The Alaska State Legislature has classified certain areas as being essential to the protection of fish and wildlife habitat. These areas are designated as either a refuge, critical habitat area, or sanctuary (collectively known as Special Areas). Legislation pertaining to these lands may be found in Alaska Statutes Title 16, Chapter 20. The Division of Habitat oversees land and water use activities (excluding trapping, hunting and fishing) in Special Areas (other than sanctuaries which are regulated by the Division of Wildlife Conservation).

Certain Special Areas also have management plans in place, and planning efforts for other areas are on-going. Management plans guide day-to-day and long-term decision making in many Special Areas; the Goals and Policies of these management plans are adopted as state regulation and provide additional area-specific direction for land and water use activities. Current management plans are available at a web page maintained by the Division of Wildlife Conservation.

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, such things as construction or placement of structures; damaging or clearing vegetation; detonation of explosives (other than firearms); surface or shoreline altering activities; natural resource development or energy exploration; off-road use of wheeled or tracked equipment; boat storage; waste disposal; grazing or animal husbandry; and any other activity that is likely to have a significant effect on vegetation, drainage, water quality, soil stability, fish, wildlife, or their habitat, or which disturbs fish or wildlife. For additional information contact the ADF&G, Division of Habitat area office closest to your project.