https://www.nps.gov/glba/learn/nature/climate-change.htm. The Glacier Bay region can be subdivided into four geographic provinces. Member parks make it a top priority to respond to climate change and move park operations in a more sustainable direction. In addition, according to court documents, Holland America’s Westerdam ship dumped 26,000 gallons of gray water into Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska in September 2018. Required fields are marked *, Glacier Bay Environmental Issues and Solutions. Glacier Bay Lodge Deluxe Room. New Study: Climate Change Threatening Glacier National Park Could Harm Montana's Future Tourism and Economy. The tsunami reached 524 m above sea level on the opposite shoreline and killed two people in a small boat. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve contains 7 such glaciers. The Continental Divide makes for unpredictable weather in Glacier's mountains. The introduction of invasive, nonnative (exotic) plant and fish species are major issues too. This rustic and cozy guest room features a wonderful bay view and a private bathroom and is easily accessible from Glacier Bay Lodge Lobby. These mountains are a place of constant activity. Areas of Concern Wildlife Management. Recently, Glacier has had record-high amounts of visitors coming to visit the park. Our Deluxe rooms are perfect for relaxing, wildlife watching, and stargazing like you've never seen before. The preservation and maintenance of Glacier's resources is a daunting task for park managers given the growing list of threats, including some that are global in scale such as a warming climate. Whether you're dining in the Fairweather Dining Room or outside on the deck, you'll be treated to fresh and plentiful fare, including local seafood favorites like halibut and salmon that enhances your Alaska vacation. Most famous are those in Glacier Bay, the national park that draws about 1 million visitors a year aboard vessels ranging from day-tour boats to larger ships. The very competitive process resulted in some of the highest cruise tourism environmental standards and best visitor experience quality seen in the world," said park superintendent Philip Hooge. A wide and diverse ecosystem that’s filled with many beautiful sights and features. As most of you know, climate change has grown into one of the worlds most important issues that demands to be acknowledged. Glacier National Park is suffering from heat stroke, a malady that could melt all of its rivers of ice not by 2030, but by 2020. Glacier protects an important resource that is diminishing in a increasingly urban nation. With the increasing risks of global warming, some scientists believe that spring may come sooner than before which may also cause some problems. The Mining in the National Parks Act of 1976 established conditions under which mining can occur within national parks. Several issues can come from the melting of glaciers. In response to input from the Hoonah Indian Association, the 1997 Comprehensive Design Plan for Bartlett Cove included the development of a plank house to serve as an "anchor" for traditionally associated … As climate change began to create more and more problems all over our planet people have become much more open minded on using different strategies that would help sustain the environment. The story of plant succession is nowhere more richly told than at Glacier Bay. Example: Mining within Wrangell-St. Elias and Hydropower Near Glacier Bay. Our future generations depend on it. Lituya Bay, on the west side of the park (part of Glacier Bay National Monument in 1958), has experienced at least 3 tsunamis, the largest in 1958 from an M7.8 earthquake on the Fairweather fault that triggered a rockslide. Glacier Bay National Park! Action on climate and the environment have been crucial issues for me as a member of the Irvine City Council and as Chair of the Irvine Green Ribbon Environmental Committee. The east shoreline of Muir Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, pictured during the 1880s or 1890s. Glacier Bay faces environmental issues and threats more and more … Humans have a major impact on Glacier National Park. Unfortunately, this park is struggling to stay balanced and environmentally sound. The original scoping period was through April 23, 2002. National Park Service Southeast Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network 3100 National Park Road Juneau, Alaska 99801 Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Sitka National Historical Park September 2008 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Program Center It will allow the Lodge rooms to be returned to public-use, increase the economic viability of the Lodge, and The Ecological Society established a committee to promote the designation of Glacier Bay as a national monument at the urging of Cooper, forwarding copies of their resolutions to President Calvin Coolidge, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian and the governor of Alaska. Your email address will not be published. Unfortunately, this park is struggling to stay balanced and environmentally sound. National Park Service (NPS). The dramatic variety of plant communities ranges from barren terrain just recovering from glacial retreat to lush temperate rain forest. As the nation's headwaters, Glacier waters are worthy of protection. No park exists in isolation, and that fact is becoming increasingly clear as the … The National Park Service also specifies that only two cruise ships at a time are allowed to enter Glacier Bay, and the speed at which the ships are allowed to glide through the emerald waters is kept to a minimum to avoid disturbing the Humpback Whales and other sea life that call Glacier Bay home. Unfortunately, this park is struggling to stay balanced and environmentally sound. We want to pass this place to future generations the way it is today, or better. As the glacier reaches the water, the water can erode the underside of the glacier, resulting in spectacular shows as the glacier shears off, calving off giant ice bergs into the sea. The song of a bird and roar of a waterfall are all part of Glacier's natural soundscape. A study of Huna Tlingit traditional gullegg harvests in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, indicates that local traditional environmental knowledge includes a sophisticated appreciation of glaucouswinged gull (Larus glaucescens) nesting biology and behaviorin particular, an understanding of this gull as an indeterminate layer with a modal clutch size of three. When this ice begins to melt, the sea level rises. Building new trails and roads for tourists is part of habitat destruction at the park. Hopefully the strategies the National Park Service has come up with will help combat the environmental issue and more places will adapt these ideas. Glacier Bay faces environmental issues and threats more and more as the globe continues to suffer from climate change impacts. Establishment the Glacier Bay National Park. Buchheit, L., Gabriele, C., Grant, K., Hazen, M., Lewis, T., Moss, MB., Johnson, E., Neilson, J., Schaller, S., Sharman, L., Soiseth, C., VandenBerg, T., Senac, M. 2016. The National Park Service has taken various measure to eliminate as much pollution as possible. Lituya Bay, on the west side of the park (part of Glacier Bay National Monument in 1958), has experienced at least 3 tsunamis, the largest occurring in 1958 from an M7.8 earthquake on the Fairweather fault that triggered a rockslide. Such solutions include things like recycling, transitioning to electric vehicles rather than gas, and incorporating cleaner and renewable energy. Jurisdictional Issues As the Park Service is aware, the State has long claimed title to the tide and submerged lands in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. To avoid these types of issues, the park has adapted new strategies and solutions to prevent anymore destruction. Glacier Bay became a National Monument on 25 Feb 1925, and was established as a national park and preserve on 02 Dec 1980. Media Contacts. The NPS is midway through the planning process with no proposed management actions at this time. Glacier is protected under the Clean Air Act as a Class I airshed. Accessed on 10-9-16. Of the 100,000 glaciers in the state, about 95 percent of them are getting smaller (NPS 2016). Presently, 140 plant and animal species found in Glacier Park are listed by the state of Montana as "Species of Special Concern", four are federally listed as "threatened" (bald eagle, grizzly bear, lynx and bull trout), one is designated "endangered" (gray wolf) and one (slender moonwort) is a candidate for federal listing. The gray wolf, though numbers have increased in recent years after a campaign to eradicate them from many National Parks in the US, are still listed as e… In Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, active placer mining does occur in two areas. A rise in sea level can lead to loss of wildlife habitat through through the increased chances of flood. Elizabeth Heyd, NRDC, 202-289-2424, eheyd@nrdc.org. There are more than 100,000 glaciers in Alaksa, and 95 percent of them are thinning, stagnating or retreating. Along with that, the acidity in the water is also increasing to an unhealthy rate because of the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Official. Indeed, the State and the United States are now litigating the question of title in an original action before the United States Supreme Court in Alaska v. United States, No. 2 … The National Park Service (NPS) announces that the public scoping period for the Environmental Impact Statement on Vessel Quotas and Operating Requirements for Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2002 , was extended through June 7, 2002. The introduction of invasive, nonnative (exotic) plant and fish species are major issues too. The tsunami reached 524m (1,719 ft) above sea level on the opposite shoreline and killed two people in a small boat. At Glacier Bay Lodge, you'll enjoy cuisine that's as spectacular as the scenery surrounding you. It worries me that our president elect is not taking these issues seriously. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve has ended public comment on the management plan and environmental assessment for the Bartlett Cove area. If you haven’t made the connection yet, Glacier Bay just so happens to covered with glacial ice. With the headwaters of three continental drainages located in Glacier Park, flora and fauna have diverse affinities with many species occurring near the geographic limits of their range. With the continuation of these new environmental strategies, Glacier Bay National Park will hopefully remain beautiful and healthy for many years to come. Your email address will not be published. Climate Change. With oceans rising in such a rapid rate and the year 2015 being the hottest year in history, there needs to be drastic changes in our everyday lives to help our planets health. Alaska Geographic Association 17-22. A mountain-guarded, maritime sanctuary, Glacier Bay National Park thus secures the coastal flank of the largest internationally protected area on earth. A wide and diverse ecosystem that’s filled with many beautiful sights and features. Glacier Bay National Park has achieved one of the best recycling rates in the National Park Services (NPS 2016). This causes problems for the wildlife that depend on those plants and have not yet adjusted to the early spring. "Wilderness" is a word with many emotional or historical meanings, but one meaning carries federal distinction. The idea was opposed by the U.S. Geological Survey, which reported that the area had potential for mineral extraction. This is a super informational blog. What happens to ice when it’s warmed? FILE - In this July 30, 2014, photo is Margerie Glacier, one of many glaciers that make up Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park. It melts! Such a prospect would send shudders not only across the park's landscape and through its plant and wildlife resources, but also deliver a jolt to Montana's economy. The 1925 establishment of Glacier Bay National Monument (and later National Park in 1980) led to a period of alienation and strained relationships between tribal people and the National Park Service. Glacier has joined over 120 other parks in the Climate Friendly Parks initiative. The Fairweather. A good example of primary succession is a receding glacier because land is continually being exposed as the face of the glacier moves back. Glacier's alpine glaciers make it one of the top research sites for climate science and a place to see climate change in action. An early arrival of spring could lead to a quicker budding of certain plant species. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve Building & Structures Replace Concessioner Housing Units This project will address deferred maintenance, safety, and accessibility issues in the Glacier Bay Lodge concessions housing. While the tourism is good for the park and the state financially, the impact on the organisms living there is not as positive. Glaciers and snowpack feed hydrologic activity throughout the summer. The preservation and maintenance of Glacier's resources is a daunting task for park managers given the growing list of threats, including some that are global in scale such as a warming climate. Glacier Bay faces environmental issues and threats more and more as the globe continues to suffer from climate change impacts. Presently, four species within Glacier National Park are Federally listed as threatened species: bald eagle, grizzly bear, lynx and bull trout. The glacier that composes much of the head of Glacier Bay, Alaska, has receded some 100 km (62 mi) over the last 200 years. Glacier Bay National Park! GLACIER BAY, ALASKA – The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comments to help inform updates to the 1989 Glacier Bay National Park Wilderness Visitor Use Management Plan. Monitoring changes to the environment, such as impacts due to global climate change and the spread of exotic species, is matched with serious restoration efforts. Beyond that boiler plate, Glacier Bay officials expect cruise lines to maintain "high standards for minimizing air and water pollution, the impact of underwater sound on marine mammals, a comprehensive educational program for cruise passengers and fees for operating in the park." These stages of soil and plant sophistication are called primary succession. Glacier Bay has more than 50 named glaciers, as well as two major arms: East Arm and West Arm. Even slight differences in elevation and directional exposure can radically alter the occurrence of specific habitats and, hence, the distribution of plants and animals. Available: https://www.nps.gov/glba/learn/nature/climate-change.htm. As most of you know, climate change has grown into one of the worlds most important issues that demands to be acknowledged. Separately, the state of Montana has listed some 140 species of plant and animal as being of particular concern so Glacier National Park, for all its diversity, is experiencing similar conservation issues to other parks across the country. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. 2016. April 07, 2010. Warming effects from climate change have been drawing serious concern for the parks well being, especially when it comes to the glacier filled waters. After reading through this blog and realizing how amazing this national park is, I truly hope humanity can find a way to reduce the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere so we can preserve beautiful parks like these and enjoy them for years to come. Invasive plants and aquatic species threaten native species existence, spurring park restoration efforts. 128, Original. It’s still crazy to me that so many people won’t acknowledge that climate change is a real and serious issue. Jan 13, 2013 - As your boat goes deeper into you step back in time to a time when glaciers dominated the landscape.Glacier Bay National Park abuts Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Canada's Kluane National Park and Preserve and The Tatshenshini-Alsek Park together they form a contiguous wilderness that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve provides an outstanding natural environment. 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