CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                          Beck

RESOLUTION 05-20

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA REQUESTING THAT THE ALASKA BOARD OF GAME MAINTAIN THE HUNTING CLOSURES AT MCNEIL RIVER STATE GAME SANCTUARY AND REFUGE, INCLUDING STATE OWNED LANDS NEAR THE LITTLE KAMISHAK RIVER, AND STATE OWNED LANDS NEAR THE DOUGLAS RIVER.

            WHEREAS, the Alaska Board of Game will be reviewing and voting on proposals to open the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and surrounding area to brown bear hunting at their spring meeting beginning on March 4, 2005.  Written comments must be submitted to the Board of Game by February 18, 2005; and

            WHEREAS, in 1967 the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary was established by the legislature to "provide a permanent protection for brown bears and fish and other wildlife so that these resources may be preserved for scientific, aesthetic and educational purposes"; and

            WHEREAS, bear viewing continues to grow as a popular tourist activity that contributes greatly to Homer's economy.  Whether by sea or air, Homer is the major hub for visitors to McNeil River Sanctuary and the surrounding area; and

            WHEREAS, there were over 4,200 visitor inquiries for bear and wildlife viewing trips between January 2004 and September 2004, according to the Homer Visitor Information Center; and

            WHEREAS, during the past 20 years, using a state lottery system, the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary has had nearly 4,500 visitors most of which arrive and depart from Homer; and

            WHEREAS, National Park Service statistics show an increase in bear viewing along the Katmai coast from 1,900 tourists in 2000 to 2,975 in 2003; and

            WHEREAS, bear viewing customers not only provide income to the owners and operators of those businesses, but they also contribute to Homer's economic growth by utilizing Homer's many businesses and services including fishing charters, restaurants, lodging, gift shops, car rentals, art galleries and grocery stores; and

            WHEREAS, many of the bear viewing operators and guides are year-round residents of Homer, utilizing local businesses and services, which include aviation, marine, and professional services; and

            WHEREAS, bear viewing as an industry is increasing and Homer based bear viewing companies have seen up to a 200% increase in business over the past 5 years; and

            WHEREAS, bear viewing is an environmentally sound and sustainable business capable of bringing in revenue to Homer for many years to come; and

            WHEREAS, the McNeil River Sanctuary is the world's premiere site for viewing and photographing wild brown bears.  Homer's economy benefits by attracting film and television production companies like IMAX and the BBC from around the world to Homer.  These crews stay here for extended periods, often times returning, using Homer as a base of operations while filming; and

            WHEREAS, the Alaska Center for Coastal Studies is now in its second year of offering a college credit, field study class for educators on brown bear biology and behavior in this area; and

            WHEREAS, the 2004 McNeil River Field Report states that, "the numbers of bears show the lowest count of bears in more than 20 years"; and

            WHEREAS, McNeil River brown bears are known to range over large areas within and outside the sanctuary including areas within the refuge, the National Park, the Little Kamishak River, and the Douglas River. Opening these areas to hunting would decrease the quality of the bear viewing experience that has attracted many visitors to Homer and would adversely affect Homer's bear viewing businesses, tourism industry and local economy.

            THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Homer City Council requests that the Alaska Board of Game maintain the hunting closures at McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge, including state owned lands near the Little Kamishak River, and state owned lands near the Douglas River.

            PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council on the 28^th day of February, 2005.

                                                                                                CITY OF HOMER

                                                                                                ____________________________________

                                                                                                JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

ATTEST:

___________________________________

MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal note: NA