Alaska Fisheries Conservation Act (2008)
The Act to restore fisheries conservation and habitat protection functions to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, petition 07FISH, was not on the ballot in 2008 as an initiated state statute. The initiative was designed to move the duties and authorities concerning regulations of fish and fish habitats back to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. These duties and authorities had been transferred to the deputy commissioner of natural resources through Executive Order No. 107 in 2003. Gov. Sarah Palin (R) moved these duties and authorities back to the Department of Fish and Game through an executive order in 2008.[1]
Overview
When in office Gov. Frank Murkowski moved the Habitat Division to the Department of Natural Resources. This was seen by proponents of this initiative as moving the department in a pro-development orientation, instead of its previous station with the conservation-oriented Fish and Game Department.
The sponsors also wanted the initiative to help with protesting the development of a mine at Pebble which has large deposits of copper, gold, and molybdenum near Lake Iliamna. The legislature tried to pass legislative bills to deal with opposition to the development like HB 41, which transferred the project to the Fish and Game Department and others that would have addressed the issue.
Proponents
Primary Sponsors: Bobby Andrew, Evan Wonhola, Sharon Clark.
Citizens, like Anders Gustafson, a fishing guide in the region, said that the coalition was acting on behalf of concerned citizens in the area. This was especially true for those in the area that ran fishing lodges, like money manager Robert B. Gillam, which were actively fighting Pebble project.
"Wild salmon and clean water should be more important to Alaskans than gold and copper. Renewable resources should always trump nonrenewable ones," said Richard Jameson, director of Renewable Resources Coalition.[2]
Opposition
The Resource Development Council for Alaska was opposed to the initiative.[3]
The Alaska Miner Association and the Council of Alaska Producers were also opposed.[3]
Status
- September 10, 2007: Application was received in the Lieutenant Governor's Office.
- September 12, 2007: A copy of the application and signatures were sent to the Department of Law and Division of Elections.[4]
- The initiative was not put on the ballot.
See also
- Alaska ballot measures
- Alaska Initiative Law
- Campaign finance requirements for Alaska ballot measures
- Petition drive deadlines in 2008
- Alaska signature requirements
- Alaska 2008 ballot measures
Footnotes
