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Greetings again from Juneau! I just returned from a productive trip to Kodiak where I had the pleasure of meeting with many of you face to face to discuss pending legislation and other issues. I met with several processors, city, borough, and school district leaders, Fish Tech researchers, and members from Main Street Kodiak.
Unfortunately, due to session scheduling, I will probably not be in Kodiak for ComFish. However my staff member, Melissa Dover, will be there, along with Doug Letch from Sen. Gary Stevens' office. Please drop by and visit them in Booth #114.
A New Fish and Game Facility
When I was home, I had the opportunity to discuss the possibility of a new Alaska Department of Fish and Game building on Near Island. For years, Fish and Game staff have been working in overcrowded conditions without adequate laboratory space. After reviewing several options, borough staff determined the only solution that would provide both sufficient office and laboratory space would be building a new facility.
Near Island is an ideal location because the new Fish and Game building will be in close proximity to the Fishery Industrial Technology Center and the Fisheries Research Center. This closeness will encourage scientists working in all three buildings to share resources and ideas, and will complete the unique research campus envisioned for Near Island.
We are hopeful that the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Fund will provide the funding for the new facility. The major goals of the fund are to rehabilitate damaged habitat and monitor the habitat within the spill zone. The new Fish and Game would contribute to both of these goals by continuing to protect the marine resources in the Kodiak region.
In speaking with city officials and Main Street Kodiak members, they emphasized the importance of keeping the Mission Road building occupied. I also believe it is essential to keep the current building occupied and I believe it will make desirable office space when it is remodeled. I will work hard to ensure the building continues to be used in the future.
Sea Otter Research
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed listing the Southwest Alaska population of sea otters as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The population of sea otters in this region have declined as much as 65 percent since the mid-1970s. As we have witnessed with Steller sea lions, commercial fishing activity could be curtailed if sea otters are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
In an attempt to be proactive, my staff and I have drafted a resolution asking the United States Congress to provide $5 million per year for five years to conduct research on the cause of the decline. In the resolution, I have asked that the research be centered in Kodiak, with field stations in other Western Alaska coastal communities where sea otters are declining. Since the deadline for personal legislation has passed, the House Resources committee has generously agreed to sponsor the resolution.
House Bill 333 Update
, which would provide an endowment for public education, moved out of the House Special Committee on Education Tuesday. It will be heard in the House Health, Education, and Social Services Committee next week.
HB 333 will create new wealth for the University of Alaska system and an endowment for K-12 public education. Four percent of all new resource development will be placed in a fund to be split equally between the University and public schools. Monetary gifts by individuals or corporations can also be placed in the fund. The endowment will grow gradually over time, leading to a sizable trust to help fund education in Alaska.
On the Radar
, which I co-sponsored, passed the House unanimously last week and is now working its way through the Senate process. The bill will increase the base student allocation by $419 to $4,588. I believe this bill will go a long way toward solving the fiscal crisis our schools, although we are still examining more permanent solutions to provide adequate funding. This legislation was supported by both Republicans and Democrats and really shows how much we can accomplish when we work together.
Want to check on a bill?
All bills can be found on the Internet on the BASIS system. Anyone can find out a bill's status, including committee hearings, how legislators have voted on the bill, and you can view and print the bill's entire text. Access the system from
Visitors
In addition to the people I was able to visit with in Kodiak, I had the pleasure of meeting with several of you in Juneau as well. John Sweeney, Bruce Schactler, Oliver Holm, Duncan Fields, CeCe Esparza, Maurice Hughes, Linda Freed, Betty Walters, and Heather Wheeler all dropped by my Capitol office during the last two weeks.
And remember, my ears and door are always open to you.
Dan Ogg
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