08.05.16

Sullivan Condemns U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rule That Preempts State Wildlife Management

ANCHORAGE, AK – U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan today condemned a rule from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that would fundamentally alter wildlife management on Alaska’s 77 million acres of national wildlife refuge land.

This rule targets the State of Alaska’s proven, science-based wildlife management strategies that have been subject to rigorous public review and participation. Instead, the Fish and Wildlife Service rule preempts the State’s management authority, a principle that was enshrined in the Alaska Statehood Act, and further protected in the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s rule severely restricts the State of Alaska’s efforts to sustainably manage wildlife and minimizes the participation of Alaskans in future decisions affecting the use of its refuges,” said Senator Sullivan. “Even more alarming, the FWS ignores the intent of federal law and promises made to Alaska at statehood. Plain and simple—this rule reflects a callous attitude toward Alaska’s culture and conservation ethic and threatens the careful balance currently employed to sustainably manage wildlife populations to protect subsistence and recreational opportunities.”

Since its proposal on January 8, 2016, Sen. Sullivan has worked aggressively to derail the rule.

January 20: Senator Sullivan successfully passed an amendment to S. 659, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act, which would prohibit the rule from taking effect.

January 21: The Alaska congressional delegation sent a letter to FWS Director Dan Ashe expressing concerns over the rule, citing that it did not accurately portray or analyze its potential impacts on Alaska and its economy.

Letter: https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/download/delegation-letter012116

February 9: Senator Sullivan, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, chaired an oversight hearing on the proposed rule in his Subcommittee.

May 20: The Alaska congressional delegation sent a letter to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs requesting that they classify the rulemaking as a significant action that would have warranted reconsideration by the agency.

Letter: https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/download/delegation_letter_052016

June 7: Senator Sullivan sent a letter highlighting additional concerns and requested that the proposed rule be withdrawn until they were addressed.

Letter: https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/download/sullivan-letter-to-ashe_060716 

Congressman Young has twice passed an amendment, similar to the amendment first authored by Senator Sullivan to prohibit this rule, through the House of Representatives on a bipartisan vote. That amendment is currently part of the ongoing conference committee negotiations to resolve the differences between the House and Senate-passed energy bills.

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