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Alaska Resource Advisory Council

Meeting Summary

BLM Campbell Creek Science Center
Abbott Loop Road & 68 Avenue, Anchorage, AK

February 24-25, 2000

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Thursday, February 24, 2000

Council members present:	BLM representatives present:
Brett Carlson	Linda Rundell, Associate State Director
Tom Crafford	Nick Douglas, Anchorage Field Office
Gary "Gus" Gustafson	Doug Dodge, Glennallen Field Office
Tom Hawkins	Bob Schneider, Northern Field Office
Larry Houle	Nolan Heath, Resources
Susan Olsen	Gene Terland, Resources
Paul Roehl	Curt Wilson, Resources
John Stroud	Bill Overbaugh, Resources
Larry Taylor	Tom Deiling, 17(b) team
Elizabeth Whealy	Anne Jeffery, External Affairs
David van den Berg	Teresa McPherson, RAC recorder

Council members absent:
Karen Burnell
Rick Solie, Jr.

Council chair Tom Hawkins called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m.

Following introductions, the council reviewed and approved the meeting agenda. Minutes of the November 3-4, 1999, RAC meeting were also reviewed and approved as written.

State Director's Update

Fran Cherry welcomed everyone to the Campbell Creek Science Center, especially those members visiting the center for the first time. He introduced new Associate State Director Linda Rundell, who came to Alaska from Las Cruces, New Mexico, in December 1999. Rundell said as a native of NM, Alaska was a big change and she was enjoying that change. She said her background was in natural sciences, including range science, oil and gas, coal, and Native American issues. She's worked with RACs before and heard good things about Alaska's RAC. She looks forward to getting to know members during this and future meetings.

Cherry then announced that BLM Acting Director Tom Fry would be in Alaska the following week to visit the North Slope and NPR-A sites, and to meet with recreation user groups.

Cherry briefly discussed a January press release from BLM's DC offices announcing plans to develop a national strategy for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on public lands. He then explained Congress had imposed a moratorium on this effort until BLM provided additional information.

Brett Carlson asked how a national strategy would affect Alaska. Cherry said Alaska's lack of road systems and the popularity of four-wheelers would make this a challenging task. Larry Taylor suggested BLM consult the state's regulations and try to craft compatible policies since boundaries overlap.

Cherry then asked the field managers to provide an update from their respective field offices.

BLM field managers then gave an overview of their respective field offices.

Nick Douglas, Anchorage Field Office
Douglas distributed a handout which summarized current field office efforts. These efforts included resolving several complex trespass cases, work on various easement cases, a mining operation closure, and several ongoing efforts related to land claim settlements, mining occupancy, and revestiture of lands for parks. He said a presentation would be given later in the day about the Campbell Tract and the status of the land withdrawal.

Cathie Jensen, Glennallen Field Office
Jensen also provided a handout summarizing BLM work in the Glennallen area. She briefly discussed the Gulkana Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC), plans for a prescribed burn near Alphabet Hills, and planning for the upcoming field season.

Bob Schneider, Northern Field Office (Fairbanks)
Schneider distributed a detailed handout with attachments. These items discussed visitor waysides, resource management plans, mining claim occupancy, habitat studies, fisheries work, and the status of the Golden Valley Intertie and implementation of the NPR-A Record of Decision.

Carlson asked if the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center at Coldfoot would eventually be open year round. Schneider explained the design would allow part of the center to be open year-round, but was primarily designed for summer use.

Gustafson asked about a stipulation which called for a 15-mile zone between the coastline and the Sag River to protect waterfowl, and said he hoped this stip might be reevaluated in light of recent reports showing no decline of waterfowl on the North Slope.

Brief discussion followed about the newly chartered subsistence advisory panel for NPR-A. Schneider said this board would strengthen BLM's relationship with Native communities in the area. He said the research panel also called for in the decision would be appointed this summer.

NPR-A update

Next Schneider provided an update on NPR-A, including a brief history of the project. He said Lease Sale 991 in May 1999 generated more interest than expected and resulted in 133 leases totaling $104 million.

In January 2000 BLM authorized ARCO to begin winter exploration on some of its leases. Schneider said no permanent roads or facilities would be constructed for the exploratory drilling, and showed slides of ice roads and heavy equipment (rollagons) used to move supplies and smaller equipment across the frozen tundra. Susan Olsen asked if tracks of the ice roads are visible in summer. Schneider said some compaction occurs which causes vegetation to grow differently in early summer, but this is a short-lived effect not visible later in the season.

BREAK

Following the break, the chair announced that David van den Berg wished to introduce a resolution to the RAC.

Van den Berg distributed a draft resolution for discussion which addressed the Golden Valley Intertie. He said Northern Alaska Environmental Center had participated in the EIS process and had proposed an alternative route. Since no work had begun yet on the preferred route and DNR was reviewing its decision, he asked the RAC to consider a resolution asking BLM to suspend the Record of Decision (ROD) until an independent analysis of other alternative routes was completed.

Douglas explained that unless IBLA orders a stay, BLM has to proceed. The chair suggested the RAC might be out of line to ask BLM to suspend the decision without a stay. Rundell added that the only legal basis for BLM to suspend the ROD was if IBLA instructed BLM to do so.

After additional discussion of alternative routes, Larry Houle moved that the RAC vote. The chair called for a second. Gustafson said he felt members were not ready to vote. Rundell said the resolution asks the State Director to do something he can't legally do. The chair then suggested the RAC not vote and await the DNR decision. Rundell said BLM could provide a longer presentation at the next meeting pending the state's decision. The RAC agreed to await the DNR decision and hold this topic for a future meeting agenda.

Jerry Brossia, Authorized Officer, Joint Pipeline Office, gave a presentation regarding the TAPS right-of-way renewal.

Brossia discussed a handout which outlined the renewal process from the pre-application phase through issuance of the Record of Decision in 2003. He explained how the process differs today from the original ROW process, with new ways of analyzing cumulative impacts, more focus on environmental concerns, government to government relations, and other factors.

RAC members asked about the timeline. Brossia explained the NEPA process is set in motion when BLM receives the application, which hasn't occurred yet. Once the application is received, BLM will start scoping and public involvement to develop alternatives. Then a draft EIS will be released for further comment, and a final EIS and decision will be issued. Once the process starts, it will take two to two-and-one-half years to complete. He explained this process occurs in conjunction with the grant process required under the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act and the state's lease process, both of which are ongoing efforts that factor into the NEPA process.

Tom Crafford asked if a no action alternative would be considered. Brossia responded that during the compliance problems of six or eight years ago, it might have been considered, but today things have improved to the extent that no action is probably not a viable alternative.

LUNCH

Meeting reconvened at 12:40 p.m. with public comment period.

Paul Sandhofer: Runs an Anchorage tour company called Alaska Welcomes You, Inc. which specializes in custom tours for visitors with physical disabilities. Sandhofer explained he serves on the Americans with Disabilities Act access board. He briefed members on changes mandated by ADA and explained this Act now includes other areas such as outdoor recreation sites. New recreation sites and upgrades to existing sites or facilities must provide reasonable access to restrooms, campsites, tent pads or platforms, and RV spaces. He briefly discussed accessibility guidelines and provided a handout outlining the guidelines

. Carlson asked if BLM had accessibility standards for public recreation sites. Cherry explained BLM applies accessibility standards when new trails are planned and constructed, but funds to modify older trails are limited.

The chair thanked Sandhofer for his presentation.

End of public comment period.

Following the public comment period, Gustafson requested an update on the Native vet bill. Cherry explained this bill gives some Alaska Natives who served in the military between 1969 and 1971 an opportunity to apply for a 160-acre Native allotment on eligible federal lands. BLM published draft regulations to implement this act in February and is accepting public comment on the regs until April 11. Following analysis of the comments, BLM will publish final regs and allow a 30-day comment period before the regs go into effect. BLM expects between 600 and 1,100 Native allotment applications to be filed during an 18-month window.

Campbell Tract presentation

Nick Douglas introduced outdoor recreation planner Nancy Stimson, who showed the RAC a short informational video about the Campbell Tract's history, resources, and current management.

Then Douglas gave a presentation about the history of the Campbell Tract, followed by an overview of programs on the Campbell Tract today. These included Outdoor Week, the Campbell Creek Science Center, partnerships with the Anchorage School District and the nearby Kasuun Elementary School, integrated management with the adjacent Far North Bicentennial Park, and recreation programs and partnerships on the Tract. He explained the unpaved Campbell airstrip is designated an alternate FEMA site in the event of earthquakes.

Douglas explained the current withdrawal will expire February 2002. BLM Alaska has forwarded a petition/application to extend the withdrawal to the Secretary. If approved, the proposed action will be published in the Federal Register and BLM will begin the NEPA process, to include public involvement and participation. The NEPA document and proposed Public Land Order will be reviewed by the Solicitor and then sent to the Secretary for signature.

Houle asked whether the federal government still needs the 730 acres, given the large tracts already withdrawn for federal use in the Anchorage area. He also asked if there are Native claims to the area. Douglas explained the state has topfiled, but the land is "encumbered" by the withdrawal and therefore not available for state selection. No Native claims exist.

Gustafson said he felt the Campbell Creek Science Center and its "outdoor classrooms" provide significant leverage for continued management of the tract by BLM. He also said he felt the federal government has access to funds the city may not have, and said he feels somewhat differently about this issue today than in the past.

Hawkins said he felt the RAC might entertain a resolution supporting the renewal, but suggested they should get the views of other affected parties before doing so. He asked Houle what the Municipality was doing with the adjacent Heritage Land Bank parcel. Houle said the parcel was included in the Land Bank's inventory at present, with no other current plans. Gustafson felt it was appropriate to get input from the Municipality first and suggested asking Parks and Recreation Director Kathy Kingston to a future meeting.

BREAK

Following the break, Nancy Stimson led the RAC on a short hike to the pedestrian bridge overlooking Campbell Creek. Stimson explained the additional bridge was partially funded by partnerships with recreation user groups. The two bridges keep foot recreationists and dog mushers separate during winter; in summer, both bridges are designated multi-use.

Following the hike, the RAC returned to the agenda and heard an update from the BLM 17(b) easement team.

Tom Deiling introduced himself and fellow team members Terry Hassett and Russ Blome. He said the team uses the RAC's resolution of February 18, 1999, as an informal charter for their efforts.

He said the 17(b) team talked with state, federal and Native land managers, and used this information to draft a strategy to inventory and digitize easements, terminate certain easements, and transfer administration of some easements to the appropriate agency. The team is also developing education components for federal land managers to ensure a consistent knowledge base and management strategy, and components for educating the public, the state, boroughs, municipalities and Native organizations about the rights and responsibilities surrounding public easements.

Next, team member Terry Hassett outlined the steps identified by the team: developing a schedule, collection of inventory data, reviewing existing easements, developing a process for terminating certain easements, and transferring administration to the appropriate agency. BLM is preparing to send out the draft "2001 Public Easement Review" shortly for public comment. Readers will be asked to provide written suggestions on the document in an attached survey.

The RAC then viewed a short educational video produced by the Anchorage Field Office which explained the purpose of public easements, allowable uses, and the rights and responsibilities of the landowner and the users. The video is available from the Anchorage Field Office in both English and Yupik versions with an Athasbaskan version available soon.

Meeting recessed 3:50 p.m.

Friday, February 25, 2000

The chair reopened the meeting at 8:45 a.m. Attendance same as day one.

New business:

Tom Hawkins told the RAC that Larry Houle had suggested that as briefings or presentations are provided during meetings, members might think about which issues the RAC could work with in terms of resolutions or recommendations.

Hawkins briefly reviewed the RAC's voting process as outlined in the charter: a majority of each RAC category is required to forward a recommendation to the State Director, and consensus of the full RAC is required to submit a recommendation to the Secretary. He cited as an example the 17(b) resolution approved by the full RAC in February 1999 and forwarded to the Secretary. He explained the Secretary then asked the State Director to make easements a priority in light of the RAC's recommendation. As a result, the RAC just heard a briefing of how BLM is carrying out this responsibility and will hear future updates as the easement strategy is implemented.

He encouraged the RAC to think in terms of issues where they could work toward consensus in asking BLM to take specific actions. He also suggested members consider whether outside opinions and perspectives were needed to weigh issues adequately before voting.

The RAC then turned to the agenda. The chair announced that the planning briefing would be moved up so the presenter could attend an afternoon subsistence meeting.

Curt Wilson, BLM planner & NEPA coordinator, led a discussion about planning at BLM Alaska.

Wilson explained that nationwide BLM hasn't done much planning in recent years. However, funds would be available in 2001 for planning so BLM was setting priorities.

He explained that nationally the lack of current land use and resource management plans (RMPs) has impacted BLM in some court cases where conflicting uses exist, so planning was very overdue. He distributed a handout showing four proposed areas targeted for planning at BLM Alaska in fiscal year 2001, discussed how the priorities were set, and said BLM wanted the RAC's feedback on the list. The four areas are:

Ft. Wainwright and Ft. Greely RMP

Steese National Conservation Area RMP

Colville River RMP

Southwest RMP

Wainwright and Greely
The first priority would be to update RMPs for the federal areas of Forts Wainwright and Greely. These areas include both Congressional and administrative withdrawals with RMPs that require updating. He explained the Army has done integrated resource management plans and BLM will draw on this information to identify areas where our RMPs need amending.

Steese National Conservation Area
The Steese conservation area RMP was finished in 1984 and BLM hadn't intended to do further planning. However, the Secretary asked BLM to focus on this area since recreation use has increased in recent years.

Colville River
BLM wants to conduct further planning to recognize the Colville's special qualities. Since the state and Native organizations are major landowners, cooperative planning is essential, perhaps in the form of a comprehensive MOU to define mutual goals.

Gustafson asked if BLM had talked with the other landowners yet. Schneider said they had discussed the stips in the NPR-A study, but haven't talked about planning. He said the pipeline management plan offers some guidance regarding Colville, but more is needed. Gustafson said the state may have budget concerns so it would be helpful if BLM pulled them in on any planning discussions early as possible.

Van den Berg asked if planning would include public involvement. Wilson explained it would include a NEPA process with full public involvement, that while land mangers are the main players, they want public input.

Southwest RMP
Wilson explained BLM's Anchorage Field Office has wanted a plan for this area for long time to help with issues such as rural subsistence, OHV use, public easements, and others.

Gustafson asked about the status of the Denali block. Wilson said BLM had worked on this at one time but the land status was uncertain due to conveyance so the effort was never completed. However, this area may become a priority for 2002 planning.

Olsen asked if the RAC could have a brief list of existing management plans so they could weigh these against the areas where BLM proposes future planning. Nick Douglas pointed out that many existing management framework plans (MFP) are outdated or vague on certain issues, so BLM often does EAs when the old plans are silent on those issues.

Gustafson asked if these four priorities are locked in for 2001. Wilson explained the list had been revised and was considered firm. Gustafson suggested the RAC be more involved in setting planning priorities in the future. The RAC briefly discussed how to contribute to this process given their infrequent meeting schedule. Rundell suggested BLM compile a list of potential planning priorities for the next few fiscal years for the RAC to comment on.

The chair reminded the RAC that BLM lands will look a bit different once conveyances are completed, so members need to consider this in making recommendations for long-term planning. Wilson agreed to compile a list of potential planning priorities for coming years for the RAC to review and comment on.

BREAK

Standards discussion

Background
Gene Terland distributed copies of the previous RAC's draft standards, Washington's response to the draft, and the work plan BLM agreed to prepare at the last meeting. He walked new members through the history of the standards task and explained the definitions of standards and guidelines.

He said some of the basic indicators of acceptable land health standards were covered in the RAC's earlier draft while others were not. He said the earlier RAC had tried to illustrate the uniqueness of Alaska's resources in their draft language and this is acceptable if standards are applied uniformly.

Language
Terland then provided a handout of sample standards and potential indicators to measure whether standards are being achieved. Some members expressed concerns about the language in the sample standards. Hawkins noted that many of the vague, complex phrases used in the documents, particularly in the recreation management guidelines, seemed to unnecessarily complicate the message and might keep the public from participating in a meaningful way.

Terland agreed that some sections could be phrased in less technical terms to make the standards understandable to everyone. Rundell encouraged the use of "plain English" to make the document easier to understand. RAC members agreed they wanted standards which didn't require a recreation or resource management degree to understand if these standards were to apply to permits the public would need.

Interdisciplinary team
Terland then discussed the work plan and timeline for producing standards. He explained a proposal to create an interdisciplinary team within BLM to draft a standards document similar to approved Lower 48 standards, but with certain concessions for Alaska's uniqueness. The document could then be presented to the RAC for revision and approval.

Gustafson said he felt this RAC was still getting familiar with standards, whereas the last RAC had a sense of where they wanted to go with this task, which was to ensure that Alaska's standards reflected Alaska's uniqueness. He said he would like to see the interdisciplinary team build on the previous RAC's efforts, use what worked and leave what didn't. He said he had hoped to see a draft by now and asked BLM to devote attention to getting this task finished.

The RAC suggested the draft include categories for uplands, water quality, biotic communities, and possibly air quality and permafrost or glaciated areas. Mining and recreation were also suggested, but Rundell reminded members these are programs with associated activities where standards would apply, but are not examples of land standards. Paul Roehl asked that the document include standards for protection of culturally significant areas. Taylor suggested including the phrase "such as" in listing specific characteristics or qualities to allow flexibility.

The RAC asked to see a draft prior to the next meeting. The chair then suggested the RAC set a meeting date and discussion followed about a possible field trip.

Field trip
Gustafson suggested a field trip to Glennallen during the summer to talk with recreation users, discuss the standards document and appropriate public involvement, and any other agenda items. The RAC set the field trip for June 29-30, and requested a draft standards document by early June to review and be prepared to discuss at the Glennallen meeting. The RAC also set the date for a subsequent meeting to be held September 21-22 in Fairbanks.

The chair asked about agenda topics for the June meeting. Olsen wanted to hear more about ORV/OHV use and policy in Alaska, even if the Congressional moratorium remained in effect. Members also wanted to discuss planning priorities for coming years and to hear an update on the Golden Valley Intertie. Olsen asked if BLM could send RAC members information about the state's decision regarding the Intertie so they could follow and possibly comment as individuals.

BREAK

Following the break, BLM External Affairs Chief Anne Jeffery gave a short PowerPoint presentation about BLM's budget outreach strategy.

Jeffery explained that nationally BLM faces a declining workforce and flat budgets while demands on public lands continue to increase. She said BLM is asking for reasonable expectations from stakeholders when the agency makes the tough decisions about which programs get funded and which do not. For this reason, BLM is asking the RAC to informally serve as a focus group by viewing a PowerPoint presentation designed to help the public understand how BLM makes budget determinations and to provide feedback.

Jeffery said the national focus for planning includes four broad areas:

land use planning

healthy watersheds

protecting public land treasures (special areas)

ensuring safe visits to America's public lands

She distributed a handout showing how BLM Alaska's fiscal year 2000 budget is allocated and explained the increased demand for outdoor recreation opportunities, in Alaska and all states. More waysides and visitor facilities are needed to accommodate increased visits to public lands.

Remote lands are costly to get to, to transport staff and equipment for surveying, easement work, compliance inspections, and other field work. There's also a need to update land use plans, since outdated plans require individual EAs for every action. Backlogs due to flat budgets affect a broad range of programs, from planning to rights-of-way cases, trespass, easement work, mining recordation, and many other areas.

BLM has responded to increased budget demands in a number of ways. Partnerships are more critical than ever, with both public and private entities. Planning is critical and involving the public in those decisions equally critical.

The presentation ended by expressing what BLM might accomplish with additional funding: increased visitor services, reduced backlogs, better compliance, and better resource management plans.

RAC feedback:

Focus presentation more on Alaska specific information and less on the national perspective. o Provide more pie charts and bar graphs for Alaska, to complement the national figures, and consider superimposing one over the other for comparison.

Acreage figures in the presentation will need periodic updating to reflect ongoing conveyances.

Use the term increasing "use" rather than increasing "demands" or "pressure" to avoid sounding unnecessarily negative.

Add graphs showing what it costs BLM to generate revenue such as NPR-A.

Include more statistics and figures, since numbers have impact.

Use statistics to show increasing tourism; consult state tourism statistics and Gulkana LAC.

Shorten wordy areas of presentation, keep it punchy and to the point.

Consider reordering the presentation to open with what BLM accomplishes with current resources and follow with a short segment about concerns, problems, additional needs, etc

Fran Cherry thanked the RAC for their feedback and explained BLM wants to know what the RAC and the public consider priorities in light of budget constraints.

Non-agenda item

Larry Taylor asked Anne Jeffery about the comments Fortymile residents provided BLM about improving communications during wildfires. Jeffery explained she met with Alaska Fire Service manager Scott Billing the previous week to review the comments. She said BLM has scheduled a fire information course to be held in Anchorage at the end of March to train additional information officers to work with local residents during wildfires. BLM is also planning a fire behavior course to be held in the Fortymile area this spring.

Date/location/agenda items for next meeting:

June 29-30 field trip to Glennallen. Agenda to include touring recreation sites and talking with recreation users, review of the interdisciplinary team's draft standards and discussion of appropriate public involvement, review of future BLM Alaska planning priorities, a briefing on ORV/OHV use on BLM lands in Alaska, and status of the Golden Valley Intertie.

September 21-22 meeting in Fairbanks; agenda items to be determined at the June meeting.

Meeting adjourned 1:00 p.m.

(NOTE: All handouts referenced in the minutes were provided to absent members and are available to the public upon request.)

Please contact the Alaska RAC Coordinator for further information.