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Tuesday
July 01, 2014
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Sitka Black-tail Deer Reflection
Front Page Photo By CINDY BALZER ©2014
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Fish Factor: Fisheries Underway, Maritime Workers Wanted & More... By LAINE WELCH - Salmon takes center stage in Alaska every summer, but many more fisheries also are going on all across the state.
The world’s biggest sockeye salmon run is expected to surge into Bristol Bay any day, where a catch of about 17 million reds is projected. Elsewhere, the annual summer troll fishery in Southeast Alaska kicks off on July first with a target of just over 166,000 Chinook salmon.
Lots of crab fisheries are underway each summer -- Dungeness fishing began on June 15 in Southeast where a harvest of 2.25 million pounds is expected. The region’s golden king crab fishery will close on July 10, with a catch of about 234,000 pounds. Norton Sound’s red king crab fishery started on June 26 with a harvest set at 382,000 pounds, down 23 percent.
Trawlers are targeting pollock and cod in the Bering Sea, and the Gulf of Alaska jig fleet continues to make a dent in that seven million pound quota.
Halibut longliners had taken 53% of their 16 million pound catch limit, with just seven million pounds to go. For sablefish, 62% of the nearly 24 million pound quota has been landed with nine million pounds remaining. Both of those fisheries end in November.
A ling cod fishery opens in Prince William Sound on July 1 with a catch set at about 33,000 pounds. Alaska’s statewide scallop fishery which has a combined limit of 407,000 pounds of shucked meats, also opens July 1.
In other fish news
Simon Kinneen of Nome has been named to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. He replaces outgoing Eric Olson. Also reappointed is John Henderschedt for a Washington seat. Both terms are for three years.
United Fishermen of Alaska, the nation’s largest commercial fishing trade group, has endorsed two congressional candidates.
“We have put our support behind Senator Mark Begich for another term in the US Senate, and we have also voted to endorse Don Young for another go-around at the US House of Representatives,” said UFA executive director Julianne Curry.
UFA President, Jerry McCune also has thrown his hat in the ring as a Democratic contender for Alaska’s state house, representing District 32
Maritime workers wanted
Alaska’s coastal economies depend on the seafood industry, and the entire state relies on ships to get goods from one place to another. Getting more Alaskans into maritime trades is the goal of a new workforce development plan released by the state Dept. of Labor. It is the result of two years of collaboration by numerous industry sectors, five state agencies and university educators.
For the first time the plan breaks down maritime jobs into a unique, related workforce and identifies 23 different occupation types ranging from fishing to research to shipbuilding and repairs.
“One thing the plan really points out is how reliant our economy is on the maritime industry. Not only do we have a huge economic sector with seafood harvesting and processing – but also everything in maritime and marine trades. And then all the scientific work that goes on to support it. It is a real network of economic activity,” said Wanetta Ayers, Director of Business Partnerships at the Department of Workforce Development.
Right now, she said, there are not enough skilled workers to meet demand. - More...
Tuesday - July 01, 2014
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Alaska: Move Underway To End Federal Funding of Alaska Predator Control - The State of Alaska is using federal wildlife restoration grants to illegally support killing wolves and bears to increase moose and caribou hunting, according to a complaint filed yesterday by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) with the U.S. Department of Interior Office of Inspector General. The complaint details how state predator control programs funded by federal grants violate regulations and must be repaid in order for the state to qualify for renewed funding.
Documents obtained by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) under the Freedom of Information Act indicate that U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Federal-Aid funding under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act provides critical support for Alaska’s predator management projects. According to the documents, PEER said in Fiscal Year 2014 alone, Alaska received more than a million dollars in federal grants for 11 studies supporting what the state calls its “Intensive Management” (IM) program, which PEER said is a euphemism for predator control. Almost all of these IM research projects used the maximum proportion of federal funding. They constitute the overwhelming majority of the total state predator control annual costs of $1.4 million said PEER.
“It is clear from the released documents that the State of Alaska has for years surreptitiously, and illegally, supported its predator control operations with federal funds,” said Rick Steiner, a PEER Board member and retired University of Alaska professor who obtained the documents supporting the complaint, noting that the IM program involves state biologists and contracted pilot-gunner teams shooting wolves, brown bears and black bears from aircraft, which has sparked both scientific and political controversy. “At very least, states must be barred from using any federal funds to support this practice, including any funds for salaries of staff engaged in predator control, or tracking of wolves and bears prior to control efforts.” - More...
Tuesday - July 01, 2014
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Alaska: King Cove Residents Praise Governor for Joining in Lawsuit over King Cove Road Issue - King Cove tribal and community leaders are thanking Governor Sean Parnell after the State of Alaska announced it filed a motion yesterday to intervene in support of King Cove and the other plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed earlier this month. The state and the King Cove plaintiffs are asking the federal court to order the U.S. Interior Department to reverse its decision regarding the connector road and land exchange between the remote community and the all-weather Cold Bay airport.
“We are so appreciative of the governor’s continued support of the lives, health and safety of the King Cove people,” said Della Trumble, spokeswoman for the Agdaagux Tribe and the King Cove (Native) Corporation. “While the Secretary of the Interior seems to believe that we can’t coexist with the birds, mammals and the habitat, the Governor, a lifelong Alaskan, knows better. This is so heartening to us.”
Governor Sean Parnell announced Monday that the State of Alaska had filed a Motion to Intervene in support of the City of King Cove and other plaintiffs who are seeking to force the Department of the Interior to reconsider its decision regarding the proposed land exchange in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
“After years of putting birds over the well-being of Alaskans, it’s time for the Obama administration to agree to this exchange,” Governor Parnell said. “After all, the State of Alaska is willing to exchange more than 40,000 acres of state lands for merely nine miles of life-saving road.”
In the congressionally approved land exchange that the Interior Department rejected, the state and King Cove Corporation would have added more than 50,000 acres of state and corporate land to the refuge in exchange for 206 acres of federal land that is necessary for the road to connect King Cove to the all-weather airport in Cold Bay.
During times of severe weather, it can be extremely dangerous or impossible to transport critically ill patients from King Cove to Cold Bay by air or sea. Transport could be more safely accomplished by road to Cold Bay Airport where larger aircraft can land and safely conduct medical evacuation to locations such as Anchorage. - More...
Tuesday - July 01, 2014 |
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Columns - Commentary
 TOM PURCELL: Fourth of July Fast Facts - "I'm confused. I thought July 4 was the day our country declared independence from King George III of Great Britain."
"Actually, according to ConstitutionFacts.com, that's not so. The Continental Congress declared independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776."
"Then why do we celebrate our independence on the Fourth every year? Is that when we started the American Revolution?"
"That is a common misunderstanding, as well. The American Revolution began in April 1775, more than a year earlier."
"I'm stumped. Was the Fourth the day Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence?"
"Nope. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft in June 1776. Also, Jefferson didn't write the Declaration alone."
"He didn't? I always thought he was the sole author."
"A common misconception. In fact, the Continental Congress appointed a five-person to write the Declaration. It included Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman." - More...
Tuesday - July 01, 2014
 JEFF LUND: Stomaching sour seas - Chris and Abe were talking about getting seasick as I emerged from the cabin with a sandwich and bag of pretzels. They weren’t going to get sick, but it was the first of maybe three conversations that could culminate in someone getting sick if they keep thinking about it, conditions don’t change or fish aren’t caught.
Chris is from California, and has been fishing for most of his life, but this was his first time fishing for king salmon in the ocean. Before his trip up, the last time we fished together was hardly an adventure. We rounded up a couple buddies after our high school’s football game one night and went night fishing for stripers in the brown, slow-moving San Joaquin River. We sat in lawn chairs and drank coffee to stay warm and awake.
There was no falling asleep that morning Abe took us out. You have to be focused up here. There are waves and the constant threat of fish-related activity. Chris and I coached together before I moved from California, so I equated staying in the boat to playing defense. I told him if you stay in a defensive stance, you’ll blow out a hamstring, groin or a knee. The legs have to be more shock absorbers than anything, and points of contact are important.
We talked and waited for rod tips to wave at us.
We got into fish, but it was taking time. Abe and I knew we were amidst a grind, one of those days you’ll probably get your fish, but you’ll have to spend some time doing it. - More...
Tuesday - July 01, 2014
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Update in Progress
 Behind the scenes of City Government By Rodney Dial - I thought I would write a letter to inform the public of the latest machinations of the Ketchikan City Government and what is going on behind the scenes that you should be aware of. As you may remember, late last year City Manager Karl Amylon continued with his three year crusade to increase sales and property taxes, water and sewer rates. Amylon…pulling a page from the Obama world to end if Sequester is passed play book… told the City Council that without another tax increase, on top of two years of property tax increases; Ketchikan as we know it would end. Amylon claimed that nearly a dozen city employees would be laid off, there would be drastic cuts in city services, police officers would be demoted…and on, and on. It was mentioned repeatedly by Amylon that the previous years of tax increases were needed just to cover the City’s rising debt from the new Library and Fire station bonds. This was in December of 2013. - More...
Tuesday - June 24, 2014
Sealaska Board Desperation By Clarice Johnson - Sealaska shareholders have seen unprecedented financial losses and record level spending by Sealaska on a campaign to re-elect legacy board members. - More...
Monday - June 23, 2014
Vote YES on Ballot Measure 1 By Lisa Weissler - On August 19, Alaskans have the opportunity to make a difference in our state. By voting yes on Ballot Measure 1, voters have the power to repeal the oil production tax enacted in 2013. Senate Bill 21 changed how the state taxes the production of publicly owned oil, establishing a system that is not in Alaska’s best interest. - More...
Monday _ June 23, 2014
Questions remain unanswered. By Barbara McDaniel - Questions remain as to why Gov. Parnell waited almost four years to open an official investigation into 2010 Alaska National Guard (ANG) chaplains’ reports to him of sexual assaults of particular servicewomen in the ANG. - More...
Monday - June 23, 2014
Leveraging lessons from missile defense By Congressman Don Young - It's been said that failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. This sage perspective is particularly apt as we work to perfect the United States’ missile defense. - More...
Monday - June 23, 2014
$2 Billion Giveaway Sound Bite is a Dangerous Distraction By Senator Bert Stedman - Over the years I’ve read many of the reports written for the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). In May, ISER published the report funded by Northrim Bank and written by Dr. Scott Goldsmith entitled, “Alaska’s Oil Production Tax: Comparing the Old and the New” which has been placed in the center of the debate to repeal the new oil tax enacted by the passage of Senate Bill 21. His analysis is thoughtful, but the title is misleading and should be retitled, “Debunking the $2 Billion Giveaway Myth.” That’s what the report is being used for in the public relations arena and I believe that it’s also the reason behind the report’s creation. - More...
Monday - June 23, 2014
Significant weaknesses Goldsmith's report By Dr. Mark Myers - Following years of billion-dollar budget surpluses - the result of increased oil prices, price volatility, and an oil production tax system called ACES, Governor Parnell pushed through a new tax regime, called SB21. In the year following its passage, state surpluses have turned into forecasts of multibillion-dollar deficits, while ConocoPhillips reports that its profits in Alaska have risen substantially despite lower production. - More...
Monday - June 23, 2014
Disband the IRS By Beverly A. Martin - Americans, are you slaves? Do you realize you consent to politicians using the IRS as their weapon to silence you, control your spending, while legally taking your wealth? - More...
Monday - June 23, 2014
The Word Parnell Refuses to Say…"Deficit" By Bill Walker - Alaskans take pride knowing we are the largest state with the most lakes, tallest mountains and longest summer days. But there are other extreme facts we aren’t boasting about, nor is our governor willingly discussing. Under Parnell, we have blown through 35 percent of our savings and are saddled with the largest budget deficit in state history. Moreover, the U.S. Department of Census recently announced that Alaska is one of only two states with declining revenues in 2013. - More...
Saturday PM - June 14, 2014
Fate of the TLMP revision By Gretchen Goldstein - Doomed from the start. That’s the fate of the TLMP revision recently announced by the USDA. The revision faces controversy and legal challenges because, of the 15 revisers appointed to the Tongass Advisory Committee, not one represents subsistence. Yet California, Washington, and Oregon each have a voting representative; the timber industry, Native corporations and the government all have multiple representation. - More...
Saturday PM - June 14, 2014
UNITED AS ONE By Diane Gubatayao - Last November, outstanding Kayhi students Eimy Anzueto, Roselyn Cachero, Benz Guillermo, Mikala McKim and Omar Mendoza, attended the statewide LEAD ON! conference in Anchorage. They met students from all over Alaska and learned about issues facing young people. Each community chose a goal, and our Kayhi youth decided to sponsor an event to celebrate the wonderful diversity of Ketchikan. These wise young people recognize that many groups lead parallel lives in Ketchikan and rarely do their paths cross or come together. - More...
Saturday PM - June 14, 2014
The Declaration of Independence and The U.S. Constitution By Rex Barber - The Declaration of Independence is America's creed. The absolute belief that the only legitimate form of Government is Government by consent of the people.(Republican form of Government) That they (We the people) are endowed with certain unalienable rights. Rights that are sown in the very nature of man. Rights that exist in the wine dark deep recesses of our DNA. - More...
Saturday PM - June 14, 2014
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