Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
02/01/2023 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview: Responsibilities and Current Issues by Alaska Department of Fish & Game | |
| Presentation(s): University Efforts and Status of Land Grant | |
| 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
February 1, 2023
1:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Tom McKay, Chair
Representative Kevin McCabe
Representative George Rauscher
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Stanley Wright
Representative Jennie Armstrong
Representative Donna Mears
Representative Maxine Dibert
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Josiah Patkotak
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW: RESPONSIBILITIES AND CURRENT ISSUES BY ALASKA
DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME
- HEARD
PRESENTATION(S): UNIVERSITY EFFORTS AND STATUS OF LAND GRANT
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
DOUG VINCENT-LANG, Commissioner
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of the
responsibilities and current issues of the Alaska Department of
Fish & Game.
CHAD HUTCHINSON, Director of Government Relations
University of Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered the presentation on University
Efforts and Status of Land Grant.
ADRIENNE STOLPE, Chief Lands Officer
University of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-offered the presentation on University
Efforts and Status of Land Grant.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:01:18 PM
CHAIR TOM MCKAY called the House Resources Standing Committee
meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. Representatives Mears, Armstrong,
Dibert, McCabe, Rauscher, Wright, Saddler, and McKay were
present at the call to order.
^Overview: Responsibilities and Current Issues by Alaska
Department of Fish & Game
Overview: Responsibilities and Current Issues by Alaska
Department of Fish & Game
1:02:37 PM
CHAIR MCKAY announced that the first order of business would be
an overview of the Responsibilities and Current Issues by Alaska
Department of Fish and Game.
1:02:55 PM
DOUG VINCENT-LANG, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish &
Game, provided the overview of the responsibilities and current
issues of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G). He
began the overview via PowerPoint [hard copy included in the
committee packet], on Slide 2, "Constitutional and Statutory
Mandates," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
The Constitution of the State of Alaska
Article 8 Natural Resources; §4. Sustained Yield.
Fish, forests, wildlife, grasslands, and all other
replenishable resources belonging to the State shall
be utilized, developed, and maintained on the
sustained yield principle, subject to preferences
among beneficial uses.
The Alaska Statutes
Title 16. Fish and Game; Sec. 16.05.020. Functions of
commissioner.
(2) manage, protect, maintain, improve, and extend the
fish, game and aquatic plant resources of the state in
the interest of the economy and general well-being of
the state.
Mission Statement
To protect, maintain, and improve the fish, game, and
aquatic plant resources of the state, and manage their
uses and development in the best interest of the
economy and the well-being of the people of the state,
consistent with the sustained yield principle.
1:06:04 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG showed Slide 3, "Core Services," which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Management
Provide hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities,
protect state's rights to manage its fish and wildlife
resources, conserve and improve habitat and access.
Stock Assessment & Research
Ensure sustainability and harvestable surplus, improve
assessment and research capabilities, invest in new
technologies, anticipate changing conditions.
Customer Service & Public Involvement
Make improvements to information and education
services, the Boards and other regulatory processes,
licensing and permitting.
1:08:52 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG stated ADF&G exists because of the
"Return on Investment," shown on Slides 4 and 5, which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game turns a $240
million dollar (of which $65 million is GF) into a
return of over $12.5 billion annually.
Economic Value of Commercially Harvested Alaska
Seafood (2019)
• Directly employs 62,200 workers annually, more
than any other industry in Alaska Largest
private sector employer in Alaska
• Contributes $163.2 million in taxes, fees, and
self-assessments which help fund state, local and
federal government
• Alaska seafood contributes an annual average of
$5.7 billion in economic output to the Alaska
economy
• Alaska exports 2.2 billion pounds of seafood each
year, returning over $3 billion of new money into
the U.S. economy
Economic Value of Sport Fisheries
• 15,879 Jobs supported
• $246 million in taxes contributed (adjusted for
inflation, $298.64 million in 2019 dollars)
• $545 million in income provided (adjusted for
inflation,$661.63 million in 2019 dollars)
• $1.6 billion industry output (adjusted for
inflation, $1.950 billion in 2019 dollars)
Economic value of Wildlife
• More than 27,000 Jobs supported
• 1.4 billion in labor income (adjusted for
inflation, 1.566 billion in 2019 dollars)
• 3.4 billion spent by hunters and wildlife viewers
(adjusted for inflation, 3.87 billion in 2019
dollars)
• $4.1 billion economic activity statewide
(adjusted for inflation, 4.59 billion in 2019
dollars)
Economic Value of Subsistence
• Replacement value of the wild food harvest of
communities outside non-subsistence areas is
estimated between $170-$340 million and $227-$454
million for all Alaska communities (2017)
1:10:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE remarked that the annual average of $5.7
billion seemed a little high.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG responded that the numbers were
sourced from an independent economic analysis, and he said he
would provide the citation in a future date to the committee.
He then advanced to Slide 6, "Leadership," which shows the
affiliate groups housed within ADF&G and the three main
divisions: Commercial Fisheries; Sport Fish; and Wildlife
Conservation.
1:15:13 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG spoke to the bullet points on Slide 7,
"FY2023 Authorized Budget," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $230,865.3 million
• 819 permanent full-time positions
• 598 permanent part-time positions
• 5 non-permanent position
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG listed fund sources and allocation by
division on Slide 7. He moved on to the department's mission,
Slide 8, "Office of the Commissioner," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Leadership & Direction
• Establishes policy and coordinates agency
strategy for the protection, management,
conservation, and restoration of Alaska's fish
and wildlife resources.
• Executive level oversight of department
activities and service.
• Liaisons with the governor's office, legislature,
congressional offices, other government agencies,
Native tribes and organizations, and Alaska's
fish and wildlife resource stakeholder groups.
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $1.2 million
• 6 permanent full-time positions
Boards & Commissions
Pacific Salmon Commission
North Pacific Fishery Management Council
Alaska Boards of Fisheries and Game
Wide range of other Boards and Commissions
1:18:09 PM
COMMISIONER VINCENT-LANG moved to Slide 9, "Division of
Commercial Fisheries," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Manage subsistence, commercial, & personal use
fisheries
• in the interest of the economy and general
wellbeing of the citizens of the state
• consistent with the sustained yield principle
• subject to allocations through public regulatory
processes
Core Services
Ensure the conservation of natural stocks of fish,
shellfish and aquatic plants based on scientifically
sound assessments
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $82 million
• 301 permanent full-time positions
• 387 permanent part-time positions
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG said Commercial Fisheries is the
largest group at ADF&G and is the central part of the
department.
1:19:58 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG, in response to a question from
Representative Saddler about the meaning of "wellbeing of the
state," used the example of urban wildlife: it has a non-
economic benefit for hunters but there is a benefit to managers
that can prevent bears from attacking children in their front
yards.
1:21:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked which division of ADF&G pays for the
cost of fish weirs.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG answered that the Division of
Commercial Fisheries primarily pays for weirs, Division of Sport
Fisheries too, as well as other divisions. In response to a
follow-up question, he said the Matanuska-Susitna area has a
mixture of management requirements.
1:24:02 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG returned to the PowerPoint, to Slide
10, "Division of Commercial Fisheries," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Major Fisheries
• Salmon
• Herring
• Shellfish
• Groundfish
• Dive Fisheries
• Personal Use/Subsistence Fisheries Management
Structure
• Houses 5 management regions
•Southeast, Central, Westward, AYK, Statewide
• Houses two chief fisheries scientists
•Salmon fisheries research
•Genetics, Pathology, and Mark, Tag, & Age
Laboratories
•Groundfish and crab research
• Houses the federal fisheries coordination staff
and Pacific Salmon Treaty Staff
• Houses statewide aquaculture planning and
permitting
1:26:22 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG continued to Slide 11, "Division of
Sport Fish," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Protect and improve the state's sport fishery
resources
Core Services
• Fisheries Management: manage the state's sport
fisheries for sustained yield and angler
satisfaction
• Fisheries Research: perform objective-based
research based on sound scientific practices to
support sport fisheries management
• Fisheries Enhancement: create and diversify sport
fishing opportunities for anglers
• Fish Habitat: protect and restore fish habitats
for the benefit of fish and sport anglers
• Communication & Outreach: inform and communicate
with the public about sport fishing
• Internal Operations: provide leadership and
administrative support for the Division's core
functions
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $50.6 million
• 177 permanent full-time positions
• 128 permanent part-time positions
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG said the majority of the funding is
provided by the federal government with matching dollars
depicted in the pie chart on the slide.
1:28:26 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG identified the major fisheries shown
on Slide 12, "Division of Sport Fish," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Major Fisheries
• Salmon
• Freshwater fisheries
• Groundfish
• Personal Use Fisheries
Structure
• Houses 3 management regions
•Southeast, Southcentral, Interior
• Houses Sport Fish Hatchery Operations
• Houses one chief fisheries scientists
• Houses Department Invasive Species Program
• Houses Sport Fish Access Program
1:30:36 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG showed Slide 13, "Division of Wildlife
Conservation," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Conserve and enhance Alaska's wildlife and habitats
Provide for a wide range of public uses and benefits
Core Services
• Maintain and enhance opportunities to hunt, trap,
and view wildlife
• Provide opportunities for Alaskans to gain
knowledge of and appreciation for Alaska's
wildlife, its management, and ways to safely and
ethically interact with wildlife
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $63.7 million
• 231 permanent full-time positions
• 50 permanent part-time
Conserve and enhance Alaska's wildlife and habitats
Provide for a wide range of public uses and benefits
Core Services
• Maintain and enhance opportunities to hunt, trap,
and view wildlife
• Provide opportunities for Alaskans to gain
knowledge of and appreciation for Alaska's
wildlife, its management, and ways to safely and
ethically interact with wildlife
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $63.7 million
• 231 permanent full-time positions
• 50 permanent part-time
1:32:18 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG showed Slide 14, a continuation of
Slide 13, titled "Division of Wildlife Conservation." He listed
the major activities and structure of the division. He reported
the management regions have been split up due to the diverse
nature of Alaska habitats. He said the Alaska National Interest
Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) and state defense program are
housed in this division. He also said the shooting ranges are
managed by the division in addition to the Threatened,
Endangered, and Diversity Program and the Marine Mammal Program.
1:35:19 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG highlighted the Habitat Section of the
department in Slides 15 and 16, which describe the core services
and budget of the section as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Core Services
• Review applications and issue permits for
activities in fish-bearing waters and
legislatively designated Special areas; provide
expertise to protect important fish and wildlife
habitat; monitor authorized projects and conduct
compliance actions.
• Manage Alaska's Special Areas in accordance with
legislative guidelines; prepare and update
management plans for these areas.
• Review proposed timber harvest activities;
conduct field inspections; work cooperatively
with timber operators and other governmental
agencies
• Review development projects (e.g., oil and gas,
hard rock mining, hydroelectric) authorized under
other agencies' authorities.
• Maintain and update the "Catalog of Waters
Important for Spawning, Rearing, or Migration of
Anadromous Fishes."
• Conduct applied research to develop methods and
means to minimize impacts of development projects
on fish and wildlife resources
• Seek opportunities to improve and protect habitat
in cooperation with state and federal agencies,
local governments, non-governmental
organizations, and others.
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $5.7 million
• 37 permanent full-time positions
• 2 permanent part-time
• 1 non-permanent positions
Major Activities
• Title 16 permitting
• Special Areas permitting
• Maintenance of the Anadromous Fish Catalog
• Involvement in the DNR Project Management and
Permitting Program
• Pipeline Office Liaison
Structure
• Houses 3 management regions and 3 area offices
•Southeast, Southcentral, Interior
•Palmer, Kenai, Craig
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG emphasized that this is the smallest
section of ADF&G that also reviews hydroelectric development
projects for the state.
1:36:56 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG related the last section in the
presentation on Slide 17, "Subsistence Research Section," which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Scientifically gather, quantify, evaluate, and report
information about customary and traditional uses of
Alaska's fish and wildlife resources
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $6.1 million
• 19 permanent full-time positions
• 22 permanent part-time
• 2 non-permanent positions
Core Services
• Compile and analyze existing data; conduct
research to gather
• information on the role of hunting and fishing by
Alaskans for
• customary and traditional uses.
• Disseminate current subsistence use information
to the public; appropriate agencies and
organizations; and fisheries and wildlife
management divisions.
• Assist the Board of Fisheries, the Board of Game,
and the Joint Board of Fisheries and Game to
evaluate customary and traditional uses of
Alaska's fish and wildlife resources and amounts
reasonably necessary for subsistence uses (ANS)
of those resources.
• Assist fisheries and wildlife managers in
preparing management plans to ensure information
on customary and traditional uses and fish and
wildlife harvests is incorporated.
1:38:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked where the mission statement,
specifically on Slide 17, came from and if the language comes
from federal mandate or the department.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG answered it's from statute. He moved
on to Slide 18, "Subsistence Research Section," in which he
described the Southern and Northern Regions. He said the major
activities in the regions are the collection of subsistence use
information and participation in the board process.
1:39:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked how much subsistence data is
collected in non-rural areas and/or urban areas.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG answered the distinction between
subsistence, personal use, and general hunts is a difficult
subject to tackle.
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER requested data that shows where Alaskans
choose to live in non-subsistence areas.
1:42:49 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG described the Boards Support Section
on Slide 19, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Facilitates an effective board and public process for
the state's fish and wildlife regulatory system
Core Services
• Ensure citizens participating in the fish and
game regulatory process have clear and helpful
information in advance to engage effectively
• Provide and support an environment for board
members to make effective decisions
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $1.2 million
• 6 permanent full-time positions
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG said the selection process confirms
the commissioner of ADF&G, which is unique in the country. He
explained that every citizen has a say and the ability to
participate in how the advisory committee votes for their
commissioner.
1:44:40 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG showed Slide 20, "Board Support
Section," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Major Activities
• Support of the Boards of Fisheries and Game
process
• Includes 710 in-person, multi-day regulatory
meetings.
• Very involved, open public process
Structure
• Houses 2 executive directors
•1 Board of Game (BOG)
•1 Board of Fisheries (BOF)
• 2 administrative positions
• 2 publication specialists
1:45:21 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG defined the Advisory Committee Support
Section on Slide 21, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Core Services
• Ensure citizens participating in the fish and
game regulatory process have clear and helpful
information in advance to engage effectively
• Provide and support an environment for board
members to make effective decisions
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $0.6 million
• 0 permanent full-time positions
• 5 permanent part-time positions
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG said the Advisory Committee is paid
from general fund dollars and comes under scrutiny every year.
1:46:47 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG showed Slide 22, "Administrative
Services Section," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Provide efficient, cost-effective and customer
oriented administrative services to department
programs
Core Services
• Centralized administrative support services to
programs and projects conducted by the ADF&G,
including accounting, fiscal management,
procurement, property control, contract
administration, budget services, information
technology services, capital construction,
facility maintenance and repair, office space
planning, and workforce development
• Administration of the fish and game licensing
program
• Provides direct administrative support to the
other components in the Administration and the
Commissioner's Office
FY 2023 Authorized Budget
• $14.7million
• 39 permanent full-time positions
• 4 permanent part-time positions
• 2 non-permanent positions
1:47:20 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG expressed pride in the way ADF&G
handled the COVID-19 pandemic with continued "fisheries and
hunts." He highlighted the accomplishments of 2022 on Slides 23
and 24, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
The Department worked to ensure we had the necessary
research and management infrastructure in place to
safely conduct fisheries and hunts
• We continued to provide a return on investment of
over $12.5 billion dollars on a GF investment of
about $65 million.
• Involved in numerous lawsuits defending the state
right to manage our resources.
• With some exceptions, commercial fisheries across
Alaska were conducted according to sustained
yield principles, allowing commercial fishermen
to fish their permits and thereby make a living
and contribute to the state and local economies
through collected fish taxes.
• Sport and personal use fisheries operated,
allowing anglers an opportunity to fill their
freezers, feed their families, and get outside.
• With some exceptions, subsistence fisheries and
hunts occurred, allowing subsistence harvesters
opportunities to feed their communities and pass
on traditions.
• Hunts occurred throughout Alaska giving Alaskans
opportunities to hunt, fill their freezers and
pass on traditions.
• Charter fishing and guided hunting operated,
providing needed recreational opportunities and
economic boosts to the state and local economies.
• Area offices remained open to serve the public.
• BOG and BOF and many local fish and game advisory
committees resumed in-person meetings.
• We continue to permit important projects in a
timely manner to Alaska while conserving fish
habitat that are vital to the conservation of our
fish populations and the economy of the state.
• ADF&G mobile application developed to improve
services for people who hunt and fish in Alaska
went live. The mobile app is available as a free
download from the Android and Apple App stores.
1:50:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE inquired as to the genesis and reason
behind the federal government suing the State of Alaska, and he
invited Commissioner Vincent-Lang to comment on how the lawsuit
affected the peoples of the Upper Kuskokwim River.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG answered the lawsuit was requested of
the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) by the Federal Subsistence
Board, within the U.S. Department of the Interior. In response
to a follow-up question, he indicated that the request
originated with the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish
Commission. He compared the Yukon River to the Kuskokwim River
management efforts. He said subsistence should be protected for
the Lower Kuskokwim communities as well as the Yukon River
communities. He also disclosed the state caribou hunt was shut
down by the Federal Subsistence Board recently in Northwest
Alaska specifically for non-federal subsistence use hunters. He
contended that ADF&G meets the needs of caribou hunters in
Northwest Alaska and will continue to keep those hunts open for
subsistence users. He also said the state has the ability to
restrict Tier II hunts when there is not enough of the resource
to provide for locals.
1:54:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked whether there is similar regional
conflict in Northwest Alaska like the one in the Lower and Upper
Kuskokwim River communities related to the fishery.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG responded Northwest Alaska is not the
only region being targeted by the Federal Subsistence Board; he
said the board is also closing deer hunting except for federally
qualified users in the Tongass National Forest.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG informed the committee that salmon
returns met the harvest goals of 2022 with the exception of the
Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers. He lauded all offices for having
stayed open during the pandemic, and he said in-person meetings
continued, which proved to be more productive than remote
meetings. He said ADF&G also launched the hunting and fishing
mobile application ("app") for users.
1:58:36 PM
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG listed the current issues facing ADF&G
on Slide 25, "Issues/Concerns," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
• Federal intrusion into state management authority
• Reduced marine survivals of salmon and crab
resulting in restricted or closed fisheries
• Intercept and Bycatch
• Poor winter survival affecting big game
populations
• Food Security
• Urban wildlife management issues
• Impacts associated with implementation of the
Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal
Protection Act
• Recruitment and retention issues
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG described federal overreach of
management has never been as bad as recently. In-river
fisheries of salmon have been proven to be linked with declined
marine mammal populations. He said crab fishery declines have
been temperature-driven. He said the intercept and by-catch
report is the basis for how the department is moving forward.
He described how winter habitat has affected sheep, deer and
moose across the state. He noted ADF&G learned predator/prey
interactions are dynamic in heavy snow years. He also said food
security is another major issue. The governor has asked if
bison stocking would be beneficial for the state. He said
wildlife issues in the urban areas have become a problem across
Alaska. Commissioner Vincent-Lang said ADF&G built up an Urban
Wildlife Management Team that handles urban wildlife conflicts.
He explained the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been used by
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and federal agencies to
halt proposed projects. He said those groups petitioned to add
bees and bullwhip kelp to the ESA list. He said the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was also used by NGOs to add polar
bears to the MMPA list. He said ADF&G used predictive modeling
to manage North Slope polar bear populations; however, data
showed flaws in the model. He admitted the department struggles
to recruit and retain qualified staff.
2:08:28 PM
VICE CHAIR RAUSCHER asked for examples of urban subsistence
issues.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG distinguished between federal
regulations and state, and as to what constitutes rural or urban
status.
2:10:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked about the department's mission in
regard to non-shellfish mariculture, for example, kelp
development, as well as the issue of invasive species.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG admitted that kelp and invasive
species should have been in Slide 25. He said the department
looked extensively into mariculture projects, and the Sport Fish
division is looking at invasive species.
2:11:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ARMSTRONG asked if the Marine Science Program at
ADF&G has any report(s) on marine mammal survival declines. She
also asked if there are studies to address recruitment and
retention issues.
COMMISSIONER VINCENT-LANG advised that those reports are on the
department's website.
2:13:00 PM
VICE CHAIR RAUSCHER asked the commissioner to get back to the
committee regarding subsistence Tier 1 and 2 hunts and the trend
of hunter numbers over the past 10 years.
CHAIR MCKAY thanked the Commissioner Vincent-Lang for his
overview.
^PRESENTATION(S): University Efforts and Status of Land Grant
PRESENTATION(S): University Efforts and Status of Land Grant
2:14:25 PM
CHAIR MCKAY announced that the final order of business would be
a presentation on University Efforts and Status of Land Grant.
2:14:35 PM
CHAD HUTCHINSON, Director of Government Relations, University of
Alaska, co-offered the presentation on University Efforts and
Status of Land Grant. He said the program has been decades in
the making and has gone through significant changes.
Historically, the University of Alaska (UA) has had bipartisan
support from the legislature, for which he expressed gratitude.
He began the PowerPoint [hard copy included in the committee
packet], on Slide 2, "University Land Grant," which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
University of Alaska is Alaska's state designated
land grant institution
•Historical legacy is the Morrill Act of 1862 which
created a mechanism for providing land to support
higher education
•However, UA received only portions of lands Congress
originally reserved for it
•Recent movement, federally, allows the state (DNR)
and the UA to move forward with land selections. This
is a positive step, but actual monetization will be
many years in the future and will not solve all
financial need
2:17:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked what advantages there are to being
a land grant university versus other types of universities. He
inquired why this status was chosen and whether it is working.
MR HUTCHINSON answered that monetizing lands is a beneficial
revenue source for the UA system. He said potential buyers are
interested in harvesting timber, mining minerals, and pursuing
carbon off-sets. He said the proceeds benefit the students by
way of the UA scholarship program.
MR. HUTCHINSON showed Slide 3, "UA Lands - Potential Revenue to
Help Higher Education," which showed the job sectors students
work in: administration and finance; aviation; construction;
fisheries and marine science; health; information technology;
mining; oil and gas; and teacher education.
2:20:08 PM
MR. HUTCHINSON provided more history on Slide 4, "University
Land Grant," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Only Delaware Hawaii rank
below Alaska in higher
education land grants
UA only received ~111,000
acres of its federal land grant
entitlement
This grant makes up the bulk of
UA's current 1 49 ,000 acre
holdings
Remaining land received from
state municipal sources,
private gifts and bequests, and
UA land acquisitions
UA's Land Grant deficit is 360,000 acres
MR. HUTCHINSON showed a pie chart on Slide 5, "UA Land
Holdings," with the types of investments: sales/leases; forest
resources; mining and materials; mitigation management; and oil,
gas, and coal.
2:21:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked what the terms "forest resources"
and "remote" mean.
2:22:28 PM
ADRIENNE STOLPE, Chief Lands Officer, University of Alaska,
responded that forests have been developed mostly in Southeast
Alaska. She said most of the remote lands are for recreational
purposes and not resource extraction. She said UA has also
worked with Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. to develop coal.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked about unsold lands and how they can
be developed. He said there is an issue of who can purchase UA
lands in his district, and he asked how the process works and
how much land is left.
MS. STOLPE explained there were negotiated sales in the past
with public notice. She also said there is a bidding process
for parcels and an over-the-counter process from the UA website.
2:25:41 PM
MR. HUTCHINSON moved to Slide 6, "UA Land Grant Acreage
Comparison," to answer a question regarding missing lands by
Representative Saddler. The slide compared the University of
Texas; UA; and Alaska Mental Health Trust revenue from land
sales.
2:28:04 PM
MR. HUTCHINSON narrated Slide 7, "Land Grant History," which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Pre-Statehood Federal Laws for UA Lands
•1862 Morrill Act: Each state upon admission was
to receive 30,000 acres per member of
Congress (90,000 acres for Alaska) dedicated
to higher education. Congress in the Alaska
Statehood Act said that the State's large
general land selections were to be "in
lieu of" Morrill Act lands, so Morrill
Act was "declared not to extend" to
Alaska.
•1915 " Land Grant Statute: Reserved an
estimated 336,000 acres in Tanana Valley
area. Lands
remained largely unsurveyed and less than 5%
were ever
conveyed to UA.
•1929 " Land Grant Statute: Congress grants
100,000 acres for UA. Left intact at
Statehood, and acreage was conveyed to UA,
where it makes up most of current land
holdings.
2:30:10 PM
MR. HUTCHINSON gave the background of prior legislation in
Slides 8 through 10, "Land Grant History," which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
•Following Statehood, the Alaska Legislature tries to
provide UA's land. In 1959 a bill reserving 1 million
acres, passes both Houses, but is vetoed
•Alaska Legislature in 2000 passes bill, and overrides
gubernatorial veto, to grant UA 260 000 acres
•In 2004, Alaska Supreme Court rules land conveyance
is not an appropriation, but declines to address
dedication clause issue
•2005: Legislation identifies specific lands for
transfer to UA (HB 130)
•2007: Environmental group sues arguing land transfer
violates Constitution's anti dedication clause
(Article 9, Section 7)
•2009: Alaska Supreme Court agrees and strikes down
the2000/2005 legislation. State can't make a land
grant to UA that "would operate in a manner similar to
the way that the University's federal land grant has
operated since before statehood."
Important: Dedications are constitutionally allowed
when required by federal government for state
participation in federal programs.
In other words: There was a need for state
participation in federal program.
•2010: UA begins transferring land back to the state
•2020: Sen. Murkowski, Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Young
introduce bills for the "University of Alaska Fiscal
Foundation Act" (UAFFA). Sets up federal program.
However, Congress adjourns without passing
the bill.
•2021 Sen. Murkowski, Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Young
introduce bills in the Senate and House for the UAFFA.
State legislature passes SJR8 supporting the federal
delegation's effort.
•2022 Newly elected Rep. Peltola announces her support
for the UAFFA. The Senate incorporates the provisions
of UAFFA into the Omnibus Appropriations bill which
passes both chambers and is signed into law.
•Today: UA owns ~149,000 acres, most from 1929
Sutherland Act, private party donations, as well as
from local governments.
2:32:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked which environmental group sued the
state.
MR. HUTCHINSON identified the group as the Southeast Alaska
Conservation Council.
2:33:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked what programs created a loophole
for a constitutional issue.
MR. HUTCHINSON responded an act of congress that requires the
Bureau of Land Management to set up a program for land transfers
from federal to state is the exception to the dedicated funds
clause.
2:35:19 PM
MR. HUTCHINSON explained the provisions of the University of
Alaska Fiscal Foundation Act (UAFFA) on Slide 11, "What did the
provisions of the University of Alaska Fiscal Foundation Act
(UAFFA) do?," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
•The bill establishes a program directing the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) to identify and convey
available federal land in Alaska to the University of
Alaska for a land grant to support higher education.
•The bill also permits the BLM or the Department of
Agriculture to acquire by purchase or exchange, with
the university's consent, university-owned inholdings
within conservation system units.
•Any land exchanged shall be of equal value.
•No later than four years after enactment of the bill,
Alaska and the university may jointly identify no more
than 500,000 acres of land for inclusion in the
program, of which not more than 360,000 acres may be
conveyed and patented to the university.
•Upon the request of Alaska and the university, the
BLM shall provide technical assistance in the
identification of land.
•If Alaska and the university notify the BLM in
writing that Alaska and the university jointly concur
with the conveyance of all or a portion of the land
identified for conveyance, and that Alaska
relinquishes its selection rights to the land covered
by the notification, the BLM shall convey the land to
the university, to be held in trust for the exclusive
use and benefit of the university.
•The BLM shall notify Congress of the land conveyed
and patented.
2:37:46 PM
MR. HUTCHINSON advanced to Slide 14, "Where are we now?," which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
•The UA Lands office already has selected approx.
200,000 acres and provided the selection to DNR for
review
•The acreage ultimately transferred to UA would be
deducted from Alaska's outstanding statehood lands
entitlement and managed by the UA for the benefit of
our students and to further meet our mission of
teaching, research and workforce development for
Alaska
2:38:19 PM
MS. STOLPE covered Slide 15, "Land Batches - UA Land Office
WHO/WHAT/WHEN/WHERE/WHY," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
•The UA Lands office has already been working with DNR
•Support from Governor's office
Timeline
-UA began identifying potential lands in 2019
-DNR provided informal feedback on initial land
batches, allowing UA to modify and resubmit ~200,000
acres to DNR
-DNR and other state agencies are reviewing the
revised batches
-UA and DNR are meeting monthly to review requested
lands
-UA is identifying lands valuable to mineral
potential, carbon sequestration potential, and remote
land sales, to provide short, medium, and long term
revenue streams to the endowment
MS. STOLPE added that the remaining unselected lands are mainly
on the Kenai Peninsula and the Interior.
2:39:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked if federal legislation acts as a
means to speed up the land conveyance process from federal to
University of Alaska.
MS. STOLPE answered that 360,000 acres will be subtracted from
the 1.5 million acres owed to the state.
2:40:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked why the University of Tennessee pays
for all of the university from revenues from land sales and
nothing from the legislature.
MR. HUTCHINSON responded UA doesn't generate enough revenue from
land sales to fund the system, and the general fund is necessary
to sustain the system.
2:42:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS asked how UA plans to develop a carbon
credit program.
MS. STOLPE responded UA plans to move forward with carbon
credits using 21,000 acres of available land.
2:43:53 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at [2:44]
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| ADF&G Overview & General Issues 2.1.23.pdf |
HRES 2/1/2023 1:00:00 PM |
|
| UA Land Grant Update House Resources Committee 2.1.23.pdf |
HRES 2/1/2023 1:00:00 PM |