Public Use

The majority of public use of the Togiak Refuge during summer months is in the form of float trips on rivers within the refuge, combined with sport angling and sometimes hunting. Visitors come from throughout the United States and also from many foreign countries to participate in both guided and non-guided recreation.

River Ranger Program:

Introduction:

The main purposes of the River Ranger program at Togiak National Wildlife Refuge are to collect information about public use of resources in the refuge, to educate users about the resources, and to minimize impacts on these resources. Public use on Togiak Refuge has increased steadily over 5 years. The River Ranger program began in 1991 to address this increase in public use. Rangers patrol the Kanektok, Goodnews and Togiak rivers.

Another important user group is local subsistence users, who rely on the resources of the refuge as part of their traditional lifestyle. River Rangers educate different user groups about one another, as well as educating all users about proper wilderness ethics.

Who Are River Rangers?

River Rangers are seasonal employees at Togiak Refuge who patrol Wilderness rivers during the summer season. Rangers, working in pairs, are assigned to three river systems in Togiak Refuge, covering an area more than 3,500 square miles. Some River Rangers are hired from local communities through a program that allows knowledge of area resources and customs to substitute for required post-secondary education.

Ranger Duties:

River Rangers contact refuge visitors as early in their visit as possible. They provide visitors with information about Togiak Refuge resources, regulations, and local conditions, and how to minimize negative impacts. During these contacts, and through other duties, Rangers also collect fishery, wildlife, and public use data. Most management issues faced by Togiak Refuge and State resource management agencies are addressed by the River Ranger program. River Rangers also provide emergency assistance to visitors and local residents. This is an important job since the rangers work in a remote area where they are often the only Federal, State, or local government personnel available, and in many cases may be the only help of any type available for many miles.

Public use and cultural issues addressed by the program include:

• conflicts between different types of user groups,
• trespassing on private lands,
• crowding,
• commercial operators compliance with permits,
• visitor and bear safety,
• educate visitors about proper techniques for wilderness recreation and,
• "leave no trace" camping techniques, including:
  • proper human waste disposal,
  • water quality, and
  • litter.

Fish and wildlife management issues addressed by the program include:

• mortality of fish from catch and release fishing,
• lack of fishery and wildlife information,
• effects of fishing on resident and anadromous fish populations,
• disturbance and displacement of wildlife,
• water quality,
• abandoned fish nets, and
• compliance with sport, subsistence, & commercial fishing and hunting regulations.

Other Public Use Programs:

Cape Peirce Public Use

To learn more about visitation to the Cape Peirce wildlife viewing area, please see our other recreation webpage.

Last updated: October 14, 2008