Resolution 14-095 Requesting the 2017 Upper Cook Inlet Finfish Meeting be held on the Kenai Peninsula & Approving Joint Resolution

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

Mayor / Council

RESOLUTION 14-095

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA REQUESTING THE ALASKA BOARD OF FISHERIES HOLD ITS 2017 UPPER COOK INLET FINFISH MEETING ON THE KENAI PENINSULA AND APPROVING JOINT RESOLUTION 2014-01.

                WHEREAS, Upper Cook Inlet finfish are a vital and very important component of the Homer economy and the social and cultural fabric of the community; and

                WHEREAS, Homer residents are all impacted by Upper Cook Inlet finfish fisheries either directly or indirectly and many participate in commercial, sport, subsistence, and personal use fisheries there; and

                WHEREAS, The Alaska Board of Fisheries Upper Cook Inlet Finfish regular meeting has not been held on the Kenai Peninsula since 1999; and

                WHEREAS, City of Homer residents and businesses benefit from informed science based fisheries management, strategies, and practices; and

                WHEREAS, Sound management strategies and practices are developed by transparent processes, accessible public meetings, and user participation, knowledge, and representation; and

                WHEREAS, Conducting the Alaska Board of Fisheries regular meetings concerning Upper Cook Inlet finfish exclusively in Anchorage instead of rotating between Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula greatly limits participation by Homer residents because of the substantial expense association with travel and lodging for multi-day meetings in Anchorage; and

                WHEREAS, All users of public resources are entitled to reasonable access to public meetings and processes concerning matters affecting their economy, livelihood and lifestyle; and

                WHEREAS, Holding the 2017 Alaska Board of Fisheries Upper Cook Inlet Finfish meeting on the Kenai Peninsula would improve the amount of testimony about local traditional knowledge, which is a great resource for the Board of Fisheries; and

                WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the residents and visitors to both the Kenai Peninsula and the Anchorage area to maintain healthy, well managed salmon stocks and provide opportunities and access for diverse user groups; and

                WHEREAS, Joint Resolution No. 2014-01; A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH, COUNCILS OF THE CITY OF HOMER, CITY OF KENAI, CITY OF SELDOVIA, CITY OF SEWARD, AND CITY OF SOLDOTNA, REQUESTING THE ALASKA BOARD OF FISHERIES HOLD ITS 2017 UPPER COOK INLET FINFISH MEETING ON THE KENAI PENINSULA, is proposed to be sent to the Alaska Board of Fisheries and other interested parties for consideration.

                NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Board of Fisheries is respectfully and strongly urged to schedule its full Upper Cook Inlet Finfish Meeting of 2017 and future such meetings on the Kenai Peninsula on a semi-regular basis.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby expresses its support for Joint Resolution 2014-01 and authorizes Mayor Wythe to sign it on behalf of the City of Homer.

                PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 8th day of September, 2014.

                                                                                                CITY OF HOMER 

                                                                                                MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR 

ATTEST:                                                                      

JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK  

Fiscal Note:  N/A