[3] The department works cooperatively with various universities and nongovernmental organizations in formal and informal partnership arrangements, and assists local research or baseline environmental monitoring through citizen science programs.

"Although several state constitutions touch on the subject of natural resource use, the Constitution of the State of Alaska contains one of the most comprehensive approaches to public and private resource use of any founding document... Two main principles ultimately guided the framers' design: beneficial use and sustainability.

Ostrom offered the delegates several other concepts...including: common use, concurrent use, prior appropriation doctrine, and a vital idea for communities existing in an arid ecosystem, 'private ways of necessity.'".

Alaska Statute 16.05.020 stated the commissioner shall: (1) supervise and control the department and may employ division heads, enforcement agents, and the technical, clerical and other assistants necessary for the general administration of the department; (2) manage, protect, maintain, improve, and extend the fish, game and aquatic plant resources of the state in the interests of the economy and general well-being of the state; and (3) have necessary power to accomplish the foregoing including, but not limited to, the power to delegate authority to subordinate officers and employees of the department.

[9] The boards establish seasons, bag limits, methods and means, and other regulations on taking and uses of fish and wildlife.

The Boards meet on a regular schedule to consider proposals to change administrative regulations governing hunting and fishing.

The Department of Fish and Game submits proposals to the boards to change regulations, as do citizen advisory committees (below) and members of the public.

Different groups of users attempt to influence resource management by submitting proposals, writing comments, and offering public testimony to the boards.

Citizens wishing to participate in the regulatory process can contact the Boards Support Section of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.