Legislature(2013 - 2014)BARNES 124
03/14/2014 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
HB202 | |
HB207 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= | SB 138 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+= | HB 207 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 202 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 202-BISON DRAWING PERMIT FEES 1:06:12 PM CO-CHAIR SADDLER announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 202, "An Act raising the application fee for a drawing permit for the hunting of bison to $20; requiring the game management plan for bison in the Delta Junction Bison Range Area to include mitigation of bison damage to farm crops and farm and personal property; and authorizing the commissioner of natural resources to make grants to mitigate or prevent damage caused by bison." [Before the committee was Version P.] 1:06:49 PM CO-CHAIR FEIGE stated HB 202 intends to solve a problem that has existed in the Delta community since the 1950s. The bison herd was introduced in the 1920s and has grown significantly since the Delta barley project was started in the early 1980s, in part, due to Alaska Department of Fish & Game's excellent game management. He reported one unintended consequence is that bison work their way into the barley fields just prior to the crop being harvested. CO-CHAIR FEIGE said the only economic way to prevent bison from going onto the crop fields is to construct sturdy high fences, which are expensive and costly. Hunters enjoy the benefits of hunting the bison and significant interest exists in harvesting bison in the limited permits issued each year. CO-CHAIR FEIGE said he would like to raise revenue for the state that does not conflict with the federal funds that the state receives from for fish and game purposes. Under the bill, the additional revenue raised would allow the DNR to make grants not exceeding the revenues from hunting fees and could augment the existing soil and water conservation district's program that has gradually been fencing off barley fields for farmers in the Delta area. He offered his belief that HB 202 represents a suitable compromise between the user groups - the [Delta Bison Working Group] and the group [hunting or viewing the bison]. 1:10:32 PM REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON asked how often these bison stampede and whether a fence will stop a stampede. DOUG VINCENT-LANG, Director, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), answered that it is probably more an exception than the norm for the bison as they tend to ramble; however, he acknowledged it does occur. MICHAEL PASCHALL, Staff, Representative Eric Feige, Alaska State Legislature, replied that he has not heard of a significant stampede in the nine years that he has lived in Delta Junction. He explained the bison have a "laid back" demeanor so it takes a lot of effort to get them moving. He agreed that a fence would not stop stampeding bison nor would most structures. In response to a question, he anticipated that the grant program would be ongoing until the grants were no longer needed. He didn't think hunting fees will be reduced since the funds can be put to good use through the ADF&G funds and the federal match. 1:13:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON, referring to Version P, asked whether the $20 increase in fees is under AS 16 and goes to the fish and game fund. He noted the requirement under page 2 of Version P [in Section 3] would amend AS 38.05, which means the commissioner of DNR is not obligated to carry out these provisions unless an inter-agency transfer from ADF&G occurs. MR. PASCHALL answered yes; but specified the fee transfer is not being required to be done through a reciprocal services agreement. He clarified that the commissioner of DNR would make the arrangement to obtain the funds through appropriation. MR. PASCHALL clarified the [Delta Bison Working Group] process has been ongoing for several years. He pointed out that the bill represents the recommendations the working group made. These recommendations were in the management plan that recently went to the Board of Game for approval, but it does require legislative action. 1:15:46 PM CO-CHAIR SADDLER inquired as to the [Delta Bison] working group membership. MR. PASCHALL responded that he didn't specifically recall who the members were but most are people from the community, including representatives from agriculture, tourism, hunting, and a local business owner. He characterized the working group as a fairly-well represented group, although the farmers are also hunters so everyone had a hunting interest. 1:16:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI referred to page 1, Version P, to language deleted, "[BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO]" and asked for further clarification. MR. PASCHALL answered that is a drafting procedure that he has observed in other bills so "must include" has been used. REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER recalled that when the revisor's bill was previously brought before the floor that as previously described "[BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO]" had been the standard in the drafting manual. REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI referred to page 2, line 4, Version P, to paragraph (4), which read, "preventing bison damage to farm crops and farm and personal property." He asked for further clarification on what could be included besides fencing and if moving animals or culling animal populations would also be included. MR. PASCHALL believed any of the aforementioned items could be included. He said the management of the bison range is limited to the bison range, which he recalled was about 40,000 acres. Although it isn't all state-owned land, the major purpose of creating the bison range was to prevent damage by holding bison south of the highway prior to the harvest season. 1:19:02 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI asked whether the free-ranging bison are controlled since these bison can go through fences. MR. PASCHALL answered that the working group recommended fencing as the only option, noting that 200 animals would not be stopped by anything short of thick concrete or steel walls. The original intent was to maintain a free-ranging bison herd and the recommendation in the fish and game management plan was to fence in the farms to keep bison out. He acknowledged bison have the ability to run through fences, but he characterized it as an exception, a very rare exception. REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI asked whether this management is the standard provision for animal herds outside the Delta Bison Range. Since there are lots of free-ranging animal herds in Alaska, he asked whether it is the policy to compensate other private landowners. He pointed out moose live in Creamer's Field [Migratory Waterfowl Refuge] but they sneak out and eat pumpkins from landowners. He wondered if this policy is limited to the bison herds or if it applies to other species. MR. PASCHALL deferred to ADF&G, but said it is a policy question as to whether landowners should be compensated. He said that these bison were introduced for recreational hunting so people are receiving compensation for economic harm caused by them. He highlighted another example would be expenditures the state makes to eradicate northern pike which were been brought into Alaska, but found to harm other fish. 1:22:20 PM CO-CHAIR FEIGE indicated the sponsor's intent is that this is a specific mitigation measure in a specific area for commercial agriculture. [The following exchange is verbatim.] REPRESENTATIVE TARR: One email we had received from the Salcha- Delta Soil and Water Conservation District talking about their bison fencing program and that they oppose the bill, which is kind of a surprise to me. But I'm just wondering do you see this as a compliment to what they might be doing and give it a little umph because they'll be additional dollars available. CO-CHAIR SADDLER: Representative Tarr, could you clarify which letter that is? REPRESENTATIVE TARR: It's the one from Donald Quarberg. ... I received it and every member of this committee is copied on this email and it just has a picture attached of their bison fencing program. But I'm not sure it made it into the packet, it is in our email. ... wanted to just have your thoughts on that; it seems like this could be a great compliment to it because there would be additional resources available, and so I was surprised by that. MR. PASCHALL: Representative Tarr, through the chair, if I could ask one question back to clarify for the answer and that is: you're assuming that Don Quarberg represents the soil and water district? REPRESENTATIVE TARR: Through the chair, thank you. ... I had received two emails from him. In the first email he did show some connection to that organization and maybe that was not accurate, so I would appreciate any clarification on that too. MR. PASCHALL: Representative Tarr, through the chair. Don Quarberg used to be the extension agent and used to be the soil conservation agent for the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] USDA and left those positions numerous years ago. And since that time has been a very vocal opponent to agriculture in the area and he's also a very ... active hunter and chairs the ... local Fish & Game advisory committee. And he has been very vocal in his opposition to any assistance to the farmers in any way, under any circumstances, including objecting during discussions about the USDA Farm bill and the programs that are available for agriculture nationally. And the conservation and reserve program, which interestingly promotes wildlife habitat, but he refers to it as a handout to farmers, and goes on and on. REPRESENTATIVE TARR: Thank you. 1:25:17 PM REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER commented that he personally does not see a compelling reason for this legislation. He doesn't oppose moving HB 202 out of committee, but he does so with reservation. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON remarked that the bison were introduced in 1928 but the farms were established in 1978. He inquired whether this issue is similar to someone buying a home next to the airport and then complaining about the noise. CO-CHAIR FEIGE responded the farmers had to sign documents that they would not hold the government responsible for the bison at that time the Delta barley projects were started in the late 1970s. However, the size of the herd has nearly doubled. In 1978, the herd consisted of 250 animals and today it is 450 animals, in part, due to state management for maximum sustainable yield. He acknowledged that the farmers do not have direct recourse to the state, but it is also a matter of fairness. There are two competing user groups consisting of farmers trying to make a living and hunters enjoying the sport and subsistence aspect of hunting. He offered his belief that this bill seems like a fair compromise to address an ongoing problem. He pointed out that the ADF&G study group recommended this remedy to resolve the problem. REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI was unsure that this is the state's responsibility. He pointed out he does not get money from the state when moose eat his pumpkins from his garden. He was unsure that it was the hunter's responsibility, yet this bill would double the permit fees although he noted these fees are modest. He maintained he was not convinced this bill is necessary. REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON remarked that the current $10 fee is very small so an increase to $20 would constitute a very small increase to provide assistance to the farmers. REPRESENTATIVE SEATON remarked that the fee increase is necessary and since it provides matching funds he favors the fee increases. He did not think DNR would have superfluous amounts of money for grants, plus he thought the applicability of the other sections will not come to fruition. Thus, he supports moving the bill for that reason. 1:31:57 PM CO-CHAIR FEIGE moved to report the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 202, Version P, labeled 28-LS0412/P, Bullard, 2/24/14, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, the CSHB 202(RES) was reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
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HB 207 Version R.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Schirack Email.xps |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Marsh Email.xps |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 202 Barrette Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 202 |
HB 207 Sectional Version R.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 VanderWeele Email.xps |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Nate Burris Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Jim Clark Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Amendment R.1.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Amendment R.3.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Amendment R.2.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Arians Email.xps |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Bill Satterberg Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Delta Farm Bureau Letter.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |
HB 207 Wrigley Email.xps |
HRES 3/14/2014 1:00:00 PM |
HB 207 |