Creamer's Resource Inventory

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RESOURCE INVENTORY TABLE OF CONTENTS

History ....,.....,.,, 3

Description 3 Physical Environment. Soils...... Climate Geology Hydrology. Permafrost Biological Resources Vegetation Proposed Habitat Enhancement 18 Waterfowl Habitat Enhancement. 18 Faunal Diversity • 18 Birds 19 Amphibians • 19 Other Avifauna • . • . ... . • 19 Mammals • • 19

HumanUse . • . 26 Existing Uses . . • . 26 Visitors — Spring and Summer . 26 Hunting • . • . .... 26 Trapping •• . .. • . . 26 Education . 26 Access 28

Information Needs ... . * • . . . . 28

Appendix I 30

I I I I I HI STORY

Creamer’s Field was originally cleared in the early 1900’s as part of the Hinckley Dairy operation, and by 1928 when Charles Creamer assumed ownership, the field had already acquired the reputation of a resting area for waterfowl during their spring migrations northward. Because interest in this annual event grew along with the population of Fairbanks, there was serious concern for the fate of the field in 1967 when Charles Creamer decided to sell the farm. At this time the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) became interested in acquiring the land to be managed as a wildlife, educational, and recreational area.

By January 1968, through the combined efforts of individuals and the Alaska Conservation Society, enough money was raised to secure the option to purchase Creamer’s Field for ADF&G. A bill introduced by Governor Walter J. Hickel requesting an appropriation to be used toward the purchase of the field was passed in April by both the House and the Senate. Shortly thereafter, the additional funds necessary to complete the purchase were appropriated by the Pittman—Robertson Federal Aid to the Wildlife Restoration Program. In mid—1968 ADF&G assumed management responsibility of the 247.5—acre Creamer’s Field area and the previously private 12—acre plot situated near the center of Creamer’s Field was acquired in 1982.

In 1968 Alaska Division of Lands was requested to transfer management authority of a 1,524—acre tract of state land situated immediately north of Creamer’s Field to ADF&G. Until 1974 the 1,776—acre tract known as the Fairbanks Wildlife Nanagement Area was managed cooperatively by ADF&G and Department of Natural Resources. In 1974 the Alaska Legislature voted to give the area state refuge status and the name Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.

DESCRIPTION Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge is located immediately north of Fairbanks. Its 1,776 acres encompass approximately one—third of the land mass surrounded by College Road on the south and Farmers Loop on the north, east, and west. In addition, ADF&G owns an 8.5—acre parcel situated south of College Road which is not within the refuge boundaries but was part of the 1968 Creamer’s Field purchase and is managed by ADF&G (Map 1).

The irregular boundary of the refuge is approximately 9 miles in length. Much of the land adjacent to the refuge is in private ownership. The lands not in private ownership belong to public agencies which include the University of Alaska (UAF) and the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB). The 4 buildings formerly used in the Creamer’s Dairy operation are listed in the register of state and national historical sites. These buildings now are used for either storage or office space. In 1987 the Department initiated plans to 1111w — — — — —

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The information in this inventory comes from Michael A. Spindler’s master’s thesis, Ecological Survey of the Birds, Mammals, and Vegetation of Fairbanks Wildlife Management Area, December 1976, University of Alaska——Fairbanks, and Department files.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Climate Fairbanks has an average daily maximum temperature of 38.4°F, an average daily minimum of 16.2°F and a mean annual temperature of 25.7°F. Temperatures range from a record high of 99°F to a record low of —65°F. Temperatures are likely to be more extreme in the low—lying bog flats of the refuge than at the National Weather Service (ESSH) station near Fairbanks International Airport.

The frost—free season begins, on the average, on May 21 and ends approximately August 30. The transition between winter and summer and vice versa is quite rapid, occurring in about one and a half months.

Mean annual total precipitation for Fairbanks is 12.2 inches. August is the wettest month, averaging 2.4 inches of rainfall and April, the driest month, averages less than half an inch. Fairbanks receives a mean annual snowfall of 50.6 inches (water equivalent of 3.7 inches). Greatest snowfall occurs in January with an average of 10.9 inches. Soils Soil types in the Fairbanks area have been mapped by the USDA Soil Conservation Service (Reiger et al. 1963). A detailed soils map of the refuge was compiled from that information (Appendix 1). Soils in the refuge are for the most part alluvially deposited materials of glacial origin, although the area itself was never glaciated. The major soil types present are recorded as follows (Map 2): Goldstream silt loam is the most extensive soil comprising muskegs on the refuge. It is alluvial in nature and overlies layers of gravel. Quite often the surface vegetation is tussock meadows with visible polygon patterns. Permafrost is usually within 1 meter of the surface. Lemeta peat has accumulated in shallow lakes on the alluvial floodplain. Remnants of these lakes appear as old lake beds filled with marsh vegetation, or covered by floating bog mats. Some peat areas are now forested with black spruce and may represent the climax stage of hydrosere. Permafrost is usually within 0.5 meters of the surface except in wet situations where it may be very deep. Salchaket——very fine sandy loam covers most of the field. This stratified alluvial soil is the only soil presently occurring in the geologically active Chena—Tanana Floodplain. It is composed of predominant layers of sandy material and interspersed with silty layers over a gravel substrate. Gravel depth varies from CREANER1S FIELD MIGRATORY WATERFOWL REFUGE SOIL TYPE MAP lSc U ol oli,,, 51 co,e,,o,.os Sod Mo fo,,boolj 4,00 IW.I

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Tanana silt loam is dominated by silt but may contain sand and ice lenses at any depth. It is generally covered by vegetation of black spruce, tamarack, birch, and willow. Permafrost is usually within 1 meter of the surface.

Geology Creamers Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge lies at the base of the Yukon—Tanana uplands, a westward trending highland of mature rounded hills between the Yukon and Tanana Rivers. Most of the refuge is located on the Tanana lowlands, a wide, sediment—filled valley between the Yukon—Tanana uplands to the north and the Alaska Range to the south, draining westward to the Yukon River. The region was not glaciated, but was literally surrounded by mountain glaciers during the Wisconsin Times (20,000—100,000 years ago), and abounds with the end products of glacial erosion.

Pewe (1958) identifies 4 geologic units underlying the refuge (Map 3). Floodplain alluvium underlies the fields in the southern portion of the refuge. This unit is well drained and in the past was part of the Chena and Tanana floodplains. The surface silt in this area is 0.3 to 4.5 meters in depth and is often underlain by alternating layers of sand and gravel. The surface of this geologic unit is essentially flat with undulating swales and low ridges 0.5 to 1.0 meters high. Perennially frozen undifferentiated silt is restricted to the bases of the hills and creek bottoms in the northern portion of the refuge. This unit is composed primarily of retransported bess and varies in thickness from 1—95 meters. Perennially frozen organic silt occurs extensively underneath most of the polygonized bog flats covering the majority of the refuge. It is the characteristic geologic unit underlying the cave—in lakes, thaw ponds, and patterned ground common on the refuge. Perennially frozen peat occurs only to a limited extent along the south boundary and is characteristic of old lake basins, This formation is approximately 6 meters in thickness. y4ology The refuge is drained by two creeks. Juliette Creek originates north of the old farm buildings and then turns west behind the barns and drains into Noyes Slough and the Chena River. Isabella Creek originates in the hills above Farmers Loop and McGrath Road and proceeds in a southwesterly direction across the bog flats and into Noyes Slough. It is only during break—up and extreme flooding

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MAP TYPE REFUGE GEOLOGY WATERFOWL MIGRATORY FIELD CREAMERS ____ conditions that conventional drainage occurs on the refuge. At other times drainage patterns are complex and involve sheet flow, beaded drainage systems, and intermittent, localized seeps.

The chain of lakes located in the northwestern portion of the refuge is characteristic of chermokarst topography. These small lakes both drain the surrounding area and recharge the active layer with ground water. These lakes are shallow, averaging 6 feet in depth.

A chain of ponds with waterfowl nesting islands was constructed on the refuge between 1984 and 1987. The ponds are from 1 to 3 acres in size and are up to 4 feet deep. Upland areas northeast of the refuge drain into these ponds during break—up and rainy periods. Permafrost The entire area is underlain by permafrost which varies in depth from 12 meters to less than 0.25 meters. Permafrost is farthest below the surface in the field area and nearest the surface in the black spruce bog lands. The distribution of permafrost and its depth below the surface are major factors contributing to the vegetation and drainage patterns.

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES Vegetation A total of 250 plant taxa have been identified on the refuge. These taxa include 7 trees; 12 tall shrubs; 23 low shrubs; 85 herbs; 29 grasses, sedges, or rushes; 45 mosses; and 50 lichens. Spindler (1976) described each of the 6 vegetation types found on the refuge (Table 1 and 2, Map 4):

Coniferous forest — Nearly pure stands of black spruce (Picea inariana) cover 25% of the refuge, while pure white spruce (Picea glauca) and tamarack (Larix laricina) as well as mixed coniferous stands were observed less frequently.

Deciduous forest — The most common deciduous forest type is birch—willow. Large areas of previously burned tussock meadows have been converted to paper birch (Befula papyrifera) stands interspersed with dense Salix spp. clumps. Pure deciduous stands are not extensive on the refuge bog flats, covering about 7% of the area.

Tall shrub — About 16% of refuge vegetative cover is tall dense stands of shrubs. Two types are recognized, nearly pure willow (Salix spp.) stands, and mixed tall shrubs. The mixed tall shrub—type is usually comprised of Alnus incana and Salix bebb iana.

Tussock—low shrub bog — Bogs of mixed heaths and sedge tussocks cover approximately 23% of the refuge. The tussocks encompass Table 1, Habitat types on Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, as determined from grid sampling of 1,168 points.

Habitat Percent of Area Acres Hectares

Coniferous forest white spruce dominant 5.0 90.2 36.5 black spruce dominant 25.9 479.1 194.0 tamarack (larch) dominant 4.1 76.0 30.8 Deciduous forest 6.3 123.8 50.1 Tall shrub 16.2 300.6 121.7

Tussock—low shrub 22.7 420.8 170.4 Herbaceous bog 2.4 60.1 24.3 Fields 15.4 285.0 115.4 Lakes and ponds 2.0 14.5 5.9 Totals 100.0 1,850.1 749.1 I acres* ha.*

* Total area is somewhat larger than actual area of the refuge because I data were collected utilizing a buffer strip or “area of interest” surrounding the actual boundary. I I a

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CREAMER’S FIELD MIGRATORY WATERFOWL REFUGE VEGETATION TYPE MAP

•$.R $4s —

.sr — - -

as . 0 as .s,* /7 •• — as /

$ •11, a. ç / a ç Z -- — - - — — — ) — : ‘ as 0% I 2 ••s • • •- aI I’ I a I s•s • ts I’ as as O’a •a .• ‘S

-- I Its — ‘i;:as.* 1as t - a • •. 1t!-1 j4 L - —%!? • ••._ as • 0 — I S #1 ‘S I ) 5t1. ‘...**. so. 5..ae : • as • • I, a C.o . —4 1 L.J -. — .e * 0” “-4 *4 *44* * I •_ a a 4

0’ •\ S 1. s—.. Os’s

had

Old

the

the and

can

the

and

(V.

(DU)

lure

more with

(duck

those

along

spp.)

cover

3% as

it in

stunted

Because

barley

nana),

nesting

causing

habitat.

tricho—

both

north

available

Inc.

productive

fields

succession

size

rest

area

act

production

for

ericaceous

(B.

agriculture

Stamp

(Potentilla

using

educational,

about

shrub

safe

Some

(Carex habitat.

Airport

with

change

tussocks,

succession

(Chamaedaphne the

for

moose

was

acres.

hay

the

built

the

Low

lingonberry

remains

cultivation.

from

game

birch

with

for

near

covers

520

acres

project

communities,

ponds

sedges

(Ranunculus

major

coming

vegetative

behavior

make Unlimited,

growth

from

barley

initiated

natural

cultivated and

out

area

habitat

will

firefinger

dwarf

type

Cassandra

5—10

reclaimed

this

to upland

Conservation

cranes

bodies

last

vaginatum)

fly

photographic,

boundaries.

burned

the

shrubs

palustris.

before

dense

International

being

taken is

Duck’s

and

emergent

and

pond

current

the

The

uliginosum),

vegetative

its

marsh

is communities

being

they

that

hay.

stages

of water clearing

microcarpus).

behind

refuge

with

palustris), permafrost,

nesting

planted

Caitha

from

runway

moose

interconnected

Most

viewing,

vegetative

palastre),

Waterfowl

are

Their

switch

the

fire

when

shallow

glandulosa),

Another

stimulate

and

brome

with

(Eriophorum

the

stage.

willow

within

Fairbanks

are

consist

various

(Calla

be funds

range

This

through

ideal

such

discourage

1954

permanent

This

objective

(Vaccinium

slow.

—

will

tussocks, the

(Ledum

(Oxycoccus

Alaska

provide

15%

the

waterfowl

willows

modification

grass

airport

(Betula

will

fauna

fields.

climax

fields

The

cranes.

calla

vulgaris

are

tea

the

perennial

bog

underlaid

very

usually

opportunities.

crossing,

will

banks

from

the

matching

offers with

About

One

the

species

from

pond

lack

making

for

birch barley.

Enhancement

—

wild

little

maintained

cotton

Habitat

They from

spp.).

been

cranberry

blueberry

Enhancement

se4ge

Eriophorum

through

and

The

construction

spoil

and

Hippuris

cranes.

sandhill

hunting

airport

Labrador

stage

project

away

university

has

are

refuge

land choked

and

cultivated

and refuge

shrub

from

variety

resulted

agriculture

due

communities reached

Very

to to

fields.

aquatic

(Salix

the

pond.

The

the

Habitat

revenue

and the

Habitat

oats,

refuge. the

covered

the

This

now

burn

cleared

program

problems

such

Diversity

fields.

have

for

fields

cranes

and

switched

Cleared

the

palustris), phyllis),

with

Marshes

waterfowl

the

1987

willow

shallow

gradient

lanes

fields grain/hay

The

some

willow/birch

support

vegetation much

Faunal

vegetative

Because

islands. sites.

and

stamp) previously

paid

sites.

fields

safety a airport

the

Waterfowl

university

these islands.

attractant

attractive

and

Proposed

consists

calycalata),

shrubs

sphagnum

and

a vitis.-idaea), However, no effort has been made to manage habitat on most of the refuge. The 1987 pond construction project converted approximately 20 acres of black spruce/tussock bog to waterfowl habitat. Birds A total of 150 bird species occur on the refuge during some time of the year. Of these, 20 are residents, 57 are migrants, 55 are breeders, and 18 are occasional visitors (Table 3). Of special interest are the concentrations of waterfowl that utilize the area, particularly during the spring migration. In the latter part of April concentrations sometimes numbering in the thousands are found on the field as well as on most of the lakes. The primary waterfowl species visiting the refuge include: Canada geese (Branta canadensis), white—fronted geese (Anser albitrons), pintail (Anas acuta), wigeon (Anas americana), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), shoveler (Anas clypeata), and green—winged teal (Anas crecca). In addition, many shorebirds, raptors, and numerous species of passerines pass through the area between mid—April and early June.

The most common species nesting on the refuge lakes and ponds are pintail, wigeon, shoveler, and yellowlegs (Tringa melanolencus). Nonbreeding sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) are found in the fields and on the new pond project where they feed relatively safely because of the openness of each area. Amphibians The only amphibian recorded for this area is the wood frog (Rana sylvatica). Other Avifauna Spruce grouse (Dendragapas canadensis), sharp—tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus), and ruf fed grouse (Bonasa umbellas) are present throughout the year on the refuge. Willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) are present only during winter. All 4 species are hunted. No information is available on hunting success.

Mammals Sixteen species of mammals commonly utilize the refuge (Table 4). Moose (Alces alces) are found throughout the refuge. Forty moose were counted during November 1985 aerial surveys and only 11 moose were counted in November 1987. The refuge is open to bow hunting for moose but records show few being shot annually.

The 15 other mammals include 2 species of shrews, snowshoe hare, 7 species of rodents, red fox, black bear, and 3 species of mustelids. In addition, pigmy shrews, northern bog lemmings, meadow jumping mice, and lynx may occasionally utilize the area. Table 3. Annotated bird list for Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge (Spindler 1976).

The following classifications are used:

R = resident H = migrant B = breeder, or probable breeder V = visitor S = summer = fall W = winter * uncommon + = rare or accidental

GAVIIFORMES GAVIDAE common loon M arctic loon M PODICIPEDIFORMES POCIDIPEDIDAE rednecked grebe B horned grebe B ANSERIFORNES ANATIDAE Cygninae whistling swan H trumpeter swan H Anserinae Canada goose H, S V whitefronted goose H snow goose M Anatinae mallard B gadwall* M, S V pintail B greenwinged teal B bluewinged teal* B European wigeon+ M American wigeon B shoveler B Aythyinae redhead H ringnecked duck H canvasback H greater scaup H lesser scaup B common goldeneye M, S V

ad Table 3 (cont’d).

Aythyinai (cont’d) Barrow’s goldeneye M bufflehead B oldsquaw M white—winged scoter M surf scoter H FALCONIFORMES ACCIPITRIDAE goshawk R sharp—shinned hawk B red—tailed hawk B Harlan’s hawk B Swainson’s hawk H, S V rough—legged hawk M golden eagle H bald eagle 14 marsh hawk B PANDIONIDAE osprey H FALCONIDAE gyrfalcon 14 peregrine falcon 14 merline 14 kestrel B GALLIFORMES TETRAONIDAE spruce grouse R ruffed grouse R willow ptarmigan W V rock ptarmigan wv sharptailed grouse R GRIJIFORNES GRUIDAE gray crane+ H saudhill crane B RALLIDAE American coot+ H CHARADRIIFORMES CHARADRIIDAE semipalmated plover H killdeer* 14 American golden plover 14 black—bellied plover 14 SCOLOPACIDAE common snipe B whitnbrel H upland plover H spotted sandpiper M solitary sandpiper B lesser yellowlegs B

R R

R M

M M M

M M

woodpecker

woodpecker*

flicker

owl

sandpiper

gull

sandpiper+

owl

owl*

jaeger

dowitcher

ted

godwit+

threetoed

dove+

phalarope

sandpiper

gull

(contd) sandpiper*

sandpiper

kingfisher

hunimingbird*

owl

nighthawk+

tern

phoebe

woodpecker

gray

owl*

horned

sandpiper

threetoed

dove

IDAE

gull

(cont’d).

Say’s

downy

northern

hairy

yellowshaf

blbk

comnon rufous

belted

snowy shorteared

IDAE

great

great boreal

hawkowl

rock

longtailed

arctic

longbilled Bonaparte’s mourning

semipalmated

least herring

northern mew

hudsonian

dunhin*

western

baird’s

pectoral

whiterumped

SERIFORMES

IFORMES

TRIG

TYRANNIDAE

PAS

PICIDAE

PlC

CORACIIFORMES

ALCEDINIDAE

CAPRIMULGIDAE TROCHILIDAE

CAPRIMULGIFORMES

APODIFORMES

STRIGIFORNES

COLUMBIFORMES COLUMBIDAE

STERCORARI

LARIDAE

PHALAROPOD

SCOLOPACIDAE Table Table 3 (cont’d).

TYR.ANNIDAE (cont’d) alder flycatcher B Hammond’s flycatcher B western wood pewee B olivesided flycatcher B ALAUDIDAE horned lark M HIRUNDINIDAE violetgreen swallow B tree swallow B bank swallow M, S V barn swallow+ B cliff swallow B CORVIDAE gray jay R blackbilled magpie V common raven B Clark’s nutcracker+ F V PARIDAE blackcapped chickadee R grayheaded chickadee* W V boreal chickadee R CERTHIIDAE brown creeper* R TURDIDAE robin B varied thrush B hermit thrush B Swainso&s thrush B graycheeked thrush B mountain bluebird+ M, S V wheatear 11 Townsend’s solitaire* N SYLVIIDAE arctic warbler N rubycrowned kinglet B MOTACILLIDAE water pipit N BONBYCILLIDAE bohemian waxwing B, W V LANI IDAE northern shrike R STURNIDAE starling+ B PARULIDAE orangecrowned warbler B yellow warbler B myrtle warbler B Townsend’s warbler F V blackpoll warbler B

ii I V F V V, B B B R S R B B B B B B R B M N N N N N N LIST finch sparrow* sparrow sandpiper rosy crossbill sparrow sparrow junco waterthrush warbler sparrow* longspur yellowlegs redpoll redpoll blackbird (cont’d) siskin sparrow grosbeak HYPOTHETICAL bunting sparrow (cont’d). IDAE rusty ILL common graycrowned savannah tree northern pine darkeyed fox pine chipping snow hoary lapland Wilson’s goldencrowned greater whitewinged Lincoln’s buffbreasted whitecrowned Table3 ICTERIDAE FRING PARULIDAE

Field

Creamer’s

the

0 0

C C

C 0

C C C R

C C

C C C 0 0 R

0 C

occurring

1976).

used:

are

mammals

(Spindler

vole

squirrel

list

Refuge

mouse

lemming

common

rare

occasional

flying

classifications

redbacked

hare

bog

shrew

Soricidae shrew

jumping

vole

shrew

bear

weasel

Annotated

idae

Waterfowl

marten

squirrel fox

lynx

snowshoe

arctic tundra

least

C R pigmy ermine

0 red red

porcupine pine

masked

northern

northern meadow

beaver northern muskrat moose

black mink

meadow wolf

woodchuck

following

rvidae

ciuridae

ricetadae

INSECTIVORA

Table Castoridae Canidae

LAGOMORPHA CARNIVORA

The Leporidae C Erethizont

RODENT Ursidae Felidae ARTIODACTYLA

Migratory

Mustelidae Muridae

the

act

the

for GMU

the

GMU

all

for

out

dog

and

that

Such

shot;

Moose

These

Club.

record

moose,

higher

Nature

counts Alaska

for

limits, survey.

for

observed

include:

a.m. from

Mushers’ site

staff

turns

for

not

during

the

use.

activities.

during

much

city

Kennel available

Dog

Trail.

moose

8:00

hares.

were

snowmachining,

training,

visitor

applies

graders

Members

interior

ADF&G

specifically

are

human

occurs

using

Visitors

and

refuge

known

refuge

functions

5th

regulations

community

regulations

Valley

and

Nature

aerial

system

Alaska

which

random

organized

parties

the Fairbanks

hours

visitors

the data

visits

the

birds.

hiking,

were

retriever

common

Hunting

recorded

for

entire No

rule

the

Tanana

reported

1983,

general

biology.

2—mile

Club,

general

school

the

and

all

trapping.

Society,

habitats.

ptarmigan,

organized

repeat

doing

moose

the

unstructured

and

visited

been

and

1987,

the

and

clubs

skiing,

Bird

view

and

within

local

for

habitats

between

scale.

these

inushing,

not

arrow,

staff

have

visitors

walk

Club,

Audubon

20—May

1986

grouse,

visitors

people

the

migration

subject

prohibited.

lies

subject

area

and

dog

with

have

November

education

small

migration,

period

also

come

1,949

falconing,

April

number

considerable

Fairbanks

the

Arctic

bow

field

11,604

cranes,

used

refuge

countries

not

Retriever

harvest.

hunting

trapping

counts.

Summer

cross—country the

Area.

10—day

the

assortment

waterfowl

number

1987,

with

harvests

During

the

firearms

visitors

using

waterfowl

associated

district

5).

hunting,

and

receives

Society,

those

and

Club,

used

several

for

occurs

environmental

birdwatching,

open

near

open

during

actual

Fairbanks

people

view

hunted

recovered.

waterfowl,

intensively

is birds.

also

(Table

summer, is

trappers

Approximately

Spring

peak

and

school

training,

Management Bird

portion

riding,

wildlife

can is

—

Uses

The

effort

years.

some was

the

Audubon

frequently

the

based

spring

bear,

discharge

trips

USE

Trapping

conducted

p.m.

includes

visit

only

refuge

view

refuge.

area

states

view

the Fairbanks

Education Fairbanks

field tracking 20. Every

can only

to each 20(B). Fairbanks Trapping

HUMAN Existing period

and past The Hunting The numbers

4:30 50 Trail. Hunting black hunting

Groups The

The horseback Visitors visitors

Association, During During because

Arctic The use where were 0 ‘4 0 U) 0

0 0 4 — r- 0 c r’_—-4 -4 U) 0 I

0 ‘4 r-. 0 co U) I 0 —4 0. -4 O t- - 0 -.t -4 -t -t C -t -t -4

a U) U, 0 ‘4 o ‘4 4-4 U) U,

- .- C4 r) - in %C r

_4 - -4 -4 -4 -4

0 U) ‘4 0 4-4

U) ci r- ce’) 0 -t in a a a a a a U) -4 -4 -4 -4 _4 -4 0

4-4 0 E-4

lIui.iiiiiiiVIIIIIiIIIIIhIiIIIIIIIiIIIIIPI I1IIII1VIIlIIiIIIIII11i1IIJIIIIIIUIIIIII as bird identifiers during this period. Teachers are provided with a Creamer’s Field Education Packet which provides background material about bird identification and behavior.

ACCESS

There are 24 refuge access points (Appendix 1). The increased popularity of ATVs has become a potentially serious problem with respect to habitat damage and disturbance to wildlife or other users. No systematic regulation has been implemented to control ATV use up to the present time.

INFORMATION NEEDS Information needs relate to the purposes of the refuge. According to Title 16.20 039(C) Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge was established to provide the following: (1) protection and enhancement of habitat for migratory birds with special emphasis on waterfowl; (2) opportunity to view, photograph, and study various species of plants, wildlife, and geological features typical to interior Alaska.

Other uses allowed on the refuge should be compatible with these 3 purposes. Refuge management should be reviewed in the context of public desires, community growth and development, nearby land uses, hunting and trapping regulations, and wildlife population dynamics. The refuge management regime may change significantly as a result of this review. The following is a list of information needs. Waterfowl o Surveys are needed in mid—May, mid—July, and late August of waterfowl numbers, brood counts, and habitat use patterns on old refuge lakes and ponds, and on the new DU ponds to assess the significance of refuge habitats to waterfowl. Sandhill Cranes o Surveys are needed of crane numbers and habitat use patterns. This will enable the refuge staff to evaluate the importance and success of the changes in refuge field management that are planned to attract and hold cranes on the refuge. Changes in crane numbers and behavior will be documented following completion in 1989 of a new pond designed to attract cranes. Furbearers o Furbearer populations and harvest patterns should be monitored. This will enable refuge staff to assess furbearer resources in relation to refuge purposes.

Moose o The area around the refuge has experienced rapid human population J growth. Continued growth may in time disrupt traditional moose movements to and from the refuge. To accommodate moose movements, the following must be learned: (a) moose population identity; (b) seasonal movement patterns; and (c) home ranges of moose using the refuge. Creamer’s provides visitors an opportunity to see moose, therefore, some effort should be made to ensure that the refuge remains accessible to moose.

Nongame Species o The relative abundance and habitat use patterns of nongame species should be documented.

Human Use—In order to assess the extent and importance of Creamer’s, the following uses should be assessed: o Determine numbers of spring waterfowl viewers. o Determine numbers of Nature Trail users. o Determine numbers of small game, waterfowl, and moose hunters and harvests. o Determine numbers of trappers and harvests. Determine numbers of other users of Creamer’s Refuge. —

Appendix 1.

Access

Major access points to the refuge described below are noted on the refuge base map by corresponding numbers.

1. The waysides on College Road and Creamer’s Lane receive the most intensive use. The Bicentennial Nature Trail starts at the College Road wayside.

2. The terminus of Margaret Street north of Joy School is where numerous hikers, snowmobilers, and ATV users enter. It is used intensively; and with the apartment buildings nearby, use of that route will increase whether uses are appropriate or inappropriate.

3. A narrow, unpaved road enters the refuge from the south. It is popular among “dirt—bikers” in the Lemeta area.

4. Snowmobilers and ATV users especially use the Golden Valley Electric Association power line running across the refuge’s southeast corner. From the power line they can enter the dog mushing trail system. Hunters and hikers use it to a lesser extent.

5. The power line is also accessible from Farmers Loop both directly at its intersection and from a dirt road serving private residences. The power line, in general, is where the Dog Mushers’ Association has had problems with unauthorized snowmobilers entering the musher trails during races.

6. A trail running due south from a private residence enters the dog musher trail system outside the refuge boundary.

7. A trail running due south from Echo Acres Road enters the dog musher trail system outside the refuge boundary.

8. A maze of old tractor trails intersecting the dog musher trail system enters the refuge at several points. These are used mostly by snowmobilers, ATV users, hikers, and hunters who know the area well.

9, “Dog Musher Fields” is an important winter and summer access area. The outgoing musher trail leaves Crossman Road at the edge of the fields and proceeds south providing numerous indirect access points to the refuge. j 10. The inbound musher trail (“home stretch”) proceeds along a section line and is widely used by Farmers Loop residents for access.

the

The

it.

the

then

area

Shop

golf

from

only

trail

their

other

white

major

refuge

users,

musher

serves

musher

trails.

Farmers

dogsled

private

who

northern

the

can

extension

especially

the

ATV

for

dog

Sports

access

to through

refuge.

Road

the

access

mushing

users

musher

plotted

highway,

and

preserved

stand

during

the

point.

equipment.

route

the

located

becoming

Loop

Beaver

ATV

to dog

dog

portion

exists

southward

Motel

system

and

location

this

entry

College

important

large

hence

now

public

the

occurs

the

hikers,

with

providing

route.

snowmobilers,

distance

former

access to

user

trails

easement

area

trail

Farmers from

western

Aurora

system

geophysical

trails.

this

with

the

maps

trail

ATV

road

potential

short

the

popular

adjoins

and

continues,

from

convenient

from

access

trail

mushers,

from

and

provide

north

points

impressively

walking

archery

musher

the

mushing

this

snowinobiler

very

zoning

land

near

popular

Loop

tractor excavations

the

north

has

Fairgrounds

dog

north

public

south

entry

musher

are

use

former

major

along

old

this

for

via

users

occur.

Peat

warehouses

refuge

Borough

otherwise

the

year.

dog

Loop.

snowmobiler

proceeding

the

etc.

feet)

State

Farmers

network

also

transmitter.

can

ATV

proceeds

Road

the

find

trails

proceeds

Star

the

refuge

running

refuge

intense

where

(20

Alaska

are

and

enter

Subdivision

and of

Road,

road

KFAR

along

and

forts,

important.

Valley

Farmers

of the

cross

the

trail

Drive.

North

going

important

point

College

conflicts

tractor

and

These

times

trails.

into

children

system,

point

(cont’d).

system.

receives

terminates

College

road

the Tanana

horses.

Candamar

Driveways

only

unpaved

Old

all

Shuros

tractor

6—meter—wide

land

and

trail drive

The

It The

and

road

treehouses,

course snowinobilers system. A

than Snowmobilers racing,

trail

spruce University A

residences An

Loop.

portion development

of musher

development Fairbanks The

Area

entry

The

become

24.

23.

21. 22.

18—19.

17.

11. 13—15. 16. 20.

12 Appendix I • I! 1 — — 1_, I