Sec. 16.20.615. - Tugidak Island Critical Habitat Area. - Alaska Statutes

(a) The state land above the mean high tide line within the following described area is established as the Tugidak Island Critical Habitat Area:

(1) Township 41 South, Ranges 33 - 34 West, Seward Meridian;

(2) Township 42 South, Range 33 West, Seward Meridian

Sections 1 - 11

Sections 14 - 23

Sections 25 - 36;

(3) Township 42 South, Ranges 34 - 35 West, Seward Meridian;

(4) Township 43 South, Ranges 34 - 35 West, Seward Meridian.

(b) In addition to the area described in (a) of this section, the water and the land below the mean high tide line in the lagoon at the northeast end of Tugidak Island are included within the Tugidak Island Critical Habitat Area.

(c) The Tugidak Island Critical Habitat Area described in (a) and (b) of this section shall be managed under a management plan prepared by the department.

(d) The department shall permit existing cabins to remain, subsistence and recreational uses to continue, and commercial uses such as seal hunting and placer mining to continue, if appropriate under the management plan adopted under (c) of this section to the extent that the activities are compatible with the establishment of the Tugidak Island Critical Habitat Area.

(e) The department shall permit entry within the Tugidak Island Critical Habitat Area for the exploration and development of oil and gas resources when compatible with the purposes for which the critical habitat area was established. An oil and gas lease of state land within the Tugidak Island Critical Habitat Area is valid and continues in full force according to its terms.