(a) The purpose of the Dude Creek Critical Habitat Area is the protection and enhancement of the wet meadow habitat that is the key roosting area for migrating lesser sandhill cranes, for the protection of lesser sandhill cranes, and for the continued public use and enjoyment of the area.
(b) The following described area is established as the Dude Creek Critical Habitat Area:
Township 40 South, Range 58 East, Copper River Meridian
Section 2: W1/2
Section 3
Sections 9 - 10
Section 11: W1/2NE1/4, W1/2
Section 14: Lot 3, NW1/4, N1/2SW1/4, SW1/4SW1/4
Section 15
Section 16: N1/2, SE1/4.
(c) The Dude Creek Critical Habitat Area described in (b) of this section shall be managed under a management plan prepared and implemented by the department in consultation with the community of Gustavus and the Board of Game.
(d) The department shall allow public uses, including fishing, hunting, trapping, mechanized and nonmechanized public access, grazing, firewood harvesting, wildlife viewing, hiking, and berry picking under the management plan adopted under (c) of this section to the extent that the activities are compatible with (a) of this section.
(e) The legislature understands that a portion of the state land described in (b) of this section is mental health trust land of the state and the legislature intends that the land retain its status as mental health trust land, notwithstanding its inclusion in the Dude Creek Critical Habitat Area.