The Departmentof Natural Resources proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 11 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with public use, special park use permits and state park land and water restrictions, including the following:

(1)        Limiting seasonal use of ATV’s in Bird Valley (11 AAC 20.015): This proposal would allow use of ATV’s in Bird Valley only between April 1st to November 30th.

(2)        Include llamas and alpacas in regulations regarding horse, mule and burro use (11 AAC 20.030): This proposal would include llamas and alpacas under the same considerations as horses in Chugach State Park.

(3)        Fat Tire Bicycles (11 AAC 20.050): This proposal defines fat tire bicycles and designates trails within Chugach State Park where fat tire bicycles may be used and also designates trails where wintertime use of fat tire bicycles may occur.

(4)        Use of weapons (11 AAC 20.650): This proposal would allow for the discharge of a weapon for the purpose of lawful hunting or trapping within Chilkat State Park.

You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, attn: Claire LeClair, Deputy Director, 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1380, Anchorage, AK 99501-3561. Additionally, the Department of Natural Resources will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 269-8907 and by electronic mail at dnr.parkregs@alaska.gov. The comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 31, 2015.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Claire LeClair, Deputy Director, at 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1380, Anchorage, AK 99501-3561 (or via email:  dnr.parkregs@alaska.gov).

The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Natural Resources will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and response available on http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/proposedregulations.htm.  The Department of Natural Resources may, but is not required to, answer written questions received after the 10-day cut-off date and before the end of the comment period.

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Claire LeClair at 907-269-8702 no later than July 15, 2015, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System or by contacting Claire LeClair at the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1380, Anchorage, AK99501-3561 (or via email: dnr.parkregs@alaska.gov), or go to:

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/proposedregulations.htm.

After the public comment period ends, the Department of Natural Resources will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.

Statutory Authority: AS 41.21.020; AS 41.21.040

Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific: AS 41.21.020; AS 41.21.022; AS41.21.040; AS 41.21.111; AS 41.21.112; AS 41.21.121; AS 41.21.123; AS41.21.181; AS 41.21.183; AS 41.21.950

Fiscal Information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.

DATE: June 25,2015