Legislature(2021 - 2022)BARNES 124
04/20/2022 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Board of Game|| Big Game Commercial Services Board | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 20, 2022
1:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Grier Hopkins, Vice Chair
Representative Calvin Schrage
Representative Sara Hannan
Representative George Rauscher
Representative Mike Cronk
Representative Ronald Gillham
Representative Tom McKay
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Josiah Patkotak, Chair
Representative Zack Fields
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Board of Game
Ruth Cusack - Chugiak
James Cooney Eagle River
Al Barrette Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Clay Nordlum - Kotzebue
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
RUTH CUSACK, Appointee
Board of Game
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Chugiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Game.
JAMES COONEY, Appointee
Board of Game
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Game.
ALLEN "AL" BARRETTE, Appointee
Board of Game
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Game.
CLAY NORDLUM, Appointee
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Big Game
Commercial Services Board.
LOUIS CUSACK, Executive Director
Safari Club International, Alaska Chapter (SCI-AK)
Chugiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Ruth Cusack to the Board of Game.
RANDY ZARNKE, President
Alaska Trappers Association
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Al Barrette to the Board of Game.
VIRGIL UMPHENOUR
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointments of
Ruth Cusack, James Cooney, and Al Barrette to the Board of Game
and Clay Nordlum to the Big Game Commercial Services Board.
TED SPRAKER
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointments of
Ruth Cusack, James Cooney, and Al Barrette to the Board of Game.
MARK RICHARDS, Executive Director
Resident Hunters of Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointments
of Ruth Cusack, James Cooney, and Al Barrette to the Board of
Game.
JEFF GARNESS
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Ruth Cusack to the Board of Game.
MIKE SEWRIGHT, Board Member
Safari Club International, Alaska Chapter
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointments of
Ruth Cusack, James Cooney, and Al Barrette to the Board of Game.
WILLIAM SCHENK
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the confirmation hearing on
appointees to the Board of Game, provided testimony urging there
be more diversity on the board.
GARY GEARHART, Regional Representative
Safari Club International
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Ruth Cusack to the Board of Game.
JENNIFER YUHAF
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointments of
Ruth Cusack and Al Barrette to the Board of Game.
GEORGE PIERCE
Kasilof, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the confirmation hearing on
appointees to the Board of Game, testified that only scientists
or biologists should be appointed to the board.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:04:05 PM
VICE CHAIR GRIER HOPKINS called the House Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. Representatives McKay,
Cronk, Gillham, Hannan, and Hopkins were present at the call to
order. Representatives Rauscher and Schrage arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Board of Game
^Big Game Commercial Services Board
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Board of Game
^Big Game Commercial Services Board
1:04:33 PM
VICE CHAIR HOPKINS announced that the only order of business
would be consideration of the governor's appointees to the Board
of Game and the Big Game Commercial Services Board.
1:05:15 PM
RUTH CUSACK, Appointee, Board of Game, Alaska Department of Fish
and Game (ADF&G), testified as appointee to the Board of Game.
She stated that she grew up in Iowa and joined the US Army after
high school where she became a medic. She said she moved to
Alaska in 2007, obtained her Assistant Guide license in 2020,
and has fished and hunted all over the state for moose, caribou,
mountain goat, and black-tailed deer. She noted she volunteers
for Alaska Healing Hearts, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW),
Raise 'Em Outdoors, and serves as vice president of Safari Club
International, Alaska Chapter (SCI-AK). She related that her
main objective is ensuring adequate harvestable and healthy
populations of game in Alaska, and she firmly believes in the
state's constitution.
MS. CUSACK stated she understands the importance of wild harvest
to many rural families and supporting traditional generational
subsistence use. She further stated she understands that
tourism and non-consumptive use are also important and a huge
part of Alaska's economy. She added that as a passionate female
hunter she will bring diversity to the board given there are no
women on the board. She noted that her family hunts for its
meat and fish and shares its extra game with people who are less
fortunate. She related that when initially contacted about
being on the Board of Game she said no, but several days later
she decided to say yes. She stated that as a conservationist
who cares deeply for the resource, it is an honor to be
appointed to the Board of Game.
1:12:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GILLHAM commented that he has three women in his
family who hunt and three on their way up and he appreciates Ms.
Cusack stepping up to be on the board.
MS. CUSACK thanked Representative Gillham.
1:13:15 PM
VICE CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether Ms. Cusack has ever attended a
Board of Game regional advisory committee meeting.
MS. CUSACK replied no, but said she understands the importance
of them, has researched them these past few days, and is looking
forward to attending as many as possible.
VICE CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether Ms. Cusack has ever attended a
Board of Game meeting in person or virtually.
MS. CUSACK responded that she has attended them with her husband
because he has made proposals to the board. But, she continued,
she admits that she never paid much attention.
1:13:59 PM
VICE CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether Ms. Cusack has sat on any
boards or bodies that reviewed hunting and harvesting
regulations at the state level.
MS. CUSACK answered no, but she is anxious to do so and to
learn.
VICE CHAIR HOPKINS requested Ms. Cusack to expound on how she
has used her Assistant Guide license and whether she has
experience in guiding.
MS. CUSACK replied that she received the license in 2020 and "we
go ... on the peninsula and we hunt brown bears ... in the
spring and it's only every other year ... on the peninsula."
She has only gone a couple times, she continued, and it's a
great way for her husband and her to spend some time hunting
together. She makes little income from it, she added, it's just
a small thing that she and her husband do.
VICE CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether her husband is a guide, and Ms.
Cusack is the assistant who goes with him.
MS. CUSACK responded that her husband is a Class-A [Assistant]
Guide, which is one step above Assistant Guide, and she and her
husband work for a Master Guide who books all the hunts and does
the advertising. When initially contacted about being on the
board, she continued, it wasn't known [by the contact] that she
had an Assistant Guide license because she never told anyone as
it wasn't a big thing to her.
VICE CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether Ms. Cusack thinks there is a
place and role for a non-consumptive user on the Board of Game.
MS. CUSACK answered that it is important to understand and
recognize that there are duties for the Board of Game for non-
hunting, such as tourism and bear viewing.
1:17:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether Ms. Cusack's statement about
brown bear hunts on "the peninsula" meant "Alaska Peninsula."
MS. CUSACK replied yes.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN inquired whether in the capacity of
Assistant Guide on those hunts Ms. Cusack had clients with her.
MS. CUSACK responded, "Yes ... but he has to be there." In
further response to Representative Hannan, she stated that it is
like a learner's permit.
1:17:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK stated he hunts and has an Assistant Guide
license, and it doesn't make him a guide and it doesn't change
his perspective on the purpose of game management. He said that
if approved to the Board of Game Ms. Cusack will offer an
interesting perspective.
VICE CHAIR HOPKINS concurred it is important to have a diversity
of voices on the Board of Game.
1:19:18 PM
JAMES COONEY, Appointee, Board of Game, Alaska Department of
Fish and Game (ADF&G), testified as appointee to the Board of
Game. He stated that he moved to Alaska in 2004 after
graduating from Gonzaga University with a bachelor's in business
administration and being commissioned as a second lieutenant in
the US Army. He dreamed of hunting in Alaska as a boy, he said,
so Alaska was his first choice of duty stations and after
leaving the Army he bought a home in Eagle River and began
working for the Army in civilian service. He related that he
hunts whenever time away from work allows him to do so and that
hunting has allowed him to see places in the state and establish
relationships with people that otherwise would not have
happened. He noted that he volunteers with Safari Club
International, Alaska Chapter (SCI-AK), and with Alaska Wild
Sheep Foundation where he has helped raise money for Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) wildlife conservation
projects. He said he would like to serve on the Board of Game
as the next step in his efforts to serve the state in conserving
and maintaining its wildlife resources.
1:21:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN noted that Mr. Cooney was appointed to the
Board of Game in 2021 for a term that ends in 2024. She asked
why Mr. Cooney is being reappointed at this time.
MR. COONEY replied that he was appointed in July 2021 and went
through Senate confirmation hearings but is still going through
the House confirmation process.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN surmised Mr. Cooney hasn't yet had a
confirmation vote by the legislature, has been serving on the
Board of Game since 2021, and will serve until 2024 if he
receives a full confirmation vote.
MR. COONEY clarified that he has never received a confirmation
vote and didn't do any work in 2021. He said his first duties
began in January 2022 and again in March 2022.
1:23:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked Mr. Cooney why he wants to sit on
the Board of Game.
MR. COONEY responded that selfless service is a core value of
his. When he got out of the Army, he explained, he missed
volunteering and serving so he got involved in wildlife
conservation through nonprofit organizations in Alaska, starting
with SCI and he is still serving with the Alaska Wild Sheep
Foundation. In 2021 when a seat became available on the Board
of Game, he continued, he thought it important to take that next
step to continue to serve the wildlife resources.
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER explained he didn't ask this question of
Ms. Cusack because he'd already asked her when she made a visit
to his office.
1:24:42 PM
VICE CHAIR HOPKINS surmised Mr. Cooney has been to a Board of
Game meeting and has paid attention to the regional advisory
committees, given he has served for several months. He asked
whether Mr. Cooney has a guide license or assistant guide
license which might be a licensure that could be a conflict
while serving on the Board of Game.
MR. COONEY answered that he holds an Assistant Guide license
that he keeps current. He said his career as an active
assistant hunting guide was short lived due to the vacation time
required to step away from his day job working as an Army
civilian. He said that due to the vacation time required to
step away from his Army civilian day job, his career as an
active assistant hunting guide was short lived, consisting of a
total of six clients between spring 2014 and fall 2015. So, he
continued, his experience as a resident hunter far exceeds his
experience as an Assistant Guide. He explained that his
conflict when taking vacation time was that he had to choose
between hunting as a resident or being an Assistant Guide and
his decision was to be a resident hunter.
VICE CHAIR HOPKINS asked whether Mr. Cooney sees that there is a
place for non-consumptive users being appointed to the Board of
Game and having a place in the decisions being made.
MR. COONEY replied that that is the prerogative of the governor
and the legislature. Someone in a seat for a specific user or
representing a specific stakeholder group, he stated, might not
be objective or have the wildlife resource's best interest in
mind when listening or looking at proposals. He said
objectivity is a strength that he brings to the board.
1:28:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether Mr. Cooney anticipates using
his Assistant Guide license in the future. She further asked
why Mr. Cooney has chosen to keep his license current if he
isn't using it and his hunting doesn't require it.
MR. COONEY responded that he has not used his Assistant Guide
license since 2015 and isn't planning to use it anytime soon
because he has 18 more years of Army civilian career before he
can retire. He explained that he maintains the license because
the requirements to obtain one have changed, some of the
[required] experience is stricter, and since he worked hard to
get the license, he wants to maintain it because he earned it.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether Mr. Cooney foresees board
decisions where he is going to be "conflicted out" because of
having guided in, or potentially going to guide in, a unit for
which a decision is being made. She further asked whether Mr.
Cooney believes he would need to declare a conflict even if not
actively using his license.
MR. COONEY answered no, but that if needed he would [declare a
conflict] during the initial portion of the board meeting as
that is what is done. He explained that his reason for saying
no is because he has continued to hunt as a resident in some of
the units in which he guided. For example, he continued, in
2014 he guided for brown bear in Game Management Unit (GMU) 9 on
the Alaska Peninsula; then in 2021 he hunted there as a resident
with a friend. In 2014 and 2015, he added, he guided for sheep
in GMU 19C, and he has returned there to hunt as a resident
hunter. He said he doesn't think it conflicts him because he
has guided before, but that if he were to feel he had a conflict
it would be because he is a resident hunter who has hunted in
the area [in question].
1:33:06 PM
ALLEN "AL" BARRETTE, Appointee, Board of Game, Alaska Department
of Fish and Game (ADF&G), testified as appointee to the Board of
Game. He stated that his three children were raised utilizing
Alaska fish and wildlife resources, his wife is a falconer, and
since 1992 his primary occupation has been as a fur dresser with
supplemental income from trapping. He said he utilizes his
Class-A Guide license about 10 days a year, although he has not
guided the last two years due to the low number of sheep in the
area in which he would work. He noted that doesn't have a
commercial interest in guiding, he only participates in guiding
as an employee of registered guides.
MR. BARRETTE related that his interest in being on the Board of
Game is not to favor commercial interests, but to manage
Alaska's wildlife resources and provide as many opportunities as
possible with sustainable management in mind. He said he is
well qualified to serve as a member of the Board of Game member
given his 20 years of involvement at the local level, including
serving on the Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory Committee. He
stated that he has knowledge for wildlife management,
understands Alaska's constitutional mandate, and is versed in
Alaska's statutes, regulations, wildlife management plans, and
public interest. Mr. Barrette noted that he has served for many
years on the Western Arctic Caribou Working Group, the Fortymile
Caribou Coalition, the Wood Bison Planning Team, and Dall Sheep
working groups. He further noted that he has participated in
the statewide revision of bear baiting regulations, collaborated
with trapping groups to align furbearer seasons regionally,
worked on intensive management plans, and understands state
subsistence and the laws. Given his years of involvement, he
added, he brings historical background to the Board of Game on
certain issues.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN announced that Vice Chair Hopkins needed
to attend another meeting and had passed the gavel to her.
1:37:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER offered his understanding that Mr.
Barrette was a sheep hunting guide.
MR. BARRETTE answered that he has been primarily sheep guiding
since 2006 or so.
1:38:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked whether Mr. Barrette has conflicted
out on any issues during his time on the board in relation to
raptor regulations or his [guide] licensure.
MR. BARRETTE confirmed he has had to declare a conflict of
interest. He further noted that there is always a potential for
him to be conflicted out given his many interests. He explained
that he reviews all the proposals and then lets the chair know
at the start of each meeting [if he has a conflict].
1:39:35 PM
CLAY NORDLUM, Appointee, Big Game Commercial Services Board,
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing,
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development,
testified as appointee to the Big Game Commercial Services
Board. He stated he was born and raised in Kotzebue, is a
shareholder in the Northwest Alaska Native Association (NANA)
Regional Corporation, a Native allotment owner, and a
subsistence hunter and fisherman. He noted he holds a private
pilot's license and owns boats, four-wheelers, and all-terrain
vehicles for use in Kotzebue to access the country for what he
loves to do.
MR. NORDLUM related that he applied for the local landholder
seat on the Big Game Commercial Services Board to provide a
local voice in rural communities. He said he has attended a
couple board meetings over the last eight months, and now he is
going through this confirmation process. He noted that his wife
was born and raised in Kotzebue, is a nurse at the local
hospital, and they both love being out in the country and
hunting and fishing to stock their freezers every year.
1:42:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN inquired about Mr. Nordlum's employment.
MR. NORDLUM replied that he works for the Northwest Arctic
Borough as a planning director in Kotzebue.
1:43:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK asked whether there are issues of concern
in Mr. Nordlum's area that make him want to be on the Big Game
Commercial Services Board.
MR. NORDLUM answered yes. He explained that in the Kotzebue
area there are issues with transporters taking hunters into Game
Management Unit (GMU) 23 and dropping them off one after the
other on public state land. He said he has looked into the laws
that govern guides and transporters and of interest to him is
correcting the deficiencies in the way that transporters and
guides are handled.
1:45:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN opened public testimony on the governor's
appointees to the Board of Game and Big Game Commercial Services
Board.
1:45:46 PM
LOUIS CUSACK, Executive Director, Safari Club International,
Alaska Chapter (SCI-AK), testified in support of the appointment
of Ruth Cusack to the Board of Game. He stated that Ms. Cusack
is his wife, and that she is a passionate wilderness hunter who
would be a great representative for the largest growing
demographic in the hunting community. He said she would bring
insight and perspective to the Board of Game that has not been
present for some time and she will set an example that will
encourage others and other women to participate in the outdoors.
He related that he and Ms. Cusack have hunted almost every part
of Alaska and use Alaska's wildlife resources to fill their
freezer and to share with others less fortunate. He noted that
Ms. Cusack volunteers for several hunting programs for women and
children and is vice president of SCI-AK, which in 2022 alone
will contribute over $1.2 million in Pittman-Robertson Act funds
to ADF&G's Division of Wildlife Conservation. He added that as
a member of the Board of Game, Ms. Cusack will work hard at
researching and listening to all testimony and make a fair
decision that is based on the best interest of the resource and
on behalf of all user groups.
1:48:44 PM
RANDY ZARNKE, President, Alaska Trappers Association, testified
in support of the appointment of Al Barrette to the Board of
Game. He said he has seen Mr. Barrette in action at a variety
of meetings and Mr. Barrette is always well informed and
oftentimes the most informed person in the room. He stated that
Mr. Barrette has a great understanding of the relationship
between statutes and regulations and often points out conflicts
that might exist. He pointed out that Mr. Barrette is self-
taught and motivated to educate himself on these details. He
related that Mr. Barrette interacts with people testifying
before the Board of Game by asking questions, often leading to
greater clarity of the testimony itself.
1:50:08 PM
VIRGIL UMPHENOUR testified in support of the appointments of
Ruth Cusack, James Cooney, and Al Barrette to the Board of Game
and Clay Nordlum to the Big Game Commercial Services Board. He
stated that he had served three terms on the Board of Fisheries,
is [currently] serving on the Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory
Committee, and he is a Master Guide. He said he is the owner of
a meat and fish processing facility in Fairbanks and has known
Mr. Barrette since at least 1992 given Mr. Barrette's fur
tannery and that they do business together. He related that he
and Mr. Barrette served together on the Fairbanks Fish and Game
Advisory Committee for more than 15 years. He emphasized that
Mr. Barrette is a hard worker, knowledgeable, and gets along
well with people. He further stated that he supports all the
appointees who are up for confirmation to the Board of Game and
the Big Game Commercial Services Board.
1:51:51 PM
TED SPRAKER testified in support of the appointments of Ruth
Cusack, James Cooney, and Al Barrette to the Board of Game. He
noted that after retiring from the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game he served six consecutive terms on the Board of Game. He
stated he has known Mr. Barrette for many years, including
serving with him on the Board of Game where Mr. Barrette was
always prepared and one of the leaders when it came to building
a solid record for each of the votes that the board was dealing
with. He expressed his support for Mr. Cooney after recently
meeting him and being impressed with his action on the board.
He related that he has known Ms. Cusack for some time and said
she is an accomplished outdoors person who is dedicated to
wildlife conservation and helping youth hunters. He noted that
Ms. Cusack was selected from a group of 80 women nationwide for
the Extreme Huntress Award and was honored with the SCI Diana
Award.
MR. SPRAKER pointed out that the first couple Board of Game
meetings are a steep learning curve and that a person must be
committed and have the time to serve on the board. He said all
three appointees have that commitment and the time to serve as
effective board members. Regarding guides being on the board,
he argued that a requirement for a board seat is experience in
the outdoors and knowledge of wildlife. He further noted that
there are usually 100-plus proposals to address at board
meetings and there is often a proposal or two with which a board
member may have a conflict that requires that member's recusal.
He asserted that being an Assistant Guide on the board has never
been a problem, but rather an asset.
1:55:44 PM
MARK RICHARDS, Executive Director, Resident Hunters of Alaska
(RHAK), testified in opposition to the appointment of Ruth
Cusack, James Cooney, and Al Barrette to the Board of Game. He
related that RHAK sent identical letters to committee members
and to the Board of Game appointees. He said RHAK has discussed
its position in the hope that the appointees understand RHAK's
position. He pointed out that all three appointees to the Board
of Game are licensed hunting guides and that, if confirmed,
there will be five licensed hunting guides and one retired guide
on the seven-member board. He said RHAK believes that all the
individuals being appointed or reappointed to the Board of Game
are qualified to serve but explained that RHAK must oppose in
principle the addition of any more guides to the Board of Game
regardless of their class of guide license because it clearly
does not provide a diversity of interests and points of view as
called for by the statute. Whether real or perceived the board
will be unbalanced in favor of commercial hunting interests, he
stated, and beyond that it is horrible optics that exacerbates
the belief held by many resident hunters that the Board of Game
does not value or consider their opinion. [The portrayal] of
Assistant Guide as being meaningless is ridiculous, he argued,
because most of the guides in Alaska are Assistant Guides and
they do most of the guiding in the state.
MR. RICHARDS stressed that none of this is personal and puts
RHAK in the uncomfortable position of opposing good qualifying
people to serve on the board. He related that RHAK has always
made recommendations to boards, commissions, and the governor's
office, and RHAK's four currently recommended individuals, three
men and one woman, are all highly qualified and none hold a
guide license of any kind. He pointed out that over 100,000
Alaskans purchase a hunting license every year and contribute
more than $1 billion dollars to Alaska's economy in hunting
pursuits. Less than 1 percent of those Alaskans hold a guide
license, yet having most members of the Board of Game be hunting
guides is somehow okay as if there are no qualified applicants
who aren't guides, he questioned. He asked what the purpose is
of a statute requiring a balanced board if it isn't adhered to.
He recalled Mr. Cooney being asked about having non-consumptive
users on the board and Mr. Cooney's expression of concern that
someone representing a specific user group may not be objective.
Is that to say, Mr. Richards asked, that by holding a guide
license a board member doesn't represent that specific user
group? He reiterated that this isn't personal, rather it sets a
horrible precedent to have so many guides on the Board of Game.
1:59:56 PM
JEFF GARNESS testified in support of the appointment of Ruth
Cusack to the Board of Game. He noted that he is an
environmental engineer and a Samish Indian Nation tribal member.
He qualified that he is speaking as a private citizen, but
because he sits on the Alaska State Board of Registration for
Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors he is familiar with
what it takes to be on a board. He stated that he is a current
board member of Safari Club International, Alaska Chapter (SCI-
AK), and having worked with Ms. Cusack for many years he can
attest that she is a hunter to the core for both sport and
subsistence. He said Ms. Cusack has a history of service in
conservation, hunter education, and hunter rights and access
issues, as well as providing veterans with opportunities to
hunt. She has a tremendous personal commitment to this, he
continued, and she is level-headed and will bring a woman's
perspective, which is important.
2:02:07 PM
MIKE SEWRIGHT, Board Member, Safari Club International, Alaska
Chapter (SCI-AK), testified in support of the appointments of
Ruth Cusack, James Cooney, and Al Barrette to the Board of Game.
He related he is now retired, but that as a former assistant
attorney general for the State of Alaska Department of Law he
advised and litigated for ADF&G, chiefly in state and federal
subsistence and game management issues, so he is familiar with
the issues presented to the Board of Game. He stated that he
personally and SCI-AK strongly support all three appointees to
the Board of Game because they will responsibly manage Alaska's
wildlife resources and make balanced decisions in the best
interest of all user groups. He said Ms. Cusack has been a very
engaged vice president of SCI-AK, and has shown initiative,
energy, hard work, and professional practicality in the interest
of Alaska's wildlife populations, together with supporting ADF&G
wildlife conservation initiatives and hunter education. He
stated that Ms. Cusack is a hunter who understands the concept
of sustainable wildlife populations first, regardless of
pressures from hunting or other influences. He added that he
does not see Ms. Cusack favoring guiding interests as she is
more of a subsistence user than a recreational hunter and has a
broad perspective.
2:05:49 PM
WILLIAM SCHENK, during the confirmation hearing on appointees to
the Board of Game, urged that there be more diversity on the
board. He stated he doesn't mean to detract from any of the
qualified people who have volunteered to be on the Board of
Game. However, he continued, he feels that commercial interests
are being overly represented on the Board of Game and he would
like to see more diversity and more decisions based on biology
rather than politics.
2:07:14 PM
GARY GEARHART, Regional Representative, Safari Club
International (SCI), testified in support of the appointment of
Ruth Cusack to the Board of Game. He stated that Ms. Cusack is
a passionate individual, a remote hunter, works hard within
hunting organizations, and volunteers with organizations that
promote hunting and women and children being outdoors. He said
she pays attention to the issues that appeal to all outdoor
users, including fishermen, bird watchers, and backpackers, and
she will consider those concerns and issue a decision that will
benefit all users. Ms. Cusack will responsibly manage Alaska's
wildlife resources, he added, and make balanced decisions in the
best interest of all user groups.
2:09:51 PM
JENNIFER YUHAF testified in support of the appointments of Ruth
Cusack and Al Barrette to the Board of Game. She said both
appointees are well rounded individuals who each represent a
diversity of interests. She maintained that the way these two
appointees have been criticized for possessing a guide license
for limited areas and limited species is unfair and equivalent
to saying that possessing a driver's license would exclude a
person from participating in a green energy panel or a public
transportation panel. Ms. Yuhaf stated that as a hunter and
hunter's advocate she has endured the same types of criticism,
but she is also a birder and a photographer and has raised
$103,000 to put forth the viewing of bears at McNeil River
Sanctuary. She said both appointees are well rounded and
diverse, and she doesn't want those types of individuals to be
discouraged from serving in a public capacity. Both appointees,
she added, have shown that they will take their appointments
seriously and take it as a measure of service, not their egos or
self-interest. She stated that both appointees will dissect the
ramifications of any decision on each of the people that would
be affected.
2:12:13 PM
GEORGE PIERCE, during the confirmation hearing on appointees to
the Board of Game, testified that only scientists or biologists
should be appointed to the board. He stated that the people
[applying] to the boards represent special interest groups and
nonprofits, there has been no testifier on personal use or
subsistence, and the governor is appointing guides to the Board
of Game. He said the idea of the Board of Game is to promote
more game, but instead the board kills off all the predators.
Animals need habitat, he specified, not another bunch of special
use interest groups. When guides beg for the job on the board,
he argued, they are representing their clients, not [the
public]; only qualified scientists or biologists have a place on
the fish and game boards. He maintained that putting in special
interest groups has resulted in the loss of Alaska's fish and
game and urged that this be stopped.
2:14:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN clarified that, by law, legislators are to
hear the names put forth by the governor, which is what the
committee is doing today. Actions taken [by the committee] are
not binding, she explained, and there will be a confirmation
vote in a joint session for each [appointee].
MR. PIERCE responded that the appointees must be confirmed, and
it is legislators that confirm them.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN responded that is correct. She reiterated
that legislators are required by law to consider the names
selected and put forth by the governor for the boards, and [the
committee] is following what it is legally obligated to do in
the process.
MR. PIERCE responded that it is the duty of legislators to
represent Alaskans, not people representing out-of-state guides.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN stated she has not heard any concerns that
any of the nominees are nonresidents.
2:16:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK opined that of utmost importance to him is
ensuring there are animals to put in the freezers of Alaskans,
especially given the high [food] prices of the last few years.
2:17:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN, after ascertaining there was no one else
who wished to testify, closed public testimony on the appointees
to the Board of Game and the Big Game Commercial Services Board.
2:17:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN stated that in accordance with Alaska
Statute (AS) 39.05.080, the House Resources Standing Committee
has reviewed the following names and recommends the appointments
be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Clay Nordlum
to the Big Game Commercial Services Board; and Ruth Cusack,
James Cooney, and Al Barrette to the Board of Game. She pointed
out that any signature here does not reflect the intent for any
member to vote for or against the confirmation of individuals
during any further sessions.
2:19:03 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| House Resources Confirmations Clay Nordlum Application 3.7.2022.pdf |
HRES 3/7/2022 1:00:00 PM HRES 3/14/2022 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/20/2022 1:00:00 PM |
Clay Nordlum |
| House Resources Confirmations James Cooney Resume 3.14.2022.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2022 1:00:00 PM HRES 4/20/2022 1:00:00 PM |
James Cooney |
| House Resources Confirmations Board of Game Testimony Packet 4.20.2022.pdf |
HRES 4/20/2022 1:00:00 PM |
Board of Game |
| House Resources Confirmations Ruth Cusack Resume 4.20.2022.pdf |
HRES 4/20/2022 1:00:00 PM |
Ruth Cusack |
| House Resources Confirmations Ruth Cusack Application 4.20.2022.pdf |
HRES 4/20/2022 1:00:00 PM |
|
| House Resources Confirmations Al Barrette Application 4.20.2022.pdf |
HRES 4/20/2022 1:00:00 PM |
Al Barrette |
| House Resources Confirmations Al Barrette Resume 4.20.2022.pdf |
HRES 4/20/2022 1:00:00 PM |
Al Barrette |
| House Resources Confirmations Board of Game Testimony Packet Two 4.20.2022.pdf |
HRES 4/20/2022 1:00:00 PM |
Board of Game. |