Public Hearing Announced for Wildlife Special Action Request WSA24-02 and WSA24-03 Regarding Units 11, 12, and 13 Nelchina Caribou Herd Hunt Closures to All Users

For Immediate Release:
April 17, 2024

Temporary Wildlife Special Action Request WSA24-02, submitted by the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Subsistence Resource Commission, and Wildlife Special Action Request WSA24-03, submitted by the Bureau of Land Management Glennallen Field Office, both request the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) close Federal public lands in Units 11, 12 remainder, and 13 to caribou hunting by all users for the 2024/25 regulatory year. Both also request the Office of Subsistence Management conduct an Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) Section 804 user prioritization analysis on the Nelchina Caribou Herd.

The proponents of both requests note serious conservation concerns for the Nelchina Caribou herd as reason for their submissions. These requests can be viewed on the program webpage at https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/special-actions.

A public hearing to receive testimony on WSA24-02 and WSA24-03 is scheduled as follows:

          May 1, 2024, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Or until conclusion of public comments)
          Teleconference: 1-833-436-1163 Passcode: 807 440 844#

The public is encouraged to participate in this hearing via teleconference by calling the toll-free telephone number provided above. When prompted, enter the passcode.

Comments received during the public hearing will be forwarded to the Board for consideration when it meets at a to be announced date in June 2024. Further information on the upcoming Board meeting will be provided through news releases, the program webpage (https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/board), and social media.

Reasonable Accommodations: The Federal Subsistence Board is committed to providing access to these meetings for all participants. Please make requests in advance for sign language interpreter services, assistive listening devices, or other reasonable accommodations. Please make requests to Kayla Mckinney, (907) 786–3880, subsistence@fws.gov, at least 7 business days prior to the meeting you would like to attend to give the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sufficient time to process your request. All reasonable accommodation requests are managed on a case-by-case basis.

Additional information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.
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View full news release here

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