NPS Submits Sweeping Proposed Rule Change

The National Park Service (NPS) submitted a Proposed Rule to the Federal Register, published March 10, that would reverse 2015, 2017, and 2024 Rules enacted for Alaska’s National parks and preserves. In background information provided by NPS, the proposal states, “The combined effect of the [2015 and 2017] changes effectively expanded NPS's authorities to limit harvests administered through State of Alaska, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Federal Subsistence Board regulations.” 

According to NPS, the 2026 Rule would be consistent with the President’s Executive Order “Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential,” which “directed all bureaus in the DOI to ensure to the greatest extent possible that harvest opportunities on Federal lands are consistent with similar opportunities on State lands.” The document also cites petitions from Safari Club International, Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation, and Alaska Professional Hunters Association to reverse all or parts of the 2015 and 2017 Rules. 

The proposed rule would remove the prohibition on bear baiting on national preserve land. 

The definition of trapping would be revised to “taking furbearers under a trapping license.” Currently the definition specifies that an animal must be taken with a trap, but can be shot with a firearm if it is caught in an intact trap, a trap that is no longer anchored, or has broken free of a trap but is “mortally wounded.” The proposed rule would remove the definition of “furbearer,” which currently explicitly lists specific species that can be trapped. 

The 2026 Rule would remove the current prohibition on collecting live wild birds to train for falconry. 

The proposed rule would remove definitions of “animal parts” and “handicrafts,” including removing a statement that “The term [handicraft] does not include a trophy or European mount of horns or antlers.”

Customary trade provisions on several resources would remain unchanged, except that “The exchange of handicrafts or furs for cash to support personal or family needs; and does not include trade which constitutes a significant commercial enterprise,” would be revised to state, “‘Customary trade’ shall be limited to the exchange of furs for cash.”

There are several proposed changes to park superintendents’ emergency closure authority. While currently superintendents must provide a written justification for emergency closures, the 2026 Rule proposes the closures must be made by notice and hearing. This would apply to subsistence and non-subsistence activities. 

Emergency closures, currently limited to 60 days, would be limited to 30 days. They currently can be renewed, but the proposed rule states they would not be subject to renewal.

The 2026 Rule also proposes that a temporary closure would not be effective prior to notice and hearing, and can not exceed 12 months. Longer closures would be required to be submitted to the Federal Register, and follow procedures from there. 

The 2026 rule adds the statement, “The State of Alaska is authorized to regulate the taking of fish and wildlife for subsistence uses within park areas to the extent such regulation is consistent with applicable Federal law, including but not limited to ANILCA,” to park regulations. 

Several other provisions within the proposed rule assert State of Alaska authority. The proposed rule states an explicit requirement for superintendents to consult with state agencies to prohibit or restrict non-subsistence taking of wildlife, not currently stated. 

Similarly, the regulation that “fish may be taken by local rural residents for subsistence uses in park areas where subsistence uses are allowed in compliance with applicable Federal law and regulation…” is proposed to change to “fish may be taken by local rural residents for subsistence uses in park areas where subsistence uses are allowed in compliance with applicable State and Federal law…”

The current regulation stating “local rural residents may hunt and trap wildlife for subsistence uses in park areas where subsistence uses are allowed in compliance with [this section of federal code]” would be reworded to state “Local rural residents may hunt and trap wildlife for subsistence uses in park areas where subsistence uses are allowed in compliance with applicable State and Federal law.”

The history of when activities have been permitted or prohibited, when definitions were created or altered, and when other regulatory provisions were introduced or removed, is outside the scope of this article. However, the background information in the Federal Register does include an extensive, if biased, review of previous rules. 

There are additional changes proposed to national park regulations. These can be reviewed in their entirety in the Federal Register, Volume 91, No. 46, dated Tuesday, March 10, 2026. 

The background section titled, “Consultation with Indian Tribes and ANCSA Corporations,” quotes Ahtna, Inc (Ahtna) as stating in 2015 that the 2015 rule “contains misleading information, [is] difficult to understand and read, and creates mistrust between the public and National Park System,” along with concern for impacts on rural subsistence users. However, there is no indication of a 2025 or 2026 conversation. 

I reached out to Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission (AITRC) and Ahtna, Inc for their opinions on the rules. Spokespersons from both organizations stated they do not yet have a public comment available as of March 30. 

I reached out to McCarthy Road residents on social media to learn more about local sentiment. Long time McCarthy resident Don Welty stated, “Reversing these overreach rules is the right thing to do.”

Comments on the proposed rule must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 9, 2026. 

Comments may be submitted: 

Electronically: Go to https://www.federalregister.gov. In the search box, enter ‘‘1024–AE96’’ Click on the green ‘‘Submit a Public Comment’’ button.

Snail Mail to: National Park Service, Regional Director, Alaska Regional Office, 240 West 5th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501. Comments delivered on external storage devices (flash drives, compact discs, etc.) will not be accepted. 

All submissions received must include the words ‘‘National Park Service’’ or ‘‘NPS’’ and must include the docket number or RIN (1024–AE96) for this rulemaking.