OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 1999

Stephanie Hanna (O) 202/208-6416
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Alaska:
Contact: Taylor Brelsford
(907) 786-3888 or (800) 478-1456
(800) 877-8339 tty only
Email: [email protected]

Federal Subsistence Fisheries Regulations Take Effect
State Legislature Inaction Launches Federal Expansion
New regulations expanding federal subsistence fisheries management in Alaska become effective today. The regulations govern subsistence fishing on rivers and lakes within and alongside more than 200 million acres of National Park Service lands, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, and other federal conservation lands, representing about 60 percent of Alaska's waters.

"It is truly unfortunate for citizens of Alaska that their Legislature did not give them the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment to provide a rural subsistence priority," Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt said. "We are assuming management of subsistence fisheries in Alaska as ordered by the court, but continue to encourage the Legislature to work toward state resumption, by adopting the sound policies contained in Title VIII of ANILCA into the State's constitution. Subsistence management by the State is best for the resources and best for the people."

Secretary Babbitt has said he will oppose any proposed amendments that would weaken the ANILCA protections.

"The Department is committed to streamlined management, building on existing expertise and resources,"said Marilyn Heiman, Special Assistant to Secretary Babbitt. "We want to minimize duplication and maximize cooperation with local communities, the Regional Advisory Councils, the State, Alaska Native tribes and organizations, and other regional fisheries organizations. Over 60 percent of the $11 million Congressional appropriation will go to new fisheries resource monitoring. In large part, monitoring projects will be implemented through Section 809 agreements with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native and other organizations."

"We anticipate little initial disruption to other commercial and recreational fisheries in Alaska as the new regulations closely mirror the existing State subsistence fishery regulations," said Mitch Demientieff, Chairman of the Board. "The Board will work closely with the Regional Advisory Councils and the public in coming years to adapt and revise these regulations as needed."

The new federal subsistence fisheries management program will be phased in by Spring 2000, when the major subsistence salmon fisheries begin again. During October 1999, the Board's staff is conducting briefings with the ten Regional Advisory Councils, and has invited all Alaska Native tribes, regional tribal associations, ANCSA village corporations, and ANCSA regional corporations to participate. During October and November, 1999, Ms. Heiman and Mr. Demientieff will be meeting with the Alaska Federation of Natives, the Alaska Inter-tribal Council, and other tribal organizations and leaders throughout the state. Additional discussions are planned with other interest groups, including the United Fishermen of Alaska meeting today in Wasilla.

The new regulations result from the 1995 Katie John decision directing the federal government to expand federal jurisdiction for subsistence fisheries in waters within federal conservation units. A series of Congressional moratoria postponed implementation of the court's decision to allow the State of Alaska more time to craft a solution that complies with the ANILCA rural subsistence priority. On June 1, Secretary Babbitt released $1 million of the $11 million Congress appropriated for the federal expansion to federal agencies to begin implementation planning. The remaining $10 million is released to the agencies today.

In 1989, an Alaska Supreme Court decision prohibited the state from continuing to provide a rural subsistence preference. Since 1990, the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture have managed subsistence wildlife harvests on federal lands and limited fisheries harvests on non-navigable waters on these lands.

The federal subsistence management program is administered by the Federal Subsistence Board, made up of the Chairman, appointed by the Secretaries, and the Alaskan heads of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Ten regional advisory councils made up of knowledgeable rural residents provide advice and recommendations to the Board.

For more information, contact the Office of Subsistence Management, 800-478-1456 or 907-786-3888. [Hearing- or speech-impaired persons may call through the Federal Relay, 800-877-8339.]

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