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Federal Lands in Alaska - Geologic Studies

Summary

This project addresses the need for detailed geologic mapping on Federal lands in Alaska, which constitute a very large percentage of the onshore portion of the state. From southeastern Alaska to the Aleutians to the Arctic Ocean, these lands occur within a wide variety of land-management units and geologic settings. However, the necessary geoscience data applicable to managing these Federal lands is presently inadequate. This project will work with Federal land-management agencies to identify areas where USGS expertise can provide data and reports that will be used by those agencies in a systematic and interdisciplinary process that integrates both natural and social sciences in land-use planning and decisions.

 

Objectives

• Carry out geoscientific research projects that address issues of mineral-resource concern on Federal Lands throughout Alaska.
• Provide unbiased scientific data for land-use planning and decision-making concerning those lands.

 

Relevance and Impact

In Alaska, Federal lands constitute 64% of the onshore portion of the state, and 37% of all Federal lands in the Nation. These lands are divided into tracts administered by the Departments of Agriculture (Forest Service), Defense (Army, Air Force), and Interior (Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service). At present time, the geologic maps available for these lands are reconnaissance in nature and do not provide the type, scale, quality, or quantity of geoscience data needed for effective land-use decisions. Most geologic maps for Alaska have been published at a scale of 1:250,000, which does not allow for the level of detail needed by the managing agencies. By providing geologic, geophysical, and geochemical data for identified areas on a finer scale than previous maps, this project directly addresses issues of highest management and scientific priority on Federal Lands in Alaska. Such data will include specific information stipulated by the requesting agency and relevant to issues such as resource development, hazard mitigation, habitat designation, tourism, environmental impacts, etc.