Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/14/2003 08:32 AM House FSH
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
February 14, 2003
8:32 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Paul Seaton, Chair
Representative Peggy Wilson, Vice Chair
Representative Ralph Samuels
Representative David Guttenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Pete Kott
Representative Cheryll Heinze
Representative Ethan Berkowitz
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW: ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME, SPORT AND HABITAT
DIVISIONS, BY DIRECTOR KELLY HEPLER AND ACTING DIRECTOR KERRY
HOWARD
TAPES
03-7, SIDE(S) A & B
CHAIR PAUL SEATON convened the meeting of the House Special
Committee on Fisheries at 8:32 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Representatives Seaton, Wilson, Samuel, and
Guttenberg.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
KERRY HOWARD, Acting Director, Division of Habitat and
Restoration, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G),
presented a brief verbal overview of the division. She stated
that the division is relatively small, with 117 positions, 18 of
which are currently not filled, and that these positions are
organized into three regional offices located in Juneau,
Anchorage, and Fairbanks. Ms. Howard noted that one of the key
mandates of the division is to assist the commissioner of ADF&G
in protecting the state's fish and wildlife habitat from
unnecessary disturbance or destruction. The division also
promotes and maintains access to fish and wildlife resources for
commercial, subsistence, and recreational users.
MS. HOWARD discussed the major functions of the division, one of
which is the review of permit applications and project
proposals. She said Title 16 of the Alaska Statues gives ADF&G
the responsibility to approve, deny, or condition permits for
various activities that affect fish, wildlife, and habitat
resources. Specifically, the division issues permits for
activities that affect anadromous fish streams. The division
does this by updating and maintaining the Catalog of Waters
Important for Spawning, Rearing, or Migration of Anadromous
Fishes. The division is also responsible for permitting land
use activities within game refuges, game sanctuaries, and
critical habitat areas in the state. Another function of the
division is to provide detailed, area-specific information on
fish, wildlife, and their habitats to the Department of Natural
Resources' land use planning process. Ms. Howard said the
division participates in various planning programs for petroleum
development throughout the state.
KELLY HEPLER, Director, Division of Sport Fish, Alaska
Department of Fish and Game, presented an overview that focused
on the division's strategic plan. He mentioned that the
division's existing mission is to protect and improve the
state's recreational fisheries resources.
MR. HEPLER referred to the committee packet and highlighted the
division's core values, included in the following list: fish
stocks and their habitats should be managed for sustained yield;
management should be based on scientifically sound resource
assessment; there should be a diverse utilization of fishery
resources; sport fishing activities have value and are socially
and economically beneficial to the people of Alaska; there
should be an informed and involved public based upon open and
honest communication; all division staff are important, and
there should be a diverse, dedicated, and motivated staff that
exude professionalism; and area offices and local or area-based
management have value.
MR. HEPLER outlined the framework of the strategic plan, noting
specific goals, objectives, strategies, and outcomes. He also
mentioned the success of the award-winning Homer Spit project,
stocked with fish for recreational use. Mr. Hepler told the
committee of the management problem of losing staff to federal
agencies because of the pay being 45 percent higher.
ROB BENTZ, Deputy Director, Division of Sport Fish, Alaska
Department of Fish and Game, in response to a question from
Chair Seaton, gave a brief review of the state's different sport
fisheries. In addition to salmon, which had been emphasized
during the presentation, he said the division is involved with
resident species work, research, and management on the following
species: steelhead, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, pike,
burbot, lake trout, whitefish, and Arctic grayling.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committee took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at
9:53 a.m.
NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were
taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by
contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3,
Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and
after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Third
Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by
contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.
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