Press Release: Ogan Takes Helm on Subsistence

Alaska State Legislature
News from the Office of Representative Scott Ogan

Representative Scott Ogan
State Capital, Room 128
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
ph: (907) 465-3878 fax: (907) 465-3265
toll free: (800) 862-3878
web site: www.akrepublicans.org/Ogan.htm

Ogan Takes Helm on Subsistence

For Immediate Release: January 27, 1998 Contact: Representative Scott Ogan at (907) 465-3878.

Juneau - In what may be the final chapter for the Governor's Task Force proposal on Subsistence, Rep. Scott Ogan, the Co-Chair of House Resources made this statement: "After today's hearing the proposal will not see the light of day in this committee."

Commenting directly on the Governor's document Ogan elaborated. "The Task Force Report is a good example of what happens when public policy is created behind closed doors, with no public input, and limited participation of elected officials," said Ogan. "The legislature and not the Governor is constitutionally empowered to set public policy. The Resources Committee is the appropriate body to deal with this issue. Public policy should not be set by stacked task forces or biased public opinion poles," said Ogan.

"Senator Murkowski committing to hold hearings to amend ANILCA based on a legislative solution is an opportunity we cannot pass up," said Ogan. "I am confident that we can achieve a common sense solution that addresses the needs of all Alaskan's. I agree with Senator Murkowski who stressed that a legislative solution must address the real concerns of rural, as well as urban Alaskans."

Ogan said, "It is unfortunate the legislature has had to try and make up for legal delays caused by the Governor dropping the Babbitt suit and putting out false information about what the Task Force Plan does, and does not do. We intend to have an accurately informed public on all the consequences of legislative and legal action. No task force is going to convince me to eliminate the public's equal protection rights to pay off a governor's campaign promise."

Ogan intends to proceed with what he calls the Alaskans First Plan. Why the term Alaskans First? Ogan points out that non-resident commercial and guided fishermen take millions more salmon than Alaskan's catch for their own dinner table. "There is more than enough resource to satisfy all personal consumptive users. We need to get our fish and game off the political poker table and back on Alaskan's dinner tables," said Ogan. It is time to get back to managing our fish and game, rather than managing a political crisis."

Ogan laid out his plan for the next step in achieving the Alaskans First Plan.

First, I intend to work on a statute solution, within the framework of the common use, sustained yield and equal protection clauses of the Alaska State Constitution.
Second, a solution must be consistent with the legislature's fiduciary duty as trustees of the public trust. We will hold a separate hearing on this issue.
Third, I will brief members and meet individually with them to incorporate their input on the draft.
Fourth, if a committee consensus can be achieved, I will submit to the Committee a draft bill containing substantive points from public meetings and other public input.
Fifth, I will convene either a full committee, or subcommittee work session to mark up the draft.
Sixth, I will develop a final draft and obtain the widest possible consensus before moving it from Committee."

Ogan said his goal is to get a solution on the floor within the next 60 days so the Senate will have an opportunity to deliberate on it if they so choose. "I intend to keep President Miller and Senator Halford, who chairs Senate Resources, fully informed on our progress, but I have no idea what the Senate will do at this time," said Ogan.

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Broadcast note: Actualities are available at (800) 478-6540.