[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49707-49708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24922]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Establish Management Bodies for the 
Development, Implementation, and Management of a Migratory Bird 
Subsistence Program in Alaska

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to 
establish management bodies for the development, implementation, and 
management of a migratory bird subsistence program in Alaska. This 
action is the result of the 1997 amendments to the migratory bird 
treaties with Canada and Mexico approved by the U.S. Senate on October 
23, 1997. The amendment to the treaty with Canada requires that 
indigenous inhabitants of the State of Alaska will have a meaningful 
role in migratory bird conservation by participating on relevant 
management bodies. In partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish 
and Game and the Native Migratory Bird Working Group, the Service will 
prepare an options document for public review and comment leading to 
the establishment of the management bodies.

DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting dates.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments regarding the preparation of the options 
document, to Mimi Hogan, Migratory Bird Subsistence Coordinator, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503; fax 
907/786-3641.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mimi Hogan at 907/786-3673.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1916 the U.S. Senate ratified the 
Convention Between the United States and Great Britain (on behalf of 
Canada) For the Protection Of Migratory Birds. A similar treaty was 
ratified with Mexico in 1936. The treaties specified a close season on 
the taking of migratory game birds between March 10 and September 1 of 
each year. The treaties did not take into account traditional harvests 
of migratory birds by northern indigenous people during the spring and 
summer months. This harvest, which had occurred for centuries, was a 
necessary part of the subsistence lifestyle of the northern people, and 
continued after the ratification of the treaties. After many years of 
attempts to change the treaties, amendments to both treaties were 
approved in 1997, allowing certain

[[Page 49708]]

exceptions for the subsistence harvest of migratory birds by indigenous 
inhabitants of identified subsistence zones in Alaska.
    The intent of the amendments is to enable effective actions to be 
taken to improve migratory bird conservation, and to cause no 
significant increases in the take of species of migratory birds 
relative to their continental population sizes. Paragraph 4(b)(ii) of 
Article II states:

    Indigenous inhabitants of the State of Alaska shall be afforded 
an effective and meaningful role in the conservation of migratory 
birds including the development and implementation of regulations 
affecting the non-wasteful taking of migratory birds and the 
collection of their eggs, by participating on relevant management 
bodies.

    This notice initiates action to establish management bodies 
required by the treaty amendments. The options document being prepared 
will identify, among other things, the number of management bodies 
needed for effective and efficient management, how the management 
bodies will be organized, and their roles and responsibilities. The 
options document will be prepared for review and public comment by the 
Native Migratory Bird Working Group, the Alaska Department of Fish and 
Game, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Availability of a draft 
document for review and a list of public meetings to gather public 
comment will be announced in the Federal Register.

Meetings

    In order to receive from the subsistence users ideas regarding the 
preparation of the decision document, public forums will be conducted 
in the following Alaska locations during 1998:

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                Date                            City                     Location                   Time        
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Sept 22.............................  Nome...................  Nome Mimi Convention Center  7:00 p.m.           
Sept 23.............................  Kotzebue...............  Alaska Technical Center,     7:00 p.m.           
                                                                Room 170.                                       
Sept 29.............................  Fort Yukon.............  Native Village Building....  7:00 p.m.           
Oct 5...............................  Allakaket..............  Allakaket Community Hall...  7:00 p.m.           
Oct 21..............................  Naknek.................  Bristol Bay Borough          7:00 p.m.           
                                                                Assembly Chambers.                              
Nov 4...............................  Dillingham.............  City Council Chambers......  7:00 p.m.           
Nov 18..............................  Barrow.................  North Slope Borough          7:00 p.m.           
                                                                Assembly Room.                                  
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    A forum will also be scheduled for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta area. 
Date, time, and location will be announced in the local media when the 
schedule is final.

    Dated: September 10, 1998.
Robyn Thorson,
Deputy Regional Director, Anchorage, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 98-24922 Filed 9-16-98; 8:45 am]
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