Issue Position: Conservation

Issue Position

I appreciate the Alaska Center's endorsement in this campaign. Climate change and ocean acidification pose an existential threat to Alaska's fishing industries and the rural and coastal communities that depend on marine resources. The state's continued financial dependence on oil revenue should not be an impediment to emissions reductions policies and programs. These should include integration of regional electric grids to enable expanded use of renewable power, expansion of state support for renewable rural microgrids, and actions to reduce costly energy use from state buildings and emissions from its vehicle fleet. In addition, the state should join with other governments in a regional (or broader) cap and trade program to drive down emissions in the most cost-effective manner possible.

The state needs to reform its approach to transportation and ensure infrastructure investments prioritize safe streets that spur economic development while improving public safety. For instance, Anchorage's auto-centric roads--many of which lack adequate pedestrian and bike facilities--are an impediment to economic development, because they discourage movement by residents and tourists through downtown and other main thoroughfares. In addition, Alaska should build on its lucrative outdoor recreation economy and expand both trail infrastructure and marketing to enhance tourism visitation and revenue from hikers, mountain and snow bikers, backpackers, paddlers, and other adventure tourists, an industry that already generates $337 million in state and local tax revenue and 72,000 direct jobs, with opportunity for growth.

As the state's single largest employer, the fishing industry is essential to the economic vitality of Alaska's communities, supplying more than 100,000 jobs and $5 billion in wages. Salmon also play a vital cultural role for Alaskans both today and throughout Alaska's history. To preserve Alaska's globally significant salmon and seafood resources for future generations, we must update Alaska's outdated fish habitat laws. Without these reforms, the state would gain the funds and policy framework to deny permits for economically, environmentally, and culturally destructive projects such as Pebble Mine, along with the ability to green-light the vast majority of projects that can be built without impacts to salmon habitat. Specifically, Alaska state statute should better define salmon habitat; adequately list the state's salmon-bearing streams; provide "salmon safe" development guidelines; and give Alaskan citizens adequate opportunity for participation in decisions regarding development that could impact salmon resources.

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