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Alaska: Final Rule: Predator Control Restricted on Alaska National Wildlife Refuges - In response to public interest and concern about predator harvest on national wildlife refuges across Alaska, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a final rule to clarify that predator control is not allowed on national wildlife refuges in the state unless based on sound science and in response to a conservation concern or is necessary to meet refuge purposes, federal laws or Service policy.

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge: Brown bear and cubs
Photo credit: LISA HUPP/USFWS

In addition, the rule defines the process that will be used for considering predator control, prohibits certain methods and means for non-subsistence harvest of predators, and updates the procedures for closing an area or restricting an activity on refuges in Alaska.

“Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuges are incredible landscapes with wildlife populations that support subsistence traditions and recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing,” said USF&W Service Director Dan Ashe. “The Service manages these refuges to conserve species and preserve biodiversity and environmental health for the continuing benefit of present and future generations of all Americans, while balancing the need to provide sport and subsistence hunting opportunities. Consistent with existing law and agency policy, sustainable harvest of fish and wildlife, including predators, remains a priority public use on national wildlife refuges in Alaska.”

Under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), all refuges in Alaska are mandated to provide the opportunity for continued subsistence use by rural Alaska residents in a manner consistent with the conservation of natural diversity. The final rule will not change federal subsistence regulations or restrict taking of fish or wildlife under them.

The state of Alaska regulates general hunting and trapping of wildlife, including on national wildlife refuges.

“Whenever possible, we prefer to defer to the state of Alaska on regulation of general hunting and trapping of wildlife on national wildlife refuges unless by doing so we are out of compliance with federal law and policy,” Ashe continued. “This regulation ensures we comply with our mandates and obligations.”

The rule will help facilitate the ability of the USF&W Service to maintain sustainable populations of bears, wolves and coyotes throughout national wildlife refuges across Alaska and will ensure a consistent and transparent approach to management of predators.

Today in a prepared statement from Kenai, Alaska Congressman Don Young (R-AK) condemned the final rule regarding wildlife management practices upon federal refuges within the State of Alaska.

“Make no mistake – the size, scope and impact of this rule is enormous,” said Young. “With over 76.8 million acres of wildlife refuges in Alaska – an area equaling the size of New Mexico – this unilateral power grab fundamentally alters Alaska’s authority to manage wildlife across all areas of our state. Not only does this rule undermine promises made in the Alaska Statehood Compact, it violates the law by ignoring provisions Senator Stevens and I secured within the Alaska National Interest Lands Claims Act (ANILCA) to protect Alaska’s sovereignty and management authority. This newest attempt to exert federal authority over Alaska has not gone unchallenged and I will continue to work every angle in Congress to strike this rule, and a similar proposal by the National Park Service, from the federal register. If this rule is allowed to stand, we could see an opening for future jurisdictional takings by the federal government – transforming a cooperative relationship between Alaska and the Fish and Wildlife Service to one of servitude.”

Alaska’s national wildlife refuges encompass some of the largest and most remote wildlife habitats remaining in the United States. These vast areas are ideal for wide-ranging and large animals like wolves and bears.

According to a statement on the Defenders of Wildlife's website's blog, "Anti-wildlife representatives in Congress and Alaska’s state government have been fighting this rule since it was first proposed in January, and will surely continue to do so. We commend the Fish and Wildlife Service for finalizing this important rule, which upholds bedrock environmental laws like the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act and the Wilderness Act. This action sends a clear message that science, not politics, governs our public lands." - More...
Wednesday PM - August 03, 2016

Alaska: 15 Year Old Wins Prestigious Made in Alaska’s Manufacturer of the Year Award - At a presentation at the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s Monday Forum, Grayson Davey became the youngest winner of the Made in Alaska’s Manufacturer of the Year Award. The award, presented annually by the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, highlights the importance of the statewide manufacturing sector.

“Alaska Paracord Designs is an excellent example how innovation and hard work can manifest into a successful small business,” said Chris Hladick, commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. “Grayson is an inspiring young entrepreneur. His company contributes to our economy and puts Alaskans to work. We are proud to honor Alaska Paracord Designs with this award.”

Grayson started Alaska Paracord Designs in 2013 at the age of 11 when family friends were stranded for days after their boat overturned on a local river. Grayson took note when they reflected on the ordeal saying, “if we only had something with us to start a fire.” Grayson took a paracord bracelet design that he already knew and integrated fire making and survival tools into it - Alaska Paracord Designs was born. - More...
Wednesday PM - August 03, 2016

Alaska: New study offers important insight into emerging freelancer industry - In recent years, a trend toward flexible, non-traditional work has enticed an increasing amount of the country’s workforce. A recent study commissioned by the Alaska Division of Economic Development suggests that Alaska’s workforce is no exception to this trend. The report offers insights into factors that foster a vibrant freelancer industry and the impact of the emerging industry in Alaska.

The study suggests that each dollar earned by a freelancer generates an additional $0.67 in gross sales to other businesses and $0.33 in profits, wages and indirect taxes. One-third of Alaska freelancers surveyed said their business has grown within the last year and 80 percent expect their business to remain stable or even grow in the year to come.

“With uncertainty surrounding Alaska’s economic future and state spending reduced due to the plunge in oil prices, this type of economic resiliency is even more important for our state,” said Chris Hladick, commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. - More...
Wednesday PM - August 03, 2016

Southeast Alaska: Sex Offender Sentenced To Life Imprisonment; Twice Convicted Child Molester Produced Child Pornography While on Parole - A resident of Juneau was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to life imprisonment for production of child pornography.

Thomas Schopp, 52, had two prior convictions in state court for child molestation. In those case, Schopp was identified as Thomas Hiser. On January 29, 1988, Schopp (Hiser) was convicted of six counts of sexual assault in the first degree and was sentenced to five years in prison. On May 17, 1993, Schopp (Hiser) was convicted of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, three counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, and one count of attempted sexual abuse in the third degree, and was sentenced to 26 years in prison.

According to documents filed in this case and arguments made at Monday’s sentencing hearing, Schopp met Juvenile A, providing the minor with gifts over the course of several months, to include a cell phone. In February 2014, Schopp invited Juvenile A to his residence. At the residence, Schopp videotaped the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. - More...
Wednesday PM - August 03, 2016