In March of 2014 the Alaska State Senate Resources Committee, chaired by Sen. Cathy Giessel, invited Cook Inlet salmon stakeholders to make presentations to the Committee to enable an Upper Cook Inlet Salmon Dialogue. Two meetings were dedicated to various groups and a third meeting to ADF&G.
Senate Resource Committee Members include Senator Giessel, Chair, Senator Fred Dyson, Vice-Chair, Senator Peter Micciche, Senator Click Bishop, Senator Lesil McGuire, Senator Anna Fairclough and Senator Hollis French.
The significant time that the Committee members devoted to the hearings demonstrated a level of commitment to the Cook Inlet region’s salmon resource that we have not previously experienced. The inclusive sources of testimony were an acknowledgement of the complexity of the issues and of the value of the resource to the region and the state.
On March 24 the Committee heard from: City of Kenai; Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission; Kenai River Professional Guides Association; Kenai Area Fishermen’s Association; Alaska Outdoor Council; and the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association.
Copies of the reports provided by the participants may be accessed here. An audio recording of the meeting may be accessed here.
On March 26 the Committee heard from: United Cook Inlet Drift Association; Cook Inlet Aquaculture; Kenai River Sportfishing Association; Alaska Salmon Alliance; United Fishermen of Alaska; and Kenai Watershed Forum.
Copies of the reports provided by the participants may be accessed here. An audio recording of the meeting may be accessed here. A video recording of the meeting may be accessed here.
On March 28 the Committee heard from ADF&G representatives on Upper Cook Inlet salmon management.
Copies of the report provided by the participants may be accessed here. An audio recording of the meeting may be accessed here.