Postmark: Jan 19,96 9:02 AM Delivered: Jan 19,96 9:02 AM
Subject: Subsistence News-1/19/96
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Message:
*The latest draft subsistence “concept proposal” was developed by Alaska’s Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer. In the proposal none of the communities on the Kenai Peninsula would automatically qualify for subsistence harvest of fish and game.
*The Chugach NF encompasses a portion of the Kenai Peninsula.
*Under the Lt. Gov. draft proposal, communities could qualify for subsistence if they were able to demonstrate a personal history of subsistence use within the area.
*The proposal lays out two categories:
small, remote communities off the road or ferry system where residents would automatically qualify for subsistence;
non-subsistence areas where residents may qualify for subsistence only if they have a personal-use history.
*Both supporters and opponents of this latest proposal to resolve the subsistence impasse indicate there are serious flaws with the proposal. However, none will venture to claim success or failure in their attempts to end the impasse.
Postmark: Jan 12,96 8:28 AM Delivered: Jan 12,96 8:28 AM
Subject: Subsistence News-1/12/96
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Message:
*The federal Subsistence Board is accepting applications through February 29th for membership on the ten Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils (RAC). Thirty-two appointments will be made in 1996 to fill expiring three-year terms on the Councils. For info (800)-478-1456.
*The Southeast RAC is scheduled to meet in Wrangell, February 8-10.
*On Dec.22, 1995, Gov. Tony Knowles appointed Mary C. Pete the new Director of the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game’s (ADF&G) Division of Subsistence. Pete, an anthropologist, was the acting chair of the Department of Rural Development at the UA-Fairbanks campus at Bethel. She oversees 38 employees and an annual budget of $2.6 million. Pete succeeds Rob Bosworth, who is now a Deputy Commissioner of ADF&G.
*The US and Canada have signed agreements to limit the hunting of waterfowl that migrate between the two countries. The agreements are designed to treat Natives in Canada and rural subsistence users in Alaska fairly in the regulation of waterfowl harvest.
*The 1996 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration Workshop is scheduled for Anchorage January 16-18. A major component of the workshop is the session dealing with incorporation of traditional knowledge into the restoration program. Successful examples from Alaska will be presented.
Postmark: Dec 14,95 11:32 AM Delivered: Dec 14,95 11:32 AM
Subject: Subsistence News-12/15/95
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Message:
*The State of Alaska’s draft proposal to end the ongoing subsistence impasse has been widely distributed throughout the state. No federal position has been taken on the proposal. The DOI Alaska Special Assistant, Debra Williams, will meet with Secty. Babbitt on the proposal, as well as the soon to be released draft federal subsistence fisheries regulations.
*Alaska Natives are at odds with both federal and state officials because of restrictions on brown (grizzly) bear surveys. Successful bear hunters in Alaska must, by law, provide bear skulls and certain teeth to biologists for research purposes. Ongoing studies also involve tagging and collaring bears for tracking and identification purposes. Alaska Natives view these practices as degrading and disrespectful to bears. Although the studies and regulations will continue, the first step has been taken to enhance cross cultural communications between Natives and bureaucrats.
*In 1994, 72 Atlantic salmon were caught by Alaskan fishermen. It has been estimated that as many as 32,000 of these pen raised fish escaped that year from British Columbia fish farms. Alaska state officials claim that there is no reason for alarm. Canadians plan to study the issue and determine if Pacific salmon stocks are at risk.
