Sponsor Statement for HJR 11: Constitution Ammendment: Personal Subsistence Use

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Session:
State Capitol, Room 104
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465-2199
Fax: (907) 465-4587

Interim:
10928 Eagle River Rd., Suite 140
Eagle River, AK 99577
Phone: (907) 694-6683
Fax: (907) 694-1015

A Resolution proposing amendments to the Constitution relating to Subsistence use of wild food resources and to the harvest of fish and wildlife.

Last Updated: February 6, 2001

Contact: Representative Fred Dyson's Office at (907) 465-2199

The people of Alaska have always recognized that using natural resources for sustenance is a fundamental human right and they have always recognized that this use takes priority over all other uses.

The recent debates over "subsistence" and the Federal take over of fish management on Federal lands have focused attention on this issue and the reluctance of the Alaskan Legislature to change the State Constitution to provide for discrimination amongst Alaskan users. This has led some non-Alaskans to mistakenly think that the Alaskan mindset is to not support subsistence.

House Joint Resolution 11 puts in the Alaskan Constitution that which Alaskans have always agreed upon: The use of renewable resources for food is the highest and best use of the resource and takes precedence over all other uses.

It is the goal of the sponsor that by placing the subsistence priority in our constitution we will make it clear to everyone that Alaskans are very committed to subsistence. Placing this principle in our constitution will also help future generations understand the thinking of Alaskans of our generation. It will also commit a principle that has always been understood by Alaskan people to our founding documents.

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