[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 168 (Friday, August 29, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45723-45727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22751]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

36 CFR Part 242

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 50 CFR Part 100

RIN 1018-AD90


Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska, 
Subpart C and Subpart D--1997-1998 Subsistence Taking of Fish and 
Wildlife Regulations; Correcting Amendments

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Correcting amendments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: These corrections amend the Subsistence Management Regulations 
for Public Lands in Alaska (50 CFR part 100 and 36 CFR part 242, 
published in the Federal Register on May 29, 1997 (62 FR 29016)) 
implementing the subsistence priority for rural residents of Alaska 
under Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act 
of 1980.

DATES: The amendments to Section ____.24 are effective July 1, 1997. 
The amendments to Section ____.25 are effective July 1, 1997, through 
June 30, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas H. Boyd, Office of Subsistence 
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, 
Anchorage, Alaska 99503; telephone (907) 786-3888. For questions 
specific to National Forest System lands, contact Ken Thompson, 
Regional Subsistence Program Manager, USDA--Forest Service, Alaska 
Region, P.O. Box 21628, Juneau, Alaska 99802-1628; telephone (907) 586-
7921.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Title VIII of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act 
(ANILCA) (16 U.S.C. 3111-3126) requires that the Secretary of the 
Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretaries) implement a 
joint program to grant a preference for subsistence uses of fish and 
wildlife resources on public lands, unless the State of Alaska enacts 
and implements laws of general applicability which are consistent with 
ANILCA, and which provide for the subsistence definition, preference, 
and participation specified in sections 803, 804, and 805 of ANILCA. 
The State implemented a program that the Department of the Interior 
previously found to be consistent with ANILCA. However, in December 
1989, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled in McDowell v. State of Alaska 
that the rural preference in the State subsistence statute violated the 
Alaska Constitution. The Court's ruling in McDowell required the State 
to delete the rural preference from the subsistence statute, and 
therefore, negated State compliance with ANILCA. The Court stayed the 
effect of the decision until July 1, 1990.
    As a result of the McDowell decision, the Department of the 
Interior and the Department of Agriculture (Departments) assumed, on 
July 1, 1990, responsibility for implementation of Title VIII of ANILCA 
on public lands. On June 29, 1990, the Temporary Subsistence Management 
Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska were published in the Federal 
Register (55 FR 27114-27170). Consistent with subparts A, B, and C of 
these regulations, a Federal Subsistence Board was established to 
administer the Federal subsistence management program. The Board's 
composition includes a Chair appointed by the Secretary of the Interior 
with concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture; the Alaska Regional 
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the Alaska Regional Director, 
U.S. National Park Service; the Alaska State Director, U.S. Bureau of 
Land Management; the Alaska Area Director, U.S. Bureau of Indian 
Affairs; and the Alaska Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service. Through 
the Board, these agencies have participated in development of 
regulations for subparts A, B, and C, and the annual Subpart D 
regulations. All Board members have reviewed this rule and agree with 
its substance. Because this rule relates to public lands managed by an 
agency or agencies in both the Departments of Agriculture and the 
Interior, identical text would be incorporated into 36 CFR part 242 and 
50 CFR part 100.
    Proposed Subpart C regulations for customary and traditional use 
determinations and subpart D regulations for the 1997-1998 seasons and 
bag limits, and methods and means were published on August 7, 1996, in 
the Federal Register (61 FR 41060). A 60-day comment period providing 
for public review of the proposed rule was advertised by mail, radio, 
and newspaper. Subsequent to that 60-day review period, the Board 
prepared a booklet describing all proposals for change. The public then 
had an additional 30 days in which to comment on the proposals for 
changes to the regulations. The Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory 
Councils met in regional centers, received public comments, and 
formulated recommendations to the Board on proposals for their 
respective regions. The final regulations, published on May 29, 1997 
(62 FR 29016) reflect Board review and consideration of Regional 
Council recommendations and public comments submitted to the Board 
during their April/May meeting.
    These correcting amendments are a result of requests for Special 
Action as a result of resource concerns, a need for clearer wording in 
one section, errors in printing of the Federal Register document, and 
an error in the document as submitted to the Federal Register. Below 
are summaries of each action.

Subpart C

    Unit 11, remainder--Sheep--Dot Lake was incorrectly included.
    Unit 12, remainder--Moose; Unit 12--Sheep; and Unit 12--Wolf--The 
determinations for these three areas were scrambled in the printing 
process.
    Unit 26(C)--Sheep--Anaktuvuk Pass was added by Board Special 
Action.

Subpart D

    Units 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 20, and 25--Lynx--The Board acted on a 
request from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) to open the 
trapping season in Unit 15(A) and to lengthen the season in Units 6, 7, 
11, 12, 13, 15, 20, and 25. This follows the Board's previous agreement 
to follow a harvest tracking strategy where possible. The strategy 
calls for shortening or closing trapping seasons when lynx numbers are 
low and lengthening or opening seasons when lynx are abundant. The 
Regional Councils for the affected areas supported this action to 
additional

[[Page 45724]]

harvest of the lynx populations in those Units.
    Unit 10, Unimak Island--Caribou--The Board acted on a request from 
the local residents to open a limited hunt on Unimak Island. This 
follows biological surveys which indicate that the herd in this area is 
large enough to support a limited harvest.
    Units 22 and 23--Muskox--The regulations have been clarified to 
specify the number of permits that will be issued rather than the 
percentage of harvest that will be allowed.
    Units 24 and 26--Sheep--These sections have been rewritten to 
clarify the harvest regime for Anaktuvuk Pass.
    Only the items described above are being changed; but for clarity, 
the entire table section for the pertinent species in each Unit is 
reproduced. The above actions were supported by the Regional Councils 
in the affected areas. Notice of the Board meeting and the subjects to 
be considered were widely circulated and the public had an opportunity 
to comment and participate.
    The Board finds that additional public notice and comment 
requirements under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) for this 
final rule are impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public 
interest. A lapse in regulatory control could seriously affect the 
continued viability of wildlife populations, adversely impact future 
subsistence opportunities for rural Alaskans, and would generally fail 
to serve the overall public interest. Therefore, the Board finds good 
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive the public notice and 
comment procedures prior to publication of this rule. The Board finds 
good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to make this rule effective July 1, 
1997.

Conformance With Statutory and Regulatory Authorities

National Environmental Policy Act Compliance

    A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that described four 
alternatives for developing a Federal Subsistence Management Program 
was distributed for public comment on October 7, 1991. That document 
described the major issues associated with Federal subsistence 
management as identified through public meetings, written comments and 
staff analysis and examined the environmental consequences of the four 
alternatives. Proposed regulations (subparts A, B, and C) that would 
implement the preferred alternative were included in the DEIS as an 
appendix. The DEIS and the proposed administrative regulations 
presented a framework for an annual regulatory cycle regarding 
subsistence hunting and fishing regulations (Subpart D). The Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was published on February 28, 
1992.
    Based on the public comment received, the analysis contained in the 
FEIS, and the recommendations of the Federal Subsistence Board and the 
Department of the Interior's Subsistence Policy Group, it was the 
decision of the Secretary of the Interior, with the concurrence of the 
Secretary of Agriculture, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture-
Forest Service, to implement Alternative IV as identified in the DEIS 
and FEIS (Record of Decision on Subsistence Management for Federal 
Public Lands in Alaska (ROD), signed April 6, 1992). The DEIS and the 
selected alternative in the FEIS defined the administrative framework 
of an annual regulatory cycle for subsistence hunting and fishing 
regulations. The final rule for Subsistence Management Regulations for 
Public Lands in Alaska, Subparts A, B, and C (57 FR 22940-22964, 
published May 29, 1992) implemented the Federal Subsistence Management 
Program and included a framework for an annual cycle for subsistence 
hunting and fishing regulations.

Compliance With Section 810 of ANILCA

    The intent of all Federal subsistence regulations is to accord 
subsistence uses of fish and wildlife on public lands a priority over 
the taking of fish and wildlife on such lands for other purposes, 
unless restriction is necessary to conserve healthy fish and wildlife 
populations. A Section 810 analysis was completed as part of the FEIS 
process. The final Section 810 analysis determination appears in the 
April 6, 1992, ROD which found that the Federal Subsistence Management 
Program, under a modified Alternative IV with an annual process for 
setting hunting and fishing regulations, had no significant possibility 
of a significant restriction of subsistence uses.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    These rules contain information collection requirements subject to 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. They apply to the use of public lands in Alaska. 
The information collection requirements described below have been 
approved by OMB under 44 U.S.C. 3501 and have been assigned clearance 
number 1018-0075, which expires 5/31/2000.
    The collection of information will be achieved through the use of 
the Federal Subsistence Hunt Permit Application. This collection 
information will establish whether the applicant qualifies to 
participate in a Federal subsistence hunt on public land in Alaska and 
will provide a report of harvest and location of harvest.
    The likely respondents to this collection of information are rural 
Alaska residents who wish to participate in specific subsistence hunts 
on Federal land. The collected information is necessary to determine 
harvest success and harvest location in order to make management 
decisions relative to the conservation of healthy wildlife populations. 
The annual burden of reporting and recordkeeping is estimated to 
average 0.25 hours per response, including time for reviewing 
instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and 
reviewing the form. The estimated number of likely respondents under 
this rule is less than 5,000, yielding a total annual reporting and 
recordkeeping burden of 1,250 hours or less.
    Direct comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this 
form to: Information Collection Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 1849 C Street, NW, MS 224 ARLSQ, Washington, D.C. 20240; and 
the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 
(Subsistence), Washington, D.C. 20503. Additional information 
collection requirements may be imposed if Local Advisory Committees 
subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act are established under 
Subpart B.

Economic Effects

    This rule was not subject to OMB review under Executive Order 
12866. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
requires preparation of flexibility analyses for rules that will have a 
significant effect on a substantial number of small entities, which 
include small businesses, organizations or governmental jurisdictions. 
The Departments have determined that this rulemaking will not have a 
significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities 
within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    This rulemaking will impose no significant costs on small entities; 
the exact number of businesses and the amount of trade that will result 
from this Federal land-related activity is unknown. The aggregate 
effect is an insignificant positive economic effect on a number of 
small entities, such as ammunition, snowmachine, and gasoline dealers. 
The number of small

[[Page 45725]]

entities affected is unknown; but, the fact that the positive effects 
will be seasonal in nature and will, in most cases, merely continue 
preexisting uses of public lands indicates that they will not be 
significant.
    In general, the resources harvested under this rule will be 
consumed by the local harvester and do not result in a dollar benefit 
to the economy. However, it is estimated that 2 million pounds of meat 
are harvested State-wide by the local subsistence users annually and, 
if given a dollar value of $3.00 per pound, would equate to $6 million 
State wide.
    Title VIII of ANILCA requires the Secretaries to administer a 
subsistence preference on public lands. The scope of this program is 
limited by definition to certain public lands. Likewise, these 
regulations have no potential takings of private property implications 
as defined by Executive Order 12630.
    The Service has determined and certifies pursuant to the Unfunded 
Mandates Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this rulemaking will not 
impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or 
state governments or private entities.
    The Service has determined that these final regulations meet the 
applicable standards provided in Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive 
Order 12988.
    Drafting Information. These regulations were drafted by William 
Knauer under the guidance of Thomas H. Boyd, of the Office of 
Subsistence Management, Alaska Regional Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Anchorage, Alaska. Additional guidance was provided by Peggy 
Fox, Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management; Sandy Rabinowitch, 
Alaska Regional Office, National Park Service; Ida Hildebrand, Alaska 
Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs; and Ken Thompson, USDA--Forest 
Service.

List of Subjects

36 CFR Part 242

    Administrative practice and procedure, Alaska, Fish, National 
forests, Public lands, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Wildlife.

50 CFR Part 100

    Administrative practice and procedure, Alaska, Fish, Public lands, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Subsistence, Wildlife.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, Title 36, Part 242, and 
Title 50, Part 100, of the Code of Federal Regulations, are amended as 
set forth below.

PART ____--SUBSISTENCE MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC LANDS IN 
ALASKA

    1. The authority citation for both 36 CFR part 242 and 50 CFR part 
100 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3, 472, 551, 668dd, 3101-3126; 18 U.S.C. 
3551-3586; 43 U.S.C. 1733.

    2. Section ____.24(a)(1) is amended in the table by removing the 
entry for ``Unit 11, remainder, Sheep'' and adding a new entry in its 
place to read as follows:


Sec. ____.24  Customary and traditional use determinations.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Area                         Species                               Determination                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 *            *            *            *            *            *            *                
11, remainder..................  Sheep......................  Residents of the communities and areas of Chisana,
                                                               Chistochina, Chitina, Copper Center, Gakona,     
                                                               Glennallen, Gulkana, Kenny Lake, Mentasta Lake,  
                                                               Slana, McCarthy/South Wrangell/South Park,       
                                                               Tazlina and Tonsina; residents along the Tok     
                                                               Cutoff--Milepost 79-110 (Mentasta Pass),         
                                                               residents along the Nabesna Road--               
                 *            *            *            *            *            *            *                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    3. Section ____.24(a)(1) is amended in the table by removing the 
entries for ``Unit 12, remainder, Moose,'' ``Unit 12, Sheep,'' and 
``Unit 12, Wolf'' and adding three new entries in their place to read 
as follows:
    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Area                         Species                               Determination                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 *            *            *            *            *            *            *                
12, remainder..................  Moose......................  Residents of Unit 12 and residents of Dot Lake and
                                                               Mentasta Lake.                                   
12.............................  Sheep......................  Residents of Unit 12 and residents of Chistochina 
                                                               and Mentasta Lake.                               
12.............................  Wolf.......................  Residents of Units 6, 9, 10 (Unimak Island only), 
                                                               11-13 and the residents of Chickaloon and 16-26. 
                 *            *            *            *            *            *            *                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    4. Section ____.24(a)(1) is amended in the table by removing the 
entry for ``Unit 26(C), Sheep,'' and adding a new entry in its place to 
read as follows:
    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Area                         Species                               Determination                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
                                                        *                                                       
26(C)..........................  Sheep......................  Residents of Unit 26, Anaktuvuk Pass, Arctic      
                                                               Village, Chalkytsik, Fort Yukon, Point Hope, and 
                                                               Venetie.                                         
                 *            *            *            *            *            *            *                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    5. Section ____.25(k)(6)(iii) is amended in the table under 
``Trapping'' by revising the entry for Lynx to read as follows:


Sec. ____.25  Subsistence taking of wildlife.

* * * * *
    (k) * * *

[[Page 45726]]

    (6) * * *
    (iii) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                Trapping                                                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
Lynx:                                                                   
  No limit.............................  Jan. 1-Feb. 15.                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    6. Section ____.25(k)(7)(iii) is amended in the table under 
``Trapping'' by revising the entry for Lynx to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (7) * * *
    (iii) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                Trapping                                                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
Lynx:                                                                   
  No limit.............................  Jan. 1-Feb. 15.                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    7. Section ____.25(k)(10)(ii) is amended in the table under 
``Hunting'' by revising the entry for ``Caribou'' to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (10) * * *
    (ii) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                Hunting                                                 
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
Caribou:                                                                
  Unit 10--Unimak Island only. 1 bull    Aug. 10-Mar. 31.               
   by Federal registration permit only.                                 
  Remainder of Unit 10--No limit.......  July 1-June 30.                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    8. Section ____.25(k)(11)(i) is amended in the table under 
``Trapping'' by revising the entry for ``Lynx'' to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (11) * * *
    (i) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                Trapping                                                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
Lynx:                                                                   
  No limit.............................  Dec. 1-Feb. 15.                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    9. Section ____.25(k)(12)(i) is amended in the table under 
``Trapping'' by revising the entry for ``Lynx'' to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (12) * * *
    (i) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                Trapping                                                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
Lynx:                                                                   
  No limit.............................  Dec. 1-Feb. 15.                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    10. Section ____.25(k)(13)(iii) is amended in the table under 
``Trapping'' by revising the entry for ``Lynx'' to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (13) * * *
    (iii) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                Trapping                                                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
Lynx:                                                                   
  No limit.............................  Dec. 1-Feb. 15.                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    11. Section ____.25(k)(15)(iii) is amended in the table under 
``Trapping'' by revising the entry for Lynx to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (15) * * *
    (iii) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                Trapping                                                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
Lynx:                                                                   
  No limit.............................  Jan. 1-Feb. 15.                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    12. Section ____.25(k)(20)(iii) is amended in the table under 
``Trapping'' by revising the entry for Lynx to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (20) * * *
    (iii) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                Trapping                                                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
Lynx:                                                                   
  Unit 20(A), (B), (D), (E), and (C)     Dec. 1-Feb. 15.                
   east of the Teklanika River--No                                      
   limit.                                                               
  Unit 20(F) and the remainder of        Nov. 1-Feb. 28.                
   20(C)--No limit.                                                     
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    13. Section ____.25(k)(22)(ii) is amended in the table under 
``Hunting'' by revising the entry for Muskox to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (22) * * *
    (ii) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                *         *         *         *         *               
                Hunting                                                 
               *         *         *           *         *              
Muskox:                                                                 
  Unit 22(D) and (E)--1 bull by Federal  Sept. 1-Jan. 31.               
   registration permit only. Federal                                    
   public lands are closed to the                                       
   taking of muskox except by Federally-                                
   qualified subsistence users. The                                     
   hunt in Unit 22(D) will be closed                                    
   when 8 bulls (one-half from National                                 
   Park Service lands and one-half from                                 
   Bureau of Land Management lands)                                     
   have been taken. The hunt in Unit                                    
   22(E) will be closed when 9 bulls                                    
   have been taken.                                                     
  Remainder of Unit 22.................  No open season.                
                *         *         *         *         *               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    14. Section ____.25(k)(23)(iii) is amended in the table under 
``Hunting'' by revising the entry for Muskox to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (23) * * *
    (iii) * * *

[[Page 45727]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                *         *         *         *         *               
                Hunting                                                 
                *         *         *         *         *               
Muskox:                                                                 
  Unit 23 South of Kotzebue Sound and    Sept. 1-Jan. 31.               
   west of and including the Buckland                                   
   River drainage--1 bull by Federal                                    
   registration permit only. Federal                                    
   public lands are closed to the                                       
   taking of muskox except by Federally-                                
   qualified subsistence users. The                                     
   hunt will be closed when 6 bulls                                     
   have been taken.                                                     
  Remainder of Unit 23.................  No open season.                
                *         *         *         *         *               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    15. Section ____.25(k)(24)(iii) is amended in the table under 
``Hunting'' by revising the entry for Sheep to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (24) * * *
    (iii) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                *         *         *         *         *               
                Hunting                                                 
                *         *         *         *         *               
Sheep:                                                                  
  Unit 24 (Anaktuvuk Pass residents      July 15-Dec. 31.               
   only)--that portion within the Gates                                 
   of the Arctic National Park--                                        
   community harvest quota of 60 sheep,                                 
   no more than 10 of which may be ewes                                 
   and a daily possession limit of 3                                    
   sheep per person no more than 1 of                                   
   which may be a ewe.                                                  
  Unit 24 (excluding Anaktuvuk Pass      Aug. 1-Apr. 30.                
   residents)--that portion within the                                  
   Gates of the Arctic National Park--3                                 
   sheep.                                                               
  Unit 24--that portion within the       Aug. 10-Sept. 20.              
   Dalton Highway Corridor Management                                   
   Area; except, Gates of the Arctic                                    
   National Park--1 ram with \7/8\ curl                                 
   horn or larger by Federal                                            
   registration permit only.                                            
  Remainder of Unit 24--1 ram with \7/   Aug. 10-Sept. 20.              
   8\ curl horn or larger.                                              
                *         *         *         *         *               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    16. Section ____.25(k)(25)(iii) is amended in the table under 
``Trapping'' by revising the entry for Lynx to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (25) * * *
    (iii) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                Trapping                                                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
Lynx:                                                                   
  No limit.............................  Nov. 1-Feb. 28.                
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    17. Section ____.25(k)(26)(iii) is amended in the table under 
``Hunting'' by revising the entry for Sheep to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (26) * * *
    (iii) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Harvest limits                        Open season          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                Hunting                                                 
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
Sheep:                                                                  
  26 (A) and (B) (Anaktuvuk Pass         July 15-Dec. 31.               
   residents only)--those portions                                      
   within the Gates of the Arctic                                       
   National Park--community harvest                                     
   quota of 60 sheep, no more than 10                                   
   of which may be ewes and a daily                                     
   possession limit of 3 sheep per                                      
   person no more than 1 of which may                                   
   be a ewe.                                                            
  Unit 26(A) (excluding Anaktuvuk Pass   Aug. 1-Apr. 30.                
   residents)--that portion within the                                  
   Gates of the Arctic National Park--3                                 
   sheep.                                                               
  Unit 26(A)--that portion west of       No open season.                
   Howard Pass and the Etivluk River.                                   
  Unit 26(B)--that portion within the    Aug. 10-Sept. 20.              
   Dalton Highway Corridor Management                                   
   Area--1 ram with \7/8\ curl horn or                                  
   larger by Federal registration                                       
   permit only.                                                         
  Remainder of Units 26 (A) and (B)--    Aug. 10-Sept. 20.              
   including the Gates of the Arctic                                    
   National Preserve--1 ram with \7/8\                                  
   curl horn or larger.                                                 
  Unit 26(C)--3 sheep per regulatory     Aug. 10-Sept. 20.              
   year; the Aug. 10-Sept. 20 season is  Oct. 1-Apr. 30.                
   restricted to 1 ram with \7/8\ curl                                  
   horn or larger. A Federal                                            
   registration permit is required for                                  
   the Oct. 1-Apr. 30 season.                                           
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    Dated: August 14, 1997.
Thomas H. Boyd,
Acting Chair, Federal Subsistence Board.
    Dated: August 18, 1997.
James A. Caplan,
Acting Regional Forester, USDA--Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 97-22751 Filed 8-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P, 4310-55-P