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SHAGAK MULCHATNA ERS Recreation Management Plan COASTAL ZONE INFORMATION CENTER GV 7770-7 N87 1990 st 1990 C-A A- '6, ".F F Nus MULCHATNA Recreation Management Plan 0 US Department of Commerce NOAA Coasta-1 Se--rv-ces Center Library 2234 South Zolson Avenue L Charleston, SC 29405-2413 August 1990 7- ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME BRISTOL BAY COASTAL RESOURCE SERVICE AREA The preparation of this document was financed in part from the Alaska Coastal Management Program which is hinded. by the State of Alaska and the Office of Ocean and Coastal Management, National Oceanic and.Atmospheric Administration, U S. Depaztment of Commerce, administered by the Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs, Municipal and Regional Assistance Division. Ilk N, or 0 NUSHAGAK MULCHATNA RIVERS Recreation Management Plan The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources finds that the Nushagak and Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan meets the requirements of AS 38.04.065 and 11 AAC 55.010-.030 for land use plans and does hereby adopt it as an amendment to the Bristol Bay Area Plan. The Department of Natural Resources will manage state lands within the planning area consistent with this plan. Lennie Gorsuch, Commissioner Date ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES The Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area Board finds that the Nushagak and Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan meets the requirements of AS 46.40.030, AS 46.40.180, 6 AAC 80.160, and 6 AAC 85.010-.150 and does hereby adopt it as an Area which Merits Special Attention plan for the Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area. Alice L. Roby, Chairperson Date BRISTOL BAY COASTAL RESOURCE SERVICE AREA The Alaska Department of Fish and Game assisted the Department of Natural Resources and the Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area Board in preparing the Nushagak and Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan. We appreciate the opportunity to represent fish and wildlife habitat and harvest values during the development of the plan. The Department of Fish and Game will use this plan as guidance when implementing its authorities and when reviewing and commenting on proposed uses of state lands in the planning area. Don W. Collinsworth, Commissioner Date ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME PLANNING TEAM AND ADVISORY BOARD NUSHAGAK AND MULCHATNA RIVERS RECREATION MANAGEMENT PLAN PLANNING TEAM The Nushagak and Mulchatna. Recreation Rivers Management Plan was developed by an inter-disciplinary planning team representing the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), and the Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area (BBCRSA). Wes Bucher, ADF&G Division of Commercial Fisheries Sandra Cosentino, DNR Division of Land and Water Management Jim Fall, ADF&G Subsistence Division Sue Flensburg, BBCRSA Dan Hourihan, DNR Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Paul Krasnowski, ADF&G Division of Sport Fish Joe Stara, DNR Division of Forestry Ken Taylor, ADF&G Division of Wildlife Conservation Lance Trasky, ADF&G Habitat Division ADVISORY BOARD The advisory board provided consul tation and review to the planning team. The board reflects a wide range of public and private interests that represent concerns and knowledge of the planning area. Luki Akelkok, Ekwok Natives Ltd. Peter Andrew Jr., Stuyahok Ltd. Laun Bouy, Bureau of Land Management Cliff Eames, Alaska Center for the Environment Dave Fisher/Pete Jerome, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Chris Goll, Alaska Professional Sportfishing Association Jim Harrower, Alaska Professional Hunters Association Tim LaPorte, Iliamna Air Taxi (representing air taxi operators) Jerry Liboff/Steve Perkins, Koliganek Natives Ltd. Jack Mosby, National Park Service Jeff Parker, Alaska Sportfishing Association Don Sagmoen, Nushagak Fish and Game Advisory Committee Robin Samuelson, Choggiung Ltd. Ron Sommerville, Alaska Outdoor Council ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The planning team acknowledges the assistance of the following people in developing and preparing this plan: Veronica Gilbert, Alaska Department of Natural Resources (Division of Land and Water Management) Tom Hawkins, Alaska Department of Natural Resources (Commissioner's Office) Sara Hunt, Office of the Governor (Division of Governmental Coordination) Eric Minard, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Division of Sport Fish) Alice Ruby, Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area Board Janet Schichnes, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Subsistence Division) Glenn Seaman, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Habitat Division) Kim Sundberg, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Habitat Division) Ron Swanson, Alaska Department of Natural Resources (Division of Land and Water Management) Rick Thompson, Alaska Department of Natural Resources (Division of Land and Water Management) John Westlund, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Game Division) The Nushagak and Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan Advisory Board. Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area Staff. Department of Natural Resources Staff. GLOSSARY This glossary includes definitions of terms used in the plan and on maps. AIRSTRIP DEVELOPMENT. Construction-of a landing strip for airplanes that involves levelling the ground or removing or modifying a substantial amount of vegetation. ALASKA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (ACMP). A program developed to implement the Alaska Coastal Management Act. The program deals with coastal resources in the coastal area. AREA WHICH MERITS SPECIAL ATTENTION (AMSA). Any area designated under the Alaska Coastal Management Program that is sensitive to change or altera- tion, and possesses unique physical, cultural, or biological characteristics. BOAT STORAGE. Storing any typi of boat or water-related craft in the same place for longer than 14 consecutive days. COASTAL AREA. All land and water within the following boundaries not subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government: 1. All land and water below 200 feet in elevation above mean sea level. 2. A one-mile corridor from ordinary high water on each bank of all waters used for spawning, rearing, and migration by anadromous fish. 3. A 200-foot corridor from ordinary high water on each bank of all head- waters to their confluence with the anadromous waterbody. EASEMENT/17(b) EASEMENT. An interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific Iimited use. 17(b) Easement. Easement across Native corporation land reserved through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Uses of the easements are limited to transportation purposes and other uses specified in the act and in conveyance documents. EVIDENCE OF HUMAN USE. Physical signs of human activity that include man- made changes to the environment from development and other signs of human ac- tivity not associated with development (such as litter, campfire rings, trails, or other alterations to the existing environment. "Evidence of human use" does not imply restricting use. FLOATING FACILITY. Includes floathomes, floatcamps, floating lodges, floating caretaker facilities (including mariculture), floating recreational facilities, and other floating residential or commercial facilities located on state shorelands, tidelands, or submerged lands. A floating facility is considered a temporary facility in this plan. GOAL A statement of basic intent or general condition desired in the long term. Goals usually are not quantifiable and do not have specified dates for achievement. GUIDELINE. A specific course of action that mu t be followed when the Depart- ment of Natural Resources permits, leases, or otherwise authorizes use of state land or resources. Guidelines range from giving general guidance for decision making or identifying factors that need to be considered to set detailed standards for decisions. Some guidelines state the intent that must be followed and allow flexibility in achiev- ing it. Plan guidelines are also AMSA policies for guiding Alaska Coastal Manage- ment Program coastal consistency review. HIGH. Rating that indicates a relative value or relative amount when compared across all management units in the plan. LAND. All land and water within the planning area. All references to state land in- clude only uplands, shorelands, tidelands, and submerged lands, and water, or resour- ces belonging to or acquired by the state. LEASE. An agreement which gives rise to relationship of landlord and tenant. AS 38.05.070 describes types of leases for state land (see Appendix A for detailed information). LEVEL OF ENCOUNTERS. The number of people or groups of people seen during a specified time. LONG-TERM USE. Use that takes place at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days. LOW. Rating that indicates a relative. value or relative amount when compared across all management units in the plan. MANAGEMENT INTENT STATEMENTS. The statements that define a future desired condition. MODERATE. Rating that indicates a relative value or relative amount when com- pared across all management units in the plan. iv NAVIGABLE. Waterbodies that are capable of transporting people or goods. The land beneath them is owned by the state. These waterbodies extend to the line of the ordinary high water (usually the vegetation line). The adjacent uplands may be in private ownership and not available for use without permission. Federally deter- mined navigable waterbodies are those administratively determined navigable by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). State determined navigable water- bodies are those determined navigable by the state (usually these are waterbodies BLM has not yet determined navigable, or are waterbodies previously determined navigable, but the state disagreed with BLM criteria). OFF-ROAD VEHICLE (ORV). Any motorized vehicle capable of or designed for travel on or immediately over land, water, or other natural terrain, excluding non- amphibious motorboats, fixed-wing and rotor-winged aircraft, and snowmobiles. ORDINARY HIGH WATER MARK- The mark along the bank or shore up to which the presence and action of the nontidal water are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary years, as to leave a natural line impressed on the bank or shore and indicated by erosion, shelving, changes in soil characteristics, destruction of terr estrial vegetation-, or other distinctive physical characteristics [from 11 AAC 53.900(23)]. PERMANENT FACILITY Permanent facilities are buildings or tents that do not need to be removed and the site restored to its natural state after each season. Per- manent facilities on state land may be authorized by the Department of Natural Resources by lease. Examples of permanent facilities are log or solid wall structures or frame tents. Trapping cabins are not permanent facilities in the plan and are treated separately in Chapter 2. PERMIT. A Department of Natural Resources authorization for use of state land that is revocable at will, usually issued for the term of use, and not to exceed one year [from 11 AAC 96]. Note: as of April 1990, this regulation is in effect. It is likely that this regulation will be changed to allow two-year permits. The plan reflects the two- year change. PRIMITIVE USE EXPERIENCE. A use experience characterized by little to no evidence of human use (little to no manmade changes to the environment from development or other human activities). PUBLIC TRUST A common law doctrine that requires the state to manage tidelands, shorelands, and submerged lands for the benefit of th'e people so that they can engage in such things as commerce, navigation, fishing, hunting, swimming, and ecological study. V PUBLIC USE. Any human use of state land, including commercial and non- commercial uses. PUBLIC USE CABIN. A cabin owned or built by the state on state land that is managed for the benefit of the residents of the state and visitors to the state. PUBLIC USE SITE. Any site identified on state land that is important for public access (including important float and wheeled plane landing areas), camping,'hunt- ing, fishing, or other recreation or public use. SEMI-DEVELOPED USE EXPERIENCE. A use experience characterized by high evidence of human use (high level of manmade changes to the environment from development or other human activities). SEMI-PRIMITIVE USE EX PERIENCE. A use experience characterized by moderate evidence of human use (moderate level of manmade changes to the environment from development or other human activities). SHORELANDS. Land belonging to the state which is covered by nontidal water that is navigable under the laws of the United States up to the ordinary high water mark as modified by accretion, erosion, or reliction [from AS 38.05.965].. SHORT-TERM USE. Generally allowedu'se that takes place at one site on state land for 14 consecutive days or less. Examples of uses include hiking, backpacking and camping, boating, fishing, and noncommercial or commercial temporary fishing or hunting camps. SHOULD. States intent but allows the Department, of Natural Resources and the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP) to use existing procedures to deter- mine the best methods of achieving intent or whether particular circumstances justify deviation from the intended action or set of conditions. A guideline may include criteria for deciding if such a deviation is justified. SNOWMOBILE. Any motorized vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice and steered and supported in whole or in part by skis, belts, cleats, or runners. SUBSISTENCE. The customary and traditional use of food, raw material, and cloth- ing, as defined by federal and state law. In this plan, subsistence hunting and fishing equates with hunting and fishing by residents of the Nushagak and Mulchatna drainages and other Bristol Bay communities whose customary and traditional uses have been recognized by the Board of Game and the Board of Fisheries. Vi SUBMERGED LAND. State land covered by tidal water between the line of mean low water and seaward to a distance of three geographical miles [from AS 38.05.9651. TIDELAND. State land that is periodically covered by tidal water between the eleva- tion of mean high and mean low tides [from AS 38.05.965]. TEMPORARY FACILITY. Temporary facilities are, manmade buildings or tents that must be removed and the site restored to its natural state at the end of the term of use for whichthe activity was authorized. Temporary facilities on state land may be authorized by DNR by permits. If authorized, permits are issued for the term of use, not to exceed two years. Examples of a temporary facility are heliports or frame, dome, or pup tents. Floating facilities are considered temporary facilities in this plan. TRAPPING.CABIN. A cabin constructed under a Trapping Cabin Construction Per- mit as authorized and described in AS 38.95.080 and 11 AAC 94. In this plan, trap- ping cabins are notpermanent facilities and are treated separately in Chapter 2. TRESPASS. Any unauthorized use or structure on state land. UPLANDS. Land above the mean high water line at the sea shore. WILL Requires a course of action or a set of conditions to be achieved. A guideline modified by the word "will!'must be followed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP). If such a guideline is not complied with, a wTitten decision justifying the noncompliance is re- quired. (See Chapter 4, Procedures for Plan Review, Modification, and Amendment.) Vfi I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I viii I TABLE OF CONTENTS (ANNOTATED) PLANNING TEAM AND ADVISORY BOARD ................................................................i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................. ii GLOSSARY ......... ....................................................................................................... iii (Include's definitions o terms used in the plan and on maps.) CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................1 (Includes overview information about the plan and the planning area.) Why this plan was developed ..................................................................................1 What this plan covers and does not cover .............................................................2 How this plan applies to federal and private land ...............................................3 How the formation of the Lake and Peninsula Borough affects this plan ..................3 Description of the planning area ..............i .............................................................3 Map of management units .......................................................................................5 CHAPTER 2. GOALS, MANAGEMENT INTENT, AND GUIDELINES .................7 (Includes goals, management intent, and management guidelines that apply throughout the planning area.) Goals ...... ........... ................................................................................................7 M an a g e m* *e* *n"t* 'inte nt ...................................................................................................7 Guidelines ...................................... 8 Short-term Uses (generally lo@ed uses) .......................................................8 Long-termUses ....................................................................................................8 Length of Permits and Leases/Type of Facility Authorized ..........................9 Permanent Facilities ...................................................................................... ......9 Temporary Facilities (includes floating facilities) ..........................................9 Trapping Cabins ....................................................................................................9 Boat Storage ......................................................................................................... 10 Airstrip Development ........................................................................................ 10 Camping ............................................................................................................... 10 Docks ................................................................ .......... 11 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral Exploration and Development ..................................................................... 11 Navigation ............................................................................................................. 11 Public Access ......................................................................................................... 11 Public Use Sites .................................................................................................. 12 Land Below Ordinary High Water Mark (including shorelands) ............ 13 Siting Criteria ...................................................................................................... 14 Table 2.1 Summary of Management Guidelines ............................................... 15 ix CHAPTER 3. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES, PUBLIC USE SITES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EACH MANAGEMENT UNIT ................................. 17 (Restates management categories, and includes background information [land status, access, existing development, fisheries, wildlife, trails and easements, and other values], management intent, management guidelines, public use sites, and other unit-specific recommendations for the 25 management units in the planning area.) Unit 1. Lower Nushagak River, Keefer Cutoff to Wood River ..................... 19 Unit 2. lowithla River Corridor .......................................................................... 22 Unit 3. Lower Nushagak River Corridor, Ekwok Vicinity ............................. 24 Unit 4. Kokwok River Corridor .......................................................................... 27 Unit 5. Lower Nushagak and Mulchatna River Corridors, New Stuyahok Vicinity ............................................................................ 29 Unit 6. Lower Nushagak Uplands ....................................................................... 31 Unit 7. Middle Nushagak River Corridor, Koliganek Vicinity ...................... 33 Unit 8. Nuyakuk River Corridor ......................................................................... 35 Unit 9. Middle Nushagak Corridor, Harris.Creek to Nuyakuk River ..................... . ..... 37 Unit 10. Middle Nushagak Corridor, Eicl@*t*n'* R- *i Harris Creek ........................................I..................................................... 39 Unit 11. Middle Nushagak Uplands .................................................................... 41 Unit 12. King Salmon River Corridor ................................................................. 43 Unit 13. Upper Nushagak and Chichitnok Rivers Corridor ........................... 45 Unit 14. Nushagak Hills ......................................................................................... 48 Unit 15. Lower Mulchatna River Corridor ........................................................ 50 Unit 16. Stuyahok River Corridor ........................................................................ 53 Unit 17. Koktuli River Corridor .......................................................................... 55 Unit 18. Middle Mulchatna River Corridor, Keefer Creek to Koktuli River ............................................................................................ 58 Unit 19. Lower Mulchatna Uplands .................................................................... 60 Unit 20. Middle Mulchatna River Corridor, Chilikadrotna River to Keefer Creek ....................................................................................... 63 Unit 21. Chilchitna River and Tutna Lake Corridor ........................................ 65 Unit 22. Upper Mulchatna River Corridor ........................................................ 67 Unit 23. Chilikadrotna River Corridor ............................................................... 69 Unit 24. Half Cabin Lakes Area .......................................................................... 72 Unit 25. Upper Mulchatna Uplands .......I............................................................. 74 CHAPTER 4. IMPLEMENTATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................ 79 (Includes information and recommendations necessary to implement plan goals, intent, and guidelines throughout the planning area.) Plan Implementation by the Department of Natural Resources ..................... 79 Plan Implementation by the Alaska Coastal Management Program ............. 79 Public Trust Doctrine .............................................................................................. 80 Procedures for Plan Review, Modification, and Amendment ........................ 81 Periodic Review ................................................................................... .................... 81 Changes to the Plan ................................................................................................ 81 1. Plan Amendments (DNR) and Significant Amendments (ACMP) ................................................................................. 83 2. Special Exceptions ........................................................................................ 84 3. Minor Changes (DNR) and Routine Program Improvements (ACMP) ............................................................................... 85 Recommendations ................................................................................................... 86 Cooperative Agreements .................................................................................. 86 Coordinated Management ................................................................................ 86 Denying Permits and Leases ............................................................................ 87 Enforcement ........................................................................................................ 87 Information and Education .............................................................................. 87 Monitoring ........................................................................................................... 87 Multiple Year Permits ....................................................................................... 89 Off-ioad Vehicles (ORVs) ................................................................................ 89 Permit Application Questionnaire for Agency Review ............................... 89 Permit Fees .......................................................................................................... 89 Permits for Commercial Operators ................................................................. 90 Trespass Structures ............................................................................................. 90 APPENDICES ...................................................................................................................... 91 APPENDIX A. Leasing of State Lands and Tidelands .................................... 91 APPENDIX B. Documents Related to the Plan ............................................... 95 APPENDIX C. Public Use Site Maps .................................................................. 97 ENVELOPES. Region Maps ................................................... inside back cover Xi I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I xii I I I I I CHAPTER 1. I INTRODUCTION I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION This chapter includes overview information about the plan and the planning area. WHY THIS PLAN WAS DEVELOPED The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation prepared and adopted the Bristol Bay Area Plan (BBAP) in 1984. BBAP provides overall direction for managing state lands in the Bristol Bay region. The Bristol Bay Coastal Management Plan, prepared by the Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area (BBCRSA) and approved by the. state and federal government in 1987, provides direction for managing resources in coastal areas of the region under the Alaska Coastal Management Progr Both plans cover the drainages of the Nushagak and Mulchatna rivers and highlight the importance of recreation and fish and wildlife values for commercial and noncom- mercial uses (including subsistence and recreation) in these drainages. Both plans direct DNR and BBCRSA to do additional planning for public use management in the Bristol Bay region. Direction to the BBCRSA was also to prepare an Area which Merits Special Attention (AMSA) plan. In response to these plans and to public concern about subsistence use and increased recreational use in the region, DNR, ADF&G, and BBCRSA signed a cooperative agreement in the fall of 1987 to prepare the Nushagak and Mulchatna Rivers Recrea- tion Management Plan. The plan is the product of over two years of work by state and local agencies that have resource management responsibilities in the planning area, interest groups, ,private landowners, and the public, A resource assessment was completed in August 1988. Management alternatives were prepared and reviewed in December 1988, and in January 1989, at public workshops in Anchorage, Dillingham, Ekwok, Iliamna, Koliganek, and New Stuyahok. The draft plan was prepared and reviewed during the summer and fall of 1989, at public hearings. in these same locations. Throughout the process, comments were also gathered from mailouts, letters, land telephone calls. See Appendix B for documents related to this plan. Chapter 1 - 1 WHAT THIS PLAN COVERS AND DOES NOT COVER This plan guides state land management by the Department of Natural Resources in the Nushagak and Mulchatna drainages and guides coastal consistency review by serv- ing as an AMSAplan for the BBCRSA (see Chapter 4, Plan Implementation sec- tions). This plan 1). identifies goals, management intent, and public use sites for 25 manage- ment units in the planning area; 2) specifies management policies for long-term uses (uses that take place at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days), including per- manent and temporary facilities, trapping cabins, boat storage, airstrip development, docks, and other uses, and specifies where these uses may be al- lowed and where they are prohibited; 3) includes guidelines that provide specific management direction for the 25 management units and public use sites; and 4) includes. implementation information and recommendations for future man ement of the planning area. This plan is consiste'nt with the goals and guidelines of the Bristol Bay Area Plan and the Bristol Bay Coastal Management Plan. This plan does not cover 1) Other management issues addressed in the Bristol Bay Area Plan and the Bristol Bay Coastal Management Plan: agriculture and grazing, alternative energy, minerals, materials, oil and gas, settlement, remote cabins, geophysical hazards, utilities, and fish and seafood processing. 2) Fish and wildlife management. DNR manages land. ADF&G, the Board of Fisheries, and the Board of Game manage use of fish and wildlife resour- ces. Issues raised by the public during the planning process concerning use of fish and wildlife are not addressed in this plan but are addressed by the boards. These issues include how fish and game should be allocated among user groups, hunting and fishing seasons, bag limits, means and methods of harvest, and impact of use on the availability of game. 3) Management policies that restrict short-term uses (uses that take place at one site on state land for 14 consecutive days or less), such as hiking, backpack- ing and camping, light plane and helicopter landings, use of boats, rafts, and canoes, and hunting, fishing, and trapping. 4) Various aspects of a recreational experience. At this time, DNR does not have adequate authority or information to justify actions that address various aspects of a recreational experience, such as level of encounters (the number of people or groups of people seen during a specified time). For example, DNR cannot justify limiting the number of facilities in a management unit 2 Chapter 1 because of the impacts those facilities would have on a level of encounters. To do so requires additional statistics and information on public use and related impacts. Level of encounters is not addressed by this plan but is identified as one aspect for future management. HOW THIS PLAN APPLIES TO FEDERAL AND PRIVATE LAND See Chapter 4, Plan Implementation by the Alaska Coastal Management Program, for how the Area which Merits Special Attention (AMSA) portion of this plan affects management of private and federal land within the Nushagak-Mulchatna drainage. DNR does not manage federal or private land. Private landowners in the planning area may choose to use this plan as a guide for managing their lands. HOW THE FORMATION OF THE LAKE AND PENINSULA BOROUGH AFFECTS THIS PLAN The Lake and Peninsula Borough was formed in April, 1989 after work on the Nushagak and Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan was in progress. The new borough includes much of the eastern portion of the planning area (see maps in the envelope at the back of this document). See Chapter 4, Plan Implementation by the Alaska Coastal Management Program for how the formation of the new borough affects the AMSA portion of this plan. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING AREA The planning area stretches 200 miles from the headwaters of the Mulchatna River to Bristol Bay and includes the land drained by the Nushagak and Mulchatna rivers upstream of the Wood River. Wood-Tikchik State Park and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve are not part of the planning area. The planning area includes about 6.7 million acres. Approximately 5.7 million acres (85 percent of the totala'creage) are state owned or state selected. The state also owns and manages all shorelands, tidelands, and submerged lands of the Nushagak and Mulchatna rivers and other major waterbodies in the planning area. Uses on state land in the planning area are administered by the Department of Natural Resources Division of Land and Water Management (Southcentral Region). About 720,000 acres (11 percent of the total acreage) are owned or selected by seven Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporations. Most corporation land is located on the lower Nushagak River near the communities of Dillingham, Ekwok, New Stuyahok, and Koliganek. The federal government (Bureau of Land Management - BLM) administers about 250,000 acres (4 percent of the total acreage). BLM also retains interim management authority for state and ANSCA corporation selected land. Other private ownership includes approximately 200 tracts (most of them Native allot- ments). Chapter 1 3 The river systems are the dominant physiographic feature of the planning area. The Nushagak River headwaters are in the rounded Nushagak Hills, which with the Kus- kokwim River basin form the northern boundary of the planning area. The Mulchat- na River drains lakes of the Alaska Range in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Both rivers are generally clear in their upper reaches, but become increasingly muddy as they flow to the coast. Because of steeper terrain and fewer lakes in its watershed, the Mulchatna is more often subject to flooding than is the Nushagak, and often flows muddy. The river systems include important clear water tributaries: the- Nuyakuk, King Salmon, Chilikadrotna, Koktuli, Stuyahok, and Kokwok rivers. Vegetation throughout the planning area is diverse. White spruce, birch, and cotton- wood forests are generally concentrated along streams. The lower Nushagak Nuyakuk, and upper Mulchatna rivers have large spruce stands. Much of the low roll- ing mountainous terrain in the northern portion of the planning area is covered with lichen shrub tundra interspersed with open low shrub tundra. The coastal lowlands adjacent to Bristol Bay have hundreds of small lakes and ponds, and large areas of open shrub tundra. Abundant fisheries resources support important subsistence and recreational uses, and contribute to the valuable commercial fishery in Bristol Bay. Lakes and streams support five species of salmon, rainbow trout, and other freshwater fish. Sportfishing use is increasing rapidly in the planning area. Much public use is guided; operators fly their clients to a place for the day from nearby lodges or base use out of camps estab- lished nearby. Subsistence use is relatively stable in harvest quantities. Wildlife resources are substantial and support important subsistence and sport hunt- ing, trapping, and wildlife viewing uses. There is valuable habitat for caribou, moose, brown bears, raptors, and other animals. The Mulchatna caribou herd has increased greatly during the 1980s, and hunting effort and harvest have risen sharply, particular- ly in the Mulchatna drainage. Subsistence use originates from local communities or is based out of cabins located near traditional hunting areas. Outfitters and guides es- tablish camps for use by their clients. Airplanes provide major access to the area. Reliable floatplane landing areas are dis- tributed on lakes and rivers throughout the Nushagak basin. Gravel bars along streams and tundra-covered ridgetops provide natural landing sites for wheeled airplanes. Much airplane use originates from Dillingham, Ilianina, Port Alsworth, and Anchorage. Most of the main stems of the rivers are accessible by motorboat. Motorboat traffic is heaviest on the lower Nushagak. Canoes, rafts, and kayaks provide hunting, fish- ing, and recreational access to smaller drainages. Important rivers for guided and un- guided floating include the Chilikadrotna, upper Mulchatna, upper Nushagak, Stuyahok, Koktuli, and Nuyakuk. The planning area is divided into 25 management units (see the following map and the region maps in the envelope in the back of the plan). Units are generally similar in. resource values and uses. 4 - Chapter 1 Nushagak & Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan MANAGEMENT UNITS Kuskokwirn 25 24 River Basin 25 14 25 CRIUKAOqOTMA 23 Lake 19 25 Clark 13 25 National 14 14 113@ Park & 12 14 is 21* Preserve Wood- to 19 Tikchik U State Park 8 19 17 t9 7 is Ko' 10"Ex 19 16 Kvichak River Basin 4 6 Me" 5 HZW SMAHOX 2 RIVER 6 MANAGEMENT UNITS Unit#: Name manegunw" Intem: 3 1 Low. Nushagak River Corridor Semi-deveioped 2 lowlthla River Corridor Primitive 3 Low. Nushagak River Corridor Semi-developed 4 Kokwok River Corridor Semi-primitive 5 Low. Nushagak & Mulchatna R. Corridor SemWeveloped 6 Low. Nushagak Uplands Semi-primitive 7 Mid. Nushagak River Corridor Semi-developed 8 Nuyakuk River Corridor Semi-primitive 9 Mid. Nushagak Corridor Semi-primttive 1* G 10 Mid. Nushagak Corridor Semi-primitive 11* Mid. Nushagak Uplands Semi-primitive 12 1(ing Salmon River Corridor Primitive 6 13 Up. Nushagak & Chichttnok R. Corridor Primitive 14* Nushagak Hills Primitive 15 Low. Muichatna River Corridor Semi-primitive 16 Stuyahok River Corridor Primitive 17 Koktull River Corridor Primitive 18 Mid. Mulchatna River Corridor Semi-primttive ALASKA 19* Low. Mulchatna Uplands Semi-primifive 20 Mid. Mulchatna River Corridor Semi-primitive 21 Chilchitm River & Tutna Lake Corridor Semiaprimitive 22 Up. Mulchatna River Corridor Semi-primitive 23 Chilikadrotna River Corridor Primitive 24 Half Cabin Lakes Area Semi-developed @;A@LASKA 25* Up. Mulchatna Uplands Semi-primitive *These upland units are diwded into separate parts by mw comdor ungs. Chapter 1 - 5 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 6 - Chapter 1 I CHAPTER 2. GOALS, MANAGEMENT INTENT, AND GUIDELINES CHAPTER 2. GOALS, MANAGEMENT INTENT, AND GUIDELINES This chapter includes goals, management intent, and management guidelines that apply throughout the planning area. Guidelines are numbered for easy reference. GOALS The Bristol Bay Area Plan and Bristol Bay Coastal Management Plan include goals that identify the need to manage land, protect fish, wildlife, and water, and provide a diversity of commercial and noncommercial public use opportunities. To meet these goals, state land in the Nushagak and Mulchatna planning area will be managed to: Provide a mix of commercial and noncommercial public use opportunities. Ensure availability of public use sites to meet the needs of all users. Protect habitat and other natural resources. Maintain options for future management. MANAGEMENT INTENT These goals will be met by managing state land within management units for the following categories of management intent (management intent reflects a future condition): Primitive Use Experience: A use experience characterized by little to no evidence of human use (little to no manmade changes to the environment from development or other human activities). Semi-primitive Use Experience: A use experience characterized by moderate evidence of human use (moderate level of manmade changes to the environ- ment from development or other human activities). Semi-developed Use Experiencie: A use experience characterized by high evidence of human use (high level of marunade changes to the environment from development or other human activities). (Note: "Evidence of human use" does not imply restricting use.) The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) currently issues permits and leases for permanent and temporary facilities, trapping cabins, boat storage, airstrip develop- ment, docks, and other uses that occur atone site on, state land for longer than 14 days. These are the uses that the plan guidelines cover for management of state land Chapter 2 - 7 in the planning area. Permits from other agencies may also be required before land uses are approved. In the future, plan management units may be managed for other aspects of a use ex- perience, such as level of encounters, where a primitive use experience is charac- terized by low level of encounters, a semi-primitive use experience is characterized by a moderate level of encounters, and a semi-developed use experience is charac- terized by high level of encounters. The plan identifies which units will be managed in each category of management in- tent. These unit categories are generally consistent with current use patterns in the planning area. In the following text, these categories will be abbreviated to "primi- tive," "semi-prinitive," and "semi-developed'when referring to management units. GUIDELINES The following guidelines are specific directives that will be applied to management decisions. DNR will use criteria included in the guidelines when considering issuing permit or lease applications on state land. Criteria in the guidelines will be used in the Alaska Coastal Management Program coastal consistency review process. Guidelines also apply to state selected land. Because this plan addresses recreation and because other uses associated with ac- tivities not related to recreation have an effect on recreation, the guidelines in this plan apply to recreation uses and other uses, such as forestry, minerals, and oil and gas, unless otherwise specifically stated. Table 2.1, at the end of this chapter, surnmari es the management guidelines. How- ever, for detailed information, especially where a use may be allowed on a case-by- case basis, refer to the Chapter 2 guidelines. All Chapter 2 guidelines, whether or not specifically indicated, apply to all state land in the planning area. For additional guidelines, see "Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit" for each unit in Chapter 3. Policies of the Bristol Bay Area Plan and the Bristol Bay Coastal Management Plan may also apply, SHORT-TERM USES (GENERALLY ALLOWED USES) 1.1 Short-term (generally allowed) uses are uses that take place at one site on state land for 14 consecutive days or less. These uses do not require a permit or lease. The following are examples of short-term (generally allowed) uses: hiking, backpacking and camping, light plane and helicopter landings, use of boats, rafts, and canoes, and hunting, fishing, and trapping (in accordance with fish and game regulations). LONG-TERM USES 2.1 Uses that take place at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days require a permit or lease. Specific guidelines are provided for the fol- 8 - Chapter 2 lowing long-term uses: permanent and temporary facilities, trapping cabins, boat storage, airstrip development, and docks. 2.2 Long-term uses other than the above may be allowed in primitive, semi- primitive, and semi-developed units if consistent with management intent and applicable guidelines. Examples of other long-term uses include trails, equipment storage, rights-of-ways, waterlines, and bulkheads. LENGTH OF PERMITS AND LEASES/TYPE OF FACILITY AUTHORIZED 3.1 A temporary facility, if authorized, will occur under a permit. A permanent facility, if authorized, will occur under a lease. Other uses, if authorized, will occur under permits or leases. 3.2 Leases and permits, if issued, will be for the term of use or minimum length of time required by the applicant to carry out the purposes of the intended use. 3.3 Issued permits will not exceed 2 years (with the exception of five-year tideland permits). See Glossary for "Permit." PERMANENT FACILITIES 4.1 Permanent facilities will be prohibited in primitive and semi-primitive units. Permanent facilities are inconsistent with the management intent for these units. 4.2 Permanent facilities may be allowed in semi-developed units if consistent with management intent and applicable guidelines. TEMPORARY FACILITIES (INCLUDES FLOATING FACILITIES) 5.1 Temporary facilities will be prohibited in primitive units. Temporary facilities are inconsistent with the management intent for primitive units. 5.2 Temporary facilities may be allowed in semi-primitive and semi-developed units if consistent with management intent and applicable guidelines. TRAPPING CABINS 6.1 Trapping cabins will be prohibited in primitive units. Trapping cabins are in- consistent with the management intent for primitive units. 6.2 Trapping cabins may be allowed in semi-primitive and semi-developed units if consistent with management intent@ applicable guidelines, and require- ments of AS 38.95.080 and 11 AAC 94. Chapter 2 - 9 BOATSTORAGE 7.1 Long-term boat storage (storing a boat or boats at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days) will be prohibited in primitive areas. Boat storage is inconsistent with the management intent for primitive units. 7.2 Long-term boat storage may be allowed in semi-primitive and semi- developed areas if consistent with management intent and applicable guidelines. AIRSTRIP DEVELOPMENT 8.1 Because the Nushagak-Mulchatna area has good aircraft access, it is ques- tionable if there is a public need for additional developed landing sites in the planning area. However, this plan does not preclude airstrip development, including airstrip development associated with facilities, if consistent with management intent and applicable guidelines. 8.2 Airstrips developed on public land should be made available for use by the general public. 8.3 If an applicant requests airstrip development associated with temporary or permanent facilities or some other use of state land, the applicant must sub- mit the application for the airstrip with the application for the associated use. 8.4 Airstrip development is prohibited in primitive units except for Unit 13 (see Unit 13, Chapter 3, "Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit"). 8.5 Airstrip development may be allowed in semi-primitive and semi-developed units if 1. there is a demonstrated significant public need for the airstrip, and 2. there are no feasible alternatives to meet the public need for increased access that would not significantly impact habitat or other uses. 8.6 If airstrip development is required for mineral or oil and gas exploration or development, then reclamation will be required upon completion of the project, unless airstrip development at that site is consistent with manage- ment intent and applicable guidelines. CAMPING 9.1 Note: See Temporary Facility in the Glossary. Camping at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days is considered a temporary facility. 10 - Chapter 2 DOCKS 10.1 Permanent docks (docks that do not need to be removed and the site res- tored to its natural state after each season, such as docks on pilings) will be prohibited in primitive and semi-primitive units. Permanent docks are incon- sistent with the management intent for these units. 10.2 Permanent docks may be- allowed in semi-developed units if consistent with management intent and applicable guidelines. 10.3 Temporary docks (docks that must be removed and the site restored to its natural state at the end of the term of use for which the dock was authorized, such as floating docks) will be prohibited in primitive units. Temporary docks are inconsistent with the management intent for primitive units. 10.4 Temporary docks maybe allowed in semi-primitive and semi-developed units if consistent with management intent and applicable guidelines. LONG-TERM USES ASSOCIATED WITH MINERALAND OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT Minerals and oil and gas are addressed in the Bristol Bay Area Plan (BBAP). How- ever, guidelines in this plan, though designed to address recreational concerns, affect long-term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and development. Because the intent of BBAP was to make land in the region available for mineral and oil and gas exploration and development, the following guideline is included: 11.1 Permanent facilities, temporary facilities, boat storage, airstrip development, docks, and other long-term uses associated with legitimate needs for mineral or oil and gas exploration or development are not subject to the provisions in this plan that prohibit these uses in primitive and semi-primitive units. As- sociated long-term uses may be allowed if the permit review -process deter- mines that there is a legitimate need for the development or use to develop or explore the mineral or oil and gas resources in these units in the planning area, and if consistent with applicable guidelines and those aspects of management intent other than prohibitions. NAVIGATION 12.1 Commercial and noncommercial public use will not impede navigation. PUBLIC ACCESS 13.1 Commercial and noncommercial public use activities will not interfere with the ability of all users to use or access state land or public water. DNR will Chapter 2 - 11 ensure adequate access exists to adjacent public lands when issuing permits or leases for use of state land. 13.2 DNR will ensure that those people with valid existing rights have reasonable access. PUBUC USE SITES Public use sites are any sites identified on state land that are important for public ac- cess (including important float and wheeled plane landing areas), camping, hunting, fishing, or other recreation or public use. The management intent for these sites is to protect the opportunity for users to use the sites, and to protect the public values 'of the sites. Forty-nine (49) public use sites have been identified in the planning area. The state owns only the shorelands at some of these sites. See the public use site maps in Appendix C. 14.1 Public use sites occur in primitive, semi-primitive, and semi-developed management units. The guidelines for public use sites in this section take precedence over guidelines associated with primitive, semi-primitive, and semi-developed unit categories. 14.2 Permanent and temporary facilities*, trapping cabins, and long-term boat storage (storing a boat or boats at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days) will be prohibited at public use sites. Airstrip develop- ment, docks, and other long-term uses may be allowed on a case-by-case basis if consistent with management intent for the public use site and if there is a demonstrated significant public need. See Table 2.1 at the end of th is chapter for a summary of management guidelines for public use sites. 14.3 The list of sites is not inclusive. It is based on the best available information. As use patterns change and more information becomes available, new sites are likely to be identified. DNR should work with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Bristol Bay Coastal Resourc 'e Service Area to iden- tify additional sites. Additional sites will be added to the list of sites in the planning area as a plan amendment. 14.4 To address increases in use, the plan may be amended to change the number of days that short-term uses (generally allowed uses that take place at one site on state land for 14 consecutive days or less) can occur in public use sites. 11 AAC 96.010 provides for this change by establishing "special use areas." Such a change will require a plan amendment. See Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit under each unit in Chapter 3 for special use areas. See Chapter 4, Procedures for Plan Review, Modification and Amendment, for details, that would apply to adding public use sites and special use areas to the plan. Camping at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days is considered a temporary facil4. See Temporary Facility in the Glossary. 12 - Chapter 2 LAND BELOW ORDINARY HIGH WATER (INCLUDING SHORELANDS) 15.1 Permanent facilities, temporary facilities* (except floating facilities), and trapping cabins will be prohibited on land below ordinary high water. Land below ordinary high water in the area floods periodically. Authorizing facilities in places that are likely to flood can jeopardize public safety and en- vironmental protection. Additionally, the management intent for land below ordinary high water is to protect the opportunity for all users to use these areas and to protect the public values of these areas. 15.2 Floating facilities, boat storage, airstrip development, docks, and other long-term uses (uses that take place at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days), such as trails and waterlines, may be allowed if consistent with management intent and applicable guidelines. See Table 2.1 at the end of this chapter for a sum- mary of management guidelines for land below ordinary high water. 15.3 Permit or lease applications for these other uses of land below ordinary high water will include a description of all necessary associated uses. If permits from other agencies are required (such as Department of Environmental Conserva- tion permits for fuel storage, food service, or waste disposal), DNR will consider issuing a permit or lease contingent upon issuance of these other permits. 15.4 Where uplands are in private ownership, defining the location of ordinary high water and, therefore, the boundary of state-owned shorelands is often difficult and may require technical expertise. If DNR issues a permit on shorelands, DNR will require applicants to use areas that will reduce the likelihood of possible land ownership disagreements with upland owners (such as unvegetated gravel bars). 15.5 DNR will consult with the upland owner and use its best professional judg- ment to determine if a proposed use occurs on state-owned shorelands.. 15.6 The state constitution requires DNR and the Alaska Coastal Management Program to ensure that the rights of the public to use state lands and waters for navigation, commerce, recreation, and related purposes are protected. DNR will retain the right to issue a permit or lease for uses that are not prohibited over the objection of adjacent landowners. However, DNR will carefully. consider comments from private landowners and others when making a decision. 15.7 Applications for shoreland uses that require use of private uplands will not be considered until there is a written agreement between the applicant and the upland owner(s) approving the necessary use. The term of the lease or permit should not be longer than the term of agreement between the ap- plicant and the upland owner. If the applicant has not applied for use of the adjacent uplands, the application must show how all necessary associated uses will be accommodated on the shorelands. * Camping at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days is considered a temporary facility. See Temporary Facility in the Glossary.. Chapter 2 - 13 SITING CRITERIA 16.1 Permanent facilities, temporary facilities, trapping cabins, boat storage, airstrip development docks, and other long-term uses (uses that take place at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days) win be sited consistent with management intent and applicable guidelines. 16.2 Long-term uses (uses that take place at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days) that are allowed in primitive units should be sited out of view from the main river channel. 16.3 Temporary facilities, trapping cabins, boat storage, airstrip development, tem- porary docks, and other long-term uses (uses that take place at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days) in semi-primitive units will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. 16.4 Permanent facilities, temporary facilities, trapping cabins, boat storage, airstrip development docks, and other long-term uses (uses that take place at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days) will be sited to avoid placement near identified cultural sites. 16.5 Applicants will site facilities in a manner which impacts the least amount of ground consistent with the purpose of the facility. 16.6 Floating facilities will be sited so as not to block narrow waterways or im'- pede the free passage of waterborne traffic. 14 Chapter 2 Thble 2-1 SLJMMARY OF MANAGEMENT GUMELINES See Chapter 2 for details Types Seml- Semi- Public Use Sites Land Below Ordi- of Primitive primitive developed (includes Special nary Higb Water On-' Uses unit Unit unit Use Areas) cluding Shorelands) Short- Short-term Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed term Use use* Permanent Prohibited Prohibited May be allowed Prohibited Prohibited Facilities (case-by-case) Temporary Prohibited May be allowed May be allowed Prohibited Prohibited, except Facilties' (case-by-case) (case-by-case) floating facilities may be allowed (case-by-case) Trapping Prohibited May be allowed May be allowed Prohibited Prohibited Cabins (case-by-case) (case-by-case) Boat Storage Prohibited May be allowed May be "owed Prohibited May be allowed (case-by-case) (case-by-case) (case-by-case) Long- term Use** Airstrip Prohibited, =ept May be allowed May be allowed May be allowed May be allowed Development may be allowed (case-by-case) (case-by-case) (case-by-case) (case-by-case) (case-by-case) in Unit 13 Docks Prohibited Prohibited May be allowed May be allowed May be allolwed Permanent (case-by-case) (case-by@case) (case-by-case) Temporary Prohibited May be allowed May be allowed May be allowed May be allo (case-by-case) (case-by-case) (case-by-case) (case-by-case) Other Long- May be allowed May be allowed May be allowed May be allowed May be allowed term Uses (case-by-case) (case-by@case) (case-by-case) (case-by-case) (case-by-case) Short-term use is use that takes place at one site on state land for 14 consecutive days or less. 00 Long-term use is use that takes place at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days, *00 Camping at one site on state land for longer than 14 consecutive days is considered a temporary facility. Note: For long-term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and development, see Chapter 2. Chapter 2 - 15 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 16 - Chapter 2 I CHAPTER 3. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES, PUBLIC USE SITES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EACH MANAGEMENT UNIT CHAPTER 3. MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES, PUBLIC USE SITES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EACH MANAGEMENT UNIT This chapter restates management intent categories, and includes background infor- mation (described in more detail in the Nushagak and Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan Resource Assessment - see Appendix B), management intent, management guidelines, public use sites, and other unit-specific recommendations for the 25 management units in the planning area. Other guidelines specific to a unit are numbered for easy reference. MANAGEMENT INTENT The management intents are Primitive Use Experience: A use experience characterized by little to no evidence of human use (little to no marimade changes to the environment -from development or other human activities) Semi-primitive Use Experience: A use experience characterized by moderate evidence of human use (moderate level of manmade changes to the environ- ment from development or other human activities). Semi-developed Use Experience: A use experience characterized by high evidence of human use (high level of manmade changes to the environment from development or other human activities). Management intent reflects a future desired condition. Private landowners in the planning area may choose to use this plan as a guide for managing their lands. Chapter 3 17 18 Chapter 3 Unit 1. Lower Nushagak River, Keefer Cutoff to Wood River Background Land Status. Most of this unit is owned by Choggiung Ltd. or is federal land selected by the state, Choggiung Ltd., or Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC). The state and BBNC have both selected the mouth of the lowithla River. It is likely BBNC will receive the selection. The Nushagak River is navigable; the state owns tidelands, sub- merged lands, and shorelands in the unit. Twenty Native allotments are located in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Nushagak River extends for 56 miles. Access. The unit is easily accessible by motorboat, float plane, and snowmobile and is relatively close to major airports and sport fishing lodges. Portage Creek has a developed public airstrip. The nearest communities are Dillingham and Ekwok. The river is important for use as a corridor for boat travel between Dillingham and upriver villages. Existing Development. The unit includes the village of Portage Creek, many subsis- tence fish camps- near Lewis Point, and 11 cabins which are used seasonally. Twelve temporary camps for commercial sport fishing. were authorized by Choggiung be- tween Black Point and Portage Creek in 1988. Ten of the camps supported fly-in day use; two served as bases of operation.'The ADF&G operates a field camp near Portage Creek. Fisheries. The river serves as a corridor for migration of all species of juvenile and adult salmon, which are generally abundant in the summer. Subsistence and sport fishing uses are among the highest in the planning area. Most of the subsistence fishing use takes place downstream of Black Point. Most of the sport use is commercial, targets king salmon, and takes place from mid-June to mid- July between Portage Creek and Black Point. Commercial use is based out of lodges and nearby communities and out of camps in the unit. Motorboats are stored in the unit to support fly-in day use. The king salmon sport fishery is of increasing impor- tance as a recreational opportunity for residents of Dillingham. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is low. Subsistence hunting for moose is high and caribou hunting use is moderate because of relatively easy accessibility. Sport hunting use is low because of private. land ownership, competition with local hunters, and relatively low density of game. Trails-and Easements. The winter trail from Dillingham to Naknek is a possible RS- 2477 right-of-way. Portions of the trail are on 17(b) easements. The following 17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 2, 2a, 2-1, 6, 8a, 8b, 20, 20b, 34, and 36. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements.) Chapter 3 - 19 Other Values. Scenic values are relatively low because of constricted views and low landscape diversity. Floating use is low. Four cultural sites are documented in the unit. Management Intent Semi-developed use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site): Permanent facilities Prohibited.* Temporary facilities Prohibited.* Trapping cabins Prohibited.* Boat storage Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent May be allowed (case-by-case). temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses - May be allowed (case-by-case). * The state owns only shorelands in this unit. Permanent facilities and temporary facilities (except for floating facilities) and trapping cabins a.re prohibited on shorelands. Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site): See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U1.1 . Short-term Uses at the Mouth of the Iowithla River (Public Use Site 6). Be- cause of high public use, this public use site is designated as a "special use area" under 11 AAC 96.010. In public use sites, short-term uses can take place for 14 consecutive days or less without a permit. In this special use area, allowed short-term uses can take place for Tconsecutive days or less without a permit. Allowed uses that take place for longer than 7 consecutive days are considered long-term uses -and,require a permit or lease. All other public use site guidelines apply to this special use area (see Chapter 2, Public Use Sites). U1.2 Relocation of Public Use Site 4. Choggiung Ltd. is considering relocating its designated upland public camping site to a site closer to the Portage Creek landing strip. DNR should work with Choggiung to identify this site. If Choggiung relocates the camping site, Public Use Site 4 will be relocated to shoreland adjacent to the new upland camping site. 20 - Chapter 3 Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 1 Shoreland site on lower Nushagak River known as Blood Beach, 7 miles west of Port-age Creek, primarily used for angling. The state owns only the . shorelands in this public use site. Uplands are owned by Choggiung Ltd. Site 2 Shoreland site on lower Nushagak river at the southern mouth of Keefer Cutoff, primarily used for angling. The state owns only the shorelands in this public use site. Uplands are owned by Choggiung Ltd. Site 3 Shoreland site on Keefer Cutoff, 11/2 -miles north of Portage Creek. The state owns only the shorelands in this public use site. Uplands are owned by Choggiung Ltd. Site 4 Shoreland site adjacent to upland site designated by Choggiung Ltd. as a public camping site, 11/2 miles north of Portage Creek. The state owns only the shorelands in thispublic use site. Uplands are owned by Choggiung Ltd. Site 5 Shoreland site on Keefer Cutoff, 3 miles north of Portage Creek, used for camping and angling. The state owns only the shorelands in this public use site. Uplands are owned by Choggiung Ltd. Site 6 This site is a special use area. See "Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit." Campsite and floatplane landing area on shorelands at the mouth of the lowithla River. The state owns only the shorelands in this public use site. Uplands are selected by Bristol Bay Native Corporation. Recommendations for this Unit Land Selection: Township 12 South Range 50 West (the mouth of the Iowithla River) is currently selected by both the state and the Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC). If BBNC receives title to this s election, a 17(b) easement should include Public Use Site #6 (campsite and floatplane landing area on shorelands at the mouth of the Iowithla River). Chapter 3 - 21 Unit 2. lowithia River Corridor Background Land Status. The lower and middle portions of the unit are owned by the state. Other portions are federal land selected by the state. The upper portion of the unit is adjacent to the Wood-71kchik State Park. No Native allotments are in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Iowithla River extends for 49 miles. Access. Motorboat and airplane access is difficult. The unit is easily accessed from nearby communities by snowmobile. The unit is. located near Dillingham. Existing Development. No cabins are located in this unit. One site which has been used for a commercial sport fishing camp is located near the Nushagak River. Fisheries. The river supports spawning habitat for all species of salmon and low to moderate populations of freshwater fish. Sport and subsistence fishing uses are low because of relatively low abundance and difficult access. Except for the use originating from a commercial camp in 1988, little commercial use takes place on the river. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is low. The Muklung Hills vicinity provides essential brown bear denning habitat. This unit is closed to caribou hunting. It is also-closed to moose hunting during the winter subsistence season. Subsistence hunting for moose is moderate and takes place in the fall. Sport hunting for moose is low but increasing, mostly unguided, and is generally associated with floating. Trails and Easements. None. Other Values. Scenic values are moderate because of landscape diversity near the river and views of the Muklung Hills. Floating use is currently low but increasing. 22 - Chapter 3 Management Intent Primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer t han 14 consecutive. days at one site): Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Prohibited. Trapping cabins Prohibited. Boat storage Prohibited. Airstrip development Prohibited. Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary Prohibited. Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site): See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other- Guidelines Specific to this Unit U2.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U2.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses should be sited out of view from the main river channel. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 7 Upland wheeled plane landing area on the Iowithla River near the Muklung Hills. Site 8 Campsite and floatplane landing area on an unnamed lake near the Muklung Hills. Recommendations for this Unit None. Chapter 3 - 23 Unit 3. Lower Nushagak River Corridor, Ekwok Vicinity Background Land Status. Most of the land is owned or selected by Ekwok Ltd. No uplands are owned by the state in the unit. The Nushagak River is navigable; the state owns the tidelands and shorelands in this unit. Eleven Native allotments are located in the unit. No mining claims are located in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Nushagak River extends for 30 miles. Access. Ile corridor is easily accessible by motorboat, float plane, and snowmobile. The unit is located near a major airport in Dillingham and a developed public airstrip exists in Ekwok. The river is important for use as a corridor for boat travel between Dillingham and. upriver villages. Existing Development. The unit contains the village of Ekwok, five cabins used seasonally, and the Ekwok Lodge, a sport fishing lodge. Fisheries. The lower Nushagak River is a major salmon migration route, as well as an important king and chum salmon spawning habitat. Subsistence fishing use is high, particularly near Ekwok. Sport fishing use is moderate in the downstream portion of this unit and low in the upstream portion. Most of the sport fishing use is guided and targets king and silver salmon. Most com- mercial use originates from the Ekwok Lodge or fly-in users. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is low. Subsistence hunting for moose is high; the unit is an important hunting area for local residents. Subsistence hunting for caribou is low. Little sport hunting use takes place in the unit because of private land ownership. Trails and Easements. The following -17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 9, 9a, 10, 10a, 11, 11a, 37, and 37a. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements.) Other Values. Scenic values are low because of constricted views and low landscape diversity. Floating use is low. The corridor is important for local trapping and wood- cutting uses. Seven cultural sites are documented in the unit. 24 - Chapter 3 Management Intent Semi-developed use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. * Temporary facilities Prohibited.* Trapping cabins Prohibited.* Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by.-case). Docks: permanent Maybe allowed (case-by-case). temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). * The state.owns only shorelands in this unit. Permanent facilities and temporary facilities (except for floating facilities) and trapping cabins are prohibited on shorelands. Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U3.1 Short-term Uses at the Mouth of the Kokwok River (Public Use Site 9). Be- cause of high public use, this public use site is designated as a "special use area" under 11 AAC 96.010. In public use sites, short-term uses can take place for 14 consecutive days or less without a permit. In this special use area, allowed short-term uses can take place for 7 consecutive days or less without a permit. Allowed uses that take place for longer than 7 consecutive days are considered long-term uses and require a permit or lease. All other public use site guidelines apply to this special use area (see Chapter 2, Public Use Sites). Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 9 This site is a special use area. See "Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit." Campsite and floatplane landing area on shorelands on the Nushagak River Chapter 3 - 25 at the mouth of the Kokwok River. The state owns only the shorelands in this public use site. Uplands are owned by Ekwok Natives Ltd. Recommendations for this Unit None. 26 Chapter 3 Unit 4. Kokwok River Corridor Background Land Status. Ekwok Natives Ltd. owns most of the land on the lower portion of the unit, the state owns most of the upper portion of the river, and Aleknagik Natives Ltd. owns the land around Okstukuk Lake. The Kokwok River and Okstukuk Lake are navigable; the state owns the shorelands. Eleven Native allotments are in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Kokwok River extends for 55 miles. Access. The corridor is moderately accessible by motorboat and floatplane and easily accessible by snowmobile. The unit is near a major airport in Dillingham. Eidsting Development. Five cabins and one site which has been used for a commer- cial sport fishing camp are located in the unit. Fisheries. The Kokwok provides spawning and rearing habitat for all species of salmon. Subsistence fishing use- is low because of relatively low abundance. Sport use is low. Occasional commercial fly-in day use is based out of nearby lodges. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is low but has been increasing in recent years. This unit is closed to caribou hunting. Subsistence hunting for moose is high and takes place in fall and winter. Sport hunting use is low due to expense ofaccess, land ownership, and relatively low density of game. Trails and Easements. The following 17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 14, 14a, 15, 15a, 16, and 16a. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements.) Other Values. Floating use is currently low, but increasing. Most floating use is un- guided and associated with hunting. Scenic values are moderate because of high landscape diversitynear the river. One culturai site is documented in the unit. Chapter 3 - 27 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site): Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities May be allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins May be allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited, temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site): See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U4.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U4.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 10 Campsite on the Kokwok River near Okstukuk Hills. Site 11 Campsite and floatplane landing area near the outlet of Okstukuk Lake. The state owns only the shorel'ands in this public use site. Uplands are owned by Aleknagik Natives Ltd. Recommendations for this Unit None. 28 - Chapter 3 Unit 5. Lower Nushagak and Mulchatna River Corridors, New Stuyahok Vicinity Background Land Status. Most of the land is owned by Stuyahok Ltd. No uplands are owned by the state in the unit. The Nushagak River and Nunachuak Creek are navigable; the state owns the shorelands. Eight Native allotments are in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Nushagak River extends for 29 miles. The ain channel of the Mulchatna River extends for 17 miles. Access. The corridor is easily accessible by motorboat, float plane, and snowmobile. The river is important for use as a corridor for boat travel between Dillingham and upriver villages. The unit is near a major airport in Dillingham and a developed public airstrip exists in New Stuyahok. E3dsting Development. The unit contains the city of New Stuyahok and three cabins used seasonally. Fisheries. The lower Nushagak and Mulchatna rivers are a major salmon migration route, as well as important king and chum salmon spawning habitat. Subsistence fishing use is high, particularly near New Stuyahok and the mouth of the Mulchatna. Sport fishing use is low tomoderate. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; car.ibou density varies by season and is occasionally high. Subsistence hunting use is high. Little sport hunting use takes place in the unit be- cause of. private land ownership and competition with local hunters. Trails and Easements. The following 17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 17, 17a, 19, 19a, 32, 32a, 33, 33a, 35, and 36. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements.) Other Values. Scenic values are relatively low because of constricted views and low landscape diversity. The corridor is important for. local trapping and woodcutting uses. Eight cultural sites are documented in.the unit. Chapter 3 - 29 Management intent Semi-developed use experience. Management Guidtfines - I Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive- days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. * Temporary facilities Prohibited.* Trapping cabins Prohibited. * Boat storage Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent May be allowed (case-by-case). temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). * The state owns only shorelands in this unit. Permanent facilities and temporary facilities (except for floating facilities) and trapping cabins are prohibited on shorelands. Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit None. Public Use Sites None. Recommendations for this Unit None. 30 - Chapter 3 Unit 6. Lower Nushagak Uplands Background Land Status. The unit is in multiple ownership. Much of the land is owned by the state, Choggiung Ltd., Ekwok Natives Ltd., and Stuyahok Ltd. Smaller amounts of land are owned by Saguyak Inc. and the Bristol Bay Native Corporation. The eastern edge of the unit is owned by the federal government and managed by BLM. Ile western portion of the unit is adjacent to Wood-Tikchik State Park. Thirteen Native allotments are located in the unit. Nunachuak Creek is navigable; the state owns the shorelands. Access. The unit is easily accessible by snowmobile. Float planes can access lakes west of Kemuk Mountain and east of the Nushagak River. The unit is near a major airport in Dillingham. Existing Development. Only one cabin is documented in the unit; it is likely that others exist. Fisheries. Fisheries values are generally low. Subsistence fishing use is moderate for freshwater species. Sport fishing use. of Nushagak tributary streams is low now, but may increase slowly. Wildlife. Moose density is low to moderate Caribou are sometimes abundant east of the river. The Muklung Hills vicinity provides essential brown bear denning habitat. Subsistence moose hunting use is moderate near drainages; caribou hunting use is high in winter. The caribou season is closed west of the Nushagak River. Sport hunt- ing use is low because of expense of access and private land ownership. Trails and Easements. The winter trail from Portage Creek to Naknek is a possible RS-2477 right-of-way. The following 17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 2-1, 6, 8b, 9a, 10a, 11a, 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a, 19a, 20, 20b, 34, and 38. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements.) Other Values. The northwest portion of the unit, near Wood-Tikchik State Park, is forested and hilly and has moderate scenic.value because of high landscape diversity. Low relief and tundra in much of the unit provide low scenic value. Local residents trap in drainages during the winter. Chapter 3 - 31 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site): Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins May be allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site): See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U6.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U6.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 12 Campsite and floatplane landing area on an unnamed lake, 15 miles north of Okstukuk Lake. Recommendations for this Unit None. 32 Chapter 3 Unit 7. Middle Nushagak River Corridor, Koliganek Vicinity Background Land Status. Most of the land is owned by Koliganek Natives Ltd. No uplands are owned by the state in the unit. The Nushagak River is navigable; the state owns the shorelands. Eleven Native allotments are in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Nushagak River extends for 16 miles. Access. The corridor is easily accessible by motorboat, float plane, and snowmobile. The unit is about a one-hour Right from Dillingham. A developed public airstrip ex- ists in Koliganek. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities intends to develop a new airport at Koliganek. The river is important for use as a corridor for boat travel between Koliganek and downriver villages. Existing Development. The unit contains the village of Koliganek and one cabin used seasonally. Fisheries. The middle Nushagak River is a major salmon migration route as well as important king and chum salmon spawning habitat. Subsistence fishing use is high, particularly near Koliganek. Sport fishing use is low to moderate. Wildlife. Moose density is low to moderate; caribou density is occasionally high. Subsistence hunting use is high; the unit is a traditional hunting area for local resi- dents. Little sport hunting use takesplace in the unit because of private land owner- ship, expense of access, and competition with local hunters. Trails and Easements. The following 17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 26, 26a, 27, 27a, and 35. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements.) Other Values. A moderate amount of floating takes place in the corridor, much of it guided. Koliganek is used as a take out spot for upper Nushagak and Nuyakuk floaters. Scenic values are low because of constricted views and low landscape diver- sity. The corridor is important for local trapping and woodcutting uses. Two cultural sites are documented in the unit. Chapter 3 - 33 Management Intent Semi-developed use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site)" Permanent facilities Prohibited.* Temporary facilities Prohibited.* Trapping cabins Prohibited.* Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent May be allowed (case-by-case)-. temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). * The state owns only shorelands in this unit. Permanent facilities and temporary facilities (except for floating facilities) and trapping cabins are prohibited on shorelands. Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit None. Public Use 8ites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 13 Campsite and floatplane landing area on shorelands on the Nushagak River at the mouth of the Nuyakuk River. The state owns only the shorelands in this public use site. Uplands are Native corporation-owned. Recommendations for this Unit None. 34 - Chapter 3 Unit 8. Nuyakuk River Corridor Background Land Status. Most of the lower portion of the unit is owned by Koliganek Natives Ltd- Most of the upper portion of the unit is owned by the state. The upper portion of the unit is adjacent to Wood-Tikchik State Park. The Nuyakuk River is navigable; the state owns the shorelands. Tbirteen Native allotments are located in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Nuyakuk River extends for 29 miles. Access. The corridor is easily accessible by motorboat, floatplane, and snowmobile. Much of the floating access originates from Wood-Tikchik State Park. A rapids in the park makes motorboat access difficult to and from Tikchik Lake; however, the river is used as a travel corridor to the lake system. The unit is about a one-hour flight from Dillingham. Eidsting Development. One cabin and an ADF&G fish counting camp are located in the unit. Fisheries. The Nuyakuk is a major sockeye migration route in the study area. The river supports good sport fishing for rainbow trout and sockeye and coho salmon fish- ing. Subsistence fishing use is moderate. Sport fishing use is moderate and is associated with floating or commercial fly-in use. Wildlife. Density of moose is moderate; density of caribou is low. Subsistence moose hunting use is moderate and takes place mostly during the winter. Sport hunting for moose is moderate, increasing, and is usually associated with float- ing or dropoffs at small lakes. Subsistence and sport hunting for caribou are low. Trails and Easements. The following 17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 28 and 28a. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements.) Other Values. Scenic values are moderate because of high landscape diversity near the river. Floating use is moderate and increasing. Much of the floating use is guided and originates in Wood-Tikchik State Park. Upper portions of the river include Class I whitewater. The unit is used for trapping in the winter by local residents. Chapter 3 35 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities May be allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Maybe allowed (case-by-case). temporary Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed(case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U8.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- ,term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U8.2 Siting Criteria. Uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites None. Recommendations for this Unit None. 36 - Chapter 3 Unit 9. Middle Nushagak Corridor, Harris Creek to Nuyakuk River Background Land Status. Most of the unit is owned by Koliganek Natives Ltd. No uplands are owned by the state in the unit. The Nushagak River is navigable; the state owns the shorelands. Four Native allotments are located in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Nushagak River extends for 12 miles. Access. The unit is easily accessible by motorboat, floatplane, and snowmobile. It is moderately accessible by wheeled planes. The unit is relatively far from major air- ports. Existing Development. No cabins or other development are documented in the unit. Fisheries. The Nushagak River serves a major salmon migration corridor and provides important spawning and rearing habitat for king, chum, and coho salmon. Sport fishing for freshwater fish is generally good. Subsistence fishing use is low. Sport fishing use is currently low, mostly commercial, and increasing as operators avoid other more heavily used areas. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density varies by season and is oc- casionally high. Waterfowl are fairly common in both spring and fall. Subsistence hunting use is moderate, takes place in the fall and winter, and is based out of Kohganek and cabins in the unit. Sport hunting use is low, but increasing. Trails and. Easements. The following 17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 29, 29a, 30, and 30a. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements'.) Other Values. Scenic values are relatively low because of constricted views and low landscape diversity. A moderate level of floating use takes place in the corridor, most of it guided. The corridor is important for local trapping and woodcutting uses. Chapter 3 37 Management Intent' Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited.* Temporary facilities Prohibited.* Trapping cabins Prohibited.* Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent May be allowed (case-by-case). temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). * The state owns only shorelands in this unit. Permanent facilities and temporary facilities (except for floating facilities) and trapping cabins are prohibited on shorelands. Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U9.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Axtivity. For develop- ment and other long-term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas ex- ploration and development, see Chapter 2 guideline. U9.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites None. Recommendations for this Unit None. 38 - Chapter 3 Unit 10. Middle Nushagak Corridor, Chichitnok River to Harris Creek Background Land Status. Most of the unit is owned by the state. Nine Native allotments are located in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Nushagak River extends for 32 miles. Access. The unit is easily accessible by motorboat and snowmobile and moderately accessible by float and wheeled airplanes. The unit is relatively close to lodges in Wood-Tikchik State Park, but distant from major airports. Eidsting Development . Nine cabins are located in this unit. More than five sites have been used as temporary camps for commercial sport fishing. Camps may either sup- port fly-in use or serve as bases of operation. Fisheries. The unit includes a heavily braided section of the Nushagak which provides an important spawning area for king salmon and excellent sport fishing opportunities for salmon and resident species. Subsistence fishing.use is low. Sport fishing use is moderate and increasing. Most of the sport use is commercial. Commercial use originates from nearby temporary camps or is fly-in use relying on motorboats stored in the unit. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density varies with the season but is oc- casionally high, particularly in fall and winter. Trophy-sized animals may migrate through the unit. Subsistence hunting use is moderate, takes place in the fall and winter, and is based out of Koliganek and cabins located in the unit. Sport hunting use is currently low, but increasing. Trails and Easements. None Other valu es. Scenic values are moderate because of landscape diversity provided by the braids. Floating use is moderate and increasing, and is generally associated with hunting or fishing. 'ne unit is used for trapping by local residents. One cultural site is documented in the unit. Chapter 3 39 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities May be allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins May be allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U10.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U10.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Temporary facilities will be sited out of view from the main river chan- nel. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 14 Campsite on the Nushagak River at the mouth of Klutuspak Creek. There is a pending Native allotment in this site. Site 15 Campsite and floatplane landing area at the mouth of the King Salmon River. Recommendations for this Unit None. 40 Chapter 3 Unit 11. Middle Nushagak Uplands Background Land Status. Most of the unit is owned or selected by the state. Smaller amounts of land are owned by Koliganek Natives Ltd., Stuyahok Ltd, and the federal government under BLM management. Eight Native allotments are located in the unit. The western portion of the unit is adjacent to Wood-Tikchik State Park. Mining claims are located on Sleitat Mountain. Access. The unit is easily accessible by snowmobile. Wheeled- airplanes can land easi- ly on many rounded ridges, and dry tundra areas offer easy accessibility to all-terrain vehicles. Developed airstrips are located near Vukpahk Creek and in the upper Klutuspak drainage. Accessibility is moderate for floatplanes on lakes in the Nuyakuk drainage. The unit is relatively far from major airports. Eidsting Development. Two sites which have been used as guided/outfitted hunting camps are located on lakes in the eastern portion of the unit. Fisheries. Fisheries values are generally low. Creeks in the unit provide important salmon spawning habitat. Subsistence and sport fishing uses are low. Wildlife. Moose density is low to moderate; caribou density varies with the season, but is occasionally high, particularly in fall and winter. Subsistence hunting use is moderate and is based out of Koliganek and cabins in drainages. Winter hunting is almost exclusively by local residents. Sport hunting use is moderate. T'he unit is an important brown bear hunting area, and pressure is moderate to high. Virtually all brown bear hunting is by residents and guided non- residents and occurs during May, September, and early October. Trails and Easements. The following 17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 26a, 27a, 28a, 29a, 30a, and 32a. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements.) Other Values. Scenic values are moderate because of landscape diversity and views of highlands in the hilly northern portion -of the unit. Trapping takes place near drainages in the winter. Chapter 3 - 41 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U11.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For other long-term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and development, see Chapter 2 guideline. U11.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 16 Wheeled airplane landing area on upper Klutuspak Creek. Site 17 Wheeled plane landing area in uplands, 3 miles southeast of Vukpalik Creek. Recommendations for this Unit None. 42 - Chapter 3 unit 12. King Salmon River Corridor Background Land Status. Most of this unit is owned by the state. Two Native allotments are lo- cated in the unit. The upper portion of the unit is adjacent to Wood-Tikchik State Park. Mining claims are located in the middle portion of the corridor. Miles of River. The main channel of the King -Salmon River extends for 47 miles. Access. Accessibility is generally difficult by airplane. Access by motorboat is dif- ficult or infeasible in the upper portion of the unit and moderate in the lower. Head- water lakes in the unit and in Wood-Tikchik State Park provide floating drop-off points. The unit is far from major airports. Eidsting Development. Two cabins and one site which has been used as a commercial sport fishing camp are located in the unit. Fisheries. The unit provides important king'salmon spawning habitat and excellent fishing for freshwater fish. Rainbow trout and sockeye salmon are the species of primary interest to anglers. Subsistence fishing use is low. Sport fishing use is currently low and is mostly com- mercial. Commercial use is based out of nearby camps or is fly-in use relying on motorboats stored on the Nushagak. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate to high; caribou density is seasonally moderate; broNxm bear density is high. The King Salmon Hills provide essential brown bear den- 9, habitat. Subsistence hunting for moose and caribou is low. Winter hunting use is almost en- tirely by local residents. Sport hunting use is moderate, increasing, and is chiefly guided brown bear hunting and nonresident caribou and moose hunting. Most of the fall hunting use is sport use. Trails and Easements. None. Other Values. Scenic values are moderate because of landscape diversity near the river and views of nearby highlands. Floating use is currently low but increasing. Local residents use the unit for trapping. Chapter 3 - 43 Management Intent Primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Prohibited. Trapping cabins Prohibited. Boat storage Prohibited. Airstrip development Prohibited. Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary Prohibited. Other uses Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U12.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U12.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses should be sited out of view from the main channels of the Nushagak River and Chichitnok River. U12.3 Renewal of Existing Trapping Cabin Permit. A trapping cabin construction permit was granted in this unit in 1986. Renewal of the existing trapping cabin permit may be allowed in accordance with AS 38.95.075. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 18 Campsite and floatplane landing area on unnamed lake ilear the headwaters of the King Salmon River. Recommendations for this Unit None. 44 - Chapter 3 Unit 13. Upper Nushagak and Chichitnok Rivers -Corridor Background Land Status. Most of the unit is owned or selected by the state. Eight Native allot- ments are located in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Nushagak River extends for 92 miles. The main channel of the Chichitnok River extends for 31 miles. Access. Accessibility is moderate for motorboats in lower portions of the rivers;. access is infeasible in upper portions. Accessibility is generally difficult for airplanes, although a few landing sites exist. The unit is far from major airports. Existing Development. Five cabins are located within the unit. Three sites inthe unit have been used as commercial camps. Fisheries. The unit provides important king salmon and chum spawning habitat and excellent fishing for freshwater fish. Subsistence fishing use is low. Sport fishing use is currently low, mostly commercial, and increasing. Commercial use is mostly based out of camps in the unit. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is seasonally low to abundant; brown bear density is high. Subsistence hunting use is moderate in the fall and low during the winter. Sport hunt- ing use is moderate for brown bear by guided nonresidents. Resident and nonresi- dent sport hunting for caribou and moose is low but increasing. Trails and Easements. None Other Values. Scenic values are high because of landscape diversity and good views of nearby highlands. Floating use on the Nushagak is currently low, but increasing. Chapter 3 45 Management Intent Primitive use ex perience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Prohibited. Trapping cabins Prohibited. Boat.storage Prohibited. Airstrip development Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary Prohibited. Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less atone site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U13.1 Airstrip Development. Airstrip development may be allowed if there is no evidence of the airstrip from the river and if there is a demonstrated sig- nificant public need. See Recommendations for this Unit (below). U13.2 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U13.3 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses should be sited out of view from the main channels of the Nushagak River and Chichitnok River. U13.4 Renewal of Existing Personal Use Cabin Permit. A personal use cabin per- mit was granted in this unit in 1986. Renewal of the existing personal use cabin permit may be allowed in accordance with 11 AAC 65.040. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site19 Campsite on the east bank of the Nushagak River, 2 miles north of the mouth- of the King Salmon River. 46 - Chapter 3 Site 20 Campsite at the mouth of the Chichitnok River. There is a pending Native allotment in this site. Recommendations for this Unit An airstrip should be developed in the upper reaches of the Nushagak River to pro- vide public access for floating. Chapter 3 47 Unit 14. Nushagak Hills Background Land Status. Most of the unit is owned or selected by the state. One Nativ e allot- ment is staked in the unit. The western portion of the unit is adjacent to Wood-Tik- chik State Park. Mining claims are located in the western portion of the unit. Access. Wheeled airplanes can land easily on many -rounded ridges, and dry tundra offers easy accessibility to all-terrain vehicles. The unit is far from major airports. Existing Development. No cabins or other development are documented in this unit. Fisheries. Fisheries values are generally low. Subsistence and sport fishing uses are low. Wildlife. Moose density is low to moderate; caribou density is seasonally low to abundant; brown bear density is high throughout the unit. Much of the unit provides essential brown bear denning habitat. Subsistence hunting use. is low, except in winter when it is moderate in some portions of the unit. Sport hunting for moose and caribou is low to moderate; brown bear use is high. Brown bear hunting is primarily by guided nonresidents and is at maximum sustainable levels. Trails and Easements. None. Other Values. Scenic values are moderate because of landscape diversity and views of highlands in the hilly northern portion of the unit. Some trapping use takes place near drainages in the winter. 48 Chapter 3 Management Intent Primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Prohibited. Trapping cabins Prohibited. Boat storage Prohibited. Airstrip development Prohibited. Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary Prohibited. Other uses Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U14.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U14.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses should be sited out of view from the main river channel. Public Use Sites None. Recommendations for this Unit None. Chapter 3 49 Unit 15. Lower Mulchatna River Corridor Background Land Status. Mostof the lower portion of the unit is owned or selected by Koliganek Na- tives Ltd. Most of the rest of the unit is owned by the state. The Mulchatna River is navigable; the state owns the shorelands. Eight Native allotments are located in the unit.. Miles of River. The main channel of the Mulchatna River extends for 41 miles. Access. The unit is easily accessible by motorboat, float and wheeled airplanes, and snowmobile. The unit is about a one-hour flight from Iliamna and Dillingham. Existing Development. Seven cabins are located in this unit. Three sites have been used for commercial camps. Fisheries. The Mulchatna River serves as a major salmon migration corridor and provides important spawning and rearing habitat for king, chum, and coho salmon. Subsistence fishing use is moderate for freshwater species and spawning salmon. Sport fishing use is moderate and generally associated with floating activity. There is locally high sport fishing effort at the mouths of the Stuyahok and Koktuli rivers be- cause they provide good fishing and access, and excellent camping and staging oppor- tunities. Anglers target primarily salmon. Commercial recreational use is high and is associated with guided floating, commercial camps in the unit, and fly-in day use. Day use may rely on motorboats stored in the unit. Wildlife. The unit provides essential winter range for moose and densities are seasonally high. Caribou migrate through the unit and densities are moderate to high. The unit is a waterfowl staging area during spring and fall migrations. The unit is primarily a travel corridor for all user groups. Subsistence hunting for caribou and moose is high during the fall and winter. Sport hunting use is low but has increased as float trips down the Mulchatna, Stuyahok, and Koktuli rivers to pickup points in this unit have become more popular. Trails and Easements. The following 17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 25 and 25a. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements.) Other Values. Scenic values in the unit are low because of constricted views and low landscape diversity. Floating use is high and originates from drop-offs on the Stayahok, Koktuli, and upper Mulchatna rivers. Floating use is chiefly unguided and is increasing. The unit is used for trapping by local residents. Four cultural sites are located in the unit, including Stuyahok, the site of the old village located at the mouth of the Stuyahok River, which is especially significant to local residents. 50 - Chapter 3 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities May be allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U15.1 Short-term Uses at the Mouth of the Stuyahok River (Public Use Site 21). Because of high public use, this public use site is designated as a "special use area" under 11 AAC 96.010. In public use sites, short-term uses can take place for 14 consecutive days or less without a permit. In this special use area, allowed short-term uses can take place for 7 consecutive days or less without a permit. Allowed uses that take place for longer than 7. consecutive days are considered long-term uses and require a permit or lease. All other public use site guidelines apply to this special use area (see Chapter 2, Public Use Sites). U15.2 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U153 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 21 'This site is a special use area. See "Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit." Campsite and floatplane landing area on the Mulchatna River at the mouth of the Stuyahok River. There is a pending Native allotment in this site. Chapter 3 - 51 Site 22 Campsite and floatplane landing area on the Mulchatna River, 1.5 miles downstream from the mouth of the Koktuli River. Site 23 Campsite and floatplane landing area on the Mulchatna River at the mouth of the Koktuli River. Recommendations for this Unit Management of Public Use Sites at the Stuyahok and Koktuli Rivers: Use of the sandbars at the mouths of the Stayahok River and Koktuli River (public use sites 21 and # 23) for camping, fishing, and waiting for floatplane pickups is steadily in- creasing. Problems with overcrowding, garbage, and waste are beginning to develop at the mouth of the Stuyahok River. In implementing the recommendations for a monitoring program for the planning area (see Monitoring, Chapter 4), these sites should be assigned a particularly high priority. Possible management actions that should be considered are 1) developing public information materials suggesting alter- native sites and recommending measures for keeping the sites clean, 2) developing privies at the sites, and 3) changing the number of days that short-term (generally allowed) uses can occur. 52 Chapter 3 Unit 16. Stuyahok River Corridor Background Land Status. Most of the land in the unit is owned by the state. Ten Native allot- ments are located in the unit. The upper portion of the corridor is within the Lake and Peninsula Borough. Miles of River. The main channel of the Stuyahok River extends for 55 miles. Access. The lower portion of the river is moderately accessible by motorboat; upper portions are increasingly difficult. Airplane accessibility is moderate; a few landing sites provide drop-offs for floating. Upper portions of the unit are near Ilianma. The unit is serviced from Anchorage, Iliamna, and Dillingham. Eidsting Development. No cabins or other development are documented in the unit. Fisheries. The Stuyahok River is a clear water stream which provides important spawning habitat for king, sockeye, and coho salmon. Resident species include rain- bow trout, arctic grayling, and Dolly Varden. Subsistence fishing use is low. Sport fishing use is moderate.and generally associated with floating. Wildlife. Moose density is low to moderate; caribou density is high. Upper portions of the unit provide essential caribou calving habitat. Subsistence hunting for moose and caribou is high during the fall in the lower portion of the river; subsistence hunting for caribou is high throughout the unit during the winter. Sport hunting use is high and increasing as floating becomes increasingly popular. Guided/outfitted use takes place mainly in the upper portion of the unit. Irails and Easements. None. Other Values. Floating use is high and chiefly unguided. The corridor has high scenic value because of views of nearby uplands and high landscape diversity ranging from upland tundra to bottomland forest. Chapter 3 53 Management Intent Primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Prohibited. Trapping cabins Prohibited. Boat storage Prohibited. Airstrip development Prohibited. Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary Prohibited. Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U16.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U16.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses should be sited out of view from the main river channel. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 24 Wheeled plane landing area on the Stuyahok River, 20 miles southeast of old Stuyahok. Site 25 Floatplane and wheeled plane landing area near the Stuyahok River on an unnamed lake, 21 miles southeast of old Stuyahok. Site 26 Campsite and floatplane landing area on an unnamed lake drained by the Stuyahok River, 23 miles southeast of old Stuyahok. Recommendations for this Unit None. 54 - Chapter 3 Unit 17. Koktuli River Corridor Background Land Status. Most of the land in the unit is owned or selected by the state. Sixteen Native allotments are located in the unit. The upper portion of the corridor is within the Lake and Peninsula Borough. Miles of River. The main channel of the Koktuli River extends. for 46 miles. Access. Downstream of the Swan River, the Koktuli River is easily accessible by motorboat; upper portions are increasingly difficult. Airplane accessibility is moderate in the upper portion; a few landing sites provide drop-offs for floating. Upper portions of the unit are near Iliamna. Eidsting Development. Two cabins and one site which has been used as a commercial sport fishing and outfitting camp for hunting are located in the unit. Fisheries. The rivers provide important spawning habitat for king, sockeye, and chum salmon. Rainbow trout fishing is good in the lower portion of the unit. @ubsistence fishing use is low. Sp ort fishing use is moderate. Commercial sport use is concentrated on the lower portion of the unit and is based out of a nearby camp or is fly-in day use relying on motorboats stored near the'unit. Sport fishing use in the remaining portion of the unit is associated with floating. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is high; brown bear density is high near Jack Rabbit Hills. Upper portions of the unit provide essential caribou calving habitat. Subsistence hunting use is high. Subsistence hunters concentrate their effort in the lower portion of the unit for moose and caribou in the fall and hunt throughout the unit for caribou in the winter. Use by guided or outfitted sport hunters is moderate to high during the fall and has been increasing in recent years. Trails and Easements. None. Other Values. Floating use is high and chiefly unguided. The corridor. has high scenic value because of views of nearby uplands and high landscape dive.rsity grading from upland tundra to bottomland forest. One cultural site is located in the unit. Chapter 3 55 Management Intent Primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Prohibited. Trapping cabins Prohibited. Boat storage Prohibited. Airstrip development Prohibited. Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary Prohibited. Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U17.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment see chapter 2 guideline. U17.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses should be sited out of view from the main river channel. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 27 Campsite on the Koktuli River at.the mouth of the Swan.River. There is a pending Native allotment in this site. Site 28 Wheeled plane landing 3rea on the Koktuli River, 1 mile downstream from the con- fluence of the north and south forks. There is a pending Native allotment in this site. Site 29 Campsite on the Koktuli River at the confluence of the north and south forks. There is a pending Native allotment in this site. 56 - Chapter 3 Site 30 Floatplane landing area on unnamed lake, 1 mile south of the upper Koktuli River and campsite on the Koktuli River, connected by a trail. Site 31 Floatplane landing area on unnamed lake on the south side of the upper Kok- tuli River, 2.5 miles northwest of Sharp Mountain. Recommendations for this Unit None. Chapter 3 57 Unit 18. Middle Mulchatna River Corridor, Keefer Creek to Koktuli River Background Land Status. Most of the unit is owned or selected by the state. Seventeen Na- tive allotments are located in the unit. Miles of River. The main channel of the Mulchatna, River extends for 22 miles. Access. The corridor is mod erately accessible by motorboat and airplane. The unit is about a one-hour flight from Iliamna. Existing Development. No cabins are documented in the unit. Two sites have been used as commercial camps near the Koktuli River; on one site the state intends to issue a lease for a commercial sport fishing facility. Fisheries. The Mulchatna River provides ortant spawning and rearing habitat for king, chum, and coho salmon. Fishing opportunities for freshwater species are good. Subsistence fishing use is low. Sport fishinguse is low and is associated with floating and a commercial camp in the unit. Wildlife. This portion of the Mulchatna River is braided and provides good winter range. Moose density is moderate to high. Caribou density is generally high in the fall and moderate to high in winter depending on snow depths. Subsistence hunting use is high; the unit is a traditional fan hunting area for local resi- dents. Sport hunting use is moderate and increasing. Trails and Easements. None. Other Values. Floating use is high and both guided and unguided. Scenic values are low because of low landscape diversity and constricted views. One cultural site is located in the unit 58 - Chapter 3 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities May be allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U18.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U18.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites None. Recommendations for this Unit None. Chapter 3 59 Unit 19. Lower Mulchatna Uplands Background Land Status. Most of the unit is owned or selected by the state. Smaller-amounts of land are owned or selected by Koliganek Natives Ltd. and Stuyahok Ltd. Twenty-six Native allotments are located in the unit. The eastern portion of the unit is within the Lake and Peninsula Borough. Mining claims are located in the northern portion of the unit. Access. The unit is easily accessed by floatplane at many lakes and on the lower Swan River, except in the hilly northern portion of the unit where relatively few airplane landing sites exist. The southern portion of the unit is easily accessed by snowmobile from Nushagak River communities. Most of the unit is about a one-hour flight from Iliamna. Existing Development. Two cabins are located in this unit. Three sites have been used as guided/outfitted hunting camps. Fisheries. Fisheries values are generally low. Subsistence and sport fishing uses are low. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is high; brown bear density is high in the Jack Rabbit Hills and moderate elsewhere. Portions of the unit provide essential caribou calving habitat. Subsistence hunting for caribou is high in the winter. Sport hunting use in the fall is high for caribou and moderate to high for moose, primarily by nonresident and non- local Alaskans. Guided brown bear hunting use is moderate in the Jack Rabbit Hills vicinity. Trails and Easements. The following 17(b) easements are located in this unit: EIN 25a and 35a. (Refer to the maps in the envelope in the back of this document for descriptions of these easements.) Other Values. T'he northern and eastern portions of the unit are hilly and have moderate scenic value. Low relief and tundra in much of the western portion of the unit provide low scenic value. 60 - Chapter 3 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer th an 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities May be allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins May be allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U19.1 Caribou Calving Habitat. This unit contains caribou calving habitat (see fol- lowing map). Temporary facilities, trapping cabins, boat storage, airstrip development, temporary docks, and other long-term uses may be allowed in caribou calving habitat if, based on consultation with ADF&G, uses can be sited and operated in a manner that is not likely to cause significant impact to caribou calving. U19.2 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U19.3 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites None. Recommendations for this Unit None. Chapter 3 - 61 8, 6% Ile, IN. U nit 19---, Ik" Unit 17 --@6 UntI9 /01 Z A'I Mi 1 CO) cfj Uni t 4Zj. Caribou Calving Habitat in Unit 19 it 19 itV Caribou Calving Habitat p p C2- A I Unit 20. Middle Mulchatna River Corridor, Chilikadrotna River to Keefer Creek Background Land Status. Most of the land is owned by the state. One Native allotment is lo- cated in the unit. Most of the unit is located within the Lake and Peninsula Borough. Miles of River. The main channel of the Mulchatna River extends for 31 miles. Access. The corridor is easily accessible by float and wheeled airplane and is moderately accessible by motorboat. Floaters are commonly dropped off at the head- waters of the Mulchatna and take out in this unit. The unit is about a one-hour flight from Iliamna, but much of the use is based directly out of Anchorage and the Kenai vicinity. Existing Development. Four cabins are located in the unit. Four sites have been used as commercial recreation camps. Fisheries. The Mulchatna River serves as a migrational corridor for salmon and provides important salmon spawning and rearing habitat. Subsistence fishing use is low. Sport fishing use is low and usually associated with hunting and floating. Wildlife. This portion of the Mulchatna River is braided and provides good moose habitat which supports seasonally high densities of moose. Caribou density is high during the fall. Subsistence hunting use is low. Sport hunting use is high and is generally associated with nonresidents and non-local Alaskans on float trips during the fall. Many hunters are guided or outfitted. Trails and Easements. None. Other Values. Scenic values are high because of the contrast of high ridges on either side of the valley with river views. Floating use, both guided and unguided, is high. The river does not include whitewater, but provides a leisurely, interesting float. Chapter 3 63 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins May be allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U20.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U20.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 32 Campsite on the north bank of the Mulchatna River, 2 miles southeast of Red Bluff. Site 33 Campsite and floatplane and wheeled plane landing area on the upper Mul- chatna River, 5 miles downstream from Springway Creek. Site 34 Campsite and floatplane landing area on the Mulchatna River below the mouth of the Chilchitna River. Site 35 Campsite on the upper Mulchatna River at the mouth of the Chilikadrotna River. Recommendations for this Unit None. 64 -, Chapter 3 Unit 21. Chilchitna River and Tutna Lake Corridor Background Land Status. Most of the land is owned by the state. One Native allotment is on Tutna Lake. The unit is located within the Lake- and Peninsula Borough. Miles of River. The main channel of Nikadavna Creek extends for 12 miles. The main river channel of the Chilchitna, River extends for 2 river miles. Access. The northern portion of Tutna Lake provides easy floatplane accessibility. The lake is near Iliamna, but much of the use is based directly out of Anchorage and the Kenai vicinity. Existing Development. No cabins or other development are documented in the unit. Fisheries. Tutna Lake and streams in the unit provide spawning and rearing habitat for king, coho, sockeye, and chum salmon. Subsistence fishing use is low. Sport fishing use is low and usually associated with hunting and floating. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is high. Subsistence hunting use is low. Sport hunting use is high. TIlis is a popular place for Anchorage air taxis and outfitters to bring nonresident clients for float hunts for moose and caribou from Tutna Lake to a pickup spot on the Mulchatna. Between 20 and 40 camps are located in the vicinity of Tutna Lake during the fall hunting season. Trails and Easements. None. Other Values. Scenic value is high because of high landscape diversity and good views of surrounding uplands from the lake. Floating use is low. Chapter 3 65 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities May be allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins May be allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited temporary Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Spe6ffic to this Unit U21.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U21.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 36 Campsite and floatplane landing area on the north side of Tutna Lake. Recommendations for this Unit None. 66 - Chapter 3 Unit 22. Upper Mulchatna River Corridor Background Land Status. The unit is owned by the state. The headwaters of the Mulchatna River are located in adjacent Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. The unit is lo- cated within the Lake and Peninsula Borough. Miles of River. 'Me main channel of the Mulchatna River extends for 52 miles. Access. Accessibility is difficult for motorboats and airplanes along the river. The ain access points for floating drop-offs are Half Cabin Lake and Loon Lake (both located outside the unit). Turquoise Lake (in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve) is also a potential floating access point, but low water periods may make floating infeasible. The unit is about a one-hour flight from Iliamna, but much use is based directly out of Anchorage and the Kenai vicinity. Existing Development. No development is documented in the unit. Fisheries. The Mulchatna River serves as a migrational corridor for salmon and provides important spawning and rearing habitat for king, coho, and chum salmon. Subsistence -fishing use is low. Sport fishing use is low and is usually associated with hunting and floating. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is high. Subsistence hunting useis very low. Sport hunting use is very high during September and is mostly associated with float trips. Guided and outfitted hunting use is high for moose, caribou, and brown bear. Trails and Easements. None. Other Values. Scenic values are high because of high landscape diversity and good views of nearby uplands. Floating use is high and is both guided and unguided. The river includes no whitewater, except for a 1-2 mile section of Class I and a Class III ledge 30 miles upstream from the Chilikadrotna. Chapter 3 67 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins May be allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage May be allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses . May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U22.1 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U22.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 37 Campsite on the Mulchatna River, 3 miles upstream of the mouth of Big Bonanza Creek. Site 38 Campsite on the Mulchatna River, 5 miles upstream of the mouth of Bonanza Creek. Recommendations for this Unit None. 68 - Chapter 3 Unit 23. Chilikadrotna River Corridor Background Land Status. The unit is owned by the state. The headwaters of the Chilikadrotna River are located in Lake Clark National-Park and Preserve. The unit is located within the Lake and Peninsula Borough. Miles of River. The main channel of the Chilikadrotna River extends for 45 miles. Access. Accessibility is difficult for motorboats and airplanes. The main access points for floating drop-offs are Snipe Lake and Twin Lakes (in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve). The unit is about a one-hour flight from Iliamna, but much use is based directly out of Anchorage and the Kenai vicinity. Eidsting Development. No cabins or other development are documented in the unit. Fisheries. The Chilikadrotna, River is a clear water stream and provides important spawning and rearing habitat for king, coho, and chum salmon. The river offers only fair angling potential. Subsistence fishing use is low. Sport fishing use is moderate and associated with high floating and hunting use. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is high. Upper portions of the unit support essential caribou calving habitat. Subsistence hunting use is nearly non-existent. Sport hunting use is moderate for moose and caribou and is associated with float trips from Twin Lakes (in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve) to pickup spots on the Mulchatna River. Trails and Easements. The Native Trail is a possible RS-2477 right-of-way crossing into. the Koksetna drainage from the Little Mulchatna River. Other Values. Scenic values are high because of high landscape diversity, good scenic views of the Bonanza Hills, and stretches of whitewater. The Chilikadrotna River is one of the highest quality float rivers in the Bristol Bay region. The U.S. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation recommended its inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System as a "wild river area" in 1976. Floating use, both guided and unguided, is high. Upstream of the Little Mulchatna, rapids are common. The river provides Class II whitewater.. Some opportunities for hiking through nearby alpine tundra exist near the Bonanza Hills. Chapter 3 69 Management intent Primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Prohibited. Trapping cabins Prohibited. Boat storage Prohibited.. Airstrip development Prohibited. Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary Prohibited. Other uses Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-t@rm. Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U23.1 Long-term Uses Associated with I@Iineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U23.2 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses should be sited out of view from the main river channel. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 42 Campsite and floatplane landing area on the Chilikadrotna River at the mouth of an unnamed creek. Site 43 Campsite and floatplane landing area on the Chilikadrotna River at the mouth of Ptarmigan Creek. Site 44 Campsite on the Chilikadrotna River at the mouth of Little Mulchatna River. Site 45 Campsite on the Chilikadrotna River at the mouth of the creek which drains Snipe Lake. 70 - Chapter 3 Recommendations for this Unit Protection of Resident Fish Stocks: ADF&G should complete further studies of the resident fish resources of the Chilikadrotna River. Although angling opportunities are only fair, the unit receives high floating and hunting use, and fishing use is greater than in other rivers in the upper Mulchatna drainage. Chapter 3 71 Unit 24. Half Cabin Lakes Area Background Land Status. This unit is owned by the state and is located within the Lake and Peninsula Borough. The Bristol Bay Area Plan allows 500 acres to be offered for remote settlement in the unit. Mfles of River. The main channel of the Mulchatna River extends for 8 miles. Access. Lakes provide excellent sites for floatplane landing and for floating access to the upper Mulchatna River. The unit is about a one-hour flight from Iliamna, but much use is based directly out of Anchorage and the Kenai vicinity. Existing Development. Four cabins are located in the unit, and there may be more cabins built when the state sells land in the unit. At least one other site has been used as a guide d/outfitted hunting camp. Fisheries. Fisheries values are generally low. Subsistence and sport fishing uses are low. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is high. Subsistence hunting use is very low. Sport hunting use is very high, particularly for caribou during the fall; moose hunting use is high; brown bear hunting use is moderate. Hunting use is often associated with float trips originating in the unit. Many hunters are guided or outfitted. Trails and Easements. None Other Values. The unit has moderate scenic value because of moderate diversity of landscape and views of the Bonanza Hills and other highlands. 72 - Chapter 3 Management Intent Semi-developed use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities May be allowed (case-by-case). Temporary facilities May be allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins May be allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent May be allowed (case-by-case). .temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit None. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 39 Campsite and floatplane landing area at the outlet of Half Cabin Lake. Site 40 Campsite and floatplane landing area at the outlet of an unnamed lake west of Loon Lake (local name). . Site 41 Campsite and floatplane landing area at the outlet of Loon Lake (local name). Recommendations for this Unit None. Chapter 3 73 ,Unit 25. Upper Mulchatna Upland Background Land Status. This -unit is owned by the state. The unit is located within the Lake and Peninsula Borough. The eastern portion of the unit is adjacent to Lake Clark Nation- al Park and Preserve. A large block of mining claims is located in the Bonanza Hills. Access. Lakes in the Chilchitna. drainage provide sites for floatplane landing. Developed airstrips are located in the upper Chilchitna drainage and Bonanza Hills. The unit is about a one-hour Right from Eiamna, but much use is based directly out of Anchorage and the Kenai vicinity. Eidsting Development. Four cabins are located in the unit. Six sites have been used as guided/outfitted hunting camps. Fisheries. Fisheries values are generally low. Subsistence and sport fishing uses are low. Wildlife. Moose density is moderate; caribou density is high; brown bear density is high. Subsistence hunting use is nearly non- existent. Sport hunting use is very high, par- ticularly for caribou during the fall; moose hunting use is moderate to high; brown bear hunting use is moderate. Many hunters are guided or outfitted. Trails and Easements. T'he Native Trail is a possible RS-2477 right-of-way crossing into the Koksetna drainage from the Little Mulchatna River. Other Values. The unit has very high scenic value because of the great diversity of landscape and views of highlands. 74 Chapter 3 Management Intent Semi-primitive use experience. Management Guidelines Long-term Use (longer than 14 consecutive days at one site) Permanent facilities Prohibited. Temporary facilities Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Trapping cabins May be allowed (case-by-case). Boat storage Maybe allowed (case-by-case). Airstrip development May be allowed (case-by-case). Docks: permanent Prohibited. temporary May be allowed (case-by-case). Other uses May be allowed (case-by-case). Short-term Use (14 consecutive days or less at one site) See Short-term Uses (generally allowed uses) in Chapter 2. Other Guidelines Specific to this Unit U25.1 Caribou Calving Habitat. This unit contains caribou calving habitat (see fol- lowing map). Temporary facilities, trapping cabins, boat storage, airstrip development, temporary docks, and other long-term uses may be allowed in caribou calving habitat if, based on consultation with ADF&G, uses can be sited and operated in a manner that is not likely to cause significant impact to caribou calving. U25.2 Long-term Uses Associated with Mineral/Oil and Gas Activity. For long- term uses associated with mineral and oil and gas exploration and develop- ment, see Chapter 2 guideline. U25.3 Siting Criteria. Long-term uses will be sited to minimize evidence of human use. Public Use Sites See Public Use Sites in Chapter 2 for management guidelines. Specific locations of sites are shown on maps in Appendix C. Site 46 Floatplane landing area on unnamed lake drained by the Chilchitna River. Site 47 Floatplane landing area on unnamed lake in the Ptarmigan Creek drainage. Chapter 3 - 75 Site 48 Campsite and floatplane landing area on an unnamed lake drained by Big Bonanza Creek. Site 49 Campsite and floatplane landing area on an unnamed lake on the northern margin of the Bonanza Hills. Recommendations for this Unit None. 76 Chapter 3 CD co qF N N ";T oils, 4p Unit 25, ON, nit 25 7.4 I AS BON1341 s 7-:j droma Ri 'r, Unit Unit 23 25 1:. -.4Unlt25 Uni ..r -20 Rix", I@Ff J'Ar,r .7 AN Is" CD All Uni Caribou Calving Habitat 21i in Unit 25 19 Unit VM4416@A Rina Caribou Calving Habitat A it '-; 4 Lake, 'Al -it-- T2N I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 78 - Chapter 3 I CHAPTER 4. IMPLEMENTATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS CHAPTER 4. IMPLEIVIENTATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS This chapter includes information and recommendations necessary to implement plan goals, intent, and guidelines throughout the planning area. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES This plan serves as a management plan for the Department of Natural Resources Division of Land and Water Management (DLWM) and supplements the Bristol Bay Area Plan. DLWM will implement the plan based on authorities as described in Title 38 of the Alaska Statutes and associated regulations. Applications for uses of state land will be considered by the Regional Manager, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land and Water Management, Southcentral Region, P.O. Box 107005, Anchorage, Alaska 99510-7005. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION BY THE ALASKA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM This plan serves as an Area which Merits Special Attention (AMSA) plan and supple- ments the Bristol Bay Coastal Management Plan (BBCMP). The AMSA plan and the BBCMP will be implemented by the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP) through the coastal consistency review process described under Title 46 of the Alaska Statutes and associated regulations. The provisions of these plans will be implemented under the authorities of the ACMP and Alaska departments of Natural Resources, Fish and Game, and Environmental Conservation. Policies of the AMSA plan and the BBCMP will guide coastal consistency determina- tions by state agencies and coastal consistency recommendations by the Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area (BBCRSA). Coastal consistency recommendations will be made in the manner described in the BBCMP by the Director, Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area, PO. Box 849, Dillingham, Alaska 99576.- The policies of these plans apply to regulated land and water uses and activities on state and private lands which directly affect the portion of the overall planning area that is within the coastal area. Although federal lands are excluded from the coastal area, ac- tivities on federal lands and lands held in trust by the federal government are subject to consistency with this plan and the BBCMP pursuant to Section 307 of the (federal) Coas- tal Zone Management Act. Subject uses also include "uses of state or national concern" which are defiried in AS 46.40.210 and in CPC Resolution Number 13. Chapter 4 79 Within the planning area, the coastal area includes the following land and waters: 1. All land and water below 200 feet in elevation above mean sea level. 2. A one-mile corridor from ordinary high water on each bank of all waters used for spawning, rearing, and migration by anadromous fish. 3. A 200-foot corridor from ordinary high water on each bank of all tributaries of anadromous waterbodies, from their headwaters to their con- fluence with the anadromous wawrbody. The state maintains a list of permits and other activities requiring agency approvals that are subject to a coastal consistency determination with the ACMP in accordance with 6 AAC 50. Activities on this list which are classified as "categorical approvals" and "general concurrences" have been determined to be consistent with the ACMP without further review. "Individual project review" activities must be individually reviewed by the state and BBCRSA to determine consistency with the ACMR Ac- tivities associated with the use and development of private lands, in most cases, do not require permits subject to individual consistency review. Tbus this plan primarily addresses management of public land. Uses that are consistent with the policies of this plan will be considered proper uses during coastal consistency review according to 6 AAC 80.160(7)(A). Uses that are not consistent with the policies of the plan will be considered improper uses. The new Lake and Peninsula Borough is expected to assume planning powers before Spring, 1990. After it assumes planning powers, the new borough will be responsible for coastal management and implementation of the AMSA plan and the BBCMP within its boundaries in accordance with AS 46.40.090. PUBLIC TRUST DOCTRINE Under the Alaska Constitution the state has special duties and management con- straints with respect to state-owned land underlying navigable waters. The Alaska Constitution contains principles commonly known as the public trust doctrine. That doctrine requires the state to exercise authority to ensure that the right of the public to use navigable waters for navigation, commerce, recreation, and related purposes is not substantially impaired. The Alaska Constitution (Article VIII, sections 1, 2, 3, 6, 13, and 14) and Alaska Statutes (38.05.127 and 38.05.128) Are the legal basis for applying the public trust doctrine in Alaska. This doctrine guarantees the public right to engage in such things as commerce, navigation, fishing, hunting, swimming, and protection of areas for ecological study. The Constitution provides that "free ac cess to the navigable or public waters of the state, as defined by the legislature, shall not be denied any citizen of the United States or resident of the state, except that the legislature may by general law regulate and limit such access for other beneficial uses or public purposes." Eliminating 80 - Chapter 4 private upland owners' reasonable access to navigable waters may result in compensa- tion. Because 99 percent of Alaska was in public ownership at statehood, both federal and state laws providing for the transfer of land to private parties also provide for public access to navigable waters. Implementing the state constitutional guarantee of access to navigable waters under Article VUL Section 14, AS 38.05.127 requires that the state commissioner of natural resources must "provide for the specific easements or rights-of-way necessary to ensure free access to and along the body of water, unless the commissioner finds that regulating or eliminating access is necessary for other beneficial uses or public purposes." . It has never been held that any lands normally subject to the public trust doctrine in Alaska are exempt from it, including land occupied and developed. These statutes and concepts are considered and used throughout this plan. Any management actions will be consistent with the public trust doctrine as defined by the Alaska Constitution, statutes, court decisions, and public involvement. PROCEDURES FOR PLAN REVIEW, MODIFICATION, AND AMENDMENT Categories of management intent, policies, implementation actions, and management guidelines of this plan may be changed if conditions warrant. The plan will be up- @ated periodically as new data and new technologies become available and as chang- ing social or economic conditions place different demands on state lands. Periodic Review: The planning team should be consulted annually to determine problems and con- cerns with the plan or its implementation. The plan will be reviewed approximately once every five years to determine if revisions are necessary. An interagency plan- ning team including Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). and Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area (BBCRSA) will coordinate this review. A meeting of the Nushagak and Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan Advisory Board also may be held annually to review the plan. Changes to the Plan: This plan is both a DNR management plan prepared under the authorities of Title 38, and an AMSA plan prepared under Title 46. Criteria and procedures for changes must be consistent with the authorities of DNR and of ACMP Under DNR authorities, there are three types of changes to a plan: amendments, special exceptions, and minor changes. Amendments and special exceptions are plan revisions subject to the planning process requirements of AS 38.04.065; minor changes are not. DNR determines what constitutes an amendment, special exception, or a minor change. Under the authority of ACMP, there are two types of changes: significant amendments, and routine program implementations (RPI). DGC in consultation with state agencies determines what constitutes a significant amendment or a RPI. The procedures out- lined below incorporate both the DNR and ACMP requirements. Chapter 4 - 81 Most of the time, an amendment under DNR statutes will be a significant amendment under ACMP statutes, and the reverse is also true. Most of the time, a special exception or minor change under DNR statutes will be a RPI under ACMP regulations. Changes to the plan may be proposed by agencies, municipalities, or members of the public. Requests for changes should be submitted to the Southcentral Regional Of- fice of the Division of Land and Water Management, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, or to the Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area. General Procedures: Once an application for a change to the plan is made, DNR will determine if the proposed change is a plan amendment, special exception, or minor change under DNR statutes; DGC will determine if the proposed change is a sig- nificant amendment or RPI. DNR will distribute the proposed change and the agencies' determinations to the NMRRP planning team agencies according to the procedures in this plan. Plan amendments, special exceptions, and minor changes must be approved by DNR. RP1s may be approved by DGC on behalf of the Coastal Policy Council pursuant to 6 AAC 85.120; significant amendments must be approved by the Coastal Policy Council. Both RPIs and significant amendments must also be approved by the federal Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. To accomplish these decisions, the planning team will first make its recommen ation. If practical, public review under DNR and ACMP requirements should occur simultaneously. Where this occurs, the time periods allowed for public notice required by DNR and ACMP authorities will run concurrently; thus, the notice period will equal the longest re- quired time period. If necessary, public meetings or hearings may be held to discuss the proposed change; however, under 6 AAC 80.150 a public hearing is required for a significant amendment under ACMR Final decision by DNR should occur simultaneously with a decision by the Coastal Policy Council. A change that is a significant amendment or RPI (ACMP) will not be effective until it receives federal approval and the state files the change with the Lieutenant Governor. State agencies or other interested parties may petition the Coastal Policy Council directly under 6 AAC 85.185 for changes under ACMP jurisdiction. Such a petition will follow the procedures outlined in 6 AAC 85.185. However, before petitioning the council, a petitioner must follow the procedures outlined in this plan. Currently, 11 AAC 55.030(f) provides modification procedures for DNR manage- ment plans such as the Nushagak and Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan. These regulations are likely to be revised within the next year. It is expected that the present regulations will be expanded to include procedures similar to those described below. When new regulations are adopted, they will supersede the pages that follow and will direct plan modification procedures. In the interim, the current regulations and procedures below will guide plan modification. Because this is a joint plan, any plan modifications must also be consistent with the requirements of the Alaska Coastal Management Program. Should any regulations supercede these plan modification procedures, they will be processed as an RPI under ACMR 82 - Chapter 4 1. Plan Amendments (DNR) and Significant Amendments (ACMP) Plan Amendments (DNR). Under DNR regulations, a plan amendment permanently changes the land use plan by adding to or modifying the basic intent of the plan. Changes to the management intent for a unit, changing the allowed or prohibited uses, policies, or guidelines, reclassification, and changing some implementation ac- tions constitute amendments. The following actions are examples of changes that would require an amendment: - a proposal to prohibit a use that is now a designated use; or, conversely, to allow a prohibited use; or - a proposal to dose an area to mineral entry. An amendment is a revision to a land use plan and according to AS 38.04.065, revisions must be adopted by the commissioner of DNR. Significant Amendments (ACMP). Under 6 AAC 85.900(11), a "'significant amFndment' means an amendment to an approved district program which (A) results in a major revision, addition or deletion to the policies, implementation methods or authorities in the plan under 6 AAC 85.090 and 6 AAC 85.100; (B) alters the district boundaries, other than technical adjustments; (C) designates an area which merits special attention or alters an existing area which merits special attention designation; or (D) restricts or excludes a use of state concern not previously restricted or excluded." Significant amendments require the approval of the Coastal Policy Council and the federal Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. Proceduresfor Amendments. The Department of Natural Resources will convene the planning team as needed to make recommendations on plan amendments. A. The commissioner and BBCRSA will prepare a written document that specifies: - the reasons for the amendment, such as changed social or economic conditions; - the alternative course of action (what the plan is being changed to); and - why the plan amendment is in the best public interest. B. Where practical, the document should be part of or circulated with a finding re- quired by AS 38.05.035(e) or the applicable ACMP determination. C. Before making the final decision on the amendment, DNR will provide for mean- ingful participation in the planning process and public notice consistent with AS 38.04.065(b)(8) and 38.05.945. The notice may be combined with notice given by DGC required under ACMP statutes. These notifications will include the points described in k Chapter 4 - 83 2. Special Exceptions Special Exceptions (DNR). Under DNR regulations, a special exception does not permanently change the provisions of the plan. Instead, it allows a one-time limited- purpose variance of the plan's provisions, without changing the plan's general management intent or guidelines. Special exceptions may be made if complying with the plan is excessively burdensome, impractical, or inequitable to a third party; and if the purposes and spirit of the plan can be achieved despite the exception. Special exceptions may also occur when the proposed activity requires only a small part of a management unit, does not change or modify the general management in- tent, and serves to clarify or facilitate the implementation of the plan. Special excep- tions may apply to prohibited uses or guidelines. The following actions are examples of changes that would be special exceptions: - allowing a prohibited use based on more detailed data in a small area on the edge of a management unit next to a unit where it is allowed; or - a preference right granted under AS 38.05.035(e) where the director deter- mines such an action is necessary to correct an injustice and will not sig- nificantly affect the intent of the plan. A special exception is a revision to a land use plan and according to AS 38.04.065; revisions must be adopted by the commissioner of DNR. ACMR ACMP regulations have only two categories: significant amendments and RPIs. If a special exception is also an ACMP significant amendment, the decision process will follow the procedures of both special exceptions and amendments (the two processes are very similar.) If a special exception is an RPL it win follow the pro- cedures explained under this section. Special Exceptions to Guidelines Modified by "Will." Special exceptions to guidelines modified by the phrase,,wiir may be allowed for individual actions. The decision not to follow a pertinent guideline modified by the term "will" will be consistent with the procedures for special exceptions. Proceduresfor Special Exceptions. The Department of Natural Resources will convene the planning team as needed to make recommendations on special exceptions. A. The commissione-r and BBCRSA will prepare a written document that specifies: - the reasons for the special exception (i.e., why a variance of the plan's provisions is needed); - the alternative action or course of action to be followed; - wh y the special exception is in the best public interest; and 84 Chapter 4 how the general intent of the plan and management unit will be met by the alternative course of action. B. Where practical, the document should be part of or circulated wit@ a finding re- quired by AS 38.05.035(e). C. Before maldng the final decision on the special exception, DNR will provide for meaningful participation in the planning process and public notice consistent with AS 38.04.065(b)(8) and 38.05.945. The notice may be combined with notice given by DGC required under ACMP statutes. These notifications will include the points described in A. I Minor Changes (DNR) and Routine Program Improvements (ACMEJ Minor changes and routine program improvements (RPIs) may be needed for clarification, to make techmcal corrections, or to facilitate implementation of the plan. Neither minor changes nor routine program improvements modify or change the basic intent of the plan or a management unit. The decision to make minor chan- ges or RPIs will be made through normal inter-agency processes. For DNR, minor changes are made at the discretion of the regional manager and do not require public review. The regional manager's decision may be appealed to the director. The director's decision may be appealed to the commissioner. Decisions to process a change as an RPI are made by DGC. For both decisions, plan- ning team and other affected agencies will be notified and have an opportunity to comment; the comment period may be provided through existing inter-agency review processes for associated actions. Chapter 4 8S RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations (in alphabetical order) are contingent on new or amended statutes and regulations, annual appropriations by the Alaska legislature, and available staff. Agencies should assign particularly high priority to implementing all of the following four recommendations: Coordinated Management, Enforcement, Information and Education, and Monitoring. Other recommendations specific to each management unit are included in Chapter 3. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS DNR should pursue cooperative agreements with the Bureau of Land Management, the Lake and Peninsula Borough, other land managers, and private land managers that address mutually agreed-upon levels of development, coordinated data collec- tion and monitoring, trespass problems, and other management issues related to the planning area. Cooperative agreements for management of the lower and middle Nushagak River are especially important because of multiple ownership and relatively high levels of use. DNR should pursue cooperative agreements with the Bristol Bay Native Cor- poration, Choggiung Ltd., Ekwok Natives Ltd., Koliganek Natives Ltd., and Stuyahok Ltd. for management of this area. Bristol Bay Coastal resource Service Area (BCRSA) should assist in coordinating this process. Choggiung Ltd. actively monitors the use of its lands on the lower Nushagak River (Management Unit 1). DNR, ADF&G, and BBCRSA should work with Choggiung Ltd. to identify information for Choggiung Ltd. to collect about levels and impacts of use. COORDINATED MANAGEMENT ADF&G, the Board of Fisheries, the Board of Game, BBCRSA, other appropriate agencies, and DNR should work closely to further develop a coordinated manage- ment framework for the Nushagak and Mulchatna area. The Board of Fisheries, the Board of Game, and ADF&G should provide DNR with direction for land manage- ment consistent with their established goals. Board goals should address topics such as allocation of fish and wildlife among user groups and how these goals affect land management. ADF&G, the Board of Fisheries, the Board of Game, DNR, and the Division of Governmental Coordination should work closely together to analyze and clarify the legal authorities of each agency with respect to the allocation of resources which either directly or indirectly affect the use and availability of fish and wildlife resources. 86 Chapter 4 DENYING PERMITS AND LEASES The planning team recommends that applicants with a past record of serious fish and game violations (such as same-day airborne hunting, wanton waste of fish or game, or overharvesting) be denied permits and leases to use state lands for permanent or tem- porary facilities associated with commercial sport hunting or sportfishin g. ENFORCEMENT DNR!s current ability to enforce regulations in the area cuff ently requires costly and time-consuming civil litigation. DNR should continue to budget money for field presence and draft legislation to amend AS 38.05 to provide authority to issue cita- tions and fines, and to confiscate property. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION DNR, ADF&G, and BBCRSA should develop an information brochure that high- lights land status, 17(b) easements, and trespass problems in the planning area. DNR, ADF&G, and BBCRSA should coordinate the development of information and education efforts with adjacent landowners. DNR will publish an easement atlas for the Bristol Bay area that includes land in the Nushagak and Mulchatna drainages. Ile atlas identifies Native, state, and federal land, navigable waters, 17(b) easements, and Native allotments. MONITORING DNR, ADF&G, and BBCRSA should place a high priority on developing a program to collect information on environmental impacts, overall use, and impacts of use in the planning area. Three general types of impacts that should be monitored include effects on,the quality of experience, impacts on fisheries resources, and impacts on wildlife resources. Field surveys are the preferred method of data collection. Other options for collecting information include a) require operators who receive leases or permits to submit an annual report detailing their previous year activities; b) develop a system that requires all commercial operators to register when using state land for any period of time. Monftoring Impacts on the Experiences of Users Impacts on the experiences of users, such as a feeling of overcrowding, are currently not observed and analyzed in a systematic way. However, such intangible values may be an important part of the overall experience for many. To manage resources effec- tively, managers need better information on the patterns and impacts of uses in the planning area. A monitoring program should be developed to regularly assess the amount of use in different parts of the planning area, gauge users' preferences using accepted research techniques, analyze the relationship between use levels and impact levels, further define user experience, and establish management objectives for levels Chapter 4 - 87 of encounters and other measures of impacts. Information from the monitoring pro- gram should be used to periodically reevaluate and refine plan policies, including guidelines on amounts of development and management of floating facilities. Monitoring Impacts of Use on Resident Fish Resources During the last decade, fishing use has increased in the area. Information on salmon stocks is relatively abundant, but little information is available on the impact of in- creased angling effort on resident fish stocks. The Board of Fisheries is responsible for conservation and development of fisheries resources. ADF&G provides information to the board to make man ement decisions. ADF&G should establish a freshwater fisheries monitoring program. One com- ponent of the program should be biological sampling of resident species. Informa- tion on size and age composition, seasonal distribution, and migration patterns should be gathered. River systems where biological sampling of resident species is particularly important include the Chilikadrotna, Stuyahok, Koktuli, and King Sal- mon. Sampling of rainbow trout is particularly important on the main stems of the Nushagak and Mulchatna rivers. A second component of the program should include creel surveys conducted periodically to estimate fishing effort and catch. Creel sur- veys would be particularly useful at the mouths of the Stuyahok and Koktuli rivers and in the stretch of the upper Nushagak River between Big Bend and Harris Creek. Assessing Impacts of Motorboat Use ADF&G should conduct studies to evaluate effects of jet boat use on fish habitats. Monitoring Impacts of Hunting Use on Availability of Moose Resources ADF&G should assess the impacts of increased sport hunting use and commercial recreational development on the availability of moose resources for subsistence use in management units 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. These units, which include the lower Mulchatna, Koktuli, and Stuyahok drainages, have the greatest potential for increased conflict between fan subsistence and sport hunting uses. These drainages provide traditional hunting areas for local residents.. During the last decade, sport hunting use associated with floating and drop-off air taxi activity has increased rapidly on these rivers. Increased moose harvest pressure in these areas has resulted in game regulations that vary the harvest season by user groups. The Board of Game is responsible for resource allocation among user groups. DNR is responsible for managing land that supports wildlife resources and uses. The issue of competition for wildlife resources is addressed by the Board of Game regulatory process. This plan allows the development of commercial recreation facilities, including those for sport hunting in some of these units. An increase in moose hunting effort as- sociated with commercial facilities in these areas may result in greater competition among user groups. This issue is most likely to arise in management units 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. 88 - Chapter 4 MULTIPLE YEAR PERMITS DNR should develop regulations that allow DNR to issue permits not to exceed 2 years in the Nushagak-Mulchatna planning area. When developing these regulations, DNR should clarify its policy about equipment removal between field seasons. OFF-ROAD VEHICLES (ORVs) The Board of Game should prohibit the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) for the pur- pose of hunting in the portion of the planning area that includes ADF&G's Game Management Subunit 17B (management units 7 through 25). Much of this subunit has tundra that provides easy accessibility for ORVs. Game Management -Subunit 17b has not supported significant densities of ORV use in the past. This portion of the planning area contains important wildlife habitats that have been subjected to lit- tle motorized disturbance in the past. Increased hunting efficiency and improved ac- cess associated with ORVs is likely to result in increased harvest and displacement of wildlife from these areas. Additionally, proliferation of use and increase in trails caused by intensive human use on tundra areas is not compatible with providing a high quality hunting or other wildlife use experience. DNR, in cooperation with ADF&G, should investigate areas of increasing and/or in- tensive use to determine if significant vegetation disturbance is @occurring. If so, DNR should establish guidelines to minimize ORV impacts in problem areas. PERMIT APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE FOR AGENCY REVIEW DNR should continue to develop a land use questionnaire for permit applicants to detail information about the proposed permit use. The purpose of the questionnaire is to improve the quality of review by agencies and groups reviewing the proposed use, and to begin developing a base of information about use in the area. DNR should consider including questions that address fuel storage, food service, physical location of associated activities, human waste disposal, solid waste disposal, gray water disposal, fresh water supply, number of improvements, type of commercial activity, number of clients, number of employees, associated uses (such as horses, snowmachines, ORVs, and boats), opinion about use levels in the area, indication of the amount of other uses (such as by locals and non-locals), location of any known ar- chaeological sites, trail use, and means of access. PERMIT FEES DNR should reconsider the fee structure for permits on state land to increase fees to at least cover administrative costs for processing permits and managing the Nushagak and Mulchatna area. DNR should ask the legislature to appropriate these revenues through program receipts for management of the area, or establish a budget for management of the area. Chapter 4 - 89 PERMITS FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATORS DNR should consider developing a system in which all commercial operators using state land for any period of time are required to have a permit or to register. TRESPASS STRUCTURES DNR should request the legislature for authority to seek the redress of trespass struc- tures, focusing first on primitive units and second, on semi-primitive units. All trespass structures in primitive and semi-primitive units should be removed. Trespass structures are not consistent with the management intent for these units. Trespass structures in semi-developed units should be considered as potential public use cabins, which is consistent with management intent. 90 Chapter 4 APPENDIX A. LEASIN G OF STATE LANDS AND TIDELANDS (A.S. 38.05.070) APPENDIX A. LEASING OF STATE LANDS AND TIDELANDS (A.S. 38.05.070) State land, including tide, submerged, and shore land is available to lease by any member of the public, business, or organization that can demonstrate a commercial or industrial need for its use. Current policy dictates that leases for residential or recreation use win not be considered. Various land conveyance programs exist for these purposes. Leases may be offered competitively through public auction or negotiated directly with the applicant. If the fair market annual rental is determined to be less than $5000.00, the law allows the State to negotiate that lease directly with the applicant for 10 years. or less. However, if it is greater than $5000, the lease win be offered at a public auction to the highest bidder. The minimum bid will be the appraised fair market value annual rental. Competitive leases can be issued for a term not to exceed 55 years, while negotiated leases can only be issued for a term of 10 years or less. Within those parameters, the determining factors are the estimated life of the project or the estimated time that the applicant thinks the land will be needed and the extent of the improvements. Land leases that are offered by competitive bid are renewable at the director's discre- tion. The renewal must be applied for in a timely manner. Leases negotiated under A@S. 3*8.05.075(b) are not eligible for renewal. The owner or lessee of land that fronts on tide or submerged land is entitled to ac- quire a negotiated lease for the tide and submerged land if the requirements of A.S. 38.05.070(c) are met. Negotiated leases may also be requested by: 1) commercial operators of fishing or hunting camps within an exclusive or joint use guiding area, 2) commercial operators of duck shacks, and 3) shore fishery setnetters seeking an upland lease for use in con- junction with their fishing sites. Parcel size should be limited to the minimum acreage needed. In the case of setnetters, they must provide evidence that they have the necessary limited entry permit to participate in the local fishery and the term of the upland lease should coincide with the term of their shore fishery lease. If they do not have a shore fishery lease, they should.apply during the filing period. Leases may be transferred by as signment with the approval of the chief of Contract Administration. Before approving an assignment of lease, the individual receiving the lease must be determined eligible to participate in the program under which the lease was created and the lease must be in good standing. It is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange and pay for survey, appraisal, and legal notice publication, and to see that these tasks are carried out in a timely manner when directed to do so by the State. Depending on the time of year, these tasks could be time consuming. If the lease is negotiated, the decision on whether or not to re- quire a survey will be made on a case by case basis and will depend on the type and Appendix A - 91 extent of existing monumentation, the existing uses of the surrounding land, the likelihood that the surrounding land will be developed during the lease term and any other pertinent factors which may apply to a particular parcel of state land. The following is a general time table for processing a lease: 1. Application received, serialized and photo copied. 2. In-house and agency review ................................................ *30 days 3. Preliminary decision ................................................................ 30 days 4. .945 notice letters (A.S. 38.05.945(c) ................................... 30 days 5. .945 public notice (newspaper ad)(AS 38.05.945(b)) ........ 30 days 6. Survey and appraisal (11 AAC 58.400 -.410) ..................... 60 days 7. Final decision ............................................................................ 10 days 8. .945 notice letters (if competitive offerings) ....................... 30 days 9. .945 public notice (if competitive) ........................................ 30 days 10. Lease offering ........................................................................... 10 days Some upland leases and all tideland leases are within the "coastal zone" and other permits may be required from other agencies. These go through another review for consistency with the Alaska Coastal Management Program or approved local coastal plans. Normal review period is 50 days. .In addition to the above mentioned times, applicants must take into consideration delays that may occur if the land is not classified or needs to be reclassified ( ap- proximately 90 days - 11 AAC 55). If the land is located within an organized borough, the survey plat must be approved by the local platting authority which re- quires additional time (11 AAC 53). Applications are processed in the order received and there is currently a backlog of over 2000 casefiles. Applicants should include the following information with their completed application form: - Filing fee. - USGS map 1:63,360 scale with the location marked. - Development plan and time schedule. - A clear statement of the intended use of the property. - Any applicable licenses. The development plan should contain the following information: - A description of the type and location of the temporary and/or permanent structures and a scale drawing depicting all proposed structures. - The intended access to the site. - An explanation of any clearing or cutting of trees. - A description of the intended power source and fuel storage area. - An explanation of the intended solid waste and waste water disposal method. - The water source. 92 Appendix A Applicable statutes for reference: A.S. 38.05.035 Powers and duties of the director. A.S. 38.05.070 Leasing of lands other than for the -.105 extraction of natural resources. A.S. 38.05.840 Appraisals A.S. 38.05.920 - Assignment A.S. 38.05.945 -- Notice For additional information, contact the local office of the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land and Water Management: Southcentral Regional Office OFFICE LOCATION: 3601 "C" Street, Tenth Floor Anchorage, Alaska Phone: (907) 762-2253 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 107005 Anchorage, Alaska 99510-7005 Appendix A 93 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 94 - Appendix A I APPENDIX B. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PLAN APPENDIX B. DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PLAN Alaska Coastal Management Program Statutes And Regulations. State Division of Governmental Coordination (Office of Management and Budget). July 1986. Bristol Bay Area Plan For State Lands. Alaska Departments of Natural Resources, Fish and Game, and Environmental Conservation. September 1984. (Includes goals and guidelines, land use designations by management unit, land use allocations by management unit, land ownership pattern improve- ments, and implementation.) Bristol Bay Coastal Management Program Management Plan. Volumes 1 -and 2. Bristo,I.Bay Coastal Resource Service Area Board. June 1987. (Includes introduction to coastal management, the Bristol Bay region, coastal boundaries, issues, goals, and objectives, analysis of resources, district policies, implementation, areas meriting special attention, and maps.) Commercial Recreation Service Providers Study. Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Ser- vice Area (Jon Isaacs and Associates). June 1986. (Includes information on the characteristics of commercial recreation ac- tivities in the Nushagak-Mulchatna river drainages.) Nushagak And Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan: Resource Assess- ment. Alaska Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Game and Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area Board. August 1988. (Includes public issues and concerns, management options and authorities, land status, supply, human use, and supply versus demand of fish and wildlife resources, transportation and access, forestry, and cultural resources.) Nushagak And Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan: Response To Com- ments On The Public Review Draft Plan. Alaska Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Game and Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area Board. March 1990. (Usts comments made by the public on the public review draft plan and lists the planning team's responses to thos e comments.) Nushagak And Mulch'atna Riv .ers Recreation Management Plan: T@anscripts Of Hear- ings On The Public Review Draft. Alaska Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Game and Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area Board. December 1989. (Includes transcripts of public hearings held in October 1989 on the public review draft plan.) Appendix B - 95 96 Appendix B I I I I APPENDIX C. I PUBLIC USE I SITE MAPS I I I I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDIX C. PUBLIC USE SITE MAPS The maps in this appendix show public use sites in the planning area. For descrip- tions of the public use sites, see Chapter 3 or the region maps in the envelope at- the end of this document. The public use site maps also show Native corporation interim conveyed and patented land, state tentatively approved and patented land, Native allotments, navigable waters, management unit boundaries and easements (see region maps in the envelope at the end of this document for easement descriptions and uses allowed on easements). The maps in this appendix are for general overview. For additional information refer to detailed maps on file at the Department of Natural Resources in Anchorage and Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area in Dillingham, or to the official records in the public information offices of the state Department of Natural Resources and the federal Bureau of Land Management. The maps in this appendix are in the following order:. Dillingham A-5 B-5 B-6 C-1 C-7 D-1 D-2 D-4 ilia'mna D-7 D-8 Lake Clark B-6 B-7 B-8 C-4 C-5 C-6 C-7 D-5 D-6 Naknek D-6 Taylor Mountains A-3 A-4 A-6 B-1 B-4 B-6 Appendix C 97 To find the map for a particular public use site (by number) or a specific management unit, refer to the following list: Public Use Management Site Number_.. Map ...... . ........................................ . .. Unit 1........................... Naknek D-6 ....................................... Uniti 2........................... Naknek D-6 ....................................... Unit 1 3........................... Naknek D-6 ....................................... Unit 1 4........................... Naknek D-6 ....................................... Unit 1 5. . ........................ Naknek D-6 ....................................... Unit 1 6........................... Dillingham A-5 .................................. Unit 1 7........................... Dillingham B-6 .................................. Unit 2 8........................... Dillingham B-6 .................................. Unit 2 9........................... Dillingham B-5 .................................. Unit 3 10 ............... . ........ Dillingham B-6 .................................. Unit 4 11 ......................... Dillingham C-7 .................................. Unit 4 12 . . ...................... Dillingham C-7 .................................. Unit 6 13 ......................... Dillingham D-4 ................................. Unit 7 14 ........................ Taylor Mountains A-4 ...................... Unit 10 15 ......................... Taylor Mountains B-4 ...................... Unit 10 16 ......................... Taylor Mountains A-6 ...................... Unit 11 17 ......................... Taylor Mountains A-3 .................*'...Unit 11 18 ......................... Taylor Mountains B-6 ...................... Unit 12 19 ......................... Taylor Mountains B -4 ...................... Unit 13 20 ......................... Taylor Mountains B -4 ...................... Unit 13 21 ... ..................... Dillingham D-2 ................................. Unit 15 22 ......................... Dillingham D-2 ................................. Unit 15 23 .......... Dillingham D-2 ................................. Unit 15 24 .... Dillingham C-1 .................................. Unit 16 25 .... Dillingham C-1 ................ ................. Unit 16 .26 .... Dillingham C-1 .................................. Unit 16 27 ......................... Dillingham D-1 ................................. Unit 17 28 ......................... Iliamna D-8 ....................................... Unit 17 29 ......................... Iliamna D-8 ....................................... Unit 17 30 ......................... Iliamna D-7 ....................................... Unit 17 31 ......................... Iliamna D-7 ........................................ Unit 17 32 ......................... Taylor Mountains B-1 ...................... Unit 20 33 ......................... Lake Clark B-8 ................................. Unit 20 34 ........................ Lake Clark B-8 ................................. Unit 20 35 ......................... Lake Clark C-7 ................................. Unit 20 36 ......................... Lake Clark B-7 ................................. Unit 21 37 ......................... Lake Clark C-7 ................................. Unit 22 38 ......................... Lake Clark D -6 ................................. Unit 22 39 ......................... Lake Clark D-6 ................................. Unit 24 40 ......................... Lake Clark D-5 ................................. Unit 24 41 ......................... Lake Clark D-5 ................................. Unit 24 42 ......................... Lake Clark C-6 ................................. Unit 23 43 ......................... Lake Clark C-5 ................................. Unit 23 44 .....................* ... Lake Clark 0-5 ................................. Unit 23 45 ......................... Lake Clark C4, C-5 ......................... Unit 23 46 ......................... Lake Clark B-6 ................................. Unit 25 47 ......................... Lake Clark C-4 ................................. Unit 25 48 ......................... Lake Clark C-6 ................................. Unit 25 49 ......................... Lake Clark D-5 ................................. Unit 25 98 Appendix C PUBLIC USE SITE 6, Dillingham A-5 - - --------- - r "T. Y, UNIT 13 % 7 - .A" , - @( X A 77 V ',Irk Y z Ole lu 01, V ck Qc 2 .7 4,1 Nit F*cI f If 1. c@ j - - ---- . ... ...... --. -ep --------- - Dot --- - -- ---- ----------- - 0 j .......... @P-50 4' .12 K. JL PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED N FEDERALLY DETERMINED 43 PUBLIC USE SITE OR PATENTED STATE DETERMINED STATE SELECTED 'Z@@L EASEMENTS NATIVE CORP PATENTED NATIVE CORP INTERIM CONVEYED NATIVE SELECTED PRIVATE LAND PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT PUBLIC USE SITE 9, Dillingham B-5 Z@ gr, A@ eV-j" -A, \J1, 6 -A ell" v.. Ij irk C', ly I Y .rl-)4@1@.,@ . . . . . .----- - - - - - - - 40 H z 71 Q@ A-- -gir T -Z@U7 irl n- "UNIT zM A.- tw- j i@s S, ........ ...... 4c> Sk- ----1 PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY LAN D STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: 43 PUBLIC USE SITE STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED N FEDERALLY DETERMINED OR PATENTED STATE SELECTED STATE DETERMINED NATIVE CORP INTERIM CONVEYED -In@, EASEMENTS NATIVE SELECTED PRIVATE LAND PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT PUBLIC USE SITES 7, 8 & 10, Di,11ingham B-6 _. - _.. I- ; '@@44 @_7 '4 -y" Z -,7 ft 30'1 7 'Sv"' x , _: _';@ IIt -- _77 41 '0@ N@ Tv. A @5@ A i:4 kr -77- 'F io r )c z__-4Q_ .4 __ 1@ ,ff� K v U, 7.' Z. 1z xz Pu 81 a wlw 1 /1'ij _'@n7 -- -------- 'M + - 6'@ Ti ds T1 S TATE. -- ---------- - - --------- - - LAND STATUS: N"IGABLE WATERS: PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED 43 PUBLIC USE SITE OR PATENTED - N - FEDERALLY DETERMINED STATE SELECTED - STATE DETERMINED NATIVE CORP INTERIM CONVEYED NATIVE SELECTED 7-1/' PUBLIC USE SITES 24, 25 & 26, Dillingharn C-1 @7- F 0 5 2@ t5s 7, -fid X-4' STATS--,' 5 94. 5 ;tl@ j,r @k- @M' "'o J3, 71! IT- r7r7 -41 I Ws t UM jj!j@lli 6, 'j f@r D" J* , 41- J- I Q Vv T S,1 PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED 43 MPUBLIC USE SITE OR PATENTED STATE SELECTED NATIVE SELECTED BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT PUBLIC USE SITES 11 & 12, Dillingham C-7 --- ------- , @7 -, @ 77,_ 7", lo@ t P Ul 2 L 01 "4" - 7'8 qW@ -@Z M A P - --------- I J: C2@ T '@-. L QJ 16 .. ....... . 72. 7 A M .51 J 4 N'k Fs- -------- ... .. .. PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED 3 PUBLIC USE SITE OR PATENTED NATIVE CORP INTERIM CONVEYED PRIVATE LAND 0 PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT PUBLIC USE SITE 27, Dillingham D-1 Ag v, u, to 7.7! 31 v"'!, v _4= @vz V, Nl7ii` j Nr,@ "@2,' P ij 41 -7 Z fl=84 J- !@7 ifUlA16 -0. 36 n ffwi vTr 2 IR %; -16 @v M 2 A R AMA 0 -w 711 0 , M-0 1@@' Ze M-s" Z4 21'07@ ME, P5 'Z Wo A,-71 Cv, J, "Vi p W in i@g rA @Z A yt @A lgi@ fllr@ I - " R @,:, -, IA 2A, 41. 4 6, ,, __ __1 LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED -STATE DETERMINED 43 PUBLIC USE SITE OR PATENTED 0 PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT PUBLIC USE SITES 21, 22 & 23, Dillingham D-2 j Q, e 771- iz; 0 "-v 4 Mj r .7@ -A. I iN- ....... .. --- --- --------- co, jk -7- lo -41 ;;v w, d5r V ----------- 7- ----- ---- --- ------- 4 7 %* % ,@7 v 4 Ifr- M zi@r -Area --- ----- -- ------- ---- .1 -- --- ----- "j N d T PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: PUBLIC USE SITE STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED 43 OR PATENTED PRIVATE LAND 0 PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT PUBLIC USE SITE 13, Dillingham D-4 r 01, f3 q _j Y@ -J p. V :-6 q 7 "1 -2, X- ss t7- g@ 3" 24 CiP, 0.- 1.0 - ---------- 3 C7-7-27' PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: M PUBLIC USE SITE OR PATENTEDI 43 r STATE STATE TENTAT VELY APPROVED NAVIGABLE WATERS: - N - FEDERALLY DETERMINED STATE SELECTED - - - STATE DETERMINED NATIVE CORP INTERIM CONVEYED -Ae!2@16 EASEMENTS NATIVE SELECTED PRIVATE LAND T PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT PUBLIC USE SITES 30 & 31, Iliamna D-7 7, T-i Mmn @vw, v M, 0 ob 7 0"' C, 'q, W.f.01" 4_1-1@@') R-K - - - - - - - - - - rll:Al@ N, J yl no @A )'R, 1, 1 AR 5 V.- XN 4 V "AW T 0.. 77777- JI @J 7 r 61 1c _9 k,@,, !@ i. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: PLANNING AREA 13OUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED OR PATENTED MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY 43E3 PUBLIC USE SITE STATE SELECTED NATIVE SELECTED PUBLIC USE SITES 28 & 29, Iliamna D-8 -SM 4, k @,. 111 ul Q-1. N igg AA @ -4 -A j,- 1:,@ + --- - ----- 7 Y@ f- R11 r T )l ;Z-__r@f@--;:@@-:STAT E 41-i Y c, 4 A@p,@ @, , C@@, \," 1, 47 t 7 si wr I 3k, C MCI A4 N g C -vv, t7l 4,j W LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: 7 PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED OR PATENTED MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE SELECTED 43M PUBLIC USE SITE r-.-s-71 NATIVE SELECTED 0 PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT PUBLIC USE SITE 46, Lake Clark B-6 ta IS tl fr1a "J, @@, A""L 01,a E 71, ff,,@ 'my Ri- "lay MTN, ANN, tv P-c o@i t @,R $4 ---------- 'e:;3'@ d c0" 51- @jl 31@ LAN D STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED -STATE DETERMINED OR PATENTED MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY 43[2 PU13LIC USE SITE PUBLIC USE SITE 36, Lake Clark B-7 M 2 f 'k 5 @74N 5' 'Y T- A ------ 4; '1P 7% b, 0 ao i A% r X 9"r IEW P T, 1: IP K@\ 7141 f LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY OR PATENTED PRIVATE LAND 43 PUBLIC USE SITE PUBLIC USE SITES 33 & 34, Lake Clark B-8 9_ow- p u, j j cr 14- p@g OIKAN So 5), 41. _X Fp L3 ----------- ------- _4z a Im - -------------- ------------ Ac LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED -STATE DETERMINED OR PATENTED MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY 43 PUBLIC USE SITE C4 @a PUBLIC USE SITES 45 & 47, Lake Clark C-4 4 2 I Y I 1A vwt J 1 -2,q, G. (7 j, T6N. g A '13 U K-" t6k4t@-PRZS RV-E,@r@ C, @Vfi E, @R K-" 2@ v- I', L ----------- I'M g" @' um I- --- -- . .... ... . K ------- --- - 0 J, 1 .5 -,7 j J, --------------------- r---7 PLANNINGAREA BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED MANAGEMENT UNIT 3OUNDARY OR PATENTED STATE DETERMINED 43 E2 PUBLIC USE SITE NATIVE SELECTED PUBLIC USE SITES 43, 44 & 47, Lake Clark C-5 _4 I S6 'W "v@ Ihi 4'* 1:-4 X__ Z < ---------- ----- -- --- ------- T@ TSN @j LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED OR PATENTED 43 PUBLIC USE SITE PUBL-IC USE SITES 42 & 48, Lake Clark C-6 S@ @31 17,N 7 c" 7 -- ----- ----- A1 ? .7 Ij d ... . ...... 'v, T7 T6 CZ j ----- ---------- ------------ \,@ ------ < 4 --- - ------ - ----------- t@XIT - - -------- - -4 :T@ T, 99 T N, @j 4 "NO N, x P5 All, v v 0 ON w, A K4 C=== MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: N"IGABLE WATERS: 43 PI PUBLIC USE SITE STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED OR PATENTED PUBLIC USE SITES 35 & 37, Lake Clark C-7 T8 A, 6 VIK L . . . ....... ? - - - - - - - -- - - -Z@-w -4 ---------- --------- - ------- 2-- ;4 ----------- -------- Z T -@T m@@ 114 ift -T pu V-2 V., v", -- ------------------- - NIT-2 v -- -------- -------- -- ----------- PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED 43MPUBLIC USE SITE OR PATENTED PUBLIC USE SITES 40, 41 & 49, Lake Clark D-5 5, - - - - - - - - - - - TION- - ----- 4. WMITEFI@ ii LAKO @A, ;o _A Ke,,,CL A PRESE % -'@ ---------- N@ ---- ------- S-T.4T- @-7 34 F92 U 7 25 w - ---------- 14 -7- -14 ---------- ------- - S 0, 4 26 2 v - ----- ------------- EA 14 e T T i T 0 "'o 2 t n', 21, . t; PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED OR PATENTED N - FEDERALLY DETERMINED 43 PUBLIC USE SITE - STATE DETERMINED PUBLIC USE SITES 38 & 39, Lake Clark D-6 A4, L :v- M I /7,_ 4,Y COO--- "J" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7----1 PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: === MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED N - FEDERALLY DETERMINED 4323 PUBLIC USE SITE OR PATENTED - - STATE DETERMINED NATIVE SELECTED IN PUBLIC USE SITES 1, 29 39 4 & 5, Naknek D-6 k fl:vr@- - d' f, f 3 pl S 7- UNIT 1': P 71no 2 1- J, ---- - ----- v 'v 7 Zk 4 NON 54@ "I LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY 08 PATENTED N FEDERALLY DETERMINED STATE SELECTED EASEMENTS 43 E2 PUBLIC USE SITE NATIVE CORP PATENTED NATIVE CORP INTERIM CONVEYED NATIVE SELECTED PRIVATE LAND PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT PUBLIC USE SITE 17, Taylor Mountains A-3 7F vl. -Z F _74 @q' If r5 1@0 Jll d 17 w", V 2?" 0' QL A 0 w I ji w r 7ip--- C=== MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: 4 3 PUBLIC USE SITE STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED OR PATENTED 0 PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT PUBLIC USE SITE 14, Taylor Mountains A-4 FPO, J A -As @p -T Aj y !M'k 9@ tK@ ga 'Jt; i@@ J., _U _4t T1 m k@n 'Z z'k 14@ jL "M- 4A ji L 4 - ------ - -------- --- -4 @@e I --------------- -------- ------ LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED S rATE DETERMINED 43 PUBLIC USE SITE OR PATENTED PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT PUBLIC USE SITE 16, Taylor Mountains A-6 -;@k A M, % V A "' vn<- 711 '11@' W. I NN-1 M MR% 14 -7, Z- 211 C', 7@- ---------- LAND STATUS: NAMIGABLE WATERS: PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DETERMINED OR PATENTED c=== MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY 0 PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT 4323 PUBLIC USE SITE PUBLIC USE SITE 32, Ta r Mountains B-1 pg A Pf f 0,f 7 M1@4'l M ko 10, 'C' ,% 77 Al`llV,,KNZ,@@? x -- ------- - PE@ C' r.,@j ----------- 1W Jz --b Al%e ,N: @W 1 I'A 12 V X' 4- '4 A", x 1 4, - IT L ,v, k, 1 4- ? @51 'N @@s (7- 1V I _At 4y@ 01 d'l - J, LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED -STATE DETER%VNED OR PATENTED 43 PUBLIC USE S1 TE 0 PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT PUBLIC USE SITES 15, 19 & 20, Taylor Mountains B-4 ly, 0, gl@ 1) 4-11-ell"I qp W_ JIT S M"'Y'n 64 1-1 _j U6 k, W 6) 'N @'xk VU, f_4 Xf, 4 mhol 21:z_ MR X/ V, RETT W" R@' --- L4, M ("j, 4 �R T`1 g"I; @N 4tr ft X -4 fz@@ - @Hllr@@. 'y k_5 X P F,ft rn, J. "'ITE, 16, 0-7X,- '41@Z,`,) U@ k, 4 @I, 711 IMP I @@jr S! -.1 V11- q PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED STATE DE1 ERMINED 43 PUBLIC USE SITE OR PATENTED PENDING NATIVE ALLOTMENT -ayfor -M untain.SB-6': zz@ t > @i_111_@.",@F7@", _w 1K, M', 1 r -7:- N @4; ]14 Oil gq LAND STATUS: NAVIGABLE WATERS: PLANNING AREA BOUNDARY STATE TENTATIVELY APPROVED -STATE DETERMINED MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARY OR PATENTED 43 PUBLIC USE SITE JOAA COASTAL SFRVIOFS OTR LIBRARY 3 6668 14110876 3