3.0 Affected Environment - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority

Knik Arm Crossing DraftFinal EIS
Affected Environment
Anchorage
Approximately 250 black bears inhabit the Anchorage area (including Chugach State Park)
and approximately one-third of these bears spend at least part of the summer in or adjacent to
residential areas in the Anchorage Bowl (ADF&G 2000). Black bears in Anchorage prefer
forested habitat, including stream corridors, and can easily become attracted to human food
sources such as trash, pet food, and birdseed.
Black bear hunting regulations within GMU 14C vary by Management Area. There is no
open season for black bear within Elmendorf, Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Birchwood, and
portions of the Eagle River Management Areas. Other Management Areas of GMU 14C have
restricted seasons, while others are open all year (ADF&G 2005d). The average annual black
bear harvest in GMU 14 was 116 bears from 1999 to 2004 (ADF&G 2005e). From 1996
to 2000, total annual black bear harvest in GMU 14C ranged from 34 to 51 bears
(McDonough 2002). From July 1998 to June 2001, there were 28 reported nonhunting kills
of black bear in GMU 14C (McDonough 2002). These were primarily kills from defense of
life or property.
3.8.8.5.2 Brown Bear
The Mat-Su
Brown bear are generally less common than black bears in the Mat-Su. The population in
GMU 14 was last estimated to be between 125 and 232 bears (Del Frate 2003). Brown bears
are usually found along river drainages searching for fish and have similar feeding habitats as
the black bear (Mat-Su Borough 2005). In the spring, they also use the salt marshes and
sedge meadows at Susitna Flats as feeding habitat (ADF&G 2003a).
Hunting regulations allow for the harvest of one brown bear per licensed hunter every four
regulatory seasons, 67 between September 1 and May 31 in GMU 14A (ADF&G 2005d). The
average annual brown bear harvest from 1999 to 2004 for GMU 14 was 22 bears (ADF&G
2005e). Brown bear harvest data specific to GMU 14A were not available. In GMU 14, there
were seven nonhunting mortalities in 2000 and two in 2001, one killed by a vehicle collision
and the rest in defense of life or property (Del Frate 2003). Six of those kills were in
GMU 14A (Del Frate 2003).
Anchorage
Approximately 60 brown bears inhabit the Anchorage area (including Chugach State Park)
and 4–5 are regularly seen in residential areas each summer (ADF&G 2000). Brown bears
are opportunistic feeders, which brings them into contact with human development to feed at
garbage dumps and other sites (Pasitschiak-Arts 1993). They are also occasionally attracted
to the Anchorage Bowl by winter-killed moose, abundant moose calves in the spring, and
spawning salmon in the streams (ADF&G 2000).
67 A regulatory season begins July 1 and continues through June 30 the following calendar year.
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