RIN 1018-AW77

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This final rule amends the regulations that manage the taking of wildlife and fish in Alaska for subsistence purposes. In particular, the Federal Subsistence Board's (Board) process of accepting and addressing special action requests is clarified, along with the role of the Regional Advisory Councils in the special action process. Public notice requirements are updated to bring them in alignment with the practices of the digital age and accommodate the new biennial regulatory cycle.

DATES:

This rule is effective October 14, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

The Board meeting transcripts are available for review at the Office of Subsistence Management, 1011 East Tudor Road, MS 121, Anchorage, AK 99503, or on the Office of Subsistence Management Web site ( http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/index.cfml ).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Chair, Federal Subsistence Board, c/o U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attention: Peter J. Probasco, Office of Subsistence Management; (907) 786-3888 or subsistence@fws.gov. For questions specific to National Forest System lands, contact Steve Kessler, Regional Subsistence Program Leader, USDA, Forest Service, Alaska Region; (907) 743-9461 or skessler@fs.fed.us.

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 (Program). This Program grants a preference for subsistence uses of fish and wildlife resources on Federal public lands and waters in Alaska. The Secretaries first published regulations to carry out this Program in the Federal Register on May 29, 1992 (57 FR 22940). These regulations have subsequently been amended several 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 242.1-28 and 50 CFR 100.1-28, respectively. The 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 is made up of:

• A Chair appointed by the Secretary of the Interior with concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture;
• The Alaska Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
• The Alaska Regional Director, U.S. National Park Service;
• The Alaska State Director, U.S. Bureau of Land Management;
• The Alaska Regional Director, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
• The Alaska Regional Forester, U.S. Forest Service.

Through the Board, these agencies participate in the development of regulations for subparts A, B, and C, which set forth the basic program, and the subpart D regulations, which, among other things, set forth specific harvest seasons and limits.

In administration of the Program, Alaska is divided into 10 subsistence resource regions, each of which is represented by a Regional Advisory Council. The Regional Advisory Councils provide a forum for rural residents with personal knowledge of local conditions and resources to have a meaningful role in the subsistence management of fish and wildlife on Federal public lands in Alaska. The Regional Advisory Council members represent diverse geographical, cultural, and user interests within each region.

Members of the regional councils, agency representatives, and the public expressed concern to the Federal Subsistence Board that 36 CFR 242.19 and 50 CFR 100.19, respectively, needed to be revised in a manner that provided more clarity to the Board's process of accepting and addressing special action requests. Special actions are actions that the Board takes to modify the take of fish and wildlife regulations on public lands, outside of the regulatory proposal period, to ensure the continued viability of a fish or wildlife population or for other reasons. These actions may include closing, opening, or adjusting the seasons; modifying the harvest limits; or modifying the methods and means of harvest for subsistence uses of fish and wildlife.

The problem with the lack of clarity in the regulations became particularly apparent during oral argument in the case of Ninilchik Traditional Council v. Fleagle, when the presiding judge struggled to interpret the procedural mechanisms described in the regulation and criticized it for being unclear. More recently, we recognized the need to modify § __.19 to accommodate the programmatic shift to a biennial regulatory cycle.

Current Rule

The Secretaries published a proposed rule on October 14, 2009 (74 FR 52712), to amend subpart B, §§ __.10, __.18, and __.19 of 36 CFR 242 and 50 CFR 100.

These modifications will:

(1) Improve clarity with respect to the Board's process of accepting and addressing special action requests;

(2) Update public notice requirements and bring them into line with the practices of the digital age;

(3) Bring clarity to the role of the regional councils with respect to special action requests; and

(4) Accommodate the biennial regulatory cycle, which was implemented in 2008 (73 FR 35726; June 24, 2008).

These regulatory revisions will result in no direct change to subsistence uses or fish and wildlife populations, but clarify the process by which special action requests are accepted or rejected by the Board. The proposed rule opened a comment period, which closed on January 12, 2010. The Departments advertised the proposed rule by mail, radio, and newspaper.

The Secretaries, through the Board, held a public meeting on January 12, 2010, to receive comments from Regional Advisory Council Chairs, or designated representatives, and the public. The Board met again on April 13, 2010, to review and formulate a recommendation to the Secretaries.

Public Review and Comment

During the public comment period, the Secretaries received two comments, one from a State advisory commission and a second from a private organization. At the public meeting on January 12, 2010, the Secretaries, through the Board, received four comments, two from two separate sporting organizations, one from a Native organization, and one from the State. In addition, the Regional Advisory Council Chairs were provided the opportunity to comment to the Board. The major comments from all sources are addressed below:

Comment: The proposed rule wrongly expands the authority of the Board under ANILCA into regulating nonsubsistence uses on Federal public lands thereby infringing on sovereign State authority.

Response: The Secretaries hold the position that they have the authority to open, close, restrict, or modify nonsubsistence uses, as needed, in the taking of fish and wildlife on Federal public lands. Due to possible misinterpretation, the Secretaries decided to remove the phrase “* * * or otherwise modify the requirements regarding the taking of fish and wildlife on public lands for nonsubsistence uses.” from the language presented in the proposed rule.

Comment: The proposed rule needs to address specific conditions for reopening an area for nonsubsistence use.

Response: Under direction from the Secretaries, the Board adopted a policy on closures to hunting, trapping and fishing on Federal public lands and waters in Alaska on August 29, 2007. This policy addresses in detail the removal of closures on Federal public lands and waters and was approved by the Secretaries prior to being adopted by the Board.

Comment: The proposed rule does not provide deference to the Regional Advisory Councils in consideration of special actions.

Response: The Secretaries address the Board's deference to the Regional Advisory Councils in 36 CFR 242.10(e) and 50 CFR 100.10(e), “Federal Subsistence Board; “Relationship to Regional Councils”. It is further addressed in the Board's closure policy of August 29, 2007.

Comment: The proposed rule does not clarify the State's role in regard to Federal determinations that affect the State's management responsibilities for fish and wildlife when implementing special actions.

Response: The relationship between the Board and the State is defined in 36 CFR 242.14 and 50 CFR 100.14, “Relationship to State procedures and regulations”. In addition, the Memorandum of Understanding signed on December 5, 2008, between the Board and the State established guidelines to coordinate the management of subsistence uses of fish and wildlife resources on Federal public lands and waters in Alaska.

These final regulations reflect Secretarial review and consideration of the Federal Subsistence Board recommendation and Regional Advisory Council and public comments. The public received extensive opportunity to review and comment on all changes.

Analysis and justification for the action taken are available for review at the Office of Subsistence Management, 1011 East Tudor Road, Mail Stop 121, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, or on the Office of Subsistence Management Web site ( http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/index.cfml ).

Conformance With Statutory and Regulatory Authorities

Administrative Procedure Act Compliance

The Secretaries have provided extensive opportunity for public input and involvement in compliance with Administrative Procedure Act requirements, including publishing a proposed rule notice in the Federal Register, participation in multiple Regional Council meetings, additional public review and comment on proposed regulatory changes, and opportunity for additional public comment during the Board meeting prior to their recommendation to the Secretaries.

Therefore, the Secretaries 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 (DEIS) for developing a Federal Subsistence Management Program was distributed for public comment on October 7, 1991. That document described the major issues associated with Federal subsistence management as identified through public meetings, written comments, and staff analyses and examined the environmental consequences of four alternatives. Proposed regulations (subparts A, B, and C) that would implement the preferred alternative were included in the DEIS as an appendix. The DEIS and the proposed administrative regulations presented a framework for a regulatory cycle regarding subsistence hunting and fishing regulations (subpart D). The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was published on February 28, 1992.

Based on the public comments received, the analysis contained in the FEIS, and the recommendations of the Federal Subsistence Board and the Department of the Interior's Subsistence Policy Group, the Secretary of the Interior, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service, implemented Alternative IV as identified in the DEIS and FEIS (Record of Decision on Subsistence Management for Federal Public Lands in Alaska (ROD), signed April 6, 1992). The DEIS and the selected alternative in the FEIS defined the administrative framework of a regulatory cycle for subsistence hunting and fishing regulations. The final rule for subsistence management regulations for public lands in Alaska, subparts A, B, and C, implemented the Federal Subsistence Management Program and included a framework for a regulatory cycle for the subsistence taking of wildlife and fish. The following Federal Register documents pertain to this rulemaking:

An environmental assessment was prepared in 1997 on the expansion of Federal jurisdiction over fisheries and is available from the office listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The Secretary of the Interior with the concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture determined that the expansion of Federal jurisdiction did 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 Federal Subsistence Management 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

An agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. This rule does not contain any new collections of information that require OMB approval. OMB has reviewed and approved the following collections of information associated with the subsistence regulations at 36 CFR 242 and 50 CFR 100: Subsistence hunting and fishing applications, permits, and reports, Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Membership Application/Nomination and Interview Forms (OMB Control No. 1018-0075 expires January 31, 2013).

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866)

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this rule is not significant and has not reviewed this rule under Executive Order 12866. OMB bases its determination upon the following four criteria:

(a) Whether the rule will have an annual effect of $100 million or more on the economy or adversely affect an economic sector, productivity, jobs, the environment, or other units of the government.

(b) Whether the rule will create inconsistencies with other agencies' actions.

(c) Whether the rule will materially affect entitlements, grants, user fees, loan programs, or the rights and obligations of their recipients.

(d) Whether the rule raises novel legal or policy issues.

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 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 Assessment. 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

The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act does not specifically provide rights to tribes for the subsistence taking of wildlife, fish, and shellfish. However, the Secretaries have elected to provide tribes an opportunity to consult on this rule. The Secretaries, through the Board, provided a variety of opportunities for consultation through: proposing changes to the existing rule; commenting on proposed changes to the existing rule; engaging in dialogue at the Regional Advisory 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.

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 Peter J. Probasco of the Office of Subsistence Management, Alaska Regional Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. Additional assistance was provided by

• Daniel Sharp, Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management;
• Sandy Rabinowitch and Nancy Swanton, Alaska Regional Office, National Park Service;
• Dr. Glenn Chen and Patricia Petrivelli, Alaska Regional Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs;
• Jerry Berg and Carl Jack, Alaska Regional Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and
• Steve Kessler, Alaska Regional Office, U.S. 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

For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Federal Subsistence Board amends subpart B of part 242 of title 36 and part 100 of title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below.

PART __—SUBSISTENCE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC LANDS IN ALASKA

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.

2. Amend § __.10 by revising paragraph (d)(4)(vi), redesignating paragraphs (d)(4)(vii) through (d)(4)(xix) as paragraphs (d)(4)(viii) through (d)(4)(xx), and adding a new paragraph (d)(4)(vii) to read as follows:

3. Revise the introductory text of paragraph (a) of § __.18 to read as follows:

4. Revise § __.19 to read as follows: