Legislature(2019 - 2020)BARNES 124
03/25/2019 06:30 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s):|| Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 25, 2019
6:33 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative John Lincoln, Co-Chair
Representative Geran Tarr, Co-Chair
Representative Sara Hannan
Representative Ivy Spohnholz
Representative Chris Tuck
Representative Dave Talerico
Representative Sara Rasmussen
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Grier Hopkins, Vice Chair
Representative George Rauscher
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation
Jason Brune - Anchorage
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
CARL PORTMAN
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
SYLVIA PANZARELLA
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
KRISTEN ULERY
King Salmon, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
MAUREEN KNUTSEN
Naknek, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
SUE GOODGLICK
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
TOBIAS SCHWOERER
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
JOE BENUCCI
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
DIANNA GARFIELD
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
DALE BANKS
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
SUE CHRISTIANSEN
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
DEANTHA CROCKETT
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Speaking on her own behalf, testified in
support during the confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
BILL JEFFRIES
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
MIKE LITZOW
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
SHAWN DOCHTERMANN
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
HARRY MOORE
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
KATIE GAVENUS
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
SHERYL WASSILLIE
Igiugig, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
KYLE WILLINGHAM
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
ERIC FJELSTAD
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
MELISSA HEUER
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
KAYE HOLOWATCH
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
CHRISTY FRY
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
AMANDA JOHNSTON
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
DAVID SAM
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
ALISHA SIRRA
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
TIMOTHY GERVAIS
Ruby, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
KONRAD SHAAD
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
MARK BEAUDIN
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
WESTON MCKENZIE
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
JENNIFER TAYLOR
No city provided, British Columbia
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
ERIC BEEMAN
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
IAN BLAKE
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
CAROLYN NICHOLS
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
ELLEN VANDEVISSE
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
PAUL GLAVINOVICH
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
LACI MICHAUD, Projects Manager
Alaska Miners Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
RENE LIMERE
Alaska Range, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
CATHY JOHNSON
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
MYRA SCHOLZE
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
GRIFFIN PLUSH
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
KIRSA HUGHES-SKENDIJS
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
ROCHELLE HARRISON
Bristol Bay, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
COLE DEAL
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
TYLER HENEGAN
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
JAMES SELVOG
Soldotna/Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
SHERYL BAECHLER
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
MARK NIVER, President
Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
SUE SPRINKLE
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
JOE MACKENZIE
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
ERICA MADISON
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
BRIAN BURKE
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
KRYSTA WATTERS
Naknek, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
LAURA WRIGHT
Talkeetna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
NOELLE CARBONE
Talkeetna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
CRAWFORD PARR
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
MELISSA GOOZEN
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
JONATHON HOYSOCK
Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
BERNIE HOFFMAN
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
SCOTT BARTLETT
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
PAM MILLER, Executive Director
Alaska Community Action on Toxics
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition during the
confirmation hearing of Jason Brune.
ACTION NARRATIVE
6:33:30 PM
CO-CHAIR GERAN TARR called the House Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Representatives Tuck,
Hannan, Talerico, Spohnholz, Rasmussen, Lincoln, and Tarr were
present at the call to order.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^ Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation
6:33:35 PM
CO-CHAIR TARR announced the only order of business would be
public testimony on the confirmation hearing of the commissioner
designee to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
6:36:37 PM
CARL PORTMAN said he was speaking in support of the confirmation
of Mr. Brune to the [position of] commissioner of DEC. He said
he has known Mr. Brune for 20 years and has high regard for his
honesty, intelligence, integrity, fairness, and competence. Mr.
Brune is passionate about Alaska and performs with energy and
fairness, therefore, he is an excellent choice for commissioner.
Mr. Brune will follow the law and due process will serve as an
impartial commissioner to carry out the mission of the
department.
6:38:16 PM
SYLVIA PANZARELLA said she was speaking for herself and her
husband and they have lived in Alaska for almost 20 years. She
spoke in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Brune, noting that
his previous position as a spokesperson for Pebble mine and
other activities should disqualify him. Ms. Panzarella
cautioned there could be lawsuits due to Mr. Brune's conflict of
interest.
6:39:31 PM
KRISTEN ULERY said she was representing herself and fish and
wildlife. She said she is a resident of Bristol Bay, a
subsistence fisher, and a public lands employee, all of which
rely on clean water and strong salmon runs. Ms. Ulery spoke in
opposition to the appointment of Mr. Brune because he has
expressed bias in favor of Pebble mine; his appointment is
unethical and would undermine Bristol Bay's opportunity to
remain unspoiled and the world's strongest wild sockeye salmon
run. In addition, his appointment reaffirms concerns that the
corporate price tag on the state's resources is more important
to state government than the conservation of resources for
future generations.
6:41:20 PM
MAUREEN KNUTSEN said she a resident of Naknek and is
representing herself and her husband. She said salmon are the
most important thing in Bristol Bay and spoke in strong
opposition to the appointment of Mr. Brune because of his
conflict of interest based on his affiliation with Pebble mine
and Anglo American. She opined his appointment is unethical.
6:43:19 PM
SUE GOODGLICK expressed her opposition to the appointment of Mr.
Brune. She gave an example of Mr. Brune's stated effort to get
rid of the Ocean Rangers program which was implemented because
cruise ships were found dumping pollutants in the Inside Passage
and elsewhere. The program was formed by ballot initiative and
is self-supported by cruise ship fees at no cost to the state.
Ms. Goodglick opined Mr. Brune's statement showed a bias towards
industry and shortsightedness.
6:44:31 PM
TOBIAS SCHWOERER said he has been a resident of Anchorage for
over 20 years and strongly opposes the appointment of Mr. Brune.
He urged the committee to consider there has been a huge erosion
of trust in the government of Alaska with the new
administration. Mr. Brune's bias and conflict of interest is
proven by his one-sided debate related to state environmental
regulations.
6:45:54 PM
JOE BENUCCI said he is a resident of Anchorage, a father,
husband, and 24-year military veteran. He spoke in opposition
to the appointment of Mr. Brune because his appointment will
result in the regulatory capture of DEC, a department that is
supposed to protect the state and its people, air, water, and
land. Mr. Brune has expressed support of resource extraction
projects such as Pebble, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,
Donlin, and Chuitna, and he has little to no public record in
support of any environmental issues. Mr. Benucci opined
degradation of the sport fishing industry and increased
restrictions on Alaskans are indicative of the impacts of change
in the environment. Mr. Brune would be less restrictive on
industry. He urged the committee to invoke the will of the
people.
6:48:17 PM
DIANNA GARFIELD said she is a resident of Ketchikan, active duty
military, and a salmon fisherman, and is speaking on behalf of
her family. She said she supports protecting renewable
resources and effective salmon management in Alaska; she opined
Mr. Brune's appointment does not support sustainable salmon runs
for the future. Mr. Brune's conflict of interest is clear and
documented and she questioned whether he stands to gain any
personal financial benefits from Pebble mine. She said a
commissioner must take a holistic view of all of Alaska's
resources and manage them for future generations.
6:49:22 PM
DALE BANKS said he is a small business owner in Homer. He read
the DEC mission statement. He stated Mr. Brune's resume is
silent on what DEC is supposed to be doing, such as protecting
the environment, protecting air quality, spill prevention and
response, protecting and assessing water quality, protecting
safe drinking water, food safety, sanitation, and solid waste.
Mr. Brune's experience is solely with resource extraction, and
the resource industry is pleased with his appointment. Mr.
Brune is a poorly qualified candidate, and he urged the
committee to request the nomination of a qualified candidate.
6:52:14 PM
SUE CHRISTIANSEN said she has been a resident for over 40 years
and expressed opposition to the appointment of Mr. Brune. As a
former advocate for Pebble mine, he is not impartial, and the
commissioner of DEC is tasked with conserving, improving, and
protecting Alaska's natural resources and environment. Mr.
Brune seeks to advance a project that could destroy the world's
largest remaining salmon run, which has happened throughout the
world. She urged the committee to use integrity and conscience.
The job of the DEC commissioner is not to be focused on local
development, but to focus on protecting the environment. Ms.
Christiansen agreed with the previous speaker related to
Alaskan's faith in elected officials.
6:55:02 PM
DEANTHA CROCKETT disclosed her professional experience in
industry but said she was speaking on her own behalf. She said
she began her career working with Mr. Brune at the Resource
Development Council and found him to be extremely knowledgeable
and passionate about science. Mr. Brune caused her to become
more knowledgeable about how the resource industry can coexist
with the environment. She said Mr. Brune will be an amazing DEC
commissioner and urged for his confirmation.
6:56:58 PM
BILL JEFFRIES spoke in support of the confirmation of Mr. Brune
and against the character assassination of political appointees.
He said he has known Mr. Brune for over 20 years and would not
question his integrity or his commitment to his family, his
profession, or to Alaska. He referred to previous testimony
intended to undermine a good and competent candidate for
commissioner. Mr. Brune's scientific background and objective
approach will serve as an asset to the administration and to the
state. He urged the committee to advance the confirmation.
6:58:33 PM
MIKE LITZOW expressed his opposition to the confirmation of Mr.
Brune. Mr. Litzow said society and the state have a
responsibility to pass along a healthy Alaska environment to the
next generation; a DEC commissioner who is an honest advocate
for environmental conservation is critical to that
responsibility. Mr. Brune's involvement with Pebble mine
disqualifies him as a representative of the public interest in
important decisions that come before DEC. Further, Mr. Brune's
claims of impartiality are belied by his public comments toward
providing relief for polluters in Alaska.
6:59:35 PM
SHAWN DOCHTERMANN said he has been a resident for 40 years in
Kodiak. He said he is opposed to the confirmation of Mr. Brune.
As a Bristol Bay fisherman for 34 years, he said it is
impossible to think that a former spokesperson for the Pebble
project would be put into the position of commissioner, because
Mr. Brune cannot be impartial and has a conflict of interest.
He read a quote from Mr. Brune, and suggested a commissioner
would seek to protect the environment with conservation.
7:00:53 PM
HARRY MOORE said he is a lifetime fisherman in Bristol Bay and
his family came to Alaska in the 1940s. He expressed his
surprise at Mr. Brune's appointment because Mr. Brune has a
strong conflict of interest; on March 21, Mr. Brune asked how to
remove regulations to ease the pressure on industry that is
represented by the Resource Development Council. He read the
DEC mission statement and expressed his concern about Mr.
Brune's choices and motivation.
7:03:12 PM
KATIE GAVENUS said she is a lifelong resident of Homer and
expressed her opposition to the confirmation of Mr. Brune. She
pointed out there is a clear conflict of interest, ethical
questions of his appointment, and, due to his comments on social
media, a question of his impartiality even though he is an
intelligent and well-educated person. Also, the appointment
creates an erosion of trust, and people and the ecosystems of
Alaska deserve a commissioner who is aware of long-term impacts.
7:05:20 PM
SHERYL WASSILLIE said she lives in Igiugig, a village downstream
of the proposed Pebble mine, and expressed her opposition to the
confirmation of Mr. Brune. Mr. Brune's past position with Anglo
American is reason to believe Mr. Brune will have a biased
approach to issuing permits for the Pebble mine to move forward.
Mr. Brune also worked as executive director of the Resource
Development Council which is also a supporter of Pebble mine.
This experience does not reflect DEC's mission statement, and
she read the mission statement. Ms. Wassillie urged the
committee to make the right and moral choice to not advance the
confirmation.
7:06:43 PM
KYLE WILLINGHAM said he is a lifelong resident and is a
fisherman. He recalled 30 years today his father worked for DEC
and was cleaning oil off the beaches in Prince William Sound.
He urged the committee to learn from the [Exxon Valdez oil spill
of 3/24/89] which was a terrible event. He opined Mr. Brune is
clearly biased and one-sided, although he is smart and capable.
The confirmation of Mr. Brune would cause a loss of faith in
DEC, and he urged the committee to make the right choice. Mr.
Willingham cautioned against the possibility that if the mine is
built something can go wrong.
7:08:51 PM
ERIC FJELSTAD said he is an attorney speaking on his own behalf.
He has known Mr. Brune for almost 20 years in many capacities
and as a client. Mr. Brune is a good person and is well-liked,
which is an attribute for the commissioner of DEC. He pointed
out that in addition to the one resource development issue which
has been talked about, there are many challenges ahead for rural
Alaska which Mr. Brune can address. He urged people to look at
Mr. Brune as an individual and noted his many qualities.
7:10:33 PM
MELISSA HEUER said she was speaking on behalf of herself, her
family, and 14,000 members of the Susitna River Coalition in
opposition to the appointment of Mr. Brune. At the time that
Alaska needs to diversify its economy, the state needs a
balanced and unbiased commissioner; Mr. Brune's background and
work history show he is in favor of all development, regardless
of benefits to the people of Alaska or the long-term
environmental impacts to communities, economies, and food
security. For example, Mr. Brune has worked to advance the
Pebble mine and the Susitna-Wantana dam projects, both against
the strong opposition of Alaska residents. The commissioner of
DEC should balance the environmental and economic priorities of
residents and focus on long-term benefits for the state. She
opined Mr. Brune is not qualified to make balanced decisions.
7:11:50 PM
KAYE HOLOWATCH said she has been in Alaska for 32 years and is
strongly opposed to the confirmation of Mr. Brune. Although Mr.
Brune may be a nice guy, his close ties with Pebble, mining, oil
and gas organizations, and resource development would bring a
different perspective to DEC in direct odds with the mission of
DEC. Supporting Pebble mine, while guiding DEC, is a clear
conflict of interest. She said the quality of life for future
generations depends on decisions made today and urged the
committee not to advance the confirmation of Mr. Brune.
7:13:28 PM
CHRISTY FRY said the appointment of Mr. Brune reeks of backroom
deals. To put someone in charge of mining permits who has clear
ties to an ill-conceived mine is just wrong, just as the Pebble
mine project is wrong. She made further comments about Pebble
mine. Her hope is that her descendants will have access to
sustainable healthy salmon runs as did the people in Bristol Bay
2,000 years ago.
7:14:40 PM
AMANDA JOHNSTON said she is a small business owner in Homer who
is strongly opposed to the confirmation of Mr. Brune, and asked
members of the committee to listen to the testimony of their
constituents. The appointment of Mr. Brune is very important,
and he has a blatant conflict of interest to be in a position to
grant the Pebble mine key permits. Unlike earlier testimony in
support of Mr. Brune, the appointment is not about character or
personality, but at looking at the facts, his statements, and
his inability to be an unbiased commissioner of Alaska's
environment.
7:16:40 PM
DAVID SAM spoke in opposition to the confirmation of Mr. Brune,
not only because of Pebble mine, but other environmental issues
in Sitka. In Sitka, the environment has affected the herring
industry and the cultural and traditional use of herring. He
said he opposes a nominee who has supported Pebble mine because
after 100 years tailings leach into the environment. After the
tailings leach out, they are there forever, and people and fish
suffer; for example, tailings and mining have affected Southeast
Alaska. He stressed someone who has worked with Native
organizations doesn't have added clout, because a number of
shareholders have problems with development in their region,
including oil and gold. He restated his opposition.
7:18:42 PM
ALISHA SIRRA said she is a lifelong Alaskan who has had the
pleasure of knowing Mr. Brune professionally and personally for
many years, and he is the right person to lead DEC. In her work
experience, Mr. Brune served as a mentor and friend. Mr. Brune
thoughtfully and thoroughly examines all sides of a problem and
listens before making decisions. He is considerate and
professional and has always done what is right for Alaska. Mr.
Brune takes a scientific approach, respects the regulatory
process, and believes Alaska should have the highest
environmental standards in the world. He cares about the
environment, the economy, and has the best interests of the
state in mind for future generations.
7:20:37 PM
TIMOTHY GERVAIS said he was speaking on behalf of his family
fishing business and expressed his opposition to the
confirmation of Mr. Brune. Mr. Brune is [too] closely aligned
with the Pebble Partnership to be an impartial regulator and
will not hold development companies to a high enough standard to
protect watersheds and environment, thus we will not be able to
maintain sustainable salmon runs. Once the watersheds are
destroyed, they will be ruined for centuries. This is an
opportunity for the legislature to protect the last great salmon
habitat in the world. His family is asking the committee to not
advance the confirmation of Mr. Brune.
7:22:01 PM
KONRAD SHAAD said he is a 39-year resident of Alaska who
strongly opposes the appointment of Mr. Brune. He asked for the
purpose of a permitting process and suggested there should be
"check and balance" for the industry seeking a permit. A pro-
mining person should not be in charge of issuing permits for
mining, or in keeping regulations for mining. Mr. Brune offered
to get rid of regulations before he was appointed. Mr. Shaad
urged the committee not to advance the confirmation.
7:23:05 PM
MARK BEAUDIN said he was representing himself and his children.
He suggested the purpose of Mr. Brune's appointment is not to
protect the environment but to advance the Pebble mine. He said
proponents of the mine fail to report that gold is worth more
than the salmon fishery, and say no harm would come to the
fishery; however, everyone working at or benefitting from the
mine should sign a document that puts their net worth at risk
along with the fishery. Signatories should include mining
companies and corporate officers, lenders, mineworkers,
engineers, and security guards. Mr. Beaudin opined if a
disaster occurred mine proponents should accept the risk along
with the fisherman. Further, if the fishery were destroyed by
climate change, the mine could proceed.
7:25:01 PM
WESTON MCKENZIE said he is a student at the University of Alaska
Anchorage and strongly opposes the confirmation of Mr. Brune.
Mr. Brune has worked for mining companies, is biased, has a
major conflict of interest, and is not working for the interest
of the majority of Alaskans. Mr. McKenzie said Mr. Brune wants
to advance the Pebble mine which is not compatible with the
world's last wild sustainable fishery that provides thousands of
jobs for Alaskans and Americans. Mines that the Pebble
corporation has worked with before have failed with catastrophic
results. The federal permitting process has not been fair and
shortened the review period for citizens and elected officials.
Mr. McKenzie said this is not a personal attack on Mr. Brune,
but he is a poor choice for the job as commissioner of DEC.
7:26:45 PM
JENNIFER TAYLOR said she is a 30-year resident who has lived and
worked in Alaska and who seeks to come home to a safe
environment that can support a subsistence lifestyle, which is
the lifeblood of Alaska, and which should survive far beyond the
life of the mining industry. She spoke in opposition to the
appointment of Mr. Brune based upon his promotion of the mining
industry, which would interfere with ensuring compliance in
enforcement activities. Ms. Taylor referred to money paid by
the residents of British Columbia, Canada, to the government to
pay the mining closure liability from the Mount Polley tailings
dam failure in 2014. She compared the Mount Polley disaster to
that of the [Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989]. She urged
Alaskans to research the mining industry in British Columbia.
7:29:54 PM
ERIC BEEMAN said he is a 50-year Alaska setnetter and president
of the Nushagak Setnet Association. He spoke in opposition to
the appointment of Mr. Brune. As a former spokesman for the
Pebble Partnership and a stanch mining advocate, Mr. Brune's
nomination as commissioner to the department that regulates
mining permitting would be the antithesis of fair process, and
his nomination is insulting to some. Mr. Beeman acknowledged he
does not personally know Mr. Brune, but Mr. Brune's public
stance has revealed where his loyalties lie.
7:31:23 PM
IAN BLAKE said he was representing himself and his family and
spoke in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Brune. Because he
doesn't know Mr. Brune personally, Mr. Blake said he must judge
him by his public statements that have raised concern. Mr.
Brune has a history of public advocacy for a large mining
project and Mr. Blake questioned Mr. Brune's statement that he
can evaluate it like any other. Further, Mr. Brune's stated
personal philosophy that leans towards developing locally is
incongruent with the mission statement of DEC. Mr. Blake said
he is a former employee of DEC and mining development was not a
priority of his public service.
7:33:15 PM
CAROLYN NICHOLS said she has lived in Sitka for 35 years and
spoke in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Brune. She opined
Mr. Brune is biased towards mining and has conflicts of
interest. She suggested the state would not benefit from a
leader who would have to recuse himself from many issues due to
conflicts of interest. Ms. Nichols urged the committee not to
advance the confirmation.
7:34:06 PM
ELLEN VANDEVISSE expressed her fear that hearings are
disregarded. She said she strongly oppose the nomination of Mr.
Brune because DEC needs an impartial person to head a protection
agency, not a "promote pollution" agency. She urged the
committee to consider the serious erosion of trust in government
and to make a good faith decision as to whether the nomination
is in the best interests of clean water, clean air, health,
salmon, renewable resources, and the future of Alaska, and not
in the interest of outside extraction industries.
7:36:14 PM
PAUL GLAVINOVICH expressed his support of the appointment of Mr.
Brune, stating Mr. Brune's credentials are impeccable. Mr.
Glavinovich said many Alaskans think the DEC commissioner can
unilaterally make a decision relating to the permitting of a
resource development project; however, such decisions represent
the product of multiple state agencies that are staffed with
competent scientists.
7:37:37 PM
LACI MICHAUD, on behalf of the Alaska Miners Association (AMA),
expressed her support for the confirmation of Mr. Burne. She
informed the committee AMA is a membership trade association
representing large and small mines, sand, gravel, and rock
quarry operations, exploration projects, and vendors and
contractors who make a living from a healthy mining industry.
Alaska miners have worked with Mr. Brune for many years and he
has a reputation within the regulating community as having
extensive knowledge of Alaska biology and on any issue, Mr.
Brune has always focused on science and that the resource
development must be responsible. Mr. Brune has worked in Alaska
in many sectors and has always focused on science above
politics. She said DEC will benefit from Mr. Brune's technical
expertise and AMA supports his confirmation.
7:39:20 PM
RENE LIMERE said he is representing his business, Ultimate
Rivers, and has been an Alaska resident for almost 40 years. He
gave a short personal history. Mr. Limere said he is joining
the overwhelming testimony in opposition to the appointment of
Mr. Brune for his conflict of interest and his public comments.
He described the rivers in Bristol Bay, and opined people in
charge need to have an understanding and background in
conservation.
7:41:34 PM
CATHY JOHNSON said she has lived in Alaska over 50 years and is
speaking on behalf of her family. Her family commercial fishes
in Bristol Bay and she spoke in opposition to the appointment of
Mr. Brune. Mr. Brune has a conflict of interest in issuing
permits and regulating mines. She said her family needs someone
to protect and represent the salmon industry. The Exxon Valdez
oil spill killed many species of sea life and Exxon's response
was to write everyone checks; Alaska cannot take that type of
disaster again but let us leave a beautiful Alaska for our
children. Ms. Johnson urged the committee to not advance the
confirmation.
7:43:30 PM
MYRA SCHOLZE said she is a lifelong Alaskan from Kodiak Island
speaking in strong opposition to the appointment of Mr. Brune.
The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for
protecting Alaska's environment, including permitting mines, and
because of Mr. Brune's history as a Pebble mine spokesman for
Anglo American, his appointment represents a grave conflict of
interest. Pebble mine threatens Bristol Bay, which is one of
the world's last natural salmon runs but is also a place of
economic, cultural, and ecological importance. She urged the
committee not to advance the confirmation.
7:44:41 PM
GRIFFIN PLUSH said he is a student originally from Seward
speaking in opposition to the confirmation of Mr. Brune. Young
Alaskans trust elected officials to ensure the processes of
government and permitting are due process, fair, and that all
voices are heard. Mr. Plush expressed his concern that Mr.
Brune is more friendly to transnational developers than to young
Alaskans who oppose dangerous extraction. Mr. Brune's support
for one specific industry should be a disqualifier, and could
undermine the future of Alaskans. He pointed out in Seward
after the Exxon Valdez oil spill there was massive devastation
that had been proceeded by many promises that not one drop of
oil would be spilled, but the industry was not held accountable
and there was oil on the coast. Mr. Plush said it is the job of
the state to hold industry accountable.
7:47:08 PM
KIRSA HUGHES-SKENDIJS recalled one of Mr. Brune's "highly
inflammatory tweets" regarding [2018 Alaska Ballot Measure 1]
and she read a quote. She acknowledged Mr. Brune has some
conservation background, but his actions have been to support
getting rid of the Ocean Ranger program, which does not cost the
state money, primarily to show Alaska is open for business. Ms.
Hughes-Skendijs said Mr. Brune's actions have disqualified him
as acting in a nonpartisan function. She pointed out the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has
observers on trawlers and electronic monitoring, and questioned
why the head of DEC would resist a safeguard for pollution from
outside corporations. She equated "open for business" with
"open for exploitation."
7:49:53 PM
ROCHELLE HARRISON said she lives in Bristol Bay and spoke in
opposition to the nomination of Mr. Brune. She and her family
own a small fishing business in Bristol Bay and depend upon
natural resources and a healthy fish population. The local
residents oppose the Pebble mine and Mr. Brune has shown a bias
toward the mine and the mining industry, at the cost of the
natural resources needed to continue her lifestyle in Alaska.
She urged the committee to not advance the confirmation.
7:51:08 PM
COLE DEAL spoke in opposition to the confirmation of Mr. Brune.
In this position, Mr. Brune cannot be objective in reviewing the
applications Pebble needs to submit to DEC to develop a large
copper and gold mine. Mr. Brune's previous work history
dictates that he cannot be held accountable for decisions on the
ongoing Pebble process that are important environmental
decisions regarding Alaska's wild resources.
7:52:06 PM
TYLER HENEGAN said he finds it unfathomable to consider the
nomination of Mr. Brune. In the interests of Alaskans and the
future of children, he stressed the importance of promoting the
health of Alaska's ecosystem which Mr. Brune cannot do. Mr.
Brune's history and public statements show he is not in favor of
promoting a healthy ecosystem, and Mr. Henegan urged the
committee not to advance the confirmation.
7:53:04 PM
JAMES SELVOG said he is from Kodiak and lives is Soldotna. His
family members have all fished commercially in Bristol Bay and
two generations depend upon salmon for their livelihoods. He
recalled the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and expressed
his strong opposition to the appointment of Mr. Brune.
7:54:34 PM
SHERYL BAECHLER, speaking for herself and her family, expressed
her strong opposition to the nomination of Mr. Brune because he
cannot make decisions in the best interests of Alaskans and the
environment. She said she is concerned about the Pebble mine
because she is a landowner in the Bristol Bay area, and restated
her opposition.
7:55:39 PM
MARK NIVER President, Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay, said
he is a 42-year resident of Alaska and 39-year fisherman in
Bristol Bay and is speaking on behalf of 1,400 permit holders in
Bristol Bay who oppose the nomination of Mr. Brune. He recalled
Mr. Brune's previous statements and said his organization seeks
a nominee who leans toward conservation and not development.
Many Alaskans have testified who want a conservationist at DEC.
He described features of the Pebble mine and said it will affect
the Bristol Bay watershed.
7:57:46 PM
SUE SPRINKLE said Mr. Brune has a credibility issue and
questioned how a person who loves Alaska would support a project
that could go wrong. She stated Alaska needs to protect its air
and water and stated her opposition to the appointment of Mr.
Brune.
7:59:18 PM
JOE MACKENZIE said he is a business owner speaking on his own
behalf and on behalf his family in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Brune. He is a harvester of renewable resources, that
have sustained his family for three generations, and noted Mr.
Brune has a conflict of interest with those who utilize
renewable resources. He said legislators represent many like
himself, and can decide to look forward and realize a potential
biased opinion at DEC could jeopardize many constituents.
8:00:34 PM
ERICA MADISON said she is a Bristol Bay fisherman and a small
business owner speaking in opposition to the appointment of Mr.
Brune. She urged the committee to seek an unbiased, neutral
appointee who will fairly evaluate resource extraction, and one
who will search for safe and inventive economic opportunities
for the state while protecting profitable industries such as
commercial fishing. She said Mr. Brune has supported
development companies and the Pebble mine, and thus cannot
support conserving and protecting Alaska's natural resources.
8:01:31 PM
BRIAN BURKE said he is a 40-year Alaska resident and expressed
his opposition to Mr. Brune's nomination. He said Mr. Brune
stated his support of the Pebble mine - and that the mine can
coexist with salmon fisheries - in 2018, before the scope of the
project was presented. Further, the Alaska Mining Association
supports his nomination. Mr. Burke restated his strong
opposition.
8:03:00 PM
KRYSTA WATTERS said she is a resident and fisherman of Bristol
Bay speaking in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Brune. She
opined Mr. Brune is anti-Bristol Bay because of his support of
Pebble mine, a gold and copper mine, and his support of a
"pushed through" environmental impact statement (EIS). She said
she did not support someone associated with the mine.
8:05:32 PM
LAURA WRIGHT spoke in strong opposition to the confirmation of
Mr. Brune. She questioned whether Mr. Brune could use science
to contain a tailings pile forever and prevent a tailings dam
failure. She urged for a more balanced representative as
commissioner for DEC. Ms. Wright noted the challenges of
declining salmon populations and climate change and stated
Alaska needs to protect what it currently has.
8:06:57 PM
NOELLE CARBONE said she is a small business owner in the upper
Susitna valley speaking in strong opposition to the confirmation
of Mr. Brune. She said Mr. Brune has an obvious bias for
mining, megaprojects, and Outside interests. Ms. Carbone
stressed the importance of balance and the need for a
commissioner to accomplish the hard work of conserving,
protecting, and improving Alaska's natural resources for all
Alaskans. Mr. Brune has a conflict of interest, and although he
may be of good character and intelligent, the commissioner
should represent all Alaskans.
8:08:27 PM
CRAWFORD PARR said he is a pilot speaking for himself and his
family in opposition to the confirmation of Mr. Brune because
one with a background in advancing mining interests is
unqualified due to a conflict of interest. Mr. Parr provided a
quote from Mr. Brune related to eliminating mining regulations.
Mr. Parr said he stands for clean water and wild salmon.
8:10:01 PM
MELISSA GOOZEN said she opposes Mr. Brune's appointment due to
his obvious and extreme conflict of interest. She said she has
lived in Alaska for 46 years, grew up on the Copper River, and
lived in many places in the state. She expressed her support
for previous testimony in opposition to Mr. Brune, and for clean
water and wild salmon statewide.
8:10:50 PM
JONATHON HOYSOCK stated his opposition to the appointment of Mr.
Brune. He said he is calling from the coal mining region of
Pennsylvania, which is the home region of Governor Dunleavy.
Mr. Hoysock opined Mr. Brune has a conflict of interest due to
his support of Pebble mine.
8:12:06 PM
BERNIE HOFFMAN said she has lived in Fairbanks for 30 years and
spoke in strong opposition to the confirmation of Mr. Brune.
Mr. Brune carries a lot of pro-industry baggage and could not
represent all Alaskans fairly. A majority of Alaskans want
clean air and renewable resources, such as Bristol Bay salmon,
and support the regulations that make them so. She said Mr.
Brune seeks to gut regulations and allow for the extraction of
resources and leave toxic waste behind, which is the wrong
attitude for the Alaska state government. Alaska needs to focus
on climate change.
8:14:22 PM
SCOTT BARTLETT, speaking for himself and his family, expressed
his strong opposition to the confirmation of Mr. Brune. He
noted DEC has a broad mission and purview over many projects;
however, Mr. Brune was nominated for the single issue to impact
the regulation process of Pebble mine. Mr. Brune's nomination
is inappropriate for Alaska and displays cronyism. Mr. Bartlett
urged for a conservatist or an impartial individual who could be
trusted to evaluate what the Bristol Bay region offers Alaska
and the world.
8:16:20 PM
PAM MILLER, Executive Director, Alaska Community Action on
Toxics (ACAT), informed the committee ACAT is a public interest
environmental health and justice research and advocacy
organization. Ms. Miller recalled she has met with Mr. Brune in
his position as commissioner designee and noted he is personable
and friendly. Her opposition to his appointment is based upon
his work experience and she questioned his objectivity due to
his alliance with mining and oil and gas industries. Further,
she is concerned about his leadership protecting public health
in complex issues such as the contamination of drinking water
sources by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances found
in firefighting foam in dozens of communities around Alaska.
For example, DEC proposed cleanup standards for remediation of
contaminated water and soil which are not health-protective.
Unlike other states, DEC has not moved toward establishing
enforceable drinking water standards for the protection of
public health. Ms. Miller also expressed concerns about Mr.
Brune's ability to represent the public interest in issues of
complex permitting decisions, and in addressing climate change
and the industrial contamination of the Arctic. She urged the
committee not to advance the nomination.
8:18:12 PM
CO-CHAIR TARR closed public testimony on the confirmation of Mr.
Brune.
The committee took a brief at-ease.
8:21:38 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Brune Resume.pdf |
HRES 3/15/2019 1:20:00 PM HRES 3/25/2019 6:30:00 PM HRES 4/1/2019 6:30:00 PM |
Brune Commissioner Brune |
| Brune Supporting Document - Letters of Support Set One 3.25.19.pdf |
HRES 3/25/2019 6:30:00 PM HRES 4/1/2019 6:30:00 PM |
Brune |
| Brune Supporting Document - Letters of Support Set Two 3.25.19.pdf |
HRES 3/25/2019 6:30:00 PM HRES 4/1/2019 6:30:00 PM |
Brune |
| Brune Supporting Document - Letters of Opposition Set One 3.25.19.pdf |
HRES 3/25/2019 6:30:00 PM HRES 4/1/2019 6:30:00 PM |
Brune |