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Rule2024-19025

Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-2024-25 and 2025-26 Subsistence Taking of Wildlife Regulations

Primary source

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Published

August 29, 2024

Effective

August 29, 2024

Issuing agencies

Agriculture DepartmentForest ServiceInterior DepartmentFish and Wildlife Service

Abstract

This final rule establishes regulations for seasons, harvest limits, and methods and means related to the taking of wildlife for subsistence uses in Alaska for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 regulatory years. The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) completes the biennial process of revising subsistence hunting and trapping regulations in even-numbered years and subsistence fishing and shellfish regulations in odd-numbered years; public proposal and review processes take place during the preceding year. The Board also addresses customary and traditional use determinations during the applicable biennial cycle. This rule also revises the customary and traditional use determinations for wildlife, the general regulations, and a deferred proposal from the last fish cycle.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70348-70403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19025]

[[Page 70347]]

Vol. 89

Thursday,

No. 168

August 29, 2024

Part V

Department of Agriculture

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Forest Service

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36 CFR Part 242

Department of the Interior

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Fish and Wildlife Service

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50 CFR Part 100

Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska--2024-25
and 2025-26 Subsistence Taking of Wildlife Regulations; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 89 , No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2024 /
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 70348]]

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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-2022-0105; FXFR13350700640-245-FF07J00000]
RIN 1018-BG72

Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska--
2024-25 and 2025-26 Subsistence Taking of Wildlife Regulations

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture; Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule establishes regulations for seasons, harvest
limits, and methods and means related to the taking of wildlife for
subsistence uses in Alaska for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 regulatory
years. The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) completes the biennial
process of revising subsistence hunting and trapping regulations in
even-numbered years and subsistence fishing and shellfish regulations
in odd-numbered years; public proposal and review processes take place
during the preceding year. The Board also addresses customary and
traditional use determinations during the applicable biennial cycle.
This rule also revises the customary and traditional use determinations
for wildlife, the general regulations, and a deferred proposal from the
last fish cycle.

DATES: This rule is effective August 29, 2024.
Information Collection Requirements: If you wish to comment on the
information collection requirements in this rule, please note that the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is required to make a decision
concerning the collection of information contained in this rule between
30 and 60 days after the date of publication of this rule in the
Federal Register. Therefore, comments should be submitted to OMB by
September 30, 2024.

ADDRESSES: The comments received on the proposed rule as well as the
Board meeting transcripts are available at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>
in Docket No. FWS-R7-SM-2022-0105. Board meeting transcripts are also
available for review at the Office of Subsistence Management, 1011 East
Tudor Road, Mail Stop 121, Anchorage, AK 99503, or on the Office of
Subsistence Management website (<a href="https://www.doi.gov/subsistence">https://www.doi.gov/subsistence</a>).
Information Collection Requirements: Written comments and
suggestions on the information collection requirements should be
submitted within 30 days of publication of this document to <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this particular information
collection by selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for Public
Comments'' or by using the search function. Please provide a copy of
your comments to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB (JAO/3W),
Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#266f4840497965494a4a6640515508414950">[email&#160;protected]</a> (email).
Please reference OMB Control Number 1018-0075 in the subject line of
your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chair, Federal Subsistence Board, c/o
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attention: Crystal Lionetti, Director,
Office of Subsistence Management; (907) 786-3888 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f5868097869c8681909b9690b59c9a86db919a9cdb929a83">[email&#160;protected]</a>. For questions specific to National Forest
System lands, contact Gregory Risdahl, Regional Subsistence Program
Leader, USDA, Forest Service, Alaska Region; (907) 302-7354 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3e594c5b59514c47104c574d5a5f56527e4b4d5a5f10595148">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

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. The Program provides a
preference for take of fish and wildlife resources for subsistence uses
on Federal public lands and waters in Alaska. The term ``subsistence
uses'' means the customary and traditional uses by rural Alaska
residents of wild, renewable resources for direct personal or family
consumption as food, shelter, fuel, clothing, tools, or transportation
or for other specified purposes. The Secretaries published temporary
regulations to carry out the Program in the Federal Register on June
29, 1990 (55 FR 27114), and published final regulations in the Federal
Register on May 29, 1992 (57 FR 22940).
The Program managers have subsequently amended these regulations
many times. Because this program is a joint effort between Interior and
Agriculture, 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-
242.28 and 50 CFR 100.1-100.28, respectively. Consequently, to indicate
that identical changes affect regulations in both titles 36 and 50, in
this document we present references to specific sections of the CFR as
shown in the following example: Sec. __.24.
The Program 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.
Consistent with subpart B of these regulations, the Secretaries
established a Federal Subsistence Board to administer the Federal
Subsistence Management Program. The Board comprises:
<bullet> A Chair appointed by the Secretary of the Interior with
concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture;
<bullet> The Alaska Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS);
<bullet> The Alaska Regional Director, National Park Service (NPS);
<bullet> The Alaska State Director, Bureau of Land Management
(BLM);
<bullet> The Alaska Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA);
<bullet> The Alaska Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service (USDA-
FS); and
<bullet> Two public members appointed by the Secretary of the
Interior with concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture.
Through the Board, these agencies participate in the development of
regulations for subparts C and D, which, among other things, set forth
program eligibility, including determinations of which areas or
communities in Alaska are nonrural, and specific harvest seasons and
limits. The Board receives analytical and administrative assistance
from the Interagency Staff Committee, which comprises senior technical
experts from FWS, NPS, BLM, BIA, and USDA-FS (per Sec. __.10(d)(7)).
In administering the Program, the Secretaries divided Alaska into
10 subsistence resource regions, each of which is represented by a
Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council (RAC). The RACs 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
RAC members represent varied geographical, cultural, and user interests
within each region.
The Board conducts rulemaking for the Program on a biennial
schedule with the process of revising the fish and shellfish
regulations and the process for

[[Page 70349]]

revising the wildlife regulations occurring during opposite years. The
Board addresses ``customary and traditional use'' determinations during
the applicable biennial cycle. The regulations at Sec. __.4 define
``customary and traditional use'' as ``a long-established, consistent
pattern of use, incorporating beliefs and customs which have been
transmitted from generation to generation.'' Since establishment of the
Program regulations in 1992, the Board has made a number of customary
and traditional use determinations at the request of affected
subsistence users. These determinations have resulted in revisions to
the regulations at Sec. __.24. Those modifications, along with some
administrative corrections, were published in the Federal Register as
follows:

Table 1--Modifications to Sec. __.24, Customary and Traditional Use Determinations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rule made changes to the following provisions of
Federal Register citation Date of publication __.24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
59 FR 27462....................... May 27, 1994............. Wildlife and Fish/Shellfish.
59 FR 51855....................... October 13, 1994......... Wildlife and Fish/Shellfish.
60 FR 10317....................... February 24, 1995........ Wildlife and Fish/Shellfish.
61 FR 39698....................... July 30, 1996............ Wildlife and Fish/Shellfish.
62 FR 29016....................... May 29, 1997............. Wildlife and Fish/Shellfish.
63 FR 35332....................... June 29, 1998............ Wildlife and Fish/Shellfish.
63 FR 46148....................... August 28, 1998.......... Wildlife and Fish/Shellfish.
64 FR 1276........................ January 8, 1999.......... Fish/Shellfish.
66 FR 10142....................... February 13, 2001........ Fish/Shellfish.
67 FR 5890........................ February 7, 2002......... Fish/Shellfish.
68 FR 7276........................ February 12, 2003........ Fish/Shellfish.
69 FR 5018........................ February 3, 2004......... Fish/Shellfish.
70 FR 13377....................... March 21, 2005........... Fish/Shellfish.
71 FR 15569....................... March 29, 2006........... Fish/Shellfish.
72 FR 12676....................... March 16, 2007........... Fish/Shellfish.
72 FR 73426....................... December 27, 2007........ Wildlife/Fish.
74 FR 14049....................... March 30, 2009........... Fish/Shellfish.
76 FR 12564....................... March 8, 2011............ Fish/Shellfish.
77 FR 35482....................... June 13, 2012............ Wildlife.
79 FR 35232....................... June 19, 2014............ Wildlife.
81 FR 52528....................... August 8, 2016........... Wildlife.
83 FR 3079........................ January 23, 2018......... Fish.
83 FR 50758....................... October 9, 2018.......... Wildlife.
84 FR 39744....................... August 12, 2019.......... Fish.
85 FR 74796....................... November 23, 2020........ Wildlife.
87 FR 44846....................... July 26, 2022............ Wildlife.
89 FR 14746....................... February 29, 2024........ Fish.
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Current Rulemaking Action

The Departments published a proposed rule, Subsistence Management
Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska--2024-25 and 2025-26 Subsistence
Taking of Wildlife Regulations, on February 27, 2023 (88 FR 12285), to
amend the regulations in subparts C and D of 36 CFR part 242 and 50 CFR
part 100 for hunting and trapping seasons, harvest limits, and methods
and means related to taking of wildlife for subsistence uses.
The proposed rule opened a comment period, which closed on April
12, 2023. The Departments advertised the proposed rule on the Program's
web page and by mail, email, social media, radio, and newspaper. During
that period, the RACs met and, in addition to other business, received
suggestions for proposals from the public. The Board received a total
of 40 proposals. Two of those proposals were withdrawn by the
proponent. An additional two proposals were classified as invalid
because they were administrative, as opposed to regulatory, in nature.
The Board received 38 proposals for changes to the subparts C (for
revisions to customary and traditional use determinations) and D
regulations (which are specific provisions regarding the take of fish
and wildlife). In addition, 18 wildlife closure reviews were presented
for comment as required by Board policy, which specifies a review of
each closure at least every 4 years. No closure reviews or proposals
were deferred from previous fish or wildlife regulatory cycles.
The public submitted 38 comments, which are available for review at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> in Docket No. FWS-R7-SM-2022-0105. We
reviewed and considered all public comments received on the proposed
rule. Most of the comments were proposal submissions in response to the
request for proposals outlined in the proposed rule. Most other
comments reflected the same concerns or issues that were also included
in those proposals that were presented to the Board and were,
therefore, considered during Board deliberations on the proposals. The
remaining public comments pertained to issues outside the scope of this
rulemaking action.
After the comment period closed, the Board prepared a booklet
describing the proposals and distributed it to the public. The
proposals were also published on the Program's website. The public then
had more than 30 days, until June 30, 2023, to comment on the proposed
regulatory changes.
The 10 RACs met again, received public comments, and formulated
their recommendations to the Board on proposals for their respective
regions. Therefore, the public received extensive opportunity to review
and comment on all changes.
The RACs had a substantial role in reviewing the proposed rule and
making recommendations for the final rule. Moreover, a RAC Chair, or a
designated representative, presented each RAC's recommendations at the
Board's public meeting of April 2-5, 2024.

[[Page 70350]]

Summary of Board Actions on Proposals and Closure Reviews

The Board's actions on each wildlife proposal and closure review
are listed in table 2 below. When making decisions, the Board may use,
but is not limited to, the following guidelines for consideration of
whether a proposal:
<bullet> provides a subsistence priority on public lands;
<bullet> is supported by substantial scientific and traditional
ecological knowledge (TEK) evidence;
<bullet> recognizes principles of fish and wildlife conservation;
<bullet> provides opportunity; and
<bullet> would not be detrimental to or place undue burden on rural
Alaskan subsistence users.
Consensus agenda: The consensus agenda is made up of proposals and
closure reviews for which there is agreement among the affected RACs, a
majority of the Interagency Staff Committee members, and the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) concerning a proposed regulatory
action. Anyone may request that the Board remove a proposal or a
closure review from the consensus agenda and place it on the non-
consensus agenda. Proposals or closure reviews taken off the consensus
agenda follow the Board process for non-consensus items and are
deliberated and voted on individually. Of the 36 wildlife proposals and
18 wildlife closure reviews, 32 were on the Board's non-consensus
agenda, and 22 were on the consensus agenda. The Board votes en masse
on the consensus agenda after deliberation and action on all other
proposals.
Of the proposals on the consensus agenda, the Board adopted six,
adopted one with modification, rejected two, and took no action on one.
Of the closure reviews on the consensus agenda, the Board retained the
status quo on 10, and rescinded two. Analysis and justification for the
action taken on each proposal on the consensus agenda can be found in
the Board meeting book and transcripts. Documents are available for
review at the Office of Subsistence Management (OSM), 1011 East Tudor
Road, Mail Stop 121, Anchorage, AK 99503; at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> in Docket No. FWS-R7-SM-2022-0105; or on the OSM
website (<a href="https://www.doi.gov/subsistence">https://www.doi.gov/subsistence</a>).
Non-consensus agenda: Of the proposals on the non-consensus agenda,
the Board adopted five, adopted 15 with modification, rejected one,
deferred one and took no action on four. Of the closure reviews on the
non-consensus agenda, the Board modified one, and retained the status
quo on five. Because all Board actions on non-consensus proposals and
closure reviews aligned with recommendations of the affected RAC(s),
Board justifications for these actions can be found by reading the RAC
recommendation(s) in the respective proposal analysis and reviewing the
Board meeting transcripts. Documents are available for review at the
Office of Subsistence Management, 1011 East Tudor Road, Mail Stop 121,
Anchorage, AK 99503; at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> in Docket No. FWS-
R7-SM-2022-0105; or on the OSM website (<a href="https://www.doi.gov/subsistence">https://www.doi.gov/subsistence</a>).
Request for Reconsideration: The Board received a request to
reconsider their prior action on fisheries proposal FP21-10, which
established a dipnet/rod and reel fishery on a portion of the Lower
Copper River in the Prince William Sound Area. After full analysis, the
request was rejected because it did not provide information not
previously considered by the Board, did not demonstrate that existing
information used by the Board was incorrect, and did not demonstrate
that the Board's interpretation of information, applicable law, or
regulation was in error or contrary to existing law.

Table 2--Federal Subsistence Board Actions on Proposed Revisions to the Regulations for the Federal Subsistence
Management Program
[C&T = customary and traditional use]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal
Subsistence
General Board (FSB)
Proposal No. Species or issue Unit(s) description action and
basis for
decision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WP24-01.................. Brown bear............... Statewide............... General Deferred until
regulations: 2024 FSB
Allow for sale summer work
of brown bear session to
hides. gather more
information
and address
options of
applicability
in areas with
a 1-bear
harvest limit.
WP24-02.................. Goat..................... 1C...................... Portion of Unit Adopt.
1C: Extend the Provides a
season to Jul subsistence
24-Dec. 31. priority on
public lands.
Provides
opportunity.
WP24-03.................. Goat..................... 1C...................... Portion of Unit Take no action.
1C: Extend the Based on action
season to Aug. taken on WP24-
1-Nov. 30; 02.
close the Aug.
1-31 season,
except for
take by
federally
qualified
subsistence
users.
WP24-04.................. Deer..................... 4....................... Close a portion Adopt with
of Admiralty Southeast RAC
Island Nov. 1- (SERAC)
15, except for modification
take by to reduce the
federally closure area
qualified and the
subsistence closure
users. duration to
Nov. 1-10.
Provides a
subsistence
priority on
public lands.
Provides
opportunity.
WP24-05.................. Deer..................... 4....................... Close the Adopt with
Northeast SERAC
Chichagof modification
Controlled Use to reduce the
Area Nov. 1- closure area
15, except for by removing
take by Wildlife
federally Analysis areas
qualified 4222 and 3526
subsistence and reduce
users. closure
duration to
Nov. 1-10.
Provides a
subsistence
priority on
public lands.
Provides
opportunity.
WP24-06.................. Deer..................... 4....................... Close a portion Adopt with
of Chichagof SERAC
Island Nov. 1- modification
15, except for to reduce the
take by closure
federally duration to
qualified Nov. 1-10.
subsistence Provides a
users. subsistence
priority on
public lands.
Provides
opportunity.
WP24-07.................. Furbearers............... 7, 14C.................. Clarify Federal Reject.
trapping Unnecessary
regulations. regulations:
municipality
of Anchorage
ordinances do
not apply to
Federal
subsistence
users.

[[Page 70351]]

WP24-08.................. All...................... 7, 15................... Establish Adopt.
hunting and Recognizes
trapping principles of
setbacks from fish and
wildlife wildlife
crossing conservation.
structures
along the
Sterling
Highway.
WP24-09.................. Caribou.................. 13A, 13B................ Modify harvest Adopt.
limit; Recognizes
delegate principles of
authority to fish and
manage the wildlife
hunt. conservation.
WCR24-03................. Moose.................... 7....................... That portion of Maintain status
Unit 7 quo.
draining into Recognizes
Kings Bay: principles of
Closed, except fish and
by residents wildlife
of Chenega and conservation.
Tatitlek. Provides a
subsistence
priority on
public lands.
WCR24-41................. Moose.................... 6....................... Unit 6C: Closed Rescind the
Nov. 1-Dec. closure.
31, except for Recognizes
take by principles of
federally fish and
qualified wildlife
subsistence conservation.
users. Would not be
detrimental to
or place undue
burden on
rural Alaskan
subsistence
users.
WP24-10.................. Brown bear............... 8....................... Eliminate State Adopt.
locking tag Would not be
requirement. detrimental to
or place undue
burden on
rural Alaska
subsistence
users.
WP24-11.................. Deer..................... 8....................... Remove Adopt with
antlerless Kodiak
restriction. Aleutians RAC
modification
to retain the
antlerless
restriction
and increase
the harvest
limit to four
deer.
Provides
opportunity.
WCR24-04................. Caribou.................. 9C...................... Unit 9C, Maintain status
remainder: quo.
Closed, except Provides a
by residents subsistence
of Unit 9C and priority on
Egegik. public lands.
WCR24-06................. Caribou.................. 9E...................... Unit 9E: Maintain status
Closed, except quo.
by residents Provides a
of Unit 9C, subsistence
Nelson Lagoon, priority on
and Sand Point. public lands.
WP24-12.................. Moose.................... 9B...................... Extend fall Adopt with
season by 5 modification
days to Sept. to also extend
25. the season by
5 days at the
beginning.
Provides a
subsistence
priority on
public lands.
Provides
opportunity.
WP24-13.................. Moose.................... 9B...................... Extend fall Take no action.
season by 5 Based on action
days to Sept. taken on WP24-
25. 12.
WP24-14.................. Moose.................... 9B...................... Extend fall Take no action.
season by 5 Based on action
days to Sept. taken on WP24-
25. 12.
WP24-15.................. Caribou.................. 9C...................... Establish hunt Adopt with OSM
in Katmai modification
National to establish a
Preserve; may-be-
close Federal announced
public lands season, close
except by Katmai
residents of National
Igiugig. Preserve
except to
residents of
Igiugig and
Kokhanok, and
delegate
authority to
the Katmai
National Park
and Preserve
Superintendent
to announce
the annual
harvest quota,
announce and
open/close a
season,
determine the
number of
permits issued
annually, set
sex
restrictions,
and set permit
conditions via
delegation of
authority
letter only.
Provides a
subsistence
priority on
public lands.
Provides
opportunity.
WP24--(no number Moose, deer.............. 6....................... Rescind the Invalid.
assigned). delegation of
authority
letter (DAL).
WP24-16.................. Caribou.................. 9E...................... Add residents Adopt.
of Unit 9C to Provides
the opportunity.
communities
eligible to
harvest
(ANILCA
section 804
restriction).
WP24-17.................. Caribou.................. 9E...................... Add King Take no action.
Salmon, Based on action
Naknek, and taken on WP24-
South Naknek 16.
to the
communities
eligible to
harvest
(ANILCA
section 804
restriction).
WP24-18.................. Caribou.................. 17A, 17C................ Expand hunt Adopt with
area for the modification
Nushagak to further
Peninsula expand the
caribou herd. hunt area and
modify the DAL
to reflect the
new hunt area
boundary and
delegate
additional
authority to
``set harvest
areas.''
Provides
opportunity.
WP24--(no number Caribou.................. 17...................... Modify the DAL Invalid.
assigned). for the
Nushagak
Peninsula
caribou herd.
WP24-19.................. Moose.................... 18...................... Extend season Adopt with OSM
in a portion modification
of Unit 18 by to modify the
15 days to hunt area
Oct. 15. descriptor.
Provides
opportunity.
WP24-20.................. Moose.................... 18...................... Modify the Adopt.
harvest limit, Provides
permit opportunity.
requirements,
and DAL for
the winter
season in a
portion of
Unit 18.

[[Page 70352]]

WP24-21.................. Moose.................... 18...................... Add Adopt with
Konigiganak, Yukon-Kuskokwi
Kwigillingok, m Delta RAC
and Quinhagak modification
to the to also add
communities Kipnuk to the
eligible to communities
harvest in a eligible to
portion of harvest in a
Unit 18 portion of
(ANILCA Unit 18
section 804 (ANILCA
restriction). section 804
restriction).
Provides
opportunity.
WP24-22.................. Musk ox.................. 18...................... Recognize C&T Adopt.
by residents Provides a
of Unit 18. subsistence
priority on
public lands.
WP24-23.................. Musk ox.................. 18...................... Establish hunt Reject.
on the Recognizes
mainland principles of
portion of fish and
Unit 18. wildlife
conservation.
WCR24-38................. Moose.................... 18...................... A portion of Maintain status
Unit 18: quo.
Closed except Provides
by residents opportunity.
of Provides a
Tuntutuliak, subsistence
Eek, Napakiak, priority on
Napaskiak, public lands.
Kasigluk,
Nunapitchuk,
Atmaulauk,
Oscarville,
Bethel,
Kwethluk,
Akiakchak,
Akiak,
Tuluksak Lower
Kalskag, and
Kalskag.
WP24-24.................. n/a...................... 19A..................... Divide into two Adopt with OSM
subunits. modification
to clarify
regulatory
language.
Would not be
detrimental to
or place undue
burden on
rural Alaskan
subsistence
users.
WP24-25.................. Sheep.................... 24A, 24B................ Reduce harvest Adopt.
limit within Recognizes
Gates of the principles of
Arctic fish and
National Park. wildlife
conservation.
WP24-26.................. Sheep.................... 24A, 26B................ Unit 24A and Adopt.
portion of Recognizes
Unit 26B: principles of
Closed to all fish and
users for 2 wildlife
years. conservation.
WCR24-20................. Moose.................... 24...................... Kanuti Modify the
Controlled Use closure as
Area: Closed, recommended by
except for OSM to
take by eliminate the
federally closure during
qualified the winter
subsistence season (Dec.
users. 15-Apr. 15)
and clarify
regulatory
language.
Maintain
meaningful
subsistence
priority.
Would not be
detrimental to
or place undue
burden on
rural Alaskan
subsistence
users.
WCR24-43................. Moose.................... 19...................... Unit 19A, Maintain status
remainder: quo.
Closed, except Recognizes
by residents principles of
of Tuluksak, fish and
Lower Kalskag, wildlife
Upper Kalskag, conservation.
Aniak, Provides a
Chuathbaluk, subsistence
and Crooked priority on
Creek. public lands.
WP24-27.................. Musk ox.................. 22, 23.................. Change permit Adopt.
system to Would not be
Federal detrimental to
drawing or place undue
permits; burden on
standardize rural Alaskan
DALs. subsistence
users.
WCR24-10................. Musk ox.................. 22B..................... Unit 22B: Maintain status
Closed, except quo.
for take by Provides a
federally subsistence
qualified priority on
subsistence public lands.
users.
WCR24-15................. Moose.................... 22D..................... Unit 22D, Maintain status
remainder: quo.
Closed, except Provides a
for take by subsistence
federally priority on
qualified public lands.
subsistence
users.
WCR24-28................. Musk ox.................. 22D..................... Unit 22D, that Maintain status
portion west quo.
of the Tisuk Provides a
River drainage subsistence
and Canyon priority on
Creek: Closed, public lands.
except by
residents of
Nome and
Teller.
WCR24-29................. Musk ox.................. 22D..................... Unit 22D, Maintain status
remainder: quo.
Closed, except Provides a
by residents subsistence
of Elim, White priority on
Mountain, public lands.
Nome, Teller,
and Brevig
Mission.
WCR24-30................. Musk ox.................. 22E..................... Unit 22E: Maintain status
Closed, except quo.
for take by Provides a
federally subsistence
qualified priority on
subsistence public lands.
users.
WCR24-44................. Musk ox.................. 22D..................... Unit 22D within Maintain status
the Kuzitrin quo.
River Provides a
drainage: subsistence
Closed, except priority on
by residents public lands.
of Council,
Golovin, White
Mountain,
Nome, Teller,
and Brevig
Mission.
WP24-28.................. Caribou.................. 21D, 22, 23, 24, 26A.... Reduce harvest Adopt with
limit to four Western
caribou/year; Interior RAC
only one may (WIRAC, Seward
be a cow. Peninsula RAC
(SPRAC),
Northwest
Arctic RAC
(NWARAC), and
North Slope
RAC (NSRAC)
modification
to exclude the
eastern
portion of
Unit 26A and
reduce the
harvest limit
to 15 caribou/
year, only 1
may be a cow.
Provides
opportunity.
Recognizes
principles of
fish and
wildlife
conservation.

[[Page 70353]]

WP24-29.................. Caribou.................. 23...................... Reduce harvest Adopt with
limit to four WIRAC, SPRAC,
caribou/year; NWARAC, and
only one may NSRAC
be a cow. modification
to exclude the
eastern
portion of
Unit 26A and
reduce the
harvest limit
to 15 caribou/
year, only 1
may be a cow.
Provides
opportunity.
Recognizes
principles of
fish and
wildlife
conservation.
WP24-30.................. Caribou.................. 23...................... Close Federal Adopt with OSM
public lands modification
Aug. 1-Oct. to include a
31, except for population
take by threshold
federally removing the
qualified closure when
subsistence the Western
users. Arctic caribou
herd
population
exceeds
200,000
caribou.
Provides a
subsistence
priority on
public lands.
WP24-31.................. Caribou.................. 23...................... Close Federal Adopt with OSM
public lands modification
Aug. 1-Oct. to include a
31, except for population
take by threshold
federally removing the
qualified closure when
subsistence the Western
users. Arctic caribou
herd
population
exceeds
200,000
caribou.
Provides a
subsistence
priority on
public lands.
WCR24-19................. Musk ox.................. 23...................... Unit 23, south Rescind the
of Kotzebue closure.
Sound and west Provides
of and opportunity.
including the Would not be
Buckland River detrimental to
drainage: or place undue
Closed, except burden on
for take by rural Alaskan
federally subsistence
qualified users.
subsistence
users.
WP24-32.................. Marten................... 12, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25.. Extend trapping Adopt with
season by 15 Eastern
days to Mar. Interior RAC
15. modification
to extend the
season only in
Units 20E and
25B.
Provides a
subsistence
priority on
public lands.
Provides
opportunity.
WP24-33.................. Moose.................... 25B, 25C, 25D remainder. Extend season Adopt.
closing date Provides a
to Oct. 15. subsistence
priority on
public lands.
Provides
opportunity.
WP24-34.................. Moose.................... 25D West................ Withdrawn...... N/A
(withdrawn).
WP24-35.................. Moose.................... 25D West................ Withdrawn...... N/A
(withdrawn).
WP24-36.................. Sheep.................... 25A..................... Rescind C&T for Reject.
Kaktovik. Provides
opportunity.
WCR24-21................. Sheep.................... 25...................... Arctic Village Maintain status
Sheep quo.
Management Provides a
Area: Closed, subsistence
except for priority on
take by public lands.
federally
qualified
subsistence
users.
WCR24-35................. Caribou.................. 12...................... Southeastern Maintain status
portion of quo.
Unit 12: Recognizes
Closed, except principles of
for take by fish and
federally wildlife
qualified conservation.
subsistence Provides a
users. subsistence
priority on
public lands.
WCR24-42................. Caribou.................. 12...................... Southwestern Maintain status
portion of quo.
Unit 12: Recognizes
Closed to all principles of
users. fish and
wildlife
conservation.
WP24-37.................. Musk ox.................. 26C..................... Change season Take no action.
to ``may be Based on action
announced'' taken on WP24-
Nov. 1-Mar. 38.
31; delegate
authority to
the Arctic
National
Wildlife
Refuge (NWR)
manager to
manage the
hunt; and
remove
regulatory
language.
WP24-38.................. Musk ox.................. 26C..................... Change season Adopt with OSM
to ``may be modification
announced''; to delegate
liberalize the additional
harvest limit; authority to
delegate the Arctic NWR
authority to manager to set
the Arctic NWR sex
manager to restriction
manage the via a DAL
hunt; and only.
remove Provides a
regulatory subsistence
language. priority on
public lands.
Provides
opportunity.
WCR24-31................. Moose.................... 26B, 26C................ Units 26B, Maintain status
remainder, and quo.
26C: Closed, Provides a
except by subsistence
residents of priority on
Kaktovik. public lands.
RFR22-01................. Salmon................... Prince William Sound Reconsideration Oppose.
Area. of FP21-10 Provides a
establishing a subsistence
dipnet and rod priority in
and reel public waters.
fishery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The final regulations in this document reflect Board review and
consideration of RAC recommendations, Tribal and Alaska Native
corporation consultations, and public and ADF&G comments. The proposals
indicated above in table 2 as ``adopted'' are reflected in the rule
portion of this document as revisions to the Program

[[Page 70354]]

regulations. Minor edits and spelling corrections have also been made
to these final regulations. Because this rule concerns public lands
managed by a bureau or bureaus in both the Departments of Agriculture
and the Interior, identical text will be incorporated into 36 CFR part
242 and 50 CFR part 100.

Conformance With Statutory and Regulatory Authorities

Administrative Procedure Act Compliance

The Board has provided extensive opportunity for public input and
involvement in compliance with Administrative Procedure Act
requirements, including publishing a proposed rule in the Federal
Register, participation in multiple RAC meetings, additional public
review and comment on all proposals for regulatory change, and
opportunity for additional public comment during the Board meeting
prior to deliberation. Additionally, an administrative mechanism exists
(and has been used by the public) to request reconsideration of the
Board's decision on any particular proposal for regulatory change (36
CFR 242.20 and 50 CFR 100.20). Therefore, the Board believes that
sufficient public notice and opportunity for involvement have been
given to affected persons regarding Board decisions.
In the more than 30 years that the Program has been operating, no
benefit to the public has been demonstrated by delaying the effective
date of the subsistence regulations. A lapse in regulatory control
could affect the continued viability of fish or wildlife populations
and future subsistence opportunities for rural Alaskans and would
generally fail to serve the overall public interest. Therefore, the
Board finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to make this rule
effective upon the date set forth in DATES to ensure continued
operation of the subsistence program.

National Environmental Policy Act Compliance

A draft environmental impact statement that described four
alternatives for developing a Federal Subsistence Management Program
was distributed for public comment on October 7, 1991. The final
environmental impact statement (FEIS) was published on February 28,
1992. The record of decision (ROD) on Subsistence Management for
Federal Public Lands in Alaska was signed April 6, 1992. The selected
alternative in the FEIS (alternative IV) defined the administrative
framework of an annual regulatory cycle for subsistence regulations.
A 1997 environmental assessment dealt with the expansion of Federal
jurisdiction over fisheries and is available at the office listed under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The Secretary of the Interior, with
concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture, determined that expansion
of Federal jurisdiction does 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 of 1995 (PRA)

This rule contains existing and new information collections. All
information collections require approval by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). We may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB has reviewed and approved
the information collection requirements associated with subsistence
management regulations on public lands in Alaska and assigned the OMB
Control Number 1018-0075.
In accordance with the PRA and its implementing regulations at 5
CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal
agencies with an opportunity to comment on our proposal to renew, with
revisions, OMB Control Number 1018-0075. This input will help us assess
the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the
public's reporting burden, and it will help the public understand these
requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
We request OMB approval to renew the existing reporting and/or
recordkeeping requirements identified below:
(1) Form 3-2326, ``Federal Subsistence Hunt Application, Permit,
and Report''--Completed by federally qualified subsistence users who
want to harvest wildlife.
<bullet> Applicants provide information on the permit to identify:
(1) They are a federally qualified subsistence user;
(2) Their community of primary residence for community harvest
allocations; and
(3) The unit, season, hunt number, and permit number.
<bullet> Question 1 identifies whether the applicant hunted or used
a designated hunter.
<bullet> Questions 2a through 2e identify success rates by time,
location, and take of animal.
<bullet> Question 3 identifies date of take and biological data of
animal.
(2) Form 3-2327, ``Designated Hunter Application, Permit, and
Report''--Completed by federally qualified subsistence users who want
to harvest wildlife for other federally qualified subsistence users.
<bullet> Applicants provide information on the permit to identify:
(1) They are a federally qualified subsistence user;
(2) Their community of primary residence for community harvest
allocations; and
(3) The unit, season, hunt number, and permit number.
<bullet> Applicants provide a list of names of other persons they
hunted for, their harvest ticket/registration permit, and their
community to ensure they are federally qualified subsistence users.
<bullet> Remaining information provides harvest data such as unit,
drainage or specific location, and number, by sex, of animals taken.
(3) Form 3-2328, ``Federal Subsistence Fishing Application, Permit,
and Report''--Completed by federally qualified subsistence users who
want to harvest fish.
<bullet> Applicants provide information on the permit to identify:
(1) They are a federally qualified subsistence user;

[[Page 70355]]

(2) Their community of primary residence for community harvest
allocations; and
(3) The unit, season, hunt number, and permit number.
<bullet> Remaining information identifies dates, locations, types
of gear, fish species, and number of fish harvested for biological and
anthropological analysis.
<bullet> Depending on in-season management requirements, a
condition may be included for certain fisheries that requires a time-
specific reporting requirement. This management tool is used only when
conservation concerns exist that may require the emergency closure of
the fishery to prevent overharvest.
<bullet> Must be completed and returned by date designated on
permit.
(4) Form 3-2378, ``Designated Fishing Application, Permit, and
Report''--Completed by federally qualified subsistence users who want
to harvest fish for other federally qualified subsistence users.
Federally qualified subsistence users may designate another federally
qualified subsistence user to take fish on their behalf. The designated
subsistence user must obtain a designated harvest permit prior to
attempting to harvest fish and must return a completed harvest report.
The designated subsistence user may fish for any number of
beneficiaries but may have no more than two harvest limits in their
possession at any one time. Subsistence users may not designate more
than one person to take or attempt to take fish on their behalf at one
time. Subsistence users may not personally take or attempt to take fish
at the same time that their designated subsistence user is taking or
attempting to take fish on their behalf.
<bullet> Applicants provide information on the permit to identify:
(1) They are a federally qualified subsistence user;
(2) Their community of primary residence for community harvest
allocations; and
(3) The unit, season, hunt number, and permit number.
<bullet> Applicants identify both for whom they fished and their
subsistence permit number. The permit number verifies they are
federally qualified users and tracks usage by communities.
<bullet> Remaining information tracks species taken, number
retained, and gear for biological and anthropological analysis.
(5) Form 3-2379, ``Federal Subsistence Customary Trade
Recordkeeping Form''--Completed by federally qualified subsistence
users who want to take part in customary trade. Staff anthropologists
use the information to make customary and traditional use
determinations and to write an analysis based on the provisions in
section 804 of ANILCA. These analyses further reduce the pool of
eligible subsistence users and may allocate harvests by community, in
part, based on documented uses of the resource.
<bullet> Applicants provide information on the permit to identify:
(1) They are a federally qualified subsistence user;
(2) Their community of primary residence for community harvest
allocations; and
(3) The unit, season, hunt number, and permit number.
<bullet> Remaining information tracks date of sales, buyers, and
buyers' addresses, total dollar amount, species taken, and fish parts.
(6) Petition to Repeal Subsistence Rules and Regulations (Nonform
Requirement)--If the State of Alaska enacts and implements laws that
are consistent with sections 803, 804, and 805 of ANILCA, the State may
submit a petition to the Secretary of the Interior for repeal of
Federal subsistence rules. The State's petition shall:
(1) Be submitted to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary
of Agriculture;
(2) Include the entire text of applicable State legislation
indicating compliance with sections 803, 804, and 805 of ANILCA; and
(3) Set forth all data and arguments available to the State in
support of legislative compliance with sections 803, 804, and 805 of
ANILCA.
If the Secretaries find that the State's petition contains adequate
justification, a rulemaking proceeding for repeal of the regulations in
this part will be initiated. If the Secretaries find that the State's
petition does not contain adequate justification, the petition will be
denied by letter or other notice, with a statement of the grounds for
denial.
(7) Propose Changes to Federal Subsistence Regulations--The Board
will accept proposals for changes to the Federal subsistence
regulations in subparts C or D of 356 CFR part 242 or 50 CFR part 100
according to a published schedule, except for proposals for emergency
and temporary special actions, which the Board will accept according to
procedures set forth in Sec. __.19. Members of the public may propose
changes to the subsistence regulations by providing:
<bullet> Contact information (name, organization, address, phone
number, fax number, email address).
<bullet> Type of change (harvest season, harvest limit, method and
means of harvest, customary and traditional use determination).
<bullet> Regulation to be changed.
<bullet> Language for proposed regulation.
<bullet> Why the change should be made.
<bullet> Impact on populations.
<bullet> How the change will affect subsistence uses.
<bullet> How the change will affect other uses.
<bullet> Communities that have used the resource.
<bullet> Where the resource has been harvested.
<bullet> Months in which the resource has been harvested.
(8) Proposals for Emergency or Temporary Special Actions--A special
action is an out-of-cycle change in a season, harvest limit, or method
of harvest. The Federal Subsistence Board may take a special action to
restrict, close, open, or reopen the taking of fish and wildlife on
Federal public lands: (1) to ensure the continued viability of a
particular fish or wildlife population; (2) to ensure continued
subsistence use; and (3) for reasons of public safety or
administration. Members of the public may request a special action by
providing:
<bullet> Contact information (name, organization, address,
telephone number, fax number, email address).
<bullet> Description of the requested action.
<bullet> Any unusual or significant changes in resource abundance
or unusual conditions affecting harvest opportunities that could not
reasonably have been anticipated and that potentially could have
significant adverse effects on the health of fish and wildlife
populations or subsistence users.
<bullet> The necessity of the requested action if required for
reasons of public safety or administration.
<bullet> Extenuating circumstances that necessitate a regulatory
change before the next regulatory review.
(9) Requests for Reconsideration--Any person adversely affected by
a new regulation may request that the Federal Subsistence Board
reconsider its decision by filing a written request within 60 days
after a regulation takes effect or is published in the Federal
Register, whichever comes first. Requests for reconsideration must
provide the Board with sufficient narrative evidence and argument to
show why the action by the Board should be reconsidered. The Board will
accept a request for reconsideration only if it is based upon
information not previously considered by the Board, demonstrates that
the existing

[[Page 70356]]

information used by the Board is incorrect, or demonstrates that the
Board's interpretation of information, applicable law, or regulation is
in error or contrary to existing law. Requests for reconsideration must
include:
<bullet> Contact information (name, organization, address,
telephone number, fax number, email address).
<bullet> Regulation and the date of Federal Register publication.
<bullet> Statement of how the person is adversely affected by the
action.
<bullet> Statement of the issues raised by the action, with
specific reference to: (1) information not previously considered by the
Board; (2) information used by the Board that is incorrect; and (3) how
the Board's interpretation of information, applicable law, or
regulation is in error or contrary to existing law.
(10) Other Permits and Reports
a. Traditional/Cultural/Educational Permits--Organizations desiring
to harvest fish or wildlife for traditional, cultural, or educational
reasons must provide a letter stating that the requesting program has
instructors, enrolled students, minimum attendance requirements, and
standards for successful completion. Harvest must be reported, and any
animals harvested will count against any established Federal harvest
quota for the area in which it is harvested.
b. Fishwheel, Fyke Net, and Under Ice Permits--Persons who want to
set up and operate fishwheels and fyke nets, or use a net under the ice
must provide:
(1) Name and contact information and other household member who
will use the equipment. Fishwheels must be marked with registration
permit number; organization's name and address (if applicable), and
primary contact person name and telephone number; under ice nets must
be marked with the permittee's name and address.
(2) Species of fish taken, number of fish taken, and dates of use.
The new reporting and/or recordkeeping requirements identified
below require approval by OMB:
(1) Reports and Recommendations--Subsistence Regional Advisory
Councils are required to send an annual report to the Federal
Subsistence Board informing them of regional concerns or problems
pertaining to subsistence on Federal public lands. In turn, the Board
is required to respond to each of the Councils' annual reports and
address their concerns and possible courses of actions or solutions.
(2) Customary Trade Sales--The Board manages each region
differently regarding customary trade, based primarily on cultural
beliefs and traditional practices. As needed, decisions also include
conservation concerns. This requirement is in place to monitor
customary trade and ensure that subsistence resources are for
subsistence users and not commercial trade.
(3) Transfer of Subsistence-Caught Fish, Wildlife, or Shellfish--
This reporting requirement safeguards the harvester and individual who
receives the harvested animal. It protects both parties to show that an
illegal commercial enterprise is not ongoing or that the animal was not
poached.
(4) Meeting Request--The Board shall meet at least twice per year
and at such other times as deemed necessary. Meetings shall occur at
the call of the Chair, but any member may request a meeting. There is
no specified format to request a meeting. Usually, the Service
recommends to the Board that they have a meeting on a special topic,
such as pending litigation. This is not a common occurrence.
(5) Cooperative Agreements--The Board may enter into cooperative
agreements or otherwise cooperate with Federal agencies, the State,
Native organizations, local governmental entities, and other persons
and organizations, including international entities to effectuate the
purposes and policies of the Federal subsistence management program or
to coordinate respective management responsibilities. Currently,
cooperative agreements are not generally used, and we are reporting a
placeholder burden of one response.
(6) Alternative Permitting Processes--Developing alternative
permitting processes relating to the subsistence taking of fish and
wildlife ensures continued opportunities for subsistence. Currently,
this requirement is not generally used, and we are reporting a
placeholder burden of one response in our burden estimate.
(7) Request for Individual Customary and Traditional Use
Determinations--The Federal Subsistence Board has determined that rural
Alaska residents of the listed communities, areas, and individuals have
customary and traditional use of the specified species on Federal
public land in the specified areas. Persons granted individual
customary and traditional use determinations will be notified in
writing by the Board. The Service and the local NPS Superintendent will
maintain the list of individuals having customary and traditional use
on National Parks and Monuments. A copy of the list is available upon
request. Currently, this requirement is not generally used, and we are
reporting a placeholder burden of one response in our burden estimate.
(8) Management Plans--Management plans are not routinely used. When
created by the State or Alaska Native communities for overall
management of a specific area, the plans are submitted to the
appropriate Federal agencies for review/comment. Currently, this
requirement is not generally used, and we are reporting a placeholder
burden of one response in our burden estimate.
(9) Labeling/Marking Requirements--
<bullet> Bear baiting--The requirement to mark bear baiting
stations and provide contact information is for public safety since
attempting to draw bears into a certain area could cause a significant
hazard for the public not involved in hunting activities. Requirements
to register a bait station with the State is to provide a single
location for the public to find information of possible hazards prior
to using public lands.
<bullet> Evidence of sex and identity--In certain areas and with
certain species of both wildlife and fish, evidence of sex and identity
are required for biological purposes and the data is used for future
management decisions. This information is critical to assist in
assessing the health of a population, the male/female ratios, ages of
harvested animals, identifying different genetic populations, and other
important factors needed for sound management decisions.
<bullet> Marking of fish gear--The marking of various fishing gear
types (fishwheels, crab pots, certain types of nets or their supporting
buoys, stakes, etc.) with contact information is based on the fact that
these gear types are generally unattended while catching fish. This
information is used to differentiate between users harvesting under
Federal or State regulations and also to protect the owners of the gear
should it be damaged or carried away. The contact information can be
used to return the often-expensive gear to the proper owner.
Requirements as to the location of the contact information on the gear
types is to ease the task of field managers so they can, if needed,
identify gear from a boat and not have to land to search for the
contact information. In marine waters, the information is used by the
U.S. Coast Guard for safety in navigation concerns. The above reasons
also hold true regarding registering a fishwheel with the State or the
Federal program.
<bullet> Marking of subsistence-caught fish--Requirements in
certain areas to mark subsistence-caught fish by removal of the tips of
the tail or dorsal fin is used to identify fish harvested under Federal
regulations and not under State sport or

[[Page 70357]]

commercial regulations. This is needed as Federal subsistence harvest
limits are often larger than sport fishing bag limits and protects the
user from possible citations from State law enforcement.
<bullet> Sealing requirements--Sealing requirements for animals,
primarily bears and wolves, differ in parts of the State. This
requirement not only allows biologists to gather important data to
evaluate the health of the various populations but is also integral in
preventing the illegal harvest and trafficking of animals and their
parts. reporting a placeholder burden of one response in our burden
estimate.
(10) 3rd Party Notifications (Tags, Marks, or Collar Notification
and Return)--Users must present the tags, markings, or collars to
ADF&G, or the agency conducting the research. Much of this equipment
may be used again, and the information regarding the take of the animal
is important to management decisions.
Copies of the forms used with this information collection are
available to the public by submitting a request to the Service
Information Collection Clearance Officer using one of the methods
identified in ADDRESSES.
Title of Collection: Federal Subsistence Regulations and Associated
Forms, 50 CFR part 100 and 36 CFR part 242.
OMB Control Number: 1018-0075.
Form Numbers: Forms 3-2300, 3-2321 through 3-2323, 3-2326 through
3-2328, 3-2378, and 3-2379.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals and State, local, and
Tribal governments. Most respondents are individuals who are federally
defined rural residents in Alaska.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 15,426.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 15,426.
Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 5 minutes to 40
hours, depending on activity.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 6,947.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion for applications; annually or
on occasion for reports, recordkeeping, and labeling/marking
requirements.
Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: None.
On February 27, 2023, we published proposed regulations (RIN 1018-
BG72; 88 FR 12285) to announce our intention to request OMB approval of
the revisions to this collection explained in question 2 and the
simultaneous renewal of OMB Control No. 1018-0075. In that proposed
rule, we solicited comments for 60 days on the information collections
in this submission, ending on April 28, 2023. We did not receive any
comments in response to the information collections contained in the
proposed rule.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, and in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we invite the
public and other Federal agencies to comment on any aspect of this
information collection, including:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to this rulemaking are a
matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number,
email address, or other 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.
Send your written comments and suggestions on this information
collection by the date indicated in DATES to OMB, with a copy to the
Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/PERMA (JAO), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls
Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b52757d7444587477775b7d6c68357c746d">[email&#160;protected]</a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 1018-0075 in the subject line of your
comments.

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and
14094)

Executive Order 14094 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 and
E.O. 13563 and states that regulatory analysis should facilitate agency
efforts to develop regulations that serve the public interest, advance
statutory objectives, and are consistent with E.O. 12866 and E.O.
13563. Regulatory analysis, as practicable and appropriate, shall
recognize distributive impacts and equity, to the extent permitted by
law. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that regulations must be based on
the best available science and that the rulemaking process must allow
for public participation and an open exchange of ideas. We have
developed this rule in a manner consistent with these requirements.
E.O. 12866, as reaffirmed by E.O. 13563 and E.O. 14094, provides
that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in OMB
will review all significant rules. OIRA has determined that this rule
is not significant.

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. However, we estimate
that two million pounds of meat are harvested by subsistence users
annually and, if given an estimated dollar value of $3.00 per pound,
this amount would equate to about $6 million in food value Statewide.
Based upon the amounts and values cited above, 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

[[Page 70358]]

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 summary impact statement. 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 does not provide specific rights to Tribes for
the subsistence taking of wildlife, fish, and shellfish. However, the
Board provided federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native
corporations opportunities to consult on this rule. Consultation with
Alaska Native corporations are 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, provided a variety of
opportunities for consultation: commenting on proposed changes to the
existing rule; engaging in dialogue at the Regional 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.
On April 2, 2024, the Board provided federally recognized Tribes
and Alaska Native Corporations a specific opportunity to consult on
this rule prior to the start of its public regulatory meeting.
Federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations were
notified by mail and telephone and were given the opportunity to attend
via teleconference.

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
Amee Howard of the Office of Subsistence Management, Alaska Regional
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. Additional
assistance was provided by:
<bullet> Chris McKee, Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land
Management;
<bullet> Kim Jochum, Alaska Regional Office, National Park Service;
<bullet> Dr. Glenn Chen, Alaska Regional Office, Bureau of Indian
Affairs;
<bullet> Jill Klein, Alaska Regional Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service; and
<bullet> Gregory Risdahl, Alaska Regional Office, USDA 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 out in the preamble, the Federal Subsistence
Board amends title 36, part 242, and title 50, part 100, of the Code of
Federal Regulations, as set forth below.

PART __--SUBSISTENCE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC LANDS IN
ALASKA

0
1. The authority citation for both 36 CFR part 242 and 50 CFR part 100
continues to read as follows:

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3, 472, 551, 668dd, 3101-3126; 18 U.S.C.
3551-3586; 43 U.S.C. 1733.

Subpart C--Board Determinations

0
2. Amend __.24 by revising table 1 to paragraph (a)(1) to read as
follows:

Sec. __.24 Customary and traditional use determinations.

(a) * * *
(1) * * *

Table 1 to Paragraph (a)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area Species Determination
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 1........................ Black bear....... Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 1........................ Brown bear....... Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 1........................ Deer............. Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 1........................ Goat............. Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 1........................ Moose............ Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 2........................ Black bear....... Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 2........................ Deer............. Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 3........................ Black bear....... Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 3........................ Brown bear....... Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 3........................ Deer............. Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 3........................ Elk.............. Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 3........................ Moose............ Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 4........................ Brown bear....... Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 4........................ Deer............. Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 4........................ Goat............. Residents of Units 1-
5.

[[Page 70359]]

Unit 5........................ Black bear....... Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 5........................ Brown bear....... Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 5........................ Deer............. Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 5........................ Goat............. Residents of Units 1-
5.
Unit 5........................ Moose............ Residents of Unit 5A.
Unit 5........................ Wolf............. Residents of Unit 5A.
Unit 6A....................... Black bear....... Residents of Yakutat
and Units 6C and 6D,
excluding residents
of Whittier.
Unit 6, remainder............. Black bear....... Residents of Units 6C
and 6D, excluding
residents of
Whittier.
Unit 6........................ Brown bear....... No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 6A....................... Goat............. Residents of Units
5A, 6C, Chenega Bay,
and Tatitlek.
Unit 6C and Unit 6D........... Goat............. Residents of Units 6C
and 6D.
Unit 6A....................... Moose............ Residents of Units
5A, 6A, 6B, and 6C.
Unit 6B and Unit 6C........... Moose............ Residents of Units
6A, 6B, and 6C.
Unit 6D....................... Moose............ Residents of Unit 6D.
Unit 6A....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units
5A, 6, 9, 10 (Unimak
Island only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 6, remainder............. Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 7........................ Brown bear....... No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 7........................ Caribou.......... Residents of Cooper
Landing, Hope, and
Moose Pass.
Unit 7, Brown Mountain hunt Goat............. Residents of Port
area. Graham and Nanwalek.
Unit 7, remainder............. Goat............. Residents of Chenega
Bay, Cooper Landing,
Hope, Moose Pass,
Nanwalek, Ninilchik,
Port Graham,
Seldovia, and
Tatilek.
Unit 7........................ Moose............ Residents of Chenega
Bay, Cooper Landing,
Hope, Moose Pass,
and Tatitlek.
Unit 7........................ Sheep............ Residents of Cooper
Landing and Moose
Pass.
Unit 7........................ Ruffed grouse.... No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 8........................ Brown bear....... Residents of Old
Harbor, Akhiok,
Larsen Bay, Karluk,
Ouzinkie, and Port
Lions.
Unit 8........................ Deer............. Residents of Unit 8.
Unit 8........................ Elk.............. Residents of Unit 8.
Unit 8........................ Goat............. No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 9D....................... Bison............ No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 9A and Unit 9B........... Black bear....... Residents of Units
9A, 9B, 17A, 17B,
and 17C.
Unit 9A....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Pedro
Bay.
Unit 9B....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 9B.
Unit 9C....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 9C,
Igiugig, Kakhonak,
and Levelock.
Unit 9D....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Units 9D
and 10 (Unimak
Island).
Unit 9E....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Chignik,
Chignik Lagoon,
Chignik Lake,
Egegik, Ivanof Bay,
Perryville, Pilot
Point, Ugashik, and
Port Heiden/Meshik.
Unit 9A and Unit 9B........... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
9B, 9C, and 17.
Unit 9C....................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
9B, 9C, 17, and
Egegik.
Unit 9D....................... Caribou.......... Residents of Unit 9D,
Akutan, and False
Pass.
Unit 9E....................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
9B, 9C, 9E, 17,
Nelson Lagoon, and
Sand Point.
Unit 9A, Unit 9B, Unit 9C, and Moose............ Residents of Units
Unit 9E. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9E.
Unit 9D....................... Moose............ Residents of Cold
Bay, False Pass,
King Cove, Nelson
Lagoon, and Sand
Point.
Unit 9D....................... Ptarmigan........ Residents of Unit 9D.
Unit 9B....................... Sheep............ Residents of Iliamna,
Newhalen, Nondalton,
Pedro Bay, Port
Alsworth, and Lake
Clark National Park
and Preserve within
Unit 9B.
Unit 9........................ Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 9A, Unit 9B, Unit 9C, and Beaver........... Residents of Units
Unit 9E. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9E, and
17.
Unit 10 Unimak Island......... Brown bear....... Residents of Units 9D
and 10 (Unimak
Island).
Unit 10 Unimak Island......... Caribou.......... Residents of Akutan,
Cold Bay, False
Pass, King Cove,
Nelson Lagoon, and
Sand Point.
Unit 10, remainder............ Caribou.......... No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 10....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 11....................... Bison............ No Federal
subsistence
priority.

[[Page 70360]]

Unit 11, north of the Sanford Black bear....... Residents of
River. Chistochina,
Chitina, Copper
Center, Gakona,
Glennallen, Gulkana,
Kenny Lake, Mentasta
Lake, Slana,
Tazlina, Tonsina,
and Units 11 and 12.
Unit 11, remainder............ Black bear....... Residents of
Chistochina,
Chitina, Copper
Center, Gakona,
Glennallen, Gulkana,
Kenny Lake, Mentasta
Lake, Nabesna Road
(mileposts 25-46),
Slana, Tazlina, Tok
Cutoff Road
(mileposts 79-110),
Tonsina, and Unit
11.
Unit 11, north of the Sanford Brown bear....... Residents of
River. Chistochina,
Chitina, Copper
Center, Gakona,
Glennallen, Gulkana,
Kenny Lake, Mentasta
Lake, Slana,
Tazlina, Tonsina,
and Units 11 and 12.
Unit 11, remainder............ Brown bear....... Residents of
Chistochina,
Chitina, Copper
Center, Gakona,
Glennallen, Gulkana,
Kenny Lake, Mentasta
Lake, Nabesna Road
(mileposts 25-46),
Slana, Tazlina, Tok
Cutoff Road
(mileposts 79-110),
Tonsina, and Unit
11.
Unit 11, north of the Sanford Caribou.......... Residents of Units
River. 11, 12, 13A-D,
Chickaloon, Healy
Lake, and Dot Lake.
Unit 11, remainder............ Caribou.......... Residents of Units
11, 13A-D, and
Chickaloon.
Unit 11....................... Goat............. Residents of Unit 11,
Chitina,
Chistochina, Copper
Center, Gakona,
Glennallen, Gulkana,
Kenny Lake, Mentasta
Lake, Slana,
Tazlina, Tonsina,
and Dot Lake, Tok
Cutoff Road
(mileposts 79-110
Mentasta Pass), and
Nabesna Road
(mileposts 25-46).
Unit 11, north of the Sanford Moose............ Residents of Units
River. 11, 12, 13A-D,
Chickaloon, Healy
Lake, and Dot Lake.
Unit 11, remainder............ Moose............ Residents of Units
11, 13A-D, and
Chickaloon.
Unit 11, north of the Sanford Sheep............ Residents of Unit 12,
River. Chistochina,
Chitina, Copper
Center, Dot Lake,
Gakona, Glennallen,
Gulkana, Healy Lake,
Kenny Lake, Mentasta
Lake, Slana,
McCarthy/South
Wrangell/South Park,
Tazlina, Tonsina,
residents along the
Nabesna Road--
mileposts 0-46
(Nabesna Road), and
residents along the
McCarthy Road--
mileposts 0-62
(McCarthy Road).
Unit 11, remainder............ Sheep............ Residents of Chisana,
Chistochina,
Chitina, Copper
Center, Gakona,
Glennallen, Gulkana,
Kenny Lake, Mentasta
Lake, Slana,
McCarthy/South
Wrangell/South Park,
Tazlina, Tonsina,
residents along the
Tok Cutoff--
mileposts 79-110
(Mentasta Pass),
residents along the
Nabesna Road--
mileposts 0-46
(Nabesna Road), and
residents along the
McCarthy Road--
mileposts 0-62
(McCarthy Road).
Unit 11....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 11....................... Grouse (spruce, Residents of Units
blue, ruffed, 11, 12, 13, and
and sharp- Chickaloon, 15, 16,
tailed). 20D, 22, and 23.
Unit 11....................... Ptarmigan (rock, Residents of Units
willow, and 11, 12, 13,
white-tailed). Chickaloon, 15, 16,
20D, 22, and 23.
Unit 12....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 12,
Dot Lake,
Chistochina, Gakona,
Mentasta Lake, and
Slana.
Unit 12....................... Caribou.......... Residents of Unit 12,
Chistochina, Dot
Lake, Healy Lake,
and Mentasta Lake.
Unit 12, that portion within Moose............ Residents of Units 12
the Tetlin National Wildlife and 13C, Dot Lake,
Refuge and those lands within and Healy Lake.
the Wrangell-St. Elias
National Preserve north and
east of a line formed by the
Pickerel Lake Winter Trail
from the Canadian border to
Pickerel Lake.
Unit 12, that portion east of Moose............ Residents of Units 12
the Nabesna River and Nabesna and 13C and Healy
Glacier, and south of the Lake.
Winter Trail running
southeast from Pickerel Lake
to the Canadian border.
Unit 12, remainder............ Moose............ Residents of Unit 11
north of 62nd
parallel, Units 12
and 13A-D,
Chickaloon, Dot
Lake, and Healy
Lake.
Unit 12....................... Sheep............ Residents of Unit 12,
Chistochina, Dot
Lake, Healy Lake,
Mentasta Lake, and
Slana.

[[Page 70361]]

Unit 12....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 13....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 13
and Slana.
Unit 13B...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
11, 12 (along the
Nabesna Road and Tok
Cutoff Road,
mileposts 79-110),
13, 20D (excluding
residents of Fort
Greely), and
Chickaloon.
Unit 13C...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
11, 12 (along the
Nabesna Road and Tok
Cutoff Road,
mileposts 79-110),
13, Chickaloon, Dot
Lake, and Healy
Lake.
Unit 13A and Unit 13D......... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
11, 12 (along the
Nabesna Road), 13,
and Chickaloon.
Unit 13E...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
11, 12 (along the
Nabesna Road), 13,
Chickaloon, McKinley
Village, and the
area along the Parks
Highway between
mileposts 216 and
239 (excluding
residents of Denali
National Park
headquarters).
Unit 13D...................... Goat............. No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 13A and Unit 13D......... Moose............ Residents of Unit 13,
Chickaloon, and
Slana.
Unit 13B...................... Moose............ Residents of Units 13
and 20D (excluding
residents of Fort
Greely) and
Chickaloon and
Slana.
Unit 13C...................... Moose............ Residents of Units 12
and 13, Chickaloon,
Healy Lake, Dot
Lake, and Slana.
Unit 13E...................... Moose............ Residents of Unit 13,
Chickaloon, McKinley
Village, Slana, and
the area along the
Parks Highway
between mileposts
216 and 239
(excluding residents
of Denali National
Park headquarters).
Unit 13D...................... Sheep............ No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 13....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 13....................... Grouse (spruce, Residents of Units
blue, ruffed, 11, 13, Chickaloon,
and sharp- 15, 16, 20D, 22, and
tailed). 23.
Unit 13....................... Ptarmigan (rock, Residents of Units
willow, and 11, 13, Chickaloon,
white-tailed). 15, 16, 20D, 22, and
23.
Unit 14C...................... Brown bear....... No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 14....................... Goat............. No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 14....................... Moose............ No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 14A and Unit 14C......... Sheep............ No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 15A and Unit 15B......... Black bear....... Residents of
Ninilchik.
Unit 15C...................... Black bear....... Residents of
Ninilchik, Port
Graham, and
Nanwalek.
Unit 15....................... Brown bear....... Residents of
Ninilchik.
Unit 15B...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Cooper
Landing, Hope,
Nanwalek, Ninilchik,
Moose Pass, Port
Graham, and
Seldovia.
Unit 15C...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Cooper
Landing, Hope,
Nanwalek, Ninilchik,
Port Graham, and
Seldovia.
Unit 15A and Unit 15B......... Goat............. Residents of Cooper
Landing, Hope, Moose
Pass, Nanwalek,
Ninilchik, Port
Graham, and
Seldovia.
Unit 15C...................... Goat............. Residents of Cooper
Landing, Hope,
Nanwalek, Ninilchik,
Port Graham, and
Seldovia.
Unit 15A and Unit 15B......... Moose............ Residents of Cooper
Landing, Ninilchik,
Moose Pass,
Nanwalek, Port
Graham, and
Seldovia.
Unit 15C...................... Moose............ Residents of
Ninilchik, Nanwalek,
Port Graham, and
Seldovia.
Unit 15A and Unit 15B......... Sheep............ Residents of Cooper
Landing and
Ninilchik.
Unit 15C...................... Sheep............ Residents of
Ninilchik.
Unit 15....................... Ptarmigan (rock, Residents of Unit 15.
willow, and
white-tailed).
Unit 15....................... Grouse (spruce).. Residents of Unit 15.
Unit 15....................... Grouse (ruffed).. No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 16B...................... Black bear....... Residents of Unit
16B.
Unit 16....................... Brown bear....... No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 16A...................... Moose............ No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 16B...................... Moose............ Residents of Unit
16B.
Unit 16....................... Sheep............ No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 16....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 16....................... Grouse (spruce Residents of Units
and ruffed). 11, 13, Chickaloon,
15, 16, 20D, 22, and
23.

[[Page 70362]]

Unit 16....................... Ptarmigan (rock, Residents of Units
willow, and 11, 13, Chickaloon,
white-tailed). 15, 16, 20D, 22, and
23.
Unit 17....................... Beaver........... Residents of Units
9A, 9B, 9C, 9E, and
17.
Unit 17A and that portion of Black bear....... Residents of Units 9A
17B draining into Nuyakuk and B, 17, Akiak,
Lake and Tikchik Lake. and Akiachak.
Unit 17, remainder............ Black bear....... Residents of Units 9A
and B, and 17.
Unit 17A, those portions north Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 17,
and west of a line beginning Akiak, Akiachak,
from the Unit 18 boundary at Goodnews Bay,
the northwestern end of Kwethluk, and
Nenevok Lake, to the southern Platinum.
point of upper Togiak Lake,
and northeast towards the
northern point of Nuyakuk
Lake to the Unit 17A boundary.
Unit 17B, beginning at the Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 17
Unit 17B boundary, those and Kwethluk.
portions north and west of a
line running from the
southern point of upper
Togiak Lake, northeast to the
northern point of Nuyakuk
Lake, and northeast to the
point where the Unit 17
boundary intersects the
Shotgun Hills.
Unit 17A, remainder........... Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 17,
Akiak, Akiachak,
Goodnews Bay, and
Platinum.
Unit 17B, that portion Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 17,
draining into Nuyakuk Lake Akiak, and Akiachak.
and Tikchik Lake.
Unit 17B, remainder, and Unit Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 17.
17C.
Unit 17A, that portion west of Caribou.......... Residents of Units
the Izavieknik River, Upper 9B, 17, Eek,
Togiak Lake, Togiak Lake, and Goodnews Bay, Lime
the main course of the Togiak Village, Napakiak,
River. Platinum, Quinhagak,
Stony River, and
Tuntutuliak.
Unit 17A, that portion north Caribou.......... Residents of Units
of Togiak Lake that includes 9B, 17, Akiak,
Izavieknik River drainages. Akiachak, Lime
Village, Stony
River, and Tuluksak.
Units 17A and 17B, those Caribou.......... Residents of Units
portions north and west of a 9B, 17, Kwethluk,
line beginning from the Unit Lime Village, and
18 boundary at the Stony River.
northwestern end of Nenevok
Lake, to the southern point
of upper Togiak Lake, and
northeast to the northern
point of Nuyakuk Lake,
northeast to the point where
the Unit 17 boundary
intersects the Shotgun Hills.
Unit 17B, that portion of Caribou.......... Residents of Units
Togiak National Wildlife 9B, 17, Akiachak,
Refuge within Unit 17B. Akiak, Bethel, Eek,
Goodnews Bay, Lime
Village, Napakiak,
Platinum, Quinhagak,
Stony River,
Tuluksak, and
Tuntutuliak.
Unit 17, remainder............ Caribou.......... Residents of Units
9B, 9C, 9E, 17, Lime
Village, and Stony
River.
Unit 17A, those portions north Moose............ Residents of Unit 17,
and west of a line beginning Goodnews Bay,
from the Unit 18 boundary at Kwethluk, and
the northwestern end of Platinum.
Nenevok Lake, to the southern
point of upper Togiak Lake,
and to the Unit 17A boundary
to the northeast towards the
northern point of Nuyakuk
Lake and northeast towards
the northern point of Nuyakuk
Lake to the Unit 17A boundary.
Unit 17A, that portion north Moose............ Residents of Unit 17,
of Togiak Lake that includes Akiak, Akiachak,
Izavieknik River drainages. Goodnews Bay, and
Platinum.
Unit 17A, remainder........... Moose............ Residents of Unit 17,
Goodnews Bay, and
Platinum.
Units 17B, beginning at the Moose............ Residents of Unit 17,
Unit 17B boundary, those Akiak, Akiachak,
portions north and west of a Goodnews Bay,
line running from the Levelock, Nondalton,
southern point of upper and Platinum.
Togiak Lake, northeast to the
northern point of Nuyakuk
Lake, and northeast to the
point where the Unit 17
boundary intersects the
Shotgun Hills.
Unit 17B, that portion within Moose............ Residents of Unit 17,
the Togiak National Wildlife Akiak, Akiachak,
Refuge. Goodnews Baym,
Levelock, Nondalton,
and Platinum.
Unit 17B, remainder and Unit Moose............ Residents of Unit 17,
17C. Nondalton, Levelock,
Goodnews Bay, and
Platinum.
Unit 17....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 18....................... Black bear....... Residents of Unit 18,
Unit 19A living
downstream of the
Holokuk River, Holy
Cross, Stebbins, St.
Michael, Twin Hills,
and Togiak.
Unit 18....................... Brown bear....... Residents of
Akiachak, Akiak,
Eek, Goodnews Bay,
Kwethluk, Mountain
Village, Napaskiak,
Platinum, Quinhagak,
St. Marys, and
Tuluksak.

[[Page 70363]]

Unit 18....................... Caribou.......... Residents of Unit 18,
Lower Kalskag,
Manokotak, Stebbins,
St. Michael, Togiak,
Twin Hills, and
Upper Kalskag.
Unit 18, that portion of the Moose............ Residents of Unit 18,
Yukon River drainage upstream Upper Kalskag, Lower
of Russian Mission and that Kalskag, Aniak, and
portion of the Kuskokwim Chuathbaluk.
River drainage upstream of,
but not including, the
Tuluksak River drainage.
Unit 18, that portion north of Moose............ Residents of Unit 18,
a line from Cape Romanzof to Lower Kalskag, St.
Kusilvak Mountain to Mountain Michael, Stebbins,
Village, and all drainages and Upper Kalskag.
north of the Yukon River
downstream from Marshall.
Unit 18, remainder............ Moose............ Residents of Unit 18,
Lower Kalskag, and
Upper Kalskag.
Unit 18, Nelson Island and Musk ox.......... No Federal
Nunivak Island. subsistence
priority.
Unit 18, remainder............ Musk ox.......... Rural residents of
Unit 18.
Unit 18....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 19C and Unit 19D......... Bison............ No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 19A, Unit 19B, and Unit Brown bear....... Residents of Units 18
19E. and 19 within the
Kuskokwim River
drainage upstream
from, and including,
the Johnson River.
Unit 19C...................... Brown bear....... No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 19D...................... Brown bear....... Residents of Units
19A, 19D, and 19E
Tuluksak, and Lower
Kalskag.
Unit 19A, Unit 19B, and Unit Caribou.......... Residents of Units
19E. 19A, 19B, and 19E,
and Unit 18 within
the Kuskokwim River
drainage upstream
from, and including,
the Johnson River,
and residents of St.
Marys, Marshall,
Pilot Station, and
Russian Mission.
Unit 19C...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Unit
19C, Lime Village,
McGrath, Nikolai,
and Telida.
Unit 19D...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Unit
19D, Lime Village,
Sleetmute, and Stony
River.
Unit 19A, Unit 19B, Unit 19E.. Moose............ Residents of Unit 18
within Kuskokwim
River drainage
upstream from and
including the
Johnson River, and
residents of Unit
19.
Unit 19B, west of the Moose............ Residents of Eek and
Kogrukluk River. Quinhagak.
Unit 19C...................... Moose............ Residents of Unit 19.
Unit 19D...................... Moose............ Residents of Unit 19
and Lake Minchumina.
Unit 19....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 20D...................... Bison............ No Federal
subsistence
priority.
Unit 20F...................... Black bear....... Residents of Unit
20F, Stevens
Village, and Manley
Hot Springs.
Unit 20E...................... Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 12
and Dot Lake.
Unit 20F...................... Brown bear....... Residents of Unit
20F, Stevens
Village, and Manley
Hot Springs.
Unit 20A...................... Caribou.......... Residents of
Cantwell, Nenana,
and those domiciled
between mileposts
216 and 239 of the
Parks Highway,
excluding residents
of households of the
Denali National Park
Headquarters.
Unit 20B...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Unit
20B, Nenana, and
Tanana.
Unit 20C...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Unit 20C
living east of the
Teklanika River,
residents of
Cantwell, Lake
Minchumina, Manley
Hot Springs, Minto,
Nenana, Nikolai,
Tanana, Telida, and
those domiciled
between mileposts
216 and 239 of the
Parks Highway and
between mileposts
300 and 309,
excluding residents
of households of the
Denali National Park
Headquarters.
Unit 20D and Unit 20E......... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
20D, 20E, 20F, 25,
12 (north of the
Wrangell-St. Elias
National Park and
Preserve), Eureka,
Livengood, Manley,
and Minto.
Unit 20F...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
20F and 25D and
Manley Hot Springs.
Unit 20A...................... Moose............ Residents of
Cantwell, Minto,
Nenana, McKinley
Village, and the
area along the Parks
Highway between
mileposts 216 and
239, excluding
residents of
households of the
Denali National Park
Headquarters.
Unit 20B, Minto Flats Moose............ Residents of Minto
Management Area. and Nenana.
Unit 20B, remainder........... Moose............ Residents of Unit
20B, Nenana, and
Tanana.

[[Page 70364]]

Unit 20C...................... Moose............ Residents of Unit 20C
(except that portion
within Denali
National Park and
Preserve and that
portion east of the
Teklanika River),
Cantwell, Manley Hot
Springs, Minto,
Nenana, those
domiciled between
mileposts 300 and
309 of the Parks
Highway, Nikolai,
Tanana, Telida,
McKinley Village,
and the area along
the Parks Highway
between mileposts
216 and 239,
excluding residents
of households of the
Denali National Park
Headquarters.
Unit 20D...................... Moose............ Residents of Unit 20D
and Tanacross.
Unit 20E...................... Moose............ Residents of Unit
20E, Unit 12 north
of the Wrangell-St.
Elias National
Preserve, Circle,
Central, Dot Lake,
Healy Lake, and
Mentasta Lake.
Unit 20F...................... Moose............ Residents of Unit
20F, Manley Hot
Springs, Minto, and
Stevens Village.
Unit 20E...................... Sheep............ Residents of Units
20E, 25B, 25C, 25D,
and Dot Lake, Healy
Lake, Northway,
Tanacross, Tetlin,
and Tok.
Unit 20F...................... Wolf............. Residents of Unit
20F, Stevens
Village, and Manley
Hot Springs.
Unit 20, remainder............ Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 20D...................... Grouse, (spruce, Residents of Units
ruffed, and 11, 13, Chickaloon,
sharp-tailed). 15, 16, 20D, 22, and
23.
Unit 20D...................... Ptarmigan (rock Residents of Units
and willow). 11, 13, Chickaloon,
15, 16, 20D, 22, and
23.
Unit 21....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Units 21
and 23.
Unit 21A...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
21A, 21D, 21E,
Aniak, Chuathbaluk,
Crooked Creek,
McGrath, and
Takotna.
Unit 21B and Unit 21C......... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
21B, 21C, 21D, and
Tanana.
Unit 21D...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
21B, 21C, 21D, and
Huslia.
Unit 21E...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
21A, 21E, Aniak,
Chuathbaluk, Crooked
Creek, McGrath, and
Takotna.
Unit 21A...................... Moose............ Residents of Units
21A, 21E, Takotna,
McGrath, Aniak, and
Crooked Creek.
Unit 21B and Unit 21C......... Moose............ Residents of Units
21B, 21C, Tanana,
Ruby, and Galena.
Unit 21D...................... Moose............ Residents of Units
21D, Huslia, and
Ruby.
Unit 21E, south of a line Moose............ Residents of Unit
beginning at the western 21E, Aniak,
boundary of Unit 21E near the Chuathbaluk,
mouth of Paimiut Slough, Kalskag, Lower
extending easterly along the Kalskag, and Russian
south bank of Paimiut Slough Mission.
to Upper High Bank, and
southeasterly in the
direction of Molybdenum
Mountain to the juncture of
Units 19A, 21A, and 21E.
Unit 21E remainder............ Moose............ Residents of Unit 21E
and Russian Mission.
Unit 21....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 22A...................... Black bear....... Residents of Unit 22A
and Koyuk.
Unit 22B...................... Black bear....... Residents of Unit
22B.
Unit 22C, Unit 22D, and Unit Black bear....... No Federal
22E. subsistence
priority.
Unit 22....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 22.
Unit 22A...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
21D west of the
Koyukuk and Yukon
Rivers, 22 (except
residents of St.
Lawrence Island),
23, 24, Kotlik,
Emmonak, Hooper Bay,
Scammon Bay, Chevak,
Marshall, Mountain
Village, Pilot
Station, Pitka's
Point, Russian
Mission, St. Marys,
Nunam Iqua, and
Alakanuk.
Unit 22, remainder............ Caribou.......... Residents of Units
21D west of the
Koyukuk and Yukon
Rivers, 22
(excluding residents
of St. Lawrence
Island), 23, and 24.
Unit 22....................... Moose............ Residents of Unit 22.
Unit 22A...................... Musk ox.......... All rural residents.
Unit 22B, west of the Darby Musk ox.......... Residents of Units
Mountains. 22B and 22C.
Unit 22B, remainder........... Musk ox.......... Residents of Unit
22B.
Unit 22C...................... Musk ox.......... Residents of Unit
22C.
Unit 22D...................... Musk ox.......... Residents of Units
22B, 22C, 22D, and
22E (excluding St.
Lawrence Island).

[[Page 70365]]

Unit 22E...................... Musk ox.......... Residents of Unit 22E
(excluding Little
Diomede Island).
Unit 22....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units
23, 22, 21D north
and west of the
Yukon River, and
Kotlik.
Unit 22....................... Grouse (spruce).. Residents of Units
11, 13, Chickaloon,
15, 16, 20D, 22, and
23.
Unit 22....................... Ptarmigan (rock Residents of Units
and willow). 11, 13, Chickaloon,
15, 16, 20D, 22, and
23.
Unit 23....................... Black bear....... Residents of Unit 23,
Alatna, Allakaket,
Bettles, Evansville,
Galena, Hughes,
Huslia, and Koyukuk.
Unit 23....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Units 21
and 23.
Unit 23....................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
21D west of the
Koyukuk and Yukon
Rivers, Galena, 22,
23, 24, including
residents of Wiseman
but not including
other residents of
the Dalton Highway
Corridor Management
Area, and 26A.
Unit 23....................... Moose............ Residents of Unit 23.
Unit 23, south of Kotzebue Musk ox.......... Residents of Unit 23
Sound and west of and south of Kotzebue
including the Buckland River Sound and west of
drainage. and including the
Buckland River
drainage.
Unit 23, remainder............ Musk ox.......... Residents of Unit 23
east and north of
the Buckland River
drainage.
Unit 23....................... Sheep............ Residents of Point
Lay and Unit 23
north of the Arctic
Circle.
Unit 23....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 23....................... Grouse (spruce Residents of Units
and ruffed). 11, 13, Chickaloon,
15, 16, 20D, 22, and
23.
Unit 23....................... Ptarmigan (rock, Residents of Units
willow, and 11, 13, Chickaloon,
white-tailed). 15, 16, 20D, 22, and
23.
Unit 24, that portion south of Black bear....... Residents of Stevens
Caribou Mountain, and within Village, Unit 24,
the public lands composing or and Wiseman, but not
immediately adjacent to the including any other
Dalton Highway Corridor residents of the
Management Area. Dalton Highway
Corridor Management
Area.
Unit 24, remainder............ Black bear....... Residents of Unit 24
and Wiseman, but not
including any other
residents of the
Dalton Highway
Corridor Management
Area.
Unit 24, that portion south of Brown bear....... Residents of Stevens
Caribou Mountain, and within Village and Unit 24.
the public lands composing or
immediately adjacent to the
Dalton Highway Corridor
Management Area.
Unit 24, remainder............ Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 24.
Unit 24....................... Caribou.......... Residents of Unit 24,
Galena, Kobuk,
Koyukuk, Stevens
Village, and Tanana.
Unit 24....................... Moose............ Residents of Unit 24,
Koyukuk, and Galena.
Unit 24....................... Sheep............ Residents of Unit 24
residing north of
the Arctic Circle,
Allakaket, Alatna,
Hughes, and Huslia.
Unit 24....................... Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.
Unit 25D...................... Black bear....... Residents of Unit
25D.
Unit 25D...................... Brown bear....... Residents of Unit
25D.
Unit 25, remainder............ Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 25
and Eagle.
Unit 25A...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
24A and 25.
Unit 25B and Unit 25C......... Caribou.......... Residents of Units 12
(north of Wrangell-
St. Elias National
Preserve), 20D, 20E,
20F, and 25, and
Eureka, Livengood,
Manley, and Minto.
Unit 25D...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Units
20F and 25D and
Manley Hot Springs.
Unit 25A...................... Moose............ Residents of Units
25A and 25D.
Unit 25B and Unit 25C......... Moose............ Residents of Units
20D, 20E, 25B, 25C,
25D, Tok and
Livengood.
Unit 25D, west................ Moose............ Residents of Unit 25D
West and Birch
Creek.
Unit 25D, remainder........... Moose............ Residents of
remainder of Unit
25.
Unit 25A...................... Sheep............ Residents of Arctic
Village,
Chalkyitsik, Fort
Yukon, Kaktovik, and
Venetie.
Unit 25B and Unit 25C......... Sheep............ Residents of Units
20E, 25B, 25C, and
25D.
Unit 25D...................... Wolf............. Residents of Unit
25D.
Unit 25, remainder............ Wolf............. Residents of Units 6,
9, 10 (Unimak Island
only), 11-13,
Chickaloon, and 16-
26.

[[Page 70366]]

Unit 26....................... Brown bear....... Residents of Unit 26
(excluding the
Prudhoe Bay-
Deadhorse Industrial
Complex), Anaktuvuk
Pass, and Point
Hope.
Unit 26A and C................ Caribou.......... Residents of Unit 26,
Anaktuvuk Pass, and
Point Hope.
Unit 26B...................... Caribou.......... Residents of Unit 26,
Anaktuvuk Pass,
Point Hope, and Unit
24 within the Dalton
Highway Corridor
Management Area.
Unit 26....................... Moose............ Residents of Unit 26
(excluding the
Prudhoe Bay-
Deadhorse Industrial
Complex), Point
Hope, and Anaktuvuk
Pass.
Unit 26A...................... Musk ox.......... Residents of
Anaktuvuk Pass,
Atqasuk, Barrow,
Nuiqsut, Point Hope,
Point Lay, and
Wainwright.
Unit 26B...................... Musk ox.......... Residents of
Anaktuvuk Pass,
Nuiqsut, and
Kaktovik

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