SENATE BILL NO. 363 An Act making appropriations for capital project matching grant funds and for capital projects; and providing for an effective date. DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Co-chair Pearce directed that SB 363 be brought on for discussion and acknowledged the presence of staff from the Dept. of Fish and Game. McKIE CAMPBELL, Deputy Commissioner, Dept. of Fish and Game, and KEVIN BROOKS, Finance Officer, Dept. of Fish and Game, came before committee. Mr. Campbell said that the department's capital requests relate to maintenance of facilities and vessels, better management for AYK chum salmon, stock identification protecting state rights, trail clearing and habitat enhancement, protection of fur markets, and matches for federal funds. The first request for $650.0 is for facilities maintenance. Mr. Campbell directed attention to a list of items to be undertaken with reduction of funding from $2.9 million to $650.0. He acknowledged that there may be minor substitutions on the list as projects progress. The second request seeks $300.0 for Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim chum salmon. Mr. Campbell observed that the issue has been widely publicized and debated. The department does not have adequate management capabilities throughout Western Alaska. Funding would install new counting towers, sonar, and other fish management systems. The original request was for $595.0. Reduced funding entails deletion of some towers, a cut back on sonar, and reducing the scale of some projects. The third request seeks $150.0 to continue the stock identification program. Mr. Campbell noted ongoing arguments over who is catching whose salmon and where they came from. The project will allow the department to identify salmon coming from a specific stream. Proper use should settle many political disputes. Reduced funding would entail smaller samplings and test fisheries. The fourth request is for $250.0 for vessel maintenance. Reduced funding will delay overhaul of the main engines on the MEDEA and SUNDANCE as well as cause the department to defer replacement of items such as bumper guards. The fifth item for $500.0 relates to defending the state's rights in ANILCA litigation, in planning relating to the Pacific Salmon treaty, the trans-boundary Yukon treaty, endangered species, etc. Mr. Campbell voiced his understanding that Deputy Attorney General, Cherie Jacobus had previous spoken to committee concerning this undertaking. In response to a question from Senator Sharp, Mr. Campbell noted that funding for contractual services includes an RSA to the Dept. of Law. When queried by Co- chair Pearce concerning what would not be done as a result of reduced funding from $650.0 to $500.0, Mr. Campbell noted deletion of some clerical support, reductions in travel and use of outside attorneys, as well as reductions in citizen participation. End: SFC-94, #50 Side 1 Begin: SFC-94, #50 Side 2 Discussion of staff needs in areas relating to access and use continued between Mr. Campbell and Co-chair Pearce. Mr. Campbell advised that the $350.0 request for trail and habitat clearing and enforcement involves use of fish and game funds primarily in the Fairbanks area. Habitat manipulation includes controlled burning, crushing, etc. Convict labor is used extensively in the program. Senator Rieger asked if the foregoing project involves expenditure of state moneys to "do what the fire would have done in the first place." Mr. Campbell acknowledged ongoing discussion with the federal government in an attempt to reach agreements to let fires burn in the interior. Projects undertaken by the proposed bill are in areas most accessible and used by Fairbanks residents. The risk of wild fires in those areas might result in a fire that would imperil "people on the outskirts of Fairbanks." The $400.0 request for use of fish and game funds relates to the International Standard Organization. A subgroup of the European economic community has agreed on an import ban on all furs "caught in inhumane traps." It is unclear what "inhumane" traps are. Rural Alaskans heavily depend on cash derived from trapping. The request seeks to open additional markets and work with trappers on trapping techniques and more humane traps. The last project seeks $200.0 in general funds as a match for $1.35 million in federal moneys. Funding would allow for continued construction of boat launch ramps, public access sites for fishing, etc.--a variety of sport fishing access projects. Senator Rieger requested a list of projects to be funded. Co-chair Pearce announced that continued review of capital budget requests would be noticed for the following Wednesday. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:10 p.m.