FACACLASSIC

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DOI - 556 - National Park Service Subsistence Resource Commission-Kobuk Valley National Park - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	National Park Service Subsistence Resource Commission-Kobuk Valley National Park	Agency Name	Department of the Interior
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	556
Original Establishment Date	12/2/1980	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.nps.gov/kova/learn/management/subsi...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	9
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Superintendent, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Shared Beringian Heritage Program & Acting-Superintendent Western Arctic National Parklands
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix
Current Charter Date	9/25/2023	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Emily
Date Of Renewal Charter	9/25/2025	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Creek
Exempt From Renewal*	Yes	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority	P.L. 96-487	Designated Federal Officer Phone*	907-412-0229
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	(907) 442-8316
Specific Establishment Authority*	P.L. 96-487	Designated Federal Officer Email*	emily_creek@nps.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	12/2/1980
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Non Scientific Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Subsistence Resource Commission for Kobuk Valley National Park is a forum that promotes effective communication and mutual understanding of subsistence uses and related cultural resources. The Commission consults with every appropriate local advisory committee and regional council for comment and input on draft hunting plan recommendations. In addition to the advisory committee and regional council consultation process directed by P.L. 96-487 (the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act), the Commission is required to hold public meetings in all areas affected by the subsistence hunting program.
How is membership balanced?*	Membership, as prescribed by the Commission's enabling legislation, consists of nine members as follows: (a) three members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior; (b) three members appointed by the Governor of Alaska; and (c) three members appointed by the regional council, as established by the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 805 of P.L. 96-487. The members include a range of individuals having personal knowledge of the region's subsistence conditions, and having an interest in Federal subsistence management.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The Commission generally meets twice a year, or as often as circumstances require. Commission recommendations are vitally important on matters relating to the taking of wildlife within the park and are the foundation for the development and review of the subsistence hunting program. Commission meetings provided an opportunity for Commission members, National Park Service staff, other agency staff, and the public to share information on subsistence issues.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The Subsistence Resource Commission for Kobuk Valley National Park has been established by the Congress to devise and recommend to the Secretary of the Interior and the Governor of Alaska a program for subsistence hunting within Kobuk Valley National Park. The Commission's unique insight on local customary and traditional patterns of subsistence use within the park has been important in developing workable subsistence hunting plan recommendations. The Commission’s recommendations will help the NPS to ensure the continuation of the opportunity for local rural residents to engage in the subsistence use of resources in Kobuk Valley National Park. The NPS has adopted the following mission statement to guide its activities. Subsistence will be managed as a legislated use consistent with the provisions of ANILCA, the Organic Act of 1916, and NPS policy to:•protect the opportunity for qualified local rural residents to continue traditional subsistence activities;•recognize that subsistence ways of life differ from region to region and are continuing to evolve, and where appropriate, park management practices may reflect regional diversity and evolution;•promote local involvement and participation in processes associated with subsistence management;•ensure that management practices involving the utilization of public lands adequately consider the potential for restriction of subsistence uses and impacts upon subsistence resources;•ensure that management of park resources is consistent with the conservation of unimpaired ecosystems and natural and healthy populations of fish and wildlife, incorporating scientific data and principles with traditional knowledge and cultural values; and •promote effective communication and mutual understanding of subsistence uses and related cultural and social values, and park purposes and protection, between the NPS, subsistence users, the State of Alaska and the public.
Why close or partially close meetings?	All meetings are open to the public. During each meeting time is allocated for public testimony. The public is welcome to present written or oral comments to the Commission.
Recommendation Remarks	The Kobuk Valley Subsistence Resource Commission met twice during fiscal year 2025. The meetings were held on Oct 9-10, 2024, in Kotzebue, Alaska and via teleconference, and on February 26, 2025, in Kotzebue, Alaska and via teleconference. Quorum was met for both meetings.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	No	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	No	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	Not Applicable
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	The Commission and National Park Service are working together to address concerns for management of wildlife populations within the national park. During FY 2025, the Commission members gave reports from their local areas at each meeting, approved meeting minutes, discussed and provided recommendations to various projects, agencies provided updates, and the Commission discussed appointments and the need to fill SRC seats: Enoch Mitchell had stepped down leaving 2 vacant seats one SOI seat which is in the process of being filled. A new member is being expected to be on-boarded in spring. Previous chair, Shield Downey Jr. who passed away in March was awarded the Eileen Devinney Award.	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	Not Applicable	Grants Review Comment	Not Applicable
Number Of Recommendations*	30	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	The Commission made 8 recommendations in FY25: • Contact Henry Horner to join SRC. • Incorporate traditional knowledge into bear survey. • Keep doing wolf research. It is highly important, and people want to participate. • Reach out to Aqqaluk trust about Maniilaq culture camp cooperative agreement funds available for fuel, they support a lot of the Kobuk River camps. • Improve communication on caribou regulations to all communities. Use larger maps for wildlife survey discussions. • Voted to amend the federal ptarmigan season to align with the state season: from Aug 10-April 30 to Aug 10-June 15. • Adopted on a draft proposal written but not voted on by CAKR SRC. Asked SRC Coordinator to submit the proposal and bring it to NWARAC. • SRC recommends for leniency on regulations as people hunt for their food. Food security is a big concern. Lack of food at village stores and difficulty with SNAPs benefits. Additionally, the SRC has concern over cow harvest. It is difficult to balance the need for food with conservation in these times.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	60.00%	Access Committee Website	No
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	The park is working to implement recommendations and comments made to regulatory proposals were forwarded to the relevant Board.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	40.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	The park continues to work on implementing recommendations.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	Not Applicable
Agency Feedback Comment*	NPS officials will provide oral or written briefings or status reports during meetings of the Commission.	Narrative Description*	The Subsistence Resource Commission for Kobuk Valley National Park was established by Congress to devise and recommend to the Secretary of the Interior and the Governor of Alaska a program for subsistence hunting within Kobuk Valley National Park. The Commission's unique insight on local customary and traditional patterns of subsistence use within the park has been important in developing workable subsistence hunting plan recommendations. The Commission’s recommendations help the NPS to ensure the continuation of the opportunity for local rural residents to engage in the subsistence use of resources in Kobuk Valley National Park. The NPS has adopted the following mission statement to guide its activities. Subsistence will be managed as a legislated use consistent with the provisions of ANILCA, the Organic Act of 1916, and NPS policy to:•protect the opportunity for qualified local rural residents to continue traditional subsistence activities;•recognize that subsistence ways of life differ from region to region and are continuing to evolve, and where appropriate, park management practices may reflect regional diversity and evolution;•promote local involvement and participation in processes associated with subsistence management;•ensure that management practices involving the utilization of public lands adequately consider the potential for restriction of subsistence uses and impacts upon subsistence resources;•ensure that management of park resources is consistent with the conservation of unimpaired ecosystems and natural and healthy populations of fish and wildlife, incorporating scientific data and principles with traditional knowledge and cultural values; and•promote effective communication and mutual understanding of subsistence uses and related cultural and social values, and park purposes and protection, between the NPS, subsistence users, the State of Alaska and the public.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*	$0.00	1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*	$0.00
2. Payments to Federal Members*	$0.00	2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*	$0.00
3. Payments to Federal Staff*	$13,367.99	3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*	$13,769.03
4. Payments to Consultants*	$0.00	4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*	$0.00
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*	$6,716.43	5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*	$6,917.92
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*	$0.00	6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*	$0.00
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*	$3,309.13	7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*	$3,408.40
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*	$0.00	8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*	$0.00
10. Other Costs	$0.00	10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*	$0.00
11. Total Costs	$23,636.98	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$24,346.08
Date Cost Last Modified	9/12/2025 6:32 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*	0.20
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*	0.20	Est Cost Remarks	The estimated costs for the next FY are calculated based on the standard 3% inflation rate.
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Animals Fish and Wildlife Environment Environmental Issues Land National Parks, Sites, Trails, Recreational Areas Monuments

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