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J U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management BLM Alaska Open File Report 108 BLM/AK/ST-06 /024+8351 +050 June 2006 {~ ,,,,/ -_JO) ~A~ ob~ Delta National Wild and Scenic River !A.o, ,og 2005 Recreation User St;Jrvey Doug Whittaker, Ph.D. and Bo Shelby, Ph.D. ARLIS Alaska Resources Library & lnfonnation Services Library Building, Suite 111 ] 3211 Providence Drive AnchoraQ:e. AK 99508-4614 DATE DUE [] 1111 1 '4 2017 --- 0 D n [] I D Mission Statement • FAINTED IN U.S.A. The Bureau of Land \ULIYI/ It; [] r... ""''"""'~'-'•••'-'•• .;;JUOl:;11110 U 11ca ll ,, u1vcn::,1Ly and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Authors Doug Whittaker, Ph.D. and Bo Shelby, Ph.D. Confluence Research and Consulting, 6324 Red Tree · Circle, Anchorage, AK 99507 Cover Delta Falls, Delta National Wild and Scenic River • Open File Reports Open file reports present the results of inventories or other investigations published outside the formal SLM-Alaska technical publication series. These reports can include preliminary or incomplete data and are not published and distributed in quantity. Reports are available while supplies last from BLM External Affairs, 222 West 7th Avenue, #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513 (907) 271-5555 and from the Juneau Minerals Information Center, 100 Savikko Road, Mayflower Island, Douglas, AK 99824, (907) 364-1553. Copies are also available for inspection at the Alaska Resource Library and Information Service (Anchorage), the United States Department of the Interior Resources Library in Washington D.C., various libraries of the University of Alaska, the BLM National Business Center Library (Denver), and other selected locations. A complete bibliography of all SLM-Alaska scientific reports can be found on the Internet at: http://www. blm .gov/ak/affairs/sci_rpts. html. Related publications are also listed at: http://www.blm.gov/ak/jrmic/index.html. ARLIS Alaska Resources ibrary & Information Service~ l] Anchorage, AK } -r- 0 0 Delta National Wild and Scenic River LO LO f' C"'.) 2005 Recreation User Survey C"'.) By Doug Whittaker, Ph.D. and Bo Shelby, Ph. D. ] BLM Open File Report 108 June 2006 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Glennallen Field Office PO Box 147, Mile 186.5 Glenn Highway Glennallen, AK 99588 ] 0 n 0 n n n 0 0 0 0 a 0 D D 0 u 0 0 LJ Lower Tangle Lakes. This photo gallery illustrates major findings from a 2005 recreation user study on Alaska's Tangle Lakes and Delta River, a 62-mile corridor that is part of the National Wild and Scenic River System. Offering high quality boating, fishing, hunting, and camping opportunities that attract substantial recreation use, BLM expects to revise a 1983 river management plan in the near future. This survey is one input for planners to consider. Upper Delta River. The study area includes five lake/river segments: Upper Tangle Lakes, Lower Tangle Lakes, Upper · Delta, Lower Delta, and the Black Rapids segment. Report sections summarize recreation facilities, recreation :features (e.g., topography, scenery, fish, wi~dlife), setting character by segment, and historical use levels. ] n Registration form. The n survey targeted recent Delta users identified from 1) voluntary [1 registration boxes at boat launches, and 2) a networking sample reached via paddling clubs, a motorized access organization, outfitters, and known • n local users. In all, 358 people were mailed surveys and 345 ret11med them (68% response· rate). The sample included 152 non-motorized users, 73 motorized users, and D 116 ATV users. f L lJ LI Lo1:ver Tangle Lakes. Sampled Delta users take many types of trips, but lake-based trips were more common than lake-to-river "through trips," while Lower River powerboat, Black Rapids, and ATV trips were even less c01mnon. f Median number of previous trips was 2 to 4. Most respondents were males in their 40s and 50s. Median trip L length was 3 to 4 days. Most groups included 2 to 6 people. Majorities of all trips fish, but bunting was more r common on Lower River powerboat and ATV trips. None of the "through trip" boaters reported hunting. I 1 Clockl·vise from top: Lmver Delta graylingfishing; Lotver Tangle camp; i,-vhitewater in Delta Gorge. Users rated different reasons for taking trips, and results suggest recreation experiences are multi faceted. The least important attribute is "meeting other users," so minimizing interaction is a reasonable management goal. Non-motorized users were more interested in several attributes commonly associated with "wilderness recreation" ( e.g., solitude, scenery, being in a·natural place) than motorized users. Fishing and hunting were more important for motorized users. n f l I [ . [ j D [ Camp on Lower Delta River. Few respondents thought any segment should provide a higher density setting, but [ there were differences between motorized and non-motorized users. Non-motorized users are more sensitive to high densities, development levels, and motorized use, preferring less of each. Most users reported 8 of 16 impacts as "high priorities" for management. Signs of use impacts (litter, human waste) were the highest priorities, and camp competition, camp sharing, and camp encounters were more important than river encounters. Motorized boat encounters, ATV encounters, and ATV trail impacts .were higher priorities for non-motorized users. Lower Delta River. Perceived l crowding scores suggest that no segment is "over capacity" and crowding scores were well below those from studies on the Gulkana and several Susitna Basin rivers. Analysis of crowding ratings r revealed no upward trend in recent years. Reported encounters with other l groups were generally higher than preferences, but were lower than tolerances. Average encounter tolerances (usually less than 4) are similar to those from many other studies ofbackcountry areas. L BLM recreation crew cleaning a camp; cached equipment found near a camp. Based on reported impact and tolerance levels, litter and ''beat-out" camps are not substantial problems in the corridor at this time. BLM crew trips that clean camps 3-4 times per year help explain this finding. However, human waste impacts were reported slightly more often than user tolerances. Patrols, Education, and Facilities Lower Tangle Lakes boat launch and information kiosk. Most users support existing patrol levels and increased education efforts; there was slightly lower support for increased patrols. Most users support creation of pit toilets or steps to prevent erosion at high use camps, but they are more divided over specific 1 improvements at the Delta River portage (see next page) and Mile 212 launch improvements. ] [J [1 Delta Falls and Portage Area n [ 1 11 L [ D r Li d Main photo: Upper Delta River Falls; a 2nd latge,-Jalls is just downstream, followed by a short Class iII-JV r gorge. Clockwise insets from top right: Portage signs; beach at end ofportage trail at low water; 2nd halfof l portage trail; Beaver pond along portage route. Most Delta River "through trip" users support the current balance of facilities at the portage, which include warning signs, a pit toilet, and a portage trail maintained with mostly on site rock. There was less support for substantial portage trail improvements, perhaps out of concem that they might attrnct higher use. The trail, which has two parts divided by a short beaver pond, can be muddy or under LI water after rain events. There was some support for closing and rehabilitating some side trails to scenic vistas in the area, but opposition toward limiting camping (the number of sites has expanded in recent years), u u Left; Registration station at a boat launch. Below: Black Rapids segment. Most users are willing to pay user fees, although there were differences between groups. A majority of non-motorized and small engine motorized boaters were willing to pay fees, but there was less support among other power boaters and ATV users. Among those willing to pay, average amounts were $3 to $5 per person per day or $10 to $20 per group per trip. Large Boy Scout group camped on Lower Delta. About two-thirds of non-motorized users philosophically support (or mi'ght support) use limits, while only one-third of motorized users said the same. However, there is little enthusiasm for most specific use limit options among any group. The exception was commercial use limits. A majority of non-motorized users support group size limits, while only about a quarter of the motorized users support them. Among those who support group size limits, nearly three quarters support limits of 12 or less and 91 % support limits of 16 or less. Some recent scout trips have approached 30 people; most group size limits on other rivers are between 12 and 25. [I n 11 n Camp on Lower Tangle Lakes. Trail erosion to some u popular camping areas has become more pronounced over time; one solution is to build steps or otherwise harden trails to concentrate use, but this also may [ make the site appear less primitive. [] [. ~ It J Left to right: PETT portable toilet and shelter; fire ring at a Delta camp; fire ring and cut tree at another site. There was majority opposition to requiring portable toilets (carry out human waste regulations) and fire pans. These regulations are common on many Lower 48 rivers and require a change in equipment and nonns, but they also substantially solve human waste and fire ring scar impacts. U- ] Upper Tangle Lakes. A minor problem on the Upper Tangles and Lower Delta concerns long term camping. Patrol crews have noted that a few users establish camps for several weeks each hunting season and this may exacerbate camp competition. However, survey data do not show support for camp occupation limits.