Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205

04/12/2019 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES

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03:30:56 PM Start
03:32:16 PM SJR10
03:59:31 PM Confirmation Hearings:
04:46:12 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ Consideration of Governor's Appointees: TELECONFERENCED
Board of Game:
- Allen "Al" Barrette - Fairbanks
- Orville Huntington - Fairbanks
-- Public Testimony on All Appointees --
*+ SJR 10 COMPLETION OF UNIVERSITY LAND GRANT TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
-- Public Testimony Removed from Agenda --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
              SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                             
                         April 12, 2019                                                                                         
                           3:30 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Chris Birch, Chair                                                                                                      
Senator John Coghill, Vice Chair                                                                                                
Senator Cathy Giessel                                                                                                           
Senator Click Bishop                                                                                                            
Senator Jesse Kiehl                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Lora Reinbold                                                                                                           
Senator Scott Kawasaki                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10                                                                                                  
Urging  the  Alaska delegation  in  Congress,  the United  States                                                               
Department of  the Interior, and  the Governor to  facilitate the                                                               
completion  of  a  land  grant endowment  to  the  University  of                                                               
Alaska.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)                                                                                                         
Alaska Board of Game                                                                                                          
Allen Barrette - Fairbanks                                                                                                      
Orville Huntington - Fairbanks                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     - CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SJR 10                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: COMPLETION OF UNIVERSITY LAND GRANT                                                                                
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
03/25/19       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/25/19       (S)       RES                                                                                                    
04/12/19       (S)       RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
TIM LAMKIN, Staff                                                                                                               
Senator Gary Stevens                                                                                                            
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented an overview of SJR 10 on behalf of                                                              
the sponsor.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MILES BAKER, Associate Vice President of Government Relations                                                                   
University of Alaska                                                                                                            
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview related to SJR 10.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
ANDY HARRINGTON, Associate General Counsel                                                                                      
University of Alaska-Fairbanks                                                                                                  
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions related to SJR 10.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MARTY PARSONS, Director                                                                                                         
Division of Mining, Land, and Water                                                                                             
Alaska Department of Natural Resources                                                                                          
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 10.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
ALLEN BARRETTE, Appointee                                                                                                       
Alaska Board of Game                                                                                                            
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Board                                                                
of Game.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
ORVILLE HUNTINGTON, Appointee                                                                                                   
Alaska Board of Game                                                                                                            
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Board                                                                
of Game.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
LIN DAVIS, representing self                                                                                                    
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the confirmation                                                               
of Mr. Barrette to the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RON SOMERVILLE, Secretary and Treasurer                                                                                         
Board of Directors                                                                                                              
Territorial Sportsmen                                                                                                           
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of both appointees to                                                                
the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MIKE TINKER, representative                                                                                                     
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Association                                                                                        
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in  support of both  appointees to                                                             
the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
VIRGIL UMPHENOUR, representative                                                                                                
Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory Committee                                                                                      
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in  support of both  appointees to                                                             
the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CRAIG COMPEAU, representative                                                                                                   
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Association                                                                                        
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in  support of the  appointment of                                                             
Mr. Barrette to the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SUSAN HANSEN, representing self                                                                                                 
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in  opposition to  the appointment                                                             
of Mr. Barrette to the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOE KLUTSCH, representing self                                                                                                  
King Salmon, Alaska                                                                                                             
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in  support of both  appointees to                                                             
the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
WAYNE KUBAT, Vice President                                                                                                     
Alaska Professional Hunters Association                                                                                         
Wasilla, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in  support of both  appointees to                                                             
the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SYLVIA PANZARELL, representing self                                                                                             
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in  opposition to  the appointment                                                             
of Mr. Barrette to the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MARK RICHARDS, Executive Director                                                                                               
Resident Hunters of Alaska                                                                                                      
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in  support of both  appointees to                                                             
the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
BARBARA BREASE, representing self                                                                                               
Healy, Alaska                                                                                                                   
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in  opposition to  the appointment                                                             
of Mr. Barrette to the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:30:56 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR CHRIS BIRCH called the  Senate Resources Standing Committee                                                             
meeting to order  at 3:30 p.m. Present at the  call to order were                                                               
Senators Giessel, Coghill, Kiehl, and Chair Birch.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
           SJR 10-COMPLETION OF UNIVERSITY LAND GRANT                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:32:16 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BIRCH   announced  the   consideration  of   Senate  Joint                                                               
Resolution 10 (SJR 10).                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
3:32:39 PM                                                                                                                    
TIM   LAMKIN,  Staff,   Senator   Gary   Stevens,  Alaska   State                                                               
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained  that SJR 10 addresses the                                                               
underwhelming  history of  the University  of Alaska  as a  land-                                                               
grant university.  This is an  issue with the  federal government                                                               
that  has been  ongoing  for  a century.  He  noted that  Senator                                                               
Stevens, sponsor  of SJR 10, is  a student of history  and stands                                                               
by as  a shepherd to  make whatever changes necessary  to address                                                               
the University  of Alaska land-grant deficit.  The current budget                                                               
climate  is  such that  Senator  Stevens  wishes to  provide  the                                                               
university with an  opportunity to find other  financial means to                                                               
support itself  in the  form of its  land holdings.  The ultimate                                                               
goal is  to rely less  on general funds.  SJR 10 calls  upon U.S.                                                               
Senator Murkowski  to help Alaska  and call upon Congress  to fix                                                               
the university's land-grant deficit.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:33:39 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR BISHOP joined the committee meeting.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:34:52 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BIRCH opened invited testimony for SJR 10.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:35:27 PM                                                                                                                    
MILES BAKER,  Associate Vice  President of  Government Relations,                                                               
University  of  Alaska,  Anchorage, Alaska,  explained  that  the                                                               
University of  Alaska is a  land-grant university. He  noted that                                                               
of  the  49  states  that  received  college  land  grants,  only                                                               
Delaware received less acreage than  Alaska. He detailed that the                                                               
State of Hawaii was given cash in lieu of a land grant.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BAKER   explained  that  a   land-grant  university   is  an                                                               
institution of higher  education that is granted  federal land to                                                               
raise funds to endow the  university. The concept originated with                                                               
the  Morrill Land-Grant  Act in  the late  1800s. The  land-grant                                                               
mission  was   intended  to  focus   on  teaching   of  practical                                                               
agriculture, science, military science,  and engineering as a way                                                               
of developing the west in response to the industrial revolution.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
He said today there are  approximately 70 land-grant institutions                                                               
around the U.S., but under  explicit terms included in the Alaska                                                               
Statehood  Act,  Alaska is  the  only  state  that has  not  been                                                               
extended the  Morrill Land-Grant Act  benefit. He noted  that the                                                               
Alaska Legislature has  attempted several times to  grant land to                                                               
the university, but their efforts have not been successful.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:36:09 PM                                                                                                                    
He  addressed  the  slide  titled,  "University  Land  Grant"  as                                                               
follows:                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
   • Only Delaware and Hawaii rank below Alaska in higher                                                                       
     education land grants.                                                                                                     
   • The University of Alaska only received approximately                                                                       
     110,000 acres of its federal land grant entitlement.                                                                       
   • The University of Alaska's estimated land grant gap is                                                                     
     360,000 acres.                                                                                                             
   • A robust permanent land endowment would allow the                                                                          
     University of Alaska to generate more revenue, and over                                                                    
     time help moderate state general fund support.                                                                             
   • The state has repeatedly attempted to remedy the gap but is                                                                
     constitutionally precluded from doing so.                                                                                  
   • The federal government's position is that the University of                                                                
     Alaska's land was included in Alaska's Statehood Act grant                                                                 
     and has resisted remedies that rely solely on additional                                                                   
     federal lands.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
He detailed that the University  of Alaska currently owns 150,000                                                               
acres, most  of which  was from  the Sutherland  Act in  1929. He                                                               
added that the  University of Alaska has also  received land from                                                               
private  donations  and  local governments,  but  the  university                                                               
estimates that  it is still  left without 360,000 acres  that the                                                               
original  federal land  grant  would have  allowed.  He said  the                                                               
federal  government's position  has been  that the  land for  the                                                               
university was included as part of the Alaska Statehood Act.                                                                    
CHAIR BIRCH asked  what the difference is  between the University                                                               
of Alaska land and the Mental Health Trust land.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:39:55 PM                                                                                                                    
ANDY  HARRINGTON,   Associate  General  Counsel,   University  of                                                               
Alaska-Fairbanks,   Fairbanks,   Alaska,   explained   that   the                                                               
university's  land  grant situation  is  parallel  to the  Mental                                                               
Health Trust lands. Legislation was  passed in 1978 that tried to                                                               
treat all  the granted  land associated  the Mental  Health Trust                                                               
and the  University of Alaska as  part of the general  grant, but                                                               
the university  Board of Regents  did not approve. He  noted that                                                               
the Mental Health Lands Trust  brought a lawsuit that resulted in                                                               
a ruling  that the legislation  violated the trust and  the trust                                                               
had to  be reconstituted. The  university is anxious  to litigate                                                               
the land-grant issue and that  is why a collaborative legislative                                                               
solution is being pursued.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. BAKER continued to address  the University of Alaska lands as                                                               
follows:                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
   • 12,000 acres are educational lands used for campuses and                                                                   
     research sites.                                                                                                            
   • The university's 139,000 acres allows for revenue:                                                                         
        o $10 million in gross receipts was generated in FY2018.                                                                
        o The 20-year annual receipts average is $8.5 million.                                                                  
        o $221 million has been generated since 1987 through                                                                    
          real estate, timber, mineral and mining, and oil and                                                                  
          gas.                                                                                                                  
   • The monetized   activities    benefit   the   university's                                                                 
     educational    programs,    campuses,    the    university's                                                               
     foundation, and the Alaska's Scholar's Program which funds                                                                 
     the top ten percent of high school graduates.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:43:24 PM                                                                                                                    
He  discussed the  slide  titled "Framework  for  a Solution"  as                                                               
follows:                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
   • The University of Alaska's unfulfilled land grant is a                                                                     
     Statehood Act issue.                                                                                                       
   • Congress assumed that the Alaska Legislature would be able                                                                 
     to fulfill the entitlement.                                                                                                
   • The Alaska delegation, the governor, the Alaska Department                                                                 
     of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Department of Interior                                                                  
     are discussing other issues related to Alaska's remaining                                                                  
     5-million-acre Statehood Act land selections.                                                                              
   • The anti-dedication clause has an explicit exemption that                                                                  
     says, "when required by the federal government for state                                                                   
     participation in federal programs."                                                                                        
   • A solution may entail a structured federal program                                                                         
     permissible under the constitution.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BAKER noted  that the  most  recent attempt  to resolve  the                                                               
dispute ended  with the 2009  Alaska Supreme Court  decision that                                                               
determined  the  endowment transfer  of  land  to the  university                                                               
would  be a  violation of  the  dedication clause  in the  Alaska                                                               
constitution.  The  fourth bullet  point  in  the previous  slide                                                               
points out  an exemption  the university may  use when  the state                                                               
participates in a federal program,  a concept that the university                                                               
has been  working on over the  last several years. The  state has                                                               
several outstanding  issues as well  with the  federal government                                                               
regarding  its land  selection  of five  million  acres from  the                                                               
Alaska Statehood Act;  the university believes it  should be part                                                               
of those negotiations.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:45:03 PM                                                                                                                    
He turned  to the slide  titled, "Receipts by  Resource Category"                                                               
and  noted  that  receipts  from   the  land  the  university  is                                                               
sporadic. The  university, just like  with the state,  would like                                                               
to develop  its endowment in  a way that generates  a predictable                                                               
long-term revenue stream for educational benefit.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
He  referenced the  slide  titled, "UA  Land  Trust Balance"  and                                                               
detailed that the  trust balance is approximately $160 million.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR GIESSEL  noted that the  committee had a  similar hearing                                                               
on  the university's  land trust  during a  previous legislature.                                                               
She asked if any progress had been made.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. BAKER answered  yes. The university has  had discussions with                                                               
the Alaska delegation on possible  federal legislation. He opined                                                               
that  the window  is  narrow over  the next  two  years with  the                                                               
Department of Interior in trying to make the land grant happen.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:48:23 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KIEHL  commented that the   conversation so far  has been                                                               
fascinating and  oblique. He  admitted that he  was lost  on what                                                               
result would occur.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. BAKER  answered that  the university has  been in  a quandary                                                               
since 2009. He  said there are many reasons why  the land did not                                                               
get  transferred in  previous years,  but the  federal government                                                               
feels that the  state has the land that should  be transferred to                                                               
the university and is not inclined  to give more federal land. He                                                               
reiterated that  the Alaska Supreme Court  decision prohibits the                                                               
state  from   transferring  the  land  to   the  university.  The                                                               
university is trying to come up  with a way to transfer land that                                                               
complies with the state constitution.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR KIEHL asked how much land should be transferred.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. BAKER answered 360,000 acres.  He admitted that the challenge                                                               
will be for  the university to receive the most  valuable land to                                                               
generate money.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR KIEHL asked who would ultimately choose the land.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:52:37 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. HARRINGTON  answered that  the university  and the  DNR would                                                               
jointly agree on the land coming out of the federal program.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR BISHOP asked if the land  the university is trying to get                                                               
is  part  of  the  five  million  acres  that  has  already  been                                                               
appropriated by the federal government.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. HARRINGTON  answered that  the lands would  come out  of both                                                               
the state's remaining five-million-acre  entitlement and the land                                                               
put through the federal program.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:56:43 PM                                                                                                                    
MARTY  PARSONS, Director,  Division of  Mining, Land,  and Water,                                                               
Alaska Department  of Natural Resources, Anchorage,  Alaska, said                                                               
the  department   fully  supports  the  university's   effort  to                                                               
diversify its  funding sources  and the  division is  prepared to                                                               
assist  the  university  where  appropriate.  He  suggested  that                                                               
portions of the resolution should  be clarified to strengthen the                                                               
resolution.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  BIRCH asked  if the  university may  consider land  around                                                               
Prudhoe Bay.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  PARSONS admitted  that most  lands around  Prudhoe Bay  have                                                               
already been selected  and conveyed to the state.  He pointed out                                                               
that in  1993, all the state  lands that could be  selected where                                                               
selected.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:59:15 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BIRCH held SJR 10 in committee.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
^CONFIRMATION HEARINGS:                                                                                                         
                     CONFIRMATION HEARINGS:                                                                                 
              Board Members, Alaska Board of Game                                                                           
                                                                                                                              
3:59:31 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BIRCH  announced  the   consideration  of  the  governor's                                                               
appointees to the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
He explained  that the function  of the  Alaska Board of  Game is                                                               
for the  conservation and development  of Alaska  game resources.                                                               
The board consists of seven  members appointed by the governor on                                                               
a  basis   of  interest  in   public  affairs,   good  judgement,                                                               
knowledge, ability in the field of  action of the board, and with                                                               
a view to  providing diversity of interest and points  of view in                                                               
the  membership.  Members must  be  residents  of the  state  and                                                               
appointed   without   regard    to   political   affiliation   or                                                               
geographical location  of residence. The board  typically meets 3                                                               
times per year for a total of 20 to 27 meeting days.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
He announced  that the   first appointee for consideration  is Al                                                               
Barrett of Fairbanks. He said Mr.  Barrette is a new appointee to                                                               
the board  and, if  confirmed, his  term would  run from  July 1,                                                               
2019 to June 30, 2022.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:00:55 PM                                                                                                                    
ALLEN  BARRETTE,  Appointee,  Alaska Board  of  Game,  Fairbanks,                                                               
Alaska,  provided  committee  members  with an  overview  of  his                                                               
background,  noting  that  he  grew   up  hunting,  fishing,  and                                                               
trapping. He  disclosed that  he used  to manufacture  wolf traps                                                               
but sold the  business five years ago and  no longer manufactures                                                               
traps. He  provided committee members with  additional background                                                               
information as follows:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
   • Started to get involved with the Board of Game process in                                                                  
     1995.                                                                                                                      
   • Elected for a seat on the Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory                                                                 
     Board in 2005:                                                                                                             
        o Provided a process understanding of:                                                                                  
             square4 Public involvement,                                                                                        
             square4 Management,                                                                                                
             square4 Learning laws and regulations,                                                                             
             square4 Biology,                                                                                                   
             square4 Subsistence,                                                                                               
             square4 Sustained yield principles,                                                                                
             square4 Providing wild resources for future generations.                                                           
        o Chairman of the trapping subcommittee.                                                                                
        o Chairman for the game subcommittee.                                                                                   
        o Represented the advisory committee on special working                                                                 
          groups on sheep, Fortymile Caribou, wood bison                                                                        
          reintroduction, and the Western Arctic caribou.                                                                       
   • Several mentors have helped educate him in wildlife                                                                        
     management.                                                                                                                
   • Learned from the local Fish and Game office.                                                                               
   • Received a class A guide's license in 2007.                                                                                
   • Subsistence hunts and traps.                                                                                               
   • Teaches fur handling and trapping methods.                                                                                 
   • Encouraged by peers and the public to apply to the Alaska                                                                  
     Board of Game due to his strong background and wildlife                                                                    
     knowledge throughout the state.                                                                                            
   • Believes he will be a good Alaska Board of Game member                                                                     
     because he understands the following:                                                                                      
        o Sustained yield principles,                                                                                           
        o Importance of protecting subsistence opportunities,                                                                   
          traditional uses, and customs,                                                                                        
        o Complexity of statutory law,                                                                                          
        o Board process,                                                                                                        
        o Importance   of   public   knowledge   through   public                                                               
          testimony and written comments.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:05:47 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  KIEHL asked  Mr. Barrette  when he  could apply  for the                                                               
Wood Bison hunt along with the Delta Bison hunt.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. BARRETTE answered in approximately six or seven years.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR KIEHL asked  him to address his past  proposal on baiting                                                               
brown bears and asked how his proposal would fit today.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BARRETTE  asked  Senator Kiehl  to  specify  which  proposal                                                               
because he had several.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  KIEHL  said   he  hoped  to  draw   out  Mr.  Barrette's                                                               
philosophy on what might be appropriate with grizzly bears.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. BARRETTE  replied that  baiting is  based on  biological data                                                               
and abundance or lack of  abundance of grizzly bears. Input would                                                               
be required  from knowledgeable  locals and  advisory committees.                                                               
He said  he would  use the  suggested tools  to make  an informed                                                               
decision based on a sustained yield basis.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:08:02 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  KIEHL noted  that  the  Alaska Board  of  Game is  often                                                               
adjusting  and   fine  tuning  some  of   the  state's  intensive                                                               
management regime  under the  laws that  the legislature  has put                                                               
into place.  He asked if  the Board of  Game ever had  a predator                                                               
control proposal that went too far.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR. BARRETTE  answered that he did  not know if he  had an answer                                                               
on  a project  that  had gone  too far.  He  emphasized that  his                                                               
decision  would   be  based  on   statutory  law   for  intensive                                                               
management along with data that the department presents.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR KIEHL  asked if he  could envision a proposal  that would                                                               
go too far.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BARRETTE replied  that he  could  probably imagine  somebody                                                               
writing a proposal up that went too far.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR KIEHL  promised Mr.  Barrette that he  was not  trying to                                                               
set traps. He  explained that his intent was to  get his thoughts                                                               
on proposals that would go too far.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BARRETTE  replied  a  proposal that  was  not  in  statutory                                                               
compliance.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:09:49 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BIRCH announced  that the    second Alaska  Board of  Game                                                               
appointee  for  consideration  is  Orville  Huntington.  He  said                                                               
although Mr. Huntington  served on the Alaska  Board of Fisheries                                                               
from 2012  to 2019,  this appointment  is Mr.  Huntington's first                                                               
term on  the Alaska Board of  Game. If confirmed, his  term would                                                               
run from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:10:50 PM                                                                                                                    
ORVILLE HUNTINGTON,  Appointee, Alaska Board of  Game, Fairbanks,                                                               
Alaska, provided his background  information to committee members                                                               
as follows:                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
   • Primary employer is the Tanana Chief Conference as wildlife                                                                
     and parks director.                                                                                                        
   • Wildlife biologist by training.                                                                                            
   • Raised in rural Alaska by native elders and there is very                                                                  
     little he does not know about native culture.                                                                              
   • Hunts, fishes, and used to trap.                                                                                           
   • Does science work with international science boards and                                                                    
     committees.                                                                                                                
   • Served on educational boards for most of his life.                                                                         
   • Served on the Alaska Board of Fisheries for seven years                                                                    
     where he looked to protect all interests throughout Alaska.                                                                
   • Supports the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:13:32 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BIRCH opened public testimony.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:14:55 PM                                                                                                                    
LIN  DAVIS,  representing  self,  Juneau,  Alaska,  testified  in                                                               
opposition to the  confirmation of Mr. Barrette. She  said she is                                                               
a wildlife  appreciator, and  rarely did  she feel  her interests                                                               
and  values were  reflected  on  the Alaska  Board  of Game.  She                                                               
opined that the  board is primarily served  by hunters, trappers,                                                               
guides,  and people  promoting non-resident  killing of  animals.                                                               
She  said  there is  concern  regarding  his past  behavior.  She                                                               
opined  that the  board needs  people who  have demonstrated  the                                                               
highest level of professional judgement and communications.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:17:06 PM                                                                                                                    
RON  SOMERVILLE, Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Board of  Directors,                                                               
Territorial Sportsmen,  Juneau, Alaska,  testified in  support of                                                               
both appointees to the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
He said he has worked with  Mr. Huntington a lot in the fisheries                                                               
committee  and  views  him as  honorable,  well  positioned,  and                                                               
considerate.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
He opined that Mr. Barrette is  getting a bad rap. He pointed out                                                               
that  the  Alaska  constitution requires  maximum  use  of  state                                                               
resources to  the maximum  benefit of its  people. He  added that                                                               
the legislature passed  an intensive management law  that says if                                                               
there is a  conflict the resource must be managed  to the benefit                                                               
of the people for food.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:20:21 PM                                                                                                                    
MIKE   TINKER,  representative,   Alaska  Wildlife   Conservation                                                               
Association,  Fairbanks, Alaska,  testified  in  support of  both                                                               
appointees  to  the Alaska  Board  of  Game.  He noted  that  the                                                               
association drafted the intensive  management statute to help the                                                               
Alaska  Department  of  Fish  and Game  focus  on  managing  game                                                               
resources  for   Alaskans.  He  opined  that   abundant  wildlife                                                               
resources are  more productive  to manage  and allocate,  and the                                                               
Alaska Board of Game is the authority for allocation.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
He  said the  Alaska Wildlife  Conservation Association  supports                                                               
Alaskans on the Alaska Board  of Game who are experienced hunters                                                               
and  trappers  that  have  been involved  in  the  management  of                                                               
regulatory  system   as  advisory  committee   participants.  The                                                               
association always recognizes that there  are Alaskans who do not                                                               
support hunting and trapping and  tries to be respectful of their                                                               
needs as well.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. TINKER  said the association  supports both Mr.  Barrette and                                                               
Mr. Huntington  to serve on the  Alaska Board of Game.  He opined                                                               
that  Mr. Barrette  is one  of the  best qualified  appointees to                                                               
come before the  committee in the three decades that  he has been                                                               
involved  with   the  board.  He   said  Mr.  Huntington   is  an                                                               
experienced  board   member  coming  off  the   Alaska  Board  of                                                               
Fisheries  and  the state  is  lucky  to  have him  continue  his                                                               
service to Alaskans  by applying to the Alaska Board  of Game. He                                                               
added  that  Mr.  Huntington  is  an  appointee  who  understands                                                               
subsistence needs of Alaskans.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:23:51 PM                                                                                                                    
VIRGIL  UMPHENOUR,   representative,  Fairbanks  Fish   and  Game                                                               
Advisory Committee,  testified in  support of both  appointees to                                                               
the Alaska  Board of Game. He  noted that Mr. Barrette  is one of                                                               
the advisory  committee members and  the committee  thinks highly                                                               
of him. He  said Mr. Barrette has interacted  directly with local                                                               
hunters  and  fishermen. He  emphasized  that  his integrity  and                                                               
ethics are beyond reproach.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:25:51 PM                                                                                                                    
CRAIG  COMPEAU,  representative,   Alaska  Wildlife  Conservation                                                               
Association,  Fairbanks,  Alaska,  testified in  support  of  the                                                               
appointment of Mr. Barrette to the  Alaska Board of Game. He said                                                               
he has known Mr. Barrette for  20 years and believes he has three                                                               
important qualities that make him  an ideal candidate to serve on                                                               
the Alaska Board of Game: knowledge, effort, and fairness.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:28:11 PM                                                                                                                    
SUSAN HANSEN, representing self,  Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in                                                               
opposition  to the  appointment  of Mr.  Barrette  to the  Alaska                                                               
Board of Game. She asserted  that Alaskan who are non-consumptive                                                               
users are  not being  considered for the  board. She  pointed out                                                               
that  only 15  percent of  Alaskans have  hunting licenses  and 1                                                               
percent have  trapping licenses.  She asserted that  Mr. Barrette                                                               
will not consider any non-consumptive views on the board.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:29:55 PM                                                                                                                    
JOE KLUTSCH,  representing self,  King Salmon,  Alaska, testified                                                               
in support  of both appointees  to the  Alaska Board of  Game. He                                                               
said  Mr.  Huntington  has  a  tremendous  community  and  family                                                               
heritage as well as knowledge  of both the wildlife resources and                                                               
the  culture of  rural Alaska.  He opined  that Mr.  Barrette has                                                               
extensive  committee  experience  and   a  good  grasp  of  state                                                               
statutes and regulations related  to sustained yield and resource                                                               
allocation.  He  asserted  that  testimony  that  questioned  Mr.                                                               
Barrette's motives and integrity is misguided.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:33:28 PM                                                                                                                    
WAYNE   KUBAT,  Vice   President,  Alaska   Professional  Hunters                                                               
Association  (APHA), Wasilla,  Alaska,  testified  in support  of                                                               
both  appointees  to the  Alaska  Board  of  Game. He  said  APHA                                                               
supports both  nominees with the  feeling that they  will provide                                                               
balance on the board.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
He  noted that  Mr.  Barrette  is a  long-serving  member of  the                                                               
Fairbanks  advisory  board.  He   opined  that  Mr.  Barrette  is                                                               
genuine, hardworking,  and fair.  He is also  knowledgeable about                                                               
wildlife issues  and cares  about the  process. He  detailed that                                                               
Mr. Barrette is a lifelong  hunter and fisherman who is committed                                                               
to  ensuring that  all Alaskans  continue to  have access  to the                                                               
state's fish and game resources that everyone holds dear.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
He  said   regarding  Mr.  Huntington,   APHA  believes   in  the                                                               
importance of having a mix  of different voices and viewpoints on                                                               
the  board.  He  opined  that  while the  Alaska  Board  of  Game                                                               
decisions  affect all  Alaskans, their  decisions often  have the                                                               
greatest impact on rural areas.  He emphasized that APHA believes                                                               
having a strong  rural voice is critical and  Mr. Huntington will                                                               
bring the rural voice to the board.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:35:43 PM                                                                                                                    
SYLVIA   PANZARELL,   representing   self,   Anchorage,   Alaska,                                                               
testified in  opposition to  the appointment  of Mr.  Barrette to                                                               
the Alaska  Board of Game. She  noted that he was  voted down for                                                               
an Alaska Board  of Game appointment by the  legislature 10 years                                                               
ago due to  his extreme opinions and a conflict  of interest that                                                               
could  have  affected  his  decisions.  She  recounted  that  Mr.                                                               
Barrette has a  history in trapping and aerial  wolf hunting. She                                                               
opined that adding him to the  board would mean an extreme person                                                               
will join an already extreme board.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:38:12 PM                                                                                                                    
MARK  RICHARDS, Executive  Director, Resident  Hunters of  Alaska                                                               
(RHAK),  Fairbanks,   Alaska,  testified   in  support   of  both                                                               
appointees to the Alaska Board of Game.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. RICHARDS  said he was  impressed with the way  Mr. Huntington                                                               
conducted  himself   and  with  his  reasoned   and  deliberative                                                               
approach  while serving  on the  Alaska Board  of Fisheries.  His                                                               
experience on the Alaska Board  of Fisheries carries over well to                                                               
the Alaska Board of Game. Mr.  Huntington will be an asset to the                                                               
board, particularly on subsistence issues.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
He disclosed  that he has known  Mr. Barrette for over  ten years                                                               
in  conjunction  with wildlife  management  issues.  He said  Mr.                                                               
Barrette  was  respectful to  the  public  during advisory  board                                                               
meetings and will  be a great asset to the  Alaska Board of Game.                                                               
He admitted that  RHAK and Mr. Barrette do not  agree 100 percent                                                               
on  what a  resident hunting  priority means,  but RHAK  does not                                                               
just  support individuals  who support  RHAK. He  maintained that                                                               
Mr. Barrette is eminently qualified  to serve on the Alaska Board                                                               
of Game  and like Mr. Huntington,  he can jump right  into a seat                                                               
with a full understanding of the process.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:40:14 PM                                                                                                                    
BARBARA BREASE,  representing self,  Healy, Alaska,  testified in                                                               
opposition  to the  appointment  of Mr.  Barrette  to the  Alaska                                                               
Board of Game. She suggested that  a person does not have to kill                                                               
wildlife,  whether a  trapper or  hunter, to  understand what  is                                                               
going  on.  She  opined  that  Mr. Barrette  has  a  conflict  of                                                               
interest with his  business and an extremist  ideology that makes                                                               
him unqualified to make wise  and ethical decisions on the Alaska                                                               
Board  of Game.  She asked  the committee  to instead  consider a                                                               
nominee that creates a more balanced perspective.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:43:11 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BIRCH  closed public testimony.  He asked the  Alaska Board                                                               
of Game nominees to provide their closing comments.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BARRETTE said  he  has  learned a  great  deal from  hearing                                                               
opposing  and favorable  testimony  on his  appointment and  will                                                               
take all the comments into consideration and dwell on it.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR.  HUNTINGTON   thanked  the  committee  for   considering  his                                                               
nomination.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:44:11 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BIRCH stated  that in  accordance with  AS 39.05.080,  the                                                               
Senate Resources  Standing Committee  reviewed the  following and                                                               
recommends the appointments  be forwarded to a  joint session for                                                               
consideration:                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Board Member of the Alaska Board of Game:                                                                                       
     Al Barrette - Fairbanks                                                                                                    
     Orville Huntington - Fairbanks                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR BIRCH  reminded members that signing  the reports regarding                                                               
appointments  to  boards  and  commissions  in  no  way  reflects                                                               
individual members'  approval or  disapproval of  the appointees;                                                               
the nominations are merely forwarded  to the full legislature for                                                               
confirmation or rejection.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:44:53 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:45:49 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BIRCH reconvened the meeting.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:46:12 PM                                                                                                                    
There being no further business to come before the committee,                                                                   
Chair Birch adjourned the Senate Resources Standing Committee                                                                   
meeting at 4:46 p.m.                                                                                                            

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
BoG Barrette Resume.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG FFGAC Letter 4.11.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG Dennis Zadra Email 4.10.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG Gary & Kathy King Email 4.10.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG Huntington - APHA Letter 4.10.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG Mike Munsey Email 4.11.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG MVFGAC Letter 4.10.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG RHAK Letter 4.10.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG Treasure Hunter Lodge Email 4.10.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG Barrette Letters & Emails #1.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
SJR10 Sponsor Statement.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
SJR 10
SJR10 Version A.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
SJR 10
SJR10 Fiscal Note.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
SJR 10
SJR10 UA Land Grant White Paper.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
SJR 10
SJR10 UA Land Grant History.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
SJR 10
SJR10 UA Letter 4.11.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
SJR 10
SJR10 UA Presentation 4.12.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
SJR 10
BoG Barrette Letters & Emails #2.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG Huntington Resume.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM
BoG Combined Emails & Letters 4.16.19.pdf SRES 4/12/2019 3:30:00 PM