Cultural Resource Management Plan for the Denali Highway Lands

In 2003 the Bureau of Land Management began the process of conveying over 200,000 acres of land in several blocks to the State in areas north of the Denali Highway in central Alaska, as part of Statehood land selections. One of these, termed Denali Block I, contains the northern fifth of the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District (TLAD), a 226,660 acre unit listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This document is to provide guidance in the management of the cultural resources on state lands in the TLAD, and on other state lands in the Denali Highway region.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the State agency with the authority and responsibility for managing resources on state lands, with DNR/Division of Mining, Land and Water responsible for managing the State lands along the Denali Highway. Most of the Denali Highway lands are considered multiple use, with the exception of a special use area that encloses the northern section of the TLAD.

DNR takes over the role of cultural resource manager from BLM, who has actively managed the cultural resources since the 1970s. It is the responsibility of DNR/Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation/ Office of History and Archaeology (OHA) to advise DNR/DMLW on the management of cultural resources on State lands.

The primary mechanism of disturbance for archaeological sites in the TLAD has been Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs). Trails were monitored in the TLAD and the Denali Blocks in 2003, 2004, and 2005, and their impacts on cultural resources accessed.

Resource extraction, road development or modification, and other human activities all have potential to impact cultural resources. This report sets out a series of steps for agencies and commercial interests to follow, enabling them to comply with laws and regulations protecting cultural resources.

This report also sets forth cultural resource protection recommendations for OHA, and guidance for DNR/DMLW on managing the cultural resources in the TLAD and Denali Highway region.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements and Abstract Table of contents Table of Figures Table of Tables I. Introduction II. Regional Land Management III. Regional Land Users IV. Cultural Resource Program for the Denali Highway Lands V. Potential Adverse Impacts to Cultural Resources on Denali Highway Lands

VI. Recommendations for Managing Agencies and Commercial Entities Regarding Cultural Resources on Denali Highway Lands   VII. Recommendations for Office of History and Archaeology on Managing Cultural Resources on Denali Highway Lands    VIII. References cited IX. Glossary X. Appendix: Cultural Resource Management Checklist   Complete Cultural Resource Management Plan for the Denali Highway Lands - 9,968KB