Refuge Units

Gulf of Alaska

Expanse

The Gulf of Alaska unit of the Alaska Maritime Refuge contains scattered small islands extending along 800 miles of coast from Southeast Alaska’s rainforests including St. Lazaria Island near Sitka. . .

. . . across the arc of Prince William Sound and the fjord-edged Kenai Peninsula where the Chiswell Islands are the most-visited in all the refuge . . .

. . . to the Barren Islands and waters and islets off Kodiak.

Moderate Climate

This region has the most moderate climate found in the Alaska Maritime Refuge. Mild winters and cool summers with heavy precipitation are typical.

Snowfall is minimal. Rain is heaviest in fall and winter. Winter temperatures normally remain above freezing except in lands adjacent to the Kenai Peninsula.

Wilderness Islands

Islands established as refuges prior to incorporation into Alaska Maritime Refuge are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. They include Forrester Island, Hazy Islands and St. Lazaria along the outer coast of Southeast Alaska; and Chisik, Duck and Egg islands in Tuxedni Bay, Cook Inlet area.

Last updated:September 8, 2008