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Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Document
ARLIS Uniform Cover Page
Title:
Susitna-Watana Dam Hydroelectric Project terrestrial wildlife resources :
Division of Wildlife Conservation proposals
SuWa 206
Author(s) – Personal:
Author(s) – Corporate:
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
AEA-identified category, if specified:
AEA-identified series, if specified:
Series (ARLIS-assigned report number):
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project document number 206
Existing numbers on document:
Published by:
[Alaska : Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2012?]
Date published:
[2012]
Published for:
Date or date range of report:
Volume and/or Part numbers:
Final or Draft status, as indicated:
Document type:
Slide presentation. No commentary.
Pagination:
[14] p.
Related work(s):
Pages added/changed by ARLIS:
Notes:
Proposals on research steps to be taken and management goals for caribou (specifically the
Nelchina and Delta herds), moose, and ptarmigan. The focus is on Game Management Unit 13.
All reports in the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project Document series include an ARLIS-
produced cover page and an ARLIS-assigned number for uniformity and citability. All reports
are posted online at http://www.arlis.org/resources/susitna-watana/
Division of Wildlife Conservation
Proposals
Management Objectives: 35,000-40,000; and
ensure consistently high sustainable harvest
levels for Alaska Hunters.
2011 Population estimate: 40,233
Population increased 18,737 – 27,528 1980’s,
Increased use of historical summer and winter
range in northwest portion of herd’s range.
Herd passes through proposed project area
during annual migrations.
Management Objectives: 5,000 – 7,000
2007 Population estimate: 2,985
Increased use of the proposed project area since
the previous studies in 1980’s further
complicates the picture.
Mixing of the Delta and Nelchina herds was
documented beginning in 2006.
1) document seasonal use of, and movement
through the greater Susitna-Watana
hydroelectric project area by bulls and cows
of both the NCH and the DCH,
2) determine relative importance of the
greater project area to both the NCH and
DCH, and
3) document productivity and calf survival of
caribou utilizing the greater project area.
Key Elements
Add VHF collars to sample of bull caribou in both
herds.
Monitor radio collars monthly via aerial
radiotelemtry w/ weekly monitoring during spring
and fall crossing periods as well as during calving.
Deploy Geographic Positioning System
(GPS)/Argos satellite collar on bulls and cows to
detect fine-scale movements for both herds.
POPULATION OBJECTIVE
Increase the unit moose population to 20,000–25,000
moose with a minimum of:
25–30 calves:100 cows
25 total bulls:100 cows
10 yearling bulls:100 cows in the fall.
Eight continuous count areas surveyed
annually show increasing population trend.
Current surveys provide population composition
and trend data.
1)document moose population composition
and density in the greater Susitna-Watana
hydroelectric project area,
2) determine relative importance of the
greater project area to cow and bull moose,
and
3) document productivity and calf survival of
moose utilizing the greater project area.
Key Elements
Continue count area aerial composition counts.
Conduct population estimates above and below
proposed dam site.
Assess moose movements in the project area, as
well as productivity and survival, a sample of cow
and bull moose will be radio collared.
Deploy Geographic Positioning System
(GPS)/Argos satellite collars on bulls and cows to
detect fine-scale movements for both sexes.
Little known about population dynamics
(abundance, survival, seasonal movements)
Spring roadside surveys on the Denali, Parks,
and Richardson highways indicate low or
declining populations for past ten years.
Board of Game (BOG) reduced daily bag limit
in 13A, 13B, 13E from 10 to 5 (Dec. 1- March 31)
in RY 2005-2006.
BOG further restricted harvest in GMU 13B by
closing season November 30 beginning in RY
2009-2010.
Possibility of increased human access and activity in GMU subunits 13A and 13E
Need further understanding of ptarmigan abundance, distribution, and migratory patterns
Value of northwest subunit 13A and southern 13E for ptarmigan is uncertain.
Creating access points to the project site would allow large scale human vehicle access for hunters and recreational users to portions of GMU 13 that are currently inaccessible.
These portions of subunits 13A and 13E may offer refugia for the larger GMU 13 ptarmigan population that increased human access may impact to an unknown degree.
1)Estimate the seasonal distribution of willow
ptarmigan in game management subunits 13A,
13B, and 13E.
2)Estimate seasonal migratory patterns of willow
ptarmigan in game management subunits 13A,
13B, and 13E.
3)Estimate fall and spring abundance and
occupancy of ptarmigan in game management
subunits 13A, 13B, and 13E.
4)Estimate seasonal survival of willow ptarmigan
in game management subunits 13A, 13B, and 13E.
Key Elements
Annually tag 30 willow ptarmigan in each subunit
(13A, 13B, 13E) with a necklace radio transmitter.
Relocate birds 6 times
August/September-summer/fall, dispersal
November – March-winter hunting season
April-May-breeding
13E
13A
13B
Denali Highway
Parks
Highway
Richardson
Highway
Glenallen
Paxson
Cantwell
Glenn
Watana Hydroelectric
Project Site
Denali
Chulitna
Gold