ANCHORAGE -- The Federal Subsistence Board has rejected six Requests for Reconsideration of the final rule that made changes to the rural or nonrural status of several Alaska communities and areas.

The Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2007. The Board received requests for reconsideration on the rule from the State of Alaska, the Alaska Outdoor Council, the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, Alaska Fly Fishers, Ketchikan Indian Community, and the Organized Village of Saxman and City of Saxman.

The first step in the review of a Request for Reconsideration is a threshold analysis to evaluate whether any of the claims in the request meet the criteria for reconsideration. The Board will accept a Request for Reconsideration only if it is based upon information not previously considered by the Board; demonstrates that the existing information used by the Board is incorrect; or demonstrates that the Board’s interpretation of information, applicable law, or regulation is in error or contrary to existing law. The Board found that none of the six requests met the criteria for reconsideration.

The requests and the analyses and recommendations used by the Board in reaching its decisions can be found under the “Issues in Depth” section of the Federal Subsistence Management Program Website. For more information, contact Maureen Clark at (907) 786-3953.