BLM Seeks Nominations for Areas of Environmental Concern for Central Yukon planning area

Organization:

BLM

BLM Office:

Central Yukon Field Office

Media Contact:

FAIRBANKS -- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking nominations for Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) as part of its Central Yukon Resource Management Plan (RMP), now under development. The BLM will accept ACEC nominations until August 29, 2014.

ACEC designations highlight areas of BLM-managed public land where special management attention is needed to protect important historical, cultural, and scenic values; fish or wildlife resources or other natural systems or processes; or human life and safety from natural hazards.

Twenty-five designated ACECs currently exist within the Central Yukon planning area: Dulbi-Kaiyuh Mountains, Galena Mountain, Gisasa River, Hogatza River Tributaries, Indian River, Inglutalik River, Kateel River, North River, Nulato Hills, Shaktoolik River, Sulukna River, Tozitna River, Tozitna Subunit North, Tozitna Subunit South, Unalakleet River, Ungalik River, Galbraith Lake, Jim River, Kanuti Hot Springs, Nigu-Iteriak, Nugget Creek, Poss Mountain, Snowden Mountain, Sukakpak Mountain, and West Fork Atigun ACECs.

Additionally, nine designated Research Natural Areas (RNAs) exist in the planning area: Arms Lake, Box River Treeline, Ishtalitna Creek Hot Springs, Lake Todatonten Pingos RNA, McQuesten Creek, Redlands Lake, South Todatonten Summit, Spooky Valley, and Toolik Lake RNAs.

The BLM will review the existing ACECs and RNAs to determine whether they should be maintained, modified, or dropped. The BLM will also consider new ACECs.

If you wish to nominate ACECs in the Central Yukon planning area, we ask that you provide as much information as possible with your nomination. The following will help the BLM evaluate nominations:

  • Name and location of nominated area (legal land description, if possible)
  • Map of nominated ACEC area with well-defined boundaries
  • Reason or basis for nomination
  • Reference material or online sources where BLM can obtain additional information or data about the area 

The nomination form and additional information about how to prepare a nomination are available online at www.blm.gov/ak/cyrmp. Submit nominations to CentralYukon@blm.gov or the BLM Fairbanks District Office, 1150 University Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99709.

The Central Yukon RMP will guide management of approximately 16 million acres of BLM-administered public land for the next 15 to 20 years.

For additional information, contact Project Manager Jeanie Cole at j05cole@blm.gov or
(907) 474-2340.


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.