ARCTIC NATIO i~AL \VILDLlFE R:EFUGE

Fairbanks, Alaslia ~ ~ ..

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• AL~NUAL NARRATIVE REPOR"f- ., ,':, .. ~...... Calend~n· Year 199'3 ':

lJ_nited Stat ~ s Department of the_Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Fairbanks, Alaska ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1993

United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM REVIEW AND APPROVALS

ARCfiC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Fairbanks, Alaska

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1993

~Refuge Manager

Date INfRODUCTION

Size

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge includes nearly 19.8 million acres, including 8 million acres of wilderness. The Refuge spans more than 200 miles west to east from the Trans-Alaska pipeline corridor to Canada, and 200 miles north to south from the Beaufort Sea to the Venetie Indian Tribal Lands and the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge.

Geography

Major land forms include coastal plain, the Brooks Mountain Range and boreal forest areas south of the Brooks Range. Beginning on offshore barrier islands or at the Beaufort Sea coast where islands are not present, the Refuge extends south, including lagoon areas along much of the coast, encompassing the mostly treeless coastal plain, a relatively narrow strip of rolling tundra to the Brooks Mountain Range, located 8-50 miles from the Beaufort Sea coast. The mountain range extends roughly east to west, bisecting the Refuge and creating a natural north-south division. The Refuge includes the four tallest peaks (led by Mt. Isto, 9049 ft.) and the only extensive glaciation in the Brooks Range. The mostly hilly and mountainous south side is cut by numerous stream and river valleys dominated by sub-arctic boreal forest of spruce, birch and willow.

Facilities

No permanent facilities are located within the Refuge. The Refuge headquarters office is located in Fairbanks, 180 miles from the Refuge border. Additional facilities include a modern bunkhouse and field station on Barter Island, in a municipality within Native lands on an island a few miles from the Refuge's coastal plain. Most offshore islands, reefs, and sandbars in the Beaufort Sea are within the Refuge's exterior borders.

Public access

Public access is mostly unrestricted. Almost all of the visiting public access the area via bush plane. Subsistence users also use boats, snowmobiles and occasionally dog sleds. ATV's are restricted.

Enabling Legislation

On December 6, 1960, Secretary of the Interior Fred Seaton signed Public Land Order 2214 establishing the 8.9 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Range (original wildlife range), closing it to entry under existing mining laws.

The original wildlife range was redesignated the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with the signing of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) on December 2, 1980. Under ANILCA, the Refuge more than doubled in size to 18 million acres, including 8 million acres (most of the original wildlife range) as wilderness, and three National Wild rivers were designated.

ANILCA (Section 1002) also established the "1002 Area," opening approximately 1.6 million acres of the Refuge's arctic coastal plain to a limited exploration program (seismic testing) for oil and gas. Exploratory drilling, leasing, development and production of oil and gas in the Refuge were prohibited.

Section 1002 required an assessment of the resources of the coastal plain of the Refuge (Figure 1). An initial report and subsequent updates on the results of a continuing baseline study of fish, wildlife and habitat resources of the coastal plain were legislatively mandated. The results were to guide the development of an environmental impact statement and guidelines governing the seismic exploration program, and an assessment of impacts from any future oil and gas development. The legislation also required a report by the Secretary of Interior to Congress no later than September 2, 1986, on the oil and gas potential and an assessment of the impact that oil and gas development may have on the fish and wildlife resources on the Refuge's coastal plain. The report was issued in April 1987 and recommended oil and gas leasing of the entire 1002 area.

The State of Alaska relinquished selection of approximately 971,800 acres within the Refuge in 1983 and the acreage was added to the Refuge. In 1988 the 100th Congress enacted Public Law 110-395 which added another 325,000 acres of BLM withdrawn land to the Refuge, bringing the Refuge to its current size, approximately 19.8 million acres.

Refuge Purposes

Public Land Order 2214 stated that the purpose of the original wildlife range, established in 1960, was to preserve unique wildlife, wilderness and recreational values. These purposes were added to by ANILCA Section 303(2)(B) of ANILCA specifies that the Arctic Refuge was established and shall be managed:

(i) to conserve fish and wildlife populations and habitats in their natural diversity including, but not limited to, the Porcupine caribou herd (including participation in coordinated ecological studies and management of this herd and the Western Arctic caribou herd), polar bears, grizzly bears, muskox, Dall sheep, wolves, wolverines, snow geese, peregrine falcons and other migratory birds, and Arctic char and grayling;

(ii) to fulfill the international treaty obligations of the United States with respect to fish and wildlife and their habitats;

(iii) to provide, in a manner consistent with purposes set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii), the opportunity for continued subsistence uses by local residents; and

(iv) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable and in a manner consistent with the purposes set forth in subparagraph (i), water quality and necessary water quantity within the refuge.

In Section 101 of ANILCA, Congress made clear its intent to preserve within conservation system units in Alaska, including the Arctic Refuge, "nationally significant" scenic, wilderness, recreational, wildlife and other values for the benefit of present and future generations. Section 101 further states that "it is the intent of Congress in this Act to preserve ... wilderness resource values and related recreational opportunities including but not limited to hiking, canoeing, fishing and sport hunting, within large arctic and subarctic wildlands and on freeflowing rivers."

Refuge Resources

The Arctic Refuge includes a unique diversity of habitats offering exceptional wildlife, wilderness, recreation, scientific and aesthetic values. The area includes an assemblage of plant and animal communities found nowhere else in the circumpolar region.

Major habitat types include alpine tundra and rocky areas, wet and moist Arctic tundra, boreal spruce forest, muskeg bogs, coastal brackish lagoons, shrub thicket areas and numerous types of coastal and inland wetlands.

An unusual diversity of arctic and subarctic wildlife is found on the Refuge. This includes the Porcupine and Central Arctic caribou herds. The Porcupine herd, numbering some 180,000 animals, winters in the southern portion of the Refuge and in Canada. Calving and post-calving activities occur on the coastal plain from late May to mid-June. Up to one-quarter of the Central Arctic herd, which numbers approximately 18,000 animals, utilizes the northwestern part of the Refuge. All three species of North American bears (black, grizzly and polar) are found on the Refuge. Grizzlies, which den in mountainous areas throughout the Refuge, are thought to number between 130 and 150 on the north slope. A few polar bears annually den on the coastal plain. The Refuge also contains about 400 muskoxen, which often are observed along rivers of the coastal plain. Large Dall sheep populations occur in the mountainous areas of the Refuge, although a reliable population estimate does not exist. Other mammal species found on the Refuge include moose, wolverine, wolf, arctic fox, lynx, marten and snowshoe hare. Grayling and Arctic char are the primary sport fish species in the Refuge's rivers.

Approximately 165 species of migratory birds have been seen on the Arctic Refuge. The coastal plain is especially important for shorebirds and waterfowl that nest on or otherwise utilize the area during the summer. Oldsquaw is the most common waterfowl species in coastal lagoons, but king and common eiders, pin tails, brant and other species also are found. Approximately 75 pairs of tundra swans nest on the coastal plain. They concentrate on wetland dotted river deltas. From mid-August through mid-September, the eastern part of the coastal plain serves as the fall staging area for an average of 117,000 snow geese. The Refuge also supports the northernmost breeding populations of golden eagles and includes critical habitat for the endangered peregrine falcon, much of it along the Porcupine River. lncal Residents

Residents of several Native villages harvest subsistence resources on the Refuge. Kaktovik, located on the northern edge of the coastal plain, is an Inupiat Eskimo village with about 210 people. Villagers utilize bowhead whale, caribou, polar bear, waterfowl, walrus, seal, Dall sheep, muskox, wolves, ptarmigan and several species of fish. Arctic Village, an Athabascan Indian village with about 130 residents, is located along the East Fork of the Chandalar River just outside the Refuge's southern boundary. Although villagers rely primarily on the Porcupine caribou herd, they also take moose, Dall sheep, wolves, marten, beaver, lynx, fox and several other species. Limited fishing occurs, primarily for whitefish and lake trout. Residents of Fort Yukon, Venetie and Chalkyitsik also use Refuge resources, but to a lesser degree.

Public Use

The Refuge is open to unlimited public use throughout the year. The remoteness, travel expense and weather limit most visitation to long duration (6-10 day) trips during the warmer months of the year (June - September) for almost all visitors. Most use occurs from June 15 through August, with peaks in July (floating, backpacking) and August - September (hunting). Hunting, followed by river floating and backpacking are the predominant uses. INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A HIGHLIGHTS ...... 1

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ...... 2

C. LAND ACQUISITION ...... 3

1. Fee Title ...... (Nothing to Report) 2. Easements ...... (Nothing to Report) 3. Other ...... 3

D. PLANNING

1. Master Plan ...... (Nothing to Report) 2. Management Plan ...... 5 3. Public Participation ...... 5 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates ...... 5 5. Research and Investigations ...... 5 6. Other ...... 10

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel ...... 11 2. Youth Programs ...... (Nothing to Report) 3. Other Manpower Programs ...... (Nothing to Report) 4. Volunteer Program ...... 13 5. Funding ...... 13 6. Safety ...... 13 7. Technical Assistance ...... (Nothing to Report) 8. Other ...... 14

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General ...... 15 2. Wetlands ...... (Nothing to Report) 3. Forests ...... (Nothing to Report) 4. Croplands ...... (Nothing to Report) 5. Grasslands ...... (Nothing to Report) 6. Other Habitats ...... (Nothing to Report) 7. Grazing ...... (Nothing to Report) 8. Haying ...... (Nothing to Report) 9. Fire Management ...... 15 10. Pest Control ...... (Nothing to Report) 11. Water Rights ...... 16 12. Wilderness and Special Areas ...... 16 13. WP A Easement Monitoring ...... (Nothing to Report) G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity ...... 18 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species ...... 18 3. Waterfowl ...... 19 4. Marsh and Water Birds ...... 19 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species . (Nothing to Report) 6. Raptors ...... 19 7. Other Migratory Birds ...... (Nothing to Report) 8. Game Mammals ...... 19 9. Marine Mammals ...... 21 10. Other Resident Wildlife ...... (Nothing to Report) 11. Fisheries Resources ...... 21 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking ...... (Nothing to Report) 13. Surplus Animal Disposal ...... (Nothing to Report) 14. Scientific Collections ...... 23 15. Animal Control ...... (Nothing to Report) 16. Marking and Banding ...... 24 17. Disease Prevention and Control ...... (Nothing to Report)

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General ...... 25 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students ...... 26 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers ...... (Nothing to Report) 4. Interpretive Foot Trails ...... (Nothing to Report) 5. Interpretive Tour Routes ...... (Nothing to Report) 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations ...... 27 7. Other Interpretive Programs ...... 29 8. Hunting ...... 29 9. Fishing ...... 32 10. Trapping ...... 32 11. Wildlife Observation ...... 33 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation ...... 33 13. Camping ...... (Nothing to Report) 14. Picnicking ...... (Nothing to Report) 15. Off-Road Vehicling ...... 3~ 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation ...... (Nothing to Report) 17. Law Enforcement ...... 39 18. Cooperating Associations ...... 40 19. Concessions ...... (Nothing to Report)

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction ...... 41 2. Rehabilitation ...... (Nothing to Report) 3. Major Maintenance ...... 41 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement ...... 41 5. Communications Systems ...... 41 6. Computer Systems ...... 41 7. Energy Conservation ...... (Nothing to Report)

ii 8. Other ...... 42

J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs ...... 43 2. Other Economic Uses ...... 43 3. Items of Interest ...... (Nothing to Report) 4. Credits ...... 45

K. FEEDBACK ...... 46

L. INFORMATION PACKET ...... Back Cover

APPENDIX I- News and Magazine Articles: Miscellaneous

iii 1

A IDGHLIGHTS

Refuge Manager Elison transferred to RO as Deputy Assistant Regional Director, Wildlife (Section E.l)

Assistant Refuge Manager Greg Weiler transferred to WO in March (Section E.1)

Guide/Outfitters selected by FWS, were followed by complications -- appeals, changes, revocations and pending lawsuits (Section H.8)

Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt, and a following of press and reporters visited the Refuge (Section H.1)

Roger Dowding, Yukon Air Service, was killed in a plane crash high in the Brooks Range (Section E.6)

"Operation Brooks Range" LE efforts nets big time fines and prison sentences resulting from 15 convictions (Section H.17) 2

B. CLIMATIC CONDffiONS

The Barter Island and Old Crow, Yukon Territory weather stations arc the best sources of data for the north and south sides of the Refuge respectively. Old Crow is located on the Porcupine River, about 30 miles east of the Refuge border in Canada. Table 1 presents monthly temperature information for these two stations. Weather for 1993 could be summarized as being extremely mild and slightly wetter than normal across the entire Refuge. In Fairbanks, 1993 was the 3rd warmest year on record. On the north slope, every single month was warmer than normal (Table 1). Spring break-up was earlier on both sides of the Refuge. Most rivers south of the Brooks Range were open by May 1. Snow cover was generally gone across the north slope by 5 June. Summer was slightly warmer and drier than normal across the region. The high in Kaktovik was 68 degrees on July 11. Mild weather continued into autumn and early winter. Open water remained on many interior rivers into mid­ November when temperatures finally fell below zero. The warmer than normal temperatures on the north slope also kept the lagoons around Barter Island from freezing until early November. Barter Island precipitation totalled about 12.0 inches for 1993, almost double the normal of 6.5 inches.

Table 1. Temperature (degrees F) data for Barter Island (ANWR) and Old Crow, Yukon Territory, 1993.

Barter Island Old Crow

Min. Max. Avg. a norm Min. Max. Avg. January -41 31 -9.2 +5.8 -65 32 M February -37 28 -8.0 +12.5 -63 23 M March -25 22 -6.0 +10.3 M M M April -12 24 8.0 +9.1 -9 51 22.0

May -5 48 27.0 +6.1 5 57 38.5 June 29 64 36.3 +2.2 39 78 57.5 July 37 68 45.7 +5.8 42 82 62.1 August 33 63 40.3 +1.3 37 71 51.4 September 13 47 34.0 +2.6 11 62 38.7 October M M M M -7 44 22.1 November -24 39 6.6 +6.7 -47 32 -2.4 December -31 15 -5.3 +7.6 -29 14 -8.0

M = Missing data 3

C. lAND ACQUISffiON

1. Fee Title

Nothing to Report

2. Easements

Nothing to Report

3. Other

Native Allotments. Qualified individual Alaska Natives could claim up to 160 acres, until December 18, 1971, of unreserved land under the Native Allotment Act of 1906. The 160 acres could be broken up into several different parcels.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reported two land status changes within ANWR during 1993; an administrative hearing action disallowed two native allotment applications. Allotment actions by BLM have decreased greatly since 1989, when parcels claimed by 95 individuals received action.

The Arctic Refuge Staff updated the filing system in 1992, verified all inholdings and easements, and placed all inholdings on the Refuge wall map. Native corporation and allotment inholdings were placed on a 1:250,000 scale wall map for quick reference. More extensive information on each parcel was entered into a Lotus 123 database that facilitates access to more information without extensive work with the files. The composite 1:250,000 scale wall map of Arctic Refuge also incorporates other items significant for management, including cabins, wildfires and project locations.

The Bureau of Land Management's ALRS computer records system lists 95 individuals as having active (not rejected) allotments. These 95 individual allotments have 152 parcels containing approximately 14,000 acres within the Arctic Refuge. However, many of these allotments are overlaid by regional, historical or village selections which are pending and will be transferred to Native corporations. The allotments take precedence in most of these conflicting selections. Thus, acreage figures include multiple selections of the same area by different interests, and they become non­ additive and confusing. Land claims are gradually moving toward an eventual conclusion. Native Allotments present a significant management dilemma since the owners can do virtually anything they wish with the land after it is conveyed.

Historical Sites.

Nothing to Report

Village Corporation Selections.

Nothing to Report

Mining Claims.

Bureau of Land Management records currently show nine mining claims on the Arctic Refuge. They consist of four lode, two placer, and three mill sites claims. However, mining Engineer Don Kiell (BLM) conducted a mineral exam of seven mining claims near Big Ram Lake in 1993 and found the claims were not valid. BLM notified the claimants they were null and void. If appeals are not filed the seven claims will revert to the Refuge's ownership. Provided the seven mining claims are legally 4 void, two others will remain; both currently belong to Silverado, Inc., a large and active mining conglomerate.

Burnt Mountain Public Land Withdrawal

Several years ago Arctic Refuge discovered that a large part of the U. S. Air Force Burnt Mountain geophone site and associated structures were not within withdrawn land. Accordingly, a request memo was forwarded to Realty Division asking them to confirm the mistake and take corrective action. A telephone inquiry to Realty Division late this year disclosed that they had taken action. BLM will revise the Public Land Order to correspond to the actual Air Force Structures.

Distant Early Warning (DEW) Sites.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin work partially cleaning-up two of the abandoned DEW line sites, Nuvagapak (Beaufort Lagoon) and Collinson points, this spring. Working under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP), the Corps will be removing surface contamination (to about 12 inches in depth) of fuel and other contaminants, and some debris, drums and contaminated buildings on the sites. Three other sites, Demarcation Bay, Griffin and Brownlow Points, are scheduled for DERP clean-up in 1995, provided funding is available. 5

D. PLANNING

1. Master Plan

Nothing to Report

2. Management Plan

This year the Draft River Management Plan was revised twice before it was finally printed and distributed for public review in June. The plan was shipped to 1,150 people. The written comment period, originally set for 90 days, was extended until November 15th. One hundred thirty six comments were received by the deadline. The Refuge hopes to finalize the plan in 1994.

3. Public Participation

In October, the Refuge conducted meetings in Anchorage, Kaktovik, Arctic Village, and Fairbanks to receive public testimony on the Draft River Management Plan. A total of seventy people attended the meetings.

4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates

Compatibility determinations and subsistence use evaluations were completed for all activities requiring special use permits on the Refuge.

The Army Corp of Engineers continued in its planning for cleanup of the Camden Bay and Beaufort Lagoon abandoned DEW line sites where a variety of contaminants have been found. Actual cleanup may be years away, according to the Corps.

An environmental assessment was written and approved for installation of a radio repeater station near Little Rock Mountain on the south side of the Refuge.

Much of the rich, multi-cultural history of the Arctic Refuge area is being lost forever as the region's elders slip away. Unfortunately, the ties that bound previous generations are fraying, and in the throes of rapid culture change, elders often are not passing down --or youth are not reaching up for -­ traditional knowledge.

Information about the life-ways of nomadic Eskimos, abandoned Athabascan settlements and solitary trappers and traders is a Refuge resource and enhances the experience of Refuge travelers. Therefore, the Refuge began an oral history project this year to document the Refuge's recent history. The project will document the lives, travels and personal reflections of fifteen individuals whose experience on the Refuge gives an overview of the transitional period, 1930 to present. Life stories are being taped, in the format used by the University of Alaska's oral history project. The individuals' life experiences relevant to the Refuge will be detailed in 3000 - 3500 word profiles to be published and made available to visitors.

5. Research and Investigations

Research on mammals, birds, vegetation, and water resources continued within the 1002 area of the ANWR coastal plain in 1993. Work was conducted by USFWS biologists from Arctic NWR, the Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Water Resources Branch, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Canadian Wildlife Service, Yukon Territory Division of Renewable Resources. Scientific permits were issued to University of Alaska-Fairbanks (UAF) and Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources 6 for geological studies, to EPA to collect specimens for the Arctic contaminant research program, to University of Washington to collect lake pollen cores for paleoecological studies, to UAF for archeological studies, to LGL (an Anchorage private consultant) to do a caribou census and to UAF for rocket/payload impact and recovery associated with atmospheric research.

1002 Studies i. Potential impacts of petroleum exploration and development on the numbers, distribution, and status of caribou populations on the arctic coastal plain.

Brad Griffith, National Biological Survey (NBS) Thomas R. McCabe, NBS Noreen E. Walsh, NBS Kenneth R. Whitten, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks, Alaska ia Population dynamics and demographics of caribou in developed and undeveloped areas of the arctic coastal plain.

A photo census of the Porcupine caribou herd was completed in July, 1992, and photos were counted during the winter 1993/1994. Total population estimate for the July, 1992, census was 160,000. The calf:lOO cow ratio for a sample of 18,217 classified animals was 55:100. ib. Effect of potential displacement of caribou from the 1002 area on mortality rates of calves.

The annual PCH calving survey was conducted from 28 May through 13 June, 1993. Of the 62 radio­ collared cows whose reproductive status could be determined, 50 had calves and 12 were barren, yielding a parturition rate of 80.7%. Calf mortality during June was estimated at 36%. Calving occurred from the Firth River in the Yukon Territory to the Tamayariak River in Alaska. Fifty-seven percent of the calving sites were in the 1002 area of the Refuge. ic. Differential impacts of grizzly bear predation on caribou calving in the 1002 area and potential displacement areas: an assessment of predation risks.

Donald D. Young, NBS Thomas R. McCabe, NBS

Twelve grizzly bears were recaptured to replace failing radio-collars and to replace bears lost from our sample. Twenty-seven grizzly bears were radio-tracked during the period 29 May- 22 June. The sex and age composition of radio-collared bears was 16 adult (>6 years of age) females (59.3%), 10 adult males (37.0% ), and 1 subadult female (3. 7%). Of 16 adult females radio-tracked in 1993, 13 were barren and 3 had cubs > 1.5 years of age. The distribution of 116 grizzly bear relocations relative to the coastal plain, foothills, and mountains was 41.4% (!1 = 48), 40.5% (!1 = 47), and 18.1% (!1 = 21), respectively. Ten radio-collared bears were surveyed on 16 occasions to determine rates of predation on caribou calves. Seven of those surveys were terminated within 15 minutes or less due to poor weather conditions or bears being disturbed by the survey aircraft. Eight bears were successfully monitored (i.e., > 1 h duration) on 9 occasions resulting in 25.1 h of predation rate surveys, 7-16 June. Five of 9 surveys involved the utilization of caribou. 7 ii. Habitat requirements and potential impacts of oil development on caribou.

Brad Griffith, NBS Noreen E. Walsh, NBS Janet C. Jorgenson, Arctic NWR Mike Emers, Arctic NWR

Performance of caribou in relation to habitat availability and quality.

A total of 71 calves were captured, radio-collared, and weighed. Sixty-one calves were recaptured at 3- weeks of age and 15 calves were recaptured at 6-weeks of age. Weight at initial capture was equivalent to 1992, but daily gain during weeks 0-3 was 16% higher than 1992 and daily gain during weeks 3-6 was only 56% as great as in 1992. Habitat use differed between 1992 and 1993; use of the upland tussock vegetation type was positively associated with weight gain in 1993 compared to a negative association observed in 1992. Differing snow melt patterns between years may have influenced plant phenology and resulted in the changing value of the upland tussock vegetation type between years. Phenology data showed that green-up was less correlated with habitat type than by species. Eriophorum vaginatum flowers were the first to become available as forage in 1993 followed by g. vaginatum and g. angustifolium leaves and then by Salix planifolia and forbs. Upland tussock and non-patterned sedge showed less habitat heterogeneity than did high- or low-centered polygon habitats. iii. Effects of global climate change on ungulate resources of the arctic coastal plain.

Noreen E. Walsh, NBS, Fairbanks, Alaska

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of early and late snowmelt on phenology and biomass of caribou forage species. Snow fences were used on increased snow treatment plots to increase the amount of snow and delay time of melt. Black mesh nets were used on decreased snow treatment plots to facilitate early snowmelt. In 1993, data were collected at these permanent treatment and control sampling plots at 6 sites on the coastal plain of Refuge. Snow depth data were collected mid-late May. In early June, plots were censused for number and phenology of Eriophorum vaginatum flowerheads. In mid-July, plots were sampled for cover of Salix planifolia, and for thaw depth and soil temperature. Analyses of treatment effects is not yet complete. The experiment will be repeated through the year 1999. iv. Vegetation mapping from LANDSAT-TM satellite imagery data for delineating wildlife habitat availability and distribution.

Janet C. Jorgenson, USFWS Arctic NWR Peter Joria, NBS Thomas R. McCabe, NBS

A landcover map of over 18,500 km2 of the coastal plain and adjacent mountains of the Arctic NWR was completed. Two LANDSAT-TM scenes, digital topographical data and digitized terrain types were used to write the model to create the map. The 16 landcover classes include 13 types of graminoid or low shrub-dominated tundra plus ice, water and barren. An accuracy assessment showed that with 16 classes, the agreement between mapped landcover types and types assigned on the ground was 50%. To attain a higher agreement of 61%, the classes will be combined into 13 more general classes for most purposes.

The map is currently being used by Refuge researchers in a Geographical Information System and a 1:50,000 scale map and User's Guide will be available in late 1994. 8

Reports, papers and publications

Joria, P., and J. C. Jorgenson. 1993. Comparison of three methods for mapping tundra with LANDSAT-TM digital data. Submitted to Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, in review.

Jorgenson, J. C., B. Reitz, M. A Willms, and M. Emers. 1993. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain LANDSAT-TM map user's guide. In review. v. Potential effects of petroleum exploration and development on muskoxen using the arctic coastal plain

Patricia E. Reynolds, USFWS Arctic NWR

In FY93, this project had no funding for field work or to collect data from satellite radio-collared muskoxen, although some information on population size, distribution and composition were collected during Refuge muskox surveys. Data from past years, including information from satellite radio­ collared cows collected since 1987 were entered into database and geographic information system (GIS) files, and muskox data files on population and distribution from the past 11 years were reformatted to make all information compatible. Preliminary mapping of the population distribution showed continuing high use by muskoxen along specific river drainages in summer, range expansion of the population east and west of the Refuge, and some differences in distribution by season and group type. In 1992-93, muskoxen wintered on the Ivishak, Canning, Sadlerochit, Aichilik and Kongakut rivers and in the foothills between the Hulahula and Jago Rivers. In April 1993, 607 muskoxen were counted between the Canadian border and the Sagavanirktok River during a pre-calving census. Of these 379 (61%) were on the Arctic NWR coastal plain and 237 (39%) were west of the Canning River, outside the Refuge. Of the 535 animals classified by sex and age in late June, 20% were calves.

Reports, papers and publications

Reynolds, P.E. 1993. Dynamics of muskox groups in northeastern Alaska. Rangifer 13(2) 83-89.

Reynolds, P.E. 1993. Muskox seasonal movements and changes in distribution over time. Lecture presented to Faculty-Graduate seminar, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, 13 April 1993, Fairbanks, Alaska. vi. Water Resource Investigations, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Steven Lyons, USFWS Water Resources Branch, Division of Realty, Anchorage

In August 1993, Keith Bayha and two contract surveyors from Global Positioning, Inc. established a solid control network and the elevations of 150 selected lakes in the 1002 area. The contractor's final report is expected by the end of December 1993. These data will provide the basis for water rights for some or all of these lakes. In FY-1993 John Trawicki completed analysis of the 1992 stream flow records and began the 5-year summary report.

Publication:

Lyons, S.M., and J. M. Trawicki. 1993. Water resource inventory and assessment, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, 1992 stream discharge data. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Water Resource Progress Report 93-1. Anchorage, Alaska. 9

vii Potential impacts of petroleum development on lesser snow geese staging on the Arctic coastal plain.

Jerry W. Hupp, NBS, Anchorage, Alaska. Donna G. Robertson, NBS, Anchorage, Alaska

In 1993, field studies of the distribution and availability of snow goose feeding habitats on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge were completed. Field sampling in 1992 indicated that approximately 2% of the 1002 area between the Hula-Hula and Aichilik rivers was suitable tall cotton-grass (Eriophorum angustifolium) feeding habitat. The availability of suitable feeding sites was influenced by patterns of surface microrelief. In 1993, we tested procedures for assessing surface microrelief from aerial photos in order to map habitat features at 49 snow goose feeding areas in order to determine if snow geese responded to patterns of microrelief.

Other Refuge Studies

i. Long-term effects of winter seismic exploration on the vegetation of the coastal plain of the Arctic NWR.

Janet C. Jorgenson, Arctic NWR Mike Emers, Arctic NWR

On trails created during winter seismic exploration on the Arctic NWR coastal plain in 1984 and 1985, disturbance levels were evaluated at 200 randomly-chosen points in each of three years. The percent of points with no or only slight disturbance remaining increased from 15% in 1986 to 52% in 1989 and 90% in 1993. Points with the highest levels of disturbance in 1993 were on trails made by camp-move vehicles. The least amount of recovery was seen in shrub-dominated tundra on high-centered polygons and in moist sedge tundra where vehicle tracks had caused melting of the permafrost, trail subsidence and a change to a wetter vegetation type.

Reports, papers, and publications

Emers, M., J. C. Jorgenson and M. K. Raynolds. Response of arctic tundra plant communities to winter vehicle disturbance. Submitted to Ecological Applications, in review. ii. Population and harvest significance of southern Brooks Range moose concentrations

Francis J. Mauer, Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arctic NWR, Fairbanks, Alaska.

This study will define several sub-populations in the southern Brooks Range of the Refuge where moose may be subject to both subsistence and sport harvests. It was approved in April, 1993, pending subsequent funding. The objectives are:

1. Determine seasonal movements, and distribution of moose associated with key concentration areas.

2. Determine fidelity of individual moose to concentration areas.

3. Assess the relationship of moose concentrations to regional populations and human harvest.

The study design calls for capture and marking of up to 40 moose in 4 areas (Sheenjek, Coleen, Kongakut, and Firth Rivers). Relocation surveys will be conducted on a monthly basis during 10

February to August and weekly during 15 August to 15 October. Data regarding movements, seasonal distribution, and annual survival will be collected and analyzed over a 3.5 year period.

6. Other

Nothing to Report 11

E. ADMINISTRATION

Two of the three key managers of Arctic Refuge transferred in March of 1993. The Refuge Manager and one of the two Assistant Refuge Managers positions were not filled this year, leaving one Assistant Refuge Manager with a staff of 19 (13 permanent, 4 temporary and 2 seasonal) employees. Phil Garrett served as Acting Refuge Manager through the remaining 9 months of the year. Tom Edgerton (ORP), Harvey Heffernan (FWB), and other staff members assisted in essential management and administrative tasks as required.

Refuge Manager Glenn Elison, after serving since 1983, through the oil fired heat of the "1002 era" and into the less-intense present, departed on March 15 to become the Deputy Assistant Regional Director, Refuges and Wildlife in the Alaska Regional Office. His acumen, leadership and other outstanding qualities are, and will continue to be, sorely missed.

Greg Weiler, Arctic Refuge Operations Manager, North (perhaps better known as the Barter Island operations and logistics "Czar" during many past, feverishly busy years at the Refuge's Biological Field Station in Kaktovik) departed on March 8 bound for Refuge Operations, Washington DC. Greg's incisive perception, management abilities, energy and unique wit also are sorely missed.

1. Personnel

1. Glenn W. Elison, Refuge Manager, GM-14, Entered on Duty 9/8/83, Transferred 3/15!93. VACANT, 3/15!93 through 12/31!93.

2. Donald P. Garrett, Acting Refuge Manager, GS-12, Entered on Duty 3/18/84.

3. Greg W. Weiler, Refuge Operations Specialist, GS-12, Entered on Duty 1/22/84, Transferred 3/8!93. VACANT, 3/08!93 through 12/31!93.

4. Tom Edgerton, Outdoor Recreation Planner, GS-11, Entered on Duty 3/25/90.

5. Roger W. Kaye, Public Use-Subsistence Coord./Pilot, GS-12, Entered on Duty 12!23/84.

6. David Sowards, Pilot, GS-12, Entered on Duty 2/28/88.

7. Francis J. Mauer, Wildlife Biologist, GS-11, Entered on Duty 6/28/81.

8. Patricia C. Reynolds, Ecologist, GS-11, Entered on Duty 11/1/81.

9. Harvey Heffernan, Fish & Wildlife Biologist, GS-11, Entered on Duty 6/5/88.

10. Cathy Curby, Wildlife Biologist, GS-09, Entered on Duty 4/1/83.

11. Dave Cox, Biological Technician, GS-07, Entered on Duty 5/6/90.

12. Janet Jorgenson, Botanist, GS-12, Entered on Duty 7/28!91.

13. Julia Mcisaac, Office Automation Assistant, GS-05, Entered on Duty 6/2!91.

14. Donna Christensen, Financial Assistant, GS-05, Entered on Duty 10/28!91.

15. Pamela Sperry, Budget Assistant, GS-06, Entered on Duty 3!22/92. 12

Term Appointments

1a. Mark Willms, Wildlife Biologist, GS-09, Entered on Duty 7131;90.

2a. Beverly Reitz, Biological Technician, GS-06, Entered on Duty 6/16/91.

3a. Mike Emers, Botanist, GS-09, Entered on Duty 6n /91.

4a. James Akaran, Biological Technician, GS-07, Entered on Duty 9/8/91.

Seasonal

1. Jeffery Rupert, General Clerk, GS-03, 5131/93 to 9/1/93.

2. Philip Bass, General Clerk, GS-03, 7/5/93 to 9/15/93. 13

2. Youth Programs

Nothing to Report

3. Other Manpower Programs

Nothing to Report

4. Volunteer Program

This year Jim and Marian Sohn (a retired couple from Virginia) donated approximately 1,100 hours as Visitor Services Volunteers at the Coldfoot Visitor Center. Cathy Walling assisted with the caribou habitat project for three weeks in July, and Sue Hall spent several weeks in September working on vegetation samples and helping Pilot Kay search for Roger Dowding's downed plane.

5. Funding

Refuge funding decreased by approximately 1.5% in FY93 (Table 2). The total allocation was $1,719,200, with $437,000 identified for 1002 studies. A total of $126,600 was received for non-1002 projects including the Dall Sheep Inventory, North & South Slope Moose Surveys, River Planning, Regional Subsistence Coordinator Support, Install Bunkhouse Temperature Alarm, Environmental Education, Fairbanks Airport Exhibit, the replacement of field gear and operations at the Coldfoot Visitors Center. Funding in the amount of $21,000 was received for the Fire Program including training, travel, equipment and maintenance.

Table 2. Funding summary, FY 88 thru FY 93

Program FY89 FY90 FY91 FY92 FY93 1120 290 285 160 1221 69 1261 1,267 890 1,127 1,194 1,101 1262 370 460 557 480 541 1411 92 9110 1 61 9120 16 9 20 16 Total 1,917 1,651 2,014 1,695 1,719

6. Safety

Regular safety meetings were held during the non-field season. Safety meeting topics included bear safety, field health, aviation safety, GSA vehicle administrative procedures, & stress management and relief.

Coordination of meetings is handled by the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with participation and responsibility for presentation shared by the six different Fish and Wildlife Service offices in the Fairbanks Federal Building. 14

Staff members attended CPR and First Aid training. The one day refresher training was conducted by the local chapter of the American Red Cross

Acting Refuge Manager Garrett, WB Mauer, WB Heffernan, pilots Sowards, Kaye and Cox attended aircraft water sutvival class where an introduction to emergency aircraft egress procedures, clothing and proper use of life rafts was demonstrated and practical experience obtained. "Dunker training," as it is known, was a big success and those in attendance highly recommend this class to any who fly regularly.

Pilots Sowards and Cox attended aircraft EMT (emergency maneuver training) in Chandler Arizona. Training focused on avoiding and/or recovering from undesirable situations while airborne including stalls, spins, or upside-down attitudes. Piloting skills such as slow flight and steep turns were practiced.

The Refuge staff was saddened to learn of the death of pilot Roger Dowding, owner of Yukon Air Service in Fort Yukon. Roger was killed when his plane crashed high in the Brooks Range Mountains in late August. The crash site was not located until early September. Several staff members participated in the search and recovery effort. Roger was well known and his untimely death will leave a void in the field of Arctic Aviation.

7. Technical Assistance

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report. 15

F. HABITATMANAGEMENT

L General

The Arctic Refuge is our nation's single protected ecosystem area consisting of an undisturbed continuum of arctic and subarctic ecosystems from the Beaufort Sea to the Yukon River drainage. Management is oriented to preserve and maintain these systems in their original state, allowing for natural processes to continue with minimum human intervention. Collection of appropriate base information on plant and animal communities is integral to current and future management requirements. There are no habitat manipulation practices currently employed on the Refuge.

Several habitat investigations are currently underway. A major study of the vegetative characteristics of the calving grounds and post-calving areas of the Porcupine caribou herd is being conducted by Refuge and National Biological Survey (NBS) personnel (See Research and Investigations). Use of the Refuge coastal plain by staging snow geese also is being investigated by NBS. These efforts are oriented to provide additional information related to potential oil and gas development.

2. Wetlands

Nothing to Report

3. Forests

Nothing to Report

4. Croplands

Nothing to Report

5. Grasslands

Nothing to Report

6. Other Habitats

Nothing to Report

7. Grazing

Nothing to Report

Nothing to Report

9. Hre Management

The Alaska Fire Service (AFS), the fire fighting arm of the Bureau of Land Management, monitors all fires by air as time and manpower permit and keep the Refuge informed of the fire status. Close coordination with the Alaska Fire Service was maintained by Fire Management Officer (FMO) Fred Deines, who is responsible for Arctic, Yukon Flats, and Kanuti National Wildlife Refuges. 16

Two wildfires were recorded in limited suppression (no attack) on the Refuge in 1993. The fires, located in the southeastern Refuge area, burned a total of 18,010 acres. The largest fire started on the Yukon Flats NWR, burned across the Arctic Refuge boundary in July, eventually burning a perimeter of 18,010 acres before being declared out in August. The second fire, first seen on July 7, continued to smolder and burn until declared out on August 8, at 22 acres.

Administratively, two actions affecting fire management occurred during 1993. Modified and limited fire suppression boundaries were adjusted slightly along the southern central Refuge border to align modified boundaries along defensible barriers. Changes involved only a few thousand acres. The Refuge's FMO was assigned a station fire plan, scheduled for completion during FY95.

10. Pest Control

Nothing to Report

11. Water Rights

In late 1993, the Water Resources Branch began the final report on a 1988-92 study to measure flows of 10 Refuge streams. They also determined lake surface elevations in the 1002 area using global positioning system (GPS) equipment.

12 Wilderness and Special Areas

The vastness, remoteness, scenic grandeur, wildlife, and the unexcelled opportunity for wilderness experience all combine to make the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge the nation's premier wilderness Refuge.

The Refuge contains nearly one-half of all the Congressionally designated refuge wilderness in Alaska. The approximately eight millon acres of designated wilderness within the Arctic Refuge is more than in all refuges in the continental U.S. combined. The designated wilderness includes north slope Arctic tundra, mountain peaks, glaciers, alpine valleys, spruce forests, river valleys, and a host of diverse habitat types in these areas. It contains an undisturbed portion of the Arctic environment large enough to be biologically self-sufficient.

Rare Plants

Arctic NWR botanist Mike Emers accompanied wildlife biologist Fran Mauer on the annual peregrine falcon survey on the Porcupine River in July to search for previously reported populations of category 2 plants. Major search efforts were concentrated on the unique south-facing "steppe-bluff' communities along the river. These bluffs create unusual habitat (typically found much farther south) consisting of early spring melt-off, well-drained soils and lack of permafrost. These long-isolated habitat "islands" may contain unique assemblages of atypical or divergent plant species. Some authorities believe these plant communities, usually dominated by sage and wheatgrass, represent relics of a more extensive steppe ecosystem that extended from Siberia to the Yukon Territory (Beringia) in the late Quaternary.

Range extensions for 11 species were documented while investigating a total of 20 sites along the Porcupine River. Species encountered included new populations for category 2 species Eriogonum flavum ssp. aquilinum, and candidate species Townsendia hookeri and Erigeron filifolius. Plants .i6hected on the north slope during the caribou habitat study documented range extensions for Astragalus nutzotinensis, carex holostoma, and the endemic Smelowskia calycina ssp. calycina var. media. 17

Refuge botanists Janet Jorgenson, Mike Emers and biological technician Bev Reitz continued work in the Alaska Rare Plant Working Group at meetings in the spring and fall. The group drafted a memorandum of understanding between federal and state agencies and native groups to facilitate cooperation in rare plant studies. The group is working on updating the guide to rare and endangered plants in Alaska and preparing an addendum to the Flora of Alaska with updates of new range extensions and taxonomic revisions. Pre- and post field season meetings will continue; Mike Emers will help co-ordinate the 1994 spring meetings. 18

G. WILDLIFE

l. Wildlife Diversity

The proximity of the Brooks Range to the Arctic Ocean in northeast Alaska and northern Yukon Territory affords a unique assemblage of Arctic plant and animal communities which is repeated nowhere else in the entire circumpolar region. The southern boundary of the Refuge extends well into the northern boreal forest zone combining Arctic and subarctic life forms within a single conservation unit--the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Thus, an unusual diversity of wildlife occurs in the Refuge. For example, all three species of North American bears (black, brown and polar) occur in the Refuge. Ungulate species such as moose, Dall sheep, musk ox and caribou often are found in close proximity and occasionally overlap on certain habitats. The Refuge also supports the northernmost breeding populations of golden eagles and the most northern populations of Dall sheep in North America. Several plant species are at their extreme distribution in the Refuge. A total of 180 bird species have been recorded on the Refuge, some from very distant, exotic places such as Africa, India, Australia and Patagonia. The Arctic Refuge supports an unusual diversity of wildlife and habitats, the majority of which exist in a relatively undisturbed condition.

2. Endangered andjor Threatened Species

Peregrine falcon

The fifteenth consecutive annual survey of cliff-nesting raptors on the Porcupine River was conducted by Refuge personnel during July 14-20, 1993. Twenty-two of 33 pairs of peregrine falcons produced a total of 51 young (Table 3). This constitutes the highest number of peregrine pairs and young that has been recorded since surveys began in 1967. Early spring weather during the nesting season, and favorable summer weather provided ideal conditions for peregrine nest success. A pair of peregrines also were observed for the third consecutive season at Barter Island, however, this year they failed to raise young. A pair of peregrines nesting at a site on the Hulahula River was reported for the first time this year. These observations indicate that peregrines are continuing to increase and re-occupy habitats that were abandoned due to the precipitous decline of the species prior to the ban of the pesticide DDT.

Table 3. Peregrine falcon productivity, Porcupine River, Alaska, 1993.

Productivity Parameter 1992 1993 14 year avg.

Total Pairs 17 33 16.6 Pairs with young 5 22 11.8 Total young 14 51 28.3 Young fledged{fotal pairs 0.82 1.56 1.71 19

3. Waterfowl

Although staging snow geese from the Western Canadian Arctic population began arriving in late August, they did not appear in large numbers until September 1. A survey conducted on September 9 found about 91,000 birds across the coastal plain of the Refuge. Most of these birds were located south of the Niguanak Hills between the Jago and Egaksrak Rivers.

The 1993 breeding pair survey was conducted on the coastal plain of the Refuge by the Migratory Birds Office-Fairbanks on June 23. It provided population indices for five waterfowl species. Numbers included an estimated 308 tundra swans, 4221 northern pintails, 360 black scoters, 367 king eiders, and 2684 oldsquaw.

4. Marsh and Waterbirds

The 1993 breeding pair survey conducted on the coastal plain of the Refuge by the Migratory Birds Office-Fairbanks provided population indices for 2 loon species. Numbers included 718 Pacific loons and 51 red-throated loons.

5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species

The 1993 breeding pair survey conducted on the coastal plain of the Refuge by the Migratory Birds Office-Fairbanks provided population indices for 4 Larid species. Numbers included 53 parasitic jaegers, 51 long-tailed jaegers, 461 glaucous gulls, and 154 Arctic terns.

6. Raptors

Surveys for peregrine falcons and other cliff-nesting raptors were conducted on the Porcupine River (See Endangered Species). Nesting success and productivity of golden eagles remained low in 1993. Only one of seventeen golden eagle nest territories produced young on the Porcupine River. The recent crash of the snowshoe hare population is likely a factor in poor golden eagle productivity on the Porcupine River.

7. Other Migratory Birds

An off-road point count was conducted on Barter Island June 21 and June 26. This survey was part of a pilot study organized by Alaska Partners in Flight, a multi-agency group focusing on the · decline of neotropical migratory landbirds in North America. This survey is intended to be part of a long-term monitoring program aimed at providing indices of avian abundance in different habitats throughout the state.

8. Game Mammals

Can"bou

Significant portions of the Porcupine caribou herd wintered on Refuge lands located southwest of Arctic Village during 1992-93, and for the first time in 3 years, residents of Arctic Village and Venetie were able to harvest caribou. Other major winter ranges were used in the western Ogilvie River basin and Keel Range in Canada. Few caribou wintered in the Richardson Mountains of Canada, and therefore, harvest by residents of MacKenzie Delta villages was light in 1993.

Most to the herd calved in the Refuge in 1993 (86% of radio-collared cows gave birth on Refuge lands). Calving was distributed from the Firth River in Canada to the Tamayariak River in 20

Alaska. The greatest concentration of calving was between the Aichilik and Sadlerochit Rivers of the Refuge.

The herd departed the Refuge coastal plain in early July, with most animals moving east into Canada. Some groups also moved through the eastern Brooks Range of Alaska, and summered south of the range in Alaska.

By November of 1993, major portions of the Porcupine herd were in the Ogilvie basin of Canada. Significant numbers of caribou also were in traditional winter ranges in Alaska. This is the second consecutive year that large numbers of caribou wintered on the Refuge.

Moose

An aerial moose survey of the East Fork of the Chandalar River was conducted by Refuge staff during late March, 1993. Conditions were excellent, however very few moose (52) were observed. These results confirm previous information, indicating very low moose densities in this region of the Refuge. During winters when the Porcupine caribou herd winters primarily in Canada, this sparse moose population is very important as an alternative subsistence resource for residents of Arctic Village.

Inclement weather precluded fall moose surveys on the Refuge during 1993. This was the second consecutive year in which surveys could not be completed. Refuge staff are planning moose surveys for the spring of 1994 as an alternative to the fall surveys.

Muskox

A total of 370 muskoxen were counted in the Refuge during the pre-calving census in April, 1993. An additional 237 muskoxen were found west of the Refuge, and Canadian biologists counted a minimum of 113 muskoxen east of the Canadian border. This indicates that the total population in northeastern Alaska is at least 607 and the population in the entire area between the Sagavanirktok River in north-central Alaska and the Babbage River in northwestern Canada is a minimum of 720. Within the Refuge, the population continues to be less than 400 animals, but numbers within the entire region are increasing slowly. In 1993, productivity (observed in late June) was 57 calves/100 cows age three and older. Thirteen of 19 radio-collared cows had calves, and calves comprised 20% of the population. More than 80% of the 1991 cohort of calves survived the winter, as did about 75% of the yearlings. Productivity and survival in 1993 were similar to average values seen during the past 5 years.

Dan sheep

A total of 1,852 sheep were classified (277 - Atigun, 356 -Arctic Village, and 1,219- Hulahula). Initial lamb production varied from 41 lambs/100 ewes in the Hulahula, 31 lambs/100 ewes in the Chandalar, and 19 lambs/100 ewes in the Atigun area. Differences are likely related to winter severity, the Atigun area received above average snowfall, while Chandalar and Hulahula had an average snowfall.

An aerial census of the Hulahula River drainage was conducted during early July, 1993. Excellent flying conditions enabled the most efficient and comprehensive survey ever conducted in this area of the Refuge. A total of 1521 sheep were observed. Twenty-eight radio-collared sheep were used to measure a visibility correction factor of 0.857. The projected population estimate was therefore 1775. These results suggest a population decline of 56% from 1986 when 3196 sheep were counted. Most of the decline is believed to be in response to several severe winters which reduced adult survival and lamb production. A similar decline in sheep population likely has occurred in 21 the Atigun area, where the number of sheep observed during standardized age and sex classification surveys is down by approximately 50% from 1989.

Radio-collared sheep were relocated during February, March, April, May, June, July and October. Over-winter mortality of marked adults varied from 9.4% (3 of 32) on the Hulahula to 15% (3 of 20) on the Chandalar. Only 2 of 61 marked sheep moved to drainages adjacent to where they were marked. All other sheep remained on previously identified home ranges.

Brown Bear

Brown bear numbers seem to be on the increase, if reports from hunters and guides on the Refuge are correct. Work on predation by brown bears and wolves is discussed in Section D.6.

9. Marine Mammals

Polar bears

During September through November polar bears were common along Arctic Refuge coastal areas. The bears are curious and unafraid, routinely foraging around inhabited sites, many of which have very attractive food sources: garbage dumps and whale carcasses. Several polar bears were killed by Inupiat Eskimo hunters at Kaktovik in 1993. A large adult male can weight up to 1400 pounds.

Bowhead whales

The Inupiat Eskimo whaling crews at Kaktovik harvested three small bowhead whales during the fall. The largest whale amongst the small bowhead whales was 38 feet. The fall migration of the whales through Kaktovik area was normal in 1993. The whale hunting activities occurs only in the fall for the Kaktovik residents. The spring whale hunt is inhibited by the presence of the spring ice. Other whaling communities west of Kaktovik along the Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Bering Sea hunt bowheads whales in spring and fall.

The polar bears and bowhead whales are protected by the U.S. Government. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Alaska Natives can hunt and use the marine mammals for subsistence food, clothing and traditional crafts.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

Nothing to Report

11. FISheries Resources

Coleen River

Aerial fish surveys were conducted in mid-August and early-October 1993 (summer chum/king and fall chum/coho respectively) in Coleen River located on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Survey conditions were good to excellent. The surveys began at the confluence of the Coleen and Porcupine Rivers. The surveys covered approximately 110 km between the confluence of the rivers and the termination point. A total of 3 fish on both surveys were recorded at observation sites in the area surveyed. The 1985 survey record revealed that 442 summer chums and 10 kings were recorded. 22

During 1993, the chum salmon spawning escapement in the Yukon River was very poor. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game made an emergency closure on chum salmon subsistence fishing in the entire Yukon River. In recent years, subsistence chum salmon harvest has increased due to increased fishing effort as a result of development of the upper Yukon River commercial fishing and the increasing numbers of recreational sled-dog teams.

Ivishak River

The Arctic char survey was conducted in early September in the Ivishak River by ANWR and Fairbanks Fisheries Office (FFO) personnel. The survey conditions were good to excellent. The survey began at the confluence of the Ivishak and Sagavanirktok Rivers. The survey covered approximately % km between confluence of the rivers and the termination point. A total of 3,057 fish were recorded in the area surveyed.

The 1989 survey record revealed that 12,650 Arctic char were recorded by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The Sagavanirktok River and its tributaries provide important spawning grounds and overwintering areas for a large run of anadromous Arctic char. The Ivishak River, in particular, provides an overwintering habitat for Arctic char from all the spawning stocks within the drainage (Bendock 1985). A single overwintering site in the Ivishak River was identified upstream of the mouth of the Saviukviayak River, in an area commonly known as "Ivishak Hot Springs", although additional overwintering sites within the Ivishak River are probable (Bendock 1985).

12 Wildlife Propagation

Nothing to Report

13. Surplus Animal Disposal

Nothing to Report

14. Scientific Collections

Plants

During the 1993 summer field season, Refuge Botanist Mike Emers made 93 collections for the Refuge herbarium. Among these were 16 extensions of previously known ranges and 2 collections of endemic species. Of particular interest were collections of Townsendia hookeri and Eriogonum flavum var. aquilinum from the Porcupine River bluffs (see endangered species section) and Astragalus nutzotinensis, Carex holostoma, Smelowskia calycina ssp. calycina var. media from the northern part of the Refuge.

Mamma1s

A dead muskox calf found west of the Refuge by ecologist P. Reynolds in August 1993 was taken to University of Alaska-Fairbanks and autopsied by Dr. John Blake. The male calf was large, in excellent condition and apparently died from traumatic injuries inflicted by another muskox.

No fish were collected in 1993. 23

15. Animal Control

Nothing to report 24

16. Marking and Banding

In 1993, mammals and birds were captured and marked as part of continuing field studies in the 1002 area of the Arctic NWR and other areas of the Refuge. These studies are described in the sections on Research and Investigations, Game Mammals and Raptors.

Canoou

Caribou from the Porcupine caribou herd were captured and marked with radio-collars, ear tags and neck bands during two interrelated studies of caribou on the coastal plain of the Arctic NWR. National Biological Survey biologists B. Griffith, N. Walsh and T. McCabe captured 71 caribou calves on the calving grounds in early June in a study to determine calf weight gain in relation to habitat use. Canadian Wildlife Service biologist D. Russel and Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist K Whitten also captured and marked 29 adult female caribou as part of their studies of reproductive performance of caribou cows.

Muskox

Eleven muskoxen were captured and radio-collared in and near the coastal plain of the Arctic NWR in August by Refuge ecologist P. Reynolds as part of studies of population dynamics and seasonal distribution and movements. Non-functioning satellite collars were removed from 5 cows and replaced with conventional radio-collars. A non-functioning radio-collar was removed from an adult bull. Two cows were re-collared and 2 new cows were collared to replace animals which had died or disappeared during the year. A calf accompanying one of the marked cows was caught by hand and marked with metal ear tags. Adult muskoxen were marked with large yellow cattle ear tags with black numbers.

Brown bear

Twelve brown bears were captured between late May and late June in the Arctic NWR by NBS biologist D.Young as part of a study of predation on the Porcupine caribou herd in and adjacent to traditional calving areas. The bears, including 7 sows and 5 boars, were radio-collared in order to determine distribution patterns and movements in relation to radio-collared caribou. All bears were at least five years of age.

Peregrine falcon

Fourteen juvenile peregrine falcons were captured and banded at nests on the Porcupine River in 1993 by Refuge wildlife biologist F. Mauer from 14-20 July. The nestlings, estimated to be between 18-25 days old, were banded with size 7A aluminum leg bands using band numbers 1807- 00575 and 1807-00588 on right tarsus and with color-coded (black) aluminum leg band auxiliary markers (letter codes: MU,MV,XE,XG,XH,XK, WG,WE,WK,SG,WH,VE,SK,SH) on left tarsus.

17. Disease Prevention and Control

Nothing to Report 25

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

Tours

ARM Garrett toured the coastal plain with Congressman Richard Lehman (CA) and two associates on July 5. He and AR W Gould conducted a tour of the Barter Island facilities and north slope field camps July 8-9. On August 12-13, Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt, several Department staff, and a host of reporters visited the Refuge. They toured the 1002 area, saw the Refuge field station, and met with Kaktovik villagers. Pilot Kaye flew Senator Tom Hayden (CA) over the coastal plain on August 13.

Media

A public radio story about the Draft River Management Plan, including an interview with ORP Edgerton, was aired throughout Alaska July 6 and 7. Free-lance writer Fred Pratt wrote an opinion about the plan for the July 4 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. In August, the paper published an article about the Service's census contest at the Tanana Valley State Fair. Reporter Kelly Bostian wrote an article about the river planning meeting in Fairbanks for the October 15 edition of the paper. These and other articles about the Refuge are included in the Appendix.

Meetings

The Refuge Manager attended the monthly meetings of land managers in Fairbanks.

On January 20, ORP Edgerton represented the Regional Office at the quarterly meeting of the Interagency Visitor Center Committee.

On January 25, Refuge staff met with archaeologists to evaluate the Refuge's Buffalo Mountain site, and with personnel from the Anchorage Subsistence Division.

RM Elison co-chaired the semi-annual meeting of the International Porcupine Caribou Board January 26-28.

On April 6, several staff attended Environmental Education training hosted by the Yukon Flats Refuge.

WB Mauer met with the Federal Subsistence Board on April 8 to talk about the Arctic Village Sheep Subsistence Area.

RM Garrett met with fisheries personnel on April 12 to discuss Refuge fish inventories.

On April 27th, ORP Edgerton met with BLM and NPS staff to discuss BLM's proposed new visitor center near the Yukon River along the Dalton Highway.

ARM Garrett participated in the Refuge program review on May 6th. On May 19th, he attended a fire management meeting at the Alaska Fire Service office on Fort Wainwright.

May through July, Refuge staff attended several meetings at Alaska Fish and Game headquarters to prepare for Alaska Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Day in August. 26

In September, WB Curby attended the Region's annual Environmental Education Workshop in Anchorage.

In early October, FWB Heffernan attended the Western Interior Subsistence Regional Council meeting.

On October 8th, ORP Edgerton met with BLM staff to discuss and make future plans for the Coldfoot operation.

Other Activities

As in past years, the Refuge answered several hundred letter, phone and in-person requests for information about Refuge issues and resources, the guiding program, permit requirements, employment and recreational opportunities.

Work on the development of new educational software, which began in 1991 as a Challenge Cost Share project, ended in February due to unforeseen circumstances. The cooperator, Monarch Software of Fairbanks, encountered a technical difficulty that could not be solved.

In March the Refuge received its new general information brochure, which includes an improved map, photographs and more complete information on visitor use (see information packet).

This year the staff updated the Refuge literature list, developed information sheets about the Kongakut and Hulahula Rivers, began upgrading the Refuge mammals list, and drafted a statement on Refuge management for use in training, planning, and environmental education. In October, the staff began revising the Refuge Environmental Education Plan according to new Regional Office guidelines.

ORP Edgerton sorted through the Refuge's films, donating or transferring those not used by the Refuge. Numerous slides from staff and the Refuge collection were duplicated and integrated into the files. During the year WB Curby started using the computer to develop a series of maps as slides and overhead transparencies.

2. Outdoor aassrooms - Students

WB Curby and ORP Edgerton each spent a half day conducting environmental education activities for 5th graders at Twin Bears camp during the week of May lOth.

In late May, Refuge staff participated in Fairbanks Outdoor Days hosted by the BLM. The Refuge's program, repeated six times on each of three days, introduced students to the role of fire in boreal forest succession and moose ecology.

Other Activities - Students

Throughout the year, WB Curby coordinated and maintained contact with teachers at Barter Island and Arctic Village schools to support their environmental education programs.

During March and April, WB Curby sent caribou research data to Barter Island for use by a science class. National Wildlife Week Packets also were sent to Arctic Village and Barter Island schools during March.

In March, WB Curby presented an hour-long puppet, art, and storytelling program to 4-5 year-olds at a day care center in Fairbanks. 27

WB Curby presented two programs in the Arctic Village school on April 1-2. She presented a puppet, art, and storytelling program to the K-4th grade class of 14 students. The 5th-high school class of nine students talked about various methods of finding caribou, and then used satellite data to map caribou locations.

WB Curby spent most of May 3-7 visiting sixth grade classes within the Fairbanks School District to prepare them for Fairbanks Outdoor Days in late May.

Subsistence Biologist Eley and WB Curby traveled to Barter Island for school presentations on May 13. Curby presented a puppet, art, and storytelling program three times for the elementary students. Eley talked with the 5th-8th grade science class about the complex hunting and fishing regulations established by the various natural resource agencies in their area, and how these regulations are created and modified.

WB Curby and Pilot Kaye visited Arctic Village on July 19 to present mapping and fire information to the village summer school. Approximately 20 children ages 5 to 17 attended the presentations.

Pilot Kaye and WB Curby traveled to Canyon Village on November 5th. Curby presented a puppet, art, and storytelling program to ten elementary students. Kaye talked about caribou migration with four older students and several adults.

3. Outdoor aassroom-Teachers

Nothing to report.

4. Interpretive Foot Trails

Nothing to report.

5. Interpretive Tour Routes

Nothing to report.

6. Interpretive Exhibits/l)emos

Coldfoot

The Coldfoot Interagency Visitor Center, on the Dalton Highway between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay, offers exhibits, interpretive programs, free publications, and a small sales outlet of the Alaska Natural History Association (ANHA). The facility is run cooperatively with BLM and NPS.

The Center was opened June 1st to September 6th, from 1 to 10 pm daily. During that time 3,711 visitors entered the facility, an 18.6% increase over 1992.

Jim and Marian Sohn arrived in Fairbanks on May 23 for orientation, training and preparation for their volunteer work at Coldfoot. In mid-June, the Sohns were given a short aerial tour of the Refuge and a bus trip to Prudhoe Bay (courtesy of Princess Tours) as part of their visitor center training. Their summer duties included maintaining the center, providing information and interpretive programs to visitors, and staffing the sales outlet. They worked at the Visitor Center through August 24th. 28

Fairbanks Public Lands Information Center (FPLIC)

The interagency FPLIC provides visitors with exhibits, interpretive programs, information and brochures about various public lands in Alaska, including the Arctic Refuge. The Refuge staff ensures that the Center's information is updated and complete.

Other Activities

ORP Edgerton and the Refuge staff worked throughout the year with Yukon Flats NWR and BLM to review and edit roadside exhibit designs for the Dalton Highway developed by Wilderness Graphics, of Tallahassee, Florida. The designs were completed in December.

The Refuge developed a Challenge Cost Share Agreement with Wilderness Graphics and the Fairbanks Public Lands Information Center to design, fabricate and install a Service exhibit in the Fairbanks International Airport. After months of work the Refuge was notified that the airport staff had changed its previous position and would no longer authorize wall space in the terminal. As a result, the Service (for the second straight year) returned $10,000 in challenge cost share funds.

ORP Edgerton worked throughout the year on a Challenge Cost Share project with the State of Alaska to design and fabricate a large package of indoor and outdoor exhibits for the Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. These exhibits, being developed by Wilderness Graphics, should be completed in early 1994.

Refuge staff joined other Service employees in providing a booth at the Fairbanks Outdoors Recreation Show at the Carlson Center on April 16-18. The booth focused on recreational use of wildlife refuges.

The Fairbanks FWS offices jointly staffed a booth at the annual Scout-0-Rama hosted by the Midnight Sun Council of the Boy Scouts of America on April 24. Employees talked about endangered species with 125 children while painting their faces with one of five designs of North American endangered species.

Pilot Kaye and WB Curby developed a Service booth at the FAA Pilot's Show at the Carlson Center May 1-2. The booth emphasized pilot awareness of potential disturbance to wildlife and recreational users.

Refuge staff assisted other Service employees at the Service's National Fishing Day booth at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game on June 5.

The Refuge worked with the Fairbanks Ecological Services office to plan, set up and staff a Service booth at the first annual Midnight Sun Festival June 19-20. The booth focused on endangered species.

Refuge staff participated with other Service employees in producing and staffing a Service booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair August 7-14. Service personnel contacted and provided information to 5036 fairgoers, about 700 more than in 1992. This year's exhibit humorously focused on staff and volunteer activities in the field. For the third year, fairgoers participated in a census contest at the booth, with prizes donated by the Alaska Natural History Association. Visitors were asked to guess the number of walrus from an aerial photograph taken at Cape Pierce. Refuge staff also participated in Kid's Day activities at the fair by providing free face painting of endangered species. 29

ORP Edgerton and WB Curby developed a Service booth at Alaska Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Day on August 21st. About 200 people visited the booth to participate in Nature Bingo and face painting.

7. Other Interpretive Programs

In February, Ecologist Reynolds presented a talk on muskoxen at the Noel Wein library. On February 8, ORP Edgerton gave a slide show about the Refuge for the Fairbanks Kiwanis Club.

WB Curby, Ecologist Reynolds, and Botanist Emers judged the Wood River Elementary School Science Fair on March 16, and the Fairbanks School District Science Fair on March 25.

In April, Ecologist Reynolds talked about her muskoxen research in a UAF faculty/graduate seminar. She also described the work of wildlife biologists in a lecture to a UAF wildlife class.

WB Curby participated in the Inter-tribal Youth Practicum at Chena Hot Springs Resort June 13- 19. In late June, ORP Edgerton drafted a paper on wilderness management that was presented by Dave Olsen (Washington Office) in late September at the Fifth World Wilderness Conference in Nmway. ORP Edgerton and WB Curby put together the slides (many of them computer­ generated) for the program.

On August 18, Ecologist Reynolds gave a program on muskoxen at the State's Chena River campground.

8. Hunting

Sport hunting continues to be one of the most popular recreational activities on the Refuge. Dall sheep is the premier species attracting hunters to the Refuge. Perhaps nowhere else in the world are large numbers of this animal found under such favorable hunting circumstances. The next most sought after species are grizzly bear and moose, followed by caribou. Wolverine and wolf are usually taken by residents and non-residents when fortuitously encountered. The few muskox available for harvest (previously a much sought-after trophy) were declared a subsistence-only species.

Hunting use has continued to grow steadily during recent years, although the number of persons hunting Arctic Refuge's most popular species, Dall sheep, dropped in 1993, as did grizzly bear hunters (Table 4). However, it appears the decline occurred primarily due to changes in guides and guide areas (see subhead Guiding, below) that caused short booking periods and other difficulties. It is anticipated hunter numbers will achieve previous levels in one to several years under the new system. The overall number of non-resident hunters, who are required by state law to have a guide when hunting sheep or brown bear, and of resident guided hunters are now limited by the operations plans submitted by Guide-outfitters and incorporated into their special use permits. Maximum guided-hunter client limits resemble recent harvest numbers in most areas, although the limits for some areas with easy access are reduced.

Guided hunting within ANWR (primarily non-resident and alien hunters) is predominantly for Dall sheep, followed by grizzly bear, and moose. Multi-species hunts are quite common with some guides, especially those catering to European hunters. Occasionally caribou or black bear are the primary species sought, but most often they are of secondary interest. Wolf and wolverine are occasionally taken while hunters are seeking other species, or as a bonus species.

Hunting seasons and bag limits: All species are hunted under the applicable State Sport Hunting or Federal Subsistence Hunting Regulations, enclosed in the packet attached to the back cover of 30 this report. Hunting harvest (including subsistence) problems are addressed under the appropriate species' biological section.

Hunting Guides

The Refuge has been divided into exclusive guiding areas for a number of years. Before 1988 the exclusive areas were established by the State. From 1988 through the spring of 1993 the Service "status quo" policy retained the areas and guides established by the State. The Service's revised guide-outfitter area boundaries became effective beginning July 1, 1993. These changes were caused by the State Supreme Court's Owsichek Decision, which declared the State's guide area allocation process unconstitutional. Consequently, guides could legally operate in any State area, an undesirable situation for both game populations and hunting quality.

Both the Service's interim policy and the allocation of revised guide areas by competitive, merit award were in response to the State's inability to institute a guide area allocation system constitutional under State law and acceptable to the Service, i.e., furnishing adequate protection to wildlife species, management controls and the opportunity for quality hunting.

The Service began implementing its own allocation system in 1992. A draft policy was mailed by the Service on January 2, 1992, soliciting comments from guides and other interested members of the public. The allocation process proceeded through the ensuing year, remaining a major work item for many refuge and RO staff members. RM Elison, ARM Weiler and BA Butler spent two weeks in early December assisting with the guide - outfitter selection panel for the Arctic Refuge. The effort culminated in notification of the successful applicants in January 1993, with permit issuance following on July 1, 1993 (permits follow the State's regulatory year, July 31 through June 30). Unsuccessful guide-outfitters launched a number of appeals to the Regional Director, which were followed by lawsuits filed by some unsuccessful appellants.

Seventeen of the 18 primary, exclusive guide areas (plus two areas shared by two adjacent guides) were originally awarded to 12 individuals. One area was declined by the winner, because he already had three areas, the State's maximum limit. The area not awarded was re-advertised and awarded.

During 1993 a number of unsuccessful appeals were heard. Changes during the remainder of the year from successful appeals included: two originally successful applicants (holding a total of three areas) had been eliminated; one guide retained only one of the two areas he was originally awarded; and one area remains vacant pending State action for his change from one State guide area (that, in general, overlie Refuge areas) to another Refuge area. If the State approves the guide-outfitter area change the Refuge will have one additional guide. Only two permits (issued to one individual) had to be revoked, the other changes occurred before permits were issued. The tally stands at two appeals and at least two lawsuits pending, with 13 guides currently holding a total of 17 of the 18 available permits at year's end. One area is temporarily vacant, but can be filled from existing applicants. Table 4. Hunting Guide-outfitter Special Use Permits, 1993.

AVERAGE NON·HUNTING BLACK CLIENT NO.OI' HUNT CLIENTS SHEEP GRIZZLY BEAR MOOSE CARIBOU WOLI' WOLVERINE DAYS CLIENTS PERIOD CLIENT NO. OF DAYS CLIENTS

Buist, Pete (Clearwater Outdoor) 3 3.0

Hendricks, Joe (Fair Chase Hunts) 4 38 5 7.6 25 5

Hunt, Rob (Hunt's Trophy Adv.) 6 42 6 7.0

Jacques, Jerry (Jacques Adv. Co.) 8 4 80 8 10.0

Jamieson, Sandy (Busbcraft Guide) 2 2 58 4 14.5 48 9

Koontz, Keith (Ch.andalar River) 2 n 5 15.4 80 3

Mackler, Len (AK Wilderness Yen.) 10 2 3 5 164 15 10.9

Peterson, John (Bristol Bay Out) 5 3 62 7 8.9

Rivers, Larry (A W. Enterprises) 5 38 8 4.8 12 3

Schetzle, Harold (Kich.atna Guide) 6 84 8 10.5

Schwab, Max DID NOT HUNT

Want, Joe 72 6 120

Witt, Eugene (Brooks Range Hunts) 10 10.0

Witt, Patton DID NOT HUNT

TOTALS 46 5 0 8 15 1 1 728 74 9.8 165 20

31 32

9. FIShing

Sport fishing for grayling, Arctic char, lake trout and northern pike occurs incidental to other recreational activities, particularly river floating. Fishing has not been a primary recreational activity because of the area's remoteness and the better fishing opportunities elsewhere in the State. However, three inquiries occurred this year from fish guides interested in Arctic char and lake trout. Both species' populations are slow-growing in the area, thus increased fishing will be closely monitored.

Subsistence fishing for both saltwater and freshwater species is important to local residents. Whitefish, grayling, and Arctic char are the species primarily sought for subsistence on the Refuge. Fishing for Kaktovik residents occurs in the coastal lagoons during summer and at a series of traditional fishing holes, primarily on the Hulahula River in spring. Arctic Villagers net whitefish and grayling in the Chandalar River in the summer and actively pursue lake trout at Old John Lake during the winter.

10. Trapping

Trapping is allowed Refuge-wide without a permit, but due to limited furbearer habitat, less than a third of the Refuge is actively trapped.

Villagers from Arctic Village, Ft. Yukon and Kaktovik run traplines out from their villages. Four non-village based families and one individual live on the Refuge most or all of the year and continue a life style based largely on trapping. Each has cabins under permit from the Refuge. Fur take by trappers on the south side is not closely monitored but is thought to be considerably less than the maximum sustained yield. The primary evidence for this is the fact that during the period when trapping dominated the entire region's economy and lifestyle (1890-1950), it continually sustained greater harvest than today. Furbearers trapped on the south side, in order of economic importance, include marten, lynx, wolverine, wolf, fox, beaver, mink, muskrat, otter and ermine.

In June, the ADF&G completed a report on furbearer harvest on the Refuge. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Furbearer Harvest Data Assessment 1985-86 Through 1990-91 was developed to document furbearer harvest, enhance the current means of estimating fur harvests, obtain information on fur harvesters, and to provide information on data gaps and the difficulties of measuring fur harvest.

The study may be most successful for the latter purpose, if the reported fur harvest is an indication. For example, the 1990-91 data shows only 49 marten taken in the Refuge and 47 that may have been taken in the Refuge. It reports that twelve beaver, five muskrats, no mink and no white fox were taken last year. We believe these figures to be off by several hundred percent.

The error is due to numerous problems with the State's three sources of harvest data: Furbearer Sealing Certificates, Reports of Acquisition of Furs and Hides, and Raw Fur Skin Export Permit/Reports. Lack of cooperation from the region's local trappers is probably a more significant problem. Personal contact with trappers may provide more reliable estimates of harvest in the future.

Public Use-Subsistence Coordinator/Pilot (PUSC/P) Kaye continues to make regular visits to trapline camps. The four day trips are primarily preventative law enforcement, trapper education, and to ensure that cabin permittees comply with permit conditions. Kaye has been documenting trapping operations requiring cabins, and photographing, mapping and describing all existing cabins, and collecting oral history from trappers. 33

11. Wildlife Observation

Wildlife observation is an integral part of every wilderness trip on the Refuge. Visitors express a particularly strong interest in seeing wilderness associated animals, such as caribou, brown bear, Dall sheep, wolf, wolverine and muskox. Prospective visitors often call or write asking how they can plan a trip that will intercept the migration of the Porcupine Caribou Herd.

12. Other Wildlife-Oriented Recreation

Visitors use the Refuge for river floating, backpacking, camping, wildlife viewing, photography, day­ hiking, and other activities. Access is primarily by aircraft, but motorboats are used on south slope rivers by local residents. Visitors must be well-equipped and prepared to meet the mental and physical challenges of wilderness, since the Refuge has no trail signs, designated campsites, or other developments.

Guided float and backpacking use from 1985 to 1993 is shown in Table 5. Guide special use permit reports are summarized in Table 6. Private recreational use, obtained from air charter reports, is shown in Table 7. The private data is substantially incomplete, especially due to the tragic loss of charter pilot Roger Dowding. 34

Table 5. Commercial recreation use days 1985 - 1993. (F=Floaters; H=Hikers)

Area Users 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Kongakut River F 355 330 425 786 1684 731 1014 955 1021

H 270 189 81 28 10 184 74 129 92

Hulahula River F 116 6 167 410 1032 671 736 545 535

H 44 36 126 220 112 60 42 44

Sheenjek River F 60 241 607 461 424 274 580 586 250

H 4 10 211 40 123 60

Canning River F 190 494 308 486 680 158

H 16 123 90 12 36

Aichilik River F 94 36 40

H 30 8 153 52 120 81 104 86 232

Jago River F 238 187 219

H 38 24 163 160 42 192 48

Wind River F 106

H 7 12

Chanda1ar River F 18 6

H 30

Co1een River F 74 36 70 140

Junjik River F 24 35 91

H 8 10

Ivishak River F 50

H 8 47

Turner River F 28

: H 12 15 47

Katakturuk River H 24 60

Okpilak River H 70

Sadlerochit/Shublik Mts. H 75 134 53 196 521 228 60

Other Areas/Brooks Range H 167 608 768 834 616

Schrader/Peters Lake H 94 204 182 278 390 317 130 272

Totals 1000 1180 1639 2592 4875 4157 5063 4842 3738 Table 6. Recreational Guide Special Use Permits, 1993. Page 1 of 3.

PERMfiTEE PERMIT USE• RIVER OR AREA.. RIVER OR AREA.. TRIP# JUN JUL AUG SEP TRIP PARTY USE TOTAL TOTAL NUMBER PliTIN TAKE-OliT DAYS SIZE DAYS PERSONS/ PERSON SEASON DAYS

Adams, Macgill H DOUBLEMT MIDDLE AICHILIK

(Wildemeu Alaska) F DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS 2

H DEMARCATION B CARIBOU PASS

F JAGORIVER BI'ITY

F MFCANNINGR LCANNINGR

B PETERS LAKE PETERS LAKE 6

H U IVISHAKR U JUNJIK

F U JUNJIKR ARCTIC VILLAGE 8 483

Ash, Cbuek 93-Rtl H CARIBOU PASS CARIBOU PASS

(Hugh Glass Baekpacking) H U AlCHILIKR LAICHIUKR 2

H L MF CANNING R U MF CANNING R 3 75

Hardy, Charles 93-Rll H AlCHILIKR AlCHILIKR

(Sierra Club) H CHANDALARR IVISHAKR 2

H KONGAKIITR JAGO SPIT 549

Dittrict, Bob F GRASSER'S LS COAST

(Wilderness Birding Adventures) F DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS 2

F UPPERJAGO BI'ITY

H CARIBOU PASS GORDON

F DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS

F DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS 6

H CARIBOU PASS GORDON

35 Table 6. Recreational Guide Special Use Permits, 1993. Page 2 of 3.

PERMJTI'EE PERMIT use• RIVER OR AREA•• RIVER OR AREA•• TRIP# JUN JUL AUG SEP TRIP PARTY USE TOTAL TOTAL NUMBER Plfi"IN TAKE-Otrr DAYS SIZE DAYS PERSONS/ PERSON SEASONS DAYS '·'· l'innoiT. Ramona 93-RS H MID AICHIUK R DRAIN CREEK I 7-18 12 s ~

(ABEC's Alasta A

I' DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS 3 18-28 11 12 132

H GRASSER'S LS GRASSER'S LS 4 21-28 8 4 32

I' GRASSER'S LS LHULAHULAR s 28 9 12 12 144

H MSHAKR Ml'CANNINGR 6 26 11 6 66

I' GRASSER'S LS LHULAHULAR 7 5-16 11 8 96 51 562 >< Kuza, Carol 9J.R10 I' DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS I ~21 9 10 90

(At<:tic Treks) I' GRASSER'S LS LHULAHULAR 2 28 7 10 7 70

I' Ml'CANNINO R LCANNINOR 3 21-29 9 6 54

B PETERS LAKE SCHRADER LAKE 4 2-S 1 s 35 28 249 < Jensen, Mart 93-RH F DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS I 29 8 10 17 170 17 170

(Aluu River &peditions)

lkm::.'· ,, Parker, Robert 9J.R6 I' DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS I 24 3 10 3 30

(North Star) I' GRASSER'S LS LHULAHULAR 2 ~12 . ·JO 4

H JOE CREEK DRAIN CREEK 3 12-21 ·'''.'·:·'·' ,. 10 6 60 13 130 ... Leghorn. Ken F DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS 1 28 7 10 12 120

(Aiuu Di"""'"'Y> I' DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS 2 7-16 10 8 80

I' DOUBLE!MT OLDWOMANCK 3 9-18 .·. 10 4 40

I' DOUBLE!MT OLDWOMANCK 4 '/tf, s 10 < 4 40 28 280

36 Table 6. Recreational Guide Special Use Permits, 1993. Page 3 of 3.

PERMrrTEB PERMIT USE• RIVER OR AREA•• RIVER OR AREA •• TRIP# JUN JUL AUG SEP TRIP PARTY USE TOTAL TOTAL NUMBER Pl!f IN TAKE-Ol!f DAYS SIZE DAYS PERSONS/ PERS0:-1 SEASON DAYS

Seoiy, Robert ~R7 H SUNSET PASS SCHRADER LAKE 1 :lO 10 12 6 n

(Seoly Guide Service) 12 n

Hibbo, Donald 9J..R15 F UCANNING R LCANNINO R I 1~2-4 9 3 21

(Broob Range Wildernao Tripo) I' LAST LAKE KONESS R 2 2-10 9 3 27 6 54

l<>ucber, O.laua 9J..R3 F GRASSER'S LS LHULAHULAR 1 22-:lO 9 5 45

(Aluk.a Wildtrek) :,:.: ·., .. 5 45

Allred, Paul ~R9 F DRAJNCREEK CARIBOU PASS 1 1~2~ 9 9 81

(Ouzel Expeditions) 9 81

Yarnell Ron 9J..R8 H GRASSER'S LS EAS1' PATUK CK 1 7-14 8 4 32

(Wildemeu Alub/Me>ci) F e. PATUK AREYISLAND 2 14-25 12 8 96

F DRAIN CREEK CARIBOU PASS 3 25 s 11 8 88

H UJAGOR UJAGORR 4 27 5 9 2 18

I' MIDJAGOR BITTY s 5-14 10 8 80

H OKPILAK LAKE OKPILAK LAKE 6 5-14 10 7 10 37 384

l'ord. Don 93-Rl H JAGOR DOUBLEMT I 19 1 13 12 156

(Nat Outdoor l..c:ad

23 2<1'1

TOTALS AND AVERAGES 53 26 29 12 2 9.8 6.8 3738 365 37.\8

• U~e typeo are: F • riYer; H • hike; F!H • combination, river and hildn& •• Abbreviation and oymboU uaed B • baoecamp c Coutal MT Mountain CK Creek MP Marsb Fori< E Eut R River E Lower U Upper L Lower BBay LS Landing Strip

37 Table 7. Private recreation reported in charter aircraft and transporter special use permit reports, 1993.

Company Use Type Animals transported for private hunters Hunters I Floaters I Hikers I Other Rec. Sheep J Caribou .I Moose I Wolf I Grizzly Air Taxi

Bursiel, Bob (Wright Air) 30 4 6 19 6 2 Dowding, Roger (Yukon Air) ALL RECORDS BURNED* McDonald, Marty (Alaska Flyers) 4 24 12 4 1 Murphy, George (AK Bush Exped.) NO FLIGHTS Porter, Steve (Trans-Porter Alaska) 25 3 12 5 4 7 2 Ross, Don (Canning Air) 5 4 18 4 Ruff, Steve (Brooks Range Aviation) 10 Salmon, Woodie (Sheenjek Riv. Air) 5 Warbelow, Charles (40-Mile Air) 6 2 1 1 Warbelow, Art (Warbelow's Air) 4 Totals* 84 42 42 9 16 26 8 - 3

•Totals are significantly incomplete because one of the larger volume air taxis could not file a report. All flight information was in the aircraft when it crashed and burned.

38 39

13. Camping

Nothing to Report

14. Picnicking

Nothing to Report

15. Off-Road Vehicling

Since 1989, several Kaktovik residents have held permits authorizing all-terrain vehicle use to access their Native allotments. No additional villagers applied for permits this year.

16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation

Nothing to Report

17. Law Enforcement

The Arctic Refuge has four Refuge Officers on staff. This is our fifth year of an intensive LE effort during the hunting season. We work closely with Special Agents and the State Fish & Wildlife Protection Officers to provide a coordinated effort.

Two big game guides and their assistants working on the Arctic Refuge were the primary subjects of a very successful undercover operation called "Operation Brooks Range". The results of this investigation have resulted in 15 convictions carrying a total of thirty-one months in prison, twenty­ three years probation, seventy three thousand dollars in fines and five Piper Super Cub aircraft forfeited. We hope the advertisement value of Operation Brooks Range will help to reduce illegal activity in the future.

SA Mark Webb assisted with patrol efforts for monitoring spring bear hunting on the north slope of the Refuge on April 22-28. He did not encounter any hunters.

AI Crane, Special Agent in Charge, Fairbanks FWS Enforcement, and Refuge Officers Heffernan and ' Sowards conducted spring bear season enforcement during the first week of May, 1993. The effort, based out of the Refuge's Galbraith Lake cabin, covered the northwestern quarter of the Refuge and adjacent State land, concentrating on the area east and north of Galbraith Lake. This area, recently the focus of Alaska North Sport and Recreation's (ANS&R) illegal activities, was apparently deserted this season; no hunting activity was seen. While staying at Galbraith Lake, Heffernan and Sowards also assisted Law Enforcement in depicting several aspects of ANS&R's illegal activities for a documentary film crew producing a video of illegal trophy hunting in the United States. The finished video, America's Poaching Wars, was aired on the Discovery Channel and did a good job of describing the problem.

Fall hunting season began with a coordination meeting with SA Crane, Webb, acting RM Garrett and Refuge Officers Heffernan, Kaye and Sowards on August 5. Efforts centered on sheep enforcement, and began on August 9, with Crane, Heffernan and Kaye working from the recently installed Galbraith Lake cabin. Efforts continued through the week with a C-185 and two Refuge Officers accessing those camps where the C-185 could land, and spotting additional camps for the law enforcement cub. Additionally, LE also used a C-185 for a day and a half. Global Positioning System (GPS) locations worked well to pass on camp locations to the cub, using the speed advantage of the C-185 and the landing capabilities of the cub. 40

Efforts were hampered by weather during the latter part of the week compounded by the lack of fuel and living facilities throughout the Refuge. The combination caused less than the desired effort in the eastern areas. However, coverage of the new guide camps was adequate, and the law enforcement cub (piloted by SA Webb) was able to visit the preponderance of central and western Refuge area camps and part of the cast side camps during the week he flew.

The number of hunters on the haul road appeared high, with complaints from Alyeska personnel and archery hunters that gun hunting along the road were common. The road is closed to hunting with firearms unless the hunter lives along the road. One report, received by Heffernan, described an archery hunter who arrowed a caribou in the road, took the hindquarters and departed, all in front of pump station three. The information was passed along to LE. Four airboats were seen while driving from Coldfoot to Galbraith and returning. Fish and Wildlife Protection and BLM had at least one officer each who were working the road-access hunters.

A second week of law enforcement (August 16-20) in a float equipped C-185 was attempted that turned into a frustrating two-day exercise with very poor weather during the flight days. Most lake locations on the north side remained inaccessible, including Peters Lake, but a number of seldom­ visited locations on the south side were visited. Overall, the fall sheep season LE efforts were successful in covering most areas before the budget was depleted.

Refuge enforcement patrols did not occur during moose and caribou seasons due to budgetary constraints and the time spent searching for a missing aircraft.

18. Cooperating Associations

The Alaska National History Association (ANHA) outlet at the Coldfoot Interagency Visitor Center is administered by BLM, the lead agency at Coldfoot. The outlet brought in $3,697.57 during 1992, an increase of $255 from 1992. The selection of items included a variety of wildlife posters, books, post cards, note cards, natural history slides, videos, and topographical maps.

19. Concessions

Nothing to Report 41

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACTLffiES

1. New Construction

The Galbraith Lake cabin was completed and outfitted with propane lights, gas stove, fuel oil heater and bunkbcds. Don Carlson of Tetlin NWR did a fine job of making a counter, table, cupboards and installing a sink. This cabin has already proven to be invaluable for personnel conducting surveys, law enforcement and public use projects along the Dalton Highway.

Fuel spill containment berms and liners were installed at Galbraith Lake, Peters Lake and Arctic Village. These liners offer an extra level of insurance against soil and water contamination from fuel spills and are keeping with USFWS policy. In addition portable containment systems were used at the many remote fuel caches on the Arctic NWR. A containment liner will be installed on the 23,000 gallon jet fuel tank at Barter Island during the summer of 94.

2. Rehabilitation

Clean up efforts continued at Peters Lake facilities. Unnecessary equipment was backhauled to Fairbanks on a C-46 aircraft in late spring. Clean up efforts will continue into the summer of 94.

The Barter Island field station is in the process of having a new water system installed. The old system is being removed due to an abundance of maintenance problems and lack of serviceability.

3. Major Maintenance

Nothing to report

4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement

Nothing to report

5. Communication System

The two repeaters on the North Side of the Refuge continue to work well, providing radio communications over most of the Refuge coastal plain. Additional repeaters on the South side are planned for the ncar future to improve radio communications Refuge wide.

6. Computer Systems

Three new 486 computers were purchased by the Refuge for use analyzing and publishing many years of 1002 data. An additional 5 computers, also 486s, were purchased to replace outmoded 286 and older machines. Five of the excess machines were transferred to other refuges.

7. Energy Conservation

The heat was turned off for the winter months at the Barter Island field station and bunkhouse living quarters. Substantial fuel oil savings are anticipated. The garages continue to be heated for equipment and supplies, 42

Dale Dufour was hired as a maintenance person for the Barter Island facilities and is a welcome addition to the staff. Dale has lived and worked in Barter Island for six years and has been a service volunteer in the past. His knowledge of the area and requirements /problems associated with living and working in the arctic are valuable assets to the Service. 43

J. OTIIER TIEMS

1. Cooperative Programs

The Refuge staff cooperated through the year on a number of endeavors, including studies, articles and projects. More information on studies is found in Section D. 5.

Cooperative highlights of the year include:

State of Alaska - Collaborative development of a new $50,000 challenge grant for the development of exhibits and trails at the Creamer's Field State Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Cooperative biological endeavors covered the full range of activities. North Slope Borough - Cooperation including attendance at meetings, input and joint effort in several projects. Research - Arctic Refuge and NBS research personnel cooperated closely on full range of studies and projects, and shared administrative resources. Other Refuges - Pilots Kaye and Sowards participated in the Yukon Flats NWR moose surveys November 2-11. University of Alaska and other research studies - Rocket research and geological studies were carried out on the Refuge. Public use Involvement- We expanded our involvement by assigning a full-time staffer to the Public Use Planner. Activity included village and local, Fairbanks area schools, and various other agendas including the Tanana Valley Fair and various outdoor recognition days, such as Fishing Day and Fishing and Hunting Day. Fairbanks Facilities - Offices continued to share library, warehouse and other areas. Barter Island Facilities - Arctic Refuge field station personnel coordinated the efforts of several separate projects during the height of the field season. Coldfoot Visitor Center - Joint operation of this facility is continued by the NPS, FWS and BLM under a cooperative agreement signed in 1990. (Section H.6) Fairbanks Public Land Information Center - ORP Edgerton coordinated with the facility's staff throughout the year on a variety of Refuge activities and information. Other Cooperative Endeavors - Included law enforcement (with State, FWS LE and BLM), many other FWS offices (Fisheries Resources, Ecological Services, and others) and environmental groups engaged in information gathering.

2 Other Economic Uses

Guided recreation is the largest economic use on ANWR. Guided hunting probably grosses the most money, followed by guided backpacking and float trips. Significant changes in guided hunting operations occurred this year (see section D.8) and changes may occur to river floating guides, due to the River Management Plan, now nearing its completion.

Other, non-wildlife/wildlands uses continued to decline, as shown in Table 8. No surface geology permits and only one navigation tower permit were issued. VIP tour permits dropped to zero, and only two tours by industry groups were conducted.

Air taxi numbers remained about the same, as did backpack and floating guides. Use by both non­ hunting and hunting recreational guides decreased somewhat.

3. Items of Interest

Nothing to Report 44

Table 8. Special Use Permits issued during 1993.

Permit Permit Ty~ Parpoae Permitted Period Number Compaay aad ladividul Names J F M A M J J A s 0 N D Air Taxi !9;-A Hlrllef, IXlb { wngtL 1\Jr lAir 8XI ranspc er lb 31 'Y; -IV. M!rpl7;, Gecrge AlaS:a Bush] Air ="ranspc er j 31 93A3 Warbelow, :::baries 40 Mile Air Air axi/franspater 28 31 93-A4 Roos, Doo (cami!ll Air Service lAir 3Xl OJ .H 93-A.:> Perter, ::.teven raDS-I'ater 1Air 3Xl 28 .Jl .93· A6 !c!Jonald, Martv •AlaS:a folyen Air 3Xl 11 1 !f; A ctlsiued 93-AS >owdir.:. Ra.er Ill:on Air Scnice I Air axi Z5 31 !f:-A'J .llll,::.te\0:: [llcoelow, Art { Wart>elow Air velill'es : 1\Jr 3XI 6 3IJ 93-All Salmon. Woodie Sbeenid;: River Air Air axi 6 30 Haatiag Gaidea 93-Hl I Ja"""""" Sandy (Busberaft, nc. • Guided Hw:ts (Sprifll Only] 12 30 !f.J-H: oe Wa1r .:base Hw:ts Guided Hw:ts (Spflllenartlt, KOil ( 44lilue l'rOClll:tiOO ll'tmir.: - 93-M3 Dylear Debbie BP I>XP!cration Tars 28 1 93-M4 I SeYenon, Gcrdon (ASAC ean-up l.JI!.W:S.tes !f.J-M) I Kla"Mtter, Mi~e I Removal o1 8··26 Y.J-M6 Jobnlon. IJanie !BLMI ~Allotments 10 -M I ::un~ev onas I House A£J 3lSelltember - Uly 1994 93-MS obn onas I House 0£1 3 Scotember 1993 - 1 IUIV1994 93-M9 umon onas ·lSelltemlter lYYJ IUiy 1994 Recreatioaal Gaidea """" I !rJ-Kl ll'itlriCt, !lob '(Wildemesl BirdifllAdv. Riveri'l 10 15 Y;-K Asll .:tlucl: nltLwater Alaska K•verl'l 9 30 93-R14 , ___,00 River Float/Bad:pack 12 1 'J:-K1 ltl>t>S, J.Jcnal< Wtldernessl Ktver 10 3IJ 93-R16 RiY

4. Credits

The following personnel drafted the indicated sections of this narrative.

Introduction Tom Edgerton A Highlights Phil Garrett B. Climate Conditions Mark Willms c. Land Acquisition Jim Akaran D. Planning 1,2,3 Tom Edgerton 4,6 Roger Kaye 5 Janet Jorgenson E. Administration 1,5 Pam Sperry 2,3 Donna Christensen 4 Tom Edgerton 6,7,8 Dave Cox F. Habitat Management 1-8 Fran Mauer 9,10 Harvey Heffernan 11 Tom Edgerton 12 Roger Kaye G. Wildlife 1,2,6,8,12,13,17 Fran Mauer 3,4,5,7 Mark Willms 9,11 Jim Akaran 10 Dave Cox 14,15,16 Pat Reynolds H. Public Use 1,7,12,13,14,15,16 Tom Edgerton, Cathy Curby 8,9 Harvey Heffernan 10,11 Roger Kaye 17 Dave Sowards 2,3,4,5,6,18,19 Cathy Curby I. Equipment and Facilities 1-5,7,8 Dave Cox 6 Cathy Curby J. Other Items 1,2 Harvey Heffernan 3,4 Phil Garrett K. Feedback Staff

Individual researchers provided project summaries Typing: The individual contributors, Donna Christensen and Harvey Heffernan with occasional assistance from Julia Mcisaac and Cathy Curby Compiling, formatting and editing: Harvey Heffernan Final editing: Phil Garrett 46

K.FEEDBACK

The refuge staff has been under a great deal of stress during the year while awaiting the selection of a new refuge manager. The process has been long and drawn out, with no manager having been selected by year's end. We are thankful that the regional office (and those above them) have the confidence in our staff to entrust us with the burdens of keeping the refuge operating for such a lengthy time. I' ~

_ ... ~ •• >

Fairbanks Dally News-Miner, Friday, October 15, 1993 Agency:· takes comment on:·!ANWR recreational-use By KELLY BOSnA.N -~, r the draft, said the document ~ ~ Alaska Environmental nl pri draft ANWR management plan and have been stagnant, controversy floating to address hunting, fishing, thehlghways.Apersonisjustplaln the needs of most refuge re­ vate and 40 percent commcrcitol. environmental assessment has continued to swirl around It. backpacking and camping refuge· foollsh if they expect to go on tbe creationists.'' The most restrictive Wednesday evening by thanking "There Is now way to make a plan wide, she said. She also called for a river and not see anybody. If they alternative calls for "providing re­ the30peoplewhoattendedfot'thelr that will make everyone happy. I system to require aU refuge users, get away from the river I bet they creational experiences with nearly patience. It had been two years also recognize that there Ia a private or commercial, to obtain a will have a good chance not seeing absolute solitude and almost no evi­ since the last meeting on the sub- chance it will make 100 percen~ of permit. anyone." dence of people in a pristine wilder- ject. . . the people a little bit unhappy," Several who a~ tile meet- The process began In September, ness setting." Tom Edgerton, ANWR oUtdoor Edgerton said. · . · lng said they would support a per- 1989, after complaints that the Group sizes could be limited, per· recreation planner and author of Sylvia Ward of the Northern· mft system as a way·w. W.trlbute are-toutedbyriverguidesasone mil requirements nrc possible, • materlala on low-l.mpa~ camping of the last pristine wilderness areas amounts of commercial verses pri· ~: teebniquc!s, safety aroUnd. bears, on Earth-was becoming crowded. vate use are discussed, camping · and general knowledge of the Commercial rafters complained Jim its are possible, aircraft access ·~·~-· . ,, . that bumping Into several other limits are possible as are limits on pi~ ~a;:approved, groups on river trips spoiled the powerboats, pack animals, moun­ ·· Even tf the wilderness experience. Concerns tain bikes and all-terrain vehicles. · otberll at the meetlilg ilald, monl­ were raised about garbage dlspos- . ~;,ter~ng ofUBe and~ment of al, human waste, bear encounters,;: Most c01;nments Wednesday ~ell it•~ may beipool' beallll!iof and a countryside inarred by · generally m fav?r of a U.S. Fish 1 o~t~on ft ~~tralnt~{ • ' ':.~ : campsite constructions. · and Wildlife ServiCe-favored ... · Yet others at Ute.meetlng ~b;­ 'The plan focuses on river corri- that calls for "good opportumt1es ~ ;tected to possibhi!·restrietlons dors as the main travel arteries In for solitude and modes evidence of people in a primitive wilderness ~------setting." The option limits commercial Dare OCT 1 4 i993

Nome Nugget

tr r t I By Ted Leonard not strict enough to preserve the area criteria that do not consider historical and human use of the area should be use, would unfairly deprive established At stake?... A 19,300,000 acre area, prohibited entirely. guides of their livelihood. about the size of the combined states of In a joint statement, the Alaska Several participants commented Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachu­ Boating Association and the Interior that the plan is not well founded, that setts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Alaska Air boaters took issue with those the discrimination between various Eighteen rivers flow through this area. favoring restricting use ofthe rivers to means of access is not in accord with The October 13th hearing, held by limited numbers of rafters. They said, the law and that the flat prohibition of the U.S. Departmentofthe Interior at "... These are publicly owned rivers and all-terrain vehicles is a direct violation Noel Wien Public Library in Fairbanks, should be open to the general public for ofthe Americans With Disabilities Act. drew people holding a wide range of recreation uses, not restricted to one The U.S. Departmentofinterior, in opinions. highly specialized use for the benefit of the plan, says, "The State (of Alaska) In the draft river management plan, a tiny majority." asserts that it owns all navigable wa­ the department presented five alter­ One guide said, "The rivers in ters, shorelands and submerged lands natives. At one extreme, alternative A Alaska are our highways. it is unreal­ in the refuge .... The dispute will likely proposed continuing the current situ­ istic to go on them and not expect to see be resolved in the courts." ation: No limitation on number of anyone. Those who want total seclu­ Copies of the draft plan are avail­ parties allowed or on party size; no sion should go five miles ofT the river able at U.S. Department of the Inte­ regulations regarding camping tech­ and hike. rior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Arctic niques; no limit on commercial guides' Then I guarantee they will see no National Wildlife Refuge, in the Fed­ operations; camp fires are allowed; one." eral Building at 10112th Avenue, Fair­ access is permitted by aircraft, out­ Other guides expressed concern banks 99701-6267. Written comments board or inboard boat, pack animal or that proposed limits on number of may be sent to that address until the mountain bike. Use of all-terrain ve­ guides, coupled with guide selection deadline ofNovember 15. hicles, air cushion boats and airboats is prohibited. At the other extreme, alternative E would limit party size to 4 people, limit commercial trips to one every two weeks per river and possibly eliminate commercial operators entirely, and probably limit the permitted number of private parties severely. Pack ani­ mals, mountain bikes, aircraft, all-ter­ rain vehicles and all boats would be prohibited. Some few said that alternative E is f--<•r-ba.r~K-s ---·- Fish and Wildlife plan far-reaching TIH· 11 s. f<~ish and Wildlife Ser­ National Interest Lands Conserva­ a count of recreational river users. stranger to arrange it for him. VI<'I' 1s proposing new restrictions tion Act of 1980, and by 1989 there While this frees recreational users With all this sad history we can be "" <'Ofllllwrcial river trips in the were 21 guides running float trips of having to get permits and file re­ happy that the Fish and Wildlif<· Arcti(' National Wildlife Refuge. or river-based backpacking trips ports, it leaves them without any Service is choosing to break with The ;wtion comes in a proposed Fred for groups as large as 28 people. documentation of their use. federal tradition and limit the com­ In parks with broader uses it's new m:1nagement plan and en­ Pratt Total use of the area, including mercial users first. vJronnl<'lllal assessment being recreational floaters, hikers and even worse. First comes demands That makes sense to this wild<'r· <'ircul:llt·d by the agency this sum­ hunters, grew from 702 in 1984 to for road access. Then comes the ness user. My own preference is n~t·r 1"1~11 5,063 in 1991. It dropped off a bit in hotels, campgrounds and conces­ that wilderness access be limited in ;md Wildlife is welcom­ sionaires. Federal officials say this ll'l~ <'ollllll<'nts on the plan through 1992, and might actually decrease favor of people who will appreciate Sq;t :w this year because of the boycott or is unlikely in Alaska's remote new it the most, and that is clearly the percent of the total river use per- Alaska called by opponents of wolf parks, but, to quote a prominent en­ people who have invested the time The pL1n could have a large im­ mi~. · control. vironmentalist, that's what they and effort to take themselves on pa<'l 011 Alaska beyond the few The action follows huge in­ We've seen the pattern else­ said about Yellowstone National their own trips. lhousa11d people who visit ANWR creases in commercial trips in where. Having created the over­ Park 100 years ago. Visiting wild Alaska should not ('very y<'ar. It's the first instance ANWR, accompanied by com­ crowding problem, the commercial Already a close reading of the be a fantasy experience managed where the federal government plain~ of littered campsites and river guides demand that new com­ ANWR management plan reveals to conform with an image of propos• ·s restricting public use of the impact of the marks of humank­ petitors be excluded and that they an interesting internal debate on "wilderness values." Visitors who 1ts hu~·· Alaska river domain in the ind on this barren wilderness. be "grandfathered" into a permit what's expected of the agency. want that can get it from the make way it do•·s in other states. It's ironic that when Congress system. They also claim their grea­ There seems to be some belief that believe tour industries in Fair­ llnd•·r the plan, commercial raft­ creates a national park or wilder­ ter numbers should give them most it's supposed to protect a wilder­ banks and Anchorage. There's no ness area, it sets in motion the ness, but there's also the idea that ill~ p:ut i<·s in ANWR would be li­ of the permits, and demand that re­ need to have the 19.3 million acres mitt-d to 1:~ people, and trips would forces for that area's destruction. creational users floating the river all they have to protect is the hu­ of ANWR withdrawn from all pub­ It focuses the public's attention on lw lllilll<'d on the two most popular on their own be excluded as well. man visitor's image of what a lic use for their delusions and a few the area and brings in a flood of wilderness is like. Terms like riv<·rs 111 only one launching every people's profits. people. In the Grand Canyon, this kind of "wilderness values" mean not I hr•·•· davs. management gave commercial Copies of the new mana~ement The Fish and Wildlife Service what the wilderness is, but what plan can be obtained from the II lurt lwr use limits are required, says there was only one commer­ guides more than 90 percent of the visitors expect it to be like. river's use at times in the past. ANWR office in the FPderal coJnrJH'rl'lal river guides will be cial river guide registered in The management plan talks ab­ Building. s\'l•·•·t .. d by the agency through ANWR in 1975, and there were five The federal agencies play along out the "wilderness experience," Fred Pratt Is a frl!lft-lance writer in •·onqH't ll1ve prospectus, and non­ in 1m. The refuge was upgraded with this. In ANWR, the Fish and but assumes a person can have Fairbanks. His column appears in the conii!H·r .. ial river users will get 60 and expanded by the Alaska Wildlife Service doesn't even keep such an expe~ience by paying a News-Miner twice weekly. Date AUG 2 0 1993 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Cltenr :\o. .u.?Q . What a bunch of bull-.walrus, that is l>.o Stetfrepon about." Three people guessed the ex· PacUic walrua number about act number of bull walrua lo an 250,000, Hllls aald. The popula­ unll.lual !>bolo on dlsplay at the tion is spread between the Be­ U.S. Flab and WUdli(e Service ring and Cbukcbl seas, with the booth at the TI.D8llll Valley Falr majority of walrua In Rll.laian tbl.t year. lenitory. The pbote, taken by a USFWS Sheffield's photo waa taken at volunteer Gay Sheffield lo July a time when tl>e walru.a are not 11168,1a unusual becauae the 1,023 breeding and the males group bull walrua all are looklng up together. The walrus In the and lbowlog their tuaka. photo were resting and fighting Sheffield, now a graduate stu· on tbe beach, and eating snaUa dent at tbe Uolvenlty of Alaska and clams offshore. Fairbanks, snapped the pbote u Walrus eat by aucklog tbe food the walrua looked up at a plane out of tbe ground. They alao suck puslog overbead. the clams out of tbelr sheila. Part of the volunteer's duties While many people thlok wal· at tbe Togla.i: National WUd!Ue rus uae their tusks to dig food out Refuge wu to count the walrll.l of the beach, that Ia not true. The at the baul-<111t area eacb day, tuska are ll.led for fighting, for according to USFWS walrus defense against predators such blologlat Sue Hllls. as polar be8J'!I, and to aasl.st the The service only oceaalon.ally anlmals lo haullog up onto lee ll.lea photograph& to count wal­ floes out of the water. rus lo Alaska, but Ru.ulana use During the fair, about 1,877 the method for their pan of coop­ people took a guess at the num. erative ceoall.lea cooducted ev· ber of walrus In the photograph. ..Y five years, Hllls aald. Of thoae, 50 people guessed with­ One of the largest Ru.alan lo 26 of tbe correct number. G•y S~ffi•k1 photo counts was taken from a strlog This Is the third year the ser­ BEACH BOYs-A group of 1023 bull walrus look up, showing their ivory tusks, as a plane of photograph& 9 feet long tbat vice has posted a cenall.l·type passes over them. The photo, taken in 1968, was used in a Fish and Wildlife contest a\ the lbowed 112,8-18 anlmala on the photograph for people to make Tanana Valley State Fair. beacb of Wrangel Wand, nonb guesses. "Falrhanksans are of the Cbukotlta Peninsula In pretty good guessers and wbo miJised the count by one. Melanie Hinzman of Fairbanks The contestants won books September 1990, Hilla said. they're getting better," said Renee Crumley and Barry and Robin Smith of North Pole donated by the Alaska Natural "'nlat was an Incredible thing to booth coordinator Cathy Curby. Whitehill of Fairbanka and Paul guessed 1,024, and Sandra Hlstery Associations at Coldfoot -·"abe aaJd. ''That Ia the big· The contest had three wlooers Bealer of Delta Junction gues­ and at the Alaska Public Lands wbo guessed tbe right number, Coutoienc of Fairbanks guessed geat cbuok of walruses bauled sed the correct number at 1,023. 1,022. Information Center in Fair· out at any ®e place tbat I know and three second-place flnlshers. banka. VOL XLVIII NO 225 100 PAGES • ANCHORAGE ALASKA. FRIDAY. AUGUST 13, 1993 PRICE 50 Smiles across the divide Hickel, Babbitt amiable, yet miles apart on ANWR By STEVE RINEHART Da 'Y Ne"'"s •eooner PRUDHOE BAY - "J don't kno\\ If the eovemor wants to be seen with th<' fntt>nor ~e-cretary PH'kmg a flowN·· Th.!.f_~~s_Se~_tt>QIY_<~.L t__b~_ln.leJ:!.o_r_acvse Bal>Oitt E~U5~!!L~J.!alk.9LS..""'M11P colton from the tundra on the sid(' of a servtte road BaY on Thursdav Thr ne....,· chiP'! o! the fedtral governmf>nt's l:irgest land agenry is reputed to b(' an en\"ironmt"ntahst HE" was gently needling \\'.:ally H1ckt>l. gO\'t>mor o( a state- with \'ast fedeoral acrtage a!ld a reputed boomer Hickel can take a joke. though. and he got oH a few lines of his own ··Hr- can get up there on the pipeline. and I can dimb on ont o! those caribou." the governor soud. as both men posf'd for tht tH•ws c•meras at the starting point of the trans-Alaska pipeline f1vto bull canbou setmed unimpressed by two govt-rnors on a field trip and trotted a\\:ay But H1ckel and Babbitt. the former covernor of Arizona. kept up a mainly am1cablf' bomt~r - at lf'ast while in earshqt o( reporters - during a daylong tour of North Slop< oil fitlds They cal:ed for J!rerttt"r understanding. and satd their common backgrounds may

P!eau s.u Back Page. I!ABDm

AIO Frldn. August 13. 1993 THE BACK PAGE BABBITT: Interior secretary keeps communication lines open se-cretary was s~ndlnc enou&h tim~ in biue-st landowner. Alaska .. to ~ this unique country. its "That's an old political ploy. WMn r was help lhe state and federa1 eovemments rultu~. its ~Joey and climate,·· covrmor. I uSfod to sur Ctc Andrus aU the se-ttl~ some <'Ont~ntious disputes, such as But for all the warm welcome. Hickel tinw. It's llin old WHtrm C'\lStom." Babbitt subststen<"'e huntin& or 3C"Cess to national said thr statr would ketop prt"Ssinc its S29 said. parks bilJion lawsuit aC'C'Usinc the ftdrrnl covrm· Still. it appean.d that a philosophical .. In history thert> have be-en only thrf't of mrnt of brt"akin& promises mad~ •·ht-n C"anyon separates Hickrl and S.bbitt . us - you. mt and Andrus - who have bH-n Alaska beocamr a state. Mainly, the lawsuit Babbitt de-scribfl! the emttl~ of a new on both sidn of the-se disputn." Babbitt aims to allow more mininc and Joccinl on Wt:St where- traditional ruouree lndustriH told H ick~J Idaho covemor CKil Andn.as. as federal lend and &iVt tM state more authori· like mininc and loccinc a.nd ranchlnc .,.. P~ident Jimmy Cartu's Interior ucretary. ty to manace fish and came. made to he-el ~hind increaslnc t!Mnands for helprd establish .uveraJ n~w national parks Babbitt said h~ did not think tht HiUJ'Cka pipeline. ukeanh ., ,.rt eta ....._1'Mtk tour th.roogh B~~:;'i~,[l;~~~ .':; ~ vl•ll to royaiUeo. Alula t1t•t lrw:lt.Mka vllllt• to ARCO's of(rdme drUI rig at Kuv. While visiting the exploratory Prudhoe boy •nd the Arellc lum. tt the conA-ervaUonlsU:' drilling platform at Kuvlum, 16 HaUon.al WlldU!e Ref•• and wu lllOCt1np witb. Gov. Walter J. turn. miles oHshore between Kaktovik - and .u..r offlct.l#. ,.... ANWR's managers, united in and Prudhoe Bay, Babbitt ukl to their opp<>~~ltlon to drilling, •plri!M ARCO preflident Bllhartz, "Do your :&·,.~~;:.,~ Babbitt away from Prudhoe's In- patrloUc duty-find JJOmt oil. We Babbitt •&.14 aymbollc law­ duslriahprawlto pristine Lake Pe· ne, l!(eerte' penaJu, f« • pics»c Ia Kantiahnl.. ', r A IJAOGEit wil-.,... protec:loi\'~IH• UabbiU rtDCb hJ.rnM.U eau1ht ln deredllledbythoeComm~I>t-·' u earetaktr·tn..chlef for mort: '" !q AI t k..t tu t·d•n tlo· hun partmmtin Itwgavethef'Oirdto Continued fl'Om h9e A·1 mlnenliutlon than what OCC\1111 receive a lee simple tltle to the piOt"atioo m- drUJtng or> the' con:"tnl than 220 m.ill.kxtacn!SofMtlonaJ ' ••n th•• ~·.tk-. di\ !'d\o l<.~nd the state. d.lrectorstofindexamptesol"noto.. naturally, and nearly no wa.stewa­ underlying U.nd, be ..ld. plain Some members •1f O:lm.,rr~o; .,.,.,, d,,~·· "n tt.• .''onrth p.arb, wildlife refuges and other The Interior Deputment, Not everyone wucritical ol Bab­ indudm~ A1uka's con~re!'!-.IOnal lands ln Alaska. rioua, visually dramatic unre- ter is dis<:harged offslte, he aaJd. F~ V.11t1),j ho"''' In!~ 1\PI!h ol through the Natiorulil Part Ser· bitt. Many who spoke In the audi­ delegauoo, advocate chan~tnlt th,· .,,,1(,• Over early colfee here on f'rl. vk-e, claima the deN l.s lnvaJid claimed (abandoned) minoa" lor Crltlciam ol Babbilt did not 1!\op the~ media exposure. with the memo. Fairbanks miner enc-e praloled h!A lf"..adenhlp on en· law to a.llow rnch ~xploratHm ~n· day, Babbitt aaid La no ob­ beca'* lt. wun't the Commerce .\o'lunl\ (•·"' nul• .. oll!tJ' r~sb !.t~ VIOUJ. formula to weigh tht <:om· [:)epartment'• propertr to 1tve Bobbitt Sunday admitted the let· Donald SU.in aald it ill unfair for vironmenlnl matters and for his: de· Ultlmatt"l)'. lbe dt:'cildon •· lotJ:h Ill I lo• ,.,,._!•·r·n with Congreu, but th.,. CllnlQn ,,, k~ HuH~''' I'• tl"' ''"fl~t~l pcllng lu!Jt'.e. _.___ away in lbe ftnt place. termination to Jearn about the •~ ~~~rB~ ~= ~.!',!1~ ~~:~~~i~J'::':,';~~ '"of tlw IH• tn· ~.ttwnal "But there aome fairly "llhink weou&ht tomOV1tthat atate. admlni.stratlon opposes allowing obj«tJve erltert.. The m(J(lf.Jm. •1oP:I•· 11.:'/Uio(l'. V.h•t<' UIW t'fiM one 1n the court," Babbitt Mid. bad move. "The Falrbanb paper the $2.50 perocre renlal lee miners oU exoloration lh1ng II ~rve the MAKINO A POINT-Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt ''1bey don't trytoaoe Jt their way • ''"'1'1 lw:.t ~">l"l' p,, p••fltwnl portant to ''Anyooewbowantstoaue me on called right," referring addressed e crowd at the Uniwnslty of Alaska Felrb.nkt on It be uld, pay, ooly, they listen," Sorah James, "niat'aooeof the I~ lhln~ I do ·~h I''IHm>: f<~n'•·~ It >Hit.! In tn dlvenlty of aDy ecosy•tem. that one. be myauett. I'll accept When tbat dlveully ta Sunday. Babbitt Nkf aymbollc IIW1Uita, tiHN and other th4 summon and complaint to 1 Aug. 8 N.,...MJner editorial "Why don't you tell the fnrth and chairwoman of the Gwich'ln Steer· not really tutve control over. •· Bah • '" ~ lt•<\•·raJ IMHI H•t• df'CI thai Jambuled hla ~t'1 Wk ahout tbe aclual coot to the ··~ throut~lt(IIJ( U~>· thuallttsald_ I ,ot.• approaeb. mining Industry per acre?" Stein Babbitt, wbo backed a wilder­ federal government over i~tues such •• AQC.ftM, l~md use Audlenct!o memben Jumped at hla aides. >I,] <\)lllj•·lrll<'.'l "'•'''' "' drtll ~ s~h. :1 a~ dH tlll•ltniJ ,,,J I.·.~.Unl>.., Mn deslgnaUoa tor the eout.al and development. the to bend the ear ol He praloed the Red Dog Mine, oaid. "You're deceiving the Alter hill Wood Center plain when be ran preaident ~· w~r "H\.\11 J.tnd tw.ql.' li•rl Uw ror BabbJtt, who, ulnterktr . whieb be vlolted three da)'ll ago. people." Gwich'ln member. met with Babbitt went to AJukaland. ... in 19M, b htptnc hbt proml.IN ary, fU:M tho agmcy that con-. ~ ''''''" w,tnl illt••n•l '••qff..,hnrl' '!be iasue wu Jeft for dud 00 "It really In every respect Ia one But Babbitt did not hack down Babbitt Sunday morning. James Borough Mayor Jirn Sampnon mod(St during h1a two- wtdr. tour troll Dearlr eo percent ol the ' '''J>IHI at !nil tiH I 'il~ I(>UJd Capitol HW hro )'UJ'I aco. and of the moot lmpt'MIIively deolgned from hil propooe't•d• !I• • \\llthllf, u. even lbe oU lndulltry admltJllt. Al.ub. vittd f(U('l8ll at the S S. N('nana lbtm and that tho Important de­ and operated mJ.neo I've NOD, and 11aw. "I don't know ll private land· t!·l!!fii!'H'I\!Idl !• '•!'("l~f',j U.e cha.nc. to revi'f* It any time Se-teral m.1.oon tonk D111bbltt to ~:u~!t~,'~Jt:~~~~d~~~~~~c~~ rlJJ~ a.t"'' J't( 1.0 be m.dt. t.uk for a memo written by -. I've ...,n a bell of 1 lot of them," i own« anywhonon UU. plllnet who I "th dfi!IHI~ IP ,\ ',\\ 1{ ~~~~~ In the fOf"tleOMbM rutu.re. But, The lu~h. tfttef'('(1 by Cafr- (1f­ And be hu at timet: aoundtd Bureau o( L«nd Mana:f(ement Babbitt sa.ld. would give up an acre lor $2.50," be ploratlon could hurl calving '• •I•' "',,!••1' ~.,\ ''"' t "H.~ta/ wtth S.bbltt'• Ml' bandy. 11000 ~lo:ed about all of the attm. Thetl)l.aebadtheproperbaoellnl1ll<1o lor the porcupine caribou Parls, C'0."'1. about $2.!W:l0, Stunps<:1n < 1•. I!' • pLu • .!. • "'>ld!lf~· came the pttcb. offldal 1'11qUC1ting JJtate BLM '** ·lltudJ~ uld. interior Z."'Uh Proce!.;..I!QN dQn ',! th:t! •f..,•q\dl •·•!• • l.or(> have got no ated much of the food. ht- said Thf' uld. Thezlnemlne'owastewaterlo en with valid clainu would have other safe plnce or henJthy place to borough budgl:'l indud<"s 11 fund {()r treated to remove even more access to their site, but would not go to,'' said James, an Arctic Vil­ the mayor to host vis1ttng fhg_ni!M lage resident "Th<'Y'"e !xoen ~oin.'! It'!>. hf• ~aid Sa rnp"'nn ~md '•llwr lm· there for thou~and.'i of years." a! offH'Wis lhou~:ht ttw lu!idl.,.,nuld Babbitt snid he mad!:' no prorn· tvo I' !lllfll\Hl!(~ f'H'lll ises to th(' (;wleh'in ht·r:; rt'prest'n!Hl~ a ttroii Client No. aa they said. The refug., boundary is the Brooks Range, far from J..JiioU'------"We feel like the Eskimos the shoreline. Currently, fed- the conflict•ridden coastal \ Arctic National era! policy allows drilling plain. They crossed huge, Wildlife Refuge··' "0.. have been left out of the i ~ major oil development In just offshore. open country, the boggy I ,, ;c.. A N North America - at Prud· The Beaufort Is where Ar· shoreline flats, the gently ~·. hoe Bay," Jacob Adams told co Alaska Is drilling Its Kuv· tilting tundra highlands, the . · lum prospect, about 16 miles bare rock slopes already I 11111I n g Babbitt In a meeting at Kak· offshore. When Area's nego- coated with this winter's I tovik Community Hall. tiations with whalers broke snow. d r He and other Native lead· down last week, the commls· They flew over bands of 111 k I ers told the secretary tfiey sion sued In federal court to caribou wandering the wil· wanted oil development on· stop the exploration. There lows, small herds of musk U n 1I e shore, on land the own l has been no decision. oxen fortifying on patches of Y t e a tona 1 e It's not just oil, Natives dry ground, a grizzly sow .tt~. at wou make said. They told Babbitt they and two cubs on a kill, and a Babbitt: Offshore Narrves more money and not want assurances about sub- four-pack of wolves - two · • · endanger offshore waters slstence hunting, access to grays, a black and a white- erable style. The secretary.!£ late puddin& for desse Wells next debate that hold the whales and Native allotmFnts; thanhey-Tharspnnn-·every""!Hn!ctlo~pte-stayed In a plywood'·' .1llck'Danlels !or'1ater--­ sustain an important part of want more aulhority to gov- when the planes approached. bunkhouse at the small Lake Babbitt was still up ear By STEVE RINEHART their culture. ern their affairs. The list Since he arrived Wednes· Peters government research Trailed by his staff and Da1ly News reporter The secretary, however, went on. day at the start of his three- station. few reporters, he climt KAKTOVIK - .B.:£..j.b.e_ said what the Natives want "Welcome to lnaplat coun- week Alaska tour, Babbitt The wildlife refuce staff above the lakeshore, to 1 time Interior Secretary is "the exact opposite of try, to real-people country;'' had said he wanted to see laid out barbecued New mouth of a narrow gu Bruce Babbitt haJi fullsbed current federal p6Jicy." North Slope Borough Mayor the country, and be was see- York steaks, broiled halibut, where It looked like nobo ~ing from nnxiom llnd In . a conversation earlier Jeslie Kaleak told Babbitt. lng some of the wildest. But baked potatoes, corn. and had every walked. "There angry North Slope Natives In the day, he went a bit Isaac Kakootchook, born when It came to camping, beans. Canned Budweiser nothing Ilk" this anywh• Qn Friday, about all he collld ·further. The idea of drilling in Kaktovik 71 years ago, the secretary went In consid· with dinner. Canned chaco- In the world." he said. c!o was make a jok~ In the wildlife refuge Is dead When they handed him a for five to 10 years, he 7-foot-long intricately carved guessed. strip of bowhead whale ba· "It Is just not a live issue. leen as a gift, he said, "Even a politician's mouth is not Please see Back Page, TOUR this big."

( Date AUG 14 1993 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Babbitt hears balers woes Eskimos press their case with Interior secretary lilA) 14'PJNA . By T.A. BAOGEA . . . .. Kuvlum conta!na enough oU to be Aa.ocleted l'reu Wrilor ·' • · worth developina. _..,_ den•- ,of thlll ·. Kuvlum Ia In federal waters KAKTOVIK ....., 11 "' admlnlatered by lbe Interior De­ eutern North Slope community partment'a Minerals Management ~·t sure Friday wbetl)er lbey Service. wanted to embrace Interior Secret· Whalers say noise from lbe test­ ary Bruce Babbitt or klck•blm in 1.ng could drive migrating whales the pllllbl. So lbey did both. farther out to sea, making bunting Babbitt hardly stepped out of his more difficult and dangerous. helicopter before finding out firat- They have fUed a federallawault , hand that Alaska's Inupiat Eski- seeking to overturn tbe National mos are no shrinking violet. when Marioe Flaheries Service approval It comes to pusbl.ng lbelr Interest In of the exploration. subsistence wball.ng and develop- Tbe ftsberles agency saya tbe ex­ ment of their lands within lbe Arc· ploration poses no emergency riBk. tic National Wildlife Refuge. · to the whales, and saya the com- The bowhead whale ts not en- pany ts doing an extensive study of dangered and doesn't need to be on the anlmal'a migration. any protected species ltst., the "We thought we were bargaining eecretary was emphatically told by 1n good faith, but we were stabbed North Slope leaders crowding In the back so could con· around blmon the city's gravel run- tinuelbelrworlt atKuvlum," North way, just a few rards from the Slope Borough Mayor Jeslle Beaufort Sea bunting grounds. Kaleak Sr. told Babbitt. · What are endangered, they work· Babbitt, who stopped here on the .' ed to lmpreu on Babbitt; are the third day of his two-wee~ worlti.ng whalers. : · .• ' · · tour of Alaska, said nothing direcl- . 'fbe ~yed vil1alli 111 the 8!l'II!S · ly aboi*Kuvlum,.but ~that. "'or tbe'Eaklmo' whalers·II-A.RCO beil~.toltstentoallaidel·q'tbe .~.J~- .Alaska Inc:., which Is bunting for oU state'11'complex problems. . • ... • 't 'J • J·~ . .,. at Ita Kuvlum prospect' 18 mUea "ltakeveryserloualymyrespon· ,,_ l offshore between Kaktovik and albillty u tbe federal trustee for ~A··--·... o...-.--~ Prudhoe Bay.: protecting the weUare of Native .. ~.-·:· ARCO Is using underwater t1e1s- American groups," be said. mic testing to determine whether See BABBm, Back hge Anw~ -~}.[.,,~. );Cultures clash 1 Continued 1rom P~ a-1 ------teries of affidavits from Na­ 'Our elders tell us that th8 wha/9s Lone, his vlllace took H tive whalen In a lawlllit present thamselv9s to us so that we may hours to tow a kill to shore. here flled by the Alaska '"The whale's belly lost @] Q ...l.y s..w .. Eskimo Whalin£ Commb· most of ita muktuk from aloa to atop ARCO Alaska continue to liv9. ' ~) (~7) belna towed all night In Z74·10'Sf, Inc. from conductlnc drilllnc freshly formed Ice, and be­ and aelamlc actlvltl.,. durin£ cause of tbs amount of time SEP 0 7 1993 the whale migration.. towlnlt, the whale became a llJt< ------It the Natives win, It &,.. It l:tU enriched tbsir stinker and all the good could cut In half the abort and clven many of vlllaau ----:------:-;-:-meat bad to be thrown An~Jlorage Daily News July-to-October Muon when lbsm hJ&b-paYinll jobs. But the company elaltnll away." exploration can be conduct­ l!:sklmo-owned ArcUe that the reason for tbla be- Muln~ have title to Native whalin£. Wuhln,cton listened to law· halers· see changes occurrin£ In an area of the what· may be tba richest "lntenalty · of Industry yera ugue over the whaling Beaufort &a that could be tracts ln tba moat promlsin& operatioruo d0<111 not llliteet eommlaslon'a plea for an in· tha nation's bluest oil db· on·ahora J>.I:Oipel!t In North the bowhead ml1ratlon junctl.on 1topplnJ all drilling \Jatives believe drilling threatens hunting paths and thus cannot affect and llelsmic testing during I~ ~ covery In decades. · America. . owhend whales out of the tiny Wand but they do not come the barrelJ of oil. ARCO will wblc:b they are permitted to wortbles1 because be ill an whether ARCO's permits \lnska village· of Nuiqsut, knowa same direction through Camden Bay spend nearly that sum tbla bunt for subtlatenee, are like anthropologist and hJatori• could be Invalidated without vhat he sees. Into the waters around our barrier summer on two wells and manna. an, not a marine mammalo- firm scientific proof of seri· And what he hasn't been seeing In Islands," he said. "There is so much other teatlns to help define "The bowhead Is our 11111. oua dluuptlon for the t•e<•nt years are whales where they noise and so much traffic that the the n.. ld'a size. brother," tald Burton And while ARCO may ar- "'bales. !Sed to be. along the close-In shol'll- bowheads disappear and in some Operatlnc under federal "Atqaan" ltextord of Bar­ aclentifl~ permits that allow activities row, cbslrman of the wbal· gue that tbare is no . Durlns that hearing, no me where they have been easily years our crews In our small boats proof that oil exploration Ia Eskimos testified. Greene >lltlled for centuries. almost get run over by the big that can dllturb whales, ex· lng commission. ploratory activities are re­ "Our elders tall us that dllruptlnJ the whale mlgra· wlll hove to rely on the Native whalers are sulnc to aus· Industry boats. tlon, the whalers sald their whaling captains' sworn \('Od offshore Oil exploration during HQur arctic environment is trench~ stricted to summer months the whales present them· when the waters are teneral­ selva to us 10 that we may yean of experience tell them statements In judging vbuling season. In an affidavit filed erous, but we know how to sur~ otherw!le. whether their observations •;ith the lawsuit, Talaak .said anl· vive," Talaak said. "With the otl ly !rae of Ice. But open-wa­ continue to live," he aald In ter condltlona are alao the an atfidavlt. "If we dishonor "Every year we tell the outwelch the flndlnca of oil· nnl!i ure being driven further and industry it is more treacherous and Industry operators that they industry researchers. urther from the Beaufort Sea coast. they take away our resources that Ideal tlmunt ond perhaps imperllmg hls operations long enough to remainder of the season be­ 1eople's cultural traditit?DS. Please oeo Pago B-2. WHALERS ARCO maintain• that that what '1 beginning to let the whales pass," said cause of "Ice and waather tbsre Ia no scientific proof happen now ln the Beaufort Frank Long Jr., another.~u- conditions." that exploratory work Ia an Sea. lqsut whallnc captain. We G~ne Is ex,...... ed to ls· exuulve dlaturban« to Deaplte rlsoroua require­ tell this also to the U.S. • •• r-• whales. 'l'be1 point to tar menta coatlnJ the oil Indus­ National Marine Fisheries sue a rulln& within the next more oil activity In Canadl­ try . tens of millions of dol· Service. But no one listens." few weeki. an waten of tbs Beaufort lara to protect tba arctic "Before the Lndustry, we According to a joint state- &a whore tba whales feed, waters, tba J:&klmoc claim saw whales every year," he ment from Rexford and saylnlt that if drlJ.Un& were that drlllln• and aelsmle said. "With seismic and dril· North Slope Borough Mayor such a detriment to tba ani· teatln£ are acarlng the ling, we do not see whales." Jeslle Kaleak, however, the 1 mala, their numben would whales and movln& their ml· · And so the whollnc crews Natives will press the law· be decllninlt, not lncrusln&. cratory bis:hwa7 further travel further north, as far suit regardlen of huw More thao a confllet over north. as 50 miles away from the Greene rulu. They said they the law and of lclence, tba Court documents tiled by coast, to take their quota of want their subsistence hunt­ Eskimos' lawsuit Ia a c1aah ARCO don't dbpute the whales. They said that th~ In& tradition protected per· between cultures. claim that whales may be distance makes whallnt manently by the courts. North Slope Eak1mos are movlnlt further north. Last more dans:erous In their "The bowhead hunt Is a not opposed to oil explora- year, ARCO &aid lt noticed small boats and, sometimes matter of cultural and nutri· 1 tion and, In fact, they have that whales were only being when they kill a whale, It tiona! subsistence and sur· I profited Immensely from the spotted north of its drilling takes so long to haul It to viva! for the Eskimo pea­ development of Prudhoe operations. shore that the meat Is pie," the joint statement spoiled. · said. "They will tight to Last year, accord inc to protect it." ~'Hat~: ~MC:! . three VHl>UUitllP11tjl. ,:.but~ : ·WalkAtr, . tber~ .. . u.s. J'l.ah ,, llev• the pt)up ls:Jwn:loCIIIllliJ~I . bla tor the m.s.t of;, : 'four llkzly beara, orut woW4:. live~ and flv~ carlboq. "We knew that soma 'of"' :t.hoH arrested were going to come to Anchorage this . weeke~~d for the Alaska Pro­ feaslonat "Hunters Asiocla- ~ tion ~l1lc.~' ~~·(; "That'a bow :we &n:-Jt~" :IOIIU!. of the t~ks." . ·.' · Balelay 'would 'nOt dis­ do-. the reuom the guidea were,tarpted, but ·Jaid that· infoi'UUlticm would be madtr available later ln affidavits.·. 'I'1lri Eicher, 11P41Cfal Jl¥01lt' tor U.S. Flab and WUdllftitn· · Fairbank~;: .aid ..unp .are· ·: uot unuaual.·:· • F'• ·. , t . "Undercover o~oi;l., ! bave, -~ I'OI.Itlnely , ~on.·., • over the yeara,''·Elcher'~.'.'· ~ .. "It'a·the one tool yo~ ba'l{«r, .. to P,''to thae vi · ·· Columbia, Canada, arrested in rviCe. . "I will say that Simon in his DEC Seattle for six :v·iolations; Thomas . A seventh gwde was charged, but . responsibilities has certainly _been :Sullivan, 45, 'Of Idaho,' arrestee~ in 'not arres~. . . s:il exemplary emlll.o)'ee," 'said .Idaho'~ for pve violations;. ind , Au~honties smd the gwdes ~k ,Treadwell. "~uti~weaUbave LJolln WJilk,el', 34, of;[~otzebae, part m ~unts that kill~ a combined 8()me questiops." :. ·. ··. . ,_ 1 P.IT~.ted.".'"in ~ ,J4)~ ~ tfour grizzly bears,~ wolf, five · ""Eachguklefacestj)~ ·. ~~'' 3ki'fi·;~"~ ~~' ~::. ,- ::··~ :f!~.~;-,· . . mooseandfivecariboUintherange demeanorcharges ~~ '. 1-:~ .... : · Charged but . wa~dS- * t spans ~m~ 6Q!) miles in .north- . Nd" details of v;~'t W to';) ~ "· ~-old'Nelson"Walker:of Kbbe­ I ·Al~~k· froll,l,Cana~a to the 'arrests were released,'W afndt­ ,ue, John Walker's !ather laM Cbukchi Sea. vits on each case would be unsealed Mawson's father in law, for three Agents posed as clients in the today or Tuesday, Eicher ~d. The violations. Officials said a sum­ J;ting, said Connie Barclay, a arrestedmenw~~oftwoguid- .mons would be issued for the elder ~eswomanfor the u.s. Fish and ~ ouw~. 0~ . ' Walker. Wildlife Service. · ··The.fP ajoj,llt ~-· Arrested was ·simon MawSoii~ a·-eniit w~. Eicher said the vastness of tbe .'~tate Dej)B!tment of &a~ ~· .~ . . Brooks Range makes stings cruCial ~tt ct~j lal Oo.....~..&~01~~1J~ .mt...t•'t ;,.;.t....: '4'!JIL~;.J,.~·. . • . f, ... ' • in policing Ute area.. · .• rJIIi ·· · "You can'tsay the only way Uao [it Is with as~, but over the.y~ rwe ..ve had success with sting opera.. ~,'~said Eicher. ~fh.T · Hunting guide Mark Miller,'who · ;bas led Alaska hunting tripS' for 18 Ifeara,.~~ the Anchorage DaiJJ ;News that .a· 111yltitude. ofpressures ln the field cml"!ead tO illegal ac­ tions to please a client. GUIDES: Federal sting bags guilty pleas Continued !rom Page A-1 fprJ bild about thP thing' I wa~ pushPrlmto dom~ .. Hun g felony cr''' t of unlawfully laking a caribou. lie Troutman faces from one to two yrars in jail for faces up.w five years in jail on the chargPs. Trout­ the violations. man's employees-Thomas William Sullivan of Troutman said flooding, transportation and em­ Idaho, Ranrly Wayne Taylor, and Lloyd Edward ployee problems set him hehind schedule last year. Harvey and Jordy McAuley of Canada-were sent­ lie said he and his assistant guides were forced into enced to relatively minor jail sentences ranging doing things they normally did not do in order for sting nets from four to 30 days. All were placed on probation their clients to have successful hunts. Cor two years. "We don't have a lot of hunters anvmore­ Nelson Walker. !\lawson's father-in-law, and they're collectors ... he said. "They have io get out John Walkl'r, his brothPr-in-law. eaeh pleaded guil­ th('re and kill something and then they have to tv to one count Ptfor.July. JI.!Pad Treadwell, DEC deputy commissioner, said \W•dnesday evening that Mawson had been reassigned to a non-management position that did not rPqnire any law enforcement responsibilities since his arrest in Dec€'mher. Mawson was in charge of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline for the department. Treadwell said he will review Mawson's case in light of the plea agree­ ment, but was not sure what action the state can or will take. "In the context of his job Simon has done an exemplary job," Treadwell said. Mawson and seven others were targeted by a two year undercover operation by state and feder­ al oCficials named "Operation Brooks Range" in which undercover investigators posed as clients. Five men were arrested in early December and charges later filed against three others, including former Fairbanks restaurant owner Donald Troutman. Federal officials seized eight airplanes valued at $340,000, motorized vehicles and wildlife trophies. The charges involved two guiding outfits, one headed by Nelson Walker of Kotzebue and a second headed by Troutman, the former owner of Two Rivers Lodge. Federal officials charged violations of the Air­ borne Hunting, National Wildlife and Lacey acts. Troutman, a registered guide who held a permit to guid(' hunts in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, was charged with 26 misdemeanor and felony counts for a series of hunts conducted in 1992. He and four of his assistant guides were accused of hPrding and spotting grizzly bears and wolves with airplanes, exceeding bag limits and illegally transporting the game. However, the federal gov­ ernment dismissed most charges in exchange for the guilty pleas. Troutman pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor counts. inclurling airborne grizzly hunting, and one See GUIDES on Back Page A\'CHOR\GE D.\ILY NE\\TS

FRIDAY.AprilJO. 1993 r

One of those guides is Dan Holleman, a 54-year-old professor who has b:en ~ith ·II the Institute of Archc Biolo­ gy program at UAF tor. 25 years. Holle~.an was md~ct­ I ed on su·sp1c1on of sellmg and exporting grizzly bear, . Sting snares. Dall sheep and moose, all. taken · illegally. He is also UAF professor accused of illegally using an airplane to chase a grizzly By NATALIE PHILLIPS bear. Holleman's Supercub, Daily News reporter Four more hunting guides Please see Page 0-3, GUIDES - including a University of Alaska Fairbanks arctic bi­ ology professor - were in­ dicted by a federal grand ju1,r· this week as a part of S: 4 indicted "Operation Brooks Range," . also cited. The assistants are a two-year undercover inves­ . Continued from Page D-1 Randy Taylor of Wasilla, tigation by the U.S. Fish valued at $30,000, was also and Jordy McAuley and· and Wildlife Service that seized. Lloyd Harvey of Canada. ' targeted violators of federal Also indicted Tuesday The pilot was Thomas Sulli­ hunting laws. were Robert Eubank, 45, of van of Idaho. Since December, a total of Plano, Texas;-"Gary Munoz, ·Troutman was cited for .. 12 guides have been charged 41, of Palmer;, and David chasing grizzly bears with a and eight airplanes valued Campbell, 34i of North plane, .hunting moose the at nearly $3()9,000 have been Bend, Wash. .Munoz and same day they were spotted seized. _ Campbell were !Working for by plane and .illegally kill- , "Operation Brooks Range Eubank, accordipg to Eicher. ing a caribou. He has agreed i is winding down with these They are suspected of hunt­ to plead guilty to four mis- I latest arrests," said Tim ing moose illegally. demeanor and three felony · Eicher, a U.S. Fish and Those charged in Decem­ offenses. He faces up to five Wildlife law enforcement ber and awaiting sentencing years in jail and fines of up agent. "We're now in the are Nelson Walker, 75; his to $250,000. He has also prosecution phase." son, John Walker;· and his agreed to relinquish his Su- i State and federal agents son-in-law Simon Mawson, a percub to authorities. : posed as hunting clients and state Department of Envi~ A tentative plea agree- ' reportedly observed the ronmental Conservation ment with McAuley has been guides wasting meat, using manager. The three men op­ sealed until he is sentenced. ai:IJ)lanes to herd animals erate a family-owned Kotze­ Harvey and Taylor have an~ _hunting wildlife on the bue guiding business called already been sentenced for same day it was spotted. Arctic Alaska Safa~s. All killing a wolf illegally. Each from the air. were cited for wasting pleaded guilty to a misde­ The law prohibits hunting moose meat. They have meanor. Harvey was sen­ the same day airborne. agreed to plead guilty to one tenced to four days in jaU In early December, law misdemeanor and face sen­ and a $1,000 fine. Taylor was officials made eight arrests tences of up to 12 months in sentenced to 21 days in jail . in the case. Five of those jail and fines up to $100,000. and a $2,000 fine. Both for­ accepted plea bargains in ex­ They also agreed to forfeit feited their hunting and change for guilty pleas and· two Supercubs to the state. guiding privileges for two will be sentenced in July. A Cessna 185 will be return­ years. he other three have already ed ~o them. Also sentenced was Sulli­ pleaded guilty and have Donald Troutman, 53, of van, who pleaded guilty to been sentenced. ::;o;-th Pole, owner of Alaska illegally chasing a grizzly The four indicted on Tues· :\'orth Soo:-t and Recreation bear with his plane. He was day v.;ere expec:ed to be .,._" 2:-::· :r:~ee of h:s r·..::d:~g :: :-:ed ~: ry:'} a:-: d ·::::1~ ge• :-*~s ...t.,' fq~ <•m>~, .

1).11 • SEP 0 1'1993 Daily Sitka Sentinel

C\lem No."':t¥~0"----::. Federal Agent Bags Big Game Poachers I.JJ> Cili4C'J.'I1 -···- ~------·-· fly SUSAN LAMPERT SMITH She later learned Trouunan wanted Wlscoasla State JounaaJ 10 use a ~ of her and the big ram Aa AP Member Exdaaase · 10 advertise his business a1 the annual MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Fcdenl convention of the North American agent Cindy Delaney Schroedea' Wild Sheep Foundalion. In 1991 and '92, Schroeder and an­ feared her cover was blown. Sehroedi:r did shoot the ram and look at lhe people willing to spend The agent did some illegal hunting Only hours before she bad llown Troutman got his phOIO, which he thousands of dollm to kiU lllll animal other agent visited a trophy·SIOCked ol his own. He said Troutman Wisconsin lllvem owned by Greg imo the hunting camp of IUSpCCICd i::Jc.displayed on !he cover of his and !bose willing to fonake every fair dropped him on a rivet wilh orders 10 Alaska big-game poachers, high play rule oC hwlling to get such a tro- Johnson, a llUII'l who sometimes be moldy. Soon Troutman '• airplane above the Aretic Circle. Then she busted him. phr,. . . wodted a 1 guide for Troutman. drove a bear his way and he shot IL It was August 1992, and she wu Troutman pleaded guilty 10 one 'In a normal hunung operauon, Through him diey signed up for· a Troutman and lhe guide rushed 10 disguised as Jane Dyer, an avid hunler felony and four misdemeanor viola­ you pay your money and lllke your $20,000 hunting llllfari wilh Troutman gut the dead bear and sweep away lhe from IUinois. tions. He was sentenced in Anchorage ~... Schroeder said. "In the wilh llSBlltllllCC they would bag moose, plane's landing lhe agent said. But Schroeder had I:Jarely arrived nwt.s. federal court last week 10 IS months case of Don Troutman, he was so bent Dall sheep, grizzly bear and caribou. The men flew away wilh lhe trophy when the ringleader singled her out, in jail and croered 10 pay a $10,000 They rlew to Prudhoe Bay, then in ordered her in10 bis private plane and on producing wikllife that he would skull and hide minutes after the lcill. fine, forfeit lhe airplane used 10 ille­ just skip the ski Us and get it deai... a charten:d plane to Troutman's hunt· When Schroeder and the olhe.r f ~ t House, Piesldent Clinton and a fis::"" · (rig number~ senators sup~rt the ~ ~ ~d ~~~~~ a~w~"Fjf~ make a designatiQn less o IV' ·. including a requirement that COt{! gress review the wilderness de..:j signatlon periodically. . .. ~-- ~ . ,_ ' '. . - . : ( .. · Alaska's senior U.S. senator told · . I. the joint aesslon of the LegislatUre!·· that Ala81ra ·interests will su.ffet·· ~~-~~.?~~.~ WIJ. &~ilU~ .._"- -,/' -.:..-:•;_'-"':~' ~·inii5~~61;\e tne~­ eSt.·~-Alaskans. will have in o1ir · period~ Statehood," Stevens SaJd. · ·A]aSU -wm be hit by plans to-re- - duce the armed forces by several , hundred thousand personnel over .;i the next'few years, Stevens said. ...~ Stevens said be knew of DO malOr ; Alaska bases slated for closure ill 11193. }3ut be predicted Army and Air Force reductions at the major AlaSu bases, and severe cuts at · Adak'-HavalAir Station and1 Sbemya Air .Force~- Stev~ns reJterated his bope 1hat the s~ would develop more off. base ~ for families of milit­ ary perionnel. That would make Alaska bases more attractive totbe military and less likely targets for.-. cuts, be said. .·. When the Pen~on began redue­ ing forces overseas, It considered . transferring some units to Alaska . butfoundtheboosingsituation~·-t ina~a~. Stevens;~:~7:.~~ . Hesa.idA.Iaska'sminingindll$Y .. could be severely jeopardized by a , new law that would require miners to pay royalties, and that Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt apparent­ ly favors the proposal. "A cloud really hangs over the mining industry in Alaska," he said. ~·PI~ I~ "7\~ i¥\\l*~%'}1'1"'"'!\"'' f ...... Z"""R-s :J>tll.ily . :::511?.- t,J; ' ."":"/" . . y Oil, eD.vironmefit: groulfS shoulel' join forces for A WR; exec sa S' ' ·,, . d"· By JIM CLARKE bad it is," Parkersilid.at the nOOn- ·can be' had on the ANWRfssue'.''· Associated Press Writer time meeting. ''There's no com~on ground Oft' ANCHORAGE-tO-speech to oil. While he directed his remarks at)~ .ar¢c. i'efugee issue, "·'sai~!fD!vld 1 drillers Thursday largely devoid of the state of the oil industry in the . ·van~den Berg, the arcticrl~ea good news, industry leader Robert entire nation,. h&;said partnenihip:! .direCtor.,. for the Northern' Alaska -'. Parker offered one bright spot: A waspossibleeveninAlaska, where Environmental Center in Fair- · marriage between some environ­ the industry hopes to. fight off banks: "That's an is;suE: ~~,w~eb . mental group and oil companies attempts to close the Arctic Nation- there 1S no compromise.'~ ,, 1 ,,fi..~. could unlock the Arctic National al Wildlife Refuge to oil explora- . Parker named the Sierra J.:lub Wildlife Refugee. tion. . . · ·and Frlends of the Earth as two Parker, the chief executive offic­ Environmentalists favor block- groups who might eventually sup­ er of Parker Drilling of Tulsa, ing exploration ih the refuge's 1.5 port ANWR development rath~r Okla., told the Alaska Chapter of million acre coastal plain. Federal than~ more of the nation's oil im;. . the International ,Association of estimates put possible oil reserves ported in foreign tankers. . . Drilling ContractorS that moderate there at 600 million tb 9.2 billion ' Pa~ela Brodie, a Sierra :club environmental groups may even­ barrels. official ·in Anchorage, •ald:tbe tually agree it's better to have tank­ For J\laska's ~il field services. group_ hasn't chang~ its·~~~ ers bringing oil from Valdez to the compames, opemng ANWR to ex- favonng complete wllde~ de-­ Lower 48 than to rely on foreign ploration would extend the indus- signation for the refuge ..· :2;""''-· ships and foreign oil. try's vitality for deca~. said De- . \ "What envir~nmental' orga~­ "I suspect, from what I'm hear­ bbie Reinwand, the' director of Arc- .. t.ipns support Is conserva~()tl, of ing (in Washington) that's it's tic Pow~r, a group promoting , energ)f ~nd s~ifting to ~able going to take a coalition of responsi­ ANWR oil development. · energy like wmd and solat.'•, $he ble environmentalists to help us ButneitherReinwandnor Alaska said. ·.:';' out. I don't think we're going to get environmental groups are buying ·Friends of the Earth officials there without their help. That's how Parker's thesis that cooperation couldn't be reached Thursday. tu y dds I to GAO disputes reasons to drill a~ctic refug~:" McClatchy News Service tion's lobbying to k~ep oil flowing WASHINGTON-When the Bush through the pipeline well into the administration was pushing Con­ next century, drilling authorization was killed by a filibuster in 1991 gress to open. Alaska's Arctic when the· Senate wa.S considering · National Wildlife Refuge to oil de­ national energy legislation. velopment in 1991, the Energy De­ partment warned in a study that Drilling advocates call the refuge without the new source of oil, the the unexplored area in _Nortti trans-Alaska pipeline most likely America most likely to produce a would shut down in 2009. giant oil discovery. Environmen­ But the General Accounting talists argue that the unspoiled Office said in a report Friday that area should be set aside as wilder­ ness because of its importance to the administration's conclusion wildlife. · · was unreliable because "no one really knows how much oil will be The GAO report Friday had produced on the North Slope in the ammunition for both sides. future or the exact operating level While it found the Bush adminis­ at which the pipeline will be forced tration's claim unsupportable be­ to shut down." cause of Energy Department's Opening the r~fuge's 1.5 million­ methodology, it didn't use any acre coastal plain, which only Con­ other system to produce a more re- gress can do, has been hotly con­ liable conclusion. · ·... ·· ~). .. · . . troversial. Instead, it did a series of compu- Despite the Bush administra~ . · ·~ See OIL. PageA-li' ; • > y-':< ".'/:'.

Continuedfrom Page A-1 Additionally, the GAO said it important issues whe.ll we were ter runs u5ing.fue same methOdolO: · couldn't figure out what minimum enacting energy legislation," Mil­ gy the Energy Department. used, production level was .needed to ler charged in a sta~ent Fr,ida.y. i except that the GAO applied .differ- keep tQe pipelinE: operat~~t~. be-"~_ .•~e criticize,d -~ oqJ~i!StrY:r~· :. ing assumptions on future ·produc- cause operators have ilsOO varying··· not being more ti,elpf~· sfuce it is' . tion, oil prices and the pipeline's figures - from 300,000 _ro· ooo;ooo ~ pressing for drillliif6pportunities · minimum carrying capacity. That barrels daily- that AlyeSka Pipe-· in the refuge. '· · :.i~~~ · analysis found that the pipeline line Service Co. didn'frecpndle. Environmenfalists agreed. could have to shut down as early as "When the oil industry quits 2001, or as late as 2021. The GAO reP?rt was ordered by lying, and government bureauc- Part of the GAO's problem was :ep. Geo~ge Miller, D-Call(., who . rats stop twisting facts,l'l_tbink that it didn't have any clear esti- eads t e H~use Natural Re- we'llfindthatdesignatirigthecoas­ mates of how much oil still might be sources Committee. tal plain of the arctic refuge as produced outside the refuge on the "Thr GAO report demonstrates wilderness is something we can do .':orthSh·~e.bccan~·~snr:~cprnd!ic- t~:_:: ~}·:·,·· P.·. ;. ,~·i~-:~t;j;::~r2tio:: rl~'L':'~) \!.-~!~:~ 2:1rrni~t=' ~2'\.: ... ~:·"'··j ~ Qnaloty s.rvt.-.. \ ~ (907) 274-IOS6 ~--·· Date AUG 1 Q 1993

Anchorage Daily News

,: .. Ill ,. . I , I I ~-.· ,'-.. _:t :i:., .. ·. · . :~1ji~ i >:~. ·. .I Oil data OK, but econ9.00ic- rriodels''·outd~ted, agency says l /h .:14/I .3II' _.'(.n't . \,' ,.. . ·'J."'r·:·;\·t_, .-, By DAVID WHITNEY charged that the· administration percent figure still probably that there isn't oil up there," i Datly News reporter was misusing data to furth!!r its isn't meaningful because·..,told Matz said. "We've said that the, . WASHINGTON - Willm__!h.e cause. economic assumptions ~~ere. ap- coastal plain's wllderness values Bush administration wa£ pres:t· Not so - or maybe not so, the plied to the new information; ~ exceed its oll potential." · ·1 in& bar(! for Coneres~ ~ General Accounting Office said Environmentalists were not That also was the view ·or I the Arctic National Wildlife Ref· in a report Mondaj. · ·\. impressed. President Clinton when he cam: uge to oil develofment, the Inte­ The GAO s~!!fJ\lat ~hile no ··-· •"I don't put much stock In palgned last year. Clinton said riOr Q~v.ad~nt issued a_1Hr one knows hei-C_ent. . ·-- propriately relied on new lnfor- League. "There are . so many wilderness blll pending in the -ne report made no difference mation that was .riot available variables plugged; into· these House and Senate. to Congress, which refused ·to when it prepared the 19 percent mddels that no- one·teally kno'I(Y'S When the Reagan admlnistra· authorize drilling, but it an­ figure in 1987 .. , -~ · what the chances are. -: · gered environmentalists who But the G~O ,__:.:~~~- the_ ,~6 "Besides, ~e·~;( .~eyer said Please see. Page C-6. A.~wR,j A R: Environmentalists unmoved by findings .,,- as the Senate was nearing matlon was weighed against Hickel's top aide in Wash· Continued from Page C-1 rejection of a move to open old economic assumptions, lngton, said the GAO report tlon Issued a report in 1987 the refuee as part of a na· such as the discounted cost doesn't add much to the de­ urging Congress to open the tlonal energy bill, Increased of money and oil prices. bate. · refuge to drilling, the Interi· the probability of finding an With lower oil prices and "The important thing' or Department said there economic discovery to 46 higher money costs, the Inte­ isn't whether there's a 19, 27 was a 19 percent chance of a percent. rior Department said, the . or 46 percent chance," Katz discovery big enough to be probability of finding an said. "ANWR is unquestion-· economically developed. The GAO said the Interior Department used new data economic field would drop. ably lhe most promlSlng­ If such a field existed, It from three offshore wells When the GAO ran the i.iriexplorea -olr proVrnce In said, there was a 95 percent drilled near the coastal plain Interior Department's new North Ammca:tL · - · .,, ...· probability that it would and Incorporated other new data through a computer us· hold at least 600 million The GAO report was r:.. information, Including geo­ ing more realistic economic quested by House Natural barrels of oil and a 5 percent physical data and satelllte assumptions, it predicted a chance that It would be a Resources Committee chair-:j photocraphy .. 27 percent chance of flndin& man Geor1e Miller, D-Calif.,, super·ciant field of 9 billion an economic field. barrels. While all that was proper, who had no comment Mon-. The 1991 update, prepared the GAO said. the 1991 lnfor· John Katz, Gov. Wally day. '.··· Arco ... pipeline at Prudhoe Bay, said Ken re_ of the Ar~ National_ year lo stop Arco's exploration. Client No. l'l..q Wtldhfe Re~ and is co-owned said Wednesday's announcement ~xas Petroleum and was a mixed blessing. Arco says Kuvlum oil field Phillips Petroleum. Burton Rexford, chairman of The companies have spent the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Com­ about $100 million on the site mission. said exploration at Wild not worth development cost over the past two years. Arco Weasel would renew whalers' LJ.S'<' 4 t:J.e· s~id. It is the only major explo­ concerns that seismic testing State officials said the Arco. which co-owns the field ration off the North Slope. would scare off bowhead whales lly Ian Mader announcement last week was bad with two partners. would not although other companies have hunted by Eskimos for subsis­ A'isncialed PreS!'> news for the state· s economy. rdease updated estimates of the said they have plans for explorato­ tence. ANCJ fORAGE - A reo Alas­ while environrnentalisls said they field size based on two test wells ry work. Any time there's seismic activ­ ka Inc. said an oil field off Alas­ hoped it would dampen interest in drilled this year. Drilling may begin as souu tlS ity. I don't care if it's close to ka's North Slope has not panned further exploration off the North It said the tests showed "there this month at Wild Weasel shore or out to sea. it will impact." out and will not he developed Slope. is substantial accumulation," but prospect, an adjacent field a few Environmentalists welcomed commercially any time soon. Arco announced a year ago it that it is "not a commercial qual­ miles closer to shore. the news. Dorothy Smith of But the company said it was had discovered oil at the 35,000- ity reservoir." Arco, which is the junior part­ Greenpeace said she hoped it not abandoning exploration in acre Kuvlum site and said test "It sure is a disappointment," ner in that field with Phillips, said would deOate interest in leasing Beaufort Sea, and that it would wells would have to 'how a field said James M. Davis. a senior vice getting oil out of Kuvlum was still of 60 million acres that the feder­ turn i:-; attention to a nearby of at lca"t one billion harrds for a possibility if Wild Weasel holds al government plans to offer in prospect. production to begin. enough oil to warrant building the Beaufort Sea over the next five See Arco, page 14 necessary infrastructure for pro­ years. duction. "If there's less and less indi­ State officials said the Kuvlum cation of a commercial source of announcement was bad news for oil, there will be less and Jess Alaska's economy. interest. The state would have received This is good news for the no oil royahies from Kuvlum. ocean as well as the arctic refuge. because it is in federal land. This is just wonderful." But a billion-barrel field would Smith said the group fear dis­ have been Alaska's third largest astrous oil spills would harm and would have bolstered oil com­ Beaufort Sea's ecosystem, and panies' interest in the area. that industrialization of the arctic It would probably have meant coas!line would damage the construction of o pipeline to con~ onshore environment and culture nect with the trans-Alaska oil of Alaska Natives. Datt.> DEC 14 1993

Anchorage Daily News

<~lient 1'-:o .."'~ ..... a._ __ _ 1111 L bor hief I I :.1< ..t t' .s:" A o .JI.>-'1 4f .;;'a JJ5 I/ SIP By LISA SCAGLIOTTI .;..II P the recent bitter battle in Wash­ to pay dearly," he said. In addition to his post as an Da11y News business reporter .. ington over passage of the North The payment may come in the Alaska labor leader, Frey is The head of Alaska's American Free Trade Agree­ debate over opening the arctic co-chainnan of Arctic Power, a AFL-CIO said President Clinton ment. Labor was on the losing refuge to oil exploration, Frey nonprofit that lobbies to open and Congress members who side, arguing that the trade pact said. ANWR to oil companies. backed NAFTA over objections will mean a loss of union jobs in "ANWR can be promoted as a Based on experience with from organized labor could re­ the United States. jobs bill," Frey said. Alaska's oil industry, Frey said gain union support if they agree Frey said those traditionally ANWR, in the extreme north­ he believes ANWR development to back oil development in the pro-labor lawmakers who sup­ east comer of Alaska, is consid- holds a bright future for union state's Arctic National Wildlife ported NAFTA are not likely to * ered the natton's most likely contractors. Frey said he's will· Hefuge. see their union support vanish. site of a huge new oil discovery. ing to lobby for the industry's In a speech at an Anchorage "We know in general they're But Congress has closed the area track record, too. Chamber of Commerce luncheon there for the working people of to oil development because of Monday, Mano Frey refiected on this country, but they're going environmental concerns. Please see Page 0-4, AFL·CIO

FL-CIO: Labqr chief sees AN as jobs bill _,.,~., '(S4f' town, South Anchorage and '~ .JJ 'IS' A I! .!13- 1 c~..a.3 Alyeska was the target of management company has adm1tted. Wasilla, all slated for spring [ Contlnt* from Page D-1 I a recent audit for the U.S. openings. .. We Jmow ANWR can be Interior Department. There- In an interview later, he developed pfely," he said. port was harshly critical of said be firmly believes the Wal-Mart's employment But efforts to promote· pipeline management and fate of ANWR will be lnfiu­ policies, such as wage scales ANWR could suffer from re- concluded there is substan­ enced by Alyeska's reputa- and benefits, have become a cent crltlclsm of current oil tlal risk of pipeline failure. tion. lightning rod nationwide as ''There's no doubt in my organized labor has clashed operations in Aluka, partie- Frey called the review ov­ with the largely nonunion ularly operation of the erzealous. "It's wrong. It's a mind thare's going to be that trans-Alaska pipeline and shame," he said. "They connection,'' Frey said. discount retail industry. the Valdez tanker port. don't need the criticism Frey also repeated his Frey acknowledged that a Frey included in his re- they've been receiving." plans to lead a boycott local boycott likely won't marks a hefty dose of de- against Wal-Mart when it shut down Wal-Mart in Alas­ fense for. AJ.yeska Pipeline · Frey told the lunchtime ka, but he said he hoped it Service Co.. which runs the erowd to expect to see labor opens its first Alaska stores next year. The Arkansas re­ could help improve working pipeline and port for the lobbying in Alyeska's de­ tailer - the nation's largest conditions for the P,eople seven major oll companies fense and working to fix who will work there. . tt.:. .t own the facilities. 1ome of the r oblems the - has built stor • in Mid- I),, It" DEC 1 81993

Peninsula Clarion

( l~t:m No. ------I t>lo fill

ner y policy should preserve II 1111 il, as 1 ustry 3'-IS1f ·IN> 3tll By UANO FREY from Texas labor unions and representa­ time- we have touted the strict environ· and JEROME SELBY tives of the Texas LegislatUre. Scheduled mental regulatory climate that surrounds for Jan. 28 and 29, 1994, the conference domestic production - and we have dis­ "Deat Mr. PresUknt: We are emling We couldn't have said it better. A long- could be a turning point for America's cussed tbe important and positive impact on you to put development of a coherent term national energy policy must include energy and jobs outlook. of American jobs producing American oil. long-tenn strategy to reduce oil imports greater energy efficiency measures - that Arctic Power will be in attendarice, pre­ It would appear that our "wake-up call" on the Administration's economic agen­ fact is a given. But, as our friends in the scnting information about the economic bas been received by a contingent of pow­ da." Senate told President Clinton, we also and resource potential contained in the erful U.S. senators and by our colleague~ Believe it or not. the letter containing need to "focus on preserving cur domestic Coastal Plain of ANWR, as well as the in Texas, who are also responsible for sig­ this opening clause did not come from oil and gas industry to assure that our vital historical impacts of Prudhoe Bay. We nificant domestic oil production. Alaska's governor, from members of the interests are not again endangered by will provide information to representatives "Currently, with imported oil repre­ Alaska Legislature or even from Arctic reliance on oil from the Middle East." from all states regarding the amount of senting close to SO percent of the nation's Power. The letter referenced above was To that end, a national energy and jobs fuel they consume each year, bow much of consumption, we are sending $1 billion a &ent on OcL 22. 1993, to President Bill conference is being planned in Houston, that is provided by Alaska production, and week or $150 million a day oversea~ to Clinton by 10 Democratic and six Texas, to. discuss ·the issue. of declining the amount of economic activity they can buy oil," the senators wrote to President Republican members of the United States domestic production and bas garnered an expect in their states should Coastal Plain Clinton. "By encouraging domestic explo- Senate. impressive array of endorsements, includ- production be pursued. . ration and drilling, we can keep those dol­ 1be senators, citing many of the same ing the support of 20 major colleges and Given the amount of time and energy lars, and the accompanying jobs, here at arguments Alaskans use tO support explo­ universities. that proponents and opponents put into the borne." ration in the Arctic National Wildlife Among the list of invitees are the gov- recent congressional vote on NAFrA ~..et•s work together to ensure that the Refuge Coastal Plain, ask the president to cmors of all SO states, members of the because of the emotional aspect of can is answered. support new domestic oil production. U.S. Congress, and others interested in prospective job loss, we believe this con­ ''lbe long-tenn decline in domestic oil working on a policy that incorpOrates ference will likewise command attention MQ/10 Frey, president of the Alaska production bas resulted in the loss of more American· oil production into an overall of those interested in the future of the AFL-C/0, and Jerome Selby, mayor of the than 400,000 jobs in the oil and gas indus­ energy strategy. American work force. As Alaskans, we Kodiak lskmd Borough, are the 1993-9-1 try. 1be economic consequences for the Organized by People for an Energy need to convey the lllCSSage that Coastal co-choinnen of Arctic Power. Arctic United States have been and continue to Policy (PEP), the forum will be a non-par- PI~ oil production is the single largest Power is (I non-profit, citizen's orgtmiza­ be severe," the scnaton state...... It is cru­ tisan, non-political gathering· directed at , job-producing project that bas yet to be tion dedicated to keeping the Coastal cial thatpm import policy emphasizing the revitalizing the eoonomy through an ener- tapped. · Plain of ANWR open for environmentally competitiveness of domestic production gy policy that creates jobs. Already, this Alaskans have been warning of the sound oil and gas exploration and dm·J. be a major focus of this country."_ conference bas received strong support · instability of foreign oil sourCes for some opment. NOV 2 11993

.Anchorage Daily News

t 1"."' :--:o. l 'l..o

Well, darlings, the evangelicals may be right. There are director for Stoltz. The couple plans a December ho sip,ns (other than Perot's popularity) that the end times moon in Maui. are upon us. A Bethel Earwic says George Hohman is telling friends he plans to nan for George Jacko's Senate ON THE MOW ••• Mike Williams and Drue Pearce seat, and has gotten u far as picking up the necessary this weekend for one of those flat, square states to forms at the LIO out there. Ear"doesn't know how other ready for their wedding. The reception will be a cat lobes. feel, but The Diylne Appendage detects a certain fry in a tractor shop, aceording to Mike, who is reti cosm1c symmetry here. · from Alyeska/BP In December after 36 years with K.lingon Empire. He thinks he might like to be a wri VI!RBATIM ••• One of the Wal-Mart guys responsible Ear bets he could write some really interesting stuff i for that big ugly gray box on Benson actually said the wanted to. following words out loud: "We built what we consider to /S"O 015/ .;l.C:!. C'.).J?t• ...iJ4'S~ I~ (j(::U.> YEAH, lACE, THAT'S THE TICKET ••• The t: tw a pretty handsome bulldlnc. The building Is very the Gottstelns have thrown fund-raisers for her. For striking, very modem looking." campus newspaper reported thatinvestigation int, those of you who don't follow every hem and haw of local complaint that someone was smoking marijuana in on politics, Joyce is the d'Ear of liberals who hate Heather PARTY HARDY ••• Rumors are swirling about a the buildings proved to be the smell o! sage burr and think Mark Begich is too young. Right on darlings, during a spirit-walk ceremony. Native leadership summit being quietly planned for let's split that vote. ~~·vera! days in early December. The agenda is reportedly ... Should Assemblymen Joe Murdy and Kevin Meyer COUNTERPOINT ••• A few weeks ago Ear twea n s!'rlous reappraisal of how Natives can best consolidate get extra time in heaven for their fact-finding visit to Sen. Ted Stevens by reprinting some remarks he m tlH·Ir political clout, including the possibility of forming Sands North, the Midtown teenybopper strip joint? back in the 1970s about how awful it would be to devf th.-ir own party. Earwigs who never get carded say the gentlemen insist it the beautiful Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 1 was strictly research. running a razor across the Mona Lisa is what he sale PARTY HARDLY ••• What did Rick Halford and the VIRTUAL REAUTY ••• Your favorite Good Morning Ear remembers correctly. Stevens was arguing for Senate majority talk to Wally about during their unpubli· Newspaper ran a cute headline this week in its shopper all-Alaska pipeline route. cized meeting in Juneau this past v.•eek? Really, darlings, "The Express Line," over a story about actor Robert John An Earwig who likes to get to the root of thi En r hasn't the slightest idea. Burke who plays the title role in Robocop 3. It said: responded by digging up some comments made at time by Dr. Tom Drake on behalf of several "Dial 911-ROBO." environmental groups, who opposed the all-Alaska rc LOOKINQ FOR DIQS ••• Former Sheffield and Cowper . Yep, the Anchorage Police Department got a bunch of eventually adopted, preferring a route through A:"-J aides Molly McCammon and Pete Spivey are moving back calls. to Anchorage after two administrations or so in Juneau. into Canada. She has a new job with the oll-splll trustees. DING DONQ DINQ DONO ••• Politicians of all stripes "... the Arctic National Wildlife Range (sic) (No, d'Ears, not prison. Don't be mean.) and a liberal practically no exceptional or unique natural \·alue on QUESTIONS THAT MUIT a1 AIKID ••• Are some sprinkling of Old Anchorag'! showed up at the Museum of northern foothills and narrow coastal plain section ' JH'ople foolishly dismissing Joyce Murphy's mayoral History and Art Friday night for the wedding of pollster All right darlings. Have we established that they're candidacy' In the last week or so both Chancy Croft and . Marc Hellenthal and Linda Shogren, former marketing opportunists'.' .. -····-· ·------.:=------Dare DEC 2 11993

Anchorage Daily News

Client No.-!/.:...:;;2=0==---- the neighborhood. Humans don't have it this Save wildlife; open ANWR good. The Alaska oil industry needs to change It is very obvious that the North Slope oil its approach on ANWR. One will never fields offer animals a safe place to live or change the minds of the "green" citizens visit. Now take this concept a step further. living among us by reminding them that Put an oil field on the coastal plain of their way of life depends on oil. Rather, the ANWR. True, it is already a wildlife refuge. industry needs to appeal to them in a But just think how much safer it would be different way. It needs to show them that for the critters if there existed a refuge the fields provide wildlife with a safe place within a refuge. Please help save the ani­ to roam and raise their young; a refuge. mals: open ANWR. It has been my observation over the years 1.:.-c ..!>'ISFf Thomas Austin on the Slope that the animals have it pretty Eagle River good around the oil fields. They have the right of way at all times. No traffic is allowed to continue while an animal is on the road. Hunting is forbidden on all of the leases. The animals are "fair game" once they leave oil company property, but we will protect them so long as they remain in Dare NOV 2 4 1993

Anchorage Daily News

Client No. ( Z..:t _:_:_..:..:._...... :...::=:::::::::=::=:::=:::=---- bear and duck studies all at once In a telephone interview, Kassi ____T_H_E_Y__;.U_K.-O_N_. ____ in the (Alaska) arctic refuge and said one polar bear has been in northern Yukon," said Norma reported suffocated from a radio GWICH'IN PEOPLE WANT Kassi of the International collar strapped too tight. She TO GIVE CARIBOU A BREAK Gwich'in steering committee. couldn't say who found the "As Gwich'in people, we want animal, or how cause of death WHITEHORSE- The Vuntut a grace period," said Kassi, who was determined. Gwich'in First Nation wants spoke at the Northern Protected biologists to give the Porcupine Areas and Wilderness forum here "The community of Old Crow caribou herd and other wildlife a earlier this month. "We want doesn't want to see the caribou rest from scientific studies for those animals left alone for a carrying a collar," said Chief two to four years. while." Robert Bruce of the Vuntut "A lot of studies are going on "Right now, we're being faced Gwich'in Tribal Council. at the same time - there's wolf, with a lot of animals and caribou "Caribou get nervous pretty easy. being killed for scientific It scares them." information. Every year, Yukon Albert Peter, chairman of the biologists take 15 to 20 calves Porcupine Caribou Management from the Old Crow or Dempster Board, said he is not aware of Highway area and kill them for animals found choked by collars, liver and kidney samples .... or that caribou are segregated That doesn't sit too good with a from the herd after human lot of us in the Nation. We have a contact. hard time condoning and supporting that kind of study." The board relies heavily on the Inupiat people have found research in its efforts to protect collared polar bears dead, she calving grounds, he said. said, and some collared caribou "It's evidence like that we're are being segregated from the able to use to persuade members rest of the herd. of the U.S. Congress that this Biologists fly over .the caribou area ought to be protected as calves in helicopters when they're wilderness," Peter said. born, Kassi said. Then they net 75 - Laurel Jenkins calves for blood samples and Whitehorse Star ..S

\ ~~. .~u - Conference urges 1994 Porcupine caribou census by Trida King Tundra Times correspondent /.U. .3dCJ!

ARCTIC VU..LAGE, Alaska-"This is the first time I've been to conference where all the agencies and scientists stayed until the end said Jonathon Solomon ofFon Yukon. "Usually they give a 15-minu presentation and then they're gone. That's why more meetings have g to be held in rural Alaska, in the villages." S

Conference urges 1994 Porcupine census • • • I~ 3-"'A Continued from page I governments as to exactly what cupine Management Board pend on the decisions we're going during the calving sea.

t' In her late 50s, Dtake is traveling Alaska's roads in a four-wherca Hivcr, dw rcluge's most traveled wat~rway. States. The national debate over whether to drill for oil in the where the oil industry wants to drill. Sri II, head guide Steve ! ln d'" d.!)'· Sweetsir is carrying passengers for a St'Ven-pcr­ refuge, combined with the international growth in ecotourism Griffin does his share of proselytizing about the value of keep· '"". 111 •I"·· (,()-mile, $2,750-pcr-pcrson trip down the Kon­ and adventure travel, has helped make the refuge one of the tro­ ing the area wilderness. "I like to think I'm subtle about it." he ,;.•knc llw i'·'"Y includenhrec clients, plus rnysdf, phorogra­ phy trips in Alaska. says. "I let the land do a lot of the preaching." l'l"·r l'.nd \ondcrs and a pair of guides from Juneau-based Alas­ Since 1984, the number of days spent by hikers and rafters After all, this a wilderness trip. and politics aside, a big rea· k.t I )l',l.n\Try, a rafting and adventure travd company. on guided trips in the refuge has grown seven-fold, from 700 to son people come here is to paddle where icc hangs like a sculpt· .. a peak of5,063 in 1991. ed sheet over the river. Or to walk with a kind of drunken stag­ When the 1989 Ex:mn Vak/n;oil spill temporarily quieted con­ ger across the tussocks, massive tufts of grasses that cover the \ '""'"ir has been flying this country for five years. At first gressional debate over drilling in the refuge, tourism there dropped low-lying areas. Or climb the talus slopes, where limestone I"' p. blanketed 'dribou otit 111.1\ c". tn kay;tks instead of cruise herd, about 160,000 strong. migrates ,1"1''· "" Incycks instead of buses. This wltky IN.rtktl north \f/ildlift R

7":1 the late 1980s it became apparent that no buzz­ 11 l " I word existed to describe the new mix ofnature and adventure travel that often had an educational bent. The word ecotourism took hold.

"I want to see caribou," says Mary A raft trip Ann Lcekley, a software engineer from Massachusetts and a serious backpack· through th~ starlr er. When her planned trip to Patagonia Broolts Rang< c.rn be in Chile fdl apart, she decided that boru-chiUing. Alaska would be a good place ro see some wild country and wildlife far from home. Besides, she joked, the br>gl(ing ri~h" earned from a trip w the Arctic will make her orhr-r outdoor huddles ex.· trcmely envious. Just because she and other wur1\ts tome look­ ing for caribou, however, doesn't mean the crirters cooperate. Dall sheep dot the hillsides and stand majestically, silhouet· \'\/hdc .t~lventure and wilderness trips ted on the ridges. But you can travel for days and not see any h.JVt' hlTII .Hound for decades, in the Lint/4 K~ulur caribou, bears, wolves or musk oxen. Climb to the highest spot around and peer over into the next valley, expecting to see a herd l.11c I 'IHII, " became apparent that no gr.rbs .r winlt in INr lonrz-w•Hd existed to describe the new of animals, and you may find nothing but droning mosquitoes. tmt •fur .rlong day rnix of n.HIIrt.• trips and adventure travel rh.n nft,·n h.ul.w educational bent. The ofrivtr paddling. wnrd 1'1 '•ltlllli\111 took hold. he Kongakut twists and winds north out of the Rrook.s Range in1o the open foothills beyond. Once on the "N' "' we Ken water, the guides chant commands to the passengers l q;lto< n. owner of Alaska Discovery. That phenomena has en­ paddling our heavily loaded raft: forward, spin right, .• I.J,·d I''!'""'" to expand Alaska Discovery from a part-ti:ne pas­ ures show, caused travel to the refuge to dip again last year. back, spin left. We bump and grind along the rock· strewn ch:tnnels and across shallow gravel bars. After nnw 1<1 ,, ) I ..!-million-a-year business. And Leghorn isn't alone. The passengers and guides on our refuge trip cite the conflict be­ I>""'"' of companies from inside and outside Alaska offer tween oil and wilderness as one of the reasons to make the journey. eight days of paddling, day-hiking and hunkering cvemlnfl:•. fmm rafting southeastern Alaska's Tatshenshini River Wendy Drake sits on the edge of a raft hauled up on a gr•v• down in the tents when the we>ther is too windy and k.•.t·.tl.

.'I AI A • ,\ Jill)" 199) raUl\' 111 p.,ddlc, We! arrive at Caribou Pass. II no doe r.tfting ends, and in two days the BetfOI'OYouGo grn"l' wolllly out, using the rutted gravd l.andHI)', .. uip. Barrels of aviation fUel piled at ~~~~ A1thovgh lhe Koogokut ~~the mt')~l popvlo• nv ic' {·nd -.pon rhe names of some of the many er in !he 7.3·million·ocre Arct1c Nohona! Wt!dl1le .tio I.I\" ·""' fcdcral•gcncics th>t land here. Relvge, it i~ not the only one v!.ed by corn~rcio! roher~ i\ I on '''l~h t days, the group hos seen fcw­ North of the Brooks Range. the Hv!ohulo. Conntr-g l.'f 1..11 thnn th.m on a typical drive along the and Jogo rivers offer more wh1te water than the relo· pJrk "'·"I in Ocnali National Park. With tll.c lively plocid Kongokut. On the >Ovth side of ohe Bn>oh trtp nr.ttly over, desperation from not seting Range, the Sheenjek is o relottvely easy Ooot """ lo "old hie has people snapping pictures ~~~~-0-~t The refuge·~ river·raftmg st"O~on i\ short "' tl•• .• o.op-hcgginggulls and camp-r2iding and vorie~ slightly with eoc:h river Pr1me ~t>mon 1\ ground \quirrds. mid-June to mid-July. Most of the nver compon1es 1 ln ,, p«·vious trip just two weeks earlier, clear out by Aug. 10, rile slort ol tl,e huntmg !(!(Jiollrrounding hills. This time, he .,,1\'\, "I 1\ .1 Je.\ert." . "I \ (' ·q•,_·n caribou, I'll take a musk ox," ... IV\ I )u\.c "I II l.. ok .It •nyrhing," replies Lccklcy. \ '" ""' mp's last full day, thc skics ovcr­ l~<·.od .or<' hlue, with a milky haze hanging !JVt:t da· lwriton w the north, over the: dis­ '·'''' I~( .tttft,ft Sea. The: sharp arctic air blow· tng 111 ',11 1he ice pack slices into what other~ wi .. t· ,., .1 w.trm, sunny day. \\',. pl.on 10 spend this last day savoring the modnir.ln "Ill and caring a final dinncr on a ridge mnlooking camp. Three of us head out c.nl,- to~ .tchc some food on the ridge: and Ia ct,~n in summn- Jnnands tbat fdr North dH· before: dinnertime. w.md··' hill., rafirrs arriv~ pr~parul. lh ,·.ttl~· .tftcrnoon, we stand atop the ~olr.•· o .-\111!.-t scans his ficld gl= across thc gakut in July. Because mo~uitoes feed on conbov, lu.udcd 1\ongakur, thc rolling tUndra and the best time to see the animals is often when the dw .oro' i, ice beyond. "I can sce part of thc bugs ore ol their peak. hnd. ·· h,· 1.. .llls out. WIATHI!r Summer temperatures con range be· In 1111· di.,t.mcc, a white line appears on tween 30 degrees and 80 degrees, sometimes ac· ,."tundra. Peering through thc d,: ,., .. companied by wet Of windy weather thot con easily hnt11· !!l.tt..,, the thousand or so caribou look lead to hypothermia. Ovolity roin gear, windproof ltkc ·''' '''V.·tni\m with individual cells vibr:u; layers, wool or cold-weather synthetics. long vnder· Ill): .uu! bouncing. wear and shorn ore all rt«:ommended. For poddling, \\ ,. "'·"' h •p•icklydown thc mountain side neoprene gloves work groat . .nod .d• •111: 1he J'favd bars until we are across thc MOSQUITOISI Hood nets ore mandatory on ony wttle l11.11ded river from the animals. On the summer trip to the refuge, along with a boule or two nthn ·,loooe, doc caribou abandon the high of the bug dope with 100 percent DEET. For peak gtound .tnd plunge like a shimmering silver, mosquito season, some e)(perienced refuge troveleu h,m, 11 ·'''d I:"'Y wottcrfall down to the river. 0 swear by net jockeh and ponh, wme of wh1ch ton < )n,. dtou.,.uH.I. then two thousand caribou becomt' a dusty ·~· ~~k7~:~;~~~:~a~~;~:e;,:;k;~;:l,7i<~:~:~it~~~~ ~ ~;o ~h~:.:.~'~;:fd::r~b::~ be soaked in mo>quilo repellent. '"d',, "' "'·"'·with the sunlight grazing off their monied r dots ON_!_Q:I!_!l~-~~ The refvge is extremely remote l,,u 1_., ,, .. they m.tke their way down to the water. watches the line of distant e>ribou undulate like a faint 'Pretty excellent," Leek ley says ofspotting arl'til' With no marked trails, cabins or foc1ltties, anyone h•r .111 III'.I,UH, it seems the herd will cross the river and en~ ·', · sine wave across thc land>eape. In the dminagc to the en telling hcr fcllow travclers caribou draws traveling the bockcountry or on rivers shovld be ~lf­ ~,,11 ,, .. 111 .t ..,, eiH.' reminiscent of the: movie "Never Cry Wolf' , 1 1J. 1 north, thrcc dots appcar in the binoculars-a grizzly ut it at a post-trip beer and pasta visitors from around svffici$nl and thoroughly experienced. Pion extra wll('l(' .111 .un.ucd and naked biologist finds himself in the bear sow and two cubs loping across the tundra. ncr in Fairbanks. Though thcy the world. days for fovl weather that con slow your travel ond rn11ldlo- "' a L.lfihou herd. But such things happen only in ' ' As shc saunrcrs down thc mountainside, through suitably cnvious, Lecklcy man- delay oirplone pick·up>. ·. . heather and lupines, Lcckley muses about the wildlifc. "I I to kccp her hallmark wry, deadpan tonc. After all, shc OUTPJTTIItJ1 Abovt o dozen componie> hove fed· I l, ·I'"" the leaders' forays into the cold torrcnr, thc rest · saw everything I wanted to sec, only not in such quantity." ast warming up for rhc ralc shell tdl hcr backpacking era I permit$ to run trips in the refuge. For more in for· ~ d 1 I~< ! •.111tl \LI\'" on the same side of the river and stans to All that soon changes. As Lecklcy wing' our of the Arctic ldics back home. * motion contact the refuge manager ot {907) .&56· .pill 'IJ' \ lno: group wandcrs slowly south, the other heads on the way back to Fairbanks, the pilot hanks over a 0250 or write to Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, nt~ttk L1\l1n!!, inro dim silhouettes in the: gritty brown cloud . drainage off the Shecnjck River where dot\ "ipplc the tun- fCE MEL.''ER covers b~sinessfor th< Anchorage Daily News. 100 I 12th Ave., Box 20, Fairbanks, Alosko 99701.

• '(> Al fl\~ A JULY 199) ALASKA JULY 1993 2- I I ll ,· IIV I I I I

... -. j l:

·sKCPTICAL~OF :~, · 'new srLecnorr ~:·,_

P~ocess

of65 th.iS new ~ to pperate . on Alaska's 1~ hatfoilal refuges, IIQ guides .were permitted to system. The guides each submitted an "operations plan" and were scored by Fish 8nd Wildlife on criteria such as their history or viQlations, safety record, ·demonstrated experience and knowledge, abili'7 to provide quality service: and references. · :J; .• Guide spokesmen seem to agree with the Criteria, but some bave.J)roblems with the way points were awarded to applicants. Alarms sounded when some long.:tltne guides, like John Swiss who with his sons has run a reput­ able guiding business for 34 years on the Alaska Peninsula, were absent from the list. "Something has to be off with a system that determines that," said Joe Klutsch, president of the Alaska Profes­ sional Hunters Association. Although Swiss told the News-Miner he is "non­ , committal" about the new system, he lB appeallng the decisions that shut him out of his established guide areas. "We have received about sLx appeals to date," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Daryle l<;;.s said "We're expecting quite a few more.·· s;·~;,~~·:~~, ~~~~c~~~i:~~~:~l~··.:~::~~ ~~J:~.~.~c~~;;~~i~: "About 75 percent of incumb

(:· ' ' ~~"'::": _@Lil_1_19!1c3 Editor's Notes

By GEORGE BRYSON 1.:...< 31¥ .Jtr'SI-1 eople who study such things say there cue b.OOO dtf· fcrent languages m the world today By the end of the next century, they warn, all but about 10 percent of those languages will be gone, vantshed, fatalllJCS of a world that's becommg tncreastnglr homo~emzed. The same trend 1s true m Alaska. LtngUists here present· ly differentiate between 20 Alaska Native language~ still spoken in public discourse, but only two of those arc sttll spoken by children. All the rest will disappear dunng the lifetime of our children. Well, you say, what's so bad about that> If people all spoke the same language, maybe they would get along bet· ter. Except when a language vanishes, a lot more IS lost than just words. Cuhure is lost, too Whole Civilizations And of course when people lose the ltnk to their past, they lose their history, thc1r tdentJty They become less than what they were before Some become troubled, d1scon· nectcd from society. And the world becomes poorer 1n the bar~ain. So if we can care about the very real threat to the endangered species in the amm.ttl kingdom- the elephants, and whales, and wolves, and condors- why can't we also care about the very real threat to ccrtam endangered peoples? It's not a novel 1dea. In fact, Jt's an tdea that has preoccupied Anchorage author Art Davidson for several years now, resulting fmatJy in hts latest book, "Endangered Peoples." It's also the focus of this week's We Alaskans Reprinting a chapter from Davidson's book, we take a look at the Gwich'in of northeast Alaska and what the future holds for the "caribou people." And we look llt other mdtgenous Americans as well, through an essay and photo· graphs drawn from other port10ns or "Endangered Peoples." Davidson should be a known quantity in Alaska Oy now In the 1960s he was a member of the f1rst expeduwn to successfully cJimb Mount McKtnlcy - Denali - In wmter and survive. Later he wrote a hook about the expcduwn, "Mmus 148 Degrees." whtch has become a cJasstc m the literature. Davidson has also wnnen "In the Wake of the Exxon Valdez," an analysis of the 1989 Prmce Wilham Sound oil spill . .-_ 1 - This Week ~------eo leo the 1L--~,~~~-3~,;~~J~~~~~~~~~--~~ EOPLE OF THE CARIBOU: "As the Plains Indians once depended upon buffalo the Gwrch'rn depend upon caribo~. They 'Poak of the~r relattonshtp to the '""''ou as a kind ot kinship." writes autltur An Davidson in this excerpt ByCaribou Art Davidson h·ymg to make sense-oCTradmonall;-. the,.• .~," .. , lrorn Ills new book, "Endangered money and the concept of 'me' are foretgn '" ""' Peorrtes " Now the Gwich'in are taking everal miles east of Arctic Village is a people. We have always done thtngs as a groul' ·•"·' clearing where caribou migrating through thought in terms of the tribe and the famtl" I 11, " ur 1 powerful foes - oil companies and the Brooks Range often come out of the the world would stop a minute and, like the 111.111 "'' 'JOvernments - rn an effort to protect trees to eat, drink and rest. The grass is the hill watching for caribou, see what " ,., ..,11, lf,w canbou calvrng grounds and the thick here, the omnipresent mosquitoes less pesky. happening." c.wrt:tl'rn way of life. Page 6. than elsewhere, and in their need to remain alert I As the Plains Indians once depended ui"'" for wolves and bears, the caribou can see for some buffalo, the Gwich'in depend upon carthou Thn THE RISE AND FALL OF A distance as they graze. speak of their relationship to the carihou as" k 111d ~USH BASKETBALL COACH: Lincoln Tritt of Arctic Village recalls: "As long of kinship. It began long ago, they say, 1n " "'"' lanf:u"~·· ' 1111 there be a high school team this as I can remember, every spring and fall, someone when all creatures spoke the same Jr. would always be sitting by a campfire on the that distant time, the caribou and the (;w~e h',, An essay by teacher John Y''"',. hilltop, keeping a lookout for caribou. The hill is people were one. As they evolved into scpar.d ,. f oley Page s. visible from the village. so if this person saw beings, every caribou kept a bit of the human hc.n 1 caribou, he would wave or make his fire give off and every human retained a bit of caribou heart I" more smoke. Then the village would come to life, this way, the caribou and Gwich'in would alwan lw and people would run up there. We all seemed to be able to sense each other's thoughts and feclr11g·, at our best at these gatherings. We were filled with The tundra would sustain the caribou and "'" happiness and sharing. This was an espectally caribou would sustain the people. important time for me as a child. It meant that for Ancient memories and history flow togetlw1 those brief, bnght moments my friends and 1 were Ancestors of the Gwich'in evolved their Hllln""" 'men.'" relationship with the caribou long before the l1r:" Lincoln grew up in Arctic Village, one of IS stirrings of Western civilization. Peering back 1111" villages in Alaska and northwestern Canada that prehistory, archaeologists have found evtde11c ,. are home to the Gwich'in, the northernmost that caribou have roamed this regwn for at l.-;,·.1 Indians of North America. He went away to S4.000 years. Bone artifacts from the Old l '"" college, and then returned home. Later. he River in Canada indicate the presence of h'""""'· recounted the changes he perceived. "Gradually, 27,000 years ago. our human and spiritual values are betng replaced Today about 5.000 Gwich'in live in Alaska '""I by monetary values, whtch our people are sttll Canada, and unttl recently most of tht:rn \\ ~·~ 1 over our lives," she said "Oil devet~.-, ...... nt threatens the caribou. If the caribou are threatened, then the people are threatened. Oil executives and American senators don't seem to porary Gwich'in law: One should klil understand. They don't come into.our homes and ·a caribou only when in need and then share our food. They have never tried to GWICH'IN ~ntinued from PaQe 7 use as many parts of the a.umal '" understand the feelings expressed in our songs and 1.24 .il>ll .i)'trA possible. our prayers. They have never seen the faces of our before, these calves had bonded with After a successful hunt, canh"" elders light up when they hear that the caribou their mothers by scent and sound. meat is distributed in the communi!' have come back. And they have not seen uur elders Now they were taking chances, play­ through a network of shanng, !'Itt weep when they think about the damage that oil ing with reckless energy, developing giving and trade. The heads. '' rigs ·would cause to the caribou. Our elders have the stamina and quick agility that traditional delicacy, are usual!\' seen parts of our culture destroyed and are would help them outrun bears or roasted over an open fire. The mc;ll 1·· worried that our people may disappear forever." wolves. preserved by freezing or dry mg. 'md _J_J_J Over thousands of years of trial provides about 75 percent of 1 ht· and error, the caribou have chosen protein in the Gwich'in diet. Skins ar" The Gwich'ins' current struggle to protect thear the flat expanse at the edge of the sewn into slippers, purses, wu11 ,. r way of life began in 1968. with the dascovery of oil Arctic Ocean as the best place for boots, bags, shirts and other gar .. in Prudhoe Bay. The oil companies' permnto build their calves to survive, since it ments. Bones are fashioned into awh, the trans-Alaska pipeline hinl(ed on the settlement provides an abundance of nutritious hooks, handles, skin scrapers and of Alaska Natives' long-pending land claims by grass and some relief from preda­ other tools. And the spirit of t ht· Congress. While most Native Alaskans agreed to tors. By mid-May, the first bands of caribou is honored in songs, stone'. accept title to some lands and cash payment for pregnant cows reach the . Arctic and dances. others, the Gwich'in opted to forgo any cash National Wildlife Refuge, instinctive­ In August 1990, the Gwtch'"' benefit in favor of retaining control over a larger ly timing their arrival to coincide chiefs invited me up to Arctic Village area of land. Their objective was to protect the with the sprouting of new grass to witness the affirmation of thear caribou- and thus their way of life. But the sense shoots. The first calves are born by tribal ties and their preparatiOn for of security they gained through thts agreement the end of May. After feeding on the the battle to save the caribou calvtng was short-lived. By the mid-1980s, oil companies lush grasses and lichens through grounds. During the weeklontl g;1rl1 and the state of Alaska began lobbying to drill for June and early July, the herd begins ering, the evenings were filled wtt h oil in the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou moving south, back through the storytelling and feasting - canl>ou herd, which lay within the Arctic Nauonal Wildlife mountains toward their winter range roasted over open fires. Around Refuge. in Canada. Along the way, the caribou midnight, Chief Trimble Gilht·lt To understand the threat to the Porcupine herd, help sustain wolves, grizzlies and the would get out his fiddle. Somt'""'' one needs to appreciate the ecological role of these Gwich'in. else would set up drums. The11 Amanda and Sophie Tritt of Arctic Village. remurkahle creatures. The herd takes its name Before the coming of European everyone - from restless little pre from the Porcupine River, whach originates m trappers, Gwich'in hunted caribou school kids to the oldest womt•n Canada's far north, crosses the border into Alaska, with arrows and spears, sometimes leaning on their willow walking suck, content to live quietly in their corner of the world, and flows into the Yukon, forming the major corralling them with carefully posi­ - would dance until dawn. Later Jn letting the commotion of the 20th century pass watershed of the herd's range. Each spring, tioned spruce-pole fences. Today the day, people got down to the them by. It was fine if their way of life went 160,000 caribou make an incredible 1,600-mile Gwich'in hunters use rifles and serious effort of preserving the11 unnoticed and unknown. By the 1980s, however, migratwn. Heading north from their wintering snowmobiles, but their traditional culture. One by one, men and women their cherished isolation had come to an end· Oil grounds m the boreal forest of Canada's Yukon approach to the hunt remains asked for the diamond-willow talk111g companies were moving to drill in the calvmg Territory, they cross the Alaska border, swim the unchanged. No matter how hungry stick, rose, and voiced their fears ;111d grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd. Fearmg turbulent Porcupine River, and pour through the villagers may be after a long hopes. that the caribou would go the way of the buffalo, passes in the Brooks Range. Descending from the winter, they allow the first band of "My grandfather built canbou the Gwich'in concluded that they had to faght back. mountains, they fan out across the arctic coastal caribou that appears each spring to fences up in the mountains and wa,. "Before we were threatened by oil development plam, where they give birth to their calves. pass undisturbed. And the centuries­ ready to defend them with hts lift•." in the caribou calving grounds, we tried to keep to Once. while mountain climbing, I came upon the old survival prohibition agamst said Jonathan Soloman, resplendent ourselves. But now we have to talk to others," says herd high in the Brooks Range. The land was still; waste has been written into contem- in a caribou-leather vest that hts wale Sarah James of Arctic Village. Although neither there was not a breath of wind. Then the horizon chief nor elder, Sarah has emerged as a leader an seemed to move. The far hills were shimmering, as this current crisis. "Maybe there are too few of us if reflecting heat waves. It was the caribou. Like a to matter. Maybe people thank Indaans are not wave of mast over the tundra, thousands of cows amportant enough to consider in makmg thear wtth calves were coming up the valley. Soon they energy decisions. But it's my people who are were so close I could hear the clicking of their threatened by this development. We are the ones hooves. Occasionally, youngsters would sprint off who have everything to lose." madly, dash up a hill, turn and wheel in tight Across the border in Canada, another Gwach'an carcles, and bound after each other. Just days woman, Norma Kassi' of Old Crow, expressed the same gnawing anxiety. "A long shadow now hangs Cont1nued on Page 10 is the only way to protect our culture from all the GWICH'IN industrial pressure." Schooled as they are in I~ J)ll _, VS"A ·They only expect to find surviving by wasting nothing, the Gwich'in pointed Continued from Page 10' · out that conservation measures, such as raising the fuel efficiency of cars just a mile or two per gallon, read to us. We did a lot of carving, playing cards, enough oil to fuel America could save as much oil as that estimated to lie and my dad would make snowshoes and toboggans under the refuge. "They only expect to find enough and harnesses - everything that we used. And we for about 200 days. Why oil to fuel America for about 200 days," Sarah said. would help with that. Our mom - everything that "Why risk our culture for 200 days of oil?" we wore, she sewed. And she did the tanning, fur risk our culture for 200 On Feb. 19, 1992, after heated debate, the U.S. sewing, and headwork." Senate passed a drastically modified energy bill. It Sarah had lit a Coleman stove to make the days of oil? ' provided only a few energy-saving measures and coffee. Today, the Gwich'in lifestyle also includes didn't even address the idea of a biocultural oil products- produced by the very industry they -SarahJamoo reserve. But the bill did block drilling in the Arctic find themselves pitted against. Nearly everyone National Wildlife Refuge, at least temporarily. For uses gasoline to run boats and snowmobiles. Most drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. this reprieve, there was rejoicing in Gwich'in Gwich'in don't think of themselves as anti-oil. In From 1973 to 1992 there were more than 17,000 oil villages. People sang, danced, offered prayers of fact, they once authorized oil exploration on some spills at Prudhoe. Many of these were relatively thanks. In Canada, the village of Old Crow of their lands outside the range of the caribou. small, but Prudhoe operations have also released canceled school for the day. "We learned a lot from dealing with those thousands of tons of nitrogen oxides into the air The next time l saw Sarah, she was in Paris at a seismic crews looking for oil," said Sarah. "And we each year, and disposal pits have frequently leaked United Nations-sponsored gathering of community learned a lot from that Exxon Valdez oil spill. I arsenic, lead and chromium. Some officials, such leaders from around the world. When it was her don't think we'll be letting oil companies in here as John Turner, director of the U.S. Fish and turn to speak, she looked out over the faces of a again. You see. we've still got clean air and water, Wildlife Service, have dismissed the significance thousand people without saying a word. The great and we want to keep it that way. There are places of these problems, saying that "experiences at hall fell silent. When Sarah began speaking, she that shouldn't be disturbed for anything. Some Prudhoe Bay provide a measure of assurance that spoke in Gwich'in. Her words moved out over the places are too important, too special for the caribou can coexist successfully with oil develop­ packed auditorium in unfamiliar syllables, but l animals. The calving grounds must be left alone." ment." think everyone understood: Here was a woman far Nonsense, says British Petroleum geologist Caught between conflicting reports and assess­ from home, speaking up for her people, who were Roger Herrera. "The Gwich'in concerns are ments, the Gwich'in ask, Why take a chance? Why proud to be who they were. greatly exaggerated," he says. "It's inconceivable risk the caribou' Why gamble with our culture? To Then she switched to English. "We are the that development will cause a change greater than fight the lobbying efforts of some of the world's caril10u people. We just won a battle to protect the natural cyclic ones. Anyway, it's ine\'itable that largest multinational oil companies, the Gwich'in caribou and our way of life. But we know the oil these people will have to change." pooled their resources. It wasn't easy: With only a companies will come at us again. More ba\'' .. But the Gwich'in resist the idea of being forced handful of cash-paying jobs in their villages, most ahead Not just up there in Alaska, but all' to change their way of life As Sarah puts it. "We families earn less than $5,000 a year. But as the will he hard We hav~ to work togethi; have been here for thnu,ands of vears We know ~howdown over arctic drilling loomed in Congress. (;·;. ich'1n art gn:ng to f1glll n~ long n~ \H~ i~ the- v. e<.ltht>r. tht· ar11rn~d ... lht• \'eg'etatwn_ and the tht·v manag~J to .~ .'-t':l'-r'::c. \\'e art.· ~.·.Jpahlc Lf ::'.m(.' ur htrt• And \~e ~~~h·Jf:1an tf• \\·a-..!·.~·~· ·;J to tt·q 1h· '-'· ~~:·:, ~.:..!..:.:~1:~.: ,.u: rt'Pf::c ;," \.\ t' ;;rJ,.'c Jk~ le:!C~lli.l.: !ht· r,._,:ch·l~: p•·•p!)<:.t•J ;i:v crl':!'tl)iJ ~·f ;: .J Reprmted from Endang~red Peoples: by Ar1 Oav•d,Oil PLir ;.,.·hliJrt'n If j,:her-; \\II'J:..J on!~ JL:~! rt:-...pt:L't our h~t,culturai present' to prott>ct not on I y tht' c3rJhJU Wo!f~. \\a~s.,:wJour juJgrnt'nl" hut a!c;;n the ecn.::y..;!t•m-=. ;md ~a~!·;e people on Dl.lth Wllh ph-:)!og•aphs by Art John Isaac .!'lnd ott--",,_ puh!. ISh~ The c;\qch·,:~ .:on.s1dt:r :be od mdu:-tn··s record Sld~s of the Alaska Car.ada horder They also asked by Sierra Club Bookt, trxt copyright c Ar1 oa ... ,d,0n at Prudhoe Bay solid reason to reJect Its proposed for wilderness statu.' tn tht• refuge, because "that 1993. FACT SHEET Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

History

1949 The National Park Service (NPS) began a recreational survey in Alaska to select areas for protection under the national conservation unit system.

1954 The NPS recommended that the northeastern corner of Alaska be preserved as a unique ecosystem and area for scientific studies.

1957 With support from various conservation groups and individuals, most notably Olaus Murie, the Department of Interior announced plans to ask Congress to establish an 8,000 square-mile arctic wildlife refuge in the area identified by the NPS study.

12/6/60 - After Congress debated but failed to create the refuge, Secretary of the Interior Fred Seaton signed Public Land Order 2214 establishing 8.9 million acres of land in northeastern Alaska as the Arctic National Wildlife Range (Arctic Range).

9/6/69 - The first Arctic Range manager started work.

12/2/80 - Congress passed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). Section 303 of ANILCA expanded the Arctic Range to 18 million acres, renamed it the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge), and designated eight million acres as wilderness. Section 1002 of ANILCA called for a baseline wildlife resource study and an oil and gas assessment of about 1.55 million acres of the coastal plain (the 1002 area).

5/82 - The initial baseline report for the 1002 area was published, with yearly updates published thereafter.

7/1/83 - Eight oil companies began surface geological studies on the 1002 area.

10/20/83- An inholding of some 971,800 acres was added to the south side of the refuge as a donation by the State of Alaska.

1/14/84 - Seismic exploration began on the 1002 area.

8/10/85 - Seismic exploration ended on the 1002 area. 4/21/87 - Interior Secretary Donald Hodel released the 1002(h) Report, recommending that Congress authorize full leasing of the 1002 area for oil and gas development. 8/16/88 - The 100th Congress enacted Public Law 110-395, adding about 325,000 acres to the south side of the refuge.

Weather Average minimum January temperatures in the refuge: northern portion -20°F; southern portion -28°F. Average maximum July temperatures in the refuge: northern portion 47°F; southern portion 75°F. Continuous daylight or twilight prevails on the refuge from late April to mid-August. The sun remains below the horizon on the north side of the refuge from mid-November until mid-January. The northern portion of the refuge receives only about six inches of precipitation annually, but the underlying permafrost (which prevents water seepage) and a low evaporation rate help keep much of the area wet or soggy during the summer. Permafrost may be two feet or less below the surface in summer. Snow cover usually is completely gone by early to mid-June, but starts accumulating again in early September. Snowfall and freezing temperatures may occur during any month.

The refuge spans more than 200 miles west-east and north-south. The Brooks Range creates a natural north-south division on the refuge. The refuge's north side is open tundra while the south side is mostly sub-arctic boreal forest. The close proximity of the Brooks Range to the Arctic Ocean within the refuge results in a variety of diverse habitats offering exceptional wildlife, wilderness, recreational, scientific, and aesthetic values. The refuge includes the four tallest peaks in the Brooks Range: Mt. Isto, 9049 ft.; Mt. Chamberlin, 9019 ft.; Mt. Hubley, 8914 ft.; and Mt. Michelson, 8855 ft. Sadlerochit Springs, a warm spring with water temperatures in the 50°F range year round, flows through an area with a unique plant community. The site is the only location on the refuge's north side known for several plant species. Approximately 94,400 acres of refuge land have been conveyed to Native villages and regional corporations under provisions of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and ANILCA. About 150 applications for Native allotments on the refuge are pending. The refuge has a very complex and unique geology. Scientists think that commercial quantities of oil and/or gas may underlie the coastal plain. In 1987, the mean recoverable oil reserves were estimated at 3.2 billion barrels. This estimate was updated to 3.55 billion barrels in 1991 based on reanalysis of existing - data and new data from adjoining areas. The refuge's eight million acre wilderness area is the largest in the National Wildlife Refuge System and the second largest in the United States. The refuge includes more wilderness than all the "lower 48" refuges combined. Much of the refuge is covered by a thick layer of peat overlain by a mat of mosses, sedges and grasses. Trees rarely grow taller than a foot or two north of the Brooks Range, although a few tall stands of poplar occur in mountain valleys. Larger spruce, birch and other tree species occur on the south side of the refuge.

Wildlife The "balance of nature" truly prevails on the refuge due to its pristine, remote nature. There are no known introduced species. A spectacular mix of arctic and subarctic wildlife uses the refuge, including 44 mammal, 169 bird, and 36 fish species. The endangered peregrine falcon occurs on the refuge. The bowhead whale, also endangered, occurs offshore. Two caribou herds use the refuge. The Porcupine herd, numbering about 160,000 animals, winters in the southern portion of the refuge and in Canada. The herd's calving and post-calving activities occur on the coastal plain and adjacent portions of Canada in late May and early June. Up to one-fourth of the Central Arctic Caribou herd, which numbers 18,000 - 20,000 animals, spends time on the western portion of the refuge. Muskoxen, heavily hunted for food by whaling crews, disappeared from the coastal plain in the mid-1800's. Sixty-four animals were reintroduced in 1969 and 1970. The refuge herd has grown and stabilized at between 300 and 400 animals. The muskoxen have expanded their range off the refuge, bringing the total population north of the Brooks Range to over 500 animals. Polar bears are common on offshore ice. A few pregnant females annually den on the coastal plain. The grizzly bear population is estimated to be between 130 and 150 on the north side of the refuge. They den primarily in the mountains. Grizzlies prey and scavenge on caribou during early summer. Later they shift to other foods. Black bears occur on the south side of the refuge. No reliable population estimate exists. Five wolf packs totaling approximately 30 individuals live on the northern portion of the refuge. No population estimate exists south of the mountains • . Moose use riparian areas along the refuge's north side river drainages and a variety of habitats on the south side. Wolverines occur on the refuge, but they are rare. Large Dall sheep populations occur in the mountains, but no reliable population estimate exists. The Sadlerochit population is the farthest north Dall sheep population in North America. Snow geese from the high Arctic islands of Canada gather for fall migration on the eastern coastal plain from mid-August through mid-September. The geese feed extensively to gather energy for their trip. Their peak population averages 110,000, although it may exceed 300,000 birds. Approximately 150 pairs of tundra swans nest on the coastal plain near the coast. A variety of waterfowl use the coastal plain and coastal lagoons for nesting and feeding activities. The primary species is oldsquaw (20,000 to 35,000 birds), but king and common eiders, pintails and other waterfowl occur. Besides waterfowl, more than 70 shorebird and other migratory bird species utilize coastal plain habitats in the summer. Bird densities are high on the coastal plain (up to 400 per km 2 in certain habitats) .

People Kaktovik, an Inupiat Eskimo village with a population of about 200, is located on the northern edge of the coastal plain. Villagers have a more diverse subsistence base than south side residents. The primary species is the bowhead whale, but they also utilize caribou (from both herds), polar bear, waterfowl, walrus, seals, Dall sheep, wolves, ptarmigan, and several species of fish. Arctic Village, an Athabascan Indian village with a population of about 130, is located at the southern end of the refuge. A Partial List of Literature Pertinent to The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Books:

Nameless Valleys, Shining Mountains - by John P. Milton, Walker and Co., New York. 1970.

Two in the Far North - by Margaret E. Murie, Alaska Northwest Publishing Co., Anchorage. 1978.

Earth and the Great Weather - the Brooks Range - by Kenneth arower, McCall Publishing Co., New York. 1971.

Caribou and The Barren Lands - by George Calef, Firefly Books Ltd., Toronto. 1981.

Alaska National Interest Lands - Alaska Geographic Vol. 8 No. 4 Alaska Northwest Publishing Co.

Guide to the National Wildlife Refuges - by Laura and William Riley, Anchor Press, Garden City, New York, 1979.

A Winter Circuit of Our Arctic Coast - by Hudson Stuck

North top the Rime-ringed Sun - by Isobel Hutchinson

A Whaler and trader in the Arctic - by Arthur James Allen

Flora of Alaska and Neighboring Territories - by Eric Hult'en Standford University Press, Stanford, California. 1968. i Adventuring in Alaska: The Sierra Club Travel Guide to the' Great Land - by Peggy Wayburn, Sierra Club Books, 1982~ l Wild Lands for Wildlife - by Noel Grove, National Geographic Society Special Publications Division, Wash. D.C. 1984.

Arctic Dreams - by Barry Lopez, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. 1986.

America's Hidden Wilderness: Chapter 5 Arctic Awakening - George F. Mobley, National Geographic Society Special Publications Division, Wash. D.C. 1988.

Vanishing Arctic: Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge - by T.H. Watkins, Aperature Books/The Wilderness Society, Wash. D.C. 1988.

Alaska Paddling Guide - by Mosby and Dapkus, J And R Enterprises, Anchorage, AK 1986. Magazine Articles: "Arctic International Wildlife Range - Last Chance for the Porcupine Caribou Herd" by William E. Rees •• Northern Perspectives, Vol. 7, Canadian Arctic Resources Committee, Ottawa. "We hiked Across the Arctic" by Bernd Gaedeke, Alaska Sportsman magazine, Vol. XXXIII. No. 1, January 1967. "Canoeing the Sheenjek" by Averill s. Thayer, Alaska Magazine, October 1970. "Our Last Arctic Wilderness - A Gift Denied?" by George Laycock, Audubon Magazine, Vol. 78, No. 4, July 1976. "Numbers Beyond Counting, Miles Beyond Measure" by George Calef, Audubon Magazine, Vol. 78, No. 4, July 1976. "Arctic Range at a Crossroads" by Don Ross, Alaska Magazine, Vol. XLIII. No. 6, June 1977. "Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Range - Our Widest Wilderness" by Douglas Chadwick, National Geographic Magazine, Vol. 156. No. 6. December 1979. "A Passage of Caribou" by Wilbur Mills, The Living Wilderness, Vol. 41, No. 410, January/March 1978. "Refuges on the Rocks" by Jim Doherty, Audubon Magazine, July 1983. "The Last Pork Chop" by "Edward Abbey, Outside Magazine March 1984. "Across .Arctic Mountains" by Ted Kerasote, Sports Afield Magazine, February and March 1984. "Flying for 1002" by Ted Kerasote, Alaska Magazine, Vol. L No.7, July 1984. "The Finding of N720" by Debbie Miller, The Living Wilderness, Vol, 43 No. 147, December 1979. "Confrontation in the North" by Tom Kizzia, Defenders - Magazine of Defenders of Wildlife, Vol, 62 No. 2, September/October 1987. "Summer on the Sheenjek" by Margaret E. Murie, Defenders - Magazine of Defenders of Wildlife, Vol, 62 No. 2, September/October 1987. "Polar Opposites" by James R. Udall, Sierra Vol. 72 No. 5, September/October 1987. "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Special Issue" Audubon Magazine, May 1988. "An Arctic Dilemma" by Douglas B. Lee, National Geographic, Vol, 174 No. 6. December 1988. "Refuge in the Arctic: Special Issue" Wilderness, Vol,50 No.174, Fall 1986.

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