NORTH PACIFIC COASTNORTH PACIFIC COASTALASKA: A POLITICAL ISLANDALASKA: A POLITICAL ISLAND

(CHAPTER 16: PART 2)(CHAPTER 16: PART 2)

NORTH PACIFIC COAST

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION Based on rugged topography and the lack of overland Based on rugged topography and the lack of overland

connections, coastal southern Alaska remains relatively connections, coastal southern Alaska remains relatively isolated from the rest of the region. isolated from the rest of the region.

Alaska is as close to Japan as it is to CONUSAlaska is as close to Japan as it is to CONUS AnchorageAnchorage is home to 1 in 3 Alaskans. is home to 1 in 3 Alaskans. The economy is The economy is notnot based totally on the "primary based totally on the "primary

activities" of lumbering, fishing, and mining. activities" of lumbering, fishing, and mining. DODDOD is easily the dominant employer in the state. is easily the dominant employer in the state.

Alaska boasts a tremendous variety of Alaska boasts a tremendous variety of natural natural resourcesresources..

Hosts a large number of national parks and preserves, Hosts a large number of national parks and preserves, and is also recognized as being America's “and is also recognized as being America's “last last frontierfrontier.”.”

RELATIVELOCATION

RELATIVELOCATION

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE STRUGGLE FOR ALASKA'S LANDALASKA'S LAND

Continuous controversyContinuous controversy over the issues over the issues of...of... developing developing natural resourcesnatural resources safeguarding the safeguarding the last frontierlast frontier protecting and preserving the traditional protecting and preserving the traditional

way of life of the state's way of life of the state's native native populationpopulation

the the State's rightsState's rights to pursue economic to pursue economic development through exploitation of its development through exploitation of its natural resourcesnatural resources

KEY PLAYERSKEY PLAYERS

Federal Federal GovernmentGovernment

State GovernmentState Government EnvironmentalistsEnvironmentalists Native AlaskansNative Alaskans DevelopersDevelopers HomesteadersHomesteaders

KEY EVENTS KEY EVENTS (Chronology)(Chronology)

18671867: The U.S. acquires Alaska from : The U.S. acquires Alaska from RussiaRussia.. 18841884: : Alaska Organic ActAlaska Organic Act - Declared that - Declared that

Indians and EskimosIndians and Eskimos in the territory shall not in the territory shall not be disturbed in possession of lands actually in be disturbed in possession of lands actually in their use or occupation or now claimed by them.their use or occupation or now claimed by them.

19581958: Year of statehood.: Year of statehood. 19581958: : Alaska Statehood ActAlaska Statehood Act - Granted the - Granted the

state the right to select 104 million acres by state the right to select 104 million acres by 1983 for state use, ignoring Indian and Eskimo 1983 for state use, ignoring Indian and Eskimo claims.claims.

19681968: : PetroleumPetroleum discovered at Prudhoe Bay discovered at Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope.on the North Slope.

KEY EVENTS KEY EVENTS (Chronology)(Chronology)

19711971: Congress passed the : Congress passed the Alaskan Alaskan Native Land Claims Settlement ActNative Land Claims Settlement Act, , which provided one billion dollars and 44 which provided one billion dollars and 44 million acres.million acres.

19801980: Congress passed the : Congress passed the Conservation Conservation ActAct (a major compromise between interest (a major compromise between interest groups) which provided for 104 million acres groups) which provided for 104 million acres of parks and refuges and 57 million acres of parks and refuges and 57 million acres specified as wilderness.specified as wilderness.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIESSTRATEGIES

PreservationPreservation - The practice of removing from - The practice of removing from use, those resources which need full protection. use, those resources which need full protection. The The limited or non-uselimited or non-use of a resource for the of a resource for the purpose of saving it for the future.purpose of saving it for the future.

ConservationConservation - The wise use or careful - The wise use or careful management of resources so as to management of resources so as to balancebalance use use with protection.with protection.

ExploitationExploitation - The practice which advocates - The practice which advocates full or unlimited usefull or unlimited use of a resource. of a resource.

KEY CONCEPTSKEY CONCEPTS Multiple UseMultiple Use

The use of lands for as many different The use of lands for as many different purposes as possible to gain maximum benefit purposes as possible to gain maximum benefit from them.from them.

WildernessWilderness Lands that have not been affected by human Lands that have not been affected by human

activity and are protected from future use.activity and are protected from future use. Boom and Bust EconomyBoom and Bust Economy

The cycles of rapid growth and catastrophic The cycles of rapid growth and catastrophic decline often associated with mineral decline often associated with mineral extraction industries.extraction industries.

The effects of the cyclical nature of their The effects of the cyclical nature of their economy are a major concern to native economy are a major concern to native Alaskans.Alaskans.

NORTH PACIFIC COASTNORTH PACIFIC COASTALASKA: A POLITICAL ISLANDALASKA: A POLITICAL ISLAND

(CHAPTER 16: PART 2)(CHAPTER 16: PART 2)