Regional Subsistence Council Reschedules Kotzebue Meeting, Seeks Public Input
The Northwest Arctic Subsistence Regional Advisory Council rescheduled its fall meeting for January 7 and 8, 2026, at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue, with daily starts at 9 a.m. Alaska time. The council will consider time sensitive proposals and closure reviews that can affect subsistence harvest rules across Alaska, and residents are urged to review materials and participate by phone or online.
On December 2 the Northwest Arctic Subsistence Regional Advisory Council announced that its fall meeting, postponed in October, will be held January 7 and 8, 2026 at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue. Sessions will begin at 9 a.m. Alaska time each day. The meeting will focus on time sensitive action items that require council recommendations in advance of Federal Subsistence Board consideration.
Primary agenda items include developing recommendations on federal wildlife proposals and closure reviews, providing comments on the Secretary of the Interior's review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program, and drafting the council's FY2025 Annual Report. Items deemed less critical for immediate action that were originally set for fall 2025 may be deferred to the winter 2026 meeting schedule.
The council's decisions carry practical implications for communities across northern Alaska, including those on the North Slope. Regional advisory councils inform the Federal Subsistence Board on harvest rules, seasonal closures, and access that govern hunting and gathering on federal public lands and waters. Changes arising from closure reviews or adopted proposals can affect subsistence harvest timing, allowable methods, and community food security. The FY2025 Annual Report and comments to the Secretary's review feed into longer term policy priorities for subsistence management and resource allocation.
Public participation is enabled in person and remotely. Teleconference access will be available with a toll free number and a Microsoft Teams link, and a revised agenda with meeting materials will be posted on the Federal Subsistence Management Program regional materials page. The council has provided contact information for requests for accommodations and for obtaining materials, and the public is encouraged to register or contact the listed staff ahead of the meeting to ensure access.
For North Slope residents monitoring potential changes to subsistence regulations, this meeting represents an opportunity to observe deliberations and to submit public testimony. Attending in person or by teleconference will allow community members to register concerns or support for specific proposals before the council finalizes recommendations for federal action.
