• Fish Habitat Permit Information
• Fish Habitat Permit Application(PDF 56KB)
• Catalog of Waters Important for the Spawning, Rearing, or Migration on Anadromous Fishes (Fish Distribution Database)
• Stream Diversion Techniques(PDF 3.3MB)
• Salix Applied Earthcare
• ADF&G Streambank Restoration Guide
• International Erosion Control Association
• River Corridor and Wetlands Restoration
• River Management Society
• NOAA Habitat Restoration

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• U.S. Forest Service Land
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
• Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining Land and Water
• Kenai Multi Agency Permitting

These Activities Require a Fish Habitat Permit

The following are typical procedures for temporary (short duration) stream channel diversions (examples). Temporary diversions are often required for installing or replacing culverts, installing underground utility lines, or for similar reasons where a dry channel or work area is required.

1. The diversion channel must be capable of carrying anticipated streamflows during the construction period.
2. During excavation, the diversion channel must be isolated from the stream to be diverted at the upstream and downstream ends of the diversion channel.
3. The bed and banks of the diversion channel must be constructed of material that will not erode at expected flows.
4. Diversion of flow into the temporary diversion channel must be conducted by first removing the downstream plug, then removing the upstream plug, then closing the upstream end and then the downstream end of the natural channel and the diverted stream.
5. Fish that become stranded in dewatered channels must be immediately captured and returned to the active channel without further harm.
6. If a tributary stream enters the former channel within the diversion area, connect it in a suitable manner to the new channel.
7. Fish passage in the temporary diversion channel must be maintained at all times, unless otherwise approved by the Division of Habitat.
8. Rediversion of flow into the natural stream channel must be conducted by removing the downstream plug from the natural channel and then the upstream plug, then closing the upstream end and then the downstream end of the diversion channel.
9. All man-made materials shall be removed from the diversion channel, the channel shall be backfilled, and stream banks stabilized.
10. All disturbed areas shall be revegetated with naturally occurring woody plants and grasses if appropriate.

Sometimes permanent stream channel diversions (examples) are required to: reclaim lost fish habitat due to past mining activities, divert a stream around an active placer mine site, accommodate road and airport construction activities.