HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2017-61Sponsored by: Mayor Brian Gabriel
Vice Mayor Tim Navarre
Council Member Robert Molloy
Council Member Glenese Pettey
Council Member Jim Glendening
Council Member Mike Boyle
Council Member Henry Knackstedt
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-61
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, RESPECTFULLY
REQUESTING THAT THE ALASKA BOARD OF FISHERIES MEETING, SCHEDULED FOR
2020 TO CONSIDER UPPER COOK INLET FINFISH ISSUES BE HELD ON THE CENTRAL
KENAI PENINSULA.
WHEREAS, Upper Cook Inlet finfish are a vital and long-standing component of the
City of Kenai economy and community; and,
WHEREAS, all City of Kenai residents are impacted by Upper Cook Inlet finfish
fisheries either directly or indirectly; and,
WHEREAS, the Alaska Board of Fisheries Upper Cook Inlet Finfish regular meeting has not been
held on the Kenai Peninsula since 1999; and,
WHEREAS, City of Kenai residents and businesses benefit from informed science based
fisheries management, strategies and practices; and,
WHEREAS, sound management, strategies and practices are developed by transparent
processes, accessible public meetings and user participation, knowledge and representation;
and,
WHEREAS, conducting the Alaska Board of Fisheries regular meetings concerning Upper Cook
Inlet finfish exclusively in Anchorage instead of rotating locations between Anchorage and the
Kenai Peninsula greatly hampers public participation by City of Kenai residents due to the
substantial expense and burden of attending multi -day meetings in Anchorage; and,
WHEREAS, all users of public resources are entitled to reasonable access to public meetings
and processes concerning matters affecting their economy, livelihood and lifestyle; and,
WHEREAS, holding the 2020 Alaska Board of Fisheries Upper Cook Inlet Finfish meeting on the
Kenai Peninsula would improve the amount of testimony about local traditional knowledge to the
board, which is a great resource for the Board of Fisheries; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the residents and visitors to both the Kenai Peninsula and
the Anchorage area to maintain healthy well-managed salmon stocks and provide opportunities
and access for diverse user groups; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA:
Resolution No. 2017-61
Page 2 of 2
Section 1. That the Alaska Board of Fisheries is respectfully and strongly urged to schedule its
full Upper Cook Inlet Finfish Meeting of 2020 and future such meetings on the Kenai Peninsula
on a semi -regular basis.
Section 2. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 4th day of October, 2017.
BRIAN GABRIEL SR., MAYOR TfM NAVARRE, VICE MAYOR
MOLLOY. COUNCIL MEMBER
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MEMORANDUM
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210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, Alaska 99611-7794
Telephone: (907) 283-75351 Fax: (907) 283-3014
www.kenai.city
TO: Mayor Brian Gabriel and Kenai City Council
FROM: Paul Ostrander, City Manager�O ,
DATE: September 26, 2017
SUBJECT: 2020 Board of Fish Resolution
For residents of the Kenai Peninsula to participate in the BOF process for UCI, where
75%-85% of the proposals effect watersheds on the Kenai Peninsula, it has been
necessary to travel to Anchorage to provide testimony and/or participate in committees,
without a schedule to know when they may participate. This often requires burdensome
costs associated with multiple days of lodging and subsistence, in addition to
transportation costs. Having reasonable, periodic, access to the BOF process is simply
unfair to the large population of Alaskans residing on the Kenai Peninsula.
Additionally, the BOF process itself is rendered less comprehensive and effective by the
difficulties imposed upon Alaskans residing on the Kenai Peninsula by not holding the
UCI meeting on the Kenai Peninsula on a periodic basis. By minimizing or eliminating
input and testimony from residents on the Kenai Peninsula, the BOF is denied the
knowledge of individuals that are closest to, and most directly affected by, the fisheries
and decisions made by the BOF.
This Resolution respectfully requests that the 2020 Alaska Board of Fisheries Upper
Cook Inlet Finfish meeting be held on the Kenai Peninsula and future such meetings be
held here on a semi -regular basis.
Your consideration is appreciated.