Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 120
04/09/2015 06:00 PM House FISHERIES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmations: Board of Fisheries | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
April 9, 2015
7:20 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Louise Stutes, Chair
Representative Neal Foster
Representative Bob Herron
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Representative Dan Ortiz
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Charisse Millett
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Board of Fisheries
Orville Huntington - Huslia
Robert Ruffner - Soldotna
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
ORVILLE HUNTINGTON
Huslia, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As appointee to the position of the Board
of Fisheries, discussed his qualifications and answered
questions.
PAUL A. SHADURA II
South K Beach Independent Fishermen's Association (SOKI)
Kalifornsky, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Orville Huntington to the Board of Fisheries.
REED MORISKY
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Orville Huntington to the Board of Fisheries.
ROBERT RUFFNER
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As appointee to the position of the Board
of Fisheries, discussed his qualifications and answered
questions.
DONALD JOHNSON
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Robert Ruffner to the Board of Fisheries.
GEORGE PIERCE
Kasilof, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Robert Ruffner to the Board of Fisheries.
SAM SNYDER, Member
Trout Unlimited
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Robert Ruffner to the Board of Fisheries.
PAUL A. SHADURA II, Representative
South K Beach Independent Fishermen's Association (SOKI)
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Robert Ruffner to the Board of Fisheries.
MIKE NAVARRE, Mayor
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Robert Ruffner to the Board of Fisheries.
PAUL OSTRANDER, Chief of Staff
Office of the Mayor
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Robert Ruffner to the Board of Fisheries.
ACTION NARRATIVE
7:20:24 PM
CHAIR LOUISE STUTES called the House Special Committee on
Fisheries meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. Representatives Herron,
Johnson, Ortiz, and Stutes were present at the call to order.
Representatives Foster and Kreiss-Tomkins arrived as the meeting
was in progress.
^CONFIRMATIONS: BOARD OF FISHERIES
CONFIRMATIONS: BOARD OF FISHERIES
7:20:53 PM
CHAIR STUTES brought before the committee the appointment of
Orville Huntington to the position of the Board of Fisheries.
[Packets contain biographical information on both appointees.]
7:21:29 PM
ORVILLE HUNTINGTON, Huslia, Alaska, advised he is the Director
of Wildlife and Parks, for the Tanana Chief's Conference, with
two sons working in Anchorage, a daughter at UAF, with one
student in high school in Huslia, and he has lived in Alaska his
entire life with 20 years of commercial and subsistence fishing.
He offered that he had board experience, with good board
teachers.
7:22:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON noted this will be Mr. Huntington's second
term and asked him to describe his first term, what he learned,
and the contributions he made.
MR. HUNTINGTON responded that he has become educated in ocean
fisheries, river systems, shellfish, and allocations, and has
relied on his scientific skill sets with the board. He opined
he should serve another term on the Board of Fisheries to use
the knowledge he has obtained before moving on to the Board of
Game.
7:24:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON surmised that it was a learning process,
and asked Mr. Huntington to describe his ability to voice his
views on record.
MR. HUNTINGON answered that his views and opinions were based
upon science during his first term, and he relied on the data
available to respond to situations, including the difficulties
facing fishermen and the economics of the fisheries.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON suggested that Mr. Huntington become a
very active member and use his science based knowledge thereby
putting his talents and skill sets on the record which will
protect the species and fisheries in the future.
MR. HUNTINGTON said he completely agrees with Representative
Herron's comment.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON asked his occupation specialty in the
United States Marine Corp.
MR. HUNTINGTON advised he was never in the military.
7:27:52 PM
PAUL A. SHADURA II, South K Beach Independent Fishermen's
Association (SOKI), testified in support of the appointee, and
advised that the South K Beach Independent Fishermen's
Association's (SOKI) mission is protecting and preserving the
Kasilof Aquarium System, and it agrees with the appointment of
Mr. Huntington. He referred to AS 16.05.22[1](a), which read:
AS 16.05.221. Boards of Fisheries and Game.
(a) For purposes of the conservation and development
of the fishery resources of the state, there is
created the Board of Fisheries composed of seven
members appointed by the governor, subject to
confirmation by a majority of the members of the
legislature in joint session. The governor shall
appoint each member on the basis of interest in public
affairs, good judgment, knowledge, and ability in the
field of action of the board, and with a view to
providing diversity of interest and points of view in
the membership. The appointed members shall be
residents of the state and shall be appointed without
regard to political affiliation or geographical
location of residence. The commissioner is not a
member of the Board of Fisheries, but shall be ex
officio secretary.
MR. SHADURA said that conservation implies within Alaska case
law, that it is conserving controlled utilization of Alaska's
resource to prevent its exploitation, destruction, or neglect.
He stated that within Mr. Huntington's full term he has remained
approachable, courteous, and willing to listen to all
individuals. Mr. Huntington possesses a unique family history
and academic knowledge, and he offers a diversity of views in a
fair and impartial manner to the decisions the Board of
Fisheries must make, he described.
7:30:00 PM
REED MORISKY, testified in support of Mr. Huntington, advising
that Mr. Huntington has served on the Board of Fisheries with
distinction, thereby exhibiting his ability and skills to offer
balanced decisions regarding Alaska's fisheries resources. He
said that Mr. Huntington's cultural knowledge is unsurpassed and
has been of great benefit to all Alaskans, and in particular to
the board when decisions are being made. He pointed out that
Mr. Huntington has accurately and appropriately applied his
science background, as he holds to the highest standards of
science free from bias or partiality, and is objective. With
regard to subsistence, sport, personal use, and commercial users
he consistently completes the due diligence necessary to make
decisions that fairly regulate and allocate the state's
fisheries resources.
CHAIR STUTES closed public testimony after ascertaining that no
one further wished to testify.
7:31:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER expressed support for Orville Huntington,
and said he looks forward to working with him.
[Later in the meeting, the motion to advance the nomination of
Orville Huntington was made and carried.]
7:32:09 PM
CHAIR STUTES brought before the committee the appointment of
Robert Ruffner to the position of the Board of Fisheries.
[Packets contain biographical information on the appointee.]
7:32:29 PM
ROBERT RUFFNER, said that a love of the outdoors is a major
factor in why he has lived in Alaska since 1996. He said he is
a geology and civil engineering graduate, is raising a family,
and dedicated to remaining in the state. Since his arrival, he
has worked for the Kenai Watershed Forum, which is a citizens
group interested in the Kenai River drainage that later expanded
to cover the entire Kenai Peninsula involving habitat
conservation and working with all of the different users group.
A key project, he advised was in 2005-2008 when the forum
cleaned up the river after their research revealed several
hundred gallons of gasoline going into the river a day,
including the political process to remediate the problem, and
working with the Board of Fisheries. He described key events
the Kenai Watershed Forum undertook. He noted, he served on the
planning commission 4-5 years, and then signed on to the Road
Commission Board because he felt he could make a difference, and
remarked he has been a fisherman his entire life and continues
to harvest for personal use. Besides having fished for the
majority of available species throughout the state, he has
minimal experience in commercial fishing, he said. He offered
that he is stepping down as executive director of the Kenai
Watershed Forum, which started with a very small budget to a
current organization of over $3 million in habitat related work.
He described the Board of Fisheries as challenging in learning
fisheries across the entire state, working with a new cast of
people, with hundreds of millions of dollars involved, and that
the Alaska fisheries is in the billions. He pointed out that
most of the contention he hears is surrounding Cook Inlet, but
this job involves all of the state's fisheries, including fin
fish and shell fish, and there is much to learn.
7:41:33 PM
MR. RUFFNER continued that he offers experience in fishing, with
a scientific background, and his experience and understanding in
advanced statistics is important as there will be fisheries,
economics, and all types of data that many decisions will be
based upon. There is importance in the confidence members have
in a particular aspect of that data, how to bring those
questions up, and discuss them. He noted that since submitting
his application, he has learned there are 84 advisory committees
across Alaska, with 900 volunteer individuals serving on those
committees, and these volunteers provide input to the board. He
stated he is very committed to the public process and honors
local advisors, and will listen carefully to the information
they bring forward.
7:43:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON disclosed he previously met with Mr.
Ruffner, and commented that he is "pretty chatty."
7:44:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ noted the value that the appointee places
on the advisory committees, and noted there was an earlier
proposal to "limit the actions of the Board of Fish to take
action only on proposals that come before you, rather than self-
generated proposals." He asked whether Mr. Ruffner was familiar
with that proposal.
MR. RUFFNER said he is.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ asked Mr. Ruffner's stand on it.
MR. RUFFNER opined that board generated proposals are necessary;
however, bringing them at the right time is important to allow
feedback, and suggested a timeline to allow public comment.
CHAIR STUTES opened public testimony.
7:46:47 PM
DONALD JOHNSON, testified in opposition to the appointment, and
he said he appreciates the opportunity to address "this
dedicated sport fish board seat" available, and stressed this is
a dedicated sport fish seat. He said he objects to the
appointment of Mr. Ruffner in that his science background does
not position him well to actually address the dedicated sport
fish requirement of this seat. He said the seat was included
for a dedicated sport fish person to take advantage of, and to
allow the public to take advantage of their wealth of experience
achieved after years and years' worth of dedicated sport fish
use. He noted that Mr. Ruffner has done a little bit of
everything, but he is looking for someone "in a dedicated seat"
who has put a lot of time into sports fishing and not science.
Mr. Ruffner, he pointed out, has dedicated a lot of time
obtaining his degrees in geology, environmentalism, drift
netting, but no dedication to sport fish use. He opined that
the appointee has not been to a single Board of Fisheries
meeting, and described him as a passive sport fisherman.
CHAIR STUTES clarified that the Board of Fisheries position is
not a dedicated sport fish seat.
MR. JOHNSON replied, "I think it is."
7:49:59 PM
GEORGE PIERCE, testified in opposition to the appointment saying
Mr. Ruffner is a fine person but lacks qualifications in that
scientists and biologists in fish are needed, not friends of
special interests groups. He opined that the "Fish and Game
Board" currently is about politics and not science. He stated
that special interest groups are sponsoring Mr. Ruffner, and he
is not qualified for the board. He referred to comments
regarding two stroke motors for the Kenai River and advised it
was only for people that had a dip net, "no one else as sport
fishing guides, or commercial fishermen were still allowed to
use two stroke motors." He remarked that every year the Kenai
Watershed Forum passes out pamphlets to warn people regarding
the contaminants in the Kenai River water, and not to drink the
water. He stated "Mr. Huntington is a qualified candidate, and
he is for subsistence and he is a biologist," and a biologist is
needed from Kenai.
7:52:18 PM
SAM SNYDER, Member, Trout Unlimited, stated support for the
appointee, paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
I have spent my life as an angler, fishing around the
country and fishing around the state since moving to
Alaska. I primarily fish from the Kenai to the
Susitna and been fortunate enough to travel from
Bristol Bay to SE AK fishing for salmon, trout and
steelhead.
A life of fishing has also led to a fierce interest in
sustainable fisheries management - a concept that few
societies in the world outside of Alaska have managed
to achieve. I have a PhD with a focus on fisheries
sustainability. I currently develop and direct
programs for Trout Unlimited Alaska which has over
1,000 angler members in the state. I have called in
today on behalf of TU and our members to support Mr.
Ruffner's confirmation to the Alaska Board of Fish.
The Alaska Program of Trout Unlimited works to
protect, reconnect, restore and sustain Alaska's
salmon and trout resources. We work through
scientific investigation, grassroots engagement and
supporting partnerships with fishing organizations,
NGO's, agencies, municipalities, tribes, business
owners and anglers.
We've been troubled to hear the negative response
regarding Mr. Ruffner's appointment. It appears much
of the negativity spawns from the idea that the vacant
seat on the board must be allocated to a specific gear
group or region of the state. Despite these views,
it's clear the make-up of the board (commercial,
sport, subsistence) is not mandated by law. Nor, is
there a definition of what constitutes a commercial,
sport, or subsistence oriented individual. In fact,
it is because Ruffner is not handpicked by a group of
stakeholders that TU is compelled to weigh in on his
appointment. We feel it is critical that Board
members put fish first, not a single user group or a
specific place.
There is no doubt, TU is a sport fishing organization.
But it is our organizational DNA to look at the big
picture when it comes to fish and fishing. We work
hard to seek out and engage on issues that unify
fisheries stakeholders and fulfill our organizational
mission. Mr. Ruffner's science background and
longtime leadership with the Kenai Watershed Forum and
Kenai Peninsula's Fish Habitat Partnership, as well as
his love of angling, aligns well with the interests
and values of our members.
Far too often allocation battles have obscured real
issues, and eliminated the ability of Alaskans to have
reasonable science based discussions on critical
issues before the board. Mr. Ruffner is exactly the
type of board member Alaska needs at this time;
someone who is not handpicked by a user group, someone
with a scientific back ground and someone whose
experience has been forged working for agreements
against the backdrop of the state's most heavily used
and possibly its most controversial fishery.
Mr. Ruffner will bring a much needed big picture
approach to the board, which in turn will be of
tremendous service to the people of Alaska.
7:55:06 PM
PAUL A. SHADURA II, South K Beach Independent Fishermen's
Association (SOKI), said he has been on the local Kenai Soldotna
advisory committee, is representing the South K Beach
Independent Fishermen's Association (SOKI), and offered support
for the appointee. He advised the Mr. Ruffner has proven to be
a person who strives to communicate with a diverse group of
interests. He then referred to a letter Mr. Ruffner directed to
Governor Sean Parnell, on February 25, 2010, and stated that he
has a deep personal concern for all resource users.
7:58:05 PM
MIKE NAVARRE, Mayor, Kenai Peninsula Borough, stated that on
behalf of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the Kenai Peninsula
Borough Assembly passed a resolution in support of Mr. Ruffner's
appointment and confirmation to the Board of Fisheries. He
remarked that the Kenai Peninsula is fortunate as he performed
with excellence regarding habitat restoration, which includes
culvert replacements, assessments, the Kenai River two stroke
[engine] to four stroke [engine] in order to prevent pollution
and both identified and resolved the issue. He related that
many people were upset when the two stroke engines were about to
be outlawed in that they had invested money in their endeavor
and couldn't afford to buy a new motor. Mr. Ruffner and his
organization took it upon themselves to solicit funds for a
buyback program in order to offset part of the cost of outlawing
those motors as a good public policy decision and follow-up. He
described the applicant as a consensus builder, with a broad and
diverse background and a broad diverse group of supporters for
his seat on the Board of Fisheries. He pointed out that Mr.
Ruffner's time on the planning commission was extraordinary in
that he listens to many different opinions, digests the
information, does his homework, and makes good rational and well
thought out decisions. Mr. Ruffner, he opined, will do the same
on the Board of Fisheries and will be an outstanding member of
the board in service to the residents of the State of Alaska and
to the fisheries resource.
8:00:29 PM
PAUL OSTRANDER, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor, Kenai
Peninsula Borough, stated support for the appointee, advised he
is representing himself, and offered background information
regarding his personal passion for sport fishing. He then
described Mr. Ruffner as an excellent person for this position
in that he will take the facts presented to him and make the
best decisions for the resource, as it should not be about the
agenda of user groups.
CHAIR STUTES closed public testimony after ascertaining that no
on further wished to testify.
8:02:09 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:02 p.m. to 8:03 p.m.
8:03:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS stated that the committee has two
excellent candidates.
8:03:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON stated that the House Special Committee
on Fisheries reviewed the qualifications of the governor's
appointees as shown in the attached Referral on Confirmation
forms and recommend the names Orville Huntington and Robert
Ruffner be forwarded to a joint session [of the House and Senate
for consideration.] This does not reflect the intent by any
member to vote for or against these individuals during any
further sessions for the purposes of confirmation. There being
no objection, the confirmations of Orville Huntington and Robert
Ruffner were advanced from the House Special Committee on
Fisheries.
8:04:40 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the *House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 8:04
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Ruffner Resume - Board of Fisheries.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner AS&T.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Oppose Bingaman.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Oppose Johnson.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Support Elfers.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Support Icicle Seafoods.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Support McCombs Schmitt Gabriel.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Support Skrha.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Huntington Resume - Board of Fisheries.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Huntington |
| Don Stiles Resume - Fisherman's Fund.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Stiles Resume |
| Ruffner Support ASA.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Support Booton.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Support Kenai LIO.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Support McGahan.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Support Trout Unltd.PDF |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| BOF Alaska Dispatch article Weyrauch.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Board of Fisheries |
| Huntington Support YDFDA.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Huntington Board of Fisheries |
| Ruffner Support BBEDC.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner Support Seward.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
Ruffner |
| Ruffner BOF Chay.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
|
| ATA support Orville Huntington BOF, 0315.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
|
| ATA Supports Robert Ruffner for BOF, 2015.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
|
| Ruffner Support Smith 1.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |
|
| Ruffner Support KPB.pdf |
HFSH 4/9/2015 6:00:00 PM |