Projects

Below is a selected list of past and current Tantikil UNLIMITED, Inc., projects.

14(c)(1,2) Land Claim Adjudication 14(c)(3) Planning Airport Development Analysis and Audits of ANCSA Land Selections and Conveyances to Determine Receipt of Full Entitlement
ANCSA and Grant Writing Training Sessions ANCSA Land Selections ANCSA Post 1971 Occupancy Analysis Corporate Planning
Development Of Village Corporation Land Distribution Programs Environmental Impact Assessment Fuel-Spill Clean-Up Liaison Grant Writing
Land Exchange Negotiations Land Status Research Land-Resource Conflict Resolution Land-Resource Management Training
Land-Use Planning Management Audits Mining Claim Research, Mapping, and Assessment Filing Native Advocacy
Native Allotment Adjudication Negotiation of Natural Resource Development Agreements Permitting Preparation of Land Legal Descriptions
RS 2477 Analysis Timber Cruising University-Level Instruction in Environmental and Natural Resource Subjects


    • Planner, worked with the Chenega Corporation (ANCSA village corporation) over a period of 2 1/2 years to develop a three volume comprehensive resource management planning framework for the Corporation’s lands and natural resources.

    • Planning Team Member, Copper River Basin Area Plan for State Lands, directly participated in a 2 1/2 year effort involving millions of acres of State land and other land ownerships and all resources (land, minerals, gravel, water, timber, recreation, fish, wildlife, archaeological sites, etc.). The final product was an Area Plan adopted by the Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources.

    • Conducted a preliminary route analysis for a proposed power transmission line between Red Devil and Chuathbaluk, Alaska, middle Kuskokwim region. I worked on a preliminary analysis of the land status encountered along such a line. Alternative routes were quickly identified, including the determination of various types of land ownerships to be encountered (Native allotments, homesteads, federal lands, State lands, private parcels, ANCSA corporation lands, City property, etc.). Line lengths were approximated and cost estimates calculated.

    • Developed a 24 page, full-color, marketing brochure for a large, well established Alaskan engineering firm. Coverage included the capabilities of the three Alaskan offices and as well as that of the three offices in other states.

    • Consultant to Chitina Native Corporation for an environmental impact analysis of various proposed Copper River Highway alignment alternatives across Corporation lands rich in historical-cultural properties. A matrix approach which included different levels of impact aided in the objective analysis of various alternatives according to a variety of factors.

    • Native allotment adjudication for The Kuskokwim Corporation and Lime Village Company, middle Kuskokwim area of Alaska, involved in the land status, case history research, and impact assessment of several pending parcels surrounded by Corporations lands.

    • Project Manager, OTH-B Historical-Cultural Project, Phase 1—led the negotiations with the U.S. Air Force and their contractors regarding planning for the Over-The-Horizon-Backscatter Radar System proposal for the Copper River Basin. Efforts included representing Ahtna, Inc., and supervising development of the archaeological studies program, which was being prepared at four locations simultaneously.

    • Fuel Spill Clean-up Liaison, representing the landowner in dealing with other agencies and organizations, including the responsible party and regulatory agencies, in having a long-term chronic contamination area cleaned-up to acceptable levels.

    • Marketing Coordinator, R&M Consultants, supervising the business development efforts of the Anchorage office and coordinating such efforts with the five other company offices. These responsibilities included the personal preparation and preparation supervision of hundreds of proposals over several years. The Corporation’s proposal success rate during this period was exceptionally high, with one year alone generating $2,000,000 in revenues for just the Anchorage Office.

    • Developer, conducted the legal and environmental research, developed the marketing and disclosure materials, established the financing terms and legal documents (promissory notes, deeds of trust, quitclaim deeds, etc.), and implemented a land sales program for the villages of Chuathbaluk and Aniak in the middle Kuskokwim region.

    • Inventory Forester, proposed Cape Yakataga State Forest, participated in an intensive 3 1/2 week, four crew, helicopter supported, fixed plot, computer sampling designed cruise. Approximately 160 plots were sampled. Very detailed procedures, accuracy and error tolerances dictated the techniques.

    • Participated in several capacities in various planning studies for the design of an energy conservative new Alaska State Capital at Willow, including an environmental impact assessment of various energy conservative technologies utilizable in the construction and operation of a new capital, as well as budget and project management control of soils, hydrology, drainage, and other site specific studies.

    • Property Manager, The Kuskokwim Corporation, responsible for the daily management of the income producing properties of the Corporation—ten unit apartment complex and two story office building in Aniak, Alaska; and a two-story class A commercial office building in Anchorage. Responsibilities included maintenance and repair, staff supervision, contractor compliance, rental and lease space marketing, budget preparation and management, occupant relations, weekly inspections.

    • Project Manager, developed and implemented a Land/Resource Protection Program for an ANCSA regional corporation. A comprehensive trespass abatement program and training manual was developed for the Land Department staff. A Land Protection Officer was hired and trained. The program was implemented on a phased basis, including aerial and road patrols, fire management, easement identification and management, permit and lease programs, historical-cultural property inventory, gravel R-O-W grant inventory.

    • Supervisor for development of a gravel R-O-W grant data bank in the Copper River Basin. This system identified all of the gravel R-O-W grants given to the ADOT/PF by the BLM. Each grant was identified by federal and State number; located; land ownership determined; mapped; field located; inspected; historical use data collected; quality, type and quantity of material inventoried; and photo documented.

    • Conducted annual mineral assessments for the Berg-MacDougal and Nelson Mtn. properties, Kuskulana River drainage. Efforts included planning, budgeting, logistics (helicopter support), field investigations for many claims, and filing the required annual assessment reports with the BLM.

    • Developed the permits, assisted in the planning, and monitored construction of almost 7 miles of road, including subdivision roads, by the BIA. The roads were constructed for the Copper Center and Tazlina Traditional Village Councils. Material sources were also developed.

    • Conducted a Land Department audit for a merged ANCSA village corporation that had mothballed its Land Department for three years. The status of all files, maps, records, projects, Land Committee decisions, Board actions, correspondence, etc., was determined during a week-long site visit. A list of recommendations was developed which was then prioritized by the Land Committee. Cost estimates were developed to accomplish each recommendation, and an annual Department budget prepared for the upcoming fiscal year.

    • Environmental Planner, assisted the Ketchikan Gateway Borough in the conceptual design of an environmental atlas for the entire Borough. This document now serves as an environmental reference for activities occurring within the Borough, as well as a baseline of information for many other more detailed efforts.

    • Forester, assisted in an entomological investigation of a huge white spruce blowdown in the Klutina Lake area, Copper River Basin. The purpose of the effort was to determine the degree of spruce bark beetle infestation in the downed material, and the likelihood of an epidemic beetle outbreak. Beetle populations were advancing from the south, and remoteness of the area made salvage extremely difficult, and unfeasible. This helicopter supported effort was conducted with the assistance of the U.S. Forest Service.

    • Forester, representing a number of corporations in fire management planning for their lands and resources. Assignments have included participation as the landowner’s representative during the fire season, reviewing fire management plans, and in annual reviews following fire seasons. A real time fire status information service has been provided during the season on the location, status, direction, rate of spread of fires, and fire weather as it affected specific lands and resources.

    • Greenhouse Supervisor, managing the operation of the Dietrich Camp Willow Plant Production Facility, Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Project, on a temporary basis. Plant materials produced were used for pipeline revegetation.

    • Project Manager, 14(h)(1) Project, Ahtna, Inc., supervising the planning, field investigations, report preparations, BIA reviews of the Corporation’s historical-cultural research program to identify, locate, investigate, and document pre-historic and historic use sites of the Ahtna people throughout the Copper River Basin.

    • Landman, conducted the background land status research for a proposed water/sewer project in the City of Tanana, Alaska. All of the various ownerships along a few miles of line were identified, as well as the survey status of each parcel, associated party of contact, comments of those contacted about the project, issues were identified and alternative approaches to resolve them presented, and construction access requirements of parcel owners were noted.

    • Landman, represented a ANCSA village corporation in conducting all land status research, clearing title, negotiating various agreements, participating in the development of all documents necessary for the construction of a new 3,260 ft. airport in Eek, Alaska. Work was conducted with an attorney in a team approach to the project. Seven different landowners were involved, including five Native allottees two of whom were deceased. This meant that heirs and their representatives were also involved.

    • Landman, participated in a comprehensive land exchange and settlement with heirs of a Native allotee, a ANCSA village corporation, and six other landowners and land users. This effort included a partial 14(c)(3) survey, location of exchange lands, development of deeds and transfer of lands to a school district, the Alaska Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities, and a city government. This effort was conducted with an attorney in a two specialty approach to resolve all the issues.

    • Environmental Planner, working with the Native Village of St. Michael in developing an emergency/disaster plan for the community and subsistence resource areas—land-based, marine and riverine environments. An overall framework for a comprehensive plan was developed with various specific subplans for various topics to be developed on a priority basis (i.e., fuel barge oil spill in Norton Sound, evacuation and housing plan for a major fire in the village, major decline in subsistence resources).

    • Landman, conducted an audit of the status of on-going Land Department programs and projects of MTNT, Ltd., following the sudden and unexpected death of their Land Planner. A week was spent in their Land Dept. office reviewing all files, records, maps, correspondence, computer files, and speaking with staff. A report describing the status of all activities, upcoming deadlines, and making recommendations was prepared for the CEO.

    • Grant Writer, Mentasta Traditional Council, developing a funding base for subsistence management activities of the Council, to include involvement in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Subsistence Fisheries Management Program. Other activities involved: attendance at Alaska Boards of Fisheries and Game meetings, Federal Subsistence Board meetings, and Southcentral Alaska Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council meetings; review of reports and materials; Council recommendations.

    • Landman, site control consultant to LCMF, Inc., engineering firm for the planning, design, and construction management of various rural Alaska fuel tank farm and pipeline systems. These systems were being developed throughout Alaska by the Alaska Energy Authority with funding from the federal government through the Denali Commission. The purpose is to refurbish, and replace as necessary, old and failing facilities that pose hazards to communities.

    • Planner, Holy Cross Oil Co., Holy Cross, Alaska, working with the company manager in developing an oil spill prevention and contingency plan; and in upgrading the facilities.

    • Landman, represented the land interests of Newtok Native Corporation in a land exchange with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to obtain property for relocation of their village. The community is washing away due to river erosion. Efforts included working with the local U.S.F.W.S. Refuge staff (Y-K Delta NWR), their regional and national offices; the village corporation Board of Directors; the traditional council; village elders; attorneys; BLM conveyance staff; lobbyists in Washington, D.C.; congressional staff; and federal and State government officials. Federal legislation was drafted and passed by Congress. Due to the impending loss of the village due to the rapid erosion, many usual steps in this process were eliminated. Use of the political process was very important in obtaining success quickly.

    • Landman, working with MTNT, Ltd., merged village corporation in the McGrath area, in the design and implementation of a Shareholder Land Distribution Program. Work was undertaken with the Land Committee in establishing a program whereby each shareholder (355) could select Corporation land based on the number of shares held. Areas of selection were identified. Policies and procedures were developed and a shareholder booklet printed. All were reviewed by the Board of Directors, management, and corporate attorney. The program incorporated two previous programs which had been delayed due to legal concerns. Forty parcels of land have presently been transferred to shareholders with scores more parcels in various stages of the process.

    • Feasibility Analyst, worked with Holy Cross Oil, Inc., during the fall-winter of 2004-2005 to determine the most feasible way to transport fuel into the community of Holy Cross. The lowest water levels in anyone’s memory prevented the winter’s gasoline and heating fuel delivery into the village in September, 2004. Both diesel and gasoline were rationed in the community. Ice sledding vs. various fly-in alternatives (fuel bladder, small air tanker, sealed drums, unsealed drums) using planes of various sizes were compared. Important considerations included insurance, permits, down time, ice thickness, legal and cash flow requirements. Fuel costs more than doubled. Minimizing fuel usage in the village and optimizing cash flow proved to be the most critical factors in the decision to fly-in three loads of gas-diesel over the winter.

    • Researcher, researched the 31-year history of the Cook Inlet Land Exchange of 1976 as related to one of the involved village corporations. Receipt of the Corporation’s final land entitlement is caught-up in a legal catch-22 preventing it from receiving its full entitlement. Thousands of pages of records, agreements, court cases, correspondence, reports, memos, BLM filings, etc. were reviewed. A chronology of events was developed. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations for action by the village corporation were made. Support documentation was included as Appendices. The extensive report is being used to assist the Corporation attain its full entitlement.

    • Trainer, Mentor, have developed ANCSA land and resource management training programs for Land Technicians and Land Managers. Materials are tailored to the specific needs of particular corporations based-on the knowledge, skills and ability of individuals in the positions and the resource base of the corporation. A wide variety of techniques are used. Training occurs at a pace dependent on the individual. On-going projects of the organization are used in this process to the greatest degree possible.

    • ANCSA Land Manager, have participated in all aspects of the 14(c) Reconveyance process for several village corporations. Activities have included: program development; establishment of budget and schedule; preparation of Board approved policies and procedures; operating the application and claim process; conducting field exams; setting-up and maintaining documentation systems and files to track the process; map-making; monitoring surveys; providing information to satisfy a wide variety of requests; preparation of deeds.

    • Always have and continue to provide daily technical assistance on a wide variety of subjects, to a wide variety of organizations, such as review of draft permits and development of permit systems; land and resource management policy; 14(c) Reconveyances; Post 1971 properties; trespass; leases; deeds; and land conflict resolution.

    • Assisted the Cheesh’na Tribal Council in applying for instream flow water rights from the Alaska Division of Mining, Land & Water. The purpose of the application was to reserve sufficient water to preserve king salmon habitat in Sinona Creek, a local waterway. A complicated process of estimating water flows, identifying fish requirements, and applying for a suitable volume of water had to be followed in a locale with extremely limited hydrologic data.

    • Landowner’s Representative for Ahtna, Inc., ANCSA regional corporation, on various highway construction projects across Corporation land. Efforts involved interfacing with the contractor and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, monitoring construction, and making certain construction was completed according to plans. Construction material purchased from Corporation material sites was accounted for and audited.

    • Development and presentation of a week-long mapping class for tribal members from various Alaska villages. Information regarding land title for their specific community was provided to each attendee, as was information on contaminated properties, historical-cultural information, existence of community plans, etc. Critical factors such as base map choice, map purpose, scale, overlay registration, legend, and source documentation were emphasized. This was a “hands-on session” with class members beginning to map their community’s information under my supervision; to return home and complete the work. The project was sponsored by the Tribal Management Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

    • Expert witness for three ANCSA 14(c) Reconveyance court suits.

    • Worked with the City of Aleknagik, Aleknagik Natives, Ltd., and the Aleknagik Tribal Council in developing a process for local people to assess the impact of constructing a bridge across the Wood River. This bridge would allow direct access to Dillingham, a very important regional hub. The process identified all factors to be considered, weighted them positively and negatively, prioritized actions to counteract the negatives and reinforce the positives, assigned responsibilities to each of these three organizations, and established a process to evaluate progress and make appropriate adjustments over time. Five years after initiation, the process was still being followed.

    • Have conducted many chain-of-land title searches including researching many unrecorded sources, as background information for land purchases and ownership verification by various parties.

    • Have developed and presented many unique workshops for various organizations in communities throughout Alaska.

    • Assisted Tozitna, Ltd., village corporation for Tanana, in all aspects of the planning, R-O-W acquisition, construction monitoring, impact assessment and mitigation for a 12.2-mile road across Corporation land.

    • Directly involved in different aspects of contaminated property clean-up at various sites in Alaska.