V-88 



ALASKA 



The previously described case studies -- Massachusetts, Florida, 

 etc. -- represent estuarine-management organizational frameworks of 

 relatively well established States. The following case study of Alaska 

 represents a rural and generally light industrial (low development 

 area) State that is relatively new. Alaska has a longer coastline 

 than any other State -- 33,000 linear miles -- a small population, 

 and it is one of three or four political entities in the world that 

 is bounded by two oceans, four seas, and two foreign nations. There 

 is phenomenal public awareness and concern about the State's estuarine 

 areas because more than 90 percent of the population depends on these 

 areas for their livelihood and/or well-being. 



In Alaska, because of the vast coastline, the short production or 

 working season and small staff capabilities, the management framework 

 is extremely flexible to allow activities in estuarine areas to be 

 handled on a need basis, rather than based on a preplanned program. 

 Since Statehood, Alaska owns its tidal and submerged lands, with 

 few exceptions. The State cannot sell its tidal or submerged lands 

 but only leases them - maintaining State ownership and control. A 

 large majority of the State's adjacent uplands are under Federal 

 control (parks, preserves, refuges) with cooperative Federal-State 

 management. Because of the general nonexistence of developed local -level 

 governments and competencies, estuarine management is focused at the 

 State level . 



