BLM

News about Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Managed Public Lands in • Issue 124 • Fall 2015

Fall in Love with Your Trails

Alaska

Dog sled team enjoying the groomed trails of the White Mountains National Recreation Area by Jodi Bailey www.blm.gov/ak/frontiers ISSUE: 124 Public lands can provide warmth and holiday cheer Many Alaskans use wood-burning stoves or fireplaces to heat their homes. Did you know that you can gather firewood or cut a Christmas tree from some areas on public lands? With BLM Alaska’s permit, you can harvest timber for @BLMAlaska firewood, fencing, building, or for other domestic what’s inside purposes, or cut a Christmas tree (a nominal Alaska Reality TV permit fee may apply and varies by location), in 4 Social Media Event certain areas on BLM-managed public lands. 1. Landowners – Know who manages the Putting out Fires; lands where you want to gather firewood or cut a Christmas tree. 5 Paying back Favors 2. Permits – If it is on BLM-managed public lands, contact the nearest BLM field office Mushing to apply for a permit, or learn where you 6 in the ‘Whites’ can do this on BLM-managed public lands. 3. Christmas trees – Stop by a BLM field office. Permits for personal or commercial Partnering for use may have a nominal cost (varies by 8 Public Access location). 4. The permits do not allow selling, bartering, trading, or exporting the Christmas trees or

Teachers on Sarah Bullock firewood. 9 Public Lands Fall foliage and snow-capped mountains near Tangle Lakes along the Denali Highway. Reminders: • Plan ahead. Know land ownership for Frontiers Flashes all harvesting activities. Be respectful of 10 Welcome to Frontiers! private property. Carry a map, your permit, BLM Alaska News Love your Alaska trails! Fall in Alaska is unlike anywhere else – the Caroline Brown and be prepared for Alaska’s unpredict- bright purple fireweed and blueberry bushes evolve into vivid reds, birch able fast-moving weather systems. and Highlights 2016 #BLMIditaChat and aspen and cottonwood leaves turn golden, spruce keep their dark Involve your schools and youth! Iditarod/Yukon Quest/competi- • Stay on designated trails and easements. greens, and white “termination dust” coats the mountain peaks, the tive and recreational mushers will choose one of their dogs to snow accumulating in bright contrast to the foliage below. answer questions about mushing and life as a sled dog. The • Cut trees 50 feet away from the trail or Back Cover #BLMIditaChat takes place online on January 20, 2016, from road. In Issue #124, we are featuring sled dog mushing in the White Mushing Moments 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Alaska time (1-3 p.m. Eastern Time). • Mountains National Recreation Area and our thoughts are turning Write to [email protected] to learn how your school and youth You do not need a permit to gather dead to the planned January BLM Alaska IditaChat, featuring sled dogs can participate. wood for immediate campfire use, except answering questions submitted in advance from schoolchildren. The where posted. National Weather Service says the Alaska winter will experience strong • Do not top a tree – be sure stumps are six El Niño conditions with warmer temperatures. If there is again lack BLM Alaska Frontiers may contain CREDITS inches or less from the ground. of snow throughout Southcentral Alaska, the BLM White Mountains Managing editor copyrighted material that is used with National Recreation Area may be one of the best places to train for sled Karen J. Laubenstein, (907) 271-3318 permission of the copyright owner. Other public lands also require permits and may [email protected] Publication in a government document dog races. does not authorize any use or charge nominal fees – State of Alaska Division Contributing writers and editors rules to play by rules of Forestry and Alaska State Parks, U.S. Cory Larson Marnie Graham appropriation of this copyrighted material We also look back at the 2015 fire season, teachers developing climate Craig McCaa Maureen Clark without consent of the owner, as it is Forest Service-Alaska Region, or U.S. Fish and change curricula, interns gaining experience through the BLM, and how Deke Naaktgeboren Luise Woeflein not in the public domain. Any text or Wildlife Service-Alaska Region manage public Alaskans can get a permit to gather firewood or cut their Christmas Eric Geisler photo without attributed copyright may lands and may have areas that allow you to be reproduced in whole or in part as it is tree. We hope you enjoy this glimpse into our Alaska and Issue #124 of Photographers cut Christmas trees or collect firewood. Check in the public domain. Please credit BLM Frontiers. Barbara Wallace Lesli Ellis-Wouters sdms.ak.blm.gov for land status. Caroline Brown Lisa Shon Jodwalis Alaska. Chel Ethun Luise Woeflien – Eric Geisler, Cory Larson Robben Taylor (free), please BLM Alaska forester, Deke Naaktgeboren Sarah Bullock TO SUBSCRIBE Jodi Bailey Steve Theisen email the editor to receive a contributed to this story Kate Trubeau Tim Mowry notice when Frontiers is online or Karen J. Laubenstein to subscribe to the print version. Editor Design/Illustration Vanessa Rathbun BLM/AK/GI-94/005+1120+912 2 BLM Alaska Frontiers Fall 2015 • BLM Alaska Frontiers 3 ALASKA REALITY TV BEHIND-THE-SCENES WITH THE BLM Permit stipulations may include: • Only uses of public lands as described in the permit application. • Do not take mineral or vegetative materials, artifacts or fossils, or disturb archaeological or historical sites (such as graves and remains of cabins). • Immediately report any PUTTING OUT

Lisa Shon Jodwalis cultural or paleontological Commercial film crew filming a feature movie. resource discoveries to the FIRES; PAYING In recent years, Alaska has hosted BLM. Commercial filming is the use of motion innumerable film crews, many • Do not damage or disturb of them tied to the current craze picture, videotaping, sound recording, or BACK FAVORS other moving image or audio recording fish, wildlife, migratory birds, of reality TV shows based in the equipment on public lands that involves vegetation, or subsistence Alaska Division of Forestry Mowry, Tim state (A partial list includes “Life the advertisement of a product or activities. Type 2 Emergency Firefighting crews board a jet bound for the Lower 48 at the Alaska Fire Service. Below Zero,” “,” “Bering service, the sale of a creation of a Sea Gold,” “,” • Get written authorization for product (film, videotape, TV broadcast, The 2015 fire season was one of Alaska’s busiest, ,” “,” new access trails or roads or documentary), or the use of actors, with crews from throughout the Lower 48 and Canada and the “Ultimate Survival from the BLM. models, sets, or props, but not including providing assistance to fight hundreds of wildland Alaska”). Did you know that the activities associated with broadcasts for fires. As Alaska’s fire season wound down and fires BLM issues commercial filming news programs. • Placing signs or structures in the Pacific Northwest and California ramped up, permits for shows like these, on roads or trails used by the hundreds of Alaska firefighting personnel headed as well as for more traditional You do not need to apply for a film public are not allowed, unless south to reciprocate. documentary film productions and permit for casual use activities permitted. commercial photography and video (such as still photography or As of October 13, 770 fires burned 5.15 million acres recreational videotaping) on • Placement of fuel storage projects? The BLM uses the permit containers is restricted. in Alaska, making it the second largest fire season in and its rules to protect resources BLM-managed public lands. Alaska in terms of acreage burned. It is surpassed as authorized under Section Most professional and amateur • Flying restrictions (such only by 2004, when 701 fires burned 6.59 million 302(b) of the Federal Land Policy photography does not require as maintaining altitude at acres. Nine fires were each over 100,000 acres and and Management Act and in Title a permit, unless you use 1,000 ft or more between Oct. the three largest, Big Creek Two, Sushgitit Hills, and 43 Code of Federal Regulations professional models, sets or props 15-March 31 for moose; May Holtnakatna totaled almost 800,000 acres. Of the 770 (CFR) part 2920, Leases, Permits, that are not part of the site’s 1-June 15 for caribou calving fires, the BLM Alaska Fire Service managed 263 fires and Easements. natural or cultural resources areas, and April 1-August 31 covering over 4 million acres this past summer. or administration facilities, or within 1/2 mile of bald eagle Reality TV shows, documentaries, when the photo session takes nests). — Maureen Clark, and film productions require place in locations or nonpublic Alaska State Office filming permits and associated areas or that incur additional • Repair any damaged or fees. These permit applications administrative costs for the BLM. disturbed areas to the BLM’s can take from 3-6 months, as satisfaction. the BLM must comply with the The BLM may deny a film permit National Environmental Policy Act application if there is a likelihood • Keep areas clean; remove and (NEPA) before issuing a permit. of resource damage or if the dispose of all generated waste. activity may disrupt long-term The NEPA analysis gauges the Remember that when reality TV proposed activity’s effect on regular use or poses a safety or health risk for the public. Some shows appear to be on public the environment and natural lands, in reality the producers resources. applications require bonding or other fees associated with the may have spliced images together permit. Sometimes the BLM will with video clips filmed on private lands. Don’t believe everything you FACTOID: During this past year, the make a site visit or open a 30-day BLM Glennallen Field Office received see! Theisen Steve public comment period before (above and right) The Allakaket Type 2 Crew working on the eight inquiries or applications regarding issuing a permit. Once the BLM Clearwater Complex near Kamiah, Idaho. The Clearwater permitting for reality TV shows, an issues a permit, the BLM monitors complex consisted of three fires in the Nez Perce-Clearwater increase from past years. the permitted areas before and National Forests totaling an estimated 39,200 acres.

after use. Theisen Steve

4 BLM Alaska Frontiers • Fall 2015 Fall 2015 • BLM Alaska Frontiers 5 Mushing in the ‘Whites’

Musher Deke and his dog team at BLM’s Moose Creek public use cabin in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. Photo Courtesy of Deke Naaktgeboren

Iditarod and Yukon Quest as recreational skijorers and Deke describes the Whites as runs… but we definitely do a lot of along for “fun runs.” The cabins and maybe even better for me to veteran mushers Jodi Bailey and graduated to competitive distance Interior Alaska, with a twist. “The camping up there.” are about 10 miles apart, and get accustomed to staying warm Dan Kaduce, and BLM Alaska mushing. Jodi is the first rookie western Whites are big, rolling provide warm places in case of during rest, without the benefit of Jodi and Dan usually run alone, outdoor recreation planner to complete both the Iditarod and hills stretching as far as you emergencies. Jodi says she and a warm cabin.” although they have enough dogs Deke Naaktgeboren and his wife Yukon Quest races in the same can see, but once you drop into Dan rarely use the cabins because to run together. Jodi explains, The mushers prepare carefully for Loraine, have kennels close to year! Beaver Creek, you start seeing of part of the training is camping “Long distance mushing is kind runs to ensure safety and supplies BLM’s one-million-acre White really rugged stuff. Big Bend bluffs out along the trail. The Naaktgeboren’s Nautique of a solo sport. You need to be if the worst happens. They wear Mountains National Recreation and cliffs. Windy Arch, jagged Sky Kennel began in 2013 with able to run your team at [an Deke also tries to mimic race GPS spotters so others can check Area. Both musher couples love limestone cliffs, and peaks.” 12 sled dogs. A few more dogs appropriate] pace for them, so you conditions for training. This is on them on the internet. having “the Whites” as their and recent litter of seven puppies When there isn’t enough snow, don’t often [run] in big groups. difficult, he says, because “I’m a backyard and for training sled Deke packs only essentials – dog brings the total to 21 dogs. The Jodi drives her dog truck to U.S. When we’re out there, we tend new musher and have only run dogs. and human foods/cooker, sleeping kennel is named after Deke’s Creek and Nome Creek roads and to be training.” When the trails one race. I reserve one or two BLM bag, booties, axe, tent, first aid, “I’m … emotionally attached to [the Siberian Husky, Nautique. Deke runs her dogs off the front of the are good and she can set a brake cabins and always let someone and road flare for fire starter. Whites] because we live so close began mushing in Sweden as a truck. She says the roads are nice safely, Jodi usually runs 12 dogs, know that I’m going [so they] plan His dog first aid kit includes nail to it, and have for so long, that I dog handler in 2009. In 2014, he for that, though she waits until often the team she’s training for a not to hear from me for 2-3 days.” clippers, vet wrap, gauze, muscle really enjoy watching the seasons started the Yukon Quest 300, but after moose season. particular race. On training runs, he alternates and antibiotic liniments for changing there. We’re up there had to scratch. runs and rests, not always resting Deke says the Whites give Deke runs 8 to 12 dogs. He often dogs, jackets, etc., and “tons of in the summer berry picking and at the reserved cabin. Deke The mushers say varied terrain, mushers diversity – flat land, very rents BLM public use cabins, and booties.” He packs essential gear hiking,” Jodi explains. admits, “It’s good for the dogs conditions, and miles of groomed hilly, creek crossings, overflow ice, brings his wife and/or friends on his person in case he breaks Jodi and husband Dan run Dew trails in the Whites are awesome glare ice, hard-packed wind-blown the golden rule of letting go of Claw Kennels in Chatanika. for running dogs. Deke mushes sections, trees, no trees – all sorts Musher Deke’s sled dogs Mia and Nemo at Caribou Bluff public use cabin. his sled. “Dogs don’t stop if the These seasoned mushers started from home “about 18 miles” on of good training conditions. He musher falls off,” he explains. poorly maintained trails, and is especially likes the hills and glare Jodi adds, “You need to be always relieved when the team ice and overflow near Windy Gap. prepared out here, don’t let its arrives on the White’s groomed Jodi says when far enough out, closeness to [Fairbanks] fool you.” winter trail system. she sees many wolf tracks. Wildlife “Sometimes you’re down on the in the Whites has less exposure — Deke Naaktgeboren rivers or running through the to dog teams than many other and Craig McCaa trees,” Jodi says. “Then you’ll be places. “[Wildlife] see a pack of contributed to this article high above tree-line in big, open, really energetic, wolf-like-looking Read more about Dew Claw windswept areas and look around things [coming], and they’re pretty Kennel at http://www. 360-degrees and it’s just glorious inclined to leave,” Jodi points out. dewclawkennel.com and the – assuming the weather’s good! Nautique Sky Kennel at https:// The mushers do overnight and During winter storms, you can get www.facebook.com/musherdeke. day runs in the Whites. They love extreme whiteout conditions or seeing northern lights (aurora significant snowfall. We get cold Look for these mushers at the BLM borealis). “For the type of racing up there that other parts of the Alaska’s 2016 #BLMIditaChat (Twitter we do – we’re getting ready to state probably don’t have to deal tweetchat) January 20, 2016, from 9 a.m. run the Iditarod – we’re training until 11 a.m. Alaska time (1-3 p.m. Eastern Courtesy of Jodi Bailey with.” She adds, “But that makes 5-6 days a week. We can do day . Jodi Bailey mushing on the trails in the great training for a long-distance time) White Mountains NRA.

musher.” Deke Naaktgeboren 6 BLM Alaska Frontiers • Fall 2015 Fall 2015 • BLM Alaska Frontiers 7 PARTNERING BEFORE AFTER OUR TEACHERS ON FOR PUBLIC THE PUBLIC LANDS This past summer, BLM Alaska sponsored two “Teachers on the Public Lands” for the Copper River Watershed and ACCESS the BLM Campbell Tract/Campbell Creek Science Center. Editor’s note: Alaska’s few roads The teachers learned about BLM’s resources and developed and millions of acres of BLM-managed lesson plans for BLM and school use. They also share their lands sometimes mean providing a experience and projects with their classroom and other way for people to reach public lands audiences. across privately owned lands. Creating public access easements/trails across Climate Change comes to the Science Center private lands are possible in Alaska The BLM Campbell Creek Science Center’s climate through Section 17(b) of the Alaska change program for fifth and sixth grade students Luise Woeflein Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Cory Larson teaches through science-based activities similar While working on the climate change curriculum, Rebecca King The difference after a year’s work on the Jack River Trail easement. There is trail braiding, to what climate scientists do when observing and participated in the bioassessment of Campbell Creek with Science The BLM Glennallen Field Office ruts, mud, and trail damage before installing porous grid system trail stabilizers. Center staff. manages nearly 200 17(b) public recording scientific data. The program also helps access easement trails and sites Jack River Easement build an understanding of natural processes that staff for the annual butterfly count this past summer. govern life on Earth and its atmosphere. The program The event helped reconnect the school partners and across Alaska Native private In 2014, 10 youth from across the leads students to answers for two key questions: Why start a long-term monitoring effort. Science Center lands. It can be challenging to nation volunteered more than 800 is it important to learn about climate change? and, staff plan to continuing working with King and manage high-use easements with labor-intensive hours to install What should everyone know about climate change? Michaud on future projects – and, they can’t wait to inadequate highway access and/ porous grid system trail stabilizer get kids signed up for the Science Center’s climate or parking, poor terrain, repeated and reduce trail braiding on the The climate change program is possible through change program. use impacts, and varying use popular two-mile Jack River the exceptional efforts of two “BLM Teachers on the requirements. To create easement Public Lands” who worked at the Science Center easement near Cantwell along Alaska Teacher On-Board with BLM Partnership solutions and help people the Denali Highway. Their efforts on the climate change curriculum. Fifth grade understand 17(b) easement access helped protect nearly 230 acres teacher Rena Michaud from Ravenwood Elementary Fran Daly, who teaches at Salcha Elementary rules or any permit requirements, of wetland habitat. A Federal in Eagle River began the curriculum during her School in Fairbanks, spent much of her summer the field office partnered with the Highway Administration, Western internship during the summer of 2014 at the Science outdoors teaching skills through the “BLM Teacher Alaska departments of Natural Federal Lands Highway Division Center. Then last summer, eighth grade science on the Public Lands” program to help the BLM and Resources and Transportation, grant helped fund the project. teacher Rebecca King from Begich Middle School in partners capture, develop, and improve a high school Ahtna, Inc., AmeriCorps, a local Today, backcountry enthusiasts Anchorage finished the curriculum for the Science curriculum for the Copper River Stewardship Project. horse user group, and the Student and Alaska hunters enjoy Cory Larson Center. That project brings students on a 10-day exploratory Conservation Association. AmeriCorps members remove brush along journey to understand the resources of the Copper improved trail and access to public During King’s time at the Science Center, she: Partnerships require significant lands, and trespass occurrences ANCSA 17(b) easements. River Watershed. 1. Adjusted the curriculum by applying feedback effort and energy but provide long- on Ahtna, Inc. ANCSA corporation Fran helped lead the field office facilitated relocating the from Michaud’s sixth graders in her 2014 pilot lasting benefits. Youth volunteers private land are resolved. students through easement and installed trailhead test. get natural resources management signs and easement markers. The bat inventories, exposure, land managers Yanert River/Pyramid Mountain 2. Developed classroom activities for teacher use hydrology experiments, Trail Easement local horse user group brushed collaborate for creative problem new sections of the trail. before and after field trips to the Science Center. vegetation transects, solving, and people get better stream surveys, and Last summer, a partnership 3. Prepared a “Climate Change in Alaska” slideshow access to public lands. Today, the trailhead is on more a variety of outdoor made it possible to construct script for teachers and students. a new trailhead/parking area sustainable terrain, has greatly skill and team-building Gulkana River Easements for the Yanert River/Pyramid improved highway access and 4. Correlated the program to Next Generation exercises. Fran brings A project improved Gulkana River Mountain Trail easement along parking, and avoids a neighboring Science Standards and Common Core State her great experiences access on 17(b) easements along the Parks Highway near Carlo gravel pit operation where people Standards. back to her classroom, previously parked to access the and her curriculum the Richardson Highway through Creek. The Alaska Department of 5. Identified climate change resources for Science Yanert River/Pyramid Mountain work will help Alaska a BLM partnership with the Fish & Game initiated the project Center instructors to deepen their understanding. Wrangell Institute for Science and and partnered with the BLM trail easement. high school students Environment and AmeriCorps. A Glennallen Field Office, Ahtna — Cory Larson 6. Developed teacher grading tools for use on related learn about BLM’s young adult crew worked to brush Inc., a local horse user group, contributed to this article classroom activities, and, land and resource the trails and install easement and the Alaska Department of management.

7. Field-tested activity ideas while working with a Taylor Robben signs. In the process, the crew had Transportation. State funds and climate change camp. Fran Daly, volunteer Teacher on — Luise Woeflein and an opportunity to see Alaska and resources paid for constructing a the Public Lands, climbs on board Marnie Graham benefit the nation’s public lands. To encourage ongoing involvement beyond their time new trailhead/parking area. The for a 10-day youth exploration of as a Teacher on the Public Land, the Science Center contributed to the Copper River Watershed. staff invited Michaud to join King and Science Center this article

8 BLM Alaska Frontiers • Fall 2015 Fall 2015 • BLM Alaska Frontiers 9 News from around the state and our field offices

BLM Alaska hosts Northeast National Preliminary Eastern Interior Resource Youth Outdoors Projects Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) Management Plan Expected Soon Water Discovery Days brings Anchorage fourth graders Building Connections: Mount Prindle National Regional Mitigation Strategy workshop BLM Alaska is readying a preliminary Proposed Resource to BLM’s Campbell Tract Conservation Lands service project at Nome Creek Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement that covers 6.7 million acres of public land. The Eastern Interior planning area To celebrate the 15th anniversary of National Conservation Lands includes the White Mountains National Recreation Area, Steese and 2015 National Public Lands Day, on August 29 volunteers worked National Conservation Area, Fortymile area, upper Black River, and to improve trail access from the boundary of the White Mountains greater Fairbanks area not currently included in existing land use National Recreation Area to the Mount Prindle Research Natural plans. The preliminary proposed plan will be published later this year Area and the Steese National Conservation Area by constructing a for public review. These land use plans form the basis for every action stone trail crossing across Nome Creek. The Nome Creek trail leads and approved use on the public lands. For more information on the from a BLM-managed campground through a non-motorized area to Eastern Interior planning process, visit http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/ the alpine Mount Prindle Research Natural Area. The BLM Eastern prog/planning/east_int_rmp.html. Interior Field Office joined the Northern Alaska Environmental Center and the Conservation Lands Foundation to host this service day. Bering Sea-Western Interior Resource Lesli Ellis-Wouters It was a full house at the Barrow NPR-A Mitigation Workshop. Management Plan comment summary available The Bering Sea-Western Interior Preliminary Alternatives Comment

BLM Alaska hosted its second public workshop Sept. 24-25 in Summary Report contains 893 oral and written comments received Trubeau Kate Barrow to consider strategies to address impacts from the proposed during the Preliminary Alternatives outreach period that ended June On Sept. 9-11, about 800 fourth graders attended the BLM Campbell Greater Mooses Tooth One (GMT1) project and future oil and gas 2015. Many comments address subsistence issues and proposed Creek Science Center’s Water Discovery Days along the banks of developments in the Northeast NPR-A. Participants included oil Areas of Critical Environmental Concern in the planning area. The Campbell Creek. The students explored connections between aquatic industry representatives, federal and state government staff, Alaska BSWI planning area encompasses 62.3 million acres of land, including insects, salmon, and people, and learned how life depends on healthy Native interests, North Slope community members, conservation 13.4 million acres managed by the BLM. The BLM anticipates release streams and oceans to survive. The event supported the “Every Kid groups, and other interested stakeholders. At the workshop, BLM of the Draft RMP/EIS in spring of 2016. For more information on this in a Park” national initiative and received transportation funding for presented the draft elements of a Regional Mitigation Strategy for plan, visit http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/planning/bering_sea_ underserved youth from the National Park Foundation. Other partners public consideration. western.html included the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, “This stakeholder driven process will provide a mitigation framework BLM current land use plans are in ePlanning where you can find Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Anchorage School District, that will increase consistency, predictability, and certainty for future documents and reports, contact information, timelines, issues, news, University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, and oil and gas development, while providing for environmentally how to get involved, maps, links, and FAQs. You can find links to Anchorage Waterways Council. responsible development of resources within the northeast NPR-A,” ePlanning at the main BLM Alaska planning pages. Copper River Watershed teaches students about said BLM State Director Bud Cribley. “It will also ensure the sustainability of natural resources in the Arctic, including important North Slope Rapid Ecoregional “Changing Seasons,” a Hands On the Land program subsistence wildlife populations.” Assessment report Chel Ethun In mid-September, the BLM Glennallen Field Office again partnered Hiker at site for stone trail crossing across Nome Creek. BLM Alaska hosted the first Regional Mitigation Strategy workshop A final report presenting methods, results, limitations, and data gaps “Changing Seasons” for second and third grade students from the in Fairbanks March 30 and April 1. On May 30, the BLM hosted a for the North Slope Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) has been Copper River watershed. Four outdoor learning stations offered listening session in the village of Nuiqsut that included presentation delivered to the BLM for final approval. The assessment includes students ways to examine winter’s approach and how seasonal of the Regional Mitigation Strategy process. ConocoPhillips Alaska the Beaufort Coastal Plain, the Brooks Foothills, and north of the changes affect us and the natural world. Partners include the National Inc. has contributed $1 million so far to develop a mitigation fund for crest of the Brooks Range. The report synthesizes the best available Park Service, State of Alaska agencies, Wrangell Institute for Science the project. For more information, visit the BLM Alaska website at scientific knowledge about the ecoregion and ways the landscape and and Environment, Copper River School District, and local nonprofits. http://www.blm.gov/ak. its dependent species and habitats may change in the future for the Greater Mooses Tooth Unit 2 Application North Slope. A University of Alaska team including the Alaska Natural Heritage Program, the Institute of Social and Economic Research, and for Permit to Drill the Scenarios Network for Alaska Planning delivered the North Slope ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. submitted an Application for Permit to REA Report to the BLM for final approvals in August. You can find a Drill (APD) to BLM Alaska for the Greater Mooses Tooth oil and copy of the report at http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/landscape-ecology/ gas Unit 2 project within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska north-slope-rea/final-report/ (NPR-A). The application proposes an almost 15-acre pad, up to 48 National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) wells, a pipeline and the building of an eight-mile road to connect with the existing roadway between the Colville River Delta 5 and Oil and Gas Lease Sale Greater Mooses Tooth Unit 1 projects. The APD was authorized The Nov. 18 sale will include 143 tracts covering approximately 1.5 on Oct. 22, and a right-of-way offered the same day for supporting million acres. In 2011, President Obama directed the Department of infrastructure. the Interior to conduct annual oil and gas lease sales in the NPR-A. Chel Ethun Eleven prior lease sales generated more than $261 million, half of Volunteers carrying carefully selected stones along the trail to the which is shared with the State of Alaska. There are currently 212 crossing site. Barbara Wallace, WISE Barbara Wallace, authorized leases in the NPR-A covering more than 1.75 million acres. BLM employee Marnie Graham teaches students how to observe The sale will occur in Anchorage. the fine details and characteristics of natural objects through the use of microscopes. 10 BLM Alaska Frontiers • Fall 2015 Fall 2015 • BLM Alaska Frontiers 11 Office of Communications FIRST-CLASS MAIL Alaska State Office Postage & Fees Paid Bureau of Land Management U.S. Department of the Interior 222 W. 7th Ave., #13 Bureau of Land Management Anchorage, AK 99513 Permit No. G-76­­ http://www.blm.gov/ak Official Business

Mushing Moments When asked about memorable mushing moments, Deke Naaktgeboren described Thanksgiving morning 2013. His team of 12 dogs had just finished a nice 80-mile overnight run in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. They reached the Elliott Highway at the Wickersham Dome Trailhead along the western boundary of the Whites. Instead of crossing the highway to run on the pipeline road trail for the last 15 miles to his house, his leaders decided that running on the paved highway was easier. The leaders turned left and headed downhill on the Elliott Highway towards Fox and Fairbanks, the same route used by truckers to and from the Dalton Highway. The Dalton is the only road link to the Alaska oil rigs of the arctic north. Deke could not deter his dogs, and for the next three miles, they dropped 1,500 feet in elevation. Deke stood with one foot on the claw brake and the other on the drag, sparks flying from the pavement all around him, and doing whatever he could to slow the dogs down. Courtesy of Jodi Bailey “You can’t stop a dog sled if your snow hooks or brakes don’t have Check out more about mushing in the BLM White Mountains any snow for them to grab. I used the road flare that I pack in my National Recreation Area on pages 6 and 7. parka pocket as an emergency fire starter, and I lit it when I saw the first 18-wheeler truck coming so he could see us. I hoped the “It was still a bit intimidating for my dogs and I to get passed driver would use his CB radio to tell all his trucker buddies that this by 60 mph semi-trucks… but good training, right? An Alaska crazy musher was mushing on the Elliott Highway at 5 a.m. on Department of Transportation worker from Livengood followed Thanksgiving morning. My flare eventually burned out, but it me with his hazards on for nearly half of the 15 miles it took us to seemed the word had gotten out to watch out for me on the get back home. We made it safely though, and gave thanks on highway.” Thanksgiving for my 15-mile Elliott Highway mush.”