36.39—Public use.
(a) General.
Public use of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) is permitted subject to all other parts of 50 CFR part 36, those sections of 50 CFR subchapter C not supplemented by part 36, and the following refuge-specific requirements:
(b) Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
(1)
Amchitka Island—closed to all public access, occupancy and use, unless specifically authorized by a special use permit issued jointly by the Refuge Manager and the U.S. Navy (Commanding Officer, Fleet Surveillance Support Command, Chesapeake, Virginia).
(c) Alaska Peninsula/Becharof National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
(1)
The Alaska Peninsula/Becharof National Wildlife Refuge (Complex) includes the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge, the Chignik and Ugashik Units of the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge and the Seal Cape Area of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
(2)
Off-road vehicles are permitted on the refuge complex under § 36.12(a) , § 36.39(c)(2)(ii) or § 36.39(c)(2)(iii) and must meet the following conditions:
(i)
Vehicles are limited to three or four-wheeled vehicles with a maximum gross weight of 650 pounds as listed by the manufacturer.
(ii)
ORV's are permitted on the following trails only: Yantarni Bay Airstrip; Yantarni Bay Airstrip to beach trail; and Yantarni Bay Airstrip to oil well site trail. Maps of the above areas are available from the Refuge Manager.
(iii)
Subject to the weight and size restrictions listed in (i) above, subsistence use of off-road vehicles, as authorized by 50 CFR 36.12(a) is allowed throughout the Alaska Peninsula/Becharof National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
(i)
These camping limits do not apply to subsistence users except at Big Creek where they apply to all refuge complex users.
(ii)
No permanent improvements may be made to campsites without a special use permit. All materials brought on to the refuge complex must be removed upon cessation of camping unless authorized by a special use permit.
(iii)
Other than reserved sites authorized by special use permits, camping at one location is limited to seven consecutive nights from August 1 through November 15 within 1/4 mile of the following waters: Becharof Lake in the Severson Peninsula area (Island Arm); Becharof Lake Outlet; Ugashik Narrows; Big Creek; Gertrude Lake; and Gertrude Creek between Gertrude Lake and the King Salmon River. Maps of the above areas are available from the Refuge Manager.
(iv)
Tent camps must be moved a minimum of one mile following each seven-night camping stay during the periods specified above.
(4)
Temporary facilities may be authorized on the Alaska Peninsula/Becharof National Wildlife Refuge Complex by special use permit only, subject to the following conditions:
(i)
Except for administrative or subsistence purposes, new temporary facilities are prohibited within 1/4 mile of the Becharof Lake shoreline.
(ii)
Except for administrative purposes, new temporary facilities are prohibited in the following areas: within 1/4 mile of the shorelines of Gertrude Lake and Long Lake; within 1/4 mile of the airstrip on the south side of the King Salmon River approximately 1/2 mile above the confluence of Gertrude Creek and the King Salmon River; within 1/4 mile of the shoreline of Upper and Lower Ugashik Lakes; within 1/4 mile of the shoreline of Becharof Lake outlet; and within 1/4 mile of the shoreline of Big Creek. Maps of the above areas are available from the Refuge Manager.
(i) Kenai National Wildlife Refuge—
(1) Aircraft.
The operation of aircraft on the Kenai NWR, except in an emergency, is permitted only as authorized in designated areas as described below. These areas are also depicted on a map available from the Refuge Manager.
(A)
Within the Canoe Lakes, Andy Simons, and Mystery Creek units of the Kenai Wilderness, only the following lakes are designated for airplane operations:
Canoe Lakes Unit
Bedlam Lake
Bird Lake
Cook Lake
Grouse Lake
King Lake
Mull Lake
Nekutak Lake
Norak Lake
Sandpiper Lake
Scenic Lake
Shoepac Lake
Snowshoe Lake
Taiga Lake
Tangerra Lake
Vogel Lake
Wilderness Lake
Pepper, Gene, and Swanson Lakes are only open for sport ice fishing.
Andy Simons Unit
Emerald Lake
Green Lake
Harvey Lake
High Lake
Iceberg Lake
Kolomin Lakes
Lower Russian Lake
Martin Lake
Pothole Lake
Twin Lakes
Upper Russian Lake
Windy Lake
Dinglestadt Glacier terminus lake
Wusnesenski Glacier terminus lake
Tustumena Lake and all wilderness lakes within one mile of the shoreline of Tustumena Lake.
All unnamed lakes in sections 1 & 2, T. 1 S., R. 10 W., and sections 4, 5, 8, & 9, T. 1 S., R. 9 W., S.M., AK.
Mystery Creek Unit
An unnamed lake in section 11, T. 6 N., R. 5 W., S.M., AK.
(B)
Airplanes may operate on all lakes outside the Kenai Wilderness, except those lakes with recreational developments, including, but not limited to, campgrounds, campsites, and public hiking trails connected to road waysides. The non-wilderness lakes closed to aircraft operations are as follows:
North of Sterling Highway
Afonasi Lake
Anertz Lake
Breeze Lake
Cashka Lake
Dabbler Lake
Dolly Varden Lake
Forest Lake
Imeri Lake
Lili Lake
Mosquito Lake
Rainbow Lake
Silver Lake
Upper Jean Lake
Watson Lake
Weed Lake
West Lake
All lakes in the Skilak Loop Area (South of Sterling Highway and North of Skilak Lake) are closed to aircraft except that airplanes may land on Bottenintnin Lake, which is open year-around and Hidden Lake, which is only open for sport ice fishing.
South of Sterling Highway
Headquarters Lake is restricted to administrative use only.
(ii)
Notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations, the operation of aircraft is prohibited between May 1 and September 30, inclusive, on any lake where nesting trumpeter swans and/or their broods are present, except Windy and Lonesome Lakes where the closure is between May 1 and September 10 inclusive.
(iii)
The operation of wheeled aircraft, at the pilot's own risk, is only authorized on the unmaintained Big Indian Creek Airstrip, on gravel areas within 1/2 mile of Wusnesenski Glacier terminus lake, and within the SE 1/4, section 16 and SW 1/4, section 15, T. 4 S., R. 8 W., Seward Meridian.
(iv)
Unlicensed aircraft are permitted to operate on the refuge only as authorized by a special use permit from the Refuge Manager.
(v)
Airplanes may operate only within designated areas on the Chickaloon Flats, as depicted on a map available from the Refuge Manager.
(vi)
Airplane operation is permitted on the Kasilof River, the Chickaloon River outlet, and the Kenai River below Skilak Lake from June 15 through March 14. All other rivers on the refuge are closed to aircraft.
(2) Motorboats.
Motorboats are authorized on all waters of the refuge except under the following conditions and within the following areas:
(i)
Motorboats are not authorized on lakes within the Canoe Lakes Unit of the Kenai Wilderness, except those lakes designated for airplane operations as described on a map available from the Refuge Manager. Boat motor use is not authorized on those portions of the Moose and Swanson Rivers within the Canoe Lakes Unit of the Kenai Wilderness.
(ii)
That section of the Kenai River from the outlet of Skilak Lake downstream for three miles is closed to motorboat use between March 15 and June 14, inclusive. However, any boat having a motor attached may drift or row through this section provided the motor is not operating.
(iii)
That section of the Kenai River from the powerline crossing located approximately one mile below the confluence of the Russian and Kenai Rivers downstream to Skilak Lake is closed to motorboats. However, any boat having a motor attached may drift or row through this section provided the motor is not operating.
(iv)
Motors in excess of 10 horsepower are not authorized on the Moose, Swanson, Funny, Chickaloon (upstream of river mile 7.5), Killey, and Fox Rivers.
(v)
A “no-wake” restriction applies to Engineer, Upper and Lower Ohmer, Bottenintnin, Upper and Lower Jean, Kelly, Petersen, Watson, Imeri, Afonasi, Dolly Varden, and Rainbow Lakes.
(vi)
Notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations, operation of a motorboat is prohibited between May 1 and September 30, inclusive, on any lake where nesting trumpeter swans and/or their broods are present, except Windy and Lonesome Lakes where the closure is between May 1 and September 10, inclusive.
(3) Off-Road Vehicles.
(i)
The use of air cushion, airboat, or other motorized watercraft, except motorboats, is not allowed on the Kenai NWR, except as authorized by a special use permit from the Refuge Manager.
(ii)
Off-road vehicle use, including operation on lake and river ice, is not permitted. Licensed highway vehicles are permitted on Hidden, Engineer, Kelly, Petersen, and Watson Lakes for ice fishing purposes only, and must enter and exit lakes via existing boat ramps.
(4) Snowmobiles.
Operation of snowmobiles is authorized on the Kenai NWR subject to the following conditions and exceptions:
(i)
Snowmobiles are permitted between December 1 and April 30 only when the Refuge Manager determines that there is adequate snowcover to protect underlying vegetation and soils. During this time, the Refuge Manager will authorize, through public notice, the use of snowmobiles less than 46 inches in width and less than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) in weight. Designated snowmobile areas are described on a map available from the Refuge Manager.
(iii)
The area within sections 5, 6, 7, and 8, T. 4 N., R. 10 W., S.M., AK., east of the Sterling Highway right-of-way, including the refuge headquarters complex, the environmental education/cross-country ski trails, Headquarters and Nordic lakes, and the area north of the east fork of Slikok Creek and northwest of a prominent seismic trail to Funny River Road, is closed to snowmobile use.
(iv)
An area, including the Swanson River Canoe Route and portages, beginning at the Paddle Lake parking area, then west and north along the Canoe Lakes wilderness boundary to the Swanson River, continuing northeast along the river to Wild Lake Creek, then east to the west shore of Shoepac Lake, south to the east shore of Antler Lake, and west to the beginning point near Paddle Lake, is closed to snowmobile use.
(v)
An area, including the Swan Lake Canoe Route, and several road-connected public recreational lakes, bounded on the west by the Swanson River Road, on the north by the Swan Lake Road, on the east from a point at the east end of Swan Lake Road south to the west bank of the Moose River, and on the south by the refuge boundary, is closed to snowmobile use.
(vi)
Within the Skilak Loop Special Management Area, snowmobiles are prohibited, except on Hidden, Kelly, Petersen and Engineer lakes for ice fishing access only. Upper and Lower Skilak Lake campground boat launches may be used as access points for snowmobile use on Skilak Lake.
(vii)
Snowmobiles may not be used on maintained roads within the refuge. Snowmobiles may cross a maintained road after stopping and when traffic on the roadway allows safe snowmobile crossing.
(5) Hunting and Trapping.
(i)
Firearms may not be discharged within 1/4 mile of designated public campgrounds, trailheads, waysides, buildings or the Sterling Highway from the east refuge boundary to the east junction of the Skilak Loop Road.
(ii)
A special use permit, available from the Refuge Manager, is required prior to baiting black bears.
(iii)
Hunting with the aid or use of a dog for taking big game is permitted only for black bear, and then only under the terms of a special use permit from the Refuge Manager.
(iv)
Hunting and trapping within sections 5, 6, 7, and 8, T. 4 N., R. 10 W., S.M., AK., encompassing the Kenai NWR headquarters/visitor center and associated environmental education trails, are prohibited. The boundary of these administrative and environmental education areas is depicted on a map available from the Refuge Manager.
(6) Fishing.
Fishing is prohibited June 1 to August 15, on the south bank of the Kenai River from the Kenai-Russian River Ferry dock to a point 100 feet downstream.
(7) What do I need to know about other public uses on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge?
(i) What are the camping restrictions?
We allow camping subject to the following restrictions:
(B)
Campers may not spend more than two consecutive days at the Kenai-Russian River access area, more than seven consecutive days at Hidden Lake Campground, or more than seven consecutive days in refuge shelters.
(C)
Within developed campgrounds, camp only in designated areas and use open fires only in portable, self-contained, metal fire grills, or fire grates provided by us.
(D)
Do not camp within 1/4 mile of the Sterling Highway, Ski Hill, or Skilak Loop roads except in designated campgrounds.
(ii) May I cut and remove timber?
You may remove timber, including the cutting of firewood for home use, only if you have obtained a special use permit from the Refuge Manager.
(iii) May I leave personal property on the refuge?
Yes, however, if you leave personal property unattended for longer than 72 hours outside of a designated area, obtain a special use permit from the Refuge Manager.
(iv) If I find research marking devices, what do I do?
Turn in all radio transmitters, neck and leg bands, ear tags, or other research marking devices recovered from wildlife to the Refuge Manager or the Alaska Department of Fish and Game within five days after recovery.
(v) May I use non-motorized wheeled vehicles on the refuge?
Yes, but only on refuge roads designated and open for public vehicular access.
(vi) May I use motorized equipment on the refuge?
You may not use motorized equipment, including but not limited to chainsaws, generators, and auxiliary power units, within the Kenai Wilderness, except snowmobiles, airplanes and motorboats in designated areas.
(vii) Must I register to canoe on the refuge?
Only canoeists on the Swanson River and Swan Lake Canoe Routes must register at entrance points. Maximum group size is 15 persons.
(viii) Are any areas of the refuge closed to public use?
(A)
We close rock outcrop islands in Skilak Lake used by nesting cormorants and gulls and the adjacent waters within 100 yards to public entry and use from March 15 to September 30. You may obtain maps showing these areas from the Refuge Manager.
(B)
From July 1 to August 15 the public may not use or access any portion of the 25-foot wide public easements along both banks of the Kenai River within the Moose Range Meadows area; or along the Homer Electric Association Right-of-Way from Funny River Road and Keystone Drive to the downstream limits of the streamside easements. You may obtain maps showing these closed areas from the Refuge Manager by referring to Sections 1, 2, and 3 of Township 4 North, Range 10 West, Seward Meridian.
(j) Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge—
(1) Seasonal public use closure of the O'Malley River Area.
The area within the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge described in this paragraph (j)(1) is closed to all public access, occupancy, and use from June 25 through September 30, except for individuals participating in the O'Malley River Bear-Viewing Program. The area subject to seasonal closure consists of lands and waters located within Township 33 South, Range 30 West, Seward Meridian, Alaska, consisting of approximately 2,560 acres, and more particularly described as follows: Township 33 South, Range 30 West, Seward Meridian, Alaska, all of Section 25; all of Section 26, excluding U.S. Survey 10875 and the adjacent riparian ownership (Koniag Inc.) fronting the survey and extending to the center of Karluk Lake; and all of Sections 35 and 36, excluding U.S. Survey 10876 and the adjacent riparian ownership (Koniag Inc.) fronting the survey and extending to the center of Karluk Lake. Maps of the closure area are available from the Refuge.
(2) Access easement provision.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (j), there exists a 25-foot-wide access easement on an existing trail within the Koniag Inc. Regional Native Corporation lands within properties described in paragraph (j)(1) of this section in favor of the United States of America.
(3) Permit requirement for Conservation Easement lands.
Pursuant to the terms of a Conservation Easement held by the United States and the State of Alaska, we manage public use of certain lands owned by Koniag, Inc. These lands are inholdings within the exterior boundaries of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. The Conservation Easement was recorded in the Kodiak Recording District, Alaska, on December 6, 2002, as document number 2002-003448-0. The lands subject to the Conservation Easement to which the permit requirement in this paragraph apply are all lands within 1/2 mile of the west shore of Karluk Lake, from the lake outlet to the southern boundary of T. 32 S., R. 30 W. (surveyed), Seward Meridian; all lands within 1/2 mile of the east shore of Karluk Lake, from the lake outlet to a point due east of the north end of Camp Island; and all lands within a 1/2 -mile band of land on either side of the Karluk River, from the Karluk Lake outlet downstream to the refuge boundary. A map is available from the refuge showing the location of the easement lands that are subject to the permit requirement. You are prohibited from using these lands unless:
(ii)
You are a concessionaire or a client of a concessionaire authorized by Koniag, Inc., to provide revenue-producing visitor services;
(iv)
You are limiting your use of the property to public access easements established under section 17(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
(4) Camping prohibition near facilities.
On lands within Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, you are prohibited from camping within one-quarter mile of public use cabins and Federal and administrative facilities, unless such activity is specifically authorized in a Refuge Special Use Permit. An administrative facility means any facility or site administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the State of Alaska for public entry or other administrative purposes, including but not limited to cabins, storage buildings, piers, docks, weirs, refuge offices, visitor centers, and public access and parking sites. Maps of the locations of public use cabins and administrative facilities are available from Refuge Headquarters in Kodiak, Alaska.
(5) Snowmachine prohibition.
Snowmachines, as defined in §36.2, are prohibited within an approximately 4,972-acre area encompassing Den Mountain and adjacent highlands. The summit of Den Mountain is located within Township 29 South, Range 24 West, Seward Meridian, Alaska. Maps of the closed area are available from Refuge Headquarters in Kodiak, Alaska.
[51 FR 32332, Sept. 11, 1986, as amended at 51 FR 41509, Nov. 17, 1986; 60 FR 37311, July 19, 1995; 61 FR 29497, June 11, 1996; 64 FR 14154, Mar. 24, 1999; 71 FR 33259, June 8, 2006; 75 FR 16639, Apr. 1, 2010]