May 3, 2018

The Kuskokwim River is ice-free at the headwaters and the ice is broken in Aniak. News of breakup is always exciting. With daylight shining so late into the night now, summer seems so close and it’s fun to think about the possibility of boat rides and fishing!

On Monday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 8, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both days, the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission will be having its Annual Commissioner’s Meeting at the Cultural Center in Bethel.

The first day will consist of discussions among the Commissioners, some alternates and Commission staff,­ on topics such as shared traditional rules, common values and a collective vision for our river, as well as collectively defining common terms and objectives. The plan is that no decisions will be made on the first day.

The second day will be open to all who wish to attend, and will include Commissioner Officer elections, as well as elections for Commission Executive Council representatives from River Units 1, 3, 5 and 7.

As a reminder, these river units currently include the following communities:

Unit 1: Nikolai, Telida, McGrath, Takotna­
Unit 3: Napaimute, Chuathbaluk, Aniak, Upper Kalskag, Lower Kalskag
Unit 5: Bethel
Unit 7: Tuntutuliak, Eek, Kongiganak, Kwigillingok, Chefornak, Kipnuk, Quinhagak

Commissioners will also consider two resolutions. The first resolution proposes increasing the number of in-season managers from three to four. The second resolution proposes that the fourth in-season manager would represent Bethel, Oscarville, Napaskiak and Napakiak during the in-season management meetings. During the second day, Commissioners will also be provided with updates on Tribal Authorizing Resolutions and Fisheries Special Action Requests, as well as, planning for the future.

The Commission’s last newsletter discussed two special action requests that had been filed with the Federal Subsistence Board by the Refuge Manager at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge and by the Native Community of Akiak. Public hearings were held for both special action requests, on March 14, 2018 (for the Refuge’s request), and on April 19, 2018 (for Akiak’s request). The Commission attended both hearings.

The Yukon Delta Regional Advisory Committee is holding a meeting on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss both requests and come up with a recommendation to pass along to the Federal Subsistence Board. If you would like to participate in that meeting telephonically, the call-in information is 1-866-864-5314, passcode 3091862. The Federal Subsistence Board will consider both the Refuge’s and Akiak’s special action requests during its meeting in Anchorage on May 17-18, 2018. Mary Peltola will be attending both the YDRAC meeting and the FSB meeting on behalf of the Commission.

We are looking forward to our annual meeting next week.  We are especially looking forward to what the summer of 2018 holds for us.
 
If you have questions or concerns you would like to share, please reach out to your community’s commissioner or Mary Peltola. 

To read more, visit the May 3, 2018 newsletter.