SE Alaska Wolves to possibly receive federal protection

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will consider the possible protection Southeast Alaska wolves

under the Endangered Species Act.

The decision to review the wolves' status comes two years after the Center for Biological Diversity and Greenpeace submitted a petition to protect the species known as the Alexander Archipelago wolf.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2014/03/31/US-Fish-and-Wildlife-officials-to-consider-federal-protection-of-Southeast-Alaska-wolves/5871396280175/#ixzz2xail1JIq

BLM-Alaska to delay amendment to the Ring of Fire Resource Management Plan

Glacier Bay National Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Bureau of Land Management is announcing a delay in the Haines Planning Area Amendment to the Ring of Fire Resource Management Plan. 

 

New scientific information related to mountain goats in the Haines area as well as an increased awareness of Alaska Native cultural values relating to these goat populations has prompted BLM to identify a new proposed alternative for a mountain goat habitat Area of Critical Environmental Concern for portions of the planning area.

 

A final decision on the amendment was expected in early 2014. However, developing a new alternative for public review and comment is expected to delay the amendment for at least a year. 

 

“The BLM is dedicated to ensuring that the most recent scientific findings and cultural information are incorporated into planning efforts,” said Anchorage Field Office Manager Alan Bittner,

 

The Planning Area is located in Southeast Alaska.  Approximately 320,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands are located in two main blocks or parcels; the north block is located northwest of Skagway along the United States-Canada border and the south block is located southwest of the City of Haines along the boundary of Glacier Bay National Park.  The planning area encompasses the cities of Haines and Skagway.

2013 Salmon Harvest Sets New Records

(Juneau) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has completed compilation of preliminary values for the 2013 commercial salmon fishery. Powered by a record pink salmon harvest of 219 million fish, this year’s harvest ranks as the second most valuable on record. At $691.1 million, 2013 is only exceeded by the 1988 harvest value of $724 million. In addition to setting a record for pink salmon, the total number of salmon harvested also set a new record at 272 million fish.

“Our salmon managers across the state have done an excellent job of ensuring sustainability of our salmon stocks while optimizing fishing opportunity. We had an outstanding year over-all, though some areas returns did not allow for desired harvest levels,” said Director Jeff Regnart, ADF&G Commercial Fisheries Division. “We are pleased that so many Alaskans are able to enjoy the economic benefits of our salmon resources.”

Sockeye salmon narrowly held onto its position as the most valuable salmon species harvested in Alaska’s commercial salmon fisheries, with a statewide value of $284 million. Almost half of this came from Bristol Bay, where the price was up even though the harvest was modest. Pink salmon, riding a huge wave of production across multiple fishing areas, brought in $277 million. Chum, coho, and Chinook salmon, respectively, filled the remainder of the ranks.

Bristol Bay, usually the most valuable salmon fishery in the state, fell to third place this year behind Southeast Alaska and Prince William Sound. Southeast and Prince William sound realized the largest pink salmon harvests ever recorded in their management areas; just over 91 million pink salmon from Prince William Sound, and 89.2 million pink salmon from Southeast Alaska.

This year’s title of most valuable salmon fishing area in the state belongs to Southeast Alaska, with an all- species harvest value of $219 million. In addition to the $124 million in pink salmon, Southeast chum and coho salmon yielded values of $43.6 million and $23.4 million, respectively. In addition, the Chinook salmon harvest in Southeast Alaska was worth $17 million.

Kodiak and Chignik also had very good years with all-species harvests worth $61 and $23 million, respectively. For the first time in several years, the Alaska Peninsula also enjoyed a decent pink salmon harvest.

The Yukon and Kotzebue management areas had good chum salmon returns, but Chinook salmon returns throughout the Arctic/Yukon/Kuskokwim region were again low and provided no commercial fishing opportunities.

The Upper Cook Inlet sockeye salmon harvest was just over half the forecast. Management restrictions on the sockeye fishery were required to conserve a small Chinook salmon return to the Kenai River.

Values provided by ADF&G are based on estimated ex-vessel prices and do not include post season bonuses or price adjustments. The final value for the 2013 salmon fishery will be determined in 2014 after seafood processors, buyers, and direct marketers report the average prices paid to fishermen in 2013. It is entirely possible that after final prices are determined, the 2013 season, without accounting for inflation, could surpass 1988 as the most valuable salmon harvest in history.

Weather and Climate Monitoring Stations Proposed for Glacier Bay

Quentin Goodman

Why monitor climate in Glacier Bay?

The National Park Service Southeast Alaska Inventory & Monitoring Network (SEAN) designs and operates long-term ecological inventory and monitoring programs for Southeast Alaska parks including Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Weather and climate is one of the park's 12 priority Vital Signs.  Detecting changes in climate will inform managers about a broad range of resource effects including glacial ice mass wasting, shifts in marine salinity and nutrients, timing and abundance of marine mammal prey, forest and early successional plant community advance, spread of invasive species, and adjusting park infrastructure to more intense storm events or rising sea levels.

What would monitoring stations do?Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) record air and soil temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, wind, solar radiation, and snow depth data.  Stations are powered by solar panel, wind generator, or methanol fuel cell. In addition to storing data, each station also transmits hourly weather conditions and sensor condition by satellite.

Where would stations be located?

A grid of stations would be designed to capture conditions along the west-east, north-south, and high-low elevation gradients in the park.  Sites in Lituya Bay, Dry Bay, Deception Hills, Queen Inlet, Lone Island, upper Muir Inlet, and Brady Icefield, are being considered.

Where can I learn more about the SEAN Climate and Weather monitoring program?

Follow this link to read more about how the SEAN Climate and Weather Inventory and Monitoring program is being developed.

http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/sean/AuxRep/0_SEAN/0_SEAN%20Climate%20Inventory_final.pdf

What's Next?

The National Park Service (NPS) is asking for your questions and comments on the climate station program so they can be considered early in the development of the Environmental Assessment (EA). Park resources that may be affected by such installations include wilderness value and character, visitor experience, vegetation and soils, terrestrial wildlife, and culturally sensitive areas.  If you have questions about the proposed climate station program please contact Allison Banks by phone at 907-697-2611, by email at e-mail us or by postal mail at: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826

An informational public meeting will be held at the

Gustavus Public Library

Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 4:00-6:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm

Please submit your issue comments by July 17, 2013.  An EA analyzing the potential effects of climate station installations will be prepared this summer.  A 30-day public review of the environmental assessment could take place by September, 2013.  Station installations may begin in 2014

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