storms in the gulf and by tidal action, particularly in nearshore areas. 

 Heavy rip-tides occur at many points along the coast, particularly 

 adjacent to the Kodiak Islands. 



The marine waters and associated continental shelf of the western 

 Gulf of Alaska are among the most productive in the North Pacific. This 

 area supports major fisheries for king, dungeness, and tanner crabs; 

 shrimp; and a variety of bottomfish, including Alaska pollock, Pacific 

 cod, blackcod, Pacific halibut, and a variety of other flatfish. Waters 

 over the shelf also abound with Pacific salmon and all five species are 

 found in abundance. Spring and summer freshwater runoff and offshore 

 upwelling are primarily responsible for the great productivity of the region. 

 Shorelines and tidal flats also provide extensive habitats for intertidal 

 plants and animals. 



Many species of marine birds pass through the region in spring, 

 migrating to nesting grounds in northern Alaska. In addition, at least 

 24 seabird colonies have been identified adjacent to the proposed lease 

 area in the western Gulf. Major colonies exist at Boulder Bay and 

 Chiniak Island. Black-legged kittiwakes and tufted puffins are the most 

 abundant, with glaucous-winged gulls, cormorants and pigeon guillemots 

 the next most common. Many thousands of ducks also assemble along the 

 shoreline during the winter. 



Critical marine mammal habitat enclosed or bordering the proposed 

 lease area include at least 13 sea lion rookeries and hauling grounds, 

 with a maximum herd of over 15,000 individuals reported for Marmot 



44 



