It’s been 20 years since the state Board of Fisheries held a meeting on the Kenai Peninsula.
That, despite the fact that each time Upper Cook Inlet regulations come up for debate, fisheries here dominate the discussions. During a recent work session, the board took a vote on whether to hold the meetings in Anchorage, on the Kenai or in the Mat-Su Valley. But the Board of Fisheries still prefers Anchorage as a neutral location to discuss fishing matters relating to Upper Cook Inlet. This time by a vote of 4-3.
For a long time, an unofficial reason for staying in the big city has been that some board members felt the proceedings had a potential to get a bit too heated, and that’s why they preferred a neutral meeting place. Soldotna board member Robert Ruffner says that’s no longer the case, as the board membership has changed numerous times in the past two decades. So, what is a compelling case to get those meetings here?
“The vast majority of proposals would effect on the ground actions on the Kenai Peninsula and largely around the Kenai and Kasilof rivers. The vast majority of the participants, the public that actually shows up even when it’s in Anchorage, is still central peninsula residents.”
That's the argument Ruffner made during the work session.
The counter argument contends that a majority of fishery participants, be it sport or personal use, live in and around Anchorage.
“But they’re not participating when the venue is right there in their own neighborhoods," Ruffner said.
And he wasn’t alone in his thinking when the Board met last month. Board member Fritz Johnson was in support for several reasons, chiefly, it’s been 20 years.
“I think the input from more than just resource users and stakeholders, it’s important to hear from local businesses and the community and even the people who don’t even really participate in resource extraction of one form or another. So I would put in a pitch for holding it on the Peninsula somewhere.”
From Wasilla, board member Israel Payton said moving the meeting there or to the Kenai might increase tensions.
“I think this squabble over where to have the meeting doesn’t decrease tension, but inflames it. I think Anchorage is a good neutral location people coming in (from) all over South Central. There’s a lot more options and price points for people to stay in hotels than their would be in the smaller communities. Just a neutral location.”
And that supposedly neutral location will be home to the next round of Upper Cook Inlet meetings in 2020.