Sitkas Rural Status

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Sitkas Rural Status

• An Overview of the Issue

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Whats at stake right now?
All residents of Sitka are at risk of losing
their subsistence priority to fish and wildlife
on federal public lands and waters
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Whats at stake in the long run?

• Subsistence halibut rights governed by the North
  Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC)
• Subsistence rights under state law to herring,
  herring eggs, sockeye, other salmon, sea
  cucumbers, cockles, and clams

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What can you do to help?

• Federal Subsistence Board is accepting public
  comment
• Oral Hearing in Sitka at the Community House
  OCTOBER 10 1-5 and 7-10 pm.
• Oral Comment in Anchorage December 12-13
• Written Comments accepted through 10/27/06

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What should I comment about?

• The Federal Subsistence Board wants to hear about
  Sitkas characteristics that make it rural
• Use of fish and wildlife
• Local economy
• Employment
• Education
• Community infrastructure

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Comments about Fish Wildlife

• Sitka is rural because I rely heavily on the
  harvesting of fish and wildlife from the land and
  water around Sitka. I harvest ___ of my diet
  or ____ amount of wildlife and fish for my family
  or friends that live in Sitka.

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Comments about the economy

• I cannot find adequate work in Sitka.
• My income does not cover the cost of necessary
  living expenses in Sitka. Be specific about cost
  of gas, food, and availability of stores.

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Comments about community infrastructure

• The cost of electricity, garbage pick-up,
  telephone service, cable television and other
  governmental services are high compared to my
  income.
• Because Sitka is physically isolated from any
  other community, the availability of government
  services is limited.

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Comments about Transportation

• Because Sitka is an isolated community located on
  an island outside the mainstream, our ferry
  service is terrible.
• We may have ferry and airplane service, but it is
  not reliable.

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Comments about education

• Sitka may have 7 schools, but enrollment in these
  schools has dropped since 1990.
• The variety of educational opportunities in Sitka
  is limited.

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In your comments be sure to address

• Your use of fish and wildlife on federal public
  lands (deer, goat, salmon)
• How Sitka feels rural to you (including how Sitka
  is different from urban areas in Alaska)
• How Sitkas rural character has not changed since
  1990

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Important issues about comments

• Talk to the five community characteristics the
  FSB uses in determining rural status.
• Everyones comment is important. Even if you and
  your neighbor say the same thing, all comments
  should be submitted.
• Using the form is good, but personalizing your
  comments in your own way is better.

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What are STA and the City doing in support of
Sitkas rural status?

• The Sitka Assembly adopted a resolution in August
  supporting Sitkas rural status.
• STA is developing detailed comments with data to
  submit to FSB
• STA will hold committee meetings to assist people
  with providing comment between now and the end of
  the comment period.

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For more information

• Contact Jessica Perkins or Helen Dangel Lorrigan
  at Sitka Tribe of Alaska 747-3207 or
  jperkins_at_sitkatribe.org hdangel_at_sitkatribe.org.