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Organizations/U.S. Federal Government/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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Federal agency managing 16 wildlife refuges covering 76 million acres of Alaska — Yukon Delta, Arctic, Kanuti, Tetlin, Izembek — and enforcing the Endangered Species Act statewide.

fws.gov ↗

5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041

Video Clips

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0:44

Shelley Capito

“Several years ago, my staff began holding monthly calls with the services staff at the Elkins field office because of delays with the consultation processes for critical projects. As a result of these calls, progress has been made, and many of these projects have started moving forward. But now, under your leadership, Director Nesvik, there are significantly fewer projects facing delays”

Senate Environment and Public Works (Sullivan): Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2027 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. · Jun 10, 2026

0:44

Shelley Capito

“I was pleased to see that the Service is requesting an increase in funding for energy project reviews, including the development and use of programmatic tools to automate ESA compliance. Known as the Information for Planning and Consultation System, or IPAC. IPAC has been a game changer in our state for our projects, dramatically cutting down the timeframes for Section 7 consultations.”

Senate Environment and Public Works (Sullivan): Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2027 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. · Jun 10, 2026

0:40

Speaker C

“The FY27 budget proposes an increase of $5.1 million for ESA Section 7 consultations for energy projects. With this funding, the service will be able to accelerate the review of priority energy projects, and we anticipate being able to reduce consultation timeframes from 30 to 14 days. The budget also reflects a commitment to the recovery of listed species. We are requesting a $2.6 million increase for work to support the development of recovery plans, 5-year status reviews, and rulemakings.”

Senate Environment and Public Works (Sullivan): Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2027 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. · Jun 10, 2026

0:38

Whitehouse

“Your IPAC database helps developers quickly determine if a project could affect a protected species. IPAC has received bipartisan praise, but in July of last year, you banned wind and solar projects from using the online IPAC system. Who does that help? Developers can once again access the system, but that thanks to a court order.”

Senate Environment and Public Works (Sullivan): Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2027 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. · Jun 10, 2026

0:42

Shelley Capito

“do I have your commitment to work with the Office of Surface Mining, state regulators including West Virginia's EPA, and the mining industry on a path forward that allows ESA consultations to take place in an efficient manner and avoid unnecessary delays in the permitting process after this court decision?”

Senate Environment and Public Works (Sullivan): Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2027 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. · Jun 10, 2026

0:56

Speaker C

“specific to the ranking member's questions regarding clean energy projects, you know, I think that that folks are aware that this administration directed a review process for all energy projects, and part of that review process included initially a prohibition from those particular energy proponents from being able to submit their projects. That's— those reviews are ongoing, and I don't have much more on that.”

Senate Environment and Public Works (Sullivan): Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2027 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. · Jun 10, 2026

Sunday, June 28, 2026Sun, Jun 28, 2026

Federal migratory bird subsistence rules take effect across Alaska

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized revised migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations for Alaska on June 23, 2026, setting species-specific seasons and regional boundaries developed with Alaska Native representatives and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3d ago2 min readAI
Alaska
Cover image for article: Federal migratory bird subsistence rules take effect across Alaska
Saturday, June 27, 2026Sat, Jun 27, 2026

A quiet change to how Alaska's bird seasons get set

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is moving migratory bird season rulemaking from annual to every three years — a change felt sharply in Alaska's subsistence hunt.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews4d ago2 min readAI
Cover image for article: A quiet change to how Alaska's bird seasons get set
Sunday, June 28, 2026Sun, Jun 28, 2026

How Kodiak lives safely among the world's biggest bears

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge staff are holding a free Bear Awareness and Safety Q&A at the Kodiak Farmer's Market today, Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. AKDT, with hands-on bear spray practice for residents and visitors.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3d ago2 min readAI
Kodiak, Alaska
Cover image for article: How Kodiak lives safely among the world's biggest bears
Thursday, June 25, 2026Thu, Jun 25, 2026

Sullivan's Bycatch Bill Wades Into Alaska's Hardest Fish Fight

Sen. Sullivan introduced a sweeping trawl bycatch bill amid Western Alaska salmon collapses — though NOAA science attributes the river declines mainly to ocean warming.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews5d ago3 min readAI
Alaska
Cover image for article: Sullivan's Bycatch Bill Wades Into Alaska's Hardest Fish Fight
Saturday, June 27, 2026Sat, Jun 27, 2026

A new cruise terminal could rise in a humpback whale feeding ground near Juneau

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking public comment on proposed incidental harassment authorizations that would allow Turnagain Marine Construction to disturb 10 species of marine mammals while driving 465 pilings on Douglas Island for a new cruise terminal. Comments are due 30 days after the June 29 Federal Register publication.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3d ago2 min readAI
Douglas Island, Alaska
Cover image for article: A new cruise terminal could rise in a humpback whale feeding ground near Juneau
Tuesday, June 23, 2026Tue, Jun 23, 2026

Federal rule renames Alaska subsistence bird-harvest region as Ahtna Territory

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a 2026 rule renaming the Upper Copper River subsistence bird-harvest region as the Ahtna Territory and aligning seasonal harvest dates across Game Management Units 11, 12, and 13.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min readAI
Copper River, Alaska
Cover image for article: Federal rule renames Alaska subsistence bird-harvest region as Ahtna Territory
Tuesday, June 23, 2026Tue, Jun 23, 2026

Federal managers close Yukon, Innoko gillnets to protect Chinook and chum

Federal subsistence managers have closed all gillnets in Yukon Fishing District 3 and the Innoko River drainage through early July 2026 to protect Chinook and summer chum salmon runs, while allowing selective gear for other species.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min readAI
Yukon River, Alaska
Cover image for article: Federal managers close Yukon, Innoko gillnets to protect Chinook and chum
Wednesday, June 17, 2026Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Smokejumpers and the Chena Hotshots are protecting Native allotments from the Canyon Fire

An Alaska fire that would normally be left to burn drew smokejumpers and the Chena Hotshots — because two Native allotments are in its path

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 1w ago2 min readAI
Rampart, Alaska
Cover image for article: Smokejumpers and the Chena Hotshots are protecting Native allotments from the Canyon Fire
Wednesday, June 10, 2026Wed, Jun 10, 2026

A federal expansion of hunting and fishing access on national wildlife refuges would land most heavily in Alaska

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the largest expansion of hunting and fishing access in agency history in May, opening or expanding more than 1,450 opportunities across 32 states including Alaska's National Wildlife Refuges. Director Brian Nesvik told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Wednesday the proposal reflects the Trump administration's commitment to American hunters and anglers.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News2w ago2 min readAI
Alaska
Cover image for article: A federal expansion of hunting and fishing access on national wildlife refuges would land most heavily in Alaska
Wednesday, June 10, 2026Wed, Jun 10, 2026

Fish and Wildlife Service seeks $5M to cut energy permit times in half

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asked Congress Wednesday for $5.1 million to speed up endangered species consultations for energy projects from 30 to 14 days, directly affecting Alaska oil, gas, and mining permit timelines.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News2w ago2 min readAI
Alaska
Cover image for article: Fish and Wildlife Service seeks $5M to cut energy permit times in half
Thursday, June 11, 2026Thu, Jun 11, 2026

Fairbanks landowners can claim 50% reimbursement for salmon habitat

ADF&G is accepting proposals through July 14 for a cost-share program that reimburses up to half the cost of streambank rehabilitation projects in the Tanana Watershed, with limited funds available on a competitive basis.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
Fairbanks
Cover image for article: Fairbanks landowners can claim 50% reimbursement for salmon habitat
Wednesday, June 10, 2026Wed, Jun 10, 2026

Fish and Wildlife lost quarter of staff, faces questions on refuge management

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has lost roughly **1,800 employees**, about a quarter of its workforce, including **530 biologists** and over 100 regional senior staff. Director Brian Nesvik told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Wednesday that some refuges now have no staff working on the ground, though he said that does not necessarily mean they are closed to public use.

Alaska Newsby Alaska News2w ago2 min readAI
Alaska
Cover image for article: Fish and Wildlife lost quarter of staff, faces questions on refuge management