Interior Finalizes Rule Restoring Alaska-Specific Management Framework for National Parks and Preserves

WASHINGTON - The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service today announced a final rule restoring the longstanding Alaska-specific regulatory framework governing wildlife harvest, subsistence-related activities and certain public access procedures in national parks and preserves across Alaska.

The rule restores much of the regulatory framework developed under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 that guided management of Alaska national parks and preserves for more than three decades. The action advances President Donald J. Trump's direction under Executive Order 14153, Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential, and Secretary's Order 3422 of the same name, issued by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.

"For more than three decades, Alaska's national parks and preserves were managed under a framework that recognized Alaska's unique circumstances, respected the State's role in managing fish and wildlife, protected subsistence uses and conserved these remarkable lands and resources,"said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "This final rule restores that commonsense framework and gives Alaskans a stronger voice in decisions affecting the lands, wildlife and traditions they know best, while ensuring the National Park Service continues to protect park resources for future generations."

ANILCA established a management framework for Alaska that differs in important ways from much of the National Park System. The law provides for subsistence uses in certain Alaska park areas and allows sport hunting and trapping in national preserves under applicable state and federal law. The framework also recognizes distinct but complementary responsibilities among the State of Alaska, the Federal Subsistence Management Program and the National Park Service and provides opportunities for local participation in decisions affecting subsistence and other authorized uses.

"ANILCA recognizes that managing national parks and preserves in Alaska requires an approach tailored to the state's unique landscapes, communities and traditions," said Don Striker, Alaska regional director for the National Park Service. "This rule restores a longstanding framework that strengthens local participation and recognizes the State's role in wildlife management while maintaining the National Park Service's responsibility to conserve these extraordinary places for future generations."

The final rule rescinds regulatory changes adopted in 2015, 2017 and 2024 and restores key elements of the longstanding Alaska-specific framework that preceded them. Among other changes, the rule:

• Restores public hearing requirements for certain closures and restrictions affecting fish and wildlife harvest and locally focused notification procedures, including newspaper, radio and post office notices and publicly available maps.
  
• Removes certain restrictions added after 2015 affecting subsistence activities, including requirements associated with the collection of nonedible animal parts for handicrafts and methods used for subsistence bear harvest.
  
• Restores the application of state-authorized wildlife harvest methods in national preserves where consistent with applicable federal law.

The rule does not amend ANILCA or change the federal subsistence priority established under Title VIII. Under ANILCA, qualified rural Alaska residents receive a priority for subsistence uses of fish and wildlife on federal public lands when resources are limited. The Federal Subsistence Management Program continues to administer that priority. The rule also does not diminish National Park Service authority or responsibility to conserve park resources and protect visitors.

The rule maintains distinct but complementary management responsibilities. The State of Alaska continues to manage fish and wildlife except where federal law provides otherwise; the Federal Subsistence Management Program administers the federal subsistence priority on federal public lands; and the National Park Service continues to conserve park resources, protect visitors and manage Alaska park areas consistent with ANILCA and other applicable federal laws.

The National Park Service completed an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The analysis determined that implementation of the rule will not result in significant impacts to the human environment.

The final rule will publish in the Federal Register on Oct. 19, 2026 and will take effect 30 days after publication. To view the final rule once published, visit www.federalregister.gov and search for document #2026-21299.