FSB to Consider McCarthy Road C&T and Dipnet Stream Distance Proposals

The Federal Subsistence Board will consider two changes to fisheries regulations that affect the Copper Basin. 

FP27-07, submitted by the Southcentral Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council ,  would “prohibit the use of dip nets within 500 yards below and 100 yards above any salmon bearing river or stream tributary confluence within the upper Copper River.” The proposal asserts, “This would protect stock diversity, a particular concern on streams with small spawning populations that can easily be fished out. While returns on these tributaries may be small today, the genetic diversity these stocks provide may be important for resilience and adaptation to environmental change.”

FP27-06 would “add the McCarthy Road to Dan Creek and Kennecott in the Chitina subdistrict of the Upper Copper River District - C&T for salmon.” The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Subsistence Resource Commission submitted the proposal, stating communities such as Strelna, Chokosna, Long Lake, Dan Creek, Kennecott, and others are in a regulatory “grey area.”  The proposal stated, “Field agency staff have issued permits to residents who live in these communities by connecting them to Chitina or McCarthy, but the grey area remains and causes confusion for residents and field agency staff. It would provide clarity by adding these communities explicitly into regulation.”

The comment period is open through July 31, 2026. You may send your written comments on proposal(s) or closure review(s) to:
Federal Subsistence Board
Office of Subsistence Management
(Attn: Regulations Specialist)
1011 E. Tudor Road, MS-121
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-6199
Email: subsistence@ios.doi.gov