Sec. 41.21.610. - Purpose of AS 41.21.610 - 41.21.630. - Alaska Statutes

(a) The purpose of AS 41.21.610 - 41.21.630 is to establish the state-owned land and water described in AS 41.21.611 (b) as the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve as part of the state park system. The primary purpose for establishing the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is to protect and perpetuate the Chilkat bald eagles and their essential habitats within the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in recognition of their statewide, nationally, and internationally significant values in perpetuity.

(b) The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is also established to

(1) protect and sustain the natural salmon spawning and rearing areas of the Chilkat River and Chilkoot River systems within the preserve in perpetuity;

(2) provide continued opportunities for research, study and enjoyment of bald eagles and other wildlife;

(3) ensure to the maximum extent practicable water quality and necessary water quantity under applicable laws;

(4) provide for other public uses consistent with the primary purpose for which the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is established; and

(5) provide an opportunity for the continued traditional and natural resource based lifestyle of the people living in the general areas described in AS 41.21.611 (b), consistent with the other purposes of this subsection and (a) of this section.

(c) It is the intent of the legislature in enacting AS 41.21.610 - 41.21.630 to provide sufficient protection for the purposes for which the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is established. Accordingly, the establishment of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve and the Haines State Forest Resource Management Area under AS 41.15.305 is determined to represent a proper balance between the reservation of state public domain land and water for bald eagle preserve purposes and state public domain land and water more appropriate for multiple use. Therefore, the legislature determines that there is no need for legislation expanding or contracting the boundary of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in the future; the legislature further determines that study by a state agency of the expansion or contracting of the boundary of the preserve shall be conducted under AS 41.21.621 .

(d) Inasmuch as the area described in AS 41.21.611 (b) exceeds 640 acres, AS 41.21.610 - 41.21.630 are intended to close the area to multiple use in conformity with AS 38.05.300 and the land is dedicated as a special purpose site under art. VIII, Sec. 7 of the state constitution.