with the rich natural color variety of this region. The pipeline and Haul Road 

 often create contrasting lines in the natural landscape. 



The scenic quality of the Dietrich and Middle Fork Koyukuk Rivers can 

 be characterized as a region of high diversity. This diversity is a result 

 of a rich and complex texture of color, landform, and contrasts. The degree 

 of diversity provides the region with a somewhat unique capability of accom- 

 modating limited manmade encroachments in comparison with the North Slope 

 landscape where manmade structures would produce highly visible results. 



Although the scenic quality is not as distinctive, Jim River and Prospect 

 Creek have greater recreation potential than the Dietrich and Middle Fork 

 Koyukuk Rivers. This recreation potential may have an overriding influence 

 on the final outcome of the visual analysis. 



Visual Sensitivity and Degree of Visibility 



The Northern Interior (at the time of this evaluation) is accessible 

 to the recreation and tourist oriented public only by air or by foot; hence, 

 public use is limited at the present time. The Bureau of Land Management has 

 several proposals that would affect the use patterns in this region if the 

 Haul Road is opened to the public. Most development would be restricted to 

 presently disturbed areas with an emphasis on maintaining scenic quality. Not 

 all study sites are easily visible from the Haul Road because of screening 

 qualities of the natural vegetation. However, current and proposed river 

 recreation use would increase the amount of visible area. In addition, lands 

 of national and State interest are adjacent to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline 

 System Utility Corridor (proposed "d-2" lands). Hence, there is strong public 

 interest in maintaining the scenic quality of this region. 



SOUTHERN INTERIOR 



Seen i c Qua I i ty 



Most study sites of this region (West Fork Tolovana River, McManus Creek, 

 and Tanana River) have some similar landform characteristics. Rounded foot- 



300 



