The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge extends from Forrester
Island in Southeast Alaska to the tip of the Aleutian Chain and up the
coastline almost to Barrow, Alaska. It covers more than 4.8 million
acres and has its headquarters in Homer, Alaska. Following are the purposes
of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, as specified in the
Alaska National Interest Lands Act (ANILCA) of 1980:
(i) to conserve fish and wildlife populations and habitats in their
natural diversity, including but not limited to marine mammals, marine
birds, and other migratory birds; the marine resources upon which
they rely; and bears, caribou, and other mammals;
(ii) to fulfill the international treaty obligations of the United
States with respect to fish and wildlife and their habitats;
(iii) to provide, in a manner consistent with the purposes set forth
in subparagraphs (i) and (ii), the opportunity for continued subsistence
uses by local residents;
(iv) to provide, in a manner consistent with subparagraphs (i) and
(ii), a program of national and international scientific research
on marine resources;
(v) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable and in a manner
consistent with the purposes set forth in paragraph (i), water quality
and necessary water quantity within the refuge.
Visit the Alaska Maritime National
Wildlife Refuge Web site for more information about
this extensive conservation unit.
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
ANILCA requires a comprehensive conservation plan for all refuges in
Alaska. The conservation plan for the Alaska Maritime Refuge was completed
in 1988. This plan provides direction for managing the refuge by identifying
the types and level of activities that can occur on the refuge. The
refuge is divided into four management categories ranging from Intensive
Management to Wilderness. The Intensive Management category makes up
8 percent (396,873 acres) of the refuge, Moderate Management covers
1 percent (50,160 acres) of the refuge, Minimal Management covers 32
percent (1,562,969 acres), and congressionally designated Wilderness
covers 56 percent (2,739,856 acres). The Plan recommends an additional
365,880 acres be designated as Wilderness.
We anticipate beginning revision of the current Plan in 2010.
Land Conservation Plan
No land-conservation plan for the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife
Refuge has been developed.
Visitor Services Plan
No visitor services plan for the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
has been developed.
