45-595: Noatak National Preserve is a United States National Preserve in northwestern Alaska that was established to protect the Noatak River Basin. The Noatak River system, located just north of the Arctic Circle , is thought to be the last remaining complete river system in the United States that has not been altered by human activities. The roadless basin was proclaimed a United States National Monument in 1978 and
90-638: A National Preserve in 1980 through the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). Noatak National Preserve borders Kobuk Valley National Park on the south and Gates of the Arctic National Park on the east. Unlike the national parks that it borders, sport hunting is allowed in Noatak National Preserve. All of the preserve, except for about 700,000 acres (280,000 ha) east of
135-572: Is a national preserve , both subsistence hunting by local residents and sport hunting by outsiders are permitted in the preserve. If Noatak was a national park, only subsistence hunting would be allowed. Float trips on the Noatak River are a popular way to see the preserve. However, most trips on the Noatak River take place high on the river in Gates of the Arctic National Park, typically from Twelve Mile Creek to Lake Matcherak. Longer trips can continue through
180-548: Is a transition zone for plants and animals between Arctic and subarctic environments. The lower portion of the Noatak valley has areas of boreal forest , but most vegetation is low-growing tundra species. Alpine tundra occurs at high elevation, and moist tundra, the most common condition, supports cottongrass , willows, Labrador tea , mountain alder , dwarf birch and other tundra species at lower elevations. Boggy areas support cranberry , bog rosemary and salmonberry . Wildlife of
225-472: Is composed mainly of shales, limestone and chert, with intrusions of igneous rocks from more recent volcanism. The valleys are composed of limestone, sandstone and siltstone, with deposits of sand, gravel, silt and clay. During the Wisconsonian glaciation the area was incompletely covered by ice, with higher regions glaciated. Permafrost exists in higher regions, becoming patchy at lower levels. Since Noatak
270-806: Is home to ten of them, including the largest, Noatak National Preserve . Their total area is 24,651,566 acres (99,761 km ), 86% of which is in Alaska. All national preserves except Tallgrass Prairie permit hunting in accordance with local regulations. A national preserve differs from a national reserve as management of reserves can be delegated to the state in which they are located. The first national preserves were Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas and Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida, both established in 1974. The Big Cypress Swamp, adjacent to Everglades National Park and originally intended to be included in it,
315-659: Is home to ten of them, including the largest, Noatak National Preserve . Their total area is 24,651,566 acres (99,761 km ), 86% of which is in Alaska. All national preserves except Tallgrass Prairie permit hunting in accordance with local regulations. A national preserve differs from a national reserve as management of reserves can be delegated to the state in which they are located. The first national preserves were Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas and Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida, both established in 1974. The Big Cypress Swamp, adjacent to Everglades National Park and originally intended to be included in it,
360-615: Is more maritime and temperate on the western side of the park, with harsher, more extreme conditions in the east. Archaeological investigations of the Noatak Valley have found artifacts at sites mostly outside of the preserve. Relatively little has been found within the preserve boundaries. A site just outside the preserve has been dated to 11,700 years before present. Discoveries at Bering Land Bridge National Preserve imply human occupation as far back as 13,000 years ago. Similar extrapolation from sites at Cape Krusenstern and at Onion Portage in
405-470: Is no administrative difference. The remaining ten are stand-alone units. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve has a preserve site that is managed like one, but is not distinguished as a national preserve in the authorizing legislation and is not listed here. The Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve is a unique designation that is dissimilar to national preserves. National preserves are located in eleven states; Alaska
450-470: Is no administrative difference. The remaining ten are stand-alone units. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve has a preserve site that is managed like one, but is not distinguished as a national preserve in the authorizing legislation and is not listed here. The Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve is a unique designation that is dissimilar to national preserves. National preserves are located in eleven states; Alaska
495-714: The enabling legislation of the unit. All national preserves are managed by the National Park Service (NPS) as part of the National Park System. Eleven national preserves are co-managed with national parks or national monuments ; because hunting is forbidden in those units, preserves provide a similar level of protection from development but allow hunting and in some cases grazing . Nine of those are counted as separate official units , while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve are each single units, though there
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#1732859285328540-594: The Arctic National Park along the Brooks Range to the north and the Baird Mountains to the south, enclosing the valley of the Noatak River. It is bordered to the north by the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska . The lower valley of the Noatak is not part of the preserve, separating the preserve from Cape Krusenstern National Monument on the coast. The southeast corner of the preserve runs almost to
585-644: The Big Cypress Watershed," though off-road vehicle use, oil extraction, hunting, and traditional use by the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes are permitted. The Big Thicket, a large area of swamps and forests, was originally proposed to be preserved as a state park or national park, but these were opposed by timber firms who wanted to retain their logging lands. A 1967 survey by the National Park Service proposed establishing nine units representative of
630-464: The Big Cypress Watershed," though off-road vehicle use, oil extraction, hunting, and traditional use by the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes are permitted. The Big Thicket, a large area of swamps and forests, was originally proposed to be preserved as a state park or national park, but these were opposed by timber firms who wanted to retain their logging lands. A 1967 survey by the National Park Service proposed establishing nine units representative of
675-802: The Kobuk Valley imply occupation in later times. In historical times the Naupaktomiut portion of the Inupiat people lived in the lower Noatak valley and the Noatagmuit occupied the middle and upper valley. Hunters from the area of Kotzebue and the Kobuk valley visited the Noatak valley as well. Archaeological remains indicate the presence of villages at lake shores in the preserve during the 1600s, which are believed to have been disrupted by disease-induced population decline brought about by contact with Europeans. The lower Noatak
720-2626: The Moon National Monument and Preserve ) 62°30′N 152°18′W / 62.5°N 152.3°W / 62.5; -152.3 ( Denali National Park and Preserve ) 66°54′N 154°42′W / 66.9°N 154.7°W / 66.9; -154.7 ( Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve ) 59°06′N 138°24′W / 59.1°N 138.4°W / 59.1; -138.4 ( Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve ) 37°48′N 105°30′W / 37.8°N 105.5°W / 37.8; -105.5 ( Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve ) 59°06′N 155°12′W / 59.1°N 155.2°W / 59.1; -155.2 ( Katmai National Park and Preserve ) 60°58′N 153°55′W / 60.97°N 153.92°W / 60.97; -153.92 ( Lake Clark National Park and Preserve ) 34°26′N 85°36′W / 34.44°N 85.6°W / 34.44; -85.6 ( Little River Canyon National Preserve ) 34°54′N 115°42′W / 34.9°N 115.7°W / 34.9; -115.7 ( Mojave National Preserve ) 37°52′N 81°02′W / 37.87°N 81.03°W / 37.87; -81.03 ( New River Gorge National Park and Preserve ) 68°00′N 159°30′W / 68°N 159.5°W / 68; -159.5 ( Noatak National Preserve ) 42°06′N 123°23′W / 42.1°N 123.38°W / 42.1; -123.38 ( Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve ) 38°26′N 96°34′W / 38.43°N 96.56°W / 38.43; -96.56 ( Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve ) 30°27′N 81°27′W / 30.45°N 81.45°W / 30.45; -81.45 ( Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve ) 35°54′N 106°30′W / 35.9°N 106.5°W / 35.9; -106.5 ( Valles Caldera National Preserve ) 61°26′N 142°57′W / 61.44°N 142.95°W / 61.44; -142.95 ( Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve ) 65°00′N 143°30′W / 65°N 143.5°W / 65; -143.5 ( Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve ) National preserve There are 21 protected areas of
765-480: The NPS can close areas to such practices as needed. Although hunting was also allowed at most national recreation areas , this was a major change in NPS wildlife management with a fifth of its land now open to it. Five new units were established from 1988 to 2000, two of which are partnerships with local governments and landowners. The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve includes sites owned by Florida State Parks ,
810-434: The NPS can close areas to such practices as needed. Although hunting was also allowed at most national recreation areas , this was a major change in NPS wildlife management with a fifth of its land now open to it. Five new units were established from 1988 to 2000, two of which are partnerships with local governments and landowners. The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve includes sites owned by Florida State Parks ,
855-465: The Noatak tundra includes Alaskan moose , grizzly bears , black bears , wolf packs, Arctic foxes , lemmings , Dall's sheep , vast herds of caribou numbering more than 230,000 individuals, and a variety of birds. Larger birds include Canada geese , tundra swans , white-fronted geese and common , Arctic , yellow-billed and Pacific loons. Predatory birds include rough-legged hawks , gyrfalcons and golden eagles . The central feature of
900-427: The United States designated as national preserves . They were established by an act of Congress to protect areas that have resources often associated with national parks but where certain natural resource -extractive activities such as hunting and mining may be permitted, provided their natural values are preserved. The activities permitted in each national preserve vary depending on the enabling legislation of
945-576: The action after the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) was held up in Congress. In 1980 ANILCA was passed, and was signed into law by Carter on December 2, 1980, converting the monument into a national preserve . No roads enter the preserve. Access is solely by air, boat or walking. The preserve's headquarters are at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue to
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#1732859285328990-434: The area's "natural and ecological integrity in perpetuity," while permitting hunting. Following President Jimmy Carter 's 1978 establishment of 17 national monuments in Alaska, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 redesignated four as national preserves and six as national parks or monuments paired with a preserve. These had been recommended during the legislative process as early as 1974 to resolve
1035-434: The area's "natural and ecological integrity in perpetuity," while permitting hunting. Following President Jimmy Carter 's 1978 establishment of 17 national monuments in Alaska, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 redesignated four as national preserves and six as national parks or monuments paired with a preserve. These had been recommended during the legislative process as early as 1974 to resolve
1080-586: The city of Jacksonville , and private landowners. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is so designated to accommodate a public-private partnership reducing federal land ownership, and it is almost entirely owned by The Nature Conservancy . Valles Caldera National Preserve was originally established in 2000 to be operated by an independent trust, but its management was transferred to the National Park Service in 2015. The four most recently established national preserves were all expansions or redesignations of existing NPS sites. Great Sand Dunes National Monument
1125-586: The city of Jacksonville , and private landowners. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is so designated to accommodate a public-private partnership reducing federal land ownership, and it is almost entirely owned by The Nature Conservancy . Valles Caldera National Preserve was originally established in 2000 to be operated by an independent trust, but its management was transferred to the National Park Service in 2015. The four most recently established national preserves were all expansions or redesignations of existing NPS sites. Great Sand Dunes National Monument
1170-479: The coastline at Hotham Inlet . The distance from the headwaters in Gates of the Arctic National Park to Noatak, Alaska is about 354 miles (570 km). Land ownership within the preserve is mostly federal, with 289,973 acres (117,348 ha) owned by native corporations or under easements. The entire preserve is above the Arctic Circle . Summer weather can have high temperatures of 70 to 80 °F (21 to 27 °C), although snow can occur at any time. The climate
1215-520: The issue of sport hunting at Lake Clark after it was used for Big Thicket and Big Cypress. While this was not the primary factor in the naming of the original national preserves, it presented a compromise to protect scenic lands and allow hunting in the National Park System without breaking precedent in parks and monuments that forbid it. The national preserves are managed in the same way as national parks, except that regulated hunting, fishing, and trapping for sport and subsistence are permitted, though
1260-520: The issue of sport hunting at Lake Clark after it was used for Big Thicket and Big Cypress. While this was not the primary factor in the naming of the original national preserves, it presented a compromise to protect scenic lands and allow hunting in the National Park System without breaking precedent in parks and monuments that forbid it. The national preserves are managed in the same way as national parks, except that regulated hunting, fishing, and trapping for sport and subsistence are permitted, though
1305-561: The preserve is the Noatak River , and is a breeding ground for a variety of commercially important fish. The most widespread salmon species is chum , and pink , chinook and sockeye salmon are found as well. Several kinds of trout are found in deep lakes, with Arctic char and Arctic grayling the most common salmonids in the preserve. Burbot are also found, as are nelma or sheefish, an important species for subsistence fisheries. The Brooks Range has existed since Cretaceous time, and
1350-880: The preserve portions may be substantially smaller. Among these eleven, only Lake Clark and Wrangell–St. Elias have most of their facilities in the preserve. 56°48′N 157°42′W / 56.8°N 157.7°W / 56.8; -157.7 ( Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve ) 65°50′N 164°10′W / 65.83°N 164.17°W / 65.83; -164.17 ( Bering Land Bridge National Preserve ) 25°52′N 81°02′W / 25.86°N 81.03°W / 25.86; -81.03 ( Big Cypress National Preserve ) 30°33′N 94°20′W / 30.55°N 94.34°W / 30.55; -94.34 ( Big Thicket National Preserve ) 42°16′N 113°23′W / 42.26°N 113.38°W / 42.26; -113.38 ( Craters of
1395-880: The preserve portions may be substantially smaller. Among these eleven, only Lake Clark and Wrangell–St. Elias have most of their facilities in the preserve. 56°48′N 157°42′W / 56.8°N 157.7°W / 56.8; -157.7 ( Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve ) 65°50′N 164°10′W / 65.83°N 164.17°W / 65.83; -164.17 ( Bering Land Bridge National Preserve ) 25°52′N 81°02′W / 25.86°N 81.03°W / 25.86; -81.03 ( Big Cypress National Preserve ) 30°33′N 94°20′W / 30.55°N 94.34°W / 30.55; -94.34 ( Big Thicket National Preserve ) 42°16′N 113°23′W / 42.26°N 113.38°W / 42.26; -113.38 ( Craters of
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1440-920: The preserve's establishment, and was withdrawn from the program in June 2017. 330 miles (530 km) of the Noatak, from its source in Gates of the Arctic National Park to the Kelly River in the Noatak National Preserve, were designated a National Wild and Scenic River as part of the ANILCA legislation. National Preserve There are 21 protected areas of the United States designated as national preserves . They were established by an act of Congress to protect areas that have resources often associated with national parks but where certain natural resource -extractive activities such as hunting and mining may be permitted, provided their natural values are preserved. The activities permitted in each national preserve vary depending on
1485-414: The preserve, although the lower river's braided stream presents difficulties beyond Noatak village. There are a few rapids on the river of Class II+, although most of the river is Class I or Class II. Float trip season runs from June or July, when the river thaws, to September. Biting insects are most prevalent in June and July. The 6,569,904-acre (2,658,746 ha) preserve extends westward from Gates of
1530-418: The unit's size ninefold. Ten percent of New River Gorge National River was redesignated a national park where hunting was disallowed, and the remainder became New River Gorge National Preserve with little change. Download coordinates as: Preserves paired with a national park or monument do not have visitation separately recorded. Their combined visitor counts are marked in italics, as the number visiting
1575-418: The unit's size ninefold. Ten percent of New River Gorge National River was redesignated a national park where hunting was disallowed, and the remainder became New River Gorge National Preserve with little change. Download coordinates as: Preserves paired with a national park or monument do not have visitation separately recorded. Their combined visitor counts are marked in italics, as the number visiting
1620-558: The unit. All national preserves are managed by the National Park Service (NPS) as part of the National Park System. Eleven national preserves are co-managed with national parks or national monuments ; because hunting is forbidden in those units, preserves provide a similar level of protection from development but allow hunting and in some cases grazing . Nine of those are counted as separate official units , while New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve are each single units, though there
1665-531: The variety of plant life in the region, but because the thicket was already fragmented by roads and logging, it would not qualify as a national park. National monument was also deemed a suboptimal designation, and compromise on the boundary and management provisions eventually led to its establishment as a national preserve. The bills creating both preserves were signed on the same day by President Gerald Ford and contained similar wording limiting construction, agriculture, and mineral extraction to that still assuring
1710-531: The variety of plant life in the region, but because the thicket was already fragmented by roads and logging, it would not qualify as a national park. National monument was also deemed a suboptimal designation, and compromise on the boundary and management provisions eventually led to its establishment as a national preserve. The bills creating both preserves were signed on the same day by President Gerald Ford and contained similar wording limiting construction, agriculture, and mineral extraction to that still assuring
1755-619: The village of Noatak , has been designated the 5,765,427-acre (2,333,186 ha) Noatak Wilderness. The wilderness is the fourth-largest in the United States, following the Wrangell-Saint Elias Wilderness , the Mollie Beattie Wilderness , and the Gates of the Arctic Wilderness. The preserve includes the transition zone from boreal forest to tundra near the southern edge of the preserve. The Noatak Basin
1800-557: The west of the park on the Bering Sea coast. Offices and visitor services for Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Kobuk Valley National Park are in the same facility. The units are managed together as the Western Arctic National Parklands , with a single Park Service superintendent in charge. A 3,035,200-hectare (7,500,000-acre) portion of the Noatak valley was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1976, prior to
1845-539: Was at risk of destruction by a proposed airport. Opposition by conservationists and studies showing the swamp's role in water protection led to its cancellation after one runway was built, and President Richard Nixon proposed the area's preservation as Big Cypress National Fresh Water Reserve to protect the local water supply. Congressional deliberation resulted in a new designation of a national preserve that bought out private landowners to conserve "the natural, scenic, hydrologic, floral and faunaI, and recreational values of
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1890-539: Was at risk of destruction by a proposed airport. Opposition by conservationists and studies showing the swamp's role in water protection led to its cancellation after one runway was built, and President Richard Nixon proposed the area's preservation as Big Cypress National Fresh Water Reserve to protect the local water supply. Congressional deliberation resulted in a new designation of a national preserve that bought out private landowners to conserve "the natural, scenic, hydrologic, floral and faunaI, and recreational values of
1935-583: Was first explored in 1850 by men from the British survey ship HMS Plover . More surveys took place in 1885. Prospectors arrived in 1898 as a consequence of the Klondike gold rush . In the early 1900s nearly all of the remaining people in the valley concentrated at Noatak. Noatak National Monument was proclaimed on December 1, 1978 by President Jimmy Carter using his authority under the Antiquities Act . Carter took
1980-457: Was redesignated a national park, and the mountainous wilderness area transferred to it from the U.S. Forest Service became the preserve. President Bill Clinton expanded Craters of the Moon National Monument using the Antiquities Act , and most of the expanded area was redesignated a national preserve two years later to permit hunting. Oregon Caves National Monument gained its preserve lands from Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest , increasing
2025-457: Was redesignated a national park, and the mountainous wilderness area transferred to it from the U.S. Forest Service became the preserve. President Bill Clinton expanded Craters of the Moon National Monument using the Antiquities Act , and most of the expanded area was redesignated a national preserve two years later to permit hunting. Oregon Caves National Monument gained its preserve lands from Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest , increasing
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