Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
04/19/2021 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
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| Start | |
| SB97 | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 97 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 19, 2021
3:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Joshua Revak, Chair
Senator Peter Micciche, Vice Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Jesse Kiehl
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Natasha von Imhof
Senator Scott Kawasaki
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 97
"An Act relating to state land; relating to the authority of the
Department of Education and Early Development to dispose of
state land; relating to the authority of the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities to dispose of state land;
relating to the authority of the Department of Natural Resources
over certain state land; relating to the state land disposal
income fund; relating to the leasing and sale of state land for
commercial development; repealing establishment of recreation
rivers and recreation river corridors; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 97(RES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
Melvin Smith - Anchorage
- Confirmation Advanced
Board of Fisheries
John Jensen - Petersburg
Abe Williams - Anchorage
McKenzie Mitchell - Fairbanks
John Wood - Willow
Marit Carlson-Van Dort - Chignik
- Confirmations Advanced
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 97
SHORT TITLE: STATE LAND SALES AND LEASES; RIVERS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
03/03/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/03/21 (S) RES, FIN
03/17/21 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/17/21 (S) Heard & Held
03/17/21 (S) MINUTE(RES)
04/09/21 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/09/21 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/19/21 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
MARTY PARSONS, Director
Division of Mining, Land, and Water
Department of Natural Resources
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the changes in the committee
substitute for SB 97.
AL VEZEY, representing self
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Melvin Smith to the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry
Commission.
TIM GOSSETT, representing self
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries.
CHUCK MCCALLUM, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified of support of the appointments of
Marit Carlson-Van Dort, John Wood, and McKenzie Mitchell to the
Board of Fisheries.
MIKE WOOD, representing self
Chase, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointments of
Marit Carlson-Van Dort and John Wood to the Board of Fisheries.
LINDSAY LAYLAND, Deputy Director
United Tribes of Bristol Bay
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
PATRICIA PREITY, representing self
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
FRANCES LEACH, Executive Director
United Fishermen of Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries.
CARLA CHEBNOY, representing self
Sandpoint, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Melvin Smith to the Alaska Commercial Entry Commission
ISREAL PAYTON, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointments of
John Jensen, John Wood, and Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board
of Fisheries.
GARY HOLLIER, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointments of
John Jensen, John Wood, Marit Carlson-Van Dort, and Abe Williams
to the Board of Fisheries.
SUE JEFFERY, representing self
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
John Jensen to the Board of Fisheries, and in opposition to the
appointment of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries.
VIRGIL UMPHENOUR, representative
Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory Committee
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmations of
McKenzie Mitchell and Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of
Fisheries.
BRUCE SCHACTLER, representing self
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointments
of Marit Carlson-Van Dort and John Wood to the Board of
Fisheries.
RICHARD GUSTAFSON, representing self
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
RACHEL ALLEN, representing self
Chignik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Marit Carlson-Van Dort, McKenzie Mitchell, and John Wood to the
Board of Fisheries.
VIRGINA ADAMS, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries.
FORREST BRADEN, representative
Southeast Alaska Guide Organization
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointments of
John Jensen, John Wood, Marit Carlson-Van Dort, and McKenzie
Mitchell to the Board of Fisheries.
JEFFREY MOORE, representing self
Chignik Lagoon, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of all the current
nominees to the Board of Fisheries.
GARY CLINE, representing self
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
LUKE BROCKMANN, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
NATE ROSE, President
Kodiak Seiners Association
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries.
GEORGE ANDERSON, President
Chignik Intertribal Coalition
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointments of
Marit Carlson-Van Dort, John Wood, and McKenzie Mitchell to the
Board of Fisheries.
CHELSEA HAISNAN, Executive Director
Cordova District Fisherman United
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries, and in
support of the appointment of John Jensen to the Board of
Fisheries.
JULIA KAVANAUGH, representing self
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
John Jensen to the Board of Fisheries.
JACK GRUMMETTE, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
DUNCAN FIELDS, representative
Kodiak Salmon Work Group
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries.
PAUL SCHADURA, representing self
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointments
of Marit Carlson-Van Dort, McKenzie Mitchell, and John Wood to
the Board of Fisheries.
MARIT CALSON-VAN DORT, appointee
Board of Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
ABE WILLIAMS, appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:34:29 PM
CHAIR JOSHUA REVAK called the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Stevens, Kiehl, Micciche, and Chair Revak.
Senator Bishop arrived immediately thereafter.
SB 97-STATE LAND SALES AND LEASES; RIVERS
3:35:29 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 97
"An Act relating to state land; relating to the authority of the
Department of Education and Early Development to dispose of
state land; relating to the authority of the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities to dispose of state land;
relating to the authority of the Department of Natural Resources
over certain state land; relating to the state land disposal
income fund; relating to the leasing and sale of state land for
commercial development; repealing establishment of recreation
rivers and recreation river corridors; and providing for an
effective date."
He asked Marty Parsons to provide a brief overview of the bill
before the committee considered a committee substitute (CS).
3:35:57 PM
MARTY PARSONS, Director, Division of Mining, Land, and Water,
Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage, Alaska, presented
the changes in the committee substitute for SB 97. The prepared
document read as follow:
1. Bill Title: New Language
a. Delete portion of title pertaining to repealing
the Susitna Basin Recreation Rivers Management
Plan.
b. Insert new title language pertaining to covenants
and restrictions on agricultural lands
2. Section 2: Clarification
a. Clarifies the amendment to AS 19.30.080
(Construction standards and maintenance) related
to the consistent application of municipal road
construction standards required of the State when
building access roads.
3. Section 13: Conforming
a. Removed unnecessary federal law references in
subsection (b).
4. Section 15 & Section 16: New Language
a. The proposed amendments are intended to make
additional agricultural land available for
smaller producers and to expand the definition of
agricultural purpose on parcels 20 acres or less.
The additions would include authorized uses
(services) that support the agricultural
industry, such as a farm equipment and repair
operation near the farms.
5. Delete Sections 19 & 20 of previous bill version-A
a. Delete ?19 & ?20 pertaining to the repeal of the
Susitna Basin Recreation Rivers Management Plan
MR. PARSONS explained that Sections 19 and 20 were removed
because the department believes a more robust conversation among
a larger group of stakeholders is needed before any changes are
made.
3:39:42 PM
CHAIR REVAK agreed and thanked the Matanuska-Susitna Borough's
Fish and Wildlife Commission for its input. He asked for a
motion to adopt the committee substitute (CS).
3:40:30 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS)
for SB 97, work order 32-GS1634\I, as the working document.
3:41:36 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked how much land the Department of Education
and Early Development (DEED) and the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) have that could be
available for sale under the bill.
3:42:00 PM
MR. PARSONS replied DEED has very little land, and most of it is
near villages where small parcels were identified specifically
for schools, whereas DPTPF has more that it had acquired for
specific purposes but he did not know how much. He clarified
that the bill only allows these agencies to dispose of land that
was acquired specifically for their purposes.
SENATOR STEVENS thanked him for the information.
3:43:46 PM
SENATOR KIEHL recalled legislation in the past that attempted to
give DOTPF these authorities and it elicited concerns. He
posited that there would be opportunities to give this a further
look as the bill moved through the process.
CHAIR REVAK noted the bill had a finance referral.
3:44:15 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE commented that the changes that appear in the
CS made a good bill better.
3:45:05 PM
CHAIR REVAK removed his objection. Finding no further objection,
version I was adopted.
3:45:37 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report the CS for SB 97, work order
32-GS1634\I, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
3:45:55 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no objection and CSSB 97(RES) was reported
from the Senate Resources Standing Committee.
3:46:09 PM
At ease
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
Alaska Board of Fisheries
3:48:16 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and announced the committee
would hear additional public testimony on the governor
appointees to the Board of Fisheries and the Alaska Commercial
Fisheries Entry Commission.
3:49:51 PM
AL VEZEY, representing self, North Pole, Alaska, testified in
support of the appointment of Melvin Smith to the Alaska
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission. He said there is nobody
better suited to serve on this commission.
3:50:48 PM
TIM GOSSETT, representing self, Kodiak, Alaska, testified in
opposition to the appointment of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the
Alaska Board of Fisheries. He said it is important for board
members to approach allocation proposals with an open mind. He
offered his perspective that Ms. Carlson-Van Dort came to the
Kodiak meeting knowing she would change the Kodiak management
plan, despite data showing reasons not to make changes. She did
not come to the meeting with an open mind and she cherry-picked
the data to justify "purely allocative changes made for
conservation."
3:52:12 PM
CHUCK MCCALLUM, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
of support of the appointments of Marit Carlson-Van Dort, John
Wood, and McKenzie Mitchell to the Board of Fisheries. Ms.
Carlson-Van Dort brings a balanced point of view, understands
subsistence, fished commercially for more than 10 years, has
academic training in fishery science, conservation and biology,
and she listens to all sides of an issue. He offered his belief
that if the board had been biased towards the status quo, Kodiak
fishermen would not be complaining about her. The board show up
in Kodiak with an open mind so the meeting was less predictable
and more volatile. Ms. Carlson-Van Dort was singled out with
unjustified complaints against her character and integrity. He
said John Wood has the ability to listen to and understand all
sides of complicated issues. The state needs people like him on
the board. McKenzie Mitchell has limited experience on the board
but has made an effort to educate herself and is fair and open
minded. Her economics background should be a welcome skillset.
3:54:14 PM
MIKE WOOD, representing self, Chase, Alaska, testified in
support of the appointments of Marit Carlson-Van Dort and John
Wood to the Board of Fisheries. Ms. Carlson-Van Dort took the
time to visit sites in the Susitna area and listened to what the
fishermen had to say. She understands the Chignik fishery and
how the Northern District in particular is affected by
allocation decisions. He opined she made a good, well-educated
decision at the Kodiak meeting after listening to the people in
the area. He expressed appreciation for John Wood's ability to
work with people and his use of science and data.
3:56:32 PM
LINDSAY LAYLAND, Deputy Director, United Tribes of Bristol Bay
(UTBB), Dillingham, Alaska, testified in opposition to the
confirmation of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries. He
questioned whether working for The Pebble Partnership might be
in conflict with serving on the Board of Fisheries. The purpose
of this board is to conserve and develop the fisheries of the
state whereas the mission of The Pebble Partnership is to
develop an open pit mine in the pristine habitat at the head of
the Bristol Bay watershed. These missions are in direct
conflict. She emphasized that there was no way for Mr. Williams
to prioritize both Alaska fisheries and The Pebble Partnership.
Even if Pebble were out of the equation, he would not be a
suitable candidate because he lacks the perspective of living
and working in coastal Alaska while serving on the board.
Appropriate representation of rural Alaska is critical for this
board to function effectively, fairly, and with the perspective
that extends beyond the Railbelt. She pointed out that for 40
years the board has almost constantly had representation from a
Bristol Bay resident and excluding that representation now does
fisheries management in the state a great disservice. She urged
the committee to carefully consider the huge outpouring of
opposition, both in testimony and written comments, to the
appointment of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
MS. LAYLAND added that she personally opposes the appointment of
Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
4:00:46 PM
PATRICIA PREITY, representing self, Dillingham, Alaska,
testified in opposition to the appointment of Abe Williams to
the Board of Fisheries. She is a retired Bristol Bay drift
fisher who lives in Dillingham. Many of her family continue to
fish in Bristol Bay and she hopes future generations will be
able to make as good a life fishing as she has had. The Pebble
mine is the main threat to the Bristol Bay fisheries and Abe
Williams is the spokesman for that company. She noted that he
had already filed a lawsuit on behalf of The Pebble Partnership
against the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association
(BBRSDA) and other groups opposed to the mine. The judge
dismissed the case, calling it absurd. She concluded that it
would be even more absurd to confirm an employee of the greatest
threat to the Bristol Bay to the Board of Fisheries. She asked
the committee to use common sense and not confirm Abe Williams
to the Board of Fisheries.
4:02:32 PM
FRANCES LEACH, Executive Director, United Fishermen of Alaska
(UFA), Juneau, Alaska, testified in opposition to the
appointment of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries.
She said this is a statewide issue, not just a Kodiak Chignik
issue. UFA has 37 member groups statewide from Bering Sea
crabbers to salmon fishermen to longliners that voted
unanimously to oppose the appointment of Marit Carlson-Van Dort.
She maintained that if Ms. Carlson-Van Dort were truly qualified
to hold the subsistence seat, there would not be as much
opposition. She leans toward sport fish and those advocates are
fighting to keep her in the subsistence seat. Commercial
fishermen are asking for balance, not a sport fish advocate in a
subsistence seat.
4:04:11 PM
CARLA CHEBNOY, representing self, Sandpoint, Alaska, testified
in support of the appointment of Melvin Smith to the Alaska
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission. She has known him for 40
years and he is very knowledgeable about the Alaska fishing
industry. He will be an asset as a CFEC commissioner.
4:04:50 PM
ISREAL PAYTON, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in
support of the appointments of John Jensen, John Wood, and Marit
Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries. Speaking as the most
senior member of the Board of Fisheries, he said John Jensen is
an excellent board member and should be reconfirmed. John Wood
and Marit Carlson-Van Dort are also excellent board members.
They started at the varsity level several years ago and continue
to impress him. He said he was testifying to refute the false
accusations about Ms. Carlson-Van Dort. His experience has been
that she displays outstanding character. The board makes hard
decisions that are not popular with all stakeholders, but
somebody should not be punished for making hard decisions. He
also refuted the false narrative of designated seats.
4:06:46 PM
GARY HOLLIER, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
support of the appointments of John Jensen, John Wood, Marit
Carlson-Van Dort, and Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries. He
has been a Cook Inlet East Side setnetter for 50 years and has
attended Cook Inlet meetings for more than 35 years. They are
always contentious. He supports John Jensen 100 percent because
he is fair. John Wood paid for a trip to Kenai to educate
himself by talking to setnetters, drifters, and processors
before the 2020 Board of Fisheries meeting. He testified against
Marit Carlson-Van Dort in an earlier meeting but he now supports
her. She made herself available at the 2020 Upper Cook Inlet
board meeting. He said he would also support Abe Williams.
4:08:25 PM
SUE JEFFERY, representing self, Kodiak, Alaska, testified in
support of the appointment of John Jensen to the Board of
Fisheries, and in opposition to the appointment of Marit
Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries. Ms. Jeffery said she
has been involved in the Alaska fishing industry since she moved
to Kodiak in 1972. She has also been involved in public service,
including the Board of Fisheries. She served with John Jensen
for two terms and found him to be a fair and ethical public
servant. She opposes the reappointment of Marit Carlson-Van Dort
because she is the President and CEO of Far West Inc. and an
employee of an Alaska Native Village Corporation in Chignik so
she has a conflict of interest in decisions about allocation of
fish when Chignik is involved. She should have recused herself
in the Cape Igvak decision. High ethical standards are key to
maintaining Alaska's stellar reputation of managing its world-
class fisheries, thus her opposition.
4:11:10 PM
VIRGIL UMPHENOUR, representative, Fairbanks Fish and Game
Advisory Committee (FFGAC), North Pole, Alaska, testified in
support of the confirmations of McKenzie Mitchell and Marit
Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries. He related that
FFGAC voted unanimously on these appointments during its April
14 meeting. Ms. Carlson-Van Dort has a long family history in
subsistence and commercial fishing. She is the only board member
with degrees in conservation biology and fishery science. She is
knowledgeable about both the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea
fisheries and has been an effective chair of the board. He
maintained that the claims of conflicts of interest were
unfounded. He said Ms. Mitchell has an extensive background in
sport fisheries and is the only member of the board with a
degree in economics. Her expertise will be invaluable in
assessing the economics of allocation among different users.
Speaking for himself, Mr. Umphenour stated support for the
appointment of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries.
He related that he served three terms on the Board of Fisheries
and the United Fishermen of Alaska opposed his appointment twice
for the same reasons they now oppose Ms. Carlson-Van Dort. The
issues Kodiak fishermen have at Cape Igvak have been ongoing
since limited entry.
4:13:58 PM
BRUCE SCHACTLER, representing self, Kodiak, Alaska, testified in
opposition to the appointments of Marit Carlson-Van Dort and
John Wood to the Board of Fisheries. He stated he is an active
fisherman in Kodiak and he does not want to see politics enter
the confirmation process. He said all but one Board of Fisheries
member live within 100 miles of Anchorage and he does not feel
that is good representation. He does not support John Wood
because he stated at the Kodiak meeting that he was there to
represent his people and ensure that more fish got into the
Matanuska Valley where he was from. He was appointed to make
management decisions about fish; he was not elected to represent
a constituency. Mr. Schactler maintained that Mr. Wood worked
with Marit Carlson-Van Dort and Israel Payton on a complicated
proposal that had to have been written long before the meeting.
"Everything that trio does is the epitome of special interest,"
he said. They do not appear to represent the resource.
4:17:12 PM
RICHARD GUSTAFSON, representing self, Homer, Alaska, testified
in opposition to the appointment of Abe Williams to the Board of
Fisheries. He stated he is a retired ADF&G biologist who started
his career in Bristol Bay in 1973 when the fish did not return.
He was immediately struck with the pristine habitat in Bristol
Bay that is so important to the fish. He said he opposes Abe
Williams because he does not understand the importance of
habitat to healthy fisheries. He can't understand because he
works for The Pebble Partnership that says different things to
different groups. He cannot be unbiased and should be rejected.
4:18:49 PM
RACHEL ALLEN, representing self, Chignik, Alaska, testified in
support of the appointments of Marit Carlson-Van Dort, McKenzie
Mitchell, and John Wood to the Board of Fisheries. Speaking as a
long time seiner in Chignik and Kodiak, she said she does not
think it is a coincidence that these areas and the South
Peninsula have experienced under-escapement for three years
while interception fisheries chug right along. She said these
board members are working in a very challenging era because they
largely carry the burden of protecting the salmon. She stated
strong support for Marit Carlson-Van Dort, McKenzie Mitchell,
and John Wood who will protect the salmon resource as their
first priority. This is what Alaska needs right now, she said.
4:20:45 PM
VIRGINA ADAMS, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in opposition to the appointment of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to
the Board of Fisheries. Ms. Adams said she is a lifelong Kodiak
based fisherman who has been involved with the Board of
Fisheries throughout her working life. She emphasized that all
fish resource users in Alaska depend on all Board of Fisheries
members being open minded and agenda free. "We depend on the
Board of Fish to be this jewel of integrity." Unfortunately, Ms.
Carlson-Van Dort came to the January meeting with preconceived
notions. Thus her opposition to the appointment.
4:22:45 PM
FORREST BRADEN, representative, Southeast Alaska Guide
Organization, Ketchikan, Alaska, testified in support of the
appointments of John Jensen, John Wood, Marit Carlson-Van Dort,
and McKenzie Mitchell to the Board of Fisheries. He stated this
is a nonprofit trade association that represents the interests
of sport fishing lodges and charter businesses. On behalf of
SAGO, he stated support for the reappointments to the Board of
Fisheries for: John Jensen who is approachable and has support
from many fisheries; John Wood and Marit Carlson-Van Dort who
acted competently and with independent thinking during the Upper
and Lower Cook Inlet meetings; and McKenzie Mitchell who has a
sincere interest and appears well qualified based on her
academic and industry work. He emphasized that SAGO does not
support board stacking. Rather, it is interested in fair and
objective dialog among board members and user groups.
4:24:20 PM
JEFFREY MOORE, Chignik Lagoon, Alaska, testified in support of
all the current appointments to the Board of Fisheries. He is an
elder rural resident of the tribal Native village of Chignik
Lagoon whose only participation in the fisheries is as a
subsistence user. He was speaking on behalf of the communities
of Chignik Bay, Chignik Lagoon, Chignik Lake, Perryville, and
Ivanof Bay to provide written and oral testimony in support of
all of Governor Mike Dunleavy's nominations to the Board of
Fisheries and Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission. He offered
his view that the current appointees reflect diversity,
knowledge and experience. They have the capacity to be one of
the best Board of Fisheries ever assembled since Jay Hammond
appointed the first members in 1975. They will provide
management policies that prioritize conservation and subsistence
while spurring economic growth in the commercial and sport
fisheries. He advised he would send his written testimony to
each committee member.
4:26:48 PM
GARY CLINE, representing self, Dillingham, Alaska, testified in
opposition to the appointment of Abe Williams to the Board of
Fisheries. Abe Williams' position with Pebble Mine is a conflict
of interest, but his testimony today would focus on permit
stacking. He said it is disturbing that Mr. Williams has a
predetermined decision about permit stacking in the Bristol Bay
salmon fishery. This does not represent the values of the
majority of Bristol Bay residents. He pointed out that board
members are supposed to use allocative criteria when making
allocative decisions such as the number of residents and
nonresidents that have participated in each fishery in the past
and the number that can reasonably expect to participate in the
future; the importance of each fishery to the economy of the
state; and the importance of each fishery to the economy of the
region and local area in which the fishery is located. He
reported that a majority of fishers in the Bristol Bay region
are opposed to permit stacking, believing it will hinder local
residents from entering the fishery in the future. Once a permit
holder is allowed to hold two permits and fish additional gear,
the top producers will buy the remaining permits on the market,
which will increase the already high price of a Bristol Bay
permit. He questioned how that will help curb the outward
migration of permits from Bristol Bay and the state. He
concluded that permit stacking is not the solution to the
graying of the fleet or the outward migration of permits.
4:28:56 PM
LUKE BROCKMANN, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
opposition to the appointment of Abe Williams to the Board of
Fisheries. Mr. Brockmann stated he is an avid sport fisherman
and commercial fishing crew member. Despite the long wait and
personal challenges, he waited online to testify that Abe
Williams has no place on the Board of Fisheries. He likened it
to appointing Lord Vader to the Jedi Council after he went to
the dark side. Working for The Pebble Partnership and trying to
serve on the Board of Fisheries is a fox in the henhouse
situation. He suggested this appointment merits investigation.
4:30:30 PM
NATE ROSE, President, Kodiak Seiners Association (KSA), Kodiak,
Alaska, testified in opposition to the appointment of Marit
Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries. KSA represents over
100 Kodiak seine permit holders, crew members, and Kodiak
businesses. He explained that KSA's opposition to the
appointment of Marit Carlson-Van Dort stems from her actions at
the January 2020 Kodiak finfish meeting when she aligned herself
with other board members to pass pure allocative proposals under
the guise of conservation. He opined that scientific data was
manipulated to satisfy a longstanding allocative fight between
management regions. This eroded public trust in the Board of
Fisheries' process and assaulted sustained yield management
plans that were refined by years of careful scrutiny to provide
biological protection for the Chignik fishery.
CHAIR REVAK reminded testifiers that they could submit their
written testimony to sres@akleg.gov.
4:33:06 PM.
GEORGE ANDERSON, President, Chignik Intertribal Coalition (CIC),
Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of the appointments of
Marit Carlson-Van Dort, John Wood, and McKenzie Mitchell to the
Board of Fisheries. He stated that CIC represents the tribes of
Chignik Bay, Chignik Lagoon, Chignik Lake, Ivanof Bay, and
Perryville who in turn support the appointments listed above.
These board members have demonstrated they can make fair
decisions on both conservation and allocative matters. They have
consistently worked to protect migrating salmon stocks returning
to natal streams.
He reported that CIS is aligned with the Alaska Federation of
Natives (AFN), Tanana Chief's, and the many tribes that support
having an Alaska Native woman and subsistence advocate on the
Board of Fisheries. CIC is proud of her background conservation
biology and fisheries science, and how she applies the science
as a member of the board. She is an important voice that should
be retained. Now more than ever, the board needs people who are
qualified and willing to protect migrating salmon resources.
4:34:48 PM
CHELSEA HAISNAN, Executive Director, Cordova District Fisherman
United (CDFU), Cordova, Alaska, testified in opposition to the
appointment of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries,
and in support of the appointment of John Jensen to the Board of
Fisheries. CDFU's opposition to the appointment of Marit
Carlson-Van Dort centers on the perceived conflicts of interest
in her decisions during the Kodiak finfish meeting. It is
critical that board members listen and engage with the public
and all user groups and weigh their decisions carefully based on
the information presented. A more important concern is that the
balance of the board has recently deviated from historical norms
and precedents. While the Board of Fisheries has no designated
seats, coastal communities that are most affected by decisions
of the board are vastly underrepresented in its current
iteration. The urban/rural divide has become more pronounced and
the balance between user groups on the board is heavily weighted
towards sport fishing. She urged the committee to consider the
comments and ensure the board is not weighted towards one user
group or region over others. She also reiterated CDFU's support
for the reappointment of John Jensen to the Board of Fisheries.
He is a fair, engaged, and well-rounded member of the board.
4:36:28 PM
JULIA KAVANAUGH, representing self, Kodiak, Alaska, testified in
support of the appointment of John Jensen to the Board of
Fisheries. Ms. Kavanaugh said she comes from a commercial
fishing family that is 100 percent reliant on that income. She
said John Jensen brings a unique position to the board as a
member of the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. She
opposes Abe Williams and Marit Carlson-Van Dort and is concerned
about the remaining appointees and the lack of diverse
stakeholder and regional representation. She described the
January 2020 Igvak decision as an allocative decision that did
not address the failure of the run or conservation in that area.
She pointed out that even without the 2020 action, Kodiak
fishermen would not have fished at Igvak. She highlighted that
the participants at recent board meetings thought the board
members had already made up their minds. She urged the committee
to listen to the public's concerns about this governor's
appointments and hopefully get a different appointee with a
broader perspective for the Board of Fisheries.
4:40:07 PM
JACK GRUMMETTE, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
opposition to the appointment of Abe Williams to the Board of
Fisheries. As a lifelong fisherman, Mr. Grummette said he is
opposed to this appointment due to Mr. William's role at The
Pebble Partnership. It is a conflict of interest. The board is
charged with managing Alaska's fisheries without personal bias,
and there is no reason to have faith that he could fulfill this
role. If he is confirmed, it would set a dangerous precedent and
jeopardize fish resources going forward. He urged the
legislature to reject the appointment of Abe Williams to the
Board of Fisheries and encouraged the governor to find a
suitable and unbiased candidate who is backed by Alaska
fishermen. He concluded that Alaskans deserve a board that
reflects their needs, not self-interests.
4:41:24 PM
DUNCAN FIELDS, representative, Kodiak Salmon Work Group (KSWG),
Kodiak, Alaska, testified in opposition to the appointment of
Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries. He reported
that KSWG represents the fishing groups, processors, and
community stakeholders on Kodiak Island on the fisheries issues.
He advised that his testimony would focus on Ms. Carlson-Van
Dort's personal conflict of interest. It does not pass the red
face test to think that she can make fair and unbiased decisions
about the allocation and management of fisheries resources
because of her strong tie to Chignik fisheries. He maintained
that she cannot separate herself from the interests of the
communities in the Chignik area. She does a tremendous job and
should be respected for her advocacy for those communities.
However, she has a clear personal conflict of interest when it
comes to fishery decisions related to Chignik area communities,
and she chose not to recuse herself when she should have. This
should disqualify her from being confirmed to a seat on the
Board of Fisheries. He concluded his testimony by quoting
comments from tribal council members who took issue with Ms.
Carlson-Van Dort's statement that she was a subsistence
representative to the council.
4:44:52 PM
PAUL SCHADURA, representing self, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska,
testified in opposition to the appointments of Marit Carlson-Van
Dort, McKenzie Mitchell, and John Wood to the Board of
Fisheries. He related that he has been a commercial fisherman
for 53 years and an active participant in the Board of Fisheries
process since the early '70s. He voiced concern about board
members who state they pursue discussions with commercial
fishers, but do not acknowledge that their discussions disregard
a majority of fishers and user groups. He emphasized that this
does not constitute fair or impartial dialog and does not lead
to equitable solutions. He emphasized the responsibility the
board has in setting management plans and policies, and the
importance of balanced representation to reflect all user groups
in the state. He recounted that the board has three members
representing commercial interests, three members representing
sport fishing interests, and one primarily subsistence
stakeholder who may have participated in other multiple use
fisheries. When the board travels to Western Alaska the
subsistence user expertise and knowledge is critically
important. He said the board is out of balance, thus he cannot
support the appointments of Marit Carlson-Van Dort, McKenzie
Mitchell, or John Wood to the Board of Fisheries.
4:47:12 PM
At ease
4:48:18 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting. He asked Marit Carlson-Van
Dort and Abe Williams if they would like to provide closing
comments.
4:49:17 PM
MARIT CARLSON-VAN DORT, appointee, Board of Fisheries, Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Anchorage, Alaska,
addressed the claims of her conflict of interest, pointing out
that less than 2.5 percent of Far West Inc. shareholders are
Chignik permit holders and less than 1.5 percent are in-village
residents. She emphasized that the biggest challenge the board
faces is how to manage fisheries in the interest of conservation
while satisfying the needs of various user groups. Decisions
must be made on sound and defensible science while incorporating
invaluable local and traditional knowledge. She stated she was
capable and willing to put in the hundreds if not thousands of
hours of work to serve with fairness, balance, and integrity on
the Board of Fisheries.
4:50:24 PM
ABE WILLIAMS, appointee, Alaska Board of Fisheries, Anchorage,
Alaska, said he understands that his employment by The Pebble
Partnership is a hot topic. However, he believes that his years
involved in Bristol Bay are proof that he is a conservationist
in this area. He cited the Kvichak River as an example of his
conservation mindedness, and maintained that the accusations
that he does not care about conservation were unfounded.
4:52:12 PM
CHAIR REVAK closed public testimony on the appointments for the
Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission and the Board of
Fisheries. He informed the public that written testimony could
be sent to sres@akleg.gov.
He solicited a motion.
4:52:24 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to advance the following named appointee
to the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission to a joint
session of the full legislature for consideration
Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
Melvin Smith - Anchorage
4:52:39 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no objection and announced motion passed.
4:52:48 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to advance the following named appointees
to the Board of Fisheries to a joint session of the full
legislature for consideration:
Board of Fisheries
John Jensen - Petersburg
Abe Williams - Anchorage
McKenzie Mitchell - Fairbanks
John Wood - Willow
Marit Carlson-Van Dort - Chignik
CHAIR REVAK found no objection and stated the motion passed.
4:53:34 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Revak adjourned the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting at 4:53 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 97 SRES Legal Memo Drafting Concerns 4.9.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 97 |
| SB 97 DOL Memo for AM2 to CSSB 97(RES) 4.15.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 97 |
| SB 97 CS RES Work Draft I- 4.16.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 97 |
| SB 97 Summary of Changes for CS Work Draft I-4.19.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 97 |
| SB 97 AML Suport for CS SRES 4.21.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 97 |
| SRES BOF Suppot Letters 4.28.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Support Letters 4.28.21 |
| SRES BOF Combo Letters of Support Batch 1-printed 5.6.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Combo Letters of Support Batch 1 printed 5.6.21 |
| SRES BOF Combo Letters of Support Batch 2-printed 5.6.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Combo Letters Batch 2 printed 5.6.21 |
| SRES BOF Aleutians East Borough Support Jensen & Oppose Carlson-Van Dort dated 4.19.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Aleutians East Borough Letter of Support Jensen & oppose Carlson-Van Dort 4.19.21 |
| SRES BOF- Letters of Support- Combination all Appointees printed 5.7.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Letters of Support-Comination All appointees printed 5.7.21 |
| SRES BOF Letters of Oppose-Abe Williams printed 5.7.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Letters of Oppose-Abe Williams printed 5.7.21 |
| SRES BOF Letters of Oppose-Carlson-Van Dort printed 5.7.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Letters of Oppose-Carlson-Van Dort printed 5.7.21 |
| SRES BOF Letters of Oppose-Carlson-Van Dort & Abe Williams printed 5.10.21.pdf |
SRES 4/19/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Letters of Oppose-Carlson-Van Dort & Williams printed 5.10.21 |