Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
04/16/2021 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
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| 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
April 16, 2021
3:33 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Joshua Revak, Chair
Senator Peter Micciche, Vice Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Scott Kawasaki
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Natasha von Imhof
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
Melvin Smith
- HEARD AND HELD
Board of Fisheries
John Jensen
Abe Williams
McKenzie Mitchell
John Wood
Marit Carlson-Van Dort
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
MELVIN SMITH, Appointee
Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.
MCKENZIE MITCHELL, appointee
Board of Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
ABE WILLIAMS, Appointee
Board of Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
JOHN WOOD, Appointee
Board of Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Willow, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
MARIT CARLSON-VAN DORT, Appointee
Board of Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
JOHN JENSEN, Appointee
Board of Fisheries
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Fisheries.
GILDA SAHELLOF, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the appointment of
Melvin Smith to the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
(CFEC).
ALANNAH HURLEY, representing self
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
SHAG TRENT, representing self
King Salmon, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
KATHERINE CARSCALLEN, representing self
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
SUSAN DOHERTY, Executive Director
Southeast Alaska Seiners Association
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Marit Carlson-Van Dort to the Board of Fisheries.
BEN MOHR, Executive Director
Kenai River Sportfishing Association
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of all the appointees
to the Board of Fisheries and the Alaska Commercial Fisheries
Entry Commission.
BARBARA REILLY, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to the appointment
of Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:33:20 PM
CHAIR JOSHUA REVAK called the Senate Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Bishop, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Stevens, and Chair
Revak. Senator Micciche arrived thereafter.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
Board of Fisheries
3:33:58 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced the considerations of governor appointees
to the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission and the
Board of Fisheries
He stated that the function of the Alaska Commercial Fisheries
Entry Commission is to promote conservation and sustained yield
management of fishery resources and to regulate and control
entry into commercial fisheries.
CHAIR REVAK asked Melvin Smith to provide a brief background and
tell the committee about his interest in serving on the Alaska
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
3:35:10 PM
MELVIN SMITH, appointee, Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry
Commission, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G),
Anchorage, Alaska, expressed appreciation to the governor for
appointing him to this position. He related that he was born in
the small village of False Pass, and has been fishing since age
six. At an early age he learned to operate a fishing vessel, set
gear, navigate Alaska waters, and be a commercial fisherman. He
was a commercial fisherman for more than 26 years before passing
on his boat and fishing permits to his son. He emphasized that
passing the torch is critical to address the greying of the
fleet. He continues to have a thorough knowledge of the areas he
fished, which were the Alaska Peninsula, Bering Sea, and the
Gulf of Alaska. Thereafter and for more than 23 years he was the
natural resource department manager for the Aleut Corporation.
He was responsible for the corporation's land holdings, natural
resources, and commercial real estate.
MR. SMITH advised that as a corporate manager he gained
extensive experience working with various boards and
commissions. He offered his belief that the skillset acquired in
the corporate setting will serve him well as a CFEC
commissioner. His goal is to utilize his years of management and
knowledge of the fishing industry to help keep CFEC running
smoothly, and to ensure that commercial fishing continues to be
a viable industry for all Alaskans. He related that he had
contact with the current commissioners and the executive
director and has been briefed on matters that are relevant to
CFEC. He concluded that he understands the duties but
acknowledges that there is a lot to learn about the policies and
procedures of the commission. He expressed hope the committee
would support his appointment as the Commercial Fisheries Entry
Commission.
3:38:24 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked if he thinks that fisheries around the state
are insufficiently prosecuted or the numbers are off to the
extent that there may be a problem with the fishery.
MR. SMITH replied he does believe some fisheries are distressed.
He cited the Cook Inlet setnet fishery as an example and said
some other fisheries merit scrutiny.
SENATOR KIEHL noted that with his appointment, this would be the
first time the commission would not have an attorney member. He
asked if that was a concern since the commission has a quasi-
judicial role.
MR. SMITH replied he had no concerns because the CFEC has in-
house legal representation and the attorney general also is
available.
CHAIR REVAK thanked Mr. Smith for being willing to serve.
3:41:40 PM
CHAIR REVAK turned to the Board of Fisheries nominees and
explained that the board's function is the conservation and
development of fishery resources for the state's commercial,
sport, guided sport, and personal use fisheries. It also
involves setting policy and direction. The board is charged with
making allocative decisions, and the department manages based on
those decisions.
3:42:11 PM
CHAIR REVAK asked McKenzie Mitchell to provide a brief
background and tell the committee about her interest in serving
on the Board of Fisheries.
3:42:35 PM
MCKENZIE MITCHELL, appointee, Board of Fisheries, Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Fairbanks, Alaska, stated
she bought a one-way plane ticket to Alaska at age 20 and found
work at a Kodiak hunting and fishing lodge for several years.
During that time she acquired a captain's license, sport fishing
guide license, and assistant big game hunting license. She found
her calling working in the hunting and fishing industry but
wanted an education as well so she enrolled in the University of
Alaska Fairbanks. She majored in economics with an
interdisciplinary minor in wilderness leadership and guiding
services. She was introduced to resource economics during this
time and felt compelled to obtain a graduate degree in resource
and applied economics. Her research was focused on fisheries.
Having this degree prepared her use economic tools to evaluate
the allocation and utilization of resources to achieve optimal
environmental and social benefits. It also helped her understand
the market and values associated with the environment and
resource use as well as resource management decisions. She feels
fortunate to live in Alaska that is endowed with incredible
natural resources and is largely resource dependent.
MS. MITCHELL said much of her education centered on economic
methods for valuing non-market goods. This is important when
applied to resources because many resources provide utility but
do not necessarily have direct or observable market prices. The
process of how natural resources are allocated for consumptive
purposes is of equal importance. She believes that allocative
decisions intended to optimize social and environmental welfare
over time require an evaluation of the resource and the user
group by assigning values that may not be directly observable.
The commercial fishery in the state has important economic
opportunities ranging from maintaining generational heritage of
families and communities supplying fish to a world market.
Subsistence and personal use fisheries in Alaska are important
because the health of an economy and the strength of a state is
greatly supported by the wellbeing of its people and their
ability to feel unified under their tradition and belief system.
The sport fishery is also important, and is helping maintain
Alaska's status as a premier recreation travel destination.
MS. MITCHELL stated she currently teaches economics and
recreation management at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks;
works as a ground instructor at a flight school; and seasonally
as a hunting and fishing guide. She is passionate about Alaska,
its resources, and her Alaskan lifestyle. She would be honored
to serve as a member of the Board of Fisheries. She understands
the responsibility of helping to manage one of the best managed
fisheries in the world.
3:47:16 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE joined the committee.
3:47:44 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked how, as a board member, she balances the
competing and controversial issues of sport fishing, commercial
fishing, and subsistence fishing.
MS. MITCHELL answered it is on a case-by-case basis because
every situation is different and each deserves due diligence to
determine the appropriate allocative use of the resource.
SENATOR STEVENS requested she expand on the answer.
MS. MITCHELL explained that when making an allocative
determination, the board considers subsistence use, dependency
on subsistence, whether the area is remote and rural or more
populated and accessible, the health of the resource, and
competition between commercial and sport user groups, among
other factors. Western Alaska along the Yukon River is remote
and has more subsistence users whereas in areas like upper Cook
Inlet, there is more competition between commercial and sport
use. Each area requires a different focus and ultimately, it
takes time to gain knowledge and understand the importance by
user groups for particular species when trying to allocate
according to the purpose of the board, which is to utilize,
develop, and conserve the resource.
3:50:13 PM
SENATOR STEVENS expressed appreciation for the answer and her
comments, and wished her good luck as a board member with this
complex issue.
3:50:45 PM
CHAIR REVAK thanked Ms. Mitchell and asked Abe Williams to
provide a brief background and tell the committee about his
interest in serving on the Board of Fisheries.
3:51:25 PM
ABE WILLIAMS, Appointee, Board of Fisheries, Alaska Department
of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Anchorage, Alaska, stated he was born
and raised in King Salmon and has lived in Anchorage for the
past 11 years. His experience includes: 15 years as president of
a Native corporation, 3 years on the Bristol Bay Assembly, 6
years on the Bristol Bay School Board, 9 years on the
Naknek/Kvichak Advisory Committee, 3 years on the Bristol Bay
Regional Seafood Development Association, and he is a member of
the Naknek Native Village tribe. He related that he currently is
the director of regional affairs with The Pebble Partnership and
he owns and operates a Bristol Bay commercial fishing business
with his three sons. He is a fourth generation commercial
fisherman. He and his family own and operate a business that
services the commercial fishing industry.
MR. WILLIAMS asked the committee for its support for his
nomination to the Board of Fisheries.
3:52:55 PM
CHAIR REVAK asked him to speak to the concerns about his
potential conflict of interest or influence in his objectivity
due to his employment by The Pebble Partnership.
MR. WILLIAMS replied he was well aware of the concerns but he
did not believe it was fair to discredit him as unethical
because of his position with The Pebble Partnership. It does not
reflect who he is or his moral compass. He added that he did not
think the Board of Fisheries would be dealing with proposals or
anything that would concern the Pebble project and how it moves
forward.
CHAIR REVAK thanked him for the response.
3:55:17 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked him to comment on two prevalent
complaints about his appointment: 1) he is considered an out of
region advocate when Bristol Bay typically has had a regional
advocate on the board; and
2) he seems to represent the wealthier, DE boat fishermen with
an interest in increasing the boat length beyond 32 feet.
MR. WILLIAMS said he recognizes that some in the region do not
support him and some of the objection relates to the dual permit
proposals he has put forward. He refuted the second complaint
maintaining he had never talked about lengthening a 32 foot
boat, but he did think there was merit to the idea. To the claim
that he represents wealthier fishermen, he said he leased
permits before he could purchase his own. He started small but
was consistently a top producer and that got him where he is
today in the fishery. He explained his view of permit stacking
is that it allows fishermen to be more resourceful and
profitable in a fishery that fluctuates drastically.
4:00:44 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked for an explanation of his position as a
director with The Pebble Partnership.
MR. WILLIAMS answered that as the director of regional affairs,
he engages with stakeholders in the region, including fishermen,
to learn about their concerns. "I'm mostly a conduit between the
project and understanding concerns in communities throughout the
region."
CHAIR REVAK thanked Mr. Williams and asked John Wood to provide
a brief background and tell the committee about his interest in
serving on the Board of Fisheries.
4:02:20 PM
JOHN WOOD, Appointee, Board of Fisheries, Alaska Department of
Fish and Game (ADF&G) Willow, Alaska, stated that in 2013 he
handled fishery issues for Senator Dunleavy's office. He
attended pertinent Board of Fisheries sessions and traveled on
his own time and nickel to visit fishing sites to speak to and
get the perspective of East Side setnetters and processing
facilities. His focus was entirely on the health of the fish
stock and the return to historical levels in both size and
numbers of all species. He said that remains his emphasis and
overriding goal.
MR. WOOD stated he reached out to stakeholders after his initial
appointment, and on his own nickel and time he attended the
North Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting in Homer. On
that trip he met and discussed issues of concern with a broad
number of individuals and groups. He offered highlights of the
different meetings. He related that his approach was to listen
and learn and act as a catalyst to bring parties together to
find solutions.
MR. WOOD asked the committee for its support and said he would
submit his comments in writing.
4:06:29 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked if the contract he had with the governor
when he came before the committee last year was still in effect.
MR. WOOD answered yes, but it was unrelated to fisheries.
SENATOR KIEHL asked if he was doing work under that contract at
this time.
MR. WOOD answered yes.
SENATOR KIEHL asked if he had talked about fish and the
fisheries with the governor lately.
MR. WOOD answered no.
SENATOR KIEHL mentioned the concentration of board members
within a 100 mile radius, and asked how well the board reflects
the interests of all Alaskans today.
MR. WOOD offered his belief that experience and knowledge of the
issues and areas was more important than where board members
live.
SENATOR KIEHL commented that his take was remarkable.
4:08:26 PM
SENATOR BISHOP mentioned the continuing critical lack of fish
running up the Yukon and asked him to keep an open mind about
helping the people in that area as much as possible.
MR. WOOD said he was committed to do what he could to help get
the returns up to the numbers they should be so the users have a
reliable and consistent source of fish.
4:09:48 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE asked when the board was going to take a more
comprehensive cradle to grave approach to managing fish to
understand where the fry go and what happens to them before they
return to their natal stream or river as mature fish. This would
be beneficial to fishermen, in Cook Inlet for example, who find
themselves fighting their neighbors over the comparatively few
mature fish that return.
MR. WOOD stated support for that approach but pointed out that
the Board of Fisheries only has jurisdiction on the cradle and
the grave, not what happens in the ocean. He suggested the
legislature might help elicit interest at the federal level to
do research and gather data to better understand what is
happening to fish runs in the blue water. He added that he did
not believe the board's goal was to have neighbors fighting
neighbors, but allocation decisions in a mixed stock fishery
such as Cook Inlet, can cause conflict. He said his primary
focus is to get fish back into the streams in sufficient numbers
to provide a consistent harvest.
4:13:27 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE said his question was not about allocation, but
about a more comprehensive approach to management. He pointed
out that not all fishery impacts occur in the blue water.
Without a more comprehensive approach, other areas of the state
will see competition like Cook Inlet is experiencing. He
reiterated, "We really need to think about not pitting end-of-
the-line-neighbor against end-of-the-line-neighbor.
4:15:12 PM
CHAIR REVAK thanked Mr. Wood and asked Marit Carlson-Van Dort to
provide a brief background and tell the committee about her
interest in serving on the Board of Fisheries.
4:15:32 PM
MARIT CARLSON-VAN DORT, Appointee, Board of Fisheries, Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Anchorage, Alaska, stated
she was born and raised in Alaska, Juneau in the winter for
school and Chignik Bay in the summer fishing with the extended
family. Since 2015, she has lived in Anchorage. She explained
that Chignik is a small village with a long fishing history,
primarily sockeye salmon. She started seining with her
grandfather at age 14 and continued to do that for 13 years. She
is also a lifelong subsistence fisherman. After high school, she
earned a bachelor's degree in conservation biology at the
University of Wisconsin at Madison. She concentrated her studies
in fishery science and ecology. Returning to Alaska, she
continued her studies at the University of Alaska, Southeast in
fisheries science and secondary education with a math/science
emphasis. She taught physical science and oceanography at Juneau
Douglas High School for a year.
MS. CARLSON-VAN DORT stated that how Alaska taxes, manages, and
uses its resources has been central in her personal and
professional interest. Work experience in this area include
legislative staff to the Resources Committee, legislative
liaison for the Department of Natural Resources, and private
sector work in public and government affairs and areas
associated with state and federal regulation, environmental
policy, permitting, development, and community outreach and
engagement. She is currently employed as the president and CEO
for Far West Inc., which is the Native corporation for Chignik
Bay. The corporation's board of directors recognizes that
managing their lands for subsistence and cultural resources is
the best use of that land. As such, the corporation derives no
revenue from fisheries.
4:18:54 PM
MS. CARLSON-VAN DORT related that her interest in serving on the
Board of Fisheries stems from what seems to be a dramatic shift
in recent years in the behavior and population of many of
Alaska's fish runs. She is interested in learning about the
cause of these changes and ensuring that fisheries management
policies are appropriately responsive to local observations and
what is reflected in the scientific data. She emphasized the
importance of management for long term sustainability. First,
sufficient numbers of fish are returning and reproducing to
renew the wild populations. Second, management must be based on
maximum sustained use yield principals, while ensuring that
Alaska's subsistence use priority is being upheld.
She stated support for the commercial fishing industry in Alaska
as an important part of the economy and bolstering food
security. She said she recognizes the value and importance of
Alaska's subsistence, commercial, sport fishing, and personal
use fisheries to the culture and economies of Alaska
communities, particularly rural communities.
MS. CARLSON-VAN DORT thanked the chair for the latitude to
address the controversies her appointment elicited, calling them
misrepresentations and falsehoods.
First the assertion she occupies a commercial fishing seat. She
explained that she was appointed in the spring of 2019 to fill
the remaining three years of Orville Huntington's seat when he
moved to the Board of Game. While there are no designated seats,
he was recognized as filling a so-called subsistence seat. John
Jensen, Chris Johnson, and Gerad Godfrey were recognized as
occupying commercial fish seats, and Reed Morrissey, Israel
Payton, and John Wood occupied sport fishery seats. The board
appointments under consideration now would maintain the seat she
occupies as a subsistence seat.
Second, the assertion that she did not provide valid
justification for her vote, and that she arrived at the Upper
Cook Inlet meeting with her mind made up. She maintained that
she provided plenty of justification for the proposals she
supported and did not support. Furthermore, the claim that she
supported sport fish proposals over commercial fish was
inaccurate. She did not arrive with her mind made up. She asked
questions of the department staff and the public and she worked
hard to broker a compromise between commercial and sport fish
interests on a proposal addressing late run Kenai King salmon
conservation concerns. She emphasized that this was the process
and type of communication that stakeholders value in board
members.
Third, the assertion that commercial fishermen are frustrated
that she does not engage. She said that was a surprise because
she made herself available and participated with groups and
individuals on many occasions including: leadership, members, a
panel discussion hosted during the virtual Fish Expo, the Kodiak
Salmon Working Group, Cook Inlet drift fishermen and setnetters,
sport fish guides and conservation groups from the Lower Cook
Inlet to the MatSu Valley, Southeast commercial fishing
interests, Chignik area stakeholders, hatchery representatives,
and Alaska Native regional corporation members and tribes. She
said she has done her best to be available to Alaskans because
they deserve no less.
Fourth, the assertion that she was a vote solely for Chignik
fishermen, shareholders, and directors of the Chignik Village
Corporation. She pointed out that the corporation has some
shareholders who hold Chignik permits and others who are Kodiak
permit holders. She said the board made a very difficult and
unpopular allocation decision to decrease the time and
allocation percentage for the Kodiak fleet in their prosecution
of a very specific fishery on a struggling Chignik run that has
failed to meet minimum escapement goals for the past three
years. There is no evidence that she colluded with family
members and she did not work with a cousin or anybody else to
craft and submit proposals to the board. To the accusation that
she colluded with her uncle to transfer his permit to alleviate
a conflict of interest prior to the Kodiak meeting, she said she
had no knowledge of the transfer of that seine permit and he
submitted a sworn affidavit to the committee affirming the
facts. She added that when she drafted her ethics disclosures
she checked with the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
website to ensure her disclosures were accurate. In two prior
meetings she disclosed that her uncle held a permit and at the
Kodiak meeting she disclosed that he had held a Chignik permit.
Prior to deliberations, she further disclosed that a first
cousin submitted proposals that were before the board. She
consulted with the Department of Law and the chair of the board
as the ethics supervisor on all the disclosures and was advised
there was no conflict of interest under the Executive Ethic Act
so she was allowed to participate.
Finally, she used the term "we" when she referred to the loss of
two processing plants in the community of Chignik. She admitted
that was a mistake, but disputed the allegation that it was
proof that she did not draft her own comments. She said she
worked hard to draft her comments and reviewed department data
related to the proposals. She said she worked with the Chignik
stakeholder group to ensure the intent and effect of the
proposed policy change was accurate, but not until after she
heard the staff report, public testimony, and information that
was provided during the committee of the whole process. That is
the job of a board member, just as any changes in policy or
management plans are board decisions.
MS. CARLSON-VAN DORT pointed out that many Alaskans have deep
and meaningful ties throughout the state, and said that should
not preclude qualified candidates from consideration. She said
she was honored to be the first woman and the first Alaska
Native woman to be elected as chair of the Board of Fisheries,
and she would like to give back by continuing to serve on the
board.
CHAIR REVAK said he appreciated that she had reached out to his
office to request additional time.
4:27:21 PM
SENATOR STEVENS asked her to comment further on the difficult
decisions the board faces to balance the competitive interests
by different user groups.
MS. CARLSON-VAN DORT responded that the decisions are incredibly
difficult. She explained that her approach is to first look at
whether there is a conservation issue, because the fish come
first. Second, the board looks at how to sustain a harvestable
surplus, taking the subsistence priority in law into
consideration. When evaluating allocative decisions, she said
she tries to look at the totality of the issue such as whether
other fisheries in the area are available for harvest; the job
opportunities in the particular area where people are living;
trends over time; and whether the science supports the
assertions being made, including genetic data and historic
tagging studies.
4:29:59 PM
SENATOR KIEHL advised that his question related to the serious
concern about whether all the facets of Alaska's fishing
community believe they have representation on the board. He said
it was very worrisome that a previous nominee discounted the
concern saying he was familiar with both Anchorage and MatSu. He
asked her to talk about her role and why there was so much
concern about her appointment.
MS. CARLSON-VAN DORT said she believes that board members should
represent the interests of the fish and all Alaskans, and that
there is a difference between representing a specific interest
and having that experience represented on the board.
Consideration should be given to where board members life
experience has been, rather than where they physically reside
today.
4:33:09 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked her to comment on the concern he was hearing
about who had her ear and what group or area she was advocating
for.
MS. CARLSON-VAN DORT replied she had done her best to be
available to anyone who wanted to meet and she had tried to
reach out to get additional information about proposals that
were put forward. She reemphasized the importance of local and
traditional knowledge because nobody understands the resource
better. She tried to be objective in evaluating the 300 some
proposals that came before the board over the last year, always
taking science into consideration.
4:35:20 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE commented that members of the Board of
Fisheries do in fact over time fall into a slot of voting in a
particular way. He said board members are under tremendous
pressure by public lobbyists, various special interest groups,
and the administration when they are trying to make the best
decisions possible, but he knows for a fact that not every board
member has chosen what they believe is right because of all that
pressure. He asked how she believes she can make the best
decision under that collective pressure.
4:38:33 PM
MS. CARLSON-VAN DORT agreed that board meetings generally are a
very intense environment. She said she recognizes the different
interests, but ultimately she relies on the data the department
provides and conversations with managers and department staff.
Decisions should largely be based on that information. The
component of local and traditional knowledge is also very
important in informing individual board member decisions, as is
participation from the advisory committee. She related that her
approach is to be available in the early part of the meeting,
but the night before deliberations she spends time looking
through and digesting all the materials, so she can make the
best decision based on the information. She acknowledged that
not everybody would agree on any one decision, and some
individuals and interest groups might be very unhappy. That is
part of the job, she said.
SENATOR MICCICHE asked what the Board of Fisheries can do to
ensure they receive reliable and apolitical information from the
department that actually puts the fish first.
MS. CARLSON-VAN DORT answered that her approach would be to ask
for information and talk with managers throughout the year
rather than just before or during a meeting.
CHAIR REVAK thanked Ms. Carlson-Van Dort for being willing to
continue to serve.
4:43:43 PM
CHAIR REVAK asked John Jensen to provide a brief background and
tell the committee about her interest in continuing to serve on
the Board of Fisheries.
4:44:08 PM
JOHN JENSEN, Appointee, Board of Fisheries, Alaska Department of
Fish and Game (ADF&G), Petersburg, Alaska, stated it was an
honor to be reappointed to serve a seventh term on the Board of
Fisheries. He related he has more than 50 years of professional
experience as a commercial fisherman, permit owner, and hired
captain of larger fishing vessels. He has participated in
multiple fishery gear types and species throughout coastal
Alaska. Since 2010 he has operated a seasonal self-guided skiff
business for sport fishing, hunting, camping, whale watching,
glacier viewing, and local exploration. As a lifetime resident
in coastal Alaska, he has experienced all aspects of historical
dependence on fisheries resources, including personal,
subsistence, recreational, sport, and commercial fishing. He has
a keen interest in the regulatory process, and he supports all
efforts to maintain the customary and traditional lifestyles for
all users in Alaska, and to continually strengthen the economies
of coastal communities and ports of call for the fishing fleet.
His enthusiasm for the work of the Board of Fisheries never
waivers.
MR. JENSEN related his overarching goal is to work to provide
sustainable fisheries for all user groups in the state. After 19
years on the board, he has a deep understanding of the
regulatory process for Alaska's managed fisheries. As a
commercial fisherman he is able to contribute a working
knowledge of the fishing industry statewide. He said he strongly
advocates for fair and equitable allocation of the resource by
user groups based on the best science available.
MR. JENSEN said he was committed to play a positive role in
addressing the significant challenges ahead while upholding the
goal of sustainability, fair allocation, conservation,
preservation of lifestyles, and economic resilience of
communities for all participants.
MR. JENSEN added that, as a member of the North Pacific
Fisheries Management Council, he recently participated in the
decision to close the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters of
Cook Inlet. He explained that the issue started when a
commercial fish organization filed a federal lawsuit seeking
more federal oversight of these waters. The state intervened in
opposition and the federal court ordered the council to amend
the existing fishery management plan. He opined that allowing
federal oversight of mixed stock fisheries has the potential to
significantly impact the fisheries in state waters because the
fisheries under review are first in line mixed stock fisheries.
This could also potentially result in allocation shifts to
already fully allocated fisheries in Cook Inlet, and potentially
impact the current management plans designed to protect weaker
recovering stocks. He posited a solution would be to insert the
word "federal" in Section 302(h)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
CHAIR REVAK thanked him for being willing to continue to serve.
4:50:38 PM
CHAIR REVAK opened public testimony on the nominations to the
Board of Fisheries and the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry
Commission. He noted the time limitation today and advised that
public testimony would be held open to the next meeting so
everyone could be heard.
4:51:42 PM
GILDA SAHELLOF, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of the appointment of Melvin Smith to the Alaska
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC). She and Mr. Smith
are both from False Pass and she has known him her entire life.
He has a lot of knowledge about the fisheries and will make a
good commissioner.
4:52:53 PM
ALANNAH HURLEY, representing self, Dillingham, Alaska, stated
she is a Bristol Bay setnetter who believes Abe Williams's
conflict of interest due to his work for The Pebble Partnership
should preclude him from serving on the Board of Fisheries. The
primary role of the board is to conserve and develop fishery
resources in the state so his appointment makes no sense.
4:53:57 PM
SHAG TRENT, representing self, King Salmon, Alaska, emphatically
stated that an employee of The Pebble Partnership should not
serve on a board that is tasked with managing the fishery
resource of the state. Mr. Williams has an obvious bias toward
developing Bristol Bay, and his approach to development in other
areas of the state where it conflicts with the salmon resource
should be questioned as well. He urged the legislature to reject
his name and ask the governor to find a more suitable candidate.
He concluded that Abe Williams cannot be trusted to put fish
first.
4:54:57 PM
KATHERINE CARSCALLEN, representing self, Dillingham, Alaska,
related that she was born and raised in Dillingham in a
commercial and subsistence family, and she has operated a drift
boat for ten years. She first participated in a Board of
Fisheries meeting in 2009 to support habitat protection for
Bristol Bay from the Pebble mine. Board members were open minded
and accessible, and that shaped her understanding and respect
for the Board of Fisheries process. She has attended every
meeting since then. To the question of whether Mr. Williams'
connection to the mine is relevant to his nomination, she
offered her belief that his decade of work promoting a project
that would directly remove essential habitat to the region's
fishery as at odds with the guiding principals of the
sustainable salmon policy board members are expected to uphold.
MS. CARSCALLEN charged that Mr. Williams consistently
misrepresented the views of commercial fishermen, often falsely
presenting them as divided on an issue. Furthermore, he wasted
fishermen's resources by bringing a Pebble-funded lawsuit
against the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development
Association. She offered her belief that if appointed, he would
continue to misrepresent support for the mine among the fishing
industry. She said she has no doubt that if her introduction to
the board had put her before a member with as clear a conflict
of interest as Mr. Williams has on this issue, her assumption
would have been that politics has a greater role on this board
than public input and science. She said that is the question
before this legislature and the committee. Governor Dunleavy's
appointment of Mr. Williams was a political maneuver in support
of the Pebble mine, and to allow that level of politics on a
board that is so important to Alaska's fisheries would be an
abdication of the legislative role of checks and balances.
MS. CARSCALLEN asked the committee to reject the nomination of
Abe Williams to the Board of Fisheries.
4:57:45 PM
SUSAN DOHERTY, Executive Director, Southeast Alaska Seiners
Association (SASA), Ketchikan, Alaska, stated that the Board of
Fisheries was established as an open process to give user groups
an equal voice in the decisions that affect resources. This
process relies on the expectation that everyone is heard and has
an opportunity for the board's ear. She said the outcry about a
particular appointment is not because people are upset that a
ruling was made against one group over another, it's about the
expectation, oath and commitment to be unbiased and impartial.
People are upset because it was clearly demonstrated that they
had no real opportunity at the meeting to have their side heard.
They were shut out and one board member had already made up
their mind. This was the loud and clear message. She said the
board process only works when members commit to being open to
all users and develop trust with all user groups. This trust was
violated, thus the angry and frustrated testimony to not confirm
Marit Carlson-Van Dort. She asked the committee and legislature
to hear the cries and restore the trust in the Board of
Fisheries process that is vitally important to the livelihood of
fishermen.
5:00:19 PM
BEN MOHR, Executive Director, Kenai River Sportfishing
Association (KRSA), Soldotna, Alaska, stated that KRSA supports
all the governor appointees before the committee today because
they represent a balance between the sport, commercial, personal
use, and subsistence user groups. John Jensen, John Wood and
Marit Carlson-Van Dort clearly understand that service on the
board is a public trust responsibility. Their decisions are
answerable to all Alaskans. During the 2020 meeting they were
accessible to the public and provided thoughtful consideration
of all perspectives. Chair Carlson-Van Dort has been a welcome
presence. Her upbringing in Chignik and Juneau and her
background in subsistence and commercial fisheries help inform
her decision making, but not an unfair bias. She has a
preference for accuracy and precision in management and for
ensuring long term sustainability of the fisheries. She takes up
issues based on their merit and the best available information.
MR. MOHR highlighted that John Wood has exhibited a desire for
equity and inclusiveness. He brought people together at the
Upper Cook Inlet meeting, consistently working for collaboration
to reach the ultimate board goal to conserve and develop the
state's fishery resources. He said John Jensen has served the
state with distinction for many years in his role on the Board
of Fisheries. His experience and knowledge of Alaska fisheries
is an asset to the state. He said McKenzie Mitchell brings a
fresh perspective to the board that will serve Alaska well. Her
role as an economist will influence her decision making and help
fulfill the goal of the board to conserve and develop fisheries.
He offered his understanding that Abe Williams has actively
participated in the Bristol Bay commercial drift fishery for
about 30 years. His experience will be invaluable to the board.
CHAIR REVAK asked those who were unable to testify today to call
in again on Monday.
5:03:52 PM
BARBARA REILLY, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in opposition to the appointment of Abe Williams to the Board of
Fisheries. She reported that she has master's degrees in marine
science and environmental engineering, and she worked as the
sediment disposal expert and the environmental compliance
officer for the Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska district for 20
years. She listed the medals she has received for her work.
Based on her credentials and experience, she found Abe Williams
an unsatisfactory appointment to a seat on the Board of
Fisheries. She noted that the personal history he provided was
detailed but it omitted his Pebble mine experience, and that
demonstrates a lack of transparency. His service on the board
would be an alarming conflict of interest because he is the
regional director of The Pebble Partnership and has been an
ardent champion of that project for more than a decade. His
nomination is a reflection of Governor Dunleavy's efforts to
promote the Pebble mine despite Alaskans' widespread opposition.
She pointed out that the appointment also reduces rural
representation in state fisheries management decisions. Mr.
Williams is an Anchorage resident and this seat has
traditionally been held by a Bristol Bay resident.
5:06:38 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced that public testimony would remain open.
5:07:37 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Revak adjourned the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting at 5:07 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SRES BOF Fact Sheet & GOV Appointee's Jensen, Williams, Mitchell, Wood, Carlson-Van Dort.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
BOF Gov Appointees Jensen, Williams, Mitchell, Wood, Carlson-Van Dort |
| SRES CFEC Gov Appointee Melvin Smith.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES CFEC Gov Appointee Melvin Smith |
| SRES BOF Opposition Letters-Abe Williams 4.15.21.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF OppositionLetters-Abe Williams |
| SRES BOF Support Letters for Mitchell, Williams, WOod and Combo Letters of Opposition 4.15.21.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Support letters for Mitchell, Williams, Wood and Combo Oppose Letters |
| SRES BOF Opposition Letters Carlson-Van Dort 4.15.21.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Opposition Letters to Carlson-Van Dort 4.15.21 |
| SRES BOF Batch 1-Combination Support Letters- Carlson-Van Dort, Wood, Mitchell, Williams, Jensen 4.15.21.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Combo Support Letters for All |
| SRES BOF Batch 2-Combination Support Letters Carlson-Van Dort, Wood, Mitchell, Williams, Jensen 4.15.21.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Batch 2 Combination Support Letters for Carlson-Van Dort, Wood, Mitchell, Williams, Jensen |
| SRES BOF Support Letter Carlson-Van Dort 4.15.21.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Support Letters for Carlson-Van Dort 4.15.21 |
| SRES CFEC Melvin Smith Letters of Support 4.15.21.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES CFEC Support letters Melvin Smith 4.15.21 |
| SRES BOF Nominee Oppose Letters printed 4.16.21.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Oppose Letters printed 4.16.21 |
| SRES BOF Support Letters for Marit Carlson Van-Dort printed 4.16.21.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Support Letters Carlson Van Dort printed 4.16.21 |
| SRES BOF Appointee-John Wood Statement 5.10.21.pdf |
SRES 4/16/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SRES BOF Appointee-John Woods statement 5.10.21 |