U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski will host a field hearing for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in Kenai next week. The aim is to examine local impacts of federal regulations and wildfire management on outdoor recreation, hunting, and fishing.
The hearing on Tuesday, May 31 will host a panel of Alaskan specialists, including Kenai River Sportfishing Association’s Executive Director Rick Gease.
Gease: “The field hearing covers aspects of federal state agencies and relationships. In my testimony I’ll be focusing on the federal agencies in charge of fish and hunting issues which would include the NOAA, the National Marine Fishers Service through the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through a variety of programs that we interact with them, the Chugach National Forest, the National Park Service, the Federal Subsistence Board and potential the EPA regarding water quality issues. “
Other panelists include Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre, Seward Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cindy Clock, and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ State Forester Chris Maisch.
The hearing is open to the public and the panelists’ testimony will be posted on the committee’s website shortly before the hearing begins.
The field hearing will start at 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 31, at the Kenai Challenger Learning Center.