An Assessment of Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Bristol Bay, Alaska
EPA 910-R-14-001C | January 2014 An Assessment of Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska Volume 3 – Appendices E-J Region 10, Seattle, WA www.epa.gov/bristolbay EPA 910-R-14-001C January 2014 AN ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL MINING IMPACTS ON SALMON ECOSYSTEMS OF BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA VOLUME 3—APPENDICES E-J U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Seattle, WA CONTENTS VOLUME 1 An Assessment of Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska VOLUME 2 APPENDIX A: Fishery Resources of the Bristol Bay Region APPENDIX B: Non-Salmon Freshwater Fishes of the Nushagak and Kvichak River Drainages APPENDIX C: Wildlife Resources of the Nushagak and Kvichak River Watersheds, Alaska APPENDIX D: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Characterization of the Indigenous Cultures of the Nushagak and Kvichak Watersheds, Alaska VOLUME 3 APPENDIX E: Bristol Bay Wild Salmon Ecosystem: Baseline Levels of Economic Activity and Values APPENDIX F: Biological Characterization: Bristol Bay Marine Estuarine Processes, Fish, and Marine Mammal Assemblages APPENDIX G: Foreseeable Environmental Impact of Potential Road and Pipeline Development on Water Quality and Freshwater Fishery Resources of Bristol Bay, Alaska APPENDIX H: Geologic and Environmental Characteristics of Porphyry Copper Deposits with Emphasis on Potential Future Development in the Bristol Bay Watershed, Alaska APPENDIX I: Conventional Water Quality Mitigation Practices for Mine Design, Construction, Operation, and Closure APPENDIX J: Compensatory Mitigation and Large-Scale Hardrock Mining in the Bristol Bay Watershed AN ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL MINING IMPACTS ON SALMON ECOSYSTEMS OF BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA VOLUME 3—APPENDICES E-J Appendix E: Bristol Bay Wild Salmon Ecosystem: Baseline Levels of Economic Activity and Values Bristol Bay Wild Salmon Ecosystem Baseline Levels of Economic Activity and Values John Duffield Chris Neher David Patterson Bioeconomics, Inc. -
COMPARISON of the PEBBLE MINE with OTHER ALASKA LARGE HARD ROCK MINES
COMPARISON of the PEBBLE MINE with OTHER ALASKA LARGE HARD ROCK MINES Stuart Levit and David Chambers Center for Science in Public Participation February, 2012 Summary If permitted, the Pebble mine will be North America’s, and one of the world’s largest mines. It has been suggested that in spite of its size the Pebble mine is comparable to other Alaska mining projects. The amount of ore mined and the area that would be disturbed by development at the Pebble mine is on a scale entirely of its own in Alaska, and even enormous on a global scale. Size alone does not determine impacts, but based on other factors such as acid producing potential, easy movement of water away from the mine, a world class fishery, wet climate regime, etc., the mine’s potential impacts could be significant and irreparable. Several of Alaska’s large mines have potentially acid producing ore, but none are truly comparable with the size of the proposed Pebble mine. The Pebble Mine is unique compared to Alaska’s other large, hard rock mines when looking at characteristics such as size, geochemistry, geomorphology, fisheries, and hydrology. When viewed through the aggregate of these factors, the Pebble mine is distinctly different from any other present or past hard rock mine in Alaska. More important is Pebble’s massive potential to impact the pristine lands with industrial development. The Bristol Bay watershed is unique in Alaska because it comprises Alaska’s, and one of the world’s, greatest salmon fisheries. It supports cultural, subsistence, commercial, recreational, economic, and environmental values that are unparalleled. -
Petition to List the Iliamna Lake Seal, a Distinct Population Segment of Eastern North Pacific Harbor Seal (Phoca Vitulina Richardii), Under the U.S
Before the Secretary of Commerce Petition to List the Iliamna Lake Seal, a Distinct Population Segment of Eastern North Pacific Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii), under the U.S. Endangered Species Act Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Dave Withrow Center for Biological Diversity 6 February 2020 i Notice of Petition Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20230 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Dr. Neil Jacobs, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20230 Email: [email protected] Petitioner: Kristin Carden, Oceans Program Scientist, on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity 1212 Broadway #800 Oakland, CA 94612 Phone: 510.844.7100 x327 Email: [email protected] On November 19, 2012, the Center for Biological Diversity (Center, Petitioner) submitted to the Secretary of Commerce and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) a petition to list the Iliamna Lake population of eastern North Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). (See generally Center 2012.) On May 17, 2013, NMFS issued a positive 90- day finding “that the petition present[ed] substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petition action may be warranted” and initiated a status review. (78 Fed. Reg. 29,098 (May 17, 2013).). On November 17, 2016, NMFS issued a determination that listing was not warranted because “the seals in Iliamna Lake do not constitute a species, subspecies, or distinct population segment (DPS) under the ESA.” (81 Fed. -
Walrus Hunting at Togiak, Bristol Bay, Soutwest Alaska
WALRUS HUNTING AT TOGIAK, BRISTOL BAY, SOUTHWEST ALASKA James A. Fall, Molly Chythlook, Janet Schichnes, and Rick Sinnott’ Technical Paper No. 212 ’ Fall: Division of Subsistence, Anchorage Chythlook and Schichnes: Division of Subsistence, Dillingham Sinnott: Division of Wildlife Conservation, Anchorage Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Subsistence Juneau, Alaska October 1991 The Alaska Department of Fish and Game operates all of its public programs and activities free from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. Because the department receives federal funding, any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against should write to: O.E.D. U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 , ABSTRACT The report provides an overview of historic and contemporary uses of Pacific walrus in the Bristol Bay region of southwest Alaska. It focuses on the community of Togiak (population 613) and its traditional use areas, including Round Island (Yup’ik Qayaciq, “place to go in a kayak”). As part of the Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary, Round Island, a critical haul out site, has been closed to walrus hunting since 1960. In 1991, the Togiak Traditional Council submitted a proposal to the Alaska Board of Game to allow a limited hunt for 10 walrus on Round Island in October. Hunting of walrus and other marine mammals in western Bristol Bay, including Round Island, by the Native people of the Togiak area over the last 2,500 years is documented by archaeological and ethnohistorical evidence. Until the late 1930s and early 1940% well-organized groups of hunters from Togiak traveled in kayaks to Round Island (the most reliable hunting location) and other islands armed with spears and harpoons to harvest walrus. -
ORPC Rivgen Wake Characterization
ORPC RivGen Wake Characterization Maricarmen Guerra Paris* Jim Thomson University of Washington University of Washington Seattle, WA, USA Seattle, WA, USA *Corresponding author: [email protected] in turbulence due to eddies shed by turbine blades; and iii) complex interactions between natural and turbine ABSTRACT induced turbulent structures [6]. In this investigation we assess the wake formed behind Baseline and post-deployment flow conditions were mea- a horizontal cross-flow turbine installed on the Kvichak sured at the ORPC RivGen turbine site on the Kvichak river in southwest Alaska, USA, just downstream of the river in the vicinity of Igiugig village, Alaska. Mean sur- village of Igiugig. The small village is home to 70 peo- face flow and turbulence measurements were collected ple and its electricity source currently depends on an from a drifting platform equipped with a Nortek Signa- isolated power grid fed by diesel generators. The Ocean ture 1000Hz five beam AD2CP. Baseline measurements Renewable Power Company (ORPC) has set a pilot hy- indicate a maximum flow of 2.5 m/s and a 10% turbu- drokinetic energy project on the Kvichak river stream to lent intensity in the turbine vicinity. Measurements af- provide Igiugig with a renewable and locally produced ter turbine deployment and grid connection show a sig- source of energy. nificant decrease in surface velocity up to 200 m down- ORPCs RivGen turbine was successfully deployed, stream from the turbine and an increase in turbulence tested and connected to the local power grid during intensity up to 20% that extends about 75 m down- the summers of 2014 and 2015. -
Fish Surveys in Headwater Streams of the Nushagak and Kvichak River Drainages Bristol Bay, Alaska, 2008 - 2010
FISH SURVEYS IN HEADWATER STREAMS OF THE NUSHAGAK AND KVICHAK RIVER DRAINAGES BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA, 2008 - 2010 December, 2010 ©Bridget Besaw/TNC Prepared for by Dr. Carol Ann Woody & Sarah Louise O’Neal Fisheries Research and Consulting Anchorage, Alaska PREFACE The Nature Conservancy is an international not-for profit organization with a mission to preserve the biodiversity of the earth. Several years ago the Conservancy refocused programs to advancing local conservation efforts that contribute most to protecting globally significant strongholds of biodiversity. The Alaska Chapter determined that the loss of wild Pacific salmon productivity in Alaska would have a global impact because wild salmon have been severely compromised in other parts of the world. A focus on wild salmon in Alaska inevitably leads to Bristol Bay – home to the world’s largest remaining salmon runs. In the late 1990s the Conservancy began developing partnerships with local organizations to protect the long term viability of Bristol Bay’s salmon resource. A partnership with the Curyung Tribe of Dillingham, the Bristol Bay Native Association and the Nushagak- Mulchatna Watershed Council led to the development and the publication in 2007 of The Nushagak River Watershed Traditional Use Area Conservation Plan. During the time the Conservancy was working with this partnership, the discovery of a large copper and gold ore body on state lands in the watersheds of the Nushagak and Kvichak Rivers was announced. A flurry of new mining claims followed. The discovery, now known as the Pebble Prospect, is under active exploration and environmental assessment by a consortium of mining interests. The Anadromous Fish Act (AS 16.05.871) is the key State of Alaska statutory protection for freshwater habitats of fish in Alaska. -
Surface Water Quality in the Nushagak, Kvichak, and Chulitna Watersheds, Southwest Alaska 2009-2010
Investigations of Surface Water Quality in the Nushagak, Kvichak, and Chulitna Watersheds, Southwest Alaska 2009-2010 Kendra L. Zamzow, Ph.D. Center for Science in Public Participation PO Box 54 Sutton, Alaska 99674 July 2011 for The Nature Conservancy 715 L Street Suite 100 Anchorage, Alaska 99501 Investigations of Surface Water Quality in the Nushagak, Kvichak, and Chulitna Watersheds, Southwest Alaska 2009-2010 Prepared for: The Nature Conservancy 715 L Street Suite 100 Anchorage, AK 99501 Prepared by: Kendra L. Zamzow, Ph.D. Center for Science in Public Participation PO Box 54 Sutton, AK 99674 with editorial review by: Ann Maest, Ph.D. Stratus Consulting 1881 Ninth St., Ste. 201 Boulder, CO 80302 and Molly Welker Bristol Environmental Remediation Services, LLC 111 W. 16th Avenue, Third Floor Anchorage, AK 99501 July 2011 Table of Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................1 1.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................1 2.0 Study Area and Sampling Locations ...............................................................................3 3.0 Methods, Data Availability, and Relevant Standards .....................................................7 3.1 Methods .......................................................................................................................7 3.2 Available Data .............................................................................................................7 -
Climate Change in Port Heiden, Alaska
Climate Change in Port Heiden, Alaska Strategies for Community Health Project Contributors: Erica Lujan - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Community Environment and Health Mike Brubaker - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Community Environment and Health John Warren - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering Jaclyn Christensen - Native Village of Port Heiden, Brownfields Program Scott Anderson - Native Village of Port Heiden, Environmental Program Melissa O’Domin - Native Village of Port Heiden, Environmental Program Jeremy Littell - Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center Richard Buzard - University of Alaska Fairbanks, Department of Geosciences Jacqueline Overbeck - Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Coastal Hazards Program Davin Holen - Alaska Sea Grant, Adapt Alaska Sue Flensburg - Bristol Bay Native Association, Environmental Program Elizabeth Powers - Western Alaska Landscape Conservation Cooperative The writing team would like to thank all of the community and regional contributors to this project. We appreciate your time and support. Port Heiden Contributors: Gerda Kosbruk Scott Anderson Hank Matson Nefuti Orloff Jaclyn Christensen Jimmy Christensen John Christensen Jr. Annie Christensen Tisha Kalmakoff Bruce Bishop Melissa O’Domin Amber Christensen-Fox Delores Anderson © 2018 Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Council Members: Gerda Kosbruk - Administrator Paid for with funds from the Bureau of Indian Affairs John Christensen Jr. - President -
Population Dynamics and Trophic Ecology of Dolly Varden in The
Population Dynamics and Trophic Ecology of Dolly Varden in the Iliamna River, Alaska: Life History of Freshwater Fish Relying on Marine Food Subsidies Troy A. Jaecks A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science University of Washington 2010 Program Authorized to Offer Degree: School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences University of Washington Graduate School This is to certify that I have examined this copy of a master’s thesis by Troy A. Jaecks and have found that it is complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the final examining committee have been made. Committee Members: _______________________________________________ Thomas P. Quinn _______________________________________________ Andre Punt _______________________________________________ David Beauchamp _______________________________________________ James Hasbrouck Date: ___________________________________________ In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master’s degree at the University of Washington, I agree that the Library shall make its copies freely available for inspection. I further agree that extensive copying of this thesis is allowable only for scholarly purposes, consistent with “fair use” as prescribed in the U.S. Copyright Law. Any other reproduction for any purposes or by any means shall not be allowed without my permission. Signature ________________________________ Date ____________________________________ Table of Contents List of Figures -
Bristol Bay Subarea Contingency Plan
BRISTOL BAY SUBAREA CONTINGENCY PLAN RESOURCES SECTION RESOURCES: PART ONE – COMMUNITY PROFILES ............................................................. B-1 A. Regional Organizations................................................................................ B-1 B. Community Profiles ..................................................................................... B-6 RESOURCES: PART TWO – EQUIPMENT ................................................................................. B-79 A. Commercially Available Equipment ......................................................... B-81 B. Government Spill Response Equipment .................................................... B-83 C. Industry/Spill Cooperative Equipment ...................................................... B-88 RESOURCES: PART THREE – INFORMATION DIRECTORY .............................................. B-89 A. Airports and Air Services .......................................................................... B-90 B. Bird and other Wildlife Response .............................................................. B-94 C. Contractors: BOA and Term ..................................................................... B-95 D. Historic Properties Protection .................................................................... B-95 E. Emergency Services/Managers .................................................................. B-96 F. Fishing Fleets and Organizations ............................................................... B-96 G. Government Contacts and Information -
Alaska Peninsula Becharof National Wildlife Refuges
Fishery Management Plan ALASKA PENINSULA BECHAROF NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES July 1994 Region 7 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Department of the Interior FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN ALASKA PENINSULA AND BECHAROF NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES Fiscal Years 1994 - 1998 Prepared By: King Salmon Fishery Resource Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 277 King Salmon, Alaska 99613 May 1994 SUMMARY STATEMENT The Alaska Peninsula and Becharof National Wildlife Refuges Fishery Management Plan (Plan) provides the management direction necessary to ensure conservation of fishery resources and habitat. In addition, the Plan provides for continued use of fishery resources by subsistence, commercial, and recreational users consistent with the purposes for which the Alaska Peninsula and Becharof refuges (Complex) were established and are managed. The Complex's biological and physical environment is described and fishery resources, human use, management history, and major issues and concerns are discussed. This information was obtained from the Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plans, a literature search, and discussions with Alaska Department of Fish and Game personnel. Objectives and tasks are developed to address the issues and concerns. Federal tasks are assigned priorities and costs for each year of continuation. The Plan encompasses a five year period, at which time it will be revised. Major issues and concerns identified include the following: competition between user groups; incomplete salmon escapement data bases to refine management of the Complex fish populations; and inadequate fishery law enforcement. In some cases, concerns were identified because of the perception that they would develop into serious problems if current levels of use or consumption were allowed to continue or expand. -
Geographic Names
GEOGRAPHIC NAMES CORRECT ORTHOGRAPHY OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES ? REVISED TO JANUARY, 1911 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1911 PREPARED FOR USE IN THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE BY THE UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHIC BOARD WASHINGTON, D. C, JANUARY, 1911 ) CORRECT ORTHOGRAPHY OF GEOGRAPHIC NAMES. The following list of geographic names includes all decisions on spelling rendered by the United States Geographic Board to and including December 7, 1910. Adopted forms are shown by bold-face type, rejected forms by italic, and revisions of previous decisions by an asterisk (*). Aalplaus ; see Alplaus. Acoma; township, McLeod County, Minn. Abagadasset; point, Kennebec River, Saga- (Not Aconia.) dahoc County, Me. (Not Abagadusset. AQores ; see Azores. Abatan; river, southwest part of Bohol, Acquasco; see Aquaseo. discharging into Maribojoc Bay. (Not Acquia; see Aquia. Abalan nor Abalon.) Acworth; railroad station and town, Cobb Aberjona; river, IVIiddlesex County, Mass. County, Ga. (Not Ackworth.) (Not Abbajona.) Adam; island, Chesapeake Bay, Dorchester Abino; point, in Canada, near east end of County, Md. (Not Adam's nor Adams.) Lake Erie. (Not Abineau nor Albino.) Adams; creek, Chatham County, Ga. (Not Aboite; railroad station, Allen County, Adams's.) Ind. (Not Aboit.) Adams; township. Warren County, Ind. AJjoo-shehr ; see Bushire. (Not J. Q. Adams.) Abookeer; AhouJcir; see Abukir. Adam's Creek; see Cunningham. Ahou Hamad; see Abu Hamed. Adams Fall; ledge in New Haven Harbor, Fall.) Abram ; creek in Grant and Mineral Coun- Conn. (Not Adam's ties, W. Va. (Not Abraham.) Adel; see Somali. Abram; see Shimmo. Adelina; town, Calvert County, Md. (Not Abruad ; see Riad. Adalina.) Absaroka; range of mountains in and near Aderhold; ferry over Chattahoochee River, Yellowstone National Park.