Section 16.05.262 - Establishment of big game guide concession areas(a) The Board of Game shall consider and approve or disapprove a proposal to establish a big game guide concession area that would be administered by the Department of Natural Resources under AS 38.05.022 in a single game management unit or subunit. The board may only establish a big game guide concession area by approving a proposal submitted under this section to do so. A big game guide may conduct a hunt in a concession area established under this section only if the guide holds a big game guide concession area permit issued under AS 38.05.022.(b) A person may submit a proposal to the Board of Game for the establishment of a big game guide concession area. After providing 15 days' public notice, the board may consider the proposal at the board's next regular meeting in the region where the big game guide concession area is proposed.(c) After taking public comment, the Board of Game, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Game, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Big Game Commercial Services Board established under AS 08.54.591, may approve a proposal to establish a big game guide concession area if the board determines that establishing the area(1) supports the conservation and management of the state's land and big game resources;(2) aids in the enforcement of state statutes and regulations relating to guided hunts for big game; and(3) is in the public interest.(d) If the Board of Game approves the establishment of a big game guide concession area under this section, the board shall determine the number of full big game guide concession area permits and limited big game guide concession area permits that the Department of Natural Resources shall make available under AS 38.05.022. To determine the number of full big game guide concession area permits and limited big game guide concession area permits that should be issued for a big game guide concession area and the specific authorizations that should attach to each concession permit authorized for the area, the Board of Game(1) may establish advisory boards composed of representatives of the state departments and boards listed in (c) of this section who are familiar with the area and interested members of the public to assist the board in making the determination;(2) may not (A) combine more than three existing guide use areas into a single big game guide concession area;(B) establish more than one big game guide concession area in a single guide use area.(e) In this section,(1) "full big game guide concession area permit" has the meaning given in AS 38.05.022(j);(2) "game management unit" has the meaning given in AS 08.54.790;(3) "guide use area" has the meaning given in AS 08.54.750(g);(4) "limited big game guide concession area permit" has the meaning given in AS 38.05.022(j).Added by SLA 2024, ch. 15,sec. 4, eff. 7/23/2024.