The Federal subsistence Board will hold public hearings throughout Alaska during May to provide information and hear public comment on an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to modify the scope of federal subsistence management in Alaska. Public hearings will be held as follows:
May 13 Anchorage Sheraton Anchorage Hotel 6-9 p.m. May 14 Juneau Centennial Hall 2-10 p.m. May 15 Sitka Centennial Building 5:30-9 p.m. May 16 Kotzebue NANA Museum 6-9 p.m. May 20 Bethel KVNA Building 6-9 p.m. May 21 Nome Eskimo Community Hall 2-5 p.m., 7-9 p.m. May 22 Kenai/Soldotna Central Pen. Sports Ctr., Soldotna 6-10 p.m. May 23 Dillingham City Hall 7-10 p.m. May 28 Fairbanks Carlson Center Pioneer Room 6-10 p.m.
The Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, published in response to a recent federal court decision, contains some draft regulatory provisions being considered by the Departments of Interior and Agriculture. If finalized, these provisions would modify federal jurisdiction for subsistence management to include navigable waters in which the United States has reserved water rights. These waters are found within national wildlife refuges; national parks, monuments and preserves; national forests; wild and scenic rivers; and national recreation and conservation areas in Alaska. Federal subsistence management currently includes only non-navigable waters within federal public land boundaries as well as some navigable waters over lands that were reserved by the United States prior to Alaskas statehood.
Other provisions of the Advance Notice address limited extension of jurisdiction off federal public lands to insure the priority for subsistence uses on those lands, and inclusion of jurisdiction over certain public lands that have been elected by, but not yet conveyed to, the State of Alaska or Native Corporations.
The public hearings are intended to offer an early opportunity to comment on what the federal government is considering before regulations are formally proposed. Public responses to the Advance Notice will be used to develop any proposed regulations, and there will be additional opportunities for public involvement as any regulations are developed.
For more information, call toll-free (800)478-1456 or (907) 786-3487 (TTY available).
-FSB-
