NRCS Alaska News

April 13, 2007

In This Issue

April Snow Survey Report: Record Lows in Interior Alaska, Record Highs in Southeast

From NRCS Alaska News Release

NRCS yesterday released its April Snow Survey Report and it shows very mixed conditions across the state.  Parts of Interior Alaska have set record lows for snowfall and snow water content this year, while much of the Southeast is setting record highs, according to Rick McClure, leader of the NRCS’ snow survey program in Alaska.

Low snow records were set in parts of the northern Copper Basin, Upper Susitna Basin, and headwaters of the Koyukuk Basin. In the Lower Yukon, the Tozikaket snow course has record low snow water content. As winter snowpack decreases, the risks of summer fires increases. The Bureau of Land Management monitors the NRCS snowpack data for the purposes of fire prediction.

While the heavy, wet snowpack that covers much of Southeast does carry additional avalanche risks, some communities will benefit when the record snow melt is used in hydro-electricity generation.

Some statistics from Southeast record breakers include:

• The 168 inches of snow depth (14 feet) and 58.8 inches of water content at Petersburg Ridge tops the previous  record of 100 inches of snow depth and 40.0 snow water content set in 1991.
• Petersburg Reservoir also has a new record high with 71 inches of snow and 25.0 inches of snow water content.
• All three snow courses on Douglas Island, located across from Juneau, measured their highest since the record began in 1977. 
• Lake Grace snow course has 252 inches (21 feet) of snow with an estimated 95.8 inches of water content. 
• Long Lake SNOTEL site, located 60 miles southeast of Juneau, measured 165 inches of snow depth and 58.8 inches of water content – or 240% of last year and 149% of average.

The complete April Snow Survey Report with detailed information from all areas of the state can be viewed at www.ambcs.org. Visitors to the site can also find hourly updates on air temperature, precipitation, snow depth and wind speed and other climactic conditions.

Snow Survey data is used to forecast river flow volume, breakup flooding potential, avalanche danger, summer forest fire probability, and fresh water availability for municipalities and power generation.  Snow survey information also contributes to an index on the winter severity with respect to wildlife and reindeer calf survival.

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Upcoming Envirothon Draws Record Participation

The Alaska Envirothon, the state’s largest high school natural resources competition, will take place at Chena Hot Springs April 26.  After preparing in classrooms across the state for the past several months, the students will be challenged with tests in Water Ecology, Soils and Land Use, Forestry, Wildlife and this year’s special topic – Alternative Energy.

This year’s Envirothon includes a record 84 high school students/competitors from Kodiak, Ninilchik, Homer, North Pole, Fairbanks, Kenai and Palmer.  The winning team will receive a $5,000 travel stipend from the Alaska Association of Conservation Districts to attend the national Envirothon competition held July 29 at Hobart & William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY.

Public Affairs Specialist Cassandra Stalzer is coordinating the Envirothon committee of discipline specialists who are charged with identifying study materials and preparing testing stations.  The discipline leaders are NRCS Soil Conservationist Daniel Fisher (water ecology), NRCS Soil Scientist Stephanie Schmit (soils and land use), State of Alaska Forester Stan Vlahovich (forestry), Alaska Village Initiatives Wildlife Biologist Dr. Bill Wall (wildlife), and Chena Hot Springs Engineer Gwen Holdmann (alternative energy).  Other NRCS volunteers include State Conservationist Bob Jones (judge), Soil Conservation Technician Cassidee Hall, and Soil Survey Project Leader Dennis Mulligan.

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Date Set for State Technical Committee Meeting

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will hold a meeting of the State Technical Committee Meeting on May 9, 2007, from 9 a.m. – noon. The meeting will take place in the conference room in the USDA Service center located at 800 W. Evergreen Avenue, Palmer. Teleconferencing will be provided.  The agenda for the meeting includes an update on FY07 Farm Bill Programs and FY08 Sign-Up Deadlines. More information and teleconference coordinates, contact State Resource Conservationist Gene Schock, 761-7715, or Public Affairs Specialist Cassandra Stalzer, 761-7749.

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Rules Regarding NRCS Logo and Photo Use, Non-Discrimination Statement

Requests to Use the NRCS Logo, Information or Photographs

NRCS technical and other information, including photographs, are in the public domain. If photos or information are to be used for noncommercial purposes that provide a public service, credit to NRCS is appreciated but not required.

For requests of a commercial nature – such as NRCS information or imagery being used in a publication to promote a product, service or firm – the credit should accurately reflect our input and must not be an endorsement or appear to be an endorsement. The following wording is to be provided if NRCS participation is to be credited in materials produced by private industry:

“Technical information on natural resource conservation and related subjects was provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Providing this information does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any commercial products or services.”

Because the use of the NRCS logo on these materials may give the appearance of an endorsement, State conservationists need to approve its use. National Instruction 260-307 Cooperative Ventures and Non-Government Entities covers this topic. Navigate to eDirectives and select “National Instructions” to download the guidance.

Usage of the Non-discrimination Statement for NRCS Publications

 All USDA agencies must include the USDA non-discrimination statement on all public information materials. Using the full non-discrimination statement is the preferable, but an authorized, shortened version may be used if space is limited on small publications. For more information please refer to USDA Departmental Regulation 4300-3 Equal Opportunity Public Notification Policy.

Usage of the Non-discrimination Statement for Partner Publications

If an entity receives USDA financial assistance, public information products are to include a non-discrimination statement as well.  Refer to DR 4300-3 for additional information on what is required (the standard USDA statement is not required for these entities).

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Realignment of Central Region

Effective immediately, Michigan and Indiana are now included in the Central Region.  A new map is posted on the national Web site under the “Organization” link under the “About Us” tab.  Organizational chart changes have also been made and will be posted shortly.

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Personnel Actions

Additions

• Mark Delperdang - Soil Con Tech - Delta Junction, from NRCS, Great Falls, MT.

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