NPS File Photo
Managers in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska are trying to gather key information on salmon populations in one of the park's popular rivers, the Bartlett River. The river has seen a two-fold increase in fishing pressure in the past decade, and park managers are concerned about the potential impact on the fishery. The National Park Service has been studying fish populations in the river for many years but the traditional method of having a person stationed at a remote location and counting fish isn't a very efficient or in some cases, an effective, option. Therefore the NPS is considering the use of SONAR to get more accurate data, and to be more efficient with data collection in times of turbid water and low light conditions. Sounds like a great solution, right?
Not so fast. The location where the NPS would like to use SONAR is in federally designated wilderness, and it's possible that this kind of technology isn't compatible with the park's management plans.
From a recent article in National Parks Traveler Magazine:
The park is proposing a four year study (2011-2014); the equipment would be put in place from June through October and removed the rest of the year. The sonar device would be installed about two miles upstream from the locations where most angling activity occurs, so few visitors would be aware of the equipment's presence.
This seems to be a pretty straightforward idea, but the site for the proposed study is located in designated wilderness. As a result, the park will complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzing potential effects of the installation, and the staff is currently inviting public comments.
A park spokesperson noted, "Potential issues to be discussed include wilderness quality and character, impacts to Coho and sockeye salmon, impacts to visitor use and quality of experience, concerns over equipment maintenance and operation, and protection from wildlife." The EA will also analyze other alternatives to use of the sonar equipment.
To read the full article, visit: http://tinyurl.com/3yrarnc
To read the NPS proposal, visit: http://www.nps.gov/glba/parknews/bartlett-river-sonar-proposal.htm
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