Federal Subsistence Board Concludes February Work Session

For Immediate Release:
February 24, 2026

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Federal Subsistence Board met on February 5, 2026, to discuss several important issues affecting the Federal Subsistence Management Program.

During the session, the board accepted the 2026 Fisheries Resources Monitoring Plan. Members also approved forwarding Regional Advisory Council letters to the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture addressing fisheries management concerns, council member compensation and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Section 17(d)(1) land protection issues. Each letter will be transmitted with an accompanying board cover letter.

The board received an update on Request for Reconsideration 25-01, which seeks a reevaluation of its 2025 decision to designate Ketchikan as rural. A determination on whether the request meets the threshold for full reconsideration will be made during the board’s April regulatory meeting. Members were also briefed on the ongoing development and enhancement of the Federal Subsistence Permit database, including work to expand online access.

Additionally, the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the Interior for Alaska Affairs provided an update on the Secretarial Review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program. No decisions have been made regarding potential program changes. The public comment period for the review has been extended through March 30, with statewide Tribal and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporation consultations scheduled for March 10 and March 17.

Future meetings for the Federal Subsistence Board are:

• February 17-18, 2026: Tribal and ANCSA Corporation Consultations on Wildlife Proposals and Closure Reviews
• April 20-24, 2026: Wildlife regulatory meeting at the Egan Center in Anchorage
• August 4-5, 2026: Board summer work session
• February 1-5, 2027: Fisheries regulatory meeting

Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.

Missing out on the latest federal subsistence issues? To receive emails updates on Federal Subsistence Management Program activities, send a request to subsistence@ios.doi.gov.

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