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cause of the general nonexistence of developed local-level govern- 

 ments and competencies, estuarine management is focused at the State 

 level. 



In Alaska's State government, three principal departments are re- 

 sponsible for management of the estuarine or coastal zones. These are 

 the Departments of Natural Resources, Health and Welfare, and Fish 

 and Game ; ancillary groups are the Department of Public Works and 

 Water Resources Board. 



The Department of Natural Resources manages the use of the State's 

 natural resources (water, land, and minerals). Specifically the De- 

 partment's activities include the management, disposal, and protection 

 of State lands (tidal and submerged v/ithin the 3-mile limit) ; water 

 resources ; forestry and mineral resources ; issuance of leases and per- 

 mits on tidal and submerged lands for development such as for log 

 storage and rafting ; construction of dock facilities ; sale, leasing, and 

 issuance of permits for use of adjacent State-owned uplands and wet- 

 lands; and last but not least, the classification of lands as to their 

 highest and most beneficial use. The State has initiated this classifica- 

 tion-zoning plan for its tidal and submerged lands as a part of its 

 estuarine management system. At present, about 50 percent of the 

 lands are classified for recreational purposes. In any consideration for 

 leasing and issuance of permits, one of the prime factors is the poten- 

 tial effects of the proposed use on the ecosystem or fish and game in 

 adjacent lands. If land is unclassified, then it must be classed for the 

 highest and most beneficial use before leasing. 



The Department of Fish and Game is responsible for managing, 

 protecting, maintaining, improving, and extending the fish and game 

 resources of Alaska. The department's environmental division coordi- 

 nates the development of tidal and submerged lands or adjacent waters 

 as they may affect the fish and game resources. This division is the 

 main coordinating machanism among the department of natural re- 

 sources, the department of fish and game, and department of health 

 and welfare — that is, a coordinator for estuarine-related activities. The 

 departments of fish and game and natural resources also coordinate 

 their activities related to fish and wildlife through a memorandum of 

 agreement intended to identify and classify fish and wildlife habitats 

 for their maximum protection. 



The Department of Health and Welfare includes responsibility for 

 the prevention and abatement of water pollution and for the assurance 

 of adequate supplies of water. This department has responsibility for 

 pollution control. 



