Legislature(2019 - 2020)Anch LIO Lg Conf Rm
08/28/2020 03:00 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
ANCHORAGE LIO
August 28, 2020
3:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Peter Micciche, Chair
Senator John Coghill, Vice Chair (via teleconference)
Senator Click Bishop (via teleconference)
Senator Cathy Giessel (via teleconference)
Senator Joshua Revak (via teleconference)
Senator Scott Kawasaki (via teleconference)
Senator Jesse Kiehl (via teleconference)
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Alaska Board of Fisheries
John Jensen - Petersburg
McKenzie Mitchell - Fairbanks
Abe Williams - Anchorage
John Wood - Willow
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JOHN JENSEN, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries.
ABE WILLIAMS, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries.
MCKENZIE MITCHELL, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries.
JOHN WOOD, Appointee
Alaska Board of Fisheries
Willow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries.
BEN MOHR, Executive Director
Kenai River Sportfishing Association
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
all appointees to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
ROLAND MAW, Executive Director
United Cook Inlet Drift Association
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated concern that coastal Alaska is under
represented on the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
SERENA FITKA, Executive Director
Yukon River Drainage Fishing Association
Valdez, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of all appointees to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
REBECCA KNIGHT, representing self
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Mr. Jensen to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, and in opposition
to the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of
Fisheries.
RACHEL ALLEN, representing self
Chignik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Mr. Wood, Ms. Mitchell, and Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of
Fisheries, and in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Jensen to
the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
SUSAN DOHERTY, Executive Director
Southeast Alaska Seiners Association
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Mr. Jensen to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, and in opposition
to the appointment of Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Wood
to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
BROOKE WOODS, representing self
Rampart, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of all appointees to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
DOROTHY SHOCKLEY, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Mr. Jensen to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, and in opposition
to the appointment of Mr. Williams, Ms. Mitchell, and Mr. Wood
to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
KAREN MCGAHAN, representing self
Nikiski, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Mr. Jensen to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
NORMAN VAN VACTOR, President/CEO
Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
ROY SMITH, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
BROOKE DELKITTIE, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
MARGIE OLYMPIC, representing self
Newhalen, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
LINDSAY LAYMAND, representing self
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
EMME WILLIAMSON, representing self
Olympia, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
HOLLY WISOCKI, representing self
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
THOREY MUNRO, representing self
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
JORDAN DYER, representing self
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
TAYLOR LAYLAND, representing self
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
JAN CONITZ, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
KATHERINE CARSCALLES, representing self
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
CATHERINE RILEY, representing self
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
BILLIE HOFFMAN, representing self
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
CATHERINE BURSCH, representing self
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
ALANAH HURLEY, Executive Director
United Tribes of Bristol Bay
Clark's Point, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
GALE VICK, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Ms. Mitchell to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:03:01 PM
CHAIR PETER MICCICHE called the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Bishop (via teleconference), Revak (via
teleconference), Kiehl (via teleconference), Giessel (via
teleconference), and Chair Micciche. Senator Coghill joined the
meeting, via teleconference, soon thereafter.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Alaska Board of Fisheries
3:04:11 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE announced the consideration of governor
appointments to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. He said the
committee has a quorum present to conduct the confirmation
hearings. No official voting business will occur.
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that the committee received 400 emails on
the subject of the confirmations and thanked the public for
participating.
CHAIR MICCICHE explained that the Senate Resources Committee did
not have an opportunity to go through confirmations because of
COVID-19. He advised that once the governor appoints someone,
the constitution allows the individual to have full powers until
the full legislature votes to confirm or reject them. He added
that he did not know if the legislature is getting together to
deal with confirmations in joint session.
3:05:11 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE detailed that the Alaska Board of Fisheries
consists of seven members serving three-year terms with the main
role to conserve and develop the fishery resources of the state.
The board sets seasons, bag limits, methods and means for the
state's subsistence, commercial, sport, guided sport, and
personal use fisheries. The board is also involved with setting
policy and direction for the management of the state's fisheries
resources. The board makes allocated decisions and the
department is responsible for management based on those
decisions.
He disclosed that he is a member of three of the four user
groups: Cook Inlet commercial fisherman, sportfisherman
throughout the state, and personal use fisherman.
CHAIR MICCICHE invited Mr. Jensen to make an opening statement
regarding his qualifications and interest in serving Alaska as a
member of the board.
3:07:07 PM
JOHN JENSEN, Appointee, Alaska Board of Fisheries, Petersburg,
Alaska, testified as an appointee to the board. He said he is a
lifelong Alaskan commercial fisherman and owner of a company
that specializes in self-guided recreational boating in
Petersburg.
He detailed that Governor Murkowski appointed him to the board
in 2001 and he has served for 18 years. He said he is also a
member of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission and
presently sits on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that the legislature strives for balance
between various user groups on the board, even though it is not
in statute. He asked Mr. Jensen how he views his appointment
regarding the current balance of the board and if he supports
that balance.
3:09:24 PM
MR. JENSEN replied he thinks the goal of all board members is to
provide a sustainable fishery for the citizens of Alaska, no
matter where the board member is from. The job of the board is
to give the fisheries back to the children of Alaska intact or
better than when the state received them. Board members are
doing well if they are fair in their decisions, read the
materials, and know what they are talking about.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked if he feels that the board meetings provide
equal representation for the public versus special interest
groups.
3:10:59 PM
MR. JENSEN answered that the beauty of the board process is that
it is an outright public process, which differs from the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council. There are special interest
groups that come to board meetings, but everybody gets a fair
shot at being heard.
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that Alaska has gone through a season of
several stressed fisheries and asked how the board process could
be adjusted to lean more towards sustainability and less towards
allocation decisions.
MR. JENSEN commented on the slumps in various fisheries that
have been outside the norm and said more research is needed to
figure out what is going on. Stressed fishery culprits include
climate change, warm water events, and nonindigenous species
preying on the fish.
3:14:25 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE announced that Senator Kiehl has been in
attendance online.
SENATOR KIEHL asked Mr. Jensen for the board's view on how the
Pacific Salmon Treaty process is working and if the state is
getting the results it needs.
MR. JENSEN said getting two countries and several states to
agree is difficult, but they are doing the best they can with
the fluctuation in the fish populations. The treaty is for 10
years and it takes 4 or 5 years to get a treaty. Things change
so much over a 10-year period that staying on task is hard.
3:16:48 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE asked if the board has ever discussed taking a
cradle-to-grave approach to managing fish. He noted that in Cook
Inlet neighbors fight neighbors over the remaining scraps of
fish, but the board does not have meetings that deal with
interception or allocation from the Bering Sea to the Susitna
River.
MR. JENSEN replied the board does talk about bycatch and
intercepted fisheries more and more as the different fisheries
struggle.
CHAIR MICCICHE thanked Mr. Jensen for attending the committee
meeting and for his honorable service on the board.
CHAIR MICCICHE invited Mr. Williams to make an opening statement
regarding his qualifications and interest in serving Alaska as a
member of the board.
3:19:34 PM
ABE WILLIAMS, Appointee, Alaska Board of Fisheries, Anchorage,
Alaska, testified as an appointee to the board. He said he was
born in King Salmon, is a fourth-generation commercial fisherman
in Bristol Bay, and has resided in Anchorage since 2010.
He disclosed that he started working in 2010 as a consultant
with the Pebble Partnership and currently holds a position with
the organization as Director of Regional Affairs. He provided
the committee with his private and public service background in
the Bristol Bay region. He noted that he owns a service industry
business for the Bristol Bay fleet. Additionally, he is an avid
outdoorsman, sportfisherman, and partakes in personal use or
subsistence use fisheries.
3:21:44 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE noted Mr. Williams' extensive resume and
expressed appreciation for his willingness to serve on the
board.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked Mr. Williams to summarize why he is
interested in serving on the board.
MR. WILLIAMS replied that his interest is to be an active
participant and to work with other members to assure a
sustainable fishery throughout Alaska, while achieving a
consensus on regulation and conservation that makes sense for
generations to come.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked what important changes he would like to
see to the board process.
3:23:56 PM
MR. WILLIAMS answered that he does not have any recommendations
for changes. He said he likes that the board process is open to
the public.
SENATOR KIEHL asked for an explanation of his answer on the
application form about possible conflicts. The specific question
read, "Is it possible that you or any member of your family
might benefit financially by decisions?" He pointed out that Mr.
Williams answered "no" even though he owns fishing permits and a
commercial fishing service business.
3:26:06 PM
MR. WILLIAMS answered that anything that pertains to the Bristol
Bay fishery would conflict him out and that is the reason for
answering "no" to the question. He said he recognizes conflicts
rather quickly and has always noted them. It is a matter of
personal integrity. He added that he has always made sure that
he was not part of a bigger issue and was more of a solution to
any problem.
SENATOR KIEHL said recusal is important.
He asked Mr. Williams to clarify an op-ed piece that he wrote a
year-and-a-half ago where he seemed to suggest that seasonal
jobs were not valuable. The op-ed was specifically about public
process and his day-job employer and the quote was, "Jobs mean
year-round jobs."
MR. WILLIAMS answered that he did not think that he ever meant
to take away from the valuable nature of seasonal jobs. Alaska
is full of seasonal jobs, but the Pebble Partnership is about
year-round jobs. Southwest Alaska is a region that struggles to
have anything other than seasonal jobs. While fishing and
seasonal industries are extremely important economically,
residents are going to require year-round jobs to succeed.
3:29:30 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI said the information that the committee
received showed the Pebble Partnership is paying Mr. Williams
between $100,000 and $200,000 for fulltime work between the
months of April and July. He referred to the exchange about
conflicts of interest and asked how he would resolve his
conflict when voting on fisheries issues, especially for the
Bristol Bay region.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked Senator Kawasaki to clarify the
compensation numbers that the Pebble Partnership pays Mr.
Williams.
SENATOR KAWASAKI restated that committee members have the
financial disclosure form that says Mr. Williams has a fulltime
position between April 15 and July 28 as Director of Regional
Affairs for the Pebble Partnership that pays between $100,000
and $200,000.
3:31:21 PM
MR. WILLIAMS replied he is often targeted with that conflict due
to his position with the Pebble Partnership. He noted that when
he was a board member and the president of the Bristol Bay
Regional Seafood Development Association, he bowed out whenever
a conflict arose. He reiterated that he holds himself to the
highest standard of integrity and will continue to do so. He
said he did not know if the board will take up issues regarding
the Pebble Partnership. However, he will always point out a
conflict and make sure that it is apparent.
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if he will be conflicted out of a vote on
the fishery if an issue [regarding the Pebble Partnership] were
come up.
MR. WILLIAMS replied he would be conflicted out if a Bristol Bay
fishery issue came up that might benefit himself or his family.
He added, "I would certainly refer to the Department of Law or
the resources or the policies that we have in order to clarify
that."
3:33:50 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE said nearly 400 letters from the public addressed
Mr. Williams' involvement with the Pebble Partnership, which is
something that is just going to happen. He noted that he was in
the oil and gas industry for a long time and dealt with the same
thing.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked Mr. Williams how he feels about the fact
that the people who are the most knowledgeable about a fishery
are often conflicted out in the board process, regardless of
whether they are financially affected.
MR. WILLIAMS answered that being conflicted out of a fishery is
something that board members must deal with. Conflicted-out
members share their knowledge and that is something he intends
to do.
CHAIR MICCICHE pointed out that Mr. Williams previously stated
that he did not see a reason for changing the board process. He
asked if he would consider the cradle-to-grave approach with
distant, intercept fisheries that affect home-river returns
instead of the regional fin fish meetings that often do not deal
with the distant effects on many fisheries.
3:36:05 PM
MR. WILLIAMS replied that he thinks the intercept fishery has
been a topic of discussion for quite some time. He said the
board could be more efficient in looking at diminished runs via
interceptions or other issues; however, discussing those issues
takes a lot of the air out of the room while knowing there are
alternatives to take care of.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked if he had any closing comments.
MR. WILLIAMS said he appreciates the opportunity and looks
forward to serving the state.
CHAIR MICCICHE invited Ms. Mitchell to make an opening statement
regarding her qualifications and interest in serving Alaska as a
member of the board.
3:38:16 PM
MCKENZIE MITCHELL, Appointee, Alaska Board of Fisheries,
Fairbanks, Alaska, testified as an appointee to the board. She
said she grew up in California and moved to Alaska where she
initially worked at a lodge in Kodiak and ultimately obtained
her captain's license, sportfishing guide license, and assistant
big game hunting guide license. She detailed that she attended
the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, received her master's degree
in resource and applied economics, and currently teaches
economics and recreation management courses at the university.
She added that she assists at a local flight school in the
winter months and continues to work seasonally as a sportfishing
and hunting guide.
She emphasized that she sought out a lifestyle and made it her
life. She said she feels honored to have an opportunity to
potentially serve on the board. She noted that she loves the
economic way of thinking that supports natural resource
management. She said serving on the board is her way of giving
back to a state that helped her create the life that she has.
3:41:46 PM
SENATOR BISHOP thanked her for applying and commented on her
background in economics. He asked if she had attended any board
meetings and to also provide more information on why she applied
to serve on the board.
MS. MITCHELL answered that once she started the board
application process in November 2019, she became more involved
with the board. She noted that she attended several days of
board and advisory meetings in Anchorage during the spring of
2020. She said she has tried to educate herself about the
different fisheries.
She noted that her guiding activities for sportfishing and
hunting takes her to different areas in the state. For example,
she was in Copper Center during the spring and Valdez during the
summer. She said while in Valdez she had an opportunity to visit
the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) offices as well as
talk with stakeholders and different user groups. She said that
started her education process as an appointee to the board.
MS. MITCHELL said regarding why she was interested in serving on
the board, there was no initial intent until the idea presented
itself in November 2019. She reiterated that serving on the
board is an opportunity to serve and give back to a state that
gave her the life she lives.
3:44:34 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked why she had only attended a couple of
board meetings in the last year, when legislators find time to
attend most of the meetings. He also inquired about her interest
in the board seat, noting that she did not apply until someone
asked her to do so.
MS. MITCHELL answered that she had not pursued the board
position until after a conversation with Mr. Reed Morisky
[former board member]. She reiterated that she is interested in
serving on the board to give back to the state. She detailed her
background in fisheries, noting her contract work with the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries
on market demand modeling for various fisheries.
SENATOR KAWASAKI said he is a big fan of Mr. Morisky.
3:47:35 PM
SENATOR BISHOP asked Ms. Mitchell how familiar she is with the
Yukon River fish runs, escapement goals, and subsistence users.
MS. MITCHELL answered that she went into the ADFG office in
Fairbanks to get background information on the Yukon area. She
emphasized that her intent is to familiarize herself with all
fisheries.
She said her feelings toward the subsistence fishery is the same
for personal use, sportfish, and commercial fisheries; each one
is valuable and deserves the attention and dedication of a board
member to understand and make the best decision for the resource
and the users of the resource.
SENATOR BISHOP asked her to clarify her educational background.
3:49:58 PM
MS. MITCHELL answered that she did her graduate research related
to fisheries with a specific focus on the Recreational Quota
Entity (RQE) program. She explained that she set out to get a
consensus on how the sportfish industry would take on and fund
the RQE program.
SENATOR KIEHL said he read Ms. Mitchell's master's thesis and
referenced the sentence, "Fishing is an expensive leisure
activity" in reference to halibut charters. He admitted that he
was taking something out of context but asked her to provide
more information regarding her thoughts on the various types of
fisheries in Alaska.
3:52:48 PM
MS. MITCHELL agreed that the quote was a little out of context.
She specified that her answer would not relate back to her
thesis because that was a very specific study that focused on a
newly adopted program in fisheries management.
MS. MITCHELL explained that when she looks at different
fisheries and their economic importance, she tries to focus on
things that do not necessarily have monetary funds. For example,
sportfishing and commercial fisheries have monetary flows, but
subsistence fisheries are challenging because they do not have
monetary flows to determine economic importance, especially when
making allocation decisions.
She pointed out that the Alaska Constitution requires the
utilization, conservation, and development of resources for the
use of the people of the state. There is value in the
subsistence fisheries, not to mention the psychological value of
unity within the state by having people be able to carry on
their traditions and maintain their values.
MS. MITCHELL said trying to compare a commercial fishery to a
sport fishery based solely on monetary flows is like comparing
apples to oranges. The commercial fishery does have monetary
flows, but it also has great value in the fact that many involve
coastal communities with generational heritage of people
standing together for fisheries.
3:56:35 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE reiterated that he is a member of three of the
four user groups but is not a subsistence fisherman. He added
that he represents a community that has active sport and
personal use fisheries.
He remarked that Ms. Mitchell is an unusual appointee and noted
his slight concern with her isolated experience with the sport
fishery. Most board applicants have been around Alaska for a
long time and have more experience and knowledge with all user
groups.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked her to convince him that she will have a
balanced approach even though she does not have the personal
experience. He said what would make him more comfortable is not
to do "A pound of fish is worth more" for allocation decisions
as opposed to a balance that supports thousands of commercial
fishing families, sportfishermen, personal use, and subsistence
fisheries.
3:58:31 PM
MS. MITCHELL replied that she sees her duty and responsibility
on the board to work hard to familiarize herself, listen, read,
and respond to people to have the best understanding she can of
each fishery before making a decision. She said she works hard
at everything that she applies herself to and her service on the
board would be no exception.
4:00:28 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE asked if she plans to visit coastal areas where
commercial fishing occurs in order to familiarize herself with
the more personal aspects of other fisheries. He said without
the balancing experience, one might tend to look at the
economics of one user group as opposed to the overall impact.
MS. MITCHELL answered that she has already started the process
and has taken advantage of her extensive work-related travels
throughout the state. She detailed that she visited or plans on
visiting: Copper Center, Valdez, Kongakut River, Holy Cross, and
Kodiak. She noted that in Valdez she met with some commercial
fishermen, the fleet manager, the executive director of the
Valdez Fisheries Development Association, and toured the
hatchery. She added that she visited some ADFG offices outside
of the Fairbanks area. She reiterated that she plans on
familiarizing herself with each fishery.
4:02:56 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE asked if she continues to captain for Jamie Lynn
Charters.
MS. MITCHELL answered yes; she worked for Jamie Lynn Charters in
July 2020.
CHAIR MICCICHE stated that he appreciates Ms. Mitchell's story,
noting that he had a similar one where he traveled to Alaska for
the summer when he was 19 and that summer has lasted for 40
years. He encouraged her to reach out to different areas,
particularly in areas where the most conflict exists to try and
understand all sides of the issues.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked if she had closing comments.
4:04:34 PM
MS. MITCHELL said she appreciates being in the position of board
appointee and thanked the committee for taking the time to allow
her to speak and answer questions.
CHAIR MICCICHE thanked Ms. Mitchell for applying and being
willing to serve. He admitted that he wonders why anyone would
apply for the position. It is similar to the job that
legislators have and the only group more difficult to please
than Alaskans is fishing Alaskans.
CHAIR MICCICHE invited Mr. Wood to make an opening statement
regarding his qualifications and interest in serving Alaska as a
member of the board.
4:05:17 PM
JOHN WOOD, Appointee, Alaska Board of Fisheries, Willow, Alaska,
testified as an appointee to the board. He detailed that he came
to Alaska in 1971 and worked within the Anchorage judicial
district until discontinuing his private law practice in 1995.
He said he became involved with then Senator Dunleavy to address
sportfishing in the Susitna Valley. He noted that he actively
participated in board meetings from 2013-2014, but left Senator
Dunleavy's staff in 2016. He said he has served on the board in
2020 as a voting member and participated in all meetings.
He said he brings his ability to find solutions to the board. He
noted that he has met with stakeholders throughout the Cook
Inlet to address lower salmon returns. He is accustomed to
listening and making judgements on presentations. He added that
he has heard from some that he has more credibility than others
to serve on the board.
4:11:42 PM
SENATOR BISHOP noted the low salmon returns in the Fairbanks
area and said he hopes that Mr. Wood brings all assets to bear
to help the region.
MR. WOOD agreed that the insufficient fish numbers in Fairbanks
is a sad situation.
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked him to confirm that he works for the
Dunleavy Administration.
MR. WOOD replied he is on contract but is not a state employee.
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if his current situation with the
administration would be a conflict in working for the board and
in how he makes decisions. He noted that the administration pays
Mr. Wood between $10,000 and $20,000.
4:14:30 PM
MR. WOOD answered that there is no conflict because his
administrative contract has nothing to do with the fisheries.
The board follows a process where each individual member
prepares a statement of any possible conflict of interest that
an attorney reviews to make recommendations to the chair for a
ruling; during any part of that process there has never been a
determination of a conflict existing.
SENATOR KIEHL asked him to provide a broader scope of his
contract with the governor's office.
4:15:59 PM
MR. WOOD answered that in 2019 his contract was between himself,
the Alaska Department of Administration, and the governor's
office. He explained that 95 to 98 percent of his duties dealt
with labor matters as well as anything that the governor
requested. He said the administration renewed his contract in
spring 2020 and he reports directly to the governor on ongoing
labor negotiations and recommendations.
SENATOR KIEHL observed that he deals directly with the governor.
MR. WOOD answered yes.
SENATOR KIEHL said the current statute calls for a balancing of
interests on the board and his concern is that 5 of the 7 board
members would live within a 50-mile radius of the Anchorage JC
Penny store. He asked Mr. Wood to talk about where he fits
within a diversity of interests for the board.
MR. WOOD replied he lives in Willow, approximately 77 miles from
Anchorage, but he understands the gist of the question. He said
he understands the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage, and the terms
for two Anchorage area board members will expire in a year or
two.
SENATOR KIEHL commented that he might have a different take on
some of the backgrounds and current alignments on the board.
4:19:44 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that the state has fisheries concerns in
Southeast, Cook Inlet, Kodiak, Yukon, and Norton Sound. He
admitted that Mr. Wood seems rather focused on Cook Inlet and
returning larger amounts to the rivers of the Mat-Su Valley,
which is an important goal. However, Mr. Wood is more or less an
engineer of a system that ended up passing through the board and
became law. He said his view is that the law over escaped fish
to the river systems where he lives and that has concerned many
in his district. He pointed out that the sportfishermen would
have normally harvested 500,000 extra fish that have instead
gone up river.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked if he believes in maximum sustainable yield
and is willing to look at a better balance as opposed to
impacting a neighboring user group in the goal of simply
returning fish. He reiterated that the board is not managing in
a cradle-to-grave manner and that results in neighbors fighting
over scraps at the end. He inquired if Mr. Wood is willing to
look wider to find out why the state is having problems; for
example, repairing habitat, ocean conditions, and distance
intercepted fish as opposed to settling at the end very close to
the mouths of the rivers where the fish ultimately return.
4:22:25 PM
MR. WOOD answered that his focus is on the Cook Inlet which
includes Susitna, Kenai, Kasilof, and all waterways in the
region. He said he is obviously more familiar with the Susitna
because he lives within the system; however, his concern is
areawide.
He said he wishes more people would look at the global or
cradle-to-grave approach. He detailed that his approach is to
first look at the impact the board's action has on fish coming
into the stream for breeding. Only then does he start concerning
himself with allocation questions as to who is going to be
harvesting the excess.
MR. WOOD detailed that his determination for Kodiak was based on
studies for fish bound for the Cook Inlet. The board acted with
the goal to pass more fish through that in turn would go to the
Susitna, Kenai, and Kasilof.
He suggested that the state enlist NOAA to provide additional
information for the state to use to determine returning fish
sizes and numbers. This would allow the board to make better
allocation decisions.
4:24:52 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE reiterated his interest in focusing on other
fisheries such as Southeast, Yukon, and Norton Sound, not just
Cook Inlet. He asked how he will balance his approach in the
future to eliminate concerns all over the state. He agreed with
Senator Kiehl that the board membership is becoming Southcentral
focused.
MR. WOOD said he knows his backyard the best, but he has reached
out to Mr. Jensen to go to Southeast to meet with stakeholders
to get their perspectives. He emphasized that he does not make
up his mind based strictly on his knowledge until he gets input
from stakeholders. He said a person gets more information with
an open mind.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked if he had closing remarks.
4:27:22 PM
MR. WOOD referenced previous committee member questions to board
appointees and provided his answers as follows:
• Chair Micciche asked about sportfishing versus commercial
fishing.
o He answered that with his appointment, the board would
remain or become more balanced.
• Chair Micciche asked about equality representation on the
board.
o He explained that the problem is inherent in any body
that makes decisions, whether it is a court or
administrative agency. However, the big difference is
the board process is never one with a closed door.
• Chair Micciche raised a question on stressed fisheries.
o He specified that genetics will be the key that
requires research dollars for a mixed stock fishery.
o He suggested that the state reach out to the federal
government and work with NOAA to determine what is
going on in the "blue water."
o He recommended permit buyouts; an approach advocated
by Chair Micciche.
o He explained that the board needs additional staff to
administer meetings, specifically an economist, to
provide an independent source to develop economic
analysis.
• Senator Kiehl addressed treaty rebuilding.
o He remarked that the rebuilding efforts for the
Pacific Salmon Treaty are wonderful and the state
needs a similar multiyear approach to get back to the
historical levels in size and numbers of fish.
• Senator Giessel asked about changes to the board process.
o He reiterated that staffing is the key to provide data
to make sound decisions. Judging success depends on
data.
• Senator Kiehl asked about the value of the fisheries.
o He emphasized that he tries to always use a balanced
approach to answer questions.
MR. WOOD concluded that "fish is first." If getting fish back in
both sizes and numbers requires dramatic action on everyone's
part, then that is where he is heading. He said he wants to see
the state back to healthy fish runs.
4:33:50 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE opened public testimony.
4:35:17 PM
BEN MOHR, Executive Director, Kenai River Sportfishing
Association, Soldotna, Alaska, testified in support of the
appointments of all appointees to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
He summarized that Mr. Jensen has served on the board for many
years with distinction, Mr. Wood brings a collaborative approach
to the board, Ms. Mitchell brings a new perspective to the
board, and Mr. Williams is an active and successful participant
in the Bristol Bay fishery.
4:38:59 PM
ROLAND MAW, Executive Director, United Cook Inlet Drift
Association, Soldotna, Alaska, stated that he would submit his
comments in writing, but his concern is that coastal Alaska is
under represented on the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
4:41:00 PM
SERENA FITKA, Executive Director, Yukon River Drainage Fishing
Association, Valdez, Alaska, testified in opposition to the
appointment of all appointees to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
She said the appointees do not represent the Yukon area and the
board needs adequate representation for subsistence interests.
4:42:32 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that Senator Coghill joined the committee
meeting online at 3:32 p.m.
4:43:04 PM
REBECCA KNIGHT, representing self, Petersburg, Alaska, testified
in support of the appointment of Mr. Jensen to the Alaska Board
of Fisheries, and in opposition to the appointment of Mr.
Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. She detailed that her
family invests heavily and derives a large part of its income
from the Bristol Bay fishery. She said she supported Mr.
Jensen's comments on the importance of the board's decision-
making process and its impact on future generations. She stated
that the legislature should disqualify Mr. Williams as a board
appointee due to his association with the Pebble Partnership.
She added that the board needs more representation in the
coastal communities.
4:44:55 PM
RACHEL ALLEN, representing self, Chignik, Alaska, testified in
support of the appointment of Mr. Wood, Ms. Mitchell, and Mr.
Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, and in opposition to
the appointment of Mr. Jensen to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
She said Mr. Jensen testified on issues that are in opposition
to change for Chignik.
4:47:44 PM
SUSAN DOHERTY, Executive Director, Southeast Alaska Seiners
Association, Ketchikan, Alaska, testified in support of the
appointment of Mr. Jensen to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, and
in opposition to the appointment of Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Williams,
and Mr. Wood to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. She said there is
a geographical imbalance on the board and the legislature should
consider other candidates.
4:52:41 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE referenced the Alaska Constitution, Article 3,
Section 26: Boards and Commissions, that reads as follows:
When a board or commission is at the head of a
principal department or a regulatory or quasi-judicial
agency, its members shall be appointed by the
governor, subject to confirmation by a majority of the
members of the legislature in joint session, and may
be removed as provided by law. They shall be citizens
of the United States. The board or commission may
appoint a principal executive officer when authorized
by law, but the appointment shall be subject to the
approval of the governor.
CHAIR MICCICHE referenced the Alaska Constitution, Article 3,
Section 27: Recess Appointments, that reads as follows:
The governor may make appointments to fill vacancies
occurring during a recess of the legislature, in
offices requiring confirmation by the legislature. The
duration of such appointments shall be prescribed by
law.
He explained that the noted sections prevent the legislature
from stalling confirmations and encourages it to act. He said
that is the same as with higher levels of confirmations within
the government. Appointees serve with full capacity until they
are either confirmed or rejected. He said changing the process
would require a constitutional change and that is a high bar.
4:53:46 PM
BROOKE WOODS, representing self, Rampart, Alaska, testified in
opposition to the appointment of all appointees to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. She said the board needs someone who
represents rural Alaska and subsistence fishing interests.
4:56:17 PM
DOROTHY SHOCKLEY, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska,
testified in support of the appointment of Mr. Jensen to the
Alaska Board of Fisheries, and in opposition to the appointment
of Mr. Williams, Ms. Mitchell, and Mr. Wood to the Alaska Board
of Fisheries. She said the board needs at least one member with
extensive knowledge of the Yukon River fisheries.
4:59:54 PM
KAREN MCGAHAN, representing self, Nikiski, Alaska, testified in
support of the appointment of Mr. Jensen to the Alaska Board of
Fisheries. She pointed out that Southcentral appointees dominate
board membership to the detriment of coastal communities. She
added that an appointee who works for the Pebble Partnership
should not serve on the board.
5:04:14 PM
NORMAN VAN VACTOR, President/CEO, Bristol Bay Economic
Development Corporation (BBEDC), Dillingham, Alaska, testified
in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. He said the legislature should not confirm
anyone aligned with the Pebble Partnership. He also highlighted
that there is dramatically reduced representation on the board
from rural and coastal Alaska.
5:06:21 PM
ROY SMITH, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. He said Mr. Williams cannot make unbiased
decisions because he is an advocate for the Pebble Mine.
5:08:19 PM
BROOKE DELKITTIE, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to
the Alaska Board of Fisheries. She said Mr. Williams should not
serve on the board due to his ties to the Pebble Partnership.
5:09:02 PM
MARGIE OLYMPIC, representing self, Newhalen, Alaska, testified
in support of the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. She said Mr. Williams is a man who considers
everyone's opinion, understands a subsistence way of life, and
his involvement in a controversial project puts him in a
position to understand both sides.
5:11:09 PM
LINDSAY LAYMAND, representing self, Dillingham, Alaska,
testified in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to
the Alaska Board of Fisheries. She said Mr. Williams has a clear
conflict due to his association with the Pebble Partnership. She
stated that Mr. Williams does not share the goal of the board to
conserve and develop Alaska's fisheries.
5:13:25 PM
EMME WILLIAMSON, representing self, Olympia, Alaska, testified
in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. She said Mr. Williams' employment with the
Pebble Mine creates an extreme conflict of interest. She added
that in-region voices should represent Alaska's fisheries and
the board needs more representation from coastal regions.
5:14:56 PM
HOLLY WISOCKI, representing self, Dillingham, Alaska, testified
in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. She said Mr. Williams is on the Pebble
Partnership payroll and he cannot represent or make decisions
for fisheries.
5:16:28 PM
THOREY MUNRO, representing self, Homer, Alaska, testified in
opposition of the appointment to Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. She said Mr. Williams has a blatant conflict
of interest due to his employment with the Pebble Partnership.
She added that the board needs a candidate that accurately
represents rural and coastal Alaska.
CHAIR MICCICHE explained that the committee forwards all the
names of the appointees to a confirmation hearing before both
bodies of the legislature. The committee's job is to review
appointees and hear from the public, but the names are forwarded
regardless of the committee action.
5:18:12 PM
JORDAN DYER, representing self, Homer, Alaska, testified in
opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. He said Mr. Williams has a conflict of
interest due to his employment with the Pebble Partnership. He
said he supports representation from fishermen who depend on
salmon in rural Alaska, specifically in the Yukon-Kuskokwim
region.
5:18:58 PM
TAYLOR LAYLAND, representing self, Dillingham, Alaska, testified
in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. He said a board appointee should be from the
region and not employed by the Pebble Partnership.
5:20:02 PM
JAN CONITZ, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. She said Mr. William's employment with the
Pebble Partnership is an obvious conflict of interest.
5:22:56 PM
KATHERINE CARSCALLES, representing self, Dillingham, Alaska,
testified in opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to
the Alaska Board of Fisheries. She said Mr. Williams has a
direct conflict due to his association with the proposed Pebble
Mine. She noted that Mr. Williams has been one of the most
prominent voices pushing the project, an action that directly
conflicts with the sustainability of the Bristol Bay fishery.
She added that board appointments have migrated away from
coastal communities to a tight geographic area. She emphasized
that nothing could replace a lifelong, generational, and direct
regional knowledge to understand the state's diverse fisheries.
5:25:43 PM
CATHERINE RILEY, representing self, Sitka, Alaska, testified in
opposition of the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. She said Mr. Williams is not a suitable
candidate for the board because he represents a company that
poses significant risks to the Bristol Bay fishery. She also
pointed out that the board underrepresents coastal and rural
communities.
5:28:21 PM
BILLIE HOFFMAN, representing self, Sitka, Alaska, testified in
opposition of the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. She said Mr. Williams' employment with the
Pebble Mine represents a strong conflict of interest. She also
pointed out that the board underrepresents coastal and rural
communities.
5:29:54 PM
CATHERINE BURSCH, representing self, Homer, Alaska, testified in
opposition to the appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska
Board of Fisheries. She questioned why the governor selected
someone so contentious to serve on the board. She remarked that
the board needs to focus on the complex fishery management
issues.
5:32:08 PM
ALANAH HURLEY, Executive Director, United Tribes of Bristol Bay
(UTBB), Clark's Point, Alaska, testified in opposition to the
appointment of Mr. Williams to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.
She said rural Alaska does not have adequate representation
reflected in the current board appointees. She remarked that Mr.
Williams has a conflict due to his employment with the Pebble
Partnership and his appointment exasperates the issue of
inadequate representation for rural Alaska. She asked where the
legislature is going to draw the line with government
appointments for current and former Pebble Partnership
employees.
5:35:30 PM
GALE VICK, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in
support of the appointment of Ms. Mitchell to the Alaska Board
of Fisheries. She said Ms. Mitchell will bring a unique
combination of fishing, science, and economic experience to the
board. She added that Ms. Mitchell has shown a specific concern
over the resource itself and will take seriously all petitions
with equity. In conclusion, she said the board needs specific
representation for the Yukon River.
5:36:52 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE closed public testimony.
5:37:35 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE stated that in accordance with Uniform Rule 46
and AS 39.05.080, the Senate Resources Committee held a hearing
on the following appointees and recommends consideration of
their confirmation in joint session:
Alaska Board of Fisheries
John Jensen - Petersburg
McKenzie Mitchell - Fairbanks
Abe Williams - Anchorage
John Wood - Willow
A signature or lack thereof on this report does not reflect an
intent of committee members to vote for or against the
individuals in any future joint session.
5:38:28 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Micciche adjourned the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting at 5:38 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| RES Board of Fisheries Jensen #9.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Governor's appointee to Board of Fisheries |
| RES Board of Fisheries Mitchell #9.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Governor's appointee to Board of Fisheries |
| RES Board of Fisheries Williams #9.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Governor's appointee to Board of Fisheries |
| RES Board of Fisheries Wood #1.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Governor's appointee to Board of Fisheries |
| Mitchell_Written Statement BoF 2020.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Sen Resources Mitchel Comments to Committee |
| Mitchell 2020_resume_Redacted.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Sen Resources Mitchel Resume |
| Assorted A-H Public Testimony_BoF_08.28.2020.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Sen. Resources BoF Written Testimony |
| Assorted I-P Public Testimony_BoF_08.28.2020.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Sen. Resources BoF Written Testimony |
| Assorted R-Z Public Testimony_BoF_08.28.2020.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Sen. Resources BoF Written Testimony |
| Mitchell Submittal to Sen Resources_ Fisheries RQE.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Sen. Resources BoF Mitchell submittal to Sen Resources |
| Assorted Public Testimony_BoF_ thru 08.31.pdf |
SRES 8/28/2020 3:00:00 PM |
Sen. Resources BoF Written Testimony |