BLM-Alaska Announces the Delta River Special Recreation Management Area Approved Plan

Glennallen, Alaska – The Bureau of Land Management in Alaska is pleased to release the Finding of No Significant Impact, Decision Record (DR) and Approved Plan for the Delta River Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) and East Alaska Resource Management Plan Amendment (Approved Plan). This document will provide guidance for the recreational management of the Delta River SRMA for the next 15-20 years.

 

The Approved Plan is designed to provide for a mix of river recreation uses and users, while managing to protect the environment and Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORV). It maintains a setting that supports diverse recreational opportunities; integrates resource protection with an appropriate range of visitor uses; contributes economically to local communities; provides multi-resource standards and direction found in other legislation, policies, or management plans designed to comply with applicable state and federal laws; and provides protection of the river’s scenic, cultural, wildlife, fisheries, and recreational ORVs.

 

The plan should minimize social conflicts and protect river resources through management direction that provides a strong emphasis in education and interpretive outreach. It calls for the establishment of adaptive management standards that are based on river user tolerances for different impacts. Monitoring and non-compliance with standards will drive implementation of management actions; in most cases, less-restrictive measures will be implemented prior to more-restrictive actions.

 

Bud Cribley, BLM-Alaska State Director commented, “I am especially pleased and grateful for all the participating stakeholders and general public who came together for this 7 year planning process. They opened up for consideration all the known issues, competing interests, opinions, and values of the public for inclusion in this plan.”

 

Copies of the Delta River SRMA Decision Record, Finding of No Significant Impact, and Approved Plan are available for viewing on the BLM Alaska Planning website at: http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/planning.html. For members of the public that lack computer access, contact the BLM Glennallen Field Office by calling (907) 822-3217.
To view the Federal Register Notice, Click here:  https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/07/01/2013-15681/notice-of-availability-of-the-decision-record-for-the-delta-river-special-recreation-management-area

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National Forest Surveys Coming Your Way!!!

Soon, you may see Forest Service employees working in developed and dispersed recreation sites and along Forest Service roads wearing bright orange vests and hanging out near a “Traffic Survey Ahead” sign. Just like the postman these folks may be out in all kinds of weather conditions and they want to talk to you. These well trained interviewers want to know about your visit to the national forest.  

This on-going national forest survey has already been conducted once on every National Forest in the country.  We are now returning 5 years later to update the information, as well as to look at recreation trends over time. The information is useful for forest planning and local community tourism planning. The more we know about visitors, especially their satisfaction and desires, the better managers can provide for those needs. The surveys provide National Forest managers with an estimate of how many people actually recreate on federal lands and what activities they engage in while there.  Other important information forest and tourism planners need includes, how satisfied people are with their visits and the economic impact of your recreation visit on the local economy. Many small towns are struggling and hope that tourism may help strengthen their communities.  The information gathered in the surveys is one way to estimate the effects.

This recreation visitor program gathers basic visitor information.  The interviews last about 8 – 15 minutes. The questions visitors are asked include: where you recreated on the Forest, how many people are you traveling with, how long have you been on the Forest, what other recreation sites you visited while on the Forest, and how satisfied were you with the facilities and services provided. About a third of the visitors will be asked to complete a confidential survey on recreation spending during their trip.

It’s important for survey takers to talk with local people using the forest as well as out-of-area visitors. We want all types of visitors represented in the study, so if you see us out there please stop for an interview.  All information you provide is confidential and the survey is voluntary. If you have any questions about this program you can visit our web site athttp://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/nvumor contact Hope Roenfanz at 907-288-7709.

Related articles

• Mark Twain National Forest Closes Big Bay Campground (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Forest Service seeks information on recent fire (vtdigger.org)
• Forest Service Brings in Additiional Help for San Bernardino National Forest (joanmoseley.wordpress.com)

Let's Move Outside on National Public Lands Day!

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ANCHORAGE – The BLM Campbell Creek Science Center and MOA Anchorage Parks and Recreation say, “Let’s Move Outside” on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 24, 2011.

This theme is tied to the First Lady’s “Let’s Move!” campaign, an effort to raise healthier kids (see www.letsmove.gov/ and www.letsmove.gov/letsmoveoutside.php). Fall is a great time to get out, move around, and spruce up your favorite parcel of public land!

Trail Volunteer Projects 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

• Meet at the BLM Campbell Creek Science Center, off 68^th Ave & Elmore Road.
• Wear warm clothes, boots, and gloves.
• Register from 8:30 – 9 a.m.
• Trail projects run 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Free pizza lunch at the Science Center for all volunteers at 12:30 p.m.
• Singletrack Advocates: meet at the Kincaid lower parking lot near the scoreboard. Work on the Kincaid Singletrack will take place from 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Trail Watch NPLD project: Check in is at the Albrecht Ball Fields Parking Lot at 8:30 a.m. They will trail brush Old Rondy Trail from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

 Campbell Creek Science Center Open House 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon of fun “moving” activities, live music, and refreshments during the Science Center’s Annual Open House.  Try rock climbing, knot tying, disc golf, gold panning, backyard games and more.  Don’t forget to pick up your free copy of the Science Center’s new poster calendar!