Agulowak River:
The Agulowak
River is one of the salmon rich jewels of Southwest Alaska.
This 4.5-mile long river flows from Lake Nerka to Lake Aleknagik
within the Wood-Tikchik State Park, the nation’s largest state
park. The river provides a robust fishery for sport anglers,
subsistence and commercial users. SWAKCC partners have
negotiated a conservation easement that provides public access
with Aleknagik Natives Limited on their land within the Park
including both banks of the Agulowak River and approximately 42
miles of productive and scenic shoreline along Lakes Aleknagik
and Nerka; a total of about 20,783 acres. The land has great
fish and wildlife values and is heavily used for sport fishing.
The conservation easement, which will be managed by the
Wood-Tikchik State Park, will close in 2007.
The partners in
this agreement need your help to complete this critical
project. Funding is a mix of private funds, foundation grants
and federal appropriations. Private dollars are very
significant. For every private dollar contributed to this vital
project, the partners leverage the donation tenfold with federal
and foundation grants. Donations go directly into the land.
This is terrific leverage and a great philanthropic investment
to secure an enduring legacy of world-class fish and wildlife
habitat and all the public benefits it brings. Private
contributions are the magnet that allows the partners to secure
and match federal and foundation funds. To donate to this
project contact Glenn Elison, Partnership Coordinator, 6400
Andover Circle, Anchorage, AK. 99516, 907-868-7974.
Agulukpak River: The
Agulukpak is one of the highly productive, short rivers that
connect the large lakes of the Wood-Tikchik State Park. The
‘Pak flows two miles from Lake Beverley to Lake Nerka. Like the
Agulowak it is a major spawning area for sockeye salmon and
supports a high density of rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. The
SWACC partners are working to protect the conservation values of
three Native allotments near the mouth of the River and one at
the start of the ‘Pak.
Togiak River:
Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat Partnership partners are working to
protect the conservation values of several allotments along the
Togiak River within the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge.
Six Native allotments totaling 760 acres to be included into the Togiak Refuge are under contract or are in various stages of
appraisal, negotiation or closing.
All of the properties
currently under agreement are along the salmon rich Togiak
River, which is the primary source of salmon for local Native
communities, a major supplier of the fish caught commercially in
the Togiak District, and supports a popular and productive sport
fishery.
Alagnak River: The
Alagnak River is a major tributary of the Kvichak River, which
historically has produced the world’s largest sockeye salmon
runs. The Alagnak is heavily used for sport angling and
supports the subsistence needs of local communities. Several
allotments are being considered for conservation agreements.
Big Creek: An agreement
has been reached on a 40-acre allotment along Big Creek within
the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge. Big Creek is a tributary
of the Naknek River and a major spawning area for king, chum and
silver salmon. It is a popular subsistence harvest and sport
angling destination.
Becharof Lake: SWACC
partners are negotiating for a 160-acre tract along Becharof
Lake. Becharof Lake and its tributaries produce the second
largest sockeye run in the world and support one of the states
highest brown bear densities.
State Critical Habitat Areas:
Discussions are beginning with Native corporations for
conservation easements within Critical Habitat Areas along the
north side of the Alaska Peninsula. Port Moeller/Nelson Lagoon,
Pilot Point, Cinder River and other lagoons provide world class
migratory bird habitat and are import links for major anadromous
fish systems such as the Ugashik, Dog Salmon, King Salmon,
Cinder and Sapsuk rivers.
SWACC partners are in discussions
with select allotment owners along the Goodnews, Kanektok, and
Arolik Rivers. All of these rivers are major contributors to
the Kuskokwim Commercial fishing district. They support the
economies and subsistence needs for local communities and are
renowned for their sport fisheries.
