A forum in Kenai on Thursday will highlight diverse perspectives on the push to modernize Alaska’s fish habitat protection and permitting laws, which have not been updated since statehood 60 years ago. Many believe changes are necessary to reflect challenges posed by large resource development projects; others believe the laws are adequate as they are.
While there is strong common ground among Alaskans that salmon are a critical resource and their habitat should be protected, the devil is in the details as to what that protection is, said Lindsey Bloom, director of United Fishermen of Alaska’s Salmon Habitat Information Project, a forum co-sponsor with the University of Alaska at Fairbanks.
“Our objective is to provide a venue for the public to get educated about the habitat protections, how they are now and how they might be changed,” Bloom said. “We want people to discuss problems that exist and some of the changes being proposed, including state legislation and the ballot initiative.”
The forum will be live streamed on Facebook for stakeholders unable to to attend.
The forum will include viewpoints from Alaska natives, conservationists, oil and gas, mining and fishing sectors, legislators and more.
“The purpose is to have a good conversation,” Bloom stressed. “It’s not about getting people to agree with each other, or come to conclusions about a specific policy. It is a real opportunity for Alaskans to participate in their natural resource management and to have a voice in the process.”
Last January at the urging of citizens, the state Board of Fisheries requested that the Legislature update Alaska’s Fish Habitat Permit Law (Title 16). It was introduced by Rep. Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak) as House Bill 199 and is set for first hearings in the upcoming session.
“The goal of SHIP is to ensure that commercial fishermen around the state have access to information and knowledge about what is happening, and also that they are at the forefront of weighing in on the legislative process,” Bloom said. “We want to ensure that we get to an end result that is in the best interest of all Alaskans, including commercial fishermen who are concerned about protecting their jobs and livelihoods.”
The Kenai Salmon Habitat Forum is set Thursday, Dec. 14, starting at 5 p.m. at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association Building. It will be live streamed on Facebook at UFA/SHIP.
