Dillingham Field Station

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Dugan Nielsen“Things that walk on the land, swim in the water, fly in the air…these are the things that are important to the people of Bristol Bay.” --Dugan Nielsen

The BLM Anchorage Field Office has established a field station in the community of Dillingham, in the heart of Bristol Bay country. The station is staffed by BLM land transfer liaison specialist Dugan Nielsen.

Dugan joined the BLM team in 2004. From government-to-government consultation to helping Native allotment applicants, he is the face of the BLM in the Dillingham area.

Mailing address:  BLM Dillingham Field Station, P.O. Box 95, Dillingham, AK 99576 
Phone: 907-842-4300

BLM Anchorage District Manager Gary Reimer and BLM Dillingham rep Dugan Nielsen met with Bristol Bay Native Association Board members in September. Reimer and Nielsen discussed the status of Bay Resource Management Plan implementation and final land conveyances for BBNA villages. The meeting was part of BLM’s continued commitment to ongoing government-to-government relations with tribal leaders in the Bristol Bay Region.

BLM hydrologist Ben Kennedy & Dugan Nielsen conduct stream surveys at Jacksmith Creek in the Bay planning area.What does BLM do in Bristol Bay country?

BLM currently manages approximately 1.9 million acres of public lands in the Bristol Bay and Goodnews Bay regions. After land transfer under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) is completed, BLM lands in this area should total about 1.5 million acres.

BLM is engaged in a wide range of on-the-ground work in the Bristol Bay region. This work includes land use planning, land transfer support, permitting activities, resource monitoring, and government-to-government consultation.

Cover of Bay Record of Decision and Approved PlanLand use planning: BLM released the Bay Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan on November 14, 2008. This plan provides the management framework for all BLM-administered public land and resources in the Bristol Bay region. The Bay plan was developed with broad public participation through a three-year collaborative planning process. During this process, BLM held scoping meetings, public meetings to take comments on the draft plan, ANILCA 810 subsistence hearings, and tribal consultations in the planning area.

The relationships BLM developed during the Bay land use planning process are equally important now as we work with Bristol Bay residents and land managers to implement the plan.

Government-to-Government Consultation: The BLM coordinates and consults with tribal governments and Native communities in the Bristol Bay region whose interests may be affected by activities on BLM-administered lands. The goal of this dialog is to provide productive participation in planning and resource management decision making.
 
As a resident of Dillingham, Dugan Nielsen is key to helping BLM maintain effective government-to-government relations in this region. He advises BLM managers on appropriate and timely coordination and consultation. He also makes sure residents and tribal entities are engaged in BLM decisions that affect their region and their livelihood.

Nielsen sets a "point of beginning" for a Native allotment survey.Our commitment to the people of Bristol Bay

The BLM is committed to maintaining a presence in the Bristol Bay region. We are committed to being a good neighbor to the residents, tribes and other government entities, ANCSA corporations, and Native allotment holders whose lands may be affected by what occurs on nearby BLM-administered lands.
 
Having a small office in Dillingham where residents can come in and talk with the BLM is a positive step.  As Dugan puts it, "It's says we're not going to be managers from afar." 
 

“This is salmon country. We live and die by our fish.” --Dugan Nielsen

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