Alaska Administrative Code › Title 5 - Fish and Game › Part 3 - Game › Chapter 92 - Statewide Provisions › Article 3 - Permits › 5 AAC 92.065 - Permit for access to McNeil River State Game Sanctuary

Current through May 31, 2024
(a) A permit is
				  required for access to McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, except that no permit
				  is required for access to McNeil Spit or other land or water below mean high
				  tide seaward of a line from an ADF&G regulatory marker on the north side of
				  the mouth of McNeil River to an ADF&G regulatory marker at the campground
				  on the eastern shore of McNeil Cove, or for access to other tidelands of the
				  sanctuary when open to commercial fishing by emergency order. The department
				  may issue a single nontransferable permit to each individual who pays the
				  application and permit fees and qualifies under the permit application
				  procedures established by the department in
				  5 AAC 93.030. The department may deny a permit described
				  in (b)(4) of this section if the applicant does not qualify under the criteria
				  established by the department under that paragraph.
(b) From June 7 through August 25, no more
				  than 35 percent of the total available viewing or standby permits may be
				  awarded to nonresidents and nonresident aliens, provided the number of
				  residents applying for viewing and standby permits is sufficient to use 65
				  percent of available permits. If the number of residents applying for viewing
				  and standby permits is insufficient to award 65 percent, the remainder may be
				  awarded to nonresidents or nonresident aliens. The department may limit the
				  number of persons allowed into the sanctuary for bear viewing purposes, to up
				  to 13 each day, and condition permits for access, as follows:
(1) the department may allow up to 15
				  permittees to overnight in a camping area designated in the permit; no
				  permittee may remain in a designated camping area for more than six
				  days;
(2) the department shall
				  establish four-day bear viewing periods, and may issue up to 10 bear viewing
				  permits for each four-day bear viewing period through an annual lottery
				  drawing; individuals holding such a permit will have access to a bear viewing
				  area each day of the four-day bear viewing period covered by the permit, and
				  may be in the sanctuary for a total of six days under the permit; after the
				  bear viewing period set by the permit has expired, the permittee shall remain
				  in the vicinity of the camping area designated in the permit until departing
				  the sanctuary;
(3) the department
				  may issue a standby permit by lottery drawing to a person not holding a bear
				  viewing permit issued under (2) of this subsection; a maximum of three standby
				  permits may be issued for any day; standby permit holders are guaranteed access
				  to the sanctuary for a four-day period, but will be able to visit a bear
				  viewing area only if there is a vacancy resulting from a bear viewing permit
				  holder not going to the bear viewing area; if fewer than 10 bear viewing permit
				  holders are available to visit a bear viewing area on a given day, the
				  department designee may fill any such vacancies with standby permit holders; a
				  standby permit holder not authorized under this paragraph to visit a bear
				  viewing area shall remain in the immediate vicinity of the camping area
				  designated in the permit, or the beach, as directed by department
				  staff;
(4) the department may
				  reserve up to 15 bear viewing permits for educational, scientific, or other
				  purposes consistent with
				  AS
				  16.20.162; a permit under this subsection may
				  be issued for longer than four days, but not more than three such permits may
				  be issued for any four-day time period; the commissioner may establish criteria
				  consistent with
				  AS
				  16.20.162 for issuing, denying, and revoking
				  permits issued under this paragraph;
(5) repealed 7/1/99;
(6) a person that is a successful applicant
				  is ineligible to obtain a permit for the following year.