State Partners
The mission of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is to conserve, improve and protect Alaska’s natural resources and environment to enhance the health, safety, economic and social well-being of Alaskans. We at ADF&G work closely with several divisions at DEC to help achieve our mission.
The Division of Water’s mission is to improve and protect water quality. The division establishes standards for water cleanliness and regulates discharges to waters and wetlands. ADF&G assists in the development of these standards and reviews proposed discharges for possible effects on fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
The mission of the Division of Spill Prevention and Response is to prevent, respond to, and ensure the cleanup of unauthorized discharges of oil and hazardous substances. ADF&G works with the division in the review of oil spill contingency plans, participates in spill drills and spill response, and assists with actual oil spill response efforts.
Department of Fish and Game; Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
The Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) helps to conserve and maintain the economic health of Alaska’s commercial fisheries by limiting the number of participating fishers. The Commission issues permits and vessel licenses to qualified individuals in both limited and unlimited fisheries, and provides due process hearings and appeal processes for disputes related to limitations on fishery participation.
Department of Law
The Department of Law (DOL), and specifically the Natural Resource Section of the Civil Division, provides legal advice and represents the State Departments and Boards that regulate Alaska's lands, waters, and renewable natural resources, including ADF&G and the Boards of Fisheries and Game. The Natural Resource section helps to ensure that the state's natural resources are managed and allocated by state agencies in a manner that is consistent with the law, defends against legal challenges to actions taken by the state's natural resource agencies, and pursues legal actions against persons who are illegally using, damaging, or destroying Alaska's lands, waters, or renewable natural resources.
Department of Natural Resources
The Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) mission is to develop, conserve, and enhance natural resources for present and future Alaskans. ADF&G works with multiple divisions at DNR during the review of land use plans and activities, as described below.
The Division of Forestry, among other duties, and in conjunction with ADF&G and DEC, protects water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and other forest values through appropriate forest practices and administration of the Forest Resources and Practices Act.
The Division of Mining, Land and Water manages all state-owned land except for trust property and units of the Alaska State Park System, which includes over 100 million acres of uplands. They also manage Alaska’s 65 million acres of tidelands, shorelands, and submerged lands. They also have jurisdiction over all of the state’s water resources, which is of important interest to ADF&G.
The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation provides outdoor recreation opportunities and conserves and interprets natural, cultural, and historic resources for the use, enjoyment, and welfare of the people. The division specifically manages State Parks, as well as other units of particular interest to ADF&G including the Kenai River Special Management Area and the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.
The Office of Project Management and Permitting (OPMP) coordinates the review of larger-scale projects in the state. The complexity and potential impact of these projects typically involves multiple divisions or agencies, and OPMP serves the project coordinator. Project types include oil and gas, mining, and transportation, among others. ADF&G staff are members of the Large Project Review teams for these projects.
Department of Public Safety
The core mission of the Division of Wildlife Troopers (DWT) is to protect Alaska’s natural resources through wildlife enforcement. DWT works closely with staff from ADF&G to enforce the department’s statutes and regulations.
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
The mission of the Statewide Design and Engineering Services is to provide technical services to the Department and other state and federal agencies. Staff from this service, and in particular the Statewide Environmental Office, work with staff from ADF&G in the development, design, and review of proposed transportation infrastructure.
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
The mission of the Statewide Design and Engineering Services is to provide technical services to the Department and other state and federal agencies. Staff from this service, and in particular the Statewide Environmental Office, work with staff from ADF&G in the development, design, and review of proposed transportation infrastructure.
University of Alaska
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), the nation's northernmost Land, Sea and Space Grant university and international research center, advances and disseminates knowledge through teaching, research and public service with an emphasis on Alaska, the circumpolar North and their diverse peoples. UAF, along with the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Southeast, promotes academic excellence, student success and lifelong learning. Natural resource curriculums and research programs are primarily found in the UAF and UAS systems, and ADF&G partners with all three universities on research opportunities and building a pipeline of future biologists, scientists, natural resource professionals, and other staff.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council
The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council was formed to oversee restoration of the injured ecosystem through the use of the $900 million civil settlement. The Council consists of three State members, including the Commissioner of ADF&G, and three federal trustees (or their designees).
Alaska Public Lands Information Centers
The Alaska Public Lands Information Centers (APLIC) were established through the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and are operated by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Six additional state and federal agencies, including ADF&G, serve on the APLIC Interagency Visitor Center Committee to provide direction and oversight.
The Alaska Centers support appropriate use and enjoyment of Alaska's public lands and resources through a "one-stop shopping" approach to distributing information, trip-planning assistance, and resource education. The Alaska Centers are a system of information and education centers that help provide visitors and residents with meaningful, safe, and enjoyable experiences on public lands and encourage them to sustain the natural and cultural resources of Alaska.