Special Community Meeting - Research Activities on Coastal Gravel Bars

NORTHWEST ARCTIC TRIBAL COUNCIL KOTZEBUE, ALASKA
SPECIAL COMMUNITY MEETING - RESEARCH ACTIVITIES ON COASTAL GRAVEL BARS
DATE: August 14, 1983
LOCATION: Community Hall, Kotzebue
RECORDED BY: E. Sanders, Acting Secretary
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 7:12 PM

VILLAGES REPRESENTED
Delegates and attendees were present from:
Deering
Buckland
Kotzebue
Kivalina
Additional visitors and observers from nearby communities were noted but not formally entered into attendance.

ATTENDANCE
Council members present included regional representatives, local residents, subsistence hunters, school personnel, and construction workers.
Approximately 40-50 attendees present during peak discussion.
Guests recognized:
Dr. Barry Raven ("Tulugaq"), seabird researcher Robert "Bob" Chance, Chance Construction Representatives from the National Avian Department Local residents and hunters

OPENING REMARKS
Chairman Alder Washington stated the meeting was called due to increasing concerns regarding:
1. Research activity occurring near seabird nesting areas on coastal gravel bars.
2. Expansion of gravel extraction discussions for future community infrastructure projects.
3. Complaints from residents regarding access, disturbance, and outside
control over local land use.
Chairman stated:
"People are getting angry from both sides. We need to hear each other before rumors get bigger than the facts."

PRESENTATION - DR. BARRY RAVEN
Dr. Raven summarized his ongoing seabird nesting survey work in the Chukchi region. He stated several gravel bars between Kotzebue and Cape Krusenstern contain 11 ecologically rare and regionally significant nesting concentrations." Dr. Raven warned that repeated disturbance, vehicle traffic, and gravel removal could permanently alter nesting behavior.
He further stated:
''Once these sites are damaged, the birds may not return in the same numbers again. Some of these colonies took decades to establish."
Dr. Raven acknowledged community need for gravel but argued alternative extraction areas should be studied first.
At several points audience members interrupted, asking:
- "Who decides that?"
- "Did birds live here before people or with people?"
- "Why are outsiders always telling us what land we can touch?"

DISCUSSION - GRAVEL NEEDS AND DEVELOPMENT
Bob Chance of Chance Construction addressed the council regarding increasing demand for gravel related to roads, pad construction, erosion work, and future housing expansion.
Chance stated:
"Everybody in this room wants better houses until somebody says where the gravel has to come from."
Several residents applauded.
Chance further argued:
Accessible gravel sources near shore reduce fuel and transportation costs.
- Delays caused by federal environmental review threaten future projects.
- Outside researchers "do not understand village realities."
At this point discussion became heated between Dr. Raven and Mr. Chance. Meeting notes indicate overlapping speaking and interruptions.


COMMUNITY TESTIMONY
Raven: "You cannot replace a nesting habitat once it collapses."
Chance: "You can't live in a bird sanctuary either."
Unidentified audience member: "Both of you are acting like this land belongs to you."

Several Elders and hunters from Kivalina, Buckland, and Deering spoke regarding long-term observation of bird populations and coastal change.
Key concerns included:
- Disturbance from low aircraft flights connected to research.
- Fear that publication of nesting locations could attract unauthorized activity.
- Concern over increasing federal attention to traditional harvesting areas.
- Concern that future restrictions could affect subsistence travel routes or gravel access needed for local development.
One speaker stated:
"Maps become problems once they leave the community."
Another speaker questioned whether gravel surveys were already occurring under the cover of research activities. No direct accusation was made, though several attendees requested more transparency regarding field camps and excavation activities on offshore bars.
Dr. Raven denied conducting any commercial gravel assessment work.

MOTION
Motion introduced by Council Member Martha Annah:
1. Request written summaries of all active research projects operating in the region.
2. Ask researchers to provide advance notice before entering community use areas.
3. Encourage further discussion regarding protected nesti.ng sites and future gravel extraction planning.
Motion seconded by Council Member Harold "Boomer" Johns, Motion passed: 6-2.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Meeting recessed briefly at 8:43 PM due to shouting between attendees near rear seating area.
- Secretary unable to fully record several exchanges because multiple speakers talked simultaneously.
Several audience members remained after adjournment continuing discussion with Dr. Raven and Mr. Chance.
Multiple attendees requested future meetings include representatives from state and federal land agencies.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:18 PM
FILED: August 18, 1983
NORTHWEST ARCTIC TRIBAL COUNCIL RECORDS OFFICE