A DNR map of navigable and non-navigable waters are seen on the Kenai Peninsula. (Screenshot)

A DNR map of navigable and non-navigable waters are seen on the Kenai Peninsula. (Screenshot)

State unveils maps in effort to ‘unlock’ Alaska waters

The maps are part of an initiative to assert control of state lands.

The State of Alaska has management rights in some, but not all, of Kenai Peninsula waters. That’s according to new maps published by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources last week, which plot which Alaska waters are “navigable” and therefore under state, rather than federal, management.

The maps are the result of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “Unlocking Alaska,” initiative, which was announced earlier this year, and has a stated goal of establishing a state website people can use to see where they can “freely travel.” Tustumena and Skilak Lakes, for example, are part of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge created by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 and are shown as “not navigable” on the new maps, meaning they are not under state control. Most of the Kenai River, in contrast, is shown as “navigable,” meaning it is under state control.

States’ ownership of the beds of navigable waters located within their boundaries can be traced back to the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Footing Doctrine, which says new states entering the union would be able to do so on the same footing as the original 13 colonies already in the Union. When Alaska became a state, it opted to defer management of these waters to the federal government while Alaska was still new to the United States.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Though the Equal Footing Doctrine means navigable waters belong to the state, efforts to reassert state management of those waters have accelerated in recent decades.

Alaska began to reassert its control over some state lands after being asked to prove that those lands had historically been used for travel.

Transportation corridors cannot be closed off to public access by the federal government.

The state expanded its efforts to include navigable waters that may be exempt from federal control. Navigable waters are those which — at the time of statehood — were used or susceptible to being used in their ordinary condition as a highway for commerce over which trade and travel were or could have been conducted in ways customary at the time. Alaska plans to press claims on other waters in the future.

“Any attempt by federal authorities to issue citations or harass Alaskans who are legally using these waters will be met by litigation from the state of Alaska,” the March press release said.

To figure out which waters meet those guidelines, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Public Access Assertion and Defense (PADD) unit conducts scouting expeditions. Those efforts are led by PADD Unit chief Jim Walker.

The Department of Natural Resources’ interactive map can be accessed at mapper.dnr.alaska.gov/map.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Bill Elam speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough taking applications to fill assembly seat vacated by Elam

Elam resigned his position after winning election in November to the Alaska House of Representatives.

Soldotna High School Student Council President Emma Glassmaker and executive board members Cammy Kincaid and Will Klein speak to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna gives 1st student council presentation to borough assembly

The presentation period was created during the assembly’s June 4 meeting.

Patricia Bouton speaks in opposition to a proposed ordinance to modify public comment to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during their meeting in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly kills ordinance that would have cut one public comment period

Opposition was brought forward by several last month when the ordinance was introduced.

Natural gas processing equipment is seen at Furie Operating Alaska’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Unnamed company in talks to develop Alaska LNG Pipeline, governor says

The next step is for both parties to create a legally binding development agreement that will move the project forward.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Finance Director Liz Hayes presents information on the district’ fiscal year 2024 budget at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
KPBSD to hold community budget meetings in Homer, Kenai and Seward

The school district prepares budgets for fiscal years that run from July 1 to June 30

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Homer man arrested for Cooper Landing burglaries

He is accused of at least five different burglaries, troopers said

tease
Christmas Bird Count spots more than 8,000 birds

Count Day was held on Dec. 21, after a weeklong postponement due to heavy snow

Balloons fall on dozens of children armed with confetti poppers during the Ninth Annual Noon-Year’s Eve Party at the Soldotna Public Library on New Year’s Eve. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids mark a colorful countdown to 2025

Soldotna library hosted ‘Noon-Year’s Eve’

Assembly President Peter Ribbens speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly to act on ordinances at Tuesday meeting

The legislation addresses public meeting comments, civil fine accrual, and a rezoning petition

Most Read

 

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in