[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 5, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 57465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26169]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R7-MB-2017-N141; FXMB12610700000-178-FF07M01000]


Change in Regional Partners for Upper Copper River Region for the 
Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces a change in a 
regional partner, representing the Upper Copper River region, on the 
Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council (Co-management Council). 
For the Upper Copper River region, the Copper River Native Association 
has elected to step down, and the Co-management Council is replacing 
that partner with the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission. This 
action will ensure continuity of the Co-management Council's 
operations.

DATES: The change in representation on the Co-management Council took 
effect October 1, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Dewhurst, (907) 786-3499, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Mail Stop 201, 
Anchorage, AK 99503; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
regulates the subsistence take of migratory birds in Alaska through 
regulations in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations in part 92. 
The Service published a notice of decision in the Federal Register on 
March 28, 2000 (65 FR 16405), that established regional management 
bodies in Alaska to develop recommendations related to subsistence 
harvest. The notice of decision also established a single statewide 
management body consisting of representatives from each of the regions 
and one representative each from the Service and the Alaska Department 
of Fish and Game. In a final rule of July 21, 2003 (68 FR 43010), we 
announced that, of the 12 geographic regions that represent common 
subsistence resource use patterns in Alaska, 11 regional bodies elected 
to participate in the statewide management body. Membership on the 11 
regional bodies comprises subsistence users from each of the active 
regions. The Service contracted with 11 partner organizations to 
organize and support the regional bodies.
    Since 2000, the Co-management Council partner organization 
representing the Upper Copper River region has been the Copper River 
Native Association (CRNA). However, CRNA notified the Service, by 
letter dated August 11, 2017, of its request to cease the present 
regional partnership with the Co-management Council, and recommended 
that the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission could potentially be a 
good replacement. A phone poll was conducted of the Co-management 
Council on August 16, 2017, and they unanimously selected the Ahtna 
Intertribal Resource Commission as their replacement partner.
    The new Co-management Council partner organization will ensure 
continuity of communication with the subsistence users of their regions 
to establish and maintain local representation on their regional 
management bodies. Partners are also responsible for coordinating 
meetings within their regions, soliciting proposals, and keeping the 
villages informed.

    Dated: November 1, 2017.
Gregory E. Siekaniec
Regional Director, Anchorage, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 2017-26169 Filed 12-4-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P