Bristol Bay Area Plan Amendment and Determination of Reclassification -
Public Review Draft 2012

2005 Bristol Bay Area Plan –Public Review Draft of Determination of Reclassification and Plan Amendment

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released the Public Review Draft (PRD) of the Determination of Reclassification and Plan Amendment to the 2005 Bristol Bay Area Plan (2005 BBAP). Following a 90-day public review period, which may result in changes to the PRD, DNR intends to adopt the proposed revisions to the 2005 BBAP. Once adopted, this plan, as modified by the adopted plan revisions, will serve as the basis for the management of state lands and waters within the planning area for the next 20 years.

The plan includes a Land Classification Order (SC-04-002A02) that affects 723,811 acres of state land distributed throughout the planning area but concentrated within the Mulchatna and Nushagak River drainages and the drainages emptying into Lake Iliamna. These changes either establish new areas classified Wildlife Habitat or reclassify current areas to the co-classifications of Wildlife Habitat and Public Recreation. Map 3 in the PRD depicts these changes.

These revisions are in response to an agreement between the parties and subsequent court order that dismissed the lawsuit, Nondalton Tribal Council, et. al. v. State of Alaska. In this agreement DNR is to evaluate the causes of action contained in the Third Amended Complaint, prepared by the plaintiffs. In general, this review involved the classifications of Wildlife Habitat Land and Public Recreation Land in the 1984 BBAP plus the classification of Resource Management Land in the 2005 BBAP. Other aspects of this review are identified in the agreement and include, but are not limited to, assessment of the need to classify all anadromous streams as Wildlife Habitat and specifically those streams affected by Mineral Closing Order 393.

The PRD consists of two parts: the first is the Determination of Reclassification which determines whether changes to the current classifications in the 2005 BBAP are warranted, especially related to Wildlife Habitat and Public Recreation. Under this procedure DNR first determines whether a change in classification is warranted and, if justified, recommends changes in classification or to plan text. The second part contains the recommended changes; these are identified in the Plan Amendment and include changes to plan classifications and management intent. (Management intent is identified for each management unit and is an important component to state land management decisions.)

Should you wish to review the 1984 BBAP and current 2005 BBAP, they are both available at the website below. The Third Amended Complaint and Stipulation for Remand and Dismissal are included in the PRD.

The State would like your input on the PRD. Because of the wide ranging nature of these revisions and their importance, a 90-day public review period is provided.

Your written comments are encouraged during this public comment period and must be received, in writing, on or before May 6, 2013 by mail, email, fax, or through this website.

Contact Information

For additional information regarding the Bristol Bay Area Plan Amendment please contact:

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