Court Rejects Alaska Appeal Over Hunting, Fishing Rights

The Supreme Court has turned away an appeal by the state of Alaska in a long-running fight over the control of rivers and the fishing and hunting rights of Alaska Natives.

The court on Monday declined to review a federal appeals court ruling that upheld U.S. Interior Department rules enforcing the fishing and hunting rights on some rivers that otherwise would be under state control.

The state urged the high court to step in to address claims that the federal government has improperly asserted control over rivers in more than half of Alaska.

Alaska Natives groups and the Obama administration supported the appellate ruling.