NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO ADOPT THE WILLOW MOUNTAIN CRITICAL HABITAT AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the adoption of the Willow Mountain Critical Habitat Area (CHA) Management Plan and associated regulations, including the following:

(1)        5 AAC 95.640 is proposed to be changed as follows: Adopting, by reference, the Goals and Policies contained in the Willow Mountain Critical Habitat Area Management Plan, April 2022. These Goals and Policies guide ADF&G land use management activities in the Willow Mountain CHA, primarily by providing more specific guidance for the existing Special Area Permitting process. The goals of the management plan address management for moose and other wildlife habitat, public access and use to the CHA, and government management and research activities. The policies provide guidance to evaluating potential habitat effects of the following land use activities: Compatibility with management goals, Access, Motorized Vehicle Use, Recreational Activities, Camping, Structures, Resource Extraction, Fuel and Hazardous Materials Storage, Trails, Roads and Airstrips, Utility Lines, Water Quality, Habitat Enhancement, Fire Management, and Information and Education.

(2)        5 AAC 95.642 is proposed to be changed as follows: In addition to adopting the Management Plan Goals and Policies, ADF&G also proposes to adopt individual regulations specifically addressing Off-Road Vehicle Use, Aircraft Access, Construction and Use of Structures, Camping, Mining, and Fuel Storage and Hazardous Materials Disposal within the Willow Mountain CHA. These regulations restate selected Policies of the Management Plan in a manner that can be easily interpreted by the public and law enforcement.

You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at: Tammy Massie, 333 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99518-1565. Additionally, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will accept comments by facsimile at 907-267-2499 and by electronic mail at dfg.hab.specialarea@alaska.gov . Comments may also be submitted through the Alaska Online Public Notice System by accessing this notice on the system and using the comment link below. The comments must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on June 30, 2022.

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Tammy Massie at dfg.hab.specialarea@alaska.gov or 333 Raspberry Rd., Anchorage, AK 99518-1565. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game may aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Tammy Massie at tammy.massie@alaska.gov or 907-267-2122 not later than June 20, 2022 to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided.

A copy of the proposed regulation changes and a copy of material proposed for adoption by reference are available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Tammy Massie at tammy.massie@alaska.gov or 907-267-2122 or at 333 Raspberry Rd., Anchorage, AK 99518-1565.

After the public comment period ends, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.

Statutory authority:  AS 16.05.020; AS 16.05.050, AS 16.20.500; AS 16.20.520; AS 16.20.530, AS 16.20.620

Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific:  AS 16.20.620

Fiscal information: The proposed regulation change is not expected to require an increased appropriation.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Section keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Section notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Section at 333 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99518-1565, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.