Legislature(1993 - 1994)
02/18/1994 08:15 AM House RES
| Audio | Topic |
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 18, 1994
8:15 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bill Hudson, Vice Chairman
Representative Pat Carney
Representative John Davies
Representative David Finkelstein
Representative Joe Green
Representative Jeannette James
Representative Eldon Mulder
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bill Williams, Chairman
Representative Con Bunde
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
None
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SB 46: "An Act relating to moose farming and
relating to game farming."
HEARD AND HELD IN COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER
CONSIDERATION
SJR 13: Opposing the ban on the export of Alaska
North Slope crude oil; endorsing HR 543,
legislation removing restraints on the export
of Alaska North Slope oil; requesting the
Congress of the United States to pass
legislation to permit the export of Alaska
North Slope crude oil; and requesting the
President of the United States to present to
the United States Congress a recommendation
to lift the ban on the export of Alaska
North Slope crude oil.
CS SJR 13(RLS) MOVED FROM COMMITTEE WITH
INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS
WITNESS REGISTER
TERESA SAGER-STANCLIFF, Aide
Senator Mike Miller
State Capitol, Room 423
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
Phone: 465-4976
POSITION STATEMENT: Read sponsor statement and answered
questions
DOUG WITTE
P.O. Box 949
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Phone: 745-7200
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered a question
WAYNE REGELIN, Deputy Director
Division of Wildlife Conservation
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
P.O. Box 25526
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: 465-4190
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided position paper from DEC,
ADF&G, and DNR on farming of big
game animals in Alaska
DR. CHARLES SCHWARTZ, Director
Moose Research Center
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
34828 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Suite D
Soldotna, Alaska 99660
Phone: 262-9368
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information and statistics
KATHERINE SMITH, Member
Homer Fish and Game Advisory Board
Member, Kachemak Bay Conservation Society
1193 Cooper Court
Homer, Alaska 99603
Phone: 235-5448
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SB 46
BUD BLISS
1721 Aurora
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Phone: 451-8652
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 46
STANLEY NED
122 1st Avenue
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: 452-8251
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SB 46
JEREMY WELTON
6810 Steese Highway
Fairbanks, Alaska 99712
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 46
OPAL WELTON
6910 Steese Highway
Fairbanks, Alaska 99712
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 46
DOUG WELTON
6810 Steese Highway
Fairbanks, Alaska 99712
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 46
HAROLD GILLAM
104 2nd Avenue
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: 452-2534
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 46
CHRIS RAINWATER
48250 East End Road
Homer, Alaska 99603
Phone: 235-6278
POSITION STATEMENT: Supported SB 46
GLORIA GILL
Alaska Environmental Lobby
P.O. Box 22151
Juneau, Alaska 99802
Phone: 463-3366
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed SB 46
SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS
Alaska State Legislature
State Capitol, Room 9
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
Phone: 465-3704
POSITION STATEMENT: Prime sponsor SJR 13
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: SB 46
SHORT TITLE: AUTHORIZE MOOSE FARMING
SPONSOR(S): SENATOR(S) MILLER,Frank,Pearce,Sharp,Taylor;
REPRESENTATIVE(S) Therriault
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/14/93 60 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/14/93 60 (S) RESOURCES, FINANCE
01/15/93 76 (S) COSPONSOR: LINCOLN
01/29/93 189 (S) COSPONSOR: SHARP
02/01/93 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTRVICH RM 205
02/01/93 (S) MINUTE(RES)
02/03/93 (S) MINUTE(RES)
02/05/93 240 (S) RES RPT 4DP
02/05/93 240 (S) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (F&G)
02/17/93 (S) FIN AT 09:00 AM SENATE FIN 518
02/17/93 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
03/01/93 (S) FIN AT 09:00 AM SENATE FIN 518
03/01/93 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
03/03/93 588 (S) FIN RPT CS 5DP 1DNP NEW TITLE
03/03/93 588 (S) FISCAL NOTE TO SB & CS (DNR)
03/03/93 588 (S) ZERO FNS TO CS (F&G, DEC)
03/03/93 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
03/09/93 (S) RLS AT 12:15 PM FAHRENKAMP
ROOM 203
03/09/93 (S) MINUTE(RLS)
03/10/93 710 (S) RULES RPT 3 CAL 1NR 3/10/93
03/10/93 714 (S) READ THE SECOND TIME
03/10/93 714 (S) FIN CS ADOPTED Y14 N5 E1
03/10/93 715 (S) AM NO 1 FAILED Y5 N14 E1
03/10/93 716 (S) AM NO 2 FAILED Y7 N12 E1
03/10/93 717 (S) AM NO 3 FAILED Y8 N11 E1
03/10/93 715 (S) AM NO 4 FAILED Y8 N11 E1
03/10/93 716 (S) ADVANCE TO 3RD READING FLD
Y11 N8 E1
03/10/93 719 (S) THIRD READING 3/11 CALENDAR
03/10/93 723 (S) COSPONSOR: TAYLOR
03/11/93 755 (S) READ THE THIRD TIME
CSSB 46(FIN)
03/11/93 755 (S) PASSED Y11 N8 E1
03/11/93 756 (S) ADAMS NOTICE OF RECON
03/11/93 757 (S) COSPONSOR WITHDRAWN: LINCOLN
03/12/93 784 (S) RECON TAKEN UP-IN THIRD READING
03/12/93 785 (S) PASSED ON RECONSIDERATION
Y12 N7 E1
03/12/93 786 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
03/15/93 642 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
03/15/93 642 (H) RESOURCES, FINANCE
03/15/93 658 (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): THERRIAULT
04/16/93 (H) MINUTE(RES)
04/17/93 (H) MINUTE(RES)
04/19/93 (H) RES AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 124
04/19/93 (H) MINUTE(RES)
02/18/94 (H) RES AT 08:15 AM CAPITOL 124
BILL: SJR 13
SHORT TITLE: EXPORT OF ALASKA OIL
SPONSOR(S)SENATOR(S)ELLIS,Kelly,Rieger,Frank,Leman,Donley,
Kerttula,Sharp,Pearce,Little,Duncan,Phillips,Miller;
REPRESENTATIVE(S)Green,Grussendorf,Nordlund,Porter,
Finkelstein,Navarre
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/11/93 14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/11/93 15 (S) RESOURCES, JUDICIARY
03/24/93 933 (S) COSPONSOR(S): DONLEY
03/31/93 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTRVICH RM 205
03/31/93 (S) MINUTE(RES)
03/31/93 (S) MINUTE(RES)
04/05/93 1100 (S) RES RPT CS 4DP NEW TITLE
04/05/93 1100 (S) ZERO FISCAL NOTE TO SB &
CS (REV)
01/21/94 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BELTZ RM 211
01/21/94 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
01/26/94 2595 (S) JUD RPT CS 3DP NEW TITLE
01/26/94 2596 (S) ZERO FISCAL NOTE TO CS
PUBLISHED (REV)
01/26/94 (S) RLS AT 11:30 AM FAHRENKAMP
ROOM 203
01/26/94 (S) MINUTE(RLS)
01/28/94 2614 (S) RULES RPT CS 5CAL AND DP NEW
TITLE
01/28/94 2614 (S) PREVIOUS ZERO FN APPLIES TO CS
(REV)
01/28/94 2624 (S) READ THE SECOND TIME
01/28/94 2625 (S) RLS CS ADOPTED UNAN CONSENT
01/28/94 2625 (S) COSPONSOR(S): KERTTULA,SHARP,
PEARCE
01/28/94 2625 (S) LITTLE,DUNCAN,PHILLIPS,MILLER
01/28/94 2625 (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UNAN
CONSENT
01/28/94 2625 (S) READ THE THIRD TIME
CSSJR 13(RLS)
01/28/94 2626 (S) PASSED Y16 N- E4
01/28/94 2626 (S) Kelly NOTICE OF RECON
02/01/94 2642 (S) RECONSIDERATION NOT TAKEN UP
02/01/94 2643 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
02/02/94 2212 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
02/02/94 2213 (H) O&G, RESOURCES
02/02/94 2230 (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S):GREEN,
GRUSSENDORF
02/02/94 2230 (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): NORDLUND
02/07/94 (H) O&G AT 05:00 PM CAPITOL 124
02/09/94 2314 (H) O&G RPT 5DP
02/09/94 2314 (H) DP: KOTT, SITTON, OLBERG,
G.DAVIS, GREEN
02/09/94 2314 (H) -PREV. SEN. ZERO FISCAL NOTE
(REV) 1/26
02/16/94 (H) RES AT 08:15 AM CAPITOL 124
02/18/94 (H) RES AT 08:15 AM CAPITOL 124
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 94-18, SIDE A
Number 000
The House Resources Committee was called to order by Vice
Chairman Bill Hudson at 8:20 a.m. Members present at the
call to order were Representatives Hudson, Carney, Davies,
Green, and Mulder. Members absent were Representatives
Bunde, Finkelstein, James and Williams.
VICE CHAIRMAN BILL HUDSON advised the committee they will
hear SB 46 and SJR 13 and announced there is a quorum
present. On teleconference are Anchorage, Delta Junction,
Fairbanks, Homer, Mat-Su and Kenai/Soldotna.
SB 46 - Authorizing Moose Farming
Number 020
TERESA SAGER-STANCLIFF, AIDE, SENATOR MIKE MILLER, read the
sponsor statement for SB 46: "The Finance Committee
Substitute for SB 46 provides for the development of moose
and other game farming in Alaska and is intended to expand
Alaska's economic development opportunities. Surplus moose,
if an actual surplus exists at any given time, can be
provided by the state to an individual or group to raise in
breeding captivity. The bill also legalizes the sale of
farm raised moose meat. Under SB 46, the Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
(ADF&G) are given regulatory authority to ensure the safety
and health of animals and handlers, and to provide for
adequate start up and monitoring of moose farming
activities.
"Safeguards have been added to prevent disease, a major
concern of ADF&G and to implement the proper regulatory
controls to insure a healthy, viable game farming industry
in Alaska. Animal husbandry is a priority recommendation of
the Agriculture Task Force and was recommended during the
Joint House/Senate Economic Task Force Mini-Summit public
hearings. The CS for SB 46 is also supported by DEC, DNR,
and the Department of Commerce and Economic Development."
MS. SAGER-STANCLIFF advised committee members they have two
versions of SB 46: One is the version the Senate Finance
Committee adopted, which passed the Senate last year; and
the other is a work draft, version R. Both versions of the
bill provide for the same thing.
Number 045
MS. SAGER-STANCLIFF stated: "Basically this legislation
expands the game farming statute to add moose and caribou to
the list of game animals that can be legally farmed in
Alaska. The bill is rather lengthy, mainly because
conforming changes were added that ensures that game farming
statute applies to all species. People who are interested
in game farming will have to register their animals with the
three agencies involved, DEC, DNR and ADF&G. They will have
to pay their $125 game farming license fee and will have to
be certified in their ability to prevent disease
transmission. They will have to prove they have adequate
facilities and fencing to prevent escapement of the captive
animals and prevent entry of wild animals into the private
facility. They will have to establish a contractual
relationship with a veterinarian for visits to their game
farm on a semiannual basis. They will also have to prove
they have adequate facilities which are sufficient to
prevent injury to animals and to animal handlers."
MS. SAGER-STANCLIFF said: "Once a game farmer is able to
prove to the satisfaction of DEC and to DNR that they are
able to meet the requirements, they are then provided with a
certificate and game farming license. At that point, if a
surplus exists or if ADF&G has an animal that, for whatever
reason, can be transferred into private ownership, then they
can consider issuing a permit. At that point, other
requirements will be necessary such as branding, ear tags or
some sort of identification which makes the animal easily
distinguishable if it escapes from a private facility into
the wild. There are specific requirements regarding
notification to the various agencies if an animal escapes
and also notification has to be provided if there is a
birth, sale, slaughter or death of animals in a facility.
Those provisions are intended to provide for close
monitoring by the agencies."
Number 101
MS. SAGER-STANCLIFF stated the primary difference between
the Finance version and the blank CS is that much of the
authority for regulation of game farming, once the animal is
transferred to private ownership, has been shifted from
ADF&G to DNR and DEC. She advised committee members that a
ten minute moose manual is in their folders and said it was
provided by constituents in Fairbanks who are interested in
SB 46.
(VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON noted that REPRESENTATIVES FINKELSTEIN
and JAMES had joined the committee at 8:30 a.m. and 8:35
a.m.)
REPRESENTATIVE PAT CARNEY wondered if anyone had suggested
reindeer be included in the legislation.
MS. SAGER-STANCLIFF responded it has been discussed, but
currently only Alaska Natives can legally raise reindeer.
REPRESENTATIVE CARNEY said he knows there is a federal law
which states only Alaska Natives can own reindeer in the
state, but the attorney general has agreed to enter into a
law suit against the federal government in conjunction with
a friend of his who is raising reindeer. He felt including
reindeer in the proposed legislation, will send a message to
the federal government from the state, saying reindeer is
the state's jurisdiction.
Number 137
VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON agreed and pointed out that on page
four, line four of the work draft, reindeer could be
inserted. He asked Ms. Sager-Stancliff if there are any
reasons why reindeer are not included in the definition of
domesticated game animal.
MS. SAGER-STANCLIFF replied she is fairly certain that
Senator Miller will agree to that addition.
DOUG WITTE, PALMER, testified via teleconference, and stated
reindeer are not included in SB 46 because they are
currently not considered to be a game species. They are a
domestic species. He stated caribou are added because they
are a game species.
VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked Mr. Witte if there was any
problem with adding reindeer to the bill.
MR. WITTE felt it was not necessary because they are not a
game species, but defined as domestic livestock.
Number 167
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES said he did not see a fiscal note
attached to the bill from DEC.
MS. SAGER-STANCLIFF replied there is a zero fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES noted there is a $10,000 DNR fiscal
note and a zero fiscal note from ADF&G. He felt in order to
make all the assurances outlined, it is difficult to believe
it can be accomplished with only $10,000.
MS. SAGER-STANCLIFF responded both DEC and DNR indicated
that to start, there will be a small number of individuals
interested in getting into moose or caribou farming and they
felt the increased costs will not be significant, especially
with the state veterinarian.
Number 207
WAYNE REGELIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION, ADF&G, stated during the past seven months
DNR, DEC and ADF&G have met several times to discuss game
farming and develop a unified administrative position on
game farming. He said their goal was to recommend effective
legislation which will protect the domestic livestock and
game farm industries, protect wildlife resources, and
provide a climate for game farming to grow and prosper. He
advised committee members that after several meetings, a
position paper entitled, "Farming of Big Game Animals In
Alaska" was produced. The position represents the views of
all three departments and is supported by Governor Hickel.
MR. REGELIN continued that the administration supports game
farming and believes it has the potential to grow into a
viable and sustainable industry. In order for growth to
occur, consistent state policies, stability in state laws
and effective regulations are needed. He said the key
points in the administration's position are, they will
initially limit game farming to the four species currently
allowed by state law: reindeer, bison, elk, and muskoxen,
and would provide a regulatory mechanism to expand the list
of species which may be farmed. The farming of
nonindigenous species will be prohibited to protect the
state's wildlife species. Farming of caribou by non-Natives
is prohibited by the Federal Reindeer Act of 1937. He
pointed out that law limits ownership of reindeer in Alaska
to Natives, but it also defines captive caribou as reindeer.
Until the federal law is changed, the administration does
not believe caribou should be included as a species which
can be farmed because it will create a legal problem.
MR. REGELIN stated the administration is not recommending
the farming of moose as a commercial enterprise. The
biological attributes of moose make them unsuitable for
commercial game farming. However, due to the interest by a
few citizens to raise moose, the administration recommends
creation of a new permit called an experimental animal
husbandry permit which would allow individuals to hold moose
or caribou in captivity. He added that caribou could be
held under the experimental permit because the state will
retain ownership of the animals.
Number 260
MR. REGELIN said DNR will have the responsibility and
authority to regulate most aspects of game farming. DEC
will have authority for animal health regulations, and ADF&G
will have authority over surplusing animals for game
farming, for issuing the experimental animal husbandry
permits, and have joint responsibility with DNR for adding
species to the list of game farmed animals. He stated the
administration believes their position and recommendations
will lead to a strong game farming industry in Alaska, while
protecting the state's wildlife resources.
MR. REGELIN told members he has a two page handout which
describes how several other states are regulating their game
farming industry. During the past five years, several
states have revised their statutes and regulations related
to game farming due to increased interest, especially in the
western states. One of the concerns is the importation of
red deer from New Zealand and the possibility of
hybridization. He said the occurrence of tuberculosis in
elk in Alberta increased concern about game farm animals
spreading disease to domestic livestock and wildlife.
Number 275
MR. REGELIN noted that most regulations adopted by several
of the states restrict game farming to certain species, and
require disease testing, permanent animal identification and
records to track animal movements. He explained those are
the same types of requirements the administration is
recommending in the position paper. He advised that the
three agencies are willing to assist the committee in
incorporating their regulations into draft legislative form.
REPRESENTATIVE CARNEY asked if the Federal Reindeer Act also
includes the ownership of caribou, as well as reindeer.
MR. REGELIN responded the only reference to caribou in the
Act, is where it says any captive caribou is classified as a
reindeer. It defines reindeer as reindeer or captive
caribou.
VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked if they are the same animal.
MR. REGELIN replied they are the same species, but they are
different. The reindeer have been domesticated for
thousands of years, have a different body conformation,
short legs and are very tame and docile. Caribou have long
legs and are wild.
VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON remarked in the Soviet Far East he saw,
what he presumed were thousands of caribou.
MR. REGELIN stated in Siberia there is a very large reindeer
industry, not caribou.
Number 318
DR. CHARLES SCHWARTZ, DIRECTOR, MOOSE RESEARCH CENTER, said
Sweden is about one-third the size of Alaska and they have
between 300,000 and 450,000 moose in the country. Annually,
they kill approximately 150,000 animals. In Alaska, there
are about 120,000 moose and approximately 7,000 are
harvested annually. There is no moose farming in Sweden.
He said the reason Sweden has a large productive moose herd
is directly related to the agricultural and forestry
practices established in the country. Sweden has an
extremely intensive forest management program. Second Scots
Pine which is the major forest tree in the country is
palatable and eaten by moose. In Alaska, the major conifer
is spruce, and it is not palatable to moose. In Sweden
there are no predators. Finally, in Sweden half of their
harvest is calves. He added that most of the calves born in
Alaska are eaten by predators.
DR. SCHWARTZ stated the Soviets began experimenting with
moose farming in the 1950's and it was collective farms
built in three different areas. He said when he attended a
meeting there recently, two of the three farms had closed
and had not been successful. The Soviets farmed moose for
both meat and milk production, velvet antler production, as
well as using moose for draft animals and riding. The
Soviets had abandoned all their efforts at domestication,
and the only facility still operating had been converted to
a research facility.
DR. SCHWARTZ stressed that there were major differences in
the way the Soviets attempted to farm moose than how it
probably will occur in Alaska. The animals were bottle
raised and tame, and were turned out into the forest at
night. They fed on logging stash. Each animal had
associated with it, a milk maid and the women would go out
each morning and call the animals. The moose came out of
the forest and back to the facility where they were milked.
The animals were kept in the facility during the day and
were fed potatoes and various grains. They were milked
about six times a day and in the evening were rereleased
back into the wild. Milk production was about 3 1/2 liters
per day or about eight pounds. The total production period
was about 65-70 days, so a cow moose would produce about 495
pounds of milk. The average dairy cow has a production
period of about 305 days, and during that time produces
approximately 10,600 pounds of milk. He noted that the
Russians do believe moose milk is therapeutic, but he would
not rate it as highly palatable.
Number 406
DR. SCHWARTZ explained the Moose Research Center in Soldotna
was built by ADF&G in the late 1960's. The facility is four
one square mile areas, which are fenced and there are also a
series of smaller holding pens where more controlled
research programs can be conducted. He said there have been
moose at the facility since 1978 and those animals are
maintained on an artificial diet. The ration given to the
animals was developed at the center and contains about 25
percent aspen sawdust. He stressed that moose are not easy
to maintain in captivity, and do not live as long in
captivity as they do in the wild. Based on a survey he
conducted, it was determined that the average life
expectancy of a captive moose is about eight years, and
about 70 percent of calves born under captive conditions die
before they are one year of age.
Number 425
DR. SCHWARTZ stated the research center has been more
successful in raising calves because they do not hand raise
the calves, they allow the cow to raise them. The
consequence is the fact that the calves are no longer tame.
The moose at the research center are not domestic animals;
they are wild animals which have been tamed or accept human
handling.
Number 436
REPRESENTATIVE CARNEY requested that the statistics
regarding Sweden be made available to the committee for
their intensive game management proposed legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FINKELSTEIN asked Dr. Schwartz's
thoughts on the threats of disease and other risks involved.
DR. SCHWARTZ responded there are threats both ways. He said
there will be threats of disease organisms being brought
into the state if there are moose coming in from outside.
For example, in eastern Canada, there is a wood tick which
heavily infests wild populations of moose currently. There
can be up to several hundred thousand individual ticks on a
moose and in the spring, their hair is completely gone.
Many biologists in that area believe an affected animal can
cause heavy over winter mortality because it represents a
stress to individual animals.
DR. SCHWARTZ added that several years ago, ADF&G was
concerned about the possibility of this tick getting into
Alaska. As an experiment, females were taken under
extremely controlled conditions and wintered in the Kenai
Peninsula to determine if they could survive the weather and
lay eggs. He stressed they can. The reason they are not in
Alaska now is because they have not been able to get here
because of natural geographic barriers and more severe
winter weather in interior Canada and Alaska.
Number 500
DR. SCHWARTZ stated moose are prone to several diseases
which are carried by domestic livestock, but noted that
diseases can be controlled. In regard to maintaining
animals in captive conditions and expecting them not to mix
with the wild, he said based on experience at the research
center, even though there are secure fences, they regularly
have wild moose get into the facility and described how. He
felt there is a high likelihood there will be mixing even
with the best security.
Number 529
REPRESENTATIVE ELDON MULDER asked Dr. Schwartz to describe
the Moose Research Center.
DR. SCHWARTZ said currently the center has 26 moose and
projects are ongoing to evaluate the effects of selective
harvest on moose genetics. The Board of Game passed a law
which made spike fork of 50-inch moose legal for harvest and
all others are protected. He stated ADF&G has concerns,
because individual antler types are being targeted and the
potential exists to remove that antler type with heavy
hunting pressure. He explained the center also has a number
of projects looking at moose reproduction, trying to
quantify various aspects of moose reproduction directly
related to bull/cow ratios in the wild and herd management.
DR. SCHWARTZ said the center has an open ended technique
study which tests any new product, and added that all drugs
used on moose are first tested at the center. He noted the
center's animals are put into the pens in the summer and
feed on natural vegetation. In the fall, they are brought
in and are fed the ration. He said it is difficult to stop
large numbers of moose per square mile. An average density
in the wild, on the most excellent range they have, is about
16 animals per square mile. Normal typical boreal forest
may carry one to two moose per square mile and that is the
stocking rate.
Number 605
REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN clarified that other animals which
have been successfully farmed are by nature, herd type
animals.
DR. SCHWARTZ said that is correct. Bison, elk and reindeer
are herd forming animals; moose are not. Moose are
classified as either solitary or individualistic type
animals and they do not aggregate. The average group size
for moose is about 2.5 and that includes large breeding
groups during the reproductive period.
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked if moose are somewhat
inefficient.
DR. SCHWARTZ responded moose are extremely difficult to keep
in captivity. The nutritional requirements for moose in
captivity have still not been determined.
REPRESENTATIVE CARNEY asked Dr. Schwartz if he had said that
moose calves are harvested in Sweden.
DR. SCHWARTZ replied that was correct.
REPRESENTATIVE CARNEY asked how they are harvested.
DR. SCHWARTZ answered Swedes shoot them in the spring and
added they do not sport hunt, they market hunt. It is legal
to buy the right to kill. He noted there are no fences, but
added the moose are on private land. The landowner owns the
right to shoot the animals; they are not a public resource.
The only fences in Sweden for moose occur along the major
highways.
Number 670
KATHERINE SMITH, CERTIFIED WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, MEMBER, HOMER
FISH AND GAME ADVISORY BOARD, MEMBER, KACHEMAK BAY
CONSERVATION SOCIETY, HOMER, testified via teleconference,
and said she had been a project director and manager of a
private elk farm at high elevations in Hawaii. She oversaw
construction of a state of the art quarantine and handling
facility for elk and the importation of about 50 animals
from the mainland in 1987. There are now several hundred
animals which are doing well as long as a very rigorous
health program and supplemental nutrients are provided.
Even with year round pastures and the benign conditions
found in Hawaii, it is extremely expensive to keep the
animals healthy and handlers safe.
Number 700
MS. SMITH said an elk or a herd animal is easy to handle
compared to moose. She stressed moose in captivity are much
more of a challenge and a big mistake. In the winter, moose
are far ranging browsers and they wander seeking high
quality, low availability willow cottonwood, birch buds and
tender stems. When moose are locked in, they quickly run
out of their limited and dietary requirement of high protein
and roughage. Any supplements which will have to be
provided are very costly. The feeding of moose will also
create conflicts and problems between animals which are not
naturally grouped together.
MS. SMITH felt no one can afford to fence enough area to
adequately provide for a moose. She thought it is very
difficult to define what constitutes an adequate handling
facility and it will be even more difficult for the state to
regulate it, ensuring that animals are adequately cared for
and disease transmission is not a major issue. She said
moose have been proven as a poor choice for intensive game
farming, not only in Sweden and Russia, but also closer to
home in more similar environments.
MS. SMITH noted that the University of Alberta did a study
and concluded that moose are not suitable for game farming
on any intensive basis. The land area is just too great and
the handling and feeding considerations make it
uneconomical. She felt meat and antler sales also present a
problem. Fish and Wildlife Protection is already overtaxed,
understaffed and under-budgeted in their efforts to check
the illegal taking of moose. She stressed that SB 46 will
promote poaching and black market sales of meat by creating
a market incentive. When added to the disease transmission
risk to wild stock, SB 46 unnecessarily places one of the
state's most significant subsistence animals at risk and
threatens the lifestyle of Natives and rural Alaskans. Ms.
Smith felt the state has nothing to gain from SB 46 and it
will in fact cost Alaskans.
TAPE 94-18, SIDE B
Number 000
MS. SMITH said promoting moose farming at a time when the
state does not have enough money for existing programs and
needs does not make sense. She urged the committee not to
foster this very harmful and very costly legislation.
BUD BLISS, FAIRBANKS, testified via teleconference, and
stated he has raised buffalo for over twenty years and wild
mountain sheep, goat, and deer for over 15 years. He
stressed individual, private owners of game farms bear all
the expense on grazing and propagating the animals. In a
few years, the owners will be able to sell the meat, which
has already been proven to be of much higher quality than
beef. He said after the first calf drop, the moose will be
dropping twins which is better than beef cattle who only
drop one calf per year. The knowledge gained by the private
sector in raising the animals will help everybody in the
state and will bring a good revenue source into the state.
He urged the committee to pass SB 46.
Number 042
STANLEY NED, FAIRBANKS, testified via teleconference, and
expressed opposition to SB 46. He said there are people who
are stunned that SB 46 could happen. (Indiscernible)
because of the threat of disease that domestic stock by
bringing in (indiscernible) livestock. (Indiscernible)...
JEREMY WELTON, FAIRBANKS, testified via teleconference, and
expressed support of moose farming. He urged committee
members to pass SB 46.
Number 058
OPAL WELTON, FAIRBANKS, testified via teleconference, and
stated that ADF&G has come up with a different approach to
being opposed to moose farming. She said in the
department's most recent position paper, ADF&G has lied
about domestic moose. Last year in testimony to the Senate
Resources Committee, four people testified about ADF&G being
far less than honest about the issue. She quoted a
Washington newspaper concerning the disease problem in the
lower 48: "Legislative testimony has shown that disease
problems in deer farms have occurred only in states where
they have been regulated by wildlife agencies. There have
been no problems where animals disease control and deer
farms are handled by the state departments of agriculture."
MS. WELTON said to testify further as to the lies and
deceits by ADF&G, she stated two years ago Dr.
(indiscernible) who is the head of the reindeer department
said, "There have been several memos circulated to
legislators which refer to disease and testing which have
originated from the fish and game department. These memos
have not presented all the facts about disease testing,
disease status, and disease research. In fact some of the
data and facts (indiscernible) for these memos are
incorrect."
MS. WELTON mentioned a statement that Mr. Regelin made in
the Fairbanks newspaper acknowledging that no disease
problems have surfaced at the state's Kenai Moose Research
facility in 25 years of operation. She said that Mr.
Regelin also stated that there is no doubt that people can
do this, but the (indiscernible) state interest is such a
private investment decision. She noted that Mr. Regelin
acknowledged the agency's obligation as primarily
philosophical. She read several other quotes from various
sources regarding moose and moose farming.
Number 137
VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON requested Ms. Welton to send any
pertinent information to the committee.
DOUG WELTON, FAIRBANKS, testified via teleconference, and
said the moose farming issue has been around for many years.
He felt it is time to move the bill and get moose farming
into the hands of the private sector. He said he had spoken
to Governor Hickel when he was in Fairbanks and the Governor
assured him that SB 46 will not be vetoed. According to Mr.
Welton, the Governor stated he did not believe that it is
the role of government to decide whether raising moose would
be economical and that he strongly supports game farming of
muskoxen, reindeer, bison and elk, but added there are still
questions about moose being conducive to farming.
MR. WELTON stated over the years, he has had the endurance
and the facts to prove almost every excuse wrong. He has
done enough research to readily admit and acknowledge all
the biological peculiarities that are inherent with moose.
He said he has always been an advocate of small, family farm
type operations with animals only in their natural habitat
and (indiscernible). He stressed no one can tell him that
the animals are not perfectly adapted and conducive to the
things he has fought for.
MR. WELTON remarked that a person can call what is done with
an animal anything, including farming, and said the state
calls what they do with their moose, research. He noted he
is grateful for what has been done at the moose station and
felt there should be moose stations all across the state to
bring in the injured and wayward moose which are caught in
the thousands of accidents happening. Over the past six
years, he stated he has heard moose being farmed, ranched,
researched, rode, raced, (indiscernible), poached, stolen,
hybridized, diseased, bought, sold, auctioned, tranquilized,
eaten by bears and wolves and even in fast food restaurants.
He emphasized the fact is, it has all been done in people's
minds and in committee meetings.
MR. WELTON stated that throughout the long process, he has
not been allowed to save one more moose. The orphan he had
was sent to Germany and no one can tell him that the man
there has not prospered. He stressed he is still interested
in salvaging this valuable resource and putting moose to a
variety of uses. He said he is getting tired of people
saying all he wants is a pet and asked is the horse a person
hunts from a pet, is the cow a person milks a pet, etc.
MR. WELTON stated the opponents have not been forced to use
the only one excuse they have left, and that is God.
Disease has taken him six years to deal with and he is
pleased to see that it has disappeared from the position
paper. He felt to have to boil it down to behavior is very
ironic. He believed it has more to do with the behavior of
the people in a certain office, than it does with the moose.
MR. WELTON said there is a lot of work needed to be done.
On the Kenai Peninsula alone, Alaskans are running over
3,000 moose a year. Until some major habitat work is done
away from the cities, roads and railroads, there will
continue to be increased problems. SB 46 has targeted areas
which could use an economic option that do not have one
today, in addition to all of the other businesses which will
be affected positively. He felt there are enough moose out
there to start many families back on the road to recovery
and a rural lifestyle which will help both them and the
moose. He urged committee members to pass SB 46.
HAROLD GILLAM, FAIRBANKS, testified via teleconference, and
thanked Representative Carney for mentioning the advantages
of forest management. He said if Sweden is one-third the
size of Alaska and it has approximately three times as many
moose, they are raising moose at a ratio ten times that of
Alaska. He remarked he has seen moose herds, with groups of
9-14 moose together in the winter. He believed the biggest
threat to subsistence hunting is the lack of intensive
management. He felt if moose farming is not going to be
allowed, then the Moose Research Center should be closed.
He expressed support of SB 46.
Number 250
CHRIS RAINWATER, HOMER, testified via teleconference, and
expressed support of SB 46. He said moose have been coming
on his ground for the past thirty years and has never lost
one. The moose eat his hay, grass and willows. He believed
there is a future for moose farming.
GLORIA GILL, ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBY, said the Lobby
opposes SB 46. Moose farming may put wild animals at
increased risk of disease. The escape of captive animals is
inevitable and if a disease, such as tuberculosis ever gets
established in the wild, it will be a permanent source of
infection for native species. She read a sentence from a
newspaper article, "By mid-1992, Alberta officials had
euthanized 2,600 captive elk to stop the spread of bovine
tuberculosis and will wait years to see if they successfully
kept the disease out of the provinces wildlife and cattle."
She said the Lobby has many articles similar to the one she
read, which point to statistics where animals have had to be
destroyed because of the threat of disease.
MS. GILL stated that moose farming may be detrimental to
predator populations. Domesticated animals are easy prey
for bears and wolves. Farmers will be forced to protect
their investment. The means used in Kodiak and other areas
of Alaska has been to shoot them. She gave examples of
such. She said the legalized sale of moose meat creates a
financial incentive to take the animals illegally and
poaching may increase.
Number 330
VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON advised that was the end of the
testimony and asked Ms. Sager-Stancliff to come back to the
table. He said ADF&G would like to get together with the
sponsor and find amendments which will satisfy the
department. He asked if Senator Miller will be willing to
take SB 46, sit down with ADF&G and come back to the
committee with a revised work draft.
MS. SAGER-STANCLIFF responded that Senator Miller will be
very agreeable to doing that. She asked if DNR and DEC
could also be included since they worked with ADF&G on the
game farming policy.
VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON replied that is agreeable.
SJR 13 - Export Of Alaska Oil
SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS, PRIME SPONSOR, stated SJR 13 is a
fairly straightforward resolution. A lot of revenue is at
stake - about $2.5 billion since 1974, when the unfair ban
on the export of crude oil was placed on the state. He
added there are billions of dollars at stake in the future.
He stated most people have become familiar with the
favorable reasons why the ban should be lifted.
SENATOR ELLIS said there is a lot of work ongoing currently
with the Department of Energy. He is providing information
to them to affect their recommendation, and added there will
be hearings this spring on the Export Administration Act
which is up for renewal in April. He felt it was important
to move SJR 13 along as quickly as possible in order to send
a clear message to Congress and the President that the state
would like to see the situation change, as it is
unacceptable. The study that the Energy Department is
conducting is on the pros and cons to the nation. He said
the pros for Alaska are known, but the leaders elected at
the federal level have a responsibility for the entire
nation. Alaska does have allies in California. Senator
Ellis stated it is a good environment currently.
Number 418
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN said there is a zero fiscal note and he
felt there should be a strongly positive fiscal note. He
stated he is getting disgusted with the state's departments
constantly giving zero fiscal notes when quite often there
is a cost or a benefit. He suggested as the resolution
moves along, that a fiscal note be attached showing that the
lifting of the ban is in the state's favor.
SENATOR ELLIS agreed. He said that Governor Hickel also
mentioned the $2.5 billion figure in his State of the State
address. He noted there may be an analysis attached or in
the file, which makes reference to the money lost in the
past and what is to be gained in the future.
Number 450
VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON said there really is an opportunity and
felt there is a need to do some work on the West Coast and
with the major producers, who have said they really do not
have a great incentive to support this resolution, since
they own many of the facilities on the West Coast, etc. He
felt there is a corporate conflict as far as Alaska's
interests are concerned. He stated at a previous meeting,
there was a suggestion of spending time and money and
sending a delegation to go down and talk with the western
states, as there is an advantage to them also.
Number 479
REPRESENTATIVE FINKELSTEIN made a motion to MOVE CSSJR
13(RLS) out of committee with INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked if there were objections.
Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON announced there will be no committee
meeting on Monday, February 21. On Wednesday, February 23
the committee will meet at 8:15 a.m. to hear HB 199, HB 398,
HJR 55 and HJR 56.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the House
Resources Committee, Vice Chairman Hudson adjourned the
meeting at 9:45 a.m.
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