ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Fairbanks, Alaska REPORT U:1iteu States Dcparhnent of ...

223 Pages·2012·12.9 MB·English

' ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Fairbanks, Alaska
AJ'~'NUAL N~:\RRA.T1VE REPORT
fJ<4lemiar Year 1996
U:1iteu States Dcparhnent of Interior
:Fish and Wild_life Service
National \Vi!dlife Refuge System
ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Fairbanks, Alaska
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT
Calendar Year 1996
United States Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
National Wildlife Refuge System
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ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Fairbanks, Alaska
REVIEW AND APPROVALS
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT
Calendar Year 1996
Date
Date
INTRODUCTION
Size
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge, Arctic Refuge, or Arctic NWR) includes nearly 19.8
million acres, including eight million acres of wilderness. The Refuge spans more than 200
miles west to east from the Trans-Alaska pipeline corridor to Canada, and 200 miles north to
south from the Beaufort Sea to the Venetie Indian Tribal Lands and the Yukon Flats National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR).
Geography
Major land forms include the coastal plain, the Brooks Range mountains, and the boreal forest
south of the mountains. The Refuge extends south from the Beaufort Sea coast, including most
offshore islands, reefs, and sandbars. It extends across the mostly treeless, rolling tundra of the
coastal plain to the Brooks Range, located 8-50 miles inland from the coast. The Brooks Range
runs roughly east to west through the Refuge, creating a natural north-south division. The
Refuge contains the four tallest peaks (led by Mt. Isto, 9049 feet) and the only extensive
glaciation in the Brooks Range. The mostly mountainous and hilly south side of the Refuge is
cut by numerous stream and river valleys dominated by sub-arctic boreal forest of spruce, birch,
and willow.
Facilities
No permanent facilities are located on the Refuge. The headquarters office is located in
Fairbanks, 180 miles from the southern border of the Refuge. Other facilities include a modern
bunkhouse and field station at the Native village of Kaktovik on Barter Island, a few miles north
of the Refuge coastal plain.
Enabling Legislation
On December 6, 1960, Secretary of the Interior Fred Seaton signed Public Land Order 2214
establishing the 8.9 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Range (original wildlife range), closing
it to entry under existing mining laws.
The original wildlife range was redesignated the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with the
signing of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) on December 2,
1980. Under ANILCA, the Refuge more than doubled in size to 18 million acres. In addition,
three Refuge rivers were designated as Wild rivers and eight million acres (most of the original
wildlife range) were designated as Wilderness. Section 1002 of ANILCA directed a resource
assessment, including limited seismic testing, of approximately 1.5 million acres of the Refuge
coastal plain (the 1002 area), pending a future Congressional decision on oil and gas leasing or
Wilderness designation for the area.
The State of Alaska relinquished selection of approximately 971,800 acres within the Refuge in
1983. In 1988, the lOOth Congress enacted Public Law 110-395 which added another 325,000
acres, bringing the Refuge to its current size.
Refuge Purposes
Public Land Order 2214 stated that the purpose of the original wildlife range was to preserve
unique wildlife, wilderness, and recreational values. This purpose was added to by Section
303(2)(B) of ANILCA, which specifies that the Refuge was established and shall be managed:
(i) to conserve fish and wildlife populations and habitats in their natural diversity including,
but not limited to, the Porcupine caribou herd (including participation in coordinated
ecological studies and management of this herd and the Western Arctic caribou herd), polar
bears, grizzly bears, muskox, Dall sheep, wolves, wolverines, snow geese, peregrine falcons
and other migratory birds, and Arctic char and grayling;
(ii) to fulfill the international treaty obligations of the United States with respect to fish and
wildlife and their habitats;
(iii) to provide, in a manner consistent with purposes set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii),
the opportunity for continued subsistence uses by local residents; and
(iv) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable and in a manner consistent with the
purposes set forth in subparagraph (i), water quality and necessary water quantity within the
refuge."
In Section 101 of ANILCA, Congress made clear its intent to preserve within conservation
system units in Alaska, including the Refuge, "nationally significant" scenic, wilderness,
recreational, wildlife, and other values for the benefit of present and future generations." Section
101 further states that "it is the intent of Congress in this Act to preserve ... wilderness resource
values and related recreational opportunities including but not limited to hiking, canoeing,
fishing, and sport hunting, within large arctic and subarctic wild lands and on free flowing rivers
"
Refuge Resources
The Arctic Refuge includes a unique diversity of habitats offering exceptional wildlife,
wilderness, recreation, scientific, and aesthetic values. The area includes an assemblage of plant
and animal life found nowhere else in the circumpolar region.
Major habitat types include alpine tundra and rocky areas, wet and moist arctic tundra, boreal
forest, muskeg, brackish coastal lagoons, shrub thickets, and numerous types of wetlands.
The Refuge contains an unusual diversity of arctic and subarctic wildlife, including the
Porcupine and Central Arctic caribou herds. The Porcupine herd, numbering some 152,000
animals, winters in the southern portion of the Refuge and in Canada. Calving and post-calving
activities occur on the coastal plain from late May to late June. Up to one-fourth of the Central
Arctic herd, which numbers about 18,000 animals, utilizes the northwestern part of the Refuge.
All three species of North American bears (black, grizzly, and polar) are found on the Refuge.
Grizzlies, which den in mountainous areas, exist throughout the Refuge. They are thought to
number between 130 and 150 on the north slope. Black bears inhabit the south side boreal forest.
A few polar bears annually den on the coastal plain. The Refuge contains about 400 muskoxen,
which often are observed along rivers on the coastal plain. Large Dall sheep populations occur
in the mountainous areas of the Refuge, although a reliable population estimate does not exist.
Other mammals found on the Refuge include moose, wolverine, wolf, arctic fox, lynx, marten,
and snowshoe hare. Grayling and Arctic char are the primary sport fish that inhabit Refuge
rivers.
Approximately 180 species of migratory birds have been seen on the Refuge. The coastal plain
is especially important for shorebirds and waterfowl that nest on or otherwise use the area during
summer. Oldsquaw is the most common waterfowl species in coastal lagoons, but king and
common eiders, pintails, brant, and other species also are found. Some 75 pairs of tundra swans
nest on the coastal plain, concentrating on wetland dotted river deltas. From mid-August to mid
September, the eastern part of the coastal plain serves as the fall staging area for an average
117,000 snow geese. The Refuge also supports the northernmost breeding population of golden
eagles and includes critical habitat for the endangered peregrine falcon, much of it along the
Porcupine River.
Local Residents
Residents of several Native villages harvest subsistence resources on the Refuge. Kaktovik,
located on the northern edge of the coastal plain, is an Inupiat Eskimo village with about 210
people. Villagers utilize bowhead whale, caribou, polar bear, waterfowl, walrus, seal, Dall
sheep, muskox, wolves, ptarmigan, and several species of fish. Arctic Village, an Athabascan
Indian village with about 130 residents, is located on the East Fork of the Chandalar River just
outside the Refuge's southern boundary. Although villagers rely mainly on the Porcupine caribou
herd, they also take moose, Dall sheep, wolves, marten, beaver, lynx, fox, and several other
species. Limited fishing occurs, primarily for whitefish and lake trout. Residents of Fort Yukon,
Venetie, and Chalkyitsik also use Refuge resources, but to a lesser degree.
Public Access and Use
Public access is unrestricted except for all-terrain vehicle use. Almost all visitors get to the
Refuge by bush plane. Subsistence users rely on boats, snowmobiles, and occasionally dog sleds.
The Refuge is open to public use year-round. Due to the isolated, pristine nature of the area,
wilderness related activities predominate. Hunting, river floating, and backpacking are the most
popular. Weather limits almost all visitation to June through early October. Trips generally
range from one to three weeks, partly due to the remoteness of the Refuge and the high cost of
getting there. Peak use occurs in July (floating, backpacking) and August-September (hunting).
The rugged alpine slopes of the Brooks Range are cut by shallow braided streams throughout the
central portion of the Refuge. P. Garrett
Unique flatwater rivers like the Porcupine meander through the boreal forest and taiga in the
southern portion of the Refuge. T. Edgerton
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. HIGHLIGHTS 1
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ....................................... . 2
c.
LAND ACQUISITION .......................................... . 3
1. Fee Title ................................... (Nothing to Report)
2. Easements .................................. (Nothing to Report)
3. Other...................................................... 3
D. PLANNING ................................................... . 5
1. Master Plan ................................. (Nothing to Report)
2. Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. Public Participation .......................... (Nothing to Report)
4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates . . . . . . 5
5. Research and Investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6. Other ...................................... (Nothing to Report)
E. ADMINISTRATION ............................................ . 15
1. Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2. Youth Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3. Other Manpower Programs .................... (Nothing to Report)
4. Volunteer Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5. Funding............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6. Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
7. Technical Assistance ......................... (Nothing to Report)
8. Other...................................................... 20
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT ..................................... . 21
1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2. Wetlands ................................... (Nothing to Report)
3. Forests .................................... (Nothing to Report)
4. Crop lands .................................. (Nothing to Report)
5. Grasslands ................................. (Nothing to Report)
6. Other Habitats ............................... (Nothing to Report)
7. Grazing .................................... (Nothing to Report)
8. Haying .................................... (Nothing to Report)
9. Fire Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
10. Pest Control ................................ (Nothing to Report)
11. Water Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
12. Wilderness and Special Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
13. WPA Easement Monitoring .................... (Nothing to Report)
G. WILDLIFE .................................................... . 26
1. Wildlife Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3. Waterfowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4. Marsh and Water Birds ........................ (Nothing to Report)
5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species ....... (Nothing to Report)
6. Raptors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7. Other Migratory Birds ........................ (Nothing to Report)
8. Game Mammals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
9. Marine Mammals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
10. Other Resident Wildlife ....................... (Nothing to Report)
11. Fisheries Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking .............. (Nothing to Report)
13. Surplus Animal Disposal ...................... (Nothing to Report)
14. Scientific Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
15. Animal Control .............................. (Nothing to Report)
16. Marking and Banding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
17. Disease Prevention and Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
H. PUBLIC USE .................................................. . 36
1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3. Outdoor Classrooms- Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4. Interpretive Foot Trails ........................ (Nothing to Report)
5. Interpretive Tour Routes ....................... (Nothing to Report)
6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7. Other Interpretive Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 7
8. Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
9. Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
10. Trapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
11. Wildlife Observation ......................... (Nothing to Report)
12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
13. Camping ................................... (Nothing to Report)
14. Picnicking .................................. (Nothing to Report)
15. Off-Road Vehicling .......................... (Nothing to Report)
16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation .......... (Nothing to Report)
17. Law Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
18. Cooperating Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
19. Concessions ................................ (Nothing to Report)
I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES .................................. . 59
1. New Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
2. Rehabilitation ............................... (Nothing to Report)
3. Major Maintenance........................................... 60
4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement .......... (Nothing to Report)
5. Communications Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
6. Computer Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
7. Energy Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
8. Other...................................................... 62
J. OTHER ITEMS ................................................ . 62
1. Cooperative Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
2. Other Economic Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
3. Items of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
4. Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
K. FEEDBACK .................................................. . 66
APPENDIX- Newspaper and magazine articles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tab 1
INFORMATION PACKET - Refuge brochures, flyers, and handouts . . . . . . . Tab 2
LIST OF TABLES
1. 1996 temperature data (degrees F) for Barter Island, Arctic Village, and Old
Crow, Yukon Territory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Funding summary FY91-FY96 (figures expressed to the nearest $1,000) . . . . . . 19
3. Training received by employees in 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4. Wildland fires on the Arctic NWR in 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5. Peregrine falcon productivity, Porcupine River, AK, 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6. Information on muskoxen captured and marked in the Arctic NWR in
August 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7. Peregrine falcon nestlings banded on the Porcupine River on the Arctic
NWR, July 14-19, 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
8. Hunting guide-outfitter special use permit report data, 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
9. Recreation guide special use permit data, 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10. Commercial recreation use days, 1987-1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
11. Private recreation reported in charter aircraft and transporter special use
permit reports, 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57