Fairbanks Fish & Wildlife Field Office
Conservation Planning Assistance
Conservation Planning Assistance Overview
Branch biologists review proposed development plans to determine their
impact on fish and wildlife. Through this work, biologists are in the
unique position to help a developer adjust plans to lessen a project’s
impacts on fish and wildlife resources.
Development projects come in all shapes and sizes, and occur throughout
northern Alaska. They include oil and gas development, hard rock and
placer mining, highway construction, and residential development. The
goal of project review is to avoid or minimize impacts to fish and wildlife
while accomplishing the objectives of the development.
In addition to reviewing project plans and in collaboration with industries,
universities, and other agencies, branch biologists in northern Alaska
study the impacts of development on species and habitat. Examples include
the potential elevation of predator populations (such as gulls, ravens,
and foxes) associated with human development on the North Slope, and
the movement of brant geese and their broods through the Prudhoe Bay
oil fields.
Aerial view of a subdivision built along the Chena River in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Photo Credit: USFWS |
Biologists work with local developers on the lay-out of subdivisions.
The goal here is protecting stream banks and other important habitats,
while assuring an economically viable development. |
This offshore oil drilling rig is constructed on an artificial island in the Beaufort Sea
Photo Credit: USFWS |
Biologists work closely with offshore oil and gas developments,
like Northstar in the Beaufort Sea, to prevent offshore oil spills
and protect migrating sea ducks. |
An adult tundra swan and 2 cygnets have been captured for banding.
Photo Credit: USFWS |
Branch biologists often work with endangered species, determining
the presence of contaminants, and monitoring fish and wildlife populations
and their habitats. Biologists also maintain close working relationships
with specialists in other agencies including the Alaska Departments
of Natural Resources and Fish and Game. |
 The Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Field Office, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Alaska Department of Natural Resources - Office of Habitat Management and Permitting, with technical assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have produced guidelines for protecting
the functional value of riparian habitats in central Alaska, particularly
those in the greater Fairbanks area. Habitats associated with water
are some of the richest in terms of species diversity of any habitats
in the Interior. Functioning riparian areas also serve to filter contaminants
from runoff and stabilize streambanks. The guidelines that can be accessed
via this website are draft, and will continue to be modified as agencies
gain experience. They are not regulatory mandates, but recommendations
currently used by agencies to help direct private landowners toward
the conservation of existing riparian vegetation.
An overview of Riparian areas in Interior Alaska (pdf)
For more information about this program, please contact Larry Bright,
Conservation Planning Assistance Branch Chief, at either larry_bright@fws.gov or by phone at 907-456-0324.
Last updated: October 31, 2008
|
