This document is scheduled to be published in the
Federal Register on 10/02/2017 and available online at
https://federalregister.gov/d/2017-21124, and on FDsys.gov

Billing Code 4333-15

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 36
[Docket No. FWS–R7–NWRS–2017–0058; FF07R00000 178 FXRS12610700000]
Refuge-Specific Regulation; Public Use; Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Regulatory review.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) intends to initiate a rulemaking
process that will consider changes to public use regulations that are applicable to Kenai National
Wildlife Refuge and that were promulgated on May 5, 2016.
DATES: [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
ADDRESSES: The final rule that is the subject of this document may be found at
www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS–R7–NWRS–2017–0058.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Mollnow, Division of Natural
Resources Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System–Alaska, 1011 E Tudor Road, Anchorage,
AK 99503; telephone: (907) 786–3326; facsimile: (907) 786–3901; email:
ryan_mollnow@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 5, 2016, the FWS published a final rule to
amend its regulations in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in part 36 regarding
public use of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (81 FR 27030). The final rule became effective on
June 6, 2016. The provisions of the final rule:

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 (1) amended regulations regarding use of aircraft, motorboats, motorized vehicles, and
snowmobiles;
(2) codified historic restrictions on hunting and trapping within the Skilak Wildlife
Recreation Area (WRA) consistent with the 2007 Skilak WRA final revised management plan;
(3) expanded a prohibition on the discharge of firearms to include areas of intensive
public use along the Russian and Kenai Rivers;
(4) clarified the intent of existing regulations that require a special use permit for hunting
black bears over bait by specifying that only the take of black bears is authorized under this
requirement;
(5) amended regulations associated with camping, use of public use cabins, and public
use facilities;
(6) established permanent regulations for managing wildlife attractants in the Russian
River Special Management Area to reduce potential for human–bear conflicts; and
(7) established regulations allowing for noncommercial gathering of edible wild foods
and shed antlers.
The FWS intends to initiate a rulemaking process that will consider changes to the May
5, 2016, final rule (81 FR 27030) that was codified at 50 CFR part 36. Throughout this process,
the FWS will consider the purposes of Secretarial Order 3347 (“Conservation Stewardship and
Outdoor Recreation”): Enhanced conservation stewardship, increased opportunities for outdoor
recreation, including hunting and fishing, for all Americans, and improved management of game
species and their habitat. The FWS will also identify ways to improve cooperation, consultation,
and communication with State of Alaska wildlife managers regarding recreational hunting and
fishing.

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 At this time, the FWS is not accepting comments on the upcoming rulemaking process.
When we publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register, the FWS will comply with all
applicable laws governing the rulemaking process, including the requirement under 5 U.S.C. 553
to provide an opportunity for public comment on any proposed regulatory changes.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 460k et seq., 668dd–668ee, 3101 et seq.

______________________________________________
Todd Willens
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2017-21124 Filed: 9/29/2017 8:45 am; Publication Date: 10/2/2017]

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