NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON PERSONAL WATERCRAFT USE IN THE FOX RIVER FLATS AND KACHEMAK BAY CRITICAL HABITAT AREAS IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game proposes to adopt regulation changes in 5 AAC 95.310 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the prohibition of the use of personal watercraft in the Fox River Flats and Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Areas, including the following:

(1)        5 AAC 95.310 is proposed to be repealed. The purpose of this repeal is to remove the prohibition on personal watercraft use in the Fox River Flats and Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Areas.

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 Alaska Department of Fish and Game at: Rick Green, 333 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99518-1565. Additionally, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will accept comments by facsimile at 907-267-2499 and by electronic mail at rick.green@alaska.gov . Comments may also be submitted through the Alaska Online Public Notice System by accessing this notice on the system and using the comment link. The comments must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on January 6, 2020.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Rick Green at rick.green@alaska.gov or 333 Raspberry Rd., Anchorage, AK 99518-1565. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game may 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 Rick Green at rick.green@alaska.gov or 907-267-2228 not later than December 30, 2019, to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided.

A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Rick Green at rick.green@alaska.gov or at 333 Raspberry Rd., Anchorage, AK 99518-1565.

After the public comment period ends, the Alaska 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 regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. 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 16.05.020; AS 16.20.500; AS 16.20.580; AS 16.20.590

Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific:  AS 16.20.500

Fiscal information: The proposed regulation change is not expected to require an increased appropriation.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Section 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 Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Section notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Section at 333 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99518-1565, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.

Date:   12/2/2019

//signed// Rick Green

Rick Green, Special Assistant to the Commissioner

Alaska Department of Fish and Game