As with most habitat protection bills introduced into the Alaska State Legislature, HB 199, a bill designed to increase the ability of ADFG to protect salmon habitat, started with a full set of teeth and in subsequent versions has undergone some orthodontic extraction. That is part of the process, and to be expected. However, some of the extractions hurt more than others.
Under HB 199, as originally drafted, major projects will not be approved in a salmon habitat if the project will require water treatment forever. This requirement is missing in the new draft. Too bad. Forever is a long time to treat acidic, chemical laden mine run-off, so it doesn’t impact salmon habitat. Other missing teeth: the requirement that a project cannot de-water or relocate a salmon river for more than five years and the requirement that a project cannot convert a wild salmon population to a hatchery-dependent population.
The legislation as drafted initially was groundbreaking in its precautionary, common sense approach. An HB 199 with all of its molars and canines will require innovation, and responsible, forward-thinking action to ensure compliance with strong state habitat protections. Alaskan businesses are innovative and capable. A unique policy for a uniquely salmon abundant jurisdiction will require engineering for an industrial project so it will protect salmon, and this can be done.
Even preposterous boondoggles like Pebble Mine being rushed through the federal permit process should have to consider mining in ways that don’t require future Alaskans to pay in perpetuity to cover their water treatment costs in perpetuity.
The good news is that HB 199 is a work in progress and real protections can still happen. They are hearing Public Testimony on Saturday, April 7th at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 9th at 6:30 p.m. and again on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Please plan to testify in support of a strong HB 199. The ball is in your court.
Louie Flora, Government Affairs Director
These can help you draft testimony or provide a written comment that will demonstrate to Rep. Stutes, House Fisheries Committee and the state legislature that Alaskans like yourself support efforts to update our laws.
You can testify in person in Juneau, by going to your local legislative information office or by calling into this number:
844-586-9085
hearings to watch this week
Monday, April 9
1:00 p.m. House Judiciary
SB 202 NATIVE CORP. LIABILITY FOR CONTAMINATION
1:30 p.m. Senate Finance
SB 186 VOTER REGISTRATION & PFD APP REGISTRATION
3:30 p.m. Senate Resources
SR 9 PUBLIC LAND/RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
— Public Testimony —
6:30 p.m. House Fisheries
— Please Note Time Change —
HB 199 FISH/WILDLIFE HABITAT PROTECTION; PERMITS
— Public Testimony —
Tuesday, April 10
10:00 a.m. House Fisheries
HB 199 FISH/WILDLIFE HABITAT PROTECTION; PERMITS
— Testimony —
1:30 p.m. House Finance
HB 397 SURCHARGE ON CRUDE OIL;ARCTIC TRANS. FUND
— Public Testimony —
3:15 p.m. House State Affairs
HJR 30 URGE U.S. SUPPORT OF REFUGEES
3:30 p.m. Senate Community and Regional Affairs
HCR 19 GOVERNOR: AK NATIVE LANGUAGES EMERGENCY
3:30 Senate State Affairs
SB 190 ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
— Public Testimony —
HB 1 ELECTION REGISTRATION AND VOTING
— Public Testimony —
5:30 p.m. House Fisheries
— Please Note Time Change —
HB 199 FISH/WILDLIFE HABITAT PROTECTION; PERMITS
— Public Testimony – link to talking points>>
Wednesday, April 11
9:00 a.m. House Finance
HB 384 REGULATORY COMM OF AK; BROADBAND INTERNET
— Public Testimony —
1:00 p.m. House Resources
Presentation: Arctic Transportation & Resources Strategic Plan by Commissioner Andrew Mack, Dept. of Natural Resources
— Testimony —
Thursday, April 12
9:00 a.m. House Finance
HB 386 VESSELS: REGISTRATION/TITLES; DERELICTS TELECONFERENCED
— Public Testimony —
3:00 p.m. House Health and Social Services
Presentation: Report on the Potential Health Impacts of Climate Change in AK by the Dept. of
Health & Social Services
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