Image courtesy of Natalea Berganier.
TAKE ACTION: How you can help protect rural subsistence
The Alaska Federal Subsistence Management Program is in jeopardy. The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture are currently accepting comments on the future of the Management Program and the Federal Subsistence Board, because some organizations with sport hunting interests are opposing the rural subsistence priority for fish and game, aiming to significantly limit the Board's authority, eliminate the representation of rural Alaskans and Alaska Natives in the Board’s decisions, and remove protections for rural subsistence users in Alaska.
Last May, the Safari Club International submitted a petition to diminish the authority of the Federal Subsistence Board (FSB) and overhaul the Federal Subsistence Management Program, which would effectively eliminate the voices of rural Alaskans and Alaska Natives at the management table and end rural subsistence priority in Alaska. Shortly after, multiple organizations, including KRITFC, submitted responses in favor of maintaining the FSB and Management Program.
On January 20, 2026, the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) hosted a webinar that addressed how the Board and Federal Subsistence Management Program operate and their importance, explained the current threats to rural subsistence hunting, fishing, and trapping, and provided a tutorial on how to submit comments in support of the Federal Subsistence Management Program and FSB. Read KRITFC’s comment here.
AFN also put together a comprehensive fact sheet to get you up to speed, but you can also learn more by reading this article from Rhonda McBride or this op-ed by Tom Kizzia.
SUBMITTING COMMENTS:
As part of the first step in the review process, the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture are currently accepting comments. Submitting a comment is currently the best way to make your voice heard. Comments are due February 13, 2026.
AFN has prepared a template letter that you may use to draft your comments. DOWNLOAD THAT HERE.
You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
Electronically (BEST WAY TO COMMENT / TO ENSURE COMMENTS GET POSTED): Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal. In the Search box, enter DOI-2025-0170, which is the docket number for this rulemaking action. Then, click on the Search button. On the resulting page, in the Search panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Notice box to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.”
Email: submit your comments via an email to subsistence@ios.doi.gov.
Physically: Submit by U.S. mail or hand delivery to Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior, 4230 University Drive, Suite 300, Anchorage, Alaska 99508.
The DOI is hosting an open house on February 3 from 3-7 p.m. in-person in the Gordon Watson Conference Room at 1011 E Tudor Road, Anchorage or virtually on Microsoft Teams. For more information on the scoping process and the open house, visit this link.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
KRITFC: Terese Vicente, Policy and Programs Director, terese@kritfc.org or 907-545-5022.
DOI: Kara Moriarty, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the Interior for Alaska Affairs, by email at kara_moriarty@ios.doi.gov or by phone at 907-786-3888 (toll free 800-478-1456).