FLP/Alaska AON ALASKA FOREST LEGACY PROGRAM ASSESSMENT OF NEED Final Assessment August 23, 2002 FLP/Alaska AON November 1, 2002 FLP/Alaska AON Forest Legacy Program Assessment of Need for Alaska TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures, Tables and Maps……………………………………………................iii Alaska Forest Stewardship Committee……………………………………...................iv Introduction to the Forest Legacy Program – Federal and State……………............. 1 The Federal Forest Legacy Program………………………………........................ 1 The Forest Legacy Program in Alaska……………………………......................... 2 Public Involvement in the Assessment of Need………………………………...... 2 Alaska Forest Legacy Program Goals…………..…………………........................ 3 Alaska’s Forest Resource Base: Physical Environment…….………………............. 3 Climate…………………………………………….………………........................ 3 Climatic Zones…………………………………….………………........................ 5 Physiography, Geology and Soils………………….………………....................... 6 Physiographic Regions…………………………….….……………...................... 7 Alaska’s Forest Soils……………………………….….……………...................... 9 Forest Cover, Composition & Ecosystems……………………………….................. 13 Forest vegetation and types ……………………………………………………… 13 Ecoregions; Vegetation, Wildlife & Defining Characteristics of Forested Areas… 13 o Pacific Coastal.......................................................................................... 17 o Cook Inlet Basin ...................................................................................... 20 o Copper River Basin................................................................................... 22 o Interior Boreal Forests.............................................................................. 23 Species of Special Concern...................................................................................... 25 Historical and Social Context for Alaska’s Forest Resources .................................... 28 Historical Perspective of Alaska’s Forests............................................................... 28 Land Ownership…………………………………………………………………... 29 Alaska’s Population and People............................................................................... 34 Natural Resource-based Economy........................................................................... 36 Forest Products Industry.......................................................................................... 36 Tourism.................................................................................................................... 37 Salmon Fishery........................................................................................................ 37 Subsistence.............................................................................................................. 37 Forest-based Recreation........................................................................................... 39 Watersheds............................................................................................................... 39 Threats to Alaska’s Forests...................................................................................... 40 Existing Measures to Conserve Alaska’s Forests.................................................... 42 Alaska’s Forest Legacy Program................................................................................. 44 FLP/Alaska AON Environmentally Important Forests in Alaska ............................................................ 44 Alaska Forest Legacy Program Project Evaluation Criteria........................................ 44 Forest Legacy Area Eligibility Criteria....................................................................... 47 Alaska’s Forest Legacy Area...................................................................................... 49 Forest Legacy Area Descriptions................................................................................ 51 References…………………………………………………………………………………….. 55 APPENDICES Appendix A: List of public meetings & Public Information Packet Appendix B: Summary of public comments Appendix C: University of Alaska Lands & Mental Health Trust Lands: Special cases regarding the Forest Legacy Program in Alaska FLP/Alaska AON List of Maps & Tables Maps Map 1 Alaska Place Names and Roads Page 4 Map 2 Climatic Zones of Alaska Page 5 Map 3 Physiographic Regions of Alaska Page 8 Map 4 Distribution of Permafrost Page 10 Map 5 Primary Soil Texture Page 11 Map 6 Forested land Cover Classification Page 14 Map 7 Ecoregions of Alaska Page 15 Map 8 Forested Areas Overlaid on the Ecoregions of Alaska Page 16 Map 9 Extent of Insect and Disease Damage Page 21 Map 10 Ecoregions Containing Species of Special Concern Page 27 Map 11 Generalized Landownership and Management Page 30 Map 12 Borough and Native Corporation Boundaries Page 32 Map 13 Distribution of Native Allotments Page 33 Map 14 Population Changes in Alaska Census Areas, 1990-2000 Page 35 Map 15 Conservation Units in Alaska Page 48 Map 16 Alaska’s Forest Legacy Area Page 50 Tables Table 1 Summary of soil types & characteristics by ecological region & forest type Page 12 Table 2 Species, Subspecies or Populations listed as Species of Special Concern or on Audubon Watch List Page 26 Table 3 Summary Data Regarding Native Allotment Conveyances Page 31 Table 4 Landownership in Alaska Page 34 Table 5 Sizes of Alaska’s Communities Page 35 Table 6 Annual Subsistence Harvest Per Person, and What It Would Cost To Purchase That Food Page 38 Table 7 Volume of Fish and Wildlife Harvested in Alaska by Harvest Category Page 39 Table 8 Pollutant Sources in Alaska Waters Page 40 Table 9 Land Trusts in Alaska Page 43 FLP/Alaska AON Alaska’s Forest Stewardship Committee Ole Anderesson Steve Bush Douglas Hanson Max Huhndorf Allen Lemen John Mohorcich Steve Glos Mitch Michaud Jimmy LaVoie George Matz Charlie Nash Erica Reith Dr. Bob Wheeler Dick Zobel 8/23/02 FLP/Alaska AON INTRODUCTION TO THE FOREST LEGACY PROGRAM – FEDERAL AND STATE The Federal Forest Legacy Program The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) identifies and protects environmentally important private forestlands threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. The FLP was established under the authority of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (CFAA) of 1978, as amended in the 1990 Farm Bill (Food, Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act, [16 U.S.C.2103c et.seq.]). As defined by statue, environmentally important forestlands must possess one or more of the following ecological values: o Opportunities for continuing traditional forest uses o Fish and wildlife habitat o Threatened and endangered species o Riparian areas o Public recreation opportunities o Cultural resources o Scenic resources The Secretary of Agriculture through the United States Forest Service is authorized to provide financial, technical, educational, and related assistance to state, community, and private forest landowners, and is authorized upon request to make a grant to the state to carry out the intent of the FLP in the state, including the acquisition by the state of lands and interests in lands. The goal of the program is to identify and protect important forest areas and aid in conservation through the purchase of conservation easements or fee interests in forestlands. Up to seventy-five percent of total appraised value may be paid by the Federal government through the FLP. State, local, and private interests must provide matching funds to cover any and all costs not paid by the federal government. Conservation easements purchased may include a variety of property rights, but most often restrict development and subdivision. Any restrictions placed on the land are attached to the title, and remain in effect in perpetuity, regardless of sale or ownership. Participation by landowners in the FLP is completely voluntary. All parties must follow Federal appraisal standards and acquisition rules for the acquisition of lands or interests in lands. While conservation easements established under the FLP do not require public access, a landowner may choose to allow public access and recreation on his or her land provided it does not conflict with the FLP goals and management objectives for the property. Conservation easements and the FLP offer alternatives to outright government ownership of land while protecting private forestland from conversion to non-forest uses. Under FLP, the state with significant input from its residents identifies environmentally important forestlands and uses conservation easements or land purchases to conserve and maintain those lands. Under the State Grant Option, the state or its designated p. 1 8/23/02 FLP/Alaska AON representative shall transact all Forest Legacy Program acquisitions. When a conservation easement is purchased using FLP funding, the state or its designated local unit of government must hold the easement. When the state acquires full interest in lands under the FLP, the state must retain ownership. FLP funds may be used to support eligible conservation organizations for activities related to donations of conservation easements. When a conservation easement is donated on behalf of the FLP (to receive credit as a match) to an eligible non-governmental conservation organization, that organization may hold the easement. The Forest Legacy Program in Alaska In January 2001 Governor Tony Knowles selected the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation to implement the FLP in Alaska. The State of Alaska