Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 120
02/26/2013 10:00 AM House FISHERIES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB49 | |
| HB110 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 49 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 110 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 49-CHINOOK RESEARCH & RESTORATION ENDOWMENT
10:03:49 AM
CHAIR SEATON announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 49, "An Act establishing the Alaska Chinook
salmon research and restoration endowment fund and relating to
grants from the fund."
10:04:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON, speaking as the prime sponsor, explained
that HB 49 creates a salmon research and restoration fund in the
Department of Revenue (DOR) with the intent that revenue
generated off the interest of the fund would be issued to
qualifying organizations in partnership with the Alaska
Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G). Representative Herron
advised that Chinook salmon is the state fish, a staple food for
residents throughout Alaska, economically important to
commercial fisheries, a prized sport fishery, and holds an
important place in Alaskan culture and way of life. Chinook
salmon is also a "trend" species that tells us whether there are
issues in its life environment, thus the importance of the bill.
10:06:45 AM
ROB EARL, Staff, Representative Herron, Alaska State
Legislature, provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled, "HB 49
- Chinook Salmon Research and Restoration Endowment," on behalf
of Representative Herron, prime sponsor. Mr. Earl said the bill
establishes the Alaska Chinook salmon research and restoration
fund in DOR and which is managed by the commissioner of DOR.
The amount of the endowment will be a separate budget item, and
the bill does not create a dedicated fund or mandate funding
[slide 2]. He explained that the fund creates a grant account
in the general fund (GF) and an appropriation amount will be
identified by the commissioner on an annual basis. This amount
may then be appropriated by the legislature for the uses of the
grant account described on page 2, line 30, of the bill. The
grant account can be used for research and restoration projects,
reimbursements to DOR and the Department of Commerce, Community
& Economic Development (DCCED) for costs associated with the
fund, and for matching funds for private and federal grants
[slide 4]. The bill also establishes an endowment fund board
in DCCED to administer the grant program. Members of the board
consist of the commissioner of ADF&G or designee, and one public
member appointed by the governor from each of six regions across
Alaska [slide 5]. The six regions are based on boundaries
established by ADF&G resource management regions and are set in
statute by the bill from page 3, line [30] through page 5, line
10. One of the duties of the board is to identify an
organization to support its duties [slide 7]. In addition, on
page 6, line 24, the bill directs that the board prioritize
grants based on which Chinook salmon stocks in the last 10 years
were either listed as stocks of concern, subject to disaster
declaration, closed or restricted, or significantly declined
[slide 8].
10:11:18 AM
CHAIR SEATON asked whether the four abovementioned bullet points
on the slide entitled, "HB 49 - Grant Prioritization" are listed
in order of priority.
MR. EARL responded that the items are not prioritized, but the
board is directed to give weight to all of these factors.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked whether ADF&G has been consulted
regarding setting the boundaries in statute and if doing so
would raise management issues.
MR. EARL advised that the proposed regions relate closely to
ADF&G resource management regions. He was unsure of any issues
that may arise, and pointed out the boundary between region 3
and region 5 is not the same as the ADF&G resource management
boundary.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON clarified that the bill does not set the
boundaries for ADF&G, but just for the purposes of the proposed
board.
MR. EARL concurred.
CHAIR SEATON confirmed that setting these boundaries does not
change the boundaries of the management areas that are set in
code.
MR. EARL said correct.
10:14:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS asked why the bill only establishes the
study of Chinook salmon.
MR. EARL restated that Chinook salmon is the first species that
is affected by environmental changes thus the study of Chinook
will predict declines for all species.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS advised her constituents are interested in
all species.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON interjected that the deliberation process
may reveal that all salmon are of concern, and that all should
be studied; however, Chinook salmon is the first focus of
attention.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON observed there could be a considerable
difference between the concerns of constituents from Kodiak and
of those from Palmer. He asked whether the sponsor would
consider changing the region boundary between region 3 and
region 5, so that region 5 [encompasses the entire Aleutian
chain].
MR. EARL explained that Kodiak was always part of region 3 in
the resource management boundary, and the change is to the "slim
edge" of the peninsula.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON pointed out the bill establishes the board
boundaries and not ADF&G management areas, so an amendment would
be acceptable.
10:18:21 AM
CHAIR SEATON directed attention to page 1, line 11, of the bill
that read:
(3) income earned on investments of fund assets if
that income is appropriated by the legislature to the
fund.
CHAIR SEATON recalled that interest is often retained in the
fund. He asked why the intent is to only retain interest in
the fund if it is appropriated by the legislature.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON deferred to the drafter of the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS asked for a comparison between the
proposed bill and the governor's proposed Chinook study.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said HB 49 creates a fund that will
generate a revenue stream to be used for many years of
continuing research, in partnership with ADF&G and other
organizations. The governor's proposal provides ADF&G $10
million per year through the capital budget for three years,
although the actual amount needed in a particular year is
unknown. Also, the governor's proposal may not be sufficiently
accountable for salmon research.
10:22:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS surmised the sponsor feels the group
supporting HB 49 is better prepared to move forward.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON opined discussion of HB 49 is an
opportunity to determine the best procedure because there is
disagreement on how to address the recognized analysis gap. He
urged for a research revenue stream for partnered research
projects based over many years and funded by money in a savings
account rather than through a capital budget request.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS agreed that resources should not be
managed except through scientific research and data.
CHAIR SEATON understood that a five-year research project will
not address issues for salmon with a five- to six-year life
cycle, and he agreed that funding for continuous research would
be productive over time.
10:25:23 AM
KAREN GILLIS, Executive Director, Bering Sea Fishermen's
Association, informed the committee her organization has been
researching and monitoring salmon since 1994. Since 1997,
Alaska has declared or accepted 23 salmon-related disaster
declarations. Although some Alaska salmon fisheries are
successful, others face severe challenges. She said current
information confirms the inability to resolve the basic issues
of the recent salmon declines, even as these declines lead areas
of Alaska into greater poverty. The Bering Sea Fishermen's
Association recommends a two-pronged approach: monitoring and
management as done by ADF&G, and research and restoration of
salmon stocks. Both of these components are necessary to
understand and manage salmon stocks. The approach by ADF&G does
not address current declines, and will not provide answers about
influences on salmon returns, or at what point to enhance their
survival. Federal disaster funds have been the sole support for
research and restoration efforts in the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim
(AYK) regions prior to 2010. Through the AYK Sustainable Salmon
Initiative (AYK SSI) the state appropriated $5.5 million and
learned that although research began in the AYK region in 2002,
the myriad of variables that inhibit restoration remain unclear.
An endowment will continue to build on knowledge and thus inform
and improve management decisions and forecasting to reduce
extreme harvest level variations. The primary means to affect
salmon are by the regulation of fisheries through gear,
geographic limits, timing, and duration of fisheries. To
provide answers, a life-cycle approach is needed to gather
knowledge, illuminate human impact and fully understand the
natural world and how to achieve sustainability. Improved
monitoring, process-oriented studies, modeling, and policy
development are necessary to forecast and address changes. The
basic questions to be answered are:
· What is happening to salmon stocks?
· Are there better management tools?
· Are the calculations of escapement goals appropriate?
· Are there restoration methods to increase survivability?
· Are there forecasting tools for river systems?
MS. GILLIS stated that the endowment can produce answers to the
causes of declines and improve direction for the state through
consistent funding during variations in salmon abundance,
eliminating political pressure, and allowing for a long-term
solution focused on research. Consistent financing also means
research projects that match salmon life-cycle, from brood year
to returning adult. In addition, HB 49 will allow for multi-
disciplinary research to redefine problems outside of the normal
boundaries, and for high quality, long-term research in response
to changing environmental conditions. Alaska has a unique
resource that requires an investment from the state to protect
the sustainability of its Chinook salmon stocks. She recalled
that similar legislation was introduced last year and any
concerns raised at time have been addressed. Passage of this
legislation will ensure that the state can deal with any future
disaster declarations for the Yukon River. Ms. Gillis reminded
the committee that the Alaska State Constitution mandates that
all state resources are managed for sustainable harvest; in
fact, not directing funds to ensure that resources are managed
fails to provide Alaskans their constitutional rights. She
concluded that the Alaska Chinook Salmon Research and
Restoration fund provides research and restoration mechanisms
necessary for today's crisis.
10:35:05 AM
CHAIR SEATON noted that at the AYK SSI conference in December,
he learned research was focused on seven theories and further
scientific research was requested to verify or refute each
theory and report back. This approach - in a manner similar to
that of HB 49 - tests particular theories and finds answers,
instead of just collecting information without proposing further
testing and finding an answer. He asked whether there is
funding still available from the $5.5 million appropriated to
AYK SSI.
MS. GILLIS agreed the structure of AYK SSI provides the ability
to draw from scientists around the world and "prove ourselves
right or wrong." The last appropriation was in fiscal year 2013
(FY 13) for 90 percent of the total, and an additional $2.5
million will shortly be dedicated for projects, leaving a small
amount to direct toward expert panels.
CHAIR SEATON stressed the difference between "finding things to
spend money on, and going out with directed research proposals
to answer questions." At the AYK SSI conference, stakeholders
from across the area were coming forward and testing theories.
10:39:47 AM
CHAIR SEATON opened public testimony on HB 49.
10:39:57 AM
STEVE RUNYAN disclosed he is a member of the Susitna Valley Fish
& Game Advisory Committee, ADF&G, and is representing himself in
support of HB 49. He urged for serious consideration of the
bill because there are gaps in salmon research, especially on
Chinook salmon. He and the Susitna Valley Fish & Game Advisory
Committee believe issues that need to be addressed are: the
effect of severe drought conditions on salmon production in
streams; the effect of major floods in 2006 and 2012; and
productivity problems in the marine environment during various
stages of the life-cycle of salmon. Gaps in research hamper the
management of the fisheries as well as restoration efforts. The
Susitna Valley Fish & Game Advisory Committee has been advised
by ADF&G that the average sport harvest in the Susitna River
drainage was 25,000 Chinook salmon in the '90s and has declined
to about 10,000 and below. The decline is damaging economically
to the sport fishery and to the tourism industry. Mr. Runyan
expressed his concern that there is no language in the bill to
ensure that all interested groups are represented on the
proposed board.
10:43:53 AM
DAVID MARTIN stated his support for some elements of the bill;
however, he said the intent of the bill should be addressed to
all salmon because salmon are managed as a whole. He supports
funding some research, but the appointees to the board suggest
that politics will become involved. His past experience is that
some ongoing studies do not look at the issue as a whole, but
ignore elements such as the freshwater environment. Other
issues that affect the salmon are the presence of pike and hook
and release mortality. Mr. Martin urged not to create another
layer of bureaucracy with no solutions or results because there
are things that can be done immediately.
CHAIR SEATON asked how appointees to the board can be made to
represent an area and all of the concerns of a region.
MR. MARTIN said under the structure of the bill it could be
difficult to remove the politics and have the best
representation of the resource. He suggested a vetting process
by fishing advisory groups in each area. Selected projects
should be those desired by the people in the area, scientists
and biologists, or regional managers.
10:51:31 AM
PETE WEDIN, Representative, Alaska Marine Conservation Council
(AMCC), and charter fishing business owner, said he was
representing AMCC and himself as a business owner who depends on
Chinook salmon for a portion of his livelihood. He informed the
committee AMCC is comprised of seafood harvesters from all over
Alaska dedicated to protecting the long-term health of Alaska's
oceans and coastal communities. Chinook salmon are important to
Alaskans nutritionally, culturally, and economically, because of
tourism and commercial fisheries. Stable, long-term funding of
Chinook salmon research is needed to fill the existing gaps in
knowledge of environmental conditions, freshwater habitat,
population trends, and the causes of the declines of Chinook
salmon in freshwater and marine environments. He urged for the
research to draw on the best available science, and facilitate
efforts among diverse partners and Native organizations. Mr.
Wedin pointed out that the bill's research endowment fund could
leverage additional matching funds. In response to Chair
Seaton, he recommended vetting members of the proposed board
through the 82 advisory committees (ACs) of the Joint Board of
Fisheries and Game, ADF&G, which represent a cross-section of
stakeholders. He stated that AMCC supports HB 49 as a good step
toward stable funding for Chinook salmon research.
10:54:17 AM
LYNN WHITMORE said he was representing himself and disclosed
that he has been a member of the Homer Advisory Committee,
ADF&G, for 17 years. He urged for the committee to find a way
to assure parity among the user groups by gleaning information
from the ACs and taking the politics out of the appointment
process. If the proposed board is successful, he suggested the
research not be limited to Chinook salmon, but that the board
may take the opportunity to address other fisheries issues, such
as undercover and other enforcement operations on the high seas.
Mr. Whitmore opined large boards can be difficult and advised
keeping the board small.
10:57:00 AM
CHAIR SEATON, after ascertaining no one else wished to testify,
closed public testimony on HB 49.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON, in response to previous testimony,
suggested drafting an amendment that would delete all references
in the bill to "Chinook" and insert "wild."
CHAIR SEATON cautioned that changing the bill from a target
species and expanding it may disperse its focus from a statewide
concern for Chinook to looking at all fisheries - from Norton
Sound to Southeast - with limited dollars. In the future, the
proposed program could be expanded, but at this time expansion
has the potential to slow the process down.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON agreed that maintaining a focus on
Chinook would be most productive, unless additional funding was
provided.
CHAIR GATTIS stated her support for maintaining a focus on
Chinook salmon, which are a concern of her constituency.
11:01:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FEIGE warned that expanding research to all
stocks would result in a dilution of effort. Referring to the
structure of the board, he said the credibility of the board
members will be critical to the success of the research program.
A geographical distribution is acceptable, and he suggested
there be a nomination process or selection by those from the
local area. He opined seats assigned for special interests such
as sport, commercial, and subsistence fishing do not need to be
assigned geographically, as long as a balance is maintained.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON restated that Chinook salmon research will
reveal threats to all salmon.
[The conceptual amendment was treated as withdrawn.]
CHAIR SEATON stated that the appointment of board members will
require further discussion and public comment.
11:05:20 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON moved Amendment 1 which read:
Page 1, line 2, following "fund":
Insert "; and providing for an effective date"
Page 7, following line 15:
Insert new material to read:
"(b) Under AS 37.14.660, enacted by sec. 1
of this Act, for the first three fiscal years
after the effective date of this Act, as soon as
practicable after July 1 of each fiscal year, the
commissioner of revenue shall identify as
available for appropriation to the Alaska Chinook
salmon research and restoration grant account
established under AS 37.14.655, and the
legislature may appropriate to the grant account,
five percent of the market value of the Alaska
Chinook salmon research and restoration endowment
fund.
* Sec. 3. This Act takes effect July 1, 2013."
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said the amendment clarifies that the
revenue is available for appropriation and 5 percent of the
market value of the fund may be appropriated.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON removed his objection.
CHAIR SEATON paraphrased Amendment 1.
There being no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
11:07:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON moved Amendment 2 which read:
Page 5, following line 12:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(c) Except as provided in
AS 37.14.680(b)(5), the board shall act by a vote
of a majority of the members of the board."
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said Amendment 2 inserts a new subsection.
CHAIR SEATON paraphrased Amendment 2.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTIS asked why there are six board members
instead of seven.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON explained that the commissioner of ADF&G,
or designee, is the seventh member.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said the exception in the amendment
refers to AS 37.14.680(b)(5), which provides that the awarding
of grants must be by unanimous vote.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON stressed that all of the board's other
business would be under normal parliamentary procedure.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON removed his objection.
CHAIR SEATON clarified the amendment.
11:10:14 AM
There being no further objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked whether the proposed statute would
allow the board to vote telephonically; if members must vote in
person, he suggested that it may be necessary to lower the
voting threshold to five members to allow for illness or
absences.
11:10:53 AM
CHAIR SEATON reviewed other questions for the sponsor to
address.
[HB 49 was heard and held.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB0049A.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/19/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB 49 Chinook Research - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/19/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB 49 - Chinook Research Sectional Analysis FINAL.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/19/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB 49 Amendment A.1.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB 49 - BBNA LTR of Support.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/19/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB 49 - Chinook Research (Gov's $30M itemized).pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/19/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB 49 - Chinook Research Endowment - Map (4.9.12).pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB 49 - Chinook Research Powerpoint.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/19/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB 49 BSFA Back Up 2.22.13.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/19/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB 49 -Kawerak Ltr of support 2-21-13.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB49 - AVCP LTR of Support.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |
| HB0110A.pdf |
HFSH 2/21/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/12/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/21/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 110 |
| HB 110 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HFSH 2/21/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/12/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/21/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 110 |
| Barbed and Barbless Hooks and their effect on Juvenile and Adult Salmonoid Mortality.pdf |
HFSH 2/21/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/12/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/21/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 110 |
| Washington State News Release Barbless Hooks on Colombia River.pdf |
HFSH 2/21/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/12/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/21/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 110 |
| ADF&G Notice - Recommended use of Barbless Hooks Susitna River.pdf |
HFSH 2/21/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/12/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/21/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 110 |
| ADF&G Notice - Recommended use of Barbless Hooks Chitna, Copper, Gakona, Gulkana.pdf |
HFSH 2/21/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/12/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/21/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 110 |
| Mortality of coho salmon caught and released using sport tackle in the Little Susitna River, Alaska.pdf |
HFSH 2/21/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/12/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/21/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 110 |
| PVOA_HB 110_Comments.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/12/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/21/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 110 |
| Please be advised I oppose HB 110.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/12/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/21/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 110 |
| Bendock and Alexandersdottir 1993.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/12/2013 10:00:00 AM HFSH 3/21/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 110 |
| Amendment 2.pdf |
HFSH 2/26/2013 10:00:00 AM |
HB 49 |