Non Profit Rate US POSTAGE P.O. Box 202592 PAID Anchorage, AK 99520 Permit #845 www.alaskaquietrights.org ANCH, AK RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Pat Pourchot in Antarctica with some new friends. You are invited to the…. ALASKA QUIET RIGHTS COALITION WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES: Birds, wildlife, and the scenic beauty of the Falkland Islands, ANNUAL South Georgia Island, and the Antarctica Peninsula. A look at MEETING tourism and its challenges. Fresh out of college in 1972 and working for the Federal Bureau Featuring a of Outdoor Recreation in Colorado, Pat Pourchot lucked into a presentation by great job. The job? To float and research rivers across Alaska to Pat Pourchot and his see if they’d qualify for wild and scenic status in the National travels to Antarctica Park System. His passion for Alaska took off. From the early 80’s, Pat worked as a congressional staffer, state lawmaker, Tues, Nov. 19, 2019 Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, Special 6:30-8:30pm Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior for Alaska Affairs, and other public service jobs. He holds a BA from the University of REI Community Room Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Public Administration from Anchorage, AK Harvard University. Now retired, he spends much of his time (Corner of Northern Lights Blvd. & chasing rare birds throughout Alaska and North America. Denali St.) BALLOT FOR AQRC BOARD ELECTIONS 2019-2021 If you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting, please fill out and return the ballot in the enclosed envelope by November 29, 2019. 2-Year Vote for four: Terms Dale Bingham Yes__ No__ Dan Elliott Yes__ No__ Mike Boylan Yes__ No__ Brian Okonek Yes__ No__ BOARD OF Renew Your AQRC Membership by mail or at www.alaskaquietrights.org DIRECTORS I have enclosed a membership fee of $25 and a tax deductible donation of $____________ Name:_____________________________________________________________________ Brian Okonek Address: ___________________________________________________________________ President City: _____________________________________ State: _____ Zip: __________________ Email: _________________________________________ Phone: _____________________ Do you want to join our listserv? Yes ____ No ____ Please indicate if you are interested in Cliff Eames volunteer opportunities, becoming a Board Member , or have special skills or interests. Vice President __________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for your support! Will Elliott Secretary Meera Narayanan Thank you for the continued advocacy and support from all of you that appreciate the Treasurer natural soundscape. AQRC was busy during the last year working for the protection of this fragile resource that motorized recreation is degrading across Alaska. Comments Dale Bingham and letters to protect the soundscape were sent to: Mike Boylan Dan Elliott v Chugach National Forest DEIS for the need to recommend Wilderness designations Thom Ely and regulate snowmachine use. Asta Spurgis v Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve listening sessions. Wilderness areas should be closed to recreational snowmachine use. v Department of Natural Resources for the need to develop policy for the operation of drones in Alaska’s parks, refuges, critical hbitat areas, and sanctuaries. v Denali National Parks Winter Plan. v Kachemak Bay State Park and Wilderness Park Management Plan. v Creamer’s Field Migratory Bird Refuge in regards to an application for a snowmachine business to obtain a permit to operate on refuge trails. v Eaglecrest Ski Area proposal for heli-skiing in a nearby popular backcountry ski area. v Haines area heli-skiing advocating for protection of wildlife and other user groups. v BLM White Mountain and Steese Transportation Plan. v Hatcher Pass State Recreation Area concerning an application for a proposed snowcat and heli-skiing operation. v Denali National Park and Preserve in regards to an application to allow for 30 helicopter sling loads per week from park land to support the Sheldon Chalet. v Denali State Park concerning management for protecting the hiking experience and maintaining the park’s existing trails. v BLM requesting longer quiet hour periods in their campgrounds. Photos by Pat Pourchot There are many ways that the natural soundscape can be preserved and improved on public lands. AQRC will continue to advocate for quiet places and a balance of recreational opportunities on these Alaskan lands. Thank you for your support. Brian Okonek, AQRC President .