ASSESSING THE
ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
OF OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT
IN ALASKA •
CURRENT PROFILES OF
TEN ALASKAN COMMUNITIES
RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOCIATES
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ASSESSING THE
ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
OF OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT
IN ALASKA • •
CURRENT PROFILES OP
TEN ALASKAN COMMUNITIES
RPA Reference No.: RA-75-0601
BOA 68-01-2465
Prepared for:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Washington, D.C.
Prepared by:
RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOCIATES, INC.
44 Brattle Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts
MAY 1975
moUKl t PLANNING ASM KIATIS, INC.
VKMIkl WHIM ~ Mini 1 fV ttilUI
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ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
OF OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT IN ALASKA
CURRENT. PROFILES OF
TEN ALASKAN COMMUNITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION
i
ANCHORAGE
Background
Socioeconomic Conditions
Development Potential
Environmental Quality
1
2
4
4
BARROW
Background
Socioeconomic Conditions
Development Potential
Environmental Quality
17
18
19
19
BETHEL
Background
Socioeconomic Conditions
Development Potential
Environmental Quality
24
24
26
26
CORDOVA
Background
Socioeconomic Conditions
Development Potential
Environmental Quality
31
32
33
33
FAIRBANKS
Background
Socioeconomic Conditions
Development Potential
Environmental Quality
38
39
41
41
RFWJRCF PiANNINC ASSOC IAH<,
MUMIll Maul • c AMtIUX-4 I1l-.lt %
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
KOTZEBUE
NOME
SEWARD
VALDEZ
YAKUTAT
Page
Background 52
Socioeconomic Conditions 53
Development Potential 55
Environmental Quality 55
Background 60
Socioeconomic Conditions 61
Development Potential 62
Environmental Quality 62
Background 67
Socioeconomic Conditions 68
Development Potential 69
Environmental Quality 69
Background 75
Socioeconomic Conditions 76
Development Potential 77
Environmental Quality 77
Background 84
Socioeconomic Conditions 85
Development Potential 86
Environmental Quality 86
Exhibits
1 - Land Use Summary - Anchorage 6
2 - Ambient Air Quality Concentrations - Anchorage. 7
3 - Air Pollution Emissions - Anchorage 9
4 - Water Quality Summary - Anchorage 10
5 - Land Use Summary - Barrow 21
RISOllRCr PtANNINti AiMU fAflS
44 (Mllit mill * (Awaiuta mam^ihaii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Page
6 - Air Pollution Emissions - Barrow 22
7 - Water Quality Summary - Barrow 23
8 - Land Use Sunmary - Bethel 28
9 - Air Pollution Emissions - Bethel 29
10 - Water Quality Summary - Bethel 30
11 - Air Pollution Emissions - Cordova 35
12 - Water Quality Summary - Cordova 36
13 - Land Use Summary - Fairbanks 44
14 - Ambient Air Quality Concentrations - Fairbanks 45
15 - Air Pollution Emissions - Fairbanks 48
16 - Water Quality Summary - Fairbanks 49
17 - Land Use Summary - Kotzebue 57
18 - Air Pollution Emissions - Kotzebue 58
19 - Water Quality Summary - Kotzebue 59
20 - Land Use Summary - Nome 64
21 - Air Pollution Emissions - Nome 65
22 - Water Quality Summary - Nome 66
23 - Land Use Summary - Seward 71
24 - Ambient Air Quality Concentrations - Seward 72
25 - Air Pollution Emissions - Seward 73
26 - Water Quality Summary - Seward 74
27 - Land Use Summary - Valdez 79
RfSOUKCF riANNINCi ASMHIA1IV INC
« M4IIII W«MI • tAMSIffJU. MA"i\ACHW 11\ IL!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Page
28 - Air Pollution Emissions - Valdez 80
29 - Water Quality Summary - Valdez 81
30 - Land Use Summary - Yakutat 87
31 - Air Pollution Emissions - Yakutat 88
RfSOUBCf PIANNING AV«0| IMIS, INC
M«irir >ikiii • lamkhxj. uassm imsrfis nti it
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INTRODUCTION
Several recent analyses have indicated that substantial oil and
gas development beyond that already planned for the North Slope can
take place in Alaska during the next 10-15 years. The implications
of these production possibilities are immense. For example, Alaska
could account for 25-30 percent of all U.S. oil and natural gas
production by the late 1980s.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aware of the need to
understand the nature of all Alaskan impacts associated with the develop-
ment of its oil and natural gas reserves, launched an effort to:
• Describe several development scenarios that reflect the
full range of Alaskan oil and gas exploration and
production possibilities
• Estimate the economic, social, and environmental impacts
of these differing development scenarios on several
selected Alaskan geographical areas and for the State of
Alaska as a whole.
As a first step in this effort, Resource Planning Associates, Inc.
(RPA) has developed this document,* consisting of current-condition
profiles of 10 Alaskan communities selected as those most likely to be
affected by OCS and onshore oil and gas development. These communities
are: Anchorage, Barrow, Bethel, Cordova, Fairbanks, Kotzebue, Nome,
Seward, Valdez, and Yakutat. For each, we have described:
• The historic background, the geography, and the climate
• The socioeconomic conditions, focusing on the area's
economy, employment, and infrastructure
• Development potential, in terms of land use
• The environment, including current air and water quality,
inclusive and surrounding ecosystems, and wildlife.
* - Primarily sourced from the Alaska Department of Economic Development's
Community Profiles; the map of "Major Ecosystems of Alaska", prepared
by the Joint Federal-State Land Use Planning Commission for Alaska;
and the atlas, Alaska's Wildlife and Habitat, issued by the Department
of Fish and Game, State of Alaska.
RrWURCC PLANNING ASSOC'IAIIS, INC.
** BIMU1 MIDI • U;ll«
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¦ANCHORAGE
BACKGROUND
In 1914, Anchorage, then known as Ship Creek Landing, was established
as a base construction camp for the Alaska Engineering Commission,
which had been authorized by Congress to revive an incomplete attempt
by the Alaska Central Railroad to build a Seward-Fairbanks railroad
link. By 1915 the tent settlement had been designated as a government
townsite, and remained so until incorporated as a town in 1920. Anchorage
was characterized at that time as a thriving, boisterous railroad town.
Its subsequent spurts of growth were not because of natural resource
development, like most Alaskan cities, but rather the result of govern-
ment and military activities, particularly during World War II.
its
The city limits of Anchorage encompass approximately 51 square
miles, vhile the greater Anchorage area is composed of about 110
miles. The Greater Anchorage Area Borough, including the
surrounding suburbs and rural areas, which total l/7QO-»®5Gare miles,
was formed in 1963 with primary responsibilit;y-fT5r planning, zoning,
education, taxation, sanitatioThe borough is bordered
by Portage on the south, tha^Knik Rivep^bn the north, the Chugach
mountains on the east, and pointe-crfCook Inlet west of Fire Island
on the west. _ *7
Anchorage is situated on a/high/bluff overlooking Knik Arm, a ;
branch of the Cook Inlet famous rOr its 30- to 35-foot tides ._jrhe—-—
city is on the western edge of an alluvial plain 8 miles-vrt3eand 20
miles long. The closest federally protefififffi the Kenai National
Moose Range and a proposed addition of over 100,000 acres to the Chugach
National Forest. Over 403 Square miles of the Chugach National
Forest are located within /he Anchorage Borough.
jr
The city's proximity to a large body of water and the Japanese
Current, influence Anchdrage's climate. The Chugach, Kenai, and
Talkeetna Mountain Ranges ward off strong easterly winds bearing heavy
and t&e Alaskan Mountain Range diverts the cold, dry
winds from Alaska'sr interior. As a result of all these factors, the
city's climate i^ not as wet as other Alaskan coastal areas (annual
average precipitation is only 14.8 inches) or as cold as interior
Alaska (average snowfall is approximately 69 inches per year).
Average temperature in the Anchorage area is shown in Table 1, below.
pJl
CA/O
.1-
RFSOURCf PUNNING ASSOC lAIf S, INC
44 BKU7U UNill • 1 AMtikllK ( -wlA'.VUHvMM-, O.'Hft
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Tftble 1
yflj ^yat^^^emperature Range in Anchorage
Temperature (F)
Period Minimum Mean Maximum
January 4.3 12.1 19.9
July 50.3 58.2 66.0
Annual 28.1 35.8 43.4
SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, with a population of
76,610 (January 1974),* is the center of commercial wholesale and
retail trade. The oil, finance, and transportation industries, as well
as federal government agencies, have located their headquarters there.
Anchorage is also the hub of the state's construction industry. In
addition, there are approximately 13,800 military personnel located in
Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson Army Base, adjacent to
Anchorage. Dependents of these personnel provide a sizable pool of
clerical and sales talent.
Seasonal factors are reponsible for the high, annual, unemploy-
ment rate of 8.3 percent. The January 1974 employment in the area is
shown in Table 2, below.
Borough population equalled 154,610 at the same time.
-2-
RFSOURCf PLANNING ASSOC IA1TS, INC.
44 BKATTlt SIKlll • CAMflRIIX.t, MASSAC H-MTTs II.MUI
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Table 2
Employment Breakout - Anchorage
*
Industry Sector Employment
Agriculture 76
o
Construction 4,272
Finance 2,415
Government 17,273
Mining 806
Manufacturing/Processing 1,214
Service 7,725
Trade 9,947
Transportation, Communication 4,522
Total Civilian 48,250
Military 13,776
Grand Total 62,026
Water is supplied from Ship Creek -Re'Strrvoir- and from deep wells
in the area by the City of Anchorage and central Alaska Utilities. A
primary wastewater treatment facility is in operation. Electricity is
provided through the Chugach Electric Association and Anchorage Municipal
Light and Power, while natural gas is supplied by the Anchorage Natural
Gas Corpor§£±©R-»—
Four public shcools_>fre attended by 41,771 students; private and
vo
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numerous barge and van companies. A- major expansion and modernization
program was recently completed at Anchorage International Airport, and
another terminal building, solely for international flights, will be
completed by 1976. Port facilities include a city-owned and -operated
general cargo dock and a petroleum dock to accommodate tankers. In
addition, Anchorage is served by railroad from Whittier and Seward.
The police department employes 77 patrolmen and 20-35 Alaska
State Troopers. The fire department has 78 personnel, including 67
firemen / and several operating vehicles, including a petroleum-fire
extinguishing truck.
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
Within the city limits, 425 acres are available for industrial
use. (See Exhibit 1 for available, zoned borough acreage.) Most of
the light industrial and potential warehousing sites are located in
the Alaska Railroad Reserve. Some industrial land is also available
around the major airfields and along the Alaska Railroad right-of-way.
Outside the city, 2,125 acres are available for industrial siting.
However, approximately 75 percent of the land in the Greater Anchorage
Area Borough cannot be developed because of the rough, mountainous
terrain.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Data on ambient air quality for varying locations in Anchorage -
center city-commercial, suburban-residential, center city-residential
and remote - provided by the National Aerometric Data Bank indicate
that particulate levels recorded at certain stations exceed the maximum
allowable level specified in the Alaska Air Pollution Control Regulations.
Data were also available from the National Emissions Data System on
current emissions from several source categories. (See Exhibits 2 and
3.)
All major streams that flow through the Anchorage metropolitan ' -jjfl*- rO
area (Ship, Campbell, Rabbit, and Little Rabbit) still have salmon runs /j
except Chester Creek, which has 110011 affor-fpfl by prill nti?n the past «
5^years. An analysis of the water quality data summary provided on
Anchorage, Elmendorf Air Force Base, and Fort Richardson by the y,
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IAA>
The City of Anchorage is located in the Coastal Trough Province,
composed chiefly of a series of lowlands broken by oval groups of
mountains. The vegetation of the Coastal Trough is complex, varying .
according to a wide range of site characteristics. Anchorage is
immediately surrounded by a lowland spruce-hardwood forest ecosystem.
This ecosystem is a dense-to-open interior lowland forest of evergreen
and deciduous trees, including extensive pure stands of black spruce.
The slow-growing, stunted tamarack is associated with black spruce in
the wet lowlands. Neither species is of significant commercial value
because of its light weight and small diameter. Undergrowth species
include cottongrass, ferns, lichens, and a thick cover of sphagnum and
other mosses.
\m^
]
j
Soils supporting this system and its associated vegetation are
yet-,, nf silty and loamy texture, with thick surface peat layers
id permafrost/^Underlying materials are deep, stratified sands; silts;
04_sxa
Thu forests of the Coastal Trough provide permanent habitat to^
variety of animals, including such big game species as black bear and
fur bearers of commercial importance such as mink, marten, and wolver-
ine. Open tree stands with lichens provide excellent winter range for
caribou. The lowland spruce-hardwood forest system also serves as an
important sheltering and browsing area for moose.
The marshes and wetlands adjacent to Anchorage provide nesting and
rest areas to thqugflpdsu^f-4M^g«alQry as well as the endangered
peregrine falcqfl'T swans, and bal
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LAND USE SUMMARY (ACRES) Exhibit 1
Greater Anchorage Area Borough
Used Zoned
Currently Developed Land
Residential use:
(single family houses, mobile homes,
multi-family houses, apartments,
boarding houses, dormitories)
Commercial and indvistrial use:
(retail and wholesale establishments,
warehouses, office buildings and
other services, light and heavy
manufacturing)
Other uses:
(public and quasi-public insti-
tutional buildings (e.g., schools,
churches, hospitals) transportation
avenue-s (e.g., railroads, streets,
highways and airports) public open
spaces (e.g., urban parks and
recreational areas)
Total Acreage
32,026 61/476
8,063 19,432
9,684 27,785
49,773 108,693
Undeveloped Land
Total
Unavailable land due to environmental
constraints:
• existing and projected uses,
planned federal, state and
local parks, recreation and
conservation areas, reserves
and refuges, utility and
institutionally owned lands
• zoning restrictions
• ecological constraints—
wctlancj and principal elements
of water resources systems
(e.g., rivers, lakes, water-
sheds, aquifers, floodplains)
Land unsuitable for development due
to locational constraints such as:
• water supply—should be
reserved for municipal drinking
supply and private withdrawals;
inadequate for industry
~ inaccessible to transportation
networks
Total remaining developable land
-6-
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AMBIENT AIR QUALITY CONCENTRATIONS - 1973
ANCHORAGE
Particulates
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m^)
sox
(annual arith.
mean, ug/m^)
NOx
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m^)
HC
(maximum
observation
ug/m^)
CO
(maximum
observation
mg/m^)
Alaska Ambient
Air Quality
Standards
60
60
100
160
(3 hour period)
10
(8 hour period)
40
(1 hour period)
Station
54.01
Center City -
Commercial
(527 E. 4th Ave.)
(no identification)
28.90
Center City -
Commercial
(City Fire Station
7th & C St.)
ill
Suburban -
Residential
(Muldoon Fire Sta.
N. Muldoon Rd.)
36.99
(same as above)
lltllf
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AMBIENT AIR QUALITY CONCENTRATIONS - 1973
ANCHORAGE
Particulates
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m^)
sox
(annual arith.
mean, ug/m^)
NOx
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m^)
HC
(maximum
observation
ug/m^)
CO
(maximum
observation
mg/m^)
Alaska Ambient
Air Quality
Standards
60
60
100
160
(3 hour period)
10
(8 hour period)
40
(1 hour period)
Station
Suburben -
Residential
(Tudor Rd.)
43.82
Rempte
(Hideaway Trails)
14.21
Center City -
Commercial
(City Hall
¦ 4th Street)
20.1
(1 hour)
Center City -
Residential
(Fire Station
Eagle River)
H
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Exhibit 3
AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS - 1972-73
(tons per election district)
ANCHORAGE
Source
Particulates
SO
X
NO
X
-HC
CO
Residential
128
246
343
61
123
Commercial/
Institutional
309
535
1776
102
201
Industrial
674
2331
2402
40
95
Transportation
1253
657
7915
12657
85809
Electricity
Generation
39
4
1639
80
312
Solid Waste*
Disposal
*Data from this source was not available for Anchorage.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, National Emissions Data
System
-9-
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WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Sittti Anchorage
Station
Temp
(°C)
Stream Flow
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
Dissolved
£H
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved Solids
Sum
(mo/1)
(Tons/Day)
Concentration
Discharge
(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxygen •.
(Uni'_3)
(Micromho)
(nq/1)
(mo/1)
(To-s/Dav)
Sltlp Cr. at Post
Ft> id
6.56
(1954-70)
137.8
(1959-67)
3.5
(1954-70)
174.31
(1954-70)
7.46
1954-70)
99.0
(1954-70)
45.8
(1959-67)
Ship Cr. at Rail-
road Bridge
9.5
(1951-67)
143.0
(1960-67)
5.0
(1951-67)
165.8
(1951-67)
7.45
(1951-67)
99.17
(1951-67)
61.03
(1960-67)
SI:Lp Cr.
2.98
(1966-71)
162.52
(1960-71)
6.0
(1958-70)
130.29
(1960-71)
7.52
(1958-71)
.75.65
(1949-70)
31.37
(1950-70)
27.75
(1^67-68)
9.7
(1967-68)
SIiip Cr. at
G! »nn Highway
3.9
(1366-68)
172.0
(1967)
5.71
(1960-68)
121.0
(1960-68)
7.S
(1960-68)
72.86
(1960-68)
31.35
(1967)
St ip Cr. at
B
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WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
S ite < Anchorage
Station
Temp
is=haroe
(Units)
(Micromho)
(nw/1)
(nc/1)
tZcr.s/Zs-.')
SB SF Chester Cr.
3.96
(1960-72)
12.89
(1960-70)
H
124.2
(1960-72)
0.3.36
(1970-72)
7.33
(1960-72)
80.07
(1960-70)
2.2
(1960-70)
Chester Cr. at
C. St.
1.0
(1969)
if
177.0
(1969)
7.4
(1969)
105.0
(1969)
SF Chester Cr.
below N.B.
.5
(1966)
5.0
(1966)
167.0
(1966)
6.8
«1966)
97.0
(1966)
MB SF Chester Cr.
.5
(1966)
5.0
(1966)
161.0
(1966)
7.6
(1966)
105.0
(1966)
rhester Cr. at
lake Otis Road
5.33
(1958-73)
22.12
(1958-73)
12.82
(1958-73:
172.48
(1958-73)
13.1
(1972)
7.49
(1958-73)
106.32
(1958-73)
3.49
(1958-73)
64.39
(1967-69)
4.50
(1967-69)
Chester Cr. at
:ieward Highway
7.3
(1949-68)
66.07
(1959-60)-
tm
131.78
(1949-68)
6.99
'(1949-68)
90.33
(1949-68)
12.7
(1959)
:">F Campbell Cr.
• tt Canyon Mouth
3.09
(1966-73)
52.61
(1966-73)
3.75
(1966-73
82.11
(1966-73)
14.0
(1972)
7.32
(1966-73)
48.32
(1966-73)
5^ 95
(1966-73)
4.88
(1967-70)
.65
(1967-70)
::F CanpbelJ. Cr.
5.15
(1949-70)
44.25
(1948-70)
4.55
(1951-70!
84.76
(1948-70)
7.29
(1949-70)
52.49
(1948-70)
5.19
(1948—70)
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WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
SV a x Anchorage
Station
Temp
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WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
SLtei Anchorage
Station
Temp
Stream" Flow
Turbiditv
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
Dissolved
£H
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved Solids
Sm5w6,1^cu 3"21 iii£,~
Sum
(mo/1)
(Tons/Day)
Concentration
Discharge
(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxygen
(°C)
(Units)
(Micrortho)
(mq/1)
(no/1)
'7-r.s Oav)
Little Rabbit Cr.
4.75
(1961-73)
1.65
(1967-72)
6.5
(1961-73
131.4
(1961-73)
7.52
(1961-73)
83.4
(1961-73)
.35
(1967-72)
Russian Jack Spring
3.66
(1952-69)
5.28
(1958-69)
2.65
(1952-69
215.5
(1952-72)
10,12
(1972)
7.47
(1952-72)
132.5
(1952-69)
1.62
(1967-69)
>oose Lake
It
13.33
(1968-70
90.33
(1968-70)
7.26
(1968-70)
46.0
(1968-70)
.06
(1968-70)
Jpenard Lake
(11- End)
170.0
(1973)
Spenard Lake
IS. End)
3.5
(1973)
10.0
(1973)
.180.0
(1973)
Hood Lake .(S. Shore)
180.0
(1973)
Jake Hideaway
9.0
(1967)
10.0
(1967)
118.0
(1967)
7.6
(1967)
63.0
(1967)
lake Hideaway
(N. "End)
2.5
(1973)
10.0
(1973)
164.0
(1973)
6.9
(1973)
92.0
(1973)
I
4b
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WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
•lite i Anchorage
Station
Temp
(°C)
Turbidity
(Jackson -
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
E«
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved
Solids
SuSMGnd^Q Seo>imerit
.(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxygen
Sum
(ma/1) •
(Tons/Dav)
Concentration
Discharce
(Unils)
(Micromho)
(mq/1)
(na/1)
flc-s/Dav)
Jewell Lake
80.0
(1974)
45.0
-------
SHa i ' Elmendorf Air Force Base
WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Station
Temp
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
E«
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved
Solids
Sjs^ended
5eJi»i£>'.r
(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxyqen
Sum
(mo/1)
(Tons/Dav)
Concentration
Discharge
(OCI
(Units)
(Micromho)
(mer/l>
(m=/l)
(Zcr.s /~avi
: hip Cr.
5.06
(1967-73)
121.95
(1967-73)
5.94
(1967-7C
136.71
) (1967-73)
7.42
(1967-70)
78.15
(1967-73)
24.13
(1967-70)
12.31
(1967-69)
6.47
(1967-69)
: hip Cr. above
ower Plant
10.17
(1969)
3.75
(1969)
194.5
(1969)
7.97
(1969)
115.5
(1969)
hip Cc. below
¦ower Plant
S.5
(1971)
509.0
(1971)
94.0
(1971)
7.7
(1971)
:ix Mile Lake
.-nfluent
6.88
(1972)
6.25
(1972)
272.5
(1972)
12.33
(1972)
¦ 7.78
(1972)
159.25
(1972)
:ix Mile Lake
affluent
1.0
(1972)
9.0
(19721
¦ 327.0
<19721
41.0
(1972)
8.0
(1972)
187.0.
(1977)
;ix Mile
lAke Outlet
nn
5.0
(1972)
187.33
(1972)
10.95
(1972)
7.87
(1972)
105.67
(1972)
H-
rt-
f
0\
-------
WftTER gJftLITY SUMMARY
Sit it Ft. Richardson
Station
Temp
(°C)
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
EH
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved
Solids
Sjs-ended
(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxyqen
Sum
-------
i
T* ?
Sly*-
^jxc^ t-c
U.»< ^<^/r
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BARROW
BACKGROUND
Barrow was first visited by English whalers in 1826 and settled in
the late 1800s by American whalers searching for coal to refi(\& their
ships.
Barrow is located on the ice-packed Arctic Ocean at the norther-
most point on the North American continent.. The Arctic Circle is 330
miles to the southland the North Pole is only 1,200 miles away. The
town itself, the largest world, stretches for
2 miles along a low shore ir^three clusters7~~fe?ie two largest of which
are separated by a lagoon. >/ •
'Jo
Barrow's primary industry is iourigju Visitors ^re treated to
Eskimo feasts, dances, and other native celebrations. The natives,
however, still depend on hunting and fishing for most of their livli-
hood- Slope
3t of which _ _ .,
ancsA
In addition to tourism, the community benefits from the U.S. Navy-
maintained Arctic Research Laboratory, situated close to the Barrow /y^
airfield, and the several research stations located on offshore -
floating ice islands. But although exposed to outside influences and
technological progress, Barrow remains a relatively undeveloped
frontiers with access possible only by air, dogsled, and boat.
The climate is severe and the winter night endures for 3 mon^s.
In the summer, on the other hand, for 82 days from May to August, uhe
sun never sets below the horizon. Average Barrow temperatures are \
shown in Table 3.
a-
4^
Table 3
Temperature Ranges in Barrow
(pmL j»yt
Temperature (F)
Period
January
July
Annual
Minimum
- 21.6.
33.2
3.9
Mean
- 15.0
39.3
9.6
Maximum
- 8.4
45.3
15.3
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RESOURCF PLANNING ASSOCIMfS, INC.
44 BRAT lit STUM • ( AMBKIIM .1. MASSAOHM 11N O.'Slfl
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SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Barrow, the largest native community on the North Slope, is
inhabited primarily by two Eskimo groups, the Taiiamuit and the
Nuunamuit. (Total population of the community in November 1974 was
2,307.) Recently, the Taiiamuit have supplemented their subsistence
life-style by providing skilled and unskilled labor to construction
projects, thereby making the sociocultural system in the region a
mixture of cash economy and subsistence. Providing labor to areas out-
side Barrow has also caused Barrow to experience seasonal fluctuations
in its population.
The major supporters of Barrow's economy are defense installations
and their contractors, the U.S. Navy's Arctic Research Laboratory, the
governmental center of the Weather Bureau Service, the headquarters of
the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, and private companies involved
in petroleum and natural gas exploration. Estimated area employment as
of November 1974 is shown in Table 4.
Table 4
Employment Breakout - Barrow
Industry Sector Employment
0
60
10
250
30
0
160
45
86
Total ' 641
Barrow has three schools and a 12-bed hospital staffed by two
doctors and a dentist. Its police department consists of two state
troopers, three patrolmen/ one chief of police, and a jail guard. The
fire department depends on 26 volunteers.
Agriculture
Construction
Finance
Government
Mining
Manufacturing/Processing
Service
Trade
Transportation
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RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOCI/MfS, INC.
44 BRA! Ill SIKHT • CAMBKIDGI, MASSAC I USI lib U2HB
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j/) 0- ^
/4
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Water is supplied to. the town from a fresh water lake by two
private hauling companies. Sewer facilities are available only to the
hospital, the U.S. Weather Bureau, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA). Electricity is supplied by BIA to federal agencies and Barrow
Utilities, Inc., which, in turn supplies public consumers. Natural
gas is supplied by the U.S. Navy to Barrow Utilities, Inc.
Because Barrow is ice-free only for several weeks during the
summer, it is accessible year-round only by air J Scheduled flights
run twice daily during summer and once a day in the winter. Charter
services are also available.
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
fjoyAj, e
n
Only approximately 2 acres of land remain available within the
city limits for development. However, the land is flat and undrained -L
and, as permafrost reaches to depths of more than 500 feet, piling is
a nfinfissitv. No land is available beyond the city limits as it is
contained within the Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4. (See Exhibit 5.)
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
No data were available from the EPA's National Aerometric Data
Bank on air quality in Barrow. However, current emissions information
was available from EPA1s National Emissions Data System. (See
Exhibit 6.)
Based on the available water quality data from two monitoring
stations in the Barrow vicinity, it appears all measurement summaries,
except the average color measurement (1972-1973) at Esatkuat Creek,
comply with state standards. (See Exhibit 7.)
Barrow is located in the Arctic Coastal Plain Province, a flat,
treeless area covered by a network of ice-wedge polygons. Fronting
the village is a natural beach area of coarse dark sand about 200 feet
wide. Thaw lakes are scattered throughout the area on the poorly-
drained permafrost-underlain soils, and standing water is abundant.
The flat plain is broken by pingos, which are unbroken water-filled
domes or craters. The lakes and pingos are of ecological significance
as they provide habitat for stands of emergent plants, wildlife, and
nesting waterfowl.
Barrow is surrounded by wet or moist tundra ecosystems. The
soils supporting wet tundra are composed of peat layers overlying
silty and sandy sediments, which are underlain by water-laid gravels,
sands, and silts from outwash and marine sources , and may continue
into peaty depressions in some uplands. The wet tundra system,
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RCSOURCf PIANN'INC ASlnciATrS. INC'
44 SKMIll St III I • ( AMMKM.I. MlSIIIs O.'llh
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t^h
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usually found in areas with little topographical relief, contains
nearly continuous meadows of cottongrass and other sedges, usually
forming a mat rather than tussocks, as well as lichens, mosses, and
dwarf shrub species. A few woody and herbaceous plants occur on the
drier sites above the water table; rooted aquatic plants occur along
shorelines and in the more shallow lake waters.
The moist tundra system is composed of somewhat drier soils than
the wet tundra. These are weil-drailed, loamy, and underlain by coarse
outwash and tills. Moist tundra ecosystems usually form a complete
ground cover, varying from almost continuous and uniformly developed
cottongrass tussocks with sparse growth of other sedges and dwarf shrubs,
to stands with few or no tussocks and the dominance of dwarf shrubs.
Both wet and moist tundra systems are somewhat fragile because of
cyclical climatic and biological oscillations. For example, the
varying climatic conditions of the Arctic Slope affect the productivity
ahd quality of tundra vegetation, which, in turn, causes the populations
of th^ most foprlaiyore mammal of the region, the brown le;nming,
to £lucfcua-t-e-ofi''a"'T-"vear cycle. And these fluctuations in the rodent
population influence the survival chances of local predators (e.g.f
snowy owl, rough-legged hawk, and Arctic fox).
The tundra is quite important to residents of the Arctic Coastal'
Plain for edible herbs and roots, meats, hides and furs, some fuel,
insulation, and crafting and building materials. It is important as a
food source for game animals and as a nesting ground for migratory
waterfowl. Certain vegetation on the Coastal Plain is found in no
other ecosystems (e.g., the Alaska Boykima or Pichardson1s saxifrage).
Mammals of subsistence and commercial importance in the Arctic
Coastal Plain include the 3s*ewn grizzly bear, polar bear, wolverine,
caribou, arctic hare, mink, weasel, and muskrat.
of mammals have been threatened at one time or
another in the Arctic Coastal Plain area. The wolf population, for
example, was badly depleted in the recent past as a result of the
imposition of a $50 bounty, often collected by hunters who shot their
prey from low-flying aircraft. The bounty was removed in 1970, how-
ever, and the wolf population has become more stable.
Millions of waterfowl migrate over Barrow during the summer to
breed in the high Arctic. In 1970, it was noted that, during an 8-week
period beginning in mid-July, over 840,000 birds.passed over an
observation post near Point Barrow. Important birds indigenous to the
area include swans, sandhill cranes, snowy owls, and bald eagles.
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RfSOURCr PLANNING ASSOC ATtS, INC.
A* tKMUt iTXtn • CAMBRIOU. MASVM HUMUS K.'IIB
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LAND USE SUMMARY (ACRES)
Exhibit 5
Barrow
(including Barrowville)
¦Currently Developed Land
Residential use:
(single family houses, mobile homes,
multi-family houses, apartments,
boarding houses, dormitories)
Commercial and industrial usfe:
(retail and wholesale establishments,
warehouses, office buildings and
other services, light and heavy
manufacturing)
Other uses:
(public and quasi-public insti-
tutional buildings (e.g., schools,
churches, hc-;pitals) transportation
avenues (e.g., railroads, streets,
highways and airports) public open
spaces (?.g., urban parks and
recreational afeas)
Total Acreage
Undeveloped Land
Total
Unavailable laid due to environmental
constraints:
m existing'and projected uses,
planned federal, state and
local parks, recreation and
conservation areas, reserves
and refuges, utility and
institutionally owned lands
• zoning restrictions
• ecological constraints—
wetlanc.:» and principal elements
of water resources systems
(e.g., rivers, lakes, water-
sheds, aquifers, floodplains)
Land unsuitable for development due
to locational constraints such as:
• water supply—should be
reserved for municipal drinking
supply and private withdrawals;
inadequate for industry
• inaccessible to transportation
networks
Total irnnininq developable land
City Limits (805 acres)
60
10
32
102
703
i
-21-
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Exhibit 6
AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS - 1972-73
(tons per election district)
'BARROW
Source
Particulates
SO
X
NO
X
•HC
CO
Residential
4
3
28
3
7
Commercial/
Institutional
8
15
' 31
2
2
Industrial
-
-
-
-
-
Transportation
8
6
84
106
1096
Electricity
Generation
-
-
-
-
-
Solid Waste
Disposal
24
1
8
48
137
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, National Emissions Data
System
-22-
-------
WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
S .tet Barrow
Station
Temp
i
-------
BETHEL
BACKGROUND
First settled in 1885 by a Moravian missionary, Bdthel has moved
many times as the Kuskokwim River has changed course. The great
drainage of the Ku^tokwim River is second in size and mineral resources
value only to the Yukon. Mining of placer gold and quicksilver ores
took place in widely scattered spots throughout the southwest region
at the turn of the century. However, the isolation and inaccessibility
of the area made widespread exploration and development costly at the
time. ? ^ n/€v*r.
Bethel is situated in a broad andCfertile galley at the northern
tip of Kuskokwim Bay, 80 miles from the river's mouth, between Bristol
Bay and the Bering Sea. The river delta consists of vast sweeps of
tundra bordering the Bering Sea. The Clarence Rhode National Wildlife
Range' is due east of Bethel, while the proposed Yukon Delta National
Wildlife Refuge lies less than 50 miles tc the north and the proposed
Togiak Refuge, approximately 75 miles to the southeast.
Average annual precipitation in the Bethel area is 18.4 inches.
Table 5, below, indicates the average temperature.
t
Table 5
Period
January
July
Annual
Temperature Ranges in Bethel
Temperature (F)
Minimum
- 1.5
46.9
21.4
Mean
6.1
45.6
29.1
Maximum
13.6
62.2
36.8
SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Bethel, with a city population of 2,921 in November 1974 (8,500 in
the greater area), is the medical and trade center of a vast area of
southwestern Alaska. Its economy is supported by fisheries and through
the maintenance of government facilities. The town serves as a base
for tours to Eskimo settlements along the southwest coast and as the
center of a still important mining district. (The largest platinum
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RESOURCF PLANNING ASSOCIATES. INC.
44 BRAtill SIKUT • CAMHKIIH.I. MA".SA(MU>UJs 0/1JB
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t
mine is located in nearby P1 a t inim^) Estimated area employment in 1974
is shown in Table 6.
Tkble 6
Employment Breakout - Bethel
Industry Sector
Employment
Agriculture
0
Construction
80
Finance
10
Government
350
Mining
0
Manufacturing/Processing
100
Service
80
Trade
110
Transportation/Communications
90
Other
50
Total
870
Except during the peak of the summer salmon fishing, nearly 450 local **
residents with varying skills are available for employment.
The town boasts the largestfield hospitalJE^ Alaska for natives.
Seven doctors and five dentists staff the 42-bed hospital and clinic
facility, while 75 teachers are in charge of educating the town's
1,074 pupils.
Water is supplied by the city from deep Wells in the vicinity.
The sewer system, however, is limited, and most areas are serviced by
the "honey-bucket" system. Bethel Utility, Inc., supplies electricity
locally.
In the 1960s, an airport was built over the permafrost and spongy
tundra to service bush planes supplying remote Yukon and Kushokwim
River villages. No truck or rail access is available. With a river
channel to the sea, Bethel has downtown dock and warehouse facilities.
Three state troopers and six city policemen comprise the Bethel
police department. Fire-fighting is handled by one paid fireman and
20 volunteers, with two pump trucks and three water supply vehicles.
OpiMfUd
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RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOCIATES. INC.
~4 BKATIlt SINK? ¦ CAMBKUXjI. MAV>At HUSMIS 0/M8
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DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
Exhibit 8 illustrates current land use in Bethel. Commercial
and industrial sites are available as follows:
Inside City Limits:
Acreage Zoned: 10.2 acres (100 percent vacant)
Bethel Heights: 6.2 acres
Dull Lake Subdivision: 4.0 acres
Outside City Limits:
Available acreage uncertain pending
native land selection.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Although ambient air quality data were not available for the JL
Bethel area, EPA's National Emissions Data System indicated current
emission levels. (See Exhibit 9.) A summary of recordings
from one monitoring station on the Kushokwim River indicates color
measurements in excess of state water quality standards. As shown in
Exhibit 10, there has been very little water quality monitoring to
date.
Bethel is situated within the Bering Shelf physiographic province,
which is mostly a submerged level plain. In the Bethel area, it is a
thaw-lake dotted marsh containing three ecosystems - moist tundra, wet
tundra, and high brush.
The noist tundra system is composed of soils drier than those of
wet tundra. These are well-drained, loamy, and underlain by coarse
outwash and tills. Moist tundra ecosystems usually form a complete
ground cover, varying from almost continuous and uniformly developed
cottongrass tussocks, with sparse growth of other sedges and dwarf
shrubs, to stands with few or no tussocks and the dominance of dwarf
shrubs. Associated species include mosses, alpine azalea, low-growing
willows, dwarf birch, and berries.
The soils supporting wet tundra are composed of peat layers over-
lying silty and sandy sediments, which are underlain by water-laid
gravels, sands, and silts from outwash and marine sources, and may
continue into peaty depressions in some uplands. The wet tundra
system, usually found in areas with little topographical relief, con-
tains nearly continuous meadows of cottongrass and other sedges,
usually forming a mat rather than tussocks, as well as lichens, mosses,
and dwarf shrub species. A few woody and herbaceous plants occur on
¦/<7
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RESOURCF MANNING ASSOCIAflS. INC.
44 08 M lit MRU I • t AMBKItK,!. MASSAC HUM I IS OillH
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o
>
the drier sites above the water table; rooted aquatic plants occur
along shorelines and in the more shallow lake waters. Decomposition of
vegetative growth by soil organisms is inhibited by cool soils, resulting
in accummulations of sphagnum and sedge peats. This system produces
significant amounts of forage for reindeer and caribou, and provides
abundant rich habitat for waterfowl.
The high brush ecosystem of floodplain thickets (dense-to-open,
deciduous brush systems) developed quickly on newly exposed alluvial
deposits that are periodically flooded. The dominant shrubs are willows
and alders. Associated shrubs are dogwood, prickly rose, and berry.
This system, adaptable to variable soils, occupies low wet soils on
sandy, gravelly terrace deposits with intermittent permafrost, extending
to poorly-drained, very gravelly and stony soils over shallow perma-
frost on foot slopes.
The 5-million acre area proposed as the Yukon Delta National
Wildlife Refuge to the north of Bethel supports an annual fall migra-
tion of 3 million ducks. The shores of Bristol and Kushokwim Bays
receive four migrations of birds annually, including the majority of
the world's population of certain species, particularly geese and
eiders, and provide nesting habitats for 170 bird species. Cape
Newenhaus National Wildlife Refuge, between Bristol Bay and the
Kuskokwim Delta, contains one of the largest nesting colonies of sea •
birds in North America.
A considerable commercial enterprise is based on the pelt of the
northern fur seal. The main breeding ground of the northern fur seal
is the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea, southwest of Bethel. Once
near the point of extinction, the fur seal now has a healthy population.
Another fauna of commercial importance to onshore areas of Bristol f
Bay and the Bering Sea is the red (sockeye) salmon.
Walrus are also found on the shores of the Bering Sea. In the
recent past, this sea animal has also been on the verge of extinction
in many areas, and its population is, even now, running close to the
margin. Although the Alaskan walrus population is estimated as high
as 95,000, the walrus has a slow reproduction rate, p&r-a cowiac^ally
bears only one pup every 2 years. Bowhead, grey, ^nd beluga (or white)
whales, all of which are considered endangered, are/"also found in the
Bering Sea.
gj.
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RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOCIATES, INC
M BRA! Ill SIRl 11 • I AMflKllM.I MASSAt lUtSIIIS O.'l )ft
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LAMP USE SUMMARY (ACRES)' Exhibit 8
Bethel
City Limits (32,000 acres)
Currently Developed Land
Residential use:
(single family houses, mobile homes,
multi-family houses, apartments,
boarding houses, dormitories)
Commercial and industrial use;
(retail and wholesale establishments,
warehouses, office buildings and
other services, light and heavy
manufacturing)
Other uses:
(public and quasi-public insti-
tutional buildings (e.g., schools,
churches, hc-;pitals) transportation
avenues (e.g., railroads, streets,
highways and airports) public open
spaces (e.g., urban parks and
recreational areas)
Total Acreage
960
320
1,280
2,560
Undeveloped Land
Total
29,440
Unavailable land due to environmental
constraints:
• existing and projected uses,
planned federal, state and
local parks, recreation and
conservation areas, reserves
and refuges, utility and
institutionally owned lands
• zoning restrictions
• ecological constraints—
wctlanc'.J and principal elements
of water resources systems
(e.g., rivers, lakes, water-
sheds, aquifers, floodplains)
Land unsuitable for development due
tolocational constraints such as:
• water supply—should be
reserved for municipal drinking
supply and private withdrawals;
inadequate for industry
• inaccessible to transportation
networks
Total remaining devclop.'iblc land
-28-
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Exhibit 9
AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS - 1972-73
(tons per election district)
.bethel
Source
Particulates
SO
X
NO
X
.HC
CO
Residential
36
22
20
25
26
Commercial/
Institutional
12
15
22
29
2
Industrial
-
-
-
-
-
Transportation
19
.15
208
278
2857
Electricity
Generation
3
7
94
9
57
Solid Waste
Disposal
27
2
10
51
145
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, National Emissions Data
System
-29-
-------
WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
S.-.tei Bethel
Station
Temp
(OC)
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
E"
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved
Solids
Suspended
SoJimertt
(Cubic Eeet/
Second)
Oxygen
Sum
(mo/1)
frons/Dav)
Concentration
Discharge
1 (Unics)
(Micro mho)
(mq/l)
(rnc/l)
(Tor.s/Sav)
Xushokwin R.
near Bethel
7.5
(1971) .
44.0
(1971)
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CORDOVA
BACKGROUND
Although Prince William Sound, on which Cordova is- located, was
first explored by the Spanish in the 1790s, the town itself was not
settled until copper was discovered in the Copper River delta in 1906.
The $20-million, 195-mile Copper River and Northwestern Railroad was
constructed in 1908 between the mines in the Chitina River Valley and
Cordova on the coast. From 1911 to 1938, Cordova served as a tidewater
port and rail gateway to the famous Kennecott copper operations, which
yielded $175 million in copper ore. By 1938 the ore supply had
diminished, and the price of copper had declined; consequently, the
mines and railways were forced to close.
The city's economy was able to survive the closings because of
the substantial fishing industry that had been established. Cordova
had also become a distributing center for copper and gold workings in
the Wrangell Mountains, the Katalla oil wells, and the Bering coal _
fields. J g
Cordova is located on a bench of land at the/top^)f Prince William
Sound and at the base of Mt. Eyak, with Lake Eyak^n one side and Crca
Inlet on the other. The Chugach Mountain Range rises to the north, and en
the Copper River Valley delta and four glaciers lie to the east. The '
surrounding dense forest lands have been protected as the Chugach
National Forest, adjacent to which lies 5.5 million acres of the pro-
posed Wrangell Mountains National Forest.
Average annual precipitation totals 167.68 inches in Cordova; the
temperature ranges are shown in Table 7, below.
id-
Table 7
Temperature Ranges in Cordova
Temperature (F)
Period Minimum Mean Maximum
January 20.6 26.3 31.9
July 48.0 54.5 61.0
Annual 33.6 40.1 46.6
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RfSOt'RM PLANNING ASSOCIATE INC.
44 8KMIU STJttl I • (AMBKIDt.l. MfWAi MC'M 11% O.'HB
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0
SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS .
Cordova has a current (July 1973 data) population of 1,587; the
greater area is only slightly larger, with'1,787 inhabitants. The
area's economy is supported primarily by fishing and its related
industries. Government services also contribute significantly to the
work force.
Because of the seasonality of the fishing industry, unemployment
runs 18-24 percent in the winter months, compared with a low of 4 per
cent in August, at the height of the fishing season. As a result, a
skilled labor pool is available in Cordova virtually all year round
Estimated annual area employment in July 1973 is shown in Table 8.
Table 8
Employment Breakout - Cordova
Industry Sector Employment
Agriculture 0
Construction 30
Finance 10
Government 350
Services 80
Mining 0
Manufacturing/Processing 200
(High 300 - low 100)
Trade-Wholesale/Retail 65
Transportation/Communication 65
J*®
Total 800
Cordova's water comes from Meals Lake and Murcheson Falls in the
Hewey Range and is supplied by Cordova Public Utilities, which also
supplies the town with electricity. Its health care is provided by a
22-bed, municipally-owned hospital and a medical.clinic staffed by one
doctor and a dentist. The Cordova School District is equipped to
educate students through the high school level. -htfl'cA-'
Although inacciessable by rail, Cordova is served o^ce a day by
Alaska Airlines. In addition, Chitina Air Service and Parkair Taxi
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RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOC I ATI'S, INC
44 BRATIlf SIRtil • CAMHRI1K.I. MASSAl MUSI I IN O.'l IA
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provide local charter service.' Cordova has a 7,500-foot, paved
runway (szate owned) and a 1,950-foot gravel runway (municipal owned).
The city dock can berth vessels drawing up to 18 feet, and the new
Cordova municipal dock is equipped to service vessels with a 30-foot
draft.
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
Although land-use data are unavailable for Cordova, there are,
within the Cordova city limits, 25 acres of land zoned for industrial
and commercial use, including a 15-acre industrial park. Of these 25
acres, approximately 18 are vacant. Lots vary in size from 6,000 square
feet to 13,000 square feet, and average 50 cents per square foot.
There is no slope to this land, which is located on the waterfront and
within an urban renewal project reclaimed during harbor dredging.
Utilities would be available to most parcels immediately. A 3-acre
staging area has been provided adjacent to the Cordova municipal dock.
Beyond the city limits there is no land that has been zoned for
industrial or commercial use.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
There are no data available on air quality in the Cordova area
from the EPA's National Aerometric Data Bank. However, that agency's
National Emissions Data System has some indications of air pollution
emissions, as shown in Exhibit 11.
Water quality data available for the Cordova environs indicate
that pollutant levels of water resources in the area are below state
standards. (See Exhibit 12.) Only a single parameter measurement,
the average color level, recorded at the Stillwater monitoring station,
exceeds the standard specified by state law. Water quality remains
acceptable despite the fact no sew^age treatment facility has been
constructed to handle municipal and industrial (fish processing plant)
waste.
Cordova lies within the Prince William Sound Drainage, the
hydrology of which is dominated by high flows, lasting from spring
breakup to winter freezeup. Tanner crab fishing in Sheep Bay on the
Sound is of commercial importance to Cordova residents. Streams in _
the region are typically short, with very steep gradients, braided
channels, and wide flood plains; most are glacier-fe<^ having high
sediment loads.
4 (
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RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOC IAHS. INC.
44 BKA lilt SIMM • CAMRKIIHit, MASSA^MUSM IS 0/1 IB
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Cordova is located within the Pacific Border Ranges Province,
composed of several mountain ranges and an intermittent coastal shelf.
The Cordova area belongs to the coastal western hemlock-Sitka spruce
forest ecosystem. A combination, of steep rocky slopes, broad mountain
drainages, glacial masses, and extensive outwash and moraines form a
complex of land surfaces and soils free of permafrost. • Soils near tim-
berline are shallow, coarse, loamy, and well-drained. Soils on the
lower slopes and high moraines are stony, gravelly, and well-drained,
and produce one of the highest per acre yields of timber in the state.
Small areas of sandy to silty soils on coastal terraces and dunes
support thin stands of Sitka spruce. Undergrowth throughout the system
includes blueberry, huckleberry, juniper, skunk cabbage, and fern
plants. The presence of Sitka black-tailed deer in the region is
important to Cordova residents, who rely on the animals for meat
supplies. To the east is the Copper River delta area, an unusually
productive wildlife habitat.
Abundant bird life is found in the Prince William Sound area
because of the Sound's strategic location on major migration routes for
. species breeding farther north and the adjacent Copper River delta.
Almost the entire North American population of the small, dusky Canada
goose nes~s in the Cooper River delta. Although this subspecies is
not the Aleutian Canada goose listed as rare and endangered in
Threatened Wildlife of the U.S. (1973), the species is not numerous
and may be threatened, should suitable habitat disappear. The delta
is also one of many breeding spots for the trumpeter swan, at one time
considered rare and endangered. Although known to be fairly abun-
dant in Alaska, the nesting success of this bird requires relatively
undisturbed habitat.
•i Because harbor seals are predators of salmon, crab, mollusks, and
!|shrimp, and because they damage commercial nets in the Cordova vicinity,
||hunts have been led against this species, caysajagcarj2cm'94der;able decrease
'in the population. Sockeye slamonjad razor clam fisheries at^She
eastern end of Prince William Sound~are of/economic importance to Cordova.
* 7 >
L>^ W
cri
-34-
RFSOURCE PLANNING ASSOCIaIIS, INC
*4 BKAfltf SIRIIT t CAMBRIlX.t. MAbSA( IIUSI IIS O.'lJfl
-------
Exhibit 11
AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS 1972-73
(tons per election district)
CORDOVA
¦¦
Source
Particulates
SO
• X
HO
X
HC
CO
Residential
3
9
4
1
2
Commercial/
Institutional
3
8
13
1
1
Industrial
28
326
93
73
4
Transport at ion
11
7
87
111
922
Electricity
Generation
3
8
1
97
10
59
Solid Waste
Disposal
14
1
5
27
77
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, National Emissions Data
System
-35-
-------
WATER QUALITY SUMKAKV
Sitei cordova
Station
Temp
<°C)
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
2"
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved
Solids
Suspendea
Seuiu-ar.t
(Cubic. Feet/
Second)
Oxygen
Sum
(ma/1)
'Tons / Dav)
Concentration
Discharge
(Units)
(Micromho)
(mc/1)
(nc/l>
(Tcr.s/rav!
Clear Cr.
2.5
(1972J
115.0
(1972)
5.0
(1972)
78.33
(1972)
12.7
(1972)
7.53
(1972)
56.0
(1972)
15.8
(1972)
4.0
(1972)
1.2
(1972)
] Clear Cr.
e.o
(1972)
5.1
(1972)
10.0
(1972)
85.0-
(1972)
10.4
(1972)
6.7
(1972)
53.0
(1972)
.73
(1972)
I ick Cr.
4.54
(1970-72)
6S.B0
(1970-72)
3.33
(1972)
60.1
(1971-72)
11.45
(1972)
6.97
(1972)
47.C
(1972)
12.75
(1972)
2.86
(1972)
.71
(1972)
tick Cr. at
5outh
7.0
(1972)
81.4
(1972)
0.0
(1972)
305.33
(1972)
12.2
(1972)
7.37
(1972)
273.0
(1972)
1400
(1972)
£ tillA^ater
6.0
(1972)
•
95.67
(1972)
ia.15
(1972)
7.35
(1972)
55.67
(1972)
Trout Cr.
4.5
(1970-72
34.71
(1970-72)
5.0
(1972)
93.8
(1971-72)•
12.5
(1972)
7.45
(1972)
57.33
(1972)
3.61
(1972)'
1.75
(1972)
:08
(1972)
Shepherd Cr.
balov Lake
5.34
(1970-72
114.0
(1970-72)
12.5
(1972)
78.25
(1971-72)
12.0
(1972)
7.05
(1972)
49.67
(1972)
20.9
(1972)
22.5
(1972)
9.59
(1972)
Shepherd Cr.
5.17
(1970-72
263.5
(1970-72)
5.0
(1972)
76.0
(1971-72)
12.05
(1972)
7.5
(1972)
46.0
(1972)
33.8
(1972)
14.6
(1972)
9.74
(1972)
-------
WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
7
(1966)
27.0
(1966)
-------
FAIRBANKS
BACKGROUND
Fairbanks was founded as a trading post to supply "neighboring
mining camps after gold was discovered 12 miles to the north at Pedro
Creek in 1902. The settlement was a booming center of mining activity
until 1920 when the gold deposits economically extractable by mining
techniques of the time were depleted.
rfi
Vf
—Pa^rbanks is situated on both banks of the Chena River in the
fertile Tanana Valley. The land immediately surrounding Fairbanks is
flat-p-but rolling hills rise at a distance to the north, east, and
west. The Birch Creek National Wild River System of 200,000 acres is
the closest proposed protected area, less than 50 miles distant. Other
proposed withdrawal areas within a 100-mile radius are the Yukon Flats
National Wildlife Refuge, the Yukon-Charley National Rivers, and the
proposed additions to Mt. McKinley National Park. The Chena Hot Springs,
a well-known resort area, is 50 miles northwest of Fairbanks.
Dry cold characterizes the winters in Fairbanks, which lies 120
miles south of the Arctic Circle? temperatures can fall as low as -60°F.
In contrast, the summers are warm, and the temperature can, though not
often does, rise to over 90°F. The average temperature for Fairbanks
is shown in Table 9.
A
Table 9
Temperature Ranges in Fairbanks
Temperature (F)
Period Minimum Mean Maximum
January -23.5 -16.3 - 9.1
July 54.1 64.5 74.9
Annual 15.1 24.5 33.8
Average annual precipitation is 11.5 inches, and snowfall averages 70.4
inches per year.
-3R-
RESOUKCf PLANNING ASSOO.VIS, INC
44 BRA (lit Mttll! • (AMBRIDC.I. MV>VM MUSI I IS II.M IB
-------
£ f> "
Jn tfc t *
r
-------
SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Approximately 4 percent of Fairbanks' population, which in July
1974 numbered 24,238 (versus 49,G56 for the greater area), is native,
primarily Indian and a small percentage Eskimo. In the recent past, the
town has served as an acculturation center for natives attempting to
become integrated into urban life-styles. However, both prejudice and
cultural barriers have made the transition a slow process. More
specifically, it has been difficult for the native population to shift
from a fanily-oriented, village-based, subsistence-level society, to a
supervised, income-producing one. Consequently, in Fairbanks, many
natives find themselves unprepared to handle either the demands of a
cash economy or of "western" cultural patterns.
health facilities.
Fairbanks is the main commercial center for the interior region of
the state, north of the Alaskan range. In fact, the size of the city's
population is misleading and not indicative of Fairbanks' financial and
commercial importance. The town is characterized by a central business
district of tall and modern office and apartment buildings, various
transport facilities, shopping centers, and modern educational and J
Like Anchorage, much of Fairbanks' growth and prosperity can be •
attributed to th^^irftsteMaLiuii dutilgnse bases - i.e., the two large
Air Force baseg$
-------
Table 10
Employment Breakout - Fairbanks
Industry Sector Employment
Agriculture 180
Construction 1,170
Finance 560
Government 7,090
Mining 100
Manufacturing/Processing 250
Service 2,390
Trade 2,560
Transportation/Communications 1,470
Other 1,750
Total 17,520
The Municipal Utilities System supplies processed groundwater to
consumers. A primary wastewater treatment plant has been built for
the Fairbanks area, and work is proceeding on a multimillion-dollar
city sewage treatment plant. Within Fairbanks, the Municipal Utilities
System supplies electricity; outside the city limits, it is supplied by
Golden Valley Electric Association.
11,155 students attend the Fairbanks Election District's 14
schools, while 2,928 are enrolled in the University of Alaska, located
in a suburb of Fairbanks. Health facilities and staff consist of a
116-bed hospital, 5 clinics, 40 doctors, and 20 dentists.
The city is the northern terminus of the Alaska Railroad and the
Richardson Highway, the southwestern terminus of the Steese Highway,
and a focal point for both international and small bush aircraft. The
airport handles thousands of tons of material being flown to the North
Slope. In addition, a number of truck and bus lines serve the city.
Fairbanks' Police Department is composed of 60 persons, 12 patrol
cars, and one mobile crime laboratory. The fire department has 70
employees and numerous facilities.
-40-
KISOUKCI PLANNING Assoc lAlls. INC
<4 PR AI 111 MBIII • IAMMII>U mV.VM lllrM IK «>;1 HI
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DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
Originallyr 7,640 acres, both within and beyond the city limits of
Fairbanks, were zoned for industrial use. (See Table 11, loelow.) Of
this amount, 40 percent (530 acres) inside the city limits and 70 per-
cent outside remains available. (See Exhibit 13.)
Table 11
Fairbanks Acreage Under Zoning
Location Zoning Classification Acreage
Inside City Limits:
Southwest Fairbanks Light industrial 580
South Fairbanks Light industrial 40
Worth Fairbanks Heavy industrial 210
Heavy industrial 130
Outside City Limits:
North Pole Heavy industrial 440
Van Horn Heavy industrial 1,760
Airport 4,480
Total 7,640
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Ambient air quality data for Fairbanks were available from EPA's
National Aerometric Data Bank. (See Exhibit 14.) Samplings from moni-
toring stations of several categories in the area (center city-commercial;
suburban-residential; rural-commercial; and rural-ungualified) indicate
particulate and carbon monoxide levels in excess of state standards
in certain locations. Sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide concentrations
appear to be considerably below those levels specified by state
law. (See Exhibit 15.)
During severe periods of cold in Fairbanks, large amounts of water
vapor, emitted by motor vehicles, space heating systems, power-generating
stations and industries, remain near ground level because of extremely
high gradient temperature inversions. The resulting ice-fog in turn
hinders vehicular and air traffic, and poses a hazard to human health.
_/i i _
Rtsoimcf PLANNING ASSOriAIIS. INC
•4 IRAIIIt SKI 11 . ("AMMIIJU lit ls| 11 > iiyltfl
-------
-------
The Alaska Air Pollution Control Regulations specify that the Department
of Environmental Conservation may "require any person proposing to
build or operate an industrial process, fuel burning equipment or incin-
erator in areas of potential ice»-fog to obtain a permit to operate ai
to reduce water emissions."
Water quality data for the Fairbanks area show excessive levels
of turbidity, which may be due to glacial discharge, and of color,
which may result from dissolved organic matter leached from bogs and
tundra adjacent to streams. (See Exhibit 16.)
The City of Fairbanks is located on the Tanana River at the
boundary of the Northern Plateaus and Western Alaska physiographic
provinces. It is surrounded by a bottomland spruce-poplar forest
ecosystem and by a low brush, muskeg-bog ecosystem. The former is a
tall, relatively dense, interior forest system of primarily white
spruce mixed with cottonwood or balsam poplar. In general, the commer-
cial stands of white spruce are on level, to nearly level, floodplains
and low river terraces. Dense undergrowth consists of high and low
shrubs interspersed with ferns, fireweed, lichens, herbs, and moss.
Portions of the floodplains are barren during periods of low water.
Soils supporting this vegetation are of three types: (1) well-drained,
shallow, gravelly soils over bedrock; (2) well-drained silt loams of
shallow depth over bedrock; and (3) windblown silts on lower slopes and
high terraces. PPT-ynpf-rnct- j c well below ground level or absent on
lower slopes and absent on steep, gravelly slopes. ———.
The low brush, muskeg-bog ecosystem contains extensive bogs in
which excessive wetness prevents tree growth. Bog vegetation consists
of varying amounts of sedges, sphagnum, other mosses, and berries.
Saturated flats have large patches of cottongrass tussocks. Soils
supporting this ecosystem are poorly-drained, deep, sandy, or silty
loams with overlaying peat layers of varied thickness. Permafrost is
continuous under interior Alaska muskegs. The more underlying strata
are composed of stratified sands, silts, and gravels.
Both ecosystems are important to inhabitants for production of
plants, mammals, and birds used for subsistence. The bottomland
spruce-poplar forest system, particularly in the bushy areas, provides
good habitat for fur bearers, woodland game birds and mammals, and
moose.
At least 161 species of birds, including valuable game birds,
have been reported in the Western Alaska province. Migrating waterfowl
are found in abundance along the Tanana, Chena, Chatanika, and Salcha
Rivers. Trumpeter swans, a formerly endangered species, and still quite
rare, have been reported (1968) in the Fairbanks area. Nests belonging
to the peregrine falcon, an endangered species, were reported along the
Tanana River in 1970.
-42-
RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOCIATES. INC
44 OKA I III srmi • CAMMIOM. MMSMHUMIIS ll/1»
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Commercial, subsistence, and sport fisheries are very important
recreationally and economically in the Fairbanks area. The Tanana
River and its tributaries, flowing to the south of Fairbanks, contain- ¦
many fish of commercial importance (e.g., salmon, whitefish). The
Chena River, which winds through the center of Fairbanks, is commercially
RfSOURCF PIANNINC; ASSOC lAlfS. I.».C
44 BKAIIU SJKItl • I AMUKIIX.l. MASSAC HUM I IN 11/! Ill
-------
LAND USE SUMMARY (ACRES)
Fairbanks
Exhibit 13
Metropolitan Study Area
(94,075 acres)
Currently Developed Land
Residential use:
(single family houses, mobile homes,
multi-family houses, apartments,
boarding houses, dormitories)
Commercial and industrial u^*e:
(retail and wholesale establishments,
warehouses, office buildings and
other services, light and heavy
manufacturing)
Other uses:
(public end quasi-public insti-
tutional buildings (e.g., schools,
churches, hc-jpitals) transportation
avenues (e.g., railroads, streets,
highways and airports) public open
spaces (e.g., urban parks and
recreational areas)
Total Acreage
Undeveloped Land
Total
Unavailable land due to environmental
constraints:
• existing and projected uses,
planned federal, state and
local parks, recreation and
conservation areas, reserves
and refuges, utility and
institutionally owned lands
• zoning restrictions
• ecological constraints—
wctlanc.J and principal elements
of water resources systems
(e.g., rivers, lakes, water-
sheds, aquifers, floodplains)
Land unsuitable for development due
to locations 1 constraints such as:
• water supply—should be
reserved for municipal drinking
supply and private withdrawals;
inadequate for industry
• inaccessible to transportation
networks
Total rtTiaitiinq developable- land
2,554
1,868
13,320
17,742
76,333
1,550
2,200
72,583
-44-
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AMBIENT AIR QUALITY CONCENTRATIONS - 1973
FAIRBANKS
Particulates
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m3)
S0X
(annual arith.
mean, ug/m3)
NOx
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m3)
HC
(maximum
observation
ug/m3)
CO
(maximum
observation
mg/m3)
Alaska Ambient
Air Quality
Standards
60
60
100
160
(3 hour period)
10
(8 hour period)
40
(1 hour period)
Station
Fairbanks Post
Office
(3rd & Cushman)
111
5.20
21.95
Center City - Mobile
'WMi-,
Center City - Mobile
(Fed. Bldg.
2nd & Cushman)
111
Suburban -
Residential
(Hunter School
16th, 17th &
Gillam Way)
IB
-------
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY CONCENTRATIONS - 1973
FAIRBANKS
Particulates
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m3)
S0X
(annual arith.
mean, ug/m3)
NOx
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m3)
HC
(maximum
observation
ug/m3)
CO
(maximum
observation
mg/m3)
Alaska Ambient
Air Quality
Standards
60
60
100
160
(3 hour period)
10
(8 hour period)
40
(1 hour period)
Station
Suburban -
Residential
(Joy School
Lemeta Street)
47.36
Center City -
Commercial
(Barnette St.)
51.95
Center City - Mobile
(Woolworth1s
3rd & Cushman)
¦
Center City -
Commercial
(Fairbanks Borough
Bldg.)
III
-------
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY CONCENTRATIONS - 1973
FAIRBANKS
Particulates
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m3)
sox
(annual arith.
mean, ug/m^)
N0X
(annual gee.
mean, ug/m3)
HC
(maximum
observation
ug/m3)
CO
(maximum
observation
mg/m3)
Alaska Ambient
Air Quality
Standards
60
80
100
160
(3 hour period)
10
(8 hour period)
40
(1 hour period)
Station
12.66
Rural - Unqualified
(NO & AA Site
Grenac Rd.)
Suburban -
Residential
{North Pole
Elementary School)
55.56
Rural - Commercial
(Fairbanks Intl.
Airport)
35.07
Suburban -
Residential
(Univ. Park School
Univ. Ave.)
111
-------
Exhibit 15
AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS - 1972-73
(tons per election district)
FAIRBANKS
Source
Particulates
SO
X
NO
X
¦HC
CO
Residential
364
373
128
317
1274
Commercial/
Institutional
1167
750
698
64-
168
Industrial
5883
1244
2406
160
319
Transportation
466
3G1
36.12
4157
27956
Electricity
Generation
538
756
631
107
311
Solid Waste
Disposal
444
26
144
806
2448
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, National Emissions Data
-an-
-------
WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Sit.e- Fairbanks
Station
Temp
(°C)
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Cor.ductivi tv
E«
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved
Solids
Suspended Sedin^r.-
(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxyqen
Sura
(tnct/1)
frons/Dav)
Concentration
Discharge
(Units)
(Micromho)
(mq/1)
nr. Fairbanks
5.7
(1950-:70)
1601.5
(1950)
it
151.62
(1950-71)
13.5
(1971)
7.08
(1950-71)
102.0
(1950-71)
403.0
(1950)
tr
H-
ft
j—•
-------
WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
S .tei Fairbanks
Station
Temp
foci
Stream Flow
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
Dissolved
E«
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved Solids
Suspended Se
-------
HATER QUALITY SUMMARY
5i tf t Fairbanks
Station
Temp
(°C)
Stream Flow
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
Dissolved
E»
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved Solids
Suspended Se^inrer.c
Sum
(t!KT/ll
(Tons/ Day)
Concentration
Discharce
(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxygen ¦.
(Units)
(Micromhol
(mq/1)
(mc/1)
(To-s/Dav)
Vood R.
. 'loar Fairbanks
5.29
(1968-72)
614.39
(1968-73;
1.0
(1972)
8.64
(1968-72)
266.37
(1968-72)
7.92
(1968-71*
163.33
(1968-72)
276.67
(1968-72)
1447.29
(1968-72)
6059.87
(1968-73)
Ohatanika R.
it Pipeline
¦Crossing
12.5
(1971)
92.5
(1971)
7.4
(1971)
57.5
(1971)
iHiatanika R.
CHA-1
6.05 .
(1969)
4.23
(1969-70)
6.57
(1969-70)
132.0
(1970)
10:47
(1969-70)
7.24
(1969-70)
ilalcha R.
5.9
(1969)
1.7
(1969-70)
8.6
(1969-70)
125.0
(1970)
10.88
(1969-70)
7.75
(1969-70)
Ifoyes Slough
Hi 23
7.75
(1961)
lit
' 143.0
! (1961)
7.5
(1961)
93.0
(1961)
Ibnument Cr.
r ear Chena" Hot
iprings
1.5
(1971)
30.3
(1971)
5.0
<1971)
66.0
(1971)
7.4
(1971)
43.0
(1971)
3.52
11971)'
-------
¦KOTZEBUE
BACKGROUND
Kotzebue Sound was discovered in 1816 by a Russian navigator in
search of a northwest passage. The area became one of the largest
trading posts and supply centers in the world for outfitting hunting
parties in pursuit of polar bear, wolf, and whale. Kotzebue, the
second largest Eskimo village in Alaska - the largest is Barrow -
remains the hub of a large Arctic trading area, including the villages
on the Arctic rivers Noatak, Kobuk, and Selawik.
Kotzebue, situated on the narrow Baldwin Peninsula, is 26 miles
north of the Arctic Circle. The Baird Mountains, visible across the
Sound, are part of the Brooks Mountain Range, the only major mountain
range in North America that runs east and west. The city itself is
bounded on the west by Kotzebue Sound, which connects with Hotham
Inlet, bounding the peninsula on the east. It shares with Nome and
Barrow the distinction of being more distant (approximately 4,000 miles)
from Washington, D.C., than any other major settlement on the North
American Continent.
The proposed Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Noatak National
Arctic Range, Kobuk Valley National Monument, and Selawik National
Wildlife Refuge encircle Kotzebue. The proposed Chukchi-Imuruk
National Reserve is across Kotzebue Sound from the town.
During the summer, the sun does not set for approximately 36 days,
and there is a prevailing west wind out of Kotzebue Sound. During the
long winter months, the prevailing east wind causes the temperature to
drop as low as -58°F. More usual seasonal temperatures are shown in
Table 12, below.
Period
Table 12
Temperature Ranges in Kotzebue
Temperature (F)
January
July
Annual
Minimum
-10.9
47.4
14.2
Mean
- 4.9
53.0
20.8
Maximum
2.9
58.6
27.3
-52-
RFSOllRCr WANNtNO ASSOC I.'VIS. INC,
44 BRAIUI SIKH I • « AMMIIW.I. MASSAC I Mils fulM
-------
Average annual precipitation is about 9 inches, and there are normally
approximately 40 inches of snow a year.
SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Kotzebue, with a within-the-city population of 1,696 (January 1974),
is the central city of a vast area of northwest Alaska that includes
the villages of Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk,
Noatak, Noorvik, Point Hope, Selawik, and Shungnak. Tourism, trading,
fishing, and hunting are the primary businesses supporting the town.
Local residents hunt, fish, and gather berries for subsistence. Indeed,
at least half the region's livelihood is gained from nonmonetary, sub-
sistence income. As a result, caribou, reindeer, and moose are most
important to the inland villages.
During July and August, commercial fishing goes into full swing,
most of the catch being chum salmon and, later in the season, trout.
Most of the fish is sold to the locally-owned Kotzebue Sound Area
Fisheries, but a commercial fishery, selling to Japanese buyers through
the Kotzebue Sound Area Fisheries Co-op, provides substantial but sea-
sonal employment for native people. There is little other manufacturing
or natural resource development in the region. However, the surrounding
area contains potential rich jade, lead, silver, and copper deposits,
which remain virtually unexplored and unexploited.
In 1972, the region's (Kobuk Labor Market Area) labor force was
estimated at 1,270 persons, of which almost 23 percent was unemployed -
and this was the lowest employment rate since such records were started
in 1962. Indeed, the average unemployment over the past 10 years has
been over 29 percent per year. As of January 1974, total area unemploy-
ment was estimated at 982, as shown in Table 13.
RCSOUKCr PLANNING ASM»riATIS. INC
M (IMIII VIIMI • (HMUlllU MAVtM HIW llswi *
-------
Table 13
Employment Breakout - Kotzebue
§
Industry Sector Employment
Agriculture 0
Construction 10*
Finance 5
Government 543
Mining 10*
Manufacturing/Processing 10*
Service 59
Trade 86
Transportation/Communication 139
Other 120*
Total 982
Kotzebue has one Public Health Service Hospital with 3 doctors,
7 nurses, 2 pharmacists, 3 dentists, and 50 beds. This hospital is
utilized by all the outlying villages, which are scattered over an area
of approximately 43,000 square miles. A state Public Health Service
Clinic also serves the area. Kotzebue Day School is run by the Bureau
of Indian Affairs for approximately 510 elementary and approximately
157 high school students. The staff includes 39 teachers and 25
teachers' aides. The police department consists of a chief of police,
five patrolmen, and one state trooper. The fire department has one
fire chief to supervise volunteers.
The water supply for Kotzebue is piped from a lake lh miles east
of the city. Approximately 150 houses are supplied with water, and
over 50 are hooked up to sewer facilities. Soli'd waste is disposed of
in an open-pit dump.
Although Kotzebue has only 11 miles of gravel roads and no rail
service, it Ir a r?gin*TTrr^~~^D<~pT" for air transportation. Two major
airlines/"Alaska Airlines an<3 Wien Air Alaska, provide daily jet
0 Kia*-
Estimate'.
-54-
RESOUKCf: PLANNING ASSOCIAIIS. INC.
«4 SKA F T|( Mm 11 • C AMBRItX.I. MASSA< HI/SI IIS O.'IMI
-------
0
service from Anchorage, with stops at Fairbanks or Nome. Wien Air
Alaska also has bush flights to neighboring villages, which depend on
this mode of transport for delivery of much of their food and other
essentials.
#
Kotzebue Sound is free of ice 3 months out of the .year. During
this time, deep-draft, ocean-going vessels carry fuel, building
material, heavy equipment, and food supplies to Kotzebue. However,
because of gravel and sand deposited by the Noatak River, which enters
the Sound 4 miles above Kotzebue, these vessels are forced to anchor
about 15 miles offshore. B & R Tug & Barge has shallow-draft barges
that are able to provide lightering services for these vessels. How-
ever, this expense of unloading at sea and transporting cargo 15 miles
to shore by barge constitutes one-fourth of the total shipping cost
from Seat-le, location of the major suppliers, 3,000 miles away.
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
There are no potential industrial sites as such in Kotzebue as
there is no zoning in the city. Exhibit 17 exhibits current land use
in Kotzebue.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALxTY
No ambient air quality data foiy Nome^were available through EPA's .
National Aerometric Data Bank, but Afcs National Emissions Data System /
has indicators of levels of air pollution emissions, as shown in
Exhibit 18.
Water quality data are available for Vortac Lake and June Creek in
the Kotzebue area. (See Exhibit 19.) Color reetSrding averages are
higher than those levels allowed by state^ilrajf probably because of
natural causes. However, marine water deterthat would indicate the
effect of activity at the Kotzebue Sound Area Fisheries on water quality
are unavailable.
Kotzebue is located at the extreme northwestern arm of the Western
Alaska Province, an area characterized by both wet and moist tundra
ecosystems.
The soils supporting wet tundra are composed of peat layers over-
lying silty and sandy sediments, which are underlain by water-laid
gravels, sands, and silts from outwash and marine sources, and may con-
tinue into peaty depressions in some uplands. The wet tundra system,
usually found in areas with little topographical relief, contains
nearly continuous meadows of cottongrass and other sedges, usually
forming a mat rather than tussocks, as well as lichens, mosses, and
RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOCIATES. INC
44 BUM III Mill! • IAMBKIDCI. MASSAUttlMIK A'lM
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dwarf shrub species. A few wocdy and herbaceous plants occur on the
drier sites above the water table; rooted aquatic plants occur along
shorelines and in the more shallow lake waters.
The moist tundra system, occuring along old beach lines, is com-
posed of somewhat drier soils than those of a wet tundra. These soils
are well-drained and loamy, and underlain by coarse outwash and tills.
Moist tundra also occupies both poorly-drained, shallow loams of upper
mountain slopes and wet silty soils on lower slopes and drainages, such
as those found near Kotzebue. A moist tundra ecosystem usually forms
a complete ground cover, varying from almost continuous and uniformly
developed cottongrass tussocks with sparse growth of other sedges and
dwarf shrubs, to stands with few or new tussocks and dominated by dwarf
shrubs.
Important mammals in the region - 31 species are known - include
polar bear, wolf, wolverine, and Arctic hare.
The Noatak River Valley, directly north across the bay from
Kotzebue, has one of the most varied floras in the Arctic. The Noatak
River Basin, which is the largest in America still in its natural
untouched state, is a major migration route for the" Arctic caribou herd
of 250,000 animals. The Basin also supports Dall sheep, barren ground
grizzly bear, and moose populations.
The Great and Little Kobuk Sand Dunes to the southeast across
Hotham Inlet are part of two great systems of stabilized dunes. The
dunes encompass 300 square miles of the Kobuk River Valley, from the
Brooks Range to Kotzebue Sound. The valley is situated at the cross-
roads of the Asiatic-North American Flyway. Kotzebue Sound itself is
one of the most important breeding areas for shorebirds on the northwest
coast of Alaska. Abundant wildlife in the Kobuk-Kotzebue area includes
100 bird species.
Cape Krusenstern, 35 miles northwest of Kotzebue, is renowned for
having unique records and archeological remnants of man's early presence
in the Arctic. Evidence of previous cultures dating back thousands of
years has been found in vertical strata separated by layers of soil.
One-hundred-fourteen lateral ridges, known as the Onion Portage
Archeological Dist-ict, have provided scientists with a picture of
every cultural phase since man first ventured to North America across
the Bering land bridge to hunt whale and seal and to fish for salmon.
-56-
RISOUKO PLANNING ASSOCIATE, INC.
44 UAllM Mtlfl « 1 AMIllfKai lkW«iVU tllM 11 % <»/1 «
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jAND USE SUMMARY (ACRES)
Exhib
Kotzebue
Currently Developed Land
Residential use:
(single J\imily houses, mobile homes,
multi-family houses, apartments,
boarding houses, dormitories)
Cojnmercial and industrial use:
(retail and wholesale establishments,
warehouses, office buildings and
other services, light and heavy
manufacturing)
Other uses:
(public and quasi-public insti-
tutional buildings (e.g., schools,
churches, hc-;pitals) transportation
avenues (e.g., railroads, streets,
highways and airports) public open
spaces (e.g., urban parks and
recreational areas)
Total Acreage
Undeveloped Land
Total
Unavailable land due to environmental
constraints:
• existing and projected uses,
planned federal, state and
local parks, recreation and
conservation areas, reserves
and refuges, utility and
institutionally owned lands
• zoning restrictions
» ecological constraints—
wetlancj and principal elements
' of water resources systems
(e.g., rivers, lakes, water-
sheds, aquifers, floodplains)
Land unsuitable for development due
to locational constraints such as:
• water supply—should be
reserved for municipal drinking
supply and private withdrawals;
inadequate for industry
• inaccessible to transportation
networks
Total remaining developable land
City Limits (3,855 acres)
— "" • 1 " ' « ' ™ —
435
5
875
1,315
2,540
35
0
100
2,400
5
-57-
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Exhibit 18
AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS - 1972-73
(tons per election district)
KOTZEBUE (KOBUK)
Source
Particulates
SO
X
NO
X
.HC
CO
Residential
50
17
24
38
39
Commercial/
Institutional
88
29
26
3
11
Industrial
2
4
8
-
1
Transportation
16
9
130
172
1623
Electricity
Generation
6
6
163
16
99
Solid Waste
Disposal
44
2
15
86
244
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, National Emissions Data
System
-58-
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WATER QUALITY"SUMMARY
:>i:et Kotzebue
Station
TemD
(OC)
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
£H
(Standard
Unit3)
Dissolved
Solids
S Js-e.-.dea
SeUii.if-iiC
(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxyqen •.
Sum
(ma/1)
Tons Dav
Concentration
Discharge
(Uriit3)
(Micromho)
(mq/l)
(ir.o/1)
(Tons/Dav. •
Vortac Lake
10.5
V/A^/
7.3
82.0
June Cr.
7.63
(1967)
17.73
(1967)
m,
64.0 .
(1961-67)
6.9
(1961)
47.0
(1961}
8.0
(1967)
.48
(1967)
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NOME
BACKGROUND
Nome was the site of a famous gold rush in 1898, when more than
20,000 men and women established a frontier tent city to pan for gold
along nearby beaches. Speculation still exists on the amount of gold
remaining that could be mined economically.
The current Eskimo population, which comprises a large percentage
of the town's population, did not migrate to Nome until the settlement
had become an established town. In the late 1950s, an Eskimo tribe
settled permanently at King Island Village, adjacent to Nome, and
adapted readily to its new location.
Nome lies on the southern shore of the Seward Peninsula in the
Bering Sea. The boundary of the proposed Chukchi-Imuruk National
Reserve is less than 50 miles to the northwest.
Although Nome lies less than 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle,
its climate is tempered somewhat by the coastal location. Nevertheless,
harbor navigation is impossible from October to June, when temperatures
can reach as low as -35°F. On the shortest day of winter, the sun is'
above the horizon less than 4 hours; during the longest day of summer,
the sun is below the horizon only a little over 4 hours.
Average annual precipitation is 17.9 inches, and the temperature
range is shown in Table 14.
Table 14
Temperature Range in Nome
Temperature (F)
Period
January
Minimum
Mean
Maximum
2.7
4.4
11.5
July
44.4
49.5
54.6
Annual
19.5
26.1
32.6
r r\
RFSOURCf PLANNING ASSO< lAII'S, INC
44 RRAlIlt MRU I • CAM6RKK.I MASSA( MUNI fib (VI M
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SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Nome is the largest town - 1973 city population was 2,488 (versus.
5,749 for the greater area) - an<3 the economic, transportation, and
government center of northwestern Alaska- The harbor has been main-
tained since 1936 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineersalthough no
berthing facilities are available for large vessels.
The labor force, drawn from Nome and nearby rural villages,
includes a large supply of skilled, semiskilled, and unskilled persons.
The employment breakdown for 1974 is shown in Table 15.
Table 15
Employment Breakout - Nome
Industry Sector
Agriculture
Construction
Finance
Government
Mining
Manufacturing/Processing
Service
Trade
Transportation/Communication
Total
Employment
The City of Nome supplies water to consumers from the Snake River
and Moonlight Springs. —f-rp^-i-cd by the Penta-Creosol~
method. Electricity is suppTJ&3--fey-iNome Light and Power Utilities.
Nome has two schools employing 51 teachers. A 24-bed hospital and
a clinic are manned by three doctors and three dentists. Its police
department has 7 employees, and the fire department depends on 28
volunteers to operate its two trucks.
Nome is accessible only by air and water. There are, however,
three short highways from Nome to the neighboring towns of Teller,
Taylor, and Council, respectively.
-61-
SOURCE PLANNING ASSOC IA ITS. INC.
MKll! • IAMBRIIX.I, MA'.SAUMSim W1JB
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DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
Within the city limits, 2,560 acres were zoned for industry, 70
percent of which is still vacant. Lots are specified at 50 feet by
130 feet. Beyond the borders of the city, 14 square miles are avail-
able to industry in lots of varying size. (See Exhibit 20.)
Nome is constructed on permafrost, which alternately thaws and
freezes as a result of the heat generated from buildings. This
changing character of the soil twists the underpinnings of structures,
which causes them to shift and lean. The solution to date has been to
place structures on giant, sled-like runners or to sink foundations
through the deep subsoil into bedrock; however, future construction
would have to consider this problem very carefully.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
There are no ambient air quality data for Nome available within
the EPA's National Aerometric Data Bank; however, the agency's 1972-73
data on air pollution emissions are shown in Exhibit 21.
Water quality data for Nome are available in the form of average,
periodic recordings at selected monitoring points on.water systems in
the area. (See Exhibit 22.) At certain recording stations, various
parameter measurements - especially temperature, turbidity, and color -
exceeded permissible levels. These high levels were most likely the
result of natural causes - e.g., topsoil washed into receiving streams
or the removal of forest canopies (at Moonlight Springs, the town's
water supply source).
Nome is situated on the Seward Peninsula physiographic province,
an irregular appendage of land partially separating the Chukchi and
the Bering Seas. It is an expanse of broad hills and flat divides,
interrupted by scattered groups of rugged mountains. Small streams
flow through sharp valleys to the coastal lowlands, which contain many
thaw lakes, occasional rock basin, morainal and volcanic crater lakes,
and abundant ice-wedge polygons.
The Nome arer- includes two ecosystems, moist tundra and high
brush. The former is supported by well-drained and loamy soils, under-
lain by coarse outwash and tills. Moist tundra ecosystems usually
form a complete ground cover, varying from almost continuous and
uniformly developed cottongrass tussocks with sparse growth of other
sedges and dwarf shrubs to stands with few or new tussocks and domi-
nated by dwarf shrubs. Coastal portions of the system are subject to
ice erosion, severe storms, and the possible effects of great sea
waves.
RtSOURQ PlANNINfi Assrx IA1I\ INC
*4 BMIlll MHII • IAMTIIIK4. stA.WMUMirs lU'iUI
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The high brush system in coastal areas consists of extensive
Sitka alder thickets, often having a well-developed grass and fern
layer beneath. Species associated with these thickets are willow,
Sitka mountain ash, currants, and various other berries. This system
is adaptable to variable soils. For example, the soils of the
southern coast of the Seward Peninsula are poorly-drained, shallow,
gravelly to sandy loams that overlie gravelly tills and water-deposited
materials.
The moist tundra and high brush ecosystems are quite important to
home-area residents since they provide edible vegetation and food
sources for such game animals as black bear, brown grizzly 'bear, moose,
Sitka black-tailed deer, Arctic and snowshoe hare, and red fox.
The proposed Chukchi-Imuruk National Reserve of some 2.7 million
acres, not far from Nome, contains unusual geologic features found
nowhere else in the Arctic - e.g., lava fields and formations, water-
filled volcanoes, and granite rock towers. The reserve has numerous
lakes and wetlands, providing nesting habitat tu at least 250,000 ducks.
Eighty-seven species of migratory birds have been spotted in the area,
including two races of the endangered peregrine falcon.
Sixteen species of whales, seven of which are considered endangered,
are to be found in the Bering Sea off the coast of Nome. These include
the bowhead, gray, and beluga (or white) whale.
The Seward Peninsula is of archeological as well as environmental
significance as it was a part of the Bering land bridge that is thought
to have existed during the Pleistocene Ice Age (40,000 years ago), when
the .level of the Bering Sea was considerably lower.
r
-63-
RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOCIATES, INC.
4« IIKAIIII MKttl • CAMPKIDGi. MASNAl lUStllS H.'IJO
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LAND USE SUMMARY (ACRES)
Exhibit
Nome
City Limits (6,170 acres)
Currently Developed Land
Residential use:
(single family houses, mobile homes,
multi-family houses, apartments,
boarding houses, dormitories)
o
Commercial and industrial use:
(reta.il and wholesale establishments,
warehouses, office buildings and
other services, light and heavy
manufacturing)
Other uses:
(public and quasi-public insti-
tutional buildings (e.g., schools,
churches, hc-;pitals) transportation
avenues (e.g., railroads, streets,
highways and airports) public open
spaces (e.g., urban parks and
recreational areas)
Total Acreage
Undeveloped Land
Total
Unavailable land due to environmental
constraints:
• existing and projected uses,
planned federal, state and
local parks, recreation and
conservation areas, reserves
and refuges, utility and
institutionally owned lands
• zoning restrictions
• ecological constraints—
wetlancj and principal elements
of water resources systems
•(e.g., rivers, lakes, water- j
sheds, aquifers, floodplains)
I^and unsuitable for development due
to locational constraints such as:
• water supply—should be
reserved for municipal drinking
supply and' private withdrawals;
inadequate for industry
• inaccessible to transportation
networks
Total remaining developable'laml
4,910
625
35
5,570
600
-64-
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Exhibit 21
AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS - 1972-73
(tons per election district)
NOME
Source
Particulates
SO
X
NO
X
.HC
CO
Residential
35
21
19
25
26
Commercial/
Institutional
8
15
32
2
2
Industrial
-
-
-
-
-
Transpc rtation
28
22
241
394
2794
Electricity
Generation
4
9
116
12
71
Solid Waste
Disposal
51
3
17
101
288
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, National Emissions Data
System
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HATER QUALITY SUMMARY
S.i:e: Noma
Station
Temp
<°C)
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
£H
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved
Solids
•
Suspended SeJii.r?nt
(Cijbic. Feet/1
Second)
Oxygen •
Sura
(nc/1)
(Tons/Dav)
Concentration
Discharge
(Units)
(Micromho)
(ITKT/1)
(no/1)
(Torss/Davl
Koonlight Springs
Near i.'oae
lit
1.44
(1968)
5.0
(1968)
233.5
(1968)
5.87
(1968) .
125.0
(1968)
.45
(1968)
Moonlight Springs
at None
4.0
(1968)
10.96
(1960-68) .
2.5
(1960-68)
221.5
(1960-63)
7.53
(1960-68)
133.5
(1960-68)
.44
(1960-68)
Snake R.
4.7a
(1965-72)
274*. 3
(1964-72)
.29
(1971-72)
6.5
(1967-72)
196.9
(1967-72)
7.9
(1967-72)
. 116.18
(1967-72)
36.3
(1968-72)
12.9
.(1964-72)
31.54
(1964-72)
Arctic Cr.
Near Nome
3.58
(1970-72)
7.7
(1970-72)
.33
(1972) ,
145.6
(1970-72)
.06
(1971)
2.0
(1970-72)
.07
(1970-72)
Washington Cr.
5.5
(1971-72)
9.26
(1971-72)
H
i§
177.3
(1971-72)
7.7
(1971)
97.0
(1971}
.01
(1971)
36
(1971-72)
•1.0
(1971-22)
Star Cr.*
6.5
(1971)
0 .
(1971)
149.0
(1971)
7.8
(1971)
83.0
(1971)
.11
(1971)
Crater Cr.
5.0
(1971)
5.0
(1971)
74.0
(1971)
7.25
(1971)
43.0
(1971)
Xuzitrin R.
6.63
(1962-72)
2641.41
(1962-72)
3.71
(1971-72)
ii
121.15
(1962-72)
7.53
(1962-72)
76.0
(1967-72)
298.SS
(1967-72)
31.2
(1965-72)
801.22
(1965-72)
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0
SEWARD
BACKGROUND
Seward, the second oldest city in central Alaska (after Kodiak),
.was settled in 1792 by the Russian explorer, Alexander Baronof. With
his building and launching in 1794 of the first vessel to be constructed
in Alaska began the history cJf Seward, an ice-free port located at the
head of a land-locked harbor, as a transportation center and "the gate-
way to the Kenai."
In 1902, a native surveying party landed at the site and began to
design a route for the projected Alaska Central Railroad, which was to
furnish a means of entering the interior to tap the Matanuska coal
fields. Although the railroad was never completed, its anticipated
construction accelerated the surveying and naming of the town and the
construction of a wharf by 1903.
Located midway down the eastern coast of the Kenai Peninsula, the
town is bordered on the west by the Kenai Mountains, on the east by
dense forests, and on the south by Resurrection Bay and the Gulf of
Alaska. The Kenai National Moose Range and the Chugach National Forest,
both established reserve areas, and the Harding Icefield-Kenai Fjords
National Monument, a proposed national park withdrawal area of 300,000
acres, abut Seward. A large, though undeveloped, area suitable for
agricultural use lies within easy reach of the town.
Because of its proximity to the Japanese Current the climate at
Seward is mild, with predominantly temperate marine weather. The
summers are cool; the winters, moderate; and rainfall, not infrequent.
(Average annual precipitation is 67.4 inches.) Average temperature in
the Seward area is shown in Table 16, below.
Table 16
Temperature Range in Seward
Temperature (F)
Period
Minimum
Mean
Maximum
January
18.7
24.7
30.6
July
48.5
55.5
62.6
Annual
33.0
39.5
46.0
RfSOURCF PLANNING ASSOCIATf S. INC
44 BKA11II MRU T • CAMBKIUl.i, MASSM I tlStMS OJIUI
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7
SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS -
/
Seward, which is part of the Seward Election District, is a
relatively thriving community, with a 1974 population of 1,823 (greater
area = 2,340). It i's the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad, the
northern terminusy&f the Alaska Steamship Company, and the beginning^of
the scenic Anchoj?age Highway. The Central Alaska_Ferrv S^feerff'connects
Seward with Korii ale JLs land f Homer. Cordova, and
-------
I
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7
(
Seward's economy has recently been expanded fey the addition of
timber and fish processing industries and the yifiversity of Alaska's
Institute of Marine Sciences. The local tirnbei: and sawmill company is.
the largest producer of domestic ti™>~"^T" the Tourism is also
a developing industry, and a resort complex was recently constructed
in the Seward area.
Seward appears to have a well-developed system of basic community
facilities. Its sewer and water systems have undergone rehabilitation
recently, although no sewage treatment operations exist. Solid waste
processing is limited to a single refuse collection and disposal
operation, and solid waste facilities consist of only one sanitary
landfill. The city supplies electricity, which it purchases from the
Chugach Electric Association.
Two school buildings and 31 teachers serve 560 students in Seward,
under the jurisdiction of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.
Health care services consist of a modern 32-bed hospital; a 64-bed
nursing home for the treatment of chronic diseases; and a medical
clinic manned by two doctors, a dentist, and a Public Health Service
nurse. The Seward volunteer Ambulance Corps provides immediate and
fully equipped service. The town fire department is staffed by 2
full-time employees and 35 volunteer firemen, while the police depart-
ment is composed of five full-time officers.
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
Seward has an advisory Planning and Zoning Commission which has
designed comprehensive ordinances to enable orderly growth. Thirty-
five acres within the city have been zoned for industrial use. (See
Exhibit 23.) Sixty-five percent of this zoned land is available in
parcels ranging in size from small lots to four square blocks. Water
and sewer lines are already on site. The terrain is gently sloping,
and has excellent drainage; the subsoil is gravel. Piling would be
required for-piers.._and docks in the tidal basins.
-—-y'"Seward*s planners believe its location and the availability of
land for industry—aficf housing are highly advantageous to future
development." Indred, an export lumber industry could be created or
the Gulf's fish resources could be exploited. And silver, gold,
copper, chromite, iron, and coal deposits, which are located through-
out the Kenai Peninsula, could be mined.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Data on ambient quality at a center city-commercial site indicate
that the annual geometric mean of particulate observations is well
RESOUKff PLANNING". ASSOOVIs INf:
44 BRA I 11' MKttl • CAMBRllii.l Hi. M 11> Ci/1 }fl
-------
below the maximum allowable level specified in the Alaska Air Pollution
Control Regulations. (See Exhibits 24 and 25.)
The summary of water quality data for various water resources in
the Seward area, including Resurrection Bay, indicates that pollution
levels in all comply with state standards (i.e., they do not exceed
maximum permissible concentrations). (See Exhibit 26.)
Seward is contained within the Pacific Border Ranges physiographic
province and is surrounded by coastal western hemlock-Sitka spruce
forest and Alpine tundra ecosystems. The coastal western hemlock-Sitka
spruce forest ecosystem is a combination of steep, rocky slopes; broad
mountain drainages; glacial masses; and extensive outwash and moraines,
forming a complex of land surfaces and soils free of permafrost. Soils
near the timberline are shallow, coarse, loamy, and well-drained.
Soils on the lower slopes and high moraines are stony, gravelly, and
well-drained, and produce the highest per acre yield of timber in the
state. Small areas of sandy to silty soils on coastal terraces and
dunes support thin stands of Sitka spruce. Undergrowth throughout
the system includes blueberry, huckleberry, juniper, skunk cabbage,
and fern plants.
The Alpine tundra ecosystem, found on all mountain ranges of
Alaska, consists of barren rocks and rubble interspersed with low
herbaceous and shrubby mats. The most prominant plants in the coastal
mountains are low heath shrubs. Soils supporting Alpine-tundra in
the coastal mountains are composed of shallow, gravelly loams with
permafrost, overlying bedrock on ridges and steep slopes; in the
upper valleys and on high hills, the underlying soils are coarse till.
Vegetation of this ecosystem serves as food for reindeer and larger
game animals, which, in turn, are used for the human inhabitants'
subsistence. Regeneration is often extremely slow, with some lichens
requiring over 60 years to recover after over-use or destruction.
The coastal waters off Seward and the Kenai fjords provide a
suitable seasonal as well as year-round habitat for thousands of sea
lions, porpoise, and 22 other species of marine mammals, including
whales, dolphins, seals, and sea otters. Other wildlife in the area
include moose, black and brown bear, and/sheep. The trumpeter swan,
the rarest of Nor ah American swans - a 3*968 census indicated just over
180 adults and cygnets - has a flourishing, breeding population on
the Kenai Peninsula. . Lx
-70-
RESOURCF PLANNING ASSOC IATFS. INC
44 SJtAIIll ilKIU • CAMHKIUU. MW.M HUM US
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LAND USE SUMMARY (ACRES) Exhibit 23
Seward
City Limits (7,680 acres)
Currently Developed Land
Residential use:
(single family houses, mobile homes,
multi-family houses, apartments,
boarding houses, dormitories)
Commercial and industrial use:
(retail and wholesale establishments,
warehouses, office buildings and
other services, light and heavy
manufacturing)
Other uses:
(public and quasi-public insti-
tutional buildings (e.g., schools,
churches, hospitals) transportation
avenues (e.g., railroads, streets,
highways and airports) public open
spaces (e.g., urban parks and
recreational areas)
Total Acreage
Undeveloped Land
Total
Unavailable land due to environmental
constraints:
• existing and projected uses,
planned federal, state and
local parks, recreation and
conservation areas, reserves
and refuges, utility and
institutionally owned lands
• zoning restrictions
o ecological constraints—
wetland.; and principal elements
of water resources systems
(e.g., rivers, lakes, water-
sheds, aquifers, floodplains)
Land unsuitable for development due
to locational constraints such as;
• water supply—should be
reserved for municipal drinking
supply and private withdrawals;
inadequate for industry
• inaccessible to transportation
networks
Total rim-lining developable land
426
176
38
640
7,040
.3,200 (Bay area and
tide land)
3,840
I
-71
-------
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY CONCENTRATIONS - 1973
SEWARD
Particulates
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m^)
SOx
(annual arith.
mean, ug/m^)
N0X
(annual geo.
mean, ug/m^)
HC
(maximum
observation
ug/m^)
CO
(maximum
observation
mg/m^)
Alaska Ambient
Air Quality
Standards
60 -
60
100
160
(3 hour period)
10
{8 hour period)
40
(1 hour period)
Station
32.58
Center City -
Commercial
(Seward Volunteer
Fire Station)
-------
Exhibit 25
AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS - 1972-73
(tons per election district)
SEWARD
Source
Particulates
SO
X
NO
X
HC
CO
Residential
9
10
13
6
7
Commercial/
Institutional
6
10
40
2
5
Industrial
-
-
-
-
-
Transportation
28
48
363
194
1045
Electricity
Generation
-
-
-
-
Solid Waste
Disposal
-
-
-
1
9
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, National Emissions Data
System
-73-
-------
WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
£ i':e s Seward
Station
Temp*
(°C)
Stream Flow
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
Dissolved
EH
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved Solids
SjSwOndod SeOii.rSi;:
Sum
(ma/1)
frons/Dav)
Concentration
Discharge
(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxygen •.
(Units)
(Micromho)
(mtr/l)
(ma/1)
(Tons/Oav)
Bear Cr.
2.0
(1968)
4.45
(1968)
0
(1968)
142.0
(1968)
7.7
(1968)
80.0
(1968)
.96
(1968)
Lost Cr.
4.67
(1950-71)
51.07
(1950-71)
5.0
(1950-71)
.63.33
(1950-71)
7.17
(1950-71)
43.0
<1971)
.91
(1971) .
Spruce Cr,
3.53
(1968-72)
80."36
(1968-72)
2.5
(1968-70)
61.81
(1968-72)
7.32
(1968-71)
35.94
(1960-70)
6.^4
(1968-70)
1.77
(1969-72)
.52
(1968-72)
Snow. R.
5.5
(1950-64)
429.23
(1950-62)
6.37
(19 50-58)
80.87
(1950-64)
6.93
(1950-58)
50.73
(1950-58)
22.4
(1950-58)
289.95
(1959-647
1066.56
(1959-62)
Resurrection R.
4.47
(1952-68)
1382.18
(1959-68)
4.64
(1952-68)
125.97
(1952-68)
7.27
(1952-68)
74.65
160.0
177.41
(1959-68)
"1872.12
(1959—68)
Resurrection Bay
5.57
(1965-67)
1895.56
(1965-67)
83.0
(1967)
7.2
(1967)
49.0
(1967)
210.82
(1965-67)
2315.92
(1965-67)
'
t
-------
VALDEZ
BACKGROUND ^
The area around Valdez was explored initially in 1790; however,
-the town was not named until 1898, when it flourished as a gateway for
prospectors on their way to the {lieexai. fields of the interior. Valdez
ice-free* port in North America, often referred toArv>A/''
is the northernmost,
as "the Switzerland of Alaska
Valdez is situated at the head of mountain-ringed Valdez Bay, a
30-mile-long fjord cutting into the rugged coast of Prince William
Sound to form one of Alaska's principal harbors. The area of the
townsite is relatively flat compared with the surrounding topography.
A steep mountain front forms the northern boundary; the mineral creek
flood plain, the western; and a small tidal flat, the eastern boundary
The Worthington Glacier is it fnu miles out of town as is Keystone
Canyon, known for its spectacular cascading waterfalls. The proposed
additions to the Chugach National Forest are close to Valdez on the
west, and the existing Chugach National Forest lies to the southeast.
Climatic conditions are tempered somewhat by the commj;
proximity to the ocean, although winter
Temperatures ranging taf-28°.E-*^iave been recorded, and wind
gusts up to 115 mi±e»sper hour have been measured. Average annual
precipitation is/l8.7 Jinches, and snowfall is particularly heavy in
the Valdez area. temperature range for that vicinity is shown in
Table 18, below.
-------
SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Valdez's population, which numbers 1,106 (July 1973) is 14 percent
native, most of whom are well integrated with the cash economy of the
area. In contrast, Tatitlak, a village 26 miles southwest of Valdez,
has remained traditionally native because of its isolation and because
its residents must supplement their income from commercial fishing with
fishing and hunting for subsistence.
The principal industry in Valdez islfishieg; however, the state
government, particularly health and social services and highway con-
struction and maintenance, provide a substantial number of'jobs. Other
industries include transshipment activities and tourism. Estimated area
employment (July 1973) is shown in Table 19.
Table 19
Employment Breakout - Valdez
Industry Sector
Employment
Agriculture
1
Construction
15
Finance
5
Government
220
Mining
0
Manufacturing/Processing
0
Service
26
Trade
63
Transportation/Communication
24
Total
354
The labor force is drawn primarily from -Va-l-dez' and its immediate area.
Although a pool of skilled and semiskilled-workers is available during
most of the year, unemployment ranges from 15 percent to 25 percent,
depending on the season.
*0
Because Valdez no sewage treatment pl-artft, uiltreated sewage
flows directly into its port": Wat~er~r$"~provided by the city from
wells in The area, and electricity is supplied to users by the Copper
Valley Electric Association.
*
-76-
RESOURCE PLANNING ASSOCIATES.
44 BKAIItt STRl! I • (AMBKIIK.I. MASSAl 11JM lib
-------
Community facilities include two schools with 30 classrooms and
20 teachers, and the Harbor View Memorial Hospital with 15 beds for
local use and 150 for resident patients, manned by one in-resident doc-
tor and one visiting dentist. The police department consists of 3
officers, and 21 volunteers constitute the Valdez Fire Department.
Valdez has an airport serviced by three airlines. There are three
rail barge facilities but no rail link from Valdez to the interior.
^--^>^un3red- foot-deep dockf acilities 3>d two warehouses are located
on-fche-harboi-: """
9
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
All 23 acres zoned for industrial use within the city limits
remain vacant. Some waterfront land adjacent to the City of Valdez is
also available. (See Exhibit 27.) One factor that has affected con-
struction in the past is the higher-than-standard weight burden from
the amount of snow that typically fa]Is and acc'omulates in Valdez.
, As a consequence, the state building code has had to be altered f^r
the area.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Although data were not available on current ambient air quality
levels in the city, it appears from several sources that Valdez has
not experienced .any significant air quality deterioration to date.
The air pollution emission figures shown in Exhibit 28 seem to bear
this out.
Most surface water systems in the Valdez area, according to the LA/- *5
summary of certain parameter recordings provided by the EPA's Data
Systems Branch have turbidity levels in excess of those allowed by
aw. (See Exhibit 29.) This may be attributable to melting glaciers
d the way the city disposes of its sewerage. At the Cascade Creek
pnitoring stdClUff" UlU dVSTStfS"'Pfl"Te\),SI" t?as'"'hlgher than state standards
"»T r j
/T
fermit, while the average dissolved solids levels at Jackson Point and
the Shoup Glacier Estuary exceeded the state standards for that .
pollutant. The latter may be attributed to the fact that the harbor 11
channel has been deepened to accommodate larger vessels. I TP
S 4
Valdez is located within the Pacific Border Ranges physiographic
province and within two ecosystems, the coastal western hemlock-Sitka J?
spruce forest, and the Alpine tundra. The coastal western hemlock-
Sitka spruce forest ecosystem is a combination of steep, rocky slopes;
broad mountain drainages; glacial masses; and extensive outwash and
moraines, forming a complex of land surfaces and soils free of perma-
frost. Soils near timberline are shallow, coarse, loamy, and well-
-77-
RFSOURCE PIANNINC. ASSOCIATES, INC.
44 BkATTll 11*11! • ( AMBK.'Ot.l. MASSAl ItlSf lfS UJIIB
-------
0
drained, and produce one of the highest per acre yields of timber in
the state. Small areas of sandy to silty soils on coastal terraces
and dunes support thin stands of Sitka spruce. Undergrowth throughout
the system includes blueberry, htickleberry, juniper, skunk cabbage,
and fern plants.
The Alpine tundra system found on all mountain ranges of Alaska
consists of barren rocks and rubble interspersed with low, herbaceous
and shrubby mats. The most prominant plants in the coastal mountains
are low heath shrubs. Soils supporting the Alpine tundra in the coastal
mountains are composed of shallow, gravelly loams with permafrost
overlying bedrock on ridges and steep slopes; in the upper valleys and
on high hills, the underlying soils are coarse till. Vegetation of this
ecosystem is important as food for reindeer and larger game animals,
which are hunted and trapped for subsistence by the inhabitants. But
regeneration is often extremely slow; some lichens may require over
60 years to recover after over-use or destruction. Both ecosystems
support black and brown grizzly bears, Dall sheep, mountain goats, and
fox.
Birdlife in the Prince William Sound periphery has been character-
ized by one observer as one of the "greatest remaining concentrations
on the face of the earth." During the first week of May of each year,
for example, millions of shorebirds pass through this area. Waterfowl
are also numerous in the Sound, with some species present during the
entire year.
More than 200 species of birds, some of them quite rare and others
considered endangered, have been recorded in the Valdez area. For
example, a few pairs of the American osprey are known to nest along
bays and inlets of Prince William Sound. Golden eagles and bald eagles,
which are sensitive to habitat changes, are strictly protected. And
like the osprey and the eagle, the peregrine falcon (10 to 12 nesting
pairs) found in Prince William Sound, although not in danger of
immediate extinction, must have its breeding grounds respected.
Although nearly extinct at the turn of the century, the sea otter
is now the most conspicuous marine mammal in Prince William Sound; at
* present, the population in the Sound is estimated to be about 5,000.
In addition, the waters around Valdez provide the input for a valuable
commercial fishery. Species recently harvested include salmon (pink,
chum, and sockeye) and crabs (dungeness and king) as well as halibut,
herring, and razor clams.
-78-
RESOURCt PLANNING ASSOC'IAJ I S. INC
4< PRAHli STKIII • lAMHKIlH.I. MASS AOItrt Ills ii;1«
-------
LAND USE SUMMARY (ACRES)
Exhibit 27
Valdez
City Limits (16,800 acres}
Currently Developed land
Residential use:
(single family houses, mobile homes,
multi-family houses, apartments,
boarding houses, dormitories)
Corwnercinl and industrial use:
(retail and wholesale establishments,
warehouses, office buildings and
other services, light and heavy
manufacturing)
Other uses:
(public and quasi-public insti-
tutional buildings (e.g., schools,
churches, hospitals) transportation
avenues (e.g., railroads, streets,
highways and airports) public open
spaces (e.g., urban parks and
recreational areas)
Total Acreage
Undeveloped Land
Total
Unavailable land due to environmental
constraints:
p existing and projected uses,
planned federal, state and
local parks, recreation and
conservation areas, reserves
and refuges, utility and
institutionally owned lands
• zoning restrictions
0 ecological constraints—
wetlancj and principal elements
of water resources systems
(e.g., rivers, lakes, water-
sheds, aquifers, floodplains)
Land unsuitable for development due
to locational constraints such as:
• water supply—should be
reserved for municipal drinking
supply and private withdrawals;
inadequate for industry
• inaccessible to transportation
networks
Total remaining developable land
Undeveloped land being planned
206.5
1,400
215
2,821.5*
(~Approximately 1000
acres currently being
developed are
scheduled to be com-
pleted during 1975.)
0
0
Total land
-79-
12,500
1,500
16,000
-------
Exhibit 28
AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS - 1972-73
(tons per election district)
VALDEZ
Source
Particulates
SO
X
NO
X
• HC
CO
Residential
4
10
6
1
2
Commercial/
Institutional
4
12
15
1
1
Industrial
2
3
1
-
-
Transportation
23
20
229
251
1600
Electricity
Generation
4
8
108
11
65
Solid Waste
Disposal
10
1
4
18
51
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, National Emissions Data
System
-80-
-------
VroraR CUftLITY SUMMARY
Si :o ¦ Valdez
Station
Temp
(°C)
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
E«
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved
Solids
Suspended
Sev.in.ei 'ii
(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxygen
Sum
(ibo/1 1
(Tons/Dav)
Concentration
Discharce
(Units)
(Micromho)
(mq/l)
(ma/1)
(Tor.s/Dav)
Allison Cr.
3.33
(1972)
60.2
(1950-~3)
2.5
(1972-73)
4.0
(1950-73)
47.5
(1950-73)
13.15
[1972-73)
7.4
(1950-73)
25.75
(1950-72)
4.82
(1950-72)
Allison Cr.
5.0
0
40.5
7.3
25.0
Mineral Cr-. at
Canyon
4.38
(1949-73)
•
574.5
(1972-73)
"V/V/V/V
wrn
3.33
(1950-73)
122.6
(1949-73)
12.6
(1972-73)
7.42
(1949-73)
76.67
(1949-72)
•
17.1
(1972)
i
1
Mineral Cr.
3.0
(1972)
Gold Cr.
4.0
(1972)
Sawr.ill Cr.
1.0
(1972)
40.0
(1972)
1.3.5
.(1972)
•Sheep- Cr.
L. 36
(1952-73)
160.27
(1972-73)
iff
3.57
(1951-73)
161.5 -
(1951-73)
13.2
(1972-73)
7.33
(1951-73)
91.5
(1951-72)
13.7
(1972)
Lowe R.
5.72
(1951-73)
667.52
(1951-73)
Hi
12.71
(1950-73)
121.2
(1950-73)
12.38
(1970-73)
7.26
(1950-73)
72.96
(1950-72)
49.95
(1951-72)
M
VO
I
-------
WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Size i Valdez
Slat ion
Tenp
t«C)
Strean Flow
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
Dissolved
£H
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved Solids
Sjs..cridc-d .£
Sum
(ir.o/1)
Tons Dav
Concentration
Disc'r.arc»
(Cubic Feet/
Second)
Oxycjen •
(Units)
(Micromho)
(mcr/1)
fn=/l)
(Tons Oa"
love R. in
leystone Canyon
»
3.0
(1972)
i ofae R.
6.5
(1956-73)
37.23
(1972-73)
3.0
(1973)
5.0
(1956-73)
97.8
(1956-73)
9.7
(1972-73)
7.14
(1956-73)
47.25
(1956-72)
9.07
(1972)
lobe Lake
I. End
15.0
(1973)
1.0
(1973)
7.6
(1973)
•
Fobe Lake
H. End
16.0
(1973)
1.0
(1973)
7.6
(1973)
E ear Cr.
5.0
(1951)
50.0
(1951)
t
6.2
(1951)
30.0
(1951)
Ptarmigan Cr.
2.25
(1952-73)
125 73
(1972-73)
iHfP
4.0
(1951-73)
76.4
(1951-73)
11.8
(1973)
7.2
(1951-73)
48.75
(1951-72)
4.84
(1972) ¦
Cascade Cr.
1.25
(1972-73)
88.15
(1972-73)
¦
3.33
(1951-72]
50.0
(1951-73)
•
m
40.0
•(1951-72)
.94 .
(1972)
tl.F. worthington R.
2.00
(1952)
5.0
(1951-52)
52.0
(1951-52) -
6.53
(1951-52)
34.0
(1951-52)
-------
WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
SL*.et Valdez
Station
<°a
Stream Flow
Turbidity
(Jackson
Turbidity
Units)
Color
Conductivity
Dissolved
s"
(Standard
Units)
Dissolved Solids
Sosoended Se-i.. e.-;-
Sun
(ma/1)
Tons Day
Concsntration
•
(Cubic Eeet/
Second)
Oxycen •.
(units)
(Micromho)
(ncj/l)
(••n=/l)
!To-s/DiV.
S.F. worthington R.
1.25
(1952)
5.0
(1951-52
51.33
(1951-52)
6.53
(1951-52)
32.33
(1951-52)
I sir.a R.
3.6
(1949-56)
1930.0
(1949)
4.55
(1951-56
88.92
(1949-56)
7.02
(1949-56)
61.2
(1951-72)
Salnon Cr.
2.25
(1973)
32.7
(1973)
W//A
yM4w,
2.5
(1973)
61.5
(1973)
13.7
(1973)
7.05
(1973)
30.0
(1972)
.79
•
.(1972)
Jackson, PC.,
Valdez Harbor
4.33
(1949-58)
6170.57
(1949-67)
11.93
(1952-67
105.99
(1948-67)
7.04
(1949-67)
65.45
(1948-67)
1486.37
(1949-67)
944.33
(1957-58)
Jsckson Pt.
7.13
(1970-72)
3.08
(1970-72)
0
(1970-72)
21835.0
(1970-72)
8.5
•
(1970-72)
7.55
(1970-72)
¦
16.66
(1970-72)
Sslomon Gulch
2.83
(1949-73)
207.54
(1949-73)
¦
4.29
(1950-71
68.58
(1949-73)
13.5
(1971)
7.28
(1949-73)
42.0
(1950-71)
10.81
(1951-55)
Sioup Glacier
Estuary
1.0
(1973)
879.0
(1973)
5.0
(1973)
4400.0
(1973)
12:15
(1973)
8.2
(1973)
m.
21,400
(1973)
Vildez Glacier
2.75
(1973)
532.38
(1972-73)
Hi
2.5
(1972-73)
92.0
(1973)
12.0
(1973)
8.3
(1973)
59.0
(1972)
40.9
(1972)
r
*
V:
I
-------
YAKUTAT
BACKGROUND
Yakutat Bay was explored by the French and Spanish in the late
18th Century. In 1795, the Russians established a penal colony near
Aukan Creek on the southeast shore of the bay, but evacuated the site
in 1804 after repeated attack by the natives. From 1889 to 1899 the
community became a stopping-off point for prospectors on their way to
the Yukon gold fields.
Yakutat is located at the eastern end of Monti Bay at the northern
tip of the Tongass National Forest, approximately 210 miles northwest
of Juneau. It is the largest community between the Sitka-Juneau area
to the southeast, and the central Gulf area of Valdez-Cordova.
Monti Bay lies at the northern tip of the southeastern panhandle
of Alaska, an indentation in an otherwise almost unbroken coastline.
The Bay has an inner fjord surrounded by abruptly rising mountains.
Mount Saint Elias, the second highest peak in the U.S. (next to Mount
McKinley), is 40 miles northwest of Yakutat; the Malaspina Glacier,
which faces the Bay, has been visited by numerous geological expeditions
because of its unusual glacial action. The proposed Wrangell-Mount
Saint Elias National Park is across the Bay from the town of Yakutat.
The Tongass National Forest surrounds Yakutat on the north and west.
Annual precipitation in Yakutat is as much as 132.5 inches:
average temperatures are shown in Table 20.
Table 20
Temperature Range in Yakutat
Temperature (F)
Period
Minimum
Mean
Maximum
January
17.6
24.6
31.6
July
47.3
53.3
59.3
Annual
32.0
38.9
45.1
-84-
RtSOURCf WANNING ASSOCIATfS. INC
44 BRAIHl S TKI11 • CAMBKIIK.l. MASSAC HI Mils O.'lin
-------
SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Population in this tiny community is 240 (July 1973). With a
naturally protected deepwater harbor, its primary industry is salmon
fishing, and fully a third of those employed are affiliated with this
work sector. (See Table 21.)
Table 21
Employment Breakout - Yakut at
Industry Sector Employment
Agriculture 0
Construction 5
Government 6
Manufacturing/Processing 20
Service 6
Trade 11 -
Transportation/Communication 15
Total 65
The labor force is made up mostly of natives and is drawn from within
the city and its surrounding area.
The town water supply is derived from a single well; a new
community sewer system began operating in October 1973. Electricity
is supplied by Yakutat Power, Inc.
The town's school system provides education to 157 students
through the efforts of 13 teachers. A combined medical/dental clinic
is operated by two Public Health Service aides. Yakutat's Police
Department has one part-time State Trooper, but the operation of its
fire department depends on volunteers.
When an airport was built during World War II, it was one of the
largest in Alaska. It is now serviced by Alaska Airline, with daily
flights both north and south and charter services through two airtaxi
lines. (However, the location of the airport at some distance from
the community proper prohibits any significant economic benefits from
tourists who stay within the airport's environs to accrue to Yakutat
itself.) There are two dock facilities on the harbor, one run by
I'lANNINC, ASSOC IA-1S. INC.
44 BRA I lit SJKUI • MA">SA< Ml IS! I ["> iMIMJ
-------
-------
Ocean Cape Seafoods, Ino-w and the
-local.,...seasonal seafood processor.
other leased to Engstrom Bros., a
There are no rail transportation
facilities.
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
Land with water access can be made available for industrial
development in the city of Yakutat and in adjacent areas. (See
Exhibit 30.) There is not, however, a great deal of space for develop-
ment as the habitat is surrounded by water and by the federally-
protected Tongass National Forest.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
No data on ambient air quality or water quality for Yakutat are
available. But the air pollution emission statistics for the community
are shown in Exhibit 31.
Yakutat is situated within the Pacific Border Ranges physiographic
province and is surrounded by a coastal western hemlock-Sitka spruce
forest ecosystem. This system is composed of a combination of steep
rocky slopes, broad mountain drainages, glacial masses> and extensive,
outwash and moraines from a complex of land surfaces and soils free of
permafrost. Soils near timberline are shallow, coarse, loamy, and
well-drained. Soils on the lower slopes and high moraines are stony,
gravelly, and well-drained, and produce one of the highest yields per
acre of timber in the state. Small areas of sandy to silty. soils on
coastal terraces and dunes support thin stands of Sitka spruce.
Undergrowth throughout the system includes blueberry, huckleberry,
juniper, skunk cabbage, and fern plants.
Numbers of seabirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl pass over Yakutat
at migration time. The area provides suitable nesting habitat for
peregrine falcons (an endangered species), trumpeter swans, and bald
eagles. Some of the largest Dall sheep in the world forage on the
mountain slopes to the north and east of Yakutat. And a rare sub-
species of the black bear, the glacier bear, pale bluish gray in
color, is found near Yakutat.
-86-
RLSOUKCF PLANNING A.SSOOATfS INC"
44 BKMHI SIR! 11 • tAMBKIIK.l. MAVAl I If', UUfl
-------
LAND USE SUMMARY (ACRES)
YAKUTAT
lixtilDlt
City Limits (250 Acres)
Currently Pavelopod Land
Residential use;
(single funnily houses, mobile homes,
' multi-family houses, apartments,
boarding houses, dormitories)
Commercial and industrial use:
(retail and wholesale establishments,
warehouses, office buildings and
other services, light and heavy
manufacturing)
Other uses:
(public and quasi-public insti-
tutional buildings (e.g., schools,
churches, hospitals) transportation
avenuos (e.g., railroads, streets,
highways and airports) public open
spaces (e.g., urban parks and
recreational areas)
Total Acreage
Undeveloped Land
Total
Unavailable land due to environmental
constraints:
0 existing and projected uses,
planned federal, state and
local parks, recreation and
conservation areas, reserves
and refuges, utility and
institutionally owned lands
• zoning restrictions
« ecological constraints—
wetland.; and principal elements
of water resources systems
(e.g., rivers, lakes, water-
sheds,' aquifers, floodplains)
Land unsuitable for development due
to locational constraints such as:
0 water siipply—should be
reserved for municipal drinking
supply and private withdrawals;
inadequate for industry
• inaccessible to transportation
networks
Total remaining developable- land
50
20
40
110
140
20
30
45
45
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Exhibit 31
AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS - 1972-73
(tons per election district)
XAKUTAT
Source
Particulates
SO
' X
NO
X
• HC
CO
Residential
8
9
6
5
5
Commercial/
Institutional
3
5
¦ 11 '
1
1
Industrial
-
-
-
-
-
Transpo rtation
9
6
83
105
876
Electricity
Generation
-
-
-
-
-
Solid Waste
Disposal
3
-
1
7
22
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, National Emissions Data
System
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