North Slope Fish & Game Advisory Committee Meeting

The North Slope Fish & Game Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting in Utqiagvik at the Inupiat Heritage Center on February 20 and 21, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. This committee also serves as the North Slope Borough Fish and Game Management Committee.

Agenda items include an all-inclusive review and discussion on the North Slope caribou that include the Western Arctic, Teshekpuk Lake, Central Arctic, and Porcupine herds. There will also be a review and discussion on the caribou registration permit (RC 907). Other options to manage and conserve the herds may be discussed.

In addition to receiving updates on the caribou herds, the Committee will act on two wildlife proposals. Wildlife Proposal 138 requests the Committee to reauthorize the antlerless moose season in Unit 26A and Wildlife Proposal 139 requests the Committee to reauthorize the resident brown bear tag fee exemption in Game Management Unit 26A.

There will be presentations and updates from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey as well as from Inuvialuit-Inupiat Polar Bear Commission, the Alaska Nanuut Co-management Council and the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife on polar bears.

The North Slope Advisory Committee/North Slope Borough Fish and Game Management Committee will also review proposals that have been submitted to the Joint Boards of Fisheries and Game regarding the administration and uniform rules of operation for advisory committees. The Joint Boards will meet March 21-25, 2019 to discuss advisory committee regulation proposals and act to change, amend or otherwise delete some or parts of the rules of operation.

Advisory committees are local groups that meet to discuss fish and wildlife issues and to provide recommendations to the Alaska Board of Game and the Alaska Board of Fisheries on regulations that may affect them. All meetings are open to the public. As a local forum, advisory committees develop and evaluate regulatory proposals and provide recommendation to the appropriate board, provide a local forum for fish and wildlife conservation and use including matters relating to habitat, advising the appropriate regional councils on resources, and consulting with individuals, organizations, and agencies.

If you are a person with a disability who requires special accommodations in order to participate in any of the public meetings, please contact Hazel Smith at 907-442-1717 or 907-412-3080 no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting so any necessary arrangements may be made.

Contact:

Hazel Smith

Alaska Department of Fish & Game

Boards Support Section

PO Box 689

Kotzebue, AK 99752

Direct: 907-442-1717

Cell: 907-412-3080

Fax: 907-442-2420

hazel.smith@alaska.gov