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Show Chapter 2. ALASKA CONTENTS Page 1. Development of Alaska Water Law-------------------------------------------- 87 2. State Organizational Structure for Water Administration and Control.- 89 2.1 Administration of Water Rights_______________________ 89 2.2 Resolution of Water Use Conflicts______________________ 90 2.3 Other Agencies Having Water Resource Responsibilities- 90 3. Surface Waters______________________________________________ 94 3.1 Methods of Acquiring Rights___________________________ 94 3.2 Nature and Limit of Rights___________________________ 97 3.3 Changes, Sales, and Transfers__________________________ 98 3.4 Loss of Rights_______________________________________ 99 3.5 Storage Waters, Artificial Lakes, and Ponds______________ 99 3.6 iSprings____________________________________________ 100 3.7 Diffused Surface Waters______________________________ 100 4. Ground Water_______________________________________________ 100 Publications Available___________________________________________ 101 DISCUSSION 1. Development of Alaska Water Law Alaska, which did not achieve statehood until 1958 as the 49th State in the Union, is a unique State in a number of respects. Its physical setting and climate offers a considerable contrast to any of the other States. While it is the largest State in the Union, it has the smallest population and that population is unevenly distributed throughout the State. Most of the population is concentrated in a few cities, leaving many areas with only a sparse population and some areas virtually unsettled. Alaska's principle industries, which include fish- ing, lumbering, mining, agriculture, and tourism, are related to its numerous natural resources and in one way or another virtually all of Alaska's industries are dependent to some extent upon water.1 Alaska doesn't lack for water, since there are numerous lakes and streams, but the available water supply is unevenly distributed over the State. For example, areas in the southeast portion of the State receive up to 150 inches of precipitation annually while areas near the Arctic Circle receive only about 6 inches annually. Thus, while the average annual precipitation is about 54 inches, its distribution and general availability is subject to wide extremes.2 Therefore, 1 Trelease, "Alaska's New Water Use Act, 2" Land and Water Law Review 1 (1967). This article contains an excellent discussion of the situation which existed In Alaska prior to the adoption of the Alaska Water Use Act in 1966, as well as a thorough review and analysis of the provisions of the new act. aId. 87 |