The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is proposing to end the fresh water logbook
            program by no longer requiring the completion of freshwater logbooks for sport fishing
            guide operations.

The commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game, under a delegation of authority issued by the Alaska Board of Fisheries (board) under AS 16.05.270, proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) related to reporting requirements for sport fishing services and sport fishing guides, including the following:

5 AAC 75.075(g) and 5 AAC 75.076(a)(2); 5 AAC 75.076(b)(1); 5 AAC 75.076(c) and 5 AAC 75.076(e) are proposed to be changed to eliminate the requirement to obtain and complete Freshwater Sport Fish Guide Logbooks for those services and guides operating in fresh waters.

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 Shellene L. Hutter, Regulations Program Coordinator, Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526.  Additionally, the Department of Fish and Game will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-2604 and by electronic mail at shellene.hutter@alaska.gov. The comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 8, 2019.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Shellene L. Hutter, Regulations Program Coordinator, Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526.  Additionally, the Department of Fish and Game will accept questions by facsimile at (907) 465-2604 and by electronic mail at shellene.hutter@alaska.gov. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Fish and Game will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Shellene L. Hutter at (907) 465-6124 no later than April 4, 2019 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

A copy of this notice of proposed regulation changes and the regulations proposed to be changed are available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System. For a copy of the proposed regulation changes contact Shellene L. Hutter, Regulations Program Coordinator at the mailing address, telephone number, or email address above or online on the department’s website at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=SFGuidesLicense.main

After the public comment period ends, the commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game 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. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.

Statutory Authority:  AS 16.05.251; AS 16.05.270

Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific:  AS 16.05.251

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

The Department of Fish and Game keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all of the department’s notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Department of Fish and Game Boards Support Section at P O Box 115526 Juneau, AK 99811, by phone at (907) 465-4110, or via our website at:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main

giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.