Clarifications for Unit 13 Federal Subsistence - Paxson Closed Area
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GLENNALLEN – A recent, detailed, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land status review has revealed that an additional 29,000 acres of lands in the vicinity of Paxson Lake, Alaska are unencumbered Federal public lands and are therefore open to Federal subsistence hunting. Approximately 1,500 acres of these Federal lands underlay a portion of the approximately 12,000 acre, State of Alaska, Game Management Unit 13, Paxson Closed Area. The Unit 13 Federal subsistence caribou hunt reopens October 21. "It's important that Federal subsistence hunters review the updated map," cautions BLM Glennallen Field Manager, Dennis Teitzel. "Federal subsistence hunters need to understand that the entire Paxson Closed Area isn't open to Federal subsistence. Federal hunters should consult the updated map to ensure they are only hunting on Federal lands within that area." Lands added to the Unit 13 Federal subsistence hunt map within the vicinity of Paxson Lake were once top-filed by the State of Alaska in 1993 and 1994. Through an administrative review process conducted in 1994, 1995, and 2008, it was determined that these were BLM unencumbered lands. The land status change went unnoticed at the field level. “It was an unfortunate oversight,” explains Glennallen Field Manager, Dennis Teitzel. “These lands have actually been Federal unencumbered lands for several years.” The Alaska National Interest Lands Claim Act (ANILCA) defines areas open to Federal subsistence, as Federal unencumbered lands. All of these Federal lands are in Federal Subsistence Unit 13 and, by definitions in ANILCA, are currently open to Unit 13 Federal subsistence users. The U.S. Department of Interior Federal Subsistence Board is responsible for developing and updating Federal subsistence regulations for Federal public lands in Alaska. Any member of the public can submit a proposal to the Federal subsistence board to change current Federal subsistence harvest regulations. Learn how to submit proposals to the Federal Subsistence Board at: www.doi.gov/subsistence/proposal/submit. Federal subsistence hunters are advised to always check for updates to Federal subsistence regulations prior to hunting. Updated maps for Unit 13 Federal subsistence are available at the BLM Glennallen Field Office or online at www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/fo/gdo.html For additional information contact the BLM Glennallen Field Office at (907) 822-3217. |
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.