Dear Neighbors,
I think winter might be over. I flinched when I said that, but I think it’s true. It must be, because I’m off to take a few days to go fishing. But before I leave, I wanted to give you a few updates – one for your heart, and one for your wallet.
Promotes Outdoor Recreation At Lower Cost to Alaskans
JUNEAU – Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) filed legislation to promote Alaska hunting and fishing by allowing lifetime licenses for Alaskans.
It’s easy to think that the laws we pass don’t make a difference. Well sometimes they do. Or at least help those, as in foster youth Sarah Redmon’s case, who just might have moved any mountain-sized obstacles out of her way on her own.
And – I’ll write a short note about a bill we will hear Monday – that weakens Alaska’s ability to prevent developers from taking huge amounts of water from fishing streams that might damage our prized sport, commercial and subsistence fisheries. Yup. This bill (House Bill 77) violates the “promise” we once heard that Alaska would never trade one resource for another. Well, Alaska will, and our fish are coming out on the short end lately. There’s currently an application to take out eighteen million gallons a day of water from a prized western trout and salmon stream, the Upper Talarik Creek drainage off Lake Iliamna.
Legislators propose amendment So Needed Water Isn’t Withdrawn From Fishing Streams
Today, Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage) called on the governor to honor his promise not to “trade one resource for another” [Fairbanks Daily News Miner, March 11, 2010]. He called for the governor’s support in ensuring Alaska’s fish-producing streams maintain the water they need to support healthy fish runs.
Things are in full swing at home and in the Legislature. For effective government we need to hear from you. I am always interested in your questions and suggestions.
University Construction Projects-
Last week I spoke with University of Alaska President Pat Gamble about the construction of the new UAA engineering building, and the proposal for a parking garage
Dear Neighbors,
Over the coming weeks many Alaskan families will be seeking to fill their freezers with fish from our bountiful waters. Whether through sport or personal use fishing, the rules and regulations can be confusing at times. I have put together the following list of useful phone numbers so that you can be sure you are operating within the rules. When in doubt, ask an expert!
Today, the governor signed into law Representative Les Gara’s legislation to ensure future public access to Alaska’s fishing streams, House Bill 144. The bill passed the House last year with a vote of 38 Yeas and passed the Senate by a vote of 20 to 0 on February 27.
“I want to thank the governor and the legislative body for their support in protecting Alaskans’ access to fishing streams for this and the next generation. In other states you have to pay access fees to fish a stream, or are simply blocked from this public resource. We don’t ever want that to happen in Alaska,” said Rep. Les Gara (D-Anchorage), an avid fisherman and fishing writer.
Well good news doesn’t usually come in the hospital. But that’s where I am, and where I got the good news that the Governor signed my bill seeking to maintain and enhance the cherished right of Alaskans to access our fishing streams, so public access remains for this and the next generation.
Predictions are that surgery went well, but it will be a little bit before we know for sure. What we do know is all the cancer is gone – thanks for all the well wishes. That’s the good news. It will take a little time to find out if there are any side effects.
