04/28/1999 01:15 PM House RES

SJR 20 - SAVE THE BEAVER IN WASH D.C.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR SANDERS announced that the first item of business would be                                                             
CS for Senate Joint Resolution No. 20(RES), relating to the removal                                                             
of beaver from Washington, D.C.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Number 0090                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MEL KROGSENG, Legislative Assistant to Senator Robin Taylor, Alaska                                                             
State Legislature, came forward on behalf of the sponsor to explain                                                             
the resolution, noting that Senator Taylor was in Washington, D.C.                                                              
She recounted how first one and then three beavers had inhabited                                                                
the tidal basin in Washington, D.C., and were gnawing down "alien                                                               
cherry trees" planted there that were in bloom.  Senator Taylor had                                                             
felt that because these beavers apparently had been eradicated from                                                             
the area some years ago, they should be allowed to inhabit the                                                                  
area.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS. KROGSENG stated, "After all, in Alaska, we've had our timber                                                                
industry shut down to protect various birds, and in other areas of                                                              
the Western states, there have been many projects that have been                                                                
stopped, and people have been removed to protect endangered species                                                             
in those areas."  Acknowledging the somewhat tongue-in-cheek                                                                    
aspect, she said there is a serious situation, where numerous                                                                   
projects have been stopped by the National Park Service.  She                                                                   
concluded, "The feeling is:  If it's good enough for Alaska, then                                                               
it should be good enough for Washington, D.C."                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Number 0259                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE BARNES asked how the beavers may have arrived back.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MS. KROGSENG replied that from the large amount of information                                                                  
obtained from supporters of the resolution, news articles said the                                                              
National Park Service believes the beavers floated down the Potomac                                                             
River on some brush during a flood.  She added that U.S.                                                                        
Representative Helen Chenoweth of Idaho has asked the U.S. Fish and                                                             
Wildlife Service to begin a study of these animals, to determine                                                                
whether this is a unique subspecies that should be placed on the                                                                
endangered species list.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Number 0502                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE recounted a trip to New York City, where he                                                                
witnessed a gay-rights parade attended by people who were                                                                       
thoroughly disgusted.  He had wondered why, if those people were                                                                
really disgusted, they were at the parade.  He suggested the best                                                               
statement of disapproval would have been not being there.  He                                                                   
equated that situation to this resolution.  Noting the important                                                                
issues that need to be addressed, he concluded, "We don't need to                                                               
be here with this."                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Number 0665                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE BARNES agreed there are many important issues.                                                                   
However, she believes it is important to make a point to                                                                        
Washington, D.C., she said, that Alaska has important issues                                                                    
relating to the Endangered Species Act and fish and wildlife, for                                                               
example.  While this is a bit tongue-in-cheek, she believes it does                                                             
really send a message.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Number 0792                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE BARNES made a motion to move CSSJR 20(RES) from the                                                              
committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero                                                                 
fiscal note; she asked unanimous consent.  There being no                                                                       
objection, CSSJR 20(RES) moved from the House Resources Standing                                                                
Committee.