The Federal Subsistence Board is seeking comment on proposed regulatory changes to the rural determination process for the Federal Subsistence Program in Alaska.
Under current regulations, the board determines which community or area of Alaska is “rural” using guidelines and characteristics as defined by the secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture. The changes would seek to allow more flexibility in the process by which the board makes those determinations.
Public meetings will be held in conjunction with the Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils to receive comments on this proposed rule between Feb. 10 and March 19. After discussing the proposed rule change the councils will then forward their recommendations to the board for consideration, along with Tribal consultations and public comment.
Comments must be received by April 1, either electronically, through the post, or hand-delivered at the scheduled council meetings. In Southeast, a meeting is scheduled to be held at the Sitka Tribal Community Center on March 17 at 7 p.m. Those interested in teleconferencing can call 866-560-984 and enter the passcode 12960066.
Electronic submissions can be handled through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Search for docket FWS-R7-SM-2014-0063, then follow prompts to either submit a comment or examine the docket folder.
Hard-copy comments should be sent to USFWS Office of Subsistence Management, 1011 East Tudor Road, MS 121, Attn: Theo Matuskowitz, Anchorage, Alaska, 99503-6199.
Further information or additional accommodations can be arranged by contacting subsistence@fws.gov, or by visiting http://www.doi.gov/subsistence/index.cfm.
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