Alaska Constitution: 1956

Article VIII, Section 1: "It is the policy of the State to encourage the settlement of its land and the development of its resources by making them available for maximum use consistent with the public interest.

Article VIII, Section 2: "The legislature shall provide for the utilization, development, and conservation of all natural resources belonging to the State, including land and waters, for the maximum benefit of its people."

Article VIII, Section 3: "Wherever occurring in their natural state, fish, wildlife, and waters are reserved to the people for common use."

Article VIII, Section 15: "No exclusive right or special privilege of fishery shall be created or authorized in the natural waters of the State. This section does not restrict the power of the State to limit entry into any fishery for purposes of resource conservation, to prevent economic distress among fishermen and those dependent upon them for a livelihood and to pormote the efficient development of aqualculture in the State [Amendment approved August 22, 1972 and Effective October 14, 1972]."

Article VIII, Section 16: "No person shall be involuntarily divested of his right to the use of waters, his interestes in lands, or improvements affecting either, except for a superior beneficial use or public purpose and then only with just compensation and by operation of law."

Article VIII, Section 17: "Laws and regulations governing the use or disposal of natural resouces shall apply equally to all persons similarly situated with reerence to the subject matter and purpose to be served by the law or regulation."

Representative Scott Ogan, Alaska State Legislature: Adopted and ratified by the people in 1956, the Constitution specifically addressed the ownership and use of the states resources: "Article VIII, Section 3 states that fish and wildlife in their natural state are reserved for the common use of the people. Section 4 requires that all of the state's replenishable resources are to be managed on a sustained yield principle, subject to preferences among beneficial uses"

The Constitution reserves the state's fish and wildlife resources for the common use of the people. "Because of this, the Alaska Supreme Court has ruled that no group of people can be given preferential use of those resources."

David Hullen of the Anchorage Daily News: Section 15 of Article 8 of the Alaska State Constitution States that "No exclusive right or special priviledge of fishery shall be created or authorized in the natural waters of the State." Section 3 of Article 8 states that "Wherever occuring in their natural state, fish, wildlife, and waters are reserved to the people for common use." Section 17 of Article 8 states that "Laws and regulations governing the use or disposal of natural resources shall apply equally to all persons similarly situated with reference to the subject matter and purpose to be served by the law or regulation."