Postmark: Sep 21,95 11:29 AM Delivered: Sep 21,95 11:29 AM
Subject: Subsistence News-9/22/95
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Message:
*Based on the recent WO Subsistence Management Review, a number of inhibitions were dealt with in the R10 subsistence Action Plan:
*Future costs and staffing will be dependent upon the position the federal and state governments take in resolving their long standing subsistence impasse. Estimated FS staffing could range from 3 to 50 FTE’s. A number of options are under consideration.
*The appointment of Jack Capp (R10 Director of Wildlife & Fisheries) as USDA representative to the Federal Subsistence Board (FSB) will mitigate complaints of inconsistent USDA representation.
*Increased awareness of the need for communications briefings for line and staff were recommended. Additional forms of internal communications and education include periodic training/workshops, “Subsistence News”, and summary information in the R10 Sourdough Notes.
*Interagency strategic planning efforts continue to evolve. It is hoped the State of Alaska will ultimately regain subsistence management responsibility on federal public lands.
*The Alaska Native Liaison will serve as an advocate for an important component of subsistence users. The role of the position, related to federal subsistence management, is yet to be determined.
*The WO conducted an R10 Subsistence Management Program Review August 7-9, 1995.
*Objectives: 1.USDA responsibilities under ANILCA Title VIII; 2.effectiveness of FS relationships with other federal & state agencies; 3.determine subsistence users’ perspective of the program; 4.assess costs & projected staffing/funding needs; and 5.relationship and effect on the following FS programs-wildlife & fisheries; law enforcement; Alaska Native Liaison; other.
*Factors inhibiting FS subsistence program effectiveness:
inadequate funding/staffing;
inconsistent Federal Subsistence Board (FSB) representation;
lack of consistent communications among the various staff, line, etc;
inadequate integration of subsistence in all aspects of NFS lands;
inadequate strategic planning among agency leaders;
lack of subsistence profile within USDA-WO;
continued federal agency struggle with the subsistence structure; and
the role of the Regional Alaska Native liaison in subsistence management.
*The R10 Subsistence Action Plan specifically addresses the factors inhibiting the subsistence program, and recommends ways to resolve them.
Postmark: Sep 08,95 7:45 AM Delivered: Sep 08,95 7:45 AM
Subject: Subsistence News-9/8/95
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Message:
*Under Section 119 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is responsible for the health of whales, porpoises, dolphins, seals, and sea lions.
*The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is responsible for sea otters, polar bears, and walrus.
*The SE Alaska Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council is scheduled to meet in Craig, Alaska, Sept.28-30. Preliminary agenda items include proposals to change federal subsistence regs; customary and traditional use determinations; and a Tongass Land Management Plan revision update.
*The draft FY96 work plan for the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill outlines important subsistence restoration activities. Planned work includes restoration efforts dealing with clams, harbor seals, octopus, Pacific herring, pink salmon, sea otters, and sockeye salmon. Recommended FY96 expenditures for subsistence total $1,399,800.
*In SE Alaska, Native households are more likely to give and to receive resources obtained through their harvesting. They are also more likely to share the following characteristics: obtain at least 25% of their food from at least five different resource harvesting activities, and have incomes below $10,000. per capita.
