Friends Of Admiralty Island

Newsletter Issue No. 18 February 2014

My Side of the Island by K.J. Metcalf, President Brown Bears – A Continuing Concern reproductive rate – breeding at age 7 or 8, average “One of the most important legacies that we can 1.8 cubs/litter, and may keep the cubs as long as 3-4 leave our grandchildren is an island full of bears.” years before breeding again. Hank Lentfer, Voices of Admiralty 2011 We believe that in Game Management Unit 4 (Baranof, Chichagof and Admiralty islands) the Brown bears, an iconic symbol of Admiralty, total number of bears killed and the female ratio have been one of the most debated resources on of that total have at times exceeded the agreed to the island. Friends of Admiralty Island has long caps (given an estimated population of 1,560 bears advocated for balance between bear viewing and from a 20-year old population sampling). We bear hunting, with a conservative limit on number also contend that since 1960 the size and age of of bears hunted and the number of females killed. the bears killed has steadily decreased (currently Translated - Admiralty females have a very low ...continued on page 2 ANNUAL MEETING Saturday, March 1, 2014 • Juneau Yacht Club Featuring Hank Lentfer Join Friends of Admiralty to hear Hank Lentfer discuss wilderness and the human spirit and to preview The Meaning of Wild, a stunning film on Tongass wilderness. PLEASE SEE THE FULL MEETING SCHEDULE ON PAGE 3.

Join us in celebrating the Wilderness Act’s 50th anniversary - More Inside See page 8. Annual Meeting...... p. 3 Aleut Internment ...... p. 3 Issues ...... p. 4 Spring Cruise ...... p. 6 Sue Warner...... p. 7 Kootznoowoo ...... p. 8 Biosphere Reserve...... p. 10 Polar Bear DNA Link.... p. 10 Charles L. Pack ...... p. 11 The still waters of an Admiralty Island lake. (Bruce Baker) Page 2 • Winter 2014 Friends of Admiralty Island

My Side of the Island...from page 1 Friends Of the bulk of bears killed in GMU 4 are between 4-6 years old). We Admiralty continually hear concerns that some southern Admiralty Island bays Island are hunted more intensely with overcrowding by guided hunts. At our 2013 Annual Meeting we hosted a panel discussion to Friends of Admiralty Island is address these concerns. Fish and Game department panel members a non-profit, public interest, concluded that the kill data we had were different than theirs (even volunteer organization formed though our data were compiled from ADF&G records) and that there in 1987. We depend on member was no need for additional bear population studies or research or new donations and grants to carry hunting regulations on Admiralty. out a program of advocating for the island’s protection through We value our cooperative relationship with ADF&G and depend education, promoting research on them for their expertise and knowledge, but we still scratch our and supporting management heads over how our bear kill data differ from theirs. Bear hunting that reflects the recognition of management is complicated. But, briefly – The U.S. Forest Service the island’s values: ecological (FS) permits commercial bear guides that have been licensed by diversity (including its abundant the state. The Alaska Board of Game (BOG) sets harvest numbers fish and wildlife), wilderness setting, Tlingit Indian culture, and seasons, and ADF&G implements and manages the hunting prehistoric and historic record seasons and provides scientific and observational data to the BOG to and geological makeup. We help guide their decisions. The goals for managing brown bears in believe that as people and GMU4 evolved from a remarkable collaborative effort, created by agencies understand and the BOG in 2000, which brought stakeholders together to hammer appreciate these values they out a conservative strategy for harvest guidelines. The published will become stronger champions report from the Brown Bear Management Team (BBMT) has been for the island’s protection. the anchor to help guide hunting regulations in GMU4. Rarely does this kind of give and take of special interests on a hot-button issue Board of Directors like brown bears succeed. In this case it did and we celebrate that collaborative success. K.J. Metcalf, President Joel Bennett, Vice President There are also some fundamental state-wide issues that are Ric Iannolino, Secretary alarming. Specifically, state biologists have been directed that in many Butch Laughlin, Treasurer, Wally Frank cases, policy trumps science - science matters only when it supports Dan Montieth policy. This is a very dangerous precedent. Sue Warner Additionally, we are deeply concerned that the BOG and Newsletter design and layout by ADF&G have embraced predator control as a solution for a number Island Design / Andy Romanoff of complex Alaska wildlife issues. The current brown bear war on the Editor, Bruce Baker Kenai Peninsula is precedent setting – a dramatic increase in bears being killed by allowing baiting and currently there is no cap on either Friends of Admiralty Island total numbers of bears or females killed. The debate has evolved to PO Box 20791 whether the Kenai brown bear population is at risk of being wiped out Juneau, Alaska 99802 in 25 years. (907) 586-6738 Bears will likely be the losers. Could this happen on Admiralty? Probably not to the same extent. On Admiralty, bears rule because www.friendsofadmiralty.org of the protective Wilderness and National Monument designations. [email protected] ...continued on page 4 Friends of Admiralty Island Winter 2014 • Page 3 FRIENDS OF ADMIRALTY ISLAND ANNUAL MEETING Saturday, March 1, 2014 • Juneau Yacht Club • All Are Welcome

2:00 - 3:00 PM Business Meeting 4:00 - 5:00 PM Award-winning author Hank Lentfer, “A Voice in the Wilderness” 6:00 - 7:00 PM – Potluck Bring a dish to share and enjoy a variety of terrific food.

7:00 PM – A beautiful new film on Tongass Wilderness Areas Presented by Adam Andis, Sitka Conservation Society For more information call 586-6738.

Aleut Internment - Funter Bay and Killisnoo When war came to the Aleutians in 1942, the Funter Bay Memorial Plaque U.S. military anticipated a long campaign and the “This Plaque is erected and dedicated to remember and presence of civilians in isolated Aleut villages was to honor those infants who were born at Funter Bay considered a problem. The decision was made to during the Internment of the Pribilof Aleut People during evacuate the villages with only a few hours’ notice the Second World War and who never saw their ancient island homeland; those elders who suffered and died to the residents. Their destination was unknown. here, yearning but never able to return to their homes As the ships full of evacuees headed towards and to those who survived this tragic chapter in the Southeast Alaska there was a scramble to locate any history of the Unangan People, and heroically returned kind of housing available. The transport ship Delarof, to St. George and St Paul Islands to rebuild their carrying villagers from St. George, St. Paul and Atka communities and their lives. was almost to Southeast when it received orders to May their Memory be Eternal.” proceed to Admiralty Island. Last-minute frantic ar- rangements had secured the use of old cannery and Fr. Michael Oleksa, Russian Orthodox Priest, blesses the Aleut cemetery on the May 2013 Friends of Admiralty Cruise to Funter Bay. mine buildings in Funter Bay for the St. George and St. Paul villagers and for Atka refugees the derelict herring plant at Killisnoo (next to Angoon). Life in these camps was unsanitary, unhealthy, cold, wet and inhumane. The youngest and the old- est villagers suffered a high mortality rate. Cem- eteries at the two camps are the final resting place for an unknown number of Aleuts. This internment was harsh, but when the evacuees finally returned to the Aleutians they faced starting life over again with most villages partially or completely destroyed along with their personal, cultural and religious property destroyed or missing. The internment story is too important not to be known, so Friends of Admiralty Island plan to erect a memorial plaque, authored by Fr. Michael Oleksa for Funter Bay and an appropriate plaque for Killisnoo. Page 4 • Winter 2014 Friends of Admiralty Island

Admiralty Issues

Angoon Airport Angoon’s air service is currently served by a Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for float plane dock adjacent to the boat harbor, about the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), an half a mile from the town center. The Alaska Dept. assessment of several alternative locations and the of Transportation (DOT) has proposed a land- environmental, social and economic consequences based airport to better serve the travel, freight and of each. A draft has been circulated to agencies for medivac needs of Angoon. comment before the public review draft becomes DOT proposes building an airport in available. Favorite Bay (Alt. 3a), a remote site within FAA has identified their Preferred Alternative the Kootsnoowoo Wilderness with no existing (Alt.12a) as best meeting Angoon’s needs. FAA infrastructure – requiring construction of a 3-4.5 has done an outstanding job of gathering data and mile road and bridge for access). The Federal analyses of the many impacts and working closely with Angoon. FAA’s preferred airport location is adjacent to the existing ferry terminal (with nearby DOT’s Alternative roads, electricity and power) and a short drive from the ferry terminal and town. Why the disparity between the two alternatives? Compared to DOT’s proposal, FAA’s Alternative FAA’s alternative is more cost effective, is easier for Angoon to access, would have less adverse Ferry Port environmental impacts and would be less difficult to build and maintain. It is likely that DOT’s proposal has more to do with being the first ...continued on page 5

Brown Bears – A Continuing Concern...from page 2 However, Admiralty bears are not out of the woods. We advocate for conservative management given the uncertainty of population fluctuations, climate change impacts on ecosystems coupled with shrinking state and federal budgets and increased world demands on resources. Friends of Admiralty will continue to work with the state and federal agencies to educate and advocate for: 1. The ADF&G and the BOG to implement the recommendations of the Brown Bear Management Strategy of 2000 for conservative bear harvests. “Triggers” such as hunter crowding and rising kill levels, particularly of females, should merit consideration of alternative management actions. 2. The ADF&G and BOG to add a mortality factor (specific number) to the harvest level to account for kills that are the result of wounding loss, poaching or non-reporting. 3. The ADF&G to update population estimates, especially in those bays where bear hunting is heaviest. The FS to exert a more proactive role in reducing overcrowding by guides when it occurs and to help fund bear population studies and bear research. We believe that the National Monument legislation directs the FS to have a significant role in assuring the well-being ofAdmiralty bears. Friends of Admiralty Island Winter 2014 • Page 5

Admiralty Issues...from page 4

Presidentially/Congressionally approved access the FS will have to make additional tailings acreage development in a designated Wilderness (under available if the mine is to continue operating. All Title XI of ANILCA, the Alaska National Interest indications are that the mine will continue to operate Lands Conservation Act). If this is indeed DOT’s for an additional 30 years or more (the mine has a agenda and the Wilderness airport is approved, it legislated right to mine until 2095). Consider that 32 would set a major precedent, making it easier for years ago the mine had a projected life of 25 years. the state to launch development projects in other congressionally designated Wilderness areas. We and others who appealed this decision (Angoon Tribal Government and Southeast Alaska We favor the needs of Angoon over DOT’s Conservation Council) argued that the National apparent political agenda. Please add your Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which guides comments when the draft hits the streets. the EIS process counters this approach, “… that important effects will not be overlooked Flawed Forest Service Decision on or underestimated only to be discovered after Tailings Expansion resources have been committed or the die otherwise cast.” NEPA requires an agency to supplement The U.S. Forest Service (FS) stated throughout either a draft or final EIS if, “the agency makes the EIS process for tailings expansion at the Greens ...continued on page 9 Creek Mine that the “Purpose and Need” of its decision was to provide Hecla Greens Creek 30-50 years of additional space for dumping tailings. The FS surprised everyone by making only a partial decision - allowing Hecla 10 years of additional tailings space - expanding an additional 18 acres onto the National Monument. But not allowing a second tailings dump in Fowler Creek, just outside of the Monument. This is a good news-bad news story. Good news in that a 30-50 year commitment, in any of the alternatives would have destroyed a significant portion of Fowler Creek or Tributary Creek (both salmon streams), caused irreparable harm to Admiralty National Monument (in violation of the Monument organic legislation ANILCA), and would increase toxins being discharged into Hawk Inlet. Bad news in that at the end of the 10- year life of the current tailings decision Greens Creek tailing pile, Hawk Inlet Page 6 • Winter 2014 Friends of Admiralty Island JOIN US!

For a Angoon cultural cruise Saturday, May 31 Departs 8 am at Auke Bay’s Statter Boat Harbor & returns at 5:30 pm. Cost $100 per person. Bring a lunch or purchase food and drink aboard the vessel. Tickets will go on sale in early April at the JACC and local book stores. Purchase early as there are only 100 tickets to be sold. A day-long cruise to the historic village of Angoon aboard an Allen Marine catamaran. This will be a rare opportunity to see Admiralty through the eyes of a people who have thousands of years of history and a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the island. Angoon elders and citizens were the main political force that preserved Admiralty and they continue to work for the Island’s well-being. The cruise along the west shore of Admiralty Island will provide cultural and historic commentary from several Angoon folks. We will stop in front of the village for photographs and then at Killisnoo, where we will offload to place a memorial plaque at the Atka graveyard.. Note we will not be going into the town of Angoon since 100 people could be an intrusion into local privacy and there are no docking facilities.

Killisnoo is home to ancient cultural sites, a historic whaling station and herring reduction plant, and the internment camp for Kiska Aleuts. As time permits we will enter Favorite Bay, the lower portion of Mitchell Bay and one of the richest intertidal areas in the world important for locals gathering and preserving traditional foods. Representatives of the Angoon Tribal Government will meet us and discuss the 1882 bombardment and burning of Angoon and its tragic aftermath. Additional discussion will focus on their economy and infrastructure including an airport, hydro power, appropriate tourism, and Angoon’s role in the National Monument. This is an opportunity for Juneau people to better understand, appreciate, and support Angoon - a stronghold of Tlingit culture and the gift of traditional knowledge of one of the most amazing islands in the world.

Waterfront view of Angoon from the late 1800’s.

Friends of Admiralty • Gifts and Publications Name ______Address ______❏ Pack Creek Bears & the Legacy of Stan Price $10 + $4 shipping/order City/State/Zip ______❏ Brown Bears of Admiralty Island Phone ______$10 + $4 shipping/order Email ______❏ JoAnne George “Wolf Totem” Print $30 (shipping included) Mail To: Friends of Admiralty Island ❏ Voices of Humpback Whale, 60-minute compact disk PO Box 29791, Juneau, AK 99802 recorded by Lou Barr $8.00 + $1.50 shipping/order Phone: (907) 586-6738 www.friendsofadmiralty.org Make checks payable to: “Friends of Admiralty Island” or pay at friendsofadmiralty.org [email protected] Friends of Admiralty Island Winter 2014 • Page 7

Introducing Our Board Members...Sue Warner I’m pleased to be part but sound cabin in Hood Bay of Friends of Admiralty and and became smitten with writing this lets me reflect on Mitchell Bay and the people my love and experiences with in Angoon. As an owner of a Admiralty Island. Late in life I wilderness guiding company, became a mom, to one sassy girl I was able show off Admiralty named Yana. I have no regrets brown bears to guests from for my delayed motherhood all over the country and teach because earlier my energy was them the importance of large focused on Admiralty Island. expanses of unspoiled land to As a carefree young adult, I first one of the greatest carnivores romped around Admiralty when on earth. Most significant to helping a graduate student with my adventurous life-before- field research on Vancouver motherhood, I was able to Canada goose. I had a blast spend four summers at Pack and learned the importance of Creek and Windfall Harbor. Admiralty’s untouched forests. My first season was assisting with a visitor impact study, I fell in love with the and then I was lucky to follow Sue and Yana Warner island that summer. The feelings with a study of my own. deepened as I was lucky enough vast diversity and untouched to participate in a winter whale I want to thank Yana beauty, which made my survey in Seymour Canal and for waiting for me all those experiences so sacred and then join the summer “Turd years (she was definitely fulfilling. I hope I can do a Crew,” counting deer pellets worth the wait). And I thank smidgen of good while serving as we crisscrossed the varied conservationists, past and on our board. ecosystems of the island. One present, who have dedicated year, I overwintered in a scruffy their lives to saving Admiralty’s

PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A 2014 FINANCIAL DONATION TO FRIENDS OF ADMIRALTY ISLAND HECLA Greens Creek mine in Hawk Inlet represents a threat to the health of the Monument and ad- jacent waters for generations, even centuries to come. This is a long-term struggle, but the next few years can be especially critical in bringing about more enlightened water quality treatment and testing and tailings disposal. We have been successful in raising money for past programs through book sales, unsolicited dona- tions, fund raising events and an occasional grant. However, The Friends of Admiralty now needs to double our educational and advocacy efforts – Admiralty Island deserves no less. Thanks for being part of this effort,

K.J. Metcalf, President Page 8 • Winter 2014 Friends of Admiralty Island

Kootznoowoo – A Place Apart by John Neary “Wilderness is Relationship. All cultures I’ve spoken with many residents and visitors across history set places apart from the routines of Kootznoowoo, mostly along remote, gravelly and common behaviors of daily life. The purpose beaches or at Angoon gathering places. The of these special places is to reorient our focus underlying theme is usually respect, either the and perceptions in a setting that is conducive to begrudging respect like that afforded a friend who reflection. We approach such places differently taught you valuable lessons, or the terrifying respect than we do the usual places in our daily lives, and that inspired dramatic stories of survival. On either it is the restraint in this interaction that makes extreme, respect is evident. them special, enabling us to experience the unique values these places provide in nurturing the human America’s Wilderness Act turns 50 this year. spirit. Examples include shrines, memorials, and It was in 1964 when “The Idea of Wilderness” ceremonial sites. Wilderness also is such a place.” became the reality of Wilderness, forever wild. While Kootznoowoo Wilderness has existed for When TinaMarie Ekker wrote these words perhaps 18,000 years in its present form, only since in her essay “The Idea of Wilderness,” I wonder the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act if she thought about a rain-soaked Alaskan island (ANILCA) has it been protected from the modern of squishy bogs and dripping mountains? Most economics of exploitation. But just how special is of Admiralty Island was declared Wilderness by this place? Does it inspire reflection in the same way Congress in 1980, but could a place once described as the Taj Mahal, Lhasa Monasteries or the Vietnam by Russian traders as Fear Island now “nurture the Memorial in DC? Is it a sacred place for you? human spirit”? During a recent Forest Service spring training Kootznoowoo Wilderness is rich with for seasonal employees, we visited Admiralty Cove. superlatives. Its million acres provide everything a Our intent was to clean up the cabin, repair sections bear could need, including streams swimming in pink of trail and connect with the damp woods after a and chum salmon and huge estuaries of sedge and long winter’s absence. Arriving ashore, we walked clams leading into wetland forests. But do you feel as through bent stalks of last year’s rye grass to find a moved by this place as TinaMarie implies? dry spot in which to have lunch. Upon thick cushions of ground moss we sat for a moment, contemplating Young’s Bay old growth (Andy Romanoff) the scene. The spruce of this uplifted beach were full with branches quite low to the ground. Behind us a tangle of thimbleberry and devils club branches had not become warm enough to bud, but in front an open meadow of sedge and grass lent sidelight to the shaggy trunks. In this moment, I awkwardly bent to kiss the ground. Aware of my colleagues nearby and a bit embarrassed by the implication of my action, I explained my joy in this annual reunion. But I needn’t have, because they smiled and nodded either appreciatively or in amusement. I couldn’t tell which. It can be difficult to explain a relationship to a place that has evolved over many years. We approach such places differently than we do the usual places in our daily lives. Could this be the core value of wilderness? Friends of Admiralty Island Winter 2014 • Page 9

Admiralty Issues...from page 5

substantial changes in the proposed action that are anecdotal observations that there is a significant relevant to environmental concerns.” decrease in numbers of clams. Also troubling. The FS denied the appeals and stated that they The 2012 Hecla report states that the health of did not make “substantial changes” to the proposed marine and aquatic ecosystems can be viewed based action. They further stated that by making on species diversity and abundance. True, but, what the short term decision “...does not preclude is perplexing is that the same report states, “For consideration or selection in the future of any the marine environment, there are no data available of the action alternatives…” The point is that by to numerically compare diversity or abundance of describing only the bite-size impacts avoids having organisms between pre-mining and post-mining to describe the massive impacts that will eventually years.” We know results of a pre-mining baseline occur. The letter and the spirit of the EIS process are survey exist, but there has been no post-mining to describe the total cumulative impacts of this mine. survey to see what changes have occurred. The tailings will have to be monitored and the A statement in the same report on samples water discharged from the tailings will have to be for bio-assays states, “Duplicate samples are not treated FOREVER. How will that be done? The taken for all species due to the negative impact battle for National Monument protection and clean such removal would have on the relatively sparse water continues. populations present on the Hawk Inlet bioassay monitoring sample sites.” Meaning, we assume, that Hawk Inlet Water Quality so few of those organisms were present that they could not collect enough to see if the population was An ongoing debate - the Alaska Department of healthy. Very troubling. Conservation (DEC) and the FS claim that the Greens Creek mine has not adversely impacted the quality of There seem to be enough “red flags” that the fresh or saltwater. Friends of Admiralty, SEACC, and statements of assurances of the inlet’s good health other conservation groups say otherwise. are not supported. The 1981 baseline study needs to be replicated. If the populations of organisms are In 1981 a pre-mining baseline study was done too diminished to do the study, then that needs to be that included a bio-assay of Hawk Inlet benthic documented. (bottom dwelling) organisms, as well as surveys of species diversity and abundance. This study was to DEC proposes to reissue an Alaska Pollutant be the measure of changes that occurred as a result Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permit of mining activity. In Hecla’s 2012 Hawk Inlet to the Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company for Monitoring Program Report, there are samples that wastewater discharges into waters of the United show some increased levels of metals, particularly States. This permit must be based on defensible lead and mercury. That is troubling. There are also data, not missing data.

Admiralty’s Kootznoowoo Inlet (Bruce Baker) Page 10 • Winter 2014 Friends of Admiralty Island

Glacier Bay and Admiralty Island Biosphere Reserve In 1986 Glacier Bay National Park and represent the essence of the diversity of Southeast Admiralty Island were designated as one unit of Alaska and coastal Northern British Columbia. the 621 world-wide Biosphere Reserves under the This reserve offers an outstanding opportunity United Nations Man and the Biosphere Programme for long-term research and education with the (MAB). The 2013 Glacier-Bay/Admiralty Island expressed element of recognizing humans are a part Periodic Review for Biosphere Reserves, jointly of our natural world (as stated in the purposes of authored by the Park Service and Forest Service establishing the Reserves). The 2013 report has an stated the rationale for the original classification, impressive list of current research and opportunities. The challenge is to understand and promote “Glacier Bay is a superlative example of the ice- human use in a way that sustains those values that affected landscapes typical of the northern portion Glacier Bay National Park and Admiralty National of the Sitkan biogeographic province, while the Monument were created to preserve. forest of Admiralty Island is the greatest remaining We urge the Park Service, Forest Service and block of productive old-growth temperate rainforest stakeholders to enter into dialogue that will result in the world.” in taking the Biosphere Reserve from a paper These two different landscapes, one glacier designation to an actual program, one that links the dominated, yet undergoing rapid deglaciation and two units together with educational, scientific and the other an old-growth mature forest, seem to programmatic accomplishments. ABC Island Brown Bears and Polar Bears Related Ancient ringed seal remains have been found http://news.ucsc.edu/2013/03/polar-bear-genomics. in caves on Prince of Wales Island, supporting the html The genetic evidence that ABC male brown theory that in the distant past, sea ice extended well bears bred with female polar bears is clear, but there into what is today Southeast Alaska. Sea ice and is speculation as to how this occurred. A theory is ringed seals support the presence of polar bears – that at the end of the last ice age, as sea ice melted, a which scientists claim explains why brown bears on population of polar bears were isolated on the ABC Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof (ABC), carry a islands and bred with brown bears. genetic connection to polar bears. In time the polar bears disappeared as the brown A recent study of this connection is summarized bears dominated, leaving the ABC bears as the only in a March 14, 2013 University of California Santa known brown bears with a close genetic relationship Cruz News Center article by Tim Stephens: with polar bears. Paul Nicklen photo Michael Dobson photo

ABC island brown bears are genetically closer related to polar bears than to mainland brown bears Friends of Admiralty Island Winter 2014 • Page 11

Pack Creek named for Charles Lathrop Pack by Joel Bennett Not all of Admiralty Island’s best known non-native place names emanated from the voyage of Captain George Vancouver. One is world famous Pack Creek, named by the U. S. Department of Agriculture in 1939 for Charles Lathrop Pack, a turn-of-the-century timber baron and conservationist, whose efforts to improve forestry practices and adhere to a progressive land ethic foreshadowed the modern environmental movement. While there is no record that Charles Pack ever visited Admiralty, his son Arthur brought

national attention to it, opening the way for the Forest Service to recognize the work of his father Hasselborg cabin. Photo courtesy of Alaska Historical Library by placing the family name on a natural feature of and guide Allen Hasselborg. A film of the trip and the island. a 1932 article in Nature drew national attention to the need for additional protection for Admiralty’s Charles Pack amassed great wealth from bears. Pressure mounted to make Admiralty Island the family lumber business, but he stood out by a brown bear sanctuary, but a 1934 compromise pioneering innovative techniques to achieve a more resulted in the Alaska Territorial Game Commission sustainable forest model for the future. In 1923, closing only Thayer Mountain and Pack Creek to he co-funded the American Nature Association, bear hunting. Though the Pack Creek closure was to address land and wildlife issues. Through its only twenty square miles, it forms the nucleus magazine Nature, his views on forestry and the land of today’s 95-square mile Upper Seymour Canal reached a national audience. Waging a one-man closure to bear hunting. crusade to save the forests of North America, he argued that unbridled lumber consumption could Long before passage of the 1964 Wilderness make America a treeless land by 1950. He self- Act, Arthur Pack used his considerable financial published a forestry primer and distributed over five resources and influence to push for federal action million copies to schools and institutions. Pack had that would formally distinguish land that was the ear of President Theodore Roosevelt and Chief wilderness from land that was a national park. His of the Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, and pushed philosophy embodied the concept of wilderness for a new approach to forest management on public preservation for its own sake, undiluted by a variety lands that included selective cutting and reseeding, of competing multiple uses. practices he had learned from commercial foresters in Germany’s Black Forest. As part of a National Monument and Wilderness Area, it is fitting that Pack Creek is a After his father’s death in 1935, the family name that comes from a family so committed to mission fell to his son Arthur, who worked fervently the care of nature, representing activism on behalf on behalf of nature and land protection for the of the environment spanning more than fifty years. next forty years. As editor of Nature Magazine, If Charles Pack or his son returned today to the he travelled widely in search of issues in need of salmon stream on Admiralty Island which Arthur attention. Among those was Admiralty Island and walked along eighty-three years ago, he would its brown bears. In 1931, Arthur visited Swan Cove find descendants of the same bears fishing in the and the Seymour Canal area in the company of same way at the same bend in the river. This is the noted wildlife photographer William L. Finley essence of what he and his son fought for. Friends of Admiralty Island Presrt Std PO Box 20791 U.S. Postage Juneau, AK 99802 PAID (907) 586-6738 Juneau, AK www.friendsofadmiralty.org Permit No. 98 Address Service Requested

Winter 2014 Newsletter

Join Friends of Admiralty Today!

Friends of Admiralty is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization. This newsletter is provided free Yes! I want to join Friends of Admiralty Island. to those who care about Admiralty Island- Membership is free Kootznoowoo, “Fortress of the Bears.” To become Name ______a member of Friends of Admiralty, just e-mail Address ______your contact information and we’ll sign your City/State/Zip ______up free of charge. Phone ______Donations are welcome and greatly appreciated. Email ______To support our work, please go to www.friendsofadmiralty.org and click on “donate.” Address: Friends of Admiralty Island PO Box 20791 Paperless Newsletters Juneau, AK 99802 We encourage all who receive our newsletters Phone: (907) 586-6738 to consider switching from a mailed paper to an www.friendsofadmiralty.org [email protected] electronic version. The cost in paper, printing, postage, and the resulting carbon footprint could be Checks for donations and products payable to: reduced. If this appeals to you, drop us an e-mail at: “Friends of Admiralty Island” or online at our website. [email protected]