Land Ownership

A long legislative history preceded the establishment of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. This history has resulted in land ownership patterns that are unique to Alaska. Although the Alaskan refuges surround vast areas of Federal public land, they also contain large tracts which have been claimed by or conveyed to the State of Alaska, Native corporations and private individuals under the provisions of the Alaska Statehood Act (1958) and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (1971).

Signs often indicate boundaries between public and private lands

When all land entitlements are finalized, Alaska Native corporations, the State of Alaska, and private individuals will have received title to over 15,000,000 acres of land within the boundaries of Alaskan refuges. Visitors to Togiak National Wildlife Refuge should familiarize themselves with private land ownership patterns to avoid trespassing. Native corporations have land use permits available for visitors.

Many of the private lands within Togiak Refuge result from 1971's Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). This legislation conveyed ownership of many Alaska lands to Native corporations and individual Native shareholders. Native corporations usually own much of the land near their respective village. Individual Native allotments are frequently in areas accessible by water, such as along rivers, and may be in areas historically used by the individual's family group.

Visitors who are traveling on main Togiak Refuge waterways will see signs on the riverbank indicating to them that they have passed from refuge lands onto native corporation areas. Native allotments may be marked with signs, but any alteration of the land from its original state, including clearings, cabins, or fish racks, should be taken as indicators of private allotment lands.

Several mining claims exist within the borders of Togiak Refuge. Gold was discovered at the turn of the century in the Arolik River basin, and platinum was discovered in 1926 in the Salmon River valley, near ther present-day village of Platinum. Mineral prospecting had mostly come to an end before the Togiak Refuge was established, but mining claims that were valid at that time remain valid if they are kept active.

To see a digital map showing general land status of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, click here. This map is a large image which may be slow to open.

Last updated: July 24, 2008