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Indicator: 1
[Output]
Measurements in/of Recommendations Made
Relationships: Department of the Interior - Narrower_Than
Other Information:
National Park Service Subsistence Resource Commission-Gates of the Arctic National Park
| Type |
Target |
Actual |
| StartDate |
2010-10-01 |
2010-10-01 |
| EndDate |
2011-09-30 |
2011-09-30 |
| Number |
n/a |
12 |
| Description |
Unspecified |
Gates of HPR 87-1(#1)Expand Communications between Park Managers and Local Residents. Better communication will help develop
an appreciation of cultural values of local people by managers. Recommendation important, but goes beyond the authority of
the SRC as set forth in Section 808 of ANILCA. The park superintendent realizing the importance of the recommendation implemented
a policy requiring staff to advise and brief the SRC on permit and policy actions during regular SRC meetings. HPR 87-2(#2)Eligibility
and Resident Zones New residents of resident zone communities should be required to live full-time in that community for 12
months to qualify for subsistence uses within the park.If changes occur in any resident zone community that significantly
alter subsistence uses in the park, or if a resident zone is deleted the SRC recommends a permit system be substituted for
the resident zone to ensure that subsistence needs are protected. The issue of resident zone and eligibility is clearly within
the purview of the SRC.ANILCA does not allow for a durational (12 month) residency requirement. Congress intended regs. to
protect the lifestyles of residents who have or are a family member that has an established and historical pattern of subsistence
use in the park. No action taken by NPS.SRC modified the recommendation and resubmitted the new version to the Secretary in
1992.HPR 87-3(#3)ACCESS SRC supports Anaktuvuk Pass land exchange agreement.SRC requests clarification of NPS policies relating
to travel via commercial airlines between villages in or near the park. NPS regs. should be revised to allow subsistence hunters
to travel via aircraft between communities for subsistence hunting purposes. ATVDOI supports ATV land exchangenegotiations.Aircraft
UseUse of scheduled airlines as a means of accessing the park for subsistence hunting purposes would take a person out of
their community’s traditional use area. ATVAfter DOI failed to finalize the ATV land exchange the SRC resubmitted a similar
recommendation in 1992.Aircraft UseSRC resubmitted a revised aircraft recommendation in 1992.HPR 87-4(#4))Areas of Traditional
Use SRC opposed the establishment of areas of traditional use. Congress was clear in its intent to have the SRC and NPS identify
traditional use areas and to have some areas of the park closed to subsistence hunting. SRC resubmitted a revised traditional
use areas recommendation in 1992.HPR 87-5(#5)Regulation of Subsistence Uses of Fish and Wildlife in the GAAR SRC supports
harvests of fish and wildlife by local rural residents. SRC supports the ADFG regulatory management system as long as it complies
with ANILCA. SRC’s recommendation important, NPS and ADFG are not always able to consult with each other. No action taken
by DOI/NPS.No action taken by SRCHPR 87-6(#6)Review of NPS Subsistence Permits SRC requests the NPS to provide SRC with an
annual status report on all NPS subsistence policy issues, permit applications for cabin aircraft and subsistence uses. Recommendation
important, but Recommendation 87-6 goes beyond the authority of the SRC as set forth in Section 808 of ANILCA. No action taken
by DOI/NPS or SRCHPR 87-7(#7)Research Needs and Monitoring SRC requests NPS to work with ADFG and other agencies to expand
existing resource data base DOI supported recommendation.DOI directed the NPS to continue work developing a long range subsistence
research strategy. NPS incorporated SRC recommendations in the GAAR Resource Management Plan 1994.HPR 92-1(#8)Eligibility
and Resident Zones NPS qualified subsistence users are entitled to hunt and trap in the park pursuant to NPS 36 CFR and ANILCA
804 guidelines. SRC support resident zone concept. If a resident zone community is deleted SRC supports roster and idividual
permit systems. DOI supported recommendation.Directed the NPS to conduct studies within the park’s resident zones communities
to determine that a significant concentration of local rural residents with a personal or family history of subsistence uses
of park resources currently resides within each resident zone community. NPS has identified the proposed subsistence studies
in the park Resource Management Plan.Wiseman subsistence studyHPR 92-3(#9)ACCESSA. AircraftB. All Terrain Vehicle Use(ATV)
NPS should change its policy/ regulations to allow subsistence hunters to fly between villages prior to entering the park
to take wildlife. Travel between villages located outside the park should not be considered a violation of NPS regulations.ATVSRC
supports the proposed land exchange agreement negotiated among NPS, Nunamiut Corp. Arctic Slope Regional Corp. and City of
Anaktuvuk Pass toresolve the ATV use issue.Until agreement is final NPS should allow ATV use in the park under a special permit.
Use of aircraft to access the park for subsistence taking of wildlife is prohibited, however NPS regs. provide for exceptions
under a special permit authority.Air travel between communities for subsistence purposes may take persons out of their community’s
traditional use area causing increased competition among subsistence users.ATVDOI supported the SRC’s recommendation. NPS
allowed ATV use to continue under permit and special study. A solicitor’s opinion issued in April 1986 supports the current
policy that prohibits use of aircraft to access the park for subsistence taking of wildlife.The NPS is currently evaluating
its subsistence aircraft access policy in the Subsistence Issue Paper review process.ATV1996, Congress finalized and approved
land exchange agreement.HPR 92-3(#10)Areas of Traditional Use SRC recommends that the entire park is a traditional use area
for all eligible subsistence users. This is based on past testimony from village elders and local residents. ANILCA and NPS
regs. limit subsistence use in the park to those areas where such uses are traditional. DOI directed the NPS to identify contemporary
and historical community traditional subsistence use areas within the park. Based on the data in the study, NPS was directed
to initiate a process to identify traditional subsistence hunting use areas within the park. The NPS is evaluating its traditional
use area policy in the Subsistence Issue Paper review.There are 5 parks responsible for this determination. HPR 92-4(#11)Impacts
on Subsistence Hunting and Land Use Decisions BLM Recreational Area Management Plan for the Dalton Highway Corridor failed
to consider potential Section 810 impacts to park. SRC requested BLM staff to meet with local people. DOI supported SRC recommendation.DOI
directed BLM staff to meet with the residents of Wiseman to discuss proposed management actions near the park within the Utility
Corridor. BLM conducted additional public meetings as directed by DOI..HPR 92-5(#12)Tanana Chiefs Conference Research Resolution
SRC support Tanana Chiefs Conference Resolution #92-85.NPS should explore contracting research projects through native corporations
or rural Alaskan oriented researchers in future studies. DOI supports recommendation.DOI is supportive of concerns for consultation
and participation in subsistence hunting related research. NPS has used and will continue to use existing authorities to cooperate
with Native and other appropriate organizations that meet NPS research standards. GAAR Resource Management Plan contains studies
that propose research contract agreements with native organizations.HPR 92-6(#13)Need for Oral History Documentation for Resident
Zone Communities. SRC requests NPS to fund project to document oral histories for the 10 resident communities. and other knowledgeable
local residents of the park. DOI supported recommendation and directed NPS to fund oral history interview projects. The Resource
Management Plan for the park contains oral history project proposals.NPS assisted UAA staff with Juke Box Oral History Project.HPR-93-7(#14)Implement
Section 809 Cooperative Agreements of ANILCA Public Law 96-487 SRC directed DOI/NPS to enter into a cooperative agreement
with the North Slope Borough, North West Arctic Borough and the Tanana Chiefs Conference Inc under Section 809 of ANILCA to
develop/prepare the SRC Subsistence Hunting Plan, DOI supports recommendation.A hunting plan should be prepared using a variety
of technical data after consultation with local advisory committees and regional councils. Cooperative agreements are an important
vehicle for developing hunting plans. NPS will continue to explore both formal and informal cooperative relationships. It
would not be appropriate to transfer the responsibility for devising a hunting plan to some other entity other than the SRC
The NPS is evaluating the SRC Hunting Plan policy in the Subsistence Issue Paper review. HPR 93-8(#15)Opposition to the Proposed
Permanent Dalton Highway to Bettles Road Project. SRC opposes the construction of a year round road to Bettles due to the
potential for disruption of subsistence activities and increased competition for resources. DOI /NPS took a neutral position
regarding the road project. If federal lands are involved in the proposed State project a Section 810 evaluation will be completed.
No action taken by NPS or SRC,HPR 93-9(#16)Gates of the Arctic National Park and Traditional Use Area. SRC requested to meet
with Asst. Secretary of the Interior, to further explain the SRC position that the entire park is a traditional use area for
all eligible subsistence users. DOI has not responded to HPR 93-9. The NPS is evaluating its traditional use area policy in
the Subsistence Issue Paper review.There are 5 parks responsible for this determination.HPR 93-10(#17)Monitor Moose, Caribou,
and Sheep Populations SRC suggests that regular monitoring of these important species is essential to maintaining natural
and healthy wildlife populations and to ensure continued subsistence opportunities. DOI has not responded to HPR 93-10. The
GAAR Resource Management Plan contains wildlife monitoring/study proposals.HPR 95-11(#18)Customary and Traditional Use Determinations
SRC recommended that all qualified park subsistence users be determined to have a positive C&T Use Determination for all species
of fish and wildlife within the park. The existing Federal Program provides the mechanism for C&T determinations on NPS lands.
SRC continues to submit C&T proposals to the Federal Subsistence Board.DRAFTHPR 97-12(#19)Residency Requirement for Cabin
Use on Public Lands SRC recommends a change in NPS cabin regs./Change continuous occupancy requirement from 4 to 12 months.
SRC sent DRAFTHPR 97-12 to public, local advisory committees and regional councils for review and comment. After review of
comments SRC voted to take no further action on Draft HPR 97of `the Arctic National Park recevied a response to the following
Hunting Program Recommendation #99-01(#20) Customary Trade from the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park Serive
Alaska Regional Director.---------------------------------------------------------------------------Hunting Program Recommendation
99-01 (#20): Customary TradeThe National Park Service should revise customary trade regulations for Gates of the Arctic National
Park and Preserve to better reflect traditional practices of local residents. The Commission recommended regulatory revisions
to accommodate the following local customary practices:1) Gathering plant materials for making and selling of handicrafts.
These wild renewable materials include, but are not limited to roots, tree bark, wood and lichens. Uses include, but are not
limited to making of snowshoes, dogsleds, baskets and various arts and crafts, etc. The materials are harvested in very limited
amounts and the practice is not detrimental to park resources.2) Another practice overlooked in National Park Service regulations
is the small scale manufacture of handicraft articles from horn, antler and bone which are shed or are from animals that have
died naturally or such parts discarded or by other subsistence users. The large-scale sale of these resources should not be
allowed. The making of handicrafts is labor intensive, time consuming and inherently limits the amount of resource that is
sought and utilized. The Secretary s response stated that the recommendation would be evaluated throught the National Environmental
parlicy Act (NEPA) process. Depending on the outcome of evaluation, regulations may then be developed under formal rule making.-------------------------------------------------In
FY 2008, the SRC did make any formal recommendations but did address the following Federal subsistence issues at its February
27, 2008 meeting.GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARKSUBSISTENCE RESOURCE COMMISSIONFebruary 27, 2008Sophie Station HotelFairbanks,
AKPresent:SRC Members NPS/F&G/OtherPollock Simon Dave MillsJack Reakoff Tom LiebscherChris Zwolinski (Absent) Dave KrupaTaqulik
Hepa (Teleconference) Gary YoungbloodLevi Cleveland Chris AllanTim Fickus (Absent) Clarence SummersRachel Riley Judy GotliebFred
Sun (Absent) Sverre Pedersen Kumi Rattenbury Greg DudgeionQuorum established and minutes read at 8:35am by Pollock Simon.Motion
to approve agenda seconded and approved. SRC Elections: :Pollock Simon elected as Chair and Jack Reakoff elected as Vice Chair.
MEMBER REPORTS (Take 1/Session 1) Cleveland: Mentioned that wolves are moving into populated areas, attacking dogs and causing
unusual moose movements. He worries about the villages kids that could be in danger. He notes lots of ptarmigan and snowshoe
hare in the area, with steady amounts of caribou. He laments the loss of water and melting of ice, largely attributing it
to global warming. He is confident that the villages can overcome the new problem of global warming they’ve dealt with other
lifestyle changes like modern amenities, the Red Dog Mine, and money.Hepa: Mentioned several events happening around state,
including the Alaska Fish and Game meeting where Anaktuvuk Pass residents traveled to Bethel to testify about reestablishing
a controlled use area north of GAAR (thanks to Park Service). She got good feedback from the meeting. The North Slope got
hit by surprise storm after mild winter, weather changes very fast now, climate change make it tough to predict unusual storms.
Wolverines and wolves are abundant so there is a productive year happening. Riley: Mentions lots of bears and caribou in her
home of Anaktuvuk Pass. Mentioned the rough fire season of the fall before, mentioning how it affected animals like the caribou.
Mentioned how “nothing is the same anymore”, while especially noting how the weather and melting patterns are completely different
and unpredictable. One man, Stony Edwards, is trapping wolves. Reakoff: Happy with G. Dudgeon as new superintendent, notes
how the SRC used to be contentious now works well due to Dave Mills. Caribou bulls have thick fat already, good production
year. Wolves not doing so well from the shallow snow year, conversely the moose are producing well, 53 calves for every 100
cows, and the calves are huge, look like one year olds soon after birth. Would like to see Park Service go around to village
to village and have open forum town hall meetings where they just talk about issues. Pollock: Worries about global warming
and worries how it affects animal movement. Wolves are hungry, caribou moving. His fish wheel caught very little fish. There
was less than two feet usually there are four or five feet of snow, when it gets warmer there is no water. Trapping not very
successful and is not done as often. Notes the changes in prices and getting the engines on the machines fixed is very expensive.
Village life is changing. Dudgeon: Continues the topic of global warming and the ending of traditions (like the seal hunt,
etc). He assures the SRC that the NPS is intent and passionate about preserving the promise of ANILCA and taking caring of
the ecosystems and the people in them through working together. Marsha Blazak, regional director of NPS is retiring in May.
Krupa is also serving as subsistence coordinator now. Mills: Thanks everyone (many with personal thanks) for the past years
as superintendent at GAAR. Reakoff: Recognizes “Judy” for her help with subsistence protection and Dave Mills for the same
thing.PROJECT UPDATES (Take 2/Session 1) Moose Study in Units 24A, 24BStudy discused, starting March 9th. It will be an interagency,
three to four year study of 60 moose, 30 in each unit and track their movement using collars. Took a lot of work to get funds
and make a multi-agency study work.Lynx/Hare ProjectStudying animals in GAAR and heavy metal and airborne contaminants that
affect them.Small Archeological ExpeditionFocused on Arctic small tool tradition, large study with Ethnography planned next
year on the Kobuk River. About 1,400 archeological sites in GAAR, with 800 are from the last five years…shows how active the
program currently is. Caribou Study IdeasDiscussion of how massive fires (like the Anaktuvuk Pass one of last year) affect
caribou herds. Reakoff asks if the oil burn on the North Slope will be studied- which is affirmative. Discussion of how fire,
global warming, and other factors are affecting the caribou and how they need to be studied and helped.. There is a 50 to
75 year re-growth time for lichen. Cleveland especially stresses the need to protect and keep caribou clean due to the importance
to local lifestyles. There is an interest in studying the levels of contaminants in the caribou and SRC should note that.
Reakoff mentions a cadmium study on the Seward Peninsula and he is interested in finding those levels out. Anaktuvuk River
FireJames Savage gives analysis of fire with maps and PowerPoint slides. Unprecedented size for a North Slope fire, collaring
of caribou will take place to see how they react to the 260,000 acre fire. Not all lichen has been destroyed, and BLM is going
to get more info on it. Reakoff wonders if cotton grass will come again and if they’ll document that…that’s what happened
after last major tundra burn. Continued talk of what will grow back, how it should be studied, how the new growth will burn,
etc.Arctic Network Inventory Monitoring Program Kumi Rattenbury gives presentation on what Arctic Network does and what its
activities have been doing. They work in the northern parks and preserves, recording natural inventory. They fund research
projects, such as climate and weather stations. They are in the process of writing a large monitoring plan that will set up
guidelines on how to streamline and archive all biological research data. In last year bear and Dall sheep studies have been
conducted, a land erosion study on Bering Land Bridge was taken and maintained an air quality measuring station in Ambler
that will now be moved to Bettles. Shallow lake studies will be taking place in Bering Land Bridge Reakoff mentions that their
decline in depth can destroy food resources for seabirds, thus increasing the decline of seabirds. He encourages a utilization
of TEK and community involvement in the projects. Village ArchivingKrupa states that research work that has been conducted
in the communities is usually not returned or shared with the community leading to a negative perception of the research organizations
and bad community relationships. Archiving history and information for communities, with an intent to make it available for
those communities is the project that is just getting started. It is a joint project with UAF NPS hopes to be “clearing house”
of information for communities to get documents from. Reakoff encourages central website, which is already planned. Advanced
online capability is one of the most important reasons to work with the University. Moose & Caribou HuntingMoose hunting discussion
and how hunting is changing in the expensive climate of today’s economy. Hunting policing also discussed, working with Alaska
State Troopers to enforce limits on moose and caribou.PROPOSAL DISCUSSION & VOTING (Take 00/Session 2)Proposal Update from
Board of Game: Controlled Use Area for Caribou Harvest in Anaktuvuk Pass2005 Board of Game and community discussed how to
facilitate movement of caribou into Anaktuvuk Pass controlled use area. Supporting data collected in the form of a census.
72 out of 84 households surveyed, estimated that in 2006-7, 700 caribou taken. High levels of harvesting, sharing and using
caribou in the households. Fall bull caribou harvest, important as their energy value is higher which is needed in the community.
Community and board discussion of controlled use area delineation and compromised on an L-shaped area. The proposal passed
at the Board of Game meeting in Bethel. Federal Subsistence BoardProposal on reduction of fish net mesh size to 7.5 in. on
Lower Koyukuk River. Upper river fish size has gone down over the years. The people there believe it is due to larger mesh
size from commercial lower river fishers. Board was split on the voting. Proposal did not pass. Debate will continue on as
it is a resource issue. State of Alaska BoardConservation concern over the possibility of the bear handicrafts becoming too
large if not regulated to restrict the use to only federally qualified subsistence users. Western Interior Regional Council
has been opposed area, Koyukon people have high respect for bears and do not approve of the sale of bear parts so he is abstaining
from comments on these proposals. Proposal WP08-52: The sale of brown bear handicrafts in 1-5, 9A-C, 9E, 12, 17, 20, 23, or
25: Adding unit 23 to freely use all bear parts in production sale of handicrafts. Office of Subsistence Management (OSM)
supportive as it is not changing the seasons or bag limits. Proposal WP08-53: The sale of brown bear handicrafts in 1-5, 9A-C,
9E, 12, 17, 20, 24B, or 26: The proposal is being changed to add units 24B and 26 to allow subsistence users to sell. Discussion:
Reakoff: Alatna, in part of 24B, doesn’t feel comfortable with the proposals as a council member. Gotleib: Important to have
all aspects on the record. Need to have pros and cons of why OSM is supporting these. Simon: . We don’t traditionally shoot
a black bear from the parks, its in our culture, we would return the hide back to the woods if we had one. If these units
want to sell bear parts that’s up to them but the only reason that a black bear would be killed would be to eat the meat.
Reakoff: Motion to adopt 52 and 53 with amendment to strike 24B from the proposal 53.NOT SECONDED. Krupa: Taqulik Hepa not
online now but would like her vote with the group if there is an establishment of a quorum. Reakoff: Motion to adopt 52 and
53 with amendment keeping 24B in the proposal 53.NOT SECONDED. Cleveland: We don’t sell parts. Only for food not to bother
anything. Not in the culture. Discussion: Motion must be made in the positive. If commission doesn’t like the proposal we
can vote it down. It is stated that consensus on a measure is needed and the commission should be on the record with everyone’s
opinion of opposing or neutral etc. Deferring the proposals for the sponsoring region is suggested. Proposal 52 is NW Arctic
regional advisory council. Proposal 53 is North Slope regional advisory council. Movement to defer the proposals to their
respective regional advisory councils with an Amendment to strike 24B from Proposal 53 for cultural reasons. Seconded and
passed. Proposal WP08-05: Proposal to limit the bear handicrafts in units 1-5, 9A-C, 9E, 12, 17, 20, 25: The 08- 05 proposal
states that they can only sell to other subsistence users which is not what they want to do. Reakoff motions to adopt 08-05
with the intent to oppose the proposal. Seconded. SRC votes to Oppose and defers to the home regions on the proposal but opposes
changing regulations limiting the sale of bear handicrafts to other federally qualified subsistence users. Proposal 59: Establishment
of Bull Moose season in unit 24B on Native lands within Kanuti controlled use area. Proposal is to allow a state hunt on Native
Corporation and allotment areas in congruence with the federal hunt as subsistence hunters are facing greater fuel prices
and lower population numbers making it hard to subsist. Moose are not moving around on time and harder to find. Deciphering
what land you are hunting on is hard as some is State. Hunting on their own lands should be allowed. State has been ignoring
the Native on Native land priority and viewing the land as more of common area whereas they are really private land owners.
Discussion: Subsistence hunting is hard when you have to be concerned with State game regulations state that you must know
and observe the rules of what land you are hunting on but closures are well published. Native corporations have to give permission
to people hunting on their lands. Only the shareholders would be able to hunt there. Native corporation lands are closest
to home and they should be able to hunt there, that is what the subsistence regulations are supposed to be for. Motion to
adopt Proposal 59, seconded. Motion Passed. Proposal 85: Extension of hunting seasons for resident hunters of Dall sheep,
units, 12, 19, 20 ,21, 24, 25, 26B, and 26C. Proposal will give two extra days of sheep hunting for the residents of Alaska
allowing for these residents to gain access to hunting areas before and after the non-resident hunting season. Beneficial
for people in Allakaket in Alatna if passed. Motion to support, Proposal 85, . Motion PassedNEW BUSINESS SRC Recommendation
99-01 SRC recommendation allowed for traditional plants to be used for handicrafts on villages near the Kobuk River. Discussions
of extending this to include other items such as antlers as raw materials and if they should be allowed to be sold was not
supported. Needed more work to understand how to achieve the best solution. In order to answer questions, (What has been done
traditionally and customarily in the areas? And how many commissions are interested?), they want to conduct one process together
in the form of an environmental assessment, with analysis of alternatives on how to accommodate these traditional uses. Results
would then be used to pursue regulations supported by the region’s commission. Should be a two year process depending on how
much interest there is in participating. SRC votes to send a letter of support to the regional director for 99-01 recommendation
is expedited through the proper channels. Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment ProjectFound high levels of mercury and
dieldrene in fish in GAAR and Denali lakes. European airmass deposition likely through rain and snow and bioaccumulation.
Deciding what to do with this information is important. A list of contaminant contacts is passed around with public health
contacts included as the SRC is not a health organization. Should include Chandler Lake near Anaktuvuk Pass in future studies.
Harvest SurveyRegional office made booklet on known harvest information, local knowledge surveys weren’t included but it does
include levels of harvest with data in relation to the federal hunts and a searchable DVD. CLOSING COMMENTSShort discussion
about information that is being gathered on these villages should be completed in the same way so they are comparable and
also made available to the villages in their entirety. A lot of staffing from ARC is going to be in Fairbanks rather than
various field offices, so frequent communication and visits to the villages are important to keep the relationships as partners
going.
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