The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Habitat (Alaska Executive Order 114 ) works to preserve the state’s fish and wildlife resources by protecting the areas they need to complete their life cycles.

Habitat has the specific statutory responsibility for protecting freshwater anadromous fish habitat (Anadromous Fish Act, AS 16.05.871) and providing free passage for anadromous and resident fish in freshwater bodies (Fish Way Act AS 16.05.841). Habitat fulfills this responsibility by writing Fish Habitat Permits for activities and projects conducted by private individuals or other state or federal government agencies below the ordinary high water of anadromous streams. Habitat biologists in Habitat conduct research and field surveys, review plans with permit applicants to permit a project that does not adversely impact fish habitat, and monitor projects for compliance with permit standards.

Habitat also has statutory responsibility to oversee land and water use activities (excluding trapping, hunting and fishing) in refuges, critical habitat areas, and sanctuaries, collectively known as Special Areas (AS 16.20). Regulations pertaining to land and water use activities within the Special Areas are found in the Alaska Administrative Code at Title 5, Chapter 95, Articles 3 through 8. Habitat provides authorization for land and water use activities in the form of a Special Area Permit.  Examples of activities requiring a Special Area Permit are described in 5 AAC 95.420, and include, but are not limited to, construction or placement of structures; natural resource development or energy exploration; and off-road use of wheeled or tracked equipment.

In addition to permitting duties, Habitat coordinates with other agencies during plan reviews to provide expertise for protecting both important fish and wildlife habitat throughout the state. Three examples of these reviews would include working with the state Division of Forestry to review timber harvest plans; working with the DNR Office of Project Management and Permitting (OPMP) on large project teams for hard rock mines, oil and gas development and major new transportation projects; and providing comments to DNR Division of Costal and Ocean Managment (DCOM) on projects under review for consistency with the Alaska Coastal Management Program.

Habitat also works cooperatively with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Sport Fish Division to maintain and revise the Catalog of Waters Important for the Spawning, Rearing, or Migration of Anadromous Fishes. This document lists water bodies that are known to be used by anadromous fish and legally gives these streams and lakes protection as important fish habitat.