Fish are the heart of Southwest Alaska, forming the basis for the ecology, economy, and culture. Nowhere else in the world do such robust fisheries flourish, supporting commercial, subsistence and sport fishing. Their abundance over such a grand area is unrivaled. The millions of returning salmon feed bears and bald eagles, their spawn feeds rainbow trout and char, their decaying carcasses release the nutrients, which allow the annual cycle to continue, and their presence nourishes the human body and soul.

The sustainability of Southwest Alaska’s natural resources is in question in spite of the region being blessed with abundant fish and wildlife and large areas of high quality habitat conserved by public agencies and Native landowners. Perhaps nowhere else in North America exists such a mix of high quality fish and wildlife habitats supporting diverse, economically and socially valuable uses yet confronted by an uncertain future because of the potential disposition of strategic inholdings.

Changing land ownership, increased population pressure, incompatible development, and burgeoning growth of recreation create conflicts that threaten habitat stability and existing uses. Many small tracts of private land, mostly Native allotments, are located along rivers and lakes, where fish and wildlife are abundant, access and harvest are easiest and camping is good. These same qualities make allotments attractive locations for lodges, recreational subdivisions and other development. Because of their strategic locations, private lands have an enormous impact on long-term sustainability of fish, wildlife and habitat, far exceeding the modest acreage they encompass.

The landowners are frequently older Alaska Natives with conflicting desires. They want their land to remain natural but sale of their property brings needed cash. These twin desires are difficult to reconcile so owners often must make the painful decision to sell their land and see its conservation values lost. Influenced by the pressures of daily life like everyone else in society, local landowners who cannot meet their economic needs through conservation will sell the land for other purposes. The option of selling to a “conservation buyer” provides money and protects the land.

Conservation of these sites decreases conflicts between subsistence users, other local residents, anglers, hunters, wilderness users, and commercial operators. Resource depletion, displacement of wildlife, competition with historic uses and management problems for Native corporate landowners and state and federal agencies are reduced.

The future disposition and use of these lands will largely determine the sustainability of Southwest Alaska’s fish and wildlife and the uses they support. History of the other 49 states demonstrates conflicting land use and habitat fragmentation have been the major causes of declines of fish and wildlife and dependent uses. Stable, high value habitats must be ensured if future generations are going to enjoy the diverse and high quality opportunities that Southwest Alaska provides today.