[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 21, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35541-35543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5499]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

36 CFR Part 242

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 100


Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska, 
Subpart D; Seasonal Adjustments--Copper River and Cable Creek

AGENCIES: Forest Service, USDA; Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Seasonal adjustments.

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SUMMARY: This provides notice of the Federal Subsistence Board's in-
season management actions to protect Chinook and sockeye salmon 
escapement in the Copper River, while still providing for a subsistence 
harvest opportunity, and to protect steelhead in Cable Creek and its 
tributaries. The revised fishing schedule for the Chitina Subdistrict 
of the Copper River and the closure of the Cable Creek area provide an 
exception to the Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in 
Alaska, published in the Federal Register on March 29, 2006. Those 
regulations established seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means 
relating to the taking of fish and shellfish for subsistence uses 
during the 2006 regulatory year.

DATES: The latest fishing schedule for the Chitina Subdistrict of the 
Upper Copper River District is effective June 1, 2006, through July 31, 
2006. The closure of Cable Creek and its tributaries is effective April 
13, 2006, through May 31, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter J. Probasco, Office of 
Subsistence Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, telephone (907) 
786-3888. For questions specific to National Forest System lands, 
contact Steve Kessler, Subsistence Program Manager, USDA--Forest 
Service, Alaska Region, telephone (907) 786-3592.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act 
(ANILCA) (16 U.S.C. 3111-3126) requires that the Secretary of the 
Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretaries) implement a 
joint program to grant a preference for subsistence uses of fish and 
wildlife resources on public lands in Alaska, unless the State of 
Alaska enacts and implements laws of general applicability that are 
consistent with ANILCA and that provide for the subsistence definition, 
preference, and participation specified in Sections 803, 804, and 805 
of ANILCA. In December 1989, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that the 
rural preference in the State subsistence statute violated the Alaska 
Constitution and, therefore, negated State compliance with ANILCA.
    The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture 
(Departments) assumed, on July 1, 1990, responsibility for 
implementation of Title VIII of ANILCA on public lands. The Departments 
administer Title VIII through regulations at Title 50, Part 100 and 
Title 36, Part 242 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Consistent 
with Subparts A, B, and C of these

[[Page 35542]]

regulations, as revised January 8, 1999 (64 FR 1276), the Departments 
established a Federal Subsistence Board to administer the Federal 
Subsistence Management Program. The Board's composition includes a 
Chair appointed by the Secretary of the Interior with concurrence of 
the Secretary of Agriculture; the Alaska Regional Director, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service; the Alaska Regional Director, National Park 
Service; the Alaska State Director, Bureau of Land Management; the 
Alaska Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs; and the Alaska 
Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service. Through the Board, these 
agencies participate in the development of regulations for Subparts A, 
B, and C, which establish the program structure and determine which 
Alaska residents are eligible to take specific species for subsistence 
uses, and the annual Subpart D regulations, which establish seasons, 
harvest limits, and methods and means for subsistence take of species 
in specific areas. Subpart D regulations for the 2006 fishing seasons, 
harvest limits, and methods and means were published on March 29, 2006 
(71 FR 15569). Because this action relates to public lands managed by 
an agency or agencies in both the Departments of Agriculture and the 
Interior, identical closures and adjustments would apply to 36 CFR part 
242 and 50 CFR part 100.
    The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), under the direction 
of the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF), manages sport, commercial, 
personal use, and State subsistence harvest on all lands and waters 
throughout Alaska. However, on Federal lands and waters, the Federal 
Subsistence Board implements a subsistence priority for rural residents 
as provided by Title VIII of ANILCA. In providing this priority, the 
Board may, when necessary, preempt State harvest regulations for fish 
or wildlife on Federal lands and waters.

Current Management Actions

    These actions are authorized and in accordance with 50 CFR 
100.19(d-e) and 36 CFR 242.19(d-e).

Copper River--Chitina Subdistrict

    In December 2001, the Board adopted regulatory proposals 
establishing a new Federal subsistence fishery in the Chitina 
Subdistrict of the Copper River. This fishery is open to federally 
qualified users having customary and traditional use of salmon in this 
Subdistrict. The State conducts a personal use fishery in this 
Subdistrict that is open to all Alaska residents.
    Management of the fishery is based on the numbers of salmon 
returning to the Copper River. A larger than predicted salmon run will 
allow additional fishing time. A smaller than predicted run will 
require restrictions to achieve upriver passage and spawning escapement 
goals. A run that approximates the pre-season forecast will allow 
fishing to proceed on a schedule similar to the pre-season schedule, 
with some adjustments made to fishing time based on in-season data. 
Adjustments to the preseason schedule are expected as a normal function 
of an abundance-based management strategy. State and Federal managers, 
reviewing and discussing all available in-season information, will make 
these adjustments.
    While Federal and State regulations currently differ for this 
Subdistrict, the Board indicated that Federal in-season management 
actions regarding fishing periods were expected to mirror State 
actions. The State established a preseason schedule of allowable 
fishing periods based on daily projected sonar estimates. The preseason 
schedule was intended to distribute the harvest throughout the salmon 
run and provide salmon for upriver subsistence fisheries and the 
spawning escapement. Data regarding the salmon return to the Copper 
River is now available from estimates made by the Miles Lake sonar. 
Data from the sonar indicate that by June 9, 2006, there will be 
sufficient salmon in the Copper River to allow fishing time in the 
Chitina Subdistrict, provide for the needs of upper Copper River users, 
and achieve spawning escapement objectives. The Board, acting through 
the in-season manager, has delayed the opening of this fishery until 
June 9, 2006. Late breakup conditions delayed salmon migration into the 
Copper River by approximately 2 weeks. Shown below are the fishing 
schedule openings for the Chitina Subdistrict of the Copper River:

Friday, June 9, 12:01 p.m.-Sunday, June 11, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 12, 12:01 a.m.-Sunday, June 18, 11:59 p.m.
Monday, June 19, 12:01 a.m.-Sunday, June 25, 11:59 p.m.
Monday, June 26, 12:01 a.m.-Sunday, July 2, 11:59 p.m.
Monday, July 3, 12:01 a.m.-Tuesday, July 4, 11:59 p.m.
Friday, July 7, 12:01 p.m.-Sunday, July 9, 8 p.m.
Monday, July 17, 12:01 p.m.-Sunday, July 23, 11:59 p.m.
Monday, July 24, 12:01 a.m.-Saturday, September 30, 11:59 p.m.

    State personal use and Federal subsistence fisheries in this 
Subdistrict close simultaneously by regulation on September 30, 2006. 
No deviation from this date is anticipated.

Cable Creek

    The Federal Steelhead Subsistence management plan for Cable Creek 
requires that in-season action be taken when the total harvest reaches 
5 or more steelhead. It is estimated that steelhead harvest from Cable 
Creek is greater than 11 fish. Immediate action was necessary to 
restrict federally and non-federally qualified users in the Cable Creek 
drainage for conservation of the steelhead resource. The Board, acting 
through the in-season manager, has closed all waters of Cable Creek to 
fishing from 12:01 a.m., Thursday, April 13, 2006 through 11:59 p.m., 
May 31, 2006. Concurrent action was being taken by ADF&G to close 
fishing on this stream to all users.

Conformance With Statutory and Regulatory Authorities

Administrative Procedure Act

    The Board finds that additional public notice and comment 
requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) for these 
adjustments are impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public 
interest. Lack of appropriate and immediate conservation measures could 
seriously affect the continued viability of fish populations, could 
adversely impact future subsistence opportunities for rural Alaskans, 
and would generally fail to serve the overall public interest. 
Therefore, the Board finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) 
to waive additional public notice and comment procedures prior to 
implementation of these actions and pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to 
make this rule effective as indicated in the DATES section.

National Environmental Policy Act Compliance

    A Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was published on 
February 28, 1992, and a Record of Decision on Subsistence Management 
for Federal Public Lands in Alaska (ROD) was signed April 6, 1992. The 
final rule for Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in 
Alaska, Subparts A, B, and C (57 FR 22940, published May 29, 1992), 
implemented the Federal Subsistence Management Program and included a 
framework for an annual cycle for subsistence hunting and fishing 
regulations. A final rule that redefined the jurisdiction of the 
Federal Subsistence Management Program to include waters subject to the

[[Page 35543]]

subsistence priority was published on January 8, 1999 (64 FR 1276.)

Section 810 of ANILCA

    The intent of all Federal subsistence regulations is to accord 
subsistence uses of fish and wildlife on public lands a priority over 
the taking of fish and wildlife on such lands for other purposes, 
unless restriction is necessary to conserve healthy fish and wildlife 
populations. A Section 810 analysis was completed as part of the FEIS 
process. The final Section 810 analysis determination appeared in the 
April 6, 1992, ROD, which concluded that the Federal Subsistence 
Management Program, under Alternative IV with an annual process for 
setting hunting and fishing regulations, may have some local impacts on 
subsistence uses, but the program is not likely to significantly 
restrict subsistence uses.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The adjustment and emergency closures do not contain information 
collection requirements subject to Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Other Requirements

    The adjustments have been exempted from OMB review under Executive 
Order 12866.
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
requires preparation of flexibility analyses for rules that will have a 
significant effect on a substantial number of small entities, which 
include small businesses, organizations, or governmental jurisdictions. 
The exact number of businesses and the amount of trade that will result 
from this Federal land-related activity is unknown. The aggregate 
effect is an insignificant economic effect (both positive and negative) 
on a small number of small entities supporting subsistence activities, 
such as boat, fishing gear, and gasoline dealers. The number of small 
entities affected is unknown; however, the effects will be seasonally 
and geographically limited in nature and will likely not be 
significant. The Departments certify that the adjustments will not have 
a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities 
within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Under the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
this rule is not a major rule. It does not have an effect on the 
economy of $100 million or more, will not cause a major increase in 
costs or prices for consumers, and does not have significant adverse 
effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 
innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with 
foreign-based enterprises.
    Title VIII of ANILCA requires the Secretaries to administer a 
subsistence preference on public lands. The scope of this program is 
limited by definition to certain public lands. Likewise, the 
adjustments have no potential takings of private property implications 
as defined by Executive Order 12630.
    The Service has determined and certifies under the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that the adjustments will 
not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or 
State governments or private entities. The implementation is by Federal 
agencies, and no cost is involved to any State or local entities or 
tribal governments.
    The Service has determined that the adjustments meet the applicable 
standards provided in Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 
12988, regarding civil justice reform.
    In accordance with Executive Order 13132, the adjustments do not 
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
federalism assessment. Title VIII of ANILCA precludes the State from 
exercising subsistence management authority over fish and wildlife 
resources on federal lands. Cooperative salmon run assessment efforts 
with ADF&G will continue.
    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and 512 DM 2, we 
have evaluated possible effects on federally recognized Indian tribes 
and have determined that there are no effects. The Bureau of Indian 
Affairs is a participating agency in this rulemaking.
    On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 on 
regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, or 
use. This Executive Order requires agencies to prepare Statements of 
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. As these actions are 
not expected to significantly affect energy supply, distribution, or 
use, they are not significant energy actions and no Statement of Energy 
Effects is required.

Drafting Information

    Bill Knauer drafted this document under the guidance of Peter J. 
Probasco, of the Office of Subsistence Management, Alaska Regional 
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. Stacie 
Mcintosh, Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management; Jerry Berg, 
Alaska Regional Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Nancy Swanton, 
Alaska Regional Office, National Park Service; Dr. Glenn Chen, Alaska 
Regional Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs; and Steve Kessler, USDA--
Forest Service, provided additional guidance.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3, 472, 551, 668dd, 3101-3126; 18 U.S.C. 
3551-3586; 43 U.S.C. 1733.

    Dated: June 7, 2006.
Peter J. Probasco,
Acting Chair, Federal Subsistence Board.
    Dated: June 7, 2006.
Steve Kessler,
Subsistence Program Leader, USDA--Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5499 Filed 6-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P; 4310-55-P