East Alaska RMP
The East Alaska planning area is home to the Nelchina Caribou Herd and Copper River Salmon. It has a world renowned glacier study area, the Bering Glacier, which is the largest glacier in North America. The planning area is also home to raptors, has critical moose habitat and several species of shorebirds.
The area is known for its accessibility and use by residents of nearby cities and communities. Areas such as Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, Valdez and Cordova, as well as communities within the planning area, utilize the planning area for its recreational and subsistence values.
The East Alaska Record of Decision is available for review.
Latest Developments
The Record of Decision was released September 7, 2007. One protest was submitted from the Alaska Coalition. Two other protests were filed but were dismissed based on technicalities of submission. However, BLM states that points within the protest letters were responded to.
An implementation schedule has been developed but it is to be considered tentative due to the agency’s dependence on funding.
A public participation opportunity is anticipated on or before April 2008: the review of the Environmental Assessment for the Delta Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA). Contact the Glennallen Field Office for more information or to receive copies.
Summary of the Chosen Alternative
1. 1,572,000 acres of the 7,056,000 acre planning area will remain in BLM ownership.
2. 1.32 million acres (84%) of the ANCSA(d)(1) withdrawals on BLM lands will be revoked in the planning areas. 1, 068,000 acres will remain closed to mineral entry.
3. Five Special Recreation Management Areas (SRMAs) were designated for protection:
•Delta River: a total of 44,000 acres. Approximately 16,000 acres within the Scenic portion of the corridor are closed to locatable mineral entry.
•Gulkana River: 105,000 acres withdrawn from mineral development.
•Delta Range: 276,000 acres
•Tiekel
•Denali Highway
4. Fifteen Wild and Scenic Rivers were found eligible for suitability review within the planning area. All of the river segments will be protected and withdrawals will be maintained until suitability determinations are complete.
5. The Bering Glacier Research Natural Area: 827,000 acres with 2/3 closed to leasable and locatable mineral entry. There are no other Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) within the planning area.
Implementation Schedule
| Implementation Plan | Year | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Gulkana SRMA | done | |
| Delta SRMA | started FY 07 | |
| Bering Glacier | FY 08 | |
| Slana disposal | FY 08 | |
| Delta Range SRMA | FY 09 | |
| Tiekel SRMA | FY 09 | |
| Denali SRMA | FY 10 | if lands retained |
| TLAD travel | FY 10 | if lands retained |
| West Fork area travel | FY 11 | if lands retained |
| Nelchina carbou calving area travel | FY 11 | if lands retained |
| Chistochina/Cantwell area travel | FY 12 | if lands retained |
Implementation is prioritized based on land ownership and funding. The funding has yet to be allocated for the implementation.
Changes to the Plan
The public is encourage to monitor the implementation and outcome of the plan. If management decisions made within the plan result in undesirable impacts then a plan amendment or revision can be recommended. Generally, amendments are issue-specific and revisions are for larger issues within the planning area.
The BLM will conduct evaluations of the plan. The first evaluation is scheduled for January 2011 with reviews every 5 years there after.
