BLM L nd Use Plan for Southcentr I lask A Summary

HT 393 .A4 U54 1980 I

Cover: Peaks of the Range loom behind forested hills near the Denali Highway in Southcentral A Iaska. Photo by Page Spencer. September 22, 1980

We are pleased to share with you the results of our Southcentral land use plan. In this booklet we show maps of the areas likely to be administered by B LM, give a brief discussion of the resources of those areas and their present uses, and summarize the most important decisions made for each resource activity. Since this plan is intended to be implemented over a number of years, actions taken to carry out the decisions will necessarily hinge on funding.

Land status in Alaska has been changing quickly and often dramatically in recent years as Congress, the President, the courts, the State of Alaska and Native Corporations all interact to vie for land ownership. The State or Native corporations may select. areas we show as being administered by BLM. For this reason, the boundaries we show here may change- may even have changed while this booklet was in press.

We began working on the Southcentral plan in late 1977. The first thing we did was to contact other government agencies, special interest groups, and individuals likely to be interested. Detailed resource information was gathered by specialists who work for B LM and from other outside sources wherever available. By December of 1978, we had completed the analysis of resources and the ways those resources are now being used. An economic and social analysis had been prepared by our economist. During the summer of 1979, we talked with the residents to find out their preferences for land use.

By December 1979, we had finished a proposed or tentative plan. We sent a brochure describ­ ing this proposal to federal, state and local government agencies, to residents and landowners of the affected areas, and to interested citizen groups. We held meetings with state, federal, and borough groups to explain the proposed plan. We advertised and held open houses in Anchorage on January 17 and 22, 1980, and in Fairbanks on February 7, 1980. Comments we received, whether verbal or written, were carefully considered by the planning staff, the Area Manager, and the District Manager. Our recommendations received broad general support from the public. Some public comments brought to light important points we might otherwise have missed, so we feel the public response was very helpful to us.

The complete plan (the Management Framework Plan) and all the reference documents prepared in connection with it are available at both the Anchorage District Office and the Glennallen Area Office. You are invited to visit and review these documents at your convenience.

We would like to thank all of you who participated, who gave us information or suggestions to help us develop this plan. We would also like to emphasize that BLM's land use plans are not static, but dynamic, and will be changed as national or local conditions require. We invite your comments and suggestions at any time .

Richard W. Tindall • Anchorage District Manager H-r Contents 3Cf3 ~ ltv Southcentral Planning A rea ______1 u~v General Description ______Economics ______! /9Jt) Issues ______4

Denali Planning Block ______7 General Description ______7 Land Use Decisions ______8

Columbia Planning Block ______21 General Description 21 Land Use Decisions 25

Tiekel Planning Block ______27 General Description 27 Land Use Decisions 28

Bering Planning Block ______33 General Description 33 Land Use Decisions 33

The Planning System------37

Relationship to Other Plans ______37

What Happens Next? ______38

GlossarY------39

Maps

Southcentral Planning Area ______2

Denali Planning Block: Recreation 10

Denali Planning Block: Minerals, Cultural, Forest Products and Lands __ l2

Denali Planning Block: Wildlife, Watershed and Range ______16

Columbia Planning Block.______22

Tiekel Planning Block ______29

Bering Planning Block ______35 Southcentral

Ph oto b Y R . L . Ward

Spruce covered islands follow the curves of the Nenana River as it winds through Southcentral Alaska. Southcentral Planning Area

General Description

In preparing our Management Framework dependin g on t he local ity. Its genera l Plan, we first studied t he whole general t emperature ranges a re g r eater than the region of Southcentral A Ias ka, some 55 maritime, but s malle r than t he contin­ million acres of land, of which about 5.5 ental, with va r iab le preci pitation and million acres are public lands expected to ge ne ral ly li ght winds. be adminis tered by t he Bureau of Land Ma nagement (s ee map next page).

Mountai ns rim all four sides of t he Planning Blocks Southcentral A rea. A long the sout hern coast are the Kenai, Chugach , and Robinson mountains. Along the eastern Because of the vast size of the overall boundary with Canada are the Wrangells, planning area and the scattered locations while on the west is the northern end of of B LM-managed lands within that area, the Aleutian Range. The Alaska Range we divided our area of special planning forms the northern border. emphasis into four smaller units called the planning blocks. The Dena I i block, The great watersherls of the Copper, largest of these, is also the largest Susitna and Matanuska rivers and their remammg single parcel of Bureau- tributa ;ies drain the area. During managed land. Its 4.5 million acres previous geologic periods the entire surround the Denali Highway and stretch region was glaciated, a nd today a II the to the crest of the Alaska Range in the mou ntain ranges sti ll contain active northern part of the general South­ glaciers . central planning area. The Denali block extends from the Richardson Highway on Terra in va r ies in Southcentral Alaska the east almost to the Parks Highway on from some of the hig hest peaks on the the west. North Ame rican continent to vast marshy lowlands . Between are some of the best Columbia block contains approximately agricultural lands in A Iaska, including 346,600 acres of land in three parcels the much-publicized Matanuska Valley, grouped about College Fiord and Port where homesteaders started new lives Valdez. during the 1930's. Tiekel block, a parcel of about 507,000 T h ree basic climatic zones affect the acres, is located southeast of Denali, southcentral planning area. A long the straddling the Richardson Highway coasts is a maritime climate characterized between Glennallen and Valdez. Part of b y cool summers and warm winters, but the Alaska Pipeline corridor passes heavy precipitation and strong winds. through this planning block, and sepa­ Inland is a continental zone affected by rate planning has been done for that land mass temperatures . It is character­ portion. ized by hot summers, cold winters, and has a tempe ratu re range of 100 degrees F The fourth planning block, Bering, con­ o r more, although precipitation and sists of two parcels of land on and about winds are usually light. Between the Bering Glacier not·th of Cape Yakataga. coastal ma r itime and the inland con­ The following map shows these planning tinental c limatic a r eas is the transitional blocks in relation to the entire South­ zone, which can be affected either by central planning area. wa ter or by land ma ss temperatures, \">' { ) I .. _r,. ,.-

Southcentral Planning Area S.'-4\.j I f 1 Denali Planning Block •l~tJ '" 2 Columbia Planning Block ~ ~c,: 3 Tiek~l Planning Block i ':4 Beri[lg Planning Block

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-1ugu.rrine I 10 0 20 100 MLES 0 blalld. ' I Middleioll;p 10 :ro l 150 . 1~ , Economics block.

The present population of Southcentral Now, however, the resources of the Alaska is about 250,000. In 1978, almost planning blocks play only a minor role in half of the whole state's nonagricultural the economy of Southcentral Alaska. wage and salary employment was in Denali block makes the greatest impact Anchorage. and has the greatest potential for future impact; Tiekel, Columbia and Bering Petroleum and government are the basic blocks have no significant economic industries of Southcentra I A Iaska. A I­ activity at present. The most important t hough the oil and gas industry accounts economic role now played by B LM­ for a relatively small number of direct administered public lands is providing employees, it is a major driving force access and materials for projects actually throughout the economy, generating more outside the blocks, such things as than half of the state's revenue. The rights-of-way for communications sites second economic force, government, ac­ and gravel for construction. counts for 27 percent of all employment in Anchorage. Falling third behind these major economic bases is manu­ facturing, primarily fish processing.

Recreation also forms an important part of the southcentra I region's economy. In 1978, recreation and visitor-related business accounted for $762 million, of which $275 million came from sales to out-of-state visitors. This industry em­ Issues ployed 6,000 people. It has been esti­ mated that visitor-related expenditures Since 1971 and the passage of the Alaska accounted for about 6 percent of gross Native Claims Settlement Act, a very business receipts for that year and that considerable amount of land has been well over half of those expenditures were withdr21wn from general use. This Act made in the southcentral region. required that, more than 103 million acres of land be patented to the State and 44 The state has just been through an eco­ million to regional and village Native nomic boom that culminated with the con­ corpo'rations. Of these corporations, struction of the Trans-Alaska oil pipe­ Cook Inlet Region, Inc.; Ahtna, Inc.; line. When pipeline construction began and Chugach Natives, Inc., have select­ in 1974 it superimposed a construction ed their lands ,;.in Southcentral A Iaska. boom on top of an economy already This same act ~lso authorized the Secre­ expanding from previous oil-related tary of the 1nterior to choose up to 80 activities. Between 1973 and 1975 the million acres from all over the state for employment rate leaped 18.4 percent inclusion in the four national conserva­ annually, population grew 10.3 percent, tion systems. President Carter in 1978 and income grew 18 percent. Since the created three new national monuments completion of pipeline construction, this (totaling 15,410,000 acres principally in growth rate has dropped abruptly. Southcentral A Iaska) including a large addition to Mount McKinley National Park The possible construction of other major ' out of part of this. The State of Alaska projects such as the gas pipeline, the has now made most of its selections as Susitna hydropower project, or the re­ granted by the statehood act of 1959. location of the state capital may bring A II of these land commitments have another growth surge. Already the drastically changed the availability of creation of the new Wrangell-St. Elias land for general use. After final dis­ National Monument is expected to in­ position has been made of the land, the crease travel between the Monument and Native entitlement and some of the State Mount McKinley National Park. Much of selected land will become private. - tl:@t travel will pass over the Denali Highway, through the Denali planning One of the major concerns of the people

4 of Southcentral A Iaska is that there may Much of Southcentral A Iaska is not be enough land for them to use in • 0oing into either private ownership the pursuit of their traditional economic or single-use management systems. and recreational activities. Therefore, How much land will remain in multi­ they will begin looking more t0ward ple-use management? lands administered under the multiple­ use mandate of the Bureau for these Mining continues to be a major activities. Alaskans also are concerned • activity in this region. How will that the Bureau may place new restric­ the Bureau help to meet the de­ tions on uses now occurring on its mand? lands. At the same time, they want the visual quality of key areas to be main­ Commercial and sport fishing are tained, wildlife habitat to be maintained • big business in Southcentral or enhanced, and work to be coordinated Alaska. The Bureau is responsible between the various government agencies for management of a sizeable amount so as to manage the overall habitat to of spawning habitat. How can the the best advantage for wildlife and Bureau maintain or enhance this fisheries. habitat?

Another point that was felt to be of po­ The forested areas under Bureau tential concern was the need for gravel • administration are generally of low supplies from BLM lands if a large con..:. commercial value. Their value is struction project should be undertaken considerably greater as a future on adjacent lands. However, coordina­ source of products and for re­ tion with other agencies and the public sources other than forest products. revealed that there was not a great How is the Bureau going to manage demand for this resource. the forest resource?

Following is a summary of issues and • There is some demand for domestic concerns related to specific resources livestock grazing in the area. that were addressed during preparation Traditional grazing areas may not of the p lan: be avai Iable in the futu r e. Will the Bureau accommodate requests for • Recreat ion will continue to be a domestic grazing in Southcentral major activity in this region. How A Iaska? will the Bureau help to meet the . demand? There are two issues that have not been addressed in this plan. Management of • Cultural resources are well repre­ easements designated under the Alaska sented in this area. What is the Native Claims Settlement Act (1971) is Bureau going to do to preserve and being addressed in separate easement protect these resources? management plans. The decision was made because these easements cross • Wildlife populations are a concern in private land and the U.S. Government the region. Moose populations have holds only a very specific, limited inter­ declined; caribou populations have est. Wilderness has not been addressed. leveled off and are starting to During the year when the area's resour­ increase. How is the Bureau going ces were being analyzed (in the report to manage wildlife habitat? entitled Southcentral Planning Area Unit Resource Analysis, June 1979) there was • Southcentral A Iaska has spectacular a Congressional freeze on spending scenery. How will the Bureau money in Alaska on wilderness review. protect scenic quality while allowing AI! the decisions in this plan must be development to take place? consistent with the Interim Wilderness Management Policy dated December 1979. • Most of A Iaska has water of ex- Those that are now consistent can be cellent quality. How will the implemented immediately. All others Bureau insure that the water quali­ must be delayed until a wilderness ty is maintained? review is completed.

5 Denali

Seen from the Denali Highway, the Susitna River cuts through rolling hills and alpine meadows. Denali Planning Block

General Description

Land in the 4.5 million-acre Denali plan­ area and on the Gulkana River. ning block ascends northward from forested, rolling country into treeless North of the community of Sourdough, alpine meadows and finally touches the the Gulkana River experienced an approx­ glittering peaks of the Alaska Range, imate threefold increase in angler use that formidable band of glacier-covered between 1976 and 1978, with 2, 51 0 vi sits mountains clustered around North recorded in 1978. Brushkana Camp- America's tallest peak. The Alaska ground in the western part of the block Range is a curving band of volcanic received about 8,000 visits, of which mountains arching from east to west about 5,000 included the, activity of across the midsection of Alaska. Its fishing in the Brushkana River as part massive ridges generally extend from of the visit. During late summer and 6,000 to 18,000 feet in height. early fall, when bears are feeding on berries on the open slopes above timber­ Within most of the planning block south line, this is popular hunting and sight­ of these mountains, the topography con­ seeing country. sists of more rounded ridges of 3,500 to 5,000 feet separated by wide lowlands The 460,000-acre Tangle Lakes Archeolo­ formed of glacial deposits. Viewed from gical District is located within the boun­ the Denali Highway, the single road that daries of the Denali planning block. crosses the planning block, the country Placed on the Nationa I Register of Histor­ is rolling hills punctuated by glacial ic Places in 1971, the district contains lakes and streams, with a backdrop of hundreds of archeological sites in an jagged, snow-covered peaks to the outstanding setting of glacial landforms. north. In this rolling terrain, moist More than 220 sites have been recorded, tundra alternates with alpine tundra. making this one of the densest occurren­ Farther south, away from the road, ces of prehistoric sites in the North lowland spruce-hardwood forests grow, American subarctic. Some sites have interspersed with upland spruce-hard­ been estimated to be as much as 10,000 wood forests around the river valleys. years old. The area also contains geo­ logical formations with the potential to The Susitna, Copper, Delta, and Nenana contain sites not yet identified. rivers all drain this region. A rich variety of wildlife inhabits the A Ithough there are no towns within the Denali block. Black bears, grizzly planning block itself, the small com­ bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, munities of Paxson, Cantwell, Glennallen, waterfowl including Trumpeter swans, and Gakona are important service centers and many kinds of furbearers use the for the area. There are about 60 per­ region. Nine grizzly bear denning areas manent residents scattered along the have been identified at scattered loca­ Denali Highway. These people operate tions throughout the block. lodges and guide services, or are trap­ pers. Since the highway is not kept Denali block contains certain areas where open during the winter, many of the high concentrations of waterfowl occur local residents leave during that season. during the nesting and molting seasons . During this period the birds are very Denali planning block provides fish habi­ vulnerable to predators. Numerous small tat in many streams near the highway. rivers and lakes throughout the planning Most fishing is done in the Tangle Lakes block are also important habitat and

7 spawning areas for grayling and other Land Use Decisions sport fish species; the Gulkana River and its tributaries are very important spawning areas for salmon.

The climate is continental. Relatively Recreation Map page 10 hot summers in the range of 66° to 70° F a are followed by very cold winters rang­ Y Study the following areas in order to ing from 10° F to -30° F. Winds and designate them as either open, restricted precipitation are light, although locally or closed to Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) high winds are generated by downslope use: (a) Tangle Lakes Archeological movement of dense, cold air along the District, (b) Butte Lake area south of foots lopes of the A Iaska Range in the the Denali Highway, and (c) Susitna northern part of the block. Such winds River area. In any area where it is intensify wind chill, increase danger of found that an Area of Critical En viron­ wildfire, and cause damage to manmade mental Concern exists, consider only a structures. restricted or closed designation. In any area where mineral development is possi­ The Denali planning block is crossed by ble, allow for necessary access. Con­ a system of active faults with high sider opening all areas where ORV use earthquake potential. This system, would not be in specific conflict with called the Denali fault system, extends other resource values. along the Alaska Range· southwest through the Clearwater Mountains and Summer off-road vehicles are popular in across the Susitna River near Watana Alaska. Most of their use away from Creek. In the northern part of the populated areas is in support of other block, the Alaska Range has extreme recreational activities such as hunting slopes with a high erosion rate and and fishing, or of economic activities. landslide potential. These slopes may Much of the land in Southcentral Alaska lim it r esource development and constitute that has traditionally been used for a hazard to man in some places. 0 RV's i~ being transferred to private ownership and will probably be closed to ORV use, especially in the An chorage bowl and the Matanuska-Susitna River basin . 1 Other large areas are now national monuments where 0 RV use may either be prohibited or significantly re- strictecli . While the Dena I i p lanning block would normally be considered too far from populations centers b y the most users, there are only limited use-areas close to the population centers. For this reason, people seeking this kind of recreation may be willing to t ravel far­ ther than before to find a suitable place for this activity. On the other hand , Over the next few years it is expected the increasing cost of fuel ma y deter that demand for the resources of the many people. area, particularly those related to rec­ reation, will increase dramatically. This 0 RV use and regulation are controverisal increase will not be related to the resi­ ,subjects. ORV's are used t o provide dent population of the area, but rather access to private lands within the plan­ to the area's accessibility by road from ning block, and to reach remote hunting the large population centers of Anchor­ and fishing grounds. age and Fairbanks. Y Develop the following wa ter trails in This region is noted for its scenery and the Denali block: Delta River, Gulkana its opportunities for hunting, fishing, River, Maclaren River from the Dena li and camping. Highway to the Susitna Ri ver to the

8 Tyone River to Lake Louise, and the Signs, brochures, or visitor centers Upper Tangle Lake to Dickey Lake circle might be appropriate parts of the pro­ route. Establish a 1/4-mi le buffer zone gram. An interpretive program will on either side . of the river or around the reach a large number of people and lake to separate this activity from others would not conflict with any other re­ proposed in the planning block. source recommendation.

Water trails such as lake systems or ~ Establish a foot trail system for ex­ river systems attract visitor use that is tended hikes. Give highest priority to increasing substantially each year. (1) a trail from the Denali Highway to Already the three main systems in South­ Glacier Lake to Landmark Gap Lake to central A Iaska (Swan Lake, Swanson the Highway and (2) to a trail from River, and Nancy Lake) are being heavi­ Fielding Lake Campground to Tangle ly used. The water systems radiating Lakes Campground. Develop others as from the Denali Highway are ideal for time and money permit. such routes, and can be used to provide new recreational experiences. Public ~ A Iso develop day-length trails at the comment was very supportive of this following locations: Denali Highway to recommendation. Landmark Gap Lake, Tangle Lakes to Dickey Lake, and Denali Highway north ~ Rehabilitate the Tangle Lakes camp­ along the Maclaren River. ground, which is suffering from constant use. A rehabilitation program for this ~ Prepare a winter recreational use plan campground at the east end of the Denali for the area east of the Maclaren River Highway should correct most of the major trails. Include plans for dogsled trails, problems, such as uncontrolled camping cross-country ski trails, and for snow­ and site deteri.oration. mobile trails starting at Paxson Lake and Fielding Lakes. Preparing plans now ~Rehabilitate Brushkana Campground. will hold open as a future option winter Because it receives heavy, sometimes use of the eastern part of the planning excessive use, Brushkana Campground is block, where there is year-round access. in very poor condition. This camp­ ground serves the west end of the There was some public concern about the Denali Highway and the Parks Highway; exact nature of the proposals that could its location, will tie into the planned result from this proposal. hiking trail system, so it may become even more important in the future.

~ Develop a series of 3-unit waysides along the Denali Highway. Roadside ~Cultural Resources Map page 12 camping is popular with many campers who prefer undeveloped sites. Recently ~ Make a thorough field inventory of more people have been observed camping the cultural resources of the Tangle at gravel pits. These could easily be Lakes Archeological District to determine developed into small waysides. its actual extent and the methods needed to protect these cultural resources. ~ Construct a 10-unit family campground in the area of the Clearwater River on Public comments reflect support of an the Denali Highway. The two existing effort to delineate cultural resources for campgrounds are now receiving constant, protection of these resources and for a seasonal use, and parts of them are possible reduction in size of the archeo­ beginning to need rehabilitation. Bui Id­ logical district. ing a new campground about midway between these two will disperse use and ~ Protect known cultural resource will meet the anticipated use levels. values from direct fire effect and from damage caused by fire suppression ~ Create an interpretive program to ex­ activities. plain the natural history and archeology of the Denali Highway area to visitor.s. Cultural resources are non-renewable;

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DENALI PLANNING BLOCK

Recreation

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Cultural

(\\(( +) Tangle Lakes archaeological district ~ Tangle Lakes- Cantwell trail * Alaska Road Comm. shelter cabins + 0 t ~ Forest products 5 \ 5 l ~ du n /. Lands 0 10 20 Kilometers L- . ) Approxlmllte SCille ( 'ri<-JSSU)l ~(i ! ~ Susitna access corridor c;:> ~1 \ (L t i /_(_-ike t . '! . ~e ·" ' . l 0~ -. 0 c 1 1 ~ / , 1 Lo / 11111"-P + structural sites and shallow archeological tion. Additional sites have been identi­ sites may be adversely affected both by fied in the Southcentral Unit Resource wildfire and by fire suppression activi­ Analysis, one of the background plan­ ties. The cultural integrity can be ning documents. maintained through fire management. The overall area displays such high Y Preserve the shelter cabins and scenic quality and such high visual structures built along the trail from sensitivity that we should attempt to im­ Cantwell to Valdez Creek mining camp by prove visual intrusions in the landscape. the A Iaska Road Commission during the The sites mentioned above are ideal 1920's. These cabins are important places to start a visual resource im­ examples of shelter cabins built during provement program. They are consistent that period when winter sled travel was with other resource recommendations. a major means of transport. They are accessible from the Denali Highway and Y Evaluate all proposed management ac­ along the trail itself. tivities with the visual resource manage­ ment contrast rating system. Encourage Vandals and the natural elements have those projects that are compatible with caused deterioration of the shelter cabins the character of the natural landscapes. and other structures. Through pro­ This will assure that visual impacts are tection and preservation, they might be considered before projects are started. used for recreation or other purposes.

!:B Watershed Management Map page 16 Resources ~Visual Y Insure that any land use or develop­ Y Define the "seen areas" of the Delta ment is consistent with the A Iaska Water River and the Middle Fork and West Fork Quality Standards. BLM is required by of the Gulkana River. Manage the wild law to maintain the standards to protect sections of these rivers to maintain a human safety and habitat for fish. completely natural setting as much as possible. Y Inventory likely habitat in the Alaska Range , for the species Smelowskia These rivers, which are now providing borealis, a plant proposed for inclusion unique wilderness recreation experien­ on the Federal list of threatened and ces, need management attention. Seen areas provide a logical management unit for protecting those experiences.

Because these rivers are considered to be of national significance, the protec­ tion of wilderness qualities of the seen areas should have management priority.

Y Evaluate all proposed management ac­ tivities for their visual impact; encour­ age those projects that are compatible with the character of the natural land­ scape. This will assure that the visual 10 mm impacts of proposed activities are con­ sidered before a project is begun.

Y Improve all sites in public ownership where there are man-made scars on the Drawing by Ann C. Shell surrounding landscape. Tangle Lakes Campground and the existing 0 RV trails have the highest priority for rehabilita-

14 endangered plants. Designate ;=J: .y areas 9 Designate the primary calving a rea of where it occurs as potential Areas of the Nelchina caribou herd as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Only Critical Environmental Concern. Caribou three specimens of this variety are calve in the same general area year after known, and one is from this area. It is year. It is important to avoid man- in a remote location above 4,500 feet in induced stress on these caribou at this the A Iaska Range. B LM has the respon­ time. sibility, by law, to protect "sensitive" plants that could be designated as threat­ 9 Provide for natural fire occurrence ened or endangered. This action of where other important resource values inventorying likely habitat will partially would not be harmed. A number of fulfi II B LM 1s responsibility. plant and animal species require the special environment that is created by the occurrence of fire. While some species require a mature, unchanging vegetation, other species need the Wildlife Habitat Map page 16 changes caused by fire. By providing for this through fire management plans, Y Consider raptor nest areas of primary all resources will be accommodated. importance in land management. 'Y Protect from fire the portions of cari­ The management priority would afford bou range that have a strong lichen the protection of the specific species component. Develop a fire management required by legislation or treaty. plan that identifies those portions of the range. 9 Initiate prescribed burning in areas where it would not affect viewsheds seen Caribou habitat is to be considered of from either roads or trails. Work for prime importance in managing the re­ quick, light burns. source. Small, controlled fires may be beneficial to caribou range, but large This would accomplish the objective of fires over vast acreages are probably benefiting moose browse without harming harmful to the range. the vegetation mat or the water quality, or causing erosion. 9 Protect Dall sheep winter range and lambing areas from all activities not con­ By writing fire management plans to in­ sistent with maintaining the population. corporate other social values, we can benefit the wildlife without causing harm Dall sheep winter habitat and lambing to other uses. areas constitute crucial habitat which Dall sheep depend on for their exis­ 9 Use mechanical crushing or removal of tence. This is a recognized use in the timbered vegetation to promote new public interest. growth where moose browse has deterior­ ated in areas of crucial winter range where use of fire is impractical.

This would increase. moose browse with­ out harming the vegetative mat; it would g ive good control to preserve esthetics.

Y Assure that all activities that could occur within caribou migration routes would not adversely affect caribou migra­ tion. This would help to protect this important part of caribou 1s life cycle.

'Y Create protective buffer strips around lakes and water bodies used by water­ fowl .

15 J

t­ i f'!ac?qr~n l I I I · Glarier I· 1 , .. ,.. ·· L r Seoen{.ni(e ·//;rake ~

d I / . + ~ ' I ., I I ~~ l, lr- .~r ' f ' I ·' ) Jt>i +! I I 't \:} • I ' DENALI . -·''\ l- ·· t '/ -- ~ ·-· ~- J-- i ' I Moose winter range I ~ + ··- (; a Caribou calving. area ;_ .~; ~ · ~ ' ~ i ! ~ Dall sheep habitat .C) l-- ... I ~~D ~~ ·· Watershed I t- ! ~Threatened plant habitat

Range Jr 5 0 10 20 Kilometers ~ I Grazing I . Approximate Scale l ~_ i· i ''. . tr-­ ::.'"- · !1 0;~ /~ ; o-· ' -t- ! -r ! /' I . 16 i ~- l . / i . ._;_ Lak.b. La t ~ _,_ ------~- -- - ···-- - Photo by Page Spencer

Hikers stop for lunch in a meadow with a mountain view in the Denali planning block.

~Lands Y Provide a right-of-way corridor to the cilitate public access to the backcountry. proposed Susitna Project site, using No other potentia I corridors have been visual rating criteria to mitigate visual identified on BLM-managed land. impacts. This project, currently being planned by the State of Alaska, would Y Through resource inventories, identi­ be the construction of two hydroelectric fy lands that would best meet the public dams on the Susitna River. Although needs if they were managed by other the damsites would not be located on agencies. Exchange those lands so BLM-managed land, access is necessary identified as best meeting public needs for preconstruction studies and for dam by being managed by other agencies.­ construction, if that is undertaken. This provides the Bureau with the This will allow planned access to a ability to adjust boundaries and classify potential hydroelectric site. Future lands to facilitate management. c:tevelopment within the corridor could fa-

18 .Minerals Forest Products

'Y Make areas ava ilable for exploration 'Y Protect an y timber stand which p r o­ based on seasona l use to protect wildlife duces 20 cub ic feet per acr e per yea r r esources and to p r ovide surface pro­ (or has the potential to meet commercial tection. standards) from destruction by fire or mechanical manipulation. 'Y Pr ovide op po rtunities for the develop­ ment of gold, silver, copper and other This decision r ecognizes the value of the min e ra ls in the Clearwater Mountain forested areas for non-timber purposes area, with conside r at ion fo r other r e­ such as wildlife habitat. source values.

'Y Co nside r the Alphabet Hi ll s in the southern portion of the De na li p lan ni ng b lock for oil and gas leasing. Wr ite • Range Management stipulations to protect other resource values, especially nesting grounds of 'Y A !low saddle and pack horse grazing waterfowl. in the Brushkana Creek-Denali Highway and the Susitna River-Denali Highway The State of Alaska has sold leases in areas upon lease application and deter- the southern part of this potential petro­ mination of carrying capacity. This leum basin. To promote better opportu­ could benefit local guides, with no nities to determine the oil and gas poten­ forseeable impact on other Bureau pro­ tia l of this basin, BLM s hould cons ider grams. opening t he northern part of t h e bas in to leasing.

[i;l Fisheries Y For stream management, key the management efforts to identifying and protecting salmon spawning areas.

We feel salmon spawning areas are most important to sport and commercial fishing and, therefore, put emphasis on their management over lower-valued fish.

t ~ I

19 Columbia

Photo by Maynard Nuss, U.S.F.S.

Mount Grosvenor is surrounded by the glaciers that cover most of the Columbia planning block. Columbia Planning Block

General Description

Columbia planning block consists of three Bay. Here coastal western hemlocks are separate parcels of land totaling approxi­ mixed with Sitka Spruce and some Alpine mately 346,000 acres. BLM-managed land tundra. borders Yale Arm and Harvard Arm of College Fiord, which is a deep, glaciated Southeast of Valdez is the third parcel, bay off . Here the a roughly triangular piece of land with land rises abruptly from sea level to the no coastal areas. This is steep, rugged peaks of the , some of terrain with glaciers over the entire which reach heights of approximately area. There is some mineralization here, 10,000 feet in this part of the range. but at present it is inaccessible because There are no known residents of the of the glaciers. planning block. The closest towns are Whittier (pop. 240) to the west, Valdez Climate for this planning block is mari­ (pop. 8,250) to the east, and Cordova time-transitional. In Maritime areas cool (pop. 2, 406) to the southeast. Some summers averaging from 60° to 65° F al­ trapping originates in Valdez and Cor­ ternate with warm winters averaging 20° dova. Some hunting parties are based to 30° F. Precipitation is heavy. Areas from Valdez. Hunting and sightseeing with transitional climate have more tem­ are essentially the only economic activi­ perature fluctuation than the maritime ties based in this planning block. and are subject to extreme winds be­ cause of the influence of the glaciers. The largest of the three land parcels in Winds in this region frequently reach 100 the planning block lies north of College 100 mph. Fiord along the northern boundary of the . This area One of the most noteworthy physical fea­ consists almost entirely of glaciers and tures of this parcel is Solomon Gulch, a mountain peaks. Barry Glacier, Harvard ravine that extends north and south into Glacier, Yale Glacier, and Meares Glacier the parcel from the coast. The gulch is all pass through this parcel, draining 3 miles long and drains Solomon Creek. into Harriman Fiord and College Fiord. It is historically interesting as the site Prominent peaks here include Mount Muir of an old gold mining operation. (7,705 feet), Mount Gannett (10,000 feet), (10,610 feet), and Significant wildlife species using Colum­ Aspero Peak (9,831 feet). bia planning block are black bears, brown/grizzly bears, mountain goats, The second parcel of land in this plan­ marine mammals, waterfowl, and sea ning block lies to the west of Valdez birds. Approximately 20,000 acres have Arm approximately 10 miles west of the been identified as critical spring habitat town of Valdez, and covers two town­ for black bears. Black bears usually ships along Shoup Bay. This parcel is winter in hillside dens and concentrate , a Iso almost entirely covered by the ice of in valleys, small alluvial plains, lake Columbia Glacier. The land here rises shores and tidal areas during spring. from sea level on the east around Shoup During the summer months they feed at Bay to altitudes of about 3,000 feet. the salmon streams. They generally stay There is a single body of water, Number close to timber and move up slope as the One Lake, 1.6 , miles long, that has snow line recedes. Berries make up a formed at the terminus of Anderson large portion of their diet in late summer Glacier. Vegetation extends about three and early fall. Intensive spring con- miles inland, principally bordering Shoup centration areas are located on the west

21 side of College Fiord and Harriman Fiord. Brown/grizzlies occur throughout the block except for the pa reel north of College Fiord. Their use of the habitat is in general very much like that of the black bears. To many hunters, the Wildlife brown bear represents the ultimate in sport hunting trophies. For the years - Mountain goat habitat 1961 through 1975 between 13 and 63 brown bears were taken annually in this State Game Management Unit, (which covers a much larger area than just this planning block).

In addition to bears, mountain goats live among the rugged slopes of the Co'lumbia block. Critical habitat for goats gener­ ally consists of windblown ridges closest to salt water. South-facing alder slides are critical spring habitat. In this planning block, goats are found on the south-facing slopes above Harriman and College Fiords and Unakwik Inlet and in I the mountains around Valdez Arm. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game intends to manage this area to provide for the greatest opportunity to partici­ pate in hunting of mountain goats. About 100 goats are taken annually in the whole State Game Management Unit.

High densities of marine mammals are found in Harriman Fiord, College Fiord, Unakwik Inlet, and Valdez Arm.

All along the coast there are colonies of sea birds. These birds usually occupy rugged, rocky islands or mainland cliffs above the water, free from predation.

No rare or endangered species are known to inhabit the area. Common in the Prince William Sound area are the bald eagle and osprey, while Peales Peregrine Falcon (not endangered) also inhabits the area. Trapping has some significance to people in this region. In Cordova and Valdez live approximately 30 people who go trapping as a recreational activity.

These lands are quite isolated, and hunt­ ing constitites the primary use by man.

i I I ·l--·--'I ' 1 ( ( I I ,< •••' Land Use Decisions

~Cultural Resources ~lands Y Protect known cultural resource Identify lands that would best be manag­ values from fire and from fire suppres­ ed by other agencies to meet the public sion activities that might damage the site needs. Exchange those lands identified or structure. by future resource inventories as best meeting public needs by being managed Cultural resources are non-renewable by other agencies. and must be considered in fire manage­ ment. This provides the Bureau with the ability to adjust boundaries and classify lands to facilitate management.

Wildlife Habitat

Y Manage mountain goat range primarily .Minerals for goat habitat. Y Make areas available for exploration based on seasonal use to protect wildlife resources and to provide surface pro­ tection. · ~Visual Resources Y Evaluate all proposed management ac­ tivities for visual impacts, and encourage those projects that are compatible with the character of the natural landscape.

This will assure that the impact of proposed activities on visual resources is considered before a project is started.

1M Watershed Management Y Insure that land use or development is consistent with the A Iaska Water Qua Iity Standards.

The BLM is mandated by law to maintain the Alaska Water Quality Standards to protect human safety and fisheries habitat. r

25 Tiekel

Photo courtesy of Jerry Zamber

A Dall sheep, one of the most prized of game animals, stands warming in the sun. Tiekel Planning Block

General Description

Located southeast of the Denali block, fault system crosses from the Uranatine Tiekel planning block is a parcel of River westward to the outlet of Tonsina about 507,000 acres of land straddling Lake, outside the block. This is an the Richardson Highway roughly midway active fault system with a high potential between the towns of Valdez and Copper for earthquakes. Center. The Alaska Pipeline Corridor crosses this planning block. A separate Upland spruce-hardwood forests grow management plan has been prepared by along the drainages of the Tiekel and Anchorage District BLM for this part of Tsina Rivers in the northern and west­ the corridor (see Pipeline Corridor, ern parts of the block and along the South Half, MFP, 1975). drainages of the Copper River in the southern and eastern parts of the block. There are no towns in the planning This upland spruce-hardwood forest block, but important, if very small, grades into high brush and then alpine communities nearby are Chitina and tundra toward the tops of the ridges. Lower Tonsina to the east, Tonsina to the north, and the city of Valdez This area has a transitional climate, with (pop. 8,250) to the south. At present temperature extremes greater than those the main contributions this area makes to of the maritime climates but less than the general economy of Southcentral those of the continental climate in the Alaska are provided by tourism, hunt­ Denali block. Precipitation in Tiekel ing, and some trapping. block is variable; winds are generally light, although locally strong winds do The Richardson Highway runs north­ occur. south through the western half of the planning block following the Tons ina, Wildlife is plentiful, with black bears, Little Tiekel, Tiekel, and Tsina River grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall valleys. sheep, mountain goats, various species of waterfowl, and furbearers all utilizing Tiekel planning block is dominated by this area. It is especially good country the Chugach Mountains. The clustered for mountain goats and Dall sheep. lower peaks of this range cover the Black bears can often be seen from the entire block except where swift rivers Richardson Highway in the spring. have cut steep channels. Mount Billy Grizzlies also range throughout the area. Mitchell at 7,217 feet is one of the Their best summer habitat is .the foothill highest peaks in the planning block. In country where rivers and lakes support general the peaks range from 1,800 'to spawning salmon. Seasonally dense ~,300 feet. Numerous small glaciers concentrations of grizzlies occur near hang at the 4,000-foot level on the these salmon spawning areas along the northern and ·eastern slopes :··of the Tons ina River. Moose range throughout mountains. The tallest peaks Clre found the planning block, and caribou range in the southern part of the 'planning through the northern half of the plan­ block. In the western part of the block ning block. Dall sheep generally occupy there are some extreme slopes with a the hills of the central part and north­ high erosion rate and high landslide eastern corner of the planning block. potential. Extreme slopes, avalanches, Mountain goats occupy an area in the and glacial activity may limit development southeast part of the block along the of r esources or be a hazard to man. In Copper River. t his p ianning block the Border Range

27 Fire occurrence is low, with only three of wildlife species, in sufficient numbers fires recorded during the five year peri­ to meet public demands. od from 1973 to 1977. Through fire management plans, provide for the occurrence of natural fires in places where vital resources would not be harmed. During winter, a variety of species are sought by trappers in Tiekel Land Use Decisions planning block. Some of these species require a mature plant community, while others depend on the introduction of new plants or a mixture of the two. By providing for this through planned Recreation management of fires, resources will be a accommodated. • Develop or maintain a foot trail sys­ tem for extended hikes. A component of • Protect mountain goat range in the the system would be a trail from Hurtle Tiekel block from all activities not con­ Creek to Tonsina Lake. This particular sistent with maintaining the population trail has a lower priority than those in for sport hunting and enjoyment of rec­ Denali block, but is part of a sound and reational areas. As traditional hunting achievable development plan. Hiking grounds for goats in the Wrangell Moun­ continues to be a major recreation use in tains are closed to sport hunting, the Southcentral A Iaska. The Tiekel block demand for huntable populations on offers a diversity of scenery and terrain Bureau-administered lands may increase. for the hiker.

~Visual Resources ~Cultural Resources • Evaluate all proposed management ac­ • Preserve the cultural integrity of th~ tivities for visual impacts. Encourage part of the Copper River and North­ those projects that are compatible with western Railway in the Tiekel planning the character of the natural landscape. block that is under interim BLM manage- I ment. The railway was an important This recommendation will assure that the part of the early mineral development of impacts ~ proposed activities have on the area. Buildings and other struc- vi sua I 'resources are cons ide red before tures are deteriorating, and preservation projects are started. is needed until land status has been determined. At present it is undeter- mined whether the railroad right-of-way is Federal or State land. ~Watershed ManaEement • Insure that land use or development is consistent with the A Iaska Water Quality Standards. The Bureau of Land Management is mandated to maintain the • Protect Dall sheep lambing areas and A Iaska Water Quality Standards to pro­ winter range from all activities not con­ tect human safety and fish habitat. sistent with maintaining the population.

Dall sheep winter habitat and lambing areas constitute crucial habitat that the sheep depend on for their existence. It is Bureau policy to maintain through hab1tat management a maximum diversity

28 - "

BLOCK

Recreation

•••••• Hiking trails

Forest products

...... Copper River & NW R R ) Dall sheep habitat I t ~Mountain goat habitat

5

10 ~lands • Forest Products Y Through resource inventories identify Y Protect any timber stand which pro­ lands that would best be managed by duces 20 cubic feet per acre per year other agencies to meet the public needs. (or has the potential to meet commercial Exchange those lands identified by standards) from destruction by fire or future resource inventories as best mechnaical manipulation. meeting public needs by being managed by other agencies. This decision recognizes the value of the forested areas for non-timber purposes This gives the Bureau ability to adjust such as wildlife habitat. Where commer­ boundaries and classify lands to facilitate cial timber production is possible, management. though, it will be given a priority, since there is a very limited area of potential commercial stands within the planning unit.

BMinerals Y Make areas available for exploration, based on seasona I use to protect wildlife resources and to provide surface pro­ tection.

·· Both minerals and wildlife are important resources. Exploration for minerals can avoid crucial wildlife periods through seasonal uses and can comply with sur­ face protection needs through winter use.

[i;l Fisheries Y Give first management priority to identifying and protecting salmon spawn­ ing areas, then for other species as need a rises.

VIe feel that salmon spawning areas are most important to sport and commercial fishing, and therefore put emphasis on their management over lower valued fish.

30 Photo bY R. L . Ward

An old Alaska Road Commission cabin still stands near the Denali Highway.

31 Bering

Photo by John W. Merrick

Glaciers and mountain peaks dominate the Bering planning block. Bering Planning Block

General Description

For real raw, awesome wilderness, it Since the Bering block is almost entirely would be hard to beat the Bering plan- glacier covered, it has few significant ning block. Peaks of the Chugach wildlife species. Mountain goats are Range stab up through the glaciers like known to inhabit the rugged areas, and islands in a sea of ice. No roads, no brown bears gather on some streams in inhabitants, nothing penetrates this the area, but black bear and moose use forbidding territory but mountain goats, more coastal areas in this general a few roving black bears, wolves, and region, and normally are not found other hardy animals. Seven large within the planning block. Bald eagles glaciers flow from the peaks of this may forage in the area; waterfowl nest area, ultimately draining into the waters on the southern boundaries of the plan­ of Prince William Sound. ning block. Ranging through this area are wolves, wolverines, and an occasion­ Bering planning block consists of two al black bear. parcels of land containing approximately 714,000 acres, located north of Cape Yakataga in the Chugach Mountains. Exposed peaks reach elevations of more Land Use Decisions than 10,000 feet. Mount Steller is one of the highest at 10,267 feet. The closest cities are Valdez and Cordova.

In general, the rocks of the area are highly faulted, metamorphosed rock. At Map page 35 the edge of the glacier on the western side of the planning block, the Bering Y Protect mountain goat range from all coal beds are exposed. This coal field activities not consistent with maintaining has a low potential because of the pre­ the population for sport hunting and sence of active glaciers. enjoyment of recreational areas. As traditional hunting grounds in the Crossing the Bering block near Bagley Wrangell Mountains are closed to sport icefield and a long the southeastern edge hunting, the demand for huntable popu­ of Bering Glacier, the Chugach-St. Elias lations on Bureau-administered lands may fault system has a high earthquake increase. potential. Mass wasting caused by avalanches and glacial activity occurs in the planning block.

Climate is transitional, with temperature ~Visual Resources Map page 35 ranges more extreme than a coastal cli­ mate, but less extreme than a continental • Evaluate all proposed management ac­ one. Precipitation is variable. Winds tivities for visual impact, and encourage are often extreme because of the glacial only those projects that are compatible influence. There are some very small with the character of the natural land­ areas with alpine tundra and some scape. This decision will assure that coastal western hemlock-Sitka spruce the visual impact of a proposed activity forest, primarily along the eastern is considered before a project is started. shores of Berg Lakes, on the extreme western boundary of the planning block.

33 l:l'l Watershed Management 'Y Insure that land use or developme-nt is consistent with the A Iaska V/ater Quality Standards.

The B LM is mandated by law to maintain the A Iaska Water Quality Standards to protect human safety and fisheries habi­ tat. ~lands 'Y Through resource inventories, identi­ fy lands that would best be managed by other agencies to meet the public needs. Exchange those lands identified by I future resource inventories as best meeting public needs by being managed by other agencies. ~

This provides the Bureau with the ability to adjust boundaries and classify lands to facilitate management.

.Minerals 'Y A I though the Bering River area has been identified as a high potential coal basin, much of the area is covered by j the Bering Glacier. Exploration and development of the coal field would probably take place first on the sur­ rounding native lands, although the coal on BLM administered lands may eventual­ ly be in demand. The decision, there­ fore, is to withhold action unti I coa I J reserves on Native lands have been fully developed. >

"

34 ' JJUftut:,ttU .Lff t+a5 oj !: . I I I -1+

BERING

Wildlife

1·:::.'.:::::·:::):.:_:: 1 Mountain goat habitat

Minerals

Coal

C'ape Su'ckling

0 5

5 0 10 20 Kilometers

Approxlm~te Scale

The Planning System

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 requires BLM to use a sys­ • Recommend for each land use the best tematic, interdisciplinary land-use plan­ possible management objectives, without ning process. The fundamental question giving consideration to other possible that the Bureau's planning efforts must resource uses. answer is, how will BUll-managed lands help meet the needs and desires of the • Identify and resolve conflicts between public, both now and in the future, these recommendations. while insuring that environmental quality is maintained? To answer the question, • Propose a balanced multiple-use plan we follow an orderly series of steps so for use of the land. that many complex and interacting factors are given consideration. • Ask public review of the proposed Throughout the process, people are plan. encouraged to contribute their ideas and their special knowledge about the land • Make changes based on comments and and how it should be used. Briefly, administrative review. these are the general steps we follow in our planning process: • Circulate the decisions.

• Contact government agencies, citizen • Make periodic future revisions to the groups, and individuals interested in the plan as needed. area, so we can be aware of and respon­ sive to their needs and concerns.

• Meanwhile, gather information about the land, its resources, and their pre- sent uses. Analyze the information.

Relationship To Other Plans

The Bureau of Land Management has Cove Natural A rea, located on the Kenai completed two other p fans for lands Peninsula, has been designated as an within the Southcentral Planning A rea: "instant wilderness study area" under the Pipeline Corridor, South Half (1975) _the Federal Land Policy and Management and the Portage Flats Management Frame­ Act of 1976. A wilderness review is work Plan (1977). Decisions in both of projected for this area; therefore, the these plans are considered fully valid Southcentral Plan does not address and compatible with those of the South­ Halibut Cove. central Plan. Another area, the Halibut

37 What Happens Next?

The life of this plan is expected to be • guiding land use decisions and man­ no more than 10 years. A comprehen­ agement actions that are required in sive review should be undertaken at the daily operations. end of 5 years. Also, this plan has shown the need for a second level plan­ • programming and preparing the ning effort for the Denali planning -Bureau's annual work plans. block. Within 5 years, this area should be scheduled for detailed planning. • guiding preparation of activity plans for individual resource programs such as A Management Framework Plan (MFP) Cultural Resource Management Plans, such as this one is intended to be dyna­ Habitat Management Plans, Timber Man­ mic and never really finished. Through agement Plans, etc. the Bureau's planning process it is subject to update and revision when new • coordinating the Bureau's actions with information becomes available and as other government agencies. resource conditions or land use demands change. Any major changes are, of • making environmental analyses of spe­ course, subject to public review. cific actions, for the preparation of environmental ana lysis records and The MFP is a working document that is environmental statements. used, with its supporting studies and analyses, in the following ways:

38 Glossar y

As in most systems B LM's Planning Planning Area - the overall geographic System has its own "language". This region that affects the smaller blocks glossary is included to help you under­ of land for which B LM is preparing stand some of the terms used in this this land use plan. Information about brochure. the entire Planning Area is analyzed in order to make realistic land use ACEC - (Area of Critical Environmental plans for BLM-managed areas. Concern) an area within the public lands where special management Planning Area Analysis - the analysis of attention is required to protect and present and future needs and public prevent irreparable damage to demands for land and for renewable important historic, cultural, or and non-renewable resources. This scenic values, fish and wildlife analysis shows the significance of resources, or other natural systems BLM land within a planning area to or processes, or to protect life and the region's people. safety from natural hazards. Planning block - a block of land or Archeological District - a concentration grouping of blocks expected to remain of archeological values recognized by under BU1's jurisdiction, and for inclusion in the National Register which land use decisions are being of Historic Places. This designation prepared. insures that the district will be considered in land-use management. Public Land - (as used in this document) land owned by the Federal govern­ Family campground - an area designed ment and administered by the Bureau for weekend or longer stays. It may of Land Management. be either a transient or destination lo­ cation. Units are designed to accom­ Seen area - that portion of the landscape modate four people and one vehicle. which can be observed from a particu­ Privies and potable water may be lar observation point. provided. Waysides - An area designed specifically Management Framework Plan (MFP) - a for short term or overnight stays. land use plan and the report that No developed facilities other than documents it. It establishes the privies and a fire ring are provided. project land uses and management objectives to meet identified public Unit Resource Analysis (URA) - the needs for a given planning area. analysis of information about the land and its resources within the Planning ORV - (off-road vehicle) a motorized Area; also the document in which the vehicle designed specifically for travel analysis is recorded. over natural terrain.

39 . • .

U.S. Department of the Interior

As the Nation's principa I conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nation­ ally owned public lands and natural re­ sources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resour­ ces, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cul­ tural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of I ife through outdoor recrea- tion. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people.

The Department also has a major respon­ sibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in Island Territories under U.S. administra­ tion. -- L -. -:: -~ :-;. ---jj; - ._.._._ '

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United~~ States Department of the Interior ~Bureau of Land Ma~agement k~~ Alaska State Off1ce 701 C Street · "-" Anchorage, Alaska 99513