Overview of the Wilderness Act and Fish Stocking

Sue Matthews US Fish & Wildlife Service, Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center, Huson, MT

Peter Landres US Forest Service, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, Missoula, MT

An historical overview of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and other policy documents affecting the interaction of federal and state jurisdiction over fish stocking in designated wilderness is presented. A review of the development of the IAFWA guidelines shows that wilderness values are supported by these guidelines. Subsequent documents and policies confirm these guidelines and their support for upholding wilderness values. Although there have been many occurrences of disagreement over jurisdiction and lack of cooperation between state and federal managers, these policy documents strongly state the desirability and necessity of cooperation in working to further wilderness and fisheries objectives. We also examine case law relevant to the question of state and federal jurisdiction over wildlife. We close with a discussion of how the ecological and social values of wilderness are largely complementary with fisheries objectives, and stress the need for mutual cooperation and understanding in working to protect and preserve wilderness and viable populations of native fish.

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