TO: Linda Hulse

FROM: Mike

SUBJECT: Mesa Archaeological Project

QUESTION:"How were you able to get the funding for such an expansive project?"

ANSWER: The primary reasons that sufficient funding for the Mesa Project has been attainable are: The project is of international significance and has been widely acclaimed in international scientific journals such as SCIENCE. There has been world-wide coverage in both print and video media providing name recognition. Dealing with (possibly) the earliest people to inhabit North America captures the imagination. Coupling that with the fact that one of the most chaotic climate changes (the end of the Ice-Age) to occur since modern humans appeared on earth took place at the time these people were engaging in one of the most arduous and significant human migrations of all time creates additional interest. In addition, my superiors believe that there are sound scientific reasons to conduct the project and that the results will make a meaningful contribution to science and will have management applications.

In short it's the right kind of project at the right time. It's scientifically valid and at the same time sexy. We do good science, but in rality fortune has smiled on us and unique circumstances have made the project acceptable and therefore fundable.

TO: Chuck Shubert

From:Mike

SUBJECT: Mesa Archaeological Project

QUESTION: "Will there be a video out on the Mesa Project for educational school use?"

Answer: Chuck,

Glad you like the web site. My colleagues in our Wash. DC office put it together-they did all the work, all I have to do is answer questions, that's the fun part. Of course, being out here in the field is the most enjoyable part of the whole thing. We've done a lot of work since then, but it's still a good introduction to what we're doing. If you'd like a copy of it write to me at BLM, 1150 University Ave., Fairbanks, Alaska 99709. We do plan on doing an updated video when the project's finished but that will be two years down the road.

Thanks for your interest, Mike

TO: Judy Brown

FROM: Mike Kunz

SUBJECT: Mesa Archaeological Project

QUESTION:"Do you have no-see-ums where you are?" and "Does the oil business in the Brooks look profitable?"

ANSWER: JUDY:

Mostly up here at the Mesa site it's mosquitoes that are the problem. There are a few no-see-ums but they don't hatch until later in the season when we're gone. As far as oil potential in the Brooks Range, I would say that to date exploration has shown the area to be low to moderate. However, exploration efforts in the region have been minimal so who knows? As you know, there's lots of oil on the coastal plain to the north of the Brooks Range.

Thanks for your questions: Mike