Appendix B 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Master Memorandum of Understanding between the Alaska Department of 

Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Appendix B 

Alaska Peninsula and Becharof NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan B-1 

Master Memorandum of Understanding Between the Alaska Department of Fish 

and Game, Juneau, Alaska, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department 

of the Interior (Anchorage, Alaska) 

 

This Master Memorandum of Understanding between the State 

of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game, hereinafter referred 

to as the Department, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 

hereinafter referred to as the Service, reflects the general 

policy guidelines within which the two agencies agree to 

operate. 

Whereas, the Department, under the Constitution, laws, and 

regulations of the State of Alaska), is responsible for the 

management, protection, maintenance, enhancement, 

rehabilitation, and extension of the fish and wildlife resources of 

the State on the sustained-yield principle, subject to 

preferences among beneficial uses; and 

Whereas, the Service, by authority of the Constitution, laws of 

Congress, and regulations of the U.S. Department of Interior, 

has a mandated management responsibility for certain species 

or classes of wildlife, and is responsible for the management of 

Service lands in Alaska, and the conservation of fish and wildlife 

resources on these lands; and 

Whereas, the Department and the Service share a mutual 

concern for fish and wildlife resources and their habitats and 

both are engaged in extensive fish and wildlife conservation, 

management, and protection programs and desire to develop 

and maintain a cooperative relationship, which will be in the 

best interests of both parties, the concerned fish and wildlife 

resources, and their habitats, and produce the greatest public 

benefit; and 

Whereas, it has been recognized in the Alaska National 

Interest Lands Conservation Act and subsequent implementing 

Federal regulations that the resources and use of Service lands 

in Alaska are substantially different than those of other states; 

and 

Whereas, the Department and the Service recognize the 

increasing need to coordinate resource planning and policy 

development; 

Now, therefore, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows: 
Appendix B: Master Memorandum of Understanding 

B-2 Alaska Peninsula and Becharof NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan 

The Department of Fish and Game Agrees 

1. To recognize the Service as the agency with the 

responsibility to manage migratory birds, endangered 

species, and other species mandated by Federal law, and on 

Service lands in Alaska to conserve fish and wildlife and 

their habitats and regulate human use 

2. To manage fish and resident wildlife populations in their 

natural species diversity on Service lands 

3. To consult with the Regional Director in a timely manner 

and comply with applicable Federal laws and regulations 

before embarking on enhancement or construction activities 

on Service lands 

The Fish and Wildlife Service Agrees: 

1. To recognize the Department as the agency with the 

primary responsibility to manage fish and resident wildlife 

within the State of Alaska 

2. To recognize the right of the Department to enter onto 

Service lands at any time to conduct routine management 

activities which do not involve construction, disturbance to 

the land, or alterations of ecosystems 

3. To cooperate with the Department in planning for 

enhancement or development activities on Service lands 

which require permits, environmental assessments, 

compatibility assessments, or similar regulatory documents 

by responding to the Department in a timely manner with 

requirements, timetables, and any other necessary input 

4. To manage the fish and wildlife habitat on Service lands so 

as to ensure conservation of fish and wildlife populations 

and their habitats in their natural diversity 

5. To consider carefully the impact of any proposed treaties or 

international agreements relating to fish and wildlife 

resources on the State of Alaska which could diminish the 

jurisdictional authority of’ the State and to consult freely 

with the State when these treaties or agreements have a 

primary impact on the State 

6. To review present U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policies 

and any future proposed changes in those policies in 

consultation with the Department to determine if modified 

or special policies are needed for Alaska 

7. To adopt refuge management plans whose provisions—

including provision for animal damage control—are in 

substantial agreement with the Department’s fish and 

wildlife management plans, unless such plans are 
Appendix B: Master Memorandum of Understanding 

Alaska Peninsula and Becharof NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan B-3 

determined formally to be incompatible with the purposes 

for which the respective refuges were established 

8. To utilize the State’s regulatory process to maximum extent 

allowed by Federal law in developing new or modifying 

existing Federal regulations or proposing changes in 

existing State regulations governing or affecting the taking 

of fish and wildlife on Service lands in Alaska 

The Department of Fish and Game and the Fish and Wildlife 

Service Mutually Agree 

1. To coordinate planning for management of fish and wildlife 

resources on Service lands so that conflicts arising from 

differing legal mandates, objectives, and policies either do 

not arise or are minimized 

2. To consult with each other when developing policy and 

legislation which affect the attainment of wildlife resource 

management goals and objectives or management plans 

3. To recognize that the taking of fish and wildlife by hunting, 

trapping, or fishing on Service lands in Alaska is authorized 

in accordance with applicable State and Federal law unless 

State regulations are found to be incompatible with 

documented Refuge goals, objectives, or management plans 

4. To develop such supplemental memoranda of understanding 

between the Commissioner and the Regional Director as 

may be required to implement the policies contained herein 

5. That this Master Memorandum of Understanding shall 

become effective when signed by the Commissioner of the 

Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Alaska 

Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 

shall continue in force until terminated by either party by 

providing notice in writing 120 days in advance of the 

intended date of termination. 
Appendix B: Master Memorandum of Understanding 

B-4 Alaska Peninsula and Becharof NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan 

6. That amendments to this Master Memorandum of 

Understanding may he proposed by either party and shall 

become effective upon approval by both parties 

STATE OF ALASKA 

Department of Fish and Game 

/Signed/ Ronald 0. Skoog 

Commissioner 

March 13, 1982 

Date 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

/Signed/ Keith M. Schreiner 

Regional Director, Alaska 

March 13, 1982 

Date