Public hearings, comment period announced for National Park Service compendiums

DENALI — The National Park Service is re-opening the public comment period — from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15 — on proposed regulations, which include changes to the sport hunting of wildlife in Alaska’s national preserves.

A public hearing pertaining to Denali National Preserve is from 5 to 7 p.m., Jan. 22 at theMurie Science and Learning Center in Denali Park.

A dial-in teleconference is planned from noon to 2 p.m., Jan. 29. To participate, call 888-957-9843 and enter access code 6859267.

The proposed regulation changes also include some non-wildlife provisions, including amending the process used in making closures. None of the proposals restricts federally qualified subsistence hunting and fishing done under the regulations stemming from Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

The changes proposed are part of an update to the compendiums for all National Park Service areas in Alaska. The documents are a compilation of all designations, closures and restrictions adopted under the discretionary authority within the regulations covering national parks. They are a regulatory tool that helps manage Alaska’s national park areas for the public’s enjoyment, use and protection.

Proposed changes include:

· Several national preserves are incorporating temporary wildlife sport hunting restrictions into their compendiums. These are generally identical to provisions in earlier compendiums.

• A prohibition on the use or possession of domestic goats, sheep, llamas, alpacas or related animals, which are sometimes used for packing or as pets. Wildlife biologists have found there is a significant risk of disease transmission from these domestic species to Alaska’s Dall’s sheep, mountain goat and other ungulate populations.

• A prohibition on the use of bicycles in the Valley of 10,000 Smokes in Katmai National Park due to the potential damage of sensitive soils that are home to cyanobacteria, lichens and mosses.

A written copy may be requested directly from the park or the National Park Service, 240 W. 5^th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501, Attn: Compendium.

Each park’s proposed 2015 compendium is available at 1.usa.gov/1b3YpfI. Copies also are available at park offices around the state.

Comments will be accepted by mail or online between Jan. 15 and Feb. 15. Comments received after Feb. 15 will be considered in future compendium revisions. Electronic comments should be submitted by using the link at the website listed above. Email comments will not be accepted.

Participants in these public hearings are also invited to comment on proposed permanent National Park Service regulations, which cover some related sport hunting issues as well as procedural changes for future closures.

The NPS conducted 17 public hearings on the proposed regulations in fall 2014. In response to several requests, the comment period is being re-opened, concurrent with the comment period on the superintendent compendiums.

For more information, visit 1.usa.gov/1G35Acx.