Document J35v8qe3b7d7D2qygnkannykZ

Conversation Contents USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report -- Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017 Attachments: 155. USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report - Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017/1.1 USGS Briefing Paper OFR Summary of Wildlife Research 1002 Area.1.17.2018.DOCX 155. USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report - Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017/3.1 Brief Update of USGS 2002 Report on Wildlife of 1002 Area.docx "Taylor, Joanne" <jctaylor@usgs.gov> From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Attachments: 'Taylor, Joanne" <jctaylor@usgs.gov> Wed Jan 17 2018 11:12:44 GMT-0700 (MST) William Lukas <wlukas@usgs.gov> Judy Nowakowski <jnowakowski@usgs.gov>, "Kinsinger, Anne" <akinsinger@usgs.gov>, Geoffrey Plumlee <gplumlee@usgs.gov>, Paul Laustsen <plaustsen@usgs.gov>, Christian Zimmerman <czimmerman@usgs.gov>, Dee Williams <dmwilliams@usgs.gov>, Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usgs.gov>, Betsy Hildebrandt <bhildebrandt@usgs.gov>, Yvette Gillies <ygillies@usgs.gov>, Aimee Devaris <adevaris@usgs.gov>, William Werkheiser <whwerkhe@usgs.gov>, "Applegate, David" <applegate@usgs.gov>, Leslie Jones <ljones@usgs.gov> USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report -- Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017 USGS Briefing Paper OFR Summary of Wildlife Research 1002 Area.1.17.2018.DOCX ' Bill Lukas -- Please share the attached briefing paper with Water and Science. The subject OpenFile Report (OFR) has received bureau approval. We hope to release it later this week. Please note: * Aimee reminded US that this publication originated as an update for the Congressional Research Service last June, so this material should look familiar (we sent a briefing paper then too). * We plan to share the report with our partners (FWS, BLM, BOEM) later this week. We expect it will be strongly leveraged by FWS and BLM as they identify science needs in ANWR to support the management plan soon to be developed for the 1002. * The OFR does not yet have a number. Please let us know if there are any questions or interest in a briefing. -- Thanks, Joanne Joanne C. Taylor, USGS Deputy Chief of Staff, Reston, VA 703-648-6837; jctaylor@usas.gov "Lukas, William" <wlukas@usgs.gov> From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: "Lukas, William" <wlukas@usgs.gov> Wed Jan 17 2018 11:46:24 GMT-0700 (MST) 'Taylor, Joanne" <jctaylor@usgs.gov> Judy Nowakowski <jnowakowski@usgs.gov>, "Kinsinger, Anne" <akinsinger@usgs.gov>, Geoffrey Plumlee <gplumlee@usgs.gov>, Paul Laustsen <plaustsen@usgs.gov>, Christian Zimmerman <czimmerman@usgs.gov>, Dee Williams <dmwilliams@usgs.gov>, Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usgs.gov>, Betsy Hildebrandt <bhildebrandt@usgs.gov>, Yvette Gillies <ygillies@usgs.gov>, Aimee Devaris <adevaris@usgs.gov>, William Werkheiser <whwerkhe@usgs.gov>, "Applegate, David" <applegate@usgs.gov>, Leslie Jones <ljones@usgs.gov> Re: USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report -- Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017 Thanks. Will do. Can someone point me to the briefing paper we shared in June? Thanks! *************** *** Bill Lukas | 202-208-4457 USGS Liaison to Water & Science asv/s liaison@usas.aov On Wed, Jan 17, 2018 at 1:12 PM, Taylor, Joanne <jctaylor@usgs.gov> wrote: Bill Lukas ~ Please share the attached briefing paper with Water and Science. The subject Open-File Report (OFR) has received bureau approval. We hope to release it later this week. Please note: * Aimee reminded US that this publication originated as an update for the Congressional Research Service last June, so this material should look familiar (we sent a briefing paper then too). * We plan to share the report with our partners (FWS, BLM, BOEM) later this week. We expect it will be strongly leveraged by FWS and BLM as they identify science needs in ANWR to support the management plan soon to be developed for the 1002. * The OFR does not yet have a number. Please let us know if there are any questions or interest in a briefing. -- Thanks, Joanne Joanne C. Taylor, USGS Deputy Chief of Staff, Reston, VA 703-648-6837; jctaylor@usgs.gov Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usgs.gov>______________________________ From: Sent: _ . ' Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usgs.gov> Wed Jan 17 2018 13:12:16 GMT-0700 (MST) William Lukas <wlukas@usgs.gov>,Joanne Taylor <jctaylor@usgs.gov> CC: Subject: Attachments: Judy Nowakowski <jnowakowski@usgs.gov>, Anne Kinsinger <akinsinger@usgs.gov>, Geoffrey Plumlee <gplumlee@usgs.gov>, Paul Laustsen <plaustsen@usgs.gov>, Christian Zimmerman <czimmerman@usgs.gov>, Dee Williams <dmwilliams@usgs.gov>, Betsy Hildebrandt <bhildebrandt@usgs.gov>, Yvette Gillies <ygillies@usgs.gov>, Aimee Devaris <adevaris@usgs.gov>, William Werkheiser <whwerkhe@usgs.gov>, David Applegate <applegate@usgs.gov>, Leslie Jones <ljones@usgs.gov> RE: USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017 Brief Update of USGS 2002 Report on Wildlife of 1002 Area.docx Hi Bill, Attached is the briefing paper we submitted back in June on this report. Thanks, and let me know if you need anything else! ~Durelle From: Lukas, William rmailto:wlukas@usas.aov1 Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2018 9:46 AM To: Taylor, Joanne <ictavlor@usas.aov> Cc: Judy Nowakowski <inowakowski@usas.aov>: Kinsinger, Anne <akinsinaer@usas.aov>: Geoffrey Plumlee <aplumlee@usas.aov>: Paul Laustsen <plaustsen@usas.aov>: Christian Zimmerman <czimmerman@usas.aov>: Dee Williams <dmwilliams@usas.aov>: Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usas.aov>: Betsy Hildebrandt <bhildebrandt@usas.aov>: Yvette Gillies <vaillies@usas.aov>: Aimee Devaris <adevaris@usas.aov>: William Werkheiser <whwerkhe@usas.aov>: Applegate, David <appleaate@usas.aov>: Leslie Jones <liones@usas.aov> Subject: Re: USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report -- Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017 Thanks. Will do. Can someone point me to the briefing paper we shared in June? Thanks! Bill Lukas | 202-208-4457 USGS Liaison to Water & Science asws liaison@usas.aov On Wed, Jan 17, 2018 at 1:12 PM, Taylor, Joanne <ictavlor@usgs.gov> wrote: Bill Lukas -- Please share the attached briefing paper with Water and Science. The subject Open-File Report (OFR) has received bureau approval. We hope to release it later this week. Please note: * Alinee reminded US that this publication originated as an update for the Congressional Research Sendee last June, so this material should look familiar (we sent a briefing paper then too). * We plan to share the report with our partners (FWS. BLM. BOEM) later this week. We expect it will be strongly leveraged by FWS and BLM as they identify science needs in ANWR to support the management plan soon to be developed for the 1002. * The OFR does not yet have a number. Please let us know if there are any questions or interest in a briefing. -- Thanks. Joanne Joanne C. Taylor, USGS Deputy Chief of Staff, Reston, VA 703-648-6837; ictavlor@usgs.gov "Lukas, William" <wlukas@usgs.gov> From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Great! Thank you. "Lukas, William" <wlukas@usgs.gov> Wed Jan 17 2018 13:15:02 GMT-0700 (MST) Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usgs.gov> Joanne Taylor <jctaylor@usgs.gov>, Judy Nowakowski <jnowakowski@usgs.gov>, Anne Kinsinger <akinsinger@usgs.gov>, Geoffrey Plumlee <gplumlee@usgs.gov>, Paul Laustsen <plaustsen@usgs.gov>, Christian Zimmerman <czimmerman@usgs.gov>, Dee Williams <dmwilliams@usgs.gov>, Betsy Hildebrandt <bhildebrandt@usgs.gov>, Yvette Gillies <ygillies@usgs.gov>, Aimee Devaris <adevaris@usgs.gov>, William Werkheiser <whwerkhe@usgs.gov>, David Applegate <applegate@usgs.gov>, Leslie Jones <ljones@usgs.gov> Re: USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report -- Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017 Bill Lukas | 202-208-4457 USGS Liaison to Water & Science asv/s liaison@usas.gov On Wed, Jan 17, 2018 at 3:12 PM, Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usgs.gov> wrote: Hi Bill, Attached is the briefing paper we submitted back in June on this report. Thanks, and let me know if you need anything else! ~Durelle From: Lukas, William [mailto:wlukas(g)usas.aov1 Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2018 9:46 AM To: Taylor, Joanne <ictavlor@usas.aov> Cc: Judy Nowakowski <inowakowski@usas.aov>: Kinsinger, Anne <akinsinaer@usas.aov>: Geoffrey Plumlee <aplumlee@usas.aov>: Paul Laustsen <plaustsen@usas.aov>: Christian Zimmerman <czimmerman@usas.aov>: Dee Williams <dmwilliams@usas.aov>: Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usas.aov>: Betsy Hildebrandt <bhildebrandt@usas.aov>: Yvette Gillies <vaillies@usas.aov>: Aimee Devaris <adevaris@usas.aov>: William Werkheiser <whwerkhe@usas.aov>: Applegate, David <appleaate@usas.aov>: Leslie Jones <liones@usas.aov> Subject: Re: USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report -- Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017 Thanks. Will do. Can someone point me to the briefing paper we shared in June? Thanks! Bill Lukas | 202-208-4457 USGS Liaison to Water & Science asv/s liaison@usgs.gov On Wed, Jan 17, 2018 at 1:12 PM, Taylor, Joanne <ictavloi@usgs.gov> wrote: Bill Lukas -- Please share the attached briefing paper with Water and Science. The subject Open-File Report (OFR) has received bureau approval. We hope to release it later this week. Please note: * Aimee reminded US that this publication originated as an update for the Congressional Research Sendee last June, so this material should look familiar (we sent a briefing paper then too). * We plan to share the report with our partners (FWS. BLM, BOEM) later this week. We expect it will be strongly leveraged by FWS and BLM as they identify science needs in ANWR to support the management plan soon to be developed for the 1002. * The OFR does not yet have a number. Please let us know if there are any questions or interest in a briefing. -- Thanks. Joanne Joanne C. Taylor, USGS Deputy Chief of Staff, Reston, VA 703-648-6837; jctavlor@usgs. gov Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usgs.gov> From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usgs.gov> Wed Jan 17 2018 13:33:12 GMT-0700 (MST) William Lukas <wlukas@usgs.gov> Joanne Taylor <jctaylor@usgs.gov>, Judy Nowakowski <jnowakowski@usgs.gov>, Anne Kinsinger <akinsinger@usgs.gov>, Geoffrey Plumlee <gplumlee@usgs.gov>, Paul Laustsen <plaustsen@usgs.gov>, Christian Zimmerman <czimmerman@usgs.gov>, Dee Williams <dmwilliams@usgs.gov>, Betsy Hildebrandt <bhildebrandt@usgs.gov>, Yvette Gillies <ygillies@usgs.gov>, Aimee Devaris <adevaris@usgs.gov>, William Werkheiser <whwerkhe@usgs.gov>, David Applegate <applegate@usgs.gov>, Leslie Jones <ljones@usgs.gov> RE: USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report -- Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017 Hi Bill, Below is the updated citation - we just received the OFR number for the report. The report should be online in the next day or two. Thanks, Durelle RE: Pearce, J.M., Flint, P.L., Atwood, T.C., Douglas, D.C., Adams, L.G., Johnson, H.E., Arthur, S.M., and Latty, C .J., 2018, Summary of wildlife-related research on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2002-17: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2018-1003, x p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofi-20181003. From: Lukas, William [mailto:wlukas@usas.aovj Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2018 11:15 AM To: Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usas.aov> Cc: Joanne Taylor <ictavlor@usas.aov>: Judy Nowakowski <inowakowski@usas.aov>: Anne Kinsinger <akinsinaer@usas.aov>: Geoffrey Plumlee <aDlumlee@usas.aov>: Paul Laustsen <plaustsen@usas.aov>: Christian Zimmerman <czimmerman@usas.aov>: Dee Williams <dmwilliams@usas.aov>: Betsy Hildebrandt <bhildebrandt@usas.aov>: Yvette Gillies <vaillies@usas.aov>: Aimee Devaris <adevaris@usas.aov>: William Werkheiser <whwerkhe@usas.aov>: David Applegate <appleaate@usas.aov>: Leslie Jones <liones@usas.aov> Subject: Re: USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report -- Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017 Great! Thank you. Bill Lukas | 202-208-4457 USGS Liaison to Water & Science asws liaison@usas.aov On Wed, Jan 17, 2018 at 3:12 PM, Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usgs.gov> wrote: Hi Bill, Attached is the briefing paper we submitted back in June on this report. Thanks, and let me know if you need anything else! ~Durelle From: Lukas, William rmailto:wlukas@usas.aovl Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2018 9:46 AM To: Taylor, Joanne <ictavlor@usas.aov> Cc: Judy Nowakowski <inowakowski@usas.aov>: Kinsinger, Anne <akinsinaer@usas.aov>: Geoffrey Plumlee <aplumlee@usas.aov>: Paul Laustsen <plaustsen@usas.aov>: Christian Zimmerman <czimmerman@usas.aov>: Dee Williams <dmwilliams@usas.aov>: Durelle Smith <dpsmith@usas.aov>: Betsy Hildebrandt <bhildebrandt@usas.aov>: Yvette Gillies <vaillies@usas.aov>: Aimee Devaris <adevaris@usas.aov>: William Werkheiser <whwerkhe@usas.aov>: Applegate, David <appleaate@usas.aov>: Leslie Jones <liones@usas.aov> Subject: Re: USGS Briefing Paper on upcoming Open-File Report -- Summary of wildlife-related research in the 1002 Area of ANWR, 2002-2017 Thanks. Will do. Can someone point me to the briefing paper we shared in June? Thanks! *************** *** Bill Lukas | 202-208-4457 USGS Liaison to Water & Science asws liaison@usas.aov On Wed, Jan 17, 2018 at 1:12 PM, Taylor, Joanne <ictavloi@usgs.gov> wrote: Bill Lukas -- Please share the attached briefing paper with Water and Science. The subject Open-File Report (OFR) has received bureau approval. We hope to release it later this week. Please note: * Aimee reminded US that this publication originated as an update for the Congressional Research Sendee last June, so this material should look familiar (we sent a briefing paper then too). * We plan to share the report with our partners (FWS. BLM. BOEM) later this week. We expect it will be strongly leveraged by FWS and BLM as they identify science needs in ANWR to support the management plan soon to be developed for the 1002. * The OFR does not yet have a number. Please let us know if there are any questions or interest in a briefing. -- Thanks. Joanne Joanne C. Taylor, USGS Deputy Chief of Staff, Reston, VA 703-648-6837; ictavlor@usgs.gov INFORMATION/BRIEFING MEMORANDUM DATE: FROM. SUBJECT: January 17, 2018 W illiam H. ^V erkheiser, Deputy Director, Exercising the Authority of the Director, U.S. G eological Survey New USGS Open-File Report (OFR) Summarizing W ildlife-related Research in the 1002 Area from 2002-2017 This memorandum informs the Offi ce of the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science about an upcoming USGS OFR that summarizes wildlife-related science conducted in the 1002 Area of the Arctic National W ildlife Refuge (ANWR) from 2002-2017. KEY TAKEAWAYS The 1002 Area of th e Arctic Refuge was opened for oil and gas exploration by the U.S. Congress on December 20, 2017. The legislation requires two lease sales, the first must take place within four years. The USGS recently completed a summary of all publicly available scientific literature regarding wildlife-related research conducted in the 1002 Area from 2002-2017. The USGS has as strong research program in the Arctic to address information needs of Department of the Interior (DOI) agencies. BACKGROUND In 2002, the USGS published a summary of terrestrial wildlife research that was conducted from the 1980s to 2001 in the 1002 Area of AN^VR. T hat report focused primarily on wildlife within the coastal plain of the 1002 A rea, but it also included information from adjacent areas of the Arctic Coastal Plain where oil development took place during the preceding 30 years. The current USGS publication provides an update of the 2002 report by summarizing scientific literature from studies conducted within the 1002 Area from 2002-2017, as well as terrestrial and coastal ecosystems elsewhere on the Arctic Coastal Plain that are relevant to the 1002 A re a. DISCUSSION The new OFR summarizes the results of numerous studies, conducted by the USGS and others, in and adjacent to the 1002 Area of ANWR, which vary in details and conclusions. The report provides an update on earlier research summaries on caribou, forage quality and quantity, polar bears, muskoxen, and snow geese. The report also provides information on new research related to climate, migratory birds, permafrost, coastal erosion, coastal lagoons, fish, water resources, and potential effects of industrial disturbance on wildlife. F rom this literature review, the authors noted evidence for change in status of some wildlife and their habitats, and lack of change for others. F or example, in the 1002 Are a, muskox numbers have decreased and the Porcupine caribou herd has exhibited variation in use of the area during the calving season. Polar bears are now more common onshore in summer and fall because of declines in sea ice in the Beaufort Sea. In a study spanning 25 years, there were no significant changes in vegetation quality and quantity, soil conditions, or permafrost thaw in the coastal plain of the 1002 A rea. Based on studies from the central Arctic Coastal Plain, there are persistent and emerging uncertainties about the long-term effects of energy development for caribou. In contrast, recent studies that examined direct and indirect effects of industrial activities and infrastructure on birds in the central Arcti c Coastal Plain found little effect for the species and disturbances examined, except for the possibili ty of increased predator activity near human developments. POSITION OF INTERESTED PARTIES DOI partners continue to request science information from the USGS relative to wildlife- related issues in the Arctic. Ongoing USGS wildlife-related studies in the Arctic are focused on coastal erosion, wildlife distribution and abundance, wildlife pathogens, habitat change, and response and habituation of wildlife to oil and gas infrastructure. The work in the USGS A rctic research portfolio is at the request of DOI partner agencies (USFWS, BLM, and BOEM) , the State of Alaska, and Al aska Native governments, communities, and co-management councils. W ork is underway to determine the science needs for ANWR USFWS, BLM, and BOEM. n coordination with Citation: Pearce, J.M., Flint, P.L., Atwood, T.C., D ouglas, D.C., Adams, L.G., J ohnson, H.E., A rthur, S.M., and Latty, C.J., 2018. Summary of W ildlife-Related Research Coastal Plain of the Arctic National W 7. U.S. G eological Survey Open File Report 2018- xxxx. INFORMATION/BRIEFING MEMORANDUM DATE: FROM: SUBJECT: June 12, 2017 A imee Devaris, Alaska Regional Director, U.S. G eological Survey USGS report on updated wildlife information for the 1002 Area of th e Arctic National Wi ldlife Refuge This briefing alerts the Director to a recent report by the USGS-Al aska Science Center that updates a 2002 report on the status of terrestrial wildlife (caribou, muskoxen, polar bears) and their habitats within the 1002 Area of the Arctic N ati onal W ildlife Refuge in northern Al aska. KEY TAKEAWAYS USGS has produced a 16 -page report to update the USGS -led 2002 publication entitled, Arctic Refuge Coastal Plain Terrestrial W ildlife Research Summaries The report has been reviewed by three experts within USGS and approved following USGS F undamental Science Practices The report is under review by staff of the U.S. Fi sh and W ildlife Service ^\rctic Refuge The updated summary suggests evidence of change and lack of change in the status and trends of terrestrial wildlife and their habitats in the 1002 Area of th e Arctic Refuge BACKGROUND In 2002, USGS and others provided a summary of wildlife research conducted between the early 1980s and 2001 in the 1002 Area of the Arctic National W ildlife Refuge 2002, substantial research has taken place in the A laskan Arcti c to understand and quantify processes driving changes in animal abundance and distribution, but most research has focused on the National Petroleum Reserve -- Al aska (NPR-A) , due to ongoing oil and gas exploration activities focused there. Until now there has been no update to the 2002 report for the 1002 A rea. In M arch 2017, the USGS provided a briefing to the Congressional Research Service (CRS) on USGS research in the NPRA. The CRS asked what changes have occurred in wildlife abundance and distribution for the 1002 A rea. Therefore, we compiled this report to summarize any changes in terrestrial wildlife since 2002 based on information from the published literature and other public sources. The update suggests there is evidence of both change and lack of change in the status and trends of some wildlife species and their habitats in the 1002 A rea. Th ere has been a decrease in the number of muskox and the frequency that the Porcupine caribou herd uses the 1002 Area for calving. Polar bears are now more common on shore due to declines in sea ice in the Southern Beaufort Sea. A retrospective study found no significant changes in vegetation quality and qua ntity, soil conditions or permafrost thaw in the 1002 A rea . Th ere have been no new studies of land cover, predator abundance and distribution, or snow goose numbers since 2002. DISCUSSION The report is currently under review by staff of the U.S. Fish and W ildlife Service ^\rctic Refuge. In time, we plan to incorporate their comments and publish the expanded document as a USGS series repo rt. CONTACT: John Pearce, S upervisory W ildlife Biologist gist jp earce@ @uus gs.gov 907-786-7094