The Wrangell St Elias National Park and Preserve (WRST) Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) held its regular spring public meeting on February 11. According to the National Park Service, “The purpose of the Commission is to recommend to the Governor of Alaska and the Secretary of the Interior a program for subsistence hunting within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Since the establishment of the federal subsistence management program in 1990, the SRC has also been making recommendations on proposals for hunting and fishing regulations (e.g., harvest limits, seasons, and customary and traditional use determinations) affecting Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve directly to the federal subsistence Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) and the Federal Subsistence Board.” Receiving input from the public is also part of the SRCs mandate. 

The SRC discussed new proposals to submit to the Federal Subsistence Board during their next call for proposals, which is likely to occur later this spring.

SRC member Kaleb Rowland brought forth a new proposal asking that the requirement to seal black bears harvested by people hunting under federal subsistence proposals in Units 11 and 12 be removed. He stated that making the journey to the nearest Alaska Department of Fish and Game office for the process was an undue burden, in addition to the added weight of carrying out the bear’s head which is needed for sealing. Furthermore, he stated that this is not a requirement for hunters using state permits for black bears in the same area. The board agreed to submit the proposal to the Federal Subsistence Board. 

Rowland also proposed a change to enable trappers to use firearms to harvest fur bearing animals while trapping. After some discussion regarding parallel hunting seasons or other solutions, the SRC agreed to write a letter to the Park Superintendent, Secretary of the Interior, and Governor requesting clarification on the means that can be used to harvest free ranging fur bearing animals while trapping. 

There was some discussion regarding instances where individuals with a second home in the Copper Basin obtained federal subsistence fishing and hunting permits. Suggestions for addressing this included requiring some minimum amount of residency in the area to obtain a permit. SRC member Suzanne McCarthy brought up a concern that creating official restrictions could create “collateral damage:” Residents could lose their federal permit privileges as an unintended consequence due to family emergencies or technicalities of new restrictions. Ultimately no action was taken, however this will likely remain a concern. 

The SRC agreed to write a letter of support for Proposal 66 to be discussed at the next Board of Game meeting. The proposal is from the Copper Basin Advisory Committee. Currently, the Unit 13 Tier I subsistence caribou permit states  “any member of the household obtaining a Unit 13 Tier I subsistence permit in a regulatory year for caribou may not hunt caribou or moose in any other location in the state during that regulatory year.” The new proposal would change the language to read, “any member of the household obtaining a Unit 13 Tier I subsistence permit in a regulatory year for caribou may not hunt caribou or moose in any State authorized hunt in any other location in the state during that regulatory year.” This change would make it clear that federal subsistence hunting rights would not be impacted if the hunter also obtains a state subsistence permit for Unit 13. 

One concern that had been expressed by other SRCs across the state was that Alaska’s Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) across the state currently have several vacant seats. Members have not been replaced after their terms have expired. Several  WRST SRC members expressed concern about this problem. The SRC will send a letter to the Secretary of the Interior regarding these appointments and requesting that RAC members’ terms continue until they are reappointed or replaced. 

The SRC agreed to write a letter of thanks to the Foster family who hold an inholding in WRST in appreciation of their work with the park to allow access through their property to public lands beyond. 

Gloria Stickwan of Tazlina proposed that the SRC write a letter to the Board of FIsh expressing concern about Chinook escapement and the impact this could have on federal fisheries in future years. This action was not taken by the board. 

Dave Sarafin, WRST fisheries biologist, delivered a fisheries report that included fish projections for next year based on Alaska Department of Fish and Game Research. According to the report, “The ADFG has forecast a return of 37,000 Copper River Chinook Salmon. This is 22% below the recent 10-year average of 48,000 fish. Their forecast for wild production Sockeye Salmon is for 1,296,000 fish, which is 37% below the recent 10-year average wild stock return of 2,070,000 fish. The Gulkana Hatchery is forecast to contribute an additional 51,000 Sockeye Salmon. Their 2020 pre-season forecast for the total Sockeye Salmon return is 1,347,000 fish.” 

Several research projects across AITRC and park departments and disciplines are underway, seeking more information about salmon in the Copper River watershed. 

SRC members had the opportunity to present general concerns and observations. Multiple members stated they had noticed a drop in small game abundance. Gloria Stickwan mentioned a concern that a combination of low fish numbers and an early caribou closure made subsistence difficult. Another SRC member mentioned that a group of seven mule deer had been spotted west of Glennallen, and likely had travelled through the park from Canada to get there. 

Barbara Cellarius gave an update on individual customary and traditional use permit changes from the Federal Subsistence Board. Cellarius said the board was responsive to feedback regarding how the process could be easier to understand and more timely for applicants. The Federal Subsistence Board will maintain authority over who qualifies for permits as opposed to the National Park Service. The biggest change, according to Cellarius, is that the application period will now be open continuously as opposed to being open in conjunction with the 2 year regulatory cycle. 

The SRC heard reports from Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission (AITRC) and several park departments about their ongoing projects. An impressive number of projects at various states of completion were listed. There are truly too many to mention here, and I hesitate to choose a few to highlight above the others. More information is available on the National Park Service Science and Research webpage (https://www.nps.gov/wrst/learn/science-and-research.htm) and the AITRC (ahtnatribal.org) webpage. The Copper River Record will also continue to follow up with extended stories about individual projects as results become available. 

Mark Miller presented information on projects that had received funding, including salmon related projects. Miller also presented a bibliography of park research highlights that he had compiled, with links to scholarly articles. He agreed to allow us to share that information on the Copper River Record website, for those of you interested in some light reading. 

Several park departments and AITRC reported they are either in the process of hiring or will be posting jobs in the near future. Slana residents interested in working at the Tanada Creek Weir and young people interested in employment in the Interpretation, Education, and Communications programs are especially encouraged to apply. 

The next public meeting will be held in the fall. Members of the public are encouraged to attend, and submit their observations, suggestions, and feedback on issues affecting subsistence within Wrangell St Elias National Park & Preserve. 

Article by Allison Sayer