Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

              U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Revised Comprehensive
Conservation Plan
and
Environmental Impact Statement
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission Statement
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to
conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the
continuing benefit of the American people.
Refuge Mission Statement
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national
network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and, where
appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their
habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future
generations of Americans.
—National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
The comprehensive conservation plan details program planning levels that
are substantially greater than current budget allocations and, as such, is for strategic
planning and program prioritization purposes only. This plan does not constitute a
commitment for staffing increases or funding for future refuge-specific land
acquisitions, construction projects, or operational and maintenance increases.
Photo credits: front cover—“Fox and Bear Go Walking,” © Heather Johnson, Kiak Arts & Images; back
cover (eagle)—USFWS; (harlequin)—Denny Zwiefelhofer, USFWS; (brown bears)—Leslie Kerr, USFWS
Revised Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and
Environmental Impact Statement
Kodiak
National Wildlife Refuge
August 2006
Prepared by
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Region 7
Anchorage, Alaska
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1390 Buskin River Road Region 7
Kodiak, AK 99615 1011 East Tudor Road, MS-231
Anchorage, AK 99503
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Regional Office, National Wildlife Refuge System-Alaska
Division of Conservation Planning & Policy
1011 East Tudor Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
(907) 786-3357
Dear Reader:
The Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Plan) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will
guide management of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. This Plan outlines four
management alternatives, including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s preferred alternative, and presents
the Service’s evaluation of the environmental consequences of each of those alternatives.
To develop this final Plan, we analyzed and considered the comments received on the Draft Plan, which
was released in October 2004.
The Plan provides management direction for activities and uses of Kodiak Refuge, goals and objectives
for refuge programs, and compatibility determinations for the current uses of the Refuge. The major
change between the Draft Plan and this final Plan is that we modified the amount of refuge land proposed
for reclassification to Minimal Management. Rather than only 12, 321 acres under Moderate
Management, Alternative D (the Preferred Alternative) now includes 31, 521 acres under Moderate
Management. We clarified the role of public use regulations under Alternatives B, C, and D if voluntary
use guidelines are not effective; clarified the differences between current and proposed management
related to introduction/reintroduction of fish and wildlife species; and added aquaculture support facilities
to the list of possible uses of the Refuge (Tables 2-2 and 2-5). We have revised the language addressing
Service jurisdiction over waters within the boundaries of Kodiak Refuge.
We will publish a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days after release of this final Plan. The Record
of Decision will present the rational for selecting the course of action that will be followed by the Refuge.
Direct comments and requests for further information to:
Mikel R. Haase, Planning Team Leader
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1011 E. Tudor Road, MS-231
Anchorage, AK 99503
fw7_Kodiak_planning@fws.gov
(907) 786-3402
Request copies of the full document (on CD-ROM) or the Executive Summary (printed) through the same
sources. You may also view the Plan online at http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/planning/plans.htm.
We thank everyone who participated in the planning and public involvement process.
Your comments helped us prepare a better plan for the future of Kodiak Refuge.
Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan i
Contents
Lists of Tables and Figures.................................................................................................................... ix
Abbreviations and Acronyms .............................................................................................................. xiii
Glossary...............................................................................................................................................xv
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................S-1
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................1-1
1.1 Purpose of and Need for Action .............................................................................................1-1
1.2 Refuge Overview....................................................................................................................1-3
1.2.1 Historical Perspective and Refuge Establishment.................................................1-3
1.2.2 Purposes of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge......................................................1-5
1.2.3 Refuge Environment .............................................................................................1-6
1.2.4 Special Values of the Refuge ................................................................................1-8
Kodiak Brown Bear ..............................................................................................1-8
Kodiak Refugium and Associated Glacial Lakes .................................................1-8
Ayakulik-Red, Karluk, Sturgeon, and Dog Salmon Drainages ............................1-9
Uganik Lake..........................................................................................................1-9
Three Saints Bay...................................................................................................1-9
Mount Glottof Research Natural Area ..................................................................1-9
Afognak Island Sitka Spruce Forest ...................................................................1-10
Coastal Marine Habitats......................................................................................1-10
1.3 Refuge Vision and Goals......................................................................................................1-10
1.3.1 Refuge Vision Statement ....................................................................................1-10
1.3.2 Refuge Goals.......................................................................................................1-11
1.4 Legal and Policy Context and State Coordination ...............................................................1-12
1.4.1 Legal Guidance ...................................................................................................1-12
1.4.2 Policy Guidance ..................................................................................................1-13
1.4.3 Coordination with the State of Alaska ................................................................1-13
1.5 Planning Context ..................................................................................................................1-13
1.5.1 The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife
Refuge System....................................................................................................1-14
Fish & Wildlife Service and Refuge System Missions.......................................1-14
Principles for Managing the National Wildlife Refuge System..........................1-14
Ecosystem Approach to Refuge Management ....................................................1-15
International, National, and Regional Management Guidance ...........................1-15
1.6 The Planning Process for Kodiak Refuge ............................................................................1-16
1.6.1 Design the Planning Process (Preplanning) ........................................................1-16
1.6.2 Initiate Public Involvement and Scoping ............................................................1-17
1.6.3 Determine Significant Planning Issues ...............................................................1-17
1.6.4 Develop and Analyze Alternatives .....................................................................1-18
1.6.5 Prepare Draft Plan and Environmental Impact Statement ..................................1-19
Comments Received on the Draft Plan ...............................................................1-19
1.6.6 Prepare and Adopt a Final Plan and Environmental Impact Statement ..............1-19
1.6.7 Implement Plan, Monitor, and Evaluate .............................................................1-19
1.6.8 Review and Revise Plan......................................................................................1-20
1.7 Significant Planning Issues ..................................................................................................1-20
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ii Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan
1.8 Changes from the Draft Kodiak Conservation Plan .............................................................1-26
1.9 References Cited...................................................................................................................1-27
2. Management Alternatives .............................................................................................................2-1
2.1 Refuge Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................2-1
2.2 Management Policies and Guidelines ..................................................................................2-33
2.2.1 Management Emergencies ..................................................................................2-34
2.2.2 Administrative Boundary Adjustments and Intra-Agency
Management Agreements ...................................................................................2-34
2.2.3 Land Exchanges and Acquisitions ......................................................................2-39
2.2.4 Land Conservation Planning...............................................................................2-39
2.2.5 Compatibility Determinations.............................................................................2-39
2.2.6 Mitigation............................................................................................................2-40
2.2.7 Coastal Zone Consistency...................................................................................2-41
2.2.8 Cooperation and Coordination with Others ........................................................2-42
Federal, State, and Local Government................................................................2-42
Tribes and Native American Organizations........................................................2-43
Owners of Refuge Inholdings and Adjacent Lands ............................................2-44
Service Jurisdiction over Waters within Kodiak Refuge ....................................2-44
Other Constituencies...........................................................................................2-45
2.2.9 Ecosystem and Landscape Management.............................................................2-45
Air Quality ..........................................................................................................2-45
Water Resources (Hydrology) Management.......................................................2-46
Visual Resource Management ............................................................................2-47
Cultural, Historic, and Paleontologic Resources ................................................2-47
2.2.10 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management ..............................................................2-49
Habitat Management...........................................................................................2-49
Fire Management ................................................................................................2-50
Weed Control (Pest and Nonnative Plant Management) ....................................2-51
2.2.11 Fish and Wildlife Population Management.........................................................2-52
Wildlife Inventory and Monitoring Plan.............................................................2-52
Scientific Peer Review........................................................................................2-52
Compliance with the Animal Welfare Act..........................................................2-53
Marking and Banding .........................................................................................2-53
Threatened or Endangered Species .....................................................................2-53
Introductions and Reintroductions......................................................................2-53
Fish and Wildlife Control ...................................................................................2-54
Nonnative Species Management.........................................................................2-55
Fish, and Wildlife Pest Management and Disease Prevention and Control...... 2-55
Fishery Restoration .............................................................................................2-55
Fishery Enhancement........................................................................................ 2-56
2.2.12 Subsistence Use Management.............................................................................2-56
Access for Subsistence Purposes ........................................................................2-57
Section 810 Evaluations......................................................................................2-58
2.2.13 Public Access and Transportation Management .................................................2-58
Snowmachines, Motorboats, Airplanes, and Nonmotorized Surface
Transportation.....................................................................................................2-58
Off-Road Vehicles ..............................................................................................2-58
Helicopters ..........................................................................................................2-58
Access to Inholdings...........................................................................................2-59
Temporary Access ..............................................................................................2-59
Subsistence Access .............................................................................................2-59
Contents
Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan iii
Transportation and Utility Systems ....................................................................2-59
State Transportation Planning.............................................................................2-60
RS 2477 Rights-of-Way......................................................................................2-60
Section 17(b) Easements.....................................................................................2-61
Navigation Aids and Other Facilities..................................................................2-61
2.2.14 Recreation and Other Public Use ........................................................................2-62
2.2.15 Outreach..............................................................................................................2-63
Other Outreach Activities ...................................................................................2-63
2.2.16 Recreation Facilities............................................................................................2-63
Cabins .................................................................................................................2-64
Temporary Facilities ...........................................................................................2-64
2.2.17 Commercial Use Management............................................................................2-65
Mineral Exploration and Development...............................................................2-65
Commercial Recreation Services........................................................................2-67
Commercial Fishing and Related Facilities ........................................................2-68
Commercial Harvest of Timber and Firewood ...................................................2-68
Commercial Gathering of Other Resources ........................................................2-68
Commercial Filming and Recording Activities ..................................................2-68
Other Commercial Uses......................................................................................2-69
2.2.18 Environmental Contaminants Identification and Cleanup ..................................2-69
2.2.19 Administration of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge..........................................2-70
Administrative Sites and Visitor Facilities .........................................................2-70
Refuge Management Plans .................................................................................2-71
2.3 Management Categories .......................................................................................................2-72
2.3.1 Moderate Management .......................................................................................2-72
2.3.2 Minimal Management .........................................................................................2-73
2.3.3 Special Management ...........................................................................................2-73
2.3.4 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Section 22(g) Lands ...............................2-74
2.3.5 Activities, Uses, and Facilities by Management Category .................................2-74
Key for Table 2-2 Activities, public uses, commercial uses, and facilities
by management category ....................................................................................2-74
2.4 Process Used to Develop Alternatives .................................................................................2-85
2.5 Alternatives and Actions Considered But Eliminated from Detailed Study ........................2-87
2.6 Elements Common to All Alternatives.................................................................................2-89
2.6.1 The Kodiak Archipelago Bear Conservation and Management Plan .................2-90
2.6.2 Master Agreement for Protection of Certain Lands and Resources
Between Koniag, Inc., the United States of America, and the State
of Alaska (Koniag, Inc. Large Parcel Acquisition, Phase 2)...............................2-91
2.7 Alternative A—Current Management ..................................................................................2-93
2.7.1 General Management Direction ..........................................................................2-93
Management Categories......................................................................................2-93
Activities, Public Uses, Commercial Uses, and Facilities
by Management Category ...................................................................................2-94
2.7.2 Management Direction by Program....................................................................2-97
Fish and Wildlife Management...........................................................................2-97
Public Use Management: Access........................................................................2-97
Public Use Management: Commercial Use of the Refuge................................2-102
Public Use Management: Unguided Use of the Refuge....................................2-103
Staffing and Budget Needs ..............................................................................2-104
2.8 Alternative B ......................................................................................................................2-105
2.8.1 General Management Direction ........................................................................2-105
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iv Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Management Categories....................................................................................2-105
2.8.2 Management Direction by Program..................................................................2-107
Fish and Wildlife Management.........................................................................2-107
Public Use Management: Access......................................................................2-107
Public Use Management: Commercial Use of the Refuge................................2-108
Public Use Management: Unguided Use of the Refuge....................................2-110
Staffing and Budget Needs ...............................................................................2-111
2.9 Alternative C ......................................................................................................................2-113
2.9.1 General Management Direction ........................................................................2-113
Management Categories....................................................................................2-113
2.9.2 Management Direction by Program..................................................................2-115
Fish and Wildlife Management.........................................................................2-115
Public Use Management: Access......................................................................2-115
Public Use Management: Commercial Use of the Refuge................................2-116
Public Use Management: Unguided Use of the Refuge....................................2-117
Staffing and Budget Needs ...............................................................................2-118
2.10 Alternative D (Preferred Alternative) ...........................................................................2-120
2.10.1 General Management Direction ........................................................................2-120
Management Categories....................................................................................2-120
2.10.2 Management Direction by Program..................................................................2-121
Fish and Wildlife Management.........................................................................2-121
Public Use Management: Access......................................................................2-123
Public Use Management: Commercial Use of the Refuge................................2-124
Public Use Management: Unguided Use of the Refuge....................................2-126
Staffing and Budget Needs ...............................................................................2-127
2.11 Summary Comparison of the Alternatives.....................................................................2-128
2.12 References Cited ............................................................................................................2-133
3. Affected Environment...................................................................................................................3-1
3.1 Geographic and Ecosystem Setting ........................................................................................3-1
3.1.1 Land Status............................................................................................................3-1
3.1.2 Acquisitions and Exchanges .................................................................................3-5
3.1.3 Environmental Contaminants................................................................................3-9
3.1.4 Ecosystems..........................................................................................................3-10
Alaska Ecosystems .....................................................................................................................3-11
3.1.5 Physical Environment .........................................................................................3-11
3.1.6 Climate................................................................................................................3-12
3.1.7 Landforms ...........................................................................................................3-12
3.1.8 Geology...............................................................................................................3-13
3.1.9 Soils ....................................................................................................................3-14
3.1.10 Oil and Gas Occurrences and Potential...............................................................3-14
3.1.11 Minerals ..............................................................................................................3-15
3.1.12 Water Resources .................................................................................................3-15
Unique Refuge-Specific Water Resources..........................................................3-18
3.2 Biological Environment .......................................................................................................3-19
3.2.1 Vegetation ...........................................................................................................3-19
3.2.2 Fish and Wildlife.................................................................................................3-29
Fish......................................................................................................................3-30
Birds....................................................................................................................3-34
Native Land Mammals........................................................................................3-37
Nonnative Land Mammals..................................................................................3-43
Marine Mammals................................................................................................3-47
Contents
Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan v
Threatened and Endangered Species—Plants and Animals................................3-48
3.2.3 Concerns Regarding Fish and Wildlife Populations and Habitats ......................3-48
Bear Concentration Areas ...................................................................................3-49
Bear Viewing ......................................................................................................3-51
Effects of Introduced Species on Kodiak Refuge Habitats.................................3-53
Expansion of Introduced Elk to Kodiak Island...................................................3-54
Invasive Plants and Invertebrates........................................................................3-55
Coastal Resource Management...........................................................................3-55
Sea Otters............................................................................................................3-56
Karluk Habitat Protection Agreement.................................................................3-57
3.3 Human Environment ............................................................................................................3-57
3.3.1 History.................................................................................................................3-57
3.3.2 Transportation and Access ..................................................................................3-60
3.3.3 Local Government and Institutions.....................................................................3-61
3.3.4 Local Population and Economy ..........................................................................3-62
Population ...........................................................................................................3-62
Economy .............................................................................................................3-69
Employment and Income ....................................................................................3-74
Economic Significance of the Refuge.................................................................3-75
3.3.5 Cultural Resources ..............................................................................................3-77
3.3.6 Subsistence..........................................................................................................3-79
3.3.7 Recreation Opportunities on Kodiak Refuge ......................................................3-83
Public Use Cabins...............................................................................................3-85
Karluk Habitat Protection Agreement.................................................................3-86
Hunting ...............................................................................................................3-88
Fishing ................................................................................................................3-91
Wildlife Viewing ................................................................................................3-96
Interpretation and Environmental Education ......................................................3-98
Trends in Recreation Uses ................................................................................3-100
3.4 Wilderness Values..............................................................................................................3-101
3.4.1 Ayakulik-Uyak Unit..........................................................................................3-103
Size....................................................................................................................3-103
Naturalness and Wildness .................................................................................3-103
Opportunities for Primitive Recreation.............................................................3-104
3.4.2 Zachar-Uganik Unit ..........................................................................................3-104
Size....................................................................................................................3-104
Naturalness and Wildness .................................................................................3-104
Opportunities for Primitive Recreation.............................................................3-106
3.4.3 Spiridon Peninsula-Uganik Island Unit ............................................................3-106
Size....................................................................................................................3-106
Naturalness and Wildness .................................................................................3-106
Opportunities for Primitive Recreation.............................................................3-106
3.4.4 Red Peaks–Ban Island Unit...............................................................................3-107
Size....................................................................................................................3-107
Naturalness and Wildness .................................................................................3-107
Opportunities for Primitive Recreation.............................................................3-107
3.4.5 Existing Wilderness Recommendation .............................................................3-107
3.5 River Values.......................................................................................................................3-108
3.5.1 Ayakulik River..................................................................................................3-108
Topography and Geology..................................................................................3-108
Fish and Wildlife Populations...........................................................................3-108
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vi Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Recreation Opportunities ................................................................................. 3-110
Cultural History ................................................................................................3-110
3.5.2 Spiridon River...................................................................................................3-110
Topography and Geology..................................................................................3-110
Fish and Wildlife Populations...........................................................................3-110
Recreation Opportunities ..................................................................................3-111
Cultural History ................................................................................................3-111
3.5.3 Uganik River.....................................................................................................3-111
Topography and Geology .................................................................................3-111
Fish and Wildlife Populations...........................................................................3-111
Cultural History ................................................................................................3-112
3.6 Refuge Infrastructure and Administration..........................................................................3-112
3.6.1 Administrative Facilities ...................................................................................3-112
3.6.2 Refuge Staffing .................................................................................................3-113
3.7 References Cited.................................................................................................................3-115
4. Environmental Consequences.......................................................................................................4-1
4.1 Analyses ................................................................................................................................4-2
4.1.1 Physical Environment ...........................................................................................4-2
Aquatic Habitats....................................................................................................4-2
4.1.2 Biological Environment ........................................................................................4-2
Vegetation.............................................................................................................4-2
Fish Populations....................................................................................................4-4
Bird Populations ...................................................................................................4-4
Brown Bear Populations .......................................................................................4-6
Nonnative Mammal Populations (Sitka Black-Tailed Deer, Roosevelt Elk,
and Mountain Goat) ............................................................................................4-16
Marine Mammal Populations..............................................................................4-17
4.1.3 Human Environment ...........................................................................................4-18
Local Population and Economy ..........................................................................4-18
Subsistence..........................................................................................................4-21
Guides and other Commercial Service Providers ...............................................4-23
Bear Hunting.......................................................................................................4-26
Deer Hunting.......................................................................................................4-29
Recreational Fishing ...........................................................................................4-31
Wildlife-Viewing Opportunities .........................................................................4-34
Wilderness Values ..............................................................................................4-36
River Values .......................................................................................................4-39
4.2 Relationship Between Short-Term Use of the Environment and
Long-Term Productivity.......................................................................................................4-41
4.3 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources ....................................................4-41
4.4 Environmental Justice ..........................................................................................................4-42
4.5 Section 810 Evaluation.........................................................................................................4-42
4.6 Summary Comparison of Environmental Effects.................................................................4-43
4.7 References Cited...................................................................................................................4-47
5. Evaluation of the Alternatives ......................................................................................................5-1
5.1 Evaluation Criteria .................................................................................................................5-1
5.2 Response to Refuge Purposes.................................................................................................5-1
5.3 Response to National Wildlife Refuge System Mission ........................................................5-2
5.4 Response to Refuge Goals......................................................................................................5-2
5.5 Response to Issues..................................................................................................................5-2
5.5.1 Management of Public Use ...................................................................................5-3
Contents
Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan vii
Management of Camping Areas ...................................................................................................5-3
Public Use Cabins.........................................................................................................................5-4
5.5.2 Protection of Bear Concentration Areas ...............................................................5-4
5.5.3 Management of O’Malley River ...........................................................................5-5
5.6 Biological Integrity and Ecosystem Management..................................................................5-5
5.7 Agreement with ADF&G Management Plans........................................................................5-6
5.8 References Cited.....................................................................................................................5-6
6. Implementation and Monitoring ...................................................................................................6-1
6.1 Step-Down Plans ....................................................................................................................6-1
6.2 Partnership Opportunities.......................................................................................................6-3
6.3 Monitoring and Evaluation.....................................................................................................6-6
6.4 Plan Amendment and Revision ..............................................................................................6-6
7. Consultation and Coordination with Others..................................................................................7-1
7.1 Consistency with the Alaska Coastal Management Program.................................................7-1
7.1.1 Alaska Coastal Management Program Policies (Condensed)...............................7-1
Coastal Development (6 AAC 80.040).................................................................7-2
Recreation (6 AAC 80.060) ..................................................................................7-2
Subsistence (6 AAC 80.120).................................................................................7-2
Habitats (6 AAC 80.130) ......................................................................................7-2
Air, Land, and Water Quality (6 AAC 80.140) ....................................................7-2
7.1.2 Kodiak Island Borough Coastal Management Program........................................7-2
Industrial Development.........................................................................................7-3
Commercial Development ....................................................................................7-3
Residential Development......................................................................................7-3
Recreation, Tourism, and Natural Setting.............................................................7-4
Energy Facilities ...................................................................................................7-4
Transportation and Utility Routes.........................................................................7-4
Fisheries and Seafood Processing.........................................................................7-4
Timber and Timber Processing.............................................................................7-5
Agriculture ............................................................................................................7-5
Mining and Mineral Processing ............................................................................7-5
Subsistence............................................................................................................7-5
Geophysical Hazards ............................................................................................7-5
Coastal Access ......................................................................................................7-6
Resource Enhancement and Protection.................................................................7-6
Air and Water Quality...........................................................................................7-6
Archaeological and Historical Resources .............................................................7-6
7.2 Section 7 Compliance (Endangered Species Act) ..................................................................7-7
7.3 References Cited.....................................................................................................................7-7
Appendix A: Legal and Planning Coordination ................................................................................A-1
Appendix B: Coordination with the State of Alaska ......................................................................... B-1
Appendix C: Kodiak Archipelago Bear Conservation and Management Plan
Recommendations....................................................................................................................... C-1
Appendix D: Co-operative Management Agreement for the Terror Lake
Hydroelectric Project ................................................................................................................... D-1
Appendix E: Compatibility Determinations ...................................................................................... E-1
Use: Commercial Fishing ............................................................................................................ E-1
Use: Commercially Guided and Outfitted Hunting Services....................................................... E-7
Use: Commercially Guided Recreational Fishing Services ....................................................... E-17
Use: Commercially Guided Wildlife Viewing, Photography,
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viii Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Environmental Education, and Interpretation...................................................................... E-27
Use: Commercial Transporter Services ..................................................................................... E-37
Use: Fisheries Projects at Frazer Fish Pass, Hidden Lake, and Spiridon Lake.......................... E-45
Use: Helicopter Use to Support Authorized Activities by Other Federal, Tribal,
State, and Local Governments and for Maintenance of One Private
Radio Repeater Site ............................................................................................................. E-49
Use: Limited Military Training Activities ................................................................................. E-55
Use: Unguided Wildlife Viewing, Photography, Environmental Education,
and Interpretation ................................................................................................................ E-61
Use: O’Malley River Bear-Viewing Program ........................................................................... E-67
Use: Other Public Uses .............................................................................................................. E-77
Use: Private Cabin and Temporary Camp Special Use Permits ................................................ E-81
Use: Public Use Cabins.............................................................................................................. E-87
Use: Reburial of Archaeological Human Remains per State and Federal Guidelines ............... E-91
Use: Recreational Fishing .......................................................................................................... E-97
Use: Recreational Hunting....................................................................................................... E-103
Use: Residence Permit ............................................................................................................. E-109
Use: Scientific Research .......................................................................................................... E-113
Use: Snowmachines (Snowmobiles)........................................................................................ E-119
Use: State of Alaska Management Activities .......................................................................... E-123
Use: Subsistence Activities...................................................................................................... E-127
Use: Trapping .......................................................................................................................... E-131
Appendix F: Easements, Withdrawals, and Rights of Way within the Kodiak
National Wildlife Refuge..............................................................................................................F-1
Appendix G: Species Lists ................................................................................................................ G-1
Appendix H: Land Acquisition Program within Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge ......................... H-1
Appendix I: Preparers.........................................................................................................................I-1
Appendix J: Mailing List.................................................................................................................... J-1
Appendix K: Response to Comments................................................................................................ K-1
Tables and Figures
Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan ix
Tables
Table S-1 Comparison of the alternatives.............................................................................. S-14
Table S-2 Comparison of impacts by alternative................................................................... S-16
Table 1-1 Issues raised during scoping...................................................................................1-22
Table 2-1 Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge lands near Kodiak
Refuge, February 19, 2003 .....................................................................................2-35
Table 2-2 Activities, public uses, commercial uses, and facilities
by management category........................................................................................2-76
Table 2-3 Management category designations in Alternative A ............................................2-94
Table 2-4 Differences between Minimal Management and Special River Management .......2-96
Table 2-5 Comparison of activities, public uses, commercial uses, and facilities by
management category—current management from the 1987
Comprehensive Plan (Alternative A) with management proposed in the
draft revised Conservation Plan (Alternatives B, C, and D) ..................................2-98
Table 2-6 Staffing and budget needs for Alternative A........................................................2-104
Table 2-7 Management category designations in Alternative B...........................................2-107
Table 2-8 Additional staffing and budget needs for Alternative B.......................................2-112
Table 2-9 Management category designations in Alternative C...........................................2-115
Table 2-10 Additional staffing and budget needs for Alternative C.......................................2-119
Table 2-11 Management category designations in Alternative D ..........................................2-121
Table 2-12 Additional budget and staffing needs for Alternative D ......................................2-127
Table 2-13 Comparison of the alternatives.............................................................................2-129
Table 2-14 Comparison of impacts by alternative..................................................................2-131
Table 3-1 Land status within Kodiak Refuge ...........................................................................3-2
Table 3-2 ANCSA Native corporations and village relationships............................................3-5
Table 3-3 Summary of land-acquisition program on Kodiak Refuge.......................................3-6
Table 3-4 Summary of easements acquired by the Service on Kodiak Refuge........................3-6
Table 3-5 Existing stream-discharge data on or near Kodiak Refuge ....................................3-17
Table 3-6 Kodiak Archipelago vegetation communities ........................................................3-20
Table 3-7 Fire History on Kodiak Refuge, 1984-2002 ...........................................................3-29
Table 3-8 General information on fish species of Kodiak Refuge .........................................3-31
Table 3-9 Summary of documented level and sources of brown bear mortality
averaged by time period, Kodiak Archipelago, July 1, 1960–June 30, 2003.........3-41
Table 3-10 History of mammal species introduction to Kodiak Archipelago ..........................3-44
Table 3-11 Population characteristics, Kodiak Island Borough ...............................................3-65
Tables and Figures
x Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan
Table 3-12 Commercial fishery landings and dollar value at Kodiak ......................................3-70
Table 3-13 Kodiak state water Pacific cod fishery results........................................................3-71
Table 3-14 Salmon harvest permits issued, permits fished, and ex-vessel value in
millions of dollars...................................................................................................3-72
Table 3-15 Kodiak Island Borough annual average monthly employment by
industry, 1990–2001 .......................................................................................3-76
Table 3-16 Employment and payroll attributable to on site and refuge-dependent
activities .................................................................................................................3-78
Table 3-17 Estimated annual amount of wild food harvest by community ..............................3-82
Table 3-18 Wild food harvests per individual for all Kodiak Island communities
by resource .............................................................................................................3-83
Table 3-19 Nutritional contribution of annual subsistence food harvests by community ........3-83
Table 3-20 Recreation use-days on Kodiak Refuge, 1997–2003 .............................................3-84
Table 3-21 Total use-days by year at Kodiak Refuge public use cabins ..................................3-85
Table 3-22 Deer hunting use-days on Kodiak Refuge, 1997–2003..........................................3-90
Table 3-23 Bear hunting use-days on Kodiak Refuge, 1997–2003 ..........................................3-90
Table 3-24 Goat hunting use-days on Kodiak Refuge, 1997–2003..........................................3-91
Table 3-25 Drainages within the boundary of Kodiak Refuge having good-to-fair
access that attract recreational anglers ...................................................................3-92
Table 3-26 Recreational fishing use-days on Kodiak Refuge, 1997–2003...............................3-94
Table 3-27 Wildlife viewing use-days on Kodiak Refuge, 1997–2003....................................3-96
Table 3-28 Existing administrative facilities for Kodiak Refuge ...........................................3-114
Table 3-29 Additional facilities needed to support current refuge programs .........................3-115
Table 4-1 Summary comparison of effects of implementing the alternatives ........................4-44
Table5-1 Evaluation of alternatives based on significant issues .............................................5-3
Table 6-1 Monitoring indicators, standards, and possible actions for wildlife, fisheries,
and habitat ................................................................................................................6-7
Table 6-2 Monitoring indicators, standards, and possible actions for public use
activities .................................................................................................................6-10
Tables and Figures
Kodiak NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan xi
Figures
Figure S-1 Figure S-1 Alaska national wildlife refuges and Kodiak Refuge
location map ............................................................................................................ S-1
Figure 1-1 Alaska national wildlife refuges and Kodiak Refuge location map .........................1-2
Figure 2-1 Alaska Maritime NWR lands .................................................................................2-37
Figure 2-2 Alternative A—Current Management ....................................................................2-95
Figure 2-3 O’Malley River seasonal closure .........................................................................2-101
Figure 2-4 Alternative B ........................................................................................................2-106
Figure 2-5 Alternative C ........................................................................................................2-114
Figure 2-6 Alternative D—Preferred Alternative ..................................................................2-122
Figure 3-1 Generalized land status—Kodiak Refuge ................................................................3-3
Figure 3-2 Overview of land-acquisition program—Kodiak Refuge ........................................3-7
Figure 3-3 Distribution of vegetation communities on the Kodiak Archipelago.....................3-25
Figure 3-4 Percentage cover of terrestrial and fresh water vegetation types within
Kodiak Refuge and the Kodiak Archipelago..........................................................3-28
Figure 3-5 Average monthly occupancy of freshwater and saltwater cabins, 1999-2003 .......3-86
Figure 3-6 Public use cabins and administrative facilities on Kodiak Refuge.........................3-87
Figure 3-7 Average monthly occupancy of high-use cabins (South Frazer and Uganik Lake)
compared to average occupancy for all cabins, 1999–2003...................................3-88
Figure 3-8 Wilderness review units (1987 Conservation Plan) and rivers with
exceptional values ................................................................................................3-105
Figure 3-9 Existing Wilderness recommendation..................................................................3-109
Figure F-1 17(b) easements and proposed RS-2477 routes on Kodiak Refuge ........................ F-2
Figure H-1 Overview of acquisition program in Akhiok-Kaguyak area ...................................H-2
Figure H-2 Overview of acquisition program in the Old Harbor area .......................................H-6
Figure H-3 Overview of acquisition program in Koniag, Inc., area ..........................................H-9
Figure H-4 Overview of acquisition program with Afognak Joint Venture ............................H-12