Subsistence News

Proposed Federal Subsistence Management Regulations for Tongass National Forest Submerged Lands published in Federal Register

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.

5/12/2022

For Immediate Release: May 12, 2022 On May 12, 2022, the Departments of Agriculture and Interior (Departments) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (87 FR 29061). The purpose of this proposed rule is to complete regulatory proceedings addressing submerged public lands within the Tongass National Forest as directed by the U.S. District Court for Alaska.

Federal Subsistence Board to Hold Meeting on Fisheries Temporary Special Action Request FSA22-05 Regarding the Lower Copper River Subsistence Salmon Fishery

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

5/11/2022

For Immediate Release: May 11, 2022 The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) will hold a teleconference on Thursday, May 19, 2022, to take action on Fisheries Temporary Special Action Request FSA22-05. The teleconference will be held from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. or until the Board completes its work.

Winners of 2022-23 Federal Subsistence Student Art Contest Announced

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

5/6/2022

For Immediate Release: May 6, 2022 The Office of Subsistence Management has selected the winners of the 2022-23 Student Art Contest: Carl Teg’aaq, age 11, from Bethel won in the wildlife category, and Rea Koy, age 13, from Anchorage won in the fisheries category. Teg’aaq’s artwork will serve as the cover art for the 2022-2024 Federal Subsistence Management Harvest of Wildlife regulations book, and Koy’s artwork will serve as the cover art for the 2023-2025 Federal Subsistence Management Harvest of Fish and Shellfish regulations book, both to be distributed statewide. One hundred forty-three art entries were submitted from students all over Alaska in grades K-12. Submitted artwork will be used for brochures, flyers, website and other mediums.

The Federal Subsistence Board Adopts Temporary Special Action FSA22-01

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

5/6/2022

For Immediate Release: May 6, 2022 The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) met in public by teleconference on May 4, 2022 and adopted Temporary Special Action FSA22-01 for conservation purposes. Specifically, the Board closed Federal public waters of the Yukon Northern Area to the harvest of Chinook, summer and fall Chum, and Coho salmon except by Federally qualified subsistence users, effective June 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022, with harvest opportunities to be determined by the Federal fisheries manager if fisheries run strength is sufficient to allow a Federal subsistence fishery.

Public Hearing Announced for Fisheries Special Action Request FSA22-05 Regarding the Lower Copper River Subsistence Salmon Fishery

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

4/28/2022

For Immediate Release: April 28, 2022 A telephonic public hearing is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. or until the end of public participation on Thursday, May 5, 2022, to receive public testimony on a temporary special action request submitted to the Federal Subsistence Board (Board).

Federal Subsistence Board to Hold Teleconference on Fisheries Temporary Special Action Requests FSA22-01, FSA22-02, FSA22-03, and FSA22-04 Regarding the Yukon River Chinook and Chum salmon Fisheries

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

4/26/2022

For Immediate Release: April 26, 2022 The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) will hold a teleconference on May 4, 2022, to take action on Fisheries Temporary Special Action Requests FSA22-01, FSA22-02, FSA22-03, and FSA22-04. The teleconference will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. or until the Board completes its work.

Federal Subsistence Board Approves Changes to Subsistence Hunting and Trapping Regulations

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

4/18/2022

For Immediate Release: April 18, 2022 The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) met April 12-15, 2022, via teleconference to consider proposed changes to Federal subsistence hunting and trapping regulations and wildlife closure reviews. In addition, the Board took action on Wildlife Temporary Special Action WSA22-01 and deferred Fisheries Proposal FP21-10.

Public Hearing Announced for Temporary Wildlife Special Action WSA22-02 (Dall Sheep in Units 24A, 26B)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

4/8/2022

For Immediate Release: April 8, 2022 A telephonic public hearing to receive public testimony on a temporary wildlife special action request submitted to the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) is scheduled for April 28, 2022, 4:00-7:00 p.m. (AKST) or until the end of public participation.

Federal Subsistence Board to hold teleconference to consider proposals to change Federal subsistence hunting and trapping regulations for 2022-2024

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

4/6/2022

For Immediate Release: April 6, 2022 PUBLIC NOTICE - The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) will meet April 12-15, 2022, via teleconference only, to consider proposed changes to Federal subsistence hunting and trapping regulations for the 2022-2024 regulatory years and to discuss other subsistence related topics including a number of Wildlife Closure Reviews, Wildlife Special Action Request WSA22-01 (Units 22 and 23 muskox) and deferred fisheries proposal FP21-10 (Lower Copper River Area salmon).

Changes in Federal Moose and Caribou Hunting Regulations in Units 23 and 26A

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

4/6/2022

For Immediate Release: April 6, 2022 Frequently asked questions on closure of Federal public lands to non-Federally qualified users. On March 30, 2022, the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) approved Temporary Wildlife Special Action WSA21-01 with modification to close some Federal public lands in Units 23 and 26A to moose and caribou hunting by non-Federally qualified users for the 2022-2024 regulatory cycle. This fact sheet answers common questions and concerns about the closure.

Subsistence Drawing Hunt Application Period Open for Units 7 & 15

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

4/1/2022

Todd Eskelin

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2022 The Chugach National Forest District Ranger and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Manager, under authority of the Federal Subsistence Board, announce the open application period for Federal Subsistence Drawing Hunts on Federal lands on the Kenai Peninsula in Units 7 and 15. You must be a Federally qualified resident from the authorized community established for each hunt to apply. The application deadline is Friday, April 29, 2022 at 4:30 pm. No applications will be accepted after that time. Drawings for each hunt will be conducted and winners will be contacted beginning May 4, 2022.

Federal Subsistence Board Work Session Results on Deferred Temporary Wildlife Special Action Request WSA21-01 (Units 23 and 26A Caribou and Moose)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

3/31/2022

For Immediate Release: March 31, 2022 In February 2021, the Northwest Arctic Subsistence Regional Advisory Council submitted a Wildlife Special Action Request WSA21-01 to close Federal public lands in Units 23 and 26A to the harvest of caribou and moose by non-Federally qualified users from August 1 through September 30, 2021. In June 2021, the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) deferred this request to 2022, instructing the Office of Subsistence Management (OSM) to seek additional input on concerns related to caribou. The Board also asked the OSM to include comparisons of moose harvest by survey area within Unit 23 in their analysis. Following deferral, the request was divided into WSA21-01a (caribou) and WSA21-01b (moose).

Call for Proposals to Change Federal Subsistence Fish and Shellfish Regulations, and Proposals to Change Nonrural Determinations

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

3/25/2022

For Immediate Release March 25, 2022 The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) is accepting proposals through May 16, 2022, to change Federal regulations for the subsistence harvest of fish and shellfish on Federal public lands and waters for the 2023-2025 regulatory years (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2025). The Board will consider proposals to change Federal subsistence fish and shellfish seasons, harvest limits, methods and means related to subsistence uses. In addition, they will accept proposals for customary and traditional use determinations, as it relates to fish and shellfish, and nonrural determinations.

Public Hearings Announced for Fisheries Special Action Requests FSA22-01/02/03/04 Regarding the Yukon River Chinook and Chum Salmon Fisheries

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

3/9/2022

For Immediate Release: March 9, 2022 Public hearings are scheduled for March 29, 2022, from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and March 31 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. to receive testimony on temporary fisheries special action requests FSA22-01/02/03/04 received by the Federal Subsistence Board (Board). These meetings will only be held telephonically.

Federal Subsistence Board to hold a work session on deferred Temporary Wildlife Special Action Request WSA21-01 (Units 23 and 26A caribou and moose)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska, Office of Subsistence Management, Subsistence, Press Release

3/9/2022

For Immediate Release: March 9, 2022 In February 2021, the Northwest Arctic Subsistence Regional Advisory Council submitted a Wildlife Special Action Request WSA21-01 to close Federal public lands in Units 23 and 26A to the harvest of caribou and moose by non-Federally qualified users from August 1 through September 30, 2021. In June 2021, the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) deferred this request to 2022, instructing the Office of Subsistence Management (OSM) to seek additional input on concerns related to caribou. The Board also asked OSM to include comparisons of moose harvest by survey area within Unit 23 in their analysis.

Subsistence News

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