Current through Chapter 61 of the 2024 Legislative Session and 2024 Executive Orders 125, 133 through 135
Section 41.21.174 - Designation of management responsibility(a) The state land and water described in AS 41.21.172 are assigned to the department for control, maintenance, and development consistent with the purposes and provisions of AS 41.21.170 - 41.21.178.(b) The Department of Fish and Game is responsible for the management of fish and game resources in the Shuyak Island State Park, consistent with the sustained yield principle and the purposes and provisions of this chapter. The Board of Fisheries, the Board of Game, and the commissioner of fish and game are responsible for adopting regulations governing uses of fish and game in accordance with AS 16. The fish and game habitat and breeding areas shall be managed to ensure that the fish and game resources of the park continue on a sustained yield basis. In managing the fish and game resources of the Shuyak Island State Park and adopting regulations governing uses of the fish and game, the Board of Fisheries, the Board of Game, or the commissioner of fish and game may not permanently close any fishing, hunting, or trapping within the park unless the closure is implemented because of a biological emergency. A closure implemented because of a biological emergency (1) may continue in effect only as long as the biological emergency continues to exist, and (2) must be reevaluated on a regular basis, not less than annually, to justify that the closure continues to be necessary.(c) The department shall consult with the Department of Fish and Game before adoption of regulations governing public use of the Shuyak Island State Park.(d) The Department of Fish and Game shall consult with the department before adoption of regulations governing fish and game management in Shuyak Island State Park.(e) The regulations established under this section shall be adopted in accordance with AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act).(f) The commissioner shall permit reasonable camping within the Shuyak Island State Park on an extended basis on request.(g) Nothing in AS 41.21.170 - 41.21.178 prohibits the Department of Fish and Game from engaging in rehabilitation, enhancement, and development of fish and game habitat under AS 16.05 on land and water within the Shuyak Island State Park.(h) The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Fish and Game shall have necessary access for fish and game management, research, and enforcement purposes.