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The Bureau of Land Management is revising its 1983 plan for the Delta River and Tangle Lakes in the next couple of years.  To help with this, we are conducting a survey of boaters this winter.

The survey will have questions about.
-- trips on the river / lakes
-- reasons for taking trips
-- crowding, litter, and other impacts
-- acceptable levels of camp and ORV impacts
-- opinions about management options

We are planning to send the survey to names collected from registration boxes at the put-ins over the past five years.  Because not everyone registers their trips, we are also collecting names through "networking" with boating associations, paddling clubs, lodges, boating stores, website forums like this, and contacts in local communities such as Glennallen, Paxson, and Delta.  If you have taken a trip on the Delta River or Tangle Lakes, you can help.  We want to hear from you even if (1) you have only taken one trip on the river; (2) it has been several years since you visited; or (3) you only take day trips on the lakes.

To receive a survey, send your name and mailing address to dougwhit@alaska.net by January 31, 2004.  Alternatively, you can call Doug Whittaker at (907) 346 - 3769.   If you are calling long distance, let me know and I'll call you back to cover the cost.

Thanks very much.  We appreciate your help.


Doug Whittaker, PhD.

Confluence Research and Consulting
6324 Red Tree Circle
Anchorage, Alaska 99507


Additional information about the study and planning effort:

The survey focuses on all of the Congressionally-designated Delta National Wild and Scenic River segments, including:
--- Upper Tangle Lakes (series of lakes south of the Denali Highway)
--- Lower Tangle Lakes (9 miles of lakes north of the Denali Highway)
--- "Wild" Delta River (20 mile reach from Lower Tangle Lakes to Mile 212 of the Richardson Highway)
--- "Recreational" Delta River (17 mile reach along the Richardson Highway to Black Rapids)

The planning effort is separate from the East Alaska Resource Management Plan currently being conducted by BLM, but both plans will be consistent.  Together they will prioritize BLM management in the Delta River corridor.

The study is being conducted by Confluence Research and Consulting for BLM.  Confluence consists of Bo Shelby (Oregon State University professor) and Doug Whittaker (Alaskan recreation researcher).  They have conducted similar studies on many rivers in Alaska and the Lower 48.

The survey will be mailed to participants, and a stamped return envelope will be provided.  The survey should take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete.  There are no right or wrong answers; the best responses are the ones that most clearly reflect your own personal feelings and beliefs.  All of your answers will be kept confidential and never associated with your name.

For more information about the planning effort or survey, please call Bruce Rogers at the Bureau of Land Management, Glennallen Field Office
at (907) 822 - 3217.

Message Thread:

• Delta River / Tangle Lakes boaters needed for surv Doug Whittaker Jan 12 2005