C ommunications Telephone communications via satellite is available to the entire region through four telephone cooperatives. VHF and citizen band radios are used in most communities. Except for roads between Dillingham and Aleknagik, King Salmon and Naknek, and Iliamna and Newhalen, there are no inter-connecting regional roads. The region has daily, year-round air transportation provided by three commercial and cargo airlines through Dillingham, King Salmon and Iliamna which serve as the region's transportation hubs. Several small airlines provide local charter and cargo flights.
Most freight is hauled via by-pass mail from Anchorage with some by barge front Seattle.
Individuals travel by personal vehicles, snow machines, ATVs, skiffs, and small planes. A large percentage of the freight comes in by barge from Seattle. In 1993, the Department of Interior formally recognized and listed most of the villages of Bristol Bay as tribes. These tribes have a special relationship with the US government, which assures funding for social and human service programs through the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other federal agencies. Presently the state does not recognize tribal governments.