Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve

Annual Report 2010

National Park Service Department of the Interior The Yukon River is the largest natural, free-flowing river in the National Park System.

--one of eight points of significance of Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve

2 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Table of Contents

Purpose and Significance of Yukon-CharleyRivers National Preserve...... 4 Map of Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve...... 5 Performance and Results Section...... 6-24 Preserve Resources...... 6-15 Public Enjoyment and Visitor Experience...... 16-19 Ensure Organizational Effectiveness...... 20-22 FY 2010 Financial Summary...... 23 Preserve Organization...... 24-25

For more information, contact us: Staff Contributors Greg Dudgeon, Superintendent Yukon-Charley Rivers National Pres. Chris Ciancibelli, Archaeologist 4175 Geist Road Phoebe Gilbert, Archeologist Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 Chris Houlette, Museum Curator Pat Sanders, Subsistence Liaison and (907)457-5752 Interpretive Ranger John Burch, Wildlife Biologist www.nps.gov/yuch Melanie Flamme, Wildlife Biologist Maggie MacCluskie, CAKN I&M coordinator James Savage, Fire Management Officer Scott Sample, LE Ranger Cover photo: The 2010 Jennifer Mitchell, Fire Ecologist Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve archeol- Arch Thompson, Facilities Manager ogy crew enjoys the view Julia Youngblood, Facilities Mgt. Specialist while surveying along a Monica Cross, Chief of Administration ridgeline near the Nation River. Editing, Design & Layout Donna DiFolco, Cartographic Technician

Photos by the National Park Service unless noted otherwise.

Printed on Recycled Paper

2010 Annual Report 3 Purpose and Significance Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve protects 115 miles of the 1,800-mile Yukon River and the entire Charley River basin. Rustic cabins and historic sites are reminders of the importance of the Yukon River during the 1898 gold rush. Paleontological and archeological sites add much to our knowledge of the environment thousands of years ago. Peregrine falcons nest in high bluffs overlooking the river, while rolling hills that make up the Preserve are home to an abundant array of wildlife. The Charley, a 100-mile wild river, is considered to be one of the most spectacular rivers in Alaska.

Purpose of Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Maintain environmental integrity of entire Charley River basin, including streams, lakes, and other natural features, in undeveloped natural condition for public benefit and scientific study; Protect habitat for and populations of fish and wildlife, including but not limited to peregrine falcons and other raptorial birds, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, and wolves; And in a manner consistent with foregoing, protect and interpret historical sites and events associated with the Yukon River gold rush, and geological and paleontological history, and cultural prehistory of area; and Protect, conserve, and interpret natural and cultural resources of the Preserve while allowing for appropriate human uses in a manner that provides for similar opportunities for future use and enjoyment. Significance of Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve An internationally significant assemblage of diverse geological and paleontological resources— unusually complete—provide at least a 600-million-year record stretching nearly back to the Precambrian era. The area between Nation, Kandik, and Yukon rivers is postulated to be a portion of the North American plate that has escaped deformation from geological forces, remaining geologically and paleontologically intact. Some of the oldest known microfossils have been found in this area. The entire Charley River watershed is protected in its undeveloped natural condition. The Preserve hosts one of the highest density populations of nesting American peregrine falcons in the United States. Portions of the Han and Kutchin Athabaskan traditional homelands lie within the Preserve. Sites preserving activities and events of regional significance associated with the gold rush era are present and exemplified by bucket dredges, mail trails, trapper’s cabins, boats, roadhouses, water ditches, and machinery. The Yukon River is the largest natural, free-flowing river in the National Park System. Large areas within the Preserve may represent an unglaciated refugium for endemic floral and faunal communities.

4 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Yukon-Charley Rivers National Park Service National Preserve U.S. Department of the Interior

Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve lies in eastern interior Alaska, bordering Yukon Territory, Canada. The Taylor Highway will take visitors as far as Eagle, where the Preserve’s field office and Visitor Center are located. Travellers into the Preserve typically float the Yukon River or charter a flight into the upper Charley River. We encourage visitors to file a travel plan in Eagle prior to their trip. Yukon-Charley Rivers lies in Within the Preserve, NPS staff maintain eastern interior Alaska, facilities including a public use cabin at Coal bordering Yukon Territory. Creek Camp, which also serves as a base for many resource projects. At Slaven’s Roadhouse on the Yukon, visitors may enjoy learning about the area’s rich mining history.

2010 Annual Report 5 Preserve Resources Natural and cultural resources and associated values at Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve are protected, restored and maintained in good condition and managed within their broader ecosystem and cultural context.

Goal Ia8: By September 30, 2010, 262 (47% of 559) of Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve’s archaeological sites are in good condition. GOAL ACHIEVED

NPS archeologists work with the help of volunteers to try to locate new sites on a flood-damaged 2010 Archaeological Inventory in Yukon River Corridor terrace overlooking the Yukon River. By Chris Ciancibelli & Phoebe Gilbert

Archaeological fieldwork in Yukon- mouth of the Kandik River, which was Charley Rivers National Preserve during completely inundated and suffered Nine summer of 2010 was limited to an inves- erosion along the exposed river bank. tigation of the Yukon River corridor. The remainder of the sites relocated previously The objectives of this project were to were above the high-water mark and undiscovered assess known archaeological sites along escaped immediate impact, although archaeological the river for damage incurred during they will continue to be monitored for sites were the spring 2009 flooding event and to future damage or loss caused by perform additional survey for new sites riverbank erosion. Nine previously identified, that may have been exposed as a result undiscovered archaeological sites were one of which was of erosion. identified, one of which was likely likely exposed Two volunteers accompanied a crew exposed due to flood damage. Finally, of four NPS archaeologists for 18 days six subsurface sites were identified along due to flood along the river. Thirty-two sites were the edge of Takoma Bluff. Fortunately, it damage. revisited to perform condition assess- appears as though the prehistoric ar- ments. The only prehistoric site to chaeological resources along the Yukon visibly sustain damage was Charley’s River were not affected as severely as Village, a turn-of-the-century Han many of the historic sites were during Athapaskan village located near the the 2009 breakup.

6 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve High school students joined an archeological research team investigating the Juneby Cabin site near Snare Creek in the Coal Creek Historic Mining District of Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. The photo shows where floor joists were exposed during excavation of the kitchen area.

Historic Archaeology and High School Students, Part 2 By Chris Houlette

Once again, an inter-agency research Isaac Juneby, who accompanied the team, accompanied by six high school group in 2009. Mr. Juneby, a current students conducted archaeological resident of Eagle Village, lived at the site investigations at the Juneby Cabin site as a child before the cabin burned in the near Snare Creek in the Coal Creek early 1950’s. Using this information the These Historic Mining District. The 2010 crew delved deeper into what were said investigations effort, carried out during the last two to have been the kitchen and sleeping have provided us weeks of July, concluded the field based areas of the cabin as well as excavating portion of the two-year project. Lab what appeared to be a subterranean with a fascinating analysis of the excavated material is storage pit. window into a ongoing at the Archaeology Laboratory These investigations have provided us unique of the University of Alaska Museum of with a fascinating window into a unique the North. confluence in space and time where a confluence in The students joined the team as part traditional Han Athapaskan family lived space and time of the Alaska Summer Research Pro- on the edge of an industrial mining where gram, a “science camp” organized by the camp. Preliminary analysis of the arti- a traditional University of Alaska. Students’ ages facts shows an interesting mix of locally ranged from 15 to 18 and they hailed acquired and long distance import Han Athapaskan from such far flung places as Nome, goods; including faunal remains of family lived on Haines and even California. Following moose, caribou and bear in contrast the edge of an their successful completion of the with decorated ceramic china and industrial mining program, each student acquired one various types of canned goods. Also of college credit. great interest was the large amount of camp. The 2010 excavations expanded on toys discovered through the feature the testing efforts of the previous sum- including marbles, wooden wheels mer guided partly by a hand drawn map (perhaps from toy cars or trains) and a of the layout of the original cabin by Mickey Mouse mail plane.

2010 Annual Report 7 Annual Goal Ia6: By September 30, 2010, 69 (95% of 73) applicable preservation and protection standards for Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve’s museum collections are met. GOAL EXCEEDED

Building Partnerships; a view of the new Yukon-Charley museum program By Chris Houlette

In the past year, the museum collec- UAMN departments to further identify tions for Yukon-Charley Rivers have and process YUCH collections held experienced a few changes. Going by the there. numbers, 4,981 items were cataloged Ideally, a museum is more than a bringing the total number of items to repository where objects are simply 49,351. This compares to 170 items stored and counted. Toward this end, A steam point like those cataloged in 2009. To facilitate this sort Yukon-Charley staff participated in a once used to thaw frozen of growth, two additional adjustments youth summer research event through ground in preparation for were made: a full time curator was hired the University of Alaska Fairbanks. For gold mining is among the to manage the collections, and a state- two weeks in July, several cultural 49,351 items catalogued in Yukon-Charley Rivers of-the-art compact storage system was resource professionals, including NPS National Preserve’s installed to better house them. Curator Chris Houlette, led a group of museum collections. While a portion of the new additions six teenagers through an excavation in to the collections were the result of the Coal Creek Historic Mining District recent field activities, the majority was in Yukon-Charley, where they learned related to backlogged collections cur- the basics of field collecting, processing rently held at University of Alaska and analysis of archaeological materials. Museum of the North (UAMN). The collections that were generated This part of a rifle found Through a collaborative effort between from this are being processed at the on the dredge tailings in NPS and UAMN staff, a total of 2,308 University of Alaska Museum and will the Coal Creek Historic herbarium specimens and 1,052 paleon- eventually be housed at the Fairbanks Mining District is also among the Preserve’s tology specimens were identified and Administrative Center curation facility. collections. added to the YUCH museum database. Work continues in these and other

Central Alaska Network Builds Vegetation Monitoring Database By Maggie MacCluskie

During the 2010 field season the summarization is currently taking place. vegetation crew worked at 4 sampling For the coming summer the vegetation sites including Funnel Creek, Joseph sampling will be on hiatus as analyses Creek, Nation Islands and the mouth of and syntheses of the data collected thus the Nation River. Across the 4 sampling far are completed. sites 64 vegetation plots were completed. The data from the plots have been entered and error checked. Data

8 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve The National Park Service contributes to knowledge about natural and cultural resources and associated values; management decisions about resources and visitors are based on adequate schol- arly and scientific information.

Goal Ia2B: By September 30, 2010, 4 populations (40% of 10) of Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve’s species of management concern are managed to desired condition or have improved information to contribute to their management. GOAL ACHIEVED

Furbearer Track Counts: Pilot Study Continues By John Burch

In January and early February 2010 The survey was cut short this year A lynx track crossing the NPS conducted the second effort at due to a mechanical failure of the Charley River, February, developing a way to monitor furbearers cooling system on one snowmachine 2010. in Yukon-Charley Rivers by counting and we were forced to abandon the tracks in the snow on the Charley survey in the lower part of the East Fork River. Wildlife Biologist John Burch of the upper Charley (3-Finger area), and Ranger Seth McMillan traveled and limp the crippled snowmachine over 460 miles by snowmachine, from back to Coal Creek and then Circle. A Circle into the upper Charley River and field repair good enough to continue Crescent Creek and back, counting and the survey was not possible. mapping all the furbearer tracks seen. We were also able to ground truth the Crescent Creek snow marker. Conditions were excellent in the Charley River and Crescent Creek with good soft snow, but the snow was wind blown on most of the Yukon. Results are still preliminary with little to lynx, marten compare to, but lynx, marten and and wolverine appeared wolverine appeared common. There common were, however, only 3 fox tracks seen. The hope is for this survey to be re- peated annually and perhaps expanded in the future to include other major drainages in the preserve.

2010 Annual Report 9 Wolf Population Monitoring Continues for 17th Year By John Burch

Wolf populations have been moni- model was used by Superintendent Currently, tored in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Greg Dudgeon to decide to temporarily we are following Preserve since March 1993. In October close the sport hunting and trapping 2005, the project was incorporated into seasons in Yukon-Charley last spring, 18 collared wolves Central Alaska Network’s vital signs while keeping the subsistence harvest of in nine packs in monitoring program. wolves open. The decision was based the preserve as Wolves throughout the greater on the fact that, although wolf density Yukon-Charley Rivers area are moni- (number of wolves per unit area) ap- part of the tored for abundance and distribution. peared stable, the actual count of total 17-year Wolf captures were conducted in No- number of wolves dropped 41%, from 52 monitoring vember 2009 and February 2010. Moni- wolves in the fall to 31 wolves by Febru- program. toring radio-collared packs via radio ary, plus the added threat of more telemetry flights occurred throughout wolves with home ranges in the Preserve the year with concentrated periods of being killed in the State’s wolf control flights in March – April and September – program outside the Yukon-Charley October. boundary. Nine wolves in six packs were cap- Wolves continue to prove their resil- tured and collared in three areas in the iency once again as our preliminary winter of 2009-2010. The Nation River counts for fall 2010 show good pup Pack was found and two wolves were production and survival in several packs, collared in the group of six wolves. which might produce a higher than Also, two wolves from a group of four average Fall 2010 wolf density. were found and collared in the Webber 7

Creek area. No wolves could be found Density to capture in the Kandik drainage but 6 5.86 5.54 tracks of at least four wolves were seen. 5.11 5.05 5 The four Webber Creek wolves were 4.68 4.76 shot and killed from a helicopter a 4.22 2 3.97 4.07 m 3.9 k 4 3.8 0 month later by Alaska Department of 0 3.55 3.52 0 3.34 3.34 /1 3.3 s Fish & Game during the State’s wolf e 3.02 lv o 3 control effort after misunderstanding W which wolves they were. ADF&G did avoid shooting at least three other packs 2 of Preserve wolves which they identi- 1 fied by radiotelemetry in the same operation. 0 Currently, we are following 18 col- Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 lared wolves in nine packs in the Pre- Year serve as part of the 17-year monitoring Fall wolf densities (wolves/1000 km2) in Yukon-Charley Rivers National program. A structured decision-making Preserve, 1993–2009.

10 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Yukon River Peregrine Survey A peregrine falcon flies By Melanie Flamme around its nest on the upper Yukon River while while a biologist (not seen In the 265 km (165 miles) of the upper persistent organic pollutants (e.g. DDT, in photo) climbs to the Yukon River surveyed for peregrines, 54 and PCBs) and heavy metals (e.g. nest to check eggs. territories—the most ever—were mercury and cadmium) present in Peregrines are very recorded. Over 58% of the pairs were peregrines on their wintering grounds. protective and will dive at intruders near the nest. successful, producing 66 nestlings. New A high-school student volunteer territories have recently been estab- joined the peregrine falcon monitoring Inset: Seasonal USFWS lished on bluffs not previously used by crew this year. The student spent 13 biological technician Emily peregrines in over 34 years of observa- Magnuson, NPS volunteer days in the field, working with and Julia Brice and NPS biolgist tions. This may be attributable to learning from experts about peregrine John Burch watch for increased competition for resources due falcon biology and survey techniques, peregrine falcons along a to increased density. including peregrine falcon behavior stretch of the upper Yukon We also collected 5 eggs for contami- and identification, data collection and River in July 2010. nants analyses to assess the levels of scope and binocular use.

2010 Annual Report 11 Breeding Bird Survey Yukon River Bird Survey By Melanie Flamme By Melanie Flamme

Starting at local About 70 miles (one-third) of the upper sunrise, 2:25 a.m., on Yukon River running through Yukon- June 12, we conducted Charley Rivers National Preserve was the North American Breeding Bird Survey surveyed for all bird species in June, route along the Taylor starting at the Yukon-Charley Rivers Highway. We detected boundary near Calico Bluff and ending many species common by Kathul Mountain. Routes were to the area along the conducted by boat for three days and route, including White- points were spaced every half mile crowned Sparrow, Gray along either side of the river. Routes Jay, Hammond’s Fly- were established for future repeatability catcher, Orange- and points that were inaccessible or too crowned Warbler, noisy were skipped or discarded. Wilson’s Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Interesting species detected included Swainson’s Thrush, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, American Varied Thrush, Alder Peregrine Falcon, and Tennesee Warbler. Flycatcher, Redpoll, American Robin, Common Raven and Dark-eyed Junco. Species of note detected during the route included Gray-cheeked Thrush, American Peregrine Falcon, Olive- sided Flycatcher, Yellow- bellied Flycatcher and Tennessee Warbler.

Wildlife Biologist Melanie Flamme looks and listens for birds during the annual bird survey along the Yukon River.

12 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Moose Survey Reveals Small but Significant Increase By John Burch

In partnership with the Central The harvest of moose within Yukon- Alaska Network, Yukon-Charley Rivers Charley’s boundary has averaged 26 conducted an aerial moose survey in bulls per year over the last 20 years. The Statistics: November 2009. Of the 3,000 square Because the bull:cow ratio is good, it is Number of moose mile survey area stretching from Eagle to unlikely that human harvest of bulls is counted: 308 (164 Circle along the Yukon River valley, 618 having any detrimental effects on the cows, 42 calves [4 square miles was thoroughly searched population. Some Alaskans think this sets of twins], and via airplane for moose. We estimate a region could support many more moose 102 bulls [21 spike- total population of 1,331 moose, or a than currently exists and both the fork or yearling density of 0.429 moose/mi2. moose and caribou populations are bulls]). Total population: This is the 7th moose survey conducted limited by wolf and bear predation. No 1,331 moose, plus/ in this area. The first one was in 1987. one knows for sure if this is correct, and minus 251. When comparing this survey to past no thorough studies have been con- Density: 0.429 surveys, we find we have a low density ducted to measure the quantity and moose/mi2, with 717 but stable or slightly increasing popula- quality of moose browse in the preserve, cows, 189 calves, tion of moose in the preserve. The 1987 nor its potential carrying capacity. and 425 bulls (86 yrl and 1994 surveys were conducted a little The information gathered by this bulls). differently and as a result are not di- study and the Central Alaska Network Population composi- rectly comparable, but they give some will be instrumental in allowing NPS tion: 26 calves/100 idea of what was found then. The managers to make informed science- cows, 27 yearlings/ 100 cows, and 59 moose population is assumed to have based decisions regarding moose man- bulls/100 cows. increased from 2006 because the 2006 agement in Yukon-Charley Rivers confidence limits (see graph below) do National Preserve. not overlap with 2009 confidence limits.

Moose Population Estimates

1600

Population estimate 1400 The graph at left shows Calf:Cow ratio trends in moose popula- Bull:Cow ratio tion size, calf:cow ratios 1200 and bull:cow ratios 1987 – 2009 in Yukon-Charley 1000 Rivers National Preserve, Alaska. A sightability correction factor was 800 applied to all estimates 1,331 including the 2003, 2006 and 2009 Geo Spatial 600 1,116 estimates.

Number of Moose 979 400 835 In background photo, a 735 737 726 cow moose walks down the Charley River in 200 121 Yukon-Charley Rivers 84 60 61 73 59 36 51 33 National Preserve, 10 21 28 25 26 0 November, 2009. 1987 1994 1997 1999 2003 2006 2009

2010 Annual Report 13 Both the Witch Mountain Short and Slow Fire Season in 2010 and Yukon Slough fires By James Savage burned in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Yukon-Charley Rivers National our protection agency, the Alaska Fire during the month of June. Preserve had a short, slow fire season Service; staff in Eagle also helped inform this year with only 4 fires burning 5,729 the public about the fires. acres. The first fires of the year came as In addition to these wildfire accom- twins: the Witch Mountain and Yukon plishments, Yukon-Charley had numer- Slough fires. Due to its proximity to ous fuels accomplishments. Project cabins, smokejumpers were dispatched funds were used to bring a Wildland Fire to provide structure protection to the Module up from South Dakota (the Nation Bluff cabin and other cabins Black Hills WFM). Their 7-member threatened by the Yukon Slough Fire. crew plus our seasonal staff reduced The Witch Mountain fire burned 1,459 hazardous fuels around structures in the acres and the Yukon Slough 2,342 acres. Coal Creek and 4th of July Creek his- Later, the Waterfall fire burned 1,573 torical mining districts. The team acres and the Silvia Creek fire burned thinned vegetation on 18 acres and 355 acres in the Woodchopper pre- created defensible space around seven scribed fire unit. All of these fires were structures. successfully managed with the help of

14 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Drying fish following a successful salmon season. (Photo courtesy of Jan Woodruff.)

Subsistence, the Human Habitat By Pat Sanders There is an old expression in bush Raspberries, blueberries and cranber- Since air Alaska: “If you don’t have it and you ries were found in abundance and most freight costs are need it, you make it, catch it or, do residents were grateful for the bounty as without.” This has never been truer than well as an exceptional mushroom prohibitive for in the past two years for residents of the season. large grocery Yukon-Charley Rivers area. Following Fall hunting proved to be less profit- orders, most the devastating flood of 2009, the able for most residents as fewer moose Taylor Highway leading into Eagle was were harvested by those participating in residents closed for much of 2010, effectively subsistence lifestyles. depended upon cutting the area off from the rest of The winter trapping season showed a the area resources Alaska, save air travel. Though the bountiful harvest in areas recovering to fill their residents of Circle and Central did not from the 2004 and 2005 wildfires and suffer the same fate, some activity was trappers were able to show some profit waning larders. curtailed due to smoke from nearby in a reasonable fur market. Of particular wildfires. Since air freight costs are note was the issue of wolf control. prohibitive for large grocery orders, While several trappers had intended to most residents depended upon the area harvest wolves, after the decline in wolf resources to fill their waning larders. population due to the State of AK Subsistence activities became more predator control program, and the vital during the 2010 season as residents closure to sport hunting, those involved in both areas concentrated efforts on in subsistence activities chose to refrain catching fish during a fair salmon from any wolf trapping or hunting to season. assist in the effort to maintain a healthy Berry harvests were extraordinary, wolf population. due in part to the moist summer season. Subsistence is not just a word.

2010 Annual Report 15 Provide for the Public Enjoyment and Visitor Experience

Visitors safely enjoy and are satisfied with the availability, accessibility, diversity, and quality of preserve facilities, services, and appropriate recreational opportunities.

Annual Goal IIa1A: By September 30, 2010, 94% of visitors to Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve are satisfied with appropriate park facilities, services, and recreational opportunities. GOAL EXCEEDED

Rangers Patrol Preserve, Stock Supplies, Haul Trash, Educate Public... By Scott Sample

The Division of Visitor and Resource rivers and over land within the pre- Protection had a very active year in serve, locating, documenting and Yukon-Charley Rivers National Pre- mitigating human impacts; educating serve. In February and March, rangers the public regarding preserve history conducted winter patrols in conjunction and resources; maintaining public use with staffing Slaven’s Roadhouse during cabins; assisting biologists with scien- the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race. Winter tific studies; enforcing state and federal patrols allowed rangers to contact regulations to ensure visitor safety and several trappers, snowmobilers, and dog resource protection; and responding to mushers, while stocking firewood and visitor assists when requested. Rangers supplies at the public use cabins, and preserve pilots assisted state and backhauling non-cultural trash from other federal agencies in search and remote locations and monitoring other rescue operations along the Yukon preserve activity. During the summer, River and its tributaries. rangers patrolled over 1,000 miles on

Ranger Bill Edwards, left, SCA volunteer Max Krupp, and Biologist Melanie Flamme coordinated efforts to remove fuel drums and other debris from the banks of the Yukon River. Once collected, trash is taken to Eagle or hauled to Fairbanks for proper disposal.

16 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Before (above) and after. The Kandik River public use cabin was dislodged from its foundation during the 2009 Yukon River flood. The cabin was rebuilt in 2010, due in large part to the volunteer efforts of Eagle resident Don Woodruff.

A Rewarding Kandik River Cabin Re-build Project By Pat Sanders

Don Woodruff, a long time Eagle Don volunteered to lead the effort and The potential resident and subsistence permit holder, salvage lumber and logs found in the led the effort to rebuild the Kandik River area. for the rebuild Public Use Cabin in 2010. The cabin was Visitors have already noted in the log effort was moved approximately 30 feet from its book how much the repairs are appreci- thwarted by former location by the tremendous force ated. A Central resident commented of the ice during the historic 2009 that the cabin was better than ever and budget constraints breakup of the Yukon River. that the new door Don constructed was until Don Don, along with preserve mainte- so much nicer than the previous door. volunteered to nance staff, worked approximately 6 Unlike the remainder of the public use lead the effort weeks to restore the cabin to provide for cabins along the Yukon corridor, the visitor use and safety. Kandik Cabin is not a historic structure, and salvage The cabin, which lies in a very scenic so many restrictions that would nor- lumber and logs spot and is a favorite among hunters, mally be in place did not apply. found in the area. visitors and residents of Eagle, Central While Yukon-Charley staff assisted and Circle, has been utilized as a public with the rebuild effort and were vital in use cabin since 1985 and has become a the completion, the efforts of Don and favorite place to experience solitude and his wife, Jan, were instrumental in respite from inclement weather and the overseeing the project and are truly an infamous mosquitoes of interior Alaska. example of volunteerism and partner- The potential for the rebuild effort was ships with neighbors at their very best. thwarted by budget constraints until

2010 Annual Report 17 Park visitors and the general public understand and appreciate the preservation of parks and their resources for this and future generations.

Annual Goal IIb2: By September 30, 2010, 88% of visitors to Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve are satisfied with park facilitated programs. GOAL EXCEEDED

What Happened After the Flood? A Joint Project between Eagle Community School and the National Park Service By Jen Mitchell

2010 marked the 6th year of the Eagle now occupy some areas where there School field trip with NPS fire ecology was no vegetation in 2009. and interpretative staff. The field trips Students noted areas where 1) there are designed to explore how forests near was still no vegetation, 2) herbaceous New colonizing the Eagle Community are recovering plants had colonized bare ground and 3) plants now from fires and floods. We’ve watched there were increased numbers and occupy some the students and the forests grow! larger re-sprouting poplar trees, shrubs, In 2010, Eagle School joined NPS and new grasses. areas where there Staff for the second annual visit to flood Why are post-flood plant communi- was no effects plots on Belle Island. The plots ties important? Because colonizing vegetation in were established in 2009, approximately plants provide: 4 months after the May flood. This is soil stabilization 2009. what they learned: habitat for moose and hares Before the flood, the island was nutrients needed for later suc- forested; afterward, all the mature trees cessional forests (white spruce) were gone! Poplar saplings, which re- sprouted from roots of trees swept away in the flood, were much taller in 2010 than in 2009. New colonizing plants

Before: In 2009, following the flood, there was After: In 2010, there were herbaceous plants only bare ground in places. colonizing areas which had previously been bare ground.

18 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Influencing Lives and Creating Partnerships By Pat Sanders Another amazing opportunity oc- plants, solar powered oven construc- Leave No Trace curred this year to reach out to students tion, Athabascan Native history and ethics, birding, and teach them about the environment archeological protection were a few of and the joys of just being outdoors. With the varied topics covered. identifying the devastating road closures, the NPS Four rangers, the Tanana Chiefs wild plants, took the opportunity to turn many Conference local representative and solar oven frowns upside down and put some three local residents all pitched in to smiles on the faces of students. make the camp a success. Several stu- construction, The environmental education camp, dents requested that the NPS sponsor Athabascan in partnership with Tanana Chiefs the day camp multiple times during the Native history Conference, was a 2-day camp where 2011 season. and archeological students participated in activities rang- The two days culminated with the ing from natural and cultural history to “swearing in” of 13 new Junior Rangers protection the future and capabilities of alternate representing the NPS, topped off with were a few of the power sources in the midst of climate an old fashioned hot dog roast, made varied topics change. Leave No Trace ethics, birding, over a LNT fire, of course! covered. identifying wild, edible and poisonous

Ranger Drew Bryenton shows students how to construct a solar powered oven to bake cookies using natural light.

2010 Annual Report 19 Ensure Organizational Effectiveness

The National Park Service uses current management practices, systems, and technologies to accom- plish its mission.

Park Facilities Maintenance and Construction By Arch Thompson and Julia Youngblood

Success came in many areas for the winning the Alaska Region’s YUGA maintenance staff during 2010. award in that category. Our work ranged from rebuilding a With the exception of remote cabin destroyed in the Yukon River cabins, we completed annual flood to the day to day maintenance and condition assessments for our operational work done on our far flung assets. The only assets not in- facilities. Here are the highlights. spected were those we were pre- vented from doing due to budget- Completed the rebuild of the ary and administrative travel caps. Kandik Public Use cabin that was Generated 853 repair and opera- destroyed in the 2009 flood of the tional work orders in 2010 and Yukon River. showed completion of 345. Reviewed and updated the Park Took ownership of a new seasonal Asset Management Plans for housing unit in Eagle. Yukon-Charley Rivers. Implemented a fleet accounting Improved our Asset Management record system. Database information accuracy to Increased the fleet by 4 vehicles to 98.6% which resulted in YUGA meet our growing operational transportation needs. Employed two new permanent staff employees to replace two who had retired and added one new seasonal position in Eagle.

Seasonal maintenance worker Danny David sweeps the roof of the Coal Creek dredge.

20 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve YUGA Green Team: Who We Are and What We Are Up To By Julia Youngblood

The Green Team for YUGA (Yukon- cutting in half the building’s electrical Charley Rivers, Gates of the Arctic and costs. The wind turbine system for the the Fairbanks Administrative Center) is Anaktuvuk Pass Ranger Station was composed of 8 representatives from brought on line summer 2010. Marion several divisions and the networks. Creek/Coldfoot staff installed a meter on the housing PV system in order to Recycling. This is our largest project at better record and report alternative the Fairbanks Administrative Center power generated. American Recovery (FAC) and field offices. We met with and Reinvestment Act funds supported K&K Recycling in Fairbanks to see how an energy audit for park facilities, which we might be able to partner with them provided us with additional ideas for in our recycling program. A multi increasing energy efficiency. sectioned recycling container is out of the question for our lot, so we have Alternative transportation. The FAC obtained permission from the participated in the annual “Don’t Be sustainability director at UAF to drop Fuelish” campaign sponsored by the our plastics recycling in their bin until city of Fairbanks and the Northern K&K bins are located in the University Alaska Environmental Center. We Avenue transfer station. We will con- bicycled, walked and car-pooled 11,141.8 tinue to recycle cardboard, aluminum miles instead of driving our cars, plac- and mixed paper with the Fairbanks ing second in per capita miles recorded Rescue Mission. by all participating agencies or groups.

Carbon offsets. The Green Team is à Recycled in 2010: supporting the NPS Interpretive 3271 lbs aluminum, plastic, card Division’s Carbon Offset Sticker pro- board and mixed paper; gram. This program identifies a species 262 lbs lead acid batteries; at risk due to climate change and offers 230 lbs alkaline batteries. the visitor an opportunity to offset their travel with a sticker purchase. The Sustainable energy. Another goal has Smith’s Longspur is our species of been to participate in GVEA’s SNAP concern for Gates of the Arctic NP&P. (Sustainable Natural Alternative Power) The YUGA’s Green Team will continue program and to install moveable solar striving to incorporate attainable panels to supply power to the grid from sustainability goals in our work place the Fairbanks office. FAC will make through communication with our monthly SNAP donations to support partners and staff. local alternative power source provid- ers. A moveable photo voltaic (PV) system at FAC depends on future funding sources. At our field sites, alternative power is going strong. The PV system for the Bettles VC/office was repaired and on line for summer 2010,

2010 Annual Report 21 Admin Team Strives for Efficiency and Convenience to Users By Monica Cross We started the year FY 2010 came with more changes for to provide more support to employees by tackling travel Administration. Monica Cross became by helping with input for Travel Autho- the official Administrative Officer in rizations and Vouchers. The change to provide more October. Being short staffed was recti- was an instant success among employ- support... The fied with the hiring of Administrative ees who had struggled with the con- change was an Assistants Susan Holly in January and stantly changing GovTrip program. Beth Patterson in February. This change While absorbing this additional instant success in alignment allowed for new training workload, we were still able to accom- among employees... opportunities and the refocusing of plish the processing of over 300 pur- (and) we were still administrative duties. The goal was chase requests and 253 personnel action able to process over administrative cross-training and better requests, tracking over 200 account overall support of all six organization codes, in addition to our daily tasks of 300 purchase codes with differing legislation under answering phones, filing, processing requests and 253 the Fairbanks Administrative Center mail, greeting visitors, and helping personnel action mantel. internal and external customers. requests, track over The Administrative Team supports the Our IT program has been outstand- GPRA goals for Gates of the Arctic ing. For eight years running we have 200 account codes, National Park & Preserve, Yukon- had no successful virus attacks on our in addition to Charley Rivers National Preserve, computer network. We are forward- answering phones, Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Informa- looking and continue to be ahead of the tion Center, the inventory and monitor- curve in meeting new NPS/DOI security filing, processing ing programs of Central Alaska and requirements. We are testing the new mail, greeting Arctic networks, and the Eastern Area Server 2008 operating system and visitors, and helping Fire Management Program. The Admin- Symantec Endpoint Protection, version customers. istrative Team, in addition to the AO, two 11, before being required to move to this IT specialists, and five administrative new system in the near future. Required assistants (4 in Fairbanks, 1 in Eagle), encryption software was installed on 58 also receives help from the Arctic Net- of our laptops in about three weeks this work, Fire Program and Cultural pro- spring. gram admin assistants, plus the interpre- In looking for ways to give users what tive ranger in Bettles. they need, we recently installed a DSL We started the year by tackling travel line into the FAC for users who need to communicate with partner entities outside the NPS network. We installed additional capacity in our data backup system and obtained new hardware to allow this system to run even faster than before. We also more than doubled the capacity of our GIS server. An upgrade to the data and electrical infrastructure of the FAC this year has enabled us to Administrative Assistant add workstations anywhere there is room Beth Patterson cheerfully for a desk and chair. The upgrade has helps with everything from also allowed us to relocate and add printers creating travel authoriza- to make things more convenient for users. tions to ordering supplies and answering phones.

22 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Financial Summary

Breakdown of Operating Budget Base Allocations (ONPS) by Division Research & Studies: $512,327 Facilities Operation & Maintenance: $358,069 Resource Protection & Visitor Services: $709,630

Management & Administration: $143,474

Subsistence Yukon-Charley Administration $28,436 Interpretation $143,474 Operating Budget 2% $218,975 8% Base Allocations 13% NEPA/Planning (ONPS) $30,000 Total = $1,723,500 2% Natural Resources $255,891 Maintenance 15% $332,269 19%

Cultural Resources Utilities $198,000 $25,800 11% 1%

Resource Protection $490,655 28%

YUGA All Funding Interpretation FAPLIC $439,459 $612,200 Sources 5% 1/3 of ARCN Natural Resources 8% $583,407 Allocations $745,891 7% 9% 1/3 of CAKN Total = $8,000,393 $459,030 Natural Cultural Resources 6% $576,000 Resources 7% $146,528 2% 2/3 of Fire Non-base Project Dollars Cultural $535,541 Resource Protection $2,820,593 Resources 7% $1,065,121 35% $407,581 5% Aquatic Ecologist 13% Other Utilities $102,861 $108,000 $96,682 1% 1% 14% Interpretation Fairbanks VOIP Maintenance Management $223,690 Maintenance upgrade $743,443 Administration $140,000 3% $232,427 $21,528 9% $553,568 2% 3% <1% NEPA/Planning Subsistence 7% $139,000 $68,436 2% 1%

2010 Annual Report 23 Yukon-Charley Rivers, Gates of the Arctic, Alaska Public Lands Information Center Organization

Superintendent (Fairbanks)

Chief of Admin. Facility Manager Chief of Resources (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks)

Admin. Assistant FMSS Specialist Fire Mgt. Officer Biologist Archaeologist (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks)

Admin. Assistant Maint. Worker Fire Assistant Biologist Curator (Fairbanks) STF (Eagle) PT (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks)

Admin. Assistant Maint. Mechanic Asst. FMO Biologist Historian (Fairbanks) (Bettles) STF (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks) Term (Fairbanks)

Admin. Assistant Maint. Worker Supv. Fire Tech NR Specialist Archaeologist (Fairbanks) PT (Coldfoot) STF (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks) Term (Fairbanks)

IT Specialist Supv. Helicopter Mgr Biological Tech. (Fairbanks) STF (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks)

IT Specialist Asst. Helicopter Mgr Cartographic Tech. (Fairbanks) STF (Fairbanks) PT (Fairbanks)

Admin. Assistant Hydrologist (Eagle) WRD (Fairbanks)

Hydro Tech STF (Fairbanks)

24 Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve NEPA Specialist/ Subsistence/ Chief of Interp. Chief Ranger Outdoor Planner Ethno. (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks)

Park Ranger Ed. Specialist-Interp Park Ranger Park Ranger/Pilot Pilot STF (Anaktuvuk Pass) (Fairbanks) (Fairbanks) (Bettles) (Fairbanks)

Ed. Specialist-Interp Park Guide BC Coordinator-LE Park Ranger-LE (Fairbanks)-vacant (Fairbanks) STF (Bettles) STF (Eagle)

Park Ranger-Interp Park Guide Park Ranger-LE Park Ranger-LE (Bettles) (Fairbanks) STF (Coldfoot) STF (Eagle)

Park Ranger-Interp Park Ranger-LE (Coldfoot) STF (Bettles)

Park Ranger-Interp (Eagle)

2010 Annual Report 25 Sled dogs rest outside Slaven’s Roadhouse on the banks of the Yukon River during the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race that runs through Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve each February.

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