State updates fish habitat catalog; public comment due June 14

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is accepting public comments through June 14 on proposed updates to the official catalog of waters important to salmon and other anadromous fish. The changes would adopt the June 2026 editions of the Anadromous Waters Catalog and Atlas, the latest in a series of recurring updates following a June 2022 catalog revision and a June 2025 amendment.

The catalog lists nearly 20,000 streams, rivers, and lakes across Alaska that receive protection under state law. Water bodies must be documented with anadromous fish observed or collected by a qualified observer to receive protection under AS 16.05.871; unspecified waters lack such protection. These designations determine where development, mining, logging, and construction projects can occur near fish-bearing waters. Property owners, developers, and anyone planning work in or near cataloged waters must notify the department before starting hydraulic projects.

Written comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on June 14, 2026. The public may submit comments to Beth Evers, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Habitat Section, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518. The department also accepts comments by fax at 907-267-2499, by email at [email protected], or through the Alaska Online Public Notice System.

Draft maps and proposed changes are available for inspection at the Anchorage office at 333 Raspberry Road, the Alaska Resource Library at 3211 Providence Drive, the Fairbanks office at 1300 College Road, and the Alaska State Library in Juneau at 395 Whittier Street. Regional offices in Craig, Delta Junction, Douglas, Homer, Ketchikan, Nome, and Soldotna have copies for their regions only.

Questions must be submitted in writing at least 10 days before the comment deadline. Contact Beth Evers at [email protected] or 907-267-2143. People with disabilities needing accommodations should contact Evers by June 8.

After the comment period closes, the department will either adopt the proposed changes, adopt different provisions on the same subject, or take no action.