We’ve received several relevant notices about subsistence, but having them individually scattered in the paper could be confusing. I’m hoping putting them all into one place will make it easier for readers.
Many of you already know this, but a refresher:
Alaska’s Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) consider proposals related to subsistence hunting and fishing and customary and traditional use on lands administered by a range of federal agencies including the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Forest Service.
Subsistence Resource Commissions (SRCs) focus on a National Park or National Monument. There are other differences between the two, but that’s the biggest one. RAC and SRC members are volunteers.
The Federal Subsistence Management Board has the authority to decide whether proposed changes to subsistence regulations become the new law. Any member of the public or organization may submit a proposal. Input from RACs and SRCs often influences the decision.
Aspects of the Federal Subsistence Management Program, which encompasses all of the above, are currently under “federal review.” Details of this are available in our last issue.
Department of Interior Press Release
The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) is accepting proposals through April 3, 2026, to change federal regulations for the subsistence harvest of fish and shellfish on federal public lands for the 2027-2029 regulatory years (April 1, 2027 – March 31, 2029). The Board will consider proposals to change federal subsistence fishing seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to subsistence uses. The Board will also accept proposals for customary and traditional use determinations for fisheries, and rural determination proposals.
You may submit comments/proposals by one of the following methods:
Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter Docket number DOI-2025-0071. Then, click on the Search button. On the resulting page, in the Search panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.”
By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand delivery: Regulations, Attn: DOI-2025-0071; Office of Subsistence Management; 1011 E. Tudor Road, M/S 121, Anchorage, AK 99503. All mail in proposals must be postmarked by April 3, 2026.
The Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils may discuss submitting proposals during their public meetings and submit final proposals to their Council Coordinator.
All comments/proposals will be posted on https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us.
Department of Interior Press Release
The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture have extended the public comment period for the Federal Subsistence Management Program review. Comments are now due by March 30, 2026. The new Federal Register notice can be found here [on FederalRegister.gov].
Background: The Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture are undertaking a limited review of this Program. The public scoping period began on December 15 to solicit input to inform the review. Public comments may be submitted through www.regulations.gov, by email, or by mail. More information on the Program review and scoping process may be found at https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/FSMP_Scoping_Process.
Department of Interior Press Releases
The Eastern Interior Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council will meet March 3-5 at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge in Fairbanks. The meeting will begin at 09:00 a.m. (AKST) daily.
The Council will develop proposals to change Federal subsistence fish and shellfish regulations, reconsider Federal wildlife proposal WP25-75 with new proposed modifications, and discuss other issues related to subsistence in the Eastern Interior Region.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate in this meeting. To join the meeting by teleconference, dial toll-free (833) 436-1163, then when prompted enter the phone conference ID: 256 424 672#. The meeting can also be joined via Microsoft Teams: CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE MEETING.
A revised agenda and all meeting materials may be found here: https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/regions/ei_materials. To request copies by mail, fax, or email, contact the Office of Subsistence Management.
Reasonable Accommodations: The Federal Subsistence Board is committed to providing for all participants. Please make requests for sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices or other reasonable accommodations at least seven business days before the meeting. Contact the Office of Subsistence Management at (907) 478-1456 or email subsistence@ios.doi.gov. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
On February 13, The Federal Subsistence Board announced it is accepting applications through April 2, 2026, to fill vacancies on its 10 Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils. Council appointments are typically for three-year terms.
The Councils meet at least twice a year and provide recommendations to the Board on subsistence regulations and fish and wildlife management issues. Council meetings serve as a forum for regional public involvement in federal subsistence management. Council members must reside in the region they represent and be knowledgeable about the customary and traditional uses of fish and wildlife resources in that area.
Individuals may apply for membership or be nominated by another individual or organization. Application forms and information about the councils and the application process are available on the Federal Subsistence Management Program website at www.doi.gov/subsistence/regions/membership. The application form and additional information is also available by contacting the Office of Subsistence Management at (800) 478-1456 or (907) 786-3888.
The Federal Subsistence Board is accepting letters of interest through April 2, 2026, from young adults ages 18 to 25 to fill nonvoting young leader seats on the Kodiak/Aleutians, Bristol Bay, Western Interior, Seward Peninsula, Northwest Arctic, Eastern Interior, and North Slope Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils. Nonvoting young leader appointments are for two-year terms. Each council listed has one young leader seat available during the 2026 appointment cycle.
Applicants must reside in the region represented by the council to which they are applying and participate in subsistence activities. Applicants should also be knowledgeable about subsistence uses of fish and wildlife or be engaged in a resource management-related field of study.
The councils meet at least twice a year to provide recommendations to the Board on subsistence regulations and fish and wildlife management issues. Council meetings serve as a forum for regional public involvement in federal subsistence management.
Letters of interest must answer two questions:
Interested young leaders must also supply names and phone numbers of two references.
Letters of interest can be emailed to subsistence@ios.doi.gov or mailed or hand delivered to the address below and must be postmarked on or before April 2, 2026.
Federal Subsistence Board
Attn.: Office of Subsistence Management
1011 E. Tudor Road, M/S 121
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-6119
For more information, contact the Council Coordination Division, Office of Subsistence Management, (800) 478-1456 or (907) 786-3888 or subsistence@ios.doi.gov.
Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.
Missing out on the latest Federal subsistence issues? To receive email updates on Federal Subsistence Management Program activities, send a request to subsistence@ios.doi.gov .
WRST News Release
The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Subsistence Resource Commission is scheduled to meet on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28 in Copper Center at the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Visitor Center. Commissioners will consider a range of issues related to subsistence, including proposals related to federal subsistence fishing regulations.
The meeting is open to the public, and we will include opportunities for public testimony in the meeting agenda. On Friday, February 27, the meeting will start at 9 a.m. and recess for the day at 5 p.m. or upon completion of business. On Saturday, February 28, the meeting will start at 9 a.m. and continue until business is completed. If business is completed on February 27, the meeting will adjourn, and no meeting will take place on February 28.
The agenda and other materials will be posted on the park website about one week before the meeting at https://go.nps.gov/Spring2026SRCMeeting. To participate by teleconference, dial +1 (202) 640-1187, or join online. If you have questions, please contact Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Cultural Anthropologist, Amber Cohen, at 907-822-7284 or wrst_subsistence@nps.gov.
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