Dear Friends and Neighbors,
At long last, I am finally able to announce that the State of Alaska has released its draft distribution plan for the 2016 Gulf of Alaska pink salmon disaster relief funding.
The state has broken down potential recipients into four categories: research, fishery participants, municipalities, and processors/processor workers. However, they are asking for your input through public comment before the plan is finalized.
This is your money and I strongly encourage you to offer your input regarding any changes that may be needed. Please remember that this is a draft and public comments have an impact on the process. However, please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, and/or other input regarding the draft plan. I work for you and will make sure that your ideas are related directly to those working on the plan at the department.
To view the distribution plan, including the proposed categories, eligibility criteria, methods for allocating funds, and to enter your public comments go to ADF&G’s website at:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishing.2016_pinksalmon_disaster_relief_fund
If you don’t feel like typing that mouthful into your web browser, the link is at the top of ADF&G’s homepage at:
www.adfg.alaska.gov
Originally, the public comment period was scheduled to end on September 7th, which simply isn’t enough time for stakeholders, many of whom are out fishing, to adequately weigh in. I spoke to Governor Walker and the Commissioner of Fish and Game this weekend and they agreed to extend the comment period. As I write this on Sunday, the State is unsure how long it will extend public comments, but I will make another announcement when that information becomes available. Additionally, the new deadline for comments will be posted on the department’s website whenever that determination is made.
Expect more information soon and please reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
– Louise Stutes
State House Representative for District 32. Proudly Serving Kodiak, Cordova, Yakutat, and Seldovia.
- Rep.Louise.Stutes@akleg.gov
- (907) 465-2487
- facebook.com/RepLouiseStutes
- twitter.com/RepLouiseStutes
