Date: January 16, 2014
Contact: Neal Labrie, (907) 246 2127
National Park Service compendiums for Alaska are now open for a 30-day public comment period, from January 15 - February 15. The compendium for Katmai N.P. is a compilation of all designations, closures and restrictions imposed under the discretionary authority within the regulations covering national parks. This regulatory tool helps manage Alaska's national park areas for the public’s enjoyment, use and protection.
There are no proposed changes from the 2013 Katmai Compendium but the public is still invited to share comments or concerns. Park staff will be present to address any regulatory or general questions you may have pertaining to Katmai N.P., Aniakchak N.M., or the Alagnak Wild River. There will be 2 public meetings: February 5, 7:00 pm at the Bristol Bay Borough Assembly Chambers and February 13, 7:00 pm at the new Katmai Administrative Office, located in Building 603 of the King Salmon Air Force Base, across from SAVEC.
The Alaska Region NPS intends to make one procedural change. In previous years, the compendiums have listed temporary restrictions to taking wildlife for sport purposes in national preserves. These restrictions were in response to actions – generally liberalized predator seasons and means -- by the Alaska Board of Game. The NPS earlier this month requested that the Board of Game consider exempting preserves from those provisions which had led to federal restrictions, but that request was denied. The National Park Service anticipates following the federal statutory and regulatory requirements to provide notice and a public hearing later this winter in the affected vicinity of any wildlife restrictions.
A written copy may be requested directly from the park or the National Park Service, 240 W. 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501, Attn: Compendium. Each park's proposed 2014 compendium is available at https://www.nps.gov/akso/management/proposed_compendiums.cfm.
Comments will be accepted by mail or e-mail between January 15 and February 15, 2014. Comments are welcome at any time in addition to this timeframe, but comments received after February 15 will be considered in future compendium revisions.
