353 



-27- 



WE8T DUWCAM CAMAL PROPOSAL. 



DESCRIPTION: Inner island coastal area located on Kupreanof 

 Island. Elevation climbs to over 2000 feet near Towers Arm. 

 Castle River and Towers Arm are the major attractions, as well as 

 Kah Sheets Lake which is an important sockeye fishery. Good 

 commercial fishing values, high values for sport fishing. 

 Important waterfowl resting and feeding ground for migratory 

 birds. Good habitat for black bear and deer. Highly scenic and 

 very popular recreation area. Over 20 anadromous fish streams 

 flow into the Canal. The Canal is a noted producer of shrimp. 



HISTORY: The bulk of the area was included in H.R 39 for special 

 management status in both the House and Senate in 1979. The 

 Alaska Department of Fish and Game has classified the Castle 

 River watershed as Class I area. Recommended for wilderness 

 status by SEACC in 1976. Forest Service proposed area for 

 Research Natural Area in 1988. Five year logging ban voted by 

 U.S. House of Representatives in 1988. 



LAND STATUS: LUD III and IV. Not within either 50-year contract 

 area. Timber sale planned to begin on Woewodski Island and 

 proposed for the headwaters of the Castle River and adjacent 

 lands beginning in 1991. 



ACREAGE: 13 4,680 acres. 



SCHEDULED TIMBER BASE: 4.64 million board feet per year. 



West Duncan Canal 

 feeding area for migraeorv uaterfowl. 



important resting and 



