Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/05/2004 01:19 PM House RES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HJR 36-MITIGATING GLACIER BAY FISHING CLOSURES CO-CHAIR MASEK announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 36, Requesting the National Park Service to mitigate the adverse economic effects of commercial fishing closures and restrictions in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The committee took an at-ease from 1:30 p.m. to 1:34 p.m. Number 1081 LINDA SYLVESTER, Staff to Representative Bruce Weyhrauch, Alaska State Legislature, presented HJR 36 on behalf of Representative Weyhrauch, sponsor. She explained that the [federal government has determined] that Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve would be better off as a pristine area subject to extreme protection because the area is considered to be a national treasure. She said over time, commercial fishermen there are being precluded and have been satisfied [monetarily] in terms of their phase-out. MS. SYLVESTER explained that the purpose of the resolution is to request that the National Park Service (NPS) obtain [goods, materials, or vessels that they need, use, purchase, or lease] for various reasons including research, tours, maintenance, or law enforcement from the fishermen who once relied on Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve for their livelihood. She explained that the resolution doesn't attempt to dictate to NPS how its procurement process should be carried out, but requests that it consider the people who have been impacted in Gustavus, Hoonah, and other outlying areas. Number 1221 REPRESENTATIVE STEPOVICH asked how NPS would [determine which individuals have been negatively impacted]. MS. SYLVESTER explained that the resolution doesn't discuss that. It is a broad, open-ended request to NPS to consider [economic associations with people who were negatively impacted] in the area, rather than obtaining services and goods outside of the state. Number 1257 REPRESENTATIVE WOLF asked whether this resolution requests that the federal government spend money in Alaska. MS. SYLVESTER affirmed that. She said it's specifically in the smaller communities outside of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, if possible. REPRESENTATIVE WOLF asked Ms. Sylvester if she thought the federal government would listen to the request. MS. SYLVESTER responded that it can't hurt to ask. Number 1298 REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked if the reference to those who have been adversely affected by the closures and restrictions could cover anybody. He indicated the language is broad and could possibly apply to individuals who are somehow adversely affected by the closure, such as recreational fishermen. MS. SYLVESTER said the resolution speaks to individuals who once operated in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and were negotiated with. She suggested the resolution is narrow in this regard; it is speaking to a small group of people and the communities they were a part of, which have been negatively impacted because there is no fishery in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Number 1404 REPRESENTATIVE HEINZE asked how many people are being compensated. MS. SYLVESTER said she didn't know. She said this resolution includes not only captains and vessel owners, but also crewmembers and shop owners, and would apply to the communities surrounding Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. CO-CHAIR MASEK announced that HJR 36 would be held over.
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