Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
02/19/2011 10:00 AM Senate RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB24 | |
| SB44 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 44 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 24-SPORT FISHING GUIDING SERVICES
CO-CHAIR WAGONER announced the consideration of SB 24.
10:32:10 AM
SENATOR MCGUIRE, sponsor of SB 24, said this bill was introduced
with an eye towards the resources of the state. Fisheries is one
of the most important resources in Alaska and is divided between
commercial and sport fisheries. She noted that sports fisheries
are complex because they are accessed by Alaskans independently,
through guides, and through tourism. As tourism in Alaska has
grown there has been a groundswell of fishing guide use. This
has led to increased river pressure, particularly in the Kenai-
Soldotna area and in Southeast. SB 24 has been brought forward
as a way of extending the guide license program currently in
place. She explained that the bill was originally meant to be an
extension of the bill passed last year [SB 294, passed during
the 26th Alaska State Legislature]. SB 294 had a one-year
sunset, which means that without a bill, there will no longer be
a sport fish guide licensing program in Alaska. She explained
that this would have a negative effect on the state for two main
reasons. First, is the management of the resources. She said
that the logbook program that has been put into place gives the
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) the necessary data to
track and manage the fisheries stocks. Second, it is a matter of
safety. She explained that it is important that guides are
trained to safely care for their guests.
SB 24 originally incorporated a lot of task force
recommendations, primarily from 2006, which was met with a lot
of negativity from Alaskans. She noted that a majority of those
recommendations were withdrawn and a stripped-down version of
the bill was reintroduced on the Senate floor that strictly
addresses the sunset. She requested that SB 24 go into a task
force over the interim in order to work with the public and
figure out what to do with these controversial recommendations.
She asked testifiers to take her statement into consideration
when making their testimony.
10:40:10 AM
CO-CHAIR WAGONER opened public testimony.
10:40:58 AM
SONNY PETERSEN, Member, Katmai Service Providers, testified in
opposition of SB 24 in its current form. He asked the committee
when he could expect to see a new bill and when the task force
would meet. He explained that SB 24, in its current form, is
entirely unworkable for sport fishing operations and would not
allow any of the outfits to operate. The lodges in western
Alaska have a good reputation and there is no need to have these
types of licensing requirements. He suggested that if these
requirements are necessary in other parts of the state as
Senator McGuire indicated, then these individuals should come up
with something for their specific area.
CO-CHAIR WAGONER noted that he is looking at the month of
October, when guides are not as busy, for the task force
meetings and hearings. He said that the composition of the task
force has not been formulated yet.
10:45:53 AM
ANDREW COUCH, representing himself, opposed the establishment of
a Sport Fishing Guide Services Board. He explained that the
current guide licensing program makes it difficult to hire
guides who meet the requirements and limit the number of local
Alaskans that he can hire. He explained that the changes in the
program have only produced more required paperwork and cost him
more money. In regards to safety, these requirements are already
required for Coast Guard licensing. He stressed that SB 24 would
add cost to the industry and the state. He noted that
individuals who can't afford the higher charter costs may not
participate and will reduce the charter business. He asked
whether there has been any support from individuals in the
industry.
10:50:14 AM
MELVIN GROVE, President, Prince William Sound Charter Boat
Association, strongly opposed SB 24. He said that the
association's primary concern is that a real problem has not
been identified. For example, it has been claimed that there is
a "groundswell of guides" in the sports fishing industry.
However, the current data from ADF&G shows that the number of
guides has been steadily dropping over the last few years. He
stressed that some benefits need to be included within the bill
for the industry, such as increased fishing allocations and
state sponsored marketing incentives.
10:54:52 AM
STEVE RUNYAN, representing himself, expressed strong concern
about SB 24. He said state governments everywhere are scrambling
for ways to trim costs and keep within the budget and this bill
creates another level of bureaucracy. The costs of SB 24 are
numerous and the benefits, financially, are low. He stressed
that the problem statement and the benefit statement to this
bill are highly overblown. He explained that having government
oversight beyond what is already contained in the sports guide
licensing book is not necessary or cost effective. He suggested
that the issue of the sunset for sport fishing licenses could
easily be addressed by holding an up-down vote in the Senate on
the current guidebook system. The Senate's energy would be
better used by looking at the statewide Chinook salmon shortage,
particularly in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
10:58:40 AM
MELISSA BORTON, Travel Administrator, Native Village of Afognak,
testified in opposition of SB 24. She said that she had the
opportunity to sit in on the task force meetings that took place
in preparation for this bill. She said that during these
meetings she felt that the rural communities were not being
represented. Further, the discussions were centered on the
conflicts occurring in the Kenai area and were not necessarily
applicable to Kodiak. She recognized how quickly the sports
fishing industry has grown and that there is abuse that takes
place throughout the industry. However, enacting legislation
such as SB 24, which affects the regions differently, should
require a more extensive public process. She said that this was
missing in the process leading up to this bill. She noted that
the one community meeting held in Kodiak had overwhelming
opposition to SB 24.
11:00:31 AM
REUBEN HANKE, sport fishing and big game hunting guide, agreed
with Senator McGuire that it is a good idea to take a step back
and look into the issues addressed in SB 24 some more. He noted
that he was a member of the original task force. He said that
this bill identifies the people who provide sport fishing
activities, which the current licensing system does not do.
There are many individuals in the state that provide services to
the sport fishing industry and this bill would help in
understanding the size and scope of the sport fishing industry.
11:02:42 AM
ANDREW CESSNE, upper Kenai River guide, testified in support of
SB 24. He explained that, for him, making a living on this
resource is a privilege, not a right.
11:03:34 AM
RICKY GEASE, Executive Director, Kenai River Sports Fishing
Association (KRSA), testified in support of SB 24. He said that
KRSA agrees with the problem statement regarding the sports
fishing industry. He explained that there is no common voice for
the industry in the Alaskan governmental process, nor are there
ethical standards for conduct of business, safety, or service.
He noted that many people do meet the requirements, but not
everybody does and this tarnishes the state's sport fishing
reputation. He added that KRSA also supports SB 24 going into a
subcommittee process and extending the logbook sunset during
this time.
11:05:38 AM
KEVIN DELANEY, Fisheries Consultant, Kenai River Sports Fishing
Association (KRSA), commented on SB 24 and noted that further
assessment of the sports fishing industry is needed. He said
that the guide registry program was implemented during the time
that he was the director of Sports Fishing at ADF&G. He
explained that it was never ADF&G's intent that the guide
registry program would be the end-all in this process. During
this time the division recognized the tremendous economic value
of the industry and wanted to assure that it would continue to
compete on a world-wide basis. He explained that the
registration process has evolved into the licensing program that
is in place now and he has been supportive of this. However, the
framework in place today doesn't adequately allow for assessment
of who is involved in the field today, he said. He stressed the
importance of continuing to pursue these principals.
11:09:19 AM
DENISE MAY, owner and operator, Whale Pass Lodge, expressed
concerns about SB 24. She said her greatest concern is that
rural communities and villages around the state need to be
included by giving adequate notice on the issue and having the
opportunity for input and comment. She noted her appreciation
for Senator McGuire in taking a step back on the bill to allow
individuals time to gather information and understand what the
legislature is trying to accomplish.
11:12:20 AM
JACK CADIGAN, Owner and Captain, Adventures in Alaska, expressed
strong concerns about SB 24 in its current form. He said he does
not want a duplicate a set of regulations where licensing
requirements already exist, along with the associated costs. Mr.
Cadigan listed a number of the requirements already in place for
sports fishing guides. He said that most charter operations far
exceed the basic level of competency needed. He urged the
committee to amend SB 24 so that it solely addresses the areas
in the state where problems might exist.
11:17:19 AM
BOB MAY, Owner and Operator, Whale Pass Lodge, expressed concern
about SB 24. He said that at the public meeting in Kodiak
regarding this bill, not one was in favor it. He noted that the
bill states that an individual must be 18 years old before they
"can take a fish off the hook." However, his kids learned long
before this age to do more than that. He said that there is a
lot that has been excluded from this bill. He acknowledged that
there have been issues on the Kenai Peninsula; but these
problems don't exist in Kodiak. He added that more
representation is needed in Alaska's villages. He asked when a
new bill will be brought forward in replace of SB 24 and how the
public notice will be administered to businesses.
CO-CHAIR WAGONER said that when hearings on SB 24 begin again
during the interim, he will be informed.
11:21:14 AM
NANCI MORRIS-LYON, Managing Partner, Alaska Sportsmen Bear Trail
Lodge, testified in support of SB 24. She said she was a member
of the original task force involved in this bill. She explained
that the sport fishing industry has grown beyond belief and
future growth needs to be controlled in order to protect and
preserve the state' fisheries and maintain an industry that is
competitive and healthy. She acknowledged the unique challenges
found in various areas of the state and it is important not to
impose unnecessary restrictions in areas where they are not
needed. A bill in this form would give credibility to the sports
fishing industry and would stabilize the industry for the
future. She said that this bill will assist ADF&G through the
documentation of the commercial aspects of the industry and its
effects on fisheries throughout the state.
11:25:13 AM
ALAN LEMASTER, representing himself, expressed concerns about SB
24. He noted that he was not aware of the task force while it
was going forward. He explained that he can see a great
advantage in having a [Sport Fishing Guide Services] board
because it will give them solidarity between the industry and
the Board of Fisheries meetings. He noted that in the Copper
River Valley the growth patterns in the industry have decreased,
not increased. He said that his concerns with the current bill
include the following: the assistant guide age limit of 18;
confusion between what a guide, guide outfitter, and transporter
is; and the organization of ADF&G in regards to the log books.
He said "I don't think the guide system is broken in the state
and I don't think we [should] fix it until it is."
11:29:24 AM
MIKE SCOTT, representing himself, testified in opposition of SB
24. He said that the entire state does not have to be wrapped up
in this licensing issue and there are already numerous hoops to
jump through. He said that if this bill goes through the sports
fishing industry will have a limited entry similar to halibut
and commercial fishing.
11:30:57 AM
SCOTT EGGEMEYER, Owner, Alaska Bear Paw Drifters, testified in
support of SB 24. He said he guides in Prince William Sound, the
Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, Steep Creek, and Anchor Point.
11:31:27 AM
DENNIS RANDA, Owner, Randa's Guide Service, expressed concern
about SB 24. He said that orderly development is important and
legislation that disrupts this is unwise. He added that he is
also concerned with the age restriction on assistant guides. He
noted that legislation is needed due to the growth of the sports
fishing industry.
11:33:43 AM
DAVID GOGGIA, President, Kenai River Guide Association,
testified in support of SB 24. He noted that the association was
present throughout the task force's and ADF&G's meetings. He
acknowledged that there are some things that need to be worked
out in regards to the bill and a special task force will be
positive. He said that the bill will increase the accountability
for all people in the sports fishing industry.
11:35:16 AM
JERRY STRIEBY, Vice President, Kenai River Professional Guide
Association, testified in support of SB 24. He stressed the
importance of having representation and a voice for the sports
fishing industry, such as a guide board. Currently, the voice of
the industry is through individuals and this does not go very
far.
11:37:06 AM
CHACO PEARMAN, Owner, Pristine Charters, testified in support of
the concept of the Sport Fishing Guide Services Board in SB 24.
He noted that with the federal program restrictions and the
halibut charter people are going to change their business
models. For instance, clients that stay at bed and breakfasts
are going to be able go out fishing and the fish caught will not
be reported. He said that there have been issues in Kodiak in
the past with businesses that are not accounted for and are
unenforceable. His concern is for the resource. He noted that it
is important that this bill capture everyone involved in the
industry so that the resource can be managed properly.
11:40:19 AM
REED MORISKY, representing himself, testified in support of SB
24. He said he was a member of the original task force, which
codified a sport fishing board. The board would categorize and
professionalize sport fishing guides, outfitters, and
transporters. He agreed that there were several groups who
should have been included earlier; however, this could be taken
up with the resource committee task force during the interim. He
acknowledged that the bill is long and there are some
misunderstandings that can be overcome with more information. SB
24 will ensure the continued viability of the sport fishing
industry and provide a mechanism for sustainable growth.
11:42:54 AM
DENNIS PETRE, charter operator, testified in opposition of SB
24. He suggested going to the NOAA [National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration] website that lists operators that
received limited entry permits and contact these individuals to
get more input.
11:43:54 AM
MIKE MCCRURY, representing himself, commented on SB 24. He said
the source of debate comes from ADF&G's policy in selling an
unlimited amount of fishing licenses to non-residents. He noted
that the value of non-commercial users goes well beyond the
economic interests of guides. Preserving Alaskan's opportunities
will only be achieved when ADF&G limits, where necessary, the
sale of fishing licenses to non-residents.
11:45:47 AM
WADE WILLIS, former owner of a fish guiding business, stated
concern for the Sport Fishing Guide Services Board addressed in
SB 24. He said that that the board is nothing more than a carbon
copy of the mistakes that have been made with the Big Game
Commercial Services Board. Self-serving boards do not accomplish
anything, but rather decrease the stability of the industry, he
said. Important industries throughout Alaska rely on
occupational licensing to provide stability and career
opportunities and it does not have to be a burden. Alaska has a
responsibility to ensure that tourism, as the state's most
important renewable resource, is the best it can be. He stressed
the importance of looking beyond two years, in order to make
sure that for the next 50 years Alaska has a guiding industry
that respects the resource, the industry, and provides
stability.
CO-CHAIR WAGONER said that he respects Mr. Willis' perspective.
11:49:08 AM
CHRIS BRANHAM, representing himself, testified in opposition of
SB 24. He said he has been addressing these issues for the past
30 years and this bill is meritless and doesn't benefit anyone.
He explained that the issue can be resolved by putting
restrictions and limitations on the people who use the resource.
The sports fishing industry has never been given legitimate
responsibility by the state of Alaska and he stressed the
importance of the industry. However, the state does nothing to
support it. He said that this is the responsibility of ADF&G.
The constitution gives first priority to subsistence use, the
second use is commercial, and the third use is recreational. He
stressed the need to enhance the sports fishing industry.
11:52:29 AM
CHRIS ZWOLINSKI, hunting guide, testified in support of SB 24.
He said that it is important to regulate the resource now in
order to prevent damage in the future. He suggested that more
public forums are needed.
11:54:20 AM
STAN MALCOM, Petersburg Charter Boat Association, testified in
support of SB 24. He noted that he was a member of the original
task force which generated the information leading up to SB 24.
He explained that the association has always supported the guide
license requirements and the log book program. A professional
service board is in the best long term interest of the industry,
the state, and all fisheries resource users. The bill, in
encompassing the non-guided sector, which is continuing to grow
in Southeast Alaska and is a huge resource user, would be a huge
step forward. The Sport Fishing Guide Services Board would
promote some self-regulation from within the industry.
11:57:08 AM
CO-CHAIR WAGONER announced the conclusion of teleconference
testimony.
11:57:26 AM
JOEL HANSON, Captain, The Boat Company, expressed concern that
some types of businesses are not being fairly represented within
SB 24. He said the company has been operating in Southeast
Alaska for 30 years. While they do not focus specifically on
sport fishing it is a critical component of their business. He
said that the sport fishing industry has a wide variety of
models both on salt and fresh water and the bill needs to be
expanded to include a larger group of concerned individuals.
12:01:00 PM
CO-CHAIR WAGONER closed public testimony on SB 24. [The bill was
held in committee.]
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