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Kobuk Valley National Park
Management
 

Our Mission:

"Cooperative Stewardship for the Conservation and Understanding of Natural and Cultural Resources in Northwest Alaska."

Kobuk Valley was established as a national monument by presidential proclamation in 1978 and redesignated a national park by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) in 1980. ANILCA §201(6) specifically directs:

“Kobuk Valley National Park shall be managed for the following purposes, among others: To maintain the environmental integrity of the natural features of the Kobuk River Valley, including the Kobuk, Salmon, and other rivers, the boreal forest, and the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, in an undeveloped state, to protect and interpret, in cooperation with Native Alaskans, archaeological sites associated with Native cultures; to protect migration routes for the Arctic caribou herd; to protect habitat for, and population of, fish and wildlife including but not limited to caribou, moose, black and grizzly bears, wolves and waterfowl and to protect the viability of subsistence resources. Subsistence uses by local residents shall be permitted in the park in accordance with the provisions of title VIII.”

Kobuk Valley National Park is one of over 389 National Park Service units that, working with other partners, helps safeguard this nation's natural and cultural heritage.

 
 

Our Purposes:

  • Maintain the environmental integrity of the natural features of the Kobuk River Valley, including the Kobuk, Salmon, and other rivers, the boreal forest, and Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, in an undeveloped state
  • Protect and interpret, in cooperation with Native Alaskans, archeological sites associated with Native cultures
  • Protect migration routes for the arctic caribou herd
  • Protect habitat for, and populations of, fish and wildlife including but not limited to caribou, moose, black and grizzly bears, wolves, and waterfowl
  • Protect the viability of subsistence resources
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Welcome from the Superintendent!
George Helfrich
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Western Arctic National Parklands
What is WEAR?
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General Management Documents
Downloadable PDF
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Comment Online!
NPS Park Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC)
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Did You Know?
In 1940, archeologist J. Louis Giddings traveled down the Kobuk River on a homemade raft, with three young Native men as guides. They found many ancient house depressions, including one at Onion Portage in Kobuk Valley National Park. The site is now believed to be about 10,000 years old.

Last Updated: July 10, 2008 at 15:54 EST