I was pleased to be invited by the Tlingit and Haida Central Council to speak at the Native Issues Forum on February 19th. I talked about various issues of interest to the Council including updates on two of my bills: Senate Bill 60 regarding sea otter management and Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 regarding the Tongass National Forest. As for Senate Bill 60, my office is working on revisions to this bill. Instead of placing a bounty on sea otters, I’m proposing the state should file a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to return Southeast sea otters to state management. The USFWS hasn’t updated their management plan in 20 years. The population of sea otters has changed dramatically in that time. There is no reason for Southeast sea otters to be protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act because they are no longer endangered or threatened. Also, I am working with various native groups in Southeast to increase opportunities for marketing of quality sea otter products. Also that same week, Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) held a Lunch and Learn for legislators and their staff regarding their sea otter fur industry. Sea otter fur is the finest in the world, and SHI is working to open new markets for this luxurious product. It has significant economic potential for native craftspeople here in Southeast.
I also gave the Central Council an update on Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 2. With the assistance and recommendations from the Department of Natural Resources, a Committee Substitute was adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee reflecting a few changes. One of the main revisions is urging the United States Congress to act on the request of the governor to acquire additional state land in the Tongass National Forest from the United States government by purchase or negotiation or by seeking amendments to the Alaska Statehood Act. Other changes in the Committee Substitute were for housekeeping purposes only. The revised Resolution passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is presently waiting to be calendared on the Senate Floor for a vote.
My final comments at the Native Issues Forum were on the need for regional collaboration among Southeast communities. I represent 27 communities in Senate District Q and most of them are small villages. I believe it’s important for the Mayors in Southeast to work with me on identifying our basic community needs and regional priorities. After the legislature cut oil taxes last year, we have less revenue for future capital budgets. In order to take care of the basic needs in our communities, we need to work together to agree on the region’s highest priorities where state dollars should be allocated.
Senator Stedman prepares to speak at the Native Issues Forum
Comments are closed