16 USC 3115 - Local and regional participation

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 3115.

Local and regional participation

(a)

Establishment of subsistence resources regions, local advisory committees, and regional advisory councils; membership, duties, and authority of regional advisory councils

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, the Secretary in consultation with the State shall establish—

(1)

at least six Alaska subsistence resource regions which, taken together, include all public lands. The number and boundaries of the regions shall be sufficient to assure that regional differences in subsistence uses are adequately accommodated;

(2)

such local advisory committees within each region as he finds necessary at such time as he may determine, after notice and hearing, that the existing State fish and game advisory committees do not adequately perform the functions of the local committee system set forth in paragraph (3)(D)(iv) of this subsection; and

(3)

a regional advisory council in each subsistence resource region.

Each regional advisory council shall be composed of residents of the region and shall have the following authority:

(A)

the review and evaluation of proposals for regulations, policies, management plans, and other matters relating to subsistence uses of fish and wildlife within the region;

(B)

the provision of a forum for the expression of opinions and recommendations by persons interested in any matter related to subsistence uses of fish and wildlife within the region;

(C)

the encouragement of local and regional participation pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter in the decisionmaking process affecting the taking of fish and wildlife on the public lands within the region for subsistence uses;

(D)

the preparation of an annual report to the Secretary which shall contain—

(i)

an identification of current and anticipated subsistence uses of fish and wildlife populations within the region;

(ii)

an evaluation of current and anticipated subsistence needs for fish and wildlife populations within the region;

(iii)

a recommended strategy for the management of fish and wildlife populations within the region to accommodate such subsistence uses and needs; and

(iv)

recommendations concerning policies, standards, guidelines, and regulations to implement the strategy. The State fish and game advisory committees or such local advisory committees as the Secretary may establish pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection may provide advice to, and assist, the regional advisory councils in carrying out the functions set forth in this paragraph.

(b)

Assignment of staff and distribution of data

(c)

Consideration of reports and recommendations of regional advisory councils

(d)

Supersedure by enactment and implementation of State laws governing State responsibility; consideration of recommendations by State rulemaking authority

(e)

Reimbursement to State; limitation; report to Congress

(1)

The Secretary shall reimburse the State, from funds appropriated to the Department of the Interior for such purposes, for reasonable costs relating to the establishment and operation of the regional advisory councils established by the State in accordance with subsection (d) and the operation of the State fish and game advisory committees so long as such committees are not superseded by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (a). Such reimbursement may not exceed 50 per centum of such costs in any fiscal year. Such costs shall be verified in a statement which the Secretary determines to be adequate and accurate. Sums paid under this subsection shall be in addition to any grants, payments, or other sums to which the State is entitled from appropriations to the Department of the Interior.

(2)

Total payments to the State under this subsection shall not exceed the sum of $5,000,000 in any one fiscal year. The Secretary shall advise the Congress at least once in every five years as to whether or not the maximum payments specified in this subsection are adequate to ensure the effectiveness of the program established by the State to provide the preference for subsistence uses of fish and wildlife set forth in section 3114 of this title.

(Pub. L. 96–487, title VIII, § 805, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2424; Pub. L. 105–83, title III, § 316(b)(6), (d), Nov. 14, 1997, 111 Stat. 1593, 1595; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(e) [title III, § 339(c)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–231, 2681–296.)

cite as: 16 USC 3115