Juneau -- Senate President Drue Pearce (R-Anchorage) and House Speaker Brian Porter (R-Anchorage) Wednesday gaveled both houses of the Alaska Legislature into special session to tackle the knotty and elusive subsistence question.

The special session was called by Governor Knowles, who is asking the Legislature to pass and place onto the next general election ballot a proposed constitutional amendment dealing with subsistence. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) demands that Alaska provide a hunting and fishing preference for rural Alaskans. However, the Alaska Constitution states that all Alaskans must have equal access to resources. Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt insists that he has no choice but to assume control of fisheries management on federal lands in Alaska on October 1, 1999, if Alaska does not place a constitutional amendment before voters to provide a subsistence preference for rural residents.

"We are here, and we are committed to resolving the subsistence dilemma which was created by federal law and not by Alaskans," said Senate President Drue Pearce. "The Governor and all legislators need to be willing to compromise. The Legislature has crafted a number of different Alaskan approaches over the years and has come within one vote at least twice. I'm hopeful that we can reach an acceptable solution before October 1," said Pearce.

"As the Legislature meets I remain cautiously optimistic that, even at this late hour, we can craft a solution which protects the subsistence needs and rights of all Alaskans," said Speaker Porter. "While we are in Juneau, we will also take the opportunity for the Legislature to further review the other matter of intense immediate interest to many Alaskans, the proposed BP-ARCO merger."

The Legislature convened at 1:00 pm at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau.