photo by Johnny Johnson

March 7th you won a great victory in the constant battle for Alaska’s wildlife. The USFWS decided a “No Action” approach is the best protocol for managing Unimak Island’s caribou herd. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, which had unsuccessfully gone to court to be allowed to kill the wolves on the island, has lost in this bid to implement aerial hunting on federal lands in Alaska.

Included in the FONSI (Finding of No Significant Impact) statement issued by Geoffrey Haskett of the USFWS were several allusions to the 95,000 comments received regarding the issue, most of which favored "No Action." This was YOUR effort felt all the way back in Washington, DC!

Additionally, the report noted the only comment received from a resident of the island was also in favor of “No Action.”

Citing other possible factors such as poor forage, poor forage nutrition, weather, overhunting by humans, and predation, the report could find no supporting data to focus on wolves in such a lethal manner. Instead, it noted as a national refuge it should be managed naturally with as little human impact or intervention as possible.

Below you will find links to the FONSI document, an article which appeared recently in the Anchorage Daily News noting how well the Porcupine Caribou Herd is rebounding without any aerial hunting involved, and also a link to Geoffrey Haskett of the USFWS should you wish to send a quick note of thanks for his decision.

• USF&WS Izembek - Unimak Island Caribou Herd links:
  • Selection of Alternative, Finding of No Significant Impact (pdf)
  • News Release (3/7/11) (pdf)
• Alaska-Canada Caribou Herd Growing Strong
  (Anchorage Daily News, 3/5/11)
• Thank Geoffrey Haskett: geoff_haskett@fws.gov

As much as this is a victory for the refuge system and Alaskan wildlife in general, it is also YOUR victory. Enjoy it fully!

Thanks and congratulations. Your comments and petitions made the difference.

Tina M. Brown, President, AWA
Art Greenwalt, Vice President, AWA
John Toppenberg, Executive Director, AWA

Alaska Wildlife Alliance
PO Box 202022
Anchorage, AK 99520-2022
info@akwildlife.org
907-277-0897