Alaska Coalition

Welcome to the Alaska Coalition's website for the Bureau of Land Management's draft Ring of Fire Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement! Comment deadline extended!! Jan 30, 2006

Map of planning area (click to enlarge)

BLM is currently creating a long-term land use planning document for over 1.3 million acres of public lands, sensitive wildlife habitat and valuable recreation resources across southern Alaska. This plan will “provide a single, over-arching, comprehensive land use plan” to establish the guidelines and objectives that will direct federal land management decisions on these rivers, lands, and resources for the next 20 years or more! Public participation is an essential part of this process.

The Draft Ring of Fire RMP was released for public review in late September 2005. According to federal regulations, the public is allowed to review the draft plan and submit comments and concerns to the BLM for a 90-day period.

Comment deadline extended!! Jan 30, 2006

Neacola Mountains Area of Critical Environmental Concern Mapping Errors Cause Comment Period Extension!

Blockade Lake - Photo: Bureau of Land Management

BLM maps of a proposal to designate the Neacola Mountains an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) clearly identify approximately 372,000 acres would receive protection in the Ring of Fire planning process. However, BLM claims that the maps are in error and only 229,000 acres were intended to be recognized as the ACEC, reducing the proposal to only the single tract of land which includes Blockade Glacier.

Chilligan River - Photo: Bureau of Land Management

The original map proposal for 372,000 acres received unanimous public support during the comment period and hearings, according to BLM. Unfortunately, public support was based on “inaccurate” maps depicting an additional 143,000 acres of high value lands would receive protection. Check out maps of the area!

Topographic | Original Proposal | Revised Proposal

We continue to support designating the Neacola Mountains ACEC for the preservation of scenic values on the Blockade Glacier tract. However, we are disappointed by the elimination of 143,000 acres. We recognize that outstanding public resources present within the Chilligan River block deserve special ACEC management attention as well.

Here’s a few examples:

• Chilligan River is declared “eligible” for designation as a National Wild and Scenic River in the draft plan. Stunning, aqua blue waters shine as this braided river emerges from Lake Clark National Park. Recognized by BLM as possessing outstandingly remarkable values of unique scenery and wildlife habitat, Chilligan River is a public treasure.
• Wildlife is abundant in this area which provides important migration corridors and habitat for dall sheep, brown and black bears, moose, and bald eagles, as well as spawning habitat for salmon.
• Recreation opportunities, typically accessed by small aircraft, feature sport hunting, kayaking, and hiking. Adventurous ice climbers and skiers have immersed themselves in these wild lands and rivers for decades, all within direct sight of Anchorage. Its beauty, wildness and dangers have been chronicled in Tordrillo: Pioneer climbs and flights in the Tordrillo Mountains of Alaska, 1957 - 1997.

BLM has granted a 30 day extension of the comment period to allow the public to reconsider the revised, and significantly reduced, ACEC proposal. Please submit your comments today! Email akrofrmp@blm.gov

New Comment Deadline: January 30, 2006

Takhin River near Haines, Alaska - Photo: Bureau of Land Management

Special Recreation Management Area ~ Haines and Skagway Backcountry Updated Info! From cruise ships alone, over 759,000 people visited Skagway, Alaska in 2005. This historic gold rush era town in Southeast Alaska is a regular destination for the major cruiselines. Skagway commonly has up to 5 of these massive ships in the harbor on any given day from May to September. Commercial recreation and tourism providers rely heavily upon helicopters and small aircraft to quickly and efficiently provide sightseeing flights, glacier landings, skiing, rafting, and countless other outdoor recreation activities among the jagged mountain peaks and stunning river valleys of this area. BLM proposes to establish a community-based Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) for 113,000 acres outside Haines and Skagway. Management of the area must focus on mitigating impacts of commercial helicopter-assisted recreation activities upon wildlife, especially mountain goats, and the opportunities for quiet and solitude valued by local communities.

Unfortunately, it has been brought to our attention that a SRMA alone would not provide adequate management tools and authority to effectively mitigate or research current and future impacts to mountain goats and other wildlife from the disturbing effects of commercial helicopter operations. Stronger protections are needed now!

BLM actively administers a Mountain Goat Monitoring and Control Area, including a no-fly zone, to identify disturbance to wildlife populations from helicopter activities. We support the nomination of Lynn Canal Conservation, a Haines-based organization, which recommends designating the Mountains Goat Monitoring and Control Area (a portion of the proposed 113,000 acre SRMA) as a Research Natural Area, to deal with conserving and researching wildlife values. The remaining lands in the Haines area should then be designated a SRMA, to deal with existing recreational helicopter use. The combination of these two special management tools will provide stronger protections for wildlife and a wider variety of options for BLM managers.

Knik River - Photo: Bureau of Land Management

Special Recreation Management Area ~ Knik River BLM proposes to establish a community-based Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) along the Knik River and its tributary streams: Friday and Hunter Creeks. Located just beyond the face of the Knik Glacier, this area has stunning views of the mile-wide braided river and the perfect vantage points for chilly gusts of wind off the Knik Icefield. Awe-inspiring mountains tower above, especially Mount Marcus Baker. At 13,176 feet, it is the highest peak in the Chugach Mountains. It’s no wonder this particular river valley is such a popular playground for outdoor enthusiasts from Alaska’s largest communities, Anchorage and the Matanuska Valley. The Special Recreation Management Area designation for the Knik River displays a commitment from BLM to provide “additional levels of consideration and protection for resources, specifically wildlife and fisheries.” Off-highway vehicle use is extensive throughout the valley and enforcement of current regulations is necessary in order to prevent additional trail degradation, alleviate resource damage, and improve safety. BLM’s “community-based approach” to developing a management plan for the area should benefit both motorized and non-motorized users of the river valley.

Click to Enlarge

Subsurface lands in the Mat-Su Valley and Kenai Peninsula, rich in coalbed natural gas.

Sensitive wildlife habitat on the Aleutian Peninsula, including 3 caribou herds and the threatened Steller’s Eider.

Iniskin River’s incredible brown bear habitat.

The cascading waterfalls of Kirschner Lake.

Over 500 miles of pure, unspoiled rivers and salmon spawning habitat.

Over 1.3 million acres of public lands dispersed along the Southern coastal area of Alaska – Some of your favorite stomping grounds may be included!

BLM needs to know what YOU know about these 1.3 million acres of public lands and valuable resources in southern Alaska in order to make informed management decisions. Join us in submitting comments to BLM to share our vision of how these public lands should be managed for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations.

Written comments can be submitted by mail or in person to: BLM Anchorage Field Office Ring of Fire RMP/EIS 6881 Abbott Loop Road Anchorage, Alaska 99507 Via email to akrofrmp@blm.gov To request a hard copy or CD of the Draft Ring of Fire RMP: contact amy_lewis@urscorp.com

Many of BLM's web pages are disconnected from the internet to improve their security system. This site is designed to facilitate public awareness and involvement in the draft Ring of Fire Resource Management Planning (RMP) process before the comment period deadline expires. We are offering this site to provide general information that will help YOU voice your comments and concerns. Why? This page was updated January 6, 2006