Legislature(2005 - 2006)CAPITOL 124
04/29/2005 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, Commissioner | |
| Board of Fisheries | |
| Alaska Board of Game | |
| Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Commissioner | |
| Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Commissioner | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 29, 2005
1:42 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jay Ramras, Co-Chair
Representative Ralph Samuels, Co-Chair
Representative Carl Gatto
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
Representative Kurt Olson
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Harry Crawford
Representative Mary Kapsner
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Jim Elkins
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, Commissioner
Peter Froehlich - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Board of Fisheries
Rupert Andrews - Juneau
John Jensen - Petersburg
Mel Morris - Kodiak
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Board of Game
Ron Somerville - Juneau
Carl Morgan - Aniak
Ted Spraker - Soldotna
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Commissioner
McKie Campbell - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Commissioner
Kurt Fredriksson - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No activity to record
WITNESS REGISTER
PETER FROEHLICH, Appointee
Commissioner
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed his desire and qualifications for
his appointment and answered questions.
RUPERT ANDREWS, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed his desire and qualifications for
his appointment and answered questions.
JOHN JENSEN, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed his desire and qualifications for
his appointment and answered questions.
MEL MORRIS, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed his desire and qualifications for
his appointment and answered questions.
CARL CROME, Commercial Fisherman
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
John Jensen and Mel Morris.
RICKY GEASE Executive Director
Kenai River Sport Fishing Association
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
all three appointees to the Board of Fisheries and Mr. Spraker
for the Board of Game.
RONALD SOMERVILLE, Appointee
Alaska Board of Game
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed his desire and qualifications for
his appointment and answered questions.
CARL MORGAN, Appointee
Alaska Board of Game
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed his desire and qualifications for
his appointment and answered questions.
TED SPRAKER, Appointee
Board of Game
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed his desire and qualifications for
his appointment and answered questions.
MCKIE CAMPBELL, Appointee
Commissioner
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed his desire and qualifications for
his appointment and answered questions.
KURT FREDRIKSSON, Appointee
Commissioner
Department of Environmental Conservation
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented his vision for the department.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CO-CHAIR JAY RAMRAS called the House Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:42:13 PM. Representatives
Ramras, Seaton, LeDoux, and Gatto were present at the call to
order. Representatives Kapsner, Crawford, Olson, and Samuels
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
^Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, Commissioner
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS announced that the first order of business would
be the confirmation hearing of Peter Froehlich for commissioner
of the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.
PETER FROEHLICH, Appointee, Commercial Fisheries Entry
Commission (CFEC), said he is uniquely qualified because of his
experience as a fisherman, judge, and attorney. He said he has
adjudicated fisheries disputes, and he has worked in the Office
of the Attorney General and as the attorney for the Commercial
Fisheries Entry Commission. He told the committee that he
recently retired from the District Court Bench and is looking
forward to the change.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked if he sees his role as an advocate of
commercial fishing and in opposition to sport fishing.
MR. FROEHLICH said the role is regulatory rather than advocacy;
the Board of Fisheries does the advocating and allocating.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked Mr. Froehlich if SB 113 passes, how
does he envision the coordination between the Board of Fisheries
and the CFEC for public hearings on ground fish rationalization.
MR. FROEHLICH said it would establish a process for hearings.
There may be a team of people for going around Alaska getting
the necessary and important public input, he said.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked his philosophy of who should get
fishing privileges between boat owners and fishermen.
MR. FROEHLICH said presence on board and ownership are
important, but participation may be more important.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said historically the state gave access
privileges to the actual fishermen, and now there is a federal
model of awarding privileges to the vessel owner as an investor,
and nothing to the fisherman as a participant. He asked again,
what Mr. Froehlich's philosophy was.
MR. FROEHLICH said that is a policy matter that is up to the
legislature, but there seems to be more logic to the presence
than the ownership. He added that there is balancing to be
done, but the legislature should do that. If the legislature
doesn't get involved, the federal approach will prevail.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked about the court decision in the
Chignik cooperative.
MR. FROEHLICH said it is a problem for the state, and he thought
Judge Carpeneti was "right on" in his dissenting position. He
said there may be a simple fix by working with statutory
definition in limited entry of fish board statutes. The state
is looking at restructuring fisheries and reducing the amount of
gear, but buyback is expensive to the government, he commented.
Cooperatives seems to work well, and legislative action could
solve the whole thing.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said SB 113 does not leave it to the
legislature, so she asked Mr. Froehlich if it should be
legislative or settled by the board and the CFEC.
1:55:05 PM
MR. FROEHLICH said he is not sure how much discretion the
legislature wants to give those entities. There are just three
entry commissioners, and a lot more members of the board of
fish, he noted. If that decision is granted to board members,
that is the its call, he concluded.
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS moved to forward the name of Peter Froehlich to
the joint session of the House and Senate for confirmation.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
1:56:27 PM
^Board of Fisheries
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS announced that the next order of business would
be confirmation hearings for Rupert Andrews, John Jensen, and
Mel Morris for the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
1:57:12 PM
RUPERT ANDREWS, Appointee, Board of Fisheries, said he is
retired from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and his time
on the board has been very good. He said he is concerned about
the protection of the resource, and he listens to people.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked about the Chignik cooperative court
opinion.
RUPERT ANDREWS said he does not believe the supreme court acted
correctly. He said the board needs to have effective tools to
restructure the state fisheries. He added that he knows some
families in Chignik who will "go under." He said it can be
solved legislatively, and the board should have that authority.
The board has reaffirmed its philosophy with three unanimous
votes. The Chignik cooperative is a bright star, providing for
quality and efficiency, he concluded.
2:02:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked about fishing privileges assigned to
natural persons or corporations.
MR. ANDREWS said he would have to give that more thought. He
supports the process the state has developed since statehood,
which is getting information and acting on it. He said it is a
legislative question.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that HB 113 puts that decision into
the board's court, and he asked him to keep thinking about it.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked about public hearings in the
affected communities.
MR. ANDREWS said he appreciates that question. The board was
told to reduce its budget, so travel and the number of meetings
was reduced. He noted that he is more than willing to go
anywhere in Alaska and listen.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked about the Gulf of Alaska ground fish
rationalization stakeholders and the implementation of
differential access privileges.
MR. ANDREWS said he has not read the legislation, but said he
would listen to stakeholders and advisory committees carefully.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said the Board of Fisheries is seeking an
emergency regulation for Chignik, and the supreme court
mentioned that the co-op wasn't necessarily the best thing for
the community. "What is your reaction?" she asked.
2:09:57 PM
MR. ANDREWS said the Chignik co-op is the brightest spot in the
Alaska salmon fishery. Fishing in Alaska is over capitalized.
The co-op improved quality and efficiency. It is not applicable
to the whole state, but it works in Chignik, he said. They have
87 out of 100 permittees involved, and he told the committee he
went there on his own time, and he was impressed.
2:11:35 PM
JOHN JENSEN, Appointee, Board of Fisheries, Petersburg, said the
first three years on the board have been intense, and he is
prepared to spend another three years. He noted that he has
made his living on fish, and he wants to see a strong
sustainable fishery for the future.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if he considers the Chignik co-op a
success for the community.
MR. JENSEN said he heard both good and bad about the Chignik co-
op. He does not know what the different variables contribute,
and he mentioned the price of oil and the value of fish. He
said they have had low returns in the last few years.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked his philosophy regarding the fishing
privileges under SB 113.
MR. JENSEN said he believes it can be worked out, where even the
crewmembers could get some kind of recognition.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked Mr. Jensen how he sees the effect of
ground fish rationalization on the coastal communities.
MR. JENSEN said the program could work out differently than the
individual fishery quota (IFQ) system, which probably did some
harm to communities, because it has more Alaskans involved.
2:17:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said the constitution prohibited an
exclusive right to a fishery, but an exemption was made by a
constitutional amendment to allow limited entry in order to
prevent economic distress. He noted that the state has had some
programs where fishing privileges were assigned to owners or
corporations instead of fisherman. "Do you agree with those
kinds of programs where it would define a vessel owner as a
fisherman, and the person that is out fishing, basically is not
a fisherman?"
2:18:58 PM
MR. JENSEN said both parties should be recognized.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted the severe disruption with the
Chignik co-op when the supreme court declared it not legal under
the Limited Entry Act. If the state goes forward with a program
in the Gulf of Alaska that assigned a quota, "and it is found to
violate the exclusive right of fishery provision, do you see
that as something that you have to worry about or do you think
the Board of Fisheries ought to go forward and assign the
fishing privileges wherever it works best for the testimony that
comes forward from the industry?"
2:20:23 PM
MR. JENSEN said the board should get the Chignik problem
resolved, and he believes it will be resolved soon. He said the
same problems will occur if it is not cleared up.
2:21:06 PM
MEL MORRIS, Appointee, Board of Fisheries, said he has worked
for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) and for the
fishing industry. He noted that he retired in 2000 and started
a company selling seafood. He said he has been on the board for
the past 2.5 years, and he is on a committee that deals with
state's rights and the gulf rationalization program. He
appreciates the chance to go around the state to meet with the
people who can least afford to come to the meetings.
2:26:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked about fishing privileges being given
to boat owners or fishermen.
MR. MORRIS said it is a big question, but he feels comfortable
working through the board to determine that. He said his
philosophy is that both people should be recognized, but the
percentage is up for discussion.
2:28:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked Mr. Morris in a gulf rationalization
plan where fishermen have been fishing the state parallel
fishery, but have been fishing it within the three-mile limit,
if they can be treated identically to people who have been
fishing in federal waters.
MR. MORRIS answered that the board can't base what it does on
the federal regulations. "If we don't do anything that would
mean that people in a totally open access fishery could fish in
state water and then go out and take their quota in federal
waters." He said he would like a seamless process, "but unless
we are able to issue some kind of quota shares ... we only have
a few options." He noted limited entry or restricting gear to
rowboats, "and that isn't going to do it; so unless we can have
people recognized for their catch history in some form, we can't
develop a seamless concept that can work between federal and
state regulatory agencies."
2:30:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked about his comment on gulf
rationalization, and the only way it would work is with open
access inside and quotas in federal waters. There are parallel
cases, including the North Gulf Coast black cod quota, and the
Aleutian Island quota, he said. In those cases, with IFQs,
anything caught off state waters comes off the IFQ. "Are you
discounting that model? he asked.
MR. MORRIS said the board has reviewed those, and doesn't
discount them. He added that there are possibilities, but the
feds can't issue quotas in state waters. He said he is trying
to make sure the state waters fisheries come ashore to the
coastal communities. "To do away with the fish derby-style
fishery, we have to give people some incentive for fishing in
the three-mile fishery." He said he recognizes the problem of
the federal and state waters.
2:33:56 PM
CARL CROME, Commercial Fisherman, Petersburg, said he supports
the confirmation of John Jensen and Mel Morris.
RICKY GEASE, Executive Director, Kenai River Sport Fishing
Association, said he strongly encourages the confirmation of all
three appointees to the Board of Fisheries. There is a learning
curve and they will do a better job the next three years.
2:38:29 PM
CO-CHAIR SAMUELS moved to forward the names of Rupert Andrews,
John Jensen, and Mel Morris to the joint session of the House
and Senate for confirmation.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
2:38:43 PM
^Alaska Board of Game
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS announced that the next order of business would
be confirmation hearings for Ron Somerville, Carl Morgan, and
Ted Spraker for the Alaska Board of Game.
RONALD SOMERVILLE, Appointee, Alaska Board of Game, said he
wants to serve on the board because it is now less passive and
wants to do intensive management in areas where "predators like
wolves and bears and others" are reducing opportunities for
hunters. He spoke of five areas where the board is killing
predators, and he said other areas are being requested. He
stated that the board has been proactive with the federal
subsistence board in reducing conflicts between federal
regulations and state regulations. He said he is interested in
creating "a reconnect between the department, the legislature,
and the board." He said he thinks Commissioner Campbell will do
that.
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS asked how he felt about predator control.
MR. SOMERVILLE said he personally supports it, but not
everywhere. He thinks it should be scientifically supported,
and it should be done where wolves and bears keep prey numbers
down, especially in areas like McGrath where people depend on
moose. He said south of Fairbanks is one of the heaviest
concentrations of moose in the state due to wolf control.
2:42:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked if moose could survive without
predator control.
MR. SOMERVILLE said, "Sure, they can," but look at McKinley park
where moose numbers are low and the wolf and bear populations
are healthy, and the moose population took years to recover. In
predator pits predators keep the pressure on the calf production
so the moose population cannot recover. Increasing moose can
"carry the wolf population as well as an additional harvest," he
said. He noted that hunters take less than five percent of prey
populations.
2:43:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER asked what he thought about transplanting
urban moose into areas with predator pits.
MR. SOMERVILLE said the legislature has made the decision to
implement that, and the board is not involved. He said it is
very expensive but worth trying on a case-by-case basis. He
said the board had a hunt in Anchorage to try to reduce moose.
Moving moose from Anchorage to McGrath is very expensive, he
said, and "we would be better off to harvest the animal and
distribute the meat to people out there who could use it."
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER asked if Mr. Somerville were a
subsistence hunter, would that offend him?
MR. SOMERVILLE said yes because he was a subsistence hunter.
He warned about using drugs to move an animal, which may affect
the meat.
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER said, "You realize it was never proposed
that this expense be born by the state."
2:45:42 PM
CARL MORGAN, Appointee, Board of Game, said he once represented
the biggest district in Alaska. He said he is serving on a
federal advisory board, and he feels that he is very qualified.
He said Alaska should manage fish and game with data and not
emotions. He said he supports predator control.
2:48:14 PM
TED SPRAKER, Appointee, Board of Game, said he considers it an
honor to serve. He said he is retired from the Alaska
Department of Fish & Game after working for 28 years. He agreed
with Mr. Somerville, and he enjoys the board and the regulatory
process. He finds the public testimony to be the key part. He
said it is a good time to be on the board because the governor
didn't agree with the previous board. He considers himself a
"management thinker".
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS asked how he felt about predator control.
2:52:54 PM
MR. SPRAKER said he supports predator control when it is
scientifically based. He said it has to be smart, because the
state could be drug into court.
2:54:01 PM
MR. GEASE, Kenai, said the Board of Game has taken the right
direction, and he supports the appointment of Mr. Spraker.
CO-CHAIR SAMUELS moved to forward the names of Ron Somerville,
Carl Morgan, and Ted Spraker to the joint session of the House
and Senate for confirmation. There being no objection, it was
so ordered.
2:55:10 PM
^Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Commissioner
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS announced that the next order of business would
be a hearing for the confirmation of McKie Campbell.
MCKIE CAMPBELL, Appointee, Commissioner, Alaska Department of
Fish & Game, said he is honored because fish and wildlife in
Alaska are more important, in orders of magnitude, than other
states.
2:56:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER asked if the governor requested him.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he did not apply during the first job
notice, and then the administration asked him to apply with no
promise of being selected. He consulted with the governor
before he applied.
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER asked what he would do to resolve the
subsistence impasse.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said the state will continue to exist with
dual management, and "there are a number of steps to not reduce
subsistence, but to simplify laws and regulations, and increase
opportunities by all users." He said he will talk to the
federal subsistence board about specific hunts with conservation
issues and hunts that have been only open to local subsistence
users who are not actually hunting there. It is not to try to
decrease subsistence activities, but there is overlap of
regulations that make it impossible to legally abide, he said.
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER asked if there is a way to gain state
control without a constitutional amendment.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said the state would have to change the
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) or the
constitution. He doesn't foresee either of those happening and
said he has a history of making both sides mad by advocating a
combination of a constitutional amendment and substantive ANILCA
amendments.
3:01:32 PM
CO-CHAIR SAMUELS asked what ADF&G's biggest problem is.
3:01:51 PM
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said the department is beaten down because
of low pay and strained relations with the legislature. Every
biologist wanted to work for ADF&G in the 1970s and 1980s, he
claimed, and now it is last on people's list. He said state
biologists are paid about 30 percent less than federal
biologists.
3:03:24 PM
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS said the state has limited resources, and
therefore inquired as to whether it should be allocating wages
to commissioners or field biologists.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he needs biologists to be able to
make a good salary. He added that he took a very large pay cut
to take this job, so it is an issue for commissioners and field
biologists.
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS asked how to attract good employees.
3:05:13 PM
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said federal biologists get 30 percent
higher pay, and any portion of that would be a help.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if it is part of his role to be a
zealous advocate for more funds.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said it is.
3:06:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked his vision for the next three years.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he would like the department to be
back on the road to being the best in the country. On his first
day on the job, he asked the staff to find how the department
can do things better.
3:07:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER said she used to work for ADF&G and did a
lot of data collection. She said her old boss submits grants to
the federal government, is denied, and then transfers the grant
to tribes to partner with. Tribe staff are not biologists, so
it is difficult. It is not the legislature's intent for ADF&G
to partner with tribes, but she asked what Commissioner Campbell
thinks about such partnerships.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he does not know specifics, but he
sees areas where the department can work with tribes in a manner
that benefits all Alaskans. There has been a sharp decline in
general funds, so the department is more dependent on federal
funds. He said legislators tell him to stand up to the federal
government, "and, by the way, do it all on their nickel."
3:09:46 PM
CO-CHAIR SAMUELS asked if he supported user fees.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said yes.
CO-CHAIR SAMUELS asked about predator control.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he supports predator control where it
is appropriate. He said he is concerned about having research
to defend ADF&G's actions, because of lawsuits. He said the
Board of Game is democratic and knowledgeable.
3:12:19 PM
CO-CHAIR SAMUELS asked what Commissioner Campbell what he
thought of the Joint Salmon Task Force.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said it was valuable. He added that
Alaska needs an overall fish policy.
3:14:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO said his constituents want to know why
$600,000 was spent on nongame species.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said some money was spent. With the sharp
decline of general funds, the department has become creative on
funding. There are a number of uses out of the fish and game
fund that are not illegal but inappropriate, he opined. He is
looking at those. That money has brought in a great deal of
additional federal money and some of it does benefit hunters.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO said diversion of funds is prohibited.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he has examined each one. He agrees
with Representative Gatto's sentiment, but the department has
been legal.
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked about annual reports to the
legislature.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he has one.
3:19:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO said the word "project" was not defined.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said it is defined now.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD said he enjoys hunting and he
understands that the department has to work on bag limits and
other things, but he is concerned about long-term threats to our
fish and wildlife. He finds it disturbing that plastic is
degrading in the oceans and becoming the most plentiful part of
the plankton and poisoning fish and mammals in the sea. He
noted the ivory-billed woodpecker, and said he doesn't want to
see the decline of wildlife in Alaska. He asked if the
department has the resources to look at long-term threats.
3:23:37 PM
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he deeply appreciates that, and
Alaska can be very proud of its management. We can take lessons
from the other states, so we have a better record. He said the
governor is concerned. "We manage our own resources very well
but we are affected by things that happen worldwide."
3:24:53 PM
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS asked what will be done to enhance ungulate
populations.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said predator control is an important
piece, but there are other strategies like controlled burns,
crushing, and bag limits. He said there are more moose
harvested in Sweden, but they have zero predators and do very
intensive habitat management. There is money available from the
Department of Agriculture for habitat management, he said.
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS said the hospitality industry is linked to
predator control programs, and he asked if there are positive
things the department can do. "Predator control programs always
suggest the negative," he said. He asked if there was a way to
not look "barbaric" to others.
3:28:15 PM
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said the department needs a campaign to
inform people of the good job the state is doing. He said
people come to visit because of the state's fish and wildlife.
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS asked what the department can do about habitat,
because he is a great advocate of predator control programs but
not the residue that they seem to leave.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said the state needs to get out the story
of what a good job it has done. Someone who has no wolves back
home will look at predator control with horror, he said. He
said he sees eagles and Orcas from his office, and moose wander
the yards of Anchorage.
3:31:05 PM
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said there are 859 permanent employees and
829 seasonal. There are publications staff that will be
directed to promote Alaska's image.
3:31:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER said she was scorned for wearing ivory in
the lower 48. She asked how Commissioner Campbell can protect
the subsistence division from budget cuts, and inform
legislators who don't understand subsistence issues.
3:33:09 PM
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said the new legislators need to be taught
the role of the subsistence division.
3:34:04 PM
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS asked about the request for $45 million for the
Anchorage hatchery, when schools are in bad condition and the
department needs money for biologists. He suggested
refurbishing it instead of building a new one, and he offered
Commissioner Campbell the phone number of the municipal power
company that offered warm wastewater for the hatchery.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he will find out about production
goals. The department wants to build something long term
instead of stopgap. He said the fishing license surcharge will
go to the bond repayment, and he is inclined to save money and
will look into it.
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS talked about the Fairbanks hatchery, and he is
concerned that it will be aesthetically pleasing instead of
maximizing fish production. Users are providing 100 percent of
the funds for the hatchery, so he said he doesn't want it to be
a tourist attraction.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said he will look closely at that.
3:46:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said the Kodiak ADF&G facility is woefully
inadequate.
COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL said the department has no extra money.
3:49:54 PM
CO-CHAIR SAMUELS moved to forward the name of McKie Campbell to
the joint session of the House and Senate for confirmation.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
^Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Commissioner
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS announced that the final order of business would
be the confirmation hearing of Kurt Fredriksson.
KURT FREDRIKSSON, Appointee, Commissioner, Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC), said he is looking forward to
moving on the department's strategic plan, including permit
streamlining, rational regulations, state control of
environmental protection, completing the Exxon-Valdez oil spill
restoration, and building avenues to get students to view DEC as
a legitimate job.
3:52:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GATTO said Prince William Sound looks like it is
restored, but there is still sludge; will it ever be restored?
COMMISSIONER FREDRIKSSON said there are six resources that are
in a damaged state. There is lingering oil on 20 subsurface
acres. He said there are studies to see if there is any problem
with that oil being there. He said there is lingering oil under
Juneau, and it is not a problem.
3:55:34 PM
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS said Commissioner Fredriksson was a great man.
He noted that the food code has drawn criticism, and he asked
why he was allowing the code to be implemented.
COMMISSIONER FREDRIKSSON said regulations can be controversial.
The code was developed after an extensive work group, and he
added that DEC dealt with the regulated parties and held nine
workshops. He will see the regulations after the director of
environmental health approves it, he said.
3:58:01 PM
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS asked how the department is being sensitive to
the cost of the food code to the private sector.
COMMISSIONER FREDRIKSSON said regulations restrict private
freedoms--"that's our job." If DEC deviates from legislative
mandate there will be ultimate legislative oversight, he said.
He said he is sensitive to costs and burdens, but he doesn't
know the exact cost of the food code.
3:59:52 PM
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS asked how the public can be expected to
understand the regulations.
COMMISSIONER FREDRIKSSON said DEC will help and work with
affected parties.
4:02:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked how the department communicated with
affected parties, and why it was redone.
COMMISSIONER FREDRIKSSON said DEC has a mailing list of everyone
who has ever had a food permit, and it communicated with them
all and with the trade association that represents the industry.
There was a 60-day public review period and nine workshops. He
added that DEC spent $14,000 on outreach. The revised state
food code is partly due to legislation and also to become
consistent with the national food code.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said people are not dropping dead in
droves from food poisoning.
COMMISSIONER FREDRIKSSON said there are outbreaks.
4:08:03 PM
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS asked if the department understands the
perception of the food workers.
COMMISSIONER FREDRIKSSON said that DEC takes public comments
very seriously.
CO-CHAIR RAMRAS asked if the governor was just concerned about
the gas pipeline and not on the onerous burden of the food code.
4:11:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX moved to forward the name of Kurt
Fredriksson to the joint session of the House and Senate for
confirmation. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:12 PM.
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