Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 211
04/02/2009 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Alaska Statehood Anniversary Celebration | |
| SB137 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
April 2, 2009
3:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Donald Olson, Chair
Senator Joe Thomas, Vice Chair
Senator Hollis French
Senator Linda Menard
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Albert Kookesh
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 137
"An Act relating to meetings of the Board of Fisheries."
HEARD AND HELD
Presentation: Alaska Statehood Anniversary Celebration
HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 137
SHORT TITLE: REPORT ON MEETINGS OF BOARD OF FISHERIES
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) BUNDE
03/09/09 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/09/09 (S) CRA, RES
03/26/09 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 211
03/26/09 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/02/09 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 211
WITNESS REGISTER
CHRISTOPHER CONSTANT, Vice President
Alaska Statehood Commission
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered a presentation on behalf of the
Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission.
LEO RASMUSSEN, Member
Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission
Nome, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the 50th
anniversary of statehood celebrations in Nome.
KAYSA KORPELA, Member
Capital City Celebrations
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the activities
celebrating the 50th anniversary of statehood in Juneau.
MICHELLE ROBERTS, Executive Director
Festival Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the 50th statehood
celebrations held in Fairbanks.
DARL SCHAAF, Planner/Coordinator
Anchorage Statehood Celebrations
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the 50th statehood
celebrations held in Anchorage.
SENATOR CON BUNDE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 137.
JIM MARCOTTE, Executive Director
Board of Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 137.
JERRY MCCUNE
United Fishermen of Alaska
Cordova, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated support for SB 137.
BOB THORSTENSON, Executive Director
Southeast Alaska Seiners Association
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated qualified support for SB 137.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:34:04 PM
CHAIR DONALD OLSON called the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:34 p.m.
Senators French and Olson were present at the call to order.
Senators Menard and Thomas arrived shortly thereafter.
^Presentation: Alaska Statehood Anniversary Celebration
CHAIR OLSON announced the committee would hear a presentation
from the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission.
3:34:39 PM
CHRISTOPHER CONSTANT, Vice President, Alaska Statehood
Celebration Commission, ("Commission") said the Commission was
created in January 2005 and funded with $300,000 to plan and
implement statehood activities. It consists of five public
members and four legislative members and was formed to plan and
administer all official statehood activities, set policy, and
create a timeline for the activities. The vision of the
Commission is to honor the state's history and celebrate its
future. The mission is to inspire people to rejoice in Alaska's
past, present, and future. The values are to honor and celebrate
Alaska Native heritage, culture, and history; individuals who
were instrumental in creating statehood; and Alaska's children.
3:37:31 PM
MR. CONSTANT said the Commission objectives were to organize
subcommittees to plan for a budget, public relations and to
create a website of statewide activities; to engage in joint
projects with municipalities, the university, civic
organizations and nonprofits; to initiate a fair process to
solicit ideas for celebrating the 50th anniversary of statehood
and to provide resources when possible to help communities get
organized; and to look at statehood and legacy projects that
could last into the future. He noted that the public sector has
really stepped up to help.
To get things rolling the Commission engaged in a most notable
initial project, which was the creation of a logo. It is a
recast of the original statehood medallion with only the date
being different. The Commission has provided these medallions to
communities statewide to use as a fundraising tool. Dean Potter
is the artist who created the logo and also the commemorative
license plate that was unveiled January 2008.
3:40:10 PM
MR. CONSTANT said another item that was released on January 3
was the U.S. postage stamp commemorating Alaska statehood. He
noted that the Postal Service bent the rules by putting a living
person on the stamp. Another project that is close to fruition
is the Alaska Airlines paint-the-plane project. The winning
design was submitted by a 16-year-old from Sitka. Her motto is,
"WE'RE ALL PULLING TOGETHER." The plane will be unveiled in
Sitka next Thursday and will be in service for seven or eight
years. Mr. Constant listed some important dates in the statehood
process: Congress passed the Alaska Statehood Act June 28, 1958;
Alaska voters ratified the Act August 26, 1958; President
Eisenhower signed the Act July 7 1958; and on January 3, 1959
President Eisenhower signed a proclamation making statehood
official. Activities in Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage will
center on these dates.
3:42:48 PM
MR. CONSTANT said the organizing events have been attended by
thousands of Alaskans, tourists, and international dignitaries.
The Commission has participated in local fundraising efforts and
collateral materials are being distributed to thousands.
Requests to use the Alaska statehood logo number in the
hundreds. It's even used on coke cans. Continuing activities of
the Commission include: helping communities organize anniversary
activities; an outreach project to military deployed overseas;
continuing to work with the tourism industry to encourage travel
to Alaska for statehood celebrations; and working with the
university, state museums and libraries to preserve and archive
statehood work. "We had some amazing and brilliant inspirational
activities across the state." Mr. Constant said he particularly
wants to recognize partnering help from Alaska Airlines, the
Alaska Railroad, and the travel industry.
3:46:06 PM
LEO RASMUSSEN, Member, Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission,
reminded the committee that Nome was a hotbed in the movement
toward statehood. The first elected member to Congress came from
Nome so it's been a part of the city's lifestyle since its
beginning in 1899 with the discovery of gold. The Nome program
was comprised of signature events scaled to be comparable to the
larger communities. On December 31, 2008 they recreated eight
stars of gold with eight bonfires on the ice. The Big Dipper
bonfire was two miles long and one mile wide. This was followed
by a torchlight parade. He noted that glow sticks do work at 20
below and are immensely beautiful. They also held a 49-50
celebration with sparklers and the picture is beautiful. In an
effort to set a record, Nome decided to create a 1,100 pound
flaming Baked Alaska. The birthday celebration continued indoors
at old St. Joseph's Church. Senator Olson made a presentation on
statehood and gifted a framed 49 star flag to the city. Three
more events are planned. First is a re-creation of early Nome
4th of July celebrations, second is a contest to climb a greased
pole to get a $50 bill, and finally a picnic will take place for
anyone and everyone. He thanked the committee.
3:53:14 PM
KAYSA KORPELA, Capital City Celebrations, explained that the
eight-member group was formed at the request of the mayor to
help plan and host events and projects for the 50th anniversary
of statehood in Juneau. Capital City Celebrations meets monthly
and also holds a monthly volunteer meeting to elicit help from
community members. The first event was done in partnership with
the Juneau Symphony, which presented a piece entitled "The
Alaska Symphony." It was written in the 1940s and commemorated
the passage of the Alaska Statehood Act by Congress in 1958.
Capital City Celebrations also hosted, alone or in partnership,
the following: a desert competition, a wine tasting, First
Ladies of Alaska tea, and a cruise ship lunch. They also
partnered with the 4th of July Parade Committee, Eaglecrest ski
area, Perseverance Theatre, and a local women's event. On
January 3, 2009 the 50th Anniversary Ball was held, and the next
day they partnered with BP to present a fireworks display.
The last event will be the 4th of July. Capital City
Celebrations is working with the Juneau-Douglas City Museum to
reenact the flag raising ceremony and the parade committee to
recreate some floats. The original queen and her court of 50
years ago will be in the parade. A community picnic and dance
will follow. Ms. Korpela said Capital City Celebrations has
worked hard to fund the events and is now looking forward to
planning a legacy project that will serve as a reminder that the
state has achieved 50 years of statehood. She thanked the
Legislature for the opportunity to work on the 50th anniversary
of statehood celebrations.
MS. KORPELA reminded the committee that Capital City
Celebrations is partnering with Perseverance Theatre to reenact
the play, "8 Stars of Gold" tomorrow night at 7:30. The original
play was built on discussions by Alaska's political and cultural
leaders whose vision led to statehood.
3:57:33 PM
MICHELLE ROBERTS, Executive Director, Festival Fairbanks, told
the committee that Festival Fairbanks was tasked by the
Commission to hold the May 28 event celebrating the U.S. House
of Representatives passing the initial Alaska Statehood bill.
Festival Fairbanks then held a 1950s style barbecue and bonfire
event with pyrotechnics. They had the first official Alaska kite
day and held an event highlighting businesses past, present, and
future. A large fireworks show was held on January 17 rather
than the 3rd because of ice fog conditions.
Festival Fairbanks is finishing the Chena River walk, which
recognizes the centennial of the city. The Fairbanks legacy
project is to complete the river walk by completing a loop on
the north and south sides of the river. The Alaska Railroad is
the only property owner that has not agreed to be a part of this
project so there are a few details to work out. The 50th
anniversary torch was brought to the Fairbanks ice park for the
Ice Alaska world championships and got national coverage when
Dorothy Hamill was interviewed standing in front. Ms. Roberts
said Festival Fairbanks is working with social, civil, and
service groups to ensure that the logo is adopted whenever
appropriate. Other activities include flying banners along
airport road and production of a 50th anniversary wine. City and
borough beautification efforts for the year include a blue and
gold color scheme.
4:01:31 PM
SENATOR FRENCH thanked the commission for coming to Juneau to
talk about statehood celebrations. He was in Anchorage on
January 3 when the fireworks went off and he will never forget
the stunning display.
CHAIR OLSON asked when their legacy project will be finished.
MS. ROBERTS explained that the south side will be finished this
year, but finishing the north side depends on cooperation from
the Alaska Railroad. To date they only want to grant permission
to build the trailhead, but Festival Fairbanks needs to know
there is a right-of-way for the entire bike path. The state owns
the railroad so the legislature could help. "We'd like see more
opportunities in Fairbanks like…Ship Creek [in Anchorage]," she
said. The railroad has put a lot of time and money into that
type of development. We're not asking them for money, we're
asking for a right-of-way that we will then maintain, she said.
CHAIR OLSON said let us know how we can help.
4:03:46 PM
DARL SCHAAF, Planner/Coordinator, Anchorage Statehood
Celebrations said Anchorage was tasked with hosting the January
3rd party. Working through the Alaska Community Foundation, they
decided this should serve as a kick off for the year. Some of
the approximately 18 events were funded by the state.
Specifically, the state underwrote the projects in the amount of
$1 million and the city raised a matching $1.2 million. He
proudly noted that $1 million of the match was earned rather
than raised so it didn't compete with existing nonprofits.
Anchorage Statehood Celebrations worked with the military to
present the June 28 air show and 3-day weekend that was attended
by thousands. At Elmendorf Air Force Base a 1940s hanger was
converted to hold a reunion concert with Wynonna Judd. Ten
thousand people came to the base to watch and AT&T broadcast it
on an international network. As a gift from the state any
deployed person who so desired could watch the concert on the
4th of July.
4:07:35 PM
MR. SCHAAF said that when Anchorage Statehood Celebrations
decided to participate in the statewide bonfire event the
military collected 30 tons of debris and lit it by dropping a
fake bomb filled with pyrotechnics from a B-25. The explosion
was very impressive. He continued to say that twice during the
year all of the living governors of Alaska were brought
together. The first gathering was a fundraising opportunity that
raised approximately $425,000 with the sale of a Sydney Lawrence
print that was signed by all of the living governors. With that
money they presented a governor's legacy dinner, which was
completely sold out.
The New Years Eve party, commemorating a moment in history, was
billed worldwide. Alaska Airlines stepped up and offered half-
price tickets to Anchorage for that week. Over 1,000 Alaskans
were paid to work on the projects and over 700 artists
performed. The gala was attended by 1,500 people including
dignitaries from other countries. The gala was televised.
Delegates each 27 different villages came to Anchorage and
participated in a pledge of unity promising to work together for
the next 50 years in order to make Alaska a better place. The
next day the delegates and the Conference for Young Alaskans
marched through town and symbolically lit the nine foot
stainless steel "Light of the North" torch. It was designed so
that the four panels can be removed for display in Juneau,
Fairbanks, Anchorage, and hopefully in the Smithsonian Alaska
exhibit. The legacy project, which is at the state parking
garage, is a bronze plaque history walk that captures 16
important moments in the history of statehood. Commemorative
books are available.
4:13:20 PM
Anchorage Statehood Celebrations also organized a quilt project
depicting rural Alaska. These nine large quilts and a book are
currently touring the state. The work is brilliant and copies of
the book are available. Finally, on January 3rd Anchorage
Statehood Celebrations put on an enormous seven venue
celebration with free entertainment by Alaska performers. The
economic impact was substantial. Over 500 room nights were
rented January 1-3 in downtown Anchorage. Mr. Schaaf noted that
a book commemorating the celebration events is at the
publishers. Furthermore, Anchorage Statehood Celebrations
recently endowed the Anchorage museum to digitize 140,000
statehood photos and established a fund at the Alaska Community
Foundation for the 75th anniversary of statehood celebration.
4:16:24 PM
SENATOR MENARD asked if the prints are selling for $1,500.
MR. SCHAAF said yes, and he looks upon it as an investment. When
commemorative prints were sold 25 years ago the cost was $500
and now they sell for $5,000. "You'll get a copy of all three of
the books, the quilt book, the bronze plaque, and this
photographic book," he added.
SENATOR MENARD commented that it feels like there is Karma here
because her parking space is number 49.
MR. CONSTANT said in 2003 when he worked at the Alaska
Humanities Forum he began thinking about this project. They
started with the work on the Constitutional Convention and since
then they have inspired many people to become involved. His hope
has been to communicate the historical importance of this
occasion to young people. At the 100th anniversary of statehood
the young people of today will be able to look back and say they
met Katie Hurley on the 50th anniversary. I believe we've
achieved our goal in many ways, he said.
MR. CONSTANT recognized the Rasmuson Foundation for contributing
$1 million for important humanities projects - the study of the
history, the creation of documentaries, and the creation of
interpretive artwork. This was done in partnership with the
Humanities Forum. He added that the Commission will come back
with a final report recommending how the celebration can be even
better next time.
SENATOR MENARD highlighted that there was $300,000 for the
National Endowment of the Arts in the stimulus package and she
supports accepting the money. Art develops the left side of the
brain and there are fantastic artists in Alaska. Do what you can
to accept that money, she said.
4:20:56 PM
MR. CONSTANT said there is money available in the competitive
funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and only two
organizations in the state are eligible to apply for that money.
There is $250,000 to re-grant funds to arts organizations. He
fully supports the Legislature accepting that money and he would
hope that Juneau, as the local granting agency of city
government, would also take that approach. Get on board because
that could double the money available to Alaska arts and culture
organizations, he said.
CHAIR OLSON asked the names of the organizations.
MR. CONSTANT answered they are Alaska State Council on the Arts
and Juneau Arts and Humanities.
CHAIR OLSON asked about the number and subject of the legacy
projects that are outstanding.
MR. CONSTANT replied it's difficult to say because most
communities are still working on theirs. He offered to submit a
report on which projects are moving forward.
SENATOR MENARD said she would like to borrow parade ideas from
Capital City Celebrations to use in the parade at the Alaska
State Fair in Palmer.
4:23:18 PM
CHAIR OLSON said Nome can probably accept the Light of the North
panel if the Smithsonian doesn't have room for it.
The committee took a brief at-ease at 4:24 p.m.
SB 137-REPORT ON MEETINGS OF BOARD OF FISHERIES
4:25:55 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced the consideration of SB 137.
SENATOR CON BUNDE, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 137,
said he fishes but he doesn't have a dog in this fight. The
legislation addresses the concern that the Board of Fisheries
(BOF) meetings may not be on an optimal schedule. He explained
that there are people in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
(ADF&G) who take almost a year to prepare data and
recommendations for a BOF meeting. Once the policies are in
place there might not be enough time between meetings for the
department to collect and review data to prove or disprove the
efficacy of the policy before they need to prepare for new
proposals. This bill simply asks the Board of Fisheries to tell
the Legislature the time interval that should pass between
meetings.
SB 137 further asks the BOF to recommend a plan that does not
disenfranchise the public process, but that helps ADF&G to be
more efficient in addressing repetitive proposals.
4:28:37 PM
SENATOR BUNDE noted that the Southeast Seiners recently provided
a letter of support.
SENATOR MENARD commented that there isn't a fiscal note and
asked if BOF members get a stipend when they meet.
CHAIR OLSON clarified that there is a fiscal note and it is
zero.
SENATOR BUNDE explained that they get per diem, but this bill
would not add costs.
CHAIR OLSON asked if there isn't a cost attached to a biologist
looking at the proposal.
4:30:17 PM
SENATOR BUNDE said yes, but those costs are built into the ADF&G
budget.
SENATOR MENARD said she just wanted to understand the fiscal
impact.
CHAIR OLSON asked who would come out on the short side if this
bill were to pass.
SENATOR BUNDE replied he really doesn't know, but someone who
wants their good idea to be heard immediately may be
inconvenienced.
4:32:00 PM
CHAIR OLSON asked if he heard anything from fishers.
SENATOR BUNDE replied he has not heard anything negative. If
there is concern he suspects it will be sport related.
SENATOR THOMAS summarized that the bill does two things. It asks
for a recommendation as to whether the time between meeting
dates should be expanded from the current three years, and it
asks for a policy to deal with repetitive proposals.
SENATOR BUNDE reiterated that the bill asks for those
recommendations and makes no suggestion as to what the right
answers might be.
SENATOR THOMAS reviewed the zero fiscal note and the
approximately $300,000 for the Division of Commercial Fisheries
to attend each meeting. He asked how BOF members are
compensated.
4:34:38 PM
SENATOR BUNDE said they receive per diem. He surmised that there
could be a negative fiscal impact if the time between meetings
were extended.
CHAIR OLSON asked why this wasn't addressed years ago.
SENATOR BUNDE replied he would have acted sooner had it been
brought to his attention.
4:36:26 PM
JIM MARCOTTE, Executive Director, Board of Fisheries, Alaska
Department of Fish and Game, Juneau, said he hopes his comments
will provide a context for the bill. He explained that the Board
of Fisheries is on a three-year cycle. It meets about 35-40 days
per year, generally October through March, in different
geographic areas. Meetings can run for 10 or 11 days. Prior to
1990 the board dealt with every issue each year, which was a
huge workload. Switching to a three-year cycle was a way to
balance the needs of the public and the department in getting
through the workload. Now they get around to the different
sections every three years, which generally serves the process
quite well. There are procedures for the Board of Fisheries to
respond more quickly if needed. There is an agenda change
request policy and the ability to respond to emergency
petitions. The downside to out-of-cycle actions is that they
tend to have less public input. If the three-year cycle were to
be lengthened, more out-of-cycle requests would be anticipated.
4:39:42 PM
MR. MARCOTTE said the packet contains a list of where the BOF
meetings have been held and the pattern for the past six years.
The meeting schedule for next year and a pie chart showing the
source of the various proposals are also included. About half of
the proposals come from the public. Sometimes local fish and
game advisory committees, stakeholder groups, village councils,
and other entities submit proposals; and the department submits
proposals through the same mechanism. Neither the department nor
the Board of Fisheries has developed a formal position on the
bill, but both would like to review the assumptions built into
that three-year cycle and make recommendations.
ADF&G submitted a zero fiscal note because there is just a small
workload to have a discussion and develop recommendations. If
the meetings cycle were to change, he would submit another
fiscal note. He appreciates that the bill is asking for
background information before taking an action; that's always a
healthy approach. Finally, he said this is just one aspect of
the BOF process. There are many other elements in having an
effective board process. This is one of several kinds of things
that might be on an overall list looking for improvements.
SENATOR THOMAS asked if $296,000 is an annual number because the
BOF is meeting every year.
4:43:09 PM
MR. MARCOTTE replied the information he provided is intended to
give the committee an idea of costs to the department. This is
the cost for one division for one 12-day meeting. It's not an
annual cost, but it does show that there is considerable cost to
the state coffer to prepare for these meetings. It's not a
comprehensive cost of a BOF meeting because other divisions and
support costs are involved.
SENATOR THOMAS said but this is just part of the expense
incurred on an annual basis because the BOF meets every year.
MR. MARCOTTE replied there is more than one meeting a year.
Typically there is just one large meeting every year, but there
may also be smaller meetings that add costs.
SENATOR THOMAS said now he understands that the board meets
every year and the meeting cycle repeats itself every three
years.
MR. MARCOTTE said that's correct. The handout of all the
meetings held in the last six years shows that the overall cycle
repeats every three years. The individual meetings vary in
length, but they total about 35-40 days per year.
SENATOR THOMAS noted that there are between 200 and 500
proposals each year and one meeting had 258 proposals on
finfish.
SENATOR MENARD asked if it's fair to say that he is neutral on
the bill, but can be supportive in conversation.
MR. MARCOTTE said yes.
CHAIR OLSON asked why the Board of Fisheries is hesitant to
endorse the legislation if it saves money for the state.
4:46:37 PM
MR. MARCOTTE replied there isn't any hesitancy to endorse the
legislation, it's the workload. They just got through dealing
with 390 proposals and that kept their plate full. They do track
the legislation.
CHAIR OLSON asked if they are finished for 2009.
MR. MARCOTTE explained that they are finished with the October
2008 through March 2009 meeting cycle. He added that the Board
of Fisheries does not oppose having a discussion. An ongoing
theme is to look at ways to do things better.
SENATOR THOMAS observed that the language in the bill talks
about a recommendation to expand the interval between meeting
dates, but it doesn't talk about a recommendation to compress
the time frame.
MR. MARCOTTE said that is the wording of the bill, but a review
wouldn't necessarily be limited by looking at only an expansion.
It is looking at whether the current three-year cycle is the
best model.
4:48:40 PM
SENATOR MENARD said many citizens want to have a conversation on
how the Board of Fisheries operates. The timing is excellent and
she looks forward to a healthy debate.
CHAIR OLSON said the priority to save money is admirable, but
his priority is the fisher. He asked if this legislation would
in any way affect the person in a small skiff who is trying to
make a living.
MR. MARCOTTE said the bill wouldn't have an adverse affect; it
only requests a discussion. The Board of Fisheries is very aware
of being responsive to the resource and the stakeholders, and
that it is a potential barrier if people have to wait five years
to get their issue heard. As previously mentioned, there ways to
deal with issues on a shorter timeframe. He agreed with Senator
Menard that the process is the out-of-cycle requests and added
that there are pros and cons to that.
4:50:41 PM
JERRY MCCUNE, United Fishermen of Alaska, stated support for SB
137. Crab fishers are concerned about moving away from a three-
year cycle, but they are willing to have the conversation.
There was a meeting in Cordova in early December and the next
meeting, which won't be in Cordova, is in 2011. His and other
small organizations are trying to figure out the costs
associated with attending the meeting. They are a lot higher
than in the old days when there were fewer proposals and
conflicts. This is an appropriate conversation, he said.
CHAIR OLSON asked how many shellfish fishers belong to UFA.
MR. MCCUNE said there are two groups that have crab fishers plus
some individuals that are in different groups that do crab
fishing. He got lots of input from around the state. Some people
weren't enthusiastic about changing the cycle but realize that
it's just a conversation.
4:53:48 PM
BOB THORSTENSON, Executive Director, Southeast Alaska Seiners
Association, said he also represents the Alaska Scallop
Association and the Alaska Crab Coalition. Those groups are not
excited about changing the cycle, but support the bill. The
change from a one to a three-year cycle was a vast improvement
and provided greater consistency for the sport, commercial and
personal use groups. The fact that the legislation makes this a
conversation is a very good idea.
MR. THORSTENSON opined that everyone will talk about cost
savings in terms of hotel rooms and air fares, but that's just
part of the cost. The main cost in these meetings is that
between 15 percent and 25 percent of every researcher,
biologist, biometrician, and major manager of the state is
wrapped up in a three-year Board of Fisheries cycle. He believes
that it will save the state millions of dollars if the Board of
Fisheries decides to lengthen the cycles. It's not just travel
costs; it's salaries, overhead, healthcare, insurance, and
pension costs of the employees that travel over the state and
spend time.
4:58:15 PM
MR. THORSTENSON said the current process is winnowing some of
the best and brightest people. They want to devote their time to
science and the resource, not to giving reports. He cited an
example of a manager who took a lower rank job so as not to go
through the cycle again. It has become a real problem.
Public input is good but repetitive proposals are almost
ridiculous, he said. Osama Bin Laden could make a proposal to
the Board of Fisheries and it would have to be taken seriously.
It's a wonderful public process, but it almost becomes anarchy
when someone sends in numerous proposals. He has had members of
organizations send in 67 proposals and there is nothing that can
be done to limit those. It is part of the bill and something
that needs review. We support the BOF and what it is doing and
want to enable them to do a better job.
SENATOR MENARD said these scientists know they're going to be
involved in these cyclical meetings when they're hired. She has
a son who fished in Bristol Bay, a brother in law who is a fish
and game biologist in Nome, and friends on the Board of
Fisheries and she doesn't buy into people being disgruntled
about their jobs because of the very good public process that
the state has chosen.
5:01:38 PM
MR. THORSTENSON responded that some people may have the
foresight, as in your family, to understand that they'll have to
go through this process every three years and upset the apple
cart. Speaking for himself, he said that up until he took the
job as executive director of the association he stayed away from
Board of Fisheries meetings because they are so contentious.
It's the worst part of the job. As far as scientists knowing the
job description, that's a fair statement, he said. However, he
doesn't think a student at UAS who decides not to be a
communication major in favor of doing fisheries research and
science is thinking about that until much later when he or she
gets the job with fish and game.
SENATOR BUNDE said fisheries in Alaska have changed from when
the Board of Fisheries first started, so it is healthy to review
current practice. That's all the bill asks.
CHAIR OLSON held SB 137 in committee.
5:04:14 PM
There being nothing further to come before the committee, Chair
Olson adjourned the meeting at 5:04 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB137 AKBOF Meetings.pdf |
SCRA 4/2/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 137 |
| SB137 CDFU Letter.doc |
SCRA 4/2/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 137 |
| SB137 Estimated Costs.pdf |
SCRA 4/2/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 137 |
| SB137 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SCRA 4/2/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 137 |
| SB137 SEAS Letter.pdf |
SCRA 4/2/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 137 |
| SB137 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SCRA 4/2/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 137 |