Interior Proposes Rule Allowing Subsistence Off-Road Vehicle Use in Gates of the Arctic; Comments Due Dec. 18
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service on Oct. 16 announced a proposed rule that would allow qualifying rural residents of Anaktuvuk Pass to use off-road vehicles for lawful subsistence activities in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. The proposed rule will publish in the Federal Register on Oct. 19 (document No. 2026-21300, RIN 1024-AF12), followed by a 60-day public comment period ending at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Dec. 18.
The department said the proposal advances Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum's direction to recognize off-road vehicles as a traditional means of transportation used by Anaktuvuk Pass residents for subsistence purposes under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Burgum said the people of Anaktuvuk Pass have for generations relied on access to Alaska's lands and wildlife to sustain their families and way of life, and that the proposal recognizes traditional transportation methods while maintaining protections for the park's natural resources.
Anaktuvuk Pass is a remote community inside the park and preserve that is not connected to the state road system. Residents used off-road vehicles for subsistence activities before Congress established the park, and the Alaska lands act directs the Secretary to ensure reasonable access to subsistence resources.
Under the proposal, only eligible local rural residents could use off-road vehicles for lawful subsistence activities, and the superintendent could address harmful impacts when necessary to protect park resources and values. The rule applies only to qualifying subsistence use and does not authorize recreational off-road vehicles. Comments may be submitted on Regulations.gov by searching for RIN 1024-AF12, or by mail to the Superintendent, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 101 Dunkel St., Suite 110, Fairbanks, AK 99701.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 北极之门国家公园与保护区布鲁克斯山脉实景（资料图）。Paxson Woelber 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。
