The Togiak Refuge is a land of
rivers, mountains, and ocean. Most of the public use—both recreational
and subsistence—is centered on three major river drainages:
the Kanektok, the Goodnews, and the Togiak. These rivers provide some
of the best salmon and trout sportfishing in Alaska. Much of the refuge
is designated as the Togiak Wilderness Area, a part of the National
Wilderness Preservation System. In addition, Cape Peirce has been
designated as a wildlife-viewing area for its rare walrus haulouts
and seabird colony.
For more information about the Refuge, go to its Web
site
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
The revision of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan builds
on a series of past plans. The Bristol Bay Regional Management Plan,
the 1987 Togiak Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan, and the
1991 Togiak Refuge Public Use Management Plan were all cooperative plans that included
strong participation from representatives of local communications and the State of Alaska.
The
plan includes an updated comprehensive plan, and a revise Special Land Use Designation for management of State of
Alaska lands in the area.
The Comprehensive Conservation Plan was completed in September 2008 and will guide management of the refuge for the next 15 years. Click on the links below to download copies of the summary or full text of the plan.
To request a compact disk or a hard copy of the summary or full plan (approximately 450 pages) or to be included on our mailing list, please send us a message at fw7_togiak_planning@fws.gov or contact:
Maggi Arend, Planning Team Leader
Togiak NWR
1011 E. Tudor Rd., MS231
Anchorage, AK 99503
For more information about Togiak National Wildlife Refuge contact:
Paul Liedberg, Refuge Manager
Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
Post Office Box 270
Dillingham, AK 99576
Public Use Management Plan Revision
The revised Public Use Management Plan (PUMP) was finalized on September 21, 2010. The purpose of the plan is to ensure that management
of the refuge’s resources, including wilderness attributes, considers up-to-date information and changing public use of the Refuge.
This is the first major revision of the refuge’s PUMP since 1991. The issues addressed in this revision were identified through a review
of the 1991 Public Use Management Plan in conjunction with responses to planning updates, public meetings, and the input of core planning
team members. The core planning team included representatives of local tribes and the State of Alaska, along with Togiak Refuge staff.
The team developed five alternative approaches to revising the 1991 Plan. The alternatives were designed to meet Refuge goals, respond to
identified issues, and encompass a range of options for addressing each issue.
The selected alternative continues many of the policies included in the 1991 plan, with some significant changes. The State of Alaska
does not agree with all components of the selected alternative. In most cases, these changes are not in the form of regulations, but rather
indicate a decision to craft regulations, all of which would be developed through a process allowing ample opportunities for public input.
Significant changes to be implemented in the selected alternative include the following:
- To minimize the potential for wildlife disturbance as more people and aircraft access the area, regulations would be developed to require
all visitors to Cape Peirce Wildlife Viewing Area to have permits. A commercial guide or Refuge staff would accompany groups of visitors
during peak use periods. At low use levels the refuge manager would be able to waive the permit requirement.
- The Kanektok and Goodnews rivers flow through the second largest wilderness area in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The opportunity
for world-class fishing in a vast wilderness setting attracts anglers from around the world. Regulations would be developed to ensure a
high quality wilderness experience is maintained. They would require permits for the use of Refuge lands along the Kanektok River and
all forks of the Goodnews River. Permits for both the Kanektok and Goodnews rivers would be required only during peak use periods that
coincide with the Chinook and coho salmon seasons. At low use levels the refuge manager would be able to waive the permit requirement for
unguided float trips.
- Unguided float use on Refuge lands along the Kanektok River watershed would be limited to one new group every other day, alternating with guided trips,
which would continue to be limited to one new group every other day.
- Unguided float use on Refuge lands in the Goodnews River watershed would be limited to one group every other weekday (Tuesday and
Thursday) and one on each weekend day. Guided float use on Refuge lands in the Goodnews River watershed will remain at one trip per week
but commercial operators will have the option to float the North or Middle forks. In the past, guided trips were limited to the North Fork
Goodnews River.
- During fall 2010 the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge will be soliciting proposals to provide the guided float sport fishing services
listed above for the North and Middle Forks of the Goodnews River as well as guided motorized sport fishing services for those rivers.
As noted above, specific regulations for those actions that call for such are not included in this decision, and will be crafted through
a process including ample opportunities for public meeting and comment. The intent of the PUMP is to protect refuge resources and to
enable the Service to provide memorable wilderness experiences to all members of the public who enjoy recreation on the lands and waters
of Togiak National Wildlife Refuge.
For more information about the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge PUMP or about competing for sport fish guiding opportunities within Togiak
National Wildlife Refuge contact Refuge Manager Paul Liedberg at 907-842-1063 or 800-817-2538.
Click on the links below to download copies of the environmental assessment on the plan revision.
click here (pdf).
Land Protection Plan
To download the a small
part of this plan click here (pdf).
