Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
03/04/2020 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: the State of Alaska's Outdoor Industry: Unsung Economic Powerhouse by the Alaska Alliance | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SB 130 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 189 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 4, 2020
5:13 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Peter Micciche, Chair
Senator John Coghill, Vice Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Joshua Revak
Senator Jesse Kiehl
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator Scott Kawasaki
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: THE STATE OF ALASKA'S OUTDOOR INDUSTRY: UNSUNG
ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE BY THE ALASKA ALLIANCE
- HEARD
SENATE BILL NO. 130
"An Act relating to a seafood product development tax credit;
providing for an effective date by repealing secs. 32 and 35,
ch. 61, SLA 2014; and providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
SENATE BILL NO. 189
"An Act relating to the fish and game fund; establishing the
sport fishing enhancement surcharge; relating to the repeal of
the sport fishing facility surcharge; providing for an effective
date by amending the effective date of sec. 21, ch. 18, SLA
2016; and providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
LEE HART, Executive Director
Alaska Outdoor Alliance
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the Alaska Outdoor
Industry.
DON STRIKER, Superintendent
Denali National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of Interior
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed the national parks in Alaska.
MICHELE STEVENS, President
Petersville Community Non-Profit
Petersville, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the Snowmobile
Trails Advisory Council (SnowTRAC) program.
CHRIS BECK, Board Member
Alaska Trails
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview on the Alaska Statewide
Trails Initiative.
DIANA RHOADES, Director of Community Engagement
Anchorage Park Foundation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the Anchorage Park
Foundation's work with the Municipality of Anchorage to fund
parks and trails.
JEN LEAHY, Alaska Field Representative
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Seward, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview on conservation
partnership topics related to adequate funding for sportsmen,
wildlife, and recreation issues.
TERESA WHIPPLE, Bear Viewing Guide
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the commercial bear
viewing economy in Alaska.
ACTION NARRATIVE
5:13:06 PM
CHAIR PETER MICCICHE called the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 5:13 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Revak, Kiehl, Bishop, Coghill, and Chair
Micciche.
^PRESENTATION: The State of Alaska's Outdoor Industry: Unsung
Economic Powerhouse by the Alaska Alliance
PRESENTATION: The State of Alaska's Outdoor Industry: Unsung
Economic Powerhouse by the Alaska Alliance
5:13:50 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE announced that the only order of business would
be a presentation by the Alaska Outdoor Alliance.
5:14:08 PM
LEE HART, Executive Director, Alaska Outdoor Alliance,
Anchorage, Alaska, said the Alaska Outdoor Alliance (AOA)
delegation would provide updated information and new
perspectives around the original premise of strengthening the
state's economy, stimulating rural economic development, and
improving daily life through outdoor recreation. It is AOA's
belief that outdoor recreation should be a priority.
5:15:05 PM
MS. HART began her presentation with the slide, The Numbers
Speak for Themselves, Outdoors Means Business. She displayed the
following outdoor recreational data from the University of
Alaska Center for Economic Development (CED) and the U.S. Bureau
of Economic Analysis (BEA):
• 7th largest outdoor recreation economy
o Outdoor Recreation Value Added: Percentage of State
GDP, 2017
1. Hawaii: 5.4
2. Montana: 5.1
3. Maine: 4.8
4. Vermont: 4.5
5. Wyoming: 4.4
6. Florida: 4.3
7. Alaska: 4.2
• Nature Tourism Growing Fast
o Nature-Based Recreation
square4 GDP $424 million
square4 $50 million since 2012
o Other Recreation
square4 GDP $269 million
square4 $11 million since 2012
• Outdoor recreation spending in Alaska
o $3.2 billion
• Outdoor recreation growing faster than overall economy
o Outdoor recreation: +19 percent
o State of Alaska economy: -9 percent
• Outdoor Recreation versus Construction
o Outdoor Recreation: $3.2 billion
o Construction: $1.8 billion
• Percentage of Alaskans/other Americans who participate in
outdoor recreation
o 81 percent/48 percent
• Visitors who engaged in at least one outdoor activity
o 61 percent
• Alaskans say "opportunities for outdoor activities" are a
reason they live here.
o 58 percent
MS. HART reported that in March 2019, CED released an outdoor
industry study that showed the outdoor recreational industry
contributes $3.2 billion in spending in Alaska. Eighty-one
percent of Alaskans participate in outdoor recreation compared
to the national average of 48 percent.
She detailed that in 2019, BEA released data showing that the
gross domestic product (GDP) for the state from outdoor
recreation totals 4.2 percent. She said that makes Alaska the
seventh largest outdoor recreation economy of the U.S., but she
believes the state can do better than that.
MS. HART pointed out that while the state's economy declined
between 2012-2017, the outdoor recreation sector gained 19
percent. The data shows that outdoor recreation is a bit
recession proof and the industry can weather various economic
storms.
5:16:52 PM
MS. HART displayed the slide, Impacts by Sector Add Up. She
pointed out that the state's outdoor recreation industry is a
big tent that represents summer and winter recreation ;
motorized and nonmotorized interests; hunters, anglers, and
wildlife watchers; makers and sellers; stewards and allies in
health care and education. AOA works to change the conversation
and have a seat at the table to talk about natural resource
development in Alaska. She emphasized that there is no reason
Alaska should not be number one in the nation for investing in
outdoor recreation sectors.
She said AOA continues to look at opportunities for research
data to better inform the legislature. AOA communicates with CED
and the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) to
establish baseline data to measure against in future years.
MS. HART summarized that investing in Alaska's outdoor
recreation sector should be a no-brainer. Outdoor recreation is
an economic powerhouse that has proven capacity to deliver jobs,
attract visitors who bring cash into the state's businesses and
communities, and improve heath and educational outcomes for
Alaskans.
5:18:09 PM
MS. HART displayed a slide showing the variety of key players
that have engaged and partnered with AOA to strengthen the
outdoor recreational sector. AOA has attracted key players in
the tourism industry; local, state, and federal land managers;
enthusiast groups; conservation-minded organizations, and
others.
She said the outdoor recreation industry in Alaska is rooted in
a passion for sports, favorite places, and the gateway
communities that are basecamps for adventure. The industry puts
roofs over Alaskans' heads, sends kids to school, and keeps
manpower dollars in-state to make communities stronger and
better. The industry provides individuals lucky enough to work
in the sector with an excellent work-life balance.
MS. HART concluded her comments saying the AOA delegation will
share their perspectives on why it makes sense to invest in
outdoor recreation.
5:19:44 PM
DON STRIKER, Superintendent, Denali National Park, National Park
Service, U.S. Department of Interior, Anchorage, Alaska, said
the National Park Service (NPS) is big business for Alaska. It
represents a $2 billion industry throughout the state with 15
parks and 3 million visits a year. NPS parks represent many of
the tourism magnets in Alaska, particularly Glacier Bay National
Park and Preserve and Denali National Park and Preserve with the
Denali Park Road.
He noted that there were misleading reports recently about the
Denali Park Road closure due to wetter summers. He clarified
that the park would remain open for a good experience regardless
of short-term, temporary road closures.
5:22:46 PM
MR. STRIKER detailed that his previous park assignment was in
West Virginia where a bad relationship existed between NPS and
its neighbors. He said he tried to fix the situation by focusing
on common areas of interest. The NPS worked with the governor
and the delegation to develop a harnessed-walk over the state's
876-foot-high bridge above the New River Gorge. The
collaboration put the southern area of West Virginia on the map
and resulted in the Boy Scouts of America establishing a
permanent jamboree site adjacent to the gorge with $500 million
in private investment. He said his intent is to help figure out
how Alaska can capitalize on an effort like the one in West
Virginia.
5:24:43 PM
MR. STRIKER conceded that there has been a history in Alaska of
the NPS not necessarily being a good neighbor in addition to
federal overreach perceptions. However, by focusing on
commonality and actively seeking opportunities with Alaska's
awesome resources, a delegation can work together to put
together an agenda. Tools are available through infrastructure,
transportation, and restorative legislation. He said the NPS is
at the legislature's disposal in looking actively for
opportunities to help advance the State's agenda and truly being
good neighbors.
SENATOR BISHOP remarked that he floated the New River and was
told it is the second oldest river in the world.
MR. STRIKER replied the New River probably is the second oldest
river in the world. The Appalachian Mountains are much older
than the Rocky Mountains and the river was there before the
canyon formed. It used to flow north.
5:27:16 PM
MICHELE STEVENS, President, Petersville Community Non-Profit,
Petersville, Alaska, explained that in 1997, the Snowmobile
Trails Advisory Council (SnowTRAC) program was established under
Title 41 through the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.
Its mission is to fairly represent all Alaskans by advising the
division on snowmobile issues such as funding, safety,
registration, education, access, trail grooming, marking,
development, and maintenance. The program was intended to
provide economic support to local communities in the winter.
She noted that statutes authorize the Division of Motor Vehicles
(DMV) to collect snowmobile and off-highway vehicle registration
fees. While the statutory language does not state what the fees
would go towards, the promise and understanding since inception
has been for DMV to transfer all fees to the Division of Parks
and Outdoor Recreation. The division established SnowTRAC to
oversee expenditures on snowmobile trail grooming, education,
and safety projects.
MS. STEVENS clarified that the funding for the SnowTRAC program
is through a self-imposed user tax or snowmobile registration
fee. The program is self-sustaining through the reoccurring
registration fees collected from DMV. The program is revenue
neutral that users ask for and fund with their registration
dollars. Twelve percent of the funds cover the Division of State
Parks and Outdoor Recreation administration costs.
5:29:34 PM
MS. STEVENS explained that when the SnowTRAC program started,
there were few marked or maintained trails. This resulted in
high accident rates, lost snowmobilers, and conflicts with
private property owners. She said many years of surveying,
mapping, brushing, and cutting trails has resulted in a
successful SnowTRAC program. Communities that received SnowTRAC
funding have succeeded in achieving all goals the program
intended. People are getting to their cabins safely, they are
buying and hauling fuel supplies, more land is being purchased,
cabins are being built, and remote businesses are flourishing.
She noted that funding for the SnowTRAC program has declined in
the past few years, primarily because people are not
reregistering their snow machines. Since the previous
administration, snowmobile clubs, businesses, and non-profits
have had to fight for SnowTRAC fees to go to the program and not
the general fund.
5:31:59 PM
MS. STEVENS explained that due to registration fees being only
$5 and a lack of enforcement, SnowTRAC funding has dropped from
$250,000 to $150,000 this year. House Bill 23 would increase
annual registration fees to $10.
She pointed out that snowmobilers spend hundreds of thousands of
dollars in Alaska's winter economy which otherwise would be
slow. Winter tourism is on the rise because of the groomed
trails which provide responsible riding, safety, and winter
highways. On average, a single snowmobiler spends $50,000 in a
season. A 2015 study by Earth Economics of the economic benefits
of trails, parks, and open space in the Mat-Su Borough found
that every dollar invested in open space returned $5.31.
MS. STEVENS noted that if the SnowTRAC program does not
continue, the result would devastate businesses, clubs, and
outdoor activities in Southcentral Alaska. For example, the
entire Mat-Su Valley has 16 clubs, 20 businesses, 39 lodges, 15
snowmobile dealers, 10 dog mushing events, Iditarod, Iditasport,
24 snowmobile events, 3 fat tire events, and more than 66,000
registered snowmobile owners.
She summarized that the SnowTRAC program is a one of a kind in
the state and should be an example to other user groups for
their service needs. SnowTRAC benefits all Alaskans and anyone
who wants to enjoy all that Alaska has to offer in the winter.
The groomed trails, signs, and maps have helped considerably in
keeping Alaska's search and rescue costs to a minimum. SnowTRAC
saves lives, promotes safety, stimulates the economy, and
creates jobs.
5:34:32 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE commented that as an owner of a winter cabin that
was built more than 30 years ago, and well before groomed
trails, he knows the importance of the SnowTRAC program. He said
the legislature must, at least, ensure that the program remains
funded the way it has been in the past.
He said he annually pays his snowmobile renewal because that is
what you are supposed to do. He admitted that people are less
focused on things that they are supposed to do. He remarked that
he does not know that people should pay double, but he will wait
and see what happens with HB 23. He remarked that the State
should enforce the current registration rules. He said the
groups involved with SnowTRAC do a great job and he is glad the
legislature returned the funding. He concurred that SnowTRAC
experienced trimmed funding in the past.
SENATOR BISHOP commented that he does not have a problem
increasing the fee because Alaska's growing season has extended
on both ends. Longer growing seasons increases brush removal
costs to keep the trails open. He noted that local utilities are
having to outsource or get more contractors to keep their
rights-of-way clear.
He said the legislature needs to apply the registration money
because the user group came forward with the self-imposed fee.
The program should go away if the funds do not go to their
intended use.
MS. STEVENS agreed with Senator Bishop.
5:36:40 PM
SENATOR COGHILL said the snowmobile trails have been significant
for search and rescue. He asked if there has been snowmobile
trail activity on the northeast side of Fairbanks and the
Richardson Highway area.
MS. STEVENS answered yes, there are some trails. However, there
has not been a whole lot of interest in the northern region.
Groomed trails exist in the Chena and Chatanika areas. There is
a problem with registration. Some people in the northern region
have applied for signage and marking grants but there are no
groomed trails.
SENATOR COGHILL said trail signage is very important due to
activities bumping up against each other such as skiing,
trapping, and snowmobiling. He said SnowTRAC has done a very
good job in the Mat-Su Borough. He said he did not realize that
snowmobile signage started in the Chena area.
5:38:52 PM
SENATOR BISHOP commented that keeping trails for snowmobiles
means less impact in Fairbanks on dog mushing trails within
Creamer's Field.
SENATOR COGHILL remarked that there is trail work to do in the
Fairbanks area.
MS. STEVENS noted that snowmobile trails in the Petersville and
Denali Highway area are wide, groomed, and multi-use for dog
sled teams and everybody. However, the snowmobilers pay for the
trail. She detailed the 150-mile trail system in the Mat-Su
Borough area to committee members.
SENATOR REVAK said he appreciates the groomed trails in the
Willow area. They have benefitted communities and saved lives.
MS. STEVENS noted that lodges in the area that he referenced
would not be open in the winter without the trail system.
5:41:18 PM
CHRIS BECK, Board Member, Alaska Trails, Anchorage, Alaska, said
Alaska has amazing outdoor recreation resources, but the State
has never made thoughtful effort to take full advantage of its
resources through investments in infrastructure and planned
maintenance. For example, the previous presentation addressed
how to combine or split out dog mushing and snowmobiling.
MR. BECK said the Alaska Statewide Trails Initiative tries to
address recreational opportunities. One striking opportunity is
to look at the amount of spending that existing out-of-state
visitors are doing when visiting Alaska. Visitors spend, on
average, nine days in Alaska. If half of the visitors spend one
more day in the state, an additional $137 million in spending
will occur. In New Zealand, a similar destination to Alaska, the
average stay for visitors is 19 days. He suggested that pushing
9 days to 11 or 12 days equates to $250 million to $500 million
in additional spending. In many ways Alaska is leaving money on
the table by not making the kind of investments that competing
destinations are making in trails, trailheads, boat launches,
and all of the things that might give people a reason to stay
one more day.
5:43:51 PM
MR. BECK displayed the following slide, Spring 2020 Trails
Investment Strategy, Fairbanks to Seward Adventure Corridor:
• Recommendations for Priority Trails/Access Infrastructure -
Draft in progress Reasons for "OMD" (One More Day in AK)
• Fairbanks North Star Borough Pioneering Partnerships
o Rosie Creek Trails/Timber Management project
o Equinox Marathon loop
o Other projects being identified
• Denali Borough Front-country Alternatives
o Bison Creek Parking/Trailhead & Trail Phase 2
o McKinley Village Bridge/Trailhead & Trail
o Expanded winter rec opportunities, Denali Hwy and
other locations
• Matanuska Susitna Borough New/Improved Destinations
o South Denali Visitor Center
o Kesugi-Curry hut-to-hut & trail system
o Traverse Trail Skeetawk to Govt Peak Rec. Area
o Independence Mine
o Mat Su Visitor Center/Three- way Trails Hub
o Knik River Valley trail systems
• Anchorage Bowl "Destination Anchorage"
o Chugach State Park "Five Front Doors to the Alpine
Front-country" plus new "signature trails".
o "The Moose" in town trail system
o "Mountain to Sea" Trail Connector
• Seward Anchorage AK's Most Accessible Alpine Terrain
o Fill key gaps the Iditarod & related trails
o Whistle Stop hut to hut system
o "Trail towns" Girdwood, Cooper Landing, Seward
o Turnagain Connector/Windy Corner filling a critical
gap in existing bike/hiking trails
• Not included: comparable, worthy projects in Southeast and
Rural Alaska
MR. BECK said the strategy is to develop a more systematic and
comprehensive investment approach. Part of what drives the
Seward to Fairbanks corridor strategy is that the corridor is a
major population area in the state.
He noted that there most likely will be a substantial investment
in a new port facility in Seward. The Alaska Railroad is
partnering with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export
Authority (AIDEA) to invest $100 million to $150 million in
building a new cruise ship terminal that would offer greater
capacity. Seward is already receiving 400,000 visitors coming
across the Gulf of Alaska and the new terminal would likely
increase traffic.
He reiterated that the proposals might get people to spend an
extra day or two. He clarified that the proposals are coming
from each location. For example, Alaska Trails recently met in
Fairbanks with the Economic Development Commission-North Star
Borough, the borough's tourism organization, trail user groups,
and several individual businesses to come up with a set of
ideas. One idea is to find $100,000 for a working landscape, the
Tanana Valley State Forest, and to fix up deteriorating timber
roads for trails.
MR. BECK noted that Alaska Trails is working in the Denali
Borough to expand front-country opportunities because there is a
limit on sending more people up the Denali Park Road. People
would like to spend more time in the front country if there are
things to do like ATV tours, horseback riding, hiking, or just
hanging out.
5:46:13 PM
MR. BECK detailed that Alaska Trails is working with the
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation in the South Denali,
Hatcher Pass area. In Anchorage, the organization is trying to
get new front doors into the Chugach State Park. The
organization is working with the US Forest Service (USFS) at the
Chugach National Forest to fill gaps with bridges in the
Iditarod Trail. The potential through-trail from Seward to
Girdwood would be something that could be recognized worldwide.
He conceded that the obvious issue is identifying where funding
would come from to build the outdoor recreation projects. Alaska
is increasingly stuck in a poverty mentality rather than
evolving into an investment mentality. He said snapping fingers
will not make investment happen, but the absence of investment
means the State is leaving billions of dollars on the table.
He pointed out that funds are available via the federal
government. However, the State has chosen not to take federal
funds. Last year the State did not establish receipt authority
to access $2 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund
(LWCF). He noted that the LWCF requires a 50 percent match.
CHAIR MICCICHE for more detail on the LWCF.
MR. BECK explained that the LWCF is federal dollars derived from
offshore oil and gas drilling. The Pittman-Robertson Act is
another federal fund that generates money from the sales of guns
and ammunition. He said he did not want to speak in pejorative
terms about the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), but
the department returns millions of dollars every year because it
does not have the administrative capacity to take advantage of
the act. He noted that a resolution passed last year to allow
third parties to apply for those federal funds.
He emphasized that there are federal moneys available if the
State were to switch to an investment mentality.
5:48:43 PM
MR. BECK said Alaska Trails hopes that there will be a national
infrastructure bill. Having projects shovel-ready allows for
front-of-the-line consideration the moment national
infrastructure legislation passes.
He asked the legislature to begin to consider a capital budget.
In lieu of a capital budget, Alaska Trails suggests the
legislature look at general obligation bonds. He said they
require an investment mentality to borrow money into the future.
MR. BECK summarized that outdoor recreation is growing when many
areas are not. It provides a chance for children to have reasons
to come back and live in Alaska, is good for communities, and
allows the State to keep the things that are best about Alaska
going while making money from that.
5:49:40 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE conceded that the State may have missed out on
infrastructure that potentially would encourage more activity.
He pointed out that Duluth, Minnesota has snowmobile trails
through the middle of the city, whereas in Soldotna snowmobilers
have to transport their machines four miles, which makes no
sense.
He asked if the Alaska Statewide Trails Initiative is planning
corridors throughout the state.
MR. BECK replied the comparison between Duluth and Soldotna is a
great example of the kind of thing that the State could do
better. He said a summer example is Bend, Oregon that went from
a dying timber town to a phenomenally successful multi-season
recreation destination because the trails come into town. Having
snowmobile trails in cities like Talkeetna and Soldotna would be
a huge thing to do. Alaska and its communities are not thinking
as thoughtfully about how to take advantage of its recreation
resources.
CHAIR MICCICHE remarked that there is an evolution with outdoor
recreation. He noted that people were proud 40 or 50 years ago
to not have the woods in their way, but they forgot about the
value of having wooded corridors next to each other. He conceded
that the gap is big, but not dealing with outdoor recreation now
would result in eventual and permanent loss of opportunities.
MR. BECK commented that acting now is hard and acting later gets
harder.
5:52:04 PM
DIANA RHOADES, Director of Community Engagement, Anchorage Park
Foundation, Anchorage, Alaska, explained that the Anchorage Park
Foundation (APF) is the non-profit partner to the Municipality
of Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department. Founded in 2004,
APF recognized that parks and trails required private funding
sources to compliment federal, state, and local resources. She
said APF has benefitted greatly from appropriations from the
legislature over time to help develop Anchorage's natural
resources.
She said APF misses the capital budget appropriations, but they
recognized initially the need to advocate for municipal park
bonds. They were not supported initially but 10 of the last 13
park bonds have passed with voters supporting the program 8
years in a row.
MS. RHOADES said there are willing voters who would support the
legislature offering a general obligation bond to fill gaps in
outdoor recreation and transportation infrastructures. She noted
that the last general obligation bonds from the state level was
in 2012 and 65 percent of the voters supported them. She
suggested that the time might be right for the legislature to
consider bonds for the future.
5:54:17 PM
MS. RHOADES stated that the other way APF advocates for
increased infrastructure investment is through federal
transportation dollars. The Fixing America's Surface
Transportation (FAST) Act is the current authorization bill
which sunsets in September 2020. She said now is the time to
advocate for more federal dollars through two main programs: The
Recreational Trails Program (RTP), and the Active Transportation
Program (ATP).
She detailed that RTP is federal funding that comes to the
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and the division offers
the funds as matching grants to local communities. APF is an
organizational example within the state that helps provide
matching funds to receive the RTP funds for investments in
Alaska.
She explained that ATP is a program started by U.S.
Representative Don Young. It is a successful program that passes
through the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (ADT&PF). In Anchorage, ATP funds pass through the
Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMTS)
[Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).] The ATP provides a
way to build important multi-use trails.
MS. RHOADES detailed that Anchorage has investments in multi-use
trails that includes the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Chester
Creek Trail, Ship Creek Trail, and the Campbell Creek Trail. An
exciting new project called The Moose Loop would connect the
trails via a $13 million bridge. The Moose Loop could host huge
events and become a destination trail for Anchorage.
She reiterated that getting visitors to spend one more day in
Alaska would leverage $137 million to local economies. Anchorage
has a gap project with the Moose Loop, but there are little
projects across Alaska that need investment. She encouraged the
legislature to think about developing and investing in the
state's outdoor recreation economy, an act that would leverage a
lot in the long term.
5:57:04 PM
JEN LEAHY, Alaska Field Representative, Theodore Roosevelt
Conservation Partnership (TRCP), Seward, Alaska, stated that she
works on behalf of hunters and anglers across the state. The
TRCP focuses on federal policy that helps safeguard access to
public land, ensures healthy wildlife habitat and clean water,
and advocates for adequate funding for conservation programs.
The TRCP focuses on federal policy benefits not just for hunters
and anglers, but for the entire outdoor recreation and tourism
industries as well.
She said by TRCP investing in her position for year-round
presence in Alaska, TRCP is growing its capacity to support more
federal land management efforts in the state. Wildlife is the
heart of Alaska's cultural heritage and global brand. It
provides recreation opportunities, nourishing food, and helps to
fuel the state's economy. Both residents and visitors like
interactions with wildlife.
5:58:30 PM
MS. LEAHY said ADF&G commissioned a study several years ago that
helped determine the economic importance of wildlife for Alaska.
She detailed the following:
• Residents and visitors spent $3.4 billion on activities
related to hunting and wildlife viewing, excluding fishing.
• The spending generated a $4.1 billion economic return
throughout the state, which was 8 percent of the state's
overall output.
• The spending supported 28,000 jobs, $1.4 billion in labor
income, and $340 million in government revenue.
• Fishing, recreational personal use and subsistence sectors
generated $200 million in the state.
MS. LEAHY said all the economic activity is dependent on
continuing public access to healthy wildlife habitat and
fisheries which is why conservation funding is so important.
Hunters and anglers pay their way through excise taxes and
license purchase, a user-pay-user-benefit model. Hunters and
anglers pay for things like hunter education programs, special
projects in refuges, wildlife health and disease surveillance,
and fish cleaning tables.
She concurred with Mr. Beck that taking advantage of federal
funds to support wildlife and fish restoration is important.
Alaska receives more money through the Pittman-Robertson Act and
the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act for wildlife and
habitat activities than all other state but Texas. For ADF&G to
receive federal funds, the State needs to contribute a 25-
percent match which hunters and anglers typically cover through
hunting and license purchases.
MS. LEAHY noted that in 2019, hunters and anglers spent more
than $30 million in license fees in Alaska. The governor vetoed
a $300,000 allocation as part of the State's match for funds
from the Pittman-Robertson Act, but the match was thankfully
reallocated by the legislature.
MS. LEAHY summarized that programs supporting healthy wildlife
and fisheries are important to not just sportsmen, but Alaska's
entire outdoor and tourism sectors. Hunters and anglers pay
their own way and the State should not leave federal money on
the table.
6:01:43 PM
TERESA WHIPPLE, Bear Viewing Guide, Juneau, Alaska, said
commercial bear viewing is economically significant in the
state, especially in Southcentral Alaska.
She explained that her bear viewing advocacy is a 12-month
commitment with 8 months spent as a guide and 4 months educating
people about bears. Black, brown, and white bears are her life,
passion, and source of her entire annual income.
MS. WHIPPLE said the reason Alaska has such good commercial bear
viewing is due to amazing bear habitat, especially in Katmai
National Park and Preserve, Lake Clark National Park and
Preserve, Bristol Bay, Western Cook Inlet, and the Tongass
National Forest. She said bears are iconic in Alaska and noted
that the artwork in the committee room featured bear imagery.
She said it's important to remember commercial bear viewing as
an outdoor recreational activity when considering the competing
uses for natural resources in good bear habitat areas. In
Southcentral Alaska, including Katmai, Lake Clark, and McNeil
River, commercial bear viewing operations reported sales in 2017
of over $34 million. She also pointed out that when polled, 70
percent of visitors who come to Alaska do so with the goal of
viewing or photographing a wild bear.
She summarized that bear viewing is a growing and thriving
industry that needs protection, conservation, and habitat
preservation.
6:04:04 PM
SENATOR REVAK asked if a typical bear viewing customer comes to
Alaska specifically to view bears.
MS. WHIPPLE answered yes. Typical bear viewing clientele combine
a bear-specific trip with a visit to Denali or Glacier Bay
national parks. She noted that in 2017, commercial bear viewing
surpassed sport fishing which historically had always been
Alaska's number-one outdoor recreation moneymaker.
SENATOR COGHILL said thank you for making commercial bear
viewing your business because most people who see a bear do so
without guides to make their experience safe. He noted that he
has friends who watch the Katmai bears online.
MS. WHIPPLE noted that the bear cam at Brooks Falls in Katmai
National Park and Preserve has millions of online viewers.
6:06:26 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE said in his area there are longstanding companies
that have safely operated bear viewing opportunities. However,
due to commercial bear viewing growth, newcomers are not as
conscientious and have created conflicts that have become
dangerous. He asked if bear viewing newcomers should learn how
to operate responsibly to avoid conflicts.
MS. WHIPPLE replied that her company, Urus Major LLC, provides
bear training and consulting. She suggested that Alaska should
standardize bear view guiding certification with assistance from
companies like hers.
6:08:38 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE remarked that Alaska needs to further develop
expectations for wildlife guides. He pointed out that master
hunting guide certification is extensive.
MS. WHIPPLE agreed and noted that the bear viewing community
views good bear habitat promotion and protection as an important
issue to take care before moving forward with standardized bear
guide training.
CHAIR MICCICHE said standardizing bear guide training is good
news because some people are worried about individuals hiring a
bear guide who has no idea of what safety looks like, especially
when flying into bear viewing areas.
MS. WHIPPLE explained that ADF&G, USFS, NPS, or any combination
of regulatory agencies historically regulate bear viewing areas.
However, in bear viewing locations without official status there
is no agency taking the educational and regulatory
responsibility and that results in wild-west areas. Private and
non-profit organizations are taking on the project of
standardizing bear training.
6:10:55 PM
SENATOR COGHILL said being born and raised in Alaska, there is a
balance. The state has gone from a survival and wonder mode to
an organized approach on accessibility and awareness. People
must be aware of moose, bear, high speed snowmobiles, and search
and rescue to enjoy the adventure of Alaska. Guiding must take
all of that into consideration. When looking at more public
funding for outdoor recreation, awareness must go with it.
Attracting people to Alaska for high value experiences comes
with liability. He thanked Ms. Whipple for her work.
6:14:08 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked what constitutes bear viewing guiding and
where do the guiding standards need to be for safety. He asked
how bear viewing guiding draws distinctions between the Pack
Creek Bear viewing area versus the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor
Center.
MS. WHIPPLE explained that a bear viewing guide at Pack Creek
generally manages the bears around the person whereas the [USFS]
created protocols at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to
manage the large numbers of people coming into bear habitat.
6:17:37 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE thanked all the presenters and admitted that the
committee barely scratched the surface of an outdoor economy in
the state of Alaska. When the rest of the state was floundering
in a self-imposed recession, tourism fired on all revenue stream
cylinders. There are amazing things happening all year long that
the State is not taking advantage of, he said.
He said the committee supports outdoor recreation and asked the
presenters to advance their ideas.
MS. HART stated that AOA encourages the legislature to consider
the following:
• Balance the budget and get fiscal policies and practices
sustainable to allow for conversations on how to make
Alaska shine as the world class destination that it
deserves to be renowned for.
• Please tackle the ferry question. In addition to being a
lifeblood for Southeast Alaska, the ferries bring
independent travelers to communities that are not part of
the big cruise ship industry.
• Pass House Joint Resolution 25 (HJR 25) for the Denali Park
Road, a valuable asset.
• After getting the budget under control, catch up on a $60
million deferred maintenance budget in Alaska's state parks
to help those assets shine for the economies in gateway
communities.
• Do not leave money on the table. The State can tap into $50
million in federal funding with receipt authority and
matching funds.
• Support user-funded programs like SnowTRAC.
• Support next-level research to provide the legislature with
the tools to make good decisions.
• Expand the definition of what resource development means so
that maximum use consistent with the public interest also
considers outdoor recreation in the equation.
• Address the issue on transportation infrastructure for
outdoor recreation.
MS. HART summarized that in coming sessions, AOA will hopefully
bring forward concepts that remove barriers and obstacles to
grow the outdoor recreation industry. She asked the committee to
always vote for the outdoors any time they make a decision that
affects the outdoor recreation sector.
6:21:47 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Micciche adjourned the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting at 6:21 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Outdoor Alliance Presentation to Senate Resources 3.04.2020.pdf |
SRES 3/4/2020 3:30:00 PM |
Alaska Outdoor Alliance Presentation 3.04.2020 |