the Kenai-Cook Inlet area. Population in this region will increase 50 

 percent (or 10,882) by 1983 as the result of OCS development in lower 

 Cook Inlet. Local and state finances will probably be hard put to meet 

 subsequent demands for more schools, housing and social services. A 

 large number of social and cultural impacts may occur including an 

 increase in crime, a change in smalltown and rural atmosphere, and an 

 alteration of native subsistence culture. Competition for ports, land, 

 and labor is likely to be acute during the development boom, particularly 

 between the fishing and oil industry. 



A significant portion of the projected increase in population and 

 employment will occur in the Anchorage area (about 5,100 by 1983). This 

 will add to the already fast growth rate of the region. However, while 

 employment and population increases will be large in absolute numbers, 

 they will be small in comparison to the size of Anchorage's labor pool, 

 population and infrastructure. In 1983, the Anchorage area is projected 

 to have a total population of 261,000 and a workforce of 127,000. 



Projected employment and population increases from lower Cook Inlet 

 development are similar, to the increase that occurred during the develop- 

 ment of upper Cook Inlet fields in Alaska. During 1964 to 1972 the Kenai 

 and Seldovia areas underwent major economic and cultural changes. 

 Regional employment increased rapidly by 73 percent from 1966 to 1968 and 

 significant in-migration occurred during the development boom. However, 

 the economic boom disappeared as rapidly as it appeared. After the 

 completion of major offshore development and onshore construction activi- 

 ties, petroleum employment decreased substantially and from 1970 to 1971 



39 



