Board Of Game Meeting In Kotzebue Will Discuss Western Region Hunting Regulations

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

ADVISORY ANNOUNCEMENT OF ALASKA BOARD OF GAME MEETINGS SCHEDULED IN KOTZEBUE, JANUARY 25-29, 2024

The Alaska Board of Game (board) will conduct its annual Work Session and the Western Arctic/Western Region meeting, January 25-29, 2024, in Kotzebue at the Alaska National Guard Armory, located at 605 Third Ave. The board’s annual Work Session will occur January 25, 2024 followed by the four-day Western Arctic/Western Region meeting.

Topics scheduled for the Work Session include setting the 2024-2025 meeting dates and locations, presentation of agency and board reports, policies, and other administrative and miscellaneous items; the meeting notice with more information can be viewed at: http://notice.alaska.gov/213773.

During the five-day region meeting, the board will consider over 40 regulatory proposals related to hunting and trapping regulations for Game Management Units 18, 22, 23 and 26A. Proposals were submitted by the general public, local fish and game Advisory Committees, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The public is encouraged to review the proposals available on the meeting webpage at: www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=gameboard.meetinginfo&date=01-26-2024&meeting=kotzebue.

All portions of the meetings are open to the public and a live audio stream will be provided on the board website at www.boardofgame.adfg.alaska.gov. Meeting material for the Work Session and the Western Arctic/Western Region meeting including agendas, proposals, staff reports, and public and agency comments on proposals can be accessed online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=gameboard.meetinginfo.

The board encourages the public to provide comments to assist in its decision-making process on the regulatory proposals. The comment deadline is Friday, January 12, although comments will also be accepted once the meeting convenes.  Comments on proposals must include a first and last name, community of residence, and the proposal number(s) for which the comments pertain. Comments submitted by the January 12 deadline are limited to 100 single-sided or 50 double-sided pages. Written comments may also be submitted during the meeting as record copies, with a limitation of 10 single-sided pages. Individuals who cannot attend the meeting may submit comments through the meeting website provided above, or via fax to (907) 465-6094. As a practical matter, comments submitted after the board begins deliberations are likely to receive less consideration than comments submitted earlier.

In-person oral public testimony will be taken for the regulatory meeting only, beginning Friday, January 26, following oral reports.

Remote testimony will be allowed only for state fish and game advisory committees (ACs) and federal regional advisory councils (RACs). Anyone wishing to testify before the board, including AC and RAC representatives, must sign up before registration closes at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 27. Public testimony will continue until all who have signed up have received the opportunity to be heard. Deliberations on proposals will begin following public testimony and will continue through the remainder of the meeting.

For more information about the board meeting process, please contact Kristy Tibbles at 465-6098, or via email at Kristy.tibbles@alaska.gov. She and other ADF&G Boards Support staff will be available throughout the meeting to assist the public with the process.