aircraft
Fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft.
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA)
A law passed in 1980 designating 104 million acres for conservation by establishing or expanding national parks, wildlife
refuges, wild and scenic rivers, wilderness areas, forest monuments, conservation areas, recreation areas, and wilderness
study areas to preserve them for future generations.
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)
A law passed by Congress in 1971 to settle aboriginal land claims in Alaska. Under the settlement the Natives received title
to a total of over 44 million acres, to be divided among some 220 Native villages and 12 Regional Corporations established
by the act. The corporations shared in a payment of $962,500,000.
all-terrain vehicle (ATV)
A wheeled vehicle other than a snowmobile that is defined as having a curb weight of 1,000 pounds or less, maximum width of
50-inches or less, steered using handlebars, travels on three or more low-pressure tires, and has a seat designed to be straddled
by the operator.
anadromous
Anadromous fish are those which live most of their lives in the sea, but return to fresh water to spawn. Anadromous streams
are those which support fish species that migrate between freshwater and marine waters, such as salmon.
anthropogenic
Effects, processes, objects, or materials are those that are derived from human activities, as opposed to those occurring
in natural environments without human influences.
Arctic Circle
The invisible circle of latitude on the earth's surface at 66°33' north, marking the southern limit of the area where the
sun does not rise on the winter solstice, December 21 or set on the summer solstice, June 21.
Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC)
An area within the public lands where special management attention is required to protect important historic, cultural, or
scenic values, fish and wildlife or natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards.
artifact
An object that was made, used, and/or transported by humans that provides information about human behavior in the past. Examples
include pottery, stone tools, and bones with cut marks.
avoidance, mitigation
Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action. (40 CFR 1508.20) (e.g. May also include
avoiding the impact by moving the proposed action to a different time or location.)
best management practices (BMP)
A suite of techniques that guide, or may be applied to, management actions to aid in the achieving of desired outcomes.
casual use (recreation)
Noncommercial or nonorganized group or individual activities on public land. Casual use does the following: complies with
land use decisions and designations, does not award cash prizes, is not publicly advertised, poses minimal risk for damage
to public land or related water resources, and generally requires no monitoring.
cave
A cave is defined as any naturally occurring void, cavity, recess, or system of interconnected passages occurring beneath
the surface of the Earth or within a cliff or ledge large enough to permit an individual to enter, whether or not the entrance
is naturally formed or human-made (FCRPA, Sec. 3(1)).
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
A codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive Departments and agencies of the federal government. The Code is divided into 50 titles which represent broad
areas subject to federal regulation. Each volume of the Code is revised at least once each year and issued on a quarterly
basis.
commercial recreational use
Recreational use of public lands and related waters for business or financial gain. When any person, group, or organization
makes or attempts to make a profit, receive money, amortize equipment, or obtain goods or services, as compensation from participants
in recreational activities occurring on public lands, the use is considered commercial. An activity, service, or use is commercial
if anyone collects a fee or receives other compensation that is not strictly a sharing of, or is in excess of, actual expenses
incurred for the purpose of the activity, service or use (such as guides, outfitters, and air taxi operators).
compensatory mitigation
Compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments. (40 CFR 1508.20)
compensatory mitigation projects
Specific, on-the-ground actions (mitigation measures) to improve habitats (e.g., chemical vegetation treatments)
compensatory mitigation sites
The durable areas where compensatory mitigation projects will occur.
conservation watershed
A watershed in which processes and functions occur in a relatively undisturbed and natural landscape setting.
Conservation System Unit (CSU)
ANILCA defines CSU as any Alaska unit of National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers
Systems, National Trails System, National Wilderness Preservation System, or a National Forest Monument. Within the planning
area, CSUs managed by the BLM include Birch Creek, Beaver Creek, and the Fortymile wild and scenic rivers.
continental-subarctic
North of the humid continental climate, from about 50 to 70 degrees North, in a broad swath extending from Alaska to Newfoundland
in North America and from northern Scandinavia to Siberia in Eurasia, lie the continental subarctic climates. These are regions
dominated by the winter season, a long, bitterly cold period with short, clear days, relatively little precipitation (mostly
in the form of snow), and low humidity. Mean monthly temperatures are below freezing for six to eight months, with an average
frost-free period of only 50-90 days per year, and snow remains on the ground for many months. Summers are short and mild,
with long days and a prevalence of frontal precipitation associated with maritime tropical air within traveling cyclones.
Annual precipitation totals are mostly less than 50 centimeters (20 inches), with a concentration in the summer.
conveyed
Title to land was transferred from one party to another. The United States conveys title to land to Native corporations by
patent and interim conveyance (IC) and to the State of Alaska by patent and tentative approval (TA).
curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with a full tank of fuel and all fluids full, but with no people or cargo loaded. “Curb weight” is
synonymous with “wet weight” and “operating weight”.
17(d)(1) withdrawal
A withdrawal made under the authority of section 17(d)(1) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act for study to determine
the proper classification of the lands and to determine the public values of the lands which need protection.
designated trail
A narrow section of developed linear travel way, with an approved designation for traversing by means of human-powered, stock,
or off-road vehicle forms of transportation. Travel on designated trails allows a 100 foot wide travel way (50 foot either
side of center line of trail). Motor vehicle designations include parking along designated routes and at facilities associated
with designated routes when it is safe to do so and when not causing damage to resources. This provision recognizes that from
a practical standpoint, one vehicle width from the edge of the route surface may be necessary to park a vehicle, allow another
party to pass, perform a repair, to allow dispersed camping off the trail, and to allow enough area to navigate around obstacles
until a trail can be repaired.
dispersed recreation
Recreation activities of an unstructured type which are not confined to specific locations such as recreation sites. Example
of these activities may be hunting, fishing, off-road vehicle use, hiking, and sightseeing.
dry weight
The total weight of the vehicle without fluids.
endangered species
An animal or plant species designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to receive federal protection status because the
species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its natural range.
environmental impact statement (EIS)
A detailed statement of a given project's environmental consequences, including unavoidable adverse environmental effects,
alternatives to the proposed action, the relationship between local short-term uses and long-term productivity, and any irreversible
or irretrievable commitment of resources.
environmental justice
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect
to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.
Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)
Essential Fish Habitat means those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.
EFH is defined by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Public Law 94-265).
executive order
A rule or order issued by the President and having the force of the law.
Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA)
A law passed in 1976 to establish public land policy, guidelines for its administration, and provide for the management, protection,
development, and enhancement of the public lands.
Federal Register
A daily publication that reports Presidential and federal agency documents.
fire frequency
The reoccurrence of wildland fire in a given area over time. Also referred to as fire cycle.
fire regime
A description of the patterns of wildland fire occurrences, frequency, size, severity, and, sometimes, vegetation and fire
effects, in a given area or ecosystem. A fire regime is a generalization based on wildland fire histories at individual sites.
There are five standard fire regimes:
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Fire Regime I, with a fire frequency of 0-35 years, surface fire to mixed fire type. |
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Fire Regime II, with a fire frequency of 0-35 years frequency, stand replacement fire type. |
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Fire Regime III, with a fire frequency of 35-100+ years, with a mixed fire type. |
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Fire Regime IV, with a fire frequency of 35-100+ years, with a stand replacement fire type. |
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Fire Regime V, with a fire frequency of 100+ years, with a stand replacement fire type. |
Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC)
(1) An interagency, standardized tool for determining the degree of departure from reference condition vegetation, fuels,
and disturbance regimes. Assessing FRCC can help guide management objectives and set priorities for treatments.
(2) A classification of the amount of departure from the natural fire regime, based on a relative measure describing the degree
of departure from the historical natural fire regime. This departure results in changes to one (or more) of the following
ecological components: vegetation characteristics (species composition, structural stages, stand age, canopy closure, and
mosaic pattern); fuel composition; fire frequency, severity, and pattern; and other associated disturbances (e.g., insect
and disease mortality, grazing, and drought).
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Condition Class 1: Within the natural (historical) range of variability of vegetation characteristics; fuel composition; fire
frequency, severity and pattern; and other associated disturbances. |
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Condition Class 2: Moderate departure from the natural (historical) regime of vegetation characteristics; fuel composition;
fire frequency, severity and pattern; and other associated disturbances. |
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Condition Class 3: High departure from the natural (historical) regime of vegetation characteristics; fuel composition; fire
frequency, severity and pattern; and other associated disturbances. |
fire return interval
The number of years between two successive wildland fire events for a given area.
fire severity
The degree to which a site has been altered or disrupted by wildland fire; loosely, a product of fire intensity and residence
time. In Alaska, fire severity refers to the amount of organic layer removed by a wildland fire event.
game retrieval
Retrieval of legally harvested big game animals off of a designated trail is allowed within designated areas (Frontcountry
and Middlecountry Zones only) and within the OHV limitations for the area. Individuals must have a punched harvest ticket.
Up to 3 ATVs may participate in the retrieval of the legally harvested big game. Retrieval of big game may not exceed one
mile from the designated trail. Legally harvested big game must be retrieved within 24 hours.
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
The total weight of the vehicle plus the maximum loaded carrying capacity of the vehicle as specified by the manufacturer (i.e.,
GVWR = weight of vehicle + fuel + passengers + cargo, as per manufacturers limitations). Pull-behind trailers are not included
in the GVWR calculation for the vehicle.
High Priority Restoration Watershed
Restoration watersheds that are priority areas for active restoration practices. Management activities in these areas are
designed to accelerate the development of self-sustaining, ecologically healthy riparian and aquatic ecosytems.
In-kind, mitigation
In-kind mitigation is the replacement or substitution of resources or values that are of the same type and kind as those impacted.
(e.g. greater sage-grouse winter habitat is lost, and greater sage-grouse winter habitat is enhanced or conserved.).
invasive species
Organisms that have been introduced into an environment where they did not evolve. Executive Order 13112 focuses on organism
whose presence is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harms to human health. See also noxious weeds.
karst
A type of topography resulting from dissolution and collapse of limestone, dolomite, or gypsum beds, characterized by closed
depressions or sinkholes, caves, and underground drainages.
land status
The legal standing of land within BLM boundaries. Land status includes private, military, State, State-selected, Native, Native-selected,
and unencumbered public lands.
leasable minerals
Minerals subject to exploration and development under leases, permits, and licenses under various mineral leasing acts. Leasable
minerals include oil, gas, and coal.
lease
A means of allowing long-term use of public lands without transferring ownership of that land.
loess
Mixure of silt and very fine sand transported by wind from exposed sediment deposits of braided rivers. A wind deposited silt.
locatable minerals
Minerals subject to appropriation under the mining laws and 43 CFR 3809. Locatable minerals include base metals (e.g., copper,
lead, and zinc), noble metals (e.g., silver and gold), nickel, iron, platinum group elements, bentonite, gem and semiprecious
gemstones, and nephrite jade. See also leasable minerals.
management framework plan (MFP)
A planning decision document prepared before the effective date of the regulations implementing the land use planning provisions
of FLPMA. The MFP establishes, for a given area of land, land-use allocations, coordination guidelines for multiple-use,
and objectives to be achieved for each class of land use or protection.
mechanized travel
Moving by a mechanical device (e.g., bicycle) not powered by a motor.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
A formal, written agreement between organizations or agencies that presents the relationship between the entities for purposes
of planning and management.
metalliferous
Yielding or containing metal. metalliferous minerals include gold, silver, lead, copper, zinc, and nickel.
minimization, mitigation
Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation. (40 CFR 1508.20)
motorcycle
Motorized vehicles with two tires and with a seat designed to be straddled by the operator. A motorcycle is capable of either
on- or off-highway use.
motorized vehicles
Vehicles that are propelled by motors or engines, such as cars, trucks, off-highway vehicles (OHV), motorcycles, and snowmobiles.
multiple-use
Management of all the various renewable surface resources so that they are utilized in the combination that will best meet
the needs of the American people; making the most judicious use of the land for some or all of these resources or related
services over areas large enough to provide sufficient latitude for periodic adjustments in use to conform to changing needs
and conditions; that some land will be used for less than all of the resources; and harmonious and coordinated management
of the various resources, each with the other, without impairment of the productivity of the land, with consideration being
given to the relative values of the various resources, and not necessarily the combination of uses that will give the greatest
dollar return or the greatest unit output. (43 U.S.C. sec. 1702(c)).
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
An act mandating an environmental analysis and public disclosure of federal actions.
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSR)
A system of nationally designated rivers and their immediate environments that have outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic,
fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, and other similar values and are preserved in a free-flowing condition. The system
consists of three types of streams: 1) recreational—rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad
and that may have some development along their shorelines and may have undergone some impoundments or diversion in the past,
2) scenic—rivers or sections of rivers free of impoundments with shorelines or watersheds still largely undeveloped but accessible
in places by roads, and 3) wild—rivers or sections of rivers free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trails,
with watersheds or shore-lines essentially Primitive and waters unpolluted.
Native-selected
BLM lands that have been selected by a Native corporation under the ANCSA which gave Alaska Natives an entitlement of 44 million
acres to be selected from a pool of public lands specifically defined and withdrawn by the Act for that purpose.
no action alternative
The most likely condition expected to exist if current management practices continue unchanged. The analysis of this alternative
is required for federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).
non-motorized travel
Moving by foot, stock or pack animal, boat, or mechanized vehicle such as a bicycle.
noxious weed
A plant species designated by federal or state law as generally possessing one or more of the following characteristics: aggressive
and difficult to manage; parasitic; a carrier or host of serious insects or disease; or nonnative, new, or not common to the
U.S. See also invasive species.
off-highway vehicle (OHV)
Any motorized vehicle capable of, or designed for, travel on or immediately over land, water, or other natural terrain, excluding:
1) any non-amphibious registered motorboat; 2) any military, fire, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle being used for emergency
purposes; 3) any vehicle whose use is expressly authorized by the authorizing officer, or otherwise officially approved; 4)
vehicles in official use; and 5) any combat or combat support vehicle when used for national defense (CFR 43 sec. 8340.05(a)).
OHVs generally include dirt motorcycles, dune buggies, jeeps, four-wheel drive vehicles, snowmobiles, and ATVs. OHV is synonymous
with Off-Road Vehicle (ORV), Utility Type (or Terrain) Vehicle (UTV), and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Aircraft are not OHVs.
OHV area designations
Used by federal agencies in the management of OHVs on public lands. Refers to the land use planning decisions that permit,
establish conditions, or prohibit OHV activities on specific areas of public lands. All public lands are required to have
OHV designations (43 CFR 8342.1). The CFR requires all BLM-managed public lands to be designated as “open,” “limited,” or
“closed to off-road vehicles,” and provides guidelines for designation. The definitions of open, limited, and closed are provided
in 43 CFR 8340.0-5 (f), (g), and (h), respectively.
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Closed: Motorized vehicle travel is prohibited in the area. Access by means other than motorized vehicle is permitted. Areas are
designated closed if closure to all vehicular use is necessary to protect resources, promote visitor safety, or reduce use
conflicts. |
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Open: Motorized vehicle travel is permitted year-long anywhere within an area designated as ”open” to OHV use. Open designations
are used for intensive OHV use areas where there are no special restrictions or where there are no compelling resource protection
needs, user conflicts, or public safety issues to warrant limiting cross-country travel. |
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Limited: Motorized vehicle travel within specified areas and/or on designated routes, roads, vehicle ways, or trails is subject to
restrictions. The “limited” designation is used where OHV use must be restricted to meet specific resource management objectives.
Examples of limitations include: number or type of vehicles; time or season of use; permitted or licensed use only; use limited
to designated roads and trails; or other limitations if restrictions are necessary to meet resource management objectives,
including certain competitive or intensive use areas that have special limitations. |
out-of-kind, mitigation
Out-of-kind is the replacement or substitution of resources or values that are not the same type and kind as those impacted,
but are related or similar. (e.g. greater sage-grouse winter habitat is lost, but new greater sage-grouse nesting habitat
is enhanced or conserved.)
over-Snow vehicle
An over-snow vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle that is designed for use over snow that runs on a track or tracks and/or
a ski or skis, while in use over snow. An over-snow vehicle does not include machinery used strictly for the grooming of non-motorized
trails.
organic layer, organic mat
Layer on top of the soil consisting of dead and decaying leaves, branches, wood, and other plant parts.
outstandingly remarkable value (ORV)
As defined by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, an “outstandingly remarkable value” is the characteristic of a river
segment that is judged to be a rare, unique, or exemplary feature that is significant at a regional or natural scale. Values
can be recreational, scenic, geological, historical, cultural, biological, botanical, ecological, heritage, hydrological,
paleontological, scientific, or research-related.
paleontological
Of or relating to past geological periods. Paleontological resources include fossils of shellfish, swamp forests, dinosaurs,
and other prehistoric plants and animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates, and direct evidence of their presence
(tracks, worm burrows, etc).
particulates
Fine liquid or solid particles such as dust, smoke, mist, fumes or smog, found in the air or emissions. PM2.5 is a measure
of fine particles in the air.
permafrost
Soil, sand, gravel, or bedrock that has remained below 32 degrees F. for two or more years. Permafrost features include: frost
boils (accumulation of excess water and mud in subsurface materials during spring thaw which may break through the surface),
hummock (a mound of broken ice projecting upward, formed by ice deformation), ice wedge (a build up of ice in frozen soil,
that is wedge-shaped in cross-section), ice lenses (accumulation of ice in cavities and hollows in the soil), pingos (an arctic
mound or conical hill, consisting of an outer layer of soil covering a core of solid ice), polygonal ground (a type of patterned
ground in areas of ice wedges), and solifluction lobes (an isolated tongue-shaped feature formed by rapid solifluction (downhill
movement of soil) on a slope).
permit
A means of authorizing use of public lands in an equitable, safe, and enjoyable manner while minimizing adverse impacts and
user conflicts. A permit does not transfer ownership of the land, it simply allows the permittee to use the land in a pre-determined
fashion for a set amount of time.
pollutants
Any substance introduced into the environment that adversely affects the usefulness of a resource or the health of humans,
animals, or ecosystems.
popcorn
Small coral-like formations found as a coating on the cave surfaces.
prescribed fire
A fire purposefully ignited to meet specific objectives. Prior to ignition, a written, approved fire plan must exist and
legal requirements must be met.
personal watercraft
An inboard engine vessel, usually driven by a jet-pump, that typically carries one to three persons, and is operated by a
person sitting by straddling a seat, standing, or kneeling on the boat, rather than in the conventional manner of sitting
below the gunwale of the boat.
primitive road
A linear route managed for use by four-wheel drive or high clearance vehicles. Primitive roads do not normally meet any BLM
road design standards.
proper functioning condition (PFC)
Riparian habitats are at PFC when adequate vegetation, land form, or large woody debris is present to: 1) dissipate stream
energy associated with high water flows, thereby reducing erosion and improving water quality, (2) filter sediment, capture
bedload, and aid floodplain development, (3) improve floodwater retention and groundwater discharge, (4) develop root masses
that stabilize streambanks against cutting action, (5) develop diverse ponding and channel characteristics to provide the
habitat and water depth, duration, and temperature necessary for fish production, and other uses, (6) and support greater
biodiversity (BLM 1998)
public land
FLMPA (43 U.S.C. 1702) defines public land as land or interest in land owned by the U.S. and administered by the Secretary
of the Interior through the BLM without regard to how the U.S. acquired ownership, except land located on the Outer Continental
Shelf, and land held for the benefit of Native Americans, Aleuts, and Eskimos. ANILCA (43 U.S.C. 1618) defines public lands
as land situated in Alaska which, after the date of the enactment of this Act, are federal lands, except a) land selections
of the State of Alaska which have been tentatively approved or validly selected under the Statehood act, b) land selections
of a Native corporation made under ANCSA which have not been conveyed, unless such selection is determined to be invalid or
is relinquished and, c) lands referred to in section 19(b) of ANCSA.
public land order (PLO)
Congressional or secretarial orders defining withdrawals of public lands by statute or secretarial order from operation of
some or all of the public land laws.
public use
This category of cultural resource use may be applied to any cultural property in the planning area found to be appropriate
for use as an interpretive exhibit or for related educational and recreational uses by the public. This category may also
be applied to historic features such as Fort Egbert Historic Site.
Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act
An act authorizing the sale or lease of public lands for recreational or public purposes to State and local governments and
to qualified non-profit organizations.
R&PP lease
A lease issued by the federal government under the R&PP Act for use of public lands to serve community and recreational purposes
on such as parks and cemetery.
record of decision (ROD)
A public document associated with an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that identifies all alternatives, provides the final
decision, the rationale behind that decision, and commitments to monitoring and mitigation.
rectify, mitigation
Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment. (40 CFR 1508.20)
recreation activity management plan (RAMP)
An activity level or step-down plan to develop more specific management guidelines for a special recreation management area.
reduce or eliminate over time, mitigation
Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action. (40
CFR 1508.20)
Research Natural Area (RNA)
An area that is established and maintained for the primary purpose of research and education because the land has one or more
of the following characteristics: 1) a typical representation of a common plant or animal association; 2) an unusual plant
or animal association; 3) a threatened or endangered plant or animal species; 4) a typical representation of common geologic,
soil, or water features; or 5) outstanding or unusual geologic, soil, or water features. Uses of RNAs are defined in 43 CFR
8223.1.
residual impact
Impacts from a land-use authorization that remain after applying avoidance, minimization, rectification, and reduction/elimination
measures; also referred to as unavoidable impacts.
restoration watershed
A watershed in which biological and physical processes and functions do not reflect natural conditions because of past and
long-term human caused land disturbances.
right-of-way (ROW)
The legal right to pass over another owner's land, or the area over which a right-of-way exists.
right-of-way (ROW) avoidance area
Areas identified in a resource management plan where location of rights-of-way is to be avoided. These areas may be available
for location of rights-of-way with special stipulations.
right-of-way (ROW) exclusion area
Areas identified in a resource management plan which are not available for location of rights-of-way under any conditions.
Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs)
Riparian conservation areas (RCAs) are specific conservation watersheds that contain the highest fisheries and riparian resource
values within the planning area. They are 6th level watersheds that the BLM has identified as priority habitats for fish and
aquatic species. These watersheds have processes and functions that occur in a relatively undisturbed and natural landscape
setting. Hydrologic function, such as sediment amounts and stream flow regimes resulting from disturbance, are within a natural
range of frequency, duration, and intensity. In these watersheds, riparian-dependent resources receive primary emphasis and
management activities are subject to specific management decisions.
road
A linear route declared a road by the owner, managed for use by low-clearance vehicles having four or more wheels, and maintained
for regular and continuous use.
R.S. 2477
A provision originally part of the 1866 Mining Act that states in its entirety, “The right-of-way for the construction of
highways over public lands, not reserved for public uses, is hereby granted.” In 1873, the provision was separated from the
Mining Act and reenacted as Revised Statute (R.S.) 2477. In 1938, it was recodified as 43 U.S.C. Section 932. FLPMA repealed
both the 1866 Mining Act and R.S. 2477, but all rights-of-way that existed on the date of the repeal (October 21, 1976) were
preserved under 43 U.S.C. Section 1769. The State of Alaska recognizes approximately 650 R.S. 2477 routes throughout the State.
The assertion of these routes has not been recognized and current BLM policy is to defer any processing of R.S. 2477 assertions
except where there is a demonstrated and compelling need to make a determination.
scoping
The process used to determine, through public involvement, the range of issues that the RMP should address.
scientific use
This category of cultural resource use may be applied to any cultural property in the planning area available for consideration
as the subject of scientific or historical study at the present time, using currently available research techniques. Study
includes methods that may result in the property’s physical alteration.
sensitive species
Those wildlife, fish, or plant species designated by the BLM Alaska State Director, usually in cooperation with the State
agency responsible for managing the species, as sensitive. They are: 1) species under status review by U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service; 2) species whose numbers are declining so rapidly that federal listing
may be necessary; 3) species with typically small and widely dispersed populations; or 4) species inhabiting ecological refugia
or other specialized or unique habitats.
seral
Relating to ecological communities where all successional stages of biotic development are represented.
snowmachine, snowmobile
A motorized vehicle that is designed for use over snow that runs on a track or tracks and uses a ski or skis for steering,
has a curb weight of 1,000 pounds or less, maximum width of 50-inches or less, steered using handlebars, and has a seat designed
to be straddled by the operator. A snowmobile does not include machinery used strictly for the grooming of non-motorized
trails.
special forest products
Any “non-timber” forest resource. Special forest products may include: bark, boughs, burls, floral greenery, mushrooms, sap,
wild berries, and Christmas trees.
Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA)
Areas where the management emphasis is on recreation, though other resource uses and development are allowed.
special recreation permit
A means of authorizing recreational uses of public lands and waters. Special recreation permits are issued for specific recreational
uses as a means to manage visitor use, protect natural and cultural resources, and provide a mechanism to accommodate commercial
recreational uses. There are four types of permits: commercial, competitive, organized groups/events, and individuals or
groups in special areas.
Special Status Species
Special Status Species include the following: endangered species, threatened species, proposed species, candidate species,
state-listed species, and BLM Alaska sensitive species.
State-selected
Formerly unappropriated and unreserved public lands that were selected by the State of Alaska as part of the Alaska Statehood
Act of 1958 and Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980. Until conveyance, State-selected lands outside
of National Park system lands or National Wildlife refuges will be managed by the BLM. ANILCA allowed for overselection by
the State by up to 25 percent of the entitlement (sec. 906 (f)). Therefore, some State-selected lands will eventually be retained
in long-term federal management.
subsistence/subsistence use
Relying on fish, wildlife and other wild resources for food, shelter, clothing, transportation, handicrafts, and trade. An
Alaskan resident living in a rural area may participate in federal subsistence harvest on certain unencumbered BLM lands.
succession
The replacement in time of one plant community with another. The prior plant community (or successional stage) creates conditions
that are favorable for the establishment of the next community.
sustained yield
The achievement and maintenance in perpetuity of a high-level annual or regular output of the various renewable resources
of the national forests without impairment of the productivity of the land. (43 U.S.C. sec. 1702(h)).
thermokarst
Ground subsidence due to the thawing of permafrost.
threatened species
A designation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when a plant or animal is likely to become endangered throughout all or
a specific portion of its range within the foreseeable future.
traditional use
This category of cultural resource use may be applied to any cultural property in the planning area known to be perceived
by Alaska Natives as important in maintaining their cultural identity, heritage, or well-being (such as Joseph Village and
Cemetery).
trail
Linear routes managed for human-powered, stock, or off-road vehicle forms of transportation or for historical or heritage
values. Trails are not generally managed for use by four-wheel drive or high-clearance vehicles.
Travel Management Area (TMA)
Polygons or delineated areas where travel management (either motorized or non-motorized) needs particular focus. These areas
may be designated as open, closed, or limited to motorized use and will typically have an identified or designated network
of roads, trails, ways, and other routes that provide for public access and travel across the area. All designated travel
routes within TMAs should have a clearly identified need and purpose, and clearly defined activity types, modes of travel,
and seasons or times for allowable access or other limitations.
travel management plan (TMP)
The document that describes the decisions related to the selection and management of the Transportation Network. This document
can be an appendix to a Resource Management Plan (RMP), incorporated in activity implementation plan (such as a Recreation
Implementation Plan), or a stand alone document after development of the RMP.
unencumbered/unencumbered BLM lands
Public lands that have not been selected by the State of Alaska or Native organizations. These lands will be retained in long-term
federal management.
utility type (or terrain) vehicle (UTV)
Any recreational motor vehicle other than an all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, or snowmobile designed for and capable of travel
over unpaved roads, traveling on four or more low-pressure tires, a curb weight of 1,500 pounds or less, and maximum width
is 64 inches or less. Utility type vehicles do not include vehicles specially designed to carry a person with disabilities.
visual resource management (VRM)
A means of managing visual resources by designating areas as one of four classes: Class I– maintaining a landscape setting
that appears unaltered by humans; Class II– designing proposed alterations so as to retain the existing character of the landscape;
Class III– designing proposed alterations so as to partially retain the existing character of the landscape; and, Class IV–
providing for management activities which require major modifications of the existing character of the landscape.
Wild and Scenic River, Wild River
A river that is part of the National Wild and Scenic River System. In Alaska, most Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSR) were designated
by ANILCA. There are three of these rivers in the planning area: Beaver Creek, Birch Creek, and Fortymile River. See also
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
wildfire
Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Wildfires may be managed to meet one or more objectives
as specified in the Resource Management Plan and these objectives can change as the fire spreads across the landscape.
wildland fire
Any nonstructural fire that occurs in vegetation or natural fuels. Wildland fire includes prescribed fire and wildfire.
wilderness characteristics
These attributes include the area's size, its apparent naturalness, and outstanding opportunities for solitude or a Primitive
and unconfined type of recreation. They may also include supplemental values.
withdrawal
Federal land set aside and dedicated to a present, governmental use; public land set aside for some other public purpose,
e.g., pending a determination of how the land is to be used; an action approved by the Secretary or a law enacted by Congress
that closes land to specific uses under the public land laws (usually sale, settlement, location, and entry), or limits use
to maintain public values or reserves area for particular public use or program, or that transfers jurisdiction of an area
to another federal agency. Usually enacted by a public land order or legislation.