Legislature(1999 - 2000)
02/17/1999 01:10 PM House RES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 17, 1999
1:10 p.m.
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
ALASKAN SHELLFISH GROWERS ASSOCIATION OVERVIEW
TAPE(S)
99-8, SIDE(S) A & B
99-9, SIDE(S) A
CALL TO ORDER
Representative Scott Ogan, Co-Chairman, convened the House
Resources Standing Committee meeting at 1:10 p.m.
PRESENT
Committee members present at the call to order were Representatives
Ogan, Sanders, Masek and Harris. Representative(s) Barnes,
Whitaker, Morgan, Joule and Kapsner arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
RODGER PAINTER, Vice President, Alaskan Shellfish Growers
Association (ASGA), presented issues on aquatic farming and
intertidal water farming. He mentioned meeting with the Governor
and that he will provide answers to the questions in their packet
within two weeks. The major concerns of ASGA are that they want
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 1) to carry out existing
state law; 2) to accept and issue permits on a case-by-case basis;
3) to process and issue permits for indigenous permits; and 4) to
agree that all aquatic stock is private property.
CO-CHAIR SCOTT OGAN asked questions about the Seward hatchery.
KEVIN DUFFY, Acting Deputy Director, Alaska Department of Fish and
Game (ADF&G), explained statutes on critical habitat, lease fees
and negotiations with ASGA.
CO-CHAIR OGAN asked about the specific critical habitat issues for
this area.
ROBERT HARTLEY, President, Alaskan Shellfish Growers Association
(ASGA), discussed information in handout on lease fees. Alaska's
lease fees for aquatic farming are two times higher than those in
any other state.
REPRESENTATIVE BEVERLY MASEK asked questions about the DNR.
LARRY COTTER, CEO, Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development
Association (APICDA), discussed APICDA's interest in establishing
a sea urchin farm. This will help meet the community development
quota. However, the leasing fees make their vision unattainable.
CO-CHAIR OGAN brought up the idea of possible fee reductions for
this fledgling industry.
GARY SEIM, Kachemak Shellfish Growers Cooperative (KSGC), expressed
concern with restrictions in Kachemak Bay, noting the high demand
for shellfish but lack of supply. The high lease fees deter
aquatic farmers from having farms large enough to meet demand.
Application process requirements are prohibitive, and there is lack
of support for the concept.
REPRESENTATIVE RAMONA BARNES offered to help with establishing
additional Taiwan contacts, if needed.
CO-CHAIR OGAN wrapped up and thanked participants.
REPRESENTATIVE BARNES mentioned an article regarding resource
development and the oil industry.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committee took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:52 p.m.
NOTE:
The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A
copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by contacting the
House Records Office at 130 Seward Street, Suite 211, Juneau,
Alaska 99801-1182, (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the
second session of the Twenty-first Alaska State Legislature, in the
Legislative Reference Library.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|