Subsistence

In the 10-year old Katie John v. United States case, on January 7th, U.S. District Court Judge Holland issued a final judgement that would allow the federal government management control over subsistence fisheries in navigable waters of Alaska. These areas include the navigable waters within and adjacent to the boundaries of national parks, monuments, preserves, wildlife refuges, national forests, and recreation and conservation areas. The courts held that the term "public lands" as defined in ANILCA, includes navigable waters in which the U.S. federal government has reserved water rights. Governor Tony Knowles, i.e. the State of Alaska, filed a notice of appeal on January 26th on the Katie John subsistence fisheries decision, to be resolved in the U.S. Supreme Court.

This follows the November suit, filed by the Governor, claiming Alaskan title to submerged lands i.e. the right to manage resources in the water column above it, specifically to that in Glacier Bay National Park. Both of these actions are important in preserving our state sovereignty.

The House Resources Committee invited members of the Board of Fish (BOF) and the Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game to give their overviews of the subsistence issue. The picture they painted was frightful. The BOF warned that uncoordinated management could result in decreased allocations for most harvesters and potential damage to Alaska's well-managed fish stocks. Deputy Commissioner of F&G, Rob Bosworth, reported that the department's current negotiations with the Federal Subsistence Board (FSB) are focusing on writing a memorandum of understanding, setting protocols, and working on such issues as in-season management and setting a mechanism for defining subsistence use levels. He says the feds promised "minimum intrusion" and suggests that there should be no need for instituting federal regulations if a state regulation is adequate to the need. The FSB has already adopted existing state fishing regulations to be used to manage this year's fishing season, but they've called for proposals for the 2001 season.

The proposal period will last until March 27th. A public comment period will follow the submission deadline and Regional Advisory Commission hearings will continue through December. (For more information and proposal forms call 1-800-478-1456 or 907-786-3888, or contact the Office of Subsistence Management Internet homepage at http:/www.r7fws.gov/asm/home.html). In addition, Bosworth indicated that of the $11 million set aside for federal subsistence management, $6.2 million will be used by federal agencies for "resource monitoring".

Fish Legislation

HB 104, which would allow the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) to impose a moratorium on a stressed fishery and on vessels or participants without going through the existing time-consuming process, has been stalled in Senate Resources since May of last year. I co-sponsored this bill and will continue to support Representative Bill Hudson in getting it moving.

Senate President Drue Pearce introduced SB 183, which would change the existing makeup of the Board of Fish. Presently the board is comprised of individuals who are willing to serve on a part-time basis, in part, because they have an interest in this area. This bill would create a professional full-time board. I am not in support of this change. I feel that a professional board would lose its ability to deal with local issues. Our current BOF process allows the local fisherman to be part of the decision-making process.

Representative Eldon Mulder, introduced HB 339, which would allow the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank (CFAB) to make loans relating to tourism and development or exploitation of natural resources. I have co-sponsored this bill because Ed Crane, director of CFAB, requested this measure as a way to maintain the viability of the program.

Governor Tony Knowles introduced two bills that would establish fees relating to the accounting for administrative cost charge and the appropriation of receipts from the community development quota (CDQ) program (HB 334) and appropriations for management assessment of the dive fishery (HB 333).

Internet licensing

Online purchasing of fishing and hunting licenses, along with game tags is now available through the ADF&G website. You may even purchase a current crewmember's license. Check out their site at: www.state.ak.us/adfg.

Visitors

Recent visitors to my office include: City mayor Carolyn Floyd, borough mayor Gary Stevens, Virginia Squartsoff and Mayor Allen Panamaroff, both of Larsen Bay, Harvey Goodell, Bob Hatcher, Emil Christiansen of Old Harbor and Duncan Fields. Former KIB Mayor Jerome Selby was also by again to confer.

Remember-my door is always open!