Legislature(2021 - 2022)GRUENBERG 120
03/18/2021 11:00 AM House FISHERIES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB26 | |
| HB54 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 54 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES
March 18, 2021
11:05 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Geran Tarr, Chair
Representative Louise Stutes, Vice Chair
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Representative Andi Story
Representative Dan Ortiz
Representative Sarah Vance
Representative Kevin McCabe
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 26
"An Act relating to participation in matters before the Board of
Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective
boards; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 26 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 54
"An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the
Department of Fish and Game; relating to management of invasive
species; relating to invasive species management decals; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 26
SHORT TITLE: CONFLICT OF INTEREST: BD FISHERIES/GAME
SPONSOR(s): FISHERIES
02/18/21 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
02/18/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/18/21 (H) FSH, RES
02/25/21 (H) FSH AT 10:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
02/25/21 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/12/21 (H) BILL REPRINTED
03/16/21 (H) FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
03/16/21 (H) Heard & Held
03/16/21 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
03/18/21 (H) FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 54
SHORT TITLE: INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
SPONSOR(s): FISHERIES
02/18/21 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/15/21
02/18/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/18/21 (H) RES, FSH
02/24/21 (H) RES REFERRAL MOVED TO AFTER FSH
02/24/21 (H) BILL REPRINTED
03/11/21 (H) FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
03/11/21 (H) Heard & Held
03/11/21 (H) MINUTE(FSH)
03/12/21 (H) BILL REPRINTED
03/18/21 (H) FSH AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
GLENN HAIGHT, Executive Director
Board of Fisheries
Boards Support Section
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing of HB
26.
THATCHER BROUWER, Staff
Representative Geran Tarr
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 54 on behalf of
Representative Tarr, prime sponsor.
DOUG VINCENT-LANG, Commissioner
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided testimony on HB 54.
DAYNA MACKEY, Director
Division of Administrative Services
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided testimony regarding the fiscal
note for HB 54.
TIM STALLARD
Anchorage Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ANC-
CISMA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 54.
SUMMER NAY
Delta Junction, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 54.
DAVID MARTIN
Clam Gulch, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 54.
KATHERINE SHAKE
Natural Resource Specialist, Homer Soil and Water Conservation
District
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 54.
ACTION NARRATIVE
11:05:42 AM
CHAIR GERAN TARR called the House Special Committee on Fisheries
meeting to order at 11:05 a.m. Representatives Vance, Story,
McCabe, Kreiss-Tomkins, Ortiz, Stutes, and Tarr were present at
the call to order.
HB 26-CONFLICT OF INTEREST: BD FISHERIES/GAME
11:06:49 AM
CHAIR TARR announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 26, "An Act relating to participation in matters
before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the
members of the respective boards; and providing for an effective
date."
CHAIR TARR said the committee has not received any proposed
amendments to HB 26. She related that Representative Kreiss-
Tomkins has expressed his strong support for the bill.
11:07:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES expressed her support for this "fabulous
legislation."
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ voiced his support for this "brilliant
piece of legislation."
11:08:05 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE related that people from the Interior are
saying that members of the Board of Game rarely conflict out, so
they are questioning the need for HB 26. People from the sport
fish side are saying there should not be any more undue
influence on the conversations. More is heard from commercial
fishing because they are the ones who are overwhelmingly
conflicted out. Since the legislature has talked about this for
many years, she is listening to all sides to ensure the
committee is making a sound decision because this deals with
allocation. She said she is leaning toward supporting this
given that members of the board are already deliberating off the
record because their insight is needed. So, she continued, the
committee is asking that it be on record for the public to hear.
She further argued that the "fish and game members" are
professionals and should be trusted and able to differentiate
between statements made from a direct financial interest versus
statements made from expertise in a fishery or region. If the
department and board members believe that a member is making
comments in the [sharing] expertise, they have the wisdom to see
the difference. Representative Vance specified that HB 26 does
not allow a [conflicted board member] to vote on the matter,
which is the hard line here because it is not being said that
that can be overridden and waived. She stated she is currently
supportive of HB 26 because she wants the transparency to the
public and doesn't like that there is conversations happening
off record that people are unaware of. The more transparency to
the public on these conversations, the more trust can be built
in the Board of Fisheries and in the public process.
11:12:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES added that whether it be fish or game, the
legislation treats everybody and all sectors equally.
11:12:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated that in general he is supportive of
the idea of HB 26. He agreed with Representative Vance that it
is important to get all the conversation on the record instead
of off the record so it can be seen later. He said his friends
who are sport fishermen and who may not support the bill might
at some point be on the other end of things where they want an
excellent sport fisherman board member to speak on the record
for them. He is waffling on yes or no because of the different
sides, he continued, and surprisingly the bill highlights the
distrust and divisiveness that has happened between commercial
fish and sport fish. Both are going after the same resource and
the committee needs to fix that at some point.
11:14:18 AM
CHAIR TARR stated her support for HB 26. She noted that the
board process is very involved, and that people need to be
dedicated and have the time and commitment to be a good board
member. She questioned whether it can always be expected that
each time there will be a lot of Alaskans to fill that, as well
as also having good representation between the regions and the
backgrounds. She said it makes her feel more comfortable that
it can be disclosed and that everything can be on the record,
and she agrees with the transparency component of the bill.
11:15:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY related that was an elected school board
member for 15 years and members got to vote on issues and
express their opinions. She said she thinks it is very helpful
to have most of the conversations on the record at the table.
While she realizes that a member can leave his or her chair and
testify before the body, she said it expedites things to have
the [conflicted] member at the table and able to share his or
her thoughts. It is not going to prohibit side conversations
from happening, she added, but they will be done more at the
committee level and the public will appreciate hearing those
thoughts whether or not they agree with them.
11:16:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE posed a scenario in which a member with a
financial conflict is participating in deliberations and the
board chair deems that that member's conversation is ethically
going too far. She asked whether the board chair has discretion
to limit the conversation so that it doesn't provide undue
influence over the vote.
11:17:03 AM
GLENN HAIGHT, Executive Director, Board of Fisheries, Boards
Support Section, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G),
replied that he thinks the board chair would have the ability to
stop the conversation and take a break to talk with the board
member to explain the chair's concerns.
11:17:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE inquired whether there are any examples in
the past where a chair has exercised that authority.
MR. HAIGHT responded that an example occurred last year when a
board member was recused from working on a suite of proposals.
He explained that at the beginning of every board meeting all
board members sit through staff reports, but in this example a
line of questions came from one board member and the recused
member came back with another line of questioning that was
starting to get to argument building. The board chair and the
Department of Law representative realized it was probably going
too far, so they stopped the meeting and had that conversation.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE commented that that answers the concern
that there is another safety net mechanism for when undue
influence is taking place and the chair has the discretion [to
stop the conversation].
CHAIR TARR offered her appreciation for the comments about the
legislation and said it points to how important the resource is
to all Alaskans.
11:19:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES moved to report HB 26 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying [zero]
fiscal note.
11:19:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE objected.
11:20:07 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 11:20 a.m. to 11:21 a.m.
11:21:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES withdrew her first motion as she had
stated the incorrect bill version. She moved to report HB 26
out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying [zero] fiscal note.
11:21:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE objected.
11:21:47 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Kreiss-Tompkins,
Story, Ortiz, Vance, Stutes, and Tarr voted in favor of the
motion to report HB 26 out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note.
Representative McCabe voted against it. Therefore, by a vote of
6-1, HB 26 was reported out of the House Special Committee on
Fisheries.
HB 54-INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
11:22:40 AM
CHAIR TARR announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 54, "An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive
Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating to
management of invasive species; relating to invasive species
management decals; and providing for an effective date."
11:23:25 AM
THATCHER BROUWER, Staff, Representative Geran Tarr, Alaska State
Legislature, introduced HB 54 on behalf of Representative Tarr,
prime sponsor. He explained that HB 54 would do three things:
establish an Invasive Species Council, create an invasive
species response fund, and set a way for the Alaska Department
of Fish & Game (ADF&G) to create and sell invasive species
management decals. Of these three things, he pointed out, the
most important is establishing within ADF&G the Alaska Invasive
Species Council, which would be composed of representatives from
state and federal agencies as well as tribal, nongovernmental,
business, and industry stakeholders.
CHAIR TARR interjected that this idea came from the Washington
Invasive Species Council, which has written a letter of support.
She related that at the 2018 meeting of the Alaska Invasive
Species Partnership the director of the Washington council
shared with the 100-plus people in attendance why this was such
an effective model and how it had helped the Washington council
engage stakeholders and keep the business community connected to
the government connected to the scientific community.
11:24:50 AM
MR. BROUWER continued his introduction of HB 54. He said one of
the Alaska Invasive Species Council's responsibilities would be
preparing and presenting a five-year strategic plan that
addresses economic effects of invasive species, the council's
priorities for addressing invasive species, and recommending
legislation and funding required to implement the council's
priorities. An updated strategic plan would be given to the
legislature every other year.
MR. BROUWER stated that the second thing HB 54 would do is
establish an invasive species response fund in the general fund,
and the department would appropriate the funds to manage
invasive species. He noted that while the fund is established
in the bill, there is not at this time a dedicated funding
source aside from the profits from the sale of invasive species
decals. However, he continued, additional fund sources could be
established at a later date.
11:25:50 AM
CHAIR TARR stated that she has worked on this bill for a few
years and has explored many different funding mechanisms. She
advised that one mechanism could be through ferry tickets when
the [Alaska Marine Highway] next updates its ticketing system
because people are bringing watercraft. She said a registration
fee with planes was looked at, but it is federal and so not a
good opportunity. An additional registration fee on snow
machines, four-wheelers, or watercraft through the Division of
Motor Vehicles was looked at but not pursued to avoid a stacking
up of fees. In working with multiple stakeholders this summer,
she continued, the idea for a voluntary decal came from former
senator Gary Wilken and other homeowners on Harding Lake, which
has an elodea problem. A voluntary decal, she explained, can be
used to engage and educate people, and provide them with a way
to financially contribute towards management.
11:27:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS offered his appreciation for the
background information. He said he is very motivated about any
way to create funding, even as a part of the bill, or possibly
exploring a nexus with Dingell-Johnson. He further suggested
that perhaps the dots could be connected by designating a
portion of the surcharge in HB 80 for invasive species.
CHAIR TARR stated that Commissioner Vincent-Lang [of ADF&G] may
help connect those dots when the fiscal notes are discussed.
11:28:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated he is very interested in the bill
but not interested in the fiscal note. He related that he and
the sponsor have discussed the tiny pieces of funding in many
different spots for invasive species and he thinks a way needs
to be found to consolidate those, although he is unsure about
the vehicle for doing that. He said he doesn't think taking it
out of the general fund is the answer. Other states deal with
boat trailer registration, and it doesn't seem to be too
egregious and is like the small surcharge on Alaska's fishing
licenses for the hatcheries. A way needs to be found to do
that, he continued, because he won't be able to support the bill
with a fiscal note given the current budget climate.
CHAIR TARR expressed her hope that Representative McCabe's
concerns will be addressed when Commissioner Vincent-Lang
testifies.
11:30:20 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE requested the sponsor to describe how the
optional invasive species decal will work. She observed that
the fiscal note estimates ADF&G will collect [$3,900] annually
based on the average of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Stamps
that were sold between 2017 and 2019.
CHAIR TARR responded that the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Stamp was used as a comparison because it is voluntary and can
be purchased online while purchasing fishing licenses, and the
Invasive Species Decal is envisioned in that same way. She
noted that a core group of Alaskans is very engaged on this
topic with more than 100 people normally attending the Alaska
Invasive Species Partnership meetings, and the Harding Lake
folks have indicated they want a voluntary, not mandatory, way
to contribute. Chair Tarr stated she is interested in looking
at a boat trailer registration, but because two or three other
pieces of legislation are looking at Division of Motor Vehicle
(DMV) fees she is cautious about stacking things unexpectedly on
top of people. In speaking with the ADF&G commissioner, she
continued, it seems there could be some federal grant
opportunities. Also, a funding stream could be created if HB 80
is passed in its amended form, but it is premature to count on
that given HB 80 is still under consideration.
11:33:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked how the decal fee amount [of $20] was
determined and why.
CHAIR TARR replied that there isn't much science applied to the
amount, she tried to pick a price that was not onerous and that
felt reasonable. She said the way the decal is reflected in the
fiscal note is not entirely as envisioned. The idea was to have
an annual contest where artists submit something and receive
recognition. Running it through the [Alaska Invasive Species]
Council would minimize the need for administrative support from
the department.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE recalled the "Snow Track funding" where
$20 was paid to decal a snow machine but then it was stripped
out of the budget. He said he is concerned that this could
happen here even though it is voluntary.
CHAIR TARR noted that the specifics of what the Alaska Invasive
Species Council would do are outlined in Section 1.
11:37:17 AM
MR. BROUWER presented a sectional analysis of HB 54. He stated
that under Section 1 of the bill, Section 16.20.800 [which would
be added to AS 16.20] and would establish the invasive species
decals. He said the heart of the bill is [the addition of]
Section 16.20.810 which would establish the Alaska Invasive
Species Council, with members from the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC),
and Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
as well as members appointed by the governor from stakeholder
organizations and industries. The council, he explained, would
be responsible for facilitating cooperation between state,
federal, tribal, and local agencies, as well as nongovernmental
organizations involved in the management of invasive species.
The council would also be tasked with recommending coordinated
inter-agency strategies and policies related to the management
of invasive species. The council would provide guidance on how
to prioritize a response and how to best use the funds from the
invasive species response fund. The council would also be
responsible for designing the invasive species control decals.
CHAIR TARR invited Mr. Vincent-Lang to testify on the bill.
11:39:01 AM
DOUG VINCENT-LANG, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish and
Game (ADF&G), recalled that at the bill's last hearing there was
discussion on how ADF&G would approach the [Alaska Invasive
Species Council] if HB 54 were passed. He stated he understands
the issues with general funding and the consternation with
appropriating general funds. He said he sees value in this
effort and thinks there is a high probability that ADF&G would
be able to get federal funding or patchworks of different
funding that would enable this to move forward. His intent, he
continued, is to not form the council and have it meet until
ADF&G has secured those other funding sources. He suggested
that the concerns of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
be put on the hearing record regarding the fiscal note, which
came out of OMB.
11:40:42 AM
DAYNA MACKEY, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Alaska Department of Fish & Game, described her division and
department as operating through the Office of Management &
Budget. She explained that it is not customary to budget, or
fiscal note practice, to appropriate fund sources in grants that
are not available with certainty. She advised that if a grant
became available for this function while the legislature was not
in session, the Revised Program Legislative (RPL) Process could
be used.
CHAIR TARR stated that the fiscal note currently reflects using
general funds for the $60,000 that would be needed annually to
support the council. She said Commissioner Vincent-Lang thinks
there could be some federal funds through grants or possibly
other funding streams, and Ms. Mackey is saying that OMB would
not update a fiscal note to reflect that because it is
prospective rather than already in hand.
MS. MACKEY replied that is correct. She explained that until
the funding is known, the funding source would have to be the
unrestricted general fund (UGF).
11:42:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked whether it would be appropriate to
put contingency language in the bill and have a fiscal note with
contingency language so if federal funds become available the
department could proceed with the council. She requested a
recommendation as to whether it is best to have contingency
language or wait until next year after it is known that funds
are available.
MS. MACKEY responded that contingent language could possibly
help to be able to identify what the funding source could be for
this. But as the bill is currently written, she continued,
there is no funding source, so the only guaranteed money known
at this point is the UGF.
CHAIR TARR commented that her concern is "the chicken or the
egg" because she believes grants cannot be applied for prior to
the council being in existence.
11:43:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated he is confused because Commissioner
Vincent-Lang said he doesn't need money to do this, and OMB says
yes and is going to put a part-time person towards it.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG answered that his intent is to try to
find additional funding outside of UGF knowing the issues the
legislature is facing with UGF funding to proceed with this
Invasive Species Council. He said he is convinced that there is
money out there. He concurred with the "chicken or the egg"
argument about how to get money if the council isn't formed and
urged the committee to work on contingency language that says
the council is not formed until alternative funding sources are
available. He said he understands the position that if the
council is created and there is no funding available towards it
the only way to implement that council is to have UGF
identified. He deferred to OMB to provide further response and
related that ADF&G tried to identify a compromise, but OMB
identified that that is not secure money and is trying to figure
out how to put a fiscal note together.
MS. MACKEY said she doesn't have anything else to add to the
commissioner's statements. She concurred that contingent
language may be able to help and to state what the funding
source is and that the council can move on once the funding is
established. But, she added, at this point the UGF is the only
thing that is identifiable.
11:46:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE observed the fiscal note includes $99,000-
$100,000 for the first year and then $62,400 for 2023 onward.
He asked what would happen if the $100,000 is appropriated by
the legislature but then the commissioner finds federal or grant
funding, or money comes from HB 80.
MS. MACKEY replied that through the budget process in the next
legislative session there could be a fund source change where
the fund source is changed from UGF to whatever is identified.
If any federal funds come through when the legislature is not in
session, she continued, an RPL Process can be used to be able to
get that funding a little bit quicker and then in the next
legislative session there could be a decrease of the $62,400 or
$99,50 or whatever it may be. So, there is a way to change that
UGF through the budget process.
CHAIR TARR pointed out that HB 54 would not be moved from
committee today, so there will be time for further questions.
11:48:50 AM
CHAIR TARR opened public testimony on HB 54.
11:49:16 AM
TIM STALLARD, Anchorage Cooperative Invasive Species Management
Area (ANC-CISMA), testified in support of HB 54. He stated he
is an invasive species management consultant and is speaking
today on behalf of ANC-CISMA. He said the organization's
philosophy is that invasive species do not respect land
ownership boundaries, so there needs to be cooperation and
working together to protect Alaska's natural resources from
degradation by harmful species. He noted that the Alaska
Invasive Species Partnership has a similar philosophy at a
statewide level, therefore important coordination and management
across the state is already taking place by him and his
colleagues. The current coordination is voluntary and driven by
the personal commitment and passion of dedicated colleagues from
state, local, tribal, nonprofit, university, and federal
entities.
MR. STALLARD pointed out that Alaskans are lucky to have a vast
state and relatively healthy fisheries and other natural
resources. Alaskans depend on these resources for jobs, food,
recreation, and culture, he noted, but introduced invasive
species have the potential to disrupt all this. The state's
cold climate and relative geographic isolation has slowed the
arrival and spread of invasive species, but these threats are
here and will continue to increase in the future.
MR. STALLARD stated that to protect Alaska's fisheries and other
resources, Alaskans must actively prevent and rapidly respond to
harmful new invaders. This requires coordination across the
state, he advised, so to adequately protect the state's
fisheries and other resources Alaskans need to step up their
coordination with the formation of the Alaska Invasive Species
Council as outlined in HB 54. This council would bring high
level coordination from ADF&G, DNR, DEC, DOT&PF together with
commercial, local, federal, Alaska Native, and other interests.
Alaska needs this high-level coordination to protect its
fisheries and other natural resources into the future.
11:51:43 AM
SUMMER NAY, testified in support of HB 54. She stated she
serves as the Invasive Species Plant Program Coordinator in
Delta Junction, and that she is a member of the Alaska Invasive
Species Partnership and a member of the Outreach Education
Subcommittee. She said she is offering her testimony in support
of HB 54 as an individual based on her perspective and
experience gained while living and working in Interior Alaska.
MS. NAY noted that commercial hay and grain crops are produced
in the [Delta Junction area], one of Alaska's largest
agricultural regions. The Richardson and Alaska highways carry
traffic into this district from populated areas of Alaska and
Canada. Both agriculture and roads, she pointed out, are major
vectors for the introduction of invasive terrestrial species,
resulting in costly and damaging infestations that could
threaten agricultural and natural resources.
MS. NAY advised that water bodies in the Interior are under
threat from elodea, an aquatic invasive plant species that has
been identified in up to 10 Interior water bodies. Watercraft
and human transportation, she explained, are the main vectors
for the introduction of elodea to freshwater systems. Elodea
causes serious irreversible harm to aquatic habitats, resulting
in the degradation of fisheries if given the opportunity to
spread. Alaska is under threat, she continued, and only with
help from local, state, federal, and tribal collaboration will
it not perish. Passing HB 54 will establish statutory
expectation and motivate overdue coordination and institutional
leadership towards invasive species prevention and management.
11:53:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE requested the name of the organization
with which Ms. Nay is affiliated.
MS. NAY replied that she works in Delta Junction for the Salcha-
Delta Soil and Water Conservation District.
CHAIR TARR added, "I think also with the Alaska Invasive Species
Partnership."
MS. NAY [confirmed that is correct].
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked how Mr. Stallard's and Ms. Nay's
organizations are funded.
MS. NAY responded, "We fund ourselves; ... private funded."
11:54:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS offered his understanding that the
soil and water conservation districts in Alaska Ms. Nay's and
others don't receive any public funding, including federal
funding.
MS. NAY answered, "Correct."
CHAIR TARR stated that this topic could be discussed on another
day. She said some districts like Ms. Nay's are active and
doing important work, but others have lost their leadership.
11:55:11 AM
DAVID MARTIN, said he has been involved in fish and game issues
in Alaska for 50 years. He stated he fully supports HB 54 for
the need for a rapid response to invasive species. It is long
past due, he added, and he supported it when it started at least
six years ago. He advised being proactive and on the offense,
"the sooner the better and the cheaper," when addressing
invasive species in order to eradicate them before they can
establish a toehold and change the ecosystem forever. A classic
example is the [northern] pike that came into the Susitna
drainage in the 1960s. Now there are at least eight lakes in
the Susitna drainage that have nothing but pike in them. They
will never be eradicated, but they can be managed, and Mr.
Martin said he is involved in an aquaculture association that
does a lot of the pike work up there. Salmon production, he
pointed out, is down substantially in the Susitna drainage
because of pike.
MR. MARTIN related that elodea has also come into the Susitna
drainage. He said an example is Alexander Lake where it started
out in five acres from a float plane and from which it could
have been eradicated for $15,000. There was no rapid response
and by the time action was taken the whole lake was infested.
Now it is going to take over $1 million to treat that lake and
hopefully eradicate the elodea. According to a University of
Alaska report, he continued, elodea alone will cost the state of
Alaska $100 million in annual losses from salmon production,
float planes, and recreational activities.
MR. MARTIN further related zebra mussels have recently come into
Alaska by way of pet stores. These mussels are disastrous, he
stated, and have wiped out the fisheries in the Great Lakes. He
said Alaska is fortunate in that it could get ahead of most of
these invasive species and HB 54 will help. However, he
advised, there also needs to be the will, the money, the
education, and the rapid response to do so. Stricter laws are
also needed not to allow invasive species to get into Alaska in
the first place, and there needs to be strict enforcement and
penalties for those who do bring them in and spread them
throughout the state. He urged that HB 54 be forwarded.
11:57:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked whether United Cook Inlet Drift
Association (UCIDA) has taken a position on HB 54.
MR. MARTIN replied that UCIDA is supportive of HB 54. He said
the fish and game advisory committee that he sits on has
addressed and supported this bill in the past, as do aquaculture
and the Cook Inlet Fisherman's Fund. It would be foolish not to
support it, he opined. Invasive species have decimated Florida
and other places and hopefully Alaska can get in the forefront
of this. He said there is a lot of support for the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said she has heard reports of pike straying
into Cook Inlet. She asked whether Mr. Martin has personally
seen pike in Cook Inlet.
MR. MARTIN responded he has been involved with the pike
suppression by aquaculture and the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game (ADF&G) on the lakes in the Kenai Peninsula, and they have
eradicated basically every lake. He said he has also been
instrumental in aquaculture's effort for pike suppression in the
Susitna drainage and he was instrumental in getting Shell Lake
rehabilitated to salvage the genetic pool for sockeye in that
system. Under a current program up there, pike are being netted
in various lakes to increase the salmon production in them.
While some lakes will not be able to be done, a lot of effort is
being put into pike suppression. He said he hopes that HB 54
will eliminate invasive species so there isn't a pike issue
where their numbers need to be curtailed annually.
12:00:15 PM
KATHERINE SHAKE, Natural Resource Specialist, Homer Soil and
Water Conservation District, testified in support of HB 54. She
stated she is a board member of the Alaska Invasive Species
Partnership and is speaking today on behalf of the Homer Soil
and Water Conservation District and the Kenai Peninsula
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (KP-CISMA), a
partnership of state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and
tribes.
MS. SHAKE reported that on the Kenai Peninsula elodea has been
successfully eradicated from five lakes and northern pike from
seventeen lakes. She explained that a priority invasive plant
list is maintained to keep the most harmful non-native plants
out of salmon and moose habitat. However, she advised, while
eradication efforts for some species have been successful, the
battle is being lost with others like reed canary grass and
orange hawkweed. European green crabs, which could destroy
aquaculture in Prince William Sound and Kachemak Bay, are
marching northward and were discovered in British Columbia last
July. Zebra mussels have been found in moss balls sold in
aquariums in Anchorage and Soldotna.
MS. SHAKE said the successful high-functioning partnership she
has coordinated for the last 17 years is at its limits. She
stressed that help is needed to detect and prevent introduction
of new invasive species because the soil and water conservation
districts are stretched thin. She explained that the districts
write proposals and integrated pest management plans, fund
raise, apply for state permits to ensure compliance, and
implement control of the most harmful invasive plants along
roadways, which are the primary vector of terrestrial invasives.
The reason the Seward and Sterling highways are not covered in
bird vetch and white sweet clover, she pointed out, is because
of the CISMA partnership and the soil and water districts. Soil
and water districts have no state funding yet are managing
vegetation in DOT&PF's rights-of-way. This is not a long-term
solution, she stressed, and requires so much effort that the
district doesn't have the bandwidth to respond when new invasive
species show up.
MS. SHAKE advised that the ability to update and maintain a
noxious weed list is critical to protecting Alaska's agriculture
and native ecosystems. The Division of Agriculture needs
support to provide the service of evaluating and prohibiting the
sale of harmful plants, she said. Establishing an invasive
species council would help elevate these conversations to a
higher level of government and provide a conduit for education
about the most pressing threats to Alaska's salmon and wildlife
habitat. Creating an invasive species council, enabling ADF&G
to implement prevention measures, and establishing a fund for
rapid response are critical to increase the success of
protecting local economies and livelihoods. She affirmed the
support of both her organizations for HB 54.
12:03:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY requested a written copy of Ms. Shake's
testimony.
12:03:26 PM
CHAIR TARR closed public testimony after ascertaining no one
else wished to testify.
CHAIR TARR announced that HB 54 was held over.
12:03:41 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Fisheries meeting was adjourned at 12:04
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 26 Version A 2.18.21.PDF |
HFSH 3/16/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Sectional Analysis 3.14.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/16/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM |
|
| HB 26 Fiscal Note - DFG-BFG 2.19.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/16/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Boards of Game and Fisheries Ethics Process Overview and Recusals 2.1.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/16/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HRES 3/31/2021 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/9/2021 1:00:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Informational Document BOF-BOG History and Process 03.06.19.pdf |
HFSH 3/16/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HRES 3/31/2021 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/9/2021 1:00:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Letters of Support 3.16.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/16/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HRES 3/31/2021 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/9/2021 1:00:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Email of Opposition 3.16.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HRES 3/31/2021 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/9/2021 1:00:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 26 Sponsor Statement 3.16.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HRES 3/31/2021 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/9/2021 1:00:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB 54 Sponsor Statement - Version W 1.28.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM HRES 4/16/2021 1:00:00 PM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Version W 1.15.21.PDF |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM HRES 4/16/2021 1:00:00 PM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Fiscal Note - DEC-CO 3.5.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Fiscal Note - DFG-DSF 3.5.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Supporting Document - ADFG Newsletter - Invasive Species 4.2021.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Supporting Document - Cost of Managing Invasive Species in Alaska 7.2012.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Supporting Document - Cost of Invasive Species in US 1.2012.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Supporting Document - States with Invasive Species Fees or Stickers 7.24.20.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Supporting Document - WA Invasive Species Council Fact Sheet 1.2017.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Letters of Support 3.10.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Supporting Document - ADFG Invasive Species Presentation 3.11.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Supporting Document - Alaska Invasive Species Partnership Presentation 3.11.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Supporting Document - USFWS Alaska Invasive Species Presentation 3.11.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Supporting Document - Ka'aihue Presentation - 3.11.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/11/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 26 Sectional Analysis 3.14.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HRES 3/31/2021 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/9/2021 1:00:00 PM |
HB 26 |
| HB54 Sectional Analysis - Version W 3.18..21.pdf |
HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Testimony Katherine Schake Homer Soil Water District 3.18.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HFSH 4/6/2021 10:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 54 Email in Support - Dunaway 3.18.21_Redacted.pdf |
HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM |
HB 54 |
| HB 26 Email in Support - Dunaway 3.17.21.pdf |
HFSH 3/18/2021 11:00:00 AM HRES 3/31/2021 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/9/2021 1:00:00 PM |
HB 26 |