Title 5 . Fish and Game

Chapter 95 . Fish and Game Habitat

Section 505. Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge

5 AAC 95.505. Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge

The following apply to the implementation of the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge Management Plan:

(1) Off-road vehicles. The off-road use of a wheeled, tracked, or other ground-effect motorized vehicle is not allowed in the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, except that

(A) a general permit for a special area may be issued under 5 AAC 95.770 for the off-road use of a wheeled, tracked, or other ground-effect motorized vehicle of less than 1,000 pounds gross vehicle weight as follows:

(i) from November 9 through March 31, when there is adequate snow depth and ground frost as described in the general permit, on all refuge land except state land in sections 22, 27, and 34 of T17N, R1E, Seward Meridian; and

(ii) from August 15 through November 15, only in a posted corridor extending from the western boundary of the refuge eastward to the stream mouth located in T17N, R1W, SEC 36, SW1/4, within 100 yards of the north bank of Palmer Slough and Knik Arm; the commissioner may terminate or decide not to reissue the general permit if the commissioner determines that use of the corridor is detrimental to the protection of refuge resources;

(B) the commissioner may issue an individual special area permit under this chapter, on a case-by-case basis, for the off-road use of a wheeled, tracked, or other ground-effect vehicle not allowed under (A) of this paragraph if the use fulfills a demonstrable need for which there is no feasible alternative, meets the goals and guidelines of the management plan, and is consistent with the purpose for which the refuge was established;

(2) Motorized Watercraft. The use of motorized watercraft in the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge is allowed as follows:

(A) the Knik River, Matanuska River, and Knik Arm waters are open year-round to the use of motorized watercraft;

(B) Wasilla Creek is open to the use of a motorized watercraft, except that Wasilla Creek is closed during openings of the Wasilla Creek weekend-only sport fishery, to all motorized watercraft capable of producing more than 42 pounds of thrust or three horsepower;

(C) on all other waters not listed in (A) or (B) of this paragraph, use of motorized watercraft is prohibited, except that from August 16 through March 31, motorized watercraft with a motor of 20 horsepower or less may be used;

(D) the commissioner may issue an individual special area permit under this chapter, on a case-by-case basis, for the use of motorized watercraft prohibited under (B) or (C) of this paragraph if the use fulfills a demonstrable need for which there is no feasible alternative, meets the goals and guidelines of the management plan, and is consistent with the purpose for which the refuge was established;

(3) Aircraft. An aircraft may not land in the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, except that

(A) from November 10 through March 31, by a general permit for a special area issued under 5 AAC 95.770, if there is adequate snow cover as described in the general permit, and ice depth adequate to support aircraft;

(B) the commissioner may issue an individual special area permit under this chapter, on a case-by-case basis, for the landing of aircraft not allowed under (A) of this paragraph if the use fulfills a demonstrable need for which there is no feasible alternative, meets the goals and guidelines of the management plan, and is consistent with the purpose for which the refuge was established.

History: Eff. 1/11/87, Register 101; am 6/26/2003, Register 166

Authority: AS 16.05.020

AS 16.05.050

AS 16.20.020

AS 16.20.032

AS 16.20.060