Public Comment for Alaska Fisheries Resources

On Tuesday I attended a Mat-Su Brough Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting, where several people made a specific effort to attend the mid-afternoon meeting, most of them having driven 45 minutes one way to participate. They each had very strong and personal reasons for opposing a certain proposed project, but none of them provided a specific solution or action they were attempting to achieve from their public comment on the issue. The problem with public comment without a specific request — you may be thanked for your comment — without any specific action being taken.

Provide Your Solution — State What You Hope to Achieve

Sometimes the people most-in-the-know about a specific issue can get so involved in discussing the issue or problem, they May Not provide the same level of insight on what to do about it. Members of the public most affected by an issue, have often had a more thorough consideration of what could be a good solution(s) —- or possibly what solution(s) would benefit the greatest number of people. Bottom line, provide your best suggestions how to fix a problem, why to remain status quo, keep a problem from occurring in the future, or make the best use of limited public funds.

Document — Make it Easy for a Group to Take Action

When speaking before an advisory group in hopes of getting them to support or oppose an issue, consider writing out a possible letter or resolution of support. Your best solution and strongest supporting comments will, of course, be included. The group can then easily consider specifically what your are requesting.. They may use your document as their own response — or use it as reference when drafting their own letter or resolution. Your document may also become a resource used for future decisions as well.

Share Your Solutions & Invite Participation

Solutions to broad public problems should consider what is best (if for not everyone) perhaps at least the majority, or a majority of interests. Therefore, it is beneficial to share your suggested solutions with others — while considering suggested solutions they may have as well. Working with an additional group(s) with a mutual interest is often beneficial. Issues can also be shared the old fashioned way — through newspaper opinion pieces — or through social media online. When sharing your thoughts, include a Call for Action — to support your cause — including a way for people / groups to participate.

Items Open for Public Comment

Public Review Draft (PRD) of the Susitna Basin Recreational Rivers Management Plan — includes: Little Susitna, Deshka, Talkeetna, and Talachulitna River, along with Alexander and Lake Creek. This draft provides opportunity for public comment on regulations that when adopted are scheduled to be in place for the next 20 years. Comment deadline March 5, 2024. For more information contact: Rob Earl, land use planner, recreationrivers@alaska.gov or 907-269-8533

Upper Cook Inlet Alaska Board of Fisheries Proposals

Fishing regulations adopted at the Feb. 23 - March 5 meeting at Egan Convention Center in Anchorage may go into regulation 2024 - 2026. The Comment Deadline to be included in Board members binders — Feb. 8, 2023. Proposed regulations affect subsistence, sport, guided sport, personal use, and commercial users, in Upper Cook Inlet locations from Anchor Point and Seward in the south, then north close to Cantwell. Proposals are grouped in 21 categories with hotlinks to each group and an online comment submission form. If you are interested in commenting on multiple proposals I suggest clicking the comment button first — looking at how comments will be formatted — remembering comments should be connected to proposal number(s). Next go back and review the proposal groups / individual proposals you may want to comment on. Find this information at the following Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) web page: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.meetinginfo&date=02-23-2024&meeting=anchorage

Young computer savvy folks should find this super easy — as even an old geezer like myself can get it done. You can do it from the comfort of your living room. As always, have fun! But please comment on the fisheries you participate in, so we may all . . . .

Fish On! into the future.

Andy Couch participated in developing the original Susitna Basin Recreational Rivers Management Plan and has been commenting on fishing regulation proposals since the 1980s.

Andy Couch

Fishtale River Guides

(907) 746-2199

fishing@fish4salmon.com