1997-01-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 0011
SJR 6                                                                        
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6 BY THE SENATE RULES                              
COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR,                                          
                                                                               
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the                             
State of Alaska relating to subsistence uses of                                
replenishable resources by residents.                                          
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Resources, Judiciary, and          
Finance Committees.                                                            
                                                                               
Fiscal note published today from the Office of the Governor.                   
                                                                               
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 13:                                
                                                                               
Dear Senator Miller:                                                           
                                                                               
I am asking the Legislature to allow the people of Alaska to vote on a         
constitutional amendment providing for a subsistence preference for use        
of replenishable resources.  I believe this is the first and most              
fundamental step in reaching a workable, equitable, and lasting Alaskan        
solution to this issue that has for too long divided Alaskans.                 
                                                                               
A successful solution must achieve two key goals: 1) recognition of the        
essential role of subsistence in the culture and economy of  rural             
Alaska, and 2) state management of fish and game.                              
                                                                               
I have strongly advocated legislative action to resolve this issue at the      
state level and return full management of Alaskas fish and game to the         
state.  The current impasse will only become more damaging to Alaska           
if it is allowed to persist.  Fish and game management in Alaska is            
fracturing into two systems, with different mandates, different land           
bases, and different management systems for shared resources that freely       
cross jurisdictiona llines. This splintered and duplicative system creates     

1997-01-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 0012
SJR 6                                                                        
confusing and conflicting regulations, poses a greater risk of                 
overharvest, may result in unnecessary loss of opportunities for               
commercial, sport, and even subsistence users, and may disenfranchise          
subsistence users who live near state or private lands.  This can only         
lead to a morass of endless jurisdictional disputes, legal battles, and        
strife, and vastly increased management costs.  Most importantly, it puts      
the health of the fish and game resources on which people depend               
unnecessarily at risk.                                                         
                                                                               
A constitutional amendment is the only practical way to ensure that            
management of fish and game is returned to the state.  The federal             
government continues to move towards increased control over the states         
fish and game resources, as has been ordered by the courts.                    
                                                                               
The current congressional moratorium is limited and temporary.  Federal        
decisions are being made every day that will affect Alaskans and their         
fish and wildlife resources.  Federal agencies are even now writing            
environmental impact studies in preparation for the takeover of                
subsistence fisheries management.  Every day the Alaska Legislature            
doesn't take action to resolve this impasse, new building blocks are           
being added to strengthen federal control over fish and game                   
management in Alaska.                                                          
                                                                               
I call on you and your fellow legislators to make the resolution of            
subsistence a priority during this legislative session, and I stand ready      
to do whatever I can to assist.                                                
                                                                               
The constitutional amendment assures a priority for subsistence use of         
Alaska's fish and game over other uses, consistent with sustained yield.       
When implementing the priority, the state may consider a variety of            
factors in granting preferences to and among subsistence uses, including       
community or area characteristics, place of residence, customary and           
traditional use, direct dependence, and the availability of alternative        
resources.                                                                     
                                                                               
This amendment would allow the state to regain management over fish            
and game resources in the state.  Subsistence uses will have a priority,       
but state management must meet commercial and sport use needs as               
well.  This differs significantly from the federal system in that federal      
managers need only consider subsistence uses.                                  

1997-01-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 0013
SJR 6                                                                        
The State of Alaska should recognize and be responsive to the views of         
rural subsistence users in its management system so that all Alaskans          
will prefer state management to federal management.  Local residents           
must have a stronger voice in management decisions.  Both state and            
federal statutory changes will be needed to: 1) define key terms such as       
customary and traditional, customary trade, rural, and reasonable              
opportunity; 2) reinvigorate local and state management structures to          
increase local participation and the use of local knowledge, and 3) allow      
non-rural residents to participate in educational fisheries and hunts.         
                                                                               
I urge your leadership in providing a legislative forum for open debate        
on this issue so we can bring Alaskans together to solve it, rather than       
sit by while the divisiveness grows and sound resource management is           
put at risk.  Please give Alaskans the opportunity to vote on this             
amendment.  An Alaskan solution is much better than a federal                  
mandate.                                                                       
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor