neil Lake, Neil Lake
East, and agricultural homesteads)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water qual-
ity and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on the unnamed
streams that appear on the 1:63,360 scale USGS topo-
graphic maps. On Chijuk Creek, one of the most
important tributaries to Kroto Creek, the buffer should
be 400' on each side of the creek to permit hunting
and provide camping opportunities.
Sobunit llg (Kroto West Ag Homesteads)
Subsurface
Lands within 400' each side of Chijuk Creek are clos-
ed to mineral entry.
233
MANAGEMENT UNIT 12: DESHKA FLATS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Deshka Flats management unit lies east of the Kahiltna
and Yentna Rivers, north of Lockwood Lake and west
of the existing Kahiltna Flats state subdivision. It is
dominated by lowland forest with interspersed wet-
lands. The land is highly productive for wildlife and
commercially valuable for timber. Moose Creek is an
anadromous fish stream that receives a moderate
amount of public use for fishing.* The area includes
extensive zones with moderate suitability for moose
winter range. It also has large areas of soils that offer
opportunities for agricultural development or settle-
ment. In addition, the portion of the Kahiltna River
within the unit is lined with numerous mining claims.
Both public and private land uses will be accom-
modated in this subregion, and a large area will be
designated resource management to allow future
reevaluation of its best long term use. Management
Unit 12 will remain open to mineral location and
available for coal leasing except for the existing and
proposed disposal areas (subunits 12c and 12d). All
public lands in this unit are available for oil and gas
leasing.
Access into this management unit is limited to fly-in
access to lakes. Two routes are proposed for considera-
tion for future road construction. These routes would
connect this unit with the Amber Lakes area to the
north.
Four subunits are contained in Management Unit 12:
the densely forested central region around Deshka
Flats (12a), the mixed wetlands and forests adjacent
to the Kahiltna River and Yentna River corridor (12b),
the existing Kahiltna Flats subdivision (12c), and an
additional settlement area adjacent to the subdivision
(12d). See the maps at the end of this section for
boundaries of these areas, and the accompanying
chart for a summary of land uses for each subunit.
Subunit 12a (Deshka Flats) contains relatively large
contiguous areas of class II and III soils considered to
have potential for commercial agriculture. This area
is also densely forested and contains valuable upland
habitat. It will be designated resource management.
In the near term (5-10 years) it will be retained in public
ownership and managed for timber, wildlife, and water
resources. This area will be reevaluated to determine
its best long-term use when the Susitna Area Plan is
revised or when road access to the area is imminent.
Agriculture, forestry, settlement and habitat values will
be considered when the area is reevaluated.
Subunit 12b will be retained in public ownership.
It has a higher proportion of wetlands and lower
agriculture and settlement values than does the re-
mainder of the management unit. Its major values are
for timber and riparian habitat. It is particularly im-
portant for moose winter range. This subunit will be
managed for forestry, mining, habitat, and protection
of water resources. In addition, it will be proposed for
legislative designation as a multiple use area.
Subunit 12c is the existing Kahiltna Flats subdivision.
Its primary designation is settlement. There are many
unsold surveyed lots in this subdivision, and they will
remain available for sale over-the-counter.
Subunit 12d is adjacent to the existing Kahiltna Flats
subdivision. It is designated for settlement and may
be offered for sale in the future as either an extension
to the existing subdivision or a homestead area.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
*Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
* Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Note: The Moose Creek in Management Unit 12 is a different
stream than that in the Moose Creek-Krolo Creek (Deshka River)
system proposed for legislative designation.
234
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 12 - Deshka Flats
SUBUNIT
12a
Deshka
Flats
12b
Yentna
Forest
12c
Kahiltna
Flats
12d
Kahiltna
Flats
addition
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State
State/
Private
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Resource Management (high)
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
(existing sub-
division)
Settlement
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
Closed
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLEMINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
DD^WIRITCn
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
——
COMMENTS
_
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Approximately 200
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available
ove r-the-counte r
Estimated net
disposal area =
670 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
co specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with thew management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Susitna Lowlands 12
Subunhs 12a, 12b, & 12c (Deshka Hats, Yent-
na Forest, and Kahiltna Flats)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One route passes through this subunit. The
precise location of this route has not been deter-
mined, although a general location is shown on the
maps in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in this unit
such as land sales, leases, or other actions should be
located so as not to preclude the option to build this
road along a feasible and efficient route.
Subunits 12a and 12d (Deshka Flats and
Kahiltna Flats addition)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to unnam-
ed streams that appear on the USCS 1:63,360 scale
topographic maps is to permit fishing, camping and
other active uses and to protect water quality and
riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should be re-
tained in public ownership. Corridor widths will be
set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used.
Subunit 12b (Yentna Forest)
Management Plans and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for subunit 12b. The management plan will
determine, among other things, whether or not remote
cabins will be permitted in this subunit. Remote cabin
permits will not be offered until and unless areas open
to remote cabins are designated by a management
plan.
236
MANAGEMENT UNIT 13: YENTNA-SUSITNA
MANAGEMENT INTENT
The land between the Yentna and Susitna Rivers is
highly valued for a wide range of resources. There are
large blocks of soils with good agricultural potential
(class II and III soils in USDA's classification) and pro-
ductive forests suitable for commercial management.
Two land disposals have occured in the unit, and there
is potential for new sales. In addition, the rivers and
lakes in the region receive intensive public use for
hunting, fishing, and boating. Winter habitat in the
area is critical to several moose populations and several
of the lakes provide nesting habitat for trumpeter
swans. Brown bears concentrate seasonally along the
Susitna River. The lakes and rivers make this a very
attractive area for settlement. Finally, the southern part
of the unit has moderate potential for coal develop-
ment. In short, values in this unit are among the highest
in the study area for a variety of uses. The Yentna-
Susitna area will be managed to provide for a variety
of public and private uses. Management Unit 13 will
remain open to mineral location and available for coal
leasing except for the existing and proposed disposal
areas (subunits 13a, 13c and 13g) and the habitat area
recommended for legislative designation (13d). All
public lands in this unit are available for oil and gas
leasing.
This area is presently inaccessible by road, but
resource development to the east in the Willow Sub-
basin and to the north in the Petersville Road subregion
may eventually encourage construction of a Susitna
River bridge and roads from the north and south that
would make the region much more accessible (see also
discussion of transportation in Management Unit 12).
See the Transportation section of Chapter 4 for more
information on routes proposed for consideration for
future road construction.
The management unit is divided into seven subunits:
the existing Yentna and Lockwood disposals (13a); a
wedge of public land between these disposals on the
east side of Fish Creek (13b); Lockwood East, a pro-
posed settlement area adjacent to the Lockwood
disposal (13c); Kroto Slough (13d); the Yentna River
(13e); borough lands around Lockwood and Witsoe
Lakes (13f); and agricultural homesteads within and
near the Yentna disposal (13g). See the maps at the
end of this section for boundaries of these areas, and
the accompanying chart for a summary of land uses
for each subunit.
In subunit 13a, settlement is the primary use. This
subunit includes the existing Lockwood subdivision
and the Lockwood and Yentna homestead areas that
were offered for disposal in the summer of 1984. Un-
sold surveyed parcels in the subdivision will remain
available for sale over-the-counter.
Subunit 13b will remain in public ownership. It will
provide open space, wildlife habitat, and opportunities
for camping and other recreational activities along Fish
Creek between the Yentna and Lockwood disposals
in 13a.
Subunit 13c is a new settlement area adjacent to the
Lockwood disposals. It offers opportunities for recrea-
tional/seasonal settlement with floatplane access.
Subunit 13d includes state land around Kroto Slough
and in the Susitna floodplain, and borough lands ad-
jacent to Whitsol Lake. The lands in subunit 13d are
extremely important for trumpeter swan nesting and
are in the heart of the most important moose winter
range in the study area. The land also supports com-
mercially valuable timber, and there is fishing and
hunting along the Yentna and Susitna Rivers that
border the unit. It will be kept in public ownership
and recommended for legislative designation with
habitat protection and management the major objec-
tive for the unit. Because of the sensitivity of swans
to disturbance, forestry is a secondary use in subunit
13d. Timber harvesting will be allowed when consis-
tent with the habitat objectives.
Subunit 13« is the Yentna River corridor. The riparian
habitat along the Yentna is very important moose
winter range, and portions of it are trumpeter swan
nesting habitat. The Yentna serves as a transportation
route and is used for recreational boating as well. This
subunit will be retained in public ownership and
managed for habitat and public recreation. In addi-
tion, it will be recommended for legislative designa-
tion in recognition of its importance for habitat and
recreation.
Subunit 13f consists of borough land around Witsoe
and Lockwood Lakes. This subunit will be designated
borough land bank. The land may be available for
settlement in the long term, but there are no plans for
sale in the immediate future. In addition to settlement
potential, the Lockwood-Witsoe Lake area has high
value for moose winter range and potential for public
recreation.
Subunit 13g: Three blocks of land within the existing
Yentna homestead area and just southeast of the ex-
isting Lockwood Lake disposal are included in subunit
13g. These areas will be offered for private use as
agricultural homesteads.
237
00oo LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGiON Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT Jl -
SUBUNIT
13a
Yentna &
Lockwood
disposals
13b
Fish Creek
East
13c
Lockwood
East
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Private
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
(existing
homestead areas &
subdivision)
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Habitat
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
' MINERALS
Closed
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
Estimated net
offerings in new
disposal area =
2,200 acres;
approximately 10
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available
over-the-counter
in existing
subdivision
Estimated net
disposal area -
600 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 13 — Yentna-Susitna
SUBUNIT
13d
Kroto
Slough
13e
Yentna
River
13f
Lockwoodw
Witsoe Lake
13g
Yentna
Uplands
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough
State/
Borough
Borough
State/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Forestry
Forestry
Borough Land Bank
Values: Public Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat, Forestry
Agriculture
(homesteads)
(part past dis-
posal
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Open
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
LEASEABLEMINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
DDOUIRITPH
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
Closed to
grazing in
Witsoe Lake
block (see
mgmt.
guidelines)
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Estimated net
disposal area =
3,840 acres
toCOvO
•Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc.. that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Susitna Lowlands 13
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
*Agriculture
11 Fish & Wildlife Habitat
"Forestry
*Recreation
'Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
"Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunits 13a, 13c, & 13f (Yentna-Lockwood,
Lockwood East, and Lockwood Lake-Witsoe
Lake)
Protection of Transportation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. Two of these routes pass through these
subunits.The precise location of these routes has not
been determined, although a general location is shown
on the maps in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in
this unit such as land sales, leases, or others actions
should be located so as not to preclude the option to
build these roads along feasible and efficient routes.
Subunits 13a, 13c & 13g (Yentna-Lockwood,
Lockwood East, & agricultural homesteads)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit uses such as
fishing, camping and other active uses and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently, this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using policies
in Chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer width
(200' on each side of the river) should be used on un-
named streams that appear on the USGS 1:63,360
scale topographic maps. The corridors on Fish Creek
and the Yentna River should be 300' and 400' (on each
240
side of the river) respectively. The wider corridors on
Fish Creek and the Yentna are intended to provide tor
hunting, to protect visual quality, and to maintain op-
portunities for camping in a more natural setting than
that ensured by narrower buffers.
Subunits 13a & 13g (Yentna disposal & Yent-
na Uplands)
Agriculture and Settlement
Recent soil survey information indicates that some of
the soils with the best potential for agricultural use in
unit 13 are presently within the area open to fee sim-
ple homesteads rather than agricultural homesteads.
In order to make homestead offerings consistent with
soil quality, the boundaries of the agricultural and fee
simple homestead areas in the portions of subunits 13a
and 13g within the past Yentna remote parcel area
boundary will be redesigned following the close of the
FY85 staking period. Total acreage offered in this area
under each of the homestead programs will not be
substantially changed when the boundaries are
adjusted.
Subunits 13d & 13e (Kroto Slough & Yenina
River)
Management Plans and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for subunits 13d and 13e. The management
plan will determine, among other things, whether or
not remote cabins will be permitted in these subunits.
Remote cabin permits will not be offered until and
unless areas open to remote cabins are designated by
a management plan.
Subnnit 13a (Yentna-Lockwood Sales)
Grazing
Crazing is prohibited within the portions of subunit
13a in T19N R7W and T19N R8W.
Subunit 13d (Kroto Slough)
Swan Habitat
This subunit is recommended for legislative or ad-
ministrative designation to protect swans. Until
designation takes place, the following guidelines are
intended to provide sufficient protection and will be
applied by the Department.
1. Restricted Activities. Activities that potentially will
damage swan nesting habitat or cause visual or
noise disturbance should be prohibited from April
1 through August 31 within at least one-quarter mile
Susitna Lowlands 13
of current or potential swan nesting or staging
ponds, marshes or lakes. Particular activities may
be restricted in a wider area if their potential level
of damage or disturbance warrants doing so. Ac-
tivities that may be restricted include, but are not
limited to, use of off-road vehicles, airplanes and
motorboats. However, some traditional access
routes and sites will be designated that will remain
open to motorized access. [Note: This guideline will
result in the restriction of the activities described
above on most ponds, marshes and lakes other than
those that have been identified as traditional access
points.]
2. At a minimum, permits should not be issued for
those types of off-road vehicle use requiring per-
mits in the areas and during the period described
in 1. above.
3. Aircraft. At a minimum, landing of aircraft should
be prohibited in the areas and during the period
described in 1. above unless at designated access
sites.
241
MANAGEMENT UNIT 14: KASHWITNA KNOBS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Much of this management unit is dominated by
wetlands and the Susitna River floodplain. In these
areas, the primary values are for water resources and
wildlife habitat. In the center of the unit, around
Kashwitna Knobs, there is a large area of better-drained
soils with potential for agricultural development, com-
mercial forestry and settlement. The Kashwitna Knobs
area is also one of the largest regions in the study area
with high suitability for moose winter range. The Susit-
na River, which runs through the eastern edge of the
unit is a major transportation route as well as a recrea-
tional river tor boating and fishing. Trapper Creek is
a fishing stream with important riparian habitat. It sup-
ports runs of king and coho salmon. The existing and
proposed agricultural and settlement areas in subunits
14b, 14c and 14d will be closed to mineral location
and coal leasing. The rest of the management unit will
remain open and available. All public lands in this unit
are available for oil and gas leasing.
This unit is not presently accessible by road, nor is road
access likely in the near future (5 years). Eventually
access may be provided by a spur from a major north-
south road running through the Susitna Lowlands sub-
region between Kroto Creek and the Kahiltna River.
See the Transportation section of Chapter 4 for addi-
tional information on this route.
Five subunits are contained within the Kashwitna
Knobs management unit: the Kashwitna Flats wetlands
(14a), and the Kashwitna Knobs area (14b), settlement
lands in the northern part of the region east of Moose
Creek (14c), the borough and private lands around
Trapper Lake (14d) and the Susitna River floodplain
(14e). See the maps at the end of this section for
boundaries of these areas, and the accompanying
chart for a summary of land uses for each subunit.
Subunit 14a (Kashwitna Wetlands) will be retained
in public ownership and managed for fish and wildlife
habitat and protection of water resources. This area
will be available for remote cabin permits. Consistent
with the general policy in Chapter 2, the unstaked por-
tions of the past Big Eleven remote parcel area will
be reopened to mineral location and available for coal
leasing. The remainder of subunit 14a is already open
to location and available for leasing.
Subunit 14b: The Kashwitna Knobs area, one of the
largest contiguous blocks of good agricultural soils in
the Susitna Basin, is designated for commercial
agricultural use. Some agricultural homesteads may
be offered in conjunction with commercial agricultural
disposals. This area will not be offered for sale for at
least 5 years, nor until year-round roads have been
funded. The 5 year holding period is intended to allow
sufficient time to 1) inventory and plan timber harvest
from the site, and 2) review and evaluate the results
of previous agricultural disposals to determine the
economic feasibility of farming at Kashwitna Knobs.
Subunit 14c (Moose Creek East) is designated for
settlement. It is currently accessible by winter trail and
via float plane to lakes along the western border of
the unit.
In subunit 14d, Trapper Lake is surrounded by
numerous small private lots. The land remaining in
public ownership within 500' of the lake (primarily
borough land) should be retained to provide public
access to the lake and opportunities for public recrea-
tion, and to allow for timber harvesting for personal
use when consistent with recreation objectives for the
subunit.
Subunit 14e is the Susitna River floodplain. Since the
floodplain provides very valuable moose winter range
and commercial timber and because it is hazardous
for residential development, it will be retained in
public ownership. The subunit will be managed for
forestry, habitat and the public recreation and
transportation activities that occur along the river. The
subunit will be recommended for legislative designa-
tion to protect opportunities for long term timber and
habitat management and public recreation.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
*Agriculture
"Fish & Wildlife Fiabitat
'Forestry
*Recreation
* Settlement
Subsurface
"Transportation
Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
'Public Management
"Public Access
"Remote Cabin Permits
"Stream Corridors
242
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 14 ~ Kashwitna Knobs
SUBUNIT
14a
Kashwitna
Wetlands
I4b
Kashwitna
Knobs
14c
Moose Cr.
East
14d
Trapper
Lake
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough/
Private
State
State
Private/
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
fater Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Agriculture
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Remote Cabins
Forestry
Public Rec.
Settlement
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Water Resources
Wildlife Hab.
Primarily Private Land — Recommended
uses on remaining public land:
Forestry, Public Recreation, Water
Resources, Wildlife Habitat
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
Closed
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prosecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Portions
closed to
grazing (see
ragmt.
guidelines)
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposal
COMMENTS
—
Estimated net
disposal area =
1,000 acres
* Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
SUBREGION Susitna Lowlands MANAGEMENT UNIT 14 ~ Kashwitna Knobs____
SUBUNiT
14e
Susitna
Floodplain
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
SUBSURFACE
UOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
LEASEASLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
Grazing
Land Disposal
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative
designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
~inar-- snt ' 'etin< chc 2.
Susitna Lowlands 14
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
*Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 14a (Kashwitna Wetlands)
Grazing
Crazing is prohibited in those portions of subunit 14a
within T21N R5W, T22N R5W, T23N R5W, and T24N
R5W.
Subunit 14b (Kashwitna Knobs)
Protection of Transporation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One route passes through this subunit. The
precise location of this route has not been determin-
ed, although a general location is shown on the maps
in Chapter 4. Land use authorizations in this unit such
as land sales, leases, or other actions should be located
so as not to preclude the option to build this road along
a feasible and efficient route.
Subunit 14b and 14c (Kashwitna Knobs &
Moose Creek East)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams described below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water quali-
ty and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on unnamed streams
that appear on the 1:63,360 sale USGS topographic
maps. The buffer on Trapper Creek should be approx-
imately Vi mile wide on either side to protect hunting
opportunities and camping in a natural setting on one
of the most important tributaries to the Kroto Creek-
Moose Creek system.
Subunit 14e (Susitna Floodplain)
Management Plans and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for subunit 14e. The management plan will
determine, among other things, whether or not remote
cabins will be permitted in this subunit. Remote cabin
permits will not be offered until and unless areas open
to remote cabins are designated by a management
plan.
245
U.S.G.S. Quads
Talkeetna
Tyonek
SUSITNA LOWLANDSpart 1 of 3
LAND STATUS________________
t1~H FEDERAL K N STATE SELECTED
| I STATE I } BOROUGH
E/X1 PRIVATE (Includes Native, Native selected, university,
university selected, and other private lands)
FTT| PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This Information has been generalized to show owner-
ship In blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many Isolated private lots are not shown. e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS_________________
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in lower case
letters are secondary designations; areas shown with stars * are proposed for
legislative or administrative designation. Statements in /fa//cs indicate whether
areas are open or closed to mineral location and coal leasing; all areas are
available tor oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - UPPER YENTNA
la WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, public rec.; Open
*1b WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, public rec.; Open
MGT. UNIT 2 - KICHATNA/NAKOCHNA
2a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, remote cabins; Open
2b SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel areas); forestry, public rec.,
wildlife habitat; Closed
2c SETTLEMENT (existing subdivisions); forestry, pubic rec., wildlife habitat; Closed
2d PUBLIC REC., WATER RES., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Open
2e PUBLIC REC., WILDL. HAB.; Open
2f RESOURCE MGMT.- Values: For., Settl., Wildl. Hab.; Open
MGT. UNIT 3 - SKWENTNA RIVER/HA YES RIVER
3a FORESTRY, PUBLIC REC., WATER RES., WILDIFE HAB.; remote cabins; Open
3b SETTL., for., pub. rec., wildl. nab.; Closed Prior to Disposal
*3c WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HAB.: forestry, public rec; Open
MGT. UNIT 4 - SKWENTNA FLATS
4a PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native land and existing state subdivision); Closed
within Subdivision
4b FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT;
remote cabins; Open
4d BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Public Recreation, Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat; Open
4e SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat;
Closed
MGT. UNIT 5 - MIDDLE YENTNA
5a FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT;
Open
5b RESOURCE MGT. - Values: Agriculture, Forestry, Public Recreation, Settlement,
Wildlife Habitat; Open
MGT. UNIT 6 - ALEXANDER CREEK
6a WATER RES., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, pub. rec., remote cabins; Open
6b RESOURCE MGT./BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Agriculture, Forestry, Settle-
ment, Wildlife Habitat;'Partially Open
MGT. UNIT 7 - LAKE CREEK
*7a FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Partially Open
*7b PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Closed
7c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed prior to Disposal
MGT UNIT 8 - McDOUGAL
8a SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel offering); forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat;
Closed
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS Susitna Lowlands
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in lower case
letters are secondary designations; areas shown with stars * are proposed for
legislative or administrative designation. Statements in italics indicate whether
areas are open or closed to mineral location and coal leasing; all areas are
available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 4 - SKWENTNA FLATS
4b FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HABITAT; remote cabins; Open
4c SETTLEMENT (part past remote parcel offering); forestry, public
recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
4e SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry, public recreation,
wildlife habitat; Closed
MGT. UNIT 5 - MIDDLE YENTNA
5a FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
5b RESOURCE MGT. — Values: Agriculture, Forestry, Public Recrea-
tion, Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Open
5c SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry, public recreation,
wildlife habitat; Closed
5d COMMERCIAL DEV., PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Closed
5e SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
prior to Disposal
*5f FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
MGT. UNIT 6 - ALEXANDER CREEK
6a WATER RES., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, pub. rec., remote cabins;
Open
6b RESOURCE MGT./BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Agriculture,
Forestry, Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Partially Open
6c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
prior to Disposal
*6d PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT;
forestry; Closed
MGT. UNIT 7 - LAKE CREEK
*7a FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Partially Open
*7b PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT;
forestry; Closed
7c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
prior to Disposal
MGT UNIT 8 - McDOUGAL
8a SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel offering); forestry, public recreation,
wildlife habitat; Closed
8b RESOURCE MGT. — Values: Agriculture, Forestry, Settlement,
Wildlife Habitat; Open
MGT. UNIT 9 - KAHILTNA RIVER
9a PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
9b BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Commercial Development,
Forestry, Public Recreation, Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Open
9c RESOURCE MGT. — Values: Agriculture, Forestry, Settlement,
Wildlife Habitat; Open
9d SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel offering); forestry, public
recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
MGT. UNIT 10 - PARKER LAKE
10a FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Partially Open
10b SETTLEMENT; agriculture, forestry, public recreation, settlement,
wildlife habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 11 - KAHILTNA/KROTO
*11a FORESTRY, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; public
recreation; Open except along Chijuk Creek
* lib PUBLIC REC., WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry;
Closed
11c PUBLIC RECREATION; forestry, wildlife habitat; Closed
11d SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel offering); forestry, public recrea-
tion, wildlife habitat; Closed
11e SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
Prior to Disposal
11f WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry, public recrea-
tion, remote cabins; Open
11g AGRICULTURE ; forestry, public recreation, wildlife nab.; Closed
along Chi/uk Creek ;Rest of Unit: Closed Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 12 - DESHKA FLATS
12a RESOURCE MGT. — Values: Agriculture, Forestry, Settlement,
Wildlife Habitat; Open
*12b FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
12c SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry, public recreation,
wildlife habitat; Closed
12d SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 13 - YENTNA-SUSITNA DELTA
13a SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision & past remote parcel &
homestead offerings); forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat;
Closed
13b FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
13c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
Prior to Disposal
*13d WATER RES., WILDLIFE HABITAT; public recreation, forestry;
Closed
*13e PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT;
forestry; Open
13f BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry, Public Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Open
13g AGRICULTURE ; forestry, public recreation, wildlife
habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 14 - KASHWITNA KNOBS
14a WATER RES., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, public rec., remote
cabins; Open
14b AGRICULTURE; forestry, public recreation, settlement, wildlife
habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
14c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, water resources; wildlife habitat;
Closed
14d PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
*14e FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES,
WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
LAND STATUS
IH-H FEDERAL '
I I STATE
KXI STATE SELECTED
I I BOROUGH
\///\ PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
FT^l PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks ot approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
SUSITNA LOWLANDSpart 2 of 3
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Talkeetna
Tyonek
match line
SUSITNA LOWLANDSpart 3 of 3
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS ____
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary
designations; those in lower case letters are
secondary designations; areas shown with stars
* are proposed for legislative or administrative
designation. Statements in italics indicate
whether areas are open or closed to mineral
location and coal leasing; all areas are
available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 4 - SKWENTNA FLATS
4c SETTLEMENT (part past remote parcel offering); forestry, public recreation, wildlife
habitat; Closed
4d BOROUGH LAND BANK — Values: Public Recreation, Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat; Open
4e SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat;
Closed
MGT. UNIT 5 - MIDDLE YENTNA
*5f FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT;
Open
MGT. UNIT 6 - ALEXANDER CREEK
6a WATER RES., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, pub. rec., remote cabins; Open
6b RESOURCE MCT./BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Agriculture, Forestry, Settle-
ment, Wildlife Habitat; Partially Open
6c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed prior to Disposal
*6d PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Closed
*6e FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
6f SETTLEMENT (existing subdivisions and past remote parcel offering); forestry,
public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
MGT. UNIT 11 - KAHILTNA/KROTO
*11a FORESTRY, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; public recreation; Open ex-
cept along Chijuk Creek
*11b PUBLIC REC., WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Closed
11g AGRICULTURE ; forestry, public recreation, wildlife hab.; Closed
along Chijuk Creek .Rest of Unit: Closed Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 12 - DESHKA FLATS
12a RESOURCE MGT. - Values: Agriculture, Forestry, Settlement, Wildlife Habitat;
Open
*12b FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
12c SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat;
Closed
12d SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
LAND STATUS
MGT. UNIT 13 - YENTNA-SUSITNA DELTA
13a SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision & past remote parcel & homestead offerings);
forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
13b FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
13c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
*13d WATER RES., WILDLIFE HABITAT; public recreation, forestry; Closed
*13e PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
13f BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry, Public Recreation, Settlement,
Wildlife Habitat; Open
13g AGRICULTURE ; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 14 - KASHWITNA KNOBS
14a WATER RES., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, public recreation, remote cabins; Open
14b AGRICULTURE; forestry, public recreation, settlement, wildlife habitat; Closed Prior
to Disposal
*14e FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT;
Open
Map Scale 1:250,000
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Talkeetna
Tyonek
FEDERAL
I I STATE
[ I STATE SELECTED
I I BOROUGH
b/.".l PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
I I PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, eg., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
MT. SUSITNA
SUBREGION
giilTCrtNALI NATIONAL loENALI
Sunflower r» ///South'
Glenn Highway j"
** f
Chugach Mountains
^^A Lowlands *f ^\-^
tj'y^^s *&» i -T^-;^A- ff^' f'^
5):Mt'.'susitna?*lr ^-'-i/ >T]
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
251
MT. SUSITNA SUBREGION
The following section describes land use policy within
the Mt. Susitna Subregion. It is divided into two parts.
The first part is an overview of resources and their
management for the subregion as a whole. The second
part presents specific statements of management in-
tent, land use designations, prohibited uses and man-
agement guidelines for each of the subregion's ten
management units. Maps showing land ownership in
the subregion and boundaries of management units
and subunits are presented at the end of the second
part.
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
Background
The Mt. Susitna Subregion is a remote area of approx-
imately 800,000 acres containing a variety of resources,
predominantly in a natural undisturbed state. Among
activities presently taking place are oil and gas explora-
tion, fishing, hunting, and boating. Public recreation
is focused along the rivers, particularly the Talachulit-
na. The western half of the Susitna Game Flats — the
number one waterfowl hunting area in the state — also
falls within the subregion. There is placer mining in
several streams in the area, and parts of the area have
high mineral potential. Substantial portions of the area
are judged to have high or moderate coal values, and
one area is currently under lease. Recreational/
seasonal settlement has taken place around several of
the lakes and in the Alexander Creek drainage as a
result of past state land disposals.
The subregion encompasses the lands between the
Beluga and Skwentna rivers, including the Mt. Susit-
na, Little Mt. Susitna and Beluga Mt. uplands; the
drainages of the Talachulitna, Theodore and Lewis
rivers and the eastern edge of the Alaska Range above
Hayes River Pass. The great majority of these lands is
owned by the State of Alaska, although 92,000 acres
in the southern portion of the subregion are owned
by Cook Inlet Region Incorporated; 2,000 acres belong
to Alexander Creek Village; and 16,000 acres, primarily
around major lakes and along Alexander Creek, are
owned by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Approx-
imately 3,000 to 5,000 acres, largely parcels within the
eleven past disposal areas, are in other private
ownerships.
Except for a winter ice road which crosses the Susit-
na River and extends through the southern portion of
the subregion to the Beluga area, there are no roads
or major trails connecting the Mt. Susitna Subregion
to the eastern portion of the planning area. There is.
however, an all-season gravel road running from the
airstrip near Beluga across the Beluga and Theodore
Rivers to the Lewis River in the southwestern portion
of the Mt. Susitna Subregion.
Five privately owned landing strips provide access to
the subregion. Three are in the Susitna Game Flats,
one southwest of Mt. Susitna, and one at Alder Creek.
There are also several lakes in the area used for float
plane landings, including Hiline, Trinity, judd, Coal
Creek, and Stump Lake.
Management Summary
The Mt. Susitna Subregion is presently a remote area
with high values for public recreation and fish and
wildlife use and potential for oil and gas production.
In addition there is potential for commercial forest
management in the southeast portion of the subregion,
for coal development, and for some extraction of
placer gold and other minerals. Suitability for settle-
ment and agriculture is relatively low, but there are
some good opportunities for private recreational
development just south of the Skwentna River, near
Alexander Creek, and on borough and state lands ad-
jacent to several of the area's lakes.
Because of the high public values, most of the
subregion will be retained in long-term public owner-
ship and managed for public recreation, habitat pro-
tection, timber production, and mineral development.
Land adjacent to a number of rivers and lakes of prime
importance for public recreation and habitat will be
retained entirely in public ownership, but some water-
front areas will be made available for private purchase
over the next 20 years. In addition, some of the lands
with high potential for settlement or agriculture as well
as public use will be placed in a resource management
category for future reevaluation.
Settlement
A gross area of approximately 64,860 acres will be
available for sale in the Mt. Susitna Subregion. This
land is expected to yield net sales of approximately
12,230 acres (see Table 1). These areas are intended
to offer opportunities for private recreation without
generating demand for roads and other services. Lands
available for settlement are located primarily west of
the Talachuiitna River near Quartz Creek, Deep Creek,
and Coal Creek; along the southern side of the Skwent-
na River and south of Saturday Creek. In the eastern
part of the study area, a disposal has been identified
253
Mt. Susitna
along Trail Creek. Finally, approximately 350 surveyed
lots (approximately 1500 ac.) currently remain avail-
able for sale within state subdivisions at Canyon Lake,
High Mountain Lakes, Alexander Creek West, and
Super Cub.
Approximately 19,800 acres of state land with poten-
tial for settlement are designated resource manage-
ment. These lands will be retained in public owner-
ship for the near term (5-10) years and then reeval-
uated to determine their best long term use. When
they are reevaluated, their potential for settlement and
agricultural development will be considered along with
their values for forestry, fish and wildlife habitat, public
recreation and mining. Resource management desig-
nations are applied to areas on Trinity Lake, east of
Dinglishna Hill, and northeast of Mt. Susitna and
Beluga Mountain.
A large amount of good settlement land, including land
with water frontage, is in borough ownership. Approx-
imately 6,100 acres of borough land around Hiline,
Movie, Trinity and Coal Creek Lakes and 6,000 acres
south of the Theodore River will be retained in a land
bank with the possibility of future sales. Should these
areas eventually be sold, setbacks and retention of
large portions of the shoreline will be used to protect
public access and recreation values (see Lakeshore
Management policy in Chapter 2).
Several large areas are open to remote cabin permits.
These include lands east of the Talachulitna River
around Beluga Mt. and Little Mt. Susitna, lowlands
west of the Talachulitna, and the foothills of the Alaska
Range. Public use cabins are recommended for the
Talachulitna River corridor.
————————————— Table 1 —————————————
Acreage Identified for Settlement and Agriculture
GROSS NET AREA
AREA (ac) AREA (ac)
STATE LAND
New Offerings
Reofferings within Past
Disposal Areas
Agriculture
STATE TOTAL
Agriculture
26,370
37,210
1,280
64,860
6,630
4,800
800
12,230
The lack of road access to the subregion makes large
scale agricultural development infeasible for at least
the next 10 years. Relatively few areas of cultivable
soils exist in this area, but some areas have been iden-
tified along the northern and eastern fringes of the area
and in scattered locations in the western portion of
the region. These lands, typically contain soils with
good agricultural potential only in relatively small
blocks (less than 160 acres in size). Some of the lands
fall within prime recreation and habitat areas that are
proposed for long term public ownership, such as the
Talachulitna River corridor and the area around judd
Lake. In the remaining areas, however, approximately
16,500 acres of land with agricultural potential will be
placed in a resource management category and 6,000
acres in the borough land bank to ensure later consid-
eration for agricultural use. in addition, approximately
1,280 acres on the east side of Trail Creek will be
available for disposal as agricultural homesteads.
Near Mt. Susitna and Little Mt. Susitna there are lands
with potential for grazing. These lands will be retain-
ed in public ownership, and grazing will be permit-
ted as a secondary use.
Forestry
There are approximately 150,000 acres with some
potential for commercial forestry in the subregion.
Commercial forestry values are concentrated in the
southeastern part of the subregion, on the lower slopes
of Mts. Susitna, Little Susitna and Beluga, and in the
lowlands along the Talachulitna River. High priority
areas for personal use timber harvesting also have been
identified near past and proposed settlement areas,
including High Mt. Lakes, Trinity-Movie Lakes, Hiline
Lake, Sunday Lake Remote, Quartz Creek, lands south
of the Skwentna River, and south of Mt. Susitna.
Approximately 52,000 acres of the forested lands with
high or moderate commercial potential will be retain-
ed in public ownership with forestry as one of the
primary uses. Most of the retained lands are within
the area recommended for legislative designation
around Mt. Susitna and Little Mt. Susitna. In addition,
forestry is a secondary use on 23,000 acres of public
land in the Talachulitna River and Creek, Susitna River,
and Alexander Creek corridors. Timber harvests will
be permitted when consistent with the recreation and
habitat objectives for the river corridors. Another
15,000 acres of forest lands along the northeastern
border of the subregion are designated resource man-
agement, and 4,000 acres of borough forest land are
included in borough land bank designations.
Fish and Wildlife
Most of the Mt. Susitna Subregion has high to
moderate values for fish and wildlife habitat except
for the far western portion of the area and the large
bogs between Talachulitna Creek and River. The Tala-
chulitna River is one of the finest fishing streams in
Alaska, drawing visitors from across the country. The
254
Mt. Susitna
northern part of the Mt. Susitna — Little Mt. Susitna
area is particularly important for hunting.
Most high and moderate value habitat lands will be
retained in public ownership. The Talachulitna River
and Creek corridors and the Mt. Susitna — Little Mt.
Susitna area are recommended for legislative designa-
tion, with fish and wildlife habitat identified as one of
the primary uses. Several lakes will be retained com-
pletely in public ownership, including Judd Lake,
Talachulitna Lake, Kitty Lake, and Top Lake.
Recreation
Public recreation is focused on the Alexander and
Susitna rivers, the Talachulitna River and Creek cor-
ridors and the area around Mt. Susitna. These areas
are recommended for legislative designation, with
public recreation one of the primary uses.
Subsurface
a.Locatable Minerals
Mining and mineral exploration are and will con-
tinue to be important activities in this subregion.
The vast majority of the Mt. Susitna Subregion will
remain open to mineral entry. Mineral closures will
be limited to the Talachulitna River and Talachulit-
na Creek corridors and their major tributaries, the
Alexander Creek corridor, and areas that are likely
to be densely settled now or in the future. The Susit-
na Game Flats wildlife refuge is open to mining
under the leasehold location system. The closures
and leasehold location areas include relatively lit-
tle land with high mineral potential. There are con-
centrations of existing claims on the Theodore and
Lewis rivers which may contain sulfide or vein
deposits. These areas and the mining areas around
Mt. Susitna will remain open to mineral location.
b. Coal
Large areas of this subregion have moderate to high
coal potential. Most of the area will be open to coal
leasing and prospecting, with the exception of the
Talachulitna River and Creek corridors, Susitna
Game Flats, Alexander Creek corridor, and areas
likely to be densely settled. The area proposed for
legislative designation around Mt. Susitna and Little
Mt. Susitna will be available for coal prospecting.
c.Oil and Gas
All public lands will be open for oil and gas leas-
ing. In the Alexander Creek, Talachulitna River and
Talachulitna Creek corridors, specific mitigation
measures will be established to protect habitat and
recreation values. These corridors have little oil and
gas potential.
Resource Management and Borough LandBank
A total of 106,190 acres are designated for resource
management — 86,350 acres of which are low
resource value lands east of Trimble River. An addi-
tional 16,500 acres east of Beluga Mt. have high value
agricultural, wildlife habitat and forest lands. The re-
maining 3,340 acres near Trinity Lakes and Dinglishna
Hill have good potential for settlement as well as public
use.
An additional 12,100 acres of Matanuska-Susitna
Borough lands in the area are designated as part of
the borough's land bank. These lands probably will
be retained in the near term (5-10 years) and be
managed for habitat, public recreation and forestry.
They will be reevaluated in the future to determine
their best long term use.
Water Resources
The streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands of the
subregion are important for protection of water quality
as well as for recreational and habitat use. Most of
these areas are protected in public ownership under
forestry, habitat, recreation or resource management
categories. The extensive wetland area between Tala-
chulitna River and Talachulitna Creek is classified
specifically for water resource protection.
Transportation
There are two transportation corridors which have
been proposed as long-term possibilities within this
subregion: 1) a road or rail extension from the railbelt
east of the Susitna River that crosses through this area
into the Beluga vicinity; and 2) a route to transport
coal out of the Canyon Creek lease area located in
the northern part of the management unit. No specific
right-of-way has been identified for the Canyon Creek
route, and there are no plans to develop these coal
deposits in the near term.
Additional road access may accompany forest
development in the Mt. Susitna vicinity. Additional
airstrips and trails are recommended for public access
to the portion of the subregion east of the Talachulit-
na River corridor.
255
2* MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES
BY MANAGEMENT UNIT
MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - SUSITNA GAME FLATS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 1 is made up entirely of land within
the Susitna Game Flats which was legislatively
established as a state game refuge in 1976. Fish and
wildlife habitat and activities such as waterfowl nesting,
feeding and migration; moose calving areas; spring and
fall bear feeding areas; and salmon spawning and rear-
ing habitats all are protected under the refuge designa-
tion. Public uses such as waterfowl, moose and bear
hunting; wildlife viewing; photography; and general
public recreation are permitted. Access into the game
flats is by boat or plane or from the east via a winter
ice road which crosses the Susitna River and traverses
the southern portion of the refuge. Access from the
southeast is provided by a four-season gravel road
which runs from an airstrip near the Beluga Power
Plant across the Beluga and Theodore rivers to the
edge of the Lewis River. The Came Flats are open to
mineral entry under leasehold location.
Although there are no plans for construction, a right-
of-way has been established for a road or rail exten-
sion from the railbelt east of the Susitna River through
this management unit into the Beluga subregion. The
right-of-way travels along the northern boundary of
the management unit and would link the existing road
system with potential coal development in the Beluga
area. This route is intended to link the townsite or work
camp that would accompany coal development with
the Palmer-Anchorage area. It would not be used to
transport coal. Coal would be shipped to markets
directly from the Beluga area.
For specific allowable uses within the game refuge
boundary, see "The Susitna Flats State Game Refuge
Management Plan," Alaska Department of Fish and
Game, 1980, and Alaska Statutes 16.20.036(a).
256
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Mt. Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - Susitna Game Flats
SUBUNIT
i
Susitna
Game
Flats
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
See management
plan (reference
at right.)
SECONDARY USE(S)
.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLEMINERALS
Leasehold
Location
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
COMMENTS
Legislatively
designated state
game refuge (AS.
16.20.036(a)).
For additional
information see
"The Susitna Game
Flats State
Refuge Management
Plan," ADF&G)
1980
* Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - LITTLE MT. SUSITNA
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 2 lies southwest of Alexander Creek
and north of the Susitna Game Flats. The unit includes
Little Mt. Susitna and Mt. Susitna which contain im-
portant habitat for moose and bear. It also has poten-
tial for grazing for domestic livestock and provides op-
portunities for sport and subsistence hunting. The
alpine areas have potential for public recreation,
especially skiing and hiking. Adjacent lowlands sup-
port high value hardwood and mixed timber stands.
There are significant fishing and mining values on
Wolverine Creek and Theodore River. The lowland
areas east of Mt. Susitna also offer some potential for
settlement and agricultural homesteads. Because of
the importance of its public values, nearly all the
management unit is designated for long term reten-
tion and will be managed primarily for forestry, wildlife
habitat, and public recreation. The area's exceptionally
high value timber, large moose populations, impor-
tant riparian habitat, and hunting activity make most
of the area a priority proposal for legislative designa-
tion as a multiple use area. Management Unit 2 is open
to mineral entry and available for coal leasing except
for the existing and proposed settlement and agricul-
tural areas in subunits 2d, 2e, and 2f. All public lands
in this unit are available for oil and gas leasing.
Management Unit 2 is divided into seven subunits: the
area above timberline on Little Mt. Susitna and Mt.
Susitna (2a), the corridors along Lewis and Theodore
rivers and Wolverine Creek (2b), the lowlands which
contain high value timber stands (2c), the existing Alex-
ander Creek West Subdivision (2d), lands north of the
subdivision designated for agriculture (2e), lands south
of the subdivision that will be offered for additional
settlement (20, and borough land bank lands along
Olson Creek (2g). See the maps at the end of this sec-
tion for the boundaries of these areas and the accom-
panying chart for a summary of land uses for each
subunit.
As stated above, most of the area (subunits 2a, 2b and
2c) is recommended for legislative designation to pro-
vide for long term management of timber and habitat
resources and development of recreation areas. A
management plan will be developed for subunits 2a,
2b and 2c by an interagency planning team. The
management plan should, among other things, design
additional access to public lands, e.g., logging roads,
recreational trails and airstrips, and determine whether
remote cabins will be a permitted use in this area.
Subunit 2a includes the alpine areas of Mt. Susitna
and Little Mt. Susitna. This unit will be managed for
the protection and enhancement of moose and bear
habitat, hunting, skiing, hiking and other types of
recreation, and will be open to trapping and mining.
If it becomes economically feasible, domestic livestock
grazing may be permitted in subunit 2a.
Subunit 2b, riparian habitat adjacent to Wolverine
Creek and the Theodore and Lewis rivers, will be re-
tained in public ownership. The existing uses within
these subunits are hunting, trapping, fishing, and min-
ing. Management of subunit 2b will encourage public
recreation, emphasizing fishing, hunting and camp-
ing, as well as the preservation of riparian habitat and
timber harvesting.
Subunit 2c contains the lands with the best poten-
tial for commercial timber production in the subregion.
This subunit will be managed primarily for long term,
sustained yield commercial timber production and
harvest. Personal use timber cutting also will be allow-
ed, and will be particularly important in proximity to
the existing Alexander Creek West Subdivision and the
adjacent agricultural and settlement areas (subunits 2d,
2e and 2f).
Subunit 2d is the existing Alexander Creek West Sub-
division. Settlement is the primary designation for this
subunit. There are approximately TOO surveyed parcels
remaining available over-the-counter within the
subdivision.
Subunit 2e abuts the north side of Alexander Creek
West Subdivision. It contains soils with good poten-
tial for agricultural use and is designated for use as
agricultural homesteads.
In subunit 21, settlement is the primary use. It is ad-
jacent to the south side of Alexander Creek West Sub-
division along Trail Creek. This subunit is presently ac-
cessible by floatplane.
Subunit 2g, borough lands along Olson Creek will
be included in the borough land bank. These are lands
with commercial forestry, agriculture and settlement
potential, and they currently provide wildlife habitat.
There are no immediate plans for sale, but this land
may be available for disposal in the future. The subunit
will be reevaluated in the future to determine its best
long term use.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
258
r
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGiON Mt. Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Little Mt. Susitna
SUBUNIT
2a
Little Mt.
Susitna/Mt.
Susitna
2b
Wolverine
Creek/Theod
ore River
2c
Forested
Lowlands
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Grazing
Grazing
(except on Trai
Creek.: see
mgmt.
guidelines)
Public
Recreation
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
Open
LEASEABLEMINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote cabins
Trapper cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Recommended for
legislative
designation
Recommended for
legislative
designation
re 'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that ore fiot
S specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Mt. Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Little Mt. Susitna
SUBUNIT
2d
Alexander
Creek West
Subdivision
2e
Lower
Sucker
Creek South
2f
Trail Creek
'
2g
Olson Creek
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Private
State
State
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
(existing sub-
division)
Agriculture
(homesteads)
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Borough Land Bank - Values:
Agriculture, Forestry,
Settlement, Wildlife Habitat
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Closed prior
to disposal
Closed prior
to disposal
Open
LEASEA0LE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Closed to
grazing along
Trail Creek
(see mgtnt.
guidelines)
COMMENTS
Approximately 100
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available
over-the-counter
Estimated net
disposal area =
800 acres
Estimated net
disposal area =
800 acres
* Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
ian nen' 'del' in c' • 'er 2
Mt. Susitna 2
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
*Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
* Recreation
Settlement
*Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Snbnnhs 2a, 2b and 2c (Mt. SusHna-Little Mt.
Susitna, Wolverine Creek-Theodore River,
Forested Lowlands)
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for subunits 2a, 2b, and 2c. The management
plan will determine, among other things, whether or
not remote cabins will be permitted in the subunits.
Remote cabin permits will not be offered until and
unless areas open to remote cabins are designated by
a management plan.
SnbnnH 2b (Wolverine Creek and Theodore
River Corridors)
Transportation
Road crossings in the Wolverine Creek and Theodore
River corridors should be minimized. All crossings and
roads within the corridor should be designed in con-
sultation with the Division of Parks and Outdoor
Recreation and the Department of Fish and Game.
Subunits 2c and 2f (Forested Lowlands and
Trail Creek)
Grazing
The riparian zone along Trail Creek will be closed to
grazing. Grazing is prohibited in order to avoid con-
flicts with bears, which concentrate seasonally in this
zone.
Subunits 2e and 21 (Lower Sucker Creek
South and Trail Creek)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit uses such as
fishing, camping and other active uses, and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently, this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using policies
in Chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer width
(200' on each side of the river) should be used on Trail
Creek and the unnamed creeks that appear on the
1:63,360 scale USGS topographic maps.
261
MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - DINGLISHNA HILL
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Dinglishna Hill Management Unit includes approx-
imately 15,500 acres located north of the Susitna Game
Flats between Mt. Susitna and the Susitna River. This
area includes well drained lowlands east of Mt. Susit-
na, and a considerable amount of land adjacent to
Alexander Creek and the Susitna River. The mix of
lowlands, rivers, and riparian habitat support mixed
hardwood timber stands, moose habitat, salmon
spawning, boating, fishing and hunting, and areas
suitable for year-round and recreational settlement.
A variety of land uses will occur within this area. The
river corridors and lands immediately adjacent to the
Susitna Game Flats will be retained in long term public
ownership and managed for water resources and wild-
life habitat. An area adjacent to the existing Dinglishna
Hill subdivision will be designated resource manage-
ment and be retained at least temporarily in public
ownership and managed for recreation and wildlife
habitat. This area will be reevaluated for possible future
sale contingent upon access improvements and/or
community expansion. The existing Dinglishna Hill
Subdivision and the Alexander Creek corridor will be
closed to mineral location and unavailable for coal
leasing. The remaining lands will be open to mineral
location and available for coal leasing. All public lands
in this unit are available for oil and gas leasing.
Access into this unit currently is provided by boat. A
right-of-way has been established by DOT/PF as part
of a route (the Goose Bay extension) to link the
McGrath and Beluga areas to lands east of the Susit-
na River by either road or rail. This right-of-way
originates at the Parks Highway or Alaska Railroad and
travels west across the Susitna River in the vicinity of
Alexander (see subunit 3a.). On the west side of the
Susitna River, one spur would head northwest through
Rainy Pass towards McGrath. The second spur would
travel south through the Game Flats to Beluga. Actual
construction of this corridor across the Susitna River
has not yet been planned and will be contingent upon
the economic feasibility of providing access to lands
and resources west of the Susitna River.
There are six subunits within Management Unit 3:
Alexander Creek and Susitna River corridors (3a),
Dinglishna Hill Subdivision (3b), land east of the sub-
division that is designated resource management (3c),
Native lands at the mouth of Alexander Creek (3d),
borough lands west of Dinglishna Hill (3e), and state
lands along the Susitna River (3fl. See the maps at the
end of this section for boundaries of these areas and
the accompanying chart for a summary of land uses
in each subunit.
Subunit 3a, comprises state and borough land along
Alexander Creek. This subunit will be retained in long
term public ownership. Alexander Creek supports very
high recreational use and wildlife values, including
fishing, boating, hunting, and moose and riparian
habitat. The corridor generally will be retained in a
natural state and managed to provide a variety of
recreation opportunities, including campgrounds,
public use cabins, boat launches, and easy public ac-
cess, while protecting fish and wildlife habitat. Areas
also will be available for personal use timber cutting
where it is compatible with recreational and habitat
values. Land sales will be prohibited within this
subunit. Alexander Creek corridor will be proposed
for legislative designation in recognition of its impor-
tant public recreation and habitat values. It is recom-
mended that a management plan be prepared for this
subunit in conjunction with management planning for
the adjacent portions of the Alexander Creek and Susit-
na River corridors in the Susitna Lowlands subregion.
Subunit 3b is the existing Dinglishna Hill Subdivision.
Settlement is the primary designation for this subunit.
It contains many small surveyed lots, all of which have
been sold.
Subunit 3c (Dinglishna Hill East) lies between
Dinglishna Hill Subdivision and the Susitna River. It
will be designated resource management and retain-
ed in public ownership for at least the near term.
Because of its location, high amenity values, and ac-
cess via the streams, this area has great settlement
potential. In addition, this land is crossed by the Beluga
right-of-way and consequently is likely to be near road
access if a bridge is built across the Susitna River. The
land will be managed to protect its high recreation and
habitat values in the near term. In the long term, the
land will be reevaluated for possible land sales con-
tingent upon improved access and/or community ex-
pansion needs.
Subunit 3d comprises lands at the mouth of Alex-
ander Creek that are in private and Native ownership.
The plan encourages cooperative management among
Native land owners and the borough and state agen-
cies responsible for management of adjacent lands in
3a, 3b, 3c and 3e in order to protect public access
and opportunities for hunting, fishing and public
recreation.
Subunit 3e, borough-owned lands west of Dinglishna
Hill, will be retained in the borough land bank and
managed for public recreation. In the future, this unit
may be reconsidered for land sales if access improves
or the borough decides to sell additional parcels
262
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Mt. Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Dinglishna Hill
SUBUNIT
3a
Alexander
Creek.
3b
Dinglishna
Hill
Subdivision
3c
Dinglishna
Hill East
3d
Alexander
Village
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough
State/
Private
State
Native
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
(existing sub-
division)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Resource Management (high)
Values: Forestry, Public Rec.,
Settlement, Wildlife Hab.
Primarily Private
Land
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLEMINERALS
Closed
Closed
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal leas-
ing or pros-
pecting
Not available
for coal leas-
ing or pros-
pecting
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Land Disposals
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Remote cabins
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative
designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
os specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with thew management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Mt. Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Dinglishna Hill
SUBUNIT
3e
Dinglishna
Hill West
3f
Susitna
River
Corridor
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
Borough
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Borough Land Bank
Values: Public Recreation, Oil &
Gas, Settlement,
Forestry, Wildlife
Habitat
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SUBSURFACE
IDCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
"
Grazing
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Mt. Susitna 3
without road access.
Subunit 3f, the Susitna River corridor, contains impor-
tant timber lands and riparian habitat, particularly
moose winter range; offers opportunities for public
recreation; and serves as a major transportation cor-
ridor. It is contiguous with the Susitna Game Flats
refuge and with segments of the Susitna River propos-
ed for legislative designation as a habitat and recrea-
tion area. This subunit will be retained in public owner-
ship and managed for habitat, public recreation and
forestry.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of management guidelines is
presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the guidelines
potentially apply to uses within this management unit;
however, those that are most likely to be applicable
are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish and Wildlife
* Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
* Subsurface
Transportation
*lnstream Flow
Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 3a (Alexander Creek)
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan 'be
prepared for subunit 3a. The management plan will
determine, among other things, whether or not remote
cabins will be permitted in this subunit. Remote cabin
permits will not be offered until and unless areas open
to remote cabins are designated by a management
plan.
Subsurface and Oil and Gas
Oil and gas exploration and development activities will
be sited and/or timed to mitigate impacts on the fish
and wildlife habitat and public use values of Alexander
Creek corridor. Specific mitigation measures necessary
to protect the values for which the river corridor is
designated will be developed as part of the lease sale
process. Mitigation measures will be developed on a
case-by-case basis considering timing, topography,
vegetation and other factors affecting the impact of
oil and gas exploration and development activities on
fish and wildlife, habitat and public use values.
Commercial development
Commercial development to support recreational ac-
tivities is a permitted use in the Alexander Creek
corridor.
Subunits 3a and 3f (Alexander Creek and
Susitna River Corridors)
Grazing
Lands within this subunit are closed to grazing because
of their importance as moose winter range and brown
bear concentration areas.
Transportation
Road crossings in the Alexander Creek and Susitna
River corridors should be minimized. All crossings and
roads within the corridors should be designed in con-
sultation with the Divisions of Parks and Outdoor
Recreation and Land and Water Management, and the
Department of Fish and Game.
Subunit 3c and 3e (Dinglishna Hill East and
Dlnglishna Hill West)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit uses such as
fishing, camping and other active uses, and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently, this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using policies
in Chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer width
(200' on each side of the river) should be used on
Granite Creek and the unnamed streams that appear
on the 1:63,360 scale USGS topographic maps.
265
MANAGEMENT UNIT 4 - BELUGA MT.
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 4 extends from the Talachulitna
River corridor east to include lowlands within the
Talachulitna drainage, Beluga Mt. and adjacent
foothills. The unit contains a variety of important
habitat for moose and small game in the lowlands;
salmon in Bear and Clear creeks, and in the Talachu-
litna River and its tributaries; black bear along the
foothills of Beluga Mt.; and brown bear above the
2000' elevation level on Beluga Mt. At present, the
major land uses in Management Unit 4 are sport and
subsistence hunting and trapping. In addition to im-
portant habitat values, the unit contains mineral
resources, good agricultural soils, and areas suitable
for settlement. With the exception of areas contain-
ing settlement and agricultural values, this unit will be
retained in long term public ownership and managed
for preservation of the fish and wildlife habitat. The
foothills of Beluga Mt. may be open to domestic live-
stock grazing in the future if grazing becomes
economically feasible and access is developed. The
area containing agricultural soils will be retained in
public ownership in the near term, and later
reevaluated for possible agricultural use. Low density
land disposals will be offered south of Hiline Lake. Ac-
cess into Management Unit 4 is possible via the Tala-
chulitna River or by float plane on Hiline Lake. A right-
of-way originating in Management Unit 3 and travel-
ing northwest extends into Management Unit 4
through subunit 4d. Management Unit 4 will remain
open to mineral location and available for coal leas-
ing except for the proposed settlement area south of
Hiline Lake (subunit 4b). Land along Lower Sucker
Creek is closed to mineral location. All public lands
in this unit are available for oil and gas leasing.
There are four subunits within Management Unit 4:
high value forest, fish and wildlife lands which con-
stitute the majority of the management unit (4a), state
lands suitable for settlement south of Hiline Lake (4b),
borough owned lands around Hiline Lake (4c), and
about 17,000 acres of agricultural soils on the lowlands
southeast of Beluga Mt. (4d). See the maps at the end
of this section for boundaries of these areas and the
accompanying chart for a summary of land uses in
each subunit.
Subunit 4a, the forest and fish and wildlife lands
which include a large portion of the Talachulitna
drainage and Beluga Mt., will be retained in long term
public ownership and managed to protect fish and
wildlife habitat and to encourage fishing and hunting
activities. Timber harvesting for personal use is also
a primary land use. It will be particularly important
in the vicinity of potential settlement areas around
Hiline Lake. Additional public access to this subunit,
particularly airstrips, is encouraged. Remote cabins are
an allowed use in subunit 4a.
Subunit 4b, state lands between the Talachulitna
River and Hiline Lake, is designated for settlement. The
subunit is accessible by floatplane to Hiline Lake.
Subunit 4c, borough owned lands surrounding Hiline
Lake, is designated as borough land bank. Some of
the surveyed lots around the lake are in private owner-
ship. Additional land sales are not likely in the near
term (5 years), but may occur in the long term.
Subunit 4d (Beluga Mt. Ridge) contains some soils
with agricultural potential and will be designated
resource management. In the short term, timber and
habitat management are encouraged. Agricultural sales
and grazing may be allowed uses in the future if they
are determined to be the best long term land use.
Should the land be sold for agriculture, personal use
timber harvest will be a secondary land use. Should
a road along the existing right-of-way through subunit
4d be funded, the resource management lands in 4d
should be reevaluated with respect to the economic
feasibility of agricultural development and grazing.
When these lands are reevaluated, forestry, habitat and
settlement values also will be considered.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the guide-
lines potentially apply to uses within this management
unit; however, those that are most likely to be ap-
plicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife
* Forestry
* Recreation
'Settlement
Subsurface
'Transportation
*lnstream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
'Remote Cabin Permits
'Stream Corridors
'Trail Management
'Wetlands Management
'Resource Management
266
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Mt. Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 4 - Beluga Mountain
SUBUNIT
4a
Beluga Mt.
4b
Hiline Lake
South
4c
Hiline Lake
4d
Beluga Mt.
Ridge
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State
Borough/
Private
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
r
SECONDARY USE(S)
Remote Cabins
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Borough Land Bank
Values: Forestry, Public Recrea-
tion, Settlement, Wild-
life Habitat
Resource Management (high)
Values: Agriculture, Forestry,
Grazing, Wildlife
Habitat, Settlement
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Closed prior
to disposal
Open
Open except
along Lower
Sucker Creek
(see mgmt.
guidelines)
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
__
COMMENTS
_
Estimated net
disposal area =
600 acres
re 'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Mt. Susitna 4
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunlt 4b, 4c and 4d (Hiline Lake South,
Hiline Lake and Beluga Mt. Ridge)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water qual-
ity and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on unnamed creeks
that appear on the 1:63,360 sca|e USGS topographic
maps, including but not limited to the several
tributaries to the Talachulitna River in subunit 4c. The
public corridor on Lower Sucker Creek should be ap-
proximately '/4 mile on each side to accommodate
hunting within the corridor and provide opportunities
for camping in a natural setting along one of the most
important tributaries to Alexander Creek.
Subunit 4c (HUlne Lake)
Lakeshore Management
Although the state has retained portions of the north
and south shores of Hiline Lake in public ownership,
the plan recommends that the borough retain addi-
tional public land when lakefront property is sold. The
total amount of land sold should not exceed 50% of
the land within 500' of the lakeshore. Retained lands
should include at least 50% of the lakeshore. This will
ensure public access to and around the lake and re-
tain the opportunities for future use of the area as a
local recreation site and/or campground.
Subunit 4d (Beluga Mt. Ridge)
Mining
Public lands within 200' of Lower Sucker Creek will
be closed to mineral location. The closure is intend-
ed to protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat
on one of the most important tributaries to Alexander
Creek.
268
MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 - CANYON CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 5 is south of the Skwentna River
and west of the Talachulitna River corridor. This area
is accessible along the Skwentna and Talachulitna
rivers, and via floatplane to a few lakes scattered
throughout the region. Present land uses are boating,
fishing, hunting, and fish and wildlife habitat. There
are a number of seasonal or recreational dwellings in
the subregion, primarily on past state land disposals.
This unit contains some land with moderate/high coal
potential, most of which is under lease. The area will
be managed to support a variety of uses. Over half
the management unit will be retained in long term
public ownership to encourage public recreation, pro-
tect fish and wildlife habitat, and promote coal explora-
tion. Other areas along the Skwentna River and west
of the Talachulitna River will be sold for settlement.
Open space areas, public access and personal use
woodlots will be retained in public ownership within
disposals. Management Unit 5 will remain open to
mineral location and available for coal leasing except
for the existing and proposed settlement areas in
subunits 5c and 5d. All public lands in this unit are
available for oil and gas leasing.
Construction of road access is not likely in this area.
The right-of-way providing access to lands west of the
Susitna River lies on the north side of the Skwentna
River. Unless this road and a bridge crossing the
Skwentna and/or Talachulitna rivers are built, access
into Management Unit 5 will continue to be by boat
or air. The development of public boat facilities along
the Skwentna and Talachulitna rivers, a public airstrip
and a trail system are recommended to provide ac-
cess into existing and proposed settlement areas.
There are four subunits within Management Unit 5:
Dickason Mt. and Thursday Creek (5a); the Mobil coal
lease located along Canyon Creek (5b); the existing
and pi oosed settlement areas west of Canyon Lake
Subdivoion, within the past Friday Creek remote
parcel area, adjacent to Quartz Creek Remote and
immediately west of the Talachulitna River corridor
(5c); and the existing Canyon Lake Subdivision (5d).
See maps at the end of this section for boundaries of
these areas and the accompanying chart for a sum-
mary of land uses in each subunit.
Subunit 5a comprises the mountainous southern por-
tion of the past Friday Creek remote parcel offering
and lands between Canyon Creek and the Talachu-
litna River corridor, including land along Thursday
Creek. This subunit will be retained in public owner-
ship and managed to protect anadromous fish streams,
riparian habitat, and opportunities for hunting, fishing
and other public recreational activities. There will be
no additional land sales in this subunit, including the
area within the past remote parcel offering, but it will
be available for remote cabin permits.
Subunit 5b encompasses a 55-year coal lease held
by Mobil Oil company. This area will be retained in
long term public ownership and managed for coal pro-
specting and development. Public recreation and
wildlife habitat are major surface uses associated with
this subunit and will be the focus of management until
coal development occurs. It also will be available for
remote cabin permits.
Subunit 5c will be available for low density settle-
ment. The subunit includes three areas: approximately
10,000 acres between Contact Creek and the Skwentna
River including the northern portion of the past Friday
Creek remote parcel area, 12,100 acres in the existing
Quartz Creek Remote and adjacent lands to the west,
and 9,300 acres west of the Talachulitna River corridor
within the Deep Creek drainage. The Skwentna and
Hayes rivers and a few fly-in lakes provide some ac-
cess to this subunit, but access is difficult, especially
into Friday Creek.
Subunit 5d is the existing Canyon Lake Subdivision.
There are approximately 30 surveyed lots within the
subunit that have not been sold yet. Unsold lots will
continue to be available for sale over-the-counter.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife
* Forestry
* Recreation
*Settlement
*Subsurface
"Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
269
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION _Mt. Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 ~ Canyon Creek
SUBUNIT
5a
Dickason
Mt./
Thursday
Creek
5b
Mobil Coal
Lease
5c
Quartz
Creek,
Talachulitn
a West,
Friday
Creek
5d
Canyon Lake
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED)
State
State
State/
Private
State/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Settlement
(partly past
disposals)
Settlement
(existing
subdivision)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Remote Cabins
Remote Cabins
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
Closed
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land
Disposals
Land
Disposals
__
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Trapper
Cabins
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
6,000 acres
Approximately 25
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available
over-the-counter
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
"'' in ct"-~*er 2
Mt. Susitna 5
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 5b (Mobil Coal Lease)
Remote Cabins
Subunit 5b will be available for remote cabin permits.
However, permits will be available only in those por-
tions of the subunit where it is determined, to the ex-
tent feasible, that there will be no conflicts between
cabin construction and use and coal development for
the life of the permit.
Subunit 5c (Friday Creek, Quartz Creek and
Talachulitna West)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water qual-
ity and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on Quartz Creek,
Thursday Creek, Deep Creek and their tributaries, and
the tributaries to the Skwentna River. The buffers on
the Skwentna River itself and on tributaries to the
Talachulitna River should be 300'. Wider buffers allow
for protection of visual quality and opportunities for
hunting on streams feeding the major beatable rivers
in the subregion.
Lakeshore Management and Settlement
Property remaining in state ownership within 500' of
lakes greater than 5 acres in size within the boundaries
of the past Quartz Creek remote parcel area will not
be sold when additional disposals are offered. These
lands will be retained to keep public access to and
around the lakes and to protect public recreation op-
portunities in the area. An area of public land con-
necting the new and reoffered disposal area to the
Skwentna River also will be retained for future use as
a local recreation site and/or campground.
River Corridor Management
Public boat launching facilities and accompanying
trails will be identified within the Hayes, Skwentna and
Talachulitna River corridors by the Divisions of Parks
and Outdoor Recreation and Land & Water Manage-
ment to provide access to existing and proposed set-
tlement and public recreation areas. Settlement pro-
jects will be designed to minimize the number of
parcels located directly adjacent to the river corridors.
This will help minimize visual and environmental
impacts.
271
MANAGEMENT UNIT 6 - HAYES RIVER PASS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 6 includes the eastern portion of
the Alaska Range south of the Hayes River and adja-
cent lowlands between the mountains and the
Talachulitna River. The unit contains several
anadromous fish streams that flow into the Talachulitna
River which, in addition to their value for fish, pro-
vide valuable riparian habitat where hunting activities
are concentrated. Habitat values and hunting decrease
closer to the Alaska Range. The eastern portion of the
management unit contains some moderate and high
coal potential and an active coal lease held by
Meadowlark Farms. The eastern half of Management
Unit 6 will be retained in long term public ownership
and managed for mining; public recreation (especial-
ly hunting, fishing, and boating); fish, moose and small
game habitat; and water resources. Low resource value
areas within the Alaska Range will be retained in public
ownership at least for the near term and designated
resource management-low value. Management Unit
6 will remain open to mineral location except along
the lower reaches of Friday and Saturday Creeks and
along an unnamed tributary to Talachulitna Creek from
Trinity Lakes. All public lands in this unit are available
for coal and oil and gas leasing.
Access into Management Unit 6 presently is limited
to one privately owned landing strip at the northwest
corner of the Meadowlark coal lease. The plan recom-
mends extension of trail access along Friday and Satur-
day Creeks from the Talachulitna River.
There are three subunits in the Hayes River Manage-
ment Unit: Friday and Saturday Creek drainages (6a),
the Meadowlark coal lease (6b), and Trimble River
(6c). Seethe maps at the end of this section for bound-
aries of these areas and the accompanying chart for
a summary of land uses in each subunit.
Subunit 6a, the Friday and Saturday Creek drainages,
support fish, moose, small game, and waterfowl; hun-
ting and fishing; wilderness camping; and some raf-
ting. The subunit will be retained in long term public
ownership and managed for public recreation, min-
ing, and water resources.
Subunit 6b, the Meadowlark coal lease, includes
several miles of Friday and Saturday creeks and adja-
cent riparian corridors. This area will be retained in
public ownership and managed for coal development,
fish and wildlife habitat and public recreation (rafting,
fishing, and hunting).
Subunit 6c, Trimble River, generally contains low sur-
272
face and subsurface values and will be classified
resource management — low value. It will be retain-
ed in public ownership at least for the near term and
managed for existing uses. Requests for other uses will
be considered on a case-by-case basis. The area will
be open to remote cabin permits. This subunit may
be reevaluated in the future if new data is gathered
that indicates higher resource values are present.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines could potentially apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most like-
ly to be applicable are indicated with asterisks.
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife
Forestry
* Recreation
Settlement
'Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
"Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 6a and 6b (Friday and Saturday
Creeks and Meadowlark Coal Lease)
Grazing
The riparian zone along Friday and Saturday creeks
inT18N R13WandT19N R13W, SM. will be closed
to grazing. Grazing is prohibited in order to avoid con-
flicts with bears, which concentrate seasonally in this
zone.
Mining
Lands within 300' of the portion of Friday and Satur-
day Creeks east of R13W S.M., and lands within 200'
of the unnamed tributary to the Talachulitna River from
Trinity Lakes will be closed to mineral location. These
closures are intended to protect water quality and
wildlife habitat on these important tributaries of the
Talachulitna River.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Mt. Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 6 - Hayes River Pass
SUBUNIT
6a
Friday and
Saturday
Creeks
6b
Meadowlark
Coal Lease
'
6c
Trimble
River
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Coal
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Remote Cabins
Public Rec.
Remote Cabins
Wildlife Hab.
Resource Management (Low)
(open to remote cabin permits)
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along Friday
& Saturday
Crks. & an
unnamed creek
from Trinity
Lakes (see
managment
guidelines)
Open except
along Friday
& Saturday
Creeks (see
management
guidelines
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Closed to
grazing along
Friday &
Saturday
Creeks (see
management
guidelines)
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - TALACHULITNA RIVER
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 7 includes lands along the
Talachulitna River and Creek system from its con-
fluence with the Skwentna River to Judd and Wolf
lakes. The headwaters are split between the river pro-
per, which flows south and west from the Wolf Lakes
near Beluga Mt., and Talachulitna Creek which flows
easterly from Talachulitna and Judd lakes. Most of the
recreational values are concentrated along the boat-
able portions of Talachulitna Creek from Judd Lake
to the confluence with the Talachulitna River and from
there north to the confluence with the Skwentna River.
The Talachulitna system is one of the most valuable
sport fishing waterways in the entire Susitna drainage
and is one of the major contributors to the Cook Inlet
sockeye and pink salmon commercial fishery. It is also
extremely valuable for public recreation, particularly
floating.
This management unit will be retained in public
ownership. In addition it is recommended for
legislative designation to protect water quality, fishery
and riparian habitat values, and recreational oppor-
tunities along the river and creek. The lands will be
managed to provide wilderness recreation while pro-
tecting the existing natural resources. At appropriate
locations, boat launches and public use cabins or other
facilities should be constructed. Land sales and grazing
are prohibited throughout the management unit. Public
facilities such as campgrounds and boat launches also
will be encouraged at Judd Lake, a key access point
for float trips. Forestry is a secondary use in this
management unit. Timber harvesting is allowed only
for personal use and only when consistent with the
habitat and public objectives for the corridor, including
the intent to maintain the wilderness character of the
corridor.
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for Management Unit 7. The management
plan will, among other things, determine what facilities
(e.g., campgrounds, put-in and take-out points for float
trips, public use cabins) are necessary to support public
use of the river and to protect the fish and wildlife and
recreation resources within the corridor. Facilities
should be designed to preserve the wilderness cha-
racter of the river corridor. The management plan also
will determine whether or not remote cabins will be
permitted in this subunit. See the map at the end of
this section for the boundary of the management unit
and the accompanying chart for a summary of allow-
ed land uses. Management Unit 7 will be closed to
mineral location and unavailable for coal leasing to
protect the habitat and recreation resources and water
quality along the Talachulitna River and Talachulitna
Creek. All public lands in this unit are available for
oil and gas leasing.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish and Wildlife
Forestry
'Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below.
Intcragcncy Consultation
Since protection of habitat and recreational values is
of such importance in this unit, and the area is being
recommended for legislative designation, special con-
sideration should be given to consulting with the Divi-
sion of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and the Depart-
ment of Fish and Game when reviewing permit or
lease applications in this unit.
Public Use Cabins
The Talachulitna River corridor is a priority area for
the construction of public use cabins. Public cabins
should be sited by the Alaska Department of Natural
Resources in consultation with the Department of Fish
and Game and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Siting
should be in conjunction with conveniently located
boat launches and done so as to ensure safety along
the river while minimizing visual impacts along the
shore.
274
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Mt- Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - Talachulitna River
SUBUNIT
7
Talachulit-
na River
Corridor
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Mater Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE LEASEABLE
MINERALS MINERALS
Closed Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Keconmended for
legislative des-
ignation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed It consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Mt. Susitna 7
Cabin sites shall be dispersed along the river and creek
corridors in a very low density because of the limited
forest resources. Public use cabins shall not be per-
mitted within 200' on either side of the Talachulitna
River or Creek. Public use cabins will not be permit-
ted within 100' of any of the other streams shown on
the 1:63,360 scale USGS topographic maps.
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas exploration and development activities will
be sited and/or timed to mitigate impacts on the fish
and wildlife habitat and public use values of the
Talachulitna River corridor. Specific mitigation
measures necessary to protect the values for which
the river corridor was designated will be developed
as part of the lease sale process. Mitigation measures
will be developed on a case-by-case basis consider-
ing timing, topography, vegetation and other factors
affecting the impact of oil and gas exploration and
development activities on fish and wildlife, habitat and
public use values.
Water Quality
Water entering the Talachulitna River should remain
undiminished in quality and quantity.
Management Planning/Remote Cabins
Remote cabin permits will not be offered until and
unless areas open to remote cabins are designated by
a management plan.
276
MANAGEMENT UNIT 8 - TALACHULITNA LAKE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 8 includes the Coal Creek drainage
and lands adjacent to the Talachulitna River corridor
in the vicinity of Judd Lake. Present uses include
recreation activities such as boating, fishing, and hun-
ting; and seasonal/recreational settlement. Fish and
wildlife habitat, lands capable of supporting remote
settlement, and moderate to high coal potential are
among the unit's resources. The major land use ob-
jective for the area will be to provide opportunities
for public recreation, recreational settlement, and min-
ing. Management Unit 8 will remain open to mineral
location and coal leasing except for existing disposals
in Subunit 8c and lands along an important trubutary
to Talachulitna Creek that crosses subunits 8a and 8b.
There are four subunits within Management Unit 8:
Talachuliltna and Kitty lakes (8a), Trinity and Movie
lakes (8b), the past Coal Creek remote parcel offering
and the southeastern portion of the past Sunday Lake
remote parcel area (8c), and the High Mt. Lake Sub-
division and remote parcel area (8d). See the maps
at the end of this section for boundaries of these areas
and the accompanying chart for a summary of land
uses in each subunit.
Subunit 8a, Talachulitna and Kitty lakes and the sur-
rounding lands, contains important recreation and fish
and wildlife values. Due to the subunit's proximity to
Judd Lake and the Talachulitna River, this area is ex-
pected to receive significant recreational use and will,
therefore be retained in long-term public ownership
and managed for public recreation and fish and wildlife
habitat. Since this area contains moderate coal poten-
tial, coal prospecting also will be allowed.
Subunit 8b, the land around Trinity and Movie lakes,
is accessible by float plane and attractive for recrea-
tional settlement. The land immediately surrounding
the lakes is borough owned and will be retained in
the borough land bank in the near term. The state
owned land southwest of the lakes will be retained
in resource management and managed for public
recreation in the near term (5-10 years). Land in this
subunit will be reevaluated for possible future sales
contingent upon the borough's management decisions
for this area.
Subunit 8c, (Sunday Lakes/Coal Creek) includes two
past remote parcel offerings. Subunit 8c will remain
open for additional disposals.
Subunit 8d, comprises the existing High Mt. Lakes
Subdivision and past remote parcel area. The primary
use of the subunit will be settlement. There are no ad-
ditional sales planned for the immediate future.
However, unsold surveyed lots in the subdivision will
remain available over-the-counter.
Access into Management Unit 8 is primarily by boat
via the Talachulitna River, or by float plane. Although
there are currently no plans for road or rail construc-
tion, a right-of-way has been established originating
on the east side of the Susitna River, crossing the river
and running south into the Beluga Subregion. A se-
cond right-of-way then travels northwestward to the
area immediately west of Coal Creek Lake and ends
at the southern boundary of Management Unit 8. The
construction of this road will be dependent mainly
upon the economic returns expected from coal ex-
traction in the Beluga area. A trail system should be
designed and built to provide public access from past
and proposed settlement areas to Judd Lake and the
Talachulitna River until, and if, the road is constructed.
Such a system would not only provide access into set-
tlement areas, but enable increased use of the recrea-
tional resources in and adjacent to the Talachulitna
River corridor.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this report. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish and Wildlife
Forestry
*Recreation
'Settlement
'Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
'Stream Corridors
"Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
277
N>^JGO LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION _Mt- Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 8 - Talachulitna Lake
SUBUNIT
8a
Talachu-
litna
Kitty Lakes
8b
Trinity and
Movie Lakes
8c
Sunday Lake
and Coal
Creek
Remotes
8d
High Mt.
Lakes
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED
State
State/
Borough
State
State/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Resource Management (high) /Borough
Land Bank
Values: Forestry, Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement
Settlement
(existing sub-
division & past
remote parcel
area)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
along unnamed
tributaries
to Talachu-
litna Creek. &
River (see
management
guidelines)
Open except
along unnamed
tributaries
to Talachu-
litna Creek &
River (see
management
guidelines)
Closed prior
to disposal
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Portion closed
to grazing
(see mgrnt.
guidelines)
Remote Cabins
Closed to
grazing along
Coal Creek
(see mgmt.
guidelines)
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
_
Estimated net
disposal area =
2,560 acres
Approximately 100
unsold surveyed
lots remain
available over-
the-counter
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
ianc nen' deli >n c' 'er 2
Mt. Susitna 8
Subunit 8b, 8c, and 8d. (Trinity/Movie Lakes, Sun-
day Lake/Coal Creek, and High Mt. Lakes)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water quali-
ty and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
side of the river) should be used on Coal Creek and
West Fork Coal Creek. A 200' buffer generally should
also be retained on the unnamed streams that appear
on the 1:63,360 scale USGS topographic maps. The
corridors on tributaries to Talachulitna Creek should
be 300' to permit hunting and protect the natural set-
ting on streams that feed the boatable portion of the
Talachulitna system.
Wood Lots
Woodlot areas will be identified near settlement and
land bank areas prior to disposal.
Subunit 8a & 8b (Talachulitna/Kitty Lakes,
Trinity/Movie Lakes)
Mining
Lands within 300' of the unnamed tributaries to the
Talachulitna River that originate in Kitty Lake and
Trinity Lake will be closed to mineral entry. The closure
is intended to protect water quality and fish and
wildlife habitat in one of the most important tributaries
to the Talachulitna River.
Subunit 8a & 8c (Talachulitna/Kitty Lakes and
Sunday Lake/Coal Creek)
Grazing
The riparian zone along Coal Creek and the west fork
of Coal Creek will be closed to grazing. Grazing is pro-
hibited in order to avoid conflicts with bears, which
concentrate seasonally in this zone.
279
MANAGEMENT UNIT 10 - NATIVE LANDS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 10 is a 135,000 acre block of
valuable land owned almost entirely by Cook Inlet
Region, Inc., a Native corporation. Approximately
2,500 acres are in borough ownership. ^ unit is
located in the southwestern portion of the Mt. Susit-
na Subregion and includes lands reaching from east
of Strandline Lake at the foothills of the Alaska Range
to immediately north of Beluga River and east of Olson
Creek. Valuable resources within the area include high
to moderate coal and mineral potential, commercial
quality timber stands, agricultural soils, fish and wildlife
habitat — particularly along anadromous fish streams
— and land suitable for settlement. Existing land uses
consist of sport and subsistence hunting and fishing,
trapping,boating,placer mining,and very scattered set-
tlement. Access to these areas is presently provided
by boat, float plane, or along a four season gravel road
extending from the Beluga power plant to the Lewis
River. Although there are no plans for construction
of a public road, a public right-of-way has been
established running north from the Beluga area parallel
to the Beluga River, ending at Coal Creek Lake.
There are two subunits in this management unit: that
which comprises the majority of the territory (10a), and
the borough lands around Coal Creek Lake in the
northeastern corner of the management unit (10b). See
the maps at the end of this section for boundaries and
the accompanying chart for a summary of the land uses
within this management unit.
Subunit 10a:(Native lands) The Susitna Area Plan
does not affect management of Native lands. However,
due to the abundance of resources in the area and
potential access from either the right-of-way leading
to Coal Creek Lake or from the existing local road net-
work extending from Beluga to the Lewis River, the
state recommends that Cook Inlet Region, Inc. con-
tinue their policy of keeping the area open to public
recreation (hunting, fishing and other types of recrea-
tion), and allowing public access through the region.
The state encourages the development of the area's
subsurface and forestry resources. Where feasible,
DNR and Cook Inlet Region Inc. should work cooper-
atively on access improvements, timber harvest plans,
recreation development and other land management
activities.
Subunit lOb: This subunit consists of borough lands
in the northeastern corner of the management unit and
land around Coal Creek Lake. Those subdivided lots
on the borough lands surrounding Coal Creek Lake
which have not yet been sold will be retained in the
borough land bank and reconsidered for possible sale
in the long term should the borough decide to offer
sales in remote areas. In the interim, this area will be
managed primarily for private and public recreation.
Management of fish and wildlife habitat is the major
objective on lands that remain in public ownership.
While there are no plans for sale of the borough lands
in the northeastern portion of Management Unit 10
at present, this area does contain lakefront property
capable of supporting settlement. It may be considered
for sales at some time in the future. In the interim, it
will be retained in the borough land bank and manag-
ed for existing uses, primarily habitat.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guideline potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
""Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetland Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit lOb: (Coal Creek Lake & Northeastern
Borough Lands)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, camp-
ing and other active uses, and to protect water qual-
ity and riparian habitat. Consequently, this land should
be retained in public ownership. Corridor widths will
be set on a case-by-case basis using policies in Chapter
2. The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each
282
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Mt- Susitna MANAGEMENT UNIT 10 - Native Lands
SUBUNIT
Wa
Native
Lands
lOb
Coal Creek
Lake and
Northeast-
ern Borough
Lands
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
Native
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S) SECONDARY USE(S)
Primarily Private Lands — Recommend-
ed Uses: Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Borough Land Bank
Values: Forestry, Recreation,
Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
COMMENTS
N30000
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Mt. Susitna 10
side of the river) should be used on Coal Creek. A 200'
buffer generally should also be retained on the unnamed
streams that appear on the 1:63,360 scale USGS
topographic maps.
284
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS____
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary
designations; those in lower case letters are
secondary designations; areas shown with stars
* are proposed for legislative or administrative
designation. Statements in italics indicate
whether areas are open or closed to mineral
location and coal leasing; all areas are
available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 2 - LITTLE MOUNT SUSITNA
*2a PUBLIC REC, WILDLIFE HAB.; grazing; Open
*2b FORESTRY, PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; Open
*2c FORESTRY, WILDLIFE HAB.; grazing, public rec.; Open
2d SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry, public
recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
2e AGRICULTURE ; forestry, public rec.,
wildlife hab ; Closed Prior to Disposal
2f SETTLEMENT; forestry, public rec., wildlife hab.; Closed
Prior to Disposal
2g BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry, Public
Rec., Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Open
MGT. UNIT 3 - DINGLISHNA HILL
*3a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Closed
3b SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry, public rec.,
wildlife habitat; Closed
3c RESOURCE MGT. - Values: forestry, public rec., settle-
ment, wildlife habitat; Open
3d PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
3e BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry, Public
Rec., Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Open
3f FORESTRY, PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; Open
MT. SUSITNApart Iof2
MGT. UNIT 4 - BELUGA MOUNTAIN
4a FORESTRY, PUBLIC REC., WILDL. HAB.; remote cabins;
Open
4b SETTLEMENT; forestry, pub. rec., wildl. hab.; Closed
Prior to Disposal
4c BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: For., Pub. Rec.,
Settl., Wildl. Hab.; Open
4d RESOURCE MGT. - Values: Agriculture, Forestry, grazing,
Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Partially Open
MGT. UNIT 5 - CANYON CREEK
5a PUBLIC REC., WILDL. HAB.; forestry, remote cabins; Open
5b PUBLIC RECREATION; remote cabins; wildlife habitat; Open
5c SETTLEMENT (part past Disposal); forestry, pub. rec.,
wildl. hab.; Closed
5d SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); for., pub. rec., wildl.
hab.; Closed
MGT UNIT 7 - TALACHULITNA RIVER CORRIDOR
*7 PUB. REC., WATER RES., WILDL. HAB.; forestry; Closed
MGT. UNIT 8 - TALACHULITNA LAKE
8a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Partially
Open
8b RES. MGT./BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry,
Public Recreation, Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Open
8c SETTLEMENT; public rec., wildlife hab.; Closed Prior to
Disposal
8d SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision and past remote
parcel offering); forestry, public rec., wildlife habitat;
Closed
MGT. UNIT 9 - WATER RESOURCES
9a WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; public
recreation; Partially Open
MGT. UNIT 6 - HA YES RIVER PASS
6a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, remote cabins;
Partially Open
6b COAL; public rec., remote cabins, wildlife habitat; Partially Open i AMf) CTATI 1C
6c RESOURCE MGT. (low values); Open LMINU OI/MUO__________________
r> »FEDERAL
I | STATE
KN STATE SELECTED
BOROUGH
PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected, university,
university selected, and other private lands)
PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This intormation has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks ot approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
Map Scale 1:250,000 ,
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Tyonek
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary
designations; those in lower case letters are
secondary designations; areas shown with stars
* are proposed for legislative or administrative
designation. Statements in italics indicate
whether areas are open or closed to mineral
location and coal leasing; all areas are
available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - SUSITNA GAME FLATS
1 WILDLIFE HAB., PUBLIC REC. (Existing
Game Refuge); Leasehold Location
MGT. UNIT 2 - LITTLE MOUNT SUSITNA
*2a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; grazing; Open
*2b FORESTRY, PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; Open
*2c FORESTRY, WILDLIFE HAB.; grazing, public rec.; Open
2d SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry, public recreation,
wildlife habitat; Closed
2e AGRICULTURE (homesteads); forestry, public rec., wildlife hab.;
Closed Prior to Disposal
2f SETTLEMENT; forestry, public rec., wildlife hab.; Closed Prior to
Disposal
2g BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry, Public Rec., Settle-
ment, Wildlife Habitat; Open
MGT. UNIT 3 - DINGLISHNA HILL
*3a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Closed
3b SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry, public rec., wildlife
habitat; Closed
3c RESOURCE MGT. — Values: forestry, public rec., settlement,
wildlife habitat; Open
3d PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
3e BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry, Public Rec., Settle-
ment, Wildlife Habitat; Open
3f FORESTRY, PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; Open
MGT. UNIT 4 - BELUGA MOUNTAIN
4a FORESTRY, PUBLIC REC., WILDL. HAB.; remote cabins; Open
4b SETTLEMENT; forestry, pub. rec., wildl. hab.; Closed Prior to
Disposal
4c BOROUGH LAND BANK-Values: For., Pub. Rec., Sett I., Wildl.
Hab.; Open
MT. SUSITNApart 2 of 2
MGT UNIT 7 - TALACHULITNA RIVER CORRIDOR
*7 PUB. REC., WATER RES., WILDL. HAB.; forestry;
Closed • i= .'•
MGT. UNIT 8 - TALACHULITNA LAKE
8a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry;
Partially Open
8bRES. MGT./BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values:
Forestry, Public Recreation, Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat; Partially Open
8c SETTLEMENT; public rec., wildlife hab.; Closed
Prior to Disposal
8d SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision and past remote
parcel offering); forestry, public rec., wildlife
habitat; Closed
f~
MGT. UNIT 9 - WATER RESOURCES
9a WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; public
recreation; Partially Open
9b SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); forestry,
public rec., wildlife habitat; Closed
MGT. UNIT 10 - NATIVE LANDS ,
10a PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native lands)
10b BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry,
Public Recreation, Settlement, Wildlife Habitat;
Open
LAND STATUS_____________
FH I FEDERAL
I I STATE
I I STATE SELECTED .,: r.
I I BOROUGH
%7/~\ PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected, i
university, university selected, and other private ,lands) • i
t-' .'Hi PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
dl LEGISLATIVELY DESIGNATED AREA
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
U.S.G.S. Quads
Tyonek
IIIIII
BELUGA
SUBREGION
VtHAU NATIONAL DENAU
PARK AND PRESERVE
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
285
BELUGA SUBREGION
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
The following section describes land use policy within
the Beluga Subregion. It is divided into two parts. The
first section is an overview of resources and their
management for the subregion as a whole. The second
section presents specific statements of management
intent, land use designations, prohibited uses and
management guidelines for each of the subregion's
three management units. A map showing land owner-
ship in the subregion and boundaries of management
units and subunits is presented at the end of the se-
cond part.
Background
The Beluga Subregion is bounded on the north and
east by Beluga River and Lake, on the south by Cook
Inlet, and on the west by the Chakachatna River and
the edge of the Alaska Range (approximately the 1500'
elevation contour). The line dividing the Kenai Penin-
sula Borough from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough
roughly follows the path of the Beluga River — plac-
ing nearly all the Beluga Subregion within the Kenai
Peninsula Borough.
The subregion encompasses approximately 415,000
acres. Land ownership (surface and subsurface) is
divided roughly between the State of Alaska and the
Native regional and village corporations. Additional-
ly, the Kenai Pennisula Borough has surface owner-
ship of approximately 8,500 acres. There are also a
number of isolated parcels, primarily along the coast,
owned by private individuals.
The large coal reserves of the Beluga Subregion sug-
gest that this area faces a greater range of develop-
ment possibilities than virtually any other subregion
in the planning area. By the year 2000, the area could
be a highly developed coal mining and export center,
with a town of several thousand people and a road
to the railbelt. On the other hand, the area could easily
remain remote and largely undeveloped.
The area possesses a variety of existing and potential
land uses in addition to coal. The subregion is the loca-
tion of the Native village of Tyonek — a community
that continues to depend on the area's rich reserves
of salmon, moose and other food sources for its mix
of subsistence and cash economy lifestyle. Until
recently, the area has been the scene of large scale
timber harvests and an export chipping operation. It
is also the location of substantial offshore and some
onshore oil and gas production. The majority of An-
chorage's electricity is generated within this subregion
by gas-fired turbines located at a plant near the Beluga
River.
The area possesses enormous coal resources. These
reserves are presently the subject of multi-million dollar
feasibility and pre-permit application environmental
studies which could lead to coal mining and export
by as early as 1990.
Although there is no year-round land access into the
Beluga Subregion, there is an extensive road system
within the area. These roads were built primarily as
part of the previous timber harvests. The largest net-
work of roads leads from logging areas west of Tyonek
to the dock and former chip mill operation at the North
Forelands. In addition to logging roads, there is a
smaller private road system for local traffic on the
Tyonek Native Corporation (TNC) lands. On the coast
just north of the TNC lands there are also roads con-
necting an airstrip, the electrical generation plant, and
several oil and gas wells and drilling sites. Regularly
scheduled air taxi service runs between Anchorage
and Beluga and the village of Tyonek.
Management Summary
The major management objective for the Beluga
Subregion is to manage the land in a way that best
facilitates development of the area's coal resources.
This will be achieved largely by retaining land with
potential for coal development in public ownership
and ensuring that public land is available for a townsite
or work camp, processing and port facilities, and other
uses that would accompany coal development. Other
important management objectives are protection of
fish and wildlife habitat, continued oil and gas develop-
ment and commercial timber management. Secondary
uses include mining and settlement other than what
would be associated with coal, agriculture and public
recreation.
Settlement
In addition to the several sites identified as potential
coal mining townsites, three areas of public land within
this subregion are suitable candidates for land disposal.
Two of these sites are borough owned; the other is
state. Only the area owned by the state is designated
for near term settlement. This area, surrounding Primo
and BishopJakes and an unnamed lake to the north-
west, includes a gross area of approximately 5,440
acres. Of this, a net area of approximately 1,400 acres
will be offered for sale. The three lakes provide fly-in
287
Beluga
access. This area is outside those portions of the
subregion with moderate or high coal potential.
The two borough-owned areas may be considered for
settlement in the long-term. These are an area own-
ed by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough adjacent to the
Beluga River and an area owned by the Kenai Penin-
sula Borough which stretches along the coast near
Viapan Lake. These lands are designated borough land
bank, which signifies they will be retained in borough
ownership in the near-term and managed - present
uses. In the long term, however, these lanco may be
sold for settlement. These lands include approximately
7,300 acres of which approximately 1,500 acres could
be offered for sale. Access to these sites is via boat or
plane.
The only other settlement proposed in this subregion
is that necessary to support coal development, if and
when it occurs. Coal mining is anticipated to last for
a period of 30 — 50 years; thus it seems likely that
a permanent townsite would be established rather than
a "temporary" work camp. Four sites — Nikolai Ridge,
Congahbuna Lake, Beluga and Three Mile — will be
designated "reserved use" to preserve future townsite
options.
Decisions on the most appropriate site will be made
through the permit and regulatory process as coal
development moves toward reality. In the interim,
these sites will be managed as wildlife habitat and
forestry.
Agriculture
There are several pockets of publicly-owned cultivable
soils in this subregion. At present, they are remote sites
and competing wildlife, forestry, and coal values are
considered higher value. There are also several large
blocks of cultivable soils on native lands.
Forestry
Forestry is a primary land use designation on approx-
imately 32,000 acres where high and moderate forest
values occur, typically along with wildlife habitat and
coal. Timbered lands will be available for harvest up
until the time of coal development. A management
plan should be developed cooperatively with coal
operators, the Divisions of Forestry and Minerals, and
the Department of Fish and Game to allow maximum
timber harvest before coal mining and to develop ap-
propriate revegetation strategies. Areas may be ident-
ified for habitat enhancement to support moose and
other species while their normal habitats are being
disrupted.
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
This subregion is an important moose harvest area for
local residents and fly-in hunters. Substantial trapping
and fishing also occurs. An important near-term
management objective is to improve public access into
the area so that increased hunting can help control
the expected increase in the size of the moose popu-
lation. Moose populations are predicted to grow as
a result of the extensive recent timber harvests in the
area.
If coal development occurs, management should focus
on maintenance of animal populations, habitat
enhancement and reclamation. To the extent practical,
water quality should be protected in important salmon
streams such as Chuitna, Nicolai and Beluga rivers.
A comprehensive management plan to protect fish and
wildlife resources will need to be completed as part
of the detailed planning associated with coal develop-
ment. In addition to direct impacts of coal develop-
ment on habitat quality, such a plan should consider
secondary impacts on fish and wildlife resources
resulting from a large influx of people into the region.
Recreation
Most of the current recreational activity in this subunit
is wildlife-based hunting and fishing. These activities
will be protected through public ownership of most
of the area. In areas proposed for land sales, stream
and trail corridors, some lakefront property and public
access points will be identified and retained in public
ownership. If coal is developed, an effort should be
made to minimize the impact on these recreation op-
portunities. Post mining reclamation plans should con-
sider ways to provide opportunities for public recrea-
tion (e.g., creation of lakes, improved access, etc.).
Subsurface Resources
Coal mining is likely to be the dominant future use
of this subregion. Over 90% (380,000 acres) of the
subregion is judged to have high or moderate coal
potential. Over 70,000 acres are currently under lease
(9,240 acres are leased Native lands; the remainder
are state leases). Most of the rest of the area will be
offered for coal leasing in the future. If coal is
developed, existing state and federal laws (Alaska Sur-
face Coal Mining and Reclamation Act, Clean Water
and Air Acts, etc.), will be used to maintain and pro-
tect fish and wildlife habitat, forestry and other impor-
tant surface resource values.
Lands that currently are intended for coal-related uses
may ultimately be used for a variety of other purposes.
This will be possible either after areas are mined and
288
Beluga
rehabilitated or after the areas are found not to have
potential for commercial coal mining. Alternative sur-
face land uses of these areas, including land sales,
should be determined as part of the periodic review
of the plan.
Public lands in this subregion will remain open for coal
leasing except for those few sites offered for settlement
(all of which have low or very low coal potential) and
lands designated reserved use for a possible future coal
related townsite. Once a coal townsite is selected, the
remaining areas can be opened to coal mining or other
uses.
This subregion lies within the Upper Cook Inlet and
Susitna oil and gas basins. The Upper Cook Inlet Basin
currently produces substantial amounts of oil and gas.
There are several existing gas wells in the southern por-
tion of the subregion. All state and borough land re-
mains open to oil and gas leasing. Much of the infra-
structure to develop and transport these resources is
in place.
The potential for development of other minerals is
believed to be low, but the area generally will remain
open for locatable mineral entry. Mining operations
in the area are likely to be placer mines.
Transportation and Public Facilities
Two potential major transportation improvements
have been discussed for this subregion: one is a coal
transport and mining support transportation system
from the coal fields to a potential port site at Granite
Point; the second is a road or rail extension into this
subregion from the east side of the Susitna River. The
first of these routes has been protected with a 100-300'
wide right-of-way for coal transportation from mine
sites to Granite Point. A preliminary right of way
R.O.W. for the road or rail link from the railbelt also
has been reserved.
There are two principal candidates for the port site
that would be used to export coal from this area:
Granite Point and North Forelands. The state-owned
uplands at Granite Point are designated as an indus-
trial site and are currently under lease to a coal com-
pany; the latter area is on Native lands within the
Tyonek Native reservation.
Chakachatna Hydroelectric Project
A hydroelectric project has been proposed on a site
just outside the study area on the Chakachatna drain-
age. If this project is constructed, state land may be
needed for transportation of materials, workcamps, or
other uses associated with the construction and
maintenance of the project.
289
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES BY
MANAGEMENT UNIT
MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - COOK INLET REGION, INCORPORATED
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit occupies approximately the
west half of the Beluga Subregion. Upper and Lower
Beluga lakes, the terminus of the Capps Glacier and
the Chakachatna River are key geographic features.
Nikolai Creek and several other streams which flow
through this unit are anadromous fish streams. Public-
land within the area is limited to the narrow strip of
federal land along the Chakachatna River; the remain-
ing lands, surface and subsurface, are in Native owner-
ship. The primary values in this unit are, wildlife
habitat, coal and, in the south half, forestry. Recrea-
tion activity is generally limited to hunting. The plan
commends and supports Cook Inlet Region, Incorpor-
ated's decision to allow public recreational use of this
area and encourages opportunities for cooperative
management between the state and the Native cor-
poration in timber harvesting and coal development.
This management unit has been divided into two sub-
units on the basis of land ownership. Subunit 1a is
comprised of Native lands; subunit 1b is the federal
land along the Chakachatna River. See the map at the
end of this section for boundaries of these areas and
the accompanying chart for designations in each
subunit.
Subunit la has valuable forest and habitat resources.
Cooperative management is encouraged to allow
public access for hunting and other recreational ac-
tivities and joint timber harvests.
Subunit Ib is under a federal power site withdrawal
for the Chakachatna hydroelectric project. This land
will remain in federal ownership until the power site
application is withdrawn.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this report. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
'Forestry
Recreation
Settlement
'Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit la (Native Land)
Areas of particular value or environmental sensitivity
within this management unit include Beluga Lake (this
area receives the seventh highest number of hunting
days in the study area), the Chuitna River and Nikolai
and Bishop creeks.
Two portions of this unit (T15N R13W, Sections 29-36;
T15N R14W, Sections 25, 36; T14N R14W, Section
1; T14N R13W, Sections 1-6, 9-12; T12N R14W, Sec-
tions 5-9, 13-18, 20-22, 27, 28, 34, 35, S.M.) contain
concentrations of trumpeter swan nesting sites that
have been identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-
vice. Similar areas on state lands will be proposed as
trumpeter swan reserves to be protected through legis-
lative or administrative designation. In recognition of
the scarcity and vulnerability to disturbance of these
sites, the state recommends that special caution be used
in the development of coal or other resources in these
areas. It also is recommended that these areas be ex-
cluded from future residential or commercial
development.
If coal or other resource development occurs, state
and Native land owners should develop a cooperative
access plan for the subregion. Access across Native
lands is important for timber harvesting, coal mining,
and possible power transmission lines if the Chaka-
chatna hydroelectric project becomes a reality.
290
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Beluga MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 ~ Cook lnlet Region-lnc-
SUBUNIT
la
Native Land
Ib
Chakachatna
River
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
Native
Fede ral
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Primarily Private Land -
Recommended Uses: Wildlife
Habitat, Public Recreation, Coal
Mining
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
___ __
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
Leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
COMMENTS
^ 'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
^ specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
*"* management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - BISHOP CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 2 includes portions of the Beluga
River, Chuit and Bishop creeks, Bishop and Primo
lakes, and portions of Lone Ridge. This unit will be
managed to support wildlife habitat, coal develop-
ment, recreation and limited amounts of settlement.
These objectives will be achieved by retaining the
majority of the land in public ownership and cluster-
ing land sales. This unit will remain open to mineral
location and be available for coal leasing except for
subunit 2b which is closed due to a proposed land
disposal. The entire unit is open to oil and gas leasing.
This management unit has five subunits: the Chi-
chantna Creek area (2a), Primo and Bishop Lakes (2b),
the Beluga River (2c), Felts Lake (2d) and Lone Ridge
(2e). See the map at the end of this section for bound-
aries of these areas and the accompanying chart for
a summary of land use designations in each subunit.
Subunit 2a, the Chichantna Creek area, will be re-
tained in public ownership and managed for coal and
wildlife habitat values. Coal potential is high in this
subunit, and areas to the west are currently under
lease. Portions of this area have been identified as
trumpeter swan nesting sites which are sensitive to dis-
turbance. This subunit, particularly along Bishop
Creek, also supports a high number of moose in winter
months.
Subunit 2b includes land sales around the area's three
largest lakes — Bishop, Primo, and a lake that is un-
named on the USGS topographic maps. The objec-
tive of land sales in this unit is to provide seasonal
recreational cabin sites in a popular hunting area with
fly-in access. The remainder of the unit will be man-
aged for wildlife habitat and recreation. Most of this
subunit has low coal potential.
Subunit 2c: The Beluga River flows through the
center of this subunit. Land on the eastside of the river
is owned by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and will
be designated borough land bank. Land west of the
Beluga River is in state ownership and will be desig-
nated resource management. This subunit has settle-
ment potential as well as values for habitat and recrea-
tion, coal and forestry. This subunit will be retained
in public ownership in the near term. The ultimate use
of the area should be decided after more is known
about the likely timing and magnitude of coal
development
Subunit 2d (Felts Lake) is in native ownership. It is
hoped that this area will continue to provide wildlife
292
habitat and opportunities for public recreation around
Felts Lake. Felts Lake also could accommodate some
recreational settlement. High coal values exist in the
southern part of the subunit and may be developed
in the future.
Subunit 2e (Lone Ridge) has lower overall resource
potential than the other units, particularly with regard
to coal. The area will be retained in public ownership
and managed for wildlife habitat and public recrea-
tion. Remote cabins are an allowed use within this
subunit. Portions of the Chuitna River and several of
its tributaries run through this unit. The Chuitna River
has been identified as a river of statewide significance
by the Department of Fish and Game due to the
number of anadromous fish it supports and its poten-
tial for sport fishing.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this report. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
*Fish and Wildlife
Forestry
Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
"Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 2a (Chichantna Creek)
Critical Habitat and Subsurface Resources
A portion of this unit (T14N R1 3W S.M. Sections 1-3,
10-1 2) contains an important trumpeter swan nesting
area. Trumpeter swans are relatively scarce and nesting
areas are vulnerable to disturbance. Activities and
facilities requiring land use permits (e.g., gravel extrac-
tion, remote cabins and utility lines), coal mining and
r ri
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Bel"9a MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Bish°P Creek
SUBUNIT
2a
Chichantna
Creek
2b
Primo/
Bishop
Lake
2c
Beluga
River
2d
Felts Lake
2e
Lone Ridge
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State
Mat-Su
Borough/
State
Native
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Borough Land Bank/Resource Mgt.
(high) Values: Settlement, Public
Recreation, Wildlife
Habitat, Forestry, Oil
& Gas, Coal, Minerals
Primarily Private Land —
Recommended Uses: Wildlife
Habitat, Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat Public Rec.
Remote Cabins
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Closed prior
to land dis-
posal
Open
——
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
——
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
——
——
——
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
—
Estimated net
disposal area
= 1,400 acres
——
——
——
K> 'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
c§ specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Beluga 2
other potentially disruptive activities should be design-
ed to minimize their impacts on the swans and will
be permitted only after consultation with the Depart-
ment of Fish and Game.
Subunit 2b and 2c (Bishop and Prime lakes
and Beluga River)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, picnic-
ing, camping and other active uses, and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using the
policies in chapter 2. The standard minimum width
(200' on both sides of the river) should be used on
the stream running from Bishop Lake to Bishop Creek
and on the other tributaries to Bishop Creek shown
on the 1:63,360 topographic quad for the area. The
corridor on Bishop Creek and Beluga River should be
300' on both sides of the river in order to protect the
riparian habitat along the river and provide room for
a greater variety of public recreation activities along
these streams.
Subunit 2e (Lone Ridge)
Forestry
Forestry is a secondary use in this management unit.
The limited forest resources will be managed for per-
sonal use. Timber harvests will be designed to
minimize impacts on habitat.
Remote Cabins and Stream Corridors
Remote cabin permits are an allowed use within this
unit. Cabin sites shall be dispersed in a very low den-
sity (no more than 4 cabins per 640 acres) over the
entire area, or clustered along stream corridors (3-4
cabins every two to four miles) to maintain limited
forest resources and to reduce human impacts on
wildlife.
294
MANAGEMENT UNIT 3: CHuITNA RIVER
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit contains the greatest amount
of public land and many of the highest surface
resource values in the Beluga subregion. Key geo-
graphic features included in this unit are the Beluga
and Chuitna Rivers, Congahbuna Lake, and Nikolai
Ridge. Several large portions of the unit are either in
native or borough ownership. The overall manage-
ment intent emphasizes retention and multiple use
management of public lands. A particular objective
for this area is to manage land in a way that facilitates
development of the area's coal and oil and gas
resources. Specific lands have been set aside as possi-
ble townsites and for a port site to support possible
coal development. This unit will remain open to
mineral location and be available for coal leasing ex-
cept for subunits 3b and 3c which are closed to
mineral location to protect potential townsites and in-
dustrial and port sites. The entire unit is available for
oil and gas leasing.
This management unit has been divided into six
subunits primarily on the basis of land ownership and
land use requirements associated with possible coal
development. The subunits are the upper Chuitna
River and Lone Creek drainages (3a); potential
townsites (3b); the proposed Granite Point industrial
and port site (3c); native lands (3d); the forested areas
around the upper ends of Nikolai, Tyonek and Three-
mile creeks (3e); and Viapan Lake (3f). Refer to the
maps at the end of this section for boundaries of these
areas and the accompanying chart for a summary of
land use designations in each subunit.
Subunit 3a contains two large coal leases, known as
the Lone Ridge and Center Ridge sites. The lands in
this subunit will be retained in public ownership and
managed primarily for coal, oil and gas and wildlife
habitat values.
Subunit 3b consists of four townsites that are
designated reserved use to preserve future townsite
options. Three of the sites are in state ownership; the
fourth site is in borough ownership. In the interim,
these sites will be managed for wildlife habitat and
forest values.
Subunit 3c is a potential site for industrial and/or port
development if resource development occurs in the
Beluga area. This is the only public-owned port site
in this area of Cook Inlet.
Subunit 3d is land owned by the Tyonek Native Cor-
poration and not affected by this plan.
Subunit 3e is different from unit 3a only in that it is
at lower elevations and has potential for commercial
forestry in addition to coal, oil and gas and wildlife
values. Subunit 3e contains a smaller coal lease in the
vicinity of Threemile Creek.
The majority of the surface estate of subunit 3f is own-
ed by the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the subsur-
face estate by Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated. Coal
values in the subunit are high. Borough lands within
this unit will be designated borough land bank and
managed in the near term for present uses — primar-
ily wildlife habitat and recreation. If coal is not
developed in this unit (or after coal mining) the state
recommends this area for future settlement. There are
several large undeveloped lakes in this subunit which
could provide attractive seasonal recreational cabin
sites and land for year round residences for people
who work in the area. Settlement is preferable here
because it will concentrate private land holdings in
one area, leaving resource development options open
on other public lands.
There are several blocks of private land within this
subunit, including a past state subdivision called Three
Mile Lake. A number of the people who work at the
adjacent Beluga Power Plant own lots and live in this
subdivision. Prior to land sales in this subunit, the Kenai
Borough should work with residents and landowners
of this area to identify lands that should be retained
in public ownership for community facilities or com-
munity open space areas.
This management unit is crossed by an extensive
system of roads, most built as a result of oil and gas
or timber harvesting activities. As part of the imple-
mentation of this plan, the state should investigate the
status of existing rights-of-way in this management unit
and attempt, where appropriate, to secure the right
for their continued public use. Future public use of
several well traveled roads is uncertain due to Native
land selections and because many roads were built
by private companies for a specific, non-public
purpose.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this report. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
295
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Chuitna River
SUBUNIT
3a
Chuitna
River
Drainage
3b
Potential
Townsites
3c
Granite
Point
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
State/
Kenai
Peninsula
Borough
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Coal
Oil and Gas
Wildlife Habitat
Reserved Use
(Potential
Townsites)
Oil and Gas
Settlement
(Port/ Industrial
Site)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Forestry
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
UOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Closed
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Portions
closed to
Grazing (see
management
guidelines)
Remote Cabins
Land D:' ^osals
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc. that cne fiot
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines ol this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Bel"9a MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Chuitna River
SUBUNIT
3d
Tyonek
Village
Corporation
Land
3e
Nicolai/
Threemile
3f
Viapan Lake
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
Native
State/
Kenai
Peninsula
Borough
Kenai
Peninsula
Borough
(subsur-
face is
native)
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Primarily Private land —
Recommended Uses:Forestry,
Settlement, Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
Wildlife Habitat
Oil & Gas
Public Rec.
Borough Land Bank
Values: Settlement, Wildlife
Habitat,Forestry, Public
Recreation, Oil & Gas,
Coal, Minerals
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
___
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
__
Available for
coal leasing
and
prospecting
Available for
coal leasing
and
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
(portions
closed to
grazing — see
guidelines)
__
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Beluga 3
* Forestry
Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit 3a (Chuitna River Drainage)
Access
Most of the lower portion of the Chuitna River is in
Native ownership.Public access to fishing areas in the
publicly owned portions of the Chuitna River should
be identified and reserved. This river is one of the few
Cook Inlet rivers open to king salmon fishing, and its
popularity is expected to increase significantly as a
result. The Department of Fish and Game has rated
this stream the ninth most important in the study area.
Grazing
The riparian zone along the Chuitna River and Chuit
Creek will be closed to grazing. Grazing is prohibited
in order to avoid conflicts with brown bears, which
concentrate seasonally in this zone.
Subunit 3d (Tyonek Native Corporation)
Stream Corridors
The state recommends that Cook Inlet Region, Incor-
porated and Tyonek Native Corporation strive to pro-
tect high value or particularly sensitive fish and wildlife
habitat on their lands. Areas of particular concern in-
clude the Chuitna River, Chuitna Lake, and Third, Se-
cond, Bunka, and Kaldachabuna lakes.
Subunit 3e (Nikolai-Threemile)
Grazing
The Riparian zone along the Chuitna River will be clos-
ed to grazing. Grazing is prohibited in order to avoid
conflict with brown bear, which concentrate seasonal-
ly in this zone. The portions of subunit 3e within T13N
R10WS.M. sections 20, 21, 28, 29, 31-33, and in T13N
R11W S.M. section 36, will be closed to grazing
because of their importance as moose winter range.
Subnnit 3f (Viapan Lake)
Chuitna River
The mouth of the Chuitna River — an important
anadromous fish stream — has been identified by the
Department of Fish and Game as an area where the
state should investigate the possibility of buying private
land in order to improve public access. Access at pre-
sent is limited and a source of conflict within this unit.
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to Three Mile
Creek is to permit fishing, picnicing, camping and
other active uses, and to protect water quality and
riparian habitat. Consequently this land should be re-
tained in public ownership. The final corridor width
should be determined after field analysis using the
policies in Chapter 2. It is recommended that recrea-
tion and habitat values be protected through reten-
tion of a corridor of at least the standard minimum
buffer width (200' on both sides of the river).
298
BELUGA
I. • . •.• ';/ki'
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^-^/^?r(^2..oo°->^roVvvv I
:•-' ^ ..x -V"-> /cJ c / -v^,ct*';;-1 Iv .
^/ ,y^ • v; •]
oiV* M!^ /* « J* ** ^X^«A*A1
- i ZLL: j ^I^^A^F'/-A-^.V^^***^~—^^%vf' ' ~- $&&*&XV^^t
LAND STATUS
Map Scale 1:250,000
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Tyonek
n——I FEDERAL
I I STATE
I I BOROUGH
Y//A PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in lowercase
letters are secondary designations.Statements in italics indicate whether areas
are open or closed to mineral location and coal leasing; all areas are
available tor oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - COOK INLET REGION, INC. LAND
1a PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native)
1b WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
MGT. UNIT 2 - BISHOP CREEK
2a WILDLIFE HABITAT; public recreation; Open
2b SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed
Prior to Disposal
2c BOROUGH LAND BANK/RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Values:
Forestry, Public Recreation, Settlement, Wildlife Habitat; Open
2d PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native)
2e WILDLIFE HABITAT; public recreation, remote cabins; Open
MGT. UNIT 3 - CHUITNA RIVER
3a COAL, OIL & GAS, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry, public recrea-
tion; Open
3b RESERVED USE (potential townsites); Closed
3c SETTLEMENT (port/industrial site),OIL & GAS; wildlife habitat;
Closed
3d PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native)
3e FORESTRY, OIL & GAS, WILDLIFE HABITAT; public recreation;
Open
3f BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry, Public Rec.,Settle-
ment, Wildlife Habitat; Open
ALASKA RANGE
SUBREGION
Vf DENALI NATIONAL IDENALI
PARK AND PRESERVE
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
301
ALASKA RANGE SUBREGION
L
The following section describes land use policy within
the Alaska Range Subregion. It is divided into two
parts. The first part is a general overview of resources
and their management for the entire subdivision. The
second part presents specific statements of manage-
ment intent, land use designations, prohibited uses,
and management guidelines. This entire subregion is
treated as one management unit. Maps showing land
ownership in the subregion and boundaries of the
management unit and subunits are presented at the
end of the second part.
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
Background
This remote, mountainous, glaciated portion of the
study area is bounded by Denali National Park and
Preserve to the north, the Kenai Peninsula Borough
and Chakachatna River to the south, the Matanuska-
Susitna Borough boundary to the west, and approxi-
mately the 1500 foot elevation contour to the east. The
subregion encompasses approximately 1,510,000
acres. Almost all the land within this subregion is own-
ed by the State of Alaska with the exception of T16N,
R19 and 20W, and T21N R16W, S.M., which are state
selected, and T16N, R21W, S.M., which is federal land
within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.
Mining, commercial guiding for big game, trapping,
non-guided hunting and recreational activities are the
primary uses within this subregion. The amount of use
this area receives in comparison to other portions of
the study area is light, however, and occurs primarily
during the summer months. Placer mining claims are
found along such streams as Johnson Creek and the
Kichatna River. The unit also has good potential for
hardrock metallic minerals — molybdenum, copper,
silver, gold, etc. The unit provides habitat for a varie-
ty of animals. Moose, sheep, caribou, black and brown
bear are hunted in the area. The Kichatna, Skwentna,
and Happy rivers plus their tributaries are major
anadromous fish streams which produce salmon for
the Cook Inlet fisheries. The unit also offers a variety
of recreational uses in addition to hunting. The Iditarod
Trail bisects the unit and is used annually for the
Iditarod sled dog race. Flightseeing is popular along
this stretch of the Alaska Range.
Settlement in the unit is primarily confined to the I iappy
River and Skwentna River drainages with a small
nucleus of people at Rainy Pass, a popular hunting
lodge. Future uses in this subregion are, for the most
part, expected to be an extension of existing uses, i.e.,
recreation, fish and wildlife use, and mineral extrac-
tion. An increase in these activities will be dependent
to a large degree upon provision of access.
Access to the area at present is along the Iditarod Trail
and smaller local trails; via air to several privately own-
ed landing strips, some fly-in lakes and gravel bars;
and to a limited degree by boat on the Skwentna River.
As shown on the land use designation map, the Idita-
rod Trail, a national historic trail, follows the Skwent-
na River to Shirley Lake and then heads northwest
through Rainy Pass. Two of the privately owned land-
ing strips are located at Puntilla Lake near Rainy Pass;
one provides float plane access and the other is a
ground strip. Fly-in access is often hampered by
weather conditions.
Management Summary
This unit is expected to remain largely undeveloped
and roadless for years. The great majority of the area
will be retained in public ownership and managed as
a multiple use area emphasizing the existing uses: min-
ing, wildlife habitat and recreation. Further details of
management intent by resource are presentd below.
Settlement
Land sales and remote cabin permits generally are con-
sidered very low priority in this unit due to the un-
siiitability of terrain and difficult access. However,
select areas along the Happy and Skwentna Rivers will
be offered for homestead sales and remote cabin per-
mits. A net acreage of approximately 3,330 will be of-
fered for sale. The gross acreage is approximately
23,700.The objective of land sales in this area is to pro-
vide seasonal recreation homesteads. The Skwentna
River provides only limited boat access up to Emerald
Creek. The sand bars along its braided channel pro-
vide some wheel plane access, although conditions
are often dangerous. Primary access is expected to be
by plane to Shirley Lake and an unnamed lake south
of the Skwentna River in T22N R18WS.M., section 25.
Agriculture
There will be no agricultural sales or homesteads.
There is little potential for agriculture due to the soils,
topography and climate of the area.
Forestry
Slow growth rates and uncertainties regarding results
303
Alaska Range
of regeneration following timber harvest limit forest
management opportunities in this subregion. The
scarce forest resources will be managed to provide
wood for personal use. Timber management practices
will be designed to minimize impacts on habitat and
recreation values.
Fish and Wildlife
This subregion is important for a variety of fish and
wildlife species. The vast majority of this area will be
retained in public ownership to protect habitat values
and human use of wildlife including guiding and hunt-
ing. The Skwentna, Happy, and Kichatna rivers are
major anadromous fish streams which flow through the
subregion.
A number of smaller streams and rivers also support
populations of anadromous fish. Most riparian lands
will be retained in public ownership; fish habitat and
water quality will be protected when land is sold by
retaining publicly owned buffers on either side of the
waterway.
Recreation
In order to protect public recreational opportunities,
most land will be retained in public ownership and
managed for recreation in addition to mining and
wildlife habitat. Due to the historical and recreational
significance of the Iditarod Trail, a wide publicly owned
corridor will be retained along its length.
Subsurface
Mining and mineral exploration are and will continue
to be important uses of this subregion. The subregion
will remain open to mineral entry, except for one area
along the Happy and Skwentna rivers which will be
offered for sale. This subunit will be closed to mineral
entry prior to land sales.
There is little potential for oil, gas or coal. All public
land in this subregion is open to exploration and
development of oil and gas. Coal leasing and pro-
specting are permitted throughout the subregion with
the exception of the area that will be available for land
disposal. Geothermal leasing has occurred on Mt.
Spurr and is an allowed use in this area.
Transportation
There are no immediate plans to increase access lo
this subregion. The Department ot Transportation and
Public Facilities has identified a potential long-term ac-
cess route across the Susitna River through Rainy Pass
into McGrath. This would provide access to some
mineral deposits in the Alaska Range just outside the
304
study area that may have economic potential. Addi-
tionally, if the coal lease north of the Skwentna River
in the adjoining Susitna Lowlands subregion ever is
developed, a spur road or rail line may be built to pro-
vide access to this lease. The possibility of these routes
being funded and developed within the next twenty
years appears to be very remote at this time.
Alaska Range 1
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES BY SUBUNIT
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This subregion consists of a single management unit.
The general intent is to retain this subregion in public-
ownership and manage it for habitat, recreation, and
the trapping, guiding and hunting that depend on the
wildlife resources. In addition, one area will be offered
for sale, primarily to provide sites for dwellings to sup-
port private recreation. The Alaska Range Subregion
will be open to mineral entry and available for coal
leasing except for the area proposed for sale in subunit
la. All public lands in this unit are available for oil and
gas leasing.
The subregion is divided into seven subunits: a pro-
posed land sale area around Shirley Lake (la), the
Skwentna, Happy and Kichatna river corridors (1b),
mountainous uplands with high habitat values (1c),
mountainous uplands with lower habitat values (1d),
state owned and state selected lands (1e), the Chaka-
chatna River corridor (10, and federal lands within
Lake Clark National Park (1g). See the land use design-
ation chart for a summary of land uses and the maps
at the end of this section for subunit boundaries.
Subunit la (Shirley Lake): This subunit will be
designated for settlement. Land disposals will be
located in the lowland portions of this subunit where
forest resources are more abundant and provide
greater screening potential along trails and lakeshores.
Subunit Ib will be retained in public ownership and
managed for public recreation and riparian habitat.
Remote cabin permits are an allowed use, and provide
opportunities for private recreation along the Happy,
Skwentna and the Kichatna rivers. Commercial
development to support recreational activities is en-
couraged in the Rainy Pass-Puntilla Lake area of this
subunit.
Subunits Ic and Id: State land in these subunits will
be retained in public ownership and managed to pro-
tect fish and wildlife habitat and use and allow for
mineral exploration and development.
Subunit le: State selected lands in T16N R19 and
20W, S.M. are recommended for relinquishment. The
benefit to the state in relinquishing these lands would
be the ability to select approximately 46,000 acres of
more valuable land elsewhere. If relinquished, the unit
should remain open to mineral entry unless specifically
closed, and the Department of Fish and Game would
retain management authority over fish and wildlife use.
Therefore, the two primary resource values in this unit
would not be seriously affected.
Subunit If (Chakachatna River): A hydroelectric pro-
ject has been proposed on the Chakachatna River just
outside the planning area. If the project is eventually
constructed, this subunit may be used for access to
the dam site and for transportation of materials or other
uses associated with the project. In the interim, this
subunit will be retained in public ownership and man-
aged for habitat and public recreation.
Subunit lg is within the boundaries of Lake Clark Na-
tional Park and Preserve and is not affected by provi-
sions of this plan.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated below with asterisks.
Agriculture
*Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
* Recreation
*Settlement
*Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
Public Access
'Remote Cabin Permits
Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Management guidelines that are specific to this
management unit are presented below by subunit.
Subunit la (Shirley Lake)
Settlement
Land sales are limited to dispersed, low density sales
below 2000' elevation in the Long Lake Hills area and
further east in the more forested portions of the valley.
Sales should be located to produce minimum impact
on habitat and recreation values.
Subunit Ib (Skwentna, Happy and Kichatna
Rivers)
Remote Cabins, Stream Corridors, and Trails
Remote cabin permits are an allowed use within these
305
oa*LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Alaska Range MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - Alaska Range
SUBUNIT
la
Shir ley
Lake
Ib
Skwentna,
Happy &
Kichatna
Rivers
Ic
Kichatna '
Mountains
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State/
State
Selected
State/
State
Selected
State/
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Remote Cabins
Public Rec.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed prior
to disposal
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Grazing
Land Disposals
Closed to
grazing in
Happy River
portion of
Subunit (see
mgraL .
guidelines)
Grazing
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
1
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
3,330 acres
"Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc. that ate ftot
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
——men* '-••ideli"~' ;n cl-""*er 2
r
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Alaska Range MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - Alaska Range
SUBUNIT
Id
Tordrillo
Mountains
le
Relinquish-
ment
If
Chakachatna
River
lg
Lake Clark
National
Park
and
Preserve
LAND
OWNERSHIPGENERALIZED;
State/
State
Selected
State
Selected
State
Federal
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Minerals
Reserved Use
Water Resources
Wildlife Hab.
• —
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Wildlife Hab.
——
——
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
Open
——
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
——
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Closed to
grazing west
of Skwentna
River
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
Closed to
grazing west
of Skwenta
River
Land Disposals
Remote Cabins
——
COMMENTS
Recommended for
relinqulshment
Legislatively
designated as
Lake Clark
National Park
and Preserve
COo
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that cue fiot
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines ol this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Alaska Range 1
subunits. Cabin sites shall be dispersed along the river
and stream corridors in a very low density because
of the limited forest resources (approximately 1 cabin
per mile or clustered putting 3-4 cabins every few
miles). Remote cabins will not be permitted within 500'
of the Iditarod Trail.
Grazing
The riparian zone along the Happy River will be clos-
ed to grazing because of the importance of the area
for moose winter range.
Subunits la and Ib (Land Sale Area and
Remote Cabin Permit Area)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit uses such as
fishing, camping and other active uses, and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently, this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using policies
in Chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer width
(200' on each side of the river) should be used on the
Happy, Skwentna and Kichatna Rivers.
Subunit Id and le (Tordrillo Mts. and Pro-
posed Relinquishments)
Grazing
The portions of subunits 1d and 1e west of the Skwent-
na River are closed to grazing because of the impor-
tance of these areas for Dall sheep habitat.
308
R19W R18W
ALASKA RANGEpart 1 of 3
R17W
LAND STATUS
FEDERAL
I I STATE
l\\l STATE SELECTED
PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected, university,
university selected, and other private lands)
PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Map Scale 1:250,000
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Talkeetna
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in
lower case letters are secondary designations. Statements in italics
indicate whether areas are open or closed to mineral location and
coal leasing; all areas are available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - ALASKA RANGE
1c WILDLIFE HABITAT; public recreation; Open
T P ••'••:VWT HAvv?sfv
3-i\H •f^M^ft\^JKi\
\&* n<^{ \y
$.' T> ( . i ,'//.
ALASKA RANGEpart 2 of 3
LAND STATUS
HHH FEDERAL
I I STATE
l\\l STATE SELECTED
Y//A PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
F7"^ PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary
designations; those in lower case letters are
secondary designations. Statements in italics
indicate whether areas are open or closed to
mineral location and coal leasing; all areas
are available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - ALASKA RANGE
1a SETTLEMENT; forestry, public rec., wildlife hab.;
Closed Prior to Disposal
1b PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, remote cabins;
Open
1c WILDLIFE HABITAT; public recreation; Open
Id MINERALS; public recreation, wildlife habitat;
Open
RESERVED USE; Open1e
1f
1g
WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK
Map Scale 1:250,000
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Talkeetna
Tyonek
ALASKA RANGEpart 3 of 3
LAND STATUS
Tyonek
H-H FEDERAL
I I STATE
IX N STATE SELECTED
V/A PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
E!Z3l PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks ot approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS_________
Designations in CAPITAL LEnERS are primary
designations; those in lower case letters are
secondary designations. Statements in rta//'cs
69 indicate whether areas are open or closed to
mineral location and coal leasing; all areas
are available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - ALASKA RANGE
1b PUBLIC REC, WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry, remote cabins;
Open
1c WILDLIFE HABITAT; public recreation; Open
1d MINERALS; public recreation, wildlife habitat:
Open
1e RESERVED USE; Open
If WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
1g LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK
LAKE LOUISE
SUBREGION
vjft^-rottv^&lfOENALI NATIONAL _JDENALI
Wtiiii;i¥iW<miir PARK AND PRESERVE 1""™" '
nn nignway /
Chugach Mountains
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
313
LAKE LOUISE SUBREGION
L,
The following section describes land use policy within
the Lake Louise Subregion. It is divided into two parts.
The first is an overview of resources and their manage-
ment for the subregion as a whole. The second
presents specific statements of management intent,
land use designations, prohibited uses and manage-
ment guidelines for each of the subregion's three
management units. A map showing land ownership
in the subregion and boundaries of management units
and subunits is presented at the end of the second part.
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
Background
The Lake Louise Subregion contains approximately
570,000 acres of which 25,000 acres are comprised
of Lakes Louise, Susitna and Tyone. The subregion's
northern boundary is 15 miles north of Tyone Lake,
and the western border is twelve miles west of Lake
Louise. The southern border follows the boundary of
the Mat-Su Borough, and the eastern border is bet-
ween six and ten miles east of the borough boundary.
Approximately two-thirds of the land in this subregion
is state owned or selected. The remainder is mostly
federal land. Private land in the area is limited to
several Native allotments and a ring of lots surroun-
ding much of Lake Louise and a scattering of lakefront
lots around Lake Susitna.
The Lake Louise Subregion is a unique and popular
residential and visitor recreation area, with an "in-
terior" Alaska character quite different from the rest
of the study area. The numerous lakes and streams
throughout the subregion provide a wide variety of
recreational opportunities, as well as habitat for water-
fowl and other wildlife. Much of the ground vegeta-
tion is used by moose and caribou for browse. Pre-
sent land uses include substantial amounts of hunting,
fishing, and boating; seasonal/recreational settlement;
wildlife photography; smowmobiling; and cross-
country skiing.
In contrast to high recreational and fish and wildlife
values, the potential for commercial timber harvest and
agriculture is very low. This is attributable to past forest
fires which have destroyed many of the hardwood
A useful study that includes analysis of development poten-
tial, recreation use, vegetation, water quality protection, etc.,
was prepared for this area under contract to DNR, Division
of Parks in the early 1970's. Readers seeking more informa-
tion on the area should seek out this report. A copy of the study,
entitled Lake Louise, is in the Southcentral Regional Office of
the Division of Land and Water Management in Anchorage.
stands, high average elevation, and the scarcity of well-
drained soils without permafrost.*
Road access into the subregion is by a gravel surfac-
ed, state maintained road, from mile 160 of theGlenn
Highway that runs north approximately 21 miles to
the south end of Lake Louise.
Water transportation has played a key role in the
development of the area. In summer months, the three
large, interconnected lakes provide boat access to over
200 miles of shoreline. However, weather conditions
on the main lakes often make small boat operations
hazardous. Unmarked gravel bars and rock outcrop-
pings are navigational hazards.
The numerous lakes provide excellent access for float
planes. There is a state-owned 2,400-foot strip located
at the south end of Lake Louise and two privately
owned air strips in the area.
There are few trails within the subregion, largely due
to the difficulty of travel through the wet terrain. In
winter months, lodge operators and cabin owners
open a network of snowmachine and cross-country
ski trails in the southern portion of the subregion.
Routes are changed from year to year depending on
game migration patterns and the best locations for ice
fishing.
Management Summary
The overall intent for management of this area is to
protect the quality of the physical environment and
the opportunities for hunting, fishing and other forms
of recreation that depend on environmental quality.
A secondary objective is to offer moderate amounts
of land for settlement. These potentially conflicting
ends are achieved through controlling the pace, loca-
tion and type of land sales.
Settlement
a. Location and Type of Sales
Land will be offered in relatively concentrated areas
in order to limit impacts on habitat, water quality
and hunting opportunities. Offerings around Lake
Louise will include a limited number of additional
lakefront lots. Most lakefront lots not already con-
veyed to private ownership will be retained in public
ownership for recreation use. As an alternative to
extensive further sales directly on the lake, 2 — 3
sites will be developed as small subdivisions at loca-
tions between Lake Louise and the shores of several
large adjacent lakes. (It may be possible to offer
315
Lake Louise
these areas as small homesteads if the boundaries
are worked out carefully or if the sites are pre-
staked.) Small clustered settlements at several sites
around the lakeshore will be offered at spots that
have adequate physical capability, good views and
other recreational amenities. Possible sites include
land between the main lake and either Little Lake
Louise or Dog Lake, and land adjacent to the small
lakes in T6N R7W S.M., section 24.
A limited number (less than 25} of the existing
surveyed lots around Lake Susitna will be offered
for sale. Lots selected for sale will be adjacent to
lots already in private ownership.
Lake Louise East, a past remote parcel area, will re-
main open to settlement through the homestead
program. There remain sizeable amounts of good
land within this area. The Greenacres past remote
parcel area, located just outside the planning area,
will be closed to further land disposal, but will be
open to remote cabins.
b. Pace and Amount of Sales
The new disposal offerings described above encom-
pass a gross area of approximately 5,125 acres; with
the previous remote parcel area added, the total
land designated for disposals is approximately
51,205 acres. This yields a net disposal area of ap-
proximately 5,725 acres (see Table 1).
TABLE I
Acreage Identified for Settlenient
New Offerings
Reoffering Within Past
Disposals
GROSS
AREA (ac)
5,125
46,080
NET
AREA (ac)
1,125
4,600
TOTAL 51,205 5,725
These offerings will be made slowly over the full
20-year life of the plan. Existing settlement areas and
areas offered for sales in the early years of this pro-
gram should be carefully monitored to determine
effects of settlement on water quality and on use
of the area by caribou. If it appears that there is lit-
tle or no appreciable effect on caribou and on water
quality, especially on the area's smaller water
bodies, then the state will go ahead with the full
level of sales described above.
c. Talkeetna Mountains Special Use District
This subregion is within the current boundaries of
316
the borough's Talkeetna Mountains Special Use
District (TMSUD). The ordinance which regulates
uses in this area allows land sales but requires a per-
mit before construction of a cabin. Limitations on
residential uses imposed by the TMSUD ordinance
include restrictions on subdivision, the size and ap-
pearance of cabins, allowable water systems, and
the methods for sanitary waste disposal. Conditions
for issuance of a specific permit may be modified
on a case-by-case basis.
Agriculture and Grazing
Agriculture and grazing potential within this subregion
are very low and no publicly owned lands are desig-
nated for these uses. Any proposed agricultural ac-
tivities would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Forestry
Forest stands are limited in this area; growth rates are
slow, and careful management of the few existing
stands is important. Forestry is not designated as either
a primary or secondary use in this subregion. Limited
timber harvests for personal use may be permitted on
a case-by-case basis.
Fish and Wildlife and Recreation
This area provides an abundance of accessible public
recreation opportunities, including hunting, fishing,
boating, skiing and snowmobiling. Areas not described
as sites for settlement — the majority of the subregion
— will be retained in public ownership and managed
to protect habitat and allow public recreational use.
Land along the western third of the subregion will be
proposed for legislative designation to protect the
area's caribou population (see more on this proposal
in the section on the Talkeetna Mountains Subregion).
Several areas within this subregion contain concen-
trations of trumpeter swan nesting sites. Where these
occur on state lands the state will try to control
development to protect these areas and may in the
future recommend these areas be designated by the
governor or legislature as swan reserves. The same
policy is recommended for similar federal lands. On
federal lands these areas should be considered for
designation as areas of critical environmental concern.
Recreation opportunities will be provided through the
following actions:
a. Developed recreation sites — There is a state recrea-
tion site on Lake Louise and a number of lakeshore
tent camping areas and canoe trails. The recreation
site should be a high priority for improvements such
as tree planting, grading, etc. The Division of Parks
and Outdoor Recreation has identified several
smaller lake complexes in areas near Lake Louise
Lake Louise
*" that should receive further study to determine their
feasibility as canoe trail systems and/or camping sites.
[^ b. Dispersed recreation areas — All areas retained in
public ownership will be managed to protect or im-
prove recreation opportunities. Corridors along the
| Little Nelchina River and Tyone River will be retain-
t= ed and managed for recreational use. The land sur-
rounding Susitna Lake and the Tyone Lake-Tyone
River system will be recommended for legislative
] or administrative designation to protect its public
recreation and wildlife values.
; c. Within disposal areas — Trails, public access sites,
w* and small waterfront access and recreation sites will
be identified and protected within the boundaries
• of all disposal areas.
i
^ d. Major trails — A system of trails will be identified
and retained in public ownership. (A number of
j trails already have been identified within the Lake
L. Louise East past disposal area.)
Subsurface
k* Mineral and energy resources within the unit are
minimal and generally are regarded as not having
economic development potential. Mineral entry, coal
1 leasing and coal prospecting, however, will be per-
mitted throughout the subregion except in areas of ex-
isting and proposed settlement. All public land in this
I subregion is open to exploration and development of
I- oil and gas.
Transportation
'•-" There are no road improvements proposed for this
area. Other possible access improvement projects are
described below.
A foot trail is proposed, starting at the north shore of
the canal between Lake Louise and Susitna Lake. The
trail would follow the shoreline around the east side
of the lake until it terminates at the road on the south
shoreline of Lake Louise.
A canoe portage trail has been recommended by the
"°" Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation which
would follow a group of lakes located near the eastern
shores of Lake Louise and Lake Susitna. Other canoe
trails would be possible throughout this lake-strewn
region.
The state should investigate the need for public park-
1=1 ing facilities at the south end of Lake Louise related
to public recreation, hunting, use of lakefront cabins
and other public activities in the area.
317
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES
BY MANAGEMENT UNIT
MANAGEMENT UNIT 1: LAKE LOUISE-SUSITNA LAKE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 1 includes Lake Louise, Susitna
Lake, and adjacent uplands. The unique character and
accessibility of this management unit results in sub-
stantial pressure both for the protection of the area's
existing resources and for additional state land sales
and recreational development.
Lake Louise and Susitna Lake are cold clear lakes
covering 37 square miles of surface area, and are fed
by streams emanating from smaller spring-fed lakes to
the north and west. Water from Lake Louise flows
north into Susitna Lake through a narrow channel at
the northwest end of Lake Louise. The outlet of this
hydrologic system is Tyone Lake located at the north
end of the management unit. Tyone Lake narrows to
Tyone River and flows into the Susitna River. The lakes
support good fishing for arctic grayling, freshwater
lingcod, whitefish, longnose sucker and lake trout. Bird
Island, located off the west shore of Lake Louise, serves
as an important nesting area for a number of shore
birds. In addition to the natural amenities of this man-
agement unit, a group of archaeologic sites dating back
3,000 to 6,000 years is located on the isthmus between
Lake Louise and Susitna Lake.
There is already a large amount of private land located
around the shore of Lake Louise and a much smaller
amount around Lake Susitna. In addition to the land
sold to private owners by the BLM years ago, the state
sold approximately 375 acres on the north and eastern
shores of Lake Louise over the last 3 years. Approx-
imately 120 acres along the shoreline in the vicinity
of these past state sales were retained in state owner-
ship for public recreation.
Although Lake Louise and Lake Susitna have very high
recreation value, the area's cold climate, high water
table, and permafrost limit the supply of settlement
land. Lodges and residences rely mainly on the lakes
as a source of water. Sewage disposal is handled
throughout the area with open pit toilets and seepage
pits. High settlement densities without proper controls
could pose water quality hazards.
Access into the Lake Louise-Susitna Lake Management
Unit is by road, air and water. Lake Louise Road ends
at the south shore of Lake Louise. Three short spur
roads branch off this road to the east providing access
to several boat landing sites. Additionally, there are
several local roads serving a private subdivision con-
taining 40 one-acre parcels along the waterfront of
Lake Louise. A publicly owned landing strip and a float
plane site are located at the southern shore of Lake
Louise. Boat access is possible via the Susitna River
starting at the Denali Highway and preceding to the
Tyone River and south through Susitna Lake into Lake
Louise. Boat travel on the lakes, however, can often
be dangerous due to high winds and choppy waters.
This area will be managed to support a mixture of
public and private recreation uses and to protect and
allow public use of fish and wildlife resources. In broad
terms, this will be achieved by retaining most of the
land in public ownership but allowing a few sales at
Lake Susitna and Lake Louise. At Lake Louise, limited
amounts of land will be sold along the shore and in
several clusters back from the lakefront. Additional-
ly, funding will be sought to improve the area's public
recreation facilities and to better control public recrea-
tional use.
This management unit will be open to mineral loca-
tion and available for coal leasing except for areas
designated for settlement. All public land within this
unit is available for oil and gas leasing.
Access improvements should include identification
and reservation of a trail system for winter and sum-
mer use. One section of this system which should be
considered is a foot trail starting at the north shore of
the channel between Lake Louise and Susitna Lake
and following the shoreline around the east side of
the lake until it terminates at the road on the south
shoreline of Lake Louise. This area is spotted with fresh
water lakes, and canoe portage trails should also be
developed. The most promising route follows a system
of lakes located roughly 1 mile east of Lake Louise and
Susitna Lake.
Management Unit 1 consists of three subunits: Lake
Louise public lands (la), Susitna Lake (1b), and Lake
Louise settlement lands (1c). See the maps at the end
of this section for boundaries of these areas and the
accompanying chart for a summary of land uses for
each subunit.
Subunits la and Ic, which comprise land surroun-
ding Lake Louise intended for retention and sales,
respectively, should be planned and managed as an
integrated block. The values that make the Lake Louise
area attractive are quite fragile and could be damag-
ed by excessive or poorly located development. As
a result, funding should be requested for further, more
318
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Lake Louise MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - Lake Louise-Susitna Lake
SUBUNIT
la
Lake Louise
Public
Lands
Ib
Susitna
Lake
Ic
Lake Louise
Settlement
Lands
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State/
Private
State/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
(Past and planned
sales)
SECONDARY USE(S)
__
Settlement
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open (except
for 25 sites
to be sold by
the state)
Closed prior
to land
disposal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
DDf"M-IIRITCn
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote cabins
Lake Disposals
Grazing
Remote cabins
Grazing
Remote cabins
Trapper cabins
Grazing
COMMENTS
Recommended for
legislative or
administrative
designation;
estimated net
disposal area
=125 acres
Estimated net
disposal area
=1,000 acres
(includes acres
offered in
Spring '84)
to •Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are fiot
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Lake Louise 1
detailed planning in the area, especially for the loca-
tion of land sales and recreation improvements. The
sales sites identified in this plan should be viewed as
preliminary judgments but not necessarily the final
locations.
A portion of the area considered for land sales— the
area surrounding Little Lake Louise — is subject to a
1,600 acre Native group selection. The original selec-
tion was denied and is now under appeal. The status
of this selection should be ascertained prior to the
disposal design process.
Subunit Ib, the land in the vicinity of Lake Susitna,
generally will be retained in public ownership and
managed to provide opportunities for hunting, fishing,
boating and other recreational activities in a natural
setting. In order to ensure the long term protection
of these values, this area will be proposed for legislative
or administrative designation. A small amount of add-
itional land sales will be allowed in this area «25
parcels). These will be located to minimize their im-
pacts on the area's public recreation values. This
subunit will be a high priority for the construction of
public use cabins.
The area within the legal description specified below
under management guidelines, "Swan Nesting
Habitat," provides extremely important trumpeter
swan habitat. It is the intent of the state and federal
governments to protect swan populations in these
areas. These lands and waters may be nominated for
special legislative or administrative designation to pro-
tect swan habitat. The swan population in this area
depends on lands and waters in both the Lake Louise
Subregion and in the adjacent Copper River Basin. The
determination of whether to propose Lake Louise
Subregion swan habitat for special designation will be
made at the time that proposals are developed for
swan habitat designations within the Copper River
Basin Area Plan. Any proposals developed at that time
will be reviewed by the public. Proposals for special
designations within the Susitna Area will require an
amendment to this plan.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
'Fish & Widlife Habitat
Forestry
'Recreation
"Settlement
Subsurface
Recreation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Subunit la and Ic (Lake Louise Public Lands
and Settlement Lands)
Location of Land Sales
Future sales around the lake should be limited to 2
or 3 clustered sites. These sites should be chosen and
planned to provide good views and lake access to both
lakefront lots and lots that are located several tiers back
from the lake. Preliminary investigation suggests use
of sites between Lake Louise and Little Lake Louise,
at Dog Lake, and at the lakes in T6N, R7W C.R.M.
Sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, These locations appear
to have soils capable of supporting residential use as
well as proximity to large attractive lakes located ad-
jacent to the main lake. If these sites prove not to be
appropriate, others in these two subunits (including
lands designated as retention) should be considered.
Sales of a limited number (less than 25) of previously
surveyed lake front lots is allowed; however, the
amount and location should be carefully selected so
as not to diminish the value of rear lots. The
Matanuska-Susitna Borough has agreed to work out
exceptions to the road building requirements of the
borough subdivision ordinance for small lots in this
area that will be accessible through a combination of
water and foot access.
Water Quality
This area is particularly vulnerable to water quality
degredation due to its high water tables, climatic and
soil factors and permafrost. All land sales in the area,
as throughout the state, will require compliance with
DEC water quality protection laws. Because of the
value and sensitivity of water resources in this area,
however, DNR and DEC should take special care to
protect this resource.
Trails and Access Improvements
Prior to land sales in this area, the state Division of
Parks and Outdoor Recreation should investigate and
identify public access routes that need need to be re-
320
Lake Louise 1
tained in pubic ownership or protected by easement.
Public access routes of known importance include
routes into small lakes at the southeast end of Lake
Louise and from Denny Lake Campground over the
hill to Little Lake Louise Creek and other adjacent
creeks. Prior to additional sales, the state and borough
should investigate the need for parking facilities at the
southern end of Lake Louise and, if necessary, seek
funding for parking improvements.
Campground Improvements
The Department of Natural Resources should seek
funding to upgrade the campground on the south
shore of Lake Louise. Improvements should include
tree planting, grading, etc.
Public Use Cabins
Construction of public use cabins is recommended in
subunit 1c. Sites for public cabins should be determin-
ed in consultation with local residents. Public cabins
should be constructed only if adequate staff for their
management is ensured.
Location of Recreation Sites
Lakefront public recreation sites should be concen-
trated in large blocks (10-40 acres or more) rather than
scattered over a wider area in smaller parcels. This
policy will help reduce the impacts of public recrea-
tion use — fires, litter, etc.
Protection of Bird Island
Bird Island, located in Lake Louise, is a nesting site
for large groups of shorebirds. Measures to protect this
valuable habitat should be taken including proposing
this area for legislative or administrative designation
as a wildlife sanctuary or reserve.
Subunits la, Ib and Ic (Lake Louise Public
and Settlement Lands and Susitna Lake)
Swan Nesting Habitat
Portions of these subunits may be recommended for
legislative or administrative designation to protect
swans. Until it is determined whether or not they will
be included in proposals for special designation, the
following guidelines are intended to provide sufficient
protection and will be applied by the Department.
1. Restricted Activities. Activities that potentially will
damage swan nesting habitat or cause visual or
noise disturbance should be prohibited from April
1 through August 31 within at least one-quarter mile
of current or potential swan nesting or staging
ponds, marshes or lakes. Particular activities may
be restricted in a wider area if their potential level
of damage or disturbance warrants doing so. Ac-
tivities that may be restricted include, but are not
limited to, use of off-road vehicles, airplanes and
motorboats. However, some traditional access
routes and sites will be designated that will remain
open to motorized access. This guideline will result
in the restriction of the activities described above
on most ponds, marshes and lakes other than those
that have been identified as traditional access points.
2. At a minimum, permits should not be issued for
those types of off-road vehicle use requiring per-
mits in the areas and during the period described
in 1. above.
3. Aircraft. At a minimum, landing of aircraft should
be prohibited in the areas and during the period
described in 1. above except at designated access
sites.
The area where swan guidelines apply is described
below:
T6N R8W C.R.M.
section 3-10; section 15-22; section 23 W/2; sec-
tion 26 W/2; section 27-34; section 35 W/2;
T7N R8W C.R.M.
section 4-9; section 16-21; section 28-34;
T7N R7W C.R.M.
section 4 W/>; section 5; section 6 W/2; section 7
W/2; section 8; section 9; section 10 W/2; section
14 W/2; section 15; section 16; section 21-23; sec-
tion 25; section 26 W/2 NW'/i; section 35 NEtt;
section 36;
T8N R7W C.R.M.
section 7-8; section 17-20; section 29; section 30
W/2; section 31 W/2; section 32.
Trails
Foot trail and canoe trail systems that may be
developed in these subunits will be designed to
minimize adverse impacts on trumpeter swan
populations.
Subunit Ib (Lake Susitna)
Location and Amount of Land Sales
Lots offered in this area will be limited to the existing
vacant, state owned surveyed lots at various locations
around the lake. The total number offered will not ex-
ceed 25 lots. Sites should be selected to allow addi-
tional sales without creating the perception of more
development. This can be done by concentrating new
sales into areas where there are currently privately
owned lots.
321
Lake Louise 1
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for this management unit. The management
plan will determine, among other things, whether
remote cabins will be permitted in this area. Remote
cabin permits will not be offered until and unless areas
open to remote cabins are designated by a manage-
ment plan.
322
MANAGEMENT UNIT 2: LAKE LOUISE EAST
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 2 contains about 46,000 acres
located east of Lake Louise. The unit has many small
lakes and creeks which support grayling and trout
fishing. The vegetation consists mainly of high brush
and open forests which provide habitat for caribou,
moose and other game species. Current land uses in-
clude fishing, hunting, and scattered, low density
settlement. The entire management unit was offered
as a remote parcel staking area called Lake Louise East.
To date, about 2,000 acres have been staked in the
area.
Management Unit 2 is not divided into subunits. See
the maps at the end of this section for boundaries of
this area and the accompanying chart for a summary
of land uses.
Lake Louise East will continue to be open to staking
under the homestead program. Certain areas within
the management unit will be retained in public owner-
ship and managed for the protection of wildlife habitat
and recreational opportunities.
This area is closed to mineral location and coal leas-
ing due to its use for land disposals. Portions of the
unit may be reopened to mineral location and coal
leasing in the future. The entire unit is available to oil
and gas leasing.
Surface access into the unit is via snowmachine, dog
sled, and cross-country skis during winter and all-
terrain vehicles and foot in the summer along the
numerous trails within this project. Additional access
is via float or ski-equipped aircraft to the numerous
large unnamed lakes within the disposal areas.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
Fish & Widlife Habitat
Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Traii Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
Management Unit 2 (Lake Louise East)
Homesteads
Stream buffers, lakeshore management and trail set-
backs specified under the original remote parcel of-
fering will apply to homestead staking entries.
323
OJto LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Louise MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Lake Louise East
SUBUNIT
2
Lake Louise
East Remote
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
(past remote
parcel offering)
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Water Resources
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
IQCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Grazing
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area
=4,600 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
manaaement intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
...jnac,~...3nt ^-.-elin^.- ... chu._._r 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 3: TYONE LAKE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 3 includes lands north and east of
Lake Louise extending to the Talkeetna Mountains
Subregion. Land cover consists largely of high shrubs
and open forest which provide habitat used by the
Nelchina caribou herd — the state's third largest herd
— as well as moose and brown bear.
Most of this management unit is relatively flat and con-
tains an abundance of lakes and streams of all sizes,
including the Tyone River. The Tyone River provides
boat access into the Susitna River and is often used
for wilderness camping, hunting and fishing. The
Tyone River also provides access to the Tyone Village
site which is a unique historical and archaeological
area dating back 3,000 — 6,000 years. The entire
management unit will be retained in public owner-
ship and managed for the protection of fish and wildlife
habitat and historical sites, and protection and
enhancement of hunting, fishing and boating
opportunities.
Management Unit 3 contains three subunits: the
broad, generally flat lands northeast of Lake Louise
(3a), a similar area west of Lake Louise proposed to
be designated as part of the Nelchina public use area
(3b), and a corridor adjacent to Tyone Lake and River
(3c). See the maps at the end of this section for boun-
daries of these areas and the accompanying chart for
a summary of land uses in each subunit.
Subunits 3a and 3b — the large subunits north and
west of Lake Louise — will be retained in public owner-
ship to protect and enhance wildlife habitat — par-
ticularly the habitat and migration corridors necessary
to support the Nelchina caribou herd. Subunit 3b will
be proposed for legislative designation as the
"Nelchina Public Use Area." For specific management
intent within the Nelchina Public Use Area, refer to
the section of the plan on the Talkeetna Mountains
Subregion.
Subunit 3c, Tyone River and Lake, will be managed
to protect recreation and habitat values. This river and
stream, in addition to hunting and fishing, provide ac-
cess via an extended portage into the upper Gulkana
River drainage. The Gulkana is a federally designated
Wild and Scenic River. Among the management ob-
jectives for this area is the protection of the popular
wilderness canoe trip from the Lake Louise area into
the Gulkana River. The Tyone River and Lake subunit
will be proposed for legislative or administrative
designation, to be included with the proposal to pro-
tect recreation and habitat values in the adjacent Lake
Susitna area (subunit 1b). Both of these legislative or
administrative designation proposals are lower priority
than most other similar proposals in the plan. See
Chapter 4 for details. The Tyone River area is a priori-
ty area for construction of public use cabins.
The area within the legal description specified in the
management guidelines section that follows provides
extremely important trumpeter swan habitat. It is the
intent of the state and federal governments to protect
swan populations in these areas. These lands and
waters may be nominated tor special legislative or ad-
ministrative designation to protect swan habitat. The
swan population in this area depends on lands and
waters in both the Lake Louise Subregion and in the
adjacent Copper River Basin. The determination of
whether to propose Lake Louise Subregion swan
habitat for special designation will be made at the time
that proposals are developed for swan habitat designa-
tions within the Copper River Basin Area Plan. Any
proposals developed at that time will be reviewed by
the public. Proposals for special designations within
the Susitna Area will require an amendment to this
plan.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
Agriculture
"Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
* Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface
transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Subunits 3b and 3c (Tyone River and Nelchina
Public Use Area)
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
A management plan should be prepared for subunits
325
SUBREGION Lake Louise MANAGEMENT UNIT -
SUBUNiT
3a
Bell Lake
3b
Nelchina
Public Use
Area
3c
Tyone River
i
t-r\i NLy
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Federal
State/
Federal
State/
Federal
Native
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Forestry
(personal use
and small
commercial
sales)
Forestry
(personal use)
Forestry
(personal use
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Remote cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
_ _
Proposed for
legislative
designation
Proposed for
legislative or
administrative
designation
"Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc.. that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management inient statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chanter 2.
Lake Louise 3
3b and 3c. The management plan will determine,
among other things, whether remote cabins will be
permitted in these subunits. Remote cabin permits will
not be offered until and unless areas open to remote
cabins are designated by a management plan.
Swan Nesting Habitat
Portions of these subunits may be recommended for
legislative or administrative designation to protect
swans. Until it is determined whether or not they will
be included in proposals for special designation, the
following guidelines are intended to provide sufficient
protection and will be applied by the Department.
1. Restricted Activities. Activities that potentially will
damage swan nesting habitat or cause visual or
noise disturbance should be prohibited from April
1 through August 31 within at least one-quarter mile
of current or potential swan nesting or staging
ponds, marshes or lakes. Particular activities may
be restricted in a wider area if their potential level
of damage or disturbance warrants doing so. Ac-
tivities that may be restricted include, but are not
limited to, use of off-road vehicles, airplanes and
motorboats. However, some traditional access
routes and sites will be designated that will remain
open to motorized access. This guideline will result
in the restriction of the activities described above
on most ponds, marshes and lakes other than those
that have been identified as traditional access points.
2. At a minimum, permits should not be issued for
those types of off-road vehicle use requiring per-
mits in the areas and during the period described
in 1. above.
3. Aircraft. At a minimum, landing of aircraft should
be prohibited in the areas and during the period
described in 1. above unless at designated access
sites.
T8N R5W C.R.M.
T9N R9W C.R.M.
T9N R8W C.R.M.
section 1-5; section 11-14; section 23-26;
T9N R7W C.R.M.
All except section 31;
T9N R6W C.R.M.
T9N R5W C.R.M.
T10N R9W C.R.M.
section 20-23; 26-29; 32-35;
T10N R8W C.R.M.
section 8-17; section 20-29; section 32-36;
T10N R7W C.R.M.
section 1-2; section 7-36;
Trails
Foot trail and canoe trail systems that may be
developed in these subunits will be designed to
minimize adverse impacts on trumpeter swan
populations.
The area where swan guidelines apply is described
below:
T5N R9W C.R.M.
section 1-24; section 25-30 north half of each;
T6N R9W C.R.M.
T7N R9W C.R.M.
T8N R10W C.R.M.
section 1;
T8N R9W C.R.M.
section 1-6;
T8N R7W C.R.M.
section 1-6; section 9-16; section 21-28; section
33-36;
T8N R6W C.R.M.
327
LAKE LOUISE
•1\ • V?V F«c^^^-.- A
^^ ^^^^^^^^^L ^fjSJ______?_i:aSic^±i_l_*i_=-—i '•.,
1^ ™ ^^ff^ ^ ^ ^^CT « ^T?J !T«"», V.* . . .'4
LAND STATUS
H-4 H FEDERAL
I I STATE
hOJ STATE SELECTED
^//\ PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected, university,
university selected, and other private lands)
Itlt-Jl PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS_________________
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in lower case
letters are secondary designations; areas shown with stars * are proposed for
legislative or administrative designation. Statements in rta//cs indicate whether
areas are open or closed to mineral location and coal leasing; all areas are
available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - LAKE LOUISE/SUSITNA LAKE
la PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
*1b PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; settlement; Open
1c SETTLEMENT (past and planned sales); public recreation, wildlife
habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
MGT. UNIT 2 - LAKE LOUISE EAST
2 SETTLEMENT (past remote parcel offering); public recreation, water
resources, wildlife habitat; Closed
MGT. UNIT 3 - TYONE LAKE
3a WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry, public recreation; Open
*3b PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
*3c PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry, Open
i
Map Scale 1:250,000
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Gulkana
Valdez
GLENN HIGHWAY
SUBREGION
DENALI NATIONAL loENALI
PARK AND PRESERVE
j/i""-'--"™ ~''-l '• i • ' - /\jjf^F-Glenn Highway -**,)<•>ilv/r;^'fi.\-/,*v.vJfs^c
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
331
GLENN HIGHWAY SUBREGION
The following section describes land use policy within
the Glenn Highway Subregion. It is divided into two
parts. The first part provides an overview of resources
and their management intent for the subregion as a
whole. The second part presents specific statements
of management intent, land use designations, pro-
hibited uses and management guidelines for each of
the subregion's twelve management units. Maps show-
ing land ownership in the subregion and boundaries
of management units and subunits are presented at
the end of the second part.
1. SUBHEGEON OVERVIEW
Background
The Glenn Highway Subregion encompasses land along
the highway from the boundary of the planning area
near Palmer to where the highway crosses the Little
Nelchina River. The southern boundary of the
subregion is loosely defined as the line where the
valley ends and the mountains begin. This line approx-
imately follows the 2500' contour in the western half
of the subregion and the 3500' contour in the eastern
half of the subregion. The northern boundary of the
subregion generally follows the northern edge of the
Matanuska River drainage. The western portion of the
subregion also includes the lower-lying portions of the
Knik River drainage and the Jim-Swan Lakes area.
This subregion contains approximately 1,060,000
acres. Of this,roughly 70% is state-owned or selected.
Native corporations own or have selected approxi-
mately 10% or roughly 100,000 acres. Most of the
Native land west of the Matanuska Glacier has been
patented or interimly conveyed to Native regional or
village corporations. A large block of land nearTahneta
Pass is part of Ahtna Corporations's extensive over-
selection of lands and may or may not ultimately go
into Native ownership. Of the remaining 20% of the
lands in the subregion, most is in private ownership
with a small portion in borough ownership. Although
the state owns the majority of the land, much of the
accessible, developable land is in private or native
ownership. See the maps at the end of the next section
for more information.
Despite the relative abundance of state land in this
unit there has been only a single state land sale — the
Bench Lake Subdivision near the Matanuska Glacier.
Another action affecting state land in this subregion
was the creation of the 130,000 acre Matanuska Valley
Moose Range. This area was created by the Alaska
legislature in 1984 in order to protect and enhance
moose habitat while permitting a variety of other
uses.
land
The Glenn Highway area is unique in that it possesses
an abundance of valuable resources and is accessible
by road within a short drive of the majority of the
state's population. The area offers beautiful mountain
scenery; excellent hunting, hiking, snow mobilingand
cross-country skiing; good land for settlement; poten-
tial for forestry; and high value mineral, coal and other
energy resources. Another unusual characteristic is
that, unlike most road accessible areas relatively near
population centers, it contains significant amounts of
state-owned land.
The key management issues to be resolved in this area
revolve around the goal of preserving its more vulner-
able characteristics — scenic quality, hunting and other
recreation opportunities, and existing community
character — while taking advantage of the area's
potential for resource development and settlement.
Access improvements are another key issue, including
the possible upgrade of the Glenn Highway and
development and/or protection of access from the
highway into backcountry hunting and recreation
areas and timber, coal mining and settlement areas.
Management Summary
The overall management intent for this area is to
protect and improve recreation, fish and wildlife, and
visual values while developing the area's coal and
timber resources and selling moderate amounts of state
land. This will be achieved by careful selection of the
location of settlement areas, controls on the type and
pace of settlement and careful planning of timber
harvests, coal mining and other development. Details
of planned land management policies are presented
below by resource and type of land use.
Settlement
a. General Policy
The Glenn Highway Subregion contains a significant
amount of accessible, state-owned land suitable for
settlement. At least some of this land can be offered
for sale with less severe resource conflicts than land
in other parts of the planning area. Because of these
two facts this area will contain a moderate number
of land sales over the next twenty years. There is
relatively little borough land in the Glenn Highway
subregion, but this has relatively good access and
physical capability for settlement and therefore
should be available for land sales over the long-term.
333
Glenn Highway
Types of Sales — Land offered will be a mixture
of large parcels (20 — 40 acres) and subdivisions.
The owners of large parcels are likely to be slow
to subdivide and develop the parcels due to the cost
of complying with borough road building require-
ments. In order that some land be available in the
near term to meet the large demand for recreational-
seasonal settlement, some land will be offered as
subdivisions with road access built and initially paid
for by the state but with the cost added to the price
of each parcel.
Sales should be designed to minimize impacts on
recreation, visual and habitat values. Land sales
should not preclude access from the Clenn
Highway into more remote areas used for hunting
and other types of recreation. With proper siting
land sales can provide opportunities to improve
public access to hunting and recreation areas.
In addition to the sale of subdivisions, at least two
sites in this subregion are identified for homesteads.
Both are on the south side of the Matanuska River
east of Kings Mountain. Lastly, several areas that are
close to the highway but difficult to reach due to
topography will be open to remote cabin permits.
if Sales — A major goal for this area is
the protection of visual quality. This will be carried
out by generally not offering land directly adjacent
to the highway unless there is adequate screening
by vegetation or topography. The lower two-thirds
of the subregion generally can absorb more settle-
ment without adverse visual impacts than the
eastern portion of the subregion, and as a result the
majority of the sales sites are located in this area.
In the eastern third of the area the vegetation is
sparse, the land is open, and views are more likely
to be harmed by settlement.
Several parcels of publicly-owned land along the
highway will be retained in public ownership to
reduce costs of coal development, protect habitat,
provide personal use timber, and separate and con-
centrate development areas in order to reduce fiscal
impacts. Future sales generally are located near
communities and blocks of private land and where
some degree of public services and facilities are
already available (e.g., Glacier View, Sutton, and
Tahneta Pass).
Generally there are not sales south of the road
except for the homestead sales planned for the
vicinity of the Matanuska Glacier and the Nelchina
River.
Amount and Pace of Sales — Land sales will be
distributed over the full twenty year planning period
to provide sufficient time for road construction and
to lessen fiscal impacts and impacts on community
character. Total net offerings over 20 years will be
approximately 5,800 acres of state land and roughly
500 acres of borough land. The table below
summarizes planned land disposals.
TABLE 1
ACREAGE IDENTIFIED FOR SETTLEMENT AND
AGRICULTURE *
GROSS
AREA (ac)
NET
AREA (ac)
STATE LAND
New Offerings
BOROUGH LAND
New Offerings
25,230
1,550
5,750
470
TOTAL STATE
AND BOROUGH 26,780 6,220
Agriculture
The potential for commercial crop production on
public lands in this subregion is very limited. Several
areas within the Moose Range west of Cascade Creek
have some potential for grazing. These areas are open
to grazing permits and leases under the regional
guidelines presented in Chapter 2 of this plan.
Forestry
Lands are retained in several areas for commercial and
personal use timber harvests. Personal use wood lots
are located at intervals along the highway in locations
with reasonable access. The Division of Forestry hopes
to work with private land owners to set up joint forestry
management programs in the lower portion of the sub-
region. The prime spot for commercial harvest is on
the north side of the river within the boundaries of
the Matanuska Valley Moose Range. In this area and
throughout the subregion, timber sales and manage-
ment programs should be designed, where possible
to improve moose habitate to minimize adverse visual
impacts.
Fish and Wildlife
Protection of fish and wildlife values is a primary
management objective within the boundaries of the
* In addition there are 26 unsold surveyed parcels available for
sale as of June 1984 within the Bench Lake subdivision (subunit
lOd).
334
Glenn Highway
Moose Range, in most areas on the south side of the
Matanuska River and within most areas east of Cascade
Creek where concern with visual impacts and where
low capability for settlement reduce opportunities for
land sales. Another area where fish and wildlife is a
primary value is on state lands within the Knik River
drainage and in the adjacent Jim-Swan Lakes area. The
Jim-Swan area is recommended for legislative desig-
nation as a state recreation area. In all the areas
described above, fish and wildlife is designated a co-
primary use with forestry and/or recreation.
Recreation
Opportunities for public recreation are provided
through the following actions: retention of land for a
number of developedcampgrounds (including land for
expansion of the existing recreation sites at Long Lake
and Moose Creek), retention of several larger blocks
of multi-purpose forestry and/or habitat lands for
dispersed activities such as snowmobiling or cross-
country skiing (including the Matanuska Valley Moose
Range), a proposal for future legislative or admini-
strative designation of recreation lands at Gunsight Mt.,
protection or improvement of access to recreation
attractions when land is sold or new roads are built
for other purposes, and retention in public ownership
of corridors along the Nelchina and Chickaloon Trails.
The plan also recommends that funding be provided
to improve campsites and trails in this area.
In addition to direct provision of land for recreation
use, a major objective for management of any type
of land use is protection of visual quality along the
highway. This will include identification of pull-offs and
scenic turnouts when the planned road improvements
occur, preparation of interpretive material for tourists
and other people using the highway, and restriction
of the amount and type of development in areas visible
from the highway. ADNR recommends that the
borough undertake a program with local landowners
to encourage voluntary protection of visual quality on
private land. Such a program might include restrictions
on removal of vegetation, incentives to remove from
sight junk cars and snowmobiles, walrus heads and
similar treasures. In previous sessions of the Alaska
Legislature, bills to protect the visual quality along the
Glenn Highway were introduced but not acted upon.
Coal and Other Subsurface Resources
Mining and mineral exploration are and will continue
to be important activities in the subregion. The western
half of this subregion contains substantial coal reserves.
The state held the first in a series of coal lease sales
in this area in December 1984. The coal lessees
currently are negotiating with various utility companies
with hopes of building a mine-mouth power plant and
selling electricity to the utility companies.
It is anticipated there will be several additional coal
lease sales over the next 3 to 4 years. The plan protects
the opportunity to develop coal by locating land sales
on areas with little or no coal potential and by making
it clear that areas with coal potential should be
managed to allow coal development.
No state land is offered for disposal in areas with high
coal value as shown on maps prepared by the State
Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. Sales
are also quite limited in areas with moderate coal
value. Where sales are planned in areas with moderate
coal potential, the sites have been selected to minimize
impacts on future costs of coal development. This has
been achieved by concentrating sales and selling land
in areas less likely to be developed for coal due to
existing land use patterns.
The Alaska surface mining control and reclamation act
requires that land be returned to a useable state after
mining is complete,and that mining be regulated to
minimize environmental impacts. In some areas future
land sales may be possible either after mining and
reclamation have taken place or after the areas have
proven not to contain commercial reserves.
All public land in this subregion is open to exploration
and development of oil and gas. All land is open to
mineral location except for planned settlement areas,
the Jim-Swan Lakes area and several small developed
public recreation sites and the land surrounding
several sheep mineral licks. These latter areas are open
under leasehold location.
Transportation and Public Access
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities is currently working on preliminary
engineering and environmental assessment related to
upgrading and realigning the Glenn Highway from
mile 35 to mile 135. There are a number of important
and potentially conflicting objectives for the improve-
ment of this stretch of the highway. These include
moving people through the area as quickly and safely
as possible, keeping project costs low, protecting and
enhancing environmental values and views as seen
from the highway and, where desirable, improving
access to existing and planned uses occurring within
the subregion. Additional concerns are the federal
standards for interstate highways, including limits on
the number of access points to the highway and a
policy of strongly discouraging construction through
park and recreation areas.
335
Glenn Highway
DOT/PF is considering realigning the highway along
portions of its present route route. Several of the
sections that may require realignment pass through
areas planned for land sales or public recreation areas.
Park designations will not preclude realignment of the
highway if realignment is required in these areas.
Resolving the details of this as well as the other issues
described above will require close and ongoing co-
ordination between DOT/PF, DNR, the Matanuska-
Susitna Borough and other interested parties. Subunits
affected by these concerns are units Id, 5a, 5c, 5d,
7 a and 10e (planned disposal areas) and 5b, 6a, 8b
and 11b (recreation areas).
Other transportation improvements that may be
proposed to implement this plan include short access
roads for settlement, public recreation and timber
harvest in the following locations: the Moose Range,
land north of Kings River, between Kings River and
the Glenn Highway, Long Lake recreation area, Bonnie
Lake-Sawmill Creek area, and the Lions Head, Cascade
and Nelchina settlement areas.
336
Glenn Highway 1
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDEINES
BY MANAGEMENT UNIT
MANAGEMENT UNIT I ~ PALMER-SUTTON-BUTTE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit includes the primarily private, mostly road-
accessible land in the vicinity of Palmer, Butte and
Sutton. The limited amount of public land in this
management unit should be used to meet the public
and private land needs of these communities and be
consistent with land use plans they develop. At this
time these needs are primarily for community open
space, woodlots and community recreation. In the
future these lands may be needed for schools or other
public facilities. Disposal for private use is a low priority
due to the present abundance of private lands avail-
able in the area. Disposals are not prohibited however,
if local plans propose such a use. All public lands in
this unit are available for oil and gas leasing. Public
lands in this unit will remain open to mineral location
and be available for coal leasing except for areas
intended for land sales, trades or for developed uses
such as the prison site (subunits 1c and Id), and
existing state parks (subunit la).
There are nine subunits in this management unit: the
Kepler-Bradley Lakes Area (la), the Plant Materials
Center (1b), the two isolated sections of state land
north of Palmer (1c & Id), the parcel of state land south
of the Butte near the Knik River (1e), the approximately
dozen parcels of borough land either.adjacent to or
east of the Matanuska River (If), the land surrounding
Wolverine Lake (1g), the Matanuska River above the
limit of tidal influence (1 h), and the remainder of the
management unit (1 i). See the maps at the end of this
section for boundaries of these areas and the
accompanying chart for a summary of land uses.
Subunit la contains a mixture of university, state
park, general state and borough land. The southern
portion of subunit 1a is Kepler-Bradley State Park. The
land just north of this park is owned by the University
of Alaska and used as an agricultural research area.
Other state and borough land in this subunit should
be used for community needs such as recreation and
open space.
Most of subunit Ib will continue to be used by the
state for the Plant Materials Center. The remaining state
land in this unit should be managed to protect public
recreation values adjacent to the Knik River.
Subunit Ic (Carnegie Creek) is state-owned and has
potential for settlement. It will be classified reserved
use and retained in public ownership for at least the
near term and managed consistently with local land
use plans. This site may have value as potential
exchange lands with the borough or other groups.
Subunit Id (Tsadaka Canyon-Prison Site) is divided
into two parts. The eastern portion of the subunit is
classified reserved use and is used as a prison site. The
remainder of this subunit (Tsadaka Canyon) will be
offered for sale either as a high density subdivision with
road access or in large aliquot parts. The sale should
be designed to be consistent with guidelines affecting
trails, retention of open space, and other settlement
guidelines. Any sale in this subunit should be delayed
until timber harvests currently underway in the area
are complete and the possible need for prison-related
uses on this land has been evaluated.
Subunit Ic (Race Track) is state and borough owned
and is presently used for a variety of public uses,
including personal use timber harvest, hiking and
skiing (the area contains a number of trails). Addi-
tionally a portion of this unit is used for a race track.
Borough land in this subunit is designated borough
land bank; state land will be retained and managed
consistently with local land use plans.
If, borough lands east of the Matanuska
River, includes approximately half a dozen scattered,
small, borough-owned parcels, most with settlement
and public recreation potential. These parcels should
be evaluated individually to determine if their best
long-term use is for settlement or for retention for com-
munity recreation, personal use firewood, community
open space, etc. There is sufficiently little publicly
owned land in this area that the borough should
commit to retention of at least several of these parcels.
(A preliminary review of these parcels with the
borough resulted in the following suggested policy:
T18N R2E S. M. section 36 — retain (used by Morgan
Horse Assn.); section 24 — retain (area is too steep
for sales); sections 22, 27 — retain (located along
Matanusuka River); T1 7N R2E S.M. sections 1 0, 1 4, 1 5
— retain (located along Matanuska River); sections
13,24 — retain (possible community facilities site for
Butte).
Subunit lg contains mostly private and some state
and borough land surrounding Wolverine Lake and
adjacent to the Matanuska River. A road leads into the
north side of the lake from Palmer. This area is the
337
CO
COoo LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - Palmer-Sutton-Butte
SUBUNIT
la
Kepler-
Bradley
Ib
Plant
Materials
Center
Ic
Carnegie
Creek
Id
Tsadaka
Canyon/
Prison Site
le
Race Track
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough/
Univer-
sity
State
State
State
State/
Borough/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Public Recreation
(rest of subunit)
Reserved Use
(plant mat. ctr.)
Reserved Use
Settlement in
S 1/2 of Sec. 35
Reserved Use
(prison site) in
Sec. 36
Public Recreation
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Forestry
Public Rec.
Forestry
(personal use.
Settlement
Forestry
SUBSURFACE
IQCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed
Closed (Plant
Materials
Ctr.)
Open (Rest of
Subunit)
Closed
Closed prior
to disposal
Closed
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposal
Remote Cabins
Land Disposal
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Includes Kepler-
Bradley State
Park
——
Estimated net
disposal area =
320 acres
——
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc.. that ewe fiot
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
nac " ~!nt r : J9linr~ :~ chc—*~-2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - Palmer-Sutton-Butte
SUBUNIT
if
Borough
lands east
of Matanus-
ka River
lgWolverine
Lake
Ih
Matanuska
River
li
Rest of
Mgt. Unit
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
Borough
State/
Borough/
Private
State
Private/
Native/
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Borough Land Bank
Values: Settlement, Public
Recreation, Forestry
(personal use) &
Retention: Public Recreation, Watei
Resources
Primarily Private
Recommended uses:
Public Recreation
(personal use)
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Land
Settlement,
, Forestry
Public Rec.
Gravel Extrac-
tion
Primarily Private Land
Recommended uses: Public
Recreation, Forestry (personal
use), Settlement
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
——
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
——
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
—
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
i
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
w specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
^ management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Glenn Highway 1
location of a number of cabins, primarily occupied on
a seasonal/recreational basis. The land still in public
ownership around the lake should be retained in
public ownership and used for public recreaion. The
outlet of the lake in particular, as well as land along
Lower Wolverine Creek, is popular with local fisher-
men for trout fishing and should be protected. The
remainder of the public land in the subunit, most of
which is borough owned, is designated land bank. The
borough has authorized a small timber sale and a
grazing lease in this area. This area has some potential
for cultivation for hay, and it is recommended that the
possibility of offering small agricultural parcels be
investigated. (Much of the land in the area has already
been sold for this purpose.) Public land within the
subunit without agricultural capability should be
retained and managed as public open space.
Subunit Ih is comprised of the Matanuska River bed
above the limit of tidal influence. This area should be
managed to protect its values for recreation, gravel
extraction and habitat. Gravel extraction within this
subunit will be managed with special consideration
to avoid downstream impacts on waterfowl and moose
habitat.
Subunit li, the remainder of the land in the
management unit, is largely in private ownership. Any
public land within this subunit should be managed for
public and private community uses consistently with
the wishes of local governments. One small site within
this area where mangement intent can be stated now,
however, isT18N R2E S.M., section 3, NE'/4. This site
is proposed to be used for expansion of the Moose
Creek campground, a use supported by the plan.
*Stream Corridors
"Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to just this
management unit are presented below, by subunit.
Subunit Id (Tsadaka Canyon-Prison site)
Protection of Transporation Routes
Chapter 4 of this plan identifies a system of possible
improvements to the regional and local transportation
system. One such route — the proposed upgrading
and realignment of the Glenn Highway — passes
through this subunit. The precise location of this route
has not been determined. Information on the alter-
native routes under consideration is available from the
State DOT/PF. Land use authorizations in this unit,
such as land sales, leases or other actions, should be
located so as not to preclude the option to reconstruct
the Glenn Highway along a feasible and efficient route.
Subunit lg (Wolverine Lake)
Access
Possible future land sales in this area should be
designed to protect the public's opportunity to use the
existing system of local trails and toinclude a publicly
owned buffer of at least 100 feet along the bluff above
the Matanuska River.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this report. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most likely
to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list
below.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
*Subsurface (materials)
Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
340
MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - PALMER HAY FLATS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit includes the tidal flats at the far eastern end
of Knik Arm and the lower segments of the Knik and
Matanuska Rivers. The area will be managed to
preserve or enhance waterfowl and other types of fish
and wildlife habitat and to protect and allow use of
fish and game populations within its boundaries. The
majority of this unit is within the Palmer Hay Flats State
Game Refuge established by the legislature. Uses
allowed within the game refuge are only those which
are compatible with the objectives of protection and
use of fish and wildlife populations. All public lands
within this unit are available for oil and gas leasing.
Public lands in this unit will remain open to mineral
location and be available for coal leasing except for
the state game refuge (subunit 2a), which is open to
mineral entry by leasehold location.
Management Unit 2 has five subunits: the game refuge
(2a), private land north of the refuge (2b), the con-
fluence of the Knik and Matanuska rivers (2c), and
units along the Matanuska (2d) and Knik (2e) rivers.
See the maps at the end of this section for boundaries
of these areas and the accompanying chart for a
summary of land uses.
Subunit 2a, Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge was
set aside by the legislature as a hunting and wildlife
habitat protection area. For the most accurate defini-
tion of permitted uses in this area see the original
enabling legislation (A.S. 16.20.032).
Subunit 2b is mostly in private ownership. The area
is largely a wetland and serves similar biological and
habitat functions as land within the adjacent game
refuge. Borough, federal and state governments should
use zoning power and coastal zone, wetlands and
other applicable laws to protect the visual and
environmental values of this area. This plan supports
public purchase of land to enhance public enjoyment
of the area, particularly of land directly along the
highway. Such purchases should occur, however, only
from willing sellers. They are contingent upon the
availability of funds and inclusion of purchased areas
within the boundaries of the refuge. As this plan goes
to print the Alaska Legislature is considering legislation
that would expand the refuge boundaries to include
this area and subunit 2c, and to allocate funds to
purchase private land within the expanded
boundaries.
Subunit 2c is located at the confluence of the Knik
and Matanuska rivers, between the boundary of the
Palmer Hays Flats refuge and the Alaska Railroad. This
area will be managed generally the same as land within
the refuge and will be proposed as an addition to be
added to the refuge (see note above on pending
legislation).
Subunit 2d is made up of the bed of Matanuska River
below the upriver limit of tidal influence. Also included
is a large tract of borough land on the south side of
the river. This latter area, while not located in the
active bed of the river, is essentially a large gravel bar.
The subunit will be managed to protect habitat values
in the river bed and downstream in the Palmer Hay
Flats Refuge while simultaneously permitting recreation
use and gravel extraction. Another important objective
is protection of visual quality, particularly within the
area visible from the train and highway crossings.
Subunit 2e along the Knik River is primarily in private
ownership. It is recommended that this area be
managed similar to public lands in subunit 2d.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most likely
to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list
below.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
To rest ry
Recreation
Settlement
*Subsurface (Materials)
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to just this
management unit are presented below, by subunit.
Subunits 2c, 2d, and 2e (Knik-Matanuska
Confluence, Matannska R-, and Knik R.)
Habitat Protection and Gravel Extraction
A detailed, comprehensive plan for gravel extraction
341
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT l^.
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
SUBUNIT
2a
Palmer
Highway
Flats
2b
Private
Land
North of
Refuge
2c
Kniky
Matanuska
Confluence
2d
Matanuska
River
2e
Knik River
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
Private/
Borough
State
State/
Borough
Native/
Prlvat e
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rer.
Primarily privat e Land —
Recommended Uses: Wildlife
Habitat, Water Resources, Public
Recreation
Public Recreat ion
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Gravel Ext rac-
tion
Gravel Extrac-
tion
Primarily Private Land — Recoramendec
Land Uses: Wildlife Habitat, Watei
Resources, Public Recreation,
Gravel Extraction
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open under
Leasehold
Local ion
Open
Open
_ _
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecf ing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
Ranoie Cabins
Land Disposals
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Trapper Cabins
___
COMMENTS
Existing State
Game Refuge
Proposed for
legislative
designation as a".
addition to the
Palmer Hay Flats
Refuge
Glenn Highway 2
in this area should be prepared by DNR and private
owners in consultation with the Department of Fish
and Came and DOT/PF. As part of the completion of
such a plan more information should be collected on
gravel deposition, recreation and habitat values, and
other related concerns.
Protection of Visual Quality
This area provides attractive views to motorists and
is an important visual buffer between more developed
area to the north and south. Subunit 2c and the
western part of 2e are of particular importance. Any
developments proposed for this area, such as electrical
transmission lines, transportation corridors, pipelines
or related supporting developments, should be
designed to minimize adverse visual impacts.
343
MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - KNIK RIVER
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit includes the broad channel of the Knik River
up to the boundary of the planning area (near the
mouth of Knik Glacier) and adjacent uplands. It is a
surprisingly wild area given its location relative to
Palmer and Anchorage and otters excellent climbing
and hiking, hunting and fishing, and remarkable views
ot the massive Knik Glacier and adjacent peaks of the
Chugach Range.
Much of this unit is in Native ownership. The public
lands in the unit will be managed to protect or improve
public recreation opportunities, including fishing,
hunting, hiking and boating, and to protect the quality
of fish, waterfowl and wildlife habitat. State-owned
land within the management unit includes three
popular recreation features — Pioneer Peak, the Jim-
Swan Lakes area, and portions of the Knik River
waterway. This management unit provides the over-
land and water routes to the upper Knik River and Knik
Glacier-Lake George scenic and hunting area. All
public lands within this unit are available for oil and
gas leasing. Public lands in this unit will remain open
to mineral location and be available for coal leasing
except for land within Chugach State Park and the
proposed Jim-Swan Lakes State Parks Recreation Area.
The management unit has four subunits: the Pioneer
Peak area (3a), the Jim-Swan Lake area (3b), the Knik
River-Friday Creek area (3c), and lands within Chugach
State Park (3d). See the maps at the end of this section
for boundaries of these areas and the accompanying
chart for a summary of land use.
All public land in subunit 3a, the Pioneer Peak area,
will be retained and managed to provide opportunities
for hiking, climbing and other types of public recrea-
tion. In order to simplify management of state land
in this subunit, the possibility of adding all this land
to the state park should be investigated.
Subunit 3b, the Jim-Swan lakes area, will be managed
to provide a variety of recreation opportunities,
including hunting and fishing. Because of its high value
for these uses, its proximity to large population centers,
and its vulnerability to overuse and environmental
degradation, the area should be designated by the
legislature as a state recreation area. (The portion of
this subunit within T16N R3E S. M. is Native owned
land managed by the state under provisions of the
North Anchorage Land Agreement).
Subunit 3c is mostly in private ownership (primarily
Native). The state, in its management of the public land
within and along the Knik River and also in dealings
with the Native and other private land holders, will
attempt to maximize opportunities for public recrea-
tional use of this area. A particular objective should
be to maintain public access into the Upper Knik and
Hunter Creek areas for hiking, hunting and climbing.
Uses within subunit 3d, Chugach State Park are
described in the Alaska Statutes Title 41.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most likely
to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list
that follows.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
Settlement
*Subsurface (Materials)
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below, by subunit.
Subunit 3a (Pioneer Peak)
Forestry
Personal use timber permits may be issued in limited
quantities in this area. Permits for firewood, Christmas
trees or other timber uses shall be limited to amounts
and locations that do not significantly reduce recrea-
tional or visual quality.
Access
Land in this subunit will be managed to protect and,
if possible, improve public access from the Old Glenn
Highway and Knik River Roads to the Twin Peaks-
Pioneer Peaks area and to the Knik River. The small
piece of land in T16N R2E S.M. sections 7 and 8 in
344
1 -
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Knik River
SUBUNIT
3a
Pioneer
Peak
3b
Jim/ Swan
3c
Knik River
3d
Chugach
St. Park
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Private
State
State/
Selected
Native
Selected
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Water Re-
sources
Primarily Private Land — Recommendec
Uses: Public Recreation, Forestry
(personal use), Wildlife Habitat,
Water Resources
Public Recreation Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use)
SUBSURFACE
UOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Closed
" "
Closed
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Mot available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
——
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
land Disposals
Grazing
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
——
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
—
Proposed for
legislative
designation
— —
Existing State
Recreation Area
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
w specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
w management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Glenn Highway 3
particular should be used as a picnic area, public boat
launch or parking area.
Subunit 3b (Jim-Swan Lakes)
Access
State, borough, and Native land owners should
develop a cooperative access plan for this area. Access
is difficult for at least several months of the year since
the only public roads into the lakes traverse wet
ground. Legislation setting this area aside as a park or
refuge should include funding to improve the existing
roads — to the extent this objective is compatible with
the area's fish and wildlife management objectives.
Land use authorizations within this unit should be
located to ensure that appropriate public access into
this area is available.
346
MANAGEMENT UNIT 4 - MATANUSKA RIVER LOWER SOUTH SIDE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit is located on the south side of
the Matanuska River on the northern edge of the
Chugach range. The area ranges from gently to steeply
sloping forested hills and river terraces.
The management unit is largely in Native ownership.
Where public land exists in this unit it generally should
be retained and managed to provide opportunities for
personal timber harvest and public recreation. The
state should work with the Native corporations to
allow public access through this area for recreation
and resource development purposes. Public land
within this unit will remain open to mineral location
and be available for coal leasing.
The area is divided into two subunits: the private land
that constitutes the majority of the unit (4a), and the
section of state land in the vicinity of Wolverine Creek
(4b). See the maps at the end of this section for
boundaries of these areas and the accompanying chart
for a summary of land uses.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most likely
to be applicable are indicated wiili asterisks in the list
that follows.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below, by subunit.
Subunit 4a (Lower South Side)
Settlement
This subunit includes areas selected by both the state
and Chickaloon Native corporation. If the state gets
title to this land, it should be considered for possible
land sales. Any sales that occur should be designed
to maintain or improve opportunities for public recrea-
tion. Particular attention should be given to protecting
public use of lands along the bluff above the
Matanuska River and, if feasible, access down to the
river.
347
oo LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT
4 — Matanuska River
Lower South Side
SUBUNIT
4a
Matanuska
River Lower
South Side
4b
Wolverine
Creek
LAND
OWNERSHIP
[GENERALIZED)
Native
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Primarily Private Land — Recommended
Uses: Forestry, Settlement, Public
Recreation, Remote Cabins, Wildlife
Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
(personal use)
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
"
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
——
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
—
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
"Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
•nan""«:>mept rmidelines in chnnter 7
MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 - KINGS RIVER
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit is located on the north side of Matanuska
River in the vicinity of Kings River. It contains relatively
accessible, attractive forested land with gentle to steep
slopes. Public lands is this unit will be managed to
provide opportunities for settlement and to protect and
enhance forestry, public recreation, and habitat values.
All public lands within this unit are available for oil
and gas leasing. Public lands in this unit will remain
open to mineral location and be available for coal
leasing except for small developed recreation sites
(subunit 5b) and areas designated for settlement
(subunits 5a, 5c, 5d)
This unit is divided into six subunits: an area at the
mouth of Kings River (5b), two settlement areas located
on either side of the Kings River corridor (5a & 5c),
the state and borough land in the vicinity of Drill Lake
(5d), the areas generally east of Thirty-mile Lake that
are mostly privately owned (5e) and the Matanuska
River (5f). See the maps at the end of this section for
boundaries of these areas and the accompanying chart
for a summary of land uses.
Subunit 5a, which is located adjacent to the Clenn
Highway and contains a mixture of state and private
land, is designated for settlement. Sales in this subunit
will be located to minimize impacts on visual and
public recreation values. At present a state land sale
of approximately 80 acres (Pinnacle Mt.) is planned
in an area below the bluff. There is some possibility
of a small additional sale on the bluff in the vicinity
of T19N R4E S. M., Section 18.
Subunit 5b is a small unit located at the mouth of
Kings River where it is crossed by the Glenn Highway.
This area will be retained in public ownership and
managed to provide access to opportunities for hiking,
skiing, snow-mobiling, fishing, and other types of
recreation that occur along the river. The Chickaloon
Trail begins in this subunit.
Subunit 5c (Two Rivers Ridge) will be offered for sale
either as large parcels (<10 acres) without road access
or as a small parcel subdivision with roads built by the
state. This unit contains a mixture of state and private
land.
Subunit 5d is located on public lands between the
Clenn Highway and Fish and Drill lakes. The area is
designated for settlement. Land disposals should be
designed to minimize effects on visual quality. Portions
of this subunit contain soils with agricultural potential.
Subunit 5e is largely in private ownership. Where
public lands exist within the subunit they should be
used primarily for public wood lots and public open
space. Some land may be used for settlement where
consistent with goals for visual quality protection,
maintenance of public access and other settlement-
related guidlines.
Subunit 5f is made up of the Matanuska River from
approximately the Chickaloon to the Kings River. This
stretch of the river is particularly popular with
commercial and private river runners. Land within the
subunit and visible from the subunit should be
managed to protect the qualities that make this a
popular recreational area.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most likely
to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list
below.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
*Settlement
*Subsurface (Materials)
Transportation
•nstream Flow
Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below, by subunit.
Subunit 5a (Settlement Area North of Kings
Visual Impact
Land sales should be designed to have minimal impact
on views from the Glenn Highway. This can be
achieved by maintaining a buffer of trees and other
vegetation along the highway and by limiting sales
along the edge of the bluff. If a road is built leading
349
wen LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 5 - king River
SUBUNIT
5a
King River
North Bluff
5b
Kings River
Mouth
5c
Two Rivers
Ridge
5d
Drill Lake
5e
Thirty Mile
Lk.
5f
Matanuska
River
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Private
State
State/
Borough
State/
Borough
Private/
Borough
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S) SECONDARY USE(S)
Settlement
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Settlement
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Primarily Private Land — Recommende
Uses: Settlement, Forestry
(personal use), Public Recreation
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Gravel Extrac-
tion
1
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed Prior
to Land
Disposal
Closed
Closed Prior
to Land
Disposal
Closed
——
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for coal leas
ing or pros-
pecting
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal leas
ing or pros-
pecting
Not available
for coal leas-
ing or pros-
pecting
——
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabin*
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
——
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
Estimated dispos-
al area = 180
acres (120 acres
w/In FY86 Pinna-
cle Mt. sale; 60
acres elsewhere)
——
Estimated net
disposal area =
400 acres
Maximum net
disposal area =
400 acres
——
——
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc.. that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
'o<; in ^h
Glenn Highway 5
from the highway up to the possible settlement area
in section 18 or into the Moose Range, it should be
located to minimize its visibility from the Kings River
corridor and the Glenn Highway.
Access Improvements
The area above the bluff is within the Matanuska Valley
Moose Range (a portion of subunit 6a) and offers good
potential for forestry, hunting, habitat enhancement
and to a lesser extent, settlement. At present the area
is not accessible to the public by road because private
ownership blocks the two existing routes. The various
state land management agencies that would benefit
by improved access into the Moose Range should
jointly seek funding either to buy a right-of-way along
one of the existing routes or to construct a short road
up on to the bluff. There is presently a crude road
network on top of the bluff constructed during a fire
in the Youngs Creek drainage. A public road could
link into this system and open the area to timber
harvests, habitat enhancement, recreation uses,
hunting and, in the southern portion of the area in
subunit 5a, limited amounts of settlement. Any access
improvement plans in this area should be coordinated
with DOT/PF which is considering possible realign-
ment of the Clenn Highway through this area.
Subunit 5b (Kings River Month)
Glenn Highway Realignment
DOT/PF is currently conducting preliminary
engineering and environmental evaluations to recon-
struct the Glenn Highway from mile 35 to mile 135.
Portions of the highway, including the segment in this
unit, may require realignment. The stated policy to
establish and/or expand public recreation uses in this
unit is not intended to preclude this possible realign-
ment. A final decision on this issue should be made,
however, with the consultation of DNR and after a
throrough consideration of the impacts of realignment
on this unit's public recreational values.
Forestry
Timber harvesting will not be prohibited in this small
unit, but harvests will be allowed only if it is possible
to avoid significantly reducing public recreation values.
Subunit 5c (Two Rivers Ridge)
Visual Impacts
Land should not be sold in this unit where it would
be directly visible from the Glenn Highway. Generally
this will mean selling land back up on the flatter
portions of the ridge above the bluff. Any road
construction associated with this land disposal project
likewise should be designed to minimize adverse visual
impacts.
Access Improvements
A legal and feasible road system through this subunit
should be designed and reserved prior to sale.
Preferably this road should be built before sales occur
and the costs passed on to people buying the land.
Preliminary analysis suggests the road should come
down the ridge from the east, either leaving directly
from the Glenn Highway near Thirty-Mile Lake or
branching off from the Fish Lake Road. Any land use
authorization in this unit should be located so it does
not preclude the option to build these roads along a
feasible and efficient route.
Subunit 5d (OriHl Lake)
Land Disposal
Land sales planned for this subunit will be limited to
a net area of 400 acres. Sales should be designed to
minimize adverse impacts on existing and possible
future public recreational uses in the area. If funding
for roads can be secured, disposal should occur as a
subdivision rather than as a large lot, aliquot part sale.
This would facilitate better protection of public trails,
wood lots and other public open spaces. Any land use
authorizations within this area should be located so
they do not preclude the option to build roads along
feasible and efficient routes.
This area will not be offered until at least 1990 in order
to slow the possible impacts of the sale on community
character and on the demand for public services and
facilities. A portion of the borough land within the
subunit will be set aside for public uses such as a
community center or recreation area.
351
MANAGEMENT UNIT 6 - MATANUSKA VALLEY MOOSE RANGE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This area is located along the southern edge of the
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer and Sutton. The
area is predominately state-owned and mostly covered
by fairly dense stands of spruce and birch. The overall
management intent for this unit was set by the legis-
lature through passage of a law in 1984 designating
this area as the Matanuska Valley Moose Range. Public
land within this area will be retained in public owner-
ship and, consistent with the legislation (AS 16.20.340),
be managed to maintain, improve and enhance moose
populations and habitat and other wildlife resources
of the area and to perpetuate multiple use of the area,
including fishing, grazing, forest management, hun-
ting, trapping, mineral and coal entry and develop-
ment and other forms of public uses compatible with
these purposes.
Details of the management of this area will be work-
ed out through preparation of a management plan.
This plan, which is required by the Moose Range
legislation to be completed before 1987, will be
prepared cooperatively by ADNR, ADF&G and the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Although the Moose Range legislation directly affects
only state land, the Moose Range boundaries include
substantial quantities of private land. To help clarify
which lands will be affected by the law, this manage-
ment unit is divided into subunit 6a (the state land
within the Moose Range) and 6b (the private land).
The few parcels of borough land in the area are in-
cluded in subunit 6a. This division identifies only the
larger blocks of private land. See the maps at the end
of this section for boundaries of these subunits and
the accompanying chart for a summary of land uses.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most like-
ly to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the
list below.
*Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
*Forestry
*Recreation
Settlement
*Subsurface (Materials)
*Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below, by subunit.
Subunit 6a (Moose Range — State Land)
Habitat Enhancement
Enhancement of habitat will occur through a combina-
tion of commercial and individual timber harvests and
direct vegetation manipulation by mechanical
methods (chaining) or prescribed fire. Limits on
available funding likely will result in emphasis on
timber harvesting methods. Plans for timber harvests,
other habitat enhancement activities, road building
and the provision of recreational opportunities should
be worked out in a management plan for this area
prepared cooperatively by the Mat-Su Borough, ADNR
and ADF&C.
Coal Leasing and Development
1. Environmental Protection
Any coal mining in this area will be regulated under
the strict guidelines of the Alaska Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act, federal clean air and
water laws and a variety of other state, federal, and
local laws. As a result, this plan proposes no addi-
tional guidelines to regulate the environmental im-
pacts of coal mining in this management unit.
2. Terms of Lease
Terms of coal lease diligence requirements will be
written to provide significant financial incentives to
the lessee to reduce acreage under lease or, if pro-
duction appears unlikely, to give up the lease en-
tirely. This will keep as much land as possible open
for various public uses.
Access
Habitat enhancement methods, especially those bas-
ed on issuance of timber harvest permits to individuals,
will require construction of access roads. These roads
shall be laid out as part of the management plan for
the area.
352
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 6 — Matanuska Valley Moose Range
SUBUNIT
6a
Moose Range
(Public
Land)
6b
Moose Range
(Private
Land)
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State/
Borough
Native/
Private
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S) S
Coal
Forestry
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
>ECONDARY USE(S)
Grazing
Primarily Private Land —
Recommended Uses: Wildlife
Habitat, Forestry, Coal, Public
Recreation
*AS 16.20.350(b) provides that the
management plan developed by the
Department of Natural Resources fo
the Matanuska Moose Range shall
reflect the concurrence of the
Department of Fish and Game. AS
16.20,350(d) provides tht the area
shall be managed to sustain fish
and wildlife resources in perpetu-
ity, according to
sustained yield.
the principle of
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
——
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
——
PDOUIRITCn
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposal;
——
COMMENTS
Existing
legislatively
designated Moose
Range
Existing
legislatively
designated Moose
Range (Note:
legislation does
not directly
affect private
land)
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Glenn Highway 6
Protection of Sheep Mineral Licks
Several small portions of this unit will be open to
mineral location under lease. This policy is intended
to protect several sheep mineral licks. The exact boun-
daries of these areas, and the stipulations associated
with mineral leases or permits, are set out in the
management intent statement and management
guidelines of Management Unit 12, this subregion.
354
MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 - BONNIE LAKE
MANAGEMENT INTENT
The Bonnie Lake Management Unit is located just
north of the Matanuska River on the southern Hanks
of the Talkeetna Mountains in the vicinity of the
Chickaloon River.
This unit will be managed to provide a mixture of land
for settlement, public recreation, habitat protection,
and personal use timber harvest. The unit contains a
scenic, complex mixture of rugged and rolling coun-
try including several rock escarpments, steep river
drainages and a number of lakes. It is a popular hik-
ing and fishing area with good potential for further
recreational development and increased use. Land
ownership is a mixture of public and private. Part of
the unit is accessible by road. With good site design,
DNR should be able to provide a significant amount
of land for private settlement in this unit, while
simultaneously maintaining and even improving op-
portunities for public use, including hunting, fishing,
hiking and skiing. Final decisions on the appropriate
location and amount of settlement may require either
an extensive agency and public review process or
completion of a more detailed management plan.
All public lands in this unit are available for oil and
gas leasing. Public lands in this unit will remain open
to mineral location and available for coal leasing ex-
cept for the portions of subunit 7a designated for sale.
This management unit has been divided into two
subunits: the area north of the Matanuska River (7a)
and the river itself (7b). See the maps at the end of
this section for boundaries of these subunits and the
accompanying chart for a summary of land uses.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most like-
ly to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the
list below.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
*Settlement
*Subsurface (Materials)
Transportation
Instream Flow
"Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
* Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below, by subunit.
Subunit 7a (Bonnie Lake)
Visual Quality
Land sales and any new road construction shall be
designed and sited to minimize their visibility from the
Glenn Highway and to minimize adverse impacts on
any especially attractive views visible from within the
remainder of the subunit.
Public Access and Recreation
Sales and accompanying transportation improvements
should be designed to improve public access into and
through the area. Part of the settlement site design
should be a system of roads and trails to serve public
recreation needs. The locations of these roads and
trails have not been determined. Any land use
authorizations in this unit should be located so they
do not preclude the option to build these roads and
trails along feasible and efficient routes. The
Chickaloon Trail specifically should be protected
through retention of land approximately 500 feet on
each side of the trail, but no less than 300 feet.
In addition to access improvements internal to this
unit, DOT/PF is considering upgrading the Glenn
Highway in this vicinity including a possible realign-
ment of the highway. No final decision on these pro-
posed road improvements has been made. Informa-
tion on alternative alignments under consideration is
available from DOT/PF. Land use authorizations in this
unit should be located so as to not preclude the op-
tion to reconstruct the Glenn Highway along a feasi-
ble and efficient route.
Coal Development
This management unit is underlain by coal that has
moderate potential for development. On either side
of the unit are areas with high value for coal. One im-
portant criterion in designing land sales in this area
is to minimize the area that would be closed to coal
development due to sales of the surface estate. This
will help reduce the cost to coal operators of develop-
ing coal.
355
OJ LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 7 ~ Bonnie Lake
SUBUNIT
la.
Bonnie Lake
7b
Matanuska
River
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough/
Native/
Private
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Settlement
Wildlife Hbitat
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
Gravel
Extraction
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE LEASEABLE
MINERALS MINERALS
Lands Retained in Public
Ownership :
Open Available
for leas-
ing
Lands to be offered for
Settlement :
Closed prior Not avail-
to land disposal able for
coal leas-
ing or
prospect-
ing
Open Available
for
Leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Est imat ed net
disposal area =
600 acres
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
anc lent rlelir-- :n cr—*sr 2
Glenn Highway 7
Amount and Type of Settlement
Because of this area's topography, proximity to roads,
scenic quality and high public recreation values, on-
ly subdivisions or prestaked homesteads sales will be
allowed in the area. The total amount of sales should
be limited to a net area of approximately 600 acres.
Remote Cabins
A limited number of remote cabin permits may be
issued for land located between the Matanuska River
and the Glenn Highway and east of T20N R6E S. M.,
section 27. This area can be considered for this use
because, while it is near the highway, the large bluff
below the highway makes construction of roads into
the area very unlikely.
357
MANAGEMENT UNIT 8 - PUR1NTON
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit is located north of the
Matanuska River on the southern edge of the Talkeetna
Mountains in the vicinity of Purinton and Cascade
Creeks.
Public lands in this area will be retained in public
ownership and managed to provide public recreation
opportunities and personal use timber products. A se-
cond objective is to retain lands in public ownership
to reduce the costs to coal operators of possible coal
development. Most of the management unit is under-
lain by land rated high or moderate for potential coal
development. Due to its elevation (approximately
2500') and inland location, the area is particularly
suited for winter recreation, including snowmobiling
and cross-country skiing. This area often has adequate
snow when areas closer to Palmer and Anchorage do
not. A branch of the Chickaloon Trail runs through
this area, leaving the Glenn Highway at Purinton
Creek. All public lands in this unit are available for
oil and gas leasing. Public lands in this unit will re-
main open to mineral location and be available for
coal leasing except for the Long Lake State Recrea-
tion Area. One small area is open under leasehold
location to protect a sheep mineral lick.
The area is divided into three subunits: a large area
north and south of the Glenn Highway (8a), the Long
Lake State recreation area and adjacent land (8b), and
the Matanuska River (8c). Long Lake State Recreation
Area will be proposed for legislatively or administra-
tively approved expansion to include land to the south
and east as shown in the Division of Parks and Out-
door Recreation's Southcentral Recreation Plan. See
the maps at the end of this section for boundaries of
these subunits and the accompanying chart for a sum-
mary of land uses.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most like-
ly to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the
list below.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
"Forestry
"Recreation
"Settlement
"Subsurface (Materials)
"Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
"Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
"Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below, by subunit.
Subunit 8a (Purinton Creek)
Protection of Sheep Mineral Licks
A small portion of this unit will be open to mineral
location under a lease. This policy is intended to pro-
tect a sheep mineral lick. The exact boundaries of this
area, and the stipulations associated with mineral
leases or permits, are set out in the management in-
tent statement and management guidelines of Manage-
ment Unit 12, this subregion.
Glenn Highway Realignment
DOT/PF is currently conducting preliminary engineer-
ing and environmental evaluations to reconstruct the
Glenn Highway from mile 35 to mile 135. Portions of
the highway, including the segment in this unit, may
require realignment. The plan policy to establish
and/or expand public recreation uses in this unit is not
intended to preclude this possible realignment. A final
decision on this issue should be made, however, with
the consultation of ADNR after a thorough considera-
tion of the impacts of realignment on this unit's public
recreational values.
Protection of Transportation Routes
The Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
is proposing development of a system of trails and con-
struction of a road from the Long Lake Wayside park-
ing lot south to the Matanuska River. Any land use
authorizations in this unit should be located so they
do not preclude the construction of these roads and
trails along efficient and feasible routes.
358
uoc i/cai*y N Al IUN SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 8 - Purinton
SUBUNIT
8a
Purinton
Creek
8b
Long Lake
Recreation
f*J CCL
8c
Matanuska
River
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State/
Borough
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
_ _ __
Gravel
Extraction
SUBSURFACE
UOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Closed
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposal
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Gravel Extrac-
tion
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Trapper Cabins
COMMENTS
—
Expansion of Long
Lake Recreation
Area is proposed
for legislative or
administrative
designation
"Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that oce not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 9 - COAL CREEK
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit is located on the south side of
the Matanuska River across from the Chickaloon and
Kings River areas. The area has potential for settlement
and coal development as well as recreation and per-
sonal use forestry. Only the western portion of this unit
is publicly owned; the remainder is in Native owner-
ship. The publicly owned portion of this unit will be
retained in public ownership and managed to allow
development of the area's high value coal resources
and provide for timber harvests. All public lands within
this unit will remain open to mineral location and be
available for coal and oil and gas leasing.
This area is divided into two subunits: the public land
in the western portion of the management unit (9a)
and the Native land in the eastern portion (9b). See
the map at the end of this section for boundaries of
these subunits and the accompanying chart for a sum-
mary of land uses.
be designed so they do not significantly reduce the
quality of views seen from the Glenn Highway or
recreation quality within the unit. If this area is leas-
ed for coal development, plans should be developed
to utilize the area's timber prior to mining.
Settlement
The area may be appropriate for land sales or issuance
of remote cabin permits either after coal mining has
occurred or after it is determined that coal mining is
not feasible.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most like-
ly to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the
list below.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
*Settiement
*Subsurface
*"Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below, by subunit.
Subunit 9a (Coal Creek)
Timber Harvests
Timber harvests for commercial or personal use shall
360
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 9 - Coal Creek
SUBUNIT
9a
Coal Creek
9b
Riley Creek
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
Native
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
'rimarily Private Land — Recommended
ises: Public Recreation, Wildlife
labitat, Forestry, Coal
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
——
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
——
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
——
COMMENTS
•Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
w specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
2 management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
MANAGEMENT UNIT 10 - MATANUSKA GLACIER
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit is located on either side of the Glenn
Highway in the area of the Matanuska Glacier. The
unit contains a mixture of public and private land,
much of which is potentially suitable for settlement.
It also contains the mouth of the Matanuska Glacier,
a popular tourist destination. The area currently sup-
ports moderate numbers of existing cabins, most of
which are occupied only on weekends or seasonally
for recreational purposes.
The management intent for public land in this unit is
to support a mixture of public and private uses. This
area, which already has a school, several lodges, and
other developments, should be one of several loca-
tions along the highway that serve as a focus for
seasonal and some year-round settlement. Several
areas are proposed for disposal on either side of the
river. Much of the unit, mostly in the steeper, less ac-
cessible areas, will be retained in public ownership.
All public lands within this unit are available for oil
and gas leasing. Public lands in this unit also will re-
main open to mineral location and be available for
coal leasing except for settlement areas in subunits 10a,
10d and 10e. One small area is open under leasehold
location to protect a sheep mineral lick.
The area is divided into seven subunits: the Monument
and Lake creeks settlement areas south of the
Matanuska River (10a), the areas planned for reten-
tion on the south side of the river (10b), the Matanuska
River itself (10c), Bench Lake Subdivision (10d), the
areas north of the river which are planned for land
sales — Lions Head, Chugach View and Cascade (10e),
retention areas on the north side of the river (10f), and
the township of native land surrounding Hundred Mile
Lake (10g). See the maps at the end of this section for
boundaries of these subunits and the accompanying
chart for a summary of land uses.
Land in subunits lOa and lOb (the Monument and
Lake creeks settlement areas and adjacent retention
lands) is lightly used for hunting and other types of
recreation. Several trails lead through this area into
sheep and goat hunting areas located up drainages of
the adjacent Chugach Range. The state land within
subunit 10b will be retained in public ownership to
provide personal use timber and public recreation. As
more land is sold and developed along the highway,
recreation activities in this subunit, particularly winter
recreation, are likely to grow in popularity. Settlement
will be allowed in subunit 10a in the vicinity of Lake
Creek and along the Matanuska River near Monument
Creek. These sites were chosen to minimize impacts
of settlement on public uses and visual quality. Land
should be offered either as large subdivision parcels
(10-20 acres) or under the homestead program. More
and higher density settlement would be allowed in this
subunit if doing so would help improve public access
into the recreation area at the mouth of the Matanuska
Glacier.
Subunit lOc, the Matanuska River, should be manag-
ed to protect its recreational value, which is primari-
ly associated with white water boating but may expand
to include riverside hiking and winter recreation.
Subunit lOd, the previously offered Bench Lake sub-
division, is located on the south side of the river, near
subunits 10a and 106. Public response to this offer-
ing has been typical of the response to most state lake
front sales: all the parcels located on the lake have
been sold and the majority of the parcels (approx. 25)
away from the lake have not yet been sold. Land in
this subdivision should remain available over-the-
counter.
Subunit lOe contains three separate land sales pro-
posed for the next two years. Each of these sale areas
was selected for its relatively low impacts on views
from the highway and on public recreation and wildlife
habitat values. The sales are Cascade (FY85), Chugach
View (FY87) and Lions Head (FY86).
Subunit lOf is comprised of the remaining public
land on the north side of the river. Most of this area
is steep or otherwise has poor capability for settlement
and should be retained and managed for community
open space, wildlife habitat, personal use forestry and
public recreation.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most like-
ly to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the
list that follows.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
'Settlement
Subsurface (Materials)
transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
362
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 10 - Matanuska Glacier
SUBUNIT
10a
Monument
Creek, Lake
Creek
lOb
Gravel
Creek,
Glacier
Creek
lOc
Matanuska
River
lOd
Bench Lake
lOe
Cascade
Creek,
Lions Head,
Chugach
View
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
State/
Borough
State
State/
Private
State/
Borough
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Settlement
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Water Resources
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
(existing
subdivision)
Settlement
SECONDARY USE(S)
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Forestry
(personal use
Forestry
——
Public Rec.
Wildlife Hab.
Public Rec.
Forestry
Wildlife Hab.
SUBSURFACE
IOCATABLE
MINERALS
Closed prior
to land dis-
posal
Open
Open
Closed
Closed prior
to land dis-
posal
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Not available
for
coal leasing
or prospecting
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
Not available
for coal
leasing or
prospecting
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
—
Land Disposals
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
Land Disposal
Remote Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Trapper Cabins
Remote Cabins
COMMENTS
Estimated net
disposal area =
850 acres
——
——
25 unsold,
surveyed lots
remain available
over-the-counter
Estimated net
disposal area =
1 ,430 acres
W<T>to
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that ate fiot
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Gienn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 10 ~ Matanuska Glacier
SUBUNIT
10f
Hicks Creek
lOg
Hundred
Mile Lake
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
Private/
Native
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
(personal use)
Primarily Private land —
Recommended Uses: Settlement,
Public Recreation, Wildlife
Habitat, Forestry
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
——
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
——
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
——
COMMENTS
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
-nan-""""="ner>* --">idelirioc in
Glenn Highway 10
* Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below, by subunit.
Subunits lOa & lOb (Monument, Lake, Gravel
and Glacier creeks)
Tatondan Lake — Management of Adjacent Land
This small lake is one of the few lakes in the Matanuska
Valley still primarily in public ownership. The borough
owns the surrounding area and may consider land
disposals here in the future. Any sales that do occur
should be designed to retain much of the land sur-
rounding the lake in public ownership and to protect
the lake's recreation values.
Stream Buffers
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit public uses such
as fishing, camping and other active uses and to pro-
tect water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently
this land should remain in public ownership. Corridor
widths should be set on a case-by-case basis using
policies in Chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer
width (200' on each side of the river) should be used
on Monument, Glacier, Lake, and Gravel creeks. A
buffer (at least 300' wide) should be retained on either
side of the Matanuska River.
Protection of Visual Quality and Boundaries of
Settlement Areas
Protection of views seen from the Glenn Highway and
the Matanuska River will be an important goal in the
design of land disposals. Shifting the boundaries of the
areas designated for disposal and for retention to bet-
ter achieve this goal is acceptable under this plan.
Subunit lOe & 101 (Cascade Cr., Lions Head
and Pnrinton Creek north disposals, and
Hicks Creek)
Cascade Land Sale — Access and Visual Quali-
ty Protection
A small portion of this approved FY85 state land sale
should be eliminated from the sale. This area is in the
eastern portion of the proposed project and includes
the land east of a trail (and the trail itself) that runs
from the Glenn Highway south towards the Matanuska
River across from Gravel Creek. Land in this area is
visible from the Glenn Highway, is used by hunters
and other recreationists heading south across the river,
and will be attractive open space for current and future
residents of the area.
Stream Buffers
The standard minimum buffer width (200' on each side
of the river) should be used on both forks of Muddy
Creek.
Lions Head Disposal Design and Access
Preliminary information on the Lions Head area sug-
gests that this is an area underlain by bedrock with
only thin soils. Site design should take this character-
istic into account, especially as it relates to sewage
disposal and provision of drinking water. The likely
access into this area would follow an existing dirt road
that leaves the Glenn Highway on the south side of
this project. Any land use authorizations in this area
should be located so they do not preclude the option
to use this road.
In addition to access improvements internal to this
unit, DOT/PF is considering upgrading the Glenn
Highway in this vicinity including a possible realign-
ment of the highway. No final decision on these pro-
posed road improvements has been made. Informa-
tion on alternative alignments under consideration is
available from DOT/PF. Land use authorizations in this
unit should be located so as to not preclude the op-
tion to reconstruct the Glenn Highway along a feasi-
ble and efficient route.
Protection of Sheep Mineral Licks
A small portion of this unit will be open to mineral
location under a lease. This policy is intended to pro-
tect a sheep mineral lick. The exact boundaries of this
area, and the stipulations associated with mineral
leases or permits, are set out in the management in-
tent statement and management guidelines of Manage-
ment Unit 12, this subregion.
Protection of Trails
Several traditional trails cross through or near plann-
ed disposals en route to backcountry hunting and
recreation areas. These trails include a fork of the
Chickaloon Trail and trails up the drainage of Hicks
and Pinochle Creeks. Public use of these trails will be
protected when these disposals are designed. If
disposal plans include construction of new roads cross-
ing these trails, adequate parking should be designed
at trailheads.
365
This is a large management unit which includes land
5 — 10 miles on either side of the Glenn Highway from
Caribou Creek on the west to approximately six miles
east of the Little Nelchina River. This area encompasses
the zone of transition from "coastal" to "interior"
Alaska. It ranges from the deep valley of the South Fork
of the Matanuska River near Lions Head to the open,
sparsely forested landscapes of Eureka Creek and the
Big and Little Nelchina River drainages. This location
provides unusual and popular recreation opportuni-
ties, including excellent hunting and winter recreation,
quality wildlife habitat, particularly for caribou and
moose, and great views both down the Matanuska
drainage and east towards the Wrangell Mountains.
In addition to surface values, the area also is the scene
of significant past and present mining activities. Many
of the popular skiing and snow machining trails in the
area were originally built by miners.
Portions of this management unit are within the
boundary of the proposed Nelchina public use area.
Information on this area is presented in the subregion
summary of the Talkeetna Mountains section of this
chapter. Other portions of this unit are proposed for
a separate legislative or administrative designation to
protect this area's recreation value.
The primary management intent for public land in the
area is to protect and allow for the use of these recrea-
tional, visual, subsurface arid wildlife values. This will
be done by retaining the large majority of the land in
public ownership; however, there will be one area
open for land disposal in the eastern part of the man-
agement unit. To help provide for public recreation
needs, this unit is one of the highest priority areas in
the planning area for construction of public use cabins.
All public lands within this unit are available for oil
and gas leasing. Public land in this unit will remain
open to mineral location and be available for coal leas-
ing except for land that will be offered for settlement
(subunit 11a).
The area is divided into five subunits: the area bet-
ween the Glenn Highway and the Big Nelchina River
that is planned for settlement (1 la); Gunsight Moun-
tain and other state-owned areas planned for reten-
tion (11b); Native selected land, including a tract pro-
posed for legislative designation as part of the Nelchina
public use area (1 Id), the rest of the Native selected
land (11c); and the Horn Mountain area also propos-
ed for legislative designation as part of the Nelchina
public use area (1 1e).
Land sales in subunit Ha will be located on the
southeast facing slopes above the Nelchina River. The
specific northern and western boundaries will be
located so that areas sold will not be visible from the
Glenn Highway; the boundary given in the plan is an
estimate of where this line should be.
Subutiits lib and lie (Gunsight Mtn. and Ahtna
block) are proposed for designation by the legislature
or the governor as a state recreation area. This pro-
posed special designation is intended to provide
special and lasting protection for this area's unique
public recreational value. This proposal has a lower
priority than other areas in the study area proposed
for legislative or administrative designation because
of the general lack of land use conflicts in the area
and also due to uncertainties regarding land owner-
ship. Subunit 11c has been selected by both the state
and Ahtna, The Copper River Area Native Corpora-
tion. Final determination of land ownership is unlike-
ly for at least several years.
A large area of land within subunit 11b currently is
leased for grazing. This lease was issued by the BLM
prior to the state receiving title to the land and is partly
within the area the plan proposes to close to grazing
due to potential conflicts between livestock, Dall
sheep, mountain goat and caribou. Decisions on the
eventual renewal of the leases should be made in a
manner consistent with the grazing policies in the
Agriculture section of Chapter 2 of this plan (agriculture
section) and with the land use designations in this
chapter.
Subunits 1 Id and 1 le (Nelchina public use area and
Horn Mtn.) in the northern part of this management
unit are recommended for legislative designation to
protect caribou. Subunit 11d was selected by both the
state and Ahtna Corporation; subunit 11e is state-
owned.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most like-
ly to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the
list that follows.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
'Settlement
366
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT " ~ Gunsight Mountain
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS-11^tlkllT LAND PROHIBITEDSUBUNIT OWNERSHIP SURFACE SUBSURFACE SURFACE COMMENTS
[GENERALIZED) UOCATABLE LEASEABIE USE(S)*PRIMARY USE(S) SECONDARY USE(S) MINERALS MINERALS
lla State Settlement Public Rec. Closed prior Not available Remote Cabins Estimated net
Nelchina Wildlife Hab. to land dis- for coal disposal area =
River Forestry posal leasing or 1,565 acres
(personal use) prospecting
Open
llb Stace Public Recreation Forestry Available for Remote Cabins Proposed for
Gunsite Wildlife Habitat (personal use) leasing Trapper Cabins legislative or
Mountain Und Disposals administrative
designation
He Native Primarily Private Land — Recommendec —— —— Proposed for
Ahtna Block Selected/ Uses: Public Recreation, Wildlife legislative or
State Habitat, Forestry (personal use) administrative
861601:6(1 designation
Hd Native Primarily Private Land — Recommended —— Proposed for
Nelchina Selected/ Uses: Public Recreation, Wildlife __ _ legislative
Public Use State Habitat, Forestry (personal use) designation
Area Selected
Open
He State Public Recreation Available for Grazing Proposed for
Horn Wildlife Habitat leasing legislative
Mountain designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
ox specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
"^ management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Glenn Highway 11
Subsurface (Materials)
"Transportation
Instream Flow
*Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
*Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below, by subunit.
Subunit lla (Nelchina River)
Stream Corridors
The management intent for land adjacent to the
streams referenced below is to permit fishing, trapp-
ing, camping and other active uses and to protect
water quality and riparian habitat. Consequently this
land should be retained in public ownership. Corridor
widths will be set on a case-by-case basis using the
policies in chapter 2. The standard minimum buffer
width (200' on each side of the river) should be used
on Eureka Creek, the Nelchina River and other un-
named tributaries to the Nelchina shown on the USGS
1:63,360 quads for this area. The corridor on the Lit-
tle Nelchina River should be 500' on both sides of the
river in order to protect the opportunity for wilderness
camping and fishing in the area and to protect visual
quality for people boating this river.
Protection of Transportation Routes
No detailed plans for access into this area have been
made. Any land use authorizations in this unit or the
vicinity should be located so they do not preclude the
option for a feasible and efficient system of roads
and/or trails into this area from the Glenn Highway.
Subunit lib, lie, lid & lie(Gunaight Mtn.,
Ahtna Block, Nelchina Public Use Area and
Horn Mt.)
Timber Harvests and Visual Quality
Personal use or commercial timber harvests, where
visible from the Glenn Highway, will be designed to
minimize adverse visual impacts on highway views.
Some site specific guidance in implementing this
guideline is provided by the report Visual Assessment
Of The Glenn Highway prepared by Environmental
Services Limited. (A copy of this report is available from
the Division of Land and Water Management.) This
will be a particular concern in the vicinity of Caribou
Creek.
Public Use Cabins
Public use cabins should be built in the vicinity of
Squaw Creek and other sites north or south of the
Glenn Highway within a convenient one-day ski or
hike from highway (railheads.
Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for the lands in subunits 11b, 11c, lid and
He. The management plan will determine, among
other things, whether remote cabins will be permit-
ted in the subunits. Remote cabins premits will not
be offered until and unless areas open to remote cabins
are designated by a management plan.
Glenn Highway Realignment
DOT/PF currently is conducting preliminary engineer-
ing and environmental evaluations to reconstruct the
Glenn Highway from mile 35 to mile 135. Portions of
the highway, including the segment in this unit, may
require realignment. The plan policy to establish
and/or expand public recreation uses in this unit is not
intended to preclude this possible realignment. A final
decision on this issue should be made, however, with
the consultation of DNR and after a thorough con-
sideration of the impact of realignment on this unit's
public recreational values.
368
MANAGEMENT UNIT 12 ~ ALPINE AREAS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This is a large mountainous area which extends along
much of the northern boundary of the subregion. The
area is important for hunting of Dall sheep and to a
lesser extent moose, bear, caribou and other species.
Additionally, this area contains known and potential
mineral resources. These include gold, silver, copper
and other metallic minerals, and limestone.
The management unit will be retained entirely in
public ownership and managed to protect fish and
wildlife habitat, allow hunting and other public recrea-
tional activities and allow exploration and develop-
ment of mineral resources. The major means of achiev-
ing these objectives will be retaining land in public
ownership and protecting public access through and
within the unit.
All public lands within this unit will remain open to
mineral location except for several areas which will
be open under leasehold location. All public land will
be available for coal and oil and gas leasing. There
are several large deposits of limestone under lease in
this management unit in the vicinity of Kings River.
A road from the Glenn Highway built by the lessees
goes most of the way to these deposits.
The mineral licks identified within this management
unit are used by significant numbers of wildlife priman-
ly during the spring and early summer. No informa-
tion curently exists on the biological function served
by these licks; however, the regular use of these areas
suggests that the licks play an important role in the
life history of the animals that use them. These same
areas also may have significant mineral values.
The management intent for the area around the licks
is to protect their value for wildlife and also to allow
exploration and development of mineral resources.
This will be done through developing a general policy
for management of all mineral licks in the Talkeetna
Mountains. Although mineral development may result
in disruption of a particular lick or animal access trail,
this policy will ensure that at least some licks are open
to wildlife use at all times.
In order to ensure these areas can be managed suc-
cessfully for both wildlife protection and development
of mineral values, mineral licks and the adjacent land
(the nine sections surrounding each lick) will be open
to mineral entry by leasehold location. Stipulations will
be applied to individual leases to balance habitat
values and mineral development. The general subjects
and objectives of these stipulations are presented in
the management guideline section below. Existing
mining claims within or adjacent to leasehold areas
will not be converted to leasehold locations nor will
holders of existing claims be required to get a lease
from the state prior to production. However, explora-
tions and mining on existing claims will be managed
as outlined in the management guidelines through
miscellaneous land use permits to afford protection
to the mineral lick areas.
This management unit is divided into two subunits:
the portion proposed to be legislatively designated to
protect caribou (12b), and the remainder of the unit
(12a). See the maps at the end of this section for boun-
dary of this area and the accompanying chart for a
summary of land uses.
Subunit 12a will be retained in public ownership and
managed to protect fish and wildlife habitat and to
allow hunting and other public recreation activities.
Subunit 12b is recommended for legislative designa-
tion to protect caribou. This proposal, which is ten-
tatively called the Nelchina Public Use Area, is discuss-
ed in detail in the management summary for the
Talkeetna Mountains Subregion.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially could apply to uses within this
management unit; however, those that are most like-
ly to be applicable are indicated with asterisks in the
list below.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
Recreation
*Settlement
Subsurface (Materials)
transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
* Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
Trail Management
WetlanoS Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below by subunit.
369
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Glenn Highway MANAGEMENT UNIT 12 - A1Pine Area
SUBUNIT
12a
Alpine
Areas
L2b
Nelchina
Public Use
Area
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
SECONDARY USE(S)
——
——
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open except
for specified
sheep mineral
licks which
are open un-
der leasehold
location
Open except
for specified
sheep mineral
licks which
are open un-
der leasehold
location
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Remote Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
Grazing
COMMENTS
—
Proposed for
Legislative or
Administrative
Designation
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that ate fiot
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevantc'r 2.
Glenn Highway 10
Subunit 12b (Nelchina Public Use Area)
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for the lands in subunit 12b. The manage-
ment plan will determine, among other things,
whether remote cabins will be permitted in this
subunit. Remote cabin permits will not be offered until
and unless areas open to remote cabins are designated
by a management plan.
Subunits 12a and 12b (Anthracite Ridge-
Castle Mt. and Nelchina Public Use Area)
Mineral Licks
Mineral exploration and development will be allow-
ed in the nine sections surrounding specified mineral
licks. Stipulations included as part of the mining lease
and/or permit will include measures to minimize, to
the extent feasible and prudent, the potential impacts
of mining on wildlife use of these areas. The follow-
ing guidelines will be followed in preparing stipula-
tions for specific leases and permits.
1. Stipulations will be developed on a case-by-case
basis for specific leases or permits considering the
type and importance of wildlife use and of plann-
ed mining activities at a particular site. At the same
time, the status of wildlife use and potential for
mineral development of other mineral licks in the
region will be taken into consideration. The Alaska
Department of Natural Resources, to the e/tent
feasible and prudent, will ensure that a minimal
number of licks are being intensely explored or
developed at any one time.
2. Stipulations associated with the lease or permit must
address the following concerns:
• The avoidance of direct and indirect impact on
the mineral licks, the animal trails leading to them
and other areas of concentrated animal use that
are associated with the mineral lick.
• Methods for compensating for the destruction or
loss of a lick. This could take the form of
relocating or introducing new mineralized
material.
• The method and routing of mining-related access
to these areas.
Areas open to mineral entry under leasehold location
and subject to these guidelines are listed below.
• T20W R3E S.M.
section 13 E'/z E'/z; section 24 E'/> E'/z; section 25
E'/2 E'/2
T20N R4E S.M.
section 16 W/2, W/2 E1/;; sections 17-20; section
21 W/2, W/2 E'/z; section 28 W/>, W/2 E'/z; sec-
tions 29-30
• T20N R7E S.M.
section 1 E1/;, E'/z W/2; section 12 £'/>, E'/> W/>; sec-
tion 13 E'/2, E'/2 W/2
T20N R8E S.M.
section 4 W/2 W/2; sections 5-8; section 9 W/2
W/2; section 16 W/2 W/2; section 17-18
• T21N R4E S.M.
section 12 SE'/i; section 13 E'/z; section 24 E'/z; sec-
tion 25 NE'/4
T2IN R5E S.M.
section 7 S'/z; section 8 S'/z; section 9 SWVi; sec-
tion 16 W/2; sections 17-20; section 21 W/2; sec-
tion 28 NW/4; section 29 N'/z; section 30 N'/>
• T21N R6E S.M.
section 1 S'/z; section 2 S'/z; section 3 S'/z; sections
10-15; section 22 N'/z; section 23 N'/z; section 24
N'/2
• T22N R9E S.M.
sections 4-6; section 7 N'/2; section 8 N'/z; section
9 N'/2
T23N R9E S.M.
section 28 S'/z; section 29 S'/?; section 30 S'/z; sec-
tions 31-33
371
LAND STATUS
IH-rJ FEDERAL
I I STATE
K\l STATE SELECTED
I I BOROUGH
Y//A PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected, ||s
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
fem PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
IUI LEGISLATIVELY DESIGNATED AREA
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show ownc
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Henc
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lak«
which appear public are ringed with private lot
6a
Matanuska
J.S.G.S;
Jknehorjge;*
GLENN HIGHWAYpart 1 of 2
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in lower case
letters are secondary designations; areas shown with stars * are proposed for
legislative or administrative designation. Statements in italics indicate whether
areas are open or closed to mineral location and coal leasing; all areas are
: available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - PALMER
la PUBLIC RECREATION; forestry; Closed
1b Plant Materials Center: RESERVED USE; Closed; Rest of Unit: PUBLIC RECREATION;
forestry; Open
1c RESERVED USE; Closed
1d West Half: SETTLEMENT; forestry, public rec.; Closed Prior to Disposal; East half:
RESERVED USE; Dosed
1e PUBLIC RECREATION; forestry, settlement; Open
If BOROUGH LAND BANK - Values: Forestry, Public Rec., Settlement; Open
1g PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
1h WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HAB.; gravel extraction, public rec.; Open
1i PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
MGT. UNIT 2 - PALMER HAY FLATS
2a WILDLIFE HABITAT; public recreation (Existing Game Refuge); Open under
Leasehold Location
2b PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
*2c PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; gravel extraction; Open
2d PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; gravel extraction; Open
2e PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native)
.1%,-MGT. UNIT 3 - KNIK
3a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
*3b PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HABITAT; water resources; Closed
3c PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native)
3d PUBLIC RECREATION; forestry, wildlife habitat (Existing State Park); Closed
MGT. UNIT 4 - MATANUSKA RIVER (LOWER SOUTH SIDE)
4a PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native)
4b PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
MGT. UNIT 5 - KINGS RIVER
5a SETTLEMENT; forestry, public rec., wildlife hab.; Closed Prior to Disposal
5b PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Closed
5c SETTLEMENT; forestry, public rec., wildlife hab.; Closed Prior to Disposal
5d SETTLEMENT; forestry, public rec., wildlife hab.; Closed
5e PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND
5f PUBLIC REC., WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HAB.; gravel extraction; Open
MGT. UNIT 6 - MATANUSKA VALLEY MOOSE RANGE (Existing Legislatively Designated
Area)
6a COAL, FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; grazing; Open
6b PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native, private)•
MGT. UNIT 7 - BONNIE LAKE
7a PUBLIC REC., SETTLEMENT, WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; retained lands: Open,
disposal land: Closed Prior to Sale
7b PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; gravel extrac-
tion; Open
MGT. UNIT 9 - COAL CREEK
9a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Open • ,
9b PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native)
MGT. UNIT 12 - ALPINE AREAS
12a PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Mineral Lick Open under Leasehold
Location, Other Areas Open
*12b PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; Mineral Lick Open under Leasehold Location, Other
,\reas Open
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in lower case
letters are secondary designations; areas shown with stars * are proposed for
legislative or administrative designation. Statements in italics indicate whether
areas are open or closed to mineral location and coal leasing; all areas are
available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 6 - MATANUSKA VALLEY MOOSE RANGE (ExMtag Legislatively Design
Area)
6a COAL, FORESTRY, PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; grazing; Open
6b PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native, private)
MGT. UNIT 7 - BONNIE LAKE »
7a PUBLIC REC., SETTLEMENT, WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; retained lands: Open,
disposal land: Closed Prior to Sale
7b PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; gravel extrac-
tion; Open
MGT. UNIT 8 - PURINTON
8a PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
*8b PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Closed
Be PUBLIC RECREATION, WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; gravel extrac-
tion; Open
MGT. UNIT 9 - COAL CREEK .
9b PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native) ' ;. .
GLENN HIGHWAYpart 2 of 2
MGT. UNIT 10 - MATANUSKA GLACIER
lOa SETTLEMENT; forestry, public rec., wildlife habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
lOb PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Open
lOc PUBLIC REC., WATER RESOURCES, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
lOd SETTLEMENT (existing subdivision); public rec., wildife habitat; Closed
lOe SETTLEMENT; forestry, public recreation, wildlife habitat; Closed Prior to Disposal
10f PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
lOg PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native)
MGT. UNIT 11 - GUNSIGHT MOUNTAIN
1 la SETTLEMENT; public rec., forestry, wildlife hab.; Closed Prior to Disposal
*11b PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Open
*11c PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native Selection)
*11d PRIMARILY PRIVATE LAND (Native Selection)
*11e PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
MGT. UNIT 12 - ALPINE AREAS
12a PUBLIC RECREATION. WILDLIFE HABITAT; Mineral Lick Open under Leasehold
Location, Other Areas Open
*12b PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB., Mineral Lick Open under Leasehold Location,
Other Areas Open'
Map Scale 1:250,000
IN] U.S.G.S. Quads:
Anchorage
Talkeetna Mts.
LAND STATUS
H-H FEDERAL
II STATE
STATE SELECTED
BOROUGH
PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected.
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
g NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
j, ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater Hence.
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g.. many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
tf
TALKEETNA MOUNTAINS
SUBREGION
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
375
TALKEETNA MOUNTAINS SUBREGION
The following section describes land use policy within
the Tdlkeetna Mountain Subregion. It is divided into
two parts. The tirst is an overview of resources and
their management for the subregion as a whole. The
second presents specific statements of management
intent, land use designations, prohibited uses, and
management guidelines for each of the subregion's
three management units. Maps showing land owner-
ship in the subregion and boundaries of management
units and subunits are presented at the end of the se-
cond part.
The land use plan's proposals on two issues — the
management of lands surrounding three sheep mineral
licks and the proposed Susitna hydroelectric project
— overlap several management units and are therefore
presented in the management summary part of the
subregion overview section. The plan's policy on
mineral licks is presented in the section on subsurface
resources; the material on the Susitna Hydroelectric-
project is presented in a separate section dealing with
just that subject.
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
Background
The boundaries of the Talkeenta Mountains Subregion
are the planning area boundaries on the north and east
(these coincide with the boundary of the Matanuskd-
Susitna Borough), a line that approximates the north-
ern edge of the Matanuska River drainage on the
south, and on the west, a line that roughly follows the
2,500' elevation contour. These boundaries general-
ly encompass only the upper portions of the mount-
ains. Lower-lying portions of river valleys which ex-
tend into the area, such as the Talkeetna, Sheep, and
Kashwitna valleys are included in the adjacent
subregions.
This subregion encompasses roughly 6 million acres,
the majority of which is publicly owned. The northern
half of the unit is primarily in federal ownership; the
southern half is held by the State of Alaska. The state
recently received tentative approval for nearly all of
the approximately HO townships (1,840,000 acres) of
federal land it had selected in the southern half of the
area. There are approximately 206,000 acres of Native
selected and interimly conveyed lands in the area.
Most of these lands are located in the Susitna River
- Stephan Lake area and in the Last Fork of the
Chulitna River drainage. Only a portion of the Native
selected lands in this area are likely to be conveyed.
In addition to private land held by Native corporations,
there are also numerous scattered small parcels own-
ed by private individuals. These holdings are generally
of two types: state offered open-to-entry sites adjacent
to fly-in lakes (primarily used for recreational pur-
poses); and federally patented mining claims located
in the Nelchina area, the Clearwater Mountains and
other mining areas. See the ownership maps at the end
of this section for more information.
The only road access into the subregion is provided
by the Denali Highway. This highway traverses the
northern part of the subregion through mostly alpine
country in federal ownership from Paxson to Cantwell.
The State Department of Transportation presently is
working on improvements to the western end of this
highway. A number of trails branch off from these
highways and provide a measure of access into other
parts of the subregion. Access to the periphery of the
subregion is provided by two major highways — the
Glenn on the south and the Parks on the west. Other
means of access into the area include landing strips,
fly-in lakes, and boatable rivers.
Although most of this rugged area does not offer the
potential for agriculture, forestry, or settlement found
elsewhere in the planning area, these limitations are
balanced by the region's rich fish and wildlife, recrea-
tional and mineral resources. This area is one of the
most heavily used big game hunting areas in the state,
offering moose, Dall sheep, bear, and caribou. The
majority of the range of the 20,000 animals of the
Nelchina caribou herd is located here. The area's
many lakes and rivers offer excellent fishing for salmon,
laxe and rainbow trout, grayling and other species.
The subregion offers millions of acres of alpine coun-
try for hiking, camping, skiing and climbing.
These same alpine areas have a rich and to a large
degree unexplored potential for mineral development.
Several areas — Hatcher Pass, Nelchina and Valdez
Creek — are currently active producers of gold and
other precious minerals. In addition, portions of this
subregion have some potential for grazing.
The Alaska Power Authority recently applied to the
Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission (FERC) for
c. license to build a major hydroelectric project on the
Susitna River. Two dams are proposed for sites, at
Devil's Canyon and Watana. (More on this proposal
below.)
Management Summary
The Talkeetna Subregion will be managed as a multi-
ple use area emphasizing the uses that are most im-
377
lalkeetna Mountains
portant in the area now: recreation, including hunt-
ing and fishing; protection of fish and wildlife habitat;
and mining. Grazing, private recreational settlement
(remote cabins), and personal use timber harvests also
are appropriate uses in specific portions of this
subregion. The vast majority of this rugged, moun-
tainous area is expected to remain remote and very
sparsely developed. Additional road access to the area
and concentrated settlement on public lands will be
contingent on a demonstrated need for such develop-
ment in order to facilitate activities such as mining or
dam construction.
Settlement
State and federal land disposals for private recreational
settlement are a very low priority in this subregion.
The state will issue permits for remote cabin sites under
the remote cabin permit program in a limited number
of select sites. Should major mineral development oc-
cur or the proposed Susitna hydro-power project be
constructed, state land will be made available for a
workcamp or other settlement uses associated with
these developments. Most hydro-project related set-
tlement, however, is expected to occur on lands in
Native ownership. If road access into this area is pro-
vided as a result of the hydro-project, Native lands are
likely to be developed for private recreational purposes
as well. Settlement may be an appropriate use on
public lands adjacent to areas developed by the
Natives, although no lands are designated for this pur-
pose at this time. {Demand for private residential and
commercial uses that may be associated with the pro-
ject are discussed further under the section dealing
with the proposed hydroelectric project.) Any settle-
ment in this subregion should be designed to main-
tain public access and protect fish and wildlife habitat
and the area's high scenic quality — particularly within
the highway corridors.
Agriculture
Grazing is the only agricultural use that is possible in
this subregion. Several hundred thousand acres are
designated for grazing in the southwestern portion of
the subregion. This area is relatively close to access
and to land that could be used for farm headquarter
sites. Management guidelines will be applied to gra/-
ing activities to ensure compatibility with wildlife.
Forestry
Although most of this unit is above timberline, lands
adjacent to several major rivers (e.g., the Susitna and
Talkeetna) have personal use and, perhaps, commer-
cial timber harvest potential. If major developments
such as the Susitna hydro-project occur, there un-
doubtedly will be associated demands lor wood pro-
378
due ts which could be met from these areas. In general,
however, the state will set a higher priority on pro-
tecting thc> scenic, habitat, and recreation.il values of
these1 lorestc'd areas than on commercial uses. Limited
personal use harvests will be permitted in some areas.
Recreation and Fish & Wildlife
I his subregion will be managed to protect its c urrent
status as one of the1 major game harvest areas in the
state1 for moose, caribou and sheep. Streams will be1
managed to protect their recreation and commercial
fishery values. The area also will be manage-d to main-
tain a full range1 of summer and winter recreation ac-
tivities, including skiing, mountain climbing, hiking,
and snowmobiling. Adequate access for these recrea-
tion purposes should be maintained in public owner-
ship. Because the> Talkeetna Mountains are a highly
scenic but still relatively gentle mountain range, (he1
area is particularly suite'd for cross country hiking, ski-
ing and snowmobiling. In most of the area the terrain
and vegetation permit cross country travel without
construction of improved trails. The state and borough
should seek funding to builcJ and, if necessary, operate
public use cabins in select areas of the subregion.
Construction of the Susitna hydroelectric project also
could provide increased opportunities tor public-
recreation, primarily due to improved access. Any
plans for recreation improvements in the subregion
— for example a trails system — should be coordinated
with recreation plans associated with the proposed
hydro-project.
The plan recommends that the southeastern portion
of the Talkeetna Mountains be legislatively or admini-
stratively designated as the "Nelchina Public Use
Area" to protect the Nelchina caribou herd. This pro-
posal would allow multiple use of the area, including
mining, but would prohibit land sales except for what
might be required for resource development. (See
Management Unit 3 for more details.
Subsurface Resources
Mining and mineral exploration are and will continue
to be very important activities in this area. The entire
subregion will remain open to mineral location except
for three sites to be open under leasehold location.
All public lands are available for coal and oil and gas
leasing. Mineral exploration and development, in-
cluding necessary roads and workcamps, should be
designed to minimize1 impacts on important wildlife1
and recreation value's in this unit.
I here are1 thre-e mineral licks identified within this
subre'gion that are1 used by significant numbers of
wildlife, primarily during the1 spring and early summer.
Talkeetiia Mountains
No information currently exists on the biological func-
tion served by these licks; however, the regular use
of these areas suggests that the licks play an impor-
tant role in the life history of the animals that use them.
These same areas may also have significant mineral
values.
The management intent for the area around the licks
is to protect their value for wildlife and also to allow
exploration and development of mineral resources.
This will be done through developing a general policy
for management of all mineral licks in the Talkeetna
Mountains area. Although mineral development may
result in disruption of a particular lick or animal ac-
cess trail, this policy will ensure that at least some licks
are open to wildlife use at all times.
In order to ensure these areas can be managed suc-
cessfully for both wildlife protection and development
of mineral values, mineral licks and the adjacent land
(the nine sections surrounding each lick) will be open
to mineral entry by leasehold location. Stipulations will
be applied to individual leases to balance habitat
values and mineral development. The general subjects
and objectives of these stipulations are presented in
the management guideline section below. Existing
mining claims within or adjacent to leasehold areas
will not be converted to leasehold locations nor will
holders of existing claims be required to get a lease
from the state prior to production. However, explora-
tion and mining on existing claims will be managed
as outlined in the management guidelines through
miscellaneous land use permits to afford protection
to the mineral lick areas.
Mineral Lick Management Guidelines
Mineral exploration and development will be allow-
ed in the 9 sections surrounding specified mineral licks.
Stipulations included as part of the mining lease and/or
permit will include measures to minimize, to the ex-
tent feasible and prudent, the potential impacts of min-
ing on wildlife use of these areas. The following
guidelines wil be followed in preparing stipulations for
specific leases and permits.
1. Stipulations will be developed on a case-by-case
basis for specific leases or permits considering the
type and importance of wildlife use and of planned
mining activities at a particular site. At the same
time, the status of wildlife use and potential for
mineral development of other mineral licks in the
region will be taken into consideration. The Alaska
Department of Natural Resources, to the extent
feasible and prudent, will ensure that j minimal
number of licks are being intensely explored or
developed at any one time.
2. Stipulations associated with the lease or permit must
address the following concerns:
• The avoidance of direct and indirect impact
on the mineral licks, the animal trails leading
to them and other areas of concentrated
animal use that are associated with the mineral
lick.
• Methods for compensating for the destruction
or loss of a lick (this could take the form of
relocating or introducing new mineralized
material).
• The method and routing of mining-related ac-
cess to these areas.
Areas open under leasehold location and affected by
these guidelines are listed below:
T31N R8E S.M.
Section 1; section 2; section 11; section 12;
section 13 N'/2; section 14 N!/2
T31N R9E S.M.
Section 6; section 7; section 18 N'/2
T32N R8E S.M.
Section 35 S'/2; section 36 S'/>
T32N R9E S.M.
Section 31 S'/z
T33N R8E S.M.
Section 25 8/2; section 26 S1/-; section 27SE 14; sec-
tion 34 £'/>; section 35; section 36
T32N R8E S.M.
Section 1; section 2; section 11 N!/2; section 12 N'/2
T32N R9E S.M.
Section 6; section 7 N'/2
T33N R9E S.M.
Section 30 SW'/4; section 31 W/z
T26N R1E S.M.
Section 25 W/z, W/2, E'/>; section 26; section 27;
section 28 E'/i, E'/2; section 33 E'/2 E'/z; section 34;
section 35; section 36 W/2, W/2 E'/2
T25N R1ES.M.
section 1 W/2, W/2 E'/2; section 2; section 3;
section 4 E'/2 E'/2
Access
The road/rail system that would provide access to the
Susitna hydroelectric project is the only major access
improvement being considered in the area. The Alaska
Power Authority's proposed access route, described
in the FERC license application, would provide access
to the Watana Dam site from the Denali Highway via
Deadman Creek. The Devils Canyon site would be
provided with access via a railroad spur from near
379
Taikeetna Mountains 3
Gold Creek (on the existing Alaska Railroad line) and
via a road on the north side of the Susitna River from
the Watana site. A final decision on the planned ac-
cess route will be made through the environmental
impact statement review process.
Stream Corridors
The headwaters of many major streams lie in the
Taikeetna Mountains. Management ot these corridors
will be determined on a case-by-case basis consistent
with the management objectives for the more heav-
ily used downstream segments of the rivers. In general,
the objectives for the rivers originating in this subregion
will be to protect water quality, fish and wildlife
habitat, and public access.
Susitna Hydroelectric Project
As mentioned, the sites of the two proposed Susitna
hydroelectric dams are located within this subregion.
The plan does not address any of the issues concern-
ing the direct social, fiscal or environmental impacts
of this project. That task is being addressed by the FERC
licensing process and by the many state and federal
agencies already working on the project. Several of
the indirect impacts of the hydro-project are, however,
within the purview of the plan, and will be addressed
here. Because the issues associated with the hydro-
project affect virtually the entire subregion, these issues
will be discussed here for the whole subregion rather
than within each of the three management units.
Four issues addressed by the plan are mitigation lands,
land ownership, settlement and recreation associated
with the project. Each is discussed below.
1. Mitigation Lands
Construction of the Susitna Hydroelectric project
would have significant effects on terrestrial and
aquatic habitats. One proposed method for
mitigating the loss of wildlife habitat that would be
inundated or disturbed by the hydro-project is to
designate and manage nearby lands in a way that
compensates for this loss. The Alaska Power
Authority estimates that roughly 20,000 acres of land
would be needed to adequately compensate for the
predicted loss of habitat lands.
No compensation lands have been depicted in this
plan. The Power Authority has prepared a descrip-
tion of the objectives to be met in identifying mitiga-
tion lands and criteria for selecting such areas, and
has identified a large pool of possible mitigation
lands. This information is available from the Alaska
Power Authority or from the Alaska Department of
Natural Resources, Division of Land and Water
Management, Southcentral Regional Office. The
linal determination of mitigation strategies and, if
appropriate, mitigation lands, will be made after the
plan is complete.
2. Land Ownership
Nearly all of the land where the proposed dams,
reservoirs, and associated facilities are planned to
be located are selected by or interimly conveyed
to Cook Inlet Region, Inc. and its village corpora-
tions. If the hydro-project is approved, the state has
the option to condemn or buy these lands, or trade
for lands in other areas. Roughly 40,000 acres of
land are at issue. However, the Power Authority
estimates as little as 16,000 acres actually will have
to be acquired. Final decisions related to land acqui-
sition will be made in light of the plan's designa-
tions on land adjacent to the project and on the
availability of state lands for trade.
3. Settlement Associated with the Dam Project
If the project is constructed, development pressures
would increase on the portions of the planning area
that are already settled and also, due to construction
of new access, open new areas to settlement pressures.
On the first of these two issues, sufficient private land
presently exists in areas like Cantwell, Trapper Creek
and Taikeetna to accommodate the predicted level of
population growth associated with the project. Regar-
ding possible new settlement areas, no plans can be
made until a final decision is reached on the location
and mode of new access into the area. However,
whatever route is ultimately chosen, DNR will follow
a settlement policy of "commensurate impact." This
means that in locations where the Power Authority is
making a special effort (e.g., through road design and
siting) to protect some aspect of environmental quality,
DNR will not negate this effort through selling land
in the particularly sensitive area. On the other hand,
portions of the area opened as a result of the project
likely will be able to support some land sales (or cabin
construction under the remote cabin program) with
an acceptable level of environmental impact. Overall,
DNR does not intend to sell much land in this area,
since it has limited physical capability to support set-
tlement and is generally sensitive to development.
4. Recreation Associated with the Proposed Dam
Project
The area surrounding the project has good poten-
tial for various types of public recreation activities.
As part of the FERC application, the Power Authority
and the State Division of Parks and Outdoor Recrea-
tion are working together to finalize a plan ident-
ifying areas for trails, camping, dispersed recreation,
etc. The Department of Natural Resources supports
the proposal to expand public recreation oppor-
380
Talkeetna Mountains
tunities in the area. Decisions on specific recreation-
related land uses (e.g., campgrounds, trails, etc.) will
be made on a case-by-case basis when the details
of the project are known.
Talkeetna Mountains Special Use District
This subregion is within the boundaries of the
borough's Talkeetna Mountains Special Use District
(TMSUD). Land within this district can be used for
recreation, protection and use offish and wildlife,
mining, and grazing. The TMSUD ordinance allows
land sales but requires a permit before construction
of a cabin. Limitations on residential uses imposed
by the ordinance include restrictions on subdivision,
the size and appearance of cabins, allowable water
systems, and the methods for sanitary waste
disposal. Conditions for issuance of a specific per-
mit may be modified on a case-by-case basis.
381
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES
BY MANAGEMENT UNIT
MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - DENALI HIGHWAY
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This management unit encompasses most of the nor-
thern half of the subregion. The southern boundary
of the unit generally follows the Susitna River; the nor-
thern and eastern boundaries are the edge of the plan-
ning area. The majority of the land in the management
unit is federally owned. The remainder (approximately
15%) is roughly divided between state land and land
either Native owned or selected.
Public land in this unit should be retained in public
ownership and managed to continue to provide op-
portunities for a variety of public recreational activi-
ties, to protect fish and wildlife habitat and to allow
mining. Of particular concern is protection of the
habitat of the Nelchina caribou herd which ranges into
this unit from the south. Recreation activities include
hunting, fishing, boating, wilderness hiking, berry pick-
ing and driving for pleasure along the Denali Highway.
Most of the activity in the management unit is focus-
ed along this highway corridor and to a lesser extent
along the Susitna and Maclaren rivers. Protecting and
improving public access from the Denali Highway into
adjacent backcountry hunting areas and protection of
scenic quality along the highway are two major ob-
jectives for this area.
Settlement, where necessary to support resource
development, is allowed in the management unit;
however, disposals to provide land for recrea-
tional/seasonal settlement are not permitted. All public
lands within this management unit will remain open
to mineral location except for specified sheep mineral
licks. These areas are open under leasehold location.
More on this subject is presented in the subregion
overview at the beginning of this subregion section.
All public lands will be available for coal and oil and
gas leasing.
It is recommended that the state not select any of the
federal lands in this area. The plan's recommended
management policy for federal land in this area can
be well carried out under the management of the BLM.
While this plan gives a general overview of intended
uses on federal lands, any specific land use authoriza-
tion for federal lands will require federal approval.
Such approvals may follow different procedures than
those tor the same activity on state land.
This management unit is divided into three subunits;
lands patented to, interimly conveyed to, or selected
by native corporations (la); a strip of land along the
Denali Highway where it parallels the Susitna River
(I b); and the remainder of the unit (1c). See the maps
at the end of this section for boundaries of this area
and the chart on the following page for a summary
of land uses.
Subunit la is comprised of the Native owned and
selected lands within the area. Because of the nature
of these selections, it is anticipated that most of these
lands will not be conveyed to Native ownership. It is
recommended that these lands be managed in gener-
ally the same way as adjacent public lands, including
protecting fish and wildlife habitat and allowing these
lands to be used by the general public for hunting,
hiking, etc. An area of particular concern is the Prairie
Creek area near Stephan Lake. Large numbers of
salmon spawn in this creek and this results in very large
and biologically significant seasonal concentration of
black and brown bears.
Subunit Ib, which is located on either side of the
Denali Highway and south of the Clearwater Moun-
tains, is an area with some settlement potential. The
area contains relatively dense stands of trees with
potential to screen development from views from the
highway and add to the attractiveness of the area for
recreational/seasonal use. The plan does not recom-
mend settlement in this area. Instead, the area should
be used for hunting and other public uses, with some
land being made available through leasing or where
appropriate sale for commercial recreation
development.
Development of public use cabins, picnicing and park-
ing areas, and campgrounds are encouraged in subunit
1 b and in other areas along the highway. These areas
receive a tremendous amount of public use, particular-
ly in hunting season, and existing facilities are often
overcrowded.
Subunit lc, the federal and state lands that constitute
the remainder of the area, should be managed for
multiple use including habitat protection, mining and
public recreation.
382
LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Talkeetna Mountains MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 - Denali Highway
SUBUNIT
la
Native
Lands
Ib
Denali
Highway
East
Ic
Upper
Susitna
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
Native
(patent-
ed,
interim
conveyed
and
selected)
Federal/
Private
Federal/
State/
State
Selected
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)SECONDARY USE(S)
Primarily Private Land —
Recommended Uses: Wildlife Habi-
tat, Public Recreation,
Limited Settlement
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
(personal use)
Forestry
(personal use)
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
__
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Remote Cabins
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Grazing
1
COMMENTS
Woow
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines ot this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
Talkeetna Mountains 1
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the follow-
ing list.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
Settlement
Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
'Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to just this manage-
ment unit are limited to the land management recom-
mendations put forth in the publication Denali to
Wrange//-St. Elias — Assessment and Management of
Scenic Resources along the Highways between Denali
and Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks. This document
is available from the Division of Land and Water
Management and the Bureau of Land Management.
It should be consulted for additional information on
scenic resources during planning for activities likely
to affect visual quality along these routes.
384
MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - NO CHINA PUBLIC USE AREA
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This unit includes the majority of an area proposed
by the plan for legislative designation as the "Nelchina
Public Use Area." (Some of the area lies within por-
tions of the Glenn Highway and Lake Louise subre-
gions.) Legislation creating this public use area was
introduced but not acted upon during the 1984
legislature. Revised legislation was reintroduced dur-
ing the 1985 session. As this plan goes to press, the fate
of the legislation is not known.
ADNR's overall management intent for this area is that
it be retained in public ownership (disposals are pro-
hibited) and be managed for three major purposes:
to protect fish and wildlife resources, to provide oppor-
tunities for recreation, including hunting, fishing and
other uses of fish and wildlife resources and to per-
mit exploration and development of mineral resources.
A cooperative management plan should be prepared
by ADNR, ADF&G and the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough to work out the potential conflicts between
these general management goals. All lands in this
management unit are open to mineral location except
for specified sheep mineral licks. These areas are open
under leasehold location. More on this subject is
presented in the subregion overview at the beginning
of this subregion section. All public lands will be
available for coal and oil and gas leasing.
This management unit has been divided into two
subunits. Subunit 2a encompasses the majority of land
in the unit; subunit 2b is located in the center of the
unit and is the area where the majority of caribou calv-
ing occurs. Although the plan recommends that this
entire management unit be legislatively designated, only
the area where the majority of calving occurs (subunit
2b) is recommended for near-term designation. This
is because the central portion is critical to the survival
of the Nelchina herd and is more vulnerable to disrup-
tion. See the maps at the end of this section for bound-
aries of these areas and the accompanying chart for
a summary of designated uses.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the follow-
ing list.
Agriculture
Fish & Wildlife
* Forestry
*Recreation
Settlement
* Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
Public Access
Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Management guidelines that apply to this management
unit only are presented below.
Subunit 2b (Caribou Calving Grounds)
Mining
This subunit is open to mineral entry and mineral leas-
ing. Because this area is used on a regular basis for
caribou calving, mining will be regulated through the
application of the lease stipulations or miscellaneous
land use permit guidelines below:
1. Exploration
• Exploration is prohibited in caribou calving
areas during the period May 1 to June 15.
• Construction of improved roads will be
discouraged until pre-production development
necessitates such access. Roads constructed dur-
ing exploration should be limited to winter roads.
2. Development
• In caribou calving areas, access to and from the
mining site will be minimized during the period
May 1 to June 15. Only traffic essential to the
health, safety and maintenance of the staff will
be permitted during that period. Transportation
of ore and heavy equipment will be prohibited
during this period unless approved by DNR in
consultation with ADF&C.
• Pipelines, fences and other obstructions to
caribou movement shall be designed in consulta-
tion with DNR and ADF&G so as not to impede
caribou movement.
• Use of explosives shall be done so as to minimize
385
oo LAND USE DESIGNATION SUMMARY
SUBREGION Talkeetna Mountains MANAGEMENT UNIT 2 - Nelchina Public Use Area
SUBUNIT
2a
Nelchina
Public Use
Area except
caribou
calving
grounds
2b
Caribou
Calving
Grounds
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED]
State/
State
Selected
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreatior
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreatior
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Forestry
——
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)'
Grazing
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
Recommended
forlegislative
designation as
the Nelchina
Public Use Area
Recommended
forlegislative
designation as
the Nelchina
Public Use Area
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc. that ore fiot
specitically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed it consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
mai ;me jide ; in Dter
Talkeetna Mountains 2
impact on caribou.
• During the period May 1 to June 15, aircraft
associated with mining operations shall maintain
an altitude at least 1000' above the ground when
weather conditions allow. Airstrips and ap-
propriate landing patterns shall be established in
consultation with DNR and ADF&G to minimize
adverse effects on caribou.
The miscellaneous land use permits associated with
existing state mining claims will be modified to include
these same restrictions. The terms and plans of opera-
tion associated with the development of any leaseable
mineral (e.g., coal) will be worked out with the con-
sultation of ADF&G and be consistent with the land
management objectives of this unit.
Subunits 2a & 2b (Caribou Range and Calv-
ing Grounds)
Settlement
No land sales are allowed within this management
unit. Non-permanent workcamps are allowed within
this area if necessary to support resource development.
The location and design of any such workcamp would
have to be determined after consultation with the
Department of Fish and Game.
Road Construction
Construction of new roads will be allowed in th:; area
only if required for resource development. Presently
there are no firm plans for road construction within
this unit. The only road that has been suggested is a
road from the Glenn Highway into the Nelchina Min-
ing District. This road, which was proposed by the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough and not by the planning
team as a whole, would reduce the environmental im-
pacts of people coming and going from this area by
consolidating traffic to a single route. The road, if ex-
tended further north, also could be a means of link-
ing the Glenn and Denali highways. Should a deci-
sion be reached to build this or other road or railroad
projects they will be designed to minimize impacts on
habitat and the following guidelines will apply:
• roads will be limited to narrow (<20') gravel or
dirt roads;
• road or railroad routes will be located to
minimize the need to modify topography (cut/fill)
wherever such routes would be consistent with
other habitat protection objectives; and
• wherever economically feasible, alternatives to
permanent road or rail construction should be
pursued (e.g., winter roads, airstrips, etc.).
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared for this management unit. The management
plan will determine, among other things, whether
remote cabins wiil be permitted in this area. Remote
cabin permits will not be offered until and unless areas
open to remote cabins are designated by a manage-
ment plan.
Grazing
Grazing will be prohibited in this area for at least 5
years following the adoption of this plan but will be
reconsidered in the management plan done for the
area. By that time, the success and problems of graz-
ing in other parts of the planning area will be evaluated
and a decision may be made to open all or part of this
area. If the management unit is opened, grazing will
be allowed as a secondary use subject to the areawide
grazing guidelines presented in the Agriculture sec-
tion of Chapter 2.
387
MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - WESTERN TALKEETNAS
MANAGEMENT INTENT
Management Unit 3 is located on the west side of
Talkeetna Mountains and includes the upper end of
the drainages of the Talkeetna, Sheep and Kashwitna
Rivers and Chunilna, Iron, Montana and Sheep Creeks.
This unit will be retained in public ownership and
managed to protect fish and wildlife habitat and pro-
vide opportunities for public recreation. Portions of
the area have natural vegetation suitable for grazing
domestic livestock and grazing is a secondary use in
most of these areas. Settlement is allowed in this area
only if required for resource development such as min-
ing. All lands within this unit will remain open to
mineral location except for specified sheep mineral
licks. These areas will be open under leasehold loca-
tion. More on this subject is presented in the subregion
overview at the beginning of this subregion section.
All public lands will be available for coal and oil and
gas leasing.
This management unit is divided into four subunits:
the Rainbow Lake area (3a), a corridor along the
Talkeetna River (3b), the northern and western por-
tions of the management unit open to grazing (3c),
and the sheep habitat closed to grazing in the vicinity
of the headwaters of the Kashwitna and Sheep rivers
(3d). See the maps at the end of this section for boun-
daries of these areas and the accompanying chart for
a summary of land uses.
Subunit 3a, the land surrounding Rainbow Lake, has
been considered in the past for a state land sale. The
decision has been made to not sell any land here due
to the poor capability of the land to support settlement
and impacts of the proposed sales on public use. The
area will be open to a limited number of remote cabin
permits.
Subunit 3b is comprised of the land roughly Vi mile
on either side of the Talkeetna River. This area will
be retained in public ownership and, like the portion
of the river further downstream, be proposed for
legislative designation as a state recreation river. This
subunit should be managed in the same way as the
lower portion of the river, the management intent for
which is presented in the South Parks Highway
Subregion (subunits 5b and 6a).
Subunit 3c (Wells Mountain) will be retained and
managed for protection of wildlife and public recrea-
tion values and tor grazing. This area comprises the
middle portions of the drainages ot several clear water
streams that, in their lower stretches are heavily used
tor tishing and other public recreation activities. These
streams include Sheep Creek, Montana Creek, the
388
North Fork of the Kashwitna River and all of the up-
per drainage of Chunilna Creek (Clear Creek). Con-
sequently, a major objective for this area will be to
control land uses to protect the quality of these
streams. The area is also important for moose hunting
and provides valuable spring, summer, and fall moose
habitat. Portions of this management unit are suitable
for remote cabins. Settlement is allowed in this subunit
only if required for resource development, such as
mining.
Subunit 3d will be managed in the same way as
subunit 3c, except grazing will not be allowed. Graz-
ing is prohibited in this area because of concern over
conflicts between livestock and Dall sheep. This pro-
hibition will not have much effect on the supply of
grazing lands, because relatively little of this subunit
has vegetation suitable for grazing.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the follow-
ing list.
*Agriculture
*Fish & Wildlife Habitat
* Forestry
*Recreation
'Settlement
*Subsurface
Transportation
Instream Flow
Lakeshore Management
*Public Access
*Remote Cabin Permits
*Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Subunit 3b (Talkeetna River)
Management Planning and Remote Cabins
It is recommended that a management plan be
prepared jointly for subunit 3b and South Parks
Highway subunits 5b and 6a. The management plan
will determine among other things, whether remote
cabins will be permitted in this subunit. Remote cabin
permits will not be offered until and unless areas open
to remote cabins are designated by a management
plan.
LANU use UtSKyNATlON SUMMARY
SUBREGION Talkeetna Mountains MANAGEMENT UNIT 3 - Western Talkeetnas
SUBUNIT
3a
Rainbow
Lake
3b
Talkeetna
River
3c
Wells
Mountain
i
3d
Sheep Haven
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED)
State
State
State/
State
Selected
State
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Recreatior
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreatior
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreatior
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Remote Cabins
Grazing
Forestry
(personal use)
Grazing
Remote Cabins
Remote Cabins
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Open
Open
Open
.Open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
USE(S)*
Land Disposals
Trapper Cabins
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
Grazing
Land Disposals
COMMENTS
—
Recommended for
legislative
designation
——
——
cooo
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that are not
specifically prohibited may be allowed. Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
management intent statement and management guidelines of this unit, and with the relevant
management guidelines in chapter 2.
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS LAND STATUS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary designations; those in lower case
letters are secondary designations; areas shown with stars * are proposed for
legislative or administrative designation. Statements in /fa//cs indicate whether
areas are open or closed to mineral location and coal leasing; all areas are
available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT UNIT 1 - DENALI HIGHWAY
la PRIMARILY PRIVATE LANDS (includes Native land selections that
are not likely to be conveyed to Native ownership)
1b PUBLIC REC, WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Open
Ic PUBLIC REC., WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Open
MGT. UNIT 2 - NELCHINA PUBLIC USE AREA
*2a PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
*2b PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
MGT. UNIT 3 - WEST SIDE
3a PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; grazing, remote
cabins; Open
*3b PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
3c PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; grazing, remote
cabins; Open
3d PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; remote cabins; Open
I—H FEDERAL
I I STATE
K\1 STATE SELECTED
Y//A PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected, university,
university selected, and other private lands)
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
TALKEETNA MOUNTAINSpart 1 of 2
*x_-
Map Scale 1:500,000
U.S.G.S. QUADS:
Anchorage, Gulkana
Healy, Mt. Hayes,
Mt. McKinley, Talkeetna
Talkeetna Mts., Valdez
Match Line
Match Line
TALKEETNA MOUNTAINSpart 2 of 2
Map Scale 1:500,000
U.S.G.S. QUADS:
Anchorage, Gulkana
Healy, Mt. Hayes,
Mt. McKinley, Talkeetna
Talkeetna Mts., Valdez
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary
designations; those in lower case letters are
secondary designations; areas shown with stars
* are proposed tor legislative or administrative
designation. Statements in /te//cs indicate
whether areas are open or closed to mineral
location and coal leasing; all areas are
available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT UNIT 1 - DENALI HIGHWAY
1a PRIMARILY PRIVATE LANDS (includes Native land selections that
are not likely to be conveyed to Native ownership)
1c PUBLIC REC, WILDLIFE HAB.; forestry; Open
MGT. UNIT 2 - NELCHINA PUBLIC USE AREA
*2a PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
*2b PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
MGT. UNIT 3 - WEST SIDE
3a PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; grazing, remote
cabins; Open
*3b PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; forestry; Open
3c PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; grazing, remote
cabins; Open
3d PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; remote cabins; Open
LAND STATUS
irTTl FEDERAL
I I STATE
IX^H STATE SELECTED
Y//A PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected, university,
university selected, and other private lands)
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
CHUGACH MOUNTAINS
SUBREGION
^J-tChugach Mountains/
SUSITNA STUDY AREA
393
CHUGACH MOUNTAINS SUBREGION
The following section describes land use policy within
the Chugach Mountains Subregion. It is divided into
two parts. The first is an overview of resources and
their management for the subregion as a whole. The
second presents specific statements of management
intent, land use designations, prohibited uses, and
management guidelines for each of the subregion's
four subunits. Maps showing land ownership in the
subregion and boundaries of subunits are presented
at the end of the second part.
1. SUBREGION OVERVIEW
Background
This subregion encompasses the northern flank of the
Chugach Range. It includes primarily the mountainous
areas above 1000 feet in elevation. The lowland, far-
ming areas near Butte are part of the Glenn Highway
Subregion, as is the Jim-Swan Lakes area. The major-
ity of land in this subregion is owned by the State of
Alaska, although the Eklutna Native Corporation owns
some land in the western portion. The Matanuska
River is a barrier between road-accessible portions of
the borough and the land within this subregion.
The area supports considerable recreational use, in-
cluding hunting, hiking, climbing, and skiing. It also
provides important habitat for sheep, bear, moose,
waterfowl and small game. In addition, the area has
potential for long-term mineral development. There
is one large grazing lease (approximately 50,000 acres)
that is mostly south of the Clenn Highway in the nor-
theast portion of the subregion. The lease also extends
north into the Clenn Highway Subregion as far as
Tahneta Lake. It encompasses portions of the South
and East forks of the Matanuska River and Trail Creek.
Existing access into the area is primarily by air and trail.
Several trails run up the Knik River Valley and along
Moose Creek. In addition, there is a trail that extends
southeast from the Glenn Highway down to the east
side of Nelchina Glacier. These trails commonly are
used to reach popular moose, bear, and sheep hunt-
ing areas. There are no plans to provide additional
transportation routes to or within this management
unit.
Management Summary
It is anticipated that the majority of this subregion will
remain undeveloped and roadless for many years. It
will be retained in public ownership and managed to
irotect existing values and uses: fish and wildlife,
recreation, and minerals. Two townships of federal
land in the southeast portion of the subregion have
been selected as part of the state's land entitlement.
This land has not yet been conveyed to the state.
Because the land has low resource values, it is recom-
mended that the selection be relinquished so the state
may select more valuable land elsewhere.
Further details of management intent by resource are
presented below:
Settlement
No areas are recommended for land sales because
there is little potential for settlement due to topography
and climate.
Agriculture and Grazing
There are no areas recommended for agricultural
development since there is little potential for
agriculture due to topographic limitations, climate, and
poor soils. Land in the Lazy Mountain area, however,
has potential for grazing. Grazing will be designated
a secondary use in this area.
Forestry
There is little potential for forestry due to topographic
and climatic limitations. Forestry is not a designated
use in this subregion because of these limitations.
Fish and Wildlife
This area supports sheep, brown bear, moose,
furbearers, and small game. Moose concentrate mainly
in the river valleys at lower elevations. Sheep and
brown bear are found at higher elevations. Sheep
populations are estimated to be between 3,500 —
4,000 animals, 100 — 150 of which are harvested an-
nually. The area will be retained in public ownership
to support fish and wildlife habitat and human use.
Recreation
Recreational activities supported by this area in addi-
tion to hunting, include hiking, mountain and glacier
climbing, and skiing. The area will be retained in public
ownership to protect recreational opportunities.
Subsurface
Hardrock mining and mineral exploration are and will
continue to be very important activities in this
395
Chugach Mounttiins
subregion. Known deposits include chromium, cop-
per, nickel, zinc, and gold. Concentrations ol claims
generally occur near river valleys. There is little poten-
tial for coal or oil and gas. The great majority of public
lands will remain open to mineral location except lor
the mineral lick area (within subunits la & 1d) which
is open under leasehold. All public land in this
subregion is open to exploration and development ot
coal and oil and gas.
Transportation
There are no immediate plans to increase access to
this area. Access will continue to be primarily by air
and trail.
396
Chugach Mountains
2. MANAGEMENT INTENT AND GUIDELINES BY SUBUNIT
L,
MANAGEMENT INTENT
This subregion consists of a single management unit
that is divided into tour subunits: an area near La/y
Mountain with grazing potential (la); state land selec-
tions near Harvard Glacier recommended for relin-
quishment (Ib); glaciated areas (1c); and areas clos-
ed to grazing to protect habitat values (Id). All public
lands in this unit are available for oil and gas leasing.
Public lands in this unit also will remain open to
mineral location and be available for coal leasing ex-
cept for the mineral lick area (parts of subunits 1a &
1d) which will be open under leasehold location. See
the maps at the end of this section for boundaries and
the accompanying chart for a summary of land uses.
Subunit la consists of approximately 8,300 acres of
land in the Lazy Mountain area that have grazing
potential. These lands will be retained in public owner-
ship and managed to protect fish and wildi.'fe and
recreation values. Due to high values for fish and
wildlife and recreation, grazing will be a secondary
use in this area.
Subunit Ib contains two townships of federal land
(T16N R11 and 12E, S.M.) which the state selected as
part of its land entitlement. They are recommended
for relinquishment to the federal government because
they are heavily glaciated and have low surface values.
They are located in the southeast portion of the study
area near Harvard Glacier.
Subunit Ic consists of those portions of the subregion
with generally low surface values for fish and wildlife
and recreation but which have mineral potential. The
area will be managed to protect existing fish and
wildlife habitat and use, recreational opportunities,
and mining. There are a significant number of mining
claims in this subregion and the area will remain open
to new mining claims.
Subunit Id encompasses the majority of the
subregion which has value for fish and wildlife habitat,
recreation and minerals. Due to the high values for
fish and wildlife (the area provides moose winter
habitat, bear denning and feeding areas, and impor-
tant sheep habitat) and recreation, this subunit will be
retained in public ownership and managed for habitat
and recreation. To avoid potential conflicts between
wildlife and livestock, it will be closed to additional
grazing. Decisions on the eventual renewal of the ex-
isting grazing lease in this unit should be made in a
manner consistent with the grazing policies in the
Agriculture section of Chapter 2 of this plan and with
the land use designations for the subunil. This subunit
will remain open (o new mining claims.
The mineral licks identified within this management
unit are used by significant numbers of wildlife,
primarily during the spring and early summer. No in-
formation currently exists on the biological function
served by these licks; however, the regular use of these
areas suggests that the licks play an important role in
the life history of the animals that use them. These
same licks also may have significant mineral values.
The management intent for the area around the licks
is to protect their value for wildlife and also to allow
exploration and development of mineral resources.
This will be done through developing a general policy
for management of all mineral licks in the Chugach
Mountains. Although mineral development may result
in disruption of a particular lick or animal access trail,
this policy will ensure that at least some licks are open
to wildlife use at all times.
In order to ensure these areas can be managed suc-
cessfully for both wildlife protection and development
of mineral values, mineral licks and the adjacent land
(the nine sections surrounding each lick) will be open
to mineral entry by leasehold location. Stipulations will
be applied to individual leases to balance habitat
values and mineral development. The general subjects
and objectives of these stipulations are presented in
the management guideline section below. Existing
mining claims within or adjacent to leasehold areas
will not be converted to leasehold locations nor will
holders of existing claims be required to get a lease
from the state prior to production. However, explora-
tion and mining on existing claims will be managed
as outlined in the management guidelines through
miscellaneous land use permits to afford protection
to the mineral lick areas.
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
The complete set of areawide management guidelines
is presented in Chapter 2 of this plan. All of the
guidelines potentially apply to uses within this manage-
ment unit; however, those that are most likely to be
applicable are indicated with asterisks in the list below.
"Agriculture
*Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Forestry
* Recreation
Settlement
*Subsurface -
Transportation
Instream Flow
Likeshore Management
'Public Access
397
<x LAND USE DE
SUBREGSON Chu9ach Mountains UNIT ^ ~ Chugach Mountains
| SUBUNit
la
Lazy
Mountain
Ib
Relinquish—
ment
Ic
Matanuska
Glacier
Id
Metal Creek
LAND
OWNERSHIP
GENERALIZED
State
State
Selected
State/
State
Selected/
Native
Selected
——
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
SURFACE
PRIMARY USE(S)
Public Rer.reat.lor
Wildlife Habitat
Reserved Use
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Wildlife Habitat
SECONDARY USE(S)
Grazing
——
——
——
SUBSURFACE
LOCATABLE
MINERALS
Mineral Lick-
leasehold
location (see
mgt. guide-
lines) other
areas open
Open
Open
Mineral Lick-
leasehold
location (see
mgt. guide-
lines) other
areas open
LEASEABLE
MINERALS
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
Available for
leasing
PROHIBITED
SURFACE
Remote Cabins
——
Remote Cabins
Grazing
Remote Cabins
COMMENTS
I
—
——
——
'Other uses such as material sales, land leases, remote cabin permits, etc., that o*e not
nrohihitpd mav he allowed Such uses will be allowed if consistent with the
;™k-... /-''°r..v fie. , .nac,~. -nf Q_.. .'line^ .his _..... anc .... i the van
Chugach Mountains 1
Remote Cabin Permits
Stream Corridors
*Trail Management
Wetlands Management
Resource Management
Subunits la and
(Metal Creek)
Subsurface
Id (Lazy Mountain and
Mineral exploration and development will be allow-
ed in the nine sections surrounding specified mineral
licks. Stipulations included as part of the mining lease
and/or permit will include measures to minimize, to
the extent feasible and prudent, the potential impacts
of mining on wildlife use of these areas. The follow-
ing guidelines will be followed in preparing stipula-
tions for specific leases and permits.
1. Stipulations will be developed on a case-by-case
basis for specific leases or permits considering the
type and importance of wildlife use and of planned
mining activities at a particular site. At the same
time, the status of wildlife use and potential for
mineral development of other mineral licks in the
region will be taken into consideration. The Alaska
Department of Natural Resources, to the extent
feasible and prudent, will ensure that a minimal
number of licks are being intensely explored or
developed at any one time.
2. Stipulations associated with the lease or permit must
address the following concerns:
• The avoidance of direct and indirect impact on
the mineral licks, the animal trails leading to them
and other areas of concentrated animal use that
are associated with the mineral lick.
• Methods tor compensating for the destruction or
loss of a lick (this could take the form of relocating
or introducing new mineralized material).
• The method and routing of mining-related access
to these areas.
Areas open under leasehold location affected by these
guidelines are listed below.
T17N R3E S.M.
section 9 SE'/i; section 10 S1/^; section 1 I S'/;; sec-
tion 12 SW4; section 13 W/>; section 14; section
15; section 16 E1/;; section 21 £'/>; section 22; sec-
tion 23; section 24 W1//; section 25 NW'/i; section
26 N'/>; section 27 N'/?; section 28 NE'/a
Subunit Id (Metal Creek)
Grazing
The subunit is closed to grazing. However, there is
a large (50,000 acre) existing grazing lease in the nor-
theast part ot this subunit. Decisions on the eventual
renewal of the lease should be made in a manner con-
sistent with the grazing policies in the Agriculture sec-
tion of Chapter 2.
399
CHUGACH MOUNTAINSpart 1 of 2
LAND STATUS
FEDERAL
|__| STATE
K\l STATE SELECTED
Y//A PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
FVl PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are not shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary
designations; those in lower case letters are
secondary designations. Statements in italics
indicate whether areas are open or closed to
mineral location and coal leasing; all areas
are available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - CHUGACH MOUNTAINS
la PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; grazing;
Mineral Lick Open under Leasehold Location, Other
Areas Open
1 b RESERVED USE; Open
1c PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Mineral
Lick Open under Leasehold Location, Other Areas
Open
Id PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
Map Scale 1:250,000
U.S.G.S. Quads:
Anchorage
CHUGACH MOUNTAINSpart 2 of 2
LAND STATUS
H——H FEDERAL
I I STATE
l\\l STATE SELECTED
Y//A PRIVATE (includes Native, Native selected,
university, university selected, and other
private lands)
m PAST STATE AND BOROUGH LAND SALES
NOTE: This information has been generalized to show owner-
ship in blocks of approximately 320 acres or greater. Hence,
many isolated private lots are no* shown, e.g., many lakes
which appear public are ringed with private lots.
Map Scale 1:250,000
U.S.G.S. Ouads:
Anchorage
Valdez
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designations in CAPITAL LETTERS are primary
designations; those in lower case letters are
secondary designations. Statements in italics
indicate whether areas are open or closed to
mineral location and coal leasing; all areas
are available for oil and gas leasing.
MGT. UNIT 1 - CHUGACH MOUNTAINS
la PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; grazing;
Mineral Lick Open under Leasehold Location,
Other Areas Open
1b RESERVED USE; Open
1c PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Mineral
Lick Open under Leasehold Location, Other
Areas Open
1d PUBLIC RECREATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT; Open
Chapter 4
IMPLEMENTATION
PRIORITIES FOR LEGISLATIVE AND
ADMINISTRATIVE DESIGNATIONS ............... 405
TRANSPORTATION PROPOSALS ................... 410
LAND DISPOSAL SCHEDULE ...................... 418
LAND TRADES, RELINQUISHMENTS
AND SELECTIONS ............................. 422
PUBLIC RECREATION CAPITOL
IMPROVEMENTS .............................. 423
LAND USE CLASSIFICATIONS ..................... 424
PRIORITIES FOR INSTREAM FLOW
STUDIES ..................................... 427
MANAGEMENT PLANNING PRIORITIES ............. 429
photograph by Pete Martin
403
CHAPTER 4
IMPLEMENTATION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the actions nesessary to implement the land use policies proposed by this area
plan. These actions include proposals for legislative or administrative designation of certain lands; im-
provements to the regional transportation system; a twenty-year land disposal schedule; recommend-
ed land exchanges, relinquishments and selections; priorities for capital improvements for recreation;
land use classifications; priorities for instream flow studies; and a list of possible locations for manage-
ment plans. Most of these proposed actions are discussed in more detail in other portions of the plan.
For example, proposals for legislative designations are included in the management intent summaries
for the appropriate subregions.
The list of implementation actions included in this chapter is not complete. Each land management
division within ADNR and ADF&G will need to prepare detailed regional implementation programs
built around the land use designations and guidelines specified in this plan. For example, now that
the timber land base of the area is defined, the Division of Forestry needs to determine allowable levels
of commercial and personal use harvest, prepare and implement a plan of annual timber sales, and
develop plans for access improvement and timber marketing.
These implementation actions will be used as a basis for budget preparation including requests for
changes in staff levels and requests for legislative funding of capital improvements, data collection or
other actions necessary to implement the plan.
PRIORITIES FOR LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE
DESIGNATION
A number of areas within the Susitna plan are propos-
ed for legislative or administrative designation. This
means that the plan recommends that the legislature
or governor grant these areas recreational rivers, parks,
recreation areas, forests or wildlife refuges, or include
them in the public reserve system. These special
designations would serve as official recognition of the
outstanding public values in these areas and of the
state's intent to retain these areas in public ownership
in perpetuity. A legislative or administrative (guber-
natorial) designation is recommended when an area
proposed by the plan for long-term retention possesses
such high resource values that:
1. It is clear that the area should remain in public
ownership permanently; and/or
2. the nature and value of the resources present re-
quire more restrictive management for their protec-
tion than is possible under a general multiple use
classification.
A detailed management plan will need to be prepared
for each area once it is legally designated. Issues ad-
dressed by management plans will include siting of
public facilities (e.g., campgrounds, boat launches),
clarification of the specific types and locations of allow-
ed uses in these areas, design of additional means of
public access, indentification of areas open and clos-
ed to remote cabins, etc. The areas that are proposed
for legislative or administrative designation have been
divided into two priorities. The first priority areas are
those that are either particularly high value areas or
appear particularly vulnerable to disruption. The se-
cond priority areas are also high value, but it was judg-
ed that either their resource values are not as likely
to be in jeopardy without a special designation or that
they are not quite as valuable as first priority areas.
Only the first priority areas are shown on the colored,
1:500,000 scale map that accompanies this plan. First
and second priority areas both are indicated on the
designation maps in Chapter 3.
In most cases the areas proposed for special designa-
tion contain multiple resource values, for example,
high value fishing and floating rivers running through
timber lands that are popular for hunting. In these
cases the plan "has not tried to split the proposal within
a single area into a portion that is proposed as a state
forest, a portion proposed as a state recreation area,
etc. Instead, the plan's rcommendations for special
designation extend to the entire block of high value
land.
405
The first priority areas are recommended for legislative
designation. For second priority areas the plan does
not distinguish between legislative and administrative
designations. The decision on the type of designation
is left to the legislature or governor.
The areas proposed for special designations are
grouped below according to their priority for legislative
or administrative action. The total area proposed for
legislative or administrative designation is approxi-
mately 3.6 million acres. For additional information
on individual proposals, see the appropriate manage-
ment unit summaries in Chapter 3.
FIRST PRIORITY AREAS
Recreation River Corridors: Kroto Creek-Moose
Creek, Lake Creek, Talachulitna River, Alexander
Creek, Talkeetna River.
Multiple Use Forest, Habitat, Recreation, Mining
Areas: Peters Creek, Mt. Susitna, Kashwitna, Lake
Creek, Kroto-Kahiltna.
Wildlife Habitat, Recreation Areas: Lower Susitna
Yentna; Jim-Swan Lakes, Palmer Hay Flats Addition.
Multiple Use Habitat, Recreation, Mining Areas:
Nelchina Public Use Area (core caribou calving area).
tributors to the Cook Inlet commercial salmon fishery.
The riparian habitat is also essential for sustenance of
mammalian populations. Moose winter range along the
rivers is particularly important.
River or Stream Acreage Subrcglon
1. Kroto Creek-
Moose Creek
2. Lake Creek
75,000 ac.
64,160 ac.
3. Talachulitna Creek 50,840 ac.
4. Alexander Creek 22,600 ac.
5. Talkeetna River 27,440 ac.
Petersville Rd.
subunits 1b & 4a
Susitna Lowlands
subunit 11b
Sunflower Basin
Mgmt. Unit 3;
Susitna Lowlands
subunit 7b.
Mt. Susitna
Management Unit
7
Susitna Lowlands
subunit 6d
Talkeetna Mts.
subunit 3b; South
Parks Hwy
subunits 5b & 6a
TOTAL AREA 240,040 ac.
SECOND PRIORITY AREAS
Trumpeter Swan Nesting Areas: Upper Kahiltna R.,
Hayes R., Upper Yentna R.
Wildlife Habitat, Recreation Areas: Gunsight
Mountain, Susitna Lake-Tyone R.
The remainder of this section presents brief descrip-
tions of the size and resource values of each of the
areas listed above.
Recreational River Corridors
These waterways are very high priority for legislative
designation. They are extremely valuable to the region's
economy and environment. These streams and rivers
are heavily used by the public for fishing, floating and
boating, transportation, and public access to hunting
and recreation sites. They attract people from across
the nation as well as Alaska residents, and the money
spent on transportation and river-based recreation is
an important source of local income. All five of these
waterways are anadromous fish streams, supporting
populations of king, silver, pink, red, and chum salmon,
as well as resident fish populations. In addition to sup-
porting sport fishing, these streams are major con-
The proposed legislative designation boundaries run
approximately one-half mile landward on each side
of the rivers. With the exception of the Talkeetna River,
which is partly in Native ownership, each corridor in-
cludes the full length of the river's main stem from
headwaters to terminus. Within these areas, land and
water would be managed for multiple use, including
hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities;
habitat management; timber harvesting and water
quality protection. Timber management activities are
secondary uses in the corridors; they will be design-
ed to protect and enhance habitat and recreation
values and water quality. Land sales would be pro-
hibited in these corridors; however, public use cabins
and in some instances commercial recreation facilities
would be allowed. Mineral entry and coal leasing or
prospecting also would be prohibited.
Multiple Use Forestry, Habitat, Recreation,
Mining Areas
Five areas proposed for legislative designation contain
a combination of commercially valuable forest lands,
high value habitat, and existing and potential value
for public recreation. These lands in the Peters Creek,
Mt. Susitna, Kashwitna, Lake Creek and Kroto-Kahiltna
406
areas would be managed for multiple use, including
timber management; habitat enhancement; hunting,
fishing and other recreational activites; and, protec-
tion of water quality and visual quality. These areas
would be open to mineral efftry and coal leasing and
prospecting. Details of each area are given below.
1.Peters Creek - 161,000 acres - Petersville
Road subunit la, Sunflower Basin subunit 7b
The proposed Peters Creek special designation is
the most important of the forestry areas proposed
by the Susitna Area Plan. The area is accessible from
Petersville Road and the Shulin Lake trail. Accessi-
bility makes lands within the proposal suitable for
near term commercial timber management. The
forests south of Petersville Road contain some of
the most valuable timber in the study area.
Numerous state and borough timber sales have
taken place nearby along the Petersville Road. Road
access also has contributed to the area's populari-
ty for other uses. While the timber north of
Petersville Road and west of Peters Creek is less
suitable for commercial management, these lands
are extremely valuable for wildlife habitat and hun-
ting. This proposed multiple use area includes a
large part of the most heavily hunted region in the
entire planning area. The scenery along the western
Petersville Road with views to the Peters Hills and
Alaska Range also attracts other recreationists for
sightseeing, skiing, snowmachining, hiking and cam-
ping. Finally, the area surrounds two of the most
important anadromous fish streams in the study
area, in terms of recreation use and riparian habitat
— Kroto Creek (see above) and Peters Creek.
2. Mt. Susitna - 146,000 acres - Mt. Susitna
subunlts 2a, 2b and 2c; Susitna Lowlands
subunit 6e
The proposed Mt. Susitna designation is a varied
region including dense lowland forests, numerous
streams and rivers, and alpine areas. There are vast
timberlands suitable for commercial management.
The Mt. Susitna area, which includes lands along
Trail Ridge, is an important moose hunting area and
is hunted for trophy specimens of brown bear; it is
also a known brown bear denning area. In addition,
Wolverine Creek and the Theodore River run
through the area and are regionally important ana-
dromous fish streams. Present recreational activity
centers around hunting and fishing, but the alpine
area also offers excellent opportunities for hiking and
skiing, and the area is likely to be a popular recrea-
tional destination (possibly including an alpine ski
area) if road access is provided to the area. Existing
access is by air, but the area proposed for designa-
tion is adjacent to the right-of-way connecting the
Beluga-Tyonek area with the railbelt. There are also
existing roads in the Tyonek area that extend near-
ly to the western boundary of this area.
3. Kashwitna - 75,000 acres - South Parks
Highway Management Unit 12
The proposed special designation in the Kashwitna
area lies between the Parks Highway and the western
front of the Talkeetna Mountains. It is an area with
valuable timber for commercial and/or personal use
near to areas with growing populations. In addition
to timber resources, the area is important for wildlife
habitat. Much of the lowland region east of the Parks
Highway is in private ownership, increasing the value
of this region for moose hunting. Bears also concen-
trate along the North Fork of the Kashwitna River.
The North Fork, the main stem of the Kashwitna, and
Sheep Creek all are important anadromous fish
streams that run through the proposed state forest.
Finally, the area offers opportunities for other forms
of recreation (e.g. skiing, hiking, and snowmachin-
ing) that will increase in popularity as access could
be provided from existing roads in either the Caswell
Lakes or Bartlett Hills areas.
4. Lake Creek forest lands - 29,000 acres -
Susitna Lowlands subunit 7a
The land west of Lake Creek is one of the most
densely forested regions in the entire study area. It
has potential for commercial management and
valuable for wildlife habitat, including moose winter
range. The forest lands abut the proposed Lake Creek
recreational river corridor ( see above) and in-
clude Yenlo Creek, an anadromous fish stream that
is one of the most important tributaries to Lake
Creek. This area is recommended for legislative
designation in recognition of the high timber and
habitat values even though the remoteness of the
site makes it unlikely that active forest management
will begin in the near future.
5. Kroto-Kahiltna - 118,000 acres - Susitna
Lowlands subunits 5f, Ha & 12b
A large, forested lowland area between Kroto Creek
and the Kahiltna River, and along a portion of the
Yentna River floodplain is proposed for legislative
designation for long term timber and habitat manage-
ment. The area supports extensive stands of com-
mercially valuable timber and provides important
moose winter range. Although currently inaccessible
by road, relatively inexpensive road access could be
provided in the future to link this area to the
Petersville Road via Oilwell Road. The value of this
area for hunting, hiking, snowmobiling and other
dispersed recreation activities is likely to grow
407
substantially in the future as adjacent lands designed
lor agriculture, settlement and resource management
are developed.
Wildlife Habitat and Recreation Areas
1. Lower Susitna-Yentna public use area -
54,000 acres — Susitna Lowlands, subunits
13d, 13e & 14e
Approximately 25,000 acres of extremely valuable
habitat land and associated timber land around
Kroto slough and 21,000 acres along the lower
reaches of the Yentna and Susitna Rivers are recom-
mended for legislative designation. The principal
goal of this proposal is the protection of winter range
essential to several moose populations and critical
nesting habitat for trumpeter swans. Commercial
timber management also would be a primary use
is the Susitna River corridor, a secondary use in the
Kroto Slough area, where swan nesting sites are con-
centrated, and a secondary use in the Yentna River
corridor where there are few timber lands.
2. Jim-Swan Lakes State Recreation Area —
7,600 acres — Glenn Highway subunit 3b
The Jim-Swan Lakes area near Bodenburg Butte is
proposed for legislative designation because of the
heavy public use of the area's lakes and streams for
salmon and trout fishing, waterfowl hunting, canoe-
ing, hiking and winter recreation activities. Use is
likely to increase as the population of the surround-
ing area grows. Limited timber harvesting may be
permitted in the area if it is consistent with the ma-
jor goals of providing recreation, protecting and
enhancing wildlife habitat, and protecting visual
quality.
3. Palmer Hay Flats Extension - 1,200 acres -
Glenn Highway subunit 2a
A small extension is proposed for the Palmer Hay
Flats game refuge. The refuge is managed primarily
for waterfowl habitat and hunting. The proposed
addition is a small parcel of land to the east of the
refuge at the mouth of the Knik and Matanuska
Rivers. This area is valuable waterfowl and moose
habitat and is also important as a visual buffer along
the Glenn Highway between more developed areas
to the north and south. The objective for this area
is to provide for protection and enhancement of
wildlife habitat. Other activities, including hunting,
other forms of recreation, and timber harvesting
would be allowed when consistent with the habitat
management goals for the refuge.
408
4.Gunsight Mountain - 97,000 acres - Glenn
Highway subunit lib and lie
Approximately 97,000 acres around Gunsight
Mountain just north of the Glenn Highway is
suitable for legislative or administrative designation
on the basis of the existing and future public use
and recreational opportunities of the area. The area
is located at the upper end of the Matanuska Valley
and offers a spectacular combination of rugged to
rolling mountain terrain with superb views across
the Matanuska River towards Lions Head and the
Chugach Range. Because of its inland location and
interesting topography, the area is particularly suited
tor winter recreation, including excellent cross-
country skiing and snowmobiling. Summer activities
include popular hikes on Gunsight Mountain,
picnicking and sightseeing. Hunting, skiing, snow-
mobiling, fishing and other types of recreation
collectively support at least four roadside lodges that
cater to these recreational users. It is also a popular
wildlife viewing area, as Dall sheep are often visible
from the road. A large portion of the area is within
Ahtna Native Corporation selections at present,
however, and thus unavailable for immediate
legislative or administrative designation. Public lands
within the area should be retained in public
ownership and managed for public recreation and
wildlife habitat until the Native selections are either
conveyed or relinquished and a decision can be
made to designate the whole area or only those
lands in state ownership.
5. Susitna Lake-Tyone River - 138,000 acres -
Lake Louise subunits Ib and 3d
The Susitna Lake-Tyone River area is intended to
provide a public recreation area to complement the
settlement lands surrounding Lake Louise. This area
offers miles of interesting waterways for boating, ex-
cellent fishing and hunting, and the water access
route into the Upper Susitna, McKenzie and
Gulkana River systems. The area also is used by the
Nelchina Caribou herd.
Multiple Use Habitat, Recreation, Mining
Area: Nelchina Public Use Area - 2.5
million acres
Lake Louise subunit 3b
Glenn Highway subunit 12a
Talkeetna Mountains subunits 2a, 2b
There are currently approximately 25,000 caribou in
the Nelchina Caribou herd — the third largest caribou
herd in the state. The herd is centered in the eastern
and central Talkeetna Mountains. The proposed
Nelchina public use area would protect the core of
the caribou calving grounds-and a significant portion
of the herd's commonly used range.
The proposed Nelchina public use area contains a core
area of a million acres that are critical calving grounds
for the Nelchina herd. This area is a first priority pro-
posal for legislative designation for protection of
caribou habitat, and for other public uses when com-
patible with the habitat protection goals (e.g. seasonal
use for hunting, hiking, and other recreational
activities).
Surrounding the core area are approximately 1.5
million acres of less frequently used calving grounds
and general caribou range. This area also should be
retained in public ownership and managed to protect
caribou habitat, other habitat values, and public
recreation opportunities. This outer ring is a second
priority for legislative or administrative action due to
its less critical role in the protection of the herd.
Mining presently occurs throughout much of the 2.5
million acres in the Nelchina public use area. The plan's
proposals for legislative or administrative designation
would leave the area open to mining and allow for
its continuation as one of the area's primary uses.
Swan Nesting Habitat — 80,000 acres
Susitna Lowlands subunits 1b and 3c;
Sunflower Basin subunit 6c
Three wetland and floodplain areas are proposed for
legislative or administrative designation to protect
trumpeter swan nesting habitat. These areas along the
Kahiltna, Hayes and upper Yentna Rivers are critical
to the perpetuation of trumpeter swan populations in
the Susitna Basin. In addition, the riparian lands within
these proposals provide important winter range for
several moose populations. Public uses such as hunt-
ing, fishing and other recreational activities would be
permitted in these areas when they do not conflict with
swan nesting sites. Mining will be permitted in these
areas under guidelines designed to minimize its effect
on swan habitat. These areas are thought to have very
low mineral potential.
409
TRANSPORTATION PROPOSALS
Introduction
Transportation planning is a necessary component of
a comprehensive land use plan. The design of an effi-
cient regional transportation system will be key to
resource development and a major determinant of
land use patterns in the Susitna area.
Most of the past transportation planning and road con-
struction in the Susitna region has focused on
upgrading major highways (e.g. the Clenn) or improv-
ing road access within and through areas that are
already developed. In contrast to these ongoing efforts,
transportation planning in the area plan focuses on
the need for near and long-term expansion of the
regional transportation system. Particular emphasis is
placed on identifying improvements that could facili-
tate resource development, increase opportunities for
public recreation and tourism, and open more land
for settlement.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities is currently studying regional transportation
needs in the Cook Inlet area. Results of this study, ex-
pected in late 1985, should be used to help prioritize
and implement the transportation recommendations
presented here.
The remainder of this section has three parts: 1) cur-
rent regional transportation projects, 2) routes of possi-
ble future roads and locations of other transportation
improvements that could provide future access to
resource development, recreation and settlement
areas, and 3) a preliminary listing of priorities among
the projects described in the second part.
Current Regional Transportation Projects
Three major transportation projects currently being
considered are described below. The area plan did
not address these proposals; they are listed here to pro-
vide background to the general subject of transporta-
tion improvements within the Susitna area.
1. Access to the Susitna Hydroelectric Project
Two large hydroelectric dams have been propos-
ed at Devils Canyon and Watana located on the up-
per Susitna River (See Chapter 3 — Talkeetna Moun-
tains Subregion for details). The transportation
system proposed by the Alaska Power Authority
would provide access to the Devils Canyon site via
a rail extension from the existing rail line beginning
near Gold Creek. Access to the Watana site is pro-
posed via a road from the Denali Highway south
to Watana through the Deadhorse Creek drainage.
410
Issues related to this proposed road and rail system
include the impacts from the proposed northern
road vs. access from the west, design standards for
the Denali highway (which would be upgraded if
the northern route is selected), and use of these
roads by the general public during and after
construction.
2. Glenn Highway Realignment
The Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOT/PF) is working on preliminary en-
vironmental and engineering assessment for
upgrading the Glenn Highway from mile 35 near
Palmer to approximately mile 1 35. No schedule has
been set for highway construction or more detailed
engineering and environmental assessment work. It
is likely that it will be at least 5 years before any con-
struction on the route actually occurs.
When construction does occur, DOT/PF engineers
expect the realignment generally to follow the ex-
isting road corridor. DOT/PF's major objectives for
the project are to improve road safety while
upgrading the road to enable higher travel speeds
and greater traffic volumes. In addition to these
objectives, the Department of Natural Resources
wants to protect and improve visual quality and im-
prove access to existing and proposed settlement
and recreation areas along the route. (Refer to
Chapter 3 — the Glenn Highway Subregion.)
3. Knik Arm Crossing
The Knik Arm crossing has been under considera-
tion for at least 15 years. A draft environmental im-
pact statement, preliminary engineering study and
set of public hearings on this subject were com-
pleted during 1984. If the state legislature decides
to fund the project, the crossing is expected to be
completed five years after construction begins. The
cost of the project will depend on the type of struc-
ture built. Preliminary costs for one alternative have
been estimated at $500 million. As this document
goes to press, the combination of falling state
revenues and the lack of strong public and local
government support make it unlikely that the pro-
ject will be funded in the 1985 legislative session.
The proposed crossing would tie Anchorage to Point
McKenzie, and provide a route that would shorten
the driving distance between Anchorage and Fair-
banks by 30-50 miles depending on which alter-
native route is built. Past studies indicate that the
crossing would bring substantial residential develop-
ment pressures in the southern portion of the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough and perhaps stimulate
other types of economic development, including a
possible port and industrial park area.
Possible Road and Trail Routes to be
Reserved in Public Ownership
The following section identifies a system of road and
trail routes and related transportation improvements
to be retained in public ownership. Eleven packages
of possible access improvements have been identified
in Petersville Road, Susitna Lowlands, North and South
Parks Highway and Glenn Highway Subregions. These
access improvements are designed to implement the
land use decisions made by this plan. They are
depicted on maps on the following pages. Also includ-
ed here are a description of several routes where rights-
of-way have already been established. These are in-
cluded to give a more complete picture of the regional
transportation system and because several of these
undeveloped rights-of way serve areas that are iden-
tified as needing access in the plan.
Most of the routes presented here are intended to be
regional transportation corridors, although some more
localized projects are also included. Most of these
regional routes would provide access to a number of
different public and private land use activities. For
more information on proposed local access projects
(for example to a single subdivision) refer to manage-
ment intent statements for individual subregions in
Chapter 3.
By proposing to retain these transportation routes, this
plan is not necessarily proposing the roads actually be
built. The major purpose is to protect the option to
build roads along efficient routes should the time come
when the benefits of construction outweigh the costs.
Another important point is that the locations of the
routes are intended to be quite general; more detailed
engineering and environmental work will be needed
prior to establishing actual rights-of-way.
l.Shulin Lake
The Shulin Lake package consists of two segments
(see map): a southward route following the existing
Shulin Lake Trail (segment 1a) and a possible route
for extending past Shulin Lake across the Kahiltna
River into the McDougal, Lake Creek and Kahiltna
land disposals.
Segment la travels southward from Petersville Road
for roughly twelve miles paralleling Peters Creek to
Shulin Lake. The route then continues for approx-
imately another 8 miles to the Oilwell Road system.
Segment la would provide access into the large
Peters Creek timber and habitat area recommended
for legislative designation for long-term multiple use
management. This route would also provide access
to an area designated resource management con-
taining both good timber stands and a large block
of state-owned agricultural soils. (See Petersville
Subregion, subunits 1a, 1e and Susitna Lowlands
Subregion, subunits 9b, 9c.)
Segment 1 b extends 7.5 miles southwest across the
Kahiltna River from where segment 1a goes past
Shulin Lake. This route provides access to remote
settlement areas, to borough- and state-owned lands
having good potential for timber production and
settlement, and to the edge of the Lake Creek cor-
ridor. (See Susitna Lowlands Subregion, subunits 7b
and 8a.) The route also provides a portion of a road
link with a number of mining areas located further
west.
2. Oilwell Road Extension
This package is comprised of improvements to
Oilwell Road south of Moose Creek. Oilwell Road
follows a 100' surveyed right-of-way from where it
begins at mile 6.5 of the Petersville Road. The road
extends south across Moose Creek into the Amber
Lakes area, continues southwest across Kroto Creek
through state and borough lands, then crosses the
Kahiltna River and continues to the Yentna River.
Much of this route is already constructed. From the
Petersville Road to Moose Creek it is a four season,
borough maintained road; beyond Moose Creek it
currently is passable during the summer by four
wheel drive vehicles except where it crosses Kroto
and Moose Creeks and the Kahiltna River and a bog
just west of Moose Creek.
The Mat-Su Borough received approximately
$100,000 for design and improvements to this road.
The borough is hoping to use the funds to buy a
surplus bridge to cross Moose Creek. Once the
bridge across Moose Creek is complete and the
adjacent bog crossed, the existing road would pro-
vide access into existing and proposed state and
borough settlement areas at Gate Creek and Amber
Lake. The road also would tie into the southern
boundary of the Peters Creek multiple use forestry-
habitat area recommended for legislative designa-
tion. (See Petersville Road Subregion, subunits 3b,
3c, 3f and 1b.)
South of Kroto Creek, the road passes through a
another proposed settlement area and then through
the northern edge of the Chijuk Creek area — a large
block of primarily borough land with high poten-
tial for forestry, agriculture and a variety of other
uses. Near the Kahiltna River, route la crosses the
route from Shulin Lake.
., ift4i»v ^' jr-f^••arffcfUSfc.*-. . :! • y<" / A '
RIGHTS-OF-WAYto be reserved for
POSSIBLE FUTURE
ROADS
1 Chulin Lake Routes
? 2 Oilwell Road Extension
£3 Chijuk Creek Loop
4 Lockwood Lake Loop
5 Petersville Road
\ 6 Trapper Creek Routes
:f 7 Chase/Larson Lake Routes
• 8 Kashwitna Routes
^ 11 Beluga-Tyonek Route
*---Major Existing Roads
i
I
II
I
I
I
I
1
I
1
I
I
I
I
I
J
J
3. Chijuk Creek Loop 5. Petersville Road
The Chijuk Creek access improvements package
consists of two north-south routes that loop together
at their southern ends. On the east side,segment 3a
comprises a southernly extension of the Oilwell
Road. This segment runs south of Amber Lake and
parallel to Kroto Creek. On the west side, segment
3b travels north and south parallel to the Kahiltna
River, tying into the Shulin Lake route. (See Chapter
3, Susitna Lowlands Subregion, subunits 9c, Ida,
10b, 11a, 11g, 12a, 12c. and 14b.)
The eastern part of the system passes through the
center of the Chijuk Creek block, providing access
to these borough lands with high value for timber
production, agriculture, fish and wildlife, and public
recreation. The remaining length of the proposed
right-of-way travels through the Kroto-Kahiltna area
that is recommended for legislative designation as
a multiple use forestry and habitat area. Along the
way it passes the Parker and Neil Lakes state sub-
divisions and other lands proposed for future
residential and agricultural homestead land sales.
The western route (3b) provides access to the
western portion of the Kroto-Kahiltna lands discuss-
ed above. The loop connecting these two routes
would provide access into the Deshka Flats area —
a parcel with agriculture, forest and other resource
values designated resource management.
4 .Lockwood Lake Loop
This package of routes is an extension of the Chi-
juk Creek system described above. Segment 4a is
a loop that runs north-south parallel to Kroto Creek,
cuts across through the Lockwood Lakes area and
then swingsback to the north, paralleling the
Kahiltna and Yentna Rivers. Extending access into
this area would open more of the Kroto-Kahiltna
multiple use retention area and, in the south, pro-
vide access to the Fish Lakes and Lockwood Lakes
areas. These latter areas include several past and
planned state land sales and blocks of borough land
with settlement values. Segment 4b extends further
south to link up with a possible bridge crossing of
the Big Susitna River. (See Susitna Lowlands
Subregion, subunits 12a, 12b, 11a, 11g, 13a, 13c
and 13f.) The final portion of this access package,
segment 4c, is a spur route extending eastward
across Kroto Creek. This route would provide ac-
cess into the Kashwitna Knobs area, a large, con-
tinguous block of class II and III soils designated for
agriculture. (See Susitna Lowlands Subregion,
subunit 14b)
It is recommended that the existing Petersville road,
from approximately Gate Creek east, be considered
for improvement in order to permit greater access
to settlement, forestry, recreation and mining activi-
ties. In addition, a spur off this route should also
be retained in public ownership. This spur follows
the route of an existing trail from the Forks Road-
house due west across Peters Creek. This spur route
provides access into the Lower Cache Creek min-
ing area as well as adjacent hunting and timber
areas. (See Petersville Road Subregion, subunits 1a
and Id, and Sunflower Basin Subregion, subunit 6a,
6c, 7a and 7b.)
6. Trapper Creek
This set of proposed improvements is primarily
designed to provide access into existing agricultural
and settlement areas. It includes several proposed
road routes and also several parking and trail im-
provement proposals. These proposed routes and
other access projects are of lesser regional import-
ance than the projects discussed previously, but are
included here due to public requests for access im-
provements in these areas.
One of these routes, (segment 6a), travels north from
the Petersville Road near Trapper Creek and would
enable access to existing and proposed seasonal and
year round settlement areas between Moose Creek
and Trapper Creek. This route would also provide
access into the Scotty Lake agricultural area. Some
additional public recreation opportunities would be
opened, although the density of settlement will pro-
bably limit opportunities for recreation by non-
residents. (See Petersville Road Subregion, subunits
5a, 5c, 5d.)
The Kenny Creek right-of-way (Segment 6b)
originates approximately 10 miles west of the Parks
Highway on the Petersville Road. It is already platted
through the existing Kenny Creek State Subdivision.
(See Petersville Road Subregion, subunit 2d.)
The Rabideux route (segment 6c) is located between
the Susitna River and Rabideux Creek. This area
contains a mixture of state, borough and private
lands including a past state agricultural land sale.
There are currently unimproved, short spur roads
extending along the first several miles of both ends
of this route. (See Petersville Road Subregion,
subunits 7a-7c.)
In addition to retention of possible road routes, two
413
RIGHTS-OF-WAYto be reserved for
POSSIBLE FUTURE
ROADS
9 North Parks Hwy. Routes
10 Glenn Hwy. Area Routes
possible access-related projects in this area are con-
struction of parking areas along the Parks Highway
between Trapper Creek and Denali state park. This
stretch of the Parks Highway is currently used as
a departure point for foot and off-road vehicle ac-
cess into a number of past state land sales. Lack of
established parking facilities leads to unsafe park-
ing along the main highway, vandalism and cars
stuck in snow or mud. In addition to parking
facilities, trails from these areas (in most cases
already in use) need to be formally established in
state and borough records. (See Petersville Road
Subregion, units 2 and 5.)
7. Chase and Larson Lake
This package of possible improvements consists of
several independent segments originating in the
Chase area and on the Talkeetna Spur Road. These
segments would provide access to the Chase
Agricultural Homestead and past remote parcel and
subdivision areas and to Larson Lake.
The Chase Agricultural Homestead project was of-
fered in the summer of 1984. The state also offered
a large subdivision and several other land sales in
the area. (See South Parks Highway Subregion, unit
4.) A system of platted rights-of-way, (segment 7a)
runs through this area.) This system includes a plat-
ted right-of-way that crosses the Talkeetna River
north of the Satellite Earth Station and connects the
subdivision and the Chase Agricultural homestead
areas with the existing road system.
The other route included in this package (segment
7b) primarily would enable access to borough-
owned lands adjacent to Larson Lake. The borough
is requesting funding from the legislature for this pro-
ject. This road would provide access to public and
private recreational lands around the lake and en-
courage tourism development. Future borough land
sales are contingent on the provision of access. This
route would also provide access to several small past
and planned state subdivisions and the middle por-
tion of the Talkeetna River. (See Chapter 3, South
Parks Highway Subregion, subunit 5c.)
8. Kashwitna
Routes included in this package would provide ac-
cess into a large block of state-owned land in the
Kashwitna and Willow drainages recommended for
legislative or administrative designation for recrea-
tion, timber and habitat management. In addition
to these uses, access into the area would open lands
for disposal of agricultural homesteads. The first
possible route into this area (segment 8a) extends
east from the Caswell Lakes Subdivision area. (See
South Parks Highway, subunits 12a and 12b.) A se-
cond possible route (segment 8b) is located outside
the Susitna planning area in the adjacent Willow
Sub-basin. This route would leave the Parks
Highway between Willow and Little Willow Creeks
and provide access to borough lands with agricul-
tural, forestry and settlement potential as well as to
the Kashwitna habitat and timber multiple use area.
9. North Parks Highway
This package includes several small scale possible
improvements — mostly parking and trails
developments — to provide or improve access into
several settlement areas. These improvements, if
well designed, could also improve public recrea-
tion access. Specific improvements include:
a. Hurricane (North Parks Highway Subregion,
subunit 3b) — trail to disposal area including im-
provements to the foot bridge across the Chulit-
na River and acquisition of public access to bridge
from the Parks Highway, parking area on Parks
Highway.
b. Chulitna Bluffs (subunit 3e) — trail and parking.
c. Hurricane Addition (subunit 3e) — route from
Parks Highway into settlement area and foot-
bridge across Chulitna River.
d. Public Parking (subunits 3c, 3d) — parking areas
along the Parks Highway to provide public ac-
cess into adjacent recreation and hunting areas.
IQjGIenn Highway
Like the possible improvements identified for the
North Parks Highway area, transportation improve-
ments in the Glenn Highway area are generally not
of regional significance. Most of these projects are
designed to provide access to settlement and/or
recreational uses. Specific possible improvements
include:
a.Tsadaka Canyon (Glenn Highway Subregion,
subunit Id) — possible improvements related to
Glenn Highway relocation and timber harvests.
b. Jim-Swan Lakes area (subunit 3b) — acquisi-
tion of public rights-of-way, improvements to
trails and possible roads.
c. Drill Lake-Fish Lake and Two Rivers Ridge
areas (subunits 5c and 5d) — retention of rights-
of-way to planned state subdivision areas.
415
d.Bonnie Lake Area (subunit 7a) — retention of
rights-of-way and corridors for possible roads and
trails related to settlement and recreation use.
e. Matanuska Valley Muose Range (Management
Unit 6) — a number of possible road and trail im-
provements are being considered for this area
through a management plan currently underway.
These improvements are intended principally to
permit commercial and personal use timber
harvests and habitat enhancement. Improving the
existing Permanente Road is one good option.
f. Long Lake (subunit 8b) — trail and possible road
improvements within the Long Lake State Recrea-
tion Area and proposed expansion of that area.
g. Cascade Creek Homestead (subunit 10e) —
parking area and possible access road.
h.Lion Head (subunit 10e) — a short access road
and parking area for planned land disposal area.
access to center ofI. Nelchina River (unit 11 a)
area by road or trail.
11 Beluga and Tyonek
This right-of-way is already on the status plats. This
route is intended to link the railbelt with land in the
Tyonek and Beluga area. If coal resources are
developed in the Beluga area, the coal would be
shipped to markets directly from the Beluga area.
(The economic viability of production of Beluga coal
is based on its proximity to deep water ports within
15 miles of the coal deposits.) The purpose of this
route, therefore, would be to connect the townsite
or work camp that would accompany coal develop-
ment with the Palmer and Anchorage area.
Summary and Priorities of Possible Ac-
cess Improvements
The possible access improvements described above
are intended to provide an overview of the principal
transportation projects that may be needed to imple-
ment the plan's land use policies. As explained, there
has not been sufficient public review nor agency
analysis of the costs and benefits of these projects to
recommend that they be funded at this time. The plan-
ning team has, however, made a preliminary effort to
identify projects that appear to be most needed. These
priorities are not based on detailed cost-benefit analysis
and are only included here as a guide to subsequent,
more thorough assessment and public review. For
these reasons, the priorities are presented in 4 general
categories (1:high — 4:low).
This identification and prioritization of possible access
improvements includes both routes for major roads
and more modest improvements that are chiefly
beneficial at a particular site.
A list of access projects and priorities is shown below.
These priorities are based on a consideration of three
criteria: 1) requests for access improvements by
numerous people over the course of the 3 year public
involvement process associated with the plan, 2) the
presence of land disposals, mining, recreational activi-
ties or other uses that currently need access , and/or
3) land use designations in this plan, such as forestry,
agriculture, settlement or recreation, that are likely to
result in the need for improved access in the future.
PRIORITY RATING
KEY: l = hiqh-4 = low_________________
1 .Shulin Lake Access Improvements
a. Shulin Lake Trail
b. Kahiltna Crossing
2.Oilwell Road Extension
3.Chijuk Creek Loop Access Improvements
a. East side 2
b. West side 2
4.Lockwood Lake Loop Access Improvements
a. Lockwood Lakes 3
b. Susitna River access 4
c. Kashwitna Knobs access 3
5 . Petersville Road Access Improvements
a. Petersville Road 3
b. Cache Creek Trail 4
6.Trapper Creek Access Improvements
a. Scotty Lake 3
b. Kenny Creek 3
c. Rabideux 2
d. Parks Hwy. Parking and Trails 2
7.Chase and Larson Lake Access Improvements
a. Chase Ag Homestead 1
b. Talkeetna River Crossing 2
c. Larson Lake 1
8. Kashwitna Access Improvements
a. Caswell-Kashwitna 2
b. Willow Creeks 1
9. North Parks Highway Access Improvements
a. Hurricane 2
b. Chulitna Bluff 1
c. Hurricane Addition 3
d. Public Parking 3
416
10.Glenn Highway Access Improvements
a. Tsadaka Canyon 5
b. Jim Swan Lakes I
c. Drill and Fish Lakes and Two Rivers Ridge 2
d. Bonnie Lake Area — 5
e. Matanuskd Valley Moose Range 2
f. Long Lake .5
g. Cascade Creek Homestead 2
h. Lions Head 3
i. Nelchina River 4
11.Beluga and Tyonek Access Improvements 4
417
LAND DISPOSAL SCHEDULE FOR THE SUSITNA AREA:
1984-2004
Introduction
The following section discusses the state land disposal
program in the Susitna Area for the next 19 years.*
The section is broken into three parts. The first part
outlines the general goals that will guide the Depart-
ment as it develops its yearly land disposal program
in the Susitna Area.
The second part outlines several guidelines that pro-
vide specific guidance to the Division of Land and
Water Management for meeting the land disposal pro-
gram's goals. These guidelines outline how much land
the Department will offer each year, the quality and
location of that land and how the land disposal areas
identified in the plan relate to the Land Availability
Detemination System (LADS) process currently used
by the Department to prepare land for disposal.
The final part contains a comprehensive list of all pro-
jects that will be available for disposal sometime in
the next 20 years. It is organized in the following order:
past subdivisions to be offered over the counter, past
remote projects to be converted to homestead areas,
and new disposal projects (subdivisions, agriculture
sales and homesteading areas).
Goals for Land Disposal Program
1. Pace of Land Offerings
The total supply of new land identified in the Susitna
Plan for disposal should be offered in roughly even
increments over the next 20 years.
2. Offering of Past Projects
The majority of the large stock of land identified for
disposals within the boundaries of past land offer-
ings should be offered to the public over the next
five to eight years. All unsold subdivisions lots
should be made available over-the-counter. Land
within past remote parcel areas should be offered
under the homestead program. After new disposal
The public review dralt of the plan identified disposals for a
20 year period. A portion of those disposal areas were offered
for sale in FY 84. The remaining lands identified for disposal
in the plan therefore will be offered over the next 19 years.
areas are initially offered, unsold areas intended for
disposal should likewise remain available for future
over-the-counter offerings.
3. Offering of Quality Settlement Land
The public should have an opportunity each year
to acquire some of the most suitable settlement land
the plan has to offer. As a result, the best new land
should not all be offered in the near term but
distributed over the life of the plan.
4. Diversity of Yearly Offerings
The department should attempt each year to offer
land under all of the various state land disposal pro-
grams — subdivision, fee-homestead, agricultural
homesteads and large lot-aliquot part sales.
Guidelines for Disposal Program
1. Amount of Land Offered Each Year
To ensure that the disposal of the new land offered
in the plan is distributed over the 20-year planning
period, it is necessary to calculate each year the
disposal acreage necessary to maintain an approx-
imately even flow of land disposals over the life of
the plan. This will be done by dividing the net supp-
ly of new lands remaining for disposal in the plan
by the number of years remaining in the life of the
plan. Expressed as a formula this calculation is as
follows:
Net Acreage Available for Disposal
Annual _ ______Remaining in Plan________
Offerings Years Remaining in Life of Plan
This calculation provides a general guideline for the
appropriate amount of annual sales. Departures
from the annual offering level, as calculated above,
may be made for administrative purposes as long
as the level of annual offerings remains generally
consistent with the objective of distributing disposals
of new lands evenly over the planning period.
However, a decision to offer the new settlement
land at a pace that would exhaust the supply prior
to the life of the plan will require a plan amendment.
In addition to these new offerings, all past remote
areas identified for conversion to the homesteading
program-should be offered within the next five to
eight years (see list in Part IV of this chapter). These
additions will result in a gradually declining pace
of annual offerings over the life of the plan.
418
2. Identification of Additional Land for Sale
If changing social or economic conditions warrant
an increase in the amount of land allocated to set-
tlement, the plan may be amended. In the event
this occurs, the Susitna Area Plan, Settlement Ele-
ment (DNR, 1985), a background report on lands
suitable for settlement within the study area, will
be used to help identify additional lands for disposal.
Other relevant information on soils, access, public
preferences, etc. also may be used to identify
suitable lands. Modifying the land use allocations
in the plan requires public review through the plan
amendment process outlined in Appendix A-
3. Phasing of Projects
In order to ensure there are high quality offerings
available through the life of the plan, and that there
are enough areas available so a project can be
offered each year in the various regions of the Basin,
the Division of Land and Water Management will
offer certain projects in phases, rather than all at
once. For example, the Lake Louise settlement areas
may be offered over seven or eight years.
4. The LADS Process
The Land Availability Determination System (LADS)
is the process used by DNR to identify, process, and
offer state land for sale to the general public. All
areas identified for settlement in the plan will go
through the LADS process.
The Susitna Area Plan should help streamline the
LADS process since one of the key decisions
previously made through LADS — the decision on
whether or not a project should be sold — has
already been made. The LADS process will not ad-
dress this issue; rather LADS will be used to involve
agencies and the public to address such concerns
as parcel layout and design. Through this plan DNR
makes a strong commitment to dispose of the pro-
jects identified for sale. Only if new information
should become available which indicates an over-
whelming impact on a resource should any project
be reconsidered. Such a change will require a plan
amendment.
5. The Statewide Disposal Plan
In partial fulfillment of the provisions of AS
38.04.020, the Department will prepare an annual
statewide land disposal plan. This plan will incor-
porate existing area and management plans and
describe the Department's planned land offerings
in each region of the state. These proposals will be
based on the Department's settlement and land
management policies; on land suitability informa-
tion; competing land use values; supply, demand
and need for disposal; effects of disposal on other
resources and resource uses; transportation systems;
available funds and other factors of regional and
statewide concern.
6. Changes in Net Offerings from Those Identified
in Plan
The net disposal acreages identified in the plan for
each sale area are estimates only. The actual level
of sales, which may be above or below what is
estimated in the plan, will be set on a case by case
basis through the Departments' LADS process.
While the availability of more detailed site infor-
mation often will result in sales levels different from
the plan estimates, DNR will strive to oiler land
at or near the level estimated in the plan.
7. Selling Areas Identified for Agriculture
The plan specifies whether proposed sales areas
should be used for agriculture or settlement. Dur-
ing the LADS process, sales areas will be evaluated
in detail to determine soil characteristics including
the quality of the sites for agriculture. If a site
designated for agriculture land sales proves not to
be feasible for agriculture, the area may be sold for
settlement. Such a decision would either be a minor
change or an amendment to the plan depending
on the significance of the change at a specific site.
The minor change/amendment procedure would
occur as part of the agency and public review oc-
curing through the LADS process.
Because of the limited opportunities for agriculuture
in the state and the popularity of agricultural offer-
ings, if a site proposed for settlement in the plan
is discovered to have good potential for agriculture,
the disposal may be made for this latter use. Such
a change would follow the same procedure as
outlined in the preceeding paragraph for changes
from agriculture to settlement.
8. Changes in Project Boundaries.
If during the LADS process the Division of Land and
Water Management determines that the boundaries
of an area identified in the plan for settlement need
revision, the change will follow the procedures for
minor changes or amendments as outlined in Ap-
pendix A.
419
List of Land Disposal Projects in the
Susitna Area
(N) = New Offering
(R) = Reoffering of Past Remote Parcel Area
(OTC) = Past Subdivision with Unsold Lots
Available "Over-the-Counter"
NOTE: Includes FY 85 offerings
Nine Mile Additions (N) 6a
Nine Mile (R) t>a
Susitna River (N) 7a
Miscellaneous Ag.
Homesteads (N) (Misc.)
240 acres
600 acres
130 acres
520 acres
MGT.
PROJECT
NORTH PARKS HIGHWAY
Indian River Subdivision
(OTC)
Antimony Creek (N)
Chulitna Bluffs (N)
Pass Creek (N)
Hurricane Addition (N)
SOUTH PARKS HIGHWAY
Indian River West (N)
Sherman (N)
Curry North (N)
McKenzie Creek (N)
Whiskers Creek (N)
Disappointment Creek (N)
Chase 11 Subdivision
(OTC)
Talkeetna Bluffs (OTC)
Sheep River (N)
Bald Mountain Subdivison
(OTC)
Talkeetna Foothills (N)
Talkeetna Foothills
Extension (N)
Montana Creek (N)
Caswell Creek Ag.
Homestead (N)
PETERSVILLE ROAD
Schneider Lake (R)
Kroto Creek West (N)
Tokosha Sales (N)
Denali View (R)
Swan Lake Subdivision
(OTC)
Kenny Creek SubdJvison
(OTC)
Safari Lake Subdivision
(OTC)
Upper Trapper Creek (N)
Amber Lakes Addition (N)
Gate Creek South (N)
Amber Lakes (R)
Trapper Creek Sales (N)
Trapper Creek/Glen
Subdivision (OTC)
UNIT
3b
3c
3e
3e
3e
la
1e
1e
1e
3c
4e
5a
5a
7a
7b
7c
7c
7e
13b
1c
1e
2c
2d
2d
2d
2d
2h
3c
3c
3b
5 a
5c
NET AREA (ACRES)
LOTS AVAILABLE
(APRIL, 1985)
4 lots
500 acres
540 acres
1,240 acres
330 acres
100 acres
200 acres
120 acres
440 acres
470 acres
1,040 acres
1 lot
1 lot
340 acres
1 lot
1,520 acres
1,920 acres
560 acres
3,620 acres
160 acres
320 acres
2,330 acres
290 acres
1 lot
73 lots
15 lots
1,890 acres
320 acres
2,280 acres
520 acres
1,370 acres
14 lots
SUNFLOWER BASIN
Yenlo Hills (R) la
Donkey Creek (N) Ib
Mt. Yenlo (N) 5b
Treasure Creek (N) 6b
5.590 acres
4,.520 acres
1,000 acres
1,300 acres
SUSITNA LOWLANDS
Hewitt-Whiskey Remote
(R) 2b 1,450 acres
Kichatna Addition (N) 2b 1,1 50 acres
Kichatna Remote (R) 2b 4,040 acres
Johnson Creek Remote (R) 2b 6,950 acres
Shell Hills Remote (R) 2b 2,990 acres
Hewitt-Whiskey Subd.
& Addn. (OTC) 2c 157 lots
Onestone Lake Subdivison
(OTC) 2c 75 lots
Shell Lake North
Subd. & Addn. (OTC) 2c 83 lots
Shell Hills Subdivision
(OTC) 2c 153 lots
Porcupine Butte West (N) 3b 1,600 acres
Skwentna Station
Subdivition (OTC) 4a 16 lots
Skwentna Flats (N) 4c 90 acres
Skwentna Flats Reoffer (R) 4c 1,230 acres
Skwentna Flats
Subdivision (OTC) 4e 23 lots
Alder View Subdivision
& Addition (OTC) 5c 62 lots
Alder View Extension (N) 5e 375 acres
Rabbit Lake/Toms Creek
(N) 6c 240 acres
Otter Lakes Subdivision
(OTC) 6f 10 lots
Kutna Creek Subdivision
(OTC) 6f 129 lots
Trail Ridge Subdivision
(OTC) 6f 6 lots
Shovel Lake East (N) 7c 1,070 acres
Lake Creek/McDougal
North Remote (R) 8a 5,750 acres
Kahiltna Remote (R) 9d 5,360 acres
Parker Lake Subdivision
(OTC) lOb 21 lots
Parker Lake Addition (N) lOb 430 acres
Neil Lake East (N) 11f 510 acres
Kroto West (ag.
homesteads) (N) llg 2,200 acres
Kahiltna Flats Subdivision
(OTC) 12c 209 lots
Kahiltna Flats Addition (N) 12d 670 acres
Lockwood Homestead (R) 13a 1,000 acres
Yentna Remote/
Homestead (R) 13a 1,200 acres
Lockwood Lake
Subdivision (OTC) 13a 11 lots
420
Lockwood East (N)
Yentna Uplands (ag.
homestead) (N)
Whitsol North (ag.
homestead) (N)
Kashwitna Knobs
(agriculture) (N)
Moose Creek East (N)
MT. SUSITNA
Alexander Creek West
Subdivision (OTC)
Lower Sucker Ck. South
(ag. hmstd.) (N)
Trail Creek (N)
Hiline Lake South (N)
Quartz Creek (R)
Friday Creek (R)
Talachulitna West (N)
Canyon Creek (N)
Quartz Creek West (N)
Canyon Lake
Subdivision (OTC)
Coal Creek (R)
Sunday Lakes (R)
High Mountain Lakes
Subdivision (OTC)
Super Cub Subdivision
(OTC)
BELUGA
Primo/Bishop Lake (N)
ALASKA RANGE
Shirley Lake (N)
LAKE LOUISE
Lake Susitna (N)
Lake Louise (N)
Lake Louise East (R)
GLENN HIGHWAY
Tsadaka Canyon (N)
Pinnacle Mountain (N)
Kings River North (N)
Two Rivers (N)
Drill Lake (N)
Bonnie Lake (N)
Monument and Lake
Creeks (N)
Bench Lake (OTC)
Chugach View (N)
Cascade (N)
Lions Head (N)
Nelchina River (N)
I3c
13g
-13g
14b
14c
2d
2e
2f
4b
5c
5c
5c
5c
5c
5d
8c
8c
8e
9d
2b
la
1b
1c
2
1e
5a
5a
5c
5d
7a
lOa
lOd
10e
lOe
10e
11a
600 acres
2,860 acres
980 acres
12,000 acres
1,000 acres
102 lots
800 acres
800 acres
600 acres
770 acres
1,470 acres
2,320 acres
670 acres
2,240 acres
25 lots
1,960 acres
600 acres
71 lots
120 lots
1,400 acres
3,330 acres
125 acres
1,000 acres
4,600 acres
320 acres
80 acres
80 acres
400 acres
400 acres
600 acres
850 acres
25 lots
560 acres
570 acres
300 acres
1,565 acres
421
LAND TRADES, RELINQUISHMENTS AND SELECTIONS
Land Trades
It is ADNR's policy that land'exchanges involving state
lands or state interests in land be consistent with area
plans. Because the type and location of state land
needed for exchanges varies greatly, depending on the
exchange under consideration, area plans generally
do not predesignate specific parcels of land for future
exchanges. When a specific exchange is proposed, the
area planning team will be responsible for identifying
and prioritizing state lands suitable for exchange.
Listed below are presently known land trading needs
which may have to be met from state lands in the Susit-
na area.
I.Seldovia Native Association — 19,000 acres
statewide
(Kachemak Bay State Park tradeout)
2. Matanuska-Susitna Borough — less than 5,000 acres
(Small stock for tradeout, if necessary, of valuable
fish and wildlife or public recreation lands patented
to or selected by borough)
3. CIRI (Subsurface land in Kachemak Bay) - 30,000
acres
4. Susitna Hydro Native Lands - 60,000
acres affected by the hydro projects
20,000
(Sites for proposed dams, reservoirs and related faci-
lities are all in native ownership and will need to
be acquired )
5. Mental Health Lands — unknown
Relinquishments and Selections
The planning team reviewed all state land selections
in the Susitna area to determine which if any should
be relinquished. The team recommends
relinquishment of only four townships. Two are
located in the Alaska Range Subregion (T. 16N, R. 19W
and 20W S.M.), the other two in the Chugach Range
Subregion (T. 16N, R. 11E and 1 2E S.M.). The federal
government has recently given the state tentative
approval to the vast majority of state selections in the
area, including numerous mountain tops, ice fields,
and glaciers, and as a result there are very few areas
to consider for relinquishment.
The block of federal land adjacent to the Denali
Highway in the northeast part of the planning area is
the only potential candidate tor state selection. The
team agreed this area should remain in federal
ownership and be managed for public recreation,
protection and use of fish and wildlife, and exploration
and development of mineral resources.
422
PUBLIC RECREATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
The following section summarizes the priorities of
ADNR, ADF&C, and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough
for capital improvements to improve opportunities for
public recreation in the Susitna planning area and the
Willow Sub-basin. These priorites were prepared in
response to a request by the Governor in November,
1984 for priorities to improve public recreation oppor-
tunities throughout the southcentral portion of Alaska.
Readers interested in more details of these proposals
should obtain a copy of the report, Southcentral
Recreation Action Plan (ADF&G and ADNR
December, 1984). This report is available from the An-
chorage offices of either of these Departments.
Proposed improvements are divided into two
categories: land acquisitions and facilities
developments. A table on each of these subjects is
presented below:
Project
Proposed Land Acquisitions
Features and Benefits
Approx.
Cost ($)
1. Cottonwood Creek
2. Kashwitna Landing
3. Wasilla Creek
4. Little Willow Cr.
5. Neil Lake
6. Moose Creek
7. Nancy Lakes
Fishing and hunting near
Wasilla; 9,000 fishing days/yr;
important hunting area
Boat launch on lower Susitna
River
Coho fishery access, hunting
Access from Parks Highway
to popular fishing area
Floatplane access to Kroto
Creek (Deshka River)
Road access for fishing and
boating
Acquisition of inholdings for
trail system
40,000
($212,000/yr.
operating
budget
500,000
180,000
180,000
200,000
250,000
2. Park and Recreation Facilities (Non-Riverine)
Approx.
Project Features and Benefits Cost ($)
a. Independence Mine
Historic Site
b. Public Cabins in
Parks and Other
Recreation Areas
( . Park Signs
Enhance historic structures
Construct and/or repair 14
cabins for public use
Visitor information
600.000
225.000
1. 55.000
Ktnlevvidei
Proposed Facilities Developments
1. River Related Facilities
Project Features and Benefits
Approx.
Cost ($)
a. Willow Creek State
Recreation Area
b. Little Susitna R.
Major southcentral fishing
and camping site
50 parking units and boat
launch
c. Talkeetna Boat Launch Campground, public access,
launch
d. Kepler-Bradley Lakes
e. Sheep Creek
Fishing, boating, other public
recreation: barrier-free public
access
Trails, fishing accessible1 ironi
Parks Highway
7,735,000
400,000
173,000
($10,000/yr
operating
budget)
500.000
200,(XX)
423
LAND USE CLASSIFICATIONS
MANAGEMENT
UNIT/SUBUN1T CLASSIFICATION(S)
North Parks Highway Subreglon
la (private land)
1b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
2a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
2b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
3a (private land)
3b Settlement
3c Settlement/Public Recreation
3d Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
3e Settlement
MANAGEMENT
UN1T/SUBUNIT CLASSlFlCATiON(S)
South Parks
la
1b
1c
Id
1e
If
lg
1h
2
3a
3b
3c
4a
4b
4c
4d
4e
4f
5a
5b
5c
5d
6a
6b
7a
7b
7c
7d
7e
8a
8b
8c
9a
9b
9c
9d
lOa
lOb
11
12a
I2b
12c
13a
I3b
14a
I4b
424
Highway Subregton
Settlement
Settlement
Reserved Use
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
(Borough Land Bank)
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
(railroad land)
Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
(Borough Land Bank)
Settlement
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
(Borough Land Bank)
Agriculture
Settlement
Settlement
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Minerals/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
(Borough Land Bank)
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Settlement
Settlement
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Agriculture
(private land)
Settlement
(Borough Land Bank)
(private land)
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
(private land)
(private land)
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Forestry/Wildlife Habitat
Forestry/Wildlife Habitat
Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
Forestry/Wildlife Habitat
(private land)
Agriculture
(Borough Land Bankl
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Petersville Road
la
1b
1c
Id
le
2 a
2d
2e
2f
2h
3a
3b
3c
3d
3e
3f
3g
4a
4b
Sa
5b
5c
5d
5e
6a
6b
6c
6d
6e
7a
7b
7c
7d
7e
7f
Subreglon
Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Public Recreation/Settlement
Settlement
Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
Public Recreation
Settlement
Settlement
(Borough Land Bank)
(university land)
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Settlement
(university land)
(Borough Land Bank)
Settlement
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
(private land)
Settlement
Public Recreation
Settlement
(private land)
(university land)
Settlement
(Borough Land Bank)
Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
(private land)
Settlement
Agriculture
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
(Borough Land Bank)
(private land)
Sunflower Basin Subreglon
la Settlement
1b Settlement
2 Minerals/Wildlife Habitat
3 Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
4 Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
5a Wildlife Habitat
5b Public Recreation/Settlement/Wildlife
Habitat
6a - Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
6b Settlement
6c Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
7a Minerals/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
7b Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
MANAGEMENT
UNIT/SUBUNIT CLASSIFICATION(S)
MANAGEMENT
UNIT/SUBUNIT CLASSIFICATION(S)
Susitna Lowlands
la
Ib
2a
2b
2c
2d
2e
2f
3a
3b
3c
4a
4b
4c
4d
4e
5a
5b
5c
5d
5e
5f
6a
6b
6c
6d
6e
6f
7a
7b
7c
8a
8b
9a
9b
9c
9d
lOa
lOb
lib
lie
lid
lie
11f
1'g
12a
12b
12c
12d
13a
Subrcgion
Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Settlement
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Resource Management
Forestry/Water Resources/Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement
Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
(private land)
Forestry/Water Resources/Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement
(Borough Land Bank)
Settlement
Forestry/Water Resources/Wildlife
Habitat
Resource Management
Settlement
Public Recreation/Settlement/Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement
Forestry/Water Resources/Wildlife
Habitat
Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Resource Management/(Borough Land
Bank)
Settlement
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement
Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Settlement
Resource Management
Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
(Borough Land Bank)
Resource Management
Settlement
Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement
Forestry/Water Resources/Wildlife
Habitat
Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation
Settlement
Settlement
Wildlife Habitat/Water Resources
Agriculture
Resource Management
Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
Settlement
Settlement
Settlement
(Susitna Lowlands Subreglon cont.)
13b Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
13c Settlement
13d Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
13e Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
13f (Borough Land Bank)
13g Agriculture
14a Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
14b Agriculture
14c Settlement
14d (private land)
14e Forestry/Water Resources/Wildlife
Habitat
Mt. Susitna Subrcgion
1 Susitna Game Flats Wildlife Refuge
2a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
2b Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
2c Forestry/Wildlife Habitat
2d Settlement
2e Agriculture
2f Settlement
2g . (Borough Land Bank)
3a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
3b Settlement
3c Resource Management
3d (private land)
3e (Borough Land Bank)
3f Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
4a Forestry/Public Recreation/Wildlife
Habitat
4b Settlement
4c (Borough Land Bank)
4d Resource Management (Borough Land
Bank)
5a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
5b Public Recreation
5c Settlement
5d Settlement
6a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
6b Coal
6c Resource Management
7 Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
8a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
8b Resource Management (Borough
Land Bank)
8c Settlement
8d Settlement
9a Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
9b Settlement
lOa (private land)
lOb (Borough Land Bank)
Beluga Subrcgion
la
Ib
2a
2b
2c
2d
(private land)
Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Wildlife Habitat
Settlement
Resource Management (Borough
Land Bank)
(private land)
425
MANAGEMENT
UNIT/SUBUNIT CLASSIFICATION(S)
MANAGEMENT
UNIT/SUBUNIT CLASSIFICATION(S)
(Beluga Subregion cont.)
2e
3a
3b
3c
3d
3e
3t
Wildlife Habitat
Coal/Oil and Gas/Wildlife Habitat
Reserved Use
Oil and Gas/Settlement
(private land)
Forestry/Oil and Gas/Wildlife
Habitat
(Borough Land Bank)
Alaska Range Subregion
la Settlement
1b Wildlife Habitat/Public Recreation
1c Wildlife Habitat
1d Minerals
1e Reserved Use
If Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
1g (National Park and Preserve)
Lake Louise Subregion
1a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
1b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
1c Settlement
2 Settlement
3a Wildlife Habitat
3b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
3c Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Gienn Highway Subregion
la Public Recreation
1b Reserved Use (Plant Materials
Center)
Public Recreation (rest of subunit)
1c Reserved Use
Id Settlement (S'/i of section 35)
Reserved Use (Section 36)
le Public Recreation
If (Borough Land Sank)
Ig (private land)
Ih Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
li (private land)
2a Wildlife Habitat
2b (private land)
2c Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
2d Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
2e (private land)
3a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
3b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
3c (private land)
3d Public Recreation
4a (private land)
4b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
5a Settlement
5b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
5c Settlement
5d Settlement
5e (private land)
5f Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
6a Coal/Forestry/Wildlife Habitat
6b (private land)
7a Public Recreation/Settle-
ment/Wildlife Habitat
(Glenn Highway Subregion cont.)
7b Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
8a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
8b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
8c Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
9a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
9b (private land)
10a Settlement
10b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
lOc Public Recreation/Water
Resources/Wildlife Habitat
lOd Settlement
lOe Settlement
lOf Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
10g (private land)
11 a Settlement
lib Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
1 le (private land)
11d (private land)
11e Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
12a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
12b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Talkeetna Mts. Subregion
1a (private land)
1b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
1c Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
2a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
2b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
3a Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
3b Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
3c Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
3d Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Chugach Mountains Subregion
la Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
1 b Reserved Use
1c Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
Id Public Recreation/Wildlife Habitat
426
PRIORITIES FOR INSTREAM FLOW STUDIES
Studies are needed to determine where instream flow
reservations are necessary for maintenance of the
water quality and quantity_upon which human, fish
and wildlife uses of waterways within the Susitna Basin
are based (see Chapter 2, Instream Flow). Priorities for
instream flow studies are listed below. Recommenda-
tions for study priorities are determined by:
1. The merits of the stream for human use and fish and
wildlife habitat, including
a. Values of the stream for fish, especially
anadromous fish,
b. Existing and potential recreation value, and
c. Water quality.
2. The vulnerability of the stream to disturbance and
the likelihood that such disturbance will occur in
the near future.
Based on these criteria, the following streams have
been identified as candidates for instream flow studies.
First priority: Major recreational and anadromous fish
streams. These waterways were identified by the plan-
ning team as the most important clearwater streams
in the study area for their fisheries, riparian habitat and
public use. Many of these streams are boatable, and
most currently receivers,000 fishing days per year.
a. Alexander Creek
b. Chijuk Creek
c. Chuitna River
d. Chunilna Creek (Clear Creek)
e. Friday Creek
f. Gate Creek
g. Goose Creek
h. Kroto Creek
j. Lake Creek
k. Little Susitna River (Willow Sub-basin)
I. Montana Creek
m. Moose Creek (Petersville Rd. 4a/Susitna
Lowlands 11b)
n. Peters Creek
o. Sheep Creek
p. Talachulitna River
q. Thursday Creek
r. Trapper Creek (Susitna Lowlands 14a)
s. Willow Creek (Willow Sub-basin)
t. Yenlo Creek
Second priority: Important recreational and
anadromous fish streams adjacent to existing or pro-
posed development areas. These streams currently
receive > 500 fishing days/year.
a. Beluga River
b. Caswell Creek
c. Chakachatna River
d. Cottonwood Creek
e. Donkey Creek
f. Fish Creek (Su Lowlands 1c, 1e)
g. Fish Creek (Su Lowlands 13a)
h. Indian River (S. Parks Hwy. la, 1 b, 1g)
i. Ivan River
j. Kashwitna River
k. Kichatna River
I. Larson Creek (Larson L. outlet)
m. Lewis River
n. Little Willow Creek
o. Lower Sucker Creek
p. Nikolai Creek
q. Prairie Creek
r. Quartz Creek
s. Red Creek
t. Seventeenmile Creek
u. Sunshine Creek
v. Theodore River
w. Unnamed tributary to Fish Lake (South Parks
Highway 9a)
x. Whiskers Creek
Third priority: Other anadromous fish streams adja-
cent to existing or potential development areas.
a. Anderson Creek
b. Answer Creek
c. Birch Creek (S. Parks Hwy. 9a,9c)
d. Bishop Creek
t. Byers Creek
f. Chickaloon River
g. Chulitna River (Middle Fork)
h. Coal Creek
i. Deep Creek
*j. Drill Creek
k. Gold Creek
I. Happy River
m. Honolulu Creek
n. Johnson Creek
o. Kings River
p. Lane Creek
q. Little Honolulu Creek
r. McKenzie Creek
s. Moose Creek (Glenn Hwy. 5b,6a)
*t. Olson Creek
u. Queer Creek
v. Question Creek
These streams are in the vicinity of potential Beluga coal field
development. Instream flow studies would likely be undertaken
as part of planning for coal development.
427
vv. Rabideux Creek
x. Sawmill Creek
*y. Threemile Creek
*z. Trail Creek
aa. Trapper Creek (Petersville Rd. 2b, 5a, 5c, 7e)
bb. Troublesome Creek
cc. West Fork Coal Creek
Fourth priority: Other streams adjacent to existing
or proposed development areas. These streams do not
have known anadromous fish runs.
rivers art- boatable except the Kahiltna River, and all
are very important for recreation and fish and wildlife
habitat.
a. Chulitna River (Main Fork)
b. Kahiltna River
c. Matanuska River
d. Skwentna River
e. Susitna River
f. Talkeetna River
e. Yentna River
m.
n.
o.
P.q-r.
Cascade Creek
Eureka Creek (Glenn Hwy. 11 a, 11b, 11c)
Glacier Creek (Glenn Hwy. lOb)
Granite Creek
Gravel Creek
Hardage Creek
Kutna Creek
Lake Creek (Glenn Hwy. 10a)
Little Nelchina R.
Mendeltna Creek
Monument Creek
Muddy Creek
Nelchina River
Ninemile Creek
Possum Creek
Purinton Creek
Snag Creek
Unnamed tributary to Sockeye Lake from the
NW
Unnamed tributary to Baldy Lake
t. West Fork Moose Creek
Fifth Priority: Anadromous fish streams in areas
designated resource management. Near term (5-10
years) development is less likely in these areas.
a. Clear Creek (Mt. Susitna 4a, Susitna Lowlands 6a,
6b, 6d)
b. Deep Creek (Mt. Susitna 4a, Susitna Lowlands 6a,
6b)
c. Toms Creek
Sixth Priority: Major glacial rivers that generally are
not vulnerable to disturbance except from major
projects. If such projects are undertaken on these rivers
(e.g., the Susitna hydroelectric project) appropriate
studies will accompany project planning. All of these
These streams are in the vicinity of potential Beluga coal field
development. Instream flow studies would likely be undertaken
as part of planning for coal development.
428
MANAGEMENT PLANNING PRIORITIES
The lands and waters within the Susitna planning area
that most require additional, more detailed planning
are listed below. They are not listed in any order of
priority within or between the categories. In some
areas, such as the proposed legislative designations,
comprehensive interagency management plans and
a broad public involvement process will be needed.
In other sites, for example, the smaller settle-
ment/retention areas, an abbreviated planning process
may suffice. This shorter process could focus on
smaller areas and/or fewer issues, and would require
less extensive agency and public involvement.
Mixed settlement and retention areas
North Parksa rea:1. Antimony Creek-Hurricane
Highway subunit 3c.
2. Northern and eastern Petersville Road area:
Petersville Road subunits 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7.
3. Lake Louise area: Lake Louise subunits 1a and 1c.
4. Bonnie Lake area: Clenn Highway subunit 7a.
Areas proposed for legislative designation
1. Recreation river corridors: South Parks Highway
subunits Sband 6a; Petersville Road subunits 1band
4a; Sunflower Basin Management Unit 3; Susitna
Lowlands subunits 6d, 7b and lib; Mt. Susitna
Management Unit 7; Talkeetna Mts. subunit 3b; and
Willow Subbasin Little Susitna Corridor subunit.
2. Multiple use forest lands: South Parks Highway
Management Unit 12; Petersville Road subunit 1a;
Sunflower Basin subunit 7b; Susitna Lowlands
subunits 5f, 6e, 7a, 11a and 12b; Mt. Susitna
subunits 2a, 2b and 2c; and Willow Subbasin
Kashwitna subunit.
3. Jim-Swan Lakes habitat/recreation area: Glenn
Highway subunit 3b.
4. Lower Susitna-Yentna habitat/forestry/recreation
area: Susitna Lowlands subunits 13d, 13e and 14e.
5. Nelchina public use area: Lake Louise subunit 3b;
Clenn Highway subunits 11d, lie and 12b; and
Talkeetna Mts. subunits 2a and 2b.
Areas recommended for legislative or ad-
ministrative designation
1. Suistna Lake-Tyone River habitat/recreation area:
Lake Louise subunit 3d.
2. Trumpeter swan nesting habitat: Sunflower Basin
subunit 6c and Susitna Lowlands subunits 1b and
3c.
3. Cunsight Mt. habitat/recreation area: Glenn
Highway subunits llband lie.
Areawide transportation and trails plan
I. Comprehensive plan for trails, roads, airstrips and
other transportation and access improvements
throughout the planning area.
429
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A - PROCEDURES FOR PLAN MODIFI-
CATIONS AND AMENDMENT ...... 433
GLOSSARY ...................... 435
PUBLICATIONS RELATED TO THE
SUSITNA AREA PLAN ............. 437
AREAS OPEN FOR REMOTE
CABIN PERMITS.................. 439
APPENDIX B -
APPENDIX C -
APPENDIX D -
photograph by Pete Martin
431
APPENDIX A
PROCEDURES FOR PLAN MODIFICATION AND EXCEPTIONS TO
ITS PROVISIONS
PLAN MODIFICATION
The land use designations, policies, implementation
actions and management guidelines of this plan may
be changed if conditions warrant. The plan will be up-
dated periodically as new data and new technologies
become available and as changing social and
economic conditions place different demands on
public lands. The Department of Natural Resources
and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough jointly will review
proposed modifications of the plan.
Periodic Review
The plan will be reviewed at least every five years to
determine if revisions are necessary. An interagency
planning team will coordinate this periodic review at
the request of the Commissioner of the Department
of Natural Resources or the Manager of the Matanuska-
Susitna Borough. The planning team will be coor-
dinated by the Division of Land and Water Manage-
ment if the emphasis of the review is on state lands
and by the borough if the emphasis of the review is
on lands in borough ownership. The plan review will
include meetings with all interested groups and the
general public.
Amendments
The plan may be amended. An amendment adds to
or modifies the basic intent of the plan. Changes to
the planned uses, policies, guidelines or certain im-
plementation actions constitute amendments. Amend-
ments must be approved by the Commissioner of
ADNR on state lands and by the Borough Assembly
on borough lands. Amendments require public notice
and consultation with affected agencies and may re-
quire public hearings if the Commissioner or Borough
Assembly decides the level of controversy warrants.
Management plans developed by the Division of Land
and Water Management or the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough may amend the plan. Results of the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough's comprehensive planning
process also may be used as a basis for plan
amendment. Amendments also may be proposed by
agencies, municipalities, or members of the public.
Requests for amendments are submitted to the Anchor-
age office of the Division of Land and Water Manage-
ment, ADNR and the Planning Department,
Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
The following actions are examples of changes which
would require an amendment:
• A proposal to close an area to mineral entry
• Allowing a use in an area where it is currently
prohibited
• A disposal in an area recommended for retention
• Retention of an area recommended for disposal
• Changing the classification of an area from
resource management to agriculture
On state land, the Director of the Division of Land and
Water Management determines what constitutes an
amendment or just a minor change. On borough land,
this decision will be made by the Borough Manager.
Minor Changes
A minor change is one which does not modify or add
to the basic intent of the plan. Minor changes may be
necessary for clarification, consistency, or to facilitate
implementation of the plan. Minor changes are made
at the discretion of the Director of the Division of Land
and Water Management and do not require public
review. Minor changes may be proposed by agencies,
municipalities, or members of the public. Requests for
minor changes affecting state land are submitted to
the Southcentral Regional Office of the Division of
Land and Water Management, ADNR . Requests for
changes affecting borough land are submitted to the
Planning Department of the Matanuska-Susitna
Borough. The state and borough will provide one
another the opportunity to review proposed minor
changes. The Director will notify affected agencies
when minor changes are made. Affected agencies will
have the opportunity to comment on minor changes
following notification; the comment period may be
provided through existing interagency review pro-
cesses for associated actions that necessitate minor
changes.
SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS -
ADNR PROCEDURES
Exceptions to the provisions of the plan may be made
without modification of the plan. Special exceptions
shall occur only when complying with the plan is ex-
cessively difficult or impractical and an alternative pro-
433
cedure can be implemented which adheres to the pur-
poses and spirit of the plan.
The Department of Natural Resources may make a
special exception in the implementation of the plan
through the following procedures:
1. The Regional Manager of the Division of Land and
Water Management shall prepare a finding which
specifies the following:
a. The extenuating conditions which require a
special exception.
b. The alternative course of action to be followed.
c. How the intent of the plan will be met by the
alternative.
2. Agencies having responsibility for land uses with
primary or secondary designations in the affected
area and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough will be
given an opportunity to review the findings. In the
event of disagreement with the Regional Manager's
decision, the decision may be appealed to the
Director of the Divison of Land and Water Manage-
ment, and the Director's decision may be appeal-
ed to the Commissioner. If warranted by the degree
of controversy, the Commissioner will hold a public
hearing before making the decision. The public
hearing may be held jointly with the Matanuska-
Susitna Borough if appropriate.
SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS -
BOROUGH PROCEDURES
To be worked out by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough
as part of the borough comprehensive planning
process.
434
APPENDIX B
GLOSSARY
Consultation: Processes followed by the Department
of Natural Resources under existing statutes, regula-
tions and procedures to inform other groups of the
intention to take some action, and seek their advice
or assistance in deciding what to do. Consultation is
not intended to be binding on a decision. It is a means
of informing affected organizations and individuals
about forthcoming decisions and getting the benefit
of their expertise.
Feasible: Capable of being accomplished in a suc-
cessful manner within a reasonable period of time, tak-
ing into account economic, environmental, technical,
and safety factors.
Feasible and Prudent: Consistent with sound
engineering practice and not causing environmental,
social or economic problems that outweigh the public
benefit to be derived from compliance with the
guideline.
Goal: A statement of basic intent or of a general con-
dition desired in the long term. Coals usually are not
quantifiable nor do they have specified dates for
achievement.
Guideline: A specific course of action required to be
followed by resource managers or required of land or
water uses when the manager permits, leases or other-
wise authorizes use of state lands. Some guidelines
state the intent that must be followed and allow flex-
ibility in achieving it. Guidelines also vary in specificity,
from giving general guidance for decision-making or
identifying factors to consider, to setting detailed stan-
dards for on-the-ground decisions.
Land Disposals: Disposal of state land to private
ownership as authorized by AS 38.04.010, including
fee-simple sale, homesteading and sale of agricultural
rights, but not including leases, land use permits, water
rights, rights-of-way, material sales or other disposal
of interest in lands or waters.
Land Sales: Used with same meaning as "Land
disposals" as defined above.
Management Plan: A land and resource use plan that
makes more detailed allocation decisions and gives
more detailed guidance for management than an area
plan. Management plans are a major means of imple-
menting this area plan. They translate the management
intent statements, land use designations and guidelines
into detailed decisions on resource use or develop-
ment. The scale and scope of management plans varies
considerably, from large projects taking one or two
years and dealing with a variety of management deci-
sions, to small, short-term projects affecting only a
limited number of actions on a few thousand acres.
Some management plans deal with a single issue —
for example, trails or transportation — for a whole
region. Management plans are prepared according to
Departmental procedures that involve interagency and
public participation.
Policy: An intended course of action or a principle
for guiding actions. Department policies for land and
resource management given in this plan include goals,
management intent statements, management
guidelines, land use designations, implementation
plans and procedures and the various other statements
of the Department's intentions.
Primary Use: A designated, allowed use of major
importance in a particular management unit.
Resources in the unit will be managed to encourage,
develop or protect this use. Where a management unit
has two or more designated primary uses, the manage-
ment intent statement and guidelines for the unit —
together with existing regulations and procedures —
will direct how resources are managed to avoid or
minimize conflict between these primary uses.
Prohibited Use: A use not allowed in a management
unit because of conflicts with mangement intent,
designated primary or secondary uses, or management
guidelines. Uses not specifically prohibited nor
designated as primary or secondary uses in a manage-
ment unit are allowed if compatible with primary and
secondary uses, the management intent statements for
the unit and the plan's guidelines.
Remote Cabin: Cabin constructed under a permit
issued through the Remote Cabin Permit program
authorized in AS 38.05.079 and further described in
11 AAC 67.700-. 790.
Secondary Use: A designated, allowed use con-
sidered important but intended to receive less em-
phasis than a primary use because it: (a) has less poten-
tial than a primary use or contributes less to achiev-
ing the management intent of the unit than a primary
use; or, (b) occurs only on limited sites. In those very
site-specific situations where a secondary use has
higher value than a primary use, the secondary use
may take precedence over the primary use. Manage-
ment for a secondary use will recognize and protect
primary uses through application of guidelines, regula-
tions and procedures. However, it a secondary use
435
can not take place without detrimentally affecting a
primary use in the management unit as a whole, the
secondary use will not be allowed.
Shall: Requiring a course of action or a set of condi-
tions to be achieved. A guideline modified by the word
"shall"is required to be followed by resource
managers or users. If a guideline constrained by the
term "shall"is not complied with, a written decision
justifying the variation is required (see Plan Modifica-
tion — Chapter 4).
Should: Stating intent for a course of action or a set
of conditions to be achieved. A guideline modified by
the word "should"states the intent of the plan and
allows a resource manager to use judgment and discre-
tion in deciding either: (a) the specific means tor best
achieving the intent; or, (b) whether particular cir-
cumstances justify deviation from the intended action
or set of conditions. A guideline may include criteria
for deciding whether such a deviation is justified.
Trapping (or Trapper) Cabin: Cabin constructed
under a Trapping Cabin Construction Permit as
authorized and described in AS 38.95.080 and 11 AAC
94.
Will: Used interchangeably with and meaning the
same as "shall" (see above).
436
APPENDIX C
PUBLICATIONS RELATED TO THE SUSITNA AREA PLAN
Background Planning Reports and Related Plan-
ning Programs
FY 83 Statewide Natural Resources Plan. ADNR. 1982.
Matanuska-Susitna-Beluga Cooperative Planning Pro-
gram — Vol. I: Land Use Issues and Preliminary
Resource Inventory. ADNR. 1982.
Matanuska-Susitna-Beluga Cooperative Planning Pro-
gram: Vol. II: Growth potential, development issues,
settlement patterns. DOWL Engineers for Matanuska-
Susitna Borough. 1982
Susitna River Basin Study, Alaska — Willow Subbasin
final report. USDA. 1981.
Willow Sub-basin Area Plan — A land use plan for
public lands. ADNR. 1982.
Bibliographies
Susitna River Basin — Resource Bibliography. Alaska
Rivers Coop. Study. USDA and ADNR. 1977.
Susitna River Basin — Resource Bibliography: Supple-
ment. Alaska Rivers Coop. Study. USDA and ADNR.
1979.
Cultural Resources
Susitna River Basin — Cultural resource assessment of
the Willow-Talkeetna-Beluga areas. USDA. 1983.
Carrying Capacity
Carrying capacity of remote lands for settlement. M.L
Welbourn. ADNR. 1982.
Data Systems
Susitna River Basin — Alaska automated geographic
information system. Final report. Willow Subbasin land
capability and suitability analysis. Environmental
Systems Research Institute. 1981.
Economic Analysis
The Susitna Cooperative River Basin Study economic
development analysis: Talkeetna Subbasin. P.
Fuglestad and J.L. O'Neill. USDA. 1983.
Element Reports
Fish and wildlife resource element for the Susitna Area
planning study. ADF&C Habitat Division. 1984.
Susitna Area Plan — Agriculture: Recommendations
for management of agriculture lands in the Susitna
Area. ADNR. 1983.
Susitna Area Plan — Forestry: Recommendations for
management of forest lands in the Susitna Area.
ADNR, 1984.
Susitna Area Plan — Recreation: Recommendations
for management of recreation lands in the Susitna
Area. ADNR. 1984.
Susitna Area Plan — Settlement: Recommendations for
management of settlement lands in the Susitna Area.
ADNR. in prep., (draft available)
Flood Hazards
Flood hazard study — Kroto, Rabideux, Trapper and
Peters Creeks. Alaska Rivers Coop. Study. Susitna River
Basin, Talkeetna Subbasin. USDA and ADNR. 1982.
Flood hazard study — Troublesome, Byers, Honolulu
Creeks, East and Middle Forks of the Chulitna River.
Alaska Rivers Coop. Study. Susitna River Basin,
Talkeetna Subbasin. USDA and ADNR. 1981.
Floodplain management study — Beluga Subbasin
streams. Alaska Rivers Coop. Study. Susitna River
Basin, Beluga Subbasin. USDA and ADNR. 1982.
Floodplain management study — Kashwitna River,
Wasilla, Cottonwood and Lucile Creeks. Alaska Rivers
Coop. Study. Susitna River Basin, Talkeetna Subbasin.
USDA and ADNR. 1982.
Geology
Susitna Basin planning background report — Surficial
geology of the Susitna-Chulitna River Area, Alaska. Part
I: Text. K.G. Dean. ADNR. 1980.
Susitna Basin planning background report — Surficial
geology of the Susitna-Chulitna River Area, Alaska. Part
II: Maps. K.C. Dean. ADNR. 1980.
437
Public Participation
Susitna Area Plan public workshops, Spring 1983 —
Summary of results and staff analysis. ADNR. 1983
Susitna Area Plan — Response to public comments on
the draft plan. ADNR. 1985.
Public Recreation and Land Use
Susitna Basin Land Use and Recreation Atlas. DNR and
USDA. 1980.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Trails System. Matanuska-
Susitna Borough. 1982.
Scenic Highways
Denali to Wrangell-St. Elias — Assessment and
management of scenic resources along the highways
between Denali and Wrangell-St. Elias national parks.
D.L. Kuklok, et al. ADNR. 1982.
Susitna Basin planning background report — Scenic
resources along the Parks Highway: Inventory and
management recommendations. D.L. Kuklok. ADNR.
1981.
Visual assessment of the Glenn Highway, Palmer to
Eureka. Environmental Systems Research Institute.
ADNR. 1981.
Soils
Soil survey of Matanuska Valley Area, Alaska. USDA
Soil Conservation Service. 1973.
Soil survey of Susitna Valley Area, Alaska. USDA Soil
Conservation Service. 1968.
Soil survey of Yentna Area, Alaska. USDA Soil Con-
servation Service, in prep.
Water Resources
Susitna Basin planning background report — Water
quality. B.W. Rummel. ADNR. 1980.
Susitna Basin planning background report — Water
supply and demand. R.M. Loeffler. ADNR. 1980.
438
APPENDIX D
AREAS OPEN TO REMOTE CABIN PERMITS BY SUBUNIT
Subunits Open to Remote Cabins as a Secondary
Use
Remote cabins are a permitted use in these subunits
subject to the remote cabin policies in Chapter 2 and
the management intent statements for the individual
subunits.
North Parks Highway
Sunflower Basin
Susitna Lowlands
Mt. Susitna
Beluga
Alaska Range
Lake Louise
Talkeetna Mts.
2a
4
2a; 3a; 6a; 11 f; 14a
4a; 5a, 5b; 6a, 6b, 6c
2e
1b
2b
3a, 3c, 3d
Subunits in which Remote Cabins are Neither
Specifically Prohibited nor Allowed
These are remote parcel and/or homestead areas,
resource management lands, reserved use lands, and
proposed relinquishments of state selections. Decisions
on whether to open these subunits to remote cabin
permits will be made on a case-by-case basis subject
to the remote cabin policies in Chapter 2 and the
management intent statements for the individual
subunits.
North Parks Highway
South Parks Highway
Petersville Road
Sunflower Basin
Susitna Lowlands
Mt. Susitna
Beluga
Alaska Range
Lake Louise
Glenn Highway
Chugach Mts.
3b
; 4d
1c
1a, 1b; 5b; 6b
2b, 2f; 3b; 4c; 5b; 6b;
7c; 8a, 8b; 9c, 9d; 12a,
12d; 13a, 13c
4b, 4d; 5c; 8c
2b
1a
2; 5a, 5c
7a; 8a; 9a; 10a, 10b,
10f; 11d
1b
Areas Proposed for Legislative or Administrative
Designation; Select Legislatively Designated
Areas
These are areas proposed for legislative or ad-
ministrative designation. In these subunits, the deci-
sion on whether or not to allow remote cabin permits
will be made by the management plan for each area.
Remote cabin permits will not be allowed until and
unless a management plan designates specific areas
open to remote cabins.
South Parks Highway
Petersville Road
Sunflower Basin
Susitna Lowlands
Mt. Susitna
Lake Louise
Glenn Highway
Talkeetna Mts.
5b; 6a; 12a, 12b
la, 1b; 4a
3; 6c; 7b
1 b; 3c; 5f; 6d, 6e; 7a,
7b; 11 a, 11 b; 12b; 13d,
13e; 14e
2a, 2b, 2c; 3a; 7
1f; 3b, 3d
6a; lid, 11e; 12b
2a, 2b; 3b; 3d
Remote Cabins Prohibited
North Parks Highway
South Parks Highway
Petersville Road
Sunflower Basin
Susitna Lowlands
Mt. Susitna
Beluga
Alaska Range
Lake Louise
Glenn Highway
Talkeetna Mts.
Chugach Mts.
1b; 2b; 3b; 3c, 3d, 3e
1a, 1d, 1e, 1g; 2; 3a,
3c; 4a, 4c, 4f, 4g; 5a,
5b; 6b; 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d,
7e; 8a, 8c; 9c; lOb; 11;
13b; 14b
1e; 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2g,
2h; 3a, 3b, 3c, 3g; 5a,
5c; 6a, 6c, 6d; 7a, 7b,
7c, 7d
2; 5a; 6a; 7a
1a; 2c, 2d, 2e; 4b, 4e;
5a, 5c, 5e; 6c, 6f; 7b;
9a; 10b; 11c, 11d, 11f,
11g; 12c; 13b, 13g;
14b, 14c
1; 2d, 2e, 2f; 3b, 3c, 3f;
5d; 7; 8a, 8b, 8d; 9a,
9b
1b; 2a; 3a, 3b, 3c, 3e
1c, Id, 1e, 1f
1a, 1b, 1c; 3a, 3c
1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1h;
2a, 2c, 2d; 3a, 3b, 3d;
4b; 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5f;
7b; 8b, 8c; 10c, 10d,
10e; 11a, 11b; 12a
1b, 1c
1a, 1c, 1d
Non-State Lands
North Parks Highway
South Parks Highway
1a; 3a
1f; 35; 4b; 5c, 5d; 8b;
9a, 9b, 9d; lOa; 12c;
13a; 14a
439
Petersville Road Id; 2e, 2f; 3d, 3e, 3f;
4b; 5b, 5d, 5e; 6b, 6e;
7e, 7f
Susitna Lowlands 4a, 4d; 5d; 9b; lOa;
13f; 14d
Mt. Susitna 2g; 3d, 3e; 4c; lOa, lOb
Beluga la; 2c, 2d; 3d, 3f
Alaska Range 1g
Glenn Highway 1f, lg, li; 2b, 2e; 3c;
4a; 5e; 6b; 9b; lOg;
Me, 1 Id
Talkeetna Mts. la
440
DEPARTMENT OF NATUX2AL RESOUfiCES LAND a RESOURCES SECTION
3601 C STREET
P.0. BOX 107005
DIVISION OFLAND ANCHORAGE. ALASKA9951 0-7005 PHONE: (907) 762-2425
The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources finds that the following amendment to the
Susitna Area Plan meets tJ~e requirements of AS 38.04.065 and 11 AAC 55.010-.030 for land use plans
and hereby adopts the amendment. The Department of Natural Resources will manage state lands within
the planning area consistent with this
RESOURCES
The Alaska Deparlment of Fish and Game reviewed this amendment to the Susitna Area Plan. We
appreciate the opportunity to represent fish and wildlife habitat, harvest, and public use values during the
development of the amendment. The Department of Fish and Game will use the amendment as guidance
when implementing its aulhorities and when reviewing and commenting on proposed uses of state lands
in the planning area.
Susitna Area Plan, p. 366, lj 7 and 8
"Subunits llb and Ilc (Gunsight Mtn. and Ahtna block) are proposed for designation by the
legislature or the governor as a state recreation area. This proposed special designation is intended
to provide special and lasting protection for this area's unique public recreational value. This
proposal has a Iower priority than other areas in the study area proposed for legislative or
administrative designation because of the general lack of land use conflicts in the area and also
due to uncerlainties regarding land ownership subunit I Ic has been selected by both the state and
Aha, The Copper River Area Native Corporation. Final determination of land ownership is
unlikely for at least several years.
A large area of land within subunit 1 lb currently is leased for grazing. This lease was issued by
the BLM prior to the state receiving title to the land and is partly within the area the plan
proposes to close to grazing due to potential conflicts between livestock, Dall sheep, mountain
goat and caribou. Decisions on the eventual renewal of the leases should be made in a manner
consistent with the grazing policies in the Agriculture section of Chapter 2 of this plan (agriculture
section) and with the land use designations in this chapter.
Forestry is a secondary use in subunit llb. Timber may be harvested for personal use.
Commercial timber harvesting to salvage dead timber is also an allowed use. Forest management
activities will be desimed to recomize and protect primary uses and be consistent with the
pideline for Timber Harvests and Visual Quality for this unit (see p. 368).
SAP p. 367, Land Use Designation Summary Chart
Subunit
Land
Ownership
11b State
Guns ight[TE]
Mountain
Primary Uses Secondary Uses
Public Recreation Forestry
Wildlife Habitat [PERSONAL USE]
PLAN AMENDMENT
Additions to the original Susitna Area Plan text are underlined; deletions are [BRACKETED AND
CAPITALIZED].
Susitna Area Plan, p. 362, fi 4
"Land in subunits 10a and lob (the Monument and Lake creeks settlement areas and
adjacent retention land) is lightly used for hunting and other types of recreation. Several
trails lead through this area into sheep and goat hunting areas located up drainages of the
adjacent Chugach Range. The state land within subunit 10b will be retained in public
ownership to provide personal use timber and public recreation. As more land is sold and
developed along the highway, recreation activities in this subunit, particularly winter
recreation, are likely to grow in popularity. Settlement will be allowed in subunit IOa in
the vicinity of Lake Creek and along the Matanuska River near Monument Creek. These
sites were chosen to minimize impacts of settlement on public uses and visual quality.
Land should be offered either as large subdivision parcels (10-20 acres) or under the
homestead program. More and higher density settlement would be allowed in this subunit
if doing so would help improve public access into the recreation area at the mouth of the
Matanuska Glacier. Forestry is a secondary use in subunits 10a and10ob. Timber may
be harvested for personal use. Commercial timber harvesting to salvage dead timber is
also an allowed use. Forest manaEement activities will be designed to recomize and
protect primary uses.
SAP p. 363, Land Use Designation Summary chart
Land
Subunit Ownership Primary Uses Secondary Uses
10a Slate
Monument
Creek, Lake
Crcck
lob
Gravel
Crcek,
Glacier
Creek
State/
Borough
Settlement Public Rec.
WiIdIife Hab.
Forestry
[(PERSONAL USE)]
Public Recreation Forestry
Wildlife Habitat
Reasons for amendment and determination of public interest
Spruce bark beetles have infested lands in these Susitna Area Plan subunits 10a and 10b. The Division
of Forestry has proposed a commercial timber sale in this area to salvage De dead timber. The Susitna
Area Plan currently specifies that forestry in these subunits is for personal use. However, personal use
harvest can't effectively salvage the beetle-killed timber because it is too costly to provide and maintain
access for personal use, and because the area is far from most demand for personal use. Harvesting will
be done in the winter, with access from a winter road to the Matanuska River, and ice or snow bridges
across the river. The proposed amendment allows commercial harvesting in this area to allow salvage of
timber resources.
This amendment is in the best public interest because it will provide an efficient and effective means to
salvage dead timber on state lands. With cornrnerciaI harvests, the operator can be required to remove
damaged trees, clean up slash to prevent spread of insects and disease, and perform site preparation to
encourage regeneration. Revenue from a commercial sale can offset access costs. Commercial sales can
be monitored more efficiently Ulan personal use sales with multiple harvesters. The amendment does not
change the long-term management intent to offer land for sale in subunit 10a, nor the intent to manage
subunits lob and 1 lb primarily for Pu1,lic Recreation and Wildlife Habitat. Any harvest must meet the
requirements of the Forcst Resources and Practices Act, including preparation of a Forest Land Use Plan
under AS 38.05.1 12 prior to a timber sale.
The amendment originally proposed and reviewed by the public dso allowed for commercial timber
harvest to prevent or control outbreaks of insects and disease and reduce wildfire hazards. Following
public and agency comment, the amendment was narrowed to allow only commercial salvage. The
Department of Fish and Game believes fire may be beneficial to habitat in this area. Some public
comments also challenged the ability to prevent or control insect and disease outbreaks with harvesting.
Current proposals from the DNR Division of Forestry are for salvage only, and would be consistent with
the rcvised mendrncnt. A more detailed respnse to public comments is attached.
Susitna Area Plan
SUBREGION AND
MANAGEMENT UNITBOUNDARIES________
This map is intended to make it easy to find the land use policy for any given location. Land use policy in
the plan is organized into three geographic categories. These are, in order of decreasing size, subregions,
management units, and subunits. This map shows the boundaries of these areas and the pages where they
are discussed in the text of the plan. This information, in combination with the township/range grid and
the topographic features also shown on the map, can be used to find quickly the plan's policies for any givenlocation.
LEGEND
Areas Designated by the Legislature for Special Uses
Private, Native and University Lands
The plan does nol regulate uses on these lands.
WILLOW SUB-BASIN AREA PLAN
COMPLETED OCTOBER 1982
e
KEY TO SUBREGIONS
1 NORTH PARKS HIGHWAY p.69
2 SOUTH PARKS HIGHWAY p.85
3 PETERSVILLE ROAD p. 131
4 SUNFLOWER BASIN p. 165
5 SUSITNA LOWLANDS p.191
6 MOUNT SUSITNA p.251
7 BELUGA p. 285
8 ALASKA RANGE O.301
9 LAKE LOUISE p. 313
10 GLENN HIGHWAY p.331
11 TALKEETNA MOUNTAINS p.375
12 CHUGACH MOUNTAINS p.393
JUNE 1985
6 t li 24
SOU* . 1:5WMX»
Susitna Area Plan
PRIMARY SURFACE
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
This map shows generalized land use designations. Only the primary surface designations are shown. The
primary uses are not the only uses that will be permitted; the large majority of publicly retained lands are
multiple use areas where a variety of other uses, including mining, are allowed. Information on the manage-
ment of subsurface resources including boundaries of areas open and closed to mining are shown on the
Subsurface Designation Map. See also Chapter 2 for land management guidelines that apply to the whole
planning area and Chapter 3 for a complete statement of management intent for each location.
LEGEND
LAND SALE AREAS
Past State Subdivision Sales and Remote Parcel Offerings
In these areas most land suitable for development has already been sold.
Other Past State Remote Parcel Offerings
In these areas a large portion of the developable land is available for
additional settlement
Future State and Borough Land Disposals
AGRICULTURE
! Past State and Borough Agricultural Sales
Future State and Borough Agricultural Sales
PUBLIC LANDS
Forestry/Public Recreation/Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
Public Recreation/Water Resources/Wildlife Habitat
I Areas With a Surface Land Use Designation of Minerals, Oil and Gas
or Coal.
These types of designations tan be applied either as the only designation
in an area or in addition to any other surface designations
Areas Designated by the Legislative for Special Uses
Areas Proposed by this Plan for Legislative or Administrative Designa-
tion for Special Uses (e.g., state forests, recreation rivers, wildlife refuges)
Only the tup priority areas are shown on this map. See Chapter 4 for a full
list of all such areas.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND
LAND BANK AREAS
Resource management (high value) and borough land bank lands are,
respectively, state and borough lands with multiple values including
agriculture, settlement, forestry; fish and wildlife and recreation. In the near
term these areas will be retained in public ownership and managed for multi-
ple use including forestry, wildlife habitat, recreation and mining. In the
future they will be evaluated to determine their best long term use. Resource
management (low value) lands are areas with no identified high value
resources.
I Resource Management (High Value)
1 Resource Management (low Value)
I Borough Land Bank
RESERVED USE
Land Reserved for Public Facilities or Transfer to Another Government
Agency
PRIVATE LANDS
Private, Native and University Lands
The plan does not regulate uses on these lands.
/~ WILLOW SUB-BASIN AREA PLAN
' COMPLETED OCTOBER 1982
KEY TO SUBREGIONS
1 NORTH PARKS HIGHWAY p.69 7 BELUGA p. 285
2 SOUTH PARKS HIGHWAY p.85 8 ALASKA RANGE p. 301
3 PETERSVILLE ROAD p. 131 9 LAKE LOUISE p. 313
4 SUNFLOWER BASIN p. 165 10 GLENN HIGHWAY P 331
5 SUSITNA LOWLANDS p.191 11 TALKEETNA MOUNTAINS p.375
6 MOUNT SUSITNA p. 251 12 CHUGACH MOUNTAINS p. 393
e
JUNE 1985
miles
12
Scale = 1:500,000
24
Susitna Area Plan
SUBSURFACE
DESIGNATIONS
This map shows the availability of land for mining. The map shows all the areas that are open to mineral
location and available for coal leasing or prospecting. All lands shown as open to mineral location and/or
available for coal leasing are multiple use areas where mineral development will be accommodated and
encouraged consistent with applicable state law and policies of this plan. Lands shown as closed to mining
include areas closed prior to the preparation of this plan, mostly due to past land sales. Land within existing
state parks shown on this map is closed to mineral location and mineral leasing; land within the existing
state game refuges is open to leasehold location. All lands are available for oil and gas leasing.
LEGEND
I ——— ~~] Open to Mineral Location; Available for Coal Leasing and Prospecting
I ————— ] Open to Mineral Location; Not Available for CoaJ Leasing or Prospecting
I ___ I Large contiguous blocks of soils with agricultural potential
••HI Closed to Mineral Entry; Not Available for Coal Leasing or Prospecting
I ————— 1 Areas Open to Mineral Location Under a Lease; Available for Coal
I _____ I Leasing and Prospecting
Select Tributaries to Larger Rivers that are Closed to Mineral Entry
////A Areas Designated by the Legislature for Special Uses
I—————I Private, Native and University Lands
|______| The plan does not regulate uses on these lands.
All lands are available for oil and gas leasing.
/ WILLOW SUB-BASIN AREA PLAN
/ COMPLETED OCTOBER 1982
KEY TO SUBREGIONS
1 NORTH PARKS HIGHWAY p.69 7 BELUGA p. 285
2 SOUTH PARKS HIGHWAY p.85 8 ALASKA RANGE p.301
3 PETERSVILLE ROAD p. 131 9 LAKE LOUISE p. 313
4 SUNFLOWER BASIN p. 165 10 GLENN HIGHWAY P-331
5 SUSITNA LOWLANDS p.191 11 TALKEETNA MOUNTAINS p.375
6 MOUNT SUSITNA p.251 12 CHUGACH MOUNTAINS p.393
e
JUNE 1985
miles
6 12
Scale = 1:500,000
24