Program Review---Subsistence Management for Public Lands in Alaska

Cristal Nielsen, a member of the Curyung Tribe, supports the preservation of subsistence rights and opposes any actions that would reduce Tribal representation or remove subsistence expertise from the management process. She argues that federal regulations are necessary to protect subsistence priorities and advocates for maintaining flexible emergency authorities and Tribal compacting.

Liz Cravalho, representing NANA Regional Corporation, expresses support for the leadership of the Regional Advisory Council and the relocation of the Office of Subsistence Management. She emphasizes the critical importance of subsistence foods to the cultural identity and survival of the Inupiaq people in Northwest Alaska.

Karen Linnell, representing the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission, supports the current Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) system and advocates for keeping the Office of Subsistence Management (OSM) under the Secretary's office. She emphasizes the importance of local knowledge in management and highlights successful co-management models in Alaska.

Kenneth Jones, a small business owner in Cordova, Alaska, supports the proposed reforms to the Federal Subsistence Board to ensure science-based management and accountability. He argues that current land closures are often used as political tools rather than for conservation, threatening local livelihoods and rural economies.

Dave Rippeto, a retired wildlife law enforcement officer, supports the comments provided by the SCI and Deputy Commissioner Mulligan regarding the Federal Subsistence Management Program. He advocates for science-driven decision-making, a return to the original Federal Subsistence Board structure, and increased enforcement capacity to match the growing number of regulations.