Legislature(1997 - 1998)
03/22/1997 10:41 AM House RES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
March 22, 1997
10:41 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Scott Ogan, Co-Chairman
Representative Bill Hudson, Co-Chairman
Representative Joe Green
Representative Fred Dyson
Representative Reggie Joule
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Beverly Masek, Vice Chair
Representative Ramona Barnes
Representative William K. ("Bill") Williams
Representative Irene Nicholia
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS ON GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENTS TO:
Board of Game
Gregory P. Streveler
Nicole Whittington-Evans
Lori Trent Quakenbush
Michael R. Fleagle
(* First public hearing)
PREVIOUS ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
BUTCH LAUGHLIN, Owner
Alaska Fly and Fish Charters
9604 Kelly Court
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 790-2120
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
SARAH DUNLAP, Owner
Alaska Fly and Fish Charters
9604 Kelly Court
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 790-2120
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
LYNN SCHOOLER, Guide
P.O. Box 22026
Juneau, Alaska 99802
Telephone: (907) 463-4942
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
JON POND, Representative
Admiralty Bears Association
640 Hemlock Way
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 586-6168
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Governor's appointees.
JOEL BENNETT, Former Member
Board of Game
15255 Point Louisa Road
Juneau, Alaska 99803
Telephone: (907) 789-1718
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Governor's appointees.
LARRY SMITH
1520 Lakeshore Drive
Homer, Alaska 99603
Telephone: (907) 235-3855
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Governor's appointees.
REBECCA KNIGHT
P.O. Box 1331
Petersburg, Alaska 99833
Telephone: (907) 772-9391
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
JAMES DEMKO
P.O. Box 271
Petersburg, Alaska 99833
Telephone: (907) 772-4389
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on the Governor's appointees.
KEVIN HARUM
510 M Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Telephone: (907) 277-2444
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Whittington-Evans.
DAVID McGIVERN
1527 First Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Telephone: (907) 277-0858
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on the Governor's appointees.
DALE BONDURANT
HC1 Box 1197
Soldotna, Alaska 99669
Telephone: (907) 262-0818
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
JERRY BROOKMAN
715 Muir Avenue
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Telephone: (907) 283-9329
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
WILLIAM DeCREEFT, Owner
Kachemak Air Service
P.O. Box 1769
Homer, Alaska 99603
Telephone: (907) 235-8924
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Governor's appointees.
NANCY J. HILLSTRAND, Secretary
Homer Fish and Game Advisory Committee
P.O. Box 170
Homer, Alaska 99603
Telephone: No number given
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Governor's appointees.
BOB CHURCHILL, Chair
Anchorage Fish and Game Advisory Committee
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99504
Telephone: No number given
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Whittington-Evans.
VIKKI GROSS, Secretary
Anchorage Fish and Game Advisory Committee
HC 31 Box 5147
Wasilla, Alaska 99654
Telephone: (907) 376-9220
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Whittington-Evans.
CELIA HUNTER
1819 Muskox Traid
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Telephone: (907) 479-2752
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
SEAN McGUIRE
351 Cloudberry Drive
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Telephone: (907) 479-7334
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Governor's appointees.
ED DAVIS, Representative
Alaskans for Fair Chase
P.O. Box 1616
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
Telephone: (907) 479-7263
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
RICHARD HAYDEN
1480 Milo Street
North Pole, Alaska 99705
Telephone: (907) 488-5717
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
DOROTHY KEELER
P.O. Box 190647
Anchorage, Alaska 99519
Telephone: (907) 248-9916
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
LEO KEELER, Chairman of the Board
Friends of McNeill River
P.O. Box 190647
Anchorage, Alaska 99519
Telephone: (907) 248-9916
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
DENNIS LEACH, Member
Homer City Council
P.O. Box 1414
Homer, Alaska 99603
Telephone: (907) 235-5649
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Governor's appointees.
BILL STOCKWELL, Member
Cooper Landing Fish and Game Advisory Committee
P.O. Box 721
Cooper Landing, Alaska 99572
Telephone: (907) 595-1540
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Governor's appointees.
SUSAN QUINLAN
P.O. Box 82115
Fairbanks, Alaska 99708
Telephone: (907) 455-6480
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
TOM SCARBOROUGH
1676 Taroka Drive
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Telephone: (907) 479-3812
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Mr. Fleagle .
RONNIE ROSENBERG
448 Snowy Owl
Fairbanks, Alaska 99712
Telephone: (907) 452-6476
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Ms. Whittington-Evans.
JOHN SCHOEN, Wildlife Biologist
Alaska Audubon Society
12640 Lupine Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99516
Telephone: (907) 345-7994
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
MIKE COUMBE
P.O. Box 240343
Anchorage, Alaska 99524
Telephone: (907) 440-4387
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
JOANN UTT
P.O. Box 1114
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Telephone: (907) 376-5718
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Governor's appointees.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 97-30, SIDE A
Number 0000
CO-CHAIRMAN SCOTT OGAN called the House Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 10:41 a.m. Members present at the
call to order were Representatives Ogan, Hudson, Dyson, Green and
Joule. Members absent were Representatives Masek, Barnes, Williams
and Nicholia. This meeting was teleconferenced to Anchorage,
Fairbanks, Homer, Kenai, Kodiak, Mat-Su and Petersburg.
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS ON THE GOV'S APPTS TO: BOARD OF GAME
Number 0050
CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN said the committee was here to take public
testimony on the confirmation of the Board of Game appointees. He
referred to written testimony located in the committee file.
Number 0129
BUTCH LAUGHLIN, Owner, Alaska Fly and Fish Charters, said decisions
of the Board of Game affect his business. Half of his revenue is
from watching wildlife rather than shooting it. He was in favor of
the Governor's appointees. The Board of Game should reflect all
areas of the community, consumptive as well as nonconsumptive uses.
Number 0243
SARAH DUNLAP, Owner, Alaska Fly and Fish Charters, stated that
although she is not a hunter, she is concerned about the make-up of
the Board of Game because they have found over the past few years
the board's decisions have a direct effect on their business.
Because the Board of Game's decisions affect all Alaskans, they
would like to see the members reflect a diversity of views on
wildlife management. They hope the legislature will support the
Governor's appointees because those appointees will be invaluable
in bringing a broader-based perspective that will represent all
Alaskans. Alaska's wildlife heritage is one of the state's most
valuable assets, and it deserves to have the most broad based and
well-considered management the legislature can provide.
Number 0366
CO-CHAIRMAN BILL HUDSON asked Ms. Dunlap to speak about individual
appointees.
Number 0378
MS. DUNLAP stated that she has found Mr. Streveler to be well-
considered and reasonable in all of his actions. She thought he
would be an excellent person to sit on the Board of Game. She did
not know the other nominees personally, but she appreciated the
fact that they come from a more diverse perspective than what had
been represented previously.
Number 0419
REPRESENTATIVE JOE GREEN asked if she would support nominees as
long as they were the Governor's appointees and represented a
diversity.
Number 0433
MS. DUNLAP answered that if other nominees represented a similar
sort of diversity, she would support them.
Number 0457
LYNN SCHOOLER, guide, said he was a trapper when he lived up north.
He is still a hunter, but a conservationist as well. He labeled
himself as a conservationist because without some well-reasoned
conservation, his hunting license would be useless by the end of
his lifetime. His business is heavily dependent on wildlife. He
is one of the brown bear guides at Pack Creek. The Board of Game
affects him more than any other state government function at this
time.
MR. SCHOOLER stated that he knew Mr. Streveler personally. There
have been some great people on the board in the last 25 to 30
years, and Mr. Streveler will be one of them. Mr. Streveler
impressed him as the most knowledgeable man he has worked with,
during the couple of times they have worked together. He has
watched Mr. Fleagle's work and his voting record since he sat on
the board. Mr. Fleagle will represent his area well and approach
other use groups besides the hunters and trappers with an open
mind. He never met Ms. Quakenbush, but has heard that she is
trained in science and biology as well as being a hunter. Mr.
Schooler said he is a member of the Alaska Wilderness and
Recreation and Tourism Association, so he knew of Ms. Whittington-
Evans' work with that board. He also referred to the Anchorage
Advisory Board's endorsement of Ms. Whittington-Evans.
MR. SCHOOLER said there doesn't seem to be much argument about the
qualifications for any of the appointees, rather it seems to be
whether or not we will have a Board of Game which represents a
diverse group or users or a single interest group. If we have a
board which just represents a single use, whether it is hunters or
wildlife watchers, then situations like Proposition 3 will keep
occurring. Things like this circumvent the board system for
management. The primary function of the Board of Game is to keep
animal populations high enough to where they're useful for all of
us. He could back these Governor's appointees because they can
accomplish this task. He did not support them just because the
Governor appointed them, but because these four are good people.
Number 0675
CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked for information about his work.
Number 0693
MR. SCHOOLER stated that he was one of the guides that was selected
for a commercial permit by the U.S. Forest Service and the
Department of Fish and Game.
Number 0697
CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked whether he took people out from Juneau or
operated on Admiralty Island.
Number 0700
MR. SCHOOLER answered that all of their trips originate and
terminate in Juneau. People come to Alaska from all over the world
because of the wildlife.
Number 0728
CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN said the dictionary defines game as huntable
wildlife. The hunters have footed the bill for wildlife
conservation by paying taxes on ammunition, firearms and licenses
which support wildlife. He concurred with what Mr. Schooler said
about the abundancy of wildlife.
Number 0787
MR. SCHOOLER stated that if you have good populations of game,
there are good populations for everything else. With the science
background that at least three of these four people have, there is
a good chance these populations can be maintained.
Number 0812
JON POND, Representative, Admiralty Bears Association, supported
the diversity of the board members. Diversity is critical if
Alaska is going to be on the cutting edge of wildlife management.
Different perspectives are critical as there are different user
populations in the state. He did not know the four Governor's
appointees. He has read a synopsis of their backgrounds, which
seem apropos as far appointments are concerned. He thought we
should look at character, their resume, past experiences. He is a
hunter. For overall wildlife management, diversity is what we need
on the Board of Game.
Number 0951
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked if he had heard any of the dialogue
which occurred between the applicants and the members of the board
last week.
Number 0968
MR. POND answered that he had not been able to attend that meeting.
Number 0979
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN asked whether he was more concerned about
predators or felt that man had a higher priority than other
animals.
Number 1008
MR. POND answered that he liked to look at best practices, look at
the data and then make decisions based on that. He would primarily
look specifically at what the data showed and what the issues
showed, then make a decision based on all that information. The
diversity and various backgrounds would allow a sound decision to
be made on what is best for the species. The overall goal would be
to employ best-management practices and sustain the population for
the enjoyment of consumptive users, hunters or wildlife viewers.
He reiterated that his answer would depend on the species, the
issues and what science is saying about the issues.
Number 1078
REPRESENTATIVE GREEN verified that he would be in favor of a
candidate who would be guided by facts rather than emotion or
political pressure.
Number 1099
JOEL BENNETT, Former Member, Board of Game, served on the Board of
Game for 13 years. He has been a hunter for 27 years. Alaska has
changed a lot from the 1970s and 1980s, when most of the uses of
wildlife were consumptive. It is now a blend of uses. He thought
many legitimate uses of the state's natural resources in wildlife
are legitimate. The state must have a Board of Game which can look
at the different uses and balance them. Hunting is the dominant
and overwhelming use of our wildlife, but there must be other
perspectives. Public opinion in this state reflects that. There
are economic considerations, cost benefits to different actions
that the board takes which must be evaluated. He thought the
visitor industry was a serious economic factor in Alaska's make-up.
People who represent or can see things from a visitor industry
standpoint must be factored in.
Number 1255
MR. BENNETT knew three of the four appointments. Ms. Quakenbush
has scientific credentials which are important to the board. In
his view, one member always had to have some firm grounding in
science. He has seen Mr. Fleagle, at one board meeting, sifting
through the issues in a competent manner. He seemed to be able to
respond to other interests in addition to his particular region of
interest. He urged the committee to look beyond associations with
groups and try to evaluate a person's present stature and
willingness to listen fairly to the issues. Every person who is
appointed has some association in their past which might not be
something that certain members of the legislature would like to
see, but he thought it was unfortunate to focus on these particular
issues.
Number 1327
CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked what the ideal make-up of the Board of
Game would be. He asked what element of decisions are the most
important.
TAPE 97-30, SIDE B
Number 0000
MR. BENNETT felt the most serious issue around the Board of Game
was predator control. So much of the state's, the board's, the
department's and the public's time is occupied with predator
control that decisions relating to this issue have to be carefully
made. In his view, they are made on three grounds: a rigorous
examination of the biological record, public opinion and the cost
benefit or economic analysis as to the ramifications of predator
control. Predator control does not consist of going into an area
and reducing grizzly bears by 33.3 percent. It is the economic
effect, the effect on guides, on image and so on.
MR. BENNETT felt the make-up of the board is pretty simple. You
have to have someone who understands the visitor industry. Native
interests have to be represented, and they can be represented by
rural appointees, but he thought a board without a Native member
would be less than satisfactory. The urban wildlife issues are
difficult. He cited the special hillside proposals for hunts. He
thought the Board of Game should have a member from Fairbanks,
Anchorage and Juneau.
MR. BENNETT stated that sensitivity to nonconsumptive uses is a
legitimate interest for a board member to have. To some extent,
the board has to be regionally represented. He suggested having a
state board that dealt with the statewide policy issues and
contentious issues, that ran across regional boundaries. Then
there could be some sort of regionalized board which could deal
with the daily issues of seasons and bag limits. This system could
be more responsive, efficient and cost-effective.
Number 0227
CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON referred to a trip he took to the Yukon
involving the Forty Mile caribou herd. He said people there
believe that controlling the wolf population is necessary. They
felt that not using shoot-and-kill methods did the herd more harm
than good. He wanted to find people on the board who could look
expansively, listen to the biology, and then come up with a good
management plan. He wondered if professional, as opposed to
uninvolved, advocacy on a board of this nature was better. He
cited the difficulties with polarization when it came to management
issues. He asked whether there would be a better make-up of the
board if it had uninvolved nonadvocates, nonpolarized people, or
whether it should be combinations of viewpoints.
MR. BENNETT answered that it has always been combinations of
viewpoints. The Board of Game works pretty well with combinations.
He wouldn't want to see six professional biologist on the board or
six inexperienced and uninformed lay people either. He felt the
board should have biological background with professional
credentials in order to interpret what the department was
presenting to the board. This professional person can also find
other involved people in the issue to present additional or
different information to the board.
MR. BENNETT stated that Mr. Valenberg was not accepted by the
legislature last year, but said that he had provided that role on
the board as a professional biologist.
CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN thanked Mr. Bennett for his service on the Board
of Game.
Number 0482
LARRY SMITH testified next via teleconference from Kodiak, but
stated that he is a Homer resident. He stated that he served on
his local advisory board and represented his association at
regional councils from time to time. He referred to a letter dated
March 12, 1997, wherein he stated that he was impressed by the
number of his senator's and representative's constituents at the
Homer LIO, numbering 55, who had appeared for the first hearing on
this subject. Three of those people were members of the local fish
and game advisory committee, and one or two of them had
reservations about Ms. Whittington-Evans on the grounds that she
hadn't been in Alaska long enough. He recently went to the game
board in Anchorage and found that this attitude had changed. Those
people now feel much like he does, that the Board of Game is
currently dysfunctional because a majority of the board is
unconfirmed by the legislature.
MR. SMITH supported all of the Governor's appointees. He thought
they exceeded the criteria set in the statutes. He thought the
legislature's role ought to be limited to applying those criteria
to make a judgment about whether the Governor has abided by the
statutes. He felt the system functioned best if the Governor and
the legislature perform their statutory duty and then kept their
hands off the boards.
MR. SMITH felt Co-Chair Ogan did the right thing when he encouraged
every nominee to report efforts by the Governor's office or by
legislators to influence board members behind the scenes. The
board sets both regulatory and adjudicatory roles. He thought it
was improper for anyone to attempt to influence adjudication
outside the established public processes. He felt the legislature
harmed the process by failing to timely act on confirmations last
year. The important business has been stalled; thousands of
Alaskans' plans can be in limbo if there is not confirmation of
these nominees. The legislature should pay no mind to those
involved in politicking about these confirmations; they don't have
the good of the system at heart. There was no issue or set of
issues which rises to the same level of importance as preserving
the democratic mechanism for regulating wildlife conservation and
use. He attended the constitutional convention in Fairbanks, read
all the proceedings of the convention and indexed everything on
Article VIII, the resources article.
MR. SMITH said, in conclusion, the founding fathers were correct
when they established a Board of Fish and Game on which the members
would serve for life. This was done to avoid mixing up policy
decisions about fish and game management with politics as usual in
this state. He felt that it would be prudent to remember that
basic principle before the Governor and legislature: Do your job
as is laid out in statute and then keep your hands off the boards.
Number 0788
REBECCA KNIGHT testified next via teleconference from Petersburg.
She endorsed the Governor's appointments of Mr. Fleagle, Ms.
Quakenbush, Ms. Whittington-Evans and Mr. Streveler to the Board of
Game. She said her family earns their living from commercial
fishing. Her family hunts and fishes for personal use on a regular
basis. Wild game comprises over 90 percent of the meat in her
family's diet. She does not actually hunt herself, but prepares
the meat. Her family also enjoys watching wildlife. In short, her
family values and depends on the plentiful wildlife resources of
Alaska.
MS. KNIGHT said for this reason, she felt it was essential that a
knowledgeable and well-rounded group be appointed to the Board of
Game. She was quite pleased that Governor Knowles has nominated
these individuals. She has read recent newspaper articles, letters
to the editor appearing in the Anchorage newspaper expressing
concern that some of the candidates might be anti-hunting. She
failed to see any valid basis for this concern and in fact believed
that the candidates have high integrity, are professional, well-
qualified and represent various geographic regions in Alaska.
These nominees will protect the rights of Alaskans to responsibly
hunt and view wildlife in Alaska.
Number 0939
JAMES DEMKO testified next via teleconference from Petersburg. He
said he was a conservationist, owns a charter boat and is a hunter.
It seemed to him that somehow there appeared to be a separation
between the needs of having edible populations and wildlife viewing
populations. He did not feel that any separation existed. To
maintain a healthy population to hunt would mean that there would
be a healthy population to view. There also seems to be a
separation between conservationists and hunters. He did not feel
that any separation existed. There can be nothing more beneficial
to hunters than a strong conservation ethic. If this conservation
ethic wasn't the founding ethic of the Board of Game, he questioned
why they would have created the board. At the core of management
is conservation. There should not be any sort of litmus test
denying someone from serving on the board who has a conservation
background.
Number 1077
KEVIN HARUM testified next via teleconference from Anchorage. He
observed the confirmation hearings two weeks ago. He was appalled
at how some of the nominees were treated, particularly how
Representative Barnes treated Ms. Whittington-Evans. He felt the
chair should have reined in Representative Barnes in this exchange.
There needs to be some civility and respect for each other in this
state.
MR. HARUM said 81 people were lined up to testify for the last
meeting. A lot has been said about Ms. Whittington-Evans. From
personal interactions with her, he can state that she is not anti-
hunting. The attempt to label her as anti-hunting is unfair. She
strongly supports hunting and supports the needs of sport and
subsistence hunters. She sees the need to work hard to ensure that
there are adequate prey populations to meet the needs of those who
depend on the wildlife resources for food as well as other
purposes. She was endorsed unanimously by the fish and game
advisory board in Anchorage, worked on the Forty Mile committee and
earned the respect of many Alaska Outdoor Council members. The
Alaska Wildlife Alliance is opposing her. She brings the
perspective of a nonconsumptive user.
MR. HARUM explained that many Alaskans do not hunt, but it is
important that Alaskans work together, whether we hunt or not, to
ensure both consumptive and nonconsumptive uses of wildlife. The
polarization in our state has got to stop, especially when it comes
to wildlife issues. The word out on the street is that this
legislature is not in touch, that they are being extreme. The
confirmations of the Governor's appointees is an opportunity to
negate that perception. He knew that Ms. Whittington-Evans is a
reasonable person. She would do a good job respecting people and
listening to other viewpoints. The bottom line is that we have to
work together, but we can only do that if we're all at the same
table together.
TAPE 97-31, SIDE A
Number 0000
DAVID McGIVERN testified next via teleconference from Anchorage.
He supported the diversity of members on the Board of Game.
Number 0024
DALE BONDURANT testified next via teleconference from Kenai. He is
a hunter and will continue to hunt as long as there is not a reason
to discontinue to do so. He believed that hunting, fishing and
conservation are both compatible and necessary to the
sustainability of the uses and the resources. He has been an
active participant in both fish and game regulatory process and in
the formation of hunting and fish rights groups: Sports and Game
Preservation Association, Public Easement Defense Fund, Alaskans
for Equal Hunting and Fishing Rights, Alaska Constitutional and
Legal Defense Fund, McDowel (ph) One and Two. He accepts that
hunters have both endangered and enhanced the wildlife populations.
There are ethical and responsible hunters, and there are those that
aren't responsible. There are those who consumptively use the
resource and put effort in protecting the wildlife and habitat, as
well as people interested in the same issues who are nonconsumptive
users. We need both of these diverse groups to meet the challenge
presented by those who neither care for the wildlife nor the
habitat. We must invite and unite both consumptive and
nonconsumptive users who are responsible for sustaining fish and
wildlife for the constitutional preservation of people's common
use.
MR. BONDURANT was bothered that in Alaska it has become a
politically accepted practice to mount personal moral inquisitions
against anyone branded as a conservationist. A democracy accepts
diversity of responsible ideas. If the majority view cannot stand
the challenge of those who disagree, then that view must be the one
to suspect. He believed that hunters could stand the challenge of
those who might disagree. He supported the diversity of the four
board appointees, even if he did not agree with their total views.
Government and boards should be open to all sincere differences,
the denial of even a minor responsible representation of a
legitimate position was suspect.
Number 0271
JERRY BROOKMAN testified next via teleconference from Kenai. He
identified himself with the remarks regarding civility and with Mr.
Harum's remarks. He is a hunter and grew up with a father who
trapped animals for fur pelts. He urged the confirmation of Ms.
Whittington-Evans and the others nominated by the Governor to the
Board of Game. He believed that Ms. Whittington-Evans, in
particular, would bring a much needed perspective to the board.
Number 0489
WILLIAM DeCREEFT, Owner, Kachemak Air Service, testified next via
teleconference from Homer. He agreed that the nominees were
treated rudely at the last meeting. He is a hunter, but said that
this shouldn't have to be a qualification to be on the Board of
Game. The board has become very one sided.
MR. DeCREEFT explained that his business is flying people to see
bears and occasionally to hunt those bears. He did not feel that
the current Board of Game represented him any longer. He is in a
wildlife viewing business which is a growing visitor industry in
Alaska. If the game board is going to be chosen for the kind of
attitude that he heard at the last meeting, then he needs some
place where he can go to and receive equal justice. He supported
the nominee who was a lifelong hunter. He was also fine with the
biologist and with the lady under question. Those nominees are
capable of making decisions for the Board of Game.
Number 0686
CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN stated that there were people on the committee who
became frustrated with some of the appointees. This frustration
was the result of the perceived evasiveness on some of the answers.
Number 0731
NANCY J. HILLSTRAND, Secretary, Homer Fish and Game Advisory
Committee, testified next via teleconference from Homer. Her
family has utilized game in a variety of uses. She supported the
Governor's appointees to the Board of Game and the diversity in
this public process. The constitution exists for all of us. In
their natural state, wildlife resources and habitats are reserved
to the people for their common use. This section of the
constitution, together with Section 15 and Section 17, emphatically
prohibits the state from granting to any person or group a
privileged or monopolistic access to a natural resource. The
Alaska Supreme Court has said the anti-monopoly purpose of the
section was achieved by constitutionalizing common law principles,
imposing upon the state a public trust duty with regard to the
management of fish, wildlife and waters. Special privileges are
prohibited; to do otherwise is a constitutional offense. She
encouraged the committee to allow the public process to function
properly, to do otherwise resembles the types of royal grants the
common use clause expressively intended to prevent.
Number 0855
MS. HILLSTRAND commented that she was distressed at the events of
the last meeting.
Number 0920
CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN felt that one of the reasons we have the visitor
industry and the reputation is because of the good job the Board of
Game and the Department of Fish and Game do overall. He reiterated
that hunters pay for those services.
Number 0980
MS. HILLSTRAND said there are a number of initiatives which will
allow other monies to come into the programs to help the management
of wildlife.
Number 1025
CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN suggested that the basis of the concern is the
lack of predator control.
Number 1081
VIKKI GROSS, Secretary, Anchorage Fish and Game Advisory Committee,
testified next via teleconference from Mat-Su. She presented
testimony from Bob Churchill (ph), chair, Anchorage Fish and Game
Advisory Committee. The committee has 15 members and two
alternates who are elected by public vote; 16 slots are currently
filled. The function is to represent all the uses of fish and game
in their area of responsibility. Currently the committee has 11 of
the 12 user groups, defined by the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game, sitting on the committee. The committee meets 12 to 15 times
per year and reviews such things as management plans, proposals and
land use plans which affect the resources in the area. Included in
the membership are ten individuals who list hunting and two who
list trapping. The committee voted unanimously to endorse Ms.
Whittington-Evans to be on the Board of Game on February 18, 1997.
This was reflected in a letter dated February 23, 1997, sent to the
House Resources Committee. Mr. Churchill was disturbed at the
allegations that Ms. Whittington-Evans is anti-hunting and
trapping. Based on the two years that he worked with her in the
committee, nothing could be further from the truth. She has been
an active and productive participant in the deliberations on all
issues; including consumptive use of fish, game and trapping
issues. She consistently voted for an increased opportunity for
hunting and trapping when it was supported from a biological
perspective. She added a depth of knowledge on habitat issues
which allowed the committee to make informed decisions on how fish
and game populations can be protected and enhanced. Ms.
Whittington-Evans comes to both the game subcommittee and the full
advisory committee meetings well prepared. She researches the
issues and provides good information as it relates to the issues
being considered. Her depths of experience has been invaluable to
their committee. She has developed a good knowledge of these
issues, both by studying available information and talking with
people actively involved. She's an individual who does not allow
her background to limit her, but uses it as a point of strength
which she builds on. The advisory committee has been very active
in issues such as predator control and advocating for a moose hunt
in the Anchorage bowl. Ms. Whittington-Evans has been a part of
the deliberations and an advocated in constructing the proposal.
Another benefit is that Ms. Whittington-Evans brings a great deal
of credibility with those individuals in the environmental
community. This is the time when hunters and trappers are becoming
a smaller part of the population and we need to begin building
bridges with all major groups who actively use fish and game
resources. Please consider and support Ms. Whittington-Evans for
membership on the Board of Game because she is a candidate who has
demonstrated her ability to be effective in this type of forum and
because it will advance the interest of those of us who hunt and
trap throughout Alaska.
Number 1308
MS. GROSS presented her testimony. She is an avid bow hunter and
does not feel that hunting and nonhunting people are mutually
exclusive. She was appalled at the treatment of Ms. Whittington-
Evans. Having recorded Ms. Whittington-Evans' input on hundreds of
issues at the committee meetings she could say that Ms.
Whittington-Evans is fair and moderate in her deliberations of
hunting and trapping proposals. The accusation that she is anti-
hunting is unfair and inaccurate. She differed in opinion from Ms.
Whittington-Evans on some things, but had the same opinion on a
vast majority of issues.
MS. GROSS referred to proposals of having only hunters on the Board
of Game. She reminded this committee that hunters are an extreme
minority not only in this country but in this state with numbers
lessening each year. This state depends heavily on tourism income.
The nonconsumptive users of our resources contribute heavily to the
financial well being of Alaska. To say that these people do not
have a right to representation on the board is to bury our heads in
the sand in the hopes that these issues will go away, they won't.
This ignorant approach will cost hunters dearly when anti-hunters
target Alaska. Eventually we will lose hunting rights a tiny piece
at a time, the same as California, Colorado and many other states.
To pretend that Alaska is somehow immune to this organized effort
to stop all hunting is ludicrous.
MS. GROSS stated that Ms. Whittington-Evans is a moderate,
thoughtful and intelligent individual, and her place on the board
is an asset to both the interests of hunters and nonconsumptive
users.
Number 1473
CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN commented that somehow there is this perception
that having people who hunt on the Board of Game means that there
won't be watchable wildlife. For years the Board of Game was
dominated entirely by hunters and under their supervision there was
an ample opportunity for people to view wildlife.
Number 1547
MS. GROSS said hunters have allowed watchable wildlife to exist,
however people who do not hunt feel they need to be a part of the
Board of Game process.
Number 1584
CELIA HUNTER testified next via teleconference from Fairbanks. She
was a conservationist and worked in the visitor industry. She
supported the Governor's appointees to the Board of Game using
today's previous testimony. Ms. Whittington-Evans received a
favorable letter from Bud Burras (ph), an old time hunter from
Fairbanks. He acknowledged that she has been extremely fair,
cooperative and a constructive person. She commented on the lack
of civility of the legislature to the public. It is possible to be
critical of someone without deriding them or inditing them for lack
of character.
MS. HUNTER commented that most visitors to Alaska are interested in
watching wildlife. We need to value the reputation of Alaska being
fair and equitable in the management of our fish and wildlife
resources. The people who are being nominated to the board by the
Governor have the scientific background so that they can evaluate
the situations which exist in Alaska. She supported all of the
Governor's appointees to the Board of Game.
Number 1778
CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN hoped that the public as a whole didn't indict the
legislature because of perceived actions by some members.
Number 1798
CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON stated that he had a great personal regard and
respect for Ms. Hunter and her contributions to Alaska. He hoped
that the legislature would always be able to treat the public in a
civil manner.
Number 1852
SEAN McGUIRE testified next via teleconference from Fairbanks. He
said this confirmation process reminds him of the good boy network.
It appears to many people that the Republican majority wants a
small segment of the population to be represented. It appears that
they don't support nominees with education, professional experience
or those who support predators. The legislature appears to be
opposed to any diversity on the Board of Game. Less than six
months ago, 59 percent of Alaskans voted to support Proposition 3.
Number 2063
ED DAVIS, Representative, Alaskans for Fair Chase, testified next
via teleconference from Fairbanks. His organization was a second
tier organizer for Proposition 3 which banned aerial wolf control
by the general public. Predator control is okay as long as the
hunting is limited to ground based trapping, fair chase hunting and
is confined by the limits of good biological science. He supported
the Governor's appointees to the Board of Game. He said an
exceptional amount of clarification is needed to shed the light of
truth on Ms. Whittington-Evans. She would make an excellent
nominee to the Board of Game.
Number 2151
RICHARD HAYDEN testified next via teleconference from Fairbanks.
He was a hunter, but no longer hunts or owns a gun. He questioned
whether or not he would be viewed as qualified to be a member of
the Board of Game. As a matter of personal preference he does not
wear fur and questioned whether or not this would deem him anti-
trapper. He did not feel the Governor would not have nominated
those four people without good reasons. He supported all four of
the Governor's appointees, especially Ms. Whittington-Evans.
Number 2211
DOROTHY KEELER testified next via teleconference from Anchorage.
Her husband is a hunter and her business supports the reputation of
Alaska's wildlife resources. Both hunters and nonconsumptive users
have the right to access on the Board of Game. The board
determines the fate of the public's resource. She pointed out that
hunters pay a fee for a private use of a public resource, just as
the oil companies pay for the use of the public resource.
MS. KEELER said there was a recent unanimous vote on the wolf
sterilization program. The nominees listened to the facts and
decided on the best alternative. The reason to confirm all four
nominees because of their fairness and integrity. They are
qualified to make the best choice. She was convinced that the
Board of Game has the reasonable balance it needs, if and only if,
all four nominees are confirmed.
Number 2300
LEO KEELER, Chairman of the Board, Friends of McNeill River,
testified next via teleconference from Anchorage. His organization
has a composition of hunters and nonhunters, 70 percent of the
members are hunters. He is a hunter. He said he attended the
recent Board of Game hearing and said all four nominees asked good
questions in order to find out the facts and make good decisions.
He was particularly impressed with Ms. Whittington-Evans and Mr.
Streveler. The Board of Game is looking at different definitions
of game. He can accept that game means animals that are hunted,
but their management must determine when they are hunted and set
limits in different areas. This board must faces the changes which
are occurring, they must work around the efforts of the legislature
to pass laws which are intended to stop change. We cannot stop
change, we must manage it and these nominees can accomplish this.
Number 2369
DENNIS LEACH, Member, Homer City Council, testified next via
teleconference from Homer. He said fish and game are public
resources and anyone should have the right and ability to sit on
the oversight of these resources. Only allowing one user group the
right to do so is not fair, right and does not provide the various
controls that are built into our judicial and democratic process.
CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN said the legislature is determining whether or not
they feel the appointees will fill their constitutional and
statutory mandate.
Number 2450
BILL STOCKWELL, Member, Cooper Landing Fish and Game Advisory
Committee, testified next via teleconference from Anchorage. He
was testifying for himself. He supported the confirmation of Ms.
Quakenbush, Ms. Whittington-Evans, Mr. Fleagle and Mr. Streveler to
the Board of Game. He personally knows Ms. Whittington-Evans and
has worked with her on the advisory committee and on timber issues.
He has read their resumes, testified before them this week and has
listened to the deliberations on the issues. These appointees
bring diverse backgrounds and interests to the Board of Game.
TAPE 97-31, SIDE B
Number 0000
MR. STOCKWELL commented that wildlife is reserved to the people for
common use, managed for sustained yield and subject to the
preferences among beneficial users. The common use and the
beneficial uses for all Alaskans, not those with special interests
or special agendas. The Board of Game is working hard to represent
all Alaskans, the process is working and the legislature's vote to
confirm these appointees will continue this process. He said he
would fax the rest of his testimony to the committee.
Number 0043
SUSAN QUINLAN testified next via teleconference from Fairbanks.
She was in strong support of all the Governor's appointees to the
Board of Game and against the ridiculous idea put forth to limit
board members to licensed hunters. The board should be made up of
a diverse group of people who are interested and knowledgeable
about wildlife and wildlife conservation issues. She is interested
in wildlife issues because of her interest in viewing wildlife and
her work in tourism. Game is an important part of the ecosystem
that makes all of Alaska habitable. Hunters and nonhunters have a
stake in our wildlife populations and should have an equal
opportunity to voice opinions and influence policy. This would not
be the case if game board memberships were limited to hunters. The
whole purpose of the game board system is to ensure that the
public's concerns are addressed when hunting and trapping
regulations are set. People who serve on the board should be
interested in wildlife and have some knowledge. A hunting license
is not an indication of the possession of such knowledge nor the
lack of a hunting license an indication of ignorance.
MS. QUINLAN stated that she has a bachelors and masters degree in
wildlife biology. Despite her background, she has found many
wildlife management questions addressed by the Board of Game
complicated and without easy resolutions. This is so because we
have inadequate scientific understanding of ecosystem functioning,
in many cases there is limited and questionable data on game
population levels and there are a wide variety of public interests
and values to be met by wildlife resources. These interests
include sport hunting, subsistence hunting, trapping, viewing,
photography, tourism, scientific research and ecosystem
maintenance.
MS. QUINLAN said Alaska's wildlife resources belong to all
Alaskans. We are caretakers of this resource for all the world's
people. The tough decisions should be made by a board of people
who represent a wide spectrum of wildlife uses and value, not by a
board made up of a small proportion of our population. She
strongly supported diversity in members and the Governor's
appointees to the Board of Game.
Number 0160
TOM SCARBOROUGH testified next via teleconference from Fairbanks.
He said the board members are in charge of hundreds of millions of
dollars worth of resources. Diverse decisions have to be made,
most of which deal with the management of people not wildlife. He
felt only Mr. Fleagle had qualifications to make these decisions.
He could never support Ms. Whittington-Evans, Ms. Quakenbush or Mr.
Streveler.
Number 220
RONNIE ROSENBERG testified next via teleconference from Fairbanks.
She supported Ms. Whittington-Evans because of their joint work on
the 40 mile caribou herd management team. She is a nonhunter, one
of the 88 percent of Alaskans who don't hunt. Ms. Whittington-
Evans has listened to everyone and sought to make accommodations to
include everyone's interests. She questioned the policy of only
confirming hunters to the Board of Game.
Number 0292
JOHN SCHOEN, Wildlife Biologist, Alaska Audubon Society, testified
next via teleconference from Anchorage. He was representing
himself as a hunter and as a wildlife conservationist. He urged
confirmation of all four Governor's appointees to the Board of Game
including Mr. Fleagle, Mr. Streveler, Ms. Quakenbush and Ms.
Whittington-Evans. He did not know Mr. Fleagle personally, but he
has seen him in action and felt he did a good job of researching
the background and representing Alaskan interests. He personally
knew Mr. Streveler, Ms. Quakenbush and Ms. Whittington-Evans and
respected them professionally and felt they would be excellent
board members. He has watched all four new appointments and
thought they were doing an excellent job on the board. All four
support sound conservation of Alaska wildlife resources, including
responsible hunting.
MR. SCHOEN said there has been recent divisiveness surrounding
wildlife management in Alaska. This is unfortunate and
counterproductive to everyone's interest. All wildlife users have
more in common than they have in difference. By confirming all
four appointees, the legislature recognizes that Alaska's wildlife
is a common trust resource, belonging to all it's citizens. If all
Alaskans feel represented in our system of wildlife management,
they will support it which will reduce the likelihood that citizens
will feel compelled to work outside the system through costly and
divisive ballot initiatives.
Number 0408
MIKE COUMBE testified next via teleconference from Anchorage. He
is not a hunter, but respects the judgment of the hunters who make
up the Board of Game. Hunters and nonhunters benefit from the
wildlife populations in our state. The Board of Game needs a
balance. He believed that Ms. Whittington-Evans, whom he knows and
respects, would provide that balance to the Board of Game. He
urged confirmation of her and the other three Governor's appointees
to the board in order to represent the diversity which exists in
the state of Alaska.
Number 0462
JOANN UTT testified next via teleconference from Anchorage. She
has attended various Board of Game hearings. She has been
impressed with this Board of Game and has gained much knowledge.
The board members seem to listen to both sides of the issue and
their comments reflect a much need impartiality. It is only the
narrow minded that divide the issues. She hoped the legislature
would confirm the Governor's appointees, especially Ms.
Whittington-Evans, Mr. Streveler and Ms. Quakenbush.
Number 0555
DOROTHY KEELER testified next via teleconference from Anchorage.
At the last confirmation hearing, Senator Sharp used a definition
of game as evidence that only consumptive uses were relevant and
that anyone without a hunting license was not qualified to sit on
the Board of Game. If that logic is valid, then she submitted the
definition of the word refuge. According to the new Merriam-
Webster pocket dictionary, a refuge is shelter or protection from
danger. She would then request that all hunting be outlawed on
both state and federal wildlife refuges in Alaska.
Number 0610
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct, CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN
adjourned the meeting of the House Resources Standing Committee at
12:27 p.m.
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