Tyonek Tribal Conservation District

Tyonek Tribal Conservation District of West Cook Inlet, Alaska, Seeks to Restore, Enhance, and Protect Freshwater Systems and Subsistence Salmon Resources Important to the Native Village Oftyonek, a Federally Recognized Tribe. Salmon (oncorhynchus SPP.), and Particularly Chinook Salmon (oncorhynchus Tshawytscha), Are Not Only a Vital Food Resource for the People of Tyonek,(the Tebughna, or Beach People), But Serve an Important Cultural and Traditional Role Within the Community. Cook Inlet Chinook Salmon Have Been in Decline Over the Past Decade, Resulting in Lower Proportions of Chinook Being Caught in Tyonek Subsistence Setnets. the West, Susitna, Andyentna Areas of West Cook Inlet Provide Important Spawning and Rearing Habitat for Many of the Chinook Salmon Destined for Tyonek Setnets, Yet Water Temperature, Flow, and Habitat Data Is Sparse for This Large, Remote Region. With Ongoing Warming Air and Water Temperatures, Altered Flow Regimes, Documented Vegetation Shifts, and Invasions of Northern Pike (esox Lucius) and the Aquatic Invasive Plant Elodea Canadensis in Southcentral Alaska, Establishing a Baseline for Important Spawning and Rearing Locations Is Critical and Helps to Identify Areas of High Quality Habitat for Conservation Efforts. Much of the Tyonek Subsistence Chinook Salmon Important Salmon Spawning and Rearing Habitat Falls Within the Boundaries of the 6.6 Million Acre Tyonek Tribal Conservation District (ttcd).ttcd Currently Monitors Freshwater Stream Habitat Within the Smaller Tyonek Area Watershed Directly Surrounding the Community, and This Project Will Expand TTCD S Scope Beyond the Immediate Tyonek Watershed to Collect and Analyze Water Quality, Temperature, Water Flow, Fish,and Habitat Data on Streams Important for Chinook Salmon Spawning and Rearing Across the District. This Two Year Project Will Identify Priority Watershed and Aquatic Resource Issues, Key Habitats Within Distinct Aquatic Systems, Establish Baseline Water Quality, Temperature, and Flow Monitoring on a Total of 8 Freshwater Systems Important for Chinook Salmon Spawning and Rearing Within the District, Complete a Comprehensive Overview of Freshwater Stream Resources of the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District, Increase the Native Village of Tyonek S Capacity to Collect Aquatic Data and Manage Their Freshwater Resources, and Disseminate Data in a Widely Accessible Manner Using Meetings, Conferences, and Web Based Data Sharing.