Legislature(1995 - 1996)
03/20/1996 03:40 PM Senate RES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE
March 20, 1996
3:40 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Loren Leman, Chairman
Senator Rick Halford
Senator Robin Taylor
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
Senator Lyman Hoffman
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Drue Pearce, Vice Chairman
Senator Steve Frank
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 223
"An Act approving an interim classification by the commissioner of
natural resources closing certain land within the Situk River
system to new mineral entry; and providing for an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 247
"An Act relating to the fish and game fund; amending Rules 79(b)
and 82(b)(2), Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an
effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 255
"An Act relating to the types of seafood promotions and promotional
contracts that can be made by the board of the Alaska Seafood
Marketing Institute."
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
SB 223 - No previous action to record.
SB 247 - No previous action to record.
SB 255 - No previous action to record.
WITNESS REGISTER
Geron Bruce, Legislative Liaison
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
P.O. Box 25526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered information on SB 223
Testified in opposition to SB 247
Nico Bus, Acting Director
Division of Support Services
Department of Natural Resources
400 Willoughby Ave.
Juneau, AK 99811-1724
POSITION STATEMENT: Responded to question on SB 223
Craig Swanson
P.O. Box 160
Yakutat, AK 99689
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 223
John Vale
P.O. Box 195
Yakutat, AK 99689
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 223
Don Bremner
P.O. Box 416
Yakutat, AK 99689
POSITION STATEMENT:
Bart Adams, President
Yakutat Chamber of Commerce
Yakutat, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 223
Raymond Sensmeier, President
Alaska Native Brotherhood
Box 8
Yakutat, AK 99689
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 223
Steve Borell, Executive Director
Alaska Miners Association
501 W. Northern Lights Blvd., #203
Anchorage, AK 99503
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 223
Jules Tileston, Director
Division of Mining & Water Management
Department of Natural Resources
3601 C St., Suite 800
Anchorage, AK 99503-5935
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 223
Lynn Levengood, Executive Director
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Association
590 University Ave.
Fairbanks, AK 99701
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 247
Jim Richardson
308 G St., 302
Anchorage, AK 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 223
Cliff Eames
519 W. 8th, #201
Anchorage, AK 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 223
Jeff Parker
500 L St., #502
Anchorage, AK 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 223
Suggested amending SB 247
Senator Al Adams
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Prime Sponsor of SB 255
Dan Albrecht, Executive Director
Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 255
Henry Mitchell
725 Christensen Drive
Anchorage, AK 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 255
Jude Henzler
Bering Sea Fishermens' Association
725 Christensen Drive
Anchorage, AK 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 255
Jeff Stephans
United Fishermens' Marketing Association
P.O. Box 1035
Kodiak, AK 99615
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 255
Art Scheunemann, Executive Director
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
1111 W. 8th St., Suite 100
Juneau, AK 99801-1895
POSITION STATEMENT: Has concerns with SB 255
Oliver Burris
2801 Talkeetna
Fairbanks, AK 99709
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 247
Bill Hagar
432 Gaffney Road
Fairbanks, AK 99701
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 247
Pete Shepherd
1012 Galena St.
Fairbanks, AK 99709
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 247
Noel Putman
Ketchikan Sports & Wildlife Club
P.O. Box 5122
Ketchikan, AK 99901
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 247
Tony Russ
Alaska Chapter of the Foundation for North American
Wild Sheep
574 Sarah's Way
Wasilla, AK 99654
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 247
Carl Brent
Alaska Bowhunters Association
1430 Brent PT
Wasilla, AK 99654
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 247
Bill Perhach
Alaska Environmental Lobby
P.O. Box 22151
Juneau, AK 99802
POSITION STATEMENT: Opposes SB 247
Ed Grasser
Alaska Outdoor Council
P.O. Box 73902
Fairbanks, AK 99707
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 247
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 96-33, SIDE A
Number 001
SB 223 APPROVE CLOSING SITUK TO MINERAL ENTRY
CHAIRMAN LEMAN called the Senate Resources Committee meeting to
order at 3:40 p.m. He brought SB 223 before the committee as the
first order of business.
GERON BRUCE , Legislative Liaison, Alaska Department of Fish & Game,
said the legislation actually originated through a land planning
process conducted by the Department of Natural Resources. He noted
there was a thorough public review with all the parties involved,
and there was no objection to the recommendation in that plan to
close the bed of the Situk River and associated lakes and lagoons
to new mineral entry. The Department of Natural Resources executed
such an order in April 1995. SB 223 is required in order to
prevent the order from expiring and to make the closure permanent.
Mr. Bruce pointed out the Situk River is the most important river
in the Yakutat area and in the state. It is important to a
multiplicity of users, including commercial fishing for sockeye and
coho and recreational fishing.
Mr. Bruce explained it is important to take action on the
legislation by April 6, because it is a closure that exceeds 640
acres, and the interim classification expires on the 90th day of
the session unless a law is enacted making it permanent.
Number 090
CHAIRMAN LEMAN inquired if there are currently any working mining
claims in these areas on the Situk. NICO BUS , Acting Director,
Division of Support Services, Department of Natural Resources,
responded that there are no mining claims in the area right now.
Number 100
CHAIRMAN LEMAN stated testimony would be taken via teleconference
from witnesses waiting to testify in Yakutat.
CRAIG SWANSON , testifying on behalf of the City & Borough of
Yakutat Salmon Enhancement Board in support of SB 223, said the
board met earlier in the day and passed a motion to oppose mineral
entry of any kind on the Situk River.
Number 127
JOHN VALE , Chairman of the Yakutat Fish & Game Advisory Committee,
said the Situk is the life blood of the economy of Yakutat. He
noted that according a study done by the Department of Fish & Game
in 1988, the recreational fishery, just on the Situk River,
contributed $2.8 million to the Yakutat economy, and since that
time, that recreational fishery has expanded by 18 percent. It is
also a multi-million dollar commercial fishery, with 170 set net
permits in the Yakutat area out of which approximately half of them
fish on the Situk River. The Situk represents about 50 percent of
the commercial fishing income for their area. The study also
relates that 73 percent of the subsistence salmon harvested in the
Yakutat area come from the Situk River. He urged the committee's
support for SB 223.
Number 165
DON BREMNER , President of Yak-Tat Kwaan, Inc., stated the
corporation's and shareholders' support for SB 223. He said the
facts stated in the bill regarding the significance of approving
the interim classification are right on, although he clarified that
it should be referred to as the Yakutat area instead of the
Yakataga area.
Number 200
BART ADAMS , President, Yakutat Chamber of Commerce, testifying in
support of SB 223, stated the chamber's board and fisheries
committee unanimously oppose any mineral entry being allowed on the
Situk River and its drainage due to the potential damage to the
river and its valuable resources.
RAY SENSMEIER , President, Alaska Native Brotherhood, Yakutat,
stated their support for SB 223, as well as the support of the
Alaska Native Sisterhood.
Number 228
STEVE BORELL , Executive Director, Alaska Miners Association,
testifying from Anchorage, voiced the association's support for SB
223 and their recognition of the tremendous steelhead fishery. He
noted a lot of their members are also fishermen, both commercial in
some areas of the state and recreational. Speaking to an amendment
being proposed by the Alaska Miners Association, he said it would
leave the river bed and the estuaries and the waters untouched, but
it would provide an opportunity for the state to also utilize its
mineral deposits if such were to be found. It will provide an
opportunity, it would not forever close the door or sterilize any
mineral resources that might be there. He noted underground mining
occurs throughout the world and it has absolutely no affect on the
surface.
Number 257
JULES TILESTON , Director, Division of Mining & Water Management,
Department of Natural Resources, testifying from Anchorage,
confirmed the division did a search of the Situk mining claim
records in December. As of that date, there were no mining claims
or leases in the state system, so as far as state lands are
concerned, there are no outstanding mineral rights.
CHAIRMAN LEMAN requested that Mr. Tileston reserve the rest of
testimony until later in the meeting so that testimony could be
taken from an individual who was waiting to testify from an
airplane on another bill. He then set SB 223 aside.
SB 247 USE OF FISH & GAME FUND/COMM'R'S POWERS
CHAIRMAN LEMAN brought SB 247 before the committee.
LYNN LEVENGOOD , Executive Director, Alaska Wildlife Conservation
Association, testifying from an airplane enroute to Dallas, Texas,
said the association is dedicated to the restoration of an
abundance of all wildlife in Alaska. He stated his support and
urged the committee's support of a proposed Resources CS, because
it is good for Alaska's wildlife and will benefit all Alaskans who
seek renewed abundance. The legislation recognizes that currently
nearly 100 percent of Alaska Department of Fish & Game's game
division budget is provided for by purchases of hunting and
trapping licenses. It strengthens current statutory language which
requires that the spending of these user groups' provided monies
must directly benefit the purchasers of those licenses.
Mr. Levengood said passage of the bill would prohibit the raiding
of Alaska's Fish & Game fund monies for developmental research on
an additional road access into Denali National Park, an expenditure
which is currently contained in the administration's 1997 CIP
budget. Passage of the legislation would also prevent the
unilateral shifting and diversion of monies within the Department
of Fish & Game.
He said the legislation was refocused after it was discovered that
last year's legislative appropriations of over $900,000 to the
Department of Fish & Game for intensive management projects was
spent largely on existing routine data collection, and more
recently, that the administration's $300,000 external review of
approved Board of Game projects is scheduled to be paid for by
license revenues. SB 247 will direct funding into the propagation,
restocking, transplantation, and habitat projects that will
directly increase Alaska's wildlife population.
Speaking to changes made in the committee substitute, Mr. Levengood
said it will clarify some of the objections to the prohibition of
funding in areas where federal programs are being instituted; that
language was eliminated. Also, it eliminates a restriction in
administrative funding for projects that are approved under the
theme provided for in the bill, so it provides additional funding
for administrative projects.
Number 345
SENATOR TAYLOR , prime sponsor of SB 247, thanked Mr. Levengood for
his assistance in working on the concept of the legislation. He
added that the first change in the committee substitute was to
provide that there be something in statute at least mandating or
requiring the department to provide and cooperate with sportmens'
organizations across the state, whenever possible, to increase game
populations and to introduce new populations where suitable.
CHAIRMAN LEMAN thanked Mr. Levengood for his testimony, and then
stated SB 247 would be aside and the committee would continue
taking testimony on SB 223.
CHAIRMAN LEMAN brought SB 223 (APPROVE CLOSING SITUK TO MINERAL
ENTRY) back before the committee, and requested that Mr. Tileston
continue with his testimony.
JULES TILESTON reconfirmed that state mining claim records were
checked and there are no mining claims and no mineral leases
associated with the area that is within SB 223.
Mr. Tileston noted there was a four-year planning process that
included numerous public meetings in Cordova, Yakutat, Juneau and
Seward, as well as receipt of approximately 270 written comments
and the mailing of 13 newsletters mailed to 750 individuals and
organizations. He added there was no opposition to the proposal
before the committee.
JIM RICHARDSON , testifying on his own behalf and several sport fish
associates who have fished the Situk River with him for the last 20
years, voiced his support for SB 223. He said it is very
appropriate to continue to protect the river, and he urged passage
of the legislation.
Number 414
CLIFF EAMES , representing the Alaska Center for the Environment in
Anchorage, stated their support for SB 223 because they believe it
deserves the highest possible level of protection.
JEFF PARKER , Vice Chair, State Council of Trout Unlimited,
testified from Anchorage in support of SB 223. He spoke of his
familiarity with the river and the importance of the area being
closed to mineral entry. He said the steelhead trout is just now
coming back from a couple of drought years in the early 1990's,
with approximately 5,000 steelhead coming back to the river last
year. He said it is a very important sport fishery and he strongly
supports the bill because of the unique production of this river.
CHAIRMAN LEMAN said there was testimony of the Situk's value as a
commercial stream and also a sports stream, and he asked if there
is any conflict between the two. MR. PARKER answered that there
has been concern about out-migrating steelhead being caught in the
spring by the set gill fishery that targets incoming sockeye.
There is also an issue of whether steelheads should be classified
as a customary and traditional subsistence stock, and that question
has been before the federal regional subsistence council, but he
does not know how that issue was resolved.
Number 465
SENATOR TAYLOR asked Mr. Parker if there are any known mineral
deposits within this approximately 2,700 acres that anyone is
threatening to develop so that there would need to be a closure
imposed. MR. PARKER responded no, but he noted that in
Southcentral Alaska they have seen mining claims that are basically
phony mining claims and are used for recreational cabins or create
problems in land status and land use, including assertions of
trespass that aren't sustainable as a matter of law but,
nevertheless, are asserted. Those kinds of things happen on high
quality fisheries.
SENATOR TAYLOR questioned if there is an actual threat from mining
or mineral properties today. MR. TILESTON responded that to his
knowledge there are no threats of potential mining in the area, but
as Mr. Parker testified to, sometimes the mining laws are not
properly used to the discredit of the legitimate mining industry.
That has happened and it tends to happen where there are high
recreational values and exceedingly marginal mineral values.
SENATOR TAYLOR said his concern is that every time he has seen the
mineral laws misused in this state for the purpose of locating a
recreational cabin in an area, it's because there was no other way
possible to get a recreational cabin in that area because the state
or the federal government owned every bit of the land and would not
allow anyone to live on it or purchase a piece of it. He added
that's with the exception of certain retired banker millionaires
that get to own beautiful homes on the Kenai. He also stated for
the record that he thinks that if there is a threat to the Situk,
there are two areas from which that threat is going to occur. One
is commercial fishing activity conducted at the mouth of that
stream that may very well impact out-migrant stocks in the spring
of the year if not carefully regulated, and the second, which is
much more ominous, is if the federal government does, in fact, take
over through subsistence law the regulation and management of that
stream and it is left wide open for "subsistence harvesting" all
the way up the stream with monofilament gillnets.
There being no further testimony on SB 223, CHAIRMAN LEMAN stated
the bill would be set aside until a quorum was established.
SB 255 PROMOTION BY SEAFOOD MARKETING INSTITUTE
CHAIRMAN LEMAN brought SB 255 before the committee as the next
order of business.
SENATOR AL ADAMS , prime sponsor of SB 255, explained the
legislation amends the current status governing the Alaska Seafood
Marketing Institute (ASMI) by allowing the institute to promote
Alaska seafood on a regional basis. Currently, seafood promotion
must be generic and statewide such as Alaska salmon, Alaska
sockeye. The bill will amend AS 16.51.110 to allow ASMI to promote
seafood by regional basis such as Yukon kings, the Arctic Circle
chums, or the Copper River reds.
Senator Adams said the existing framework for marketing salmon
produced in Alaska waters assumes that generic product promotions
will increase overall sales thereby providing benefits to fishermen
from all regions of the state. While this works to some extent and
may be necessarily part of the overall marketing program, regional
disparities in the cost of production and transportation requires
that in certain areas niche marketing efforts should be undertaken.
Promotion by brand names will be still be prohibited.
Senator Adams pointed out that the bill carries a zero fiscal note
and there will be no funds taken from ASMI, however, in order to
fund niche promotions, he said he would like to try to find some
other funds from other agencies that are willing to help in niche
marketing through the reappropriation method.
Senator Adams also pointed out that the change in law is
permissive; it does not require ASMI to do anything new.
TAPE 96-33, SIDE B
Number 001
Number 040
DAN ALBRECHT , Executive Director, Yukon River Drainage Fisheries
Association, said the association represents both the Lower Yukon
gillnet fleet and fish wheel and set net fishermen in the Upper
Yukon. He said SB 255 represents an initial attempt to address a
problem that perhaps was unforeseen several years when ASMI was
created, which is a glut on the market and many fish species being
priced out of the market. This has hit the AYK region especially
hard because their fish come out of remote areas and salmon is
their only fishery. They are in a situation now where their chums
are priced out of the market and many other species are as well.
Generic marketing by ASMI doesn't really help them; their fish are
always going to cost more than a fish from other parts of the state
because it's got to come the farthest distance, so they need to be
able to develop markets that will pay that price. He suggested
each region could have its particular fish described for the uses
that it's most appropriate for.
Number 100
HENRY MITCHELL , testifying from Anchorage, said he has been
involved for many years with trying to develop some small scale
fisheries and doing some preliminary niche marketing on behalf of
some of the fishermen in Western Alaska. It was determined a
number of years ago that the best possible approach would be to
allow ASMI to do that type of intensive niche marketing so that the
people, like those in Western Alaska who were experiencing
difficulties, could have that little bit of extra effort paid to
their product to assist in developing a standing in the
marketplace. He noted the Bering Sea Fishermens' Association did
two marketing projects in 1993 and 1994, and they found that on the
east coast the chum salmon products and the coho salmon products
from Western Alaska were rated as superior products, but in order
for the program to be successful, there needs to be an ongoing
program. In addition, there needs to be a mechanism that evolves
that provides the availability of these products on a year-round
basis.
Number 130
JUDE HENZLER , representing the Bering Sea Fishermens' Association
and testifying from Anchorage, pointed out that at the present time
the chum market is primarily July 4 and before, but the chums in
their area arrive July 4 and after. He also said the association
believes that if the public could be educated to the quality of
their chum salmon, it would help that market and ultimately help
everybody's chum market.
Number 145
JEFF STEPHANS , representing United Fishermens' Marketing
Association and testifying from Kodiak, stated their strong support
for the work ASMI does, it has done in the past, and intends to do
in the future with regard to marketing Alaska salmon. He observed
that without ASMI the situation would be much more complex than it
is now. Speaking to SB 247, he said their association is a little
reticent to support this type of approach, and they believe it is
a topic that needs to have a little more discussion or
investigation. He said ASMI already has a very complex task before
it given the current situation of the salmon supply in the world,
and requiring ASMI to get involved in niche marketing really opens
up a tremendous sweep of complex decisions and possibly some
controversies that would be very difficult to deal with.
Number 195
SENATOR HOFFMAN commented that Senator Adams is not asking or
requiring ASMI to start niche marketing. It's basically allowing
that to happen, and if they can identify sources of funds, they can
start assisting an area that is not allowed to sell salmon
presently. He said he is sure that if Kodiak did not have a market
to sell their fish, they would be asking the same. He stressed the
importance of looking farther into the future and pursuing such
ideas as this, otherwise, if too much time passes, it may be too
late. MR. STEPHANS said he understood what Senator Hoffman was
saying and he supports the idea, but he thinks given the structure
of ASMI and the obvious discussions that would take place within
the organization, the whole concept could be pursued and forwarded
quicker if some type of niche marketing program were established in
DCRA or DCED, etc.
Number 250
VIRGIL UMPHENOUR , a member of the Board of Fish testifying from
Fairbanks, said the fishermen in the Bristol Bay and AYK regions
are very unhappy about ASMI and its one percent assessment, and
they feel that ASMI does absolutely nothing for them. He said that
in his opinion, niche marketing should be done because the only
thing ASMI basically has promoted is king salmon, king crab,
halibut, and a little bit of pollock, and they need to be
advertising and promoting chum salmon and sockeye salmon. He noted
currently AYK has a zero market for chum salmon for the upcoming
season. He also said fishermen from all over the state, even the
fishermen in southeast, are really concerned about the prices of
fish, and no one knows what's going to happen this coming fishing
season. He emphasized there needs to be innovative niche
marketing.
Number 310
ART SCHEUNEMANN , Executive Director, Alaska Seafood Marketing
Institute, said ASMI has gone through a number of positive changes
and transition in the last two years, and they are attempting
through a fairly active instate PR communications program to carry
that message to a wide range of fishermen and processors who are
the benefactors of their programs. He admitted there are people
who are unhappy because their products aren't being promoted in the
marketplace. He said a category marketing organization has to stay
on a focus, and with a strategy that has been developed in the last
two years, they have seen significant growth and consumer awareness
in purchases and intent to purchase of Alaska salmon in all
categories of the seafood.
Mr. Scheunemann said ASMI, with its programs, would like to see the
salmon in Alaska beyond the king in the domestic marketplace, which
is a major focus of their efforts at this point in time, but ASMI
doesn't control the supply and distribution and the decision making
in terms of that part of the business structure. However, ASMI has
been working actively with the fishermen, the processors, etc., to
find ways to get dedicated commitments to the domestic marketplace
for those species. They have been providing active, aggressive
promotional programs that retailers and food service operators and
distributors can utilize to build value in their marketplace, as
well as going through a major educational program with their chef
and training at the retail level on how to utilize, handle and to
merchandise Alaska salmon.
Mr. Scheunemann said the ASMI Board of Directors discussed this
legislation at their recent board meeting in February and took no
official position on it. However, they do have a concern about
changing the statute because they believe that could lend to the
competition of competing regions and interests and species against
each other, which would push ASMI off of its strategy in a number
of different directions and essentially make ASMI the marketing
department for each one of these areas. He added that does not
mean ASMI does not recognize the need for creative niche marketing.
He has had some experience with working with direct marketing and
niche marketing and he knows it works, but whether ASMI is the
right vehicle to make it work is another question.
Mr. Scheunemann said he believes this is a larger economic issue
under which marketing is one part of the solution, but it may not
be the only solution, and it may not be the successful solution
unless the other issues are addressed as well. ASMI believes it is
necessary that there be a organized logical approach, and they
stand ready to provide as much and whatever appropriate assistance
they can, but they have concern in terms of changing the statute.
Number 420
SENATOR HOFFMAN commented that it appears that ASMI is doing
nothing on chums and reds, and by excluding those two species of
salmon, ASMI is doing anti-niche marketing to those two products.
If, in fact, all of the millions of dollars that are being spent to
no avail of Bristol Bay and AYK, those people are being extremely
hurt by what ASMI is presently doing.
MR. SCHEUNEMANN pointed out that the decisions in terms of product
are made between the processor, distributor, broker, and the retail
chain. ASMI is prohibited in getting involved in deciding which
products are bought and sold. However, he also pointed out that
there has been a significant consumer response to properly handled,
properly demonstrated, properly merchandised chum salmon. This
hasn't been done with Bristol Bay sockeye because there aren't any
Bristol Bay sockeye in the marketplace, but ASMI does not control
that decision making. He said it is fair to say that ASMI supports
niche marketing and that they will provide whatever technical
system that they can on the marketing area.
SENATOR HOFFMAN said the state of Alaska, through the Permanent
Fund Corporation, has invested many millions of dollars in malls in
the United States, and he has sent a letter to the governor asking
that they look into having some promotional displays on Alaska fish
in some of the major stores in these malls. He believes this will
target the average consumer on the streets and will have some
impact on the retailing of the fish available out there.
Number 610
There being no further testimony on SB 255, CHAIRMAN LEMAN
stated the bill would be set aside for further action.
SB 247 (USE OF FISH & GAME FUND/COMM'R'S POWERS)
CHAIRMAN LEMAN brought SB 247 back before the committee to take
additional testimony on the legislation.
OLIVER (BUD) BURRIS , testifying from Fairbanks, outlined several
programs where hunters' monies have been spent on nonhunting
activities. He said during that time the Department of Fish & Game
should have been planning for increased human populations and
increased numbers of hunters and fishermen, but in the last decade,
mismanagement has been responsible for less hunting opportunity and
reduced harvest. This has resulted in reduced license sales in the
state. From 1984 through 1993, resident license sales dropped 15
percent and nonresident hunting license sales dropped 20 percent.
He said active management is desperately needed to increase
wildlife populations, to increase harvest, and to increase hunting
and fishing opportunities.
BILL HAGAR , testifying from Fairbanks, said the department has
testified many times that they want the politics out of fish and
game management, and SB 247 will do this, as well as to help the
department do a better job.
PETE SHEPHERD , testifying from Fairbanks in support of SB 247, said
over the years he has witnessed a mounting influence of changing
public values in the attitudes of the ADF&G leadership towards
those who provide the operational revenues. He said it is
unconscionable that the fish and game funds are being used in ways
that subvert the interests of the paying hunting population.
TAPE 96-34, SIDE A
Number 010
NOEL PUTMAN , representing the Ketchikan Sports and Wildlife Club
and testifying from Ketchikan, voiced support for SB 247 and the
proposed amendment. He said the Department of Fish & Game has got
way off base during the last few years with fish and game
management, and most of the money from the sale of licenses seems
to be going into research, or going into the hands of people that
would like to see the end of consumptive use within Alaska. He
said SB 247 would see to it that that would end, and he urged it
passage.
Number 030
TONY RUSS , speaking on behalf of the Alaska Chapter of the
Foundation for North American Wild Sheep from Wasilla, stated their
support for SB 247. They support conservation of and proper
management of wild sheep in Alaska for the purpose of putting more
sheep on the mountain. The recent trends or politically based
decisions about wildlife management and disregard for the opinions
of professional wildlife managers employed by the state compels
them to support the bill.
CARL BRENT , representing the Alaska Bowhunters' Association and
testifying from Wasilla, voiced their support for SB 247, both for
political reasons and for the benefit of all the fishermen, hunters
and trappers within the state.
JEFF PARKER , a sport fisherman testifying from Anchorage, urged the
committee to hold the bill over to delete the portions that relate
to fish. He believes it will cause a loss of federal revenues,
both on the fisheries side and the game side. He said all of the
sport fish budget is comprised of money from the fish side of the
fish and game fund and a three to one match of federal monies.
That money is not used presently in the majority of four things
contained within the bill. It is used for things like research and
onground management. About one-third of the money is used in
hatchery programs, and what the bill effectively does is it cranks
up the hatchery side of managing the sport fish budget, and it
cranks up the harvest side, but it eliminates, for example, being
able to spend money on mark recapture programs and population
estimates for rainbow trout that are under catch and release
regulation. Those mark recapture programs and those population
estimates are the fundamental basis of about 30 of our very high
quality rainbow and steelhead fishery management programs in the
state, and suddenly spending money to sustain those programs is
eliminated. He said years have been spent in protecting wild stock
management in this state, not hatchery stocks. He believes all of
the sport groups throughout the state will support deleteing fish
from the bill.
Number 160
BILL PERHACH , a volunteer with the Alaska Environmental Lobby,
testified in opposition to SB 247. They believe the bill focuses
on consumptive use of wildlife resources at the exclusion of other
uses. The bill eliminates state funding of any project designed to
provide direct benefits to Alaskans engaged in non consumptive use
of the state's wildlife resources. They believe Alaskans have the
right to expect the state's natural resources to be managed for the
benefit of more than one interest group. He also pointed out that
the bill does not provide immunity from civil actions to members
who serve on the Board of Game.
Number 225
EDDY GRASSER , representing the Alaska Outdoor Council, expressed
their frustration by the general trend away from traditional
management of wildlife resources, and their concern about the lack
of equity that the nonhunting or anti-hunting groups bring to the
table when discussing management of wildlife resources. He said
they fail to recognize that large portions of Alaska are set aside
for nonmanagement regimes, or, in a lot of cases, several millions
of acres are set aside where hunting can't take place at all.
Because of that, and because of the trend away from traditional
management, the council supports SB 247. They believe the
legislation will provide the perimeters to the department under
which they need to operate to get back to traditional management.
Number 260
GERON BRUCE , Legislative Liaison, Department of Fish & Game, stated
the department's opposition to SB 247 because it would
fundamentally change the way the management of fish and wildlife
resources for personal and recreational use is conducted by
restricting the manner in which the two most important sources of
funds used to manage wildlife and sport fishing resources can be
used. These two funding sources are the federal aid funding and
the revenues received from the sale of fishing and hunting licenses
and tags. The federal aid program requires that state hunting and
fishing licenses and tag fees be dedicated to the support of the
sport fishing and wildlife management programs conducted by the
state. The motivation to dedicate these funds to fish and wildlife
management involved more than just a desire to establish a
predictable source of funding; it was also a conscious attempt to
insulate fish and wildlife management activities from the changing
winds of political life.
SB 247 has two major impacts upon the present way of managing fish
and wildlife. The first is that it takes the decision-making
authority on how the available funds should best be spent to manage
fish and wildlife away from the biological staff trained to make
those decisions and basically provides it to the legislative body.
This not only takes the decision-making authority out of the hands
of professionals but it also limits the ability of the staff to
respond during the year to changing circumstances and priorities.
The other impact about which the department is concerned is the
strict limitations on what the fish and game fund and federal funds
can be spent for under this legislation. It removes the ability of
the department to use fish and game funds and federal aid funds to
accomplish many of its functions, and without all those functions,
the department cannot conduct an effective management program.
Mr. Bruce said that while the Legislature is trying to reduce the
general fund budget for the state, and the governor is also looking
for ways to cut general fund spending, this legislation will
increase it by about $30 million a year.
Mr. Bruce also noted the department is opposed to the definitions
of "high level of human harvest", "intensive management", and
"maximum sustained yield" that are contained in SB 247.
Number 380
There being no further testimony on SB 247, CHAIRMAN LEMAN closed
the public hearing and adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
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