Framework Scope
The Prince William Sound (PWS) Framework is the Chugach National Forest’s (CNF) comprehensive effort to:
- Determine the level and distribution of human use in the Sound associated with recreation, tourism and subsistence activities.
- Ensure increasing recreation and tourism use does not adversely impact sensitive resources, including resources and services still recovering from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS).
- Identify strategies to manage for and support sustainable human use into the future.
Key Objectives
- Compile an accurate picture of human use in Prince William Sound through a synthesis of new and existing research (Phase I).
- Develop a consistent, Sound-wide approach to planning for, managing and permitting human use into the future (Phase II).
- Convene partnerships to map shared values, build common ground, educate the public and address the future of the Sound (Continuous).
Phase I Background
In the seventeen years since the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS), Prince William Sound has experienced numerous changes. The spill itself impacted and disrupted resources and human services in the Sound, but over the past decade the Sound has experienced increased human use activity, as well. With the opening of the Whittier Tunnel and the introduction of high speed ferry service, access to the Sound by independent and commercial users has increased. There is growing concern that increased competition and rapid growth in users may be threatening resources and services – particularly those injured and still “recovering” from EVOS.
Phase I of the Framework consists of five projects that will shed light on the recovery of the recreation/tourism and subsistence human services in Prince William Sound and highlight areas where resources and services may still be vulnerable to the lingering effects of the oil spill and/or increasing human use. The five projects, funded with EVOS federal trustee criminal restitution dollars, cover a wide-range of information synthesis and original research, including:
- Documentation and spatial delineation of human use “hot spots”
- Description of subsistence use patterns
- Assessment of PWS users’ experiences and perceptions
- Mapping of sensitive cultural and biological resources
Phase II
The improved knowledge gained in Phase 1 will expand information on the Sound and improve data quality for the public, landowners, local communities, land management agencies and the EVOS research community. This additional insight will improve and inform CNF’s own management efforts, including the development in Phase II of a Sound-wide approach to planning for, managing and permitting human use.
