The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has published a final rule on the Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, Public Participation, and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska.  The final rule amends regulations for all National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska. The rule was developed in response to public interest and concern about predator control and recent liberalization of predator harvest within the State of Alaska.

The final rule clarifies that predator control is not allowed on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska, unless necessary to meet refuge purposes, federal laws or Service policy, and is based on sound science and in response to a conservation concern. In addition, the rule defines natural diversity and predator control and the process that will be used for considering predator control, prohibits certain methods and means for non-subsistence harvest of predators, and updates the procedures for closing an area or restricting an activity on refuges in Alaska.

The new regulations will become effective on September 6, 2016

For further information, see the links below:

Final Rule and Related Documents
News Release
Final Rule Questions & Answers
Huffington Post blog from Service Director Dan Ashe
Finding of No Significant Impact

Please contact Stephanie Brady at (907) 306-7448 or Carol Damberg at (907)786-3327 for additional information.

Last updated: August 2016