Legislature(1999 - 2000)
1999-09-22 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1829 SJR 201 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 201 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to subsistence use of renewable natural resources by residents of the state; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. Fiscal notes published today from Department of Fish and Game, Office of the Governor. Governors transmittal letter dated September 22, 1999: 1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1830 SJR 201 Dear President Pearce: On October 1 the federal government will take over management of subsistence fishing on nearly 60 percent of Alaskas rivers and lakes. That date will mark a historic reversal of Alaskas independence. Our state will lose the right to manage a significant portion of the fish and wildlife within its borders, a right that was at the heart of the battle for Alaska Statehood. Today I am once again putting forward the only approach that will prevent this federal takeover--a simple, permissive constitutional amendment to be placed before the voters at the next general election. In the past, the consequences of inaction by the Legislature have been postponed by the action of our Congressional delegation and the Secretary of Interior, but the messages from Washington now are loud and clear: No one is going to bail us out again; there are no more reprieves. Either the Legislature acts to bring the state into compliance with the provisions of ANILCA, or the federal government will expand its current management of game resources on federal lands to include the management of fisheries for subsistence on inland rivers and lakes within and adjacent to federal public lands. The potential impact of fisheries management is far greater than that of game management. Because of the complexity of fishery management, the federal government's reach, under the federal case law principle of extra-territoriality, could well extend to fish now managed by the state in waters distant from federal lands. This joint resolution calls for a vote on a state constitutional amendment to permit a preference to rural residents for subsistence uses of renewable natural resources, a principle a majority of Alaskans support. Subsistence defines the special tie we as Alaskans have to our land. It makes us unique among the 50 states. In rural Alaska, subsistence is the special bond that defines the very essence of the rural way of life. 1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1831 SJR 201 The language of the amendment is similar to what I have proposed in the past and what has been recommended by the Governors Subsistence Task Force and rural legislators. When the amendment is coupled with appropriate statutory changes, it will enable the state to comply with ANILCA, thereby retaining complete management of fish and regaining management of wildlife on all land and water in Alaska. Over the years, we have studied many options for resolving the subsistence issue. Now, we are down to two. We can place a simple, permissive constitutional amendment on the ballot to be decided by Alaskans, or we can relinquish, without a whimper, some of our most precious assets to the heavy hand of federal management. There are no other alternatives. Every public opinion survey says Alaskans want us to act to preserve state sovereignty and the culture of rural residents. As elected leaders, I urge you to demonstrate your faith in Alaskans by allowing a vote on this measure that will avert a federal takeover. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor