wetlands adversely, the Bureau makes every effort to 

 obtain the appropriate modifications needed to pre- 

 serve the wetlands and increase their value to water- 

 fowl. 



Alaska' s Sport Fish and Game 



As long as Alaska remained a Territory, the U. S. 

 Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of 

 Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, managed its sport- 

 fishery and wildlife resources. Before this respon- 

 sibility could be turned over to the State of Alaska, 

 provisions of the Statehood Act had to be met. The 

 act required certain actions by the Alaska Legis- 

 lature, followed by certification by the Secretary of 

 the Interior, that the resources will be protected in 

 the national interest. All of these actions have been 

 accomplished and, since January 1, I960, Alaska 

 has managed its own fish and wildlife like any other 

 State. To accomplish that, a Department of fish and 

 game was created for Alaska. 



While the responsibilities of the Bureau of Sport 

 Fisheries and Wildlife in Alaska have been reduced, 

 they still are substantial. The nearly 19 million acres 

 in national wildlife refuges still require management 

 attention. Also, cooperation is given the State in the 

 problem of controlling predators of livestock and 

 wildlife. The Bureau will continues to assist the 

 State in enforcing Federal fish and wildlife laws, 

 including the protection of migratory birds, espe- 

 cially waterfowl. The Bureau will also continue its 

 Federal Aid programs for the restoration of sport 

 fishes and of wildlife. 



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