Bureau of Land Management - Resource Advisory Councils

National RAC Home > Alaska RAC Home > Meeting Summary

Alaska Resource Advisory Council

Meeting & Field Tour Summary

June 29 - Anchorage Federal Building
June 30 - Gulkana Wild and Scenic River, Glennallen

June 29-30, 2000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, June 29, 2000

Council members present:	BLM representatives present:
Karen Burnell	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
Paul Roehl	Nolan Heath, Resources
John Stroud	Gene Terland, Resources
	Curt Wilson, Resources
	Bill Overbaugh, Resources
	Tom Deiling, 17(b) team
	Anne Jeffery, External Affairs
	Teresa McPherson, RAC recorder

Council members absent:
Brett Carlson	Larry Taylor
Larry Houle	David van den Berg
Susan Olsen	Elizabeth Whealy
Rick Solie, Jr.

Council chair Tom Hawkins called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.

Following introductions, the council reviewed and approved the meeting agenda. Minutes of the February RAC meeting were also reviewed and approved as written.

The chair briefly discussed attendance at RAC meetings, saying most members would have the opportunity to attend approximately six meetings during a typical two-year term on the council. He encouraged members to make as many meetings as possible to be effective in serving the interests they represent, and to bring the issues or topics they felt strongly about to the table for discussion.

State Director's Update

Linda Rundell welcomed members and BLM staff, and reminded everyone that sometimes a small but committed group can be extremely effective. She explained State Director Fran Cherry was in Valdez attending the annual meeting of the Joint Pipeline Executive Council. Rundell then asked Tom Deiling to give a short update on the easement team's efforts since the last RAC meeting.

Tom Deiling, ANCSA 17(b) easement team:

The team is finalizing a 2001 easement review policy, which was mailed in draft to over 600 entities since the last RAC meeting. The document was well received and the team has received positive and helpful comments.

The team conducted a three-day class for federal land managers in April. The class was well-attended and provided a first step toward the goal of standardizing easement management regimes.

BLM is currently scanning 1,500 easement quads in preparation for making this database available to the public later this year.

BLM began an inventory of all easements in June. First areas to be inventoried are Ahtna Region, followed by Bering Straits, Chugach, Sealaska and Calista regions. Data will be entered into a relational database for eventual access by the public.

A review team will begin work in August to compile a list of easements for possible termination using input from all affected users and landowners.

Updates on the easement team's efforts can be found on a web site accessed through www.ak.blm.gov. The team's email address is 17b.easement.team@ak.blm.gov.

Brief discussion followed about the draft easement review policy mailed out in the spring. Tom Hawkins commended the team for drafting a document which was simple and easy to understand, and therefore easier to provide meaningful comments.

Rundell then asked Gene Terland to provide an update on NPR-A efforts since the last RAC meeting. Terland explained BLM had approved eight applications for drilling permits. Drilling occurred this past season on three of these. All drilling ceased prior to breakup. BLM expects a significant increase in activity this winter based on preliminary discussions with Philips and BP.

Rundell resumed her summary and explained that BLM smokejumpers nationwide had suspended jumps until results of an investigation into the recent fatality were reviewed and possible changes made in the smokejumper program. She said Forest Service smokejumpers had been brought to Alaska to help in the interim.

Rundell then explained that a final version of regulations for the Native veterans bill was due out soon and would kick off a 60-day comment period. BLM expects quite a large number of applications to be filed once the regulations go into effect. She explained the bill allows qualifying Alaska Native vets to apply for Native allotments if they were out of the country during a specific period of duty. The application window would be an 18-month period.

Next field managers provided a brief update of their respective field offices.

Bob Schneider, Northern Field Office (Fairbanks)
Schneider provided a handout, which summarized current efforts at the Northern Field Office (Fairbanks). These included:

NPR-A subsistence panel met in March and June in Nuiqsut. Discussed winter exploration activity and toured a drill site and ARCO's Alpine facility. The June meeting included updates from industry representatives, BLM and the state. Both meetings included community meetings to discuss village concerns.

NPR-A research and monitoring team met in March to develop a charter and discuss team objectives and membership structure.

BLM will fund salmon migration studies on the Hogatza River north of Galena due to concerns over exploratory placer operations in nearby drainages.

Nick Douglas, Anchorage Field Office
Douglas also distributed a handout which summarized current field office efforts, including several complex trespass cases, easement work, a mining operation closure, and ongoing efforts related to land claim settlements and mining occupancy. Douglas also briefed RAC members on BLM's efforts to secure a 20-year extension of the withdrawal at Campbell Tract, and said members would be invited to participate in an upcoming open house in the near future to inform and involve the local community in this process.

Cathie Jensen, Glennallen Field OfficeThe chair asked Dodge to introduce himself since he was new to the Alaska RAC. Dodge explained he was acting field manager at Glennallen on loan from BLM's California offices, and had been with BLM since 1976. He said recreation was a big program for the Glennallen field office. The campgrounds are busy, the river bustling with activity, and BLM outdoor recreation planners are busy issuing and monitoring permits for guides and outfitters on the river. He said the RAC would receive briefings the following day prior to touring a segment of the Gulkana Wild and Scenic River and viewing some local easements.

National Landscape Conservation System

Next, Rundell asked Nolan Heath to briefly discuss the Department's National Landscape Conservation System. Heath explained this Secretarial initiative is designed to enhance the public's appreciation of national monuments, conservation areas, wild and scenic rivers, and national trails systems. It will also help define a coordinated strategy for the long-term management of these resources. He said BLM has identified 11 units in Alaska for inclusion in the system. John Stroud asked how this initiative would help BLM Alaska manage these units. Heath responded it would affect how BLM prioritizes work related to the units and how funding is obtained.

Standards and Guidelines

Gene Terland led a discussion of the draft standards document RAC members had been asked to review. He explained he had talked to various BLM resource specialists about primary topics which should be addressed by standards. He also looked at the previous RAC's documents and at Lower 48 examples. He then drafted a set of standards from these sources which was circulated in house and then to the RAC.

Terland said certain standards were basic and fundamental, but the key indicators of these standards varied by state. He referenced the "human dimension" which the New Mexico RAC had included in their standards, and said while BLM's national office hadn't responded to this item, he had chosen to include an Alaska version of this standard in the draft document.

He conceded that the "plain English" aspects of the document could probably be improved upon, but asked what the RAC's initial impression of the document was.

Gustafson responded that he wanted to meet with Terland to discuss the document and encouraged other RAC members to do so. But he said he primarily wanted to see this task completed.

Rundell said she had worked with the New Mexico RAC when they crafted the "human dimension" standard. She said this was the most difficult standard they had worked with, that members discussed this provision extensively to arrive at language they all agreed upon. She also cautioned that the bureau hadn't stated a position with regard to this standard.

Bob Schneider added that the Colorado RAC had worked with this concept and had been unable to arrive at consensus. They finally elected to incorporate the concept into a preamble to their standards. Tom Crafford asked the RAC could have a copy of this preamble. Teresa said she would locate and forward a copy to the RAC.

John Stroud suggested inviting Pat Reed of the Chugach NF to talk to the RAC about incorporating this concept into planning, since he does this for the Forest Service. He said he could make the contact if the RAC wants to hear from Reed at a future meeting.

BREAK

OHV presentation/discussion

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.

Overbaugh stressed that the guidance will not affect whether areas are open or closed to OHV use or whether limitations are imposed, since these are issues best resolved at the local level. Rather, national guidance will provide general guidelines for local resource planning efforts. He added that the web site allows users to review the guidance and comment on-line. The OHV site can be accessed through BLM's national web site at www.blm.gov.

Tom Hawkins noted that 61% of BLM lands in Alaska are designated "limited" or "closed" to OHV use. Terland responded this might be due to seasonal restrictions to protect tundra or refers to weight restrictions in permafrost areas. He also suggested this percentage would include the pipeline corridor and wild and scenic river corridors.

Tom Hawkins said RAC member Susan Olsen had attended the OHV meeting in June and might be interested in drafting a resolution for discussion at the September RAC meeting.

BLM planning discussion

Curt Wilson opened the planning discussion by saying he had spoken to officials in D.C. about when BLM might conduct another planning exercise. He was told this was unknown at present, that current efforts were focused on getting funding for existing planning priorities.

Tom Hawkins said BLM had provided a briefing for the RAC a few years earlier to explain how land use planning is conducted, and it might be helpful if this RAC received the briefing. John Stroud asked that the presentation include details of how BLM achieves public involvement during the planning process.

Gustafson cited an example where the FWS modified a proposal as a result of public concerns that the agency failed to consider economic impacts in selecting critical habitat areas for eiders. He said the public can influence the planning process and urged RAC members to look at draft planning documents and guidance and take the time to voice their concerns.

Wilson then talked about draft planning guidance BLM had recently distributed for comment (previously mailed to the RAC). He explained this guidance did not change existing regulations, but would provide updated guidelines for interpreting those regulations. He said the guidelines were open for pubic comment through July 10.

Date/location/agenda items for next meeting

The chair reminded members of the September 21-22 date set at the February meeting. Discussion followed about agenda items and location of the meeting.

Gustafson wanted resolution of the standards task and said he had no objections to Stroud's suggestion of inviting a Forest Service person to speak, but he wanted to see this issue resolved so the RAC could look at other topics.

Gustafson also wanted to continue discussion of the Campbell Tract withdrawal issue and felt Larry Houle could represent the Municipality on this issue.

Linda Rundell suggested the RAC consider what they want to accomplish by addressing the withdrawal issue. Tom Hawkins said he hoped the RAC would eventually pass a resolution in support of extending the withdrawal, but felt the RAC should first hear from interests who may feel differently. Gustafson agreed the RAC should hear other views before deciding to pursue a resolution.

The RAC briefly discussed who other stakeholders might be:

Anchorage Chamber of Commerce

Anchorage Homebuilders Association

Anchorage School District

Members agreed to hold the next meeting in Anchorage, rather than Fairbanks as originally decided, so the RAC might hear from local individuals or organizations about the Campbell Tract withdrawal issue before entertaining a resolution. The meeting date of September 21-22 was reconfirmed.

No members of the public were present, so the chair announced the public comment period would be omitted.

Bruce Talbott of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources joined the RAC just prior to recessing. Talbott introduced himself and explained he was the state's representative for the Gulkana River LAC process and had been invited by BLM to join the council for the river trip the following day.

The RAC then recessed at 11:30 a.m.

LUNCH

Following the lunch break, RAC members carpooled with other members and/or BLM staff to Glennallen. Notes follow about the RAC's trip down the Gulkana River the following day and a tour of public easements in the area.

Friday, June 30, 2000

RAC members and BLM staff met at the Caribou Cafe for a pre-trip briefing by Doug Dodge. Members were then divided into two groups. One group toured the river with BLM staff certified in swiftwater rescue while the second group toured area easements by van. The two groups then met at BLM's Sourdough Campground for lunch and discussion. Following this, the groups exchanged places and group two went upriver while group one went on the ground tour. A description of both events follows.

Easement tour

Tad Kehl and Joe Hart of Ahtna, Inc. accompanied members during the easement tour. The first stop was at the Gulkana River bridge where RAC members discussed impacts to the river and the village of Gulkana caused by public camping along the road. Impacts included water quality, littering, illegal camping on Ahtna lands, theft, and alcohol entering the dry village.

The group viewed public easements at Sailor's Pit and Poplar Grove. Discussion centered around ATV use, camping on Ahtna lands, illegal guiding activities, trespass issues, and easement management.

Gulkana River trip

RAC members and BLM staff were joined by Tom Taube, sportfish biologist for the Fish and Game office in Glennallen. Participants received a safety briefing and then traveled up river by motorboat to West Fork. The group stopped at a gravel bar at West Fork to discuss impacts to the river, concerns about water quality, impacts associated with camping on the gravel bars, the Limits of Acceptable Change process, and related topics.

Both groups returned to the Glennallen Field Office by 4 p.m. where RAC members briefly discussed their impressions about the day's tour:

Members appreciated having Ahtna and State of Alaska representatives along to provide insight into their perspectives on river and easement issues.
RAC members discussed what their role might be in helping to resolve conflicts between Alaska DOT and Ahtna regarding Gulkana River planning. The RAC discussed writing a letter to the state rather than passing a resolution.
Members encouraged BLM to get involved in planning efforts for the Gulkana.
Members discussed whether large organized groups using the river should obtain permits.
RAC recommended Ahtna take steps to reduce resource damage to camping sites at Sailor's Pit.
Members generally felt that camping on gravel bars was preferable to camping in the uplands, given the less fragile surface of the bars. But they conceded human waste was a problem which needed to be addressed.
Discussion of motor/non-motorized conflicts and the possibility of future limits on motor size.

Following this brief discussion, RAC members adjourned and returned to Anchorage.

(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.