Forest Service Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule Concerning Subsistence Management Regulations
What: On January 21, 2025, the Interior Department’s Forest Service (FS) published a proposed rule that will establish regulations for hunting and trapping seasons, harvest limits, and methods and means related to taking of wildlife for subsistence uses during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 regulatory years. The proposed rule would replace the existing subsistence wildlife-taking regulations. The proposed rule would also amend the general regulations on subsistence taking of fish and wildlife.
Why: The proposed rule states the Federal Subsistence Board (“the Board”) is on a schedule of completing the process of revising subsistence taking of wildlife regulations in even-numbered years and subsistence taking of fish and shellfish regulations in odd-numbered years. The Board also addresses customary and traditional use determinations during the applicable cycle.
FS stated the proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because the resources to be harvested under this proposed rule are already being harvested and consumed by the local harvester and do not result in an additional dollar benefit to, or impact on the economy.
The Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils (“the Councils”) will receive comments and make proposals to change the proposed rule during public meetings held between February 18, 2025, and April 2, 2025. The Councils will hold another round of public meetings to discuss and receive comments on the proposals and make recommendations on the proposals to the Board on several dates between September 16, 2025, and October 30, 2025. The Board will discuss and evaluate proposed regulatory changes during a public meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, in April 2026.
Action: Comments and proposals to change this proposed rule must be received or postmarked by April 4, 2025.
Is your small business or entity being negatively impacted by a proposed rule? If yes, write a comment letter to the proposing agency.
PROPOSED RULE:
CONTACT:
Shanerika Flemings
EMAIL:
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