ALASKA’S OUTDOOR LEGACY Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2004 – 2009 ALASKA’S OUTDOOR LEGACY Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2004 – 2009 State of Alaska Frank H. Murkowski, Governor Department of Natural Resources Tom Irwin, Commissioner Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (Alaska State Parks) Gary Morrison, Director July 2004 This document meets the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) requirements for continued state eligibility to receive matching federal Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF). The preparation of the plan was financed in part through a planning grant from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, under provisions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578, as amended). The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation receives funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Our programs are operated free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age or disability. Any persons who believe they have been discriminated against or would like more information should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240. TABLE OF CONTENTS ~EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................1 ~CHAPTER 1 ~ ABOUT THIS PLAN............................................................................4 Purpose..............................................................................................................4 Requirement.......................................................................................................4 Goal of SCORP..................................................................................................4 Relationship Between the SCORP and the LWCF.............................................5 Alaska DNR’s Role in Statewide Recreation Planning .......................................5 How the Plan was Developed ............................................................................5 How the Plan is Organized.................................................................................6 ~CHAPTER 2~ THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE: AN OVERVIEW .................................7 Land ...................................................................................................................7 Land Ownership .................................................................................................7 Population ..........................................................................................................8 The People.........................................................................................................9 Where People Live...........................................................................................11 Looking to the Future .......................................................................................11 Natural Resource-Based Economy ..................................................................11 Oil and Gas Industry ........................................................................................11 Tourism/Visitor Industry ...................................................................................12 Seafood Industry ..............................................................................................12 Mining ..............................................................................................................12 Forest Products................................................................................................12 Economic Outlook ............................................................................................13 Areas Southeast....................................................................................................13 Railbelt........................................................................................................14 Rural ...........................................................................................................14 ~CHAPTER 3~ ALASKA’S RECREATION RESOURCES .........................................15 Wildlands Recreation .......................................................................................15 Lands Designated for Wildland Recreation ......................................................15 Areas (Southeast, Railbelt, Rural)....................................................................17 Wildland Recreation Facilities ..........................................................................17 Roads as Outdoor Recreation Facilities...........................................................19 Community Recreation.....................................................................................19 Community Recreation Land............................................................................20 Community Recreation Facilities......................................................................21 ~CHAPTER 4~ OUTDOOR RECREATION PATTERNS, TRENDS, & NEEDS .........22 Resident Household Survey Results................................................................22 Value of Outdoor Recreation to Alaskans ........................................................23 What Alaskans Do for Outdoor Recreation ......................................................23 Proximity of Outdoor Recreation Opportunities to Home .................................24 Satisfaction with Current Outdoor Recreation Opportunities............................24 Highlights .........................................................................................................32 Attitudes on Facilities, Management, and Resource Protection .......................32 Support for Funding Proposals and Willingness to Pay ...................................34 Outdoor Recreation Trends 1992-2004............................................................35 Recreation Provider Survey Results ................................................................36 Facility Needs...................................................................................................36 Barriers to Meeting Community Outdoor Recreation Needs ............................37 ~CHAPTER 5~ STATEWIDE ISSUES, GOALS, AND RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES ...................................................................................38 Issue 1. Lack of Adequate Funding.................................................................38 Issue 2. Shortage of Tourism Opportunities on Public Lands..........................44 Issue 3. Improved Access to Outdoor Recreation Resources.........................45 Issue 4: Opportunities to Meet Recreation Needs in Communities ..................52 ~CHAPTER 6~ LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND PROGRAM, PRIORITIES AND FUNDING CYCLE................................................58 The LWCF Grant Program ...............................................................................58 SCORP and the LWCF Program......................................................................58 The Open Project Selection Process ...............................................................58 Local Recreation Plan ......................................................................................59 Priorities for LWCF Funding.............................................................................60 State Priorities..................................................................................................60 Community Priorities ........................................................................................60 The Open Project Selection Process Schedule................................................61 ~CHAPTER 7~ WETLANDS.......................................................................................62 Wetlands as a Component of the SCORP .......................................................62 Alaska’s Wetlands............................................................................................62 Wetland Functions and Values.........................................................................64 Wetland Losses................................................................................................66 Wetland Threats...............................................................................................68 SCORP Priorities for Acquisition ......................................................................69 ~APPENDICES~ Appendix A: – Telephone Survey ..........................................................................A1 Appendix B: – Mail Survey ....................................................................................B1 Appendix C: – Provider Survey............................................................................. C1 Appendix D: – 1992-2004 Comparisons............................................................... D1 Appendix E: – Local Recreational Plan Guidelines................................................E1 Appendix F: – Workshop and Handouts ................................................................F1 Appendix G: – Land & Water Conservation Fund................................................. G1 Appendix H: – Draft Administrative Order............................................................. H1 Appendix I: – SCORP Comments..........................................................................I1 Appendix J: – Bibliography ...................................................................................