9/5/78 •
NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA
NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA
VALUES AND RESOURCE ANALYSIS - RECREATION RESOURCES
PRESENT SITUATION AND RESOURCE POTENTIAL
BY
NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASK~
TASK FORCE
NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA
TASK FORCE STUDY REPORT 2-7
1978 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION 1
PRESENT SITUATION 3 Recreation Resources and Uses 3 Backpacking/Hiking 4 Boating 7 Sightseeing 11 Hunting 20 Fishing 31 Winter Activities 34
Tourism 35 Management Areas 39 National Wild Rivers 40
RECREATION RESOURCE OPPORTUNITIES 45
Recreation Use 45
Activity Opportunities 46 Backpacking/Hiking 46 Boating 47 Sightseeing 48 Hunting and Fishing 49 Winter Activities 52
52 Tourism
Management Areas 54
56 SELECTED REFERENCES ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1 Photograph of backpacker along the Ipnavik River in the De Long Mountains. 6
Figure 2 Photograph of boaters on the Utukok River. 6
Figure 3 Overlay showing areas suitable for some 8 recreation activities. Figure 4 Photograph of sightseers along the Colville 10 River.
Figure 5 Photograph of kayakers at Noktuklek River 10 in Kasegaluk Lagoon.
Figure 6 Overlay showing 9 wildlife viewing areas. 12 Figure 7 Photograph of house pit remains at Kinyiksukvik Lake. 21 Figure 8 Photograph of caribou herd near Kakvuiyat Bend on the Colville River. 23 Figure 9 Overlay showing major hunting areas. 25 Figure 10 Photograph of Lake Trout. 33 Figure 11 Photograph of cross-country skiers near Driftwood Creek. 33 Figure 12 Photograph of tourists boarding the tour 37 bus in Barrow. Figure 13 Overlay showing rivers examined for possible inclusion in the National Rivers System. 42 TABLES
1 Projected recreation participation and tourism
2 People participating in air tours to NPR-A. CONVERSION TABLE
For those readers who may prefer to use metric {SI) units rather than the commonly used American units, the conversion factors for the units in this report area given below.
Multiply American Units To obtain metric {SI) units
Feet (ft) 0.304 Meter (m) Miles (mi) 1.609 Kilometers (km) Acres (ac) 0.407 Hectares (ha) Inches (in} 2.54 Centimeters (em} Gallons (gal) 3.785 Liters (L) 1
INTRODUCTION
The National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) is a vast Arctic land area with relatively limited recreation resources in comparison to its size. Certain areas of the Reserve are, however, well suited for such outdoor recreation activities as backpacking, floatboating, camping, fishing, hunting, and winter sports. With the small resident population, costly access, lack of facilities and few visitors, the Reserve is currently underutilitized and could support additional recreational use in the future. This report describes the recreational resources within NPR-A, existing recreational use of those resources, and opportunities to enhance or protect this land use.
The use of resources in NPR-A by local residents is not addressed in this report (except for some data on wildlife harvest) because the local use of NPR-A resources is deeply entrenched in a predominantly subsistence lifestyle. Many Natives believe recreation to be an alien concept, one that does not apply to their use of the land. They view activities such as hunting and fishing as a necessary part of their subsistence culture and not as an amenity activity as it may 2 be considered by an outsider. An in-depth discussion of this use of resources by the local residents of NPR-A and an explanation of their perspective on recreation, including traditional and modern forms, can be found in the Community Value Chapter of the Overview volume. 3
PRESENT SITUATION
Recreation Resources and Use
Despite the immense size of NPR-A, recreational use of the Reserve represents only about 1 percent of total recreation use statewide. Most of the current recreation-oriented activity is in the form of organized tour groups; about 4,400 people came to Barrow in 1977. (See subsection on Tourism.) The number of additional people currently coming to NPR-A to enjoy the sightseeing, hiking, camping, boating, and other recreation opportunities available in portions of NPR-A is very small, probably less than 250 people annually. Estimates of existing and projected recreation oriented use in NPR-A are shown in table 1.
Due to the lack of roads to or within NPR-A, access is by aircraft. Commercial air service is available to Barrow, and to Kotzebue and Bettles south of the Reserve. Aircraft are available for charter at these three airports as well as at Umiat on the Colville River. Charter costs generally start at between $100 and 125 per hour (Cessna 185) and increase depending on the type of aircraft chartered and flying time. Guide services are an additional cost and vary with the type of guided activity (for example, a three week hunting trip costs about $4,500 per person from Barrow). 4
One of the more attrative features of NPR-A are those activities associated with the naturalness of the Reserve
(backpacking, cross-country skiing, float trips, observing wildlife, etc.). They are not however, by themselves, exceptional. But coupled with the remoteness of the area makes these wilderness experiences almost incomparable to any other in the United States. Even in Alaska there are few areas, such as NPR-A, where one can be 100 or more miles from the closest village or location of human activity.
The principal outdoor recreation activities available in
NPR-A are described in the sections which follow.
Backpacking/Hiking
Very little backpacking (overnight trip) or hiking (day use) presently takes place within NPR-A. It is likely that less than five recreational backpacking parties (four people per party) enter NPR-A each year, and this use is probably limited to the upper Nigu River area. Most of the hiking occurs in the vicinity of the villages, particularly along the coast (see NPR-A Study Report 2-2}. It also occurs in the major river valleys in conjunction with floatboating activities. The backpacking/hiking season is rather short, generally from late June to early September. There are no 5
developed hiking trails. Access for backpacking is by aircraft to the larger lakes and gravel bars.
Opportunities for cross country hiking or backpacking in the majority of NPR-A are very poor (fig 1). The vast areas of tussocks and/or wet, boggy terrain throughout all of the coastal plain, most of the foothills area, and some of the mountains are, for practical purposes, impassible. Most of the consistently good terrain for walking is in a narrow corridor of the De Long Mountains along the southern boundary of NPR-A (iig 1) . Along the many barren ridges and along the gravel creek beds the terrain is conducive to extended backpack trips. Travelers may cover many miles following creeks and ridge tops with only short distances on wet or tussock terrain between the ridges and creeks to be crossed.
The scenery is more varied here than elsewhere in NPR-A, and good camping sites and drinking water are available.
Within the mountains and foothills regions are numerous easily climbed rock outcrops, ridges, and low mountain peaks
[not over about 5,000 feet (1,500 m) high] which provide excellent vantage points for viewing the landscape. Oppor tunities for technical rock climbing such as those found in the central Brooks Range east of NPR-A are not present in the De Long Mountains.
Hiking possibilities also exist along some of the major rivers such as the Colville and Utukok. Travelers may hike 6
Figure 1 Ipnavik River in the De Long Mountains
Figure 2 Rafters on the Utukok River 7
short distances along the river or to nearby ridges in conjunction with float trips. In a few locations the terrain is conducive for backpacking between major river systems, such as along Carbon Creek and Lookout Ridge between the Utukok and Colville River drainages.
Boating
Very little recreational use is made of the rivers in NPR-A. It is estimated that fewer than a half dozen multi day recreational float trips (four persons per trip) occur within NPR-A each year. Most of the boating is done with rubber rafts or foldable kayaks to facilitate access by aircraft which land on gravel bars or beaches, large pools on the rivers or lakes.
The opportunities for floatboating on rivers in NPR-A are not outstanding in comparison to those opportunities offered elsewhere in Alaska. For example, few of the rivers in NPR-A offer any whitewater boating. The primary limitation, however, is the short boating season; rivers are usually ice free from about mid-June through early September, and most of the rivers have an insufficient flow of water during much of this summer period. The snow melts rapidly in spring and 8
Figure 3 Recreation Resources
(Backpacking/Hiking
(Floatboating Rivers)
(Archaeological Sites) 9
the thin vegetative mat overlying the permafrost provides little runoff once the snow is gone. Subsequently, most of the runoff is discharged in a few days to at best several weeks.
During the short use season certain rivers do, however, offer outstanding float trip opportunities. Some of the better boating rivers are the Utukok (from Driftwood Airstrip to its mouth) and the'Nigu-Etivluk (from the headwaters of the Nigu to the mouth of the Etivluk) (fig 3). These can be boated only a few weeks from late June through July. The situation on the Colville River is similar. However its watershed is much larger than that of the other rivers and the flow is corresponding greater and more sustained.
Therefore, the Colville can be floated (from just above the
Kiligwa River to below Umiat) for a longer period of time, usually well into August.
The recreational value of rivers such as the Utukok, Colville, and the Nigu-Etivluk is the provision of a corridor for wilderness travel through the Arctic since cross-country movement for long distances is usually not possible except in the winter (fig 3). The riverine areas also provide some of the best places in NPR-A for viewing wildlife. 10
Figure 4 Sightseers along the Colville River
Figure 5 Nokotlek River from Kasegaluk Lagoon 11
Recreational boating and sailing on the many lakes and ponds in NPR-A is not practical. Many of the lakes are too shallow, and the usually persistent winds, swampy shorelines and difficulty of moving boats from one lake to another discourages boating on the lakes. The shallow lake depth also limits access by plane.
There are also opportunities for kayaking or floatboating in the coastal areas particularly in Kasegaluk Lagoon. The boating season there would be a little longer than on the rivers probably lasting from late June to the middle of September.
The hazards, including the low temperature of Arctic Ocean water and the usually persistent wind, dictate that small boats keep close to the relative safety of the shoreline.
The coastline between Wainwright and Icy Cape appears to offer the best potential for recreational boating because of the protection offered by the offshore barrier islands, the scenery, and the marine life observable during the summer in this area.
Sightseeing
According to Alaska's Outdoor Recreation Plan sightseeing is one of the most popular recreation activities of Alaska's residents and the most popular recreation activity of 12
lf'iigure 6
Wildlife Viewing Areas (9 areas delineated and numbered on NPR-A Map) 13
visitors to Alaska (Alaska Division of Parks, 1976, p. III-
6, 7). Although very little sightseeing is occurring in
NPR-A, the possibility of viewing wildlife in its natural habitat is perhaps the most exciting recreational opportunity in NPR-A. Millions of waterfowl and other birds seasonally migrate to and through NPR-A. Grizzly bear, Arctic fox, wolf, wolverine, caribou, Dall sheep, moose, various raptors and other animals inhabit the area. While it is possible to see wildlife almost anywhere in the Reserve, there are certain areas where the chance to observe wildlife is much better (fig 6). Some species tend to gather in the river valleys at certain times of the year, while other animals are found in large numbers near the coast at other times
(see NPR-A Study Report 2-5.). The following is a description of nine viewing areas within NPR-A as well as the period of time these species are concentrated (fig 6) .
1. The area around Barrow has a high concentration of dabbler ducks, diving ducks, and shorebirds during the summer. Phalaropes are especially numerous in late July and
August. Unusual avifaunal sightings in the area include all four species of loons (September) , eiders (early July to mid
September) and the ivory gull and Ross' gull (August and
September) . Snowy owls can also be observed in the area during the summer. This location is also one of three areas in NPR-A from which to observe beluga and gray whales and walrus during July and August. 15
2. The area along the northern coastal plain of NPR-A,
including Teshekpuk Lake, contains the highest concentration
of shore and waterbirds (geese, swans, dabbler and diving
ducks, gulls, terns, jaegers, and loons) in NPR-A during the
summer. In addition, snowy owls may be observed along the
coastal area during the summer months.
3. These two viewing areas along the Chukchi Sea are noted
for their opportunities to view marine mammals specifically
beluga and gray whales and walrus during July and August.
The snowy owl is also present. The Kasegaluk Lagoon viewing
unit also has high concentrations of loons, diving ducks,
gulls, and shorebirds. Flocks of eiders and black brant can
be seen in early spring as they migrate northward.
4. This area is located approximately north of 70°Latitude,
south of viewing unit 2 and between the Colville River and
viewing unit 3. This area has moderate to high concentrations
of water and shorebirds (geese, swans, diving and dabbler
ducks, jaegers, terns and loons) during the summer. Along
the Colville River from just south of Nuiqsut to viewing
area 7 is a moderate concentration area for moose during the winter. 16
5. The southwest corner of NPR-A is usually an excellant location to observe caribou from late May through June. The area is the calving ground for the Western Arctic Caribou herd. This area also has the highest documented density of grizzly bears on the North Slope. These bears can best be observed in the river drainages from June through September.
Dall sheep inhabit the mountainous portion of the areas and wolverine can be seen in the southern portion of this area.
6. Along the Colville, Kuna, Ipnavik, and Etivluk Rivers, is an area having a moderate concentration of moose during the winter and raptor and grizzly bear during the summer.
Few moose range as far up the river valleys as do the grizzly bear. Both of these animals, as well as caribou, were observed along the Colville River last July by govern ment field crews. The mouths of the Kuna and Ipnavik Rivers and the area south of the Colville River about half way between the Etivluk and Awuna Rivers also have high moose concentrations in the winter.
7. The area on the middle and lower Colville River provides habitat for the rare and endangered subspecies of peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius) as well as other raptors during the summer. North of Umiat the chances for viewing ptarmigan along the river increases. It also provides an 17
opportunity to observe moose throughout the year. During the winter moose are most likely to be observed along the middle third of this area. The southern two-thirds of this area also provides opportunity for grizzly bear observation from June through September.
8. Located on the upper Ikpikpuk River, this area provides opportunities to observe moose during the summer. Grizzly bear and ptarmingan may also be seen here from June through
September.
9. These two areas north and south of the Colville River cover the remainder of the Reserve. They have not been studied as intensively as some parts of the Reserve so information for viewing opportunities is not complete. I Parts of the northern area are known to have high densities of loons, jaegers, and ptarmigan. Raptors and high densities of songbirds can be seen in both the north and south parts of this unit. Wolves, wolverines, and grizzly bear are more apt to be seen in the southern part of the unit. Dall sheep inhabit the mountainous portion of the southern unit. 18
It is not the numbers or variety of wildlife in NPR-A, however, which make the potential for viewing wildlife so good. The prime viewing conditions are related to the open,
treeless nature of the Arctic tundra, the tendency of some
animals to concentrate in the riverine areas, the long hours of daylight during the summer, and the lack of extensive
contact with man. Wildlife is easily seen at comfortable distances on the tundra; the chance of surprise encounters which may startle the animals and cause them to move away are less likely. If visitors are quiet and unhurried, they may watch and photograph the animals as they go about their daily routine of subsisting in the arctic environment.
Sightseers coming to NPR-A are expected to not only be
interested in observing numbers of wildlife, but also in observing animal and plant relationships in an arctic environment. Caribou and bird migrations, tundra vegetation
and the profusion of animal and plant life during the summer will provide them with this opportunity.
NPR-A also offers several unique sightseeing opportunities including the numerous oriented lakes, permafrost landforms
[high and low-centered polygons (small hills or depressions caused by the alternate freezing and thawing of the ground) and pingos (small hills caused by the influx of water just under the tundra which is quickly frozen)] in the coastal 19
plain, ice floes and ice ridges along the Arctic Ocean coastline, and Barrow, the northernmost community in the
United States. Thirty-eight sites in NPR-A have been found to merit consideration for inclusion in the National Natural
Landmark Registery (Detterman, 1978~ and Koranda and Evans,
1975} (see NPR-A Study Reort 2-9}. These sites represent some of the typical as well as the best geologic and biological features contained within NPR-A.
A number of significant archaeological and cultural sites
(fig 3) also exist within NPR-A (NPR-A Study Report 2-6) .
Some of these are accessible by aircraft and offer potential to explain past lifestyles of the human inhabitants of the
Reserve. The following is a list of those sites with visitor potential.
Cape Simpson - a concentration of oil seeps and tar
domes containing caribou bones of relatively recent
date, but potentially an extremely important pale
ontological site similar to the La Brea Tar Pits in
southern California.
Barrow Area - several sites providing a sequence of
Eskimo culture from 2500 B.C. to present.
Noluck Lake - late prehistoric/early historic (1700 to
1900) village site. 20
Liberator Lake - late prehistoric/early historic
village site.
Tukuto Lake - site of one of largest known villages
north of Brooks Range, believed to have been occupied
for 4,500 years.
Howard Pass (Akuliak Lake, Kungyak Lake and environs)
variety of sites indicating occupation for the past
6,000 years.
Inyorurok Pass - a complex of sites around the lake in
the pass and satellite sites in the valley, giving a
sequence of Native culture for the past 8,000 years.
Betty Lake - similar to Tukuto Lake site but smaller.
Smith Mountain Lakes - similar to Betty Lake site.
Hunting
Big game animals are the primary target of most sport hunting in NPR-A. However, few trophy animals are found, and game populations are abundant only in scattered locations within the Reserve (NPR-A Study Report 2-5, species density maps). Harvest data compiled by the Alaska Department of 21
Figure 7 House pit remains at Kinyiksukvik Lake
(top half page photo, remainder page in text) 22
Fish and Game (ADF&G) generally represent both subsistence and non-subsistence hunting. While subsistence is not necessarily recreation, these statistics are the only information available on harvest. (NPR-A Study Report 2-2 includes discussions of Native subsistence-use areas). Much of the harvest data is compiled for Game Management Unit 26 which consists of the entire North Slope. The information is not often compiled separately for sub-unit 26(a) which more closely coincides with NPR-A boundaries.
Within the Reserve there are three small areas where three guides have exclusive use rights for guiding purposes (fig.
9) • There is also one other exclusive guiding area adjacent to the Reserve on the south side of the Colville River near
Umiat.
Caribou of the Western Arctic herd are the most numerous big game in NPR-A. In the past, hunting by North Slope residents has accounted for more than 95 percent of the caribou harvest throughout the herd's range on both the north and south slopes of the Brooks Range (J. Davis, ADF&G oral comm.
1977). Less than five percent of the harvest is taken by hunters not residing in the North Slope area. All of this harvest is considered in this report to the sport harvest.
Hunters harvested approximately 25,000 caribou annually 23
Figure 8 Caribou herd near Kakvuiyat Bend 24
between 1963 and 1974. However, because of the recent decline of the herd population, severe harvest restrictions have been implemented. An unlimited number of permits were issued allowing each permittee to take one bull caribou until a total of 3,000 are harvested. Using data extrapolated from Davis {1977), the estimated harvest for the 1976-1977 season for Unit 26 was between 1,400 and 1,800 animals. For the 1977-1978 seasons (August 26 through October 15 and
March 15 through April 15), Arctic Slope residents harvested an estimated 350 caribou as of November 14, 1977 (ADF&G, undated}. Most of the animals harvested within NPR-A are believed to have been taken near fish camps on the Meade,
Chip, and Ikpikpuk Rivers, along the Beaufort Sea coastline, and in the Teshekpuk Lake area. Sport hunting throughout the herd's range accounted for 30 caribou during this time period. The use of aircraft by both local residents and outsiders, to hunt caribou is increasing in NPR-A (J. Davis,
ADF&G, oral commun. 1977}. Annual harvest in the future is expected to range from 8,000-16,000 caribou, providing the overall herd size is allowed to increase to approximately
150,000 animals (NPR-A Study Report 2-5). Figure 9 Major Hunting Areas 26
Most moose are taken within the Colville River drainage,
particularly near Umiat. Approximately 25-30 percent of the
hunters are not Alaska residents, 20 percent reside within
the Arctic Slope, and the rest are Alaskans from other areas
of the State (ADF&G, undated). The large proportion of
hunters (about 80 percent) from outside of NPR-A is believed
to result from several factors. Statewide there has been a
drop in hunter success and with the current increase in
hunter pressure, hunters are looking for areas where their
chance of success is better. Moose tend to concentrate
along the middle Colville in the winter; therefore, they are
vulnerable to harvest because access by aircraft or boat
from Umiat or Nuiqsut is excellent until snow and ice cover
the gravel bars and the river {NPR-A Study Report 2-5).
Both guided trips and subsistence hunting are expected to
increase.
The moose season for the North Slope area generally lasts
from September through December. Regulations allow the
harvest of one bull per hunter. Moose harvest records for
Unit 26 show a harvest of 57 moose in 1974, 35 in 1975 and
43 in 1976. The ADF&G believes that there is a significant
unrecorded harvest in this unit; the estimated total take
on NPR-A was 100 in 1976 and 50 in 1977 (John Coady, ADF&G.
oral commun. 1977}. The decrease in harvest from 1976 to
1977 was probably due to poor flying weather, bulls-only hunting and a later season opening {NPR-A Work Group 3, 27
Moose, 1977). Up to 150 moose annually could be harvested within the Colville River basin but that such efforts should probably be better distributed throughout the drainage (NPR-A Study Report 2-5). Such harvest, however, could lead to conflicts between subsistence and sport hunters until the caribou population increases enough to take the hunting pressure off of moose.
Approximately 400 Dall sheep are known to inhabit the area in and adjacent to the mountains in southwestern NPR-A (NPR-A Study Report 2-5). Densities in and near NPR-A are lower (1 sheep per 6 mi2j9.6km2) than they are in the eastern Brooks Range (1 sheep per 1.3 mi2/2.lkm2). The hunting season is usually in August and September and presently allows the harvest of one ram with 3/4 curl or larger. There were eight hunters in unit 26(a) during 1976 and they reported a harvest of five sheep. In 1977 this use increased 200 percent with 24 hunters reporting a harvest of 15 sheep. A similar trend is evident on and adjacent to the Arctic National Wildlife Range. Hunter use in this area has increased from ten hunters in 1970 to 123 hunters in 1976. The ADF&G (undated} reports the harvest of approximately 110 sheep annually on the Arctic Slope in recent years. Nonresident hunters are required to obtain a sheep tag and use a guide while hunting. Nonresident hunters also report a higher success ratio (85 percent) than do residents (60 percent} . 28
Grizzly bears are the only bears hunted in NPR-A since black bear are not found in the Reserve. (Polar bear harvest is discussed in the section on marine mammals.) Grizzlies are taken during the fall and spring. Bears are hunted in the foothills and protected river valleys of the southern portion of the Reserve. The southwest portion of the Reserve contains the highest known concentrations of grizzly bears on the Arctic Slope (NPR-A Study Report 2-5) . Hunters harvested approximately 6 bears from the area in 1974, 10 bears in 1975, and 15 in 1976. ADF&G believes there is a significant unreported harvest and estimates that approximately
30 bears were taken from NPR-A in 1976 ( Harry Reynolds, ADF&G, oral commun. 1977). For subunit 26(a) during the 1977-1978 hunting season, the ADF&G authorized the harvest of 24 grizzlies. Approximately 50 percent of the bears harvested from 1974 to 1976 were taken with the assistance of a guide.
Presently approximately 120 master and registered guides operate in Unit 26, and a large proportion of their hunts are for grizzly bear.
In Alaska the wolf and wolverine are classified as big game animals and fur bearers. Accordingly, they may be shot or trapped from the fall through the spring. It is believed that most animals harvested in NPR-A are taken by local residents by shooting (Harry Reynolds, oral commun. 1977).
Wolf harvest records for Unit 26 show that between 1971 and:. 29
1976, the minimum harvest was no wolves (1971) and the maximum was 71 in 1972. The actual annual wolf harvest is probably between 75 and 100 animals, with at least one-half of them coming from the general area of NPR-A (R. Stephenson,
ADF&G, oral commun. 1977}. There are no bag limits. More wolves were taken by sport hunters before the bounty system terminated in 1969 and the area was closed to aerial hunting in 1970. Popular harvest methods now include locating the animals by following their tracks in the snow with the aid of snowmachines. Similar season regulations and methods of hunting and trapping apply to wolverine except that only one wolverine per season may be taken using a hunting license.
Unit 26 records for the period between 1971 and 1976 show a minimum of 2 animals taken in 1971 and a maximum of 17 harvested in 1976. ADF&G believes a minimum of 20 wolverines were taken in 1976 from NPR-A (Harry Reynolds, ADF&G, oral commun. 1977).
The waterfowl season begins in the fall and ends before the new year. Adverse weather and the formation of ice on water bodies cause most waterfowl to migrate south before or during the early part of the hunting season. Bird hunting is almost exclusively a local activity because the birds are not abundant enough to attract more distant hunters. Timm
(1976} reports that only 412 game ducks and 33 geese were 30
taken by sport hunters on the North Slope during the 1975-76 hunting season. The local resident harvest is significant with king eider being the most sought after bird. Hunting areas are the coastal waters and lagoons between Icy Cape and Wainwright and between Barrow and the Colville River delta. Point Barrow Spit is one of the more popular hunting areas. Regulations allow the local resident, to hunt snowy owls but the harvest is believed to be insignificant.
A few ptarmigan are harvested by visitors in association with big game hunting. Most of the ptarmigan are taken by the local residents; bird abundance and proximity to villages are important factors relating to hunting pressure. The ptarmigan season begins in the fall and ends in the spring.
All sport hunting by non-Natives for marine mammal game species was closed when the Marine Mammal Protection Act of
1972 was passed. In 1976 responsibility for managing walrus was returned to the State, and sport harvest of adult bulls is permitted along the coastline of the Chukchi Sea in the vicinity of Barrow and Wainwright. The season is open year-round, and both resident and nonresident sport hunters are required to obtain a permit. Seals, whales, sea lions, and polar bears are also harvested in the waters or on the ice offshore of NPR-A by the Natives. ADF&G estimates that
30 polar bears were harvested by the Natives of NPR-A in
1976. 31
Sport Fishing
Sport fishing on the Arctic Slope is mostly done incidental
to other activities such as big game hunting, construction or government projects and floatboating. Most of this
fishing occurs during the ice free summer months (ADF&G,
1976), although the fishing season is open all year. Areas where fish are likely to be caught are in the deeper (6ft/2m or more) coastal lakes, the middle and lower Colville River and the headwaters of rivers originating in the foothills or mountainous areas (NPR-A Study Report 2-5).
Sport fish known to exist in NPR-A are the Arctic grayling,
lake trout, burbot, northern pike, Arctic char, chum salmon and pink salmon. The first two species probably receive the most angler pressure. Alt and Kogl G973) studied five species of whitefish in the Colville River and indicated
that sport fishing for whitefish has potential but that angling techniques have not been perfected.
In 1977, government survey crews on the Colville River reported catches of grayling ranging from 8 in(20cm} to 17
in(43 em) and lake trout between 14inl36cm) and 36in(9lcm).
The Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (HCRS)
study team which floated parts of the Nigu and Etivluk
Rivers found grayling and lake trout ranging in size from 32
9in(23cml to 15int38cm} in the rivers and adjacent deep lakes. The HCRS study team which floated the Utukok River found fishing to be poor and reported catches of grayling between 8in(20cm! and 14in(36cm). Another HCRS study team found grayling to be plentiful in the streams and deep lakes in the mountains region of southwestern NPR-A. The grayling caught in the streams were smaller than those in the lakes and ranged in size from 6in(l5cm) to 12in(30cm). The study team also reported catching one 15in(38cm) grayling from the
Ipnavik River in the mountainous region of southern NPR-A.
The overall, long term potential for sport harvest of fish is low when compared with opportunities in many other areas of Alaska. The fish in NPR-A are vulnerable to overfishing and they have a limited ability to recover because of their slow growth rate and delayed sexual maturity. However, due to the lack of present fishing pressure in these remote waters, good fishing can be experienced in some localities and limited trophy fishing may be available. Based upon present incomplete data, trophy fishing for Arctic char, grayling, lake trout, and northern pike would most likley be found in the eastern NPR-A lakes, particularly south and southwest of Teshekpuk Lake (NPR-A Study Report 2-5). These lakes, the major rivers in NPR-A especially the Colville, and the headwaters of streams in the mountains and foothills are expected to produce the best sport fishing in the
Reserve. 33
Figure 10 Lake trout caught near Killik Bend
Figure 11 Cross country Skiers near Driftwood Creek 34
The possibility also exists that these local populations could be fished out through existing or increased use.
However, there is a lack of specific data to support this issue one way or the other until further examinations are made of population sizes, compositions and life histories
(NPR-A Study Report 2-5, Fisheries).
Winter Activities
Very little known winter recreation is occurring in NPR-A beyond the immediate area of the villages. The Eskimo residents and some non-Native residents travel extensively by snowmachine. Most of this travel is linked to subsistence hunting and fishing and to visiting other villages, but some of it is for recreation. The gentle terrain and wind packed snow throughout much of NPR-A create favorable snow conditions for snowmachining, dog-sledding, and possibly cross-country skiing. In recent years a few small parties of cross- country skiers have conducted trips within NPR-A. An HCRS study team cross-country skied in the foothills this winter
(1978) to evaluate the skiing potential of this area. They found the highlights of skiing to be the complete solitude, lack of need to break trail and the opportunity to experience
Arctic travel during the winter. The best skiing was found in the river and creek drainages where snow was deeper and 35
the hard pack surface more level. The wind in the Arctic can be a serous detterment to any recreation activity particularly when it blows loose ground snow restricting visibility and creating severe wind chill hazards. In mountainous areas, such as at Howard Pass, the wind frequently blows with near-gale force. The possibility of getting lost within the vast relative flatness of NPR-A is another obstacle to winter recreational use by visitors and local residents alike. Because of these conditions, winter recreation use potential is probably limited to the vicinity of the villages, major river drainages, portions of the mountains, the Chukchi
Sea coastline, and well-established winter trails. The most favorable months for winter recreation activities are April and May when temperatures are usually higher and periods of daylight longer.
Tourism
Tourism within the Reserve occurs almost exclusively at or near the community of Barrow between June and the end of
September. Attractions include traveling to the northernmost community in the United States, opportunities to observe
Native culture and art work, traveling above the Arctic
Circle, visiting the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory, and a chance to see the Arctic Ocean and ice pack. 36
Aircraft provide the only ready access to the Reserve, and very few tourists travel within the Reserve. Between 90 and
95 percent of the tourists arriving in Barrow are with
organized tours (Carole Guffey, Wien Airlines, oral commun.,
1977). The tours, which start in and return to either
Anchorage or Fairbanks, spend one day in Barrow or one day
and night in Barrow and part of the second day at Prudhoe
Bay. Per capita costs in 1978 for these tours from Fairbanks
range from about $184 for the one day tour to about $340
for the tour to both Barrow and Prudhoe Bay (Alaska Tour and
Marketing Service, 1978).
In 1964 about four percent of all travelers in Alaska visited Barrow (Hinkson, 1964, p. 24). In 1976, Barrow
tourists accounted for less than two percent of the approx
imately 270,000 travelers vacationing in Alaska. While the
percentage figures have dropped for Barrow visitors, the
total number of people traveling in Alaska has generally
increased each year. Tourists coming to the Reserve independently
account for less than an estimated 100 additional people annually (Carole Guffey, Wien Airlines, oral commun. 1977).
While the late sixties and early seventies saw a 10-15
percent annual increase in tourism statewide, current
information indicates that tourism is still increasing but 37
Figure 12 Tourists boarding the tour bus in Barrow
(half page photo above table 2)_ 38
at a much lower rate (Alaska Dept. of Commerce and Economic
Development, 1977}. Those communities far from the population and travel centers have in some cases experienced a stablization or a small decline in tourism as shown in table 2 below.
Table 2 People Participating in Air Tours to Barrow
Information from Wien Airlines, 1978
Year Barrow Barrow/Prudhoe Bay
(1-day tripl (2-day/1 night tripl Total Percent
Change
1974 4,6oo1
1975 2,714 2,684 5,398 +17.35
1976 2,316 2,123 4,439 - 17.78
1977 2,557 1,839 0.97
1 AEIDC 1975, P. 167.
2 May have been affected by Alaska State Ferry and Wien
Airlines pilot strikes. 39
Tourism will probably account for the most significant increase in the total number of visitors to the Reserve in the future. The increase, however, will depend on the development of additional visitor-oriented facilities and activities such as a Native culture center, guided trips to archaeological sites and other points of interest, scenic ove~flights, and guided dog team or snowmachine trips.
Management Areas
Except for small community recreation sites within the villages, such as the playground in Barrow, there are no formally designated recreation management areas within NPR A. There are some areas, however, which are proposed for recreation use or are being used for recreation purposes.
Two rivers in NPR-A (Colville and Utukok} were recommended by the Carter Administration for addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System as Wild Rivers. These proposals are discussed in more detail in the following subsection, National Wild Rivers.
One site (not formally dedicated} within NPR-A is used for recreation and environmental education. This is the Barrow Youth Summer Camp (Ukpiksuu), at the confluence of the 40
Ukpiksak and Meade Rivers. This site is discussed further in NPR-A Study Reports 2-1 and 2-2.
National Wild Rivers
No rivers in NPR-A are now part of the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System. The rivers of NPR-A are generally slow moving, lack sufficient streamflow for boating during most of the ice-free summer months, and do not have the same recreation appeal as other rivers in northern Alaska. There are, however, three exceptions. In commenting upon proposed federal legislation for Alaska, the Secretary of the Interior in .september 1977 indicated the Administration's endorsement of two wild river designations in NPR-A (Andrus, 1977). The .f:"j 'J rivers are the Colville and the Utukok (:map 4-) • In addition, as part of ongoing investigations of resource values in NPR-A the HCRS evaluated the Nigu-Etivluk River (two rivers studied as one} and found that it also qualifies for the
National System as a wild river. Designation as wild rivers would ensure that the natural riverine character of each river is maintained. A determination of whether a river qualifies as a wild, scenic, or recreational river depends on the existing conditions of the riverine environment and not what the river environment may have been or could be in the future. Existing land uses in the river areas would be allowed to continue as long as the present nature of the 41
environment remains the same. Other land uses not now occurring might be allowed as long as they would not degrade the existing natural environment of the river corridor.
With designation, the use of these rivers is expected to increase but not at a high rate because of the relatively easy access to other rivers closer to the population centers and/or until the use of the other rivers begins to displace those seeking a less congested and more wilderness oriented river trip.
Following is a brief description and discussion of the special values of each of these three rivers mentioned above.
For additional data see the Wild and Scenic River Report on each river in the Heritage Conservation and Recreation
Service files, Anchorage.
Colville River (headwaters to Umiat}: The Colville and its adjacent lands possess outstanding wildlife, geologic, and recreation attributes as a National Wild and Scenic River candidate. The scenic bluffs along the river provide prime nesting habitat for cliff-dwelling raptors. Large mammals including caribou, grizzly bear, wolf, wolverine, and moose inhabit the area and can be easily seen. The river cuts through large anticlines and synclines, exposing scenic and interesting geologic formations. The river also offers 42
Figure 13 Rivers Examined for possible inclusion in the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System 43 excellent opportunities for floatboating, photography, and hiking. The best sport hunting in the drainage is for moose, although only a limited number of animals are available for hunters. Fishing for grayling and lake trout in the river and adjacent lakes is good relative to other river drainages in NPR-A.
Utukok River (headwaters to unnamed creek flowing from the south into the river in T 5 N, R 36 W): Originating in the De Long Mountains and passing through the foothills and coastal plain, the Utukok River offers the boater a rare opportunity to float through all three physiographic regions of the Arctic environment. Other reasons for recommending the river include the wildlife and archaeology/culture values. About a third of the river crosses the principal calving grounds of the Western Arctic caribou herd. Grizzly bear, Dall sheep, wolf, wolverine, moose, and red fox also inhabit the area. Raptor nesting habitat is also located along the river, particularly upstream from Carbon Creek. Archaeological sites exist along the river, since it was a popular travel corridor of the Utukaimiut people, an Eskimo group once inhabiting the region.
Nigu-Etivluk (headwaters of the Nigu to its confluence with the Etivluk River, then the Etivluk from that point to its 44
confluence with the Colville River): The river(s) and adjacent lands offer outstanding scenic, recreational, wildlife, and archaeological values. At least two significant archaeological sites have been discovered along the Nigu
River (fig 3). In addition to the scenic beauty of these rivers as they flow through deep, narrow valleys, there are outstanding recreation opportunities including whitewater floatboating, hiking and backpacking. Opportunities to view and photograph wildlife such as grizzly bear, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, wolf and wolverine are very good when compared to the more heavily vegetated areas of the State.
Other rivers have been studied by HCRS but were found not to qualify due to insufficient flow of water and the lack of outstanding attributes. These are the Awuna, Kuk-Ketik,
Ikpikpuk and Meade Rivers. 45
RECREATION RESOURCE OPPORTUNITIES
Recreation Use
NPR-A has the potential to provide for a greater amount of recreational use than is now occurring. Although the number of people coming to the Reserve for recreational purposes will undoubtedly increase in the future, most of the increase will be slow probably less than 2-7 percent annually.
Present limitations to using the Reserve include the distance from State population centers, costly access, lack of public knowledge about the Reserve, and the small amount of tourist facilities and services in NPR-A. As areas closer and more accessible to the states population centers become more heavily used and as reports such as this one are circulated to the public, those seeking primitive recreation experiences will be attracted to NPR-A.
An increased number of visitors may be attracted by the opportunities to observe and/or hunt wildlife where it may be concentrated, travel along the Arctic coast, see the
Arctic environment with its unusual permafrost landforms and coastal ice and visit Barrow - the northernmost community in the United States. They will also be attracted by the backpacking and camping opportunities in the De Long 46
Mountains; the wilderness floatboating on such rivers as the
Colville, utukok, and Nigu-Etivluk; boating in some of the coastal areas; cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling in some areas during the winter and springi and sightseeing throughout the Reserve. If the residents of
NPR-A were to provide guiding services for visitor activities throughout the year, these recreational opportunities would be greatly enhanced. This analysis of future recreation use of NPR-A does not take into consideration the possibility of future general public use of the haul road between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay. The road is about 100 mi (160 km) east of
NPR-A and would not provide direct access to the Reserve unless spur roads or public flight services are developed.
If these become available, it is probable that NPR-A will receive heavier recreational use.
Activity Opportunities
Backpacking/Hiking
Due to the impassability of much of the terrain in NPR-A, the only practical backpacking and hiking areas are in the
De Long Mountains, along some of the major river drainages in the mountains and foothills regions, and along the coastal beaches. The De Long Mountains area could probably accommodate 47
50 to 100 backpacking parties (four people per party) annually without serious degradation of the solitude or wilderness character of the area. While there are several airplane access points, most are located on the east and west side of the Reserve. Additional plane access in the south central part of the Reserve, possibly near the head waters of the Kuna or Kiligwa Rivers, would help to provide access for backpacking and to disperse the use throughout the mountainous areas. Backpacking opportunities can also be enhanced by maintaining the present wilderness character of the mountain area and the major river valleys through some type of Federal designation. Such protection, as afforded by the Wilderness Act or the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act, would insure that these resources are kept in their present primitive condition.
Boating
Floatboating opportunities on rivers in NPR-A are very limited. The best opportunities for boating are on the
Utukok and Nigu-Etivluk Rivers during late June through July and on the Colville River from late June through August.
Local residents could provide guiding services on these rivers that would enhance the visitor's perception of the 48
area through interpretation; this guiding would also provide the resident additional cash income. Preserving the major rivers in a clean, free flowing condition, and protecting the wilderness character of the surrounding landscape are necessary to assure continuation of the present and future boating quality.
Limited but possibly high quality kayak or floatboating I opportunities exist close to shore along some of the more protected coastal waters southwest of Wainwright. Maintaining the existing environmental quality of this coastal area will protect and preserve this unique opportunity for saltwater floatboating and marine mammal and waterbird observation.
Provision of specific camping sites on the village owned lands immediately southwest of Wainwright would also enhance boating opportunities and serve to protect cultural/historical sites along the coast from indiscriminate use.
Sightseeing
There are many opportunities to enhance sightseeing oppor- tunities in NPR-A. However, the most important action is to maintain the integrity of present attractions, which include the wildlife populations, various natural and permafrost landforms, and notable examples of the Arctic ecological processes. Opportunities may be enhanced by development of additional access and facilities within NPR-A. Sightseeing opportunities are presently limited primarily to what may be observed from aircraft and to sightseeing in and around the villages, primarily Barrow which has some accommodations for tourists. If airstrips and modern or rustic overnight facilities were provided at other locations in the foothills I and mountains, opportunities could be increased. Additional floatplanes available in Barrow and Umiat might be an alternative to development of more airstrips. Tourist-oriented facilites could range from provision of a public lodge in Wainwright for overnight visitors to rustic shelters and staging areas at various places of interest throughout NPR-A.
The Tourism subsection also discusses future opportunities and locations for sightseeing development.
Hunting and Fishing
Additional harvest of fish and wildlife resources could be brought about by increasing bag limits, improving access and facilities, introducing new game species, and altering the protective status of other species. Additional research is probably necessary before bag limits can be increased. The 50
research should be combined with improved censusing of wildlife populations since most populations are experiencing a harvest at or near the maximum. At this time, the only populations which could presumably sustain more harvest are moose and locally abundant species of sport fish. Increases in the moose harvest could only be allowed if their present reproductive and survival rate continues and the hunting pressure is more equally distributed throughout the Colville
River drainage (ADF&G, undated} .
Development of additional bush strips and base camps in
NPR-A would better distribute hunting and fishing pressure.
However, additional airstrips or other facilities to accom modate sportsmen are not warranted until more wildlife information is gathered. Careful selection of sites would be necessary to prevent overharvest of wildlife populations and the resultant loss of sport hunting opportunity. In addition to possible development, guiding services provided by the local residents might well increase the sportsmen's chance for success. Although there are three small areas within NPR-A where individual guides have exclusive guiding rights, the remainder of the Reserve is open for guided as well as nonguided hunting trips. 51
The tundra hare and muskox are two game species which could be reintroduced on NPR-A lands. The muskox was eliminated from the Arctic Slope in the late 1800's but recently there have been successful transplants to the east and west of
NPR-A. Although the present distribution of the tundra hare does not include the Arctic Slope some habitat in NPR-A could probably support them (LeRoy Anderson, u.s. Fish & Wildlife Service, oral commun. 1977). The establishment of viable populations of these animals could support additional hunting and enhance wildlife viewing opportunities.
The return of polar bear management to the State is presently being considered. If the State does receive management authority, controlled sport harvest of the bears would be legalized and could provide additional sport hunting on the
Beaufort and Chukchi Sea ice adjoining NPR-A. The State, however, has preliminary plans to limit the harvest to a maximum of 250 bears (John Burns, ADF&G, oral commun. 1977}.
Local residents could provide guiding services that would probably increase the hunter's chance of success as well as provide additional income to the guide. 52
Winter Activities
Additional ~ublicity may be the best means of increasing winter or spring recreational use of the area. People will be drawn to the favorable areas. Winter activities also provide the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and winter travel skills of the local residents who could serve as guides for trips out over the ice pack, along the coast or inland. A winter management plan identifying suitable places best use period, availability of guide service and rental equipment, interpretation of natural and cultural resources, and other considerations would aid in visitor use of the area. The best locations for winter recreational use are in and near the villages, along the major rivers, in parts of the mountains, and along the Chukchi Sea coastline.
Tourism
Tourism related activities within NPR-A are currently limited to the Barrow area because of the absence of public accommo dations and services outside of Barrow. There are, however, opportunities to enhance tourism. If accommodations and services were provided in other locations, such as Wainwright, Umiat or at abandoned Distant Early Warning (DEW) sites, tourists would be encouraged to visit places other than 53
Barrow. A small percentage of the travelers to Barrow would likely be interested in more indepth experiences in the
Arctic environment. Interference with Native lifestyle could be minimized if accommodations were located at ,, abandoned DEW line sites or similar locations rather than in the small Native communities. Winter guided trips on the sea ice or out on the tundra in snowrnachines or by dog sled could increase interest in visiting the Arctic and also lengthen the tourist season. Guided trips for the purposes of photographing wildlife would also increase tourist opportunities.
All of the archaeological sites discussed previously in this report can be reached by floatplane. These sites were selected because of the visibility of features that could be readily interpreted by the visitor either through a pamphlet or by verbal explanation from an aircraft pilot.
Currently very few floatplanes are available for public hire in or near NPR-A. Therefore, for the visitor potential of these sites to be realized, additional aircraft capable of landing at these sites would need to be made available to the public in nearby communities. Development of a pamphlet to explain the visible features and the importance of each site to the Native lifestyle would also be helpful to visitors. 54
Development of these opportunities will expand the variety of attractions in NPR-A and encourage visitors to visit places other than Barrow. With such developments, tourism in NPR-A might once again reach or exceed four percent of the total statewide visitor use. Even without this develop ment, the total number of tourists visiting NPR-A will probably increase, albeit slowly, in the future.
Management Areas
The primitive recreation opportunities in NPR-A are best protected and possibly enhanced by maintaining them as they are. In NPR-A most of the best primitive recreational opportunities can be found in specific areas. One oppor tunity to protect these areas is through formal Congressional classification. Opportunities for Wilderness Area designation, one form of classification, are discussed in NPR-A Study
Report 2-9, Wilderness Resources.
Designation of rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System is another means of protecting recreation and other opportunities. The Colville, Utukok, and Nigu-Etivluk
Rivers qualify for addition to the National Wild and Scenic
Rivers System (fig 131. 55
Finally, preservation of all or a portion of the 38 sites in
NPR-A considered for inclusion in the National Natural
Landmark Registry ~etterrnan, 1978; and Koranda and Evans,
1975l will help protect and provide opportunities for scientific study, education, interpretation and recreation.
Interpretation, either oral or written, in particular would add considerably to the visitor's understanding of the arctic environment. 56
SELECTED REFERENCES
Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1976, Alaska Wildlife Management Plan, Arctic Alaska, Draft Proposal, available from Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, 139 p.
-----=~--' 1976, A compilation of Fish and Wildlife Resource Information for the State of Alaska, available from Alaska Resources Library, Anchorage, 3 volumes.
Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development, The Alaska Economy, mid-year Performances Report 1977, Volume 5, Number 2, 45 p.
Alaska State Division of Parks, Department of Natural Resources, 1976, Alaska Outdoor Recreation Plan (1976- 1980), available from Alaska State Division of Parks, Anchorage.
Alaska State Division of Parks, 1977, Land and Water Conservation Fund, 1977 Annual Report - Alaska, available from Alaska State Division of Parks, Anchorage, 60 p.
Alaska Tour and Marketing Service, 1978. The Best of Alaska Tour Destinations, Alaska Tour and Marketing Service, Inc., 838 West 4th Ave., Anchorage, Alaska 24 p.
Alt, K.T., and D.R. Kogl, 1973. Notes on the Whitefish of the Colville River, Alaska. J. Fish, Res. Board Can. 30(4) :554-556.
Andrus, C.D., 1977, Statement of Secretary of the Interior (e.g.) D. Andrus Before the Subcommittee on General oversight and Alaska Lands, House Committee on Interior Insular Affiars, on HR 39 and Similar Bills. "To designate lands in the State of Alaska as units of the National Wilderness Preservation System." and for other purposes, and HR 5605, and similar bills, "To establish Admirality Island National Preserve in the State of Alaska, and for other purposes," Sept. 15, 1977, 38 p.
Congress of the United State, 1968, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, PL 90-524, 90th Congress, 2nd Section, Oct. 2, 1968. 57
i . Department of the Interior, 1977, 11 Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: Federal Register, Vol. 42 No. 107, Friday, June 3, 1977.
Detterman, R.L., 1978, The Arctic Lowland Region Potential Landform and Lifeform Natural Landmarks, U.S. Geological Survey open file report {in press), 411 p.
Hinkson, D.E., 1964, Traveler Profiles, A Study Of Summer Travel to Alaska during 1963 and 1969 Alaska Dept. of Economic Development and Planning, Dec. 1964.
Joint Federal/State Land use Planning Commission, 1974, Resource Planning Team. Resources Inventory, Arctic Region, Recreation and Preservation Opportunities, preliminary draft, May 1974, 83 p. Available in Dept. of the Interior Resources Library, Anchorage, AK.
Koranda, J., and Evans, D., 1975, A Discussion of Sites Recommended as Potential Natural Landmarks in the Arctic Lowland Natural Region, Northern Alaska, performed under contract Cx-0001-3-0053 from the National Park Service to the University of Alaska's Tundra Biome Center, 189 p.
North Slope Borough, 1978, Traditional Land Use Inventory, Barrow-Atkasook, 43 p.
*National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska - Work Group 3, 1977 Fish and Wildlife Population and Habitat, National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, Field Report 3, 213 p.
*National Petroleum Reserve -Alaska Task Force, 1978, National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, Resource, Analysis, Native Livelihood and Dependence, Present Situation and Resource Potential, Study Report 2-2.
*National Petroleum Reserve- Alaska Task Force, 1978, National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, Resources Analysis, Fish and Wildlife Resources, Present Situation and Resource Potential, Study Report 2-5.
*National Petroleum Reserve -Alaska Task Force, 1978, National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Resource Analysis, Cultural Resources, Present Situation and Resource Potential, Study Report 2-6. 58 •
*Ritchie, R.J., and Childers, R.A., 1976, Recreation, Aesthetics and Use of the Arctic National Wildlife Range and Adjacent Areas, Northeastern Alaska, preliminary report.
Selkragg, Lidia, L., 1975. Alaska Regional Profiles- Arctic Region, University of Alaska, Arctic Environmental Information Data Center, 218 p.
Timm, D., 1976, Report of survey and inventory activities waterfowl, Fed. Aid Wildife, Rest. Proj. W-17-8, Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, 61 p. Recreation Analysis - NPR-A
Photo 1 Ipnavik River in the De Long Mountains, August 1977. Backpacking visitor traveling across the more walkable terrain in the southern part of NPR-A.
HCRS Photo
Photo 2 Rafters on the Utukok River, August 1977. Several rivers in NPR-A (Colville, Nigu-Etivluk and Utukok) offer outstanding opportunities for recreation and travel through the Arctic environment since cross country travel across the tussocky tundra is not desirable.
HCRS Photo
Photo 3 Sightseers along the Colville River, July 1977. Kayakers photographing caribou along the Colville River.
HCRS Photo
Photo 4 Nokotelk River from Kasegaluk Lagoon, August 1978. Kasegalak Lagoon offers outstanding salt water due to the protection offered by the offshore barrier islands and the marine life observable during the summer.
HCRS Photo
Photo 5 Caribou herd near Kakvuiyat Bend on the Colville River, July 1977. Providing the Western Arctic Caribou herd continues to increase, caribou in probably the only big game species that will attract an increasing number of sport hunters.
FWS Photo