Postmark: Jul 28,94 8:34 AM Delivered: Jul 29,94 10:00 AM
Status: Previously read
Subject: Subsistence News-7/29/94
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Message:
*The Federal Subsistence Board (FSB) plans an August 17 meeting in Anchorage. The draft agenda includes requests for reconsideration for items in the 1994-95 regulations, special actions, and status reports of several Customary and Traditional Use studies.
*Alaska Governor Walter Hickel may soon call for a Special Session of the state legislature to deal with subsistence. Alaska subsistence involves a long standing squabble between the state and federal government. The state constitution promises all residents equal access to the states fish and wildlife. However, the federal government mandates that Alaska’s rural residents have a priority in the taking of these resources. Both sides believe the issue is reconcilable. Some believe Alaska could amend the state constitution to provide for a rural preference, while others think the federal government could give Alaska broader authority in managing federal lands. It is not especially likely the Special Session will succeed.
*Federal subsistence fishing regulations were recently extended without change until December 31, 1995. Refer to the Federal Register 36 CFR 242, Vol 59, No. 122/Monday, June 27, 1994/pages 32923-32925.
*Recently George Frampton, Asst.Secty.of Interior, commented that many rural users now prefer federal subsistence management over the State.
Postmark: Jul 22,94 9:09 AM Delivered: Jul 22,94 9:59 AM
Status: Previously read
Subject: Subsistence News-7/22/94
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Message:
*Norway reports subsistence and Native people issues which could affect ongoing hydroelectric developments. Lapps, or Saami, best known for their roles as reindeer herders, are an ethnic minority in northern Norway. Development of certain hydroelectric facilities has required accomodating their interests.
*Rural Alaska residents seem to accept sport fisherpersons who practice “catch and release” methods. Rural subsistence users believe these sport anglers: 1. Don’t take and/or waste fish they need; 2. Don’t compete with rural residents for resources; and 3. They are generally nice people who want to better understand cross cultural and subsistence issues.
*Edward Krohn, a sport fisherman, has filed suit in Alaska Superior Court to stop subsistence fishing in certain parts of the state. The suit charges the state with implementing emergency regulations without proper public input. In April the state implemented emergency regulations to allow for subsistence fishing in areas designated “non- subsistence zones” under a 1992 state subsistence law.
*Non-subsistence zones were ruled unconstitutional by Alaska State Superior Court Judge Dana Fabe last fall. The Alaska Supreme Court has yet to rule on the legality of the 1992 subsistence law.
Postmark: Jul 13,94 7:39 AM Delivered: Jul 15,94 9:59 AM
Status: Previously read
Subject: Subsistence News-7/15/94
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Message:
*CORRECTION-The FSB issued a permit to Owen James on June 30 (NOT August 30) for the taking of one deer. The deer was to be taken and prepared in conjunction with the Kake Culture Camp.
*Conditions on the above permit: The permit must be used between July 1 and July 12; Mr. James must have a valid State of Alaska hunting license; the permit must be in his possession while hunting; and he must return the subsistence hunt report within 5 days after the harvest.
*How will the assumption of Federal subsistence fisheries management change the role of commercial fisheries? Some believe it will mean the end of Alaskan commercial fisheries, while others believe it will mean a federal guarantee of protection for subsistence use rights. The one certainty is that fisheries management will get more complicated. A decision on an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court is expected by early September (refer to earlier reports on the Katie John v. U.S. lawsuit).
*Sharing of fish and wildlife is a widely accepted practice in rural Alaska. Food is given out to support family, friends, and neighbors who cannot harvest for themselves because of age, disability, or other circumstances.
