|
Existing mountain goat closures extended on Baranof Island in Unit 4
SITKA, AK, September 19, 2013–The Sitka District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is taking action to extend the existing Federal mountain goat hunting closures on Baranof Island in Unit 4. The Blue Lake, Medvejie Lake, South Fork Katlian River and Nakwasina River watersheds and the Redoubt-Necker Bay zone will remain closed to mountain goat hunting through the remainder of the 2013 season which ends December 31. Continued mountain goat harvest in these areas would be detrimental to the long term conservation of the mountain goat population.
A public hearing to discuss the 2013 Baranof Island Mountain Goat Management Plan was held on September 16, 2013 in Sitka, Alaska. The ability to teleconference was provided so residents of other affected communities could participate. Members of the public who attended were not opposed to conserving mountain goats on Baranof Island through closures guided by the 2013 management plan. The 2013 management plan is similar to the 2012 plan with distinct male and female guideline harvest levels by zones on Baranof Island. Nanny harvest is more restrictive than billy harvest when applied to the guideline harvest levels. As harvest levels in each of the zones are reached, those zones will be closed to mountain goat harvest.
The remainder of Baranof Island will remain open for goat hunting with the exception of the closure of the Blue Lake, Medvejie Lake, South Fork Katlian River and Nakwasina River watersheds and the Redoubt-Necker Bay zone.
A map and description of the closed areas are available from the Sitka Ranger District Office and the Sitka area office of ADF&G. Information on Federal subsistence management special actions for the Tongass National Forest can be found at http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/tongass/news-events. For additional information, contact the Sitka Ranger District. Justin Koller (Subsistence Biologist) may be reached by phone at 907-747-4297 or e-mail at jpkoller@xxxxxxxxx. Perry Edwards (Staff Leader) may be reached by phone at 907-747-4220 or e-mail at pedwards@xxxxxxxxx.
Information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program can be found at http://www.doi.gov/subsistence
-end-
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately. |
