News Release

Federal Subsistence Fishing on the Upper Copper River Opens May 15; Permitting Process Adapted Due to Covid-19

Date: April 29, 2020
Contact: Jan Maslen, 9078227206

Copper Center, AK. Federal subsistence fishing in both the Glennallen and Chitina Subdistricts of the Upper Copper River opens on May 15. This fishing opportunity is available to qualified local rural residents, and a federal permit is required. The permit is a household permit, and only one permit will be issued per household for a given subdistrict.

Due to ongoing public health advisories and staffing delays related to Covid-19, the park offices and visitor contact stations are currently closed to the public, and the permitting process has been adapted to ensure the safety of permit applicants and park staff.

For those who can provide copies of documents verifying their status as local rural residents by mail, fax, or secure email, permits will be distributed by mail. Two forms of documentation must be provided. One demonstrating Alaska residency, such as a driver’s license or state photo ID, and one listing the physical address of your primary residence. Documentation of physical address can include a voter registration card, a recent utility bill listing your physical address, or a mortgage or rental receipt.

Copies of these documents can be mailed to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Attention: Subsistence Permits, PO Box 439, Copper Center, Alaska 99573; faxed to 907-822-5237, or emailed to [e-mail]. Please also include a good daytime phone number with your submission.

For those who are not able to provide documentation of eligibility by mail, fax or email, permits will be available by appointment ONLY starting May 13. Appointments will be available Monday through Friday during regular business hours (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Appointments may be made by calling one of the following offices:
•Copper Center Visitor Center: 822-7250;
•Chitina Ranger Station: 822-7250;
•Slana Ranger Station: 822-7401;
• Kennecott-McCarthy area: 205-7631; and
• Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters (Tok): 505-9096 or 505-0858.

Please bring the documents described above with you when you come to apply.
Permit applicants must be federally qualified subsistence users. To be eligible for a permit, your primary permanent residence must be in rural Alaska and your community must be listed in the “Customary & Traditional Use Determination” (C&T) column of the Federal Subsistence Management Regulations Booklet for the Harvest of Fish and Shellfish for the intended species and location.

For more information, contact the park Visitor Center in Copper Center at [phone].