ADF&G Seeks Comment on Draft Management Plan for Dude Creek Critical Habitat Area
- ADF&G Press Release

Cora Campbell, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, Alaska 99811
Phone: (907) 465-6166 - Fax: (907) 465-2332

Press Release: No. 11-28, June 2, 2011

Contact: Mark Fink, ADF&G, Division of Habitat, (907) 267-2338

ADF&G Seeks Comment on Draft Management Plan for Dude Creek Critical Habitat Area

(Juneau) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is seeking public comment on a Dude Creek Critical Habitat Area (CHA) draft management plan. The management plan and subsequent regulations will be used by department staff to guide management actions and authorize appropriate activities in the critical habitat area through Special Area Permitting.

Established in 1988, the Dude Creek CHA is located on the Gustavus Forelands in Southeast Alaska and encompasses approximately 4,082 acres of open wetlands and scrub pine-spruce forest. The primary purpose of the CHA is to protect and enhance wet meadow habitat for lesser sandhill cranes, for the protection of lesser sandhill cranes, and for the continued public use and enjoyment of the area; and to restrict uses not compatible with that primary purpose.

The draft plan presents management goals for the CHA and identifies policies to be used in determining which activities are compatible with the protection of sandhill cranes and other fish and wildlife, their habitats, and public use of the CHA. It includes proposed policies on access and use of resources in the CHA and a list of proposed regulations for implementing the plan. Proposed regulations may be revised prior to adoption based on public comment and any subsequent changes to management plan policies. ADF&G will conduct a separate regulatory review for these regulations after the management plan is finalized later this year.

The draft plan is available for public review and comment through July 11, 2011. Copies are available on the department website at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=dudecreek.draftplan and at ADF&G offices in Anchorage and Douglas. Additional copies for review will be at Gustavus City Hall and Esther Greenwald Library in Hoonah. Written comments may be submitted via email to dfg.hab.specialarea@alaska.gov or via postal service to:

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