KOYUKUK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Galena,

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1983

U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM KOYUKUK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Galena, Alaska

library u 101 l E. Anchorage, ;\Iaska 99

ANNUAL N&~RATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1983

U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM I L I I E

PUBLIC LAW 96-487

fNDI '423'

K

?!O

KHOTOL / "28"" I LEGEND REFUGE WILDERNESS .. 0 28 MILES From left to right: Ryan, Olin, Keel

1. Ralph M. Keel, Jr., Refuge Manager, GS -12/5 (PFT), EOD 01/10/82

2. Kevin Ryan, Assistant Refuge Manager, GS - 11/03 (PFT), EOD 04/04/82

3 . Valerie Olin, Clerk-Typist, GS - 4/0l, (Local hire, Part ti~e ) , EOD 10/03/83

4 . Barbara Demoski, Clerk- Typist, GS - 4/01, (Local hire, Part time), EOD 05/31/83 - Resigned 08/18/83 O:ot pictu:-ed)

Review and Approvals INTRODUCTION

Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge was established December 2, 1980 with passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Purposes for which the refuge was established are:

1) To conserve the fish and wildlife populations and habitats ~n their natural diversity including, but not limited to, waterfowl and other migratory birds, , caribou, furbearers and salmon;

2) To fulfill the international treaty obligations of the with respect to fish and wildlife and their habitats;

3) To provide the opportunity for continued subsistence uses by local residents; and

4) To ensure water quality and necessary water quantity within the refuge.

Koyukuk Refuge is located in west central Alaska, about 270 air miles west of Fairbanks and 330 air miles northwest of Anchorage. The exterior boundaries encompass 4.6 million acres, an area slightly smaller that the State of New Jersey. After the conveyance of Native Allotments, village and native regional corporation (Doyon, Inc.) lands, the refuge will contain 3.55 million acres.

The refuge is situated in a roughly circular floodplain basin of the Koyukuk River just north of its confluence with the . The extensive 1 forested floodplain is surrounded by the Nulato Hills, elevation 1500'-3000 , on the west; the Purcell Mountains and Zane Hills, elevation 3100'-4000', on the north; the Galena Mountains, elevation 1500'-3000', on the east and the Yukon River on the south.

Many lakes, sloughs and rivers characterize the refuge. The Koyukuk River ~s the dominant natural landmark meandering 370 miles from the northeastern portion of the refuge to the southwest before it joins the Yukon River.

Vegetation types are typical of the boreal forest or of interior Alaska. White spruce occurs in large pure stands along rivers where soils are better drained. Numerous fires have set vast areas back to earlier seral stages consisting of aspen, birch and willow. Black spruce muskegs or bogs are a dominant feature and develop on the poorly drained soils. Dense willow and alder stands are common along the rivers and sloughs. The most conspicuous characteristic of the vegetation is the complex interspersion of types.

Located almost in the geographic center of the refuge is the permanent native village of Huslia (population 210) on a sandy ridge along the Koyukuk River. Residents of the adjacent villages, Hughes (population 73), Koyukuk (population 98) and Galena (population 765) are the primary users of the refuge. Office space, located in Galena, is shared with Nowitna Refuge personnel. Galena, with an elevation of 150 feet and 125 miles south of the , is about six miles below the southern-most boundary of the refuge and in view of the upper unit of the Innoko Refuge just across the Yukon River. This village is not your typical bush community. The U.S. Air Force 5072 Squadron with 300 military personnel keeps two F-15 Eagles on 24-hour alert and a 6,665 foot paved runway clear at all times. Commercial aviation provides regular air service seven days-a-week to Fairbanks with twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft and service to Anchorage two days with Boeing 737's and six days with Beech 99's. Roundtrip air fair to Fairbanks is $139 and to Anchorage is $19}. Access to Galena is only by aircraft, boat, snowmobile or dogsled. TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title. ••••••••••••••••• 2 2. Easements .. .Nothing to Report 3. Other •.••.• • ••••••••••••••••••• 2

D. PLANNING

1. Master Plan •.•••• ...... 4 2. Management Plan •• • •• Nothing to Report 3. Public Participation.. • .•••••• .Nothing to Report 4. Compliance with Environmental Mandates ••. .Nothing to Report s. Research and Investigation •.•••••••••••.• • ••••••.••••••••• 5

E. ADMINISTRATION l. Personnel •••••••••••••• • .•••••••••••.••• 5 2. Youth Programs •••••••• ..Nothing to Report 3. Other Manpower Programs. • •.•••••.•••••••••• 5 4. Volunteer Program ••• . •• Nothing to Report 5. Funding •••••••• • 6 6. Safety •.••••••• • • 7 7. Technical Assistance •• .Nothing to Report 8. Other Items ••••.••••• • ••••••••••••••••••• 7

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT l. General ••.••••••• .. 8 2. Wetlands •.•. • 10 3. Forests ••••• .13 4. Croplands ••• .Nothing to Report s. Grasslands •• .Nothing to Report 6. Other Habitats •• ...... Nothing to Report 7. Grazing •••• ••• Nothing to Report 8. Haying ...... Nothing to Report 9. Fire Management •••• ...... •.... 14 10. Pest Control. •• • • Nothing to Report ll. Water Rights ••• • .Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas ••••••••••••••••••• ...... •.... 18 13. WPA Easement Monitoring •••••••••••••••••••••••• .Nothing to Report G. \~!TLDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity •••••••••••••••••••• .18 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species •. • 19 3. Waterfowl •••••••••••••• .19 4. Marsh and Water Birds. ..21 s. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species •• • . 21 6. Raptors ••••••••••• ..22 7. Other Migratory Birds. .23 8. Game Mamma 1 s •••• .24 9. Marine Mammals •• .Nothing to Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife •••• • ••••••• 2 7 ll. Fishery Resources •••••••••• .27 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking •••.• •• Nothing to Report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal.. • ••••• .Nothing to Report 14. Scientific Collections. • ••••• .Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control ••••.• •• :Nothirtg to 16. Marking and Banding. •• Nothing to Report 17. Disease Prevention and Control. ••• Nothing to Report

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General •••••••••••••••••••••••• •••.....•.•••.... 2 8 2. Outdoor Classrooms Students. • .Nothing to Report 3. Outdoor Classrooms Teachers. •• Nothing to Report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails •• • •• Nothing to Report s. Interpretive Tour Routes.. • •.••••••••••••• •• Nothing to Report 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations ••••••••• .Nothing to Report 7. Other Interpretive Programs. • ••••••••••••••• .31 8. Hunting.... . · ... · · · · · · · · · · · · · .. 31 9. Fishing...... · .. · · · · · · · · .. 32 10. Trapping ••••••••• • • 35 ll. Wildlife Observation •• • •• Nothing to Report 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation •• •• Nothing to Report 13. Camping ...... •... •••••••••• Nothing to Report 14. Picnicking •••••••••••• .Nothing to Report 15. Off-Road Vehicling •••• • ••••••••••••••• 3 7 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation •••••••••••••• .Nothing to Report 17. Law Enforcement ••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3 7 18. Cooperating Associations ••• .Nothing to Report 19. Concessions •••••••••••••••• ..Nothing to Report

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction. •••• Nothing to Report 2. Rehabilitation ••••• • ••••••••••••••• 38 3. Major Maintenance.. • ••• Nothing to Report 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 38 5. Cotmnunications Systems...... • . ..•...... 40 6. Energy Conservation. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • •••••••••• 40 7. Other ...... •...... •.... 40 J. OTHER I1U1S l. Cooperative Programs. ...• 41 2. Items of Interest •••••••• ..• 41 3. Credits •••••••••••• ..41

K. FEEDBACK -1-

A. HIGHLIGHTS

Congress appropriates 1.5 million in no-year funds for residence construction in Galena. (Section E.5)

Koyukuk's first summer field season conducted. (Section G)

Jim Gillett and John Eadie, Washington Office Division of Refuge Management visit the Refuge. (Section J.2)

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

The climate of the Koyukuk basin is similar to Fairbanks. The summer sun provides almost continuous radiation and heats valleys which are protected from coastal winds and clouds by surrounding hills. During the winter the sun stays above the horizon for less than four hours. The valleys become cold sinks and temperatures are among the coldest on the continent. Galena, located approximately 125 miles south of the Arctic Circle, has a mean annual temperature of 25.2°F, a July mean of 60.l°F and January mean of -9°F. The frost-free period is normally about 100 days. Temperature extremes'range from near 70 below to the high 90's. Ice is present in the lakes from early October to late May. Precipitation averages 14.6 inches, the bulk being in the form of rain in June, July, August and September.

Breakup on the Yukon River at Galena began on May 10 and on the Koyukuk River at Hughes on May 7. Ice began running in the Yukon River at Galena on October 13 and the river froze on October 23.

Table l 1983 Weather Summary

Precipitation (Inches) Temperature (° F) Mean 1983 Snow Maximum Minimum* January .82 .25 3.3 13 -45 February • 81 .23 2.4 20 -25 March .63 .04 .4 28 -14 April .52 .87 9.6 45 - 3 May .59 .24 0 72 26 June 1. 24 .62 0 80 35 July 2.22 1.04 0 76 45 August 2. 76 3.19 0 66 36 September 1. 76 1.03 • 7 56 15 October .81 .54 2.9 40 - 4 November .90 .41 6.0 35 -12 December .76 .29 3.3 27 -26

Totals 13.8 8.8 28.6 80 -45

* Weather data from the U.S. Air Force, Galena Airport, Alaska. -2-

It should be noted that thermometers at the refuge office and residences consistently recorded lower temperatures during the winter than Air Force data indicates. Our lowest temperature recorded was -58°F.

We experienced an early spring in 1983 and no flooding made it a favorable year for early migration and nescing. Overall habitat conditions appeared ideal for good waterfowl production throughout Alaska.

C. LAND ACQUISITION

l. Fee Title

Six-month options for four building lots \vere signed on June 2, 1983 with Harvey S~rassburg and Robert Miller. Due to poor title evidence, the transaction could not be closed by the end of the six-month period. Ben Lukes from Realty in Anchorage contacted the two landowners in person to get an extension on the option. Only one landowner, Mr. Strassburg, elected to renew the option. The only title the U.S. Government can get on the lots is a Quit-Claim Deed and this, in the Solicitor's opinion, is not good enough title evidence on which to build permanent structures.

Before the Service can move forward, the City of Galena has to record the original plat. It seems, however, the surveyors made some errors in their calculations. Tnese errors have to be corrected before the plat can be approved by the Galena Planning and Zoning Board and the "final" plat recorded. This will hopefully be completed by the end of February, 1984 but March 1984 is a more realistic target. The above constraints coupled with the length of time the Service has to advertise bids adds up to zero housing starts for refuge residences during the 1984 construction season. The situation is frustrating, to put it mildly, but perhaps will improve as quickly as the days are getting longer.

Hopefully, the 1984 Narrative can add a positive chapter to this "Alaska realty bush opera" but the conclusion will be in 1985 at the earliest.

3. Other

Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) increased National Wildlife Refuge System lands in Alaska by 300 percent. These refuges are not large, solid blocks of lands; but, instead are a complex pattern of Native, State, Private and Federal lands. Of the approximately 4,495,847 acres included in the exterior boundaries of the Koyukuk NWR current "official" Fish and Wildlife Service acrege is about 3,500,000. This acreage will undoubtedly change as various agency, corporate and private land inholdings are finalized. -3-

During 1983, 188,885 acres were conveyed to Regional and village corporations and 18 Native Allotments were interimly conveyed .

Table 2 Land Ownership Within Koyukuk NWR

Type of Ownership Acres Regional and Village Corporation A. Selected 415 ,982 B. Conveyed 188,885 14 Hl and H8 Lands 66,246 Native Allotments 15,408 State Selected 4 2 ,460 Conflicting Claims 1,001 Private ll

Village of Huslia, population 210, located in the middle of the refuge, is home of famed Iditirod dog musher, George Attla, the "Huslia Hustler". 83-01 RMK - 4-

"Main Street" in village of Hughes, population 73, located 12 miles north of the refuge on the Koyukuk River. 83- 02 RMK

D. PLANNING l. Master Plan

The Comprehensive Conservation Plan referred to in Section 304 of ANILCA will serve as our Master Plan. The pre-planning phase began in October with meetings between Refuge staff and Planning Team Leader Norm Olson and Mike Evans, Public Affairs Specialist from the Regional Office Planning Section. Scoping and data base construction will begin in 1984 with the plan scheduled for completion in May 1986. -5-

5. ~search and Investigation

While no research took place on the Refuge this year, a cooperative subsistence study between Kanuti NWR, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Alaska Department of Fish and Game showed residents of Hughes used the Koyukuk M~R for subsistence purposes. The principle investigator for this study, Jim Marcotte of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, is scheduled to assit us with a similar study with the residents of Huslia in FY'84.

E. ADMINISTRATION

l. Personnel

Clerk-typist Barbara Demoski was hired under the local hire prov~s~ons of ANILCA effective May 31, 1983. Barbara was permanent part time and held this position until August 18, 1983, when she resigned to take a job on the North Slope -making two to three times more salary there than with us.

Valerie Olin was hired as a permanent part time clerk-typist effective October 3, 1983. Valeri was also hired using the local hire provision of ANILCA. A Fire Management Officer was advertised in late October. This position would be stationed at Koyukuk NWR but would service Innoko NWR, Nowitna N~R, and Selawik rn~R in addition to Koyukuk. Only one applicant was received and the candidate was not suitable. As a result the position description was revised to delete pilot duties and resubmitted to Personnel. Tne position had not yet been readvertised at year's end.

Table 3 Two Year Summary of Manpower

Permanent Temporary Full-time Part-time 1983 2 l 0 1982* 2 0 0

* First year Koyukuk M~R was staffed.

3. Other Manpower Programs

Ron Hood and Bill Knauer from the Regional Office assisted us with our waterfowl production surveys for one week in June. The Regional Office picked up the cost for which we were grateful. -6-

5. Funding

Table 4 Koyukuk NWR Funding

Program FY'82 FY '83 FY'84 1210 $70,000 $80,000 1220 60,000 60,000 1260 $290,000 1994 12,000 Totals $130,000 $152,000 $290,000

Funding for the first three fiscal years staffed is shown above. In FY'83, $48,000 in ARMM's funds were allocated to rehabilitate the utility room in Quarters 108 and replace the 1941 vintage heating systems in Quarters 108 and 109 for Koyukuk and Nowitna Refuges. About $9000 of our 1994 monies were applied to this rehab project also. We went back to the Regional Office for an additional $15,000 to cover primarily aircraft charter costs. From June through September, we relied primarily on a local air service for a Cessna 185 with amphibious floats at $210/hour to conduct field duties. We still were not able to conduct basic surveys to the extent we had planned.

The $290,000 allocated for FY'84 represents a 91% increase over FY'83 funding. This increase is tempered with the fact that $110,000 or 38% of our budget is ARMM's funds and will not be a part of base refuge operating funds in future years. Also $40,000 of the FY'84 budget is allocated to cover the cost of a full time Fire Management Officer. This is about $6000 short when the cost of housing and utilities is taken into account.

Another $13,000 will be used to cover unplanned expenditures, ~.e., our prorated share of $6,500 to cover the cost of a computer and accessories for the Galena station and $6,500 toward the purchase of a fully radio equiped Super Cub with floats. The Regional Office put up funds to cover the cost of two new Super Cubs but when the single bid from the factory was opened, the Service was short about $13,000. The bid was $67,881 for each aircraft plus $11,984 for floats and $5,604 for radios. The $85,469 total price tag includes a 3% OAS service charge. We all know "service" is not the proper word. We are grateful for Lhe increase in funding but $290,000 is not being "a fat cat" in light of gathering basic information about the land, water and wildlife resources on 3.55 million acres to meet refuge objectives as stated 1.n ANILCA.

In FY'84, Congress appropriated 1.5 million in no-year funds for construction of six single-family residences in Galena. When completed, the residences will help to attract applicants for Galena vacancies and make employees feel more a part of the community rather than just another family living in the "government ghetto" behind the dike. -7-

6. Safety

No accidents occurred in 1983. Koyukuk m~R has had no accidents s~nce it was established, The weakest link in safe station operations is our radio system. Motorola Micom-S high frequency single sideband radios were at the refuge when it was first staffed. This unit is suitable as a base station but not for the "mobile" situations that are encountered here (i.e., snowmobile and small boat). In an attempt to acquire a "portable" radio for field use, a SGC Model SG-715 was purchased. This radio did not have the capabilities that we were led to believe and has so far proven unsuitable. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has a series of repeaters adjacent to the refuge and their personnel are able to communicate with Galena using small, compact J:vlotorola hand held radios. Discuss ions began in 1983 \vith BLM to attempt to get a cooperative agreement with them for use of their repeaters.

Refuge Manager Keel and Assistant Refuge Nanager (ARM) Ryan attended Arctic Survival Training conducted by the U.S. Air Force at Eielson AFB. The objectives of the training were to instruct and indoctrinate employees in survival techniques useful for emergency conditions in Arctic or Arctic-like areas. The course was excellent and highly recommnded to all who might one day be stationed here.

Table 5 Safety Equipment Obtained ~n 1983

Item Number Cost Emergency Locater Transmitter 2 498.00 Fire Extinguisher 3 Radio, SGC HF-SSB 1 1806.00 Firearm, 44 cal, S&W 2 828.00

8. Other Items

Refuge Manager Keel and ARM Ryan attended a 40 hour Law Enforcement Refresher Course in Anchorage in January, 1983 and qualified with Service firearms. Both employees requalified on September 28, under the supervision of Alaska State Trooper Range Officer Mike Stickler.

ARM Ryan recived training from BLM in Wildland Fire Suppression (S-130 and S-190) in May, 1983. Manager Keel attended a one-week fire management sem~nar in September at BIFC sponsored by the FWS. -8-

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General

Located 270 miles northwest of Fairbanks in west central Alaska, the Koyukuk NWR lies within a roughly circular basin and connects the flood plain of the Koyukuk River just north of its confluence with the Yukon River. The extensive flood plain is a forested basin surrounded by high hills and characterized by many lakes. The terrestrial vegetation is typical of the boreal forest or taiga of interior Alaska and northwestern Canada.

The most conspicuous characteristic of vegetation on the refuge is the complex interpersion of types. Differences in vegetation cover are caused by soil types, erosion by streams and rivers, permafrost, exposure, flooding and fire. There are four broad vegetation types on the refuge.

Closed spruce--hardwood forests are found mainly along the major water courses and on warm, dry south-facing hillsides where drainage is good and permafrost absent. This type consists of tall to moderately tall stands of white and black spruce, paper birch, aspen and balsam poplar. Understory species include various willow species, Labrador tea, prickly rose, dwarf and bog blueberry and various cranberry species.

Open, low growing spruce forests are found in the northwestern quarter of the refuge and scattered throughout the central portion. This type is composed primarily of black spruce but is often associated with tamarack, paper birch and willows and locally interspersed with treeless bog. TI1ey are found on north facing slopes and poorly drained lowlands usually underlain by permafrost.

Treeless bogs make up the bulk of the vegetation type ~n the center of the refuge. The vegetation of these bogs cosists of various species of grasses, sedges and mosses, especially sphagnum. On drier ridges willows, alders, resin birch, black spruce and tamarack are found.

Alpine is found at the highest elevations on the refuge. This is the least abundant vegetation type and is characterized by low mats of white mountain - avens, mat forming herbs, several species of grasses and sedges. - 9-

Extensive black spruce stands associated with open, low growing spruce forest habitat type. 83-03 RMK

Cloud-shrouded Zane Hills on north boundary of r efuge. Saw our first ~igns of gr izzlies along this stream. 83-04 RMK -10-

2. Wetlands

The rivers and most streams in the refuge lowlands are characterized by a low gradient, a tortuously meandering course and heavy spring flooding. Flooding during spring is typical and subsidence of the waters frequently continues through much of the early summer. Flooding has profound effect on vegetation and, therefore, waterfowl use. Rivers carry heavy silt loads at flood stage and the placer mine on the Hogatza River has caused some turbidity in the Koyukuk River below their confluence.

Lake and pond types include upland basins, ~ce formed lakes on the flats, river flooded lowlands and oxbows. Spring runoff, rain and river flooding charge the lakes resulting in variable water depth and shorelines from year to year. Depths seldom exceed 15 feet and are usually much shallower.

Water temperatures in shallow lakes reach 70 F and above in midsummer, creating ideal conditions for heavy growth of aquatic plants and invertebrates. Among the aquatic plants, duck weeds are common. Water milfoil, coontail, and smartweed are abundant in some lakes and one or more of 12 species of pondweed occur in almost all lakes. Bog lakes usually contain water lillies.

Sharline vegetation varies with stability of water levels. Lakes which fluctuate with rivers and streams usually are surrounded by dense stands of horsetail. Several species of sedge, bluejoint grass, foxtail, and fleabane provide cover on receeding shorelines and dry basins. After flooding, sedges and occasionally bluejoint grass survive as emergent vegetation to water depths exceeding four feet. Shorelines of bog lakes vary in character but nearly always contain buckbean, wild calla, and various species of sedge. Cattails and burreeds are found in only a few lakes.

Waterfowl use is related to both type and density of aquatic and shoreline vegetation. Preference is given to lakes with abundant submerged pondweeds, water milfoil, and coontail and having shoreline vegetation that is moderately dense and interspersed with openings. These are usually closed basin type lakes maintained by infrequent flooding and long periods of gradually receeding water levels. -11-

I

Koyukuk River with typical oxbow lakes in background. Sandbars are used by white­ fronted and Canada geese . 83-05 RMK - 12-

River flooded lowland lakes ~n the Three-day Slough Area. 83- 06 RMK

Upland basin lakes and open, low growing spruce forest habitat on the western edge of the refuge . 83-07 RMK -13-

River flooded lowlands 1n Three-day Slough area. 83-08 RMK

3 . Forests

Until the refuge can accurately be land typed , we can only describe the forested habitat in the general type description given in Section F. l .

Huslia sawmill on vill age corporation lands produced 3-sided house logs for l ocal construct ion. 83-0 9 RMK -14-

White spruce trees are girdled and cut a year later for house logs. 83-10 RMK

9. Fire Management

BLM's Alaska Fire Service conducts suppression operations on Koyukuk Refuge which is in a high fire incidence area. Over 95% of all fires are started by lightning . Part of a 1. 16 million acre fire in the Nulato Hills during the 1957 season burned onto what is now the refuge area. In 1974, a 500,000 acre fire occurred in the Huslia River area located in the northwest sector of the refuge.

Initial attack is achieved with smoke jumpers and retardant bombers such as C-119 ' s , DC-6 ' s and 7 ' s, Catalina PBY ' s and a Navy version of the B-24, the PB4Y. Helicopters are used to pick up smoke jumpers and to ferry in Emergency Fire Fighter (EFF) crews as needed.

Since the refuge was not under an Area Fire Management Plan during the 1983 fire season, all the starts received aggressive initial attack. The 1983 fire season saw 13 fire starts and four false alarms. About 790 acres were burned as compared to six acres and six wildfires in 1982. The 1983 fire season is summarized in Table 6 . -15-

Roundabout Mountain fire occurred 1n a predominantly white spruce type . 83-11 RMK

C-119 retardant bomber dropping a load of slurry on Roundabout Mountain fire (HUS S12) . 83-12 RMK -16-

Table 6 Koyukuk NWR 1983 Fire Season Summary

Acres Retardant Superession Fire Name Date Burned DroEped (gal) Cost ($)

HUS s 12 7/6/83 640 3,000 $100,000 HSL NE 26 6/26/83 80 20,000 50,000 GAL NW 28 7/8/83 35 9,000 5,000 GAL NE 45 7/22/83 15 4,000 25,000 GAL 26 NNE 6/2/83 5 N/A 5,000 DCK sw 40 6/25/83 4 5,000 25,000 HUS s 24 7/8/83 4 N/A 5,000 GAL NW 45 6/25/83 3 5,000 25,000 HSL NE 25 7/8/83 2 4,000 5,000 ORWELL 5/11/83 2 N/A 100 GAL 65N 7/8/83 1 N/A 1,500 GAL Nw 35 7/8/83 1 N/A 100 GAL N 47 6/27/83 1/4 N/A 5,000 F.A. {t8 Unknown FA N/A 100 F.A. :ft9 Unknown FA N/A 100 F.A. :ftl8 Unknown FA N/A 100 F. A. :ft20 Unknown FA N/A 100

Totals 792.25 50,000 $251,000

In October, 1983, refuge personnel began participating in the preparaton of an interagency fire management plan for the Seward/Koyukuk Area. The planning area encompasses approximately 51,000 square miles, about 1,000 square miles smaller than the State of North Carolina. The plan, due for completion by April 15, 1984, will be ready for implimentation during the 1984 fire season. The planning process recognizes fire as a natural force in the boreal forest ecosystem and recognizes that more cost effective strategies are needed to reduce fire suppression costs. This need is readily evident when one looks at the $251,000 suppression cost for 792 burned acres in the above summary.

The fire suppression plan will establish four management options: Critical Protection; Full Protection; Modified Action; and Limited Action. These alternatives range from immediate, aggressive initial attack to no attack.

The critical protection oEtion is for those areas where fire presents a real and immediate threat to human safety and physical developments. These areas or sites will be the villages and other occupied dwellings such as fish camps. The highest priority on the allocation of suppression forces will be given to sites in this option.

The full Erotection option is for those areas designated to receive aggressive initial attack and suppression efforts until the fire is declared out. This option is designed for the protection of cultural and historic sites, high resurce value areas and other areas which require fire protection but do not involve the protection of human life and habitation. Only fires in the critical protection area will receive a higher priority for suppression resources. -17-

The limited action option recognizes those areas where a natural fire program is deisrable or the values at risk do no warrant the expenditures of funds. Suppression actions will only be to the extent necessary to keep a fire within the management unit or to protect higher priority sites within the area. The careful monitoring of fire behavior and fire weather conditions is essential on all fires in limited action areas.

The modified action option provides a level of protection between "full" and "limited". This option provides the manager with an alternative for those lands that require a relatively high level of protection during critical burning periods but a lower level of protection when the risk of large, stand destroying fires is diminished. The intent is to allow acres burned to be balanced with suppression costs and to achieve some resource benefits through limited fire activity.

The interagency fire plan will be reviewed for revision yearly by a committee of land managers/owners. Managers may change the management option on any part of agency land at any time between September 30 and April 1 but not during the fire season.

Information in the area fire plan "ill be useful in preparing the refuge fire management plan. However, it appears the refuge plan will be completed in FY'85 rather than FY'84 as hoped due to difficulties encountered in filling the Fire Management Officer position for the Galena area.

Regrowth o.f vegetation after the 1972 Toby Cabin fire on the lower Koyukuk River provides moose browse. 83-13 RMK -18-

12. Wilderness and Special Areas

The 400,000 acre Koyukuk Wilderness was established by Public Law 96-487 (ANILCA) on December 2, 1980 in accordance with subsection 3(c) of the Wilderness Act (78 Set. 892) . The Koyukuk Wilderness surrounds the geolog ically unique Nogahabara sand dunes and also includes the Three-Day Slough area.

Nogahabara Sand Dunes are a unique geological feature in the 400,000 acre Koyukuk Wilderness area. 83-14 RMK

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity

Basic baseline data continues to be obtained to determine which of the numerous species common and casual to interior Alaska are present on the Koyukuk NWR . Over 110 bird and 30 mammal species are thought to "commonly occur'' as well is three salmon species and numerous fresh water fish species. -19-

2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

RM Keel and ARM Ryan surveyed the Koyukuk River from the Refuge's northeastern boundary to its confluence with the Yukon River during July 5-8, 1983. The primary focus of the survey was to locate peregrine falcon nest sites. The bulk of the land that the Koyukuk River cuts through appears unsuitable as nesting sites. There are birds nesting off the southwestern boundary of the refuge near the confluence of the Koyukuk and Yukon Rivers. One suspect nest site was found along the Koyukuk River in the northeastern corner of the refuge. One peregrine was observed there but no nest found. A spring 1984 survey is planned for this area and hopefully will reveal any nesting sites.

3. Waterfowl

Ducks This was the first year of "on the ground" field work on the Koyukuk NWR. Procedure and logistic problems were encountered and rectified. Hanpower resources were pooled with Innoko NWR and Nowitna MvR staffs and Regional Office volunteers.

Field work was accomplished on the Innoko and Nowitna NWR's first. Pair count work did not begin until June 20 on the Koyukuk NWR and this was much too late as broods were already present. Eleven transects in Three-Day Slough area, three at Hozatga Lake, one on the lower Dulbi River and one on Dulbi Slough were surveyed.

Brood surveys were conducted by Refuge staff only and had to be sandwiched in between VIP tours, BLH fire work and a peregrine falcon survey. Two transects in Three-Day Slough, one at Hozatga Lake and one on the lower Dulbi River were surveyed. Data this first year is rough at best and leaves a lot to be desired. Production can only be discussed in general terms.

Widgeon is the dominant nesting species followed closely by pintail, shoveler, green-"1-.ringed teal, scaup and mallard. Canvasbacks, goldeneye and an occasional old squaw and bufflehead nest in lesser numbers. Table 7 provides a general summary of these species.

Table 7 1983 Waterfowl Brood Survey Summary

Total Mean Total Species {f of Broods Young Brood size Adults

Widgeon 11 70 6.4 194 Pintail 4 35 8.7 34 Shoveler 9 61 6.7 37 G.W. Teal 4 18 4.5 11 Scaup 25 Mallard 3 24 8.0 9

All three species of scoter are present on the refuge but were not found on the survey transects. Production was noted for all three on the larger refuge lakes during aerial swan surveys. -20-

Waterfowl pair count survey crew at Three-Day Slough. Left to right: Jim Demientieff, Innoko NWR; Ron Hood and Bill Knauer, Regional Office; Mike Smith and Phil Fieger, Innoko NWR . Not pictured-Charles Blair, Nowitna NI-JR and Kevin Ryan. 83-15 c~:3

Geese White-fronted and Canada geese nest on the refuge with white-fronts being the predominant of the two. An aerial survey of Three-Day Slough found 188 white-fronts using the area. Lower Dulbi River was surveyed by raft and 387 adults and 107 young were found . Pair counts were conducted on these two ) areas but only large groups of white-fronts were observed because of the late date of the survey (June 20) . Calvin Lensink of the Migratory Bird Section of the Seattle National Fisheries Research Center feels that white-fronts may return to the same drainages to nest each year. Sidney Huntington, from Galena, tells of going up the Huslia River when they first got outboard motors and killing large numbers of white-fronts. No white-fronts were found during an aerial survey of the Huslia River from Tom Cook Hill to its confluence with the Koyukuk River.

Canada geese were seen infrequently during this years surveys. Transects will be modified in CY'84 to try to get a representative sample of this species. One brood of four was observed on Dulbi River. -21-

Swans The last complete trumpeter swan survey on the Koyukuk NWR occurred in 1980 when Waterfowl Investigation censused the "Koyukuk Stratum". Swans were censused this year during flights over the refuge and not along any set transects.

Emphasis this year was placed on locating nesting and staging areas. One hundred twenty-one swans were surveyed on May 10, 1983. Eighty percent of these were located at Boat Lake and a small lake in the Three-Day Slough Area. Twelve swans, all pairs, were seen on May 24 and 13 on June 2. Twenty-five swans were found on an August 17 flight. There were seven pairs, three which had cygnets (two with four and the other with one), and two single birds.

Boat Lake was surveyed from the ground on September 1. Eighty-nine swans were on Boat Lake none of which were immatures. The bulk of these birds, if not all, were tundra swans, perhaps non-breeders from the Selawik country. Boat Lake was looked at from the air on September 23 just after freeze-up. There were about 50 birds there and over 150 on an unnamed lake just north of Boat Lake.

4. Marsh and \-later Birds

Lesser sandhill cranes are observed on the refuge from late May until mid September. Nesting on the Refuge was confirmed this year with the sighting of a pair with two colts on July 14, on the lower Dulbi River. The spectacular spring and fall migrations observed last year were not observed this year.

Common loons, Arctic loons and red-throated loons are all nesting species on the Refuge. Production for all three of these species was noted incidental to waterfowl brood counts. Red-necked grebe and horned grebe production was also observed.

5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species

Numerous shorebirds inhabit the Koyukuk NWR. The list of species observed increases yearly. Subsequent surveys will verify suspected species present and their status. Those species observed in 1983 included red-necked phalarope, semi-palmated plover, lesser golden plover, least sandpiper, solitary sandpiper, spotted sandpiper, common snipe, greater yellowlegs and lesser yellowlegs. A breeding pair of Hudsonian godwits was observed June 21 on Hozatga Lake #4 transect. We do not know the status of this species except that these birds were the only ones of this species recorded this year.

Mew gulls are numerous on the refuge with Bonapartes and glaucous-winged gulls present in lesser numbers. Rare sightings of Ross' gull occurred on September 22 on the Koyukuk River in the southern part of the refuge and again a few days later on the Yukon River at Galena. -22-

Long-tailed jaegers and Arctic terns were observed on the refuge during 1983 with production noted for Arctic terns . No nests or production we re found for the less common jaegers.

A black-legged kittiwake was observed on the Koyukuk River by the southern boundary on September 24, 1983. The presence of this s pecies on the r efuge is considered rare at best and may have been a result of adverse weather during that time .

Yellowlegs are the most conspicuous of the breeding sandpipers. 83-16 CWB

6 . Raptors

Raptors seen on the refuge this year included Harlan ' s hawk, rough-legged hawk, northern harrier, goshawk, sharp-shinned hawk, , great grey owl, great horned owl and hawk owl. Raptors expected to occur but not observed this year include Swanson ' s hawk, gyrfalcon, boreal owl and snowy owl.

A bald eagle nest was reported by Alaska Depart ment of Fish and Game biologist Tim Osborn on the Koyukuk River below the confluence of the Kateel River. Production was unknown although an immature bald eagle was observed in that area in late summer. -23-

•

Hawk owl casting env1ous eye on F-15 Eagle 1n Galena. 83-17 C'I-.'B

7. Other 1-iigratory Birds

Numbers and species composition of passerine birds fluctuate with the seasons. Redpoll, common raven, black-capped and boreal chickadees and pine grosbeaks are common winter residents . Yellow- rumped warblers, Lapland longspurs, white-crowned sparrows , robins, tree swallows, bank swallows, dark-eyed juncos, varied thrush, orange-crowned warblers, Swainson's thrush, blackpoll warblers, yellow warblers, savannah sparrows, belted kingfishers, rusty blackbirds, Bohemian wax-wings and gray jays were all seen on the refuge during the spring and summer . Snow buntings were observed migrating through in the spring and fall . -24-

Bank swallow nesting colonies are common along the Koyukuk and Dulbi Rivers. 83-18 RMK

8. Game Mammals

Moose is the most important game and subsistence mammal on the Koyukuk NWR. They are found throughout the refuge but are more numerous in the riparian habitat along the Koyukuk River and its tributaries. Three-Day Slough, Dulbi Slough, lower Dulbi River and Treat Island have been identified as key moose areas on the refuge to date.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has conducted fall moose surveys on the refuge the last few years. We are attempting to acquire this past data and have supplemented the state's surveys with some of own.

Treat Island and lower Dulbi Slough areas were surveyed by refuge personnel using ADF&G techniques in early December. Dulbi River and Three-Day Slough areas were surveyed by ADF&G personnel in late November . The data is summarized in Table 8. -25-

Table 8 1983 Moose Survey Summary

Density Sample Area Total Bulls moose per Unit (sq. mi.) Moose Cow Calf Yrlg. Med. Lg. Total square m~

Treat Island A 9.5 21 15 1 1 3 1 5 2.21 Treat Island B 14.7 61 37 8 5 7 4 16 4.14 Treat Island c 11. 7 36 17 5 4 6 4 14 3.07 Dulbi Slough A 19.8 104 70 24 5 3 2 10 5.25 Dulbi Slough D 19.2 9 5 1 1 2 0 3 0.46 3 Day Slough A * 13.4 53 26 11 2 16 3.95 3 Day Slough B * 10.1 146 91 16 10 38 14.45 3 Day Slough c * 13.9 14 8 l 0 5 1.00 3 Day Slough D * 15.8 123 72 40 7 ll 7.78 3 Day Slough H * 15.4 132 79 32 7 20 8.57 3 Day Slough J >'< 16.2 62 41 16 1 7 3.82 Dulbi River B * 12.3 43 31 9 1 3 3.49 Dulbi River c * 9.5 42 19 9 2 14 4.42 Dulbi River D * 9.8 42 28 6 1 8 4.28 Dulbi River E * 12.9 59 30 11 4 18 4.57 Dulbi River F * 12.6 44 29 5 2 10 3.49

* Data obtained from Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Data for Three-Day Slough and Dulbi River was obtained from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Medium and large bull data was not available.

Cow-calf and bull-cow ratios for the four transect areas are shown in Table 9. -26-

Table 9 Sex and Age Ratios - 1983

Survey Area Cow:Calf Bull: Cow Treat Island 23:100 51:100 Dulbi Slough 36:100 17:100 Three-Day Slough 40:100 31: 100 Dulbi River 30:100 38:100

•

·-----·~- ..:.------=------

Cow and calf moose on Koyukuk River in Three- Day Slough area. 83-19 RMK

Black bear are numerous in the low land areas of the refuge. There is no closed season on black bear in the state game management units in which the refuge is located . The bag limits are three bears; however, the taking of cubs or females accompanied by cubs is prohibited . There is some speculation that the low moose cow with calf ratios in certain sections of the refuge (i . e., Treat Island) may be a result of bear predation on calves. Proposed future studies may shed some light on this theory.

Grizzly bear are reported to occur at higher elevations on the refuge. Population levels of grizzlies are well below those of the black bear. The first visual sighting by refuge personne l was of a grizzly sow and two cubs ~n the Nulato Hills near the Gisasa River in September . -27-

A small caribou herd, numbering 150-200 animals, winters 1n the southeast section of the refuge. ANILCA mandated that the Secretary of the Interior conduct an ecological study of barren-ground caribou herds north of the Yukon River and the herds that have been known to migrate between Alaska and Canada. The study, which the Koyukuk ~~R is to participate in, will include determination of the seasonal migration patterns, reproduction and mortality rates, composition and age structure, behavioral characteristics, and habitats that are critical to their natural stability and productivity and the effects on the herds of development by man, predation and disease. No firm directives have been received as to when Koyukuk's participation in this study will be initiated.

Important furbearers on the refuge include marten, beaver, lynx, wolverine, wolf, red fox, mink, river otter and some coyotes. Little is known about distribution and population status of these species.

10. Other Resident Hildlife

Willow and rock ptarmigan occur on the refuge as well as spruce and ruffed grouse. Porcupine, short-tailed and least weasel, muskrat, showshoe hare, red squirrel and other small mammals may also be found. Little is known about population levels or geographic distribution.

The only known amphibian present is the boreal frog. This species appears numerous in shallow refuge ponds in the southern end of the refuge and may be found throughout the refuge as baseline data is gathered.

11. Fishery Resources

Anadromous species found in the Koyukuk River include the chum, chinook, coho, sockeye and pink salmon. , summer and fall runs, and chinook salmon are the primary subsistence fishes of the refuge. Coho and sockeye are occasionally found and the pink is a rare occurrence.

Fresh water fishes present include the Inconnu, or sheefish, and burbot; both of which are important subsistence species. Broad whitefish, round whitefish, Alaska whitefish, least cisco, blackfish, longnose sucker, northern pike, Dolly Varden and Arctic grayling are also reported occurring on the refuge.

Fishery Resources personnel are scheduled to assist the refuge with instruction in surveying sampling techniques and data tabulation in an effort to make the data comparable and compatible with their existing FIN computer program. -28-

Gisasa River, tributary to the Koyukuk River, is an important summer chum salmon spawning stream. 83-20 RMK

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

Major public use is subsistence in nature and conducted by people living near or within the exterior boundaries of the r efuge. This includes residents of Galena, Huslia, Hughes, Koyukuk and Nulato. In addition to hunting, fishing, and trapping, other subsistence activities include berry-picking and wood cutting. Sport hunters and fishermen from Anchorage and Fairbanks use the refuge to a lesser degree.

Public meetings were held ~ in the villages of Galena, Hughes, Huslia and Koyukuk during 1983. These meetings were primarily informative in nature. We introduced ourselves, talked about what National Wildlife Refuge designation meant, reviewed rules and regulations and left maps showing refuge boundaries. Periodic visits were made to the villages incidental to other activities on the r efuge at which time we made ourselves available for questions and answers and just listening. -29-

Collection of information for implementation of the Service's Cabin Management Policy continued in 1983. Twenty- three cabins have been located on the refuge and all but two are on lands applied for as Native Allotments. A Special Use Permit was issued to Colin Brown for a cabin on the upper Dulbi River and another to Alfred Attla for one on the upper Koyukuk River. These cabins are used for subsistence trapping and fishing purposes and were built or initiated prior to passage of ANILCA .

There are 234 mining interest claims on the refuge. It has not been determined how many of these claims are valid. There is no known active mining occurring on the refuge at this time. A placer mine is active during the summer months on Bear Creek, a tributary to the Hogatza River and about 15 miles north of the refuge's northern boundary . A dredge is being used and is impacting water quality in the Hogatza River and to an unknown extent in the Koyukuk River . Water quality parameters above and below the mine on the Hogatza River and above and below the confluence of the Hogatza on the Koyukuk River will be collected in CY'84 to begin to document conditions.

Jimmy Huntington's trapping cabin on his Native allotment in the refuge near mouth of the Hogatza River. 83-21 RMK -30-

1 Cache on the "Edge of Nowhere' • 83- 22 RMK -31-

The Claude De Wilde cabin on Doyon property along Billy Hawk Creek. 83-23 RMK.

7. Other Interpretive Programs

ARM Ryan presented a program to the Galena Elementary School, 4th and 5th grades in April. The Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System and who we are and what we do, were discussed.

8 . Hunting

Moose and black bear are the major sport and subsistence species hunted on the refuge. The ADF&G has established a hunter check station on the Koyukuk River just inside the refuge's southern boundary. The check st~tion contacts those hunters going upriver to hunt but does not record kill data for hunters from Huslia and Hughe s . Seventy-nine moose were checked through the station although the ADF&G biologist feels the harvest was more like 90 moose. Harvest data for Huslia and Hughes was unavailabl e at the time of this writing. Black bear numbers harvested are unknown as there is no current permit or tag system required for residents. The is no closed season and a three bear limit for the game management units on the refuge. -32-

There is some aerial "trapping" of wolves on the Koyukuk NWR. The legal method is to find the wolves, land and shoot. Illegal means include herding animals or shooting from the air. Wolf hides must be sealed with a locking metal tag and the exact location of take noted. We are working with ADF&G to obtain this data. RM Keel and ARM Ryan checked two wolves killed by trappers on the Koyukuk River in February. The trappers, from the village of Koyukuk, had jumped a pack of six wolves and had shot one female and a large male. Both were gray in color.

Fly-in moose hunter's camp on the Kateel River in September. 83- 24 RMK

9. Fishing

Subsistence fishing accounts for the bulk of the effort expended and fish taken on the Koyukuk NWR. Chum salmon is the most -important subsistence fish. Very little sport fishing appears to take place on the refuge due to the high turbidity of the Koyukuk River and its major tributaries. Species taken for s port purposes include northern pike and arctic grayling. There is no co~nerical fishing on the Koyukuk River. -33-

Venetti cabin, located on the lower Koyukuk River, used as a fish camp and ADF&G check station during moose season. Note "solar roof". 83- 25 RMK

Drying cut chum salmon at fish camp above Huslia on Koyukuk River. 83-26 RMK -34-

A fair-size northern pike taken at So l smunke t Lake . 83-27 RMK

Sport fishing potential for grayling, shown here, and other species is practically untouched due to r emo teness of the area. 83-28 RMK -35-

10. Trapping

Numbers of trappers using the r efuge are unknown . We know of some people who are r eported to trap on the refuge but the list is far from complete. Efforts to get a more complete knowledge of who traps and where will be expended in 1984. Important species trapped a r e marten and beaver with fox, lynx, wolf and otter taken in sma ller numbers.

Roger Huntington, local Athabascan Native, making a beaver set. 83-29 RMK -36-

Trappers modified wall tent on Tachanlowa Lake . 83-30 RMK

This wall tent camp is more typical of a trappers' campsite on the Koyukuk River. 83-31 RMK -37-

15. Off-road Vehicling

Snowmobiling occurs on the refuge both on main winter trails between villages and on individual traplines. These uses are allowed in ANILCA. Impact on the resource is negligible.

17. Law Enforcement

Highly visable law enforcement checks of moose hunters on the refuge were conducted in aircraft and boat. Refuge pe rsonnel stopped at hunter camps and contacted hunters at the ADF&G check station on the Koyukuk River . No game law violations were observed although some hunters continued the time honored tradition of "trashing Alaska". Stiff fines or sending them the bill for cleaning up the site should do a lot to alleviate this problem.

Aerial wolf trapping is an activity which we intend to monitor more closely. The ADF&G Protection Officer stationed in Galena spent considerable time monitoring this activity but transferred to Kodiak in October. Lack of Service aircraft has hampered us as we are hesitant to enter a law enforcement situation with a charter aircraft and non-Service pilot. Service aircraft and pilot are scheduled for CY'84.

RM Keel and ARM Ryan found a cultivated "crop" of man.Juana adjacent to a trapping cabin on the refuge in July. The crop was harvested, turned over to Alaska State Troopers and a note left on the cabin door notifying the owners where the crop could be claimed. To no one's surprise, there were no takers.

You can grow more than tomatoes in a visqueen green house. This exotic garden on the banks of the Koyukuk River contained 60 stems of marijuana (a.k . a . ''Koyukuk collards".) 83- 32 RMK -38-

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

2. Rehabilitation

The heating systems 1n Quarters 1, 2, and 3 were rehabilitated in 1983. The contract was let to G. C. Incorporated of Galena, Alaska on October 24, with work completion scheduled for December 7, 1983. The bulk of the work was completed by year's end. Cost for the project is noted in Section E.5.

Quarters 1 received new sub-flooring in the boiler room, a new boiler, fuel pump, circulating pump, electric domestic hot water tank, zone valves (2), crawl space heater, and new wiring from the thermostats to the zone valves.

Quarters 2 and 3 is a duplex shared with the Nowitna M~R. The utility room shared by both and housing the common heating system was upgraded. New sub-flooring and vynal asbestos floor tiles were installed. Insulation was added to the ceiling and outside wall. A wall was constructed to isolate the heating system and thus meet code. Two new flush metal insulated doors were installed. The heating system rehabilitation included new boiler, fuel pump, circulating pumps (2), oil fired domestic hot water tank, zone valves (2), thermostats(2) and wiring, utility room heater and crawl space heater.

4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement

Haintenance of major equipment is difficult at best at a "bush" station. Parts have to be air freighted in and the shop rate at the local garage is $39 per hour. It is highly desirable to acquire equipment that can be serviced locally despite CGS' constraints.

The Xerox 2600 copier that is shared with Nowitna ~R is on its last legs. Replacement is scheduled for CY'84. Cost for replacement will be shared with Nowitna NHR. Important equipment acquired in 1983 is summarized in Table 10.

Table 10 Equipment Acquisition - 1983

Type of Equipment Cost

Tent, Eureka Space II $394.95 Canoe, 18', Ally collapsable 550.00 1-Jeedwacker, 17", Sears 162.00 Camera, 35mm, Olympus XA (2 each) 175.00 each -39-

Our 18 foot Alumaweld boat with a 115-hp Mere outboard proved to have too small a payload and not enough horse power . 83-33 RMK

Koyukuk and· Nowitna NWR's contributed funds so Innoko NWR could keep their C-180 and pilot and gave us some aerial support. 83-34 RMK -40-

This chartered Cessna 185 on amphibious floats cost us $210 per hour. 83-35 ~~

5. Communication Systems

Problems with our current radio system are covered in Section E.6. Work on a cooperative agreement with BLM for use of their repeaters will allow us use of three channels for every day use and two channels for fire season emergencies.

6. Energy Conservation

Work done on rehabilitating the heating systems in the refuge residences (Section 1.2) should do much to reduce fuel oil consumption as the newer units are reportedly more efficient. The boilers had to run year-round to supply domestic hot water prior to rehabilitation. Domestic hot water can now be obtained during the summer months by using the electric hot water heater 1n Quarters #1 and a fuel oil fired hot water tank for Quarters #2 and #3 .

7. Other

Office space, 760 square feet, is lea sed and cos t shared 50/50 with Nowitna NWR. Additional space will be needed when the staff increases beyond five for both refuges combined. Additions of a Fire Management Officer and full time interrnitent pilot in CY'84 will put us in a world of hurt. -41-

J. OTHER ITEMS l. Cooperative Programs

Five Special Use Permits (SUP) were issued in 1983 in addition to the two for cabins noted in Section H.l. SUP KUK-01-83 was issued to the Alaska Army National Guard for winter exercises iri the Huslia area. Operations were conducted while Managers Keel and Ryan were at Law Enforcement Refresher training in late January. Inspection of the site after conclusion of the training showed no adverse impact to the refuge. We landed at Huslia to visit the village and were informed that the Guard had not conducted exercises in the area specified in the SUP. Follow-up with the Guard resulted in no satisfactory answers for the shift in sites. Our feeling is that no further SUP's should be issued to the Guard.

SUP KUK-02-83 was issued to the BLM for helicopter operations incidental to surveying Native Allotments.

SUP KUK-03-83 was issued to the USGS for geologic mapping, geophysical investigation and geochemical sampling.

USGS was also issued KUK-04-83 for gravity measurements.

SUP KUK-04-83 was issue to SCS for ground truthing satelite imagery for cover mapping and some limited soil sampling.

2. Items of Interest

Jim Gillett, Chief of the Division of Refuge Management and John Kurtz, Refuge Supervisor for northern Alaska, visited the refuge on August 5, 1983. The tour was part of an Alaska familiarization trip.

John Eadie, Deputy Chief Division of Refuge Management and aspiring angler, and John Kurtz toured the refuge on July 12, 1983. Refuge needs related to housing, aircraft and fire management were discussed.

3. Credits

Refuge Manager Keel edited the report and wrote the Introduction and Sections C.l, E.S, F.9 and K. Assistant Manager Ryan wrote the remainder of the report. The undesirable job of typing was done by Valerie Olin and Sheryl Daron to whom we are eternally grateful. -42-

Sunset 1n Three-Day Slough country. 83-36 CWB

K. FEEDBACK

As vacancies open up for remote refuge field stations, I recommend our Regional Office get Washington Office approval to use the option of offering turn-around leave to the prospective selectee. Turn-around leave may be more beneficial to the employee's family than the employee. It's been my experience that the family fee ls the isolation the most since the employee gets to see much more of Alaska and its people than the village in which he/she resides.

My thanks to those persons responsible for changing the apparently arbitrary decision that refuge residences in Galena must be duplexes. Those responsible have probably lived in refuge housing somewhere along the line. It is no longer necessary to buy adjacent lots now with the decision to build s ingle-family units. The Se rvice personnel in Galena have been reasonable and cooperative individuals but as human beings, we and our families need some space in the "bush" - and sometimes under it when a doghouse is not close by.

I hope the Service will take the initiative to change the "three-inch tree" regulation for Alaska refuges before someone does it for us and "to us". -43-

I would have liked to had more time to discuss the cabin policy for Region 7 at the December project leaders meeting. My concern is that as the policy stands now only those family members living at the time of application can be named in the permit. Family members born in following years cannot be added to the permit at the time of renewal. This may have been the intent of Congress, I really don't know; if so, I do not think the courts would interpret the subsistence provision of ANILCA in regard to cabin permits the same as Congress or the Fish and Wildlife Service at this point. I personally feel a good lawyer familiar with the subsistence provisions in ANILCA will leave the Service hanging the first time our hand is called. What damage to the resource are we preventing by allowing only immediate family members living at the time of application to be named on the permit?

My two years in Galena have been a positive experience for me and my family. But when I figured out the air fare cost to get our oldest son and an accompanying adult to the orthodontist in Fairbanks at least twice-a-year, that's when I started looking seriously at the "green sheet". Living in Galena and staying in the other bush communities gave this WASP a feel for \vhat the word "minority" means. It was a good experience. I highly recommend a stay in the Alaska bush for all "white boys" and women also. Living in a house with no running water for seven months helped my entire family realize that we take too much for granted. The "bush" helps a person differentiate between luxuries and essentials very quickly. I have enjoyed my association with Region 7 refuge folks and have benefited from their expertise and "war stories". I owe a great deal of thanks to many Regional Office employees who helped get this office on the ground and make the move for families as smooth as possible considering the circumstances.

Last, but not least, I leave with a great deal of respect for the Athabascan Natives who are survivors in many ways and they will continue to be. Many of them embody Aldo Leopold's concept of a land ethic by living as citizens of the "land-community" rather than conquerors.