Final Wild and Scenic River Study and Legislative Environmental Impact Statement Lower Sheenjek ~River, Alaska ,,,,,,: . t!:~~~,Department of the Inte~ltJr ,, .,;,r' · ··· ·· National Park Service Fish and Wildlife Service United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 2525 Gambell Street, Room 107 Anchorage, Alaska 99503-2892 L'>: REPLY REFER TO, L32 (RTCA-Sheenjek) OCT 2 0 IS'99 Dear Reviewer: Enclosed for your information is the combined final Lower Sheenjek Wild and Scenic River Study and Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (final study/LEIS). The final study/LEIS was required by Section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act as amended by Section 604 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. It evaluates the segment of the Sheenjek River from its mouth to the northern boundary of the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, a distance of about 99 river miles. · The final study/LEIS was done cooperatively by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service, as the latter agency was delegated Wild and Scenic River study responsibility by the Secretary of the Interior. The study began in the early 1980's with a draft study/LEIS mailed out for public comment in the fall of 1984. It recommended designation of the study segment by Congress that was supported by the majority of comments received. Funding and administrative constraints, however, prevented completion of the Study/LEIS process. The effort resumed in 1997, but the intervening time required updating the earlier work and additional public involvement to ensure that information was accurate and up-to-date. This final study/LEIS is the result of that work. It recommends designation of the study segment by Congress. The majority of written comments provided during the 1998 review supported designation of the Lower Sheenjek River (50 of 51 individuals and 10 of 15 organizations with two organizations providing only comments without any recommendations). A record of decision for the final study/LEIS will be completed no sooner than 30 days from the above date. If you have any questions, contact Study Leader Jack Mosby at 907-257-2650, or Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge Manager Ted Heuer at 1-800-531-0676 or 907-456-0440. Sincerely, David B. Allen Regional Director Regional Director National Park Service US Fish and Wildlife Service Enclosure Final Wild And Scenic River Study And Legislative Environmental Impact Statement Lower Sheenjek River, Alaska Lead Agency U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service Cooperating Agency U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Type of Action Administrative ( ) Legislative (X) Abstract The Lower Sheenjek River has been studied for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System. The report describes and evaluates two alternatives, including a proposed action (preferred alternative) that recommends Congressional designation of the Lower Sheenjek River within Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge. The Study/Legislative Environmental Impact Statement was required by Congress as part of Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. An initial study was conducted from 1981- 1985, but was not completed because of funding constraints. A Revised Draft Study/Legislative Environmental Impact Statement was released in September 1998 to update and replace the previous Draft Study/Legislative Environmental Impact Statement. This Final Study/Legislative Environmental Impact Statement was revised following December 1998 public meetings and written comments on the Draft Study/Legislative Environmental Impact Statement. Contacts Program Manager Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance National Park Service 2525 Gambell Street Anchorage, AK 99503-2892 (907) 257 - 2650 Refuge Manager Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge Federal Building and Courthouse 101 12th Avenue, Room 264 Fairbanks, AK 99701 (907) 456 - 0440 Division of Park Planning and Special Studies National Park Service 18th and C Streets, NW Washington, D.C. 20240 (202) 208 - 4290 iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Purpose and Need Study of the Lower Sheenjek River for possible inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was authorized by Section 5 (a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act as amended through Section 604 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of December 2, 1980 (PL 96-487). The proposed action (preferred alternative) is a recommendation that Congress designate the Lower Sheenjek River as a National Wild River. The purpose of this action is to preserve the free-flowing condition of the river and to protect the "outstandingly remarkable cultural (subsistence), wildlife, scenic, and recreational values" associated with the river, its water quality, and the adjacent lands. The need is to guide future land use decisions to protect those values in the river corridor. Findings of the Wild and Scenic River Study According to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, a river segment must be in a substantially "free-flowing condition" and it must possess "outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, or other similar values" to be eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System. The Sheenjek River is a 277 mile-long free-flowing, unpolluted tributary of the Porcupine River. The study area includes the lower part of the river within the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge and extends two miles outward from either bank; it is about 99 miles in length. The river outside the study area (within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) is already included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The entire study area is eligible and suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and meets the classification criteria as wild. The study area has outstandingly remarkable cultural (subsistence), wildlife, scenic, and recreational values. The river and adjacent corridor have historically provided access to important resources used by local people for subsistence. The river area also provides habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds, moose, black bear, grizzly bear, and beaver, and has appealing scenery that features a riverscape of thick forests, boggy meadows and flatlands, and expansive sand and gravel bars. Finally, it offers excellent boating waters and camping opportunities with good accessibility. Because the Upper Sheenjek River is already included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, designation of the Lower Sheenjek River offers an excellent opportunity to protect an entire watershed in the region, with its diversity of biophysical settings. Although there is little private land within the study area, there are several cabin sites used for hunting, trapping, and other activities. Except for six Native allotments totaling about 800 acres, all of the river area is federally owned. Alternatives Considered Alternative A: Under this alternative, the Lower Sheenjek River (within the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge) would be recommended for addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System for its outstandingly remarkable cultural (subsistence), wildlife, scenic, and recreational values. The segment 1\' }_owe; ~Vild wul Scenic Ri\ er would be classified as wild, and management of all federal lands would be with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Management objectives would focus on keeping the area free from water resource development projects, minimizing the impact of recreational use on the rivers' outstandingly remarkable values, and generally maintaining the undeveloped character of the river corridor. Designation would likely provide additional protection and management attention relative to other rivers and resources in the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, and would encourage consistent management of both the Lower and Upper segments of the river (the Upper Sheenjek River is already part of the National Wild and Scenic System). No expenditures for administrative or public use facilities are recommended under this alternative, although funds would be required to develop a river management plan (estimated at $40,000) and for annual corridor administration (estimated at less than $5,000 per year). No land acquisition is needed under this alternative. Alternative B: No Action. Under this alternative, the Lower Sheenjek River would not be recommended for addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The river's resource values would not receive additional protection or management attention relative to other rivers or resources in the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge. Public Comment People living in the vicinity of the Lower Sheenjek River (in Fort Yukon and other nearby villages) are concerned about additional regulations or restrictions that might result from designation. While some support designation, there appears to be general opposition to additional conservation units. Agencies of the State of Alaska have expressed concern regarding how the river corridor might be managed differently if added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system. For example, concern was expressed for continuation of reasonable access to private land within the corridor, continuation of customary and traditional uses and activities, navigability, and continuation of numerous state management authorities. The majority of comments provided during the 1998 Draft Study/Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (by residents of Anchorage, Fairbanks, other communities in Alaska, and other interested