ALASKA MARITIME NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WILDERNESS Aleutian Islands ▪ Bering Sea ▪ Bogoslof ▪ Chamisso Island Forrester Island ▪ Hazy Island ▪ Semidi Islands Simeonof ▪ St. Lazaria ▪ Tuxedni A Report on Wilderness Character Monitoring Kelly A. Pippins Wilderness Fellow US Fish and Wildlife Service September 2012
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Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness
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ALASKA MARITIME
NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE WILDERNESS
Aleutian Islands ▪ Bering Sea ▪ Bogoslof ▪ Chamisso Island
Rising no more than 180 feet above the ocean at the entrance to Sitka Sound, St. Lazaria Island was established as
a refuge for seabirds in 1909, became a Wilderness in 1970, and was added as a subunit to the Alaska Maritime
NWR in 1980. Saint Lazaria has two low summits, forested with mature Sitka spruce, which are connected by a
bare saddle that is washed by waves at high tide. Cliffs topped with lush grasses fall to the sea.
Among the tangled tree roots are the burrows of petrels,
tufted puffins, and rhinoceros auklets. Pigeon guillemots
create a nest-scrape in rocky crevices near common
murres, glaucous-winged gulls, and pelagic cormorants.
Just under half a million birds nest on St. Lazaria, where
overcast skies drizzle rain and winds blow moderately to
strong throughout much of the year. This island may see
the most public use of all of the Wilderness areas in
Alaska Maritime NWR due to its proximity to Sitka. It is
also home to one of the refuges annual sea-bird
monitoring sites.
Bering Sea Wilderness
The area designated as Wilderness in the Bering Sea Unit includes St.
Matthew Island and the smaller Hall and Pinnacle Islands. One of the
largest seabird concentrations in the North Pacific (3.5 million birds) can
be found here in summer, dominated by auklets, common eiders, old-
squaws, gulls, murres, and puffins.
Geographically, this Wilderness is the most isolated in all of America,
formed by volcanic activity, rising more than 1,500 feet above the sea with
sheer cliffs and waterfalls dropping dramatically into icy water. On St.
Matthew you'll find one of the few colonies of northern fulmars on Earth,
and almost the entire world's population of McKay's buntings nest here.
Northern sea lions and seals haul out at several places, and walruses climb
ashore at one spot on St. Matthew. Reindeer, once introduced here, have
disappeared. Arctic foxes den here, and polar bears, practically wiped out
by hunting, can wander over from the mainland occasionally on the winter
ice pack. Gray whales are often seen offshore, and sometimes an
endangered bowhead whale swims by in winter.
St. Lazaria Island Photo Credit: USFWS Source: www.wilderness.net
Bering Sea Wilderness Photo Credit: Vernon Byrd, USFWS Source: www.wilderness.net
Chamisso Wilderness
Chamisso Island and Puffin Island were established as a refuge in 1912, designated as Wilderness in 1975 and
added to the Chukchi Sea Unit of Alaska Maritime NWR in 1980. Chamisso has one large sand spit and a low beach
zone surrounding a tundra with a few marshy bogs. Although Chamisso Island is much larger, Puffin Island houses
more nesting birds, particularly horned puffins, black-legged kittiwakes, and thick-billed murres who build their
nests on the steep-walled cliffs that fall into Spafarief Bay. Eskimos still cross from the mainland to gather eggs,
primarily from kittiwakes and murres. The only other wildlife found here is the occasional fox that may cross the
frozen sea in winter. This Wilderness area is rarely visited by refuge staff.
Chamisso Island (taken from Puffin Island)
Photo Credit: Art Sowls, USFWS Source: www.wilderness.net
The following sections describe in detail the measures identified for monitoring Wilderness character in the
Wilderness areas of Alaska Maritime NWR. The following items are addressed for each measure:
Source and protocol for quantifying the measure
Frequency of data collections (every 1 or 5 years)
The minimum change that is required to indicate
a trend in that measure
Adequacy of the data (see Data Adequacy below)
Context and relevance of a measure to its
indicator
Most recent baseline value
At least one measure was developed for each nationally consistent indicator within the Keeping it Wild framework
for the refuge as a whole. Unfortunately, data on Wilderness character is not readily available for all Wilderness
areas for each measure. For the purposes of WCM, measure values are assumed to be characteristic of every
wilderness area within a single unit. However, it should be noted that many units of the Alaska Maritime refuge
span great distances and the value of some measures may not reflect significant variation within a single unit.
Furthermore, the protocol for gathering data for a single measure may vary from unit to unit and some measures
may apply only to a single unit. These exceptions will be addressed within the measures for which they apply.
NOTE: Wilderness character is Unique for each Refuge Unit
The Keeping it Wild WCM framework is used to establish the condition of Wilderness character for
individual Wilderness areas for the purpose of improving Wilderness stewardship and supporting
management decisions within that Wilderness. The value of measures used and subsequent trends in
Wilderness character of one Wilderness should not be compared to other Wildernesses, even if the same
measures are used for both Wildernesses. For management purposes, Wilderness areas in Alaska
Maritime NWR are grouped by refuge unit. Following the logic in Keeping it Wild, the condition of
Wilderness character in one refuge unit should not be compared to the condition of Wilderness character
in another refuge unit. For example, the condition of the undeveloped quality of Wilderness character of
the Aleutian Islands Refuge Unit should not be compared to the condition of the undeveloped quality of
the Gulf of Alaska unit, even if similar measures are used to determine that condition.
The measures selected for monitoring Wilderness character in Alaska Maritime NWR and their baseline values
have been entered into the Wilderness Character Monitoring (WCM) Database. As new data is entered every one
or five years, the database will determine trends in Wilderness Character based on the conditions of each
measure.
The database is designed to address individual Wilderness areas. Since Wilderness areas in this refuge are grouped
by Refuge Unit, all of the Wilderness areas in a single unit will receive the same value in the database; with the
exception of the air quality in the Gulf of Alaska (see Measure – Air Quality). This means that any Wilderness area
within a refuge unit can be used to determine trends in Wilderness character for that unit. For more information
on the WCM Database, see the WCM Database User Guide.
Data Adequacy
Data adequacy is defined as the reliability of the data to assess trends in the measure. There are two aspects of
data adequacy: data quantity and data quality. Data quantity refers to the level of confidence that all appropriate
data records have been gathered. Data quality refers to the level of confidence about the source(s) of data and
whether the data are of sufficient quality to reliably identify trends in the measure. Each measure is evaluated for
both quality and quantity based on the flowing:
Data Quantity
Complete There is a high degree of confidence that all data records have been gathered. For example, to assess the occurrence of nonindigenous invasive plants, a complete inventory of the wilderness was conducted or all likely sites were visited. Similarly, to assess visitor use, all trailheads were inventoried. Partial There is a moderate degree of confidence that all data records have been gathered. For example, to assess the occurrence of nonindigenous invasive plants, a partial inventory was conducted or a sampling of sites was conducted in which these plants are likely to occur were visited. Similarly, visitor use was assessed at selected trailheads. Insufficient There is a low degree of confidence that all records have been gathered. For example, no inventory for nonindigenous invasive plantshas been conducted, and visitor use was not assessed anywhere.
Data Quality High There is a high degree of confidence that the quality of the data can reliably assess trends in the measure. For example, data on the occurrence of nonindigenous invasive plants is from ground-based inventories conducted by qualified personnel; for visitor use, data would come from visitor permit data. Moderate There is a moderate degree of confidence about the quality of the data. For example, data on invasive plants could come from national or regional databases; for visitor use, data could come from trailhead registers. Low There is a low degree of confidence about the quality of the data. For example, data on invasive plants and visitor use could come from professional judgment.
The Wilderness Act states that Wilderness is “an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its
primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation,”
“where man himself is a visitor who does not remain” and “with the imprint of man’s work
substantially unnoticeable.” This quality is degraded by the presence of structures, installations,
habitations, the use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, or mechanical transport that
increases people’s ability to occupy or modify the environment, or other evidence of modern
human presence or occupation.
Monitoring Question Indicator Measure
What are the trends in non-recreational
development inside the Wilderness?
Non-recreational installations, structures
and developments
Number of installations, structures or developments in
Wilderness
Inholdings
Number of mixed ownership islands
Total number of acres of Wilderness
What are the trends in mechanization inside the
Wilderness?
Use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, and
mechanical transport
Index of motorized equipment and mechanical
transport
UNDEVELOPED QUALITY [Non-recreational installations, structures and developments]
Number of installations, structures or developments in Wilderness
Source and Protocol – 5 years
Alaska Peninsula, Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea &
Chukchi Sea Units
Count the number of structures, installations and
developments in Wilderness in each refuge unit.
Appendix B contains a current list of the
developments that degrade the undeveloped quality
of WC as identified by Unit Biologists in 2012.
Aleutian Island Unit
Only count the number of installations, structures
and developments in Wilderness with origins that
are post-Wilderness designation (1980). Include
developments such as cabins, plane wrecks, research
installations and permanent structures that are
maintained or improved by the refuge.
Significant Change
Any change in this measure is significant
Data Adequacy
Partial/Moderate – Data for this measure is
compiled from the knowledge of refuge staff. In
some cases, knowledge on the current status of
developments and installations in the Wilderness
may not be readily available.
Context and Relevance
The “imprint of man’s work” is extensive across the
Aleutian Island Unit. Most of these developments
are remnants from WWII, prior to the designation of
Wilderness in this unit. For the purposes of this
measure in the Aleutian Islands Unit, all
developments that existed prior to designation of
Aleutian Island Wilderness are accepted as a
component of the Wilderness. Structures that were
built after the Wilderness designation are
considered to further degrade the undeveloped
quality of wilderness. No developments are known
to exist in the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea Units.
2012 Data Value
Unit Value
Aleutian Islands 17
Alaska Peninsula 6
Gulf of Alaska 13
Bering Sea 0
Chukchi Sea 0
UNDEVELOPED QUALITY [Inholdings]
Number of mixed ownership islands
Source and Protocol – 5 years
Count the number of mixed-ownership islands that
have area designated as Wilderness. The realty and
Natural Resources Division in the Regional Office
maintains a GIS layer of land status for all refuges in
Alaska that can be used to determine the current
ownership status of each Wilderness island
(http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/realty/data.htm). A
shapefile of Wilderness areas (current to 2012) is
available on the GIS shared drive. Mixed ownership
islands are identified in Wilderness Islands 2012.xls
*Unimak should be excluded from calculations of this
measure. A Wilderness Character Assessment was
completed for Unimak Island in 2011.
Significant Change
Any increase in this measure indicates a potential
decrease in the undeveloped quality of Wilderness
character. Results should be interpreted with
caution since most conveyed lands are not currently
developed.
Data Adequacy
Complete/High
Context and Relevance
Inholdings adjacent or interior to designated
Wilderness are not given the same protections as
Wilderness lands around them. These lands can be
developed for various purposes at the discretion of
*The Wildernesses of Adak and Semisopochnci include FUDS property without current work area plans. These islands should be included under this measure when work areas are designated.
NATURAL QUALITY [Plant and animal species and communities]
Number of shipwrecks that impact the environment in the Wilderness
Source and Protocol – 5 years
Record the number of shipwrecks that affect the
Wilderness each year. A wreck can have 2 long term
impacts on Wilderness: oil spills, invasive species
introductions. Both of these impacts should be
counted under this measure (i.e. a shipwreck that
causes an oil spill that impacts the Wilderness and
carries non-native species should be counted twice
under this measure). Although oil spills are an
immediate consequence of shipwrecks, invasive
species introductions may not be. For that reason
any ship that is known to carry a non-native plant or
animal species should be included in this measure
regardless of whether the species is known to
establish itself in the Wilderness. Shipwrecks should
be Leslie Slater, the Wildlife Biologist for the Gulf of
Alaska Unit, currently keeps record of shipwrecks
that occur in the vicinity of the refuge.
Significant change
Any increase in this measure degrades the
untrammeled quality of WC.
Data Adequacy
Complete/High
Context and Relevance
Shipwrecks near the Wilderness can affect the native
plant and animal communities by introducing
invasive species and causing oil spills.
2012 Data Value
Unit Value
Aleutian Islands 0
Alaska Peninsula 0
Gulf of Alaska 0
Bering Sea 0
Chukchi Sea 0
NATURAL QUALITY [Physical resources]
Air quality
Source and Protocol – 5 years
The FWS Department of Inventory and Monitoring
(I&M) provides data on air quality for Wilderness
areas in the refuge system. The only data available
for the Wilderness areas Alaska Maritime NWR is a
measure of visibility extrapolated from monitoring
sites near the Tuxedni and Simeonof Wildernesses.
Visibility is a measure of the scenic conditions that
determine how well and how far a visitor of the
Wilderness can see based on the amount of small
particles in the air (measured in deciviews, dv).
Unlike other measures in this report, air quality data
can only be applied to individual Wilderness areas.
The value of one Wilderness is not applied to the
entire refuge unit. All Wilderness areas will receive a
value of zero for this measure except Tuxedni and
Simeonof. Changes in this measure are not expected
to affect the overall trend of Wilderness character in
their respective refuge units.
2009 Data Value
Tuxedni Wilderness 2.1 dv
Simeonof Wilderness 3.5 dv
Significant change
Changes in this measure are significant when the data value indicates a change in qualification from the previous five years based on the following conditions (i.e. the data value must move down from Moderate):
< 2 Good 2-8 Moderate > 8 Significant Concern
Data adequacy
Partial/Moderate – Data for this measure is not
collected from the location of the Cedar Keys
Wilderness. It is interpolated by the Division of
Inventory and Monitoring from nearby air quality
monitors.
Context and Relevance
The effects of air pollution can be detrimental to the
refuge environment. Air pollutants can cause injury
to vegetation, impair visibility, and change terrestrial
and aquatic ecosystems. Measures of ozone
pollution, nitrogen and sulfur concentrations and
visibility are standard measures of air quality.
NATURAL QUALITY [Biophysical processes]
Ice cover index
Source and Protocol – Annually
Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea Units:
Record the ice cover index determined by Bering
Climate: A current view of the Bering Sea Ecosystem
and Climate. Select Ice cover under the ocean
category on the data page of the Bering Climate
Website and click ‘List Data.’ Scroll down to find the
most recent value of the ice cover index.
Significant change
Professional judgment should be used to determine
if changes in this measure are significant enough to
be considered a trend.
Data adequacy
Complete/High
*This measure does not apply to the Aleutian Islands,
Alaska Peninsula or Gulf of Alaska Units. These units
will receive a value of zero for this measure in the
WCM database
Context and Relevance
Sea ice cover of the Bering Sea has a profound
influence on the physical and biological ocean
environment. The ice cover index is the average ice
concentration for Jan 1-May 31. Ice concentration
data are from the National Snow and Ice Data Center
(NSIDC) using the Bootstrap algorithm for historical
data (through ~2006) and the NASA Team algorithm
for more current data. The data start from late 1978
and are daily time series calculated by Sigrid Salo
(NOAA/PMEL) to give average ice concentration in a
2-deg x 2-deg box (56-58°N, 163-165°W). The final
index is given as normalized anomalies for each year,
Population density in the vicinity of Wilderness This measure was initially selected to represent remoteness from occupied and modified areas outside
the Wilderness. No easily repeatable protocol was developed that accurately reflected changes in this
indicator. Furthermore, changes in population density were not expected to have significant impacts on
Wilderness character.
Miles of travel routes within Wilderness Travel routes in this refuge are not currently documented. The only routes used regularly are established
by field crew, and some user-created trails to historic monument. None of these trails are maintained by
the refuge. This measure was determined to be a low priority for Wilderness character monitoring.
Number of distinct man-made environmental hazards mitigated or removed from
Wilderness The primary purpose of this measure was to account for the positive implications of FUDS cleanups.
However, there is no reasonable way to quantify this measure. The removal or mitigation of
environmental hazards at FUDS is more or less a never-ending job, often spanning decades. For example:
On Tanaga Island the U.S. Army COE removed more than 6,000 fuel barrels, many transformers and
batteries and acres of contaminated soil. This removal action took place during a site investigation. A soil
test will determine migration and extent of contamination. More transformers and batteries will be
removed as other investigations are completed. If they find contamination in the water system they will
be required to take further action. This measure would easily reach the thousands or more for each
unit/island being cleaned up. Differentiating between distinct hazards would be extremely difficult. Future
efforts could be taken to develop a qualitative measure if the refuge decides it is necessary.
Number of shipwrecks impacting a visitor’s sense of solitude This measure was excluded because it did not significantly affect an indicator of Wilderness character.
While oil spills and invasive species introductions from shipwreck are true threats to the natural quality of
Wilderness character, the temporary presence of the infrequent shipwreck near Wilderness will not likely
impact a visitor’s sense of solitude. There are not enough wrecks or visitors in the Wilderness for this
measure to be a priority. Historic shipwrecks were also considered under this measure. However, it was
determined that those ships generally contribute to Wilderness character as cultural resource.
PROCESS USED FOR IDENTIFYING MEASURES
1. Review the refuge’s background and history. I was fortunate enough to have a full day of introductory
presentations with a group of other refuge volunteers when I first arrived at AMNWR. A few of the refuge
staff gave presentations on topics ranging from the role of USFWS, to the establishment of the refuge and
current refuge research and management projects, to the roles of individual staff members. AMNWR
refuge headquarters are located within the refuge visitor center. I took full advantage of that resource to
gain a broad understanding AMNWR.
2. Read the CCP and browse annual narratives and other relevant documents. As I went through these
documents I made a list of questions, ideas, and potential impacts that I felt were significant to wilderness
character.
3. Talk to refuge staff and develop a preliminary list of measures. Equipped with a fundamental
understanding of AMNWR and a sense of its wilderness character, I met with my immediate supervisor
and the supervisory biologist to discuss what I had come up with. Their input helped to frame a
preliminary list of measures.
4. Refine measures. In order to refine measures, I identified individual staff members with the proper
expertise and met with them to discuss each measure.
5. Present measures to staff. In order to ensure that all critical impacts were accounted for, I presented my
list of measures to a group of staff including the biologists for each refuge unit. The goal of this meeting
was to identify information gaps and address the feasibility and reliability of each measure. I subsequently
refined the measures again and held a second meeting to get final approval on Wilderness Character
measures.
6. Gather data. After completing my list of measures, I gathered data on each measure. In some cases, the
baseline data was available immediately upon identification of the measure and was recorded at that
time. Otherwise, I waited to gather the data until after the measure was accepted by refuge staff.
7. Input measures and baseline data into database.
8. Distribute draft report. I finalized a draft of my wilderness character monitoring report and distributed it
amongst the refuge staff for review.
9. Incorporate edits
Aleutian Islands Wilderness Study Report (September 1973)
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Impact
Statement/Wilderness Review (August 1988)
Land Protection Plan: Options for the protection of fish and wildlife habitats (August 2011)
Land Status Maps
Annual refuge reports: Breeding Status, Population Trends, and Diets of Seabirds in Alaska
Name Position Title
Steve Delehanty Refuge Manager
Dave Bolin Assistant Manager (Permits, Lands, Law Enforcement)
Steve Ebbert Invasive Species and Restoration Biologist
Jeff Williams Wildlife Biologist (Aleutian Islands Unit)
Researchers at annual monitoring sites
CONCLUSION
The Alaska Maritime Wilderness areas are remote, natural, and untrammeled. The Bering Sea Wilderness is said to
be one of the most remote areas in the country; farther away from evidence of man than any other place in
America. However, that also makes access to this Wilderness extremely difficult. In fact, most of the Wilderness in
this refuge is virtually inaccessible to the general public. On one hand, this preserves the untrammeled and natural
qualities of Wilderness character. On the other hand, the extreme remoteness of these Wilderness areas means
that fewer people will benefit from experiencing such naturally exotic regions.
Some Wilderness areas in this refuge are significantly more developed than others. Most of that development
existed prior to Wilderness designation and contributes to the cultural quality of Wilderness character. The only
developments currently maintained in the Wilderness are facilities that aid in refuge research activities. The
Wilderness in Alaska Maritime NWR provides unparalleled opportunities for scientific research. One of the refuges
biggest challenges for managing Wilderness has been, and will continue to be, minimizing the impacts of research
in Wilderness areas.
The Wilderness character monitoring protocol established in this report can be used to acknowledge changes in
Wilderness character in Alaska Maritime NWR over time. The plan consists of 20 measures in total (4
Undeveloped, 6 Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation, 4 Untrammeled and 6 Natural). Although this list
is not exhaustive, the measures selected represent the most significant and measurable features of Wilderness in
Alaska Maritime NWR and adequately represent the qualities of Wilderness character.
Wherever possible, measures were developed from data that is already collected by refuge staff. However,
balancing ease of implementation with data adequacy in developing these measures was challenging. The vast
expanse of Wilderness not only makes data collection difficult but also affects our ability to generalize trends
throughout the refuge.
In light of these issues, the results generated from Wilderness character monitoring in this refuge should primarily
be used to bring attention to potential issues. In most cases, further analysis will be required to determine where
and if the condition of Wilderness character is changing. This report was nonetheless an essential first step toward
compiling knowledge about the Wilderness in Alaska Maritime NWR. As additional or more precise information
becomes regularly available to refuge staff, it can be incorporated into the Wilderness Character monitoring
protocol. Implementation of this plan will promote Wilderness stewardship and support future management
decisions in the Alaska Maritime Wilderness.
APPENDIX A: List of Wilderness Islands by Refuge Unit
Aleutian Islands Unit
Attu Skagul Chisak Amukta Amak Island and Sealion Rocks
Agattu Tag Umak Chagulak Unimak*
Alaid Ugidak Anagaksik Yunaska Gunboat
Nizki Gramp Aziak Herbert Telemitz
Buldir Ilak Tanaklak Carlisle Peterson
Kiska Tanaga Asuksak Chuginadak Mary
Sobaka Rock Kanaga Kanu Corwin Sisters Islands
Little Kiska Bobrof Box Uliaga Lida
Tanadak Ringgold Tagadak Kagamil Princess Rock
Segula Staten Great Sitkin Vsevidof Trinity Islands
Khvostof Argonne Igitkin Kigul Long
Pyramid Dora Ulak Ogchul Rabbit
Davidof North Chugul Ship Rock Wanda
Rat South Fenimore Rock Pustoi Elma
Little Sitkin Green Tagalak Emerald Inikla
Amchitka Ina Ikiginak Islands offshore of Unalaska
Umla
Bird Rock Sea Parrot Oglodak Buck Caton
Semisopochnoi Channell Kasatochi Ogangen
Amatignak Eddy Koniuji Bogoslof
Tanadak Crone Salt Fire
Ulak Island North of Elf Atka Egg
Unalga Elf Amlia Old Man Rock
Dinkum Rocks Adak Sagagik Avatanak
Kavalga Kagalaska Tanadak Kaligagan
Gareloi Silak Agligadak Ugamak
Ogliuga Little Tanaga Seguam Islands offshore of Aiktak
*Unimak is managed by the Izemback NWR. A Wilderness Character Assessment for this Wilderness was
completed in 2011
Alaska Peninsula Unit
Simeonof
Semidi Islands
Gulf of Alaska Unit
Chisik
Duck
St. Lazaria
Hazy Islands
Forrester Island
Bering Sea Unit
Hall
St. Matthew
Pinnacle
Chukchi Sea Unit
Puffin Island
Chamisso Island
APPENDIX B: Inventory of Structures
Aleutian Islands Unit
Attu FWS Cabin (deteriorating)
Buldir Annual Monitoring Camp
Little Sitkin AVO Site
Gareloi AVO Site
Tanaga AVO Site
Kanaga
Cabin
Cabin
AVO Site
Adak U.S. CG Navigation Marker
Great Sitkin AVO Site
Igitkin AVO Site
Amlia Native-built Cabin
Bogoslof Cabin
Sealion Rock U.S. CG Navigation Marker
Caton Cabin
Shed
Seguam Concrete lighthouse foundation
TOTAL 17
*Only include post Wilderness designation (1980) structures in this unit.
Alaska Peninsula Unit
Chowiet
Cabin
Outhouse
Walled tent
Weatherport platform
Simeonof Ranch house (half collapsed)
Fencing
TOTAL 6
Gulf of Alaska Unit
St. Lazaria
Cabin
Tent platform
Camera mount and antenna
12x12 cement pad from WWII
Trash pile from WWII
Steel rods anchored to rock
I-bolts
Monument marker
Graffiti on Petrel island
Lowry
Cabin
Tent platform
Outhouse
Chisik Refuge Boundary sign
TOTAL 13
NOTE: The Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea Units have no known developments in Wilderness
APPENDIX C: Threatened, Endangered, and red-listed Audubon Alaska WatchList Species
Designation Species Aleutian Islands
Alaska Peninsula
Gulf of Alaska
Bering Sea
Chukchi Sea
E Steller Sea Lion Eumetopias jubatus
x x x x
E Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae
x
T Polar Bear Ursus maritimus
x
T Northern Sea Otter Enhydra lutris kenyoni
x x x
R Red Faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax urile
x x x x
R Common Eider (Pacific) Somateria mollissima v-nigrum
x x x
R Rock Sandpiper Subspecies Calidris ptilocnemis ptilocnemis
x
R Aleutian Tern Onychoprion aleuticus
x x
R Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus
x x
R Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris
x x x
T Steller's Eider Polysticta stelleri
x
E = Federally Endangered
T = Federally Threatened
R = Audubon Alaska WatchList Red-List Species
Threatened or endangered species that were
excluded from this measure because they do not
make direct use of Wilderness areas include: Blue
Whale; Bowhead Whole, Cook Inlet Beluga Whale,
Fin Whale, North Pacific Right Whale, Sei What,
Short-tailed Albatross, Sperm Whale, Spectacled
Eider, Steller’s Eider, Aleutian Shield Fern.
APPENDIX D: Priority Ranking of All Measures Considered
The following criteria are used to assign priority to each potential measure:
A. Level of significance (the measure is highly relevant to the quality and indicator of wilderness character, and is
highly useful for managing the wilderness):
High = 3 points Medium = 2 points
Low = 1 point
B. Level of vulnerability (measures an attribute of wilderness character that currently is at risk, or might likely be
at risk over 10-15 years):
High = 3 points Medium = 2 points
Low = 1 point
C. Degree of reliability (the measure can be monitored accurately with a high degree of confidence, and would
yield the same result if measured by different people at different times):
High = 3 points Medium = 2 points
Low = 1 point
D. Degree of feasibility (the measure is related to an existing effort or could be monitored without significant
additional effort):
High = 1 point Low = 0 point
(if 0 is given, do not use)
POTENTIAL MEASURE Criteria for Prioritizing Potential Measures OVERALL
SCORE A. Significance B. Vulnerability C. Reliability D. Feasibility
UNTRAMMELED QUALITY
Indicator: Authorized actions that manipulate the biophysical environment Measure: Number of acres of land managed for invasive species
3 2 3 1 9
Indicator: Authorized actions that manipulate the biophysical environment Measure: Number of research, survey, and monitoring projects that manipulate plants, wildlife or habitat
3 1 2 1 7
Indicator: Authorized actions that manipulate the biophysical environment Measure: Number of acres of FUDS in Wilderness
3 3 3 1 10
Indicator: Unauthorized actions that manipulate the biophysical environment Measure: Number of unauthorized actions with the intent to manipulate the biophysical environment
3 1 1 0 5
NATURAL QUALITY
Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities Measure: Number of federally threatened or endangered and red-listed Audubon Alaska WatchList species
3 3 3 1 10
Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities Measure: Number of populations of monitored bird species in decline
3 3 3 1 10
Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities Measure: Number of islands with invasive species
3 2 3 1 9
Indicator: Plant and animal species and communities Measure: Number of shipwrecks that impact the environment in the Wilderness
2 1 3 1 7
Indicator: Physical resources Measure: Air quality
3 2 3 1 9
Indicator: Physical resources Measure: Number of distinct man-made environmental hazards mitigated or removed from Wilderness
3 3 1 0 Not
feasible
Indicator: Biophysical processes Measure: Ice cover index
3 3 3 1 10
UNDEVELOPED QUALITY
Indicator: Non-recreational structures, installations, or developments Measure: Number of installations, structures or developments in Wilderness
3 1 2 1 7
Indicator: Non-recreational structures, installations, or developments Measure: Miles of travel routes within Wilderness
2 1 1 0 4
Indicator: Inholdings Measure: Number of mixed ownership islands
3 2 3 1 9
Indicator: Inholdings Measure: Total number of acres of Wilderness
2 2 3 1 8
Indicator: Use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, or mechanical transport Measure: Index of motorized equipment and mechanical transport in Wilderness
3 2 2 1 8
SOLITUDE OR PRIMITIVE AND UNCONFINED RECREATION QUALITY
Indicator: Remoteness from sights and sounds of people inside the wilderness Measure: Number of distinct groups or individuals who use or occupy the Wilderness
2 1 1 1 5
Indicator: Remoteness from sights and sounds of people inside the wilderness Measure: Marine debris
3 2 2 1 8
Indicator: Remoteness from occupied and modified areas outside the wilderness Measure: Average number of watercraft adjacent to Wilderness
3 2 1 1 7
Indicator: Remoteness from occupied and modified areas outside the wilderness Measure: Average number of aircraft flights over Wilderness
3 2 1 1 7
Indicator: Remoteness from occupied and modified areas outside the wilderness Measure: Population density in the vicinity of Wilderness
1 1 2
Indicator: Remoteness from occupied and modified areas outside the wilderness Measure: Number of shipwrecks impacting a visitor’s sense of solitude 1 1 2
Indicator: Facilities that decrease self-reliant recreation Measure: Agency-provided recreation facilities
3 1 3 1 8
Indicator: Management restrictions on visitor behavior Measure: Number of restrictions on visitor behavior imposed by the refuge
3 1 3 1 8
APPENDIX E: Summary of Effort Required for Wilderness Character Monitoring
Quality Indicator Measure
Were data gathered from office paper files, computer
files, or field work (professional judgment is
an option)?
Time you spent gathering data for
each measure (in whole hours)
Comments
Un
tram
mel
ed
Authorized actions Number of acres of land managed for invasive species
Invasive species biologist 1
Authorized actions Number of research, survey, and monitoring projects that manipulate plants, wildlife or habitat
paper files and refuge staff 1 Compile knowledge from staff members
Authorized actions Number of acres of FUDS in Wilderness
computer files 2
Unauthorized actions Number of unauthorized actions with the intent to manipulate the biophysical environment
PLACEHOLDER MEASURE 0 this measure is not feasible
Nat
ura
l
Plant and animal species Number of federally threatened or endangered and red-listed Audubon Alaska WatchList species
computer files 1
Plant and animal species Number of populations of monitored bird species in decline
paper files 1
Plant and animal species Number of islands with invasive species
invasive species biologist 2
Plant and animal species Number of shipwrecks that impact the environment in the Wilderness
computer files 1
Physical resources Air quality computer files 1
Biophysical processes Ice cover index computer files 0
Un
dev
elo
ped
Non-recreational structures, installations, and developments
Number of installations, structures or developments in Wilderness
refuge staff 3 Compile knowledge from staff members
Inholdings Total number of acres of Wilderness computer files 1
Inholdings Number of mixed ownership islands computer files 1
Use of motorized or mechanical
Index of motorized equipment and mechanical transport in Wilderness
paper files 2 recorded by field crew
Solit
ud
e +
Remoteness from inside Number of distinct groups or individuals who use or occupy the Wilderness
paper files and refuge staff 1 Compile knowledge from staff members
Remoteness from inside Marine debris field work 5 recorded by field crew
Remoteness from outside Average number of watercraft adjacent to Wilderness
field work 0
Remoteness from outside Average number of aircraft flights over Wilderness
field work 0
Facilities that decrease self-reliant recreation
Agency-provided recreation facilities N/A 0
Management restrictions on visitor behavior
Number of restrictions on visitor behavior imposed by the refuge
N/A 0
Effort by Refuge Staff:
Title of staff involved in identifying, prioritizing, and selecting measures
Staff time to identify, prioritize, and select measures (in whole hours)
Refuge Manager 5
Assistant Manager (Permits, Lands, Law Enforcement) 7
APPENDIX F: Data Sources and Protocols for All Measures Used
Measures that earned a priority ranking score of 9 or 10 received High Priority Measures that earned a priority ranking score of 7 or 8 received Medium priority Measures that earned a priority ranking score of 5 or 6 received Medium priority
Measure Priority (H, M, L)
Detailed Description of the Data Source(s) and Protocols for How the Data Were Gathered
Untrammeled Quality
Number of acres of land managed for invasive species
H Determine the total number of acres of Wilderness managed for invasive species each year.
Number of research, survey, and monitoring projects that manipulate plants, wildlife or habitat
M Include projects that manipulate plants, wildlife, or habitat by fencing, removing, or disturbing vegetation, handling wildlife, or cause other disturbances to the environment inside the Wilderness.
Number of acres of FUDS in Wilderness
H Approximate the total number of acres of FUDS in Wilderness
Number of unauthorized actions with the intent to manipulate the biophysical environment
L
This measure is a general catch all category for unauthorized actions in the refuge that manipulate the biophysical environment. This measure is a low priority for the refuge. Gathering reliable data for this measure is unrealistic, but the WCM database requires that each indicator have a measure
Natural Quality
Number of federally threatened or endangered and red-listed Audubon Alaska WatchList species
H Record the number of federally threatened or endangered species and the number of Red Listed species on the Audubon Alaska WatchList that depend on Wilderness areas in each refuge unit.
Number of populations of monitored bird species in decline
H
Count the number of species with declining population trends over the past decade in each unit as indicated by the Recent Population Trends table presented in the executive summary of the refuge annual reports (Breeding Status, Population Trends, and Diets of Seabirds in Alaska).
Number of islands with invasive species
H Count the number of islands that are known to have invasive species. Count each island once per species.
Number of shipwrecks that impact the environment in the Wilderness
M Record the number of shipwrecks that affect the Wilderness each year. A wreck can have 2 long term impacts on Wilderness: oil spills, invasive species introductions. Count each wreck once per impact.
Air quality H Provided by FWS Department of Inventory and Monitoring
Ice cover index H Record the ice cover index determined by Bering Climate: A current view of the Bering Sea Ecosystem and Climate
Number of installations, structures or developments in Wilderness
M
Count the number of structures, installations and developments in Wilderness in each refuge unit. Only count the number of installations, structures and developments in Wilderness with origins that are post-Wilderness designation (1980) in the Aleutian islands unit.
Number of mixed ownership islands
H Count the number of mixed-ownership islands that have area designated as Wilderness
Total number of acres of Wilderness
M Using currently licensed GIS software, determine the total number of acres under Wilderness designation.
Index of motorized equipment and mechanical transport in Wilderness
M Multiply the number of days that a particular type of equipment is used each year by its relative weight.
Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Quality
Number of distinct groups or individuals who use or occupy the Wilderness
L
Count the number of distinct uses of Wilderness including the number of special use permits issued that indicate occupation of Wilderness areas, refuge research sites, or other known users of Wilderness each year.
Marine debris M
Determine the average number of items of marine debris identified per survey site in each unit, regardless of size or material, from annual shoreline surveys as prescribed by the NOAA Marine Debris Shoreline Survey Field Guide.
Average number of watercraft adjacent to Wilderness
M Field crew should record the number of boats seen or heard each day of the field season to determine the average number of watercraft that passes near wilderness each day
Average number of aircraft flights over Wilderness
M See above
Agency-provided recreation facilities
M Count the number of facilities provided and maintained by refuge staff for visitor use.
Number of restrictions on visitor behavior imposed by the refuge
M Count the number of restrictions that Alaska Maritime NWR imposes on visitors that are supplemental to the Wilderness Act, ANILCA, other legislation or statewide restrictions