Survey Overview
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is soliciting stakeholder opinions on the management of McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. This survey will take approximately 5-7 minutes and all responses will be anonymous.
The sanctuary was designated primarily to protect the unique congregation of brown bears and their habitats while providing for compatible public uses. ADF&G seeks public input on balancing these statutory purposes: protecting wildlife resources versus providing adequate public access. This comment opportunity focuses only on bear-viewing and visitor access within the sanctuary.
The department operates a world-renowned guided bear-viewing program based on limited permits (10 per four-day period). Access historically uses float planes in the lagoon, which typically requires a high tide of at least 15 feet. Tides often prevent float plane landings, making access difficult for permit holders. In 2024, limited wheeled plane landings were trialed when tides prevented float plane access. However, bears regularly use these areas and were disturbed or displaced on several occasions by wheeled planes. The department is now considering implementing the use of wheeled planes or other permit administration practices, such as allowing flexibility in permit dates, to facilitate public access to the bear-viewing program. Contextual links, including the Management Plan, are provided to inform your responses.