Last summer, just prior to the beginning of the busy fishing season, Soldotna’s Wildlife Troopers were understaffed but this summer Lt. Paul McConnell says they’re ranks are filling up.
McConnell: “Last summer on the Kenai we had three [Wildlife] Troopers, a Sergeant, and a Lieutenant. This summer we’re rolling into this summer with five Troopers, a Sergeant, and a Lieutenant so we’re actually sitting a little better than we were last year. We’re currently down one Trooper in Anchor Point because that person transferred but we have another one that’s due to show up in mid-August so all of our positions will be filled on the Kenai Peninsula.”
He says having a full staff will help the Wildlife Troopers patrol the Kenai Peninsula however budget reductions from the last couple fiscal years restrain the amount of time the officers can work in a week.
McConnell: “In years without budget deficits and what not we may have guys in July working five 10-hour days to even six 10-hour days. With the current budget situation we’re looking at a five day work week and overtime is only going to be authorized for situations where it’s warranted versus guys going out to try to drum up work. So it’ll be down some but it’ll be better than last year I suspect.”
Budget reductions in the program are also apparent in areas such as Kodiak where officials are selling a 121-foot law enforcement vessel, the Woldstad, which is used for investigating commercial fishing violations.
The civilian crew of four operated the vessel and with those jobs being eliminated, the state is estimated to save the state approximately $500,000 per year.