Notice is given that the Alaska Board of Game proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the use and taking of game. Regulations subject to board action are in 5 AAC 85 and 92 for all regions.

The following subject matters are to be addressed:

A. HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS: Reauthorization of antlerless moose hunts in Units 1C, 5A, 6C, 7, 13A, 13E, 14A, 14B, 14C, 15B, 15C, 16B, 17A, 18, 19D, 20A, 20B, 20D, 21D, 21E, and 26A (Proposals 12, 58, 79, and 174-188). In addition, season dates and bag limit for moose in Unit 15B (Proposal 195).

B. TAGS AND FEES: Reauthorization of brown bear tag fee exemptions in Units 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 (Proposals 6, 189, and 190).

C. POSSESSION AND TRANSPORTATION: Sealing requirements for wolves in Unit 2 (Proposal 194).

The above-mentioned topics and proposals were submitted to the board for action at meetings originally scheduled for January and March 2021 which were postponed until 2022 due to health and safety concerns prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The board will act on the above-mentioned proposals at a special meeting to be held March 18, 2021 via web-conference. All other board proposals scheduled for the 2020/2021 meeting cycle will be scheduled for board action in January and March 2022.

In addition to the proposals scheduled for the March 18, 2021 meeting, the board will discuss: 1) the option for reissuing the Call for Proposals for the 2022 Central/Southwest Region and the 2022 Statewide Regulations meetings; 2) options for establishing a delegation of authority to ADF&G and/or other protocols for handling emergencies; and 3) assigning a subcommittee for developing a plan for holding regulatory meetings via web-conference if the pandemic continues to impact the board’s ability to meet in person. The board may also take action on other non-regulatory items such as resolutions, findings, letters, and delegations.

The proposed regulation changes are available on the Board of Game meeting information website at www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=gameboard.meetinginfo&date=03-18-2021&meeting=webconference or by contacting the ADF&G Boards Support Section Office at (907) 465-4046. Additional information will be added to the meeting website as it becomes available for the meeting.

The March 18, 2021 special meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. Alaska DST via web-conference. The meeting is available to the public via online streaming on the board’s website at www.boardofgame.adfg.alaska.gov; or by calling:

Call In Number: 1-650-479-3207
Access code: 177 550 5016
Password: 424 492 82

The board will not be taking oral testimony during the meeting. The board encourages written comments on the proposed regulations and non-regulation topics, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes by submitting written comments, limited to no more than 100 single sided or 50 double sided pages. Written comments can be submitted to the Board of Game as follows:

Online: www.boardofgame.adfg.alaska.gov
Email dfg.bog.comments@alaska.gov
Fax (907) 465-6094
Mail: Board of Game, ADF&G Boards Support Section
P.O. Box 115526 Juneau, AK 99811-5526.

The deadline for receiving public comments is March 5, 2021.

Comments must include a first and last name, community of residence, and the proposal numbers for which the comments pertain. Written comments that are submitted are public records and are subject to public inspection. The Board of Game shall consider all factual, substantive, and relevant comments in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Alaska Statute 44.62.210. Comments having disparaging statements or personal attacks, or copyrighted materials, will be withheld or redacted.

Any changes to meeting date or time, or rescheduling of topics or subject matter will be announced by news release and posted on the board’s website. Please watch for these announcements or call (907) 465-4046. Please carefully review the above-mentioned website for the specific issues to be addressed by the board.

Anyone interested in or affected by proposed regulations is hereby informed that, by publishing this legal notice the Board of Game may consider any or all of the subject areas covered by this notice. THE BOARD IS NOT LIMITED BY THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE OR CONFINES OF THE ACTUAL PROPOSALS THAT WERE GENERATED BY THE BOARD. Pursuant to AS 44.62.200, the board may review the full range of activities appropriate to any of the subjects listed in this notice. : The board may make changes to the hunting and trapping regulations as may be required to ensure the subsistence priority in AS 16.05.258. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENT IF YOUR INTERESTS COULD BE AFFECTED.

If you are a person with a disability who may need special accommodations in order to participate in this process, please contact ADF&G, Boards Support Section at (907) 465-4046 no later than March 5, 2021 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

Statutory Authority: AS 16.05, AS 16.30.

Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific: AS 16.05.255; AS 16.05.256; AS 16.05.258; AS 16.05.330; AS 16.05.340; AS 16.05.346; AS 16.05.370; AS 16.05.405, AS16.05.407; AS 16.05.780; AS 16.05.783; AS 16.05.789; AS 16.05.920; and AS 16.30.010 - .030.

Fiscal Information: It is unknown if the proposed regulation changes will require an increased appropriation.

DATE: February 12, 2021                                                   /S/                                   

Kristy Tibbles, Executive Director
Alaska Board of Game
(907) 465-6098

ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS NOTICE INFORMATION

(AS 44.62.190(g))

1. Adopting agency: Alaska Board of Game

2. General subject of regulation: Seasons, bag limits, tags, fees, and possession and transportation in all game management units.

3. Citation of regulations: 5 AAC 85, 98, and 92

4. Department of Law file numbers: 2020200467

5. Reason for the proposed action:

( ) compliance with federal law
( ) compliance with new or changed state statute
( ) compliance with court order
( ) development of program standards
(X) Other: Special meeting to address regulations for the use and taking of game.

6. Appropriation/Allocation: Natural Resources and all RDUs

7. Cost of implementation to the state agency and available funding: Additional costs and the need for an increased appropriation are uncertain at this time.

8. The name of the contact person for the regulations:

Name: Kristy Tibbles
Title: Executive Director, Board Game
Address: Boards Support Section
Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game PO Box 115526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
Telephone: (907) 465-6098
E-mail: kristy.tibbles@alaska.gov

9. The origin of the proposed action:

 X staff of state agency
     federal government
 X general public
 X Board of Game

Date:   February 12, 2021           Prepared by:                                   /S/                                  

Kristy Tibbles, Executive Director
Alaska Board of Game
(907) 465-6098