Alaska calls for less federal control of wildlife management
By DAN JOLING
Associated Press
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Alaska officials are calling for less intrusion into wildlife management by agencies within the U.S Department of the Interior.
Acting Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang in a 41-page memo says federal officials should stop ignoring state comments on managing wildlife on federal lands.
He says the state had repeatedly sought resolutions without success on topics such endangered species, marine mammals and hunting within national wildlife refuges.
Vincent-Lang’s suggestions were strongly criticized by a representative of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.
Rick Steiner says the list could have been compiled by Exxon, the Resource Development Council of Alaska or the Safari Club.
He says the state has litigated many of the issues over the years and lost and now wants the Trump administration and Congress to fix it.