Southeast Alaska is home to Kuiu Island, which is part of the Alexander Archipelago. It is sandwiched by Kupreanof Island to the east and Baranof Island to the west. The island is 105 kilometers in length and ranges in width from 10 to 23 kilometers. Affleck Canal practically divides it in half. Tebenkof Bay Wilderness and Kuiu Wilderness are both sections of the Tongass National Forest on Kuiu Island in the Petersburg Census Area of Alaska that have been set aside as protected wilderness by the federal government.
Fjords cut deeply into Kuiu Island, almost severing the island in two at many points. The ensuing chokepoints hinder the free movement of wildlife. The Forest Plan highlighted four locations in the Southeast that posed challenges to animal movement; the Bay of Pillars-to-Port Camden portage was one of these locations and continues to be a priority for the conservation of high-quality habitat corridors.
