Public Hearing Announced for Wildlife Special Action Requests WSA26-01, WSA26-02, and WSA26-03 (Western Arctic Caribou)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Western Arctic Caribou Herd Working Group has asked the Federal Subsistence Board to reduce the annual caribou harvest limit to four animals—only one of which may be a female—in Units 22, 23, and the western portion of Unit 26A for the 2026–27 regulatory year. The group says the change is needed because the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, which is found mainly in these areas, is experiencing a severe decline.

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve has also requested a temporary closure of federal public lands in Unit 22 to caribou hunting by non-federally qualified users for the 2026–28 regulatory cycle. In addition, the North Slope Subsistence Regional Advisory Council has requested a similar closure in the southwest portion of Unit 26A for the same period.

The submitted requests can be viewed at www.doi.gov/subsistence/pending-special-actions.  

A public hearing to receive testimony on WSA26-01, WSA26-02, and WSA6-03 is scheduled on: 

April 9, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.* (Or until conclusion of public comments) 

Teleconference: (833) 436-1163 Conference ID: 514 754 808#

The hearing can also be joined via Microsoft Teams: CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE HEARING.

*Public hearings may end early or run late depending on the level of public participation 

In addition to this public hearing, if your Tribe or ANCSA Corporation is interested in a Government-to-Government consultation on this issue, please contact the Office of Subsistence Management Native Liaison at (800) 478-1456 or (907) 786-3888, or subsistence@ios.doi.gov. 

Comments received during the public hearing will be forwarded to the Board for consideration when it meets to act on these requests via teleconference on June 3, 2026. Additional information on the upcoming Board meeting will be provided through news releases, the Program’s webpage (https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/upcoming-federal-subsistence-board-meetings), and social media.

 Reasonable Accommodations: The Board is committed to providing access for all participants. Please make requests for sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices or other reasonable accommodations at least seven business days before the meeting. Contact the Office of Subsistence Management at (907) 478-1456 or email subsistence@ios.doi.gov. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska. 

Missing out on the latest federal subsistence issues? To receive emails updates on Federal Subsistence Management Program activities, send a request to subsistence@ios.doi.gov. 

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