Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/31/1994 08:05 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL NO. 363
An Act making appropriations for capital project
matching grant funds and for capital projects; and
providing for an effective date.
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Co-chair Pearce directed that SB 363 be brought on for
discussion and acknowledged the presence of staff from the
Dept. of Fish and Game.
McKIE CAMPBELL, Deputy Commissioner, Dept. of Fish and Game,
and KEVIN BROOKS, Finance Officer, Dept. of Fish and Game,
came before committee. Mr. Campbell said that the
department's capital requests relate to maintenance of
facilities and vessels, better management for AYK chum
salmon, stock identification protecting state rights, trail
clearing and habitat enhancement, protection of fur markets,
and matches for federal funds.
The first request for $650.0 is for facilities maintenance.
Mr. Campbell directed attention to a list of items to be
undertaken with reduction of funding from $2.9 million to
$650.0. He acknowledged that there may be minor
substitutions on the list as projects progress.
The second request seeks $300.0 for Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim
chum salmon. Mr. Campbell observed that the issue has been
widely publicized and debated. The department does not have
adequate management capabilities throughout Western Alaska.
Funding would install new counting towers, sonar, and other
fish management systems. The original request was for
$595.0. Reduced funding entails deletion of some towers, a
cut back on sonar, and reducing the scale of some projects.
The third request seeks $150.0 to continue the stock
identification program. Mr. Campbell noted ongoing
arguments over who is catching whose salmon and where they
came from. The project will allow the department to
identify salmon coming from a specific stream. Proper use
should settle many political disputes. Reduced funding
would entail smaller samplings and test fisheries.
The fourth request is for $250.0 for vessel maintenance.
Reduced funding will delay overhaul of the main engines on
the MEDEA and SUNDANCE as well as cause the department to
defer replacement of items such as bumper guards.
The fifth item for $500.0 relates to defending the state's
rights in ANILCA litigation, in planning relating to the
Pacific Salmon treaty, the trans-boundary Yukon treaty,
endangered species, etc. Mr. Campbell voiced his
understanding that Deputy Attorney General, Cherie Jacobus
had previous spoken to committee concerning this
undertaking. In response to a question from Senator Sharp,
Mr. Campbell noted that funding for contractual services
includes an RSA to the Dept. of Law. When queried by Co-
chair Pearce concerning what would not be done as a result
of reduced funding from $650.0 to $500.0, Mr. Campbell noted
deletion of some clerical support, reductions in travel and
use of outside attorneys, as well as reductions in citizen
participation.
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Begin: SFC-94, #50 Side 2
Discussion of staff needs in areas relating to access and
use continued between Mr. Campbell and Co-chair Pearce.
Mr. Campbell advised that the $350.0 request for trail and
habitat clearing and enforcement involves use of fish and
game funds primarily in the Fairbanks area. Habitat
manipulation includes controlled burning, crushing, etc.
Convict labor is used extensively in the program.
Senator Rieger asked if the foregoing project involves
expenditure of state moneys to "do what the fire would have
done in the first place." Mr. Campbell acknowledged ongoing
discussion with the federal government in an attempt to
reach agreements to let fires burn in the interior.
Projects undertaken by the proposed bill are in areas most
accessible and used by Fairbanks residents. The risk of
wild fires in those areas might result in a fire that would
imperil "people on the outskirts of Fairbanks."
The $400.0 request for use of fish and game funds relates to
the International Standard Organization. A subgroup of the
European economic community has agreed on an import ban on
all furs "caught in inhumane traps." It is unclear what
"inhumane" traps are. Rural Alaskans heavily depend on cash
derived from trapping. The request seeks to open additional
markets and work with trappers on trapping techniques and
more humane traps.
The last project seeks $200.0 in general funds as a match
for $1.35 million in federal moneys. Funding would allow
for continued construction of boat launch ramps, public
access sites for fishing, etc.--a variety of sport fishing
access projects. Senator Rieger requested a list of
projects to be funded.
Co-chair Pearce announced that continued review of capital
budget requests would be noticed for the following
Wednesday.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:10 p.m.
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