[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 41 (Thursday, March 1, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12477-12482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4786]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
36 CFR Part 242
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 100
[Docket No. FWS-R7-SM-2011-0068; FXFR13350700640L6-123-FF07J00000]
RIN 1018-AX95
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska--
Subpart C-Board Determinations; Rural Determinations
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture; Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Final rule; extension of compliance date and request for
comments.
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SUMMARY: This final rule extends the compliance date for the final rule
that revised the list of nonrural areas identified by the Federal
Subsistence Board (Board). On May 7, 2007, the Board published a final
rule changing the rural determination for several communities or areas
in Alaska. These communities had five years following the date of
publication to come into compliance. In 2009 the Secretary of the
Interior initiated a review of the Federal Subsistence Program. An
ensuing directive was for the Federal Subsistence Board to review its
processes for determining the rural and nonrural status of communities.
As a result, the Board has initiated a review of the rural
determination process and the rural determination findings. The Board
finds that it is in the public's interest to extend the compliance date
of the 2007 final rule until the review is complete or in 5 years,
whichever comes first.
DATES: Compliance: The compliance date for the final rule revising 36
CFR 242.23 and 50 CFR 100.23 published May 7, 2007 (72 FR 25688), and
effective June 6, 2007, is extended until either the rural
determination process and findings review is completed or 5 years,
whichever comes first. We will publish a document announcing the
compliance date in the Federal Register.
Comments: Comments will be received until April 16, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov and search for FWS-R7-SM-2011-0068,
which is the docket number for this rulemaking.
By hard copy: U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: USFWS, Office
of Subsistence Management, 1011 East Tudor Road, MS 121, Attn: Theo
Matuskowitz, Anchorage, AK 99503-6199, or hand delivery to the
Designated Federal Official attending any of the Federal Subsistence
Regional Advisory Council public meetings. See SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION for additional information on locations of the public
meetings.
We will post all comments on http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov.
This generally means that we will post any personal information you
provide us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chair, Federal Subsistence Board, c/o
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attention: Peter J. Probasco, Office of
Subsistence Management; (907) 786-3888 or subsistence@fws.gov. For
questions specific to National Forest System lands, contact Steve
Kessler, Regional Subsistence Program Leader, USDA, Forest Service,
Alaska Region; (907) 743-9461 or skessler@fs.fed.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation
Act (ANILCA) (16 U.S.C. 3111-3126), the Secretary of the Interior and
the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretaries) jointly implement the
Federal Subsistence Management Program (Program). This Program grants a
preference for subsistence uses of fish and wildlife resources on
Federal public lands and waters in Alaska. The Secretaries first
published regulations to carry out this program in the Federal Register
on May 29, 1992 (57 FR 22940). These regulations have subsequently been
amended several times. This Program is a joint effort between Interior
and Agriculture, as a result these regulations are located in two
titles of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): Title 36, ``Parks,
Forests, and Public Property,'' and Title 50, ``Wildlife and
Fisheries,'' at 36 CFR 242.1-28 and 50 CFR 100.1-28, respectively. The
regulations contain subparts as follows: Subpart A, General Provisions;
Subpart B, Program Structure; Subpart C, Board Determinations; and
Subpart D, Subsistence Taking of Fish and Wildlife.
Federal Subsistence Board
Consistent with subpart B of these regulations, the Secretaries
established a Federal Subsistence Board to administer the Federal
Subsistence Management Program. The Board comprises:
[[Page 12478]]
A Chair, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior with
concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture;
The Alaska Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service;
The Alaska Regional Director, U.S. National Park Service;
The Alaska State Director, U.S. Bureau of Land Management;
The Alaska Regional Director, U.S. Bureau of Indian
Affairs;
The Alaska Regional Forester, U.S. Forest Service; and
Two public members appointed by the Secretary of the
Interior with concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture.
Through the Board, these agencies and public members participate in
the development of regulations for subparts C and D, which, among other
things, set forth program eligibility and specific harvest seasons and
limits.
In administering the program, the Secretaries divided Alaska into
10 subsistence resource regions, each of which is represented by a
Subsistence Regional Advisory Council (Council). The Councils provide a
forum for rural residents with personal knowledge of local conditions
and resource requirements to have a meaningful role in the subsistence
management of fish and wildlife on Federal public lands in Alaska. The
Council members represent varied geographical, cultural, and user
interests within each region.
Public Meetings
The Regional Advisory Councils have a substantial role in reviewing
subsistence issues and making recommendations to the Board. The Federal
Subsistence Board, through the Councils, will hold meetings to accept
comments and propose changes to the subsistence take of fish and
shellfish during the winter meeting cycle. You may present comments on
this rule during those meetings at the following locations in Alaska,
on the following remainingdates:
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Region 1--Southeast Regional Council..... Juneau...................... March 20, 2012.
Region 2--Southcentral Regional Council.. Anchorage................... March 13, 2012.
Region 3--Kodiak/Aleutians Regional Old Harbor.................. March 22, 2012.
Council.
Region 4--Bristol Bay Regional Council... Naknek...................... March 7, 2012.
Region 5--Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Bethel...................... February 23, 2012.
Council.
Region 6--Western Interior Regional McGrath..................... February 29, 2012.
Council.
Region 7--Seward Peninsula Regional Nome........................ February 7, 2012.
Council.
Region 8--Northwest Arctic Regional Kotzebue.................... March 8, 2012.
Council.
Region 9--Eastern Interior Regional Fairbanks................... February 29, 2012.
Council.
Region 10--North Slope Regional Council.. Barrow...................... February 16, 2012.
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Current Rule
In accordance with Sec. ----.10(d)(4)(ii), one of the
responsibilities given to the Federal Subsistence Board is to determine
which communities or areas of the State are rural or nonrural.
The Board determines if a community or area is rural in accordance
with established guidelines set forth in Sec. ----.15(a). The Board
reviews rural determinations on a 10-year cycle and may review
determinations out-of-cycle in special circumstances. Once the Board
makes a determination that a community or area has changed from rural
to nonrural, a waiting period of 5 years is required for the residents
to comply with the change. A change from nonrural to rural would be
effective 30 days after publication of the rule.
In 2007, the Board published a final rule, Subsistence Management
Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska, Subpart C; Nonrural
Determinations (72 FR 25688; May 7, 2007). This rule revised the list
of nonrural areas identified by the Board. Only residents of areas
identified as rural are eligible to participate in the Federal
Subsistence Management Program on Federal public lands in Alaska. The
Board changed Adak's status to rural, added Prudhoe Bay to the list of
nonrural areas, and adjusted the boundaries of the following nonrural
areas: the Kenai Area; the Wasilla/Palmer Area, including Point
McKenzie; the Homer Area, including Fritz Creek East (except
Voznesenka) and the North Fork Road area; and the Ketchikan Area,
including Saxman and portions of Gravina Island. The effective date was
June 6, 2007, with a 5-year compliance date of May 7, 2012.
On October 23, 2009, Secretary of the Interior Salazar announced
the initiation of a Departmental review of the Federal Subsistence
Management Program in Alaska; Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack later
concurred with this course of action. The review focused on how the
Program is meeting the purposes and subsistence provisions of Title
VIII of ANILCA, and how the Program is serving rural subsistence users
as envisioned when it began in the early 1990s.
On August 31, 2010, the Secretaries announced the findings of the
review, which included several proposed administrative and regulatory
changes to strengthen the Program and make it more responsive to those
who rely on it for their subsistence uses. One proposal called for a
review, with Council input, of the rural and nonrural determination
process and, if needed, recommendations for regulatory changes.
Public Comments and Board Action
The public, Alaska Native organizations, the State, and other
groups have had numerous opportunities to comment and consult on rural
determinations. The numerous comments received are the foundation of
this action, and this rule is in response to the myriad of comments
received.
Starting in November of 2009, the Secretarial review was conducted
by the Alaska Affairs Office within the Office of the Secretary.
Meetings with more than 45 different stakeholder groups were held in 13
different communities throughout Alaska. More than 115 comments from
individuals and interested organizations were received. Many of these
comments addressed concerns relating to rural and nonrural
determinations. These comments were posted on the Departmental Web site
at http://www.doi.gov/whatwedo/subsistencereview/index.cfm.
During the January 18-20, 2011, and January 17-20, 2012, Federal
Subsistence Board public meetings, the Board offered a comment period
each day for members of the public to speak to any issues related to
subsistence issues that were not on the meeting agenda. Several members
of the public took the opportunity to voice their concerns and comments
on rural and nonrural issues. On January 21, 2011, and January 17,
2012, the Board conducted tribal consultations with Alaska Native
organizations to address proposed regulatory changes to the subsistence
take of fish and wildlife regulations; a number of Alaska Native
organizations again took the opportunity to also express their views on
rural and nonrural issues and how they affected
[[Page 12479]]
their Tribes and communities. In addition, during Board work sessions
held on May 3-4 and July 11, 2011, the Board provided opportunities for
members of the public, Tribal representatives, and Council Chairs to
comment on rural and nonrural issues. The transcripts for these Board
meetings are posted at http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/board.cfml.
On January 20, 2012, the Board met to consider the Secretarial
directive, consider the Council's recommendations and review all
public, Tribal, and Native Corporation comments on rural
determinations. After discussion and careful review, the Board voted
unanimously to initiate a review of the rural determination process and
the 2010 decennial review through publication of a proposed rule.
Consequently, based on that action, the Board found that it was in the
public's best interest to extend the compliance date of its 2007 final
rule (72 FR 25688; May 7, 2007) on rural and nonrural determinations
until the review of the rural determination process and decennial
review are complete or in 5 years, whichever comes first.
The Board's justification for extending the compliance date is
based on the following factors:
With the overall review of the rural determination process
and initiation of the decennial review, there exists the possibility
that new rulemaking will be required. By extending the compliance date,
the Board will be saving time and resources by avoiding the possibility
of repetitive rulemaking; in addition, it will prevent confusion and
undue hardship on affected rural users.
This action would demonstrate a genuine commitment to
listening and responding to what the Board heard through public
comments, Tribal consultations, and Council recommendations.
A recently published final rule (76 FR 56109, September
12, 2011) to expand the Board by two public members that represent
rural Alaskan subsistence users; this action will give the Board
additional perspective on the issues facing rural users.
The Board is publishing this rule without a prior proposal because
this action is viewed as an administrative action. You may submit
comment and materials on this rule by one of the methods listed in
ADDRESSES. We will not accept comments sent by email or fax or to an
address not listed in ADDRESSES. We will not consider hand-delivered
comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are not
postmarked, by the date specified in DATES.
We will post your entire comment on http://www.regulations.gov.
Before including personal identifying information in your comment, you
should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal
identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we
will be able to do so. We will post all hardcopy comments on http://www.regulations.gov.
Tribal Consultation and Comment
As expressed in Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,'' the Federal officials
that have been delegated authority by the Secretaries are committed to
honoring the unique government-to-government political relationship
that exists between the Federal Government and Federally Recognized
Indian Tribes (Tribes) as listed in 75 FR 60810 (October 1, 2010) and
the relationship required by statute for consultation and coordination
with Alaska Native corporations. Consultation with Alaska Native
corporations is based on Public Law 108-199, div. H, Sec. 161, Jan. 23,
2004, 118 Stat. 452, as amended by Public Law 108-447, div. H, title V,
Sec. 518, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3267, which provides that: ``The
Director of the Office of Management and Budget and all Federal
agencies shall hereafter consult with Alaska Native corporations on the
same basis as Indian tribes under Executive Order No. 13175.''
Title VIII of ANILCA provides rights to all Federally qualified
rural residents for the subsistence taking of wildlife, fish, and
shellfish. However, because tribal members are affected by subsistence
regulations, the Secretaries, through the Board, provides Federally
recognized Tribes and Alaska Native corporations opportunities to
consult on subsistence issues.
The Board engages in outreach efforts for the program to ensure
that Tribes and Alaska Native corporations are advised of the
mechanisms by which they can participate. The Board provides a variety
of opportunities for consultation: commenting on proposed changes to
the existing rule; engaging in dialogue at the Council meetings;
engaging in dialogue at the Board's meetings; and providing input in
person, by mail, email, or phone at any time during the rulemaking
process. The Board is committed to efficiently and adequately providing
opportunities to Tribes and Alaska Native corporations for consultation
with regard to subsistence rulemaking.
Conformance With Statutory and Regulatory Authorities
National Environmental Policy Act Compliance
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for developing a
Federal Subsistence Management Program was distributed for public
comment on October 7, 1991. That document described the major issues
associated with Federal subsistence management as identified through
public meetings, written comments, and staff analyses and examined the
environmental consequences of four alternatives. Proposed regulations
(subparts A, B, and C) that would implement the preferred alternative
were included in the DEIS as an appendix. The DEIS and the proposed
administrative regulations presented a framework for a regulatory cycle
regarding subsistence hunting and fishing regulations (subpart D). The
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was published on February
28, 1992.
Based on the public comments received, the analysis contained in
the FEIS, and the recommendations of the Federal Subsistence Board and
the Department of the Interior's Subsistence Policy Group, the
Secretary of the Interior, with the concurrence of the Secretary of
Agriculture, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service,
implemented Alternative IV as identified in the DEIS and FEIS (Record
of Decision on Subsistence Management for Federal Public Lands in
Alaska (ROD), signed April 6, 1992). The DEIS and the selected
alternative in the FEIS defined the administrative framework of a
regulatory cycle for subsistence hunting and fishing regulations. The
final rule for subsistence management regulations for public lands in
Alaska, subparts A, B, and C, implemented the Federal Subsistence
Management Program and included a framework for a regulatory cycle for
the subsistence taking of wildlife and fish. The following Federal
Register documents pertain to this rulemaking:
[[Page 12480]]
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska, Subparts A, B, and C: Federal Register Documents
Pertaining to the Final Rule
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Federal Register citation Date of publication Category Details
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57 FR 22940.............. May 29, 1992................. Final Rule......................... ``Subsistence
Management
Regulations for
Public Lands in
Alaska; Final
Rule'' was
published in the
Federal
Register.
64 FR 1276............... January 8, 1999.............. Final Rule......................... Amended the
regulations to
include
subsistence
activities
occurring on
inland navigable
waters in which
the United
States has a
reserved water
right and to
identify
specific Federal
land units where
reserved water
rights exist.
Extended the
Federal
Subsistence
Board's
management to
all Federal
lands selected
under the Alaska
Native Claims
Settlement Act
and the Alaska
Statehood Act
and situated
within the
boundaries of a
Conservation
System Unit,
National
Recreation Area,
National
Conservation
Area, or any new
national forest
or forest
addition, until
conveyed to the
State of Alaska
or to an Alaska
Native
Corporation.
Specified and
clarified the
Secretaries'
authority to
determine when
hunting,
fishing, or
trapping
activities
taking place in
Alaska off the
public lands
interfere with
the subsistence
priority.
66 FR 31533.............. June 12, 2001................ Interim Rule....................... Expanded the
authority that
the Board may
delegate to
agency field
officials and
clarified the
procedures for
enacting
emergency or
temporary
restrictions,
closures, or
openings.
67 FR 30559.............. May 7, 2002.................. Final Rule......................... Amended the
operating
regulations in
response to
comments on the
June 12, 2001,
interim rule.
Also corrected
some inadvertent
errors and
oversights of
previous rules.
68 FR 7703............... February 18, 2003............ Direct Final Rule.................. Clarified how old
a person must be
to receive
certain
subsistence use
permits and
removed the
requirement that
Regional
Councils must
have an odd
number of
members.
68 FR 23035.............. April 30, 2003............... Affirmation of Direct Final Rule... Because no
adverse comments
were received on
the direct final
rule (67 FR
30559), the
direct final
rule was
adopted.
69 FR 60957.............. October 14, 2004............. Final Rule......................... Clarified the
membership
qualifications
for Regional
Advisory Council
membership and
relocated the
definition of
``regulatory
year'' from
subpart A to
subpart D of the
regulations.
70 FR 76400.............. December 27, 2005............ Final Rule......................... Revised
jurisdiction in
marine waters
and clarified
jurisdiction
relative to
military lands.
71 FR 49997.............. August 24, 2006.............. Final Rule......................... Revised the
jurisdiction of
the subsistence
program by
adding submerged
lands and waters
in the area of
Makhnati Island,
near Sitka, AK.
This allowed
subsistence
users to harvest
marine resources
in this area
under seasons,
harvest limits,
and methods
specified in the
regulations.
72 FR 25688.............. May 7, 2007.................. Final Rule......................... Revised nonrural
determinations.
75 FR 63088.............. October 14, 2010............. Final Rule......................... Amended the
regulations for
accepting and
addressing
special action
requests and the
role of the
Regional
Advisory
Councils in the
process.
76 FR 56109.............. September 12, 2011........... Final Rule......................... Revised the
composition of
the Board.
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An environmental assessment was prepared in 1997 on the expansion
of Federal jurisdiction over fisheries and is available from the office
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The Secretaries
determined that the expansion of Federal jurisdiction did not
constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the human
environment and, therefore, signed a Finding of No Significant Impact.
Section 810 of ANILCA
An ANILCA section 810 analysis was completed as part of the FEIS
process on the Federal Subsistence Management Program. The intent of
all Federal subsistence regulations is to accord subsistence uses of
fish and wildlife on public lands a priority over the taking of fish
and wildlife on such lands for other purposes, unless restriction is
necessary to conserve healthy fish and wildlife populations. The final
section 810 analysis determination appeared in the April 6, 1992, ROD
and concluded that the Program, under Alternative IV with an annual
process for setting subsistence regulations, may have some local
impacts on subsistence uses, but will not likely restrict subsistence
uses significantly.
During the subsequent environmental assessment process for
extending fisheries jurisdiction, an evaluation of the effects of this
rule was conducted in accordance with section 810. That evaluation also
supported the Secretaries' determination that the rule will not reach
the ``may significantly restrict'' threshold that would require notice
and hearings under ANILCA section 810(a).
Paperwork Reduction Act
An agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to
respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently
valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. This rule
does not contain any new collections of information that require OMB
approval. OMB has reviewed and approved the following collections of
information associated with the subsistence regulations at 36 CFR part
242 and 50 CFR part 100: Subsistence hunting and fishing applications,
permits, and reports, Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council
Membership Application/Nomination and Interview Forms (OMB Control No.
1018-0075 expires January 31, 2013).
[[Page 12481]]
Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866)
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this
rule is not significant and has not reviewed this rule under Executive
Order 12866. OMB bases its determination upon the following four
criteria:
a. Whether the rule will have an annual effect of $100 million or
more on the economy or adversely affect an economic sector,
productivity, jobs, the environment, or other units of the government.
b. Whether the rule will create inconsistencies with other
agencies' actions.
c. Whether the rule will materially affect entitlements, grants,
user fees, loan programs, or the rights and obligations of their
recipients.
d. Whether the rule raises novel legal or policy issues.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
requires preparation of flexibility analyses for rules that will have a
significant effect on a substantial number of small entities, which
include small businesses, organizations, or governmental jurisdictions.
In general, the resources to be harvested under this rule are already
being harvested and consumed by the local harvester and do not result
in an additional dollar benefit to the economy. Therefore, the
Departments certify that this rulemaking will not have a significant
economic effect on a substantial number of small entities within the
meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
Under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (5
U.S.C. 801 et seq.), this rule is not a major rule. It does not have an
effect on the economy of $100 million or more, will not cause a major
increase in costs or prices for consumers, and does not have
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment,
productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to
compete with foreign-based enterprises.
Executive Order 12630
Title VIII of ANILCA requires the Secretaries to administer a
subsistence priority on public lands. The scope of this Program is
limited by definition to certain public lands. Likewise, these
regulations have no potential takings of private property implications
as defined by Executive Order 12630.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Secretaries have determined and certify pursuant to the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this
rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given
year on local or State governments or private entities. The
implementation of this rule is by Federal agencies and there is no cost
imposed on any State or local entities or tribal governments.
Executive Order 12988
The Secretaries have determined that these regulations meet the
applicable standards provided in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive
Order 12988, regarding civil justice reform.
Executive Order 13132
In accordance with Executive Order 13132, the rule does not have
sufficient Federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
Federalism Assessment. Title VIII of ANILCA precludes the State from
exercising subsistence management authority over fish and wildlife
resources on Federal lands unless it meets certain requirements.
Executive Order 13175
Title VIII of ANILCA provides rights to all Federally qualified
rural residents for the subsistence taking of wildlife, fish, and
shellfish. However, the Board provides Federally recognized Tribes and
Alaska Native Corporations an opportunity to consult on all subsistence
issues. Consultation with Alaska Native Corporations is based on Public
Law 108-199, div. H, Sec. 161, Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 452, as amended
by Public Law 108-447, div. H, title V, Sec. 518, Dec. 8, 2004, 118
Stat. 3267, which provides that: ``The Director of the Office of
Management and Budget and all Federal agencies shall hereafter consult
with Alaska Native Corporations on the same basis as Indian tribes
under Executive Order No. 13175.''
The Secretaries, through the Board, provide a variety of
opportunities for tribal consultation: Commenting on proposed changes
to an existing rule; engaging in dialogue at the Council meetings;
engaging in dialogue at the Board's meetings; and providing input in
person, by mail, email, or phone at any time during the rulemaking
process.
Executive Order 13211
This Executive Order requires agencies to prepare Statements of
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. However, this rule is
not a significant regulatory action under E.O. 13211, affecting energy
supply, distribution, or use, and no Statement of Energy Effects is
required.
Drafting Information
Theo Matuskowitz drafted these regulations under the guidance of
Peter J. Probasco of the Office of Subsistence Management, Alaska
Regional Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska.
Additional assistance was provided by:
Daniel Sharp, Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land
Management;
Sandy Rabinowitch and Nancy Swanton, Alaska Regional
Office, National Park Service;
Dr. Glenn Chen, Alaska Regional Office, Bureau of Indian
Affairs;
Jerry Berg, Alaska Regional Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service; and
Steve Kessler, Alaska Regional Office, U.S. Forest
Service.
List of Subjects
36 CFR Part 242
Administrative practice and procedure, Alaska, Fish, National
forests, Public lands, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Wildlife.
50 CFR Part 100
Administrative practice and procedure, Alaska, Fish, National
forests, Public lands, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Wildlife.
Regulation Promulgation
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Federal Subsistence
Board, under the authority at 16 U.S.C. 3, 472, 551, 668dd, 3101-3126;
18 U.S.C. 3551-3586; and 43 U.S.C. 1733, announces that the compliance
date for the nonrural determinations for Prudhoe Bay, and the adjusted
boundaries of the nonrural areas of: the Kenai Area; the Wasilla/Palmer
Area, including Point McKenzie; the Homer Area, including Fritz Creek
East (except Voznesenka) and the North Fork Road area; and the
Ketchikan Area, including Saxman and portions of Gravina Island
contained in 36 CFR 242.23 and 50 CFR 100.23 as revised on May 7, 2007
(72 FR 25688) is delayed until either the review of the rural
determination process and the rural determination findings are
completed or 5 years, whichever comes first. A document announcing the
compliance date will be published in the Federal Register at a later
date.
[[Page 12482]]
Dated: February 23, 2012.
Peter J. Probasco,
Assistant Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Acting
Chair, Federal Subsistence Board.
Dated: February 16, 2012.
Beth G. Pendleton,
Regional Forester, USDA--Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-4786 Filed 2-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P; 4310-55-P