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Sitka Assembly urges federal decision-makers to preserve local input in subsistence management
Summary
The Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Interior and Agriculture secretaries to retain local representation and traditional knowledge in federal subsistence management, responding to a Safari Club petition that would reduce public seats and alter regional advisory council criteria.
The Assembly voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2026-03, urging federal agencies to preserve regional representation and local knowledge in the federal subsistence management program.
Sponsor remarks and public testimony cited concerns about a petition to revise the federal subsistence board’s composition and the criteria for regional advisory councils. The petition — the subject of a current federal scoping/comment period — would remove public seats from the federal subsistence board and change who qualifies to serve on regional advisory councils, sponsors said.
Paula M. Marino, speaking as a Tlingit community member, thanked the Assembly and asked for strong support to protect subsistence practices and rights, saying the resolution is "very well written" and urging unanimous backing. Multiple community members, including representatives of tribal organizations and former tribal leadership, urged the Assembly to press for continued recognition of local knowledge and subsistence priorities. One commenter suggested coordinating resolutions or MOUs with tribal governments to strengthen the message.
Sponsor remarks noted a February 13 comment deadline for the federal scoping period and urged residents to weigh in locally. The Assembly’s resolution stresses maintaining local seats, continuing deference to regional advisory councils and protecting subsistence users’ voices in federal rulemaking.
What’s next: staff and sponsors will monitor the federal scoping period and coordinate with tribal and municipal partners for any joint comments or parallel resolutions.
