[]{#_top .anchor}MINUTES

Alaska Resource Advisory Council Meeting

Alaska State Office \~ Anchorage, AK

October 13-14, 2005

  -------------------------------- --------------------------------------
  **Council members present:**     **BLM representatives present:**

  Tom Crafford, Chair              Henri Bisson, State Director, Alaska
                                   State Office

  Greg Beischer                    Garth Olson, Glennallen Field Office

  Charlie Boddy                    Gary Reimer, Anchorage Field Office

  Barbara Fullmer                  Bob Schneider, Fairbanks District
                                   Office

  Scott Hala                       Dave Howell, ASO

  Sandra Key                       Jody Weil, ASO

  Suzanne McCarthy                 Ramona Chinn, ASO

  Susan Olsen                      Brad England, ASO

  June McAtee                      Ramone McCoy, ASO

  Jim Posey                        Chris Noyles, ASO

  Keith Tryck                      Kevin McIver, AFS

  Teresa Imm                       Mary Lynch, AFS

                                   Shellye Poster, ASO

  **Others present:**              Curt Wilson, ASO

  Larry Taylor                     Bill Overbaugh, ASO

  June Taylor                      Dave Mushovic, ASO

  Mary Patania                     Danielle Allen, RAC coordinator

  Cam Toohey, Dept. of Interior    Wendy Longtin, RAC recorder

  Melissa Blair, Alaska Coalition  

  Rachel James, Alaska Coalition   

  Gloria Stickwan, Ahtna Inc.      

  Wilson Justin, Mount Sanford     
  Tribal Consortium                

  Yereth Rosen, Reuters            

                                   
  -------------------------------- --------------------------------------

*[\* handouts may be obtained by contacting RAC coordinator Danielle
Allen at 907-271-3335 or Danielle_Allen@ak.blm.gov]{.mark}*

**[Thursday, October 13, 2005]{.underline}**

**Council members absent:** Phil Driver, David van den Berg

**Chair Tom Crafford called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.**

New members Barbara Fullmer and Scott Hala, council members and key
staff introduced themselves.

The council approved minutes of the August RAC meeting as written.

The council discussed their August field trip and meeting to Cordova and
the Bering Glacier field camp. The sentiment among council members who
attended was that the trip gave them a greater understanding of the
scope of research at the glacier and necessary logistical support.

**[Landscapes, Lifestyles & Leisure:\
Connecting Urban Americans to the Natural World]{.underline}**

**Emilyn Sheffield, Department of Recreation & Parks Management,\
California State University, Chico**

**[\*Printout of PowerPoint presentation]{.mark}**

Sheffield regularly makes this presentation about lifestyle trends that
affect the future of public lands at Pathways, a BLM employee
orientation at the National Training Center in Phoenix.

As populations increase, Sheffield asks how will an urban, landless
people understand natural places? Landscape issues? Why will they care?
She said that the United States has created a land-based system for
conservation and now, land management agencies and advisory groups such
as this council and nonprofits have an opportunity to foster a
citizen-based system for conservation. Highlights from her presentation
include:

-   Outdoor recreationists use to search for "man vs. mountain"
    opportunities, now outdoor recreation involves family, pets, choices
    and technology to make sense of natural places.

-   Snowmobiling will see a 100%+ increase in use in the Pacific Coast
    region. Alaska could provide some real leadership in making
    decisions to manage the dramatic increase of public land use.

-   Locally, there is a need to provide more high-volume recreation:
    picnicking, sightseeing, and walking. Urban, landless people will
    determine our future so if their needs are addressed they can
    advocate funding. Specifically for BLM Alaska, the Campbell Creek
    Science Center is the most important land the BLM has because it's
    making a connection with urban kids who will decide our fate.

-   Return to the notion of connecting public lands to urban people --
    share the story, realize hospitality, gear, media, and recreation
    matters, and that volunteerism are recreation! Need to provide
    places for people to connect with their loved ones and that land
    sustains. Link better lives to better lands -- clean air, clean
    water, open spaces, wildlife habitat, and habitat restoration.

-   Check out Chicago Wilderness's website
    ([www.chicagowilderness.org/](#_top))

**10:50 a.m. break**

**11 a.m. reconvene**

**Discussion:**

Sandra Key commented that public schools seem to be backing away from
physical education and if we're dealing with recreation, the public must
have the ability to walk those trails. Sheffield suggested combating the
decrease of phys ed by supplying curriculum to after school clubs and
organizations and local parks. Make it so kids can incorporate
technology. Get BLM information on the [geocaching.com](#_top) website.

Suzanne McCarthy asked about working with people in communities who
already have a sense of public land ownership but don't want to attract
urban dwellers to the area. Sheffield said that she's been successful in
rural areas when these communities understand certain things *are* going
to happen. The data is credible, and emphasize economic opportunities
and sustainability. Teresa Imm said the National Park Service and the
Anaktuvuk Pass community have been doing a good job with increased
tourism because of visitors to the Gates of the Arctic.

**[STATE DIRECTOR'S UPDATE]{.underline}**

**Henri Bisson, BLM Alaska State Director**

**[\*Handout: BLM Alaska Major Issues October 2005]{.mark}**

Bisson highlighted current BLM issues including: National Petroleum
Reserve-Alaska Northeast plan, legacy well cleanups, North Slope Science
Initiative nominations for the Science Technical Group due Oct. 27
([www.northslope.org](#_top)), the Recordable Disclaimer of Interest
program and land use planning. He distributed the Major Issues paper
which is a briefing of current BLM Alaska programs and projects.

**Discussion:**

Key asked for an update on BLM's position on Sen. Seekins' bill SB85
which proposes removing the state statute prohibiting off-road vehicles
along the Dalton Highway corridor north of the Yukon River. Bisson said
the BLM has taken no position on the legislation. If the legislation
passes, the BLM's concern was that the agency would have enough time to
consult with people and come up with a plan. Fairbanks District manager
Bob Schneider added that subsistence specialist Taylor Brelsford has
recommended that the BLM hold community meetings before we would fully
implement any decision.

Susan Olsen asked about discussions regarding East Alaska RMP's
Alternative B and the Utility Corridor. Bisson said that that state
would like to take ownership of the corridor and he believes there are
two primary issues -- future, safe operation of the pipeline and
subsistence. Bisson said that there will be a land pattern, but there's
no decision yet.

Hala said for OHV-users' perspective, it's a matter of educating users
whose land their on and it's difficult to track that. Hala feels that
OHV use has increased, so has the number of people getting involved in
clubs and groups thirsty for land ownership education. But, he said, the
general public also needs education on land ownership. Hala said that
enforcement is always a big issue. If people are educated, they become
more responsible and enforcement becomes less of a problem. Then
agencies won't require the enforcement funds or decide to close lands
because they can't provide enforcement. Bisson said that he's willing to
talk to OHV groups and develop a partnership between the BLM and those
clubs.

**[FIELD MANAGER UPDATES]{.underline}**

**Gary Reimer, manager, Anchorage Field Office**

**[\* Handouts: AFO briefing, Ring of Fire briefing, The Bay brochure
and map]{.mark}**

-   Reimer introduced Jeff Brune, Campbell Creek Science Center (CCSC)
    manager, who received a National Take Pride in America Federal Land
    Manager's Award at ceremonies in Washington, D.C., in late
    September. The award recognizes managers who find innovative and
    creative approaches to using volunteers. Reimer noted that the use
    of Campbell Tract/CCSC is growing at an annual rate of 12 percent.
    Also the center is doing many of the things Sheffield addressed in
    her presentation earlier in the day.

-   AFO denied a Special Recreation Permit application to conduct
    commercial big game outfitting and guiding on BLM lands in the Koyuk
    River area in western Alaska. See the Major Issues handout for more
    information.

-   Ring of Fire (ROF) Draft EIS is available, public comments period
    ends Dec. 29. Reimer reviewed the preferred Alternative D which
    includes Neacola Mountains Area of Critical Environmental Concern
    (ACEC) and Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), Knik River
    SRMA and Haines SRMA. The map key is blue for State selected land;
    yellow for unselected BLM land; dark yellow for Native selected
    land.

**Discussion:**

Olsen asked how BLM's ROF plan jibes with the proposed State bill
referring to conveyed land for a motorized area on Knik River. Bisson
said that the BLM will have its own challenges and will need to work
with adjacent land managers. Olsen said that the bill proposes that
nothing be prohibited in the Knik River area and that's going overboard.
Hala said that if the House Bill 307 and Senate Bill 197 sponsored by
Sens. Huggins and Stoltze passes, the DNR would still have to plan for
and manage those areas. Helicopter tourism would be a big issue in the
Haines block. AFO would like to get the RAC's opinion regarding the ACEC
designation for Neacola. Reimer said that staff has learned so much
during the Ring of Fire planning process that will make the Bay plan go
more smoothly.

**Bob Schneider, manager, Fairbanks District Office**

**[\* Handout: FDO briefing]{.mark}**

Schneider highlighted activities from FDO to include hiring three new
field office managers, North Slope shorebird study, legacy well
cleanups, and three planning efforts -- South National Petroleum
Reserve-Alaska, Kobuk-Seward Peninsula, and White Mountains amendment.

**Discussion:**

Olsen asked if there would be more planning if Sen. Seekins' Senate Bill
85, which proposes removing the state statute prohibiting OHVs along the
Dalton Highway corridor north of the Yukon River, which affects state
and federal lands. Schneider said that if the bill passes, there would
be OHV designations in the interim to allow for winter travel. For the
Resource Management Plan, the BLM would consult with other agencies
involved with land management in the area and develop an activity level
plan for OHV use.

**Garth Olson, acting manager, Glennallen Field Office**

**[\* Handout: GFO briefing]{.mark}**

-   East Alaska Final RMP/EIS is expected to be released in late
    November 2005 and the ROD is expected in late December 2005
    (correction to the final sentence of the East Alaska item on the
    handout).

-   Ramona Chinn, Conveyance's deputy state director, is working to get
    a group from the Native community together to discuss enforcement on
    17(b) easements. Bisson explained that there's no BLM funding to
    address this issue because it's private land so the troopers need to
    be called.

-   Subsistence hunters in Game Management Unit 13 have until Oct. 25,
    2005, to submit 2005 Moose Hunt Reports as stated in a letter that
    GFO recently mailed. Failure to report could result in fines and
    could also result in the hunter being ineligible to receive a
    subsistence permit for the following year.

-   Denali Highway trailhead and wayside improvement projects have been
    completed.

**[FIRE SEASON UPDATE]{.underline}**

**Mary Lynch, planning and environmental coordinator, Alaska Fire
Service**

**[\* Handout: Fireline newsletter, briefings on AFS, hurricane support,
smoke effects mitigation and public health proposal , and Alaska
Wildland Fire Coordinating Group]{.mark}**

Lynch introduced public affairs officer Kevin McIver who presented a
short film about the 2005 season. Lynch then highlighted some
information included in the AFS briefing packet:

-   AWFCG handout shows how agencies are responding to recommendations,
    such as providing opportunities for community participation.

-   Still working on DNR's cabin protection policy.

-   Implemented changes on fire management options, land around
    Fairbanks is now in full suppression.

-   National request for the length of Alaskan fire assignment was
    extended from 14 to 21 days on case-by-case basis.

-   The 2005 season began at the end of April on the Kenai. Fires were
    in more remote areas than in 2004. In 2005, 4.6 million acres burned
    (6.5 million burned in 2004). There were no Type I fires in state;
    seven Type 2 fires including three down on Kenai. Large fires were
    caused by lightning. Human-caused fire numbers were low (average is
    around 350 per year). The Tongass recorded 51 fires this year which
    is extremely unusual. The season ended in late August, then the
    hurricane season hit. For a month, Alaska's Type I team of about 35
    people set up mobile home distribution centers and built new
    infrastructure for an expected fall fire season in Alabama. Some BLM
    Alaska staff is still deployed and will remain to help with the
    hurricane relief.

**Discussion:**

Crafford asked about the disproportionate 2004 operations cost on the
2821 expenditures chart. Lynch explained that operations costs for 2004
were high because the 2004 fire activity was more complex and fires
burned closer to communities. A larger number of personnel, crews and
equipment staffed 2004 fires. Aircraft costs were higher. For example,
charter aircraft were used to fly Lower 48 Type 1 crews to Alaska.

Crafford asked if placer miners provided comments about the fire season
this year. Outgoing RAC member Larry Taylor who lives in Eagle said that
there were fewer complaints this year compared to last year's fire
season. Lynch added that there was more outreach and information was
better this year. Crafford, who works in DNR's mining section, said that
he'd like to talk with Lynch about how the State uses All Topo to map
the location of placer mines.

**[CONVEYANCE UPDATE]{.underline}**

**Ramona Chinn, deputy state director, Conveyance Management**

**[\* Handout: BLM Overview of Native Allotment Program, map of
ownership priorities]{.mark}**

-   Less than 1,900 Native allotment (individual claims of 160 acres or
    less) cases are pending.

-   As land is conveyed, also need to reject over selections. Reduction
    of over selections will help clarify competing state and corporation
    selections.

-   State has about 4 million acres in dual selection and filed its
    priorities last week.

-   In FY2005: 2 million acres were conveyed to the State, 1.4 million
    acres to Native corporations, 566 Native allotments.

-   Priority now is reducing over selection and strategizing a
    communications plan.

**Discussion:**

Due to the diversity of Native villages, Greg Beischer asked if the BLM
is having difficulty working with the villages. Chinn said that the BLM
set up a resolution branch a couple of years ago that meets with
corporations to discuss priorities and that has been successful. Bisson
added that the BLM has also hired people from the Native communities and
that has helped communicate the agency's mission especially with elders.

**[SECTION 207 D-1 WITHDRAWALS REPORT TO CONGRESS]{.underline}**

**Dave Mushovic, realty specialist, Branch of Lands and Realty**

**[\* Handouts: report briefing, copies of written comments]{.mark}**

-   The 90-day public comment period ended Sept. 15. Ten written
    comments were submitted including on summation of environmental
    groups. Comments were split: five supported lifting all d-1
    withdrawals; five supported maintaining all d-1 withdrawals.

-   A common thread was the proper avenue for reviewing withdrawals was
    BLM's public land use planning process.

-   Comments from some environmental groups concern current RMP efforts
    which will be incorporated into the report.

-   Other comments from environmental groups challenge the legality of
    the report process and the need for additional review of the draft
    report. These are outside the scope of the report.

**Discussion:**

Federal agencies recommended lifting d-1 withdrawals except for
overlapping 14h (1) selections inside Conservation System Units, and
specific areas within the Forest, for example, Portage Glacier. Mushovic
said that the d-1 withdrawals generally do not have any affect on the
validity of 14h selections.

**4:30 p.m. adjourn until Friday**

**[Friday, October 14, 2005]{.underline}**

**[FEDERAL SUBSISTENCE MANAGEMENT IN ALASKA]{.underline}**

**Taylor Brelsford, subsistence coordinator, Branch of Resources and
Planning**

**[\* Handout: printout of PowerPoint presentation and handout on
Subsistence Management in Alaska Under Title VIII of ANILCA. If anyone
would like a copy of the federal subsistence booklets (wildlife has
green cover, fish and shellfish has purple cover), either contact
Brelsford or RAC coordinator Danielle Allen.]{.mark}**

-   Federal subsistence vs. state subsistence -- federal subsistence
    program, rural residents qualify for subsistence use on federal
    lands. Under the state subsistence program, no priority is given so
    all Alaskans qualify for subsistence use on state lands.

Brelsford highlighted Alaska's subsistence history, provided an overview
of ANILCA, reviewed the Federal Subsistence Management map, Federal
Subsistence organizational charts, management functions and
achievements:

**Discussion:**

Council members asked if there were regulations defining language in
ANILCA Sec. 810 such as "significantly restrict," "necessary," "minimum"
and "reasonable." Brelsford said "minimum amount of land" has not been
tested, but the definition of "significant restrictions" has been
tested, but there's been no litigation. Brelsford said that the BLM was
the first federal agency to be sued because of this language, but
prepared policy and procedural steps and more specific guidance which
operates at the agency level. Conveyance of lands is not subject to 810
review, yet when in doubt on whether to do review or not, do an 810
analysis on all plans because agencies have lost lawsuits.

Olsen asked if there was, independent of an 810 review, a trust
responsibility of the federal government that includes subsistence of
Native groups. Brelsford said that that is a matter of dispute.
Technically, Congress does have a broad responsibility under the
Constitution. Federal responsibility has been defined under Sec. 810 of
ANILCA giving subsistence priority to rural Alaskans; however, ANILCA is
not Indian legislation.

Brelsford said that resource monitoring would not normally be a BLM
function, although because of the federal subsistence issue it's
necessary to monitor moose, bear, caribou, musk ox, salmon, sheep, etc.
Bisson said that funding for this is minimal and BLM Alaska is
constantly defending this work in Washington.

Beischer asked if BLM rangers police subsistence hunting activities.
Brelsford said that rangers are in the field monitoring subsistence
hunting.

Beischer asked about the d-1 withdrawals in regards to subsistence
priority. Brelsford said that the real fork in the road is selected vs.
unencumbered or non-selected lands.

**[BLM'S WEED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM]{.underline}**

**Ruth Gronquist, state weed coordinator**

**[\* Handout: printout of PowerPoint presentation, Invasive and Problem
Weeds for Alaska roadside field guide (UAF College of Rural Alaska
Cooperative Extension Service), Selected Invasive Plants of Alaska
booklet (USDA and Forest Service, Alaska Region)]{.mark}**

-   Gronquist said that Alaska's in a good position to be proactive
    about invasive weeds especially since the frost-free seasons are
    getting longer.

-   In the past, work focused on defining terms and emphasizing
    prevention. Now, the BLM is emphasizing inventory. In Alaska, that
    means implementing the BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) plan of
    doing countryside inventory. Hoping to move into weed control soon
    with the publication of a national plan.

-   In 1999, the RAC drafted Land Management Standards and Guidelines
    which permits only certified feed (hay cubes, hay pellets, hay) on
    BLM lands (IM AK 2004-023 of March 2004 announces approval of the
    S&G). Gronquist said that this needs to be expanded to include
    straw.

**Discussion:**

Hala asked about noxious weeds, native or nonnative, spreading within
the state vs. weeds coming into the state from outside -- which is a
bigger issue? Gronquist said that generally, within North America, the
bigger problem is invasive plants from outside the continent. She said
that the BLM does ask special recreation permit users coming from
outside to clean their gear.

The most prevalent ways weeds spread is by nurseries and roadside
seeding.

Schneider asked if chemical treatment was a possibility. Gronquist said
that staff is waiting for the national vegetation EIS, now at the
printer, which will allow chemicals treatments on BLM land.

Key asked the council how the RAC would like to be involved when the
state legislation is drafted. Bisson said the council needs to research
whether the RAC can endorse state legislation. Hala said the council
should be kept informed. Bisson added that this issue is very
significant and added that the OHV community especially needs to be
concerned and engaged in some manner. He said that weed spread is a big
concern especially after last year's fire season when a lot of landscape
was opened. Also, the gas pipeline construction could spread noxious
weeds along the corridor because there will be a lot of ground exposed.

**10:05 a.m. break**

**10:20 a.m. reconvene**

**[HOW THE ENERGY BILL AFFECTS THE BLM]{.underline}**

**Colleen McCarthy, deputy state director, Energy and Minerals**

**[\* Handout: Energy Policy Act of 2005 (list of sections of interest
to the BLM only)]{.mark}**

McCarthy reviewed sections of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, signed Aug.
8, some of which apply to BLM nationally and some more specifically to
BLM Alaska. She said the goal of all of these measures is to increase
the domestic energy supply and added that some of the mandates come with
funding and some do not.

-   [**Section 365** **Pilot Project to Improve Federal Permit
    Coordination**]{.underline} mandates establishment of seven "pilot
    offices" for the purpose of improving permit coordination. The pilot
    offices are in Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. The
    idea is to allow these offices to use one-half the income received
    from oil and gas lease rentals for coordinating and processing oil
    and gas use authorizations; some of the money is to be distributed
    by BLM to other state and federal permitting agencies involved in
    the process. Earmarking half the money directly back into the permit
    coordination process should benefit industry and the agencies tasked
    with managing the oil and gas program. This provision does not, at
    present, include Alaska. However, after 3 years, the Secretary of
    the Interior is required to submit a report to Congress which
    summarizes the results and make a recommendation whether this
    concept should be implemented nationwide.

    -   **[Section 347 Oil and Gas Leasing in NPR-A]{.underline}**
        allows the BLM to extend leases in NPR-A which contain a well
        certified as capable of producing and renew leases for an
        additional 10 years at a cost of \$100/acre if lessees
        demonstrate diligence. The difficulty with the 10-year leases in
        NPR-A is that a 10-year lease gives a lessee "roughly three
        years to explore" because it takes so long to get a prospect
        into production. This section also amends unitization
        requirements. The final language represents a compromise reached
        between the BLM, State of Alaska, ASRC and industry. The BLM is
        currently writing regulations to incorporate this legislation.

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-   Olsen asked about the average cost to build in NPR-A and McCarthy
    gave an estimate in the single-digit million dollars, but added that
    the cost varies. It's so expensive because of the lack of
    infrastructure.

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-   [**Section 348** **North Slope Science Initiative**]{.underline}
    authorizes creation of the North Slope Science Initiative aimed at
    developing a unified and coordinated approach across the North Slope
    to inform the decision and permitting processes for oil and gas
    exploration and development activities. It is not about developing a
    science strategy to stop or slow things down, it's about getting
    necessary information to make and defend our decisions. The Act
    instructed the Secretary to create a Science Technical Advisory
    Committee to assist in this process. The charter for this group has
    been approved by the Secretary and the call for nominations of
    scientists from multiple disciplines closes Oct. 27, 2005. This
    group is not limited in scope to the biological sciences, which is
    the scope of the RMT. It has been designed to incorporate the full
    spectrum of science involved in development issues, from civil
    engineering and biology to socio-economics. Scientists will come
    from government, industry, universities and the public-at-large.

-   **[Section 353 Gas Hydrate Production Incentive]{.underline}**
    allows the Secretary of the Interior to grant royalty relief for
    natural gas produced from gas hydrate resources under an eligible
    lease. Gas hydrates are molecules of gas encapsulated in ice. They
    are primarily an offshore resource and found onshore only in
    permafrost areas. Currently, this resource is not commercially
    viable; the idea is to provide some incentive to companies to spend
    the necessary research and development dollars. The potential for
    Alaska is great -- compare known reserves of conventional natural
    gas of 35 trillion cubic feet to an estimated resource of 590 tcf of
    gas hydrates onshore, and even more offshore. The BLM, along with
    MMS, USGS and DOE, are writing regulations to implement this section
    of the legislation.

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-   **[Section 349 Orphaned, Abandoned or Idled Wells on Federal
    Land]{.underline}** provides the Secretary the ability to reimburse
    companies, either through royalty relief or direct reimbursement,
    for remediation work done on old wells which were left in
    unacceptable condition. This applies to the BLM's situation in the
    NPR-A with regard to legacy wells drilled from the mid-'40s to the
    early '80s. Many of these wells were left in less than perfect
    condition and the BLM has inherited the task of monitoring and/or
    cleaning up these sites. The BLM has struggled with its
    responsibility because remediation work in the Arctic is extremely
    expensive, primarily because the lack of infrastructure.
    Mobilization costs for winter remediation are extremely costly. The
    BLM is hopeful that it can now persuade explorers in the general
    area of some old wells to help with remediation and the agency will
    now be able to offer some financial incentives to do so.

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-   Crafford asked how many wells needed remediation. McCarthy said
    there were 100 wells drilled all together and the BLM has a list of
    30-40 that need some form of remediation. The BLM anticipates
    plugging and abandoning several wells in the Umiat area and several
    at Cape Simpson this winter.

**Discussion:**

Key asked about extended leases and which land use plan would apply.
McCarthy said the rules of engagement at the time the lease is issued
apply, but that agreement can be revised between the lessee and lessor.
Bisson said that upon renewal is the time when the BLM would make
changes to conform to any land use plans and offer a renewal under those
conditions, but those regulations addressing those issues are coming
out.

Key asked about Section 390 National Environmental Policy Act Review
which she has heard as "streamlined NEPA." What that means for Alaska?
McCarthy said that Section 390 establishes five categorical exclusions
under NEPA that apply to oil and gas exploration and development on
Federal oil and gas leases. Because of increasing pressure on staff time
and funds, the measure aims to expedite review of Application for Permit
to Drill, Surface Use Plan of Operations or pipeline application
involving a proposed activity that fits into one of the five categories.
After reviewing the section, Bisson said he doesn't see anything that
affects BLM Alaska.

Olsen asked about Section 387 Federal Coalbed Methane Regulations in
relation to state coalbed methane regulations. McCarthy said that for
BLM Alaska, there's no commercial CBM development to deal with, mostly
alternative energy.

**[WORKGROUP REPORTS]{.underline} (leads listed first)**

**[East Alaska RMP]{.underline}\
(Susan Olsen/Suzanne McCarthy/Sandra Key)**

Nothing to report.

**[Ring of Fire RMP]{.underline}\
(Charlie Boddy/Jim Posey/ Scott Hala)**

Boddy reported that the workgroup met with Rachel James and Melissa
Blair of the Alaska Coalition in September to discuss their views on the
plan. Boddy said that plan leader Bob Lloyd of the Anchorage Field
Office and others have been very giving of their time and information.
New council member Hala joined this workgroup. Olsen said that it's the
intent of the workgroup to review these plans and that the OHV workgroup
is also looking at each of these plans.

**[South National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska IAP/RMP]{.underline}\
(Teresa Imm/David van den Berg/Phil Driver/Sandra Key/Tom Crafford/Susan
Olsen)**

The extended comment period for scoping slowed activity for this
workgroup. Olsen attended the public hearing at the Anchorage library
and said that from the comments she heard, even though the area isn't
open to mining and coal development, there's clearly interest. She said
the BLM has got to figure out how to address the interest and the
logistical concerns in this plan, not just indicate where the resources
are.

**[Kobuk/Seward Peninsula RMP]{.underline}\
(Teresa Imm/Tom Crafford/Phil Driver/Barbara Fullmer)**

New member Fullmer joined this workgroup. Nothing else to report.

**[White Mountains National Recreation Area RMP Amendment]{.underline}\
(David van den Berg/Susan Olsen/Charlie Boddy)**

Olsen requested the workgroup get copies of the scoping report. Boddy
said that Fairbanks District Office manager and staff have been very
active in outreach to the community.

**[The Bay]{.underline} (June McAtee/Greg Beischer/Sandra Key)**

McAtee said that she and Beischer met with lead planner Pat McClenahan
for a briefing. Beischer advised the council of the potential for
conflict of interest because of his job and said that he would recuse
himself from any council resolutions regarding this plan.

### [OHV Usage Policy]{.underline} (Susan Olsen/Suzanne McCarthy/Phil Driver/Keith Tryck/Scott Hala) New member Hala joined the OHV workgroup. Nothing else to report. 

### [Outdated Federal Land Segregations and Sec. 207 Report]{.underline} (Greg Beischer/Tom Crafford/Susan Olsen/Keith Tryck/Sandra Key/June McAtee) Nothing to report.

### [NPR-A Research and Monitoring Subcommittee/North Slope Science Initiative (NSSI)]{.underline} (Sandra Key/Teresa Imm/Phil Driver)

Key explained to new members that the RAC took the NPR-A Research and
Monitoring Subcommittee (also known as the Research and Monitoring Team
or RMT) under the council's umbrella while the NSSI is being developed.
The next RMT is meeting on Monday, Oct. 17. The RMT's work will be
folded into the NSSI's North Slope Science Technical Group, which is
soliciting nominations for members. Nomination forms, due Oct. 27, are
available at the NSSI website:
[www.northslope.org](../www.northslope.org)

### [Wildland Fire Management]{.underline} (Keith Tryck, Charlie Boddy, Suzanne McCarthy)

See comments in next section under RESOLUTIONS 06-02 Wildland Fires.

**11:30 a.m. break**

**12:30 p.m. reconvene**

**RESOLUTIONS\
**

**[06-01 Bering Glacier Field Camp Support]{.underline}**

Members present unanimously approved the Bering Glacier Field Camp
Support Resolution 06-01. Absent members (Imm, Drive, Tryck, van den
Berg) will be solicited via email for their votes. A unanimous vote
among members enables the resolution to be forwarded directly to the
Secretary.

**[06-02 Wildland Fires]{.underline}**

Tryck authored this resolution and could not be present for this portion
of the meeting, so the council agreed to table discussion until the
RAC's next meeting.

Boddy added that the Wildland Fire Management workgroup will be meeting
with Scott Billing, Alaska Fire Service manager, and Mary Lynch, AFS's
planning and environmental coordinator, so the resolution's language may
change.

**[Voting Procedures]{.underline}**

The council discussed resolution voting procedure and agreed that
resolutions should be emailed to members in advance so members can
review and be ready to vote at the meeting. The council also decided
that resolutions should be voted on at meetings instead of via email.
Absentee votes could still be solicited via phone or email.

[**05-03 Additional East Alaska Resource Management Plan closure** (8 in
favor, 4 opposed, 1 abstaining)]{.underline}

[**05-04 Utility Corridor-Subsistence** (10 in favor, 1 opposed, 2
abstaining)]{.underline}

These resolutions have passed and Crafford will develop the cover
letters to forward to the State Director.

**[2006 WORK PROGRAM REVIEW & MEETING SCHEDULE]{.underline}**

By the February meeting, Crafford will update some of the language in
the work program and get back to the group for review. The council made
changes to some of the action and information items and new members
signed up for work groups.

########  **Meeting Date** **Tentative Agenda Items** \_

February 7-8\*

(Fairbanks) Pipeline Briefing

> 17b Easements
>
> Fire Resolution
>
> Work Program
>
> Regulations for Energy Plan
>
> State/National Legislation Update
>
> Presentation on Archaeological Find
>
> Election of Officers

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

May 10-11\*

(Juneau) Workgroup Reports

> (More topics to be determined)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Aug 2-4 Field Trip

(South National

Petroleum Reserve-Alaska) Workgroup Reports

> (More topics to be determined)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

October 26-27\*

(Anchorage) Workgroup Reports

RAC Appointments

(More topics to be determined)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\* Includes public comment opportunity

**[PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD]{.underline} 1:30 p.m.**

**Nancy Berland, Lynn Canal Conservation (Haines, Alaska)**

Berland provided public comment via telephone regarding protecting
mountain goat and other wildlife from the rapidly expanding recreational
use of helicopters. At the council's request, Berland emailed her
comments to be included in the minutes as follows:

-   How rapid? In Juneau, for example, since the inception of heli-tours
    in 1984, there has been a yearly average 12 % increase in
    heli-passengers. That means use doubled in 1992 and doubled again
    in 2000. (USDA, 2002 EIS)

-   According to BLM biologist Jeff Denton, the vast majority (he used
    the figure 80%) of naturally occurring goat populations on BLM lands
    [nationwide]{.underline} occurs in the Haines/Skagway vicinity.

-   Goat experts have valid concerns about both short and long term
    impacts from expanding helicopter use in goat habitat. (Northern
    Wild Sheep and Goat Council). Each time a new area is requested for
    heli landings, federal agencies do an Environmental Assessment or
    Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). In 1995 these documents said
    that "little is currently known about impacts to wildlife from
    helicopters" and they go on to list a wide range of potential
    impacts ranging from habitat abandonment to local population
    extinctions. In 2005 the language is almost identical "little is
    currently known about impacts to wildlife from helicopters."

-   It's past time for a change and the Ring of Fire planning effort is
    the perfect opportunity to address this issue. In other words, in
    ten years we don't want to be saying "little is currently known. .
    ." As long as federal land managers continue to hand out new permits
    in new areas for helicopter landings we need to work on getting some
    answers to how severe the impacts are. It would be very beneficial
    to define an area of study that has an Area of Critical
    Environmental Concern (ACEC) designation to protect BLM goat
    resources until impacts are better understood and resource managers
    can use science-based mitigation to protect wildlife.

-   LCC proposed such a strategy during Ring of Fire scoping. We
    proposed an ACEC to be managed as a Research Natural Area for Haines
    Borough goat populations precisely because the vast majority of BLM
    managed goats are here. Also because the explosion of heli-tours is
    in Skagway and Juneau, and not **yet** here. According to Federal
    Land and Policy Management Act (FLPMA) and BLM planning documents,
    BLM was required to evaluate our ACEC nomination for relevance and
    importance, and consider our nomination in an Alternative in the
    EIS. For some reason, there is no evidence in the Draft EIS that our
    nomination was ever submitted, let alone considered. Our nomination
    was supported by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska
    Center for the Environment, Alaska Coalition, Alaska Wildlife
    Alliance, Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club Alaska Chapter,
    Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, and the Wilderness Society.

-   What RAC could do:

    -   Pass a resolution for BLM to prioritize creating science-based
        management guidelines for protecting goats and other wildlife
        from impacts of increasing recreational use of helicopters.

    -   Support BLM prioritizing (as they are required to do by statute)
        designating ACECs in land use planning in order to resurrect our
        ACEC nomination so that it can be given the public scrutiny it
        deserves

**Discussion:**

Bisson said he would check with Gary Reimer, Anchorage Field Office
manager, to find out about LCC's ACEC nomination and report back to the
council. He added that part of the uncertainty in the area is whether or
not the lands are selected by the state. He encouraged Berland to
comment on the draft. (The public comment period for the Ring of Fire
Draft EIS ends Dec. 29, 2005.)

Olsen asked if Berland was aware of whether the Forest Service had done
research on mountain goat populations in areas where heliskiing was
permitted, for instance, in the Chugach Mountains. Berland said not much
research is available. Olsen then asked if any federal agencies have
done substantive research on goats and helicopters. Berland said that in
talking to BLM biologist Jeff Denton, funding for this research is not
forthcoming but that he is working hard to find money.

Crafford mentioned that there is a goat study on the east side of Lynn
Canal as part of the Kensington gold mine and proposed road.

Berland said that for the Ring of Fire plan, the group is really
concerned about impacts from longer term use, such as helicopters
operating summer tours and then running winter heliskiing tours in the
same area. She added that in the Lower 48, goat populations are almost
wiped out on BLM lands.

**Gloria Stickwan, Ahtna Inc. (Glennallen, Alaska)**

Stickwan thanked the council for offering its support of keeping the
utility corridor in federal management because if it became state land
it would impact Ahtna members' subsistence lifestyle. Stickwan said that
Ahtna members wouldn't have priority under state subsistence regulations
and added that 80% of their wildlife is taken from that area.

Ahtna submitted comments on the East Alaska Resource Management Plan at
the Southcentral Regional Subsistence Council and Stickwan thanked
Bisson for attending that meeting. She added that she's glad to see RAC
member McCarthy who is from the area on the council and hoped that she
would remain on the council as a representative of the area.

**Jack Reakoff (Wiseman, Alaska)**

*Reakoff submitted the following comments via FAX and asked that they be
included in the minutes:*

Jack Reakoff

Wiseman, Alaska

907-678-2007 (Phone and fax)

BLM Resource Advisory Council

Regarding: SB85 Repeal OHV restriction Dalton Highway

Dear Council,

One only need take a look at this bill to see that there is no direction
given to planning or is funding provided. There is neither funding
provided for enforcement or penalties for violation of restricted areas.

The simplicity of SB85 simply has no protections of the heretofore
wilderness areas near the Dalton Highway. Without funding for planning
by the State or enforcement by all agencies, the best voiced intentions
are meaningless.

It is incumbent on the BLM RAC to protect these lands from loss and
degradation by keeping them closed to OHV use. Funding requests of
excess of three million dollars will have to be made for adequate
planning and enforcement. Game surveys, terrain mitigations, meetings,
ANILCA 810 Title VIII and additional enforcement officers ... all very
expensive.

Thank you,

Jack Reakoff

**[END OF PUBLIC COMMENTS]{.underline}**

**1:50 p.m. break**

**2 p.m. reconvene**

**[NON-AGENDA ITEMS]{.underline}**

The council extended its thanks and gratitude to former member Larry
Taylor, who had been a member since 1999.

**Adjourn 2:30 p.m**